Breaking The Unbroken

Chapter 71

Lyric's POV

"Where are we going, mama?" Iris asked, skipping next to me. I smiled down at her, repositioning Natalia on my hip.

"We're going to meet your aunt and cousins," I answered.

"I thought our only aunt was aunt Jamie," Junior mumbled.

"Turns out I have another sister. We share the same father so she's my half-sister. I met her a few weeks ago and she wants you guys to meet her kids." At this Junior's eyes lit up.

"We have cousins?" He asked.

"You have 5. 2 girls and 3 boys." Iris and Junior both gasped before chatting excitedly. I laughed and walked up to the doorsteps of the yellow house. I rang the doorbell and smiled when a little girl peeked her head out.

"Mommy's setting up out in the back. We have guests comin'." She said, thumb in her mouth.

"I think we're the guests your mom was expecting," I replied. The little girl narrowed her eyes at me before closing the door.

"Jewel, who was at the door?" A voice yelled.

"A lady with two kids. She says that mom was waiting for her." The little girl's voice yelled back. The door opened again and I was met with a strangled gasp.

"Y-You're the Emerald Enchantress." A teenage boy said. This must be Brian.

"Hi, Brian. Is everything set for us to come inside now?" I chuckled lightly.

"Uh...Yeah! Come on in." We walked into the beautifully decorated house and saw 4 other kids standing there.

"Ha! I told you the Avengers were gonna come get you, Henry." Jalen laughed at the small boy watching me with wide eyes.

"Miss Enchantress, I'm sorry I took my brother's shirt without asking. Please don't arrest me." He begged. I laughed and shook my head.

"I'm not here to arrest anyone. I'm here because, as it turns out, we're family. I'm your aunt." I said. All 5 kids gasped.

"On god?" Kaden whispered lowly.

"No way." Jalen scoffed.

"It's true, Lyric is my dad's daughter so she's my half-sister, making her your aunt," Amber explained walking into the room, a man behind her.

"Lyric, this is my husband, Dorian." Amber grinned. Dorian shook my hand.

"Peter meant to come, but he's working." I apologized.

"That's fine. Do you wanna introduce your little guys now?" I nodded and pulled Junior and Iris to the front of me gently.

"This is Junior and Iris, they're 5. And in my arms I have Natalia, she's 3 months old." I introduced.

"Mama, these our cousins?" Jewel asked Amber, staring skeptically.

"Yes. That's my daddy's daughter so her kids are your cousins." Amber laughed.

*1 Hour Later*

Jewel and Kaden got along amazingly well with Iris. They found interest in their favorite show, Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir. Junior was just finally glad to have other boys around to play rough with. The boys were all outside playing soccer. No matter how many times Junior fell, he never stopped smiling. I sat on the porch holding Natalia as Amber sat next to me. Dorian was grilling some burgers on the grill.

"They're all getting along so well. Jewel is pretty shy with new people, so I'm glad she's opening up to Iris." Amber gushed.

"I know what you mean. Iris and Junior are so close as twins and while Junior makes friends easily, Iris struggles. She's just so attached to her brother." I sighed.

"At least they have each other."

"That's what Peter says." As soon as I finished my sentence, the phone rang. I looked down and saw it was Wanda.

"Sorry Ambs, I gotta take this." I apologized. I answered the phone with a cheery greeting,

"What's up, Wanda?"

"Lyric, Happy is outside in front. I need you to calmly get the kids and walk out to Happy." Wanda said, her voice trembling.

"Wanda...is everything okay?" There was silence for a while and then shuffling on the other end.

"Doll, its dad, I'm gonna need you to listen to Wanda," Dad said, his voice coming out strained.

"You both are saying what you need me to do, but what about what I want to do?" I said defensively. I looked over at Junior and Iris who were watching me with knowing eyes.

They knew as well as I did that something was wrong.

"Dad, what's going on?" I begged.

"Get to the car and let Happy bring you to us so we can explain. Don't you trust me Doll?" Dad sighed. After a pregnant pause, I agreed and hung up.

"Amber, I've gotta go. Family emergency." I said. At once Junior and Iris flocked to my side.

"Okay, we can get the kids all together another time. Everyone say goodbye." Amber said understandingly. All the kids said goodbye and I led my own kids to the car out front.

"Mommy, what's wrong? Are Bubba and Papa okay?" Junior asked.

"I...I don't know. Auntie Wanda called me down and...they won't tell me." I answered meekly.

"Don't worry daddy will clear everything up." Iris said surely. I smiled slightly at her words, finding a bit of comfort in them. In the car ride, I gave Natalia her bottle, putting her straight to sleep.

When the car stopped, Happy opened my door revealing a hospital. My eyes widened as I handed Natalia to Happy.

"Bring them up please." I whimpered, running ahead into the hospital. Dad was waiting in the lobby, Wanda at his side. I ran up to dad, clutching his arm.

"Where is he? Is he okay? Jesus, he's always being so reckless!" I worried.

"Lyric, we're gonna take you to him now, but where are the kids?" Dad asked.

"Happy's bringing them up." I stuttered.

"I'll wait to bring up Happy." Wanda volunteered. Dad and I took the stairs up to the hospital room, and the eerie silence between us made me more uneasy. We finally got to the room and I saw everyone outside the room, silent and sad.

"Oh god it's bad." I choked out. I rushed into the hospital room, fear taking over.

"Papa!" I called.

Papa turned to look at me, standing next to the bed, Uncle Tony next to him.

"Wait...you're okay?" I asked in shock.

"Darlin', it was never me in danger." Papa sniffled. I looked over at the bed and I was frozen. He was pale, so very pale. There were countless wires attached and beeping machines.

"P-Peter?" I stuttered.