He was beginning to think she wasn't going to show, not that it would have surprised him in the least. He could recall she was usually late for everything, whether it was a family function, or a trip to the doctor's for James, she had never been a punctual person. This time was no exception…Granted he knew the ground was covered in snow…but she had insisted on coming today. She had picked the time, and yet just as he should have guessed…she was late.
"Maybe she decided not to come," Robbie said hopefully as he doodled on a sketchpad James had bought for him. "It wouldn't be the first time she totally skipped out on something."
"Maybe she was smart and decided not to come out in this weather," James muttered crossing his arms. He looked at his little brother and frowned. "No offense by the way."
"None taken," Robbie shrugged. "She's your mother too, and it's her fault that there is twelve years of bad blood between you guys. So you can say what you want."
"Still," James said, running a hand through his shaggy red hair. "I shouldn't judge her like that."
"You are too nice son," George said from his perch on the couch. "Your mother actually deserves all your animosity, though I assure you I have enough for the both of us."
"I'll get that," Maddie said when there was a knock on the door. All eyes were facing forward as she opened it to reveal a woman of about medium height with green eyes she recognized immediately as James' eyes. "Hello, May I help you?" she asked putting on her pleasant smile.
"Well well what do we have here? You must be the little wife my Jimmy got himself hooked up with and look at you already pregnant. You didn't waste any time now did you?"
Maddie tapped her foot on the floor and bit back the retort that was on the tip of her tongue. "You must be Mrs. Warren; it's a pleasure to meet you. Would you like to come in?"
"Mother, that was not nice," Robbie snapped as his mother stepped inside. "You can't just come in here and be rude to Maddie like that."
"Shut your trap you little monster," Marsha snapped back. "I can't believe you just took off and came here. What were you thinking? Oh wait you weren't thinking. I should wear that little butt of yours out for this little caper."
"That's enough Marsha," George exclaimed as Robbie went back to his doodling. "There is no need to speak to the child that way." James for his credit was glaring daggers at her, and Lucinda was reclining in the chair scrutinizing the scene as only she could.
Marsha looked at her ex-husband and crossed her arms. "You always did have to throw your 2 cents in George. That boy is mine and you have no right whatsoever to tell me how to talk, or act with my child. He is an ungrateful little monster. Dragging me all the way down here, of course I can place that squarely on your head now can't I. Wouldn't put him in a cab and send him home. I guess some things just never change."
"And just what exactly is that supposed to mean Marsha?" George said bitterly. "Should I apologize for caring more about your child's welfare then you apparently do?"
"You always thought you knew what was best for Jimmy," Marsha charged, "and I can plainly see that you are doing the exact same thing with Robbie, and I won't let you do it. You have no claim to Robbie, he is mine and you get no say in what I do or how I handle my child."
George clenched his fists and tightened his jaw. Lucinda quietly placed a hand on his shoulder, silencing him and calming him with that simple touch. He continued to glare but he said not a word.
"Maybe he doesn't have a say," James said standing from his spot on the armrest. "But I do. I don't like the way you treat my little brother. And I certainly didn't like the way you treated me. And you cannot," he said getting angry. His voice raised a decibel and it even made Robbie jump behind Maddie, "Come into my home slinging insults at my wife and at my dad. You don't have that right, and I can totally see why Robbie wanted to get away from you. You haven't even said you missed him. You just came in spouting venom, and that's going to stop right now."
"Well I see that apple didn't fall very far from the tree now did it George. Jimmy, you listen and listen well, Robbie may be your brother, but if you think for one instant that I am going to let you walk all over me the way your father tried to do, you have another thought coming. Robbie is mine and I won't let you take him from me. George took you from me I won't let that happen with Robbie too."
"Now wait just a minute," George started but Lucinda silenced him.
"Let your son handle this darling. He's stronger than you may think."
"Excuse me," James said, his hands balling into fists. Maddie stood close by, she didn't like that James was getting this upset. "I think you have that backwards, Mother. You see as I recall YOU are the one who left. YOU are the one who made promises to come back. YOU are the one who left me. Dad didn't do it, you did and it's obvious you don't care about Robbie. You just want to best dad. But I'm not going to let you use Robbie to do that."
