He Saved Me

Chp 61

Paris's POV
     I've had it with this family. The second I get my phone back, I'm texting Chris to come pick me up. I don't even care about packing my shit. Dad can keep it. He might even just give it all to his little girl. I'm not gonna lie, Mia and I really haven't been getting along ever since Dad and I got into that huge fight. He claims that he's strict with her too, but that's just not true. Mia has him wrapped around her little finger.
Last night was probably the angriest I've seen Dad in a while. When the drug test came back positive, he looked like he wanted to smack me in the face. But all he said was to stay in my room till he says I can come out again. Then he said the words that made me sure I want to move out. "I don't even want to look at you right now." He has no idea how much those words hurt. He hates me because of the drugs. Or maybe because he has Mia as my replacement.

Mia's POV
Daddy's angry at me right now. It's all Blanket's fault to tell you the truth. He kept pulling my hair on the plane. I even tried asking him to stop nicely, just like Daddy taught me. But he wouldn't stop. I had no choice but to punch his arm. I didn't even punch it that hard, but Daddy got super mad and spanked us both. Blanket tried to hide his tears. I wasn't as strong as he was.
     I'm not allowed to leave my room today, but I'm really hungry. And Grace hasn't come in with any food after breakfast. We usually eat lunch around this time, but no one came up with the food. Maybe I can sneak into the kitchen and grab a quick snack. But what if Daddy gets angry? I really can't afford another spanking right now. My butt is still sore. Ugh!

