Too Broken to Love

7

"Kids stay in the car! I need to talk to daddy for a minute okay?" I smiled back at them dreading this confrontation with him.

Casually I stepped out of the vehicle and walked towards Chris. I avoided looking at his face, and made sure to leave space between us especially after the events of last night.
"Wow, you're really not going to get the kids out of the car to see me?" he scoffed

"Chris, what do you even want? I just want to get the kids inside and get them settled, which won't happen with you here!"
"I don't need your permission to see my kids Averleigh!" He pushed past me as I began to fight to block him from getting to the car.
"Actually, until you take me to court like you promised you do need my permission!" I said as Chris stopped pushing into me and stepped back.
It almost looked like my words had hurt him and it oddly gave me a satisfying feeling.

"What happened to us Averleigh? You act like our whole relationship was nothing to you!"
"Chris, of course it meant something to me, I have three great kids because of you. But I also don't trust you anymore and I never will. You have changed into someone that isn't the man I once loved. Cheating, Hitting, acting like a college frat boy. So please unless its important please just leave and don't talk to me anymore! I am trying to move on!"

"We could still fix this?" He said reaching forward to grab my hand.
I instinctively pulled my hand back and wrapped my arms around my body.
"No Chris, we are past the point of being fixable."

Chris lowered his head and began walking down the driveway as I quickly got the kids out of the car and into the house. As I went to step into the house, Headlights reflected off the wall and I turned to see who it was. Spencer, Oh no! I could see Chris turn around at the end of the driveway to wait and see who would step out of the car.

I held up a finger to Spencer, and quietly instructed the kids to go change into pajamas, so we could have our Pizza movie night. I Then closed the door and walked towards Spencer's car as Chris watched from the end of the driveway.

"Hey beautiful, is everything okay?" He asked after rolling down his window.
"It will be. Thanks for bringing me my necklace!" I smiled as he handed it to me through the window, holding my hand in his as he spoke.
"No problem, It meant I got to see you again!" he blushed running his hand through his hair. "So how are you and the kids holding up?"
Dang he didn't just ask about me but the kids too! This man surprises me every time!

"They're fine, I actually have to have the talk with them tonight about him not coming home!" I replied dread creeping over my body.
"And you?" he asked.
"I mean I'm better now I've seen you, I just, well I don't know. I don't know how to tell them, what if they hate me for it..."
"Averleigh, they will never hate you! It might be hard for all of you at first, but they will understand one day. You are an amazing woman, and I have no doubt you are a fantastic mother even if I haven't seen it in person yet. It will take time, but you will get there." He explained as a tear slipped down my cheek.
"I'm just so scared, I cant lose them Spencer, I just can't." I choked out the words as Spencer opened the door to his truck and stepped out wrapping me in a hug.

I leaned into him at first wrapping my arms around his waist, allowing the comfort of him to calm me when I realized where we were, or more importantly who was watching.
Shit, Chris!

I stilled and dropped my arms from Spencer, fighting off the panic that was steadily rising. He let go of me and stepped back.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have!"
"No, it's fin-" I began before I heard the voice I hoped had left.
"GET YOUR HANDS OFF OF MY FIANCE!" Chris yelled quickly approaching us.
I looked at Spencer with pleading eyes and he returned my look with sympathy.

"Chris, STOP!" I said as he continued to beeline straight for Spencer.
"Shut up Averleigh! I don't know who he thinks he is putting his hands on my future wife!" He continued.
"EX FIANCE!" I corrected him.

Spencer held his hands up and looked at Chris "Look dude I don't know what you think you saw, but we are just friends, she looked upset that's all!"
Chris was now standing in a triangle with me and Spencer, his hands balled into tight fists as if he was ready to strike.

"Chris please just leave!" I begged.
As expected he ignored me focusing solely on Spencer "Why are you even here anyway?" He asked as the vein in his neck bulged.
"I was just returning something to her." Spencer replied calmly.
That's when I saw Chris staring at me, or more accurately the necklace in my hand. Instinctively I clasped it tighter in an attempt to hide it, but it was too late.

Spencer completely unaware of the realization Chris had made wasn't expecting the hit. Chris turned instantly and threw his fist into the side of Spencer's Jaw. His head snapped to the side and he stumbled back a few feet.

"ARE YOU A COMPLETE MANIAC! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU!" I screamed as I frantically moved to stand between them.
"What's wrong is this guy taking what is mine! You never take that necklace off, and even if you did there is only one reason that a guy would have it to bring it back to you!" Chris ranted.
"First of all, I don't belong to you. Second of all we are not getting back together! I don't want your cheating ass back, so what I do with my time is none of your concern." I screamed back at him " And third...."
I was about to continue when a small voice cut me off.

"Mama? Why did daddy just hit that man?" Anna's sweet little voice cut through me like a dagger in the gut. I turned around to see her standing a few feet away clutching her teddy bear and blanket, with a horrified look on her face.
"Anna, Baby, Daddy is just playing with the man!" Chris said attempting to move towards her.
"But daddy we don't hit people, the man is bweeding!" She replied

Anna quickly wrapped herself around my leg, and I bent down and picked her up.
"Chris, Leave! Before you do anymore damage!" I said as Anna buried her face into my neck hiding it from Chris.
He grunted loudly before turning and walking away. "This isn't the end of this conversation Averleigh!" he yelled and then he was gone.
"Mama?" Anna Murmured.
"Yes sweetie?"
"Is the man okay?"
Immediately I turned to look at Spencer. His cheek was swollen and the corner of his lip was bleeding.

"Spencer I am Sor-"
"Dont apologize for him Averleigh, I am fine!"
Before I say anything else Anna lifts up her head. "Mama he is not fine, His mouth is bweeding!" she states, and I feel myself chuckle as Spencer also lets out a laugh.

He looks at me unsure of how to handle the situation.
"Anna?" I say putting her back down on the ground, "Will you go inside and get Riley to fill a bowl with some warm water please, and then get a clean wash cloth out of the bathroom. I'm going to help Mr Spencer inside so we can clean up his face!"
She nods in response and runs into the house.

"Averleigh you don't have too, I mean I know you wanted to wait a while before I met your kids."

"It's fine! We need to get you cleaned up and put some ice on that cheek! Just if they ask you're a friend. I still need to tell them Chris isn't coming back, before I try to introduce anyone else in their lives!"
"Thanks Averleigh! You really are an impressive woman!" He winces as the adrenaline starts to wear off.
"Come on, Let get you inside."