Jake is standing in a black suit with a white button up and a black tie. Nick and Luke, who are standing to Jake's right, are wearing the same thing but with black bow ties, and Joey is wearing black slacks with a black button up. Liv is wearing a simple black dress that stops below the knees, black flats, and her messy blonde curls have been put up in a bun. Emily is wearing a black dress that would touch the ground if she weren't wearing heels, and her dark brown hair has been curled and is hanging over her right shoulder. Jo is wearing a black dress with spaghetti straps that stops above the knees, a black shawl, she is wearing black flats, and her black hair is straightened and flowing down her back. Jo and Jake are standing on either side of there father, hoping that they can catch him if he falls over. Jake thinks his drunkenness can pass as inconsolable grief, but just encase Jo is giving the eulogy.
Jake was never close to his mother, he hated that she turned a blind eye to Joshua's abuse. He hated that she refused to teach Kai and him magic, when she taught Jo and everyone else. He hated that she was never happy with a pregnancy until she found out about Luke and Liv. But mostly he hated that she was a great mom until Kai showed he could siphon magic around age 3, and Jake soon followed. Jake shakes his head, trying to clear his head of this as his sister talks about their dead mother.
Jake feels someone staring at him, he looks over his shoulder, his eyes scan over his grandparents, the coven, the very few friends that aren't witches, and in the back he sees a figure dressed in a black hoodie and faded jeans. Kai Jake knows in an instant, he would recognize his brothers self-loathing from anywhere. Jake was about to move to Kai when his father slumps onto him, and Jake has to wrap an arm around him to keep him standing. To others it looks like Jake is supporting his dad who is grieving, but Jake knows the truth and so does Kai. Kai nod's slightly at Jake, and Jake sighs hoping Kai won't run when the ceremony ends.
Jake doesn't pay any attention to the preacher, nor does he pay attention to the words of condolences he gets as he stands by his mother's grave. Jake shakes hands with everyone until he spots his brother standing off to the side, leaning on a tree. Jake pushes past the witch in front of him, "Sorry." He mumbles.
Jake ignores Jo's questions, and the silent looks the coven gives him. They expect him to stand with his family in their time of need, but what don't know is that is exactly what Jake is doing.
Jake jogs to Kai and once there he takes in his brother; Kai is slightly shorter then Jake, is leaner as well, but they share the same eyes and terrible past. Jake doesn't know what to say, there are no words to apologize for leaving Kai alone .
Kai takes his hood off and breaks the silence, "You were right, they didn't care. When they found out you weren't there, it was like a weight was lifted off their shoulders. Dad dropped hints that he didn't want me there, but I didn't listen. Things got worse after the twins were born." Kai's jaw clenches as he glares at Luke and Liv.
Kai looks back at Jake and sighs, "I only came to tell you I want to go through the merge, I want them to be run by an abomination." Kai spits the word out.
Jake nods, he doesn't want to kill Kai nor be killed himself, but he understands that Kai had it worse of then him. Jake was obedient to avoid his fathers wrath, but Kai rebelled.
Kai moves to leave, Jake reaches out and grabs him by the arm, "Kai wait."
Kai stops and looks at Jake, waiting for him to speak.
Jake lets him go and collects his thoughts, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have left."
"No, I should have." Kai says before leaving.
Jake let's him leave; he watches his retreating form until he gets in an old beat up car and drives off. Jake exhales, and turns back to his family. He finds his dad slumped over on a bench with Joey standing next to him. Jo is dividing the others into the cars they brought. Jake walks over to them and grabs his dad roughly by the arm and hoists him up, Joshua stumbles a little but steadies himself before he falls. Jake pushes Joshua towards the car, "Hurry up." Jake hisses.
Jake slams the door behind his dad and gets in the drivers seat. Jake checks to see if his passengers are ready to go; Emily, Nick, and Liv are all buckled in. That's all Jake needs before he speeds off toward the house.
Jake rips the keys out of the ignition and moves to the passenger's door, which he yanks open, "Get out." He tells his dad. Joshua moans and moves slowly, too slowly in Jake's opinion.
Emily sense Jake's anger and rushes to get Liv and Nick in the house, she sends Jake a look before leaving. Jake sighs, Emily wholly expects him to do the right thing. The anger leaves and is replaced with a silent sadness. Jake reaches across and unbuckles his dad, he then pulls his arm over his shoulder and helps him into the house. Jake leads his dad to the master and lays him on the bed. Jake takes his father's shoes and tie off before positioning his father in a comfortable position. Jake leaves him and heads to his room.
Once there Jake rips his tie off and throws it to the ground; Jo chooses that moment to walk in, she looks infuriated. "What was that?" She yells.
Jake turns around, "What was what?"
"You left us!" She says, tears forming in her eyes. He has a feeling this is a double meaning.
Jake sighs, "You don't understand, Kai was there. I had to apologize for leaving." It didn't go as planned, but Jo doesn't need to know that.
Tears are now streaming down Jo's face, "What about us?"
Jake sighs, deflating, "You wouldn't understand. Mom and Dad hated us."
Jo sniffles, "I understand, Mom and Dad weren't exactly parents of the year. You were there though, you were always there. And then you weren't."
Jake turns his back to Jo and begins pacing the room, "Mom and Dad might have been emotionally distant to you guys, but Dad was abusive to Kai and I; emotionally and physically. I had to leave when I found out about the twins, I knew it was going to get worse now that they didn't need us. I tried to bring Kai but he didn't want to go."