Michael's POV
     I was lost in my conversation with Mother, Jermaine, and LaToya. We were catching up on all the family drama. Toya sure loves gossip. She had the scoop on some of my nephews' marriages, something us "older folks" don't really get to hear about too often. It's crazy to think that my siblings and I are considered the older generation in this family. All the kids are grown now.
     I looked at the clock and realized we're late on lunch. Shit. The kids must be starving. "Let's start lunch Mother," I said gently.
     "Lead the way baby," she said with a smile. I know I told the kids that they're bound to their rooms today, but Mother insisted that she was not leaving this house till she saw her grandbabies.
     "You're gonna spoil them Mother," I chuckled.
     "That's what I'm here for. Wait till one of them gives you your first grandchild. If you think you're a softie with these kids, boy you got another thing coming," she laughed. I laughed at her remark, but internally panicked at thought of my kids having children anytime soon. They're still my babies. I sent Grace to bring the kids down for lunch, while praying everything runs smoothly. But when does it ever?
     One by one, they marched in with a scowl on their faces. Except for my little Mia. She can never hold a grudge. I wish I could say the same about my older 3. They all greeted their grandmother, uncle, and aunt, before taking a seat. "Hi Daddy," Mia waved. She looked nervous, I guess trying to figure out if I was still mad at her or not. But how can I possibly stay mad at that cute little face?
     "Hi baby," I said as I placed a kiss on her forehead. "Hungry?" Mia quickly nodded her head yes. I noticed Paris roll her eyes, but I let it go. I just want a peaceful meal before I have to make some hard decisions about her future. Soon Blanket and Prince put their guard down, conversing with everyone and smiling. Mother couldn't stop gushing over Mia, telling her all the wonderful stories about me causing trouble when I was younger. And of course, Mia couldn't stop her giggles.
     "Don't get any ideas young lady," I chuckled.
     "You can't get mad at me for anything anymore Daddy. You're a troublemaker too," she giggled. I rolled my eyes and shook my head at Mother.
     "Spoiling them," I mouthed to her. She simply shrugged and went back into her conversation with Mia. Jermaine had the boys intrigued in their conversation about cars. Toya was trying her best to make some conversation with Paris, but she was clearly in no mood to speak. She pushed the food around on her plate, probably not paying attention to a single word that was coming out of her aunt's mouth.
     "Paris? Eat your food please," I prompted.
     "I'm moving out," she stated simply. Everyone went silent. God, not this again. I let out a sigh and rubbed my temples.
     "Eat your food," I said trying to avoid the bomb she just dropped at the table.
     "I'm serious Dad," she said coldly. I dropped my fork on my plate, getting real tired of Paris's theatrics.
     "And where exactly will you be moving girl?" I asked sternly. I raised my brows, challenging her to keep pushing it with me.
     "I'm moving in with Chris," she stated.
     "Who's Chris?!" we all asked in unison.
     "My boyfriend," she scoffed.
     "EXCUSE ME?!" I yelled.
     "Oh God," Toya mumbled. She gave me a sympathetic look, knowing I'm on the verge of a heart attack right about now.
     "You heard what I said," Paris replied with a smug look. I don't get it, is she enjoying this?
     "Well I hope you hear what I'm about to say clearly. Your ass ain't goin no where! You hear me?" I said annoyed. I could feel my blood pressure rising with each passing second. I went from finding out that my daughter is back on drugs, to her moving in with this boyfriend I didn't even know she had.... overnight! If Paris comes out with anymore surprises, I'm going to be the one going on drugs!
     "Well you said in Germany that you won't stop me if I move out. And that's exactly what I'm doing," she said matter-of-factly. "Now you can give all your attention to your princess over there," she said while glaring in Mia's direction. "Not like you haven't been doing that already."
     "Go to your room! You're done!" I yelled.
     "Sure, send me to my room. That's real smart Dad! I hope you realize that you're the one who pushed me away! You're the reason I want to leave this house... this family! I hate you! All you care about now is your new daughter! All you ever do with me, is try to control my life! I fucking hate it here!" she screamed before stomping up the stairs. Wow.
     "Mike..." Jermaine said gently while placing a hand on my shoulder. In that very moment, my entire world went dark. I placed my head in my hands, and broke down. I'm trying so fucking hard to be a good father. I'm trying to be everything I didn't have growing up. I have to be strict sometimes, I can't always be their friend. I'm trying... but it never seems to be enough. My little girl doesn't want anything to do with me. I don't even know what do anymore. Prince and Blanket came over to where I was sitting, and wrapped their arms around me. I hate having my babies see me so weak. I'm supposed to be their strength. I'm supposed to solve all their problems.
     I didn't even realize I was sobbing so loud, till I heard a worrisome voice call out my name. "Daddy?" Mia called out shakily. I looked up at her, with tears clouding my vision. Her eyes were watery and her bottom lip was sticking out. "Please don't cry," she said.
     "Come here mama," I said gently. She got out of her seat and ran over to me. I placed her in my lap, as her tiny hands wiped the tears running down my cheeks.
     "I'm sorry," Mia cried.
     "Why are you sorry babygirl?" I asked.
     "Because I never follow the rules. I make you so upset. And now I made Paris so upset, that she doesn't want to live here," she sobbed before planting her face in my chest.
     "Shhh baby... it's not your fault. Shhh..." I cooed as I rubbed her back. Paris said some hurtful things, but the last thing I want is Mia blaming herself for everything that's happening. "Your sister is just going through a hard time, none of this is your fault," I reassured her.
     "Dad... we're sorry too. We've been stressing you out so much recently. And now with Paris... just know we're really sorry. We love you Daddy, please don't be upset," Prince spoke up with tears in his eyes.
     "It's okay baby," I cooed. I know how much my boys hate when I call them sappy nicknames, but I can't help it right now. I feel like my babies are slipping through my fingers... and I'm just not ready. "You kids need to listen more. I didn't set rules in this house to torture you," I reminded them.
     "We know and we're gonna try, we promise. We love you Dad!" Blanket said before wrapping his arms around my neck from behind me. Being occupied with soothing my children, or the other way around, I forgot all about our company.
     "Michael, maybe I should stay here with you and the kids for a few days. Lord knows y'all need some extra lovin right now," Mother said softly.
     "No Mother, you don't have to do that," I began as I looked in her direction.
     "Don't say no to me boy. I want to do this. Let me help," she said with a smile. Like I said before, this woman is an angel. I nodded my head yes. She returned the gesture with a smile. "Kids, why don't you help me clear the table. Let Daddy get some rest," she called out. All 3 of them went straight to their grandmother, while Jermaine and Toya pulled me into another room.
     "Mike, please take care of yourself. Don't let all this stuff with Paris get to you," LaToya said concerned. "You look tired... and skinnier. Have you been sleeping? Or eating even. My family knows how I get when I'm stressed out or under a lot of pressure. I appreciate their concern, I really do. But I feel like they're not understanding what I'm going through right now.
     "How can I not let it get to me? You heard what she said! How... sh-she's my little girl Toya. And I'm watching her ruin her life. I'm letting her slip away," I said exhausted. The stress is eating away at me, and everything that just went down with Paris... I'm really losing my shit.
     "She needs help Mike. She's grown and she can move out, yes. But not like this. Not when she's on drugs and trying to move in with some boyfriend none of us ever heard about before. Get her help! We can set up an intervention, right here and right now," Jermaine chimed in.
     "Those don't always work," I mumbled.
     "Well it worked with you," LaToya said. She's right. There was a time that I was so hooked on painkillers, I would take them like it was water. It was stupid and unsafe, for me and the kids. If it wasn't for that intervention, I don't even know if I would be here right now. "I'm calling the rest of the family over. Don't try to negotiate Mike. Your baby needs this," LaToya said sternly. I simply nodded my head, giving her the okay. Boy, today is about to be one LONG ass day!