Shattered Part II (complete) ✔️

Shattered Part II - 4

Feeling refreshed from my sleep I stand up and head towards my bedroom door. I open it and grab some moving boxes that were placed in the hallway outside my door. I start packing the pictures I have around my room and smile as I stop to look at one in particular. It was a picture of Mom and me after she had a stroke. Her face was sort of drooping and she tried her best to smile, but it wasn't working for her.

A tear begins to fall down my face and I wipe it away.

There's a knock on my bedroom door and I look towards it as I say "Come in," the door to the room opens revealing Kat. She has boxes in her hands. Taking one look at me she knows something is wrong.

Dropping the boxes she moves quickly to my side and pulls me into a hug. "Everything is going to be okay, Liz. I'm in your corner and so are Mom and Dad." Then her eyes drop to the picture in my hand. "Was this after Mom's stroke?"

"Yeah," tears begin to fall freely down my face. "Why did this have to happen to her? She was the strongest person we know and she took care of herself."

Kat takes the picture from my hand and places it on the bed. "Sometimes shit happens to good people, but it's the way we deal with things that pulls us through. You were the saving grace of this family and I can't be any prouder of the woman you've become, sis. Now, you have all of us with you while you go through heartbreak and a child on the way. You're stronger than you know and that's what makes your inspiration to all of us. I wish I was half the woman you are."

"You're far better than me, Kat. You have life experience and I have..." I cut myself off as I don't know what else to say. "When's Sebastian coming over?"

"He'll be here tomorrow morning. Do you want to ride back with us?"

Shaking my head I say. "No, there's something I want to do before I leave town and it's important."

A smile spreads across her face. "Are you going to tell Austin's parents about the pregnancy?"

"Yes, they deserve to know about their Grandchild. I don't want them to miss a chance with an extra family member. I know they weren't happy when Austin left. I wish I was a fly on the wall during that conversation." Kat and I start laughing.

"I wouldn't be surprised if they disowned him. Just like Mom and Dad did with our siblings. It's going to take a long time for them to mend fences before our parents take them back into their lives." Kat opens a drawer and starts putting my stuff into a box.

Going to the nightstand on the other side of the bed I start emptying the drawer when I come across the bouquet I caught at Kat's wedding. "Kat, do you remember these?"

She turns towards me and a smile spreads across her face. "Are those from my wedding? I was wondering who caught them and why they weren't married after me. Now, I find out that it was my little sister who got them. Can I put them in my display cabinet at home?"

"Sure, the kids would love to see these arrangements in the case. You could always let the girls use it for their weddings."

Kat starts laughing. "You better not say that in front of Sebastian. He wouldn't like hearing about his girls getting married. He's got a shotgun in the basement and he said he'll use it when the first guy comes into our house to take our girls on a date."

"What about the boys?"

She puts on a deep voice and quotes her husband. "The boys can take care of themselves. The girls can't. That's why I need the shotgun." Shaking her head she uses her voice and says. "He's taken me to the gun range and has shown me he knows how to use it. He and our boss used to go hunting with Chad's father during the school holidays."

"Have you been hunting with them?" I turn my attention to her and wait for her answer.

She shakes her head. "They've asked me to come along several times, but when I gave them the same answer they gave up. I heard they have another hunting trip planned. They'll probably recruit you into going with them. Would you do it if they asked?"

"I don't think it's just about hunting for them. I'm sure the reason why Sebastian kept asking you was that he wanted to spend time with you and you kept turning him down."

"Really?" She looks at her phone and dials her husband. The phone rings a couple of times before he picks up.

Kat: Why did you want me to go hunting with Chad and you?

Sebastian: uh,

Kat: Was it to spend time with me or was it because you wanted to teach me to shoot?

Sebastian: Do you want the truth?

Kat: Always,

Sebastian: I wanted to share something that important to me with you, but I should have known that you wouldn't want to see an animal that we killed while being with you. Why are you asking me this?

Kat looks at me before answering.

Kat: It's just something that Liz said and I wanted to know why you wanted me to go with you. When are you going hunting?

Sebastian: In a couple of weeks. I'll organise for Mom and Dad to look after the kids.

Kat: Why can't Liz look after them?

Sebastian: I want her to come with us. She can keep you company while Chad and I go out. There are heaps of things that Liz and you can do during the day. There's a lake and a mall in town so you two can go shopping. Clothes will be on me.

Me: Sebastian, I don't need your money, but Kat will be happy to use yours.

Kat: I have to go before my sister says anything else. I love you, Seb. See you tomorrow.

Sebastian: I love you too, Baby. See you then.

She hangs up the phone and puts it in her bag. "It seems you know my husband better than I do."

"It's about knowing him better. Sometimes you need to read between the lines. He asked you to join him because he wants to spend time with you. Austin did that with me all the time."

Fucking, Austin. This is all his fault that I need to leave and find a better future for my child and self. I wish I never replied about going to that fucking reunion.

That's why my life is such a mess. A ten-year reunion ruined everything for me. I have lost a lot in this town, but with all the changes happening moving might be what I need to become a better version of myself and not a homewrecker like people have called me because of my relationship with Austin.

I was stupid to believe that he broke up with the woman he was within the City and her being pregnant painted me in the worst light.

Kat and I pack up my room and when we're finished Dad walks into the room and carries the boxes downstairs. He places them close to the front door. so, it'll be easier to move things to the car for when Sebastian arrives here.