"I left because your father wanted me gone." Marsha explained. "I was never good enough, my care never enough to please your Dad. Let's go Robbie;, it's perfectly obvious that I am not welcome here. And to think that I thought maybe we could sit and chat and catch up."
"I'm staying with Jimmy," Robbie said defiantly as he stood slightly behind his big brother.
"You are so full of it," James said shaking his head. 'Catch up? On what? The past twelve years that you have been spying on me? Or maybe the five years since you left that I sat waiting and waiting for you to come back like you promised. Or perhaps you mean all the time that I lay in bed listening to you and dad fight. Is that what you mean by catch up? Do you even remember telling me that you would be back, mother…Do you?"
Robbie frowned and hugged his brother from behind. He had not known exactly why James was mad at their mother, though he had figured it was bad. It made him sad to think that she had done that to him.
"Robbie I said let's go." Marsha said sternly. " I will not stand here and be talked to this way. I did what had to be done and as for spying on you I have no clue what you are talking about. I haven't been anywhere near you since I left. It hurt too much seeing you to be anywhere near you."
"You lying bitch," Robbie said starting everyone in the room. Maddie hid a smile, for those exact words had been on the tip of her tongue. "You were just here to see Jimmy in June, on my birthday I might add. And before that You were here in May and you are always here. I found your ticket stubs. And what you did to Jimmy is not fair, and I won't stay with you, I won't. And I dare you to touch me with all these witnesses around, Mother. I dare you."
"Young man, get your butt in the car this instant. I have had enough of this. You don't know what you are talking about and I won't have you lying to these people. Get in the car."
"Please," Robbie said crossing his arms. "The fact that I am here says enough if you ask me. If I was lying, how did I know where to find Jimmy? And how come the first thing you commented on was Jimmy's wife. No one told you that, Mother. That came out of your mouth, just like all the stories you told me about Jimmy yourself, and I'm not going to let you stand there and lie to Jimmy again. You already hurt him enough. And I don't want to go with you. I like it here, everyone is nicer than dad, and I want to stay with Jimmy."
"Fine. You can stay one more day and then we are going back to Chicago. I will not stand here and let you call me a liar. Jimmy and Maddie's wedding announcement was in the paper and I saw it there. Now you better get done with this foolishness by morning. Don't make me call your father down here. If he has to come it won't be pretty."
"Don't threaten him, James snapped. and stop lying! Our wedding announcement wasn't in the paper mother. We got married way too quickly for that to even be possible. Just stop lying and get out of here. Robbie stays."
"I will leave, but you haven't heard the last of this. Robbie is mine and he will be going home with me tomorrow when I leave here. There is not a damn thing you can do about it. You be ready to go in the morning."
She left in a huff and Maddie went to close the door, turning to face everyone with a sigh. "That went well," she said sarcastically. James stood still for a moment, looked down at Robbie and back at the door before turning and disappearing into the bedroom. Everyone jumped at the sound of the door slamming and Robbie hung his head.
"Robbie I think you should come home with us tonight," George said standing to grab his and Lucinda's coats.
"I think that's a splendid idea, darling. Come along Robbie;, don't let your mother's words spoil your night. Luke's grandma Emma sent some chocolate chip cookies that I have yet to sample…we'll have them with a nice glass of milk would you like that?"
Maddie watched as Robbie got his coat and his backpack and followed Lucinda and George out. At any other time she would have smiled at the thought of Luke's grandmother eating cookies and milk with an eleven year old. But at the moment she was more worried about her husband, and she needed a venting post.
She fixed herself a bowl of chocolate ice cream and covered it with barbeque sauce and whipped cream, and settled down on the couch with the phone. He took a bite of her concoction as she dialed her best friend.
Luke couldn't help but smile as he watched the scene before him. Ethan was over, having begged their dad to allow him to come see Luke and Noah despite the snow. He had met Noah's mom and immediately took to her like ducks to water. Holden had stayed for a minute to meet Noah's mom, but he couldn't stay long. Duty called and he had to check on the horses and the girls who were being reprimanded for something. Luke was sure he'd hear the details from his sister at a later time.
At the moment Ethan was sitting on Ms. Wilson's lap, as the little guy babbled away about his newest toys. Noah was in the kitchen fixing them a late snack, and Luke just watched in awe. This woman seemed almost too good to be true, but he was glad that she was in Noah's life for now.
