When I'm Gone

Chapter 9

As soon as I reached our placed I slipped into my bedroom and I called Martell. He picked up after a few rings. I took a deep breath "I talked to Amity after school. She doesn't want to leave this house, I don't want to push her about all these huge changes at once but maybe we should talk to her together first."

I knew Martell would be pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration "yeah, let's talk to her this evening. I will order dinner, you all can come here so she could see the house and then I can talk to her." I agreed shortly hanging up the phone.

When we pulled into Martells' driveway Amity was fidgeting with her bracket she had been sent last year from Martell when he was away on tour. I knocked on the front door then waited for Mathers to answer. When he threw the door open he laughed "you don't need to knock it is as much yours as mine."

I subtlety nodded ushering Amity inside whilst I bounced Hallie on my hip. Hallie was extremely unsettled. She was unable to sleep at daycare because there was a child misbehaving keeping majority of the kids awake. Martell quickly took Hallie out of my arms cradling her against his chest. She smiled at him hiding her face shyly into his chest. He kissed her forehead "hello Hallie, baby."

Amity walked over to the couch throwing herself down. Martell quickly put Hallie down on a foam mat surrounded by toys. He then sat down next to Amity. He grabbed her hand gently squeezing it. You know we both love you and now that I'm back I want to be closer to my girls. That means I also want to be closer to you. I want you all to move in with me here."

Amity had tears flowing down her cheeks, deep sobs fell from her lips. She shook her head "I don't want to move. I want to stay where we are. I don't want things to change."

With that said she ran out of the room and towards the backyard. I ran after her. I held her in my arms as she continued to cry "I don't want to move."

I nodded "I know baby, why though. I thought you would like to be closer to Mickey."

She shook her head "no I don't want to live with him. I only want to be with you and Hallie."

I cupped her cheek brushing the tears away "is there a reason Amity. If you have a reason then we won't move but talk to me."

She nodded "he left me, he didn't come back. He could leave again. He said he would never leave me and he did."

I cradled her face to my chest "Mickey May have been away but he never really left. He's always in your hair and when you look in the mirror every day. You and your brother look so much alike."

She nodded "promise he won't leave?"

I kissed her forehead "I promise. He loves you and Hallie, he won't leave again."

I grabbed her hand and together we walked back inside. Hallie asked Martell "can you show me up to my room, Mickey?"

Mathers smiled "yeah, baby girl. You will love it. Of course, you can change the colour or whatever before you move in. You have to make the room your own but I do t want any black."

She laughed "I promise."

To gather they bounced up the stairs. I picked Hallie up from the floor "do you want to see your room, Hallie. Do you want to come with mummy."

She giggled at me repeating "mummy."

I placed her on my hip carrying her up the stairs to her bedroom. I could hear Mathers talking to Amity. "I know I upset you baby girl, I am sorry I made you cry. I thought I was doing the right thing. I am sorry I did let you stay with me but I knew you would be better to stay with Lilee. I missed you so much, you and Lil."

Amity cried "I missed you too Martell, I wished every day you would come back."

Martell paused for a moment "I'm not going anywhere now. I'm here to stay. I want to watch you and Hallie grow up and someday I want to marry Lilee."

Amity giggled "Lilee missed you a lot more than she would tell me. Some times I could hear her crying."

I walked away from the door leaving them to the remained of their conversation. As I opened Hallie's bedroom door. Martell had already set up a wooden cot. The room was painted a spring purple. Everything in the room matched perfectly. As I opened the doors of her wardrobe he already had clothes purchased.

As I closed the wardrobe I placed Hallie down so she could have a walk around. I sat down in the rocking chair opposite her bed. In the room, Mathers already had a huge selection of toys. A rocking horse and a tri-wheel bike.

I smiled adoringly down to her "what do you think of what daddy did baby. I think daddy did good."

She tugged on my leg "daddy."

"Daddy is with Amity. Let's go and find daddy and Amity. Call them "daddy, Amity."

She tried to copy me "daddy, Mmty."

I walked into Amity's room she was looking around whilst Martell stayed seated on the bed. Martell smiled reached his arms out to Hallie which she obliged. I smiled at the two "I love what you have done with the girls' rooms. They look incredible."

He smiled "wait until you see our room. Anyway, Amity and I talked and we have decided in the next few weeks if it's okay with you. You all could slowly start moving in or even sleeping here before then."

I smiled at him "yeah, that sounds incredible. You have been amazing Mathers."