Jo's eyes widen, she probably doesn't believe that Joshua would do that, "Why didn't you tell me?" She asks.
Jake stops and looks at her, "You were too young, and you wouldn't have understood. You still don't." Jake can tell in her eyes, she believes that their parents are good.
Jo looks offended, she points an accusing finger at him, "You left us. You have no idea what that did to us." She turns on her heel and storms out of the room, slamming the door for affect.
Jake looks at the door for a moment, before walking to his closet. He takes his suitcase out and changes into an old pair of jeans and hoodie. Jake steps into the hall and finds Joey.
Joey leans against the wall and looks at Jake's suitcase, "Leaving again?"
"My plane leaves tonight." Jake says.
Joey nods, "That's what I thought."
Jake lets Joey go, it's easier that way. Nick comes running down the hall, he's dressed in pajamas.
"Jake!" Nick yells and throws himself at Jake.
Jake catches him and lifts him up. "Hey buddy."
Nick looks at the suitcase next to Jake, "Are you leaving again?"
Nicks sad eyes make Jake want to stay, but he can't, "I have work." The excuse is lame, but Jake can't stay and fall into this dark hole again.
Jake hugs Nick and Nick wraps his arms around Jake's neck, "Please come back."
Jake squeezes tighter, "I will, I promise."
Jake puts Nick on the ground, "Better get to bed."
Nick nods, "I love you." He says.
Jake's heart breaks, these kids have been through so much and they don't deserve any of it. Jake smiles, "I love you too."
Jo comes down the hall, "Time for bed." She says, holding out her hand for Nick, he glances at Jake before going to Jo.
Jake nods at Jo and heads downstairs. He finds Emily on the couch watching TV, she's still wearing her dress from the funeral.
"Em." Jake says hesitantly.
Emily looks over at him, tears are silently streaming down her face, "Joey said this was going to happen, I didn't want to believe him."
Jake sets his suitcase down, and moves to sit next her. He wraps his arm around her shoulders, "I'm coming back, I promise."
Emily lays her head on his shoulder and cries. Jake kisses the top of her head and pulls her into a bear hug, when she stops he pulls away. "I will be back. I'm sorry for leaving so soon."
Emily sniffles and pulls away, her blue eyes are silently pleading for him to stay.
Jake leaves, the door closing behind him.
Caroline enters her home, shutting the door behind her, "I'm home." she says.
Alec comes out of the hall that leads to the bedrooms and bathrooms moving as fast as his little legs can move. He reaches Caroline, throwing his arms around her legs. Caroline smiles and leans down, some of her sun kissed hair falls from her bun. She is wearing uniform, including the stained apron, from the dinner she works at.
"Hey baby, how are you?" Caroline asks.
Alec looks up at her, his crystal clear blue eyes locking with her sky blue eyes. Caroline sighs, she hates that he looks so much like his father.
Except his eyes hold no darkness, just light. "I missed you." He says.
Caroline's heart clenches; she's been at school all morning and then work all afternoon and evening. Caroline picks Alec up and rests him on her hip, she kisses his cheek causing him to squirm. "I know, I missed you too. But I don't have school tomorrow, so I'm yours all morning!"
Caroline knows they could use the extra money, but the way Alec's face lights up confirms that she made the right decision.
"What are you doing up this late anyway?" Caroline glances at the wall clock, 9:30.
Alec's smile widens, "Bridget said I could stay up until you got home if I ate all my vegetables."
Bridget rounds the corner at that moment, she looks exhausted, "I'm sorry Care, but this little guy," Bridget tickles Alec, "Refused to eat."
Caroline smiles at her, "It's okay." Caroline places Alec on the floor and kneels by him, she points her finger and puts her 'don't mess with me' face, "You better be in bed before I get there." Alec giggles and takes off running to his room.
Caroline stands up and reaches into her purse, she hands Bridget a wad of money, "Thank you so much, I don't know what I would do without you." Caroline says.
Bridget smiles, "It's my pleasure. And did I just hear I have the morning off tomorrow?"
Caroline nods, and Bridget smiles. They exchange goodbyes and Caroline locks the door behind the girl. Caroline places her keys in the bowl by the door and hangs her coat up on one of the hooks. She takes her shoes off on her way to her room and lets her hair down. She places her apron in the dirty laundry pile knowing it will need to be washed tomorrow, she takes her dress off and it finds it's way there too. Caroline washes her face and changes into pajamas before walking to the room next to hers.
Alec is laying down with one of his favorite books, he grins at Caroline when she walks in. Caroline sits next to him, her back resting on the headboard, and Alec moves to place his head on her legs. Caroline takes the book offered, "Only this book, then bed."
Alec nods and closes his eyes as Caroline reads. He falls asleep halfway through, but Caroline finishes anyway. She places the book by his bed and turns his light off. Caroline gently lifts his head off her lap and places it on the pillow. She gets up and kisses his forehead, "I love you." she whispers into his hair.
Caroline leaves his door open a crack and tiptoes to her room. She takes her laptop off the dresser and settles down on her be, where she types her password and starts on her homework.
A/N Sorry for the late update and boring chapter, the next chapter should be more interesting.
Please review and let me know if this was good, bad, or hideous.
Thank you for reading!
Until next time.