"Luke," Noah called from the kitchen as the phone started to ring. "Can you get that?" Luke reached for the phone on the third ring and smiled as Noah's mom tickled Ethan.
"Hello?" he said leaning against the wall.
"Are you busy?" Maddie asked as she took another bite of her ice cream. "I hope the answer is no because I really need to talk to you, and your brother needs you like now."
"What's wrong Maddie?" Luke asked frowning. "Did something happen with Robbie?"
"You could say that?" Maddie replied. "So can you talk to me?"
"Yes of course. Hold on a second. "Will you be okay out here with him," He asked covering the receiver to speak with Noah's mom.
"Oh yes, we'll be fine out here, Luke. You go right on ahead and do what you need to. I'm sure Noah will be out soon."
"Thank you," Luke said before heading to the other room to continue his phone call. "Okay, now what's wrong," he said taking a seat at the table.
"The visit was today," Maddie said sadly. "And needless to say it didn't go very well."
"Oh that's right, James' mom was supposed to come today right? What happened? Is James okay? Is Robbie alright?"
"James is in the bedroom right now, probably cuddling with Dart," Maddie said as she continued to eat her ice cream. "And quite frankly, Luke, the woman's a real bitch."
"That bad?"
"First she insults me, and then has the audacity to claim that she never left James. She blames it all on Dad. And she treats Robbie like dirt."
"Is Robbie okay?"
"He's with Dad and your grandma," Maddie sighed. "He stood up for James though, and then James stood up for him. He really does love that kid already, Luke. But I think he could really use your company right about now. You and Noah can usually get through to him when I can't."
"I wish I could help him," Luke said sadly. "Maybe I can talk to him on the phone…but I can't leave right now. Noah's mom is here, and I don't know if I can leave…"
"Noah's mother? " Maddie interrupted. "Oh my god she's there? You didn't tell me you were searching for his mom? Or did you? No, you didn't…I would have remembered something like that. Noah's mom's alive and you found her and she's in your house?"
Luke chuckled. Yes, yes, no I don't think we told you…but we only decided recently to search for her. Remember Noah's New Year's resolution? Well step one has been complete, and Maddie his mom is a sweetheart let me tell you. I'm glad one of us has a decent mom."
"Tell me about it." Maddie sighed. "Well…I don't want to take you away from Noah, though I do want to hear about his mom. But I'm worried about James, Luke. I don't want him to go through what he went through before with his mother. What if he closes himself off again? What if he shuts me out? How do I deal with that?"
"Well first you need to breathe," Luke replied calmly. He heard Maddie take a few of deep breaths and he smiled. "Good, that's much better. Now just hang tight okay. Noah and I will be there as fast as this snow will allows us to get there. And you'll get to meet Noah's mom. Just continue to breathe and put away any vile concoction you have cooked up."
Maddie laughed. "Okay, I will…you spoiled sport. Can you bring me some Garlic and some cherries please?"
"Maddie!"
"Please Luke; you're coming this way…"
Luke sighed. "Fine, as if I could ever say no to you. See you soon."
Noah was in the living room with Charlene and Ethan when Luke returned. "Hey sweetie who was on the phone?"
"One sec," Luke said disappearing into the kitchen. He resurfaced a few minutes later with a bag containing garlic and cherries. "Grab Ethan, and get your coats, we have to get going."
"Where are we off to in this weather, Luke?" Charlene asked even as she stood, placing Ethan on the floor.
"Our brother needs us," Luke responded, directing his answer at his husband. "And his wife is having cravings."
"For Garlic?" Noah asked raising an eyebrow. "And what's wrong with James?"
"I'll explain on the way there, come on."
Luke handed Noah the bag and went to help Ethan with his coat and hat. Soon they were all bundled up and they piled into Luke's car. Charlene buckled little Ethan into his car seat and got herself settled before Luke pulled out and soon they were on their way."
"Thank god you guys are here," Maddie said as she opened the door. She hugged Luke first, because he was in front, and then held on to Noah for a long moment. "He's still in the bedroom. He won't even talk to me but I think he was crying. Thank you," she said taking the bag Noah held out for her. She pushed them toward the bedroom and focused on Ethan and the woman who held him. "You must be Noah's Mom, come on in please. It's a pleasure to meet you. Hey there little guy," she said to Ethan."
"HI Dee!" He said reaching out for her to take him. "Hi Dee."
"Would you like something to drink Ms. Wilson?" she asked as she held Ethan and gestured for Noah's mom to take a seat."
"No dear," Charlene said as she sat down. "I'm just fine. I am thinking that little man loves everyone that seems to be a part of my baby's life."
"This little guy is as sweet as his big brother," Maddie said blowing raspberries at him. She settled him down on the chair and dug into her bag of goodies. "You don't mind if I eat these," she asked holding up the cherries and garlic her best friend had brought along."
"Honey you go right ahead. Pregnancy cravings are just terrible. When I was pregnant with my baby I had some crazy ones. Pickles and peanut butter. So what has Luke so wired up that he thought it best to bring us all along? Not that I mind any, just haven't seen him that wound up since I got here."
"Ah," Maddie nodded as she ate some of her garlic cherries. "Luke doesn't like going anywhere without Noah. And at the same time, he and Noah both have this connection with my husband, who at this very moment is a little down in the dumps."
"Well now I don't know you and I don't want to step on any toes or anything, but you want to talk about what happened? I can tell you are upset and that's not good for you in your condition. I do know that if my baby and Luke think it was important enough for us to come out in the snow that it must be bad."
"Well," Maddie said already liking Noah's mother just a little. "My mother-in-law stopped by today, and I must say that she was definitely not as nice as you are."
When they opened the door the first thing they noticed was the small Jack Terrier that was curled up on the bed. They entered the room and closed the door, causing James to look up. He moved, startling the dog but it didn't matter at the moment. Silently he embraced Luke and just held on. Luke wrapped his arms around him, and Noah hugged him from behind. For a long moment they just stood there like that, offering comfort and peace for James' troubled psyche.
They sat on the bed, their backs and their heads against the headboard. Luke and Noah sat on either side of James, and they turned slightly so that their full attention was on their brother. James looked so sad, and dejected and he was silent. Little Dart lay in his lap, and James idly stroked him. Luke looked at Noah and sighed. This was going to be harder than they had thought.
"James," Luke said softly. "You need to talk to us;, we can't help unless you talk."
"We're here for you, James…Just tell us what we can do," Noah added.
Silence followed their words, and both of them knew well what that was like. All they could do was wait…James would talk when he was ready. "I don't believe her," he said finally breaking through the silence. "She expects me to believe her but I don't."
"What don't you believe," Luke coaxed gently.
"She said that she didn't leave," James explained. "She made it sound like Dad sent her away. And I don't like the way she treats Robbie either. She's just a lying bitch, and I can't believe I care what she says."
"Of course you care," Noah soothed. "If she is trying to say that she didn't leave, then that means she's making you and your dad out to be the bad guys when that's not the case at all. And you loved her…deep down all you wanted from her was for her to love you back."
"And you hoped that somehow someway she did," Luke added. "You care because you are the one with the heart James. And you love with all of it. Your mom is trying to take advantage of you again…but you can't let her."
"I don't know what I'm supposed to do guys. She caused me a lot of pain and," he shook his head as he spoke, "And she's trying to twist it into something it's not."
"She can try," Luke said squeezing James' shoulder. "But that doesn't mean she can succeed. James, you are stronger than her, I know you are."
"I don't think so, Luke. I saw her again, and I'm still that little boy who wanted his mom to come home…and she never came."
"You're so much more than that, James," Noah spoke up. "Luke is right, you are stronger than you think, and we love you. You aren't alone here, not by a long shot." Dart chose that moment to bark as if he agreed with the masses, and that broke the serious tension in the room for a minute. James smiled and petted his small little dog.
"I see you agree with them, huh boy?" James said softly. "Well, I hope that I can agree someday. But I don't know what to do."
"Well," Luke said thoughtfully. "Answer me this, do you believe Robbie is in danger if he goes back home?"
"Yes," James said without hesitation. "She leaves him by himself for weeks at a time, Luke. He ate nothing but bread and water for two weeks straight once."
"And did Ali ever tell you anything about someone being around while you were in the hospital?"
"Yeah she said she saw someone mysterious. This guy was lurking around, but he told her he was the new orderly at the hospital."
"That seems strange," Noah commented.
"Not as strange as her lie about the wedding announcement in the paper."
Luke furrowed his brow as he looked at James. "James we didn't have a wedding announcement."
"I know that," James sighed. "Yet somehow she knew, and she was here. She's lying to me again."
"Sounds like she's always going to lie, James," Luke said reluctantly. "You just can't listen to her."
"Luke's right," Noah asserted. "Tune her out and focus on your little brother and the baby you and Maddie are about to bring into this world. You weren't able to fight for yourself James, but you can fight for them."
James smiled and looked over at Luke who was grinning from ear to ear. "When did he get so wise?"
Luke laughed. "I ask myself that every day. But he's right you know? If you really think your brother will be better off with you and Maddie, then fight for him. And doing so will help you to take that control from her. She won't be able to hurt you anymore, and she won't be allowed to harm Robbie."
"And you don't have to do it alone," Noah added. You have me, and Luke, Maddie, your dad and your possible future step mom."
"I don't know about that," James smiled.
"Well no matter what Grandma Lucinda ends up being to you, James, you know she's in your corner and she has an arsenal of lawyers at her disposal just ready for a fight. If we can prove that the environment that Robbie lives in is unstable then as his blood relative you could get custody of him, or your dad could."
"Thanks guys," James said relaxing completely for the first time since his mom left. "It means a lot that you braved the snow to come to me"
"We wouldn't have it any other way," Luke said smiling. "After all, I think you and Maddie have rushed over to our apartment more times than either of you care to remember."
"We're not the four musketeers for nothing," Noah reminded. "And we're brothers and that's what brothers do."
James smiled as Luke and Noah leaned in to kiss him on the cheek. The three brothers shared a hug and James thanked them once more. They collectively pulled him off the bed, with Dart barking his protests, and insisted that he meet Noah's mother before they headed home.
"Do you think we should do it?" James asked as he and Maddie relaxed on the couch with Dart at their feet. Robbie was spending another day with George. He seemed to be enjoying it over there, and as of yet there had been no sign of Marsha. Tomorrow had quickly turned into the next day, and now it was the middle of Robbie's second week with them, and James was starting to think about the future.
"Do I think we should do what?" Maddie asked turning to face her husband.
"Do you think we should try to get custody of Robbie? And should we make a final decision on the house?"
"What do you want to do about Robbie?"
"It's not about what I want to do, Maddie. This isn't just my decision. This is us…you and I have to decide. I'm not sure what my mother is trying to pull here, but she hasn't been back since she left on Saturday. It doesn't surprise me since she's good at making promises but not keeping them. But still, she seemed adamant about taking Robbie back, so what gives."
"No offense, James, but your mom is a bitch."
James smiled and kissed her cheek. "I'm sorry she treated you like that, she had no right saying those things."
"Well she has no right doing what's she's doing either," Maddie sighed. "Robbie deserves a good home, and people who care about him. I know you've grown attached to him, and I like him too. I bet Dad is having a blast as well, and Luke's grandmother, Robbie probably makes her feel young again."
"Yeah, I'm sure he does," James agreed. "I definitely want him here and I think that he'd be better off with us, but can we do it? We're about to have a baby ourselves and we're still just newly married. Robbie's going to be another responsibility."
"No more so than the baby," Maddie pointed out. "And we're not alone in this. We have a whole lot of people in our corner…and I know well enough that you wouldn't be able to forgive yourself if Robbie was still with your mom."
"Then I guess that settles that."
"I'd say it does," Maddie nodded. "Which means to answer your other question, we should definitely take the house. It's going to be just the right size for us and the baby, plus Robbie who will be staying with us no matter how we do this. And the best reason is that it's next door to our very best friends."
His smile was bright and his cheeks flushed as he watched his husband get tackled in the snow. Faith Natalie and little Ethan landed on top of their brother, who in turn slammed each of them down into the soft white stuff. Noah carefully scooped some of the snow into his hand and sculpted a ball. Ever so slowly he crept over to where Faith was trying to get to her feet and dumped the snow into her coat.
"AhHH, Noah that wasn't fair," she shrieked as she wet snow chilled her back. Noah laughed and had just enough time to duck before a snowball hit him square in the face.
"Come on everyone, let's make snow angels," Natalie said as she began to move her arms and legs around in the snow. Luke helped Ethan make his snow angel and Faith found her spot next to her brother. Noah watched the Snyder siblings for a minute before finding his own spot to make a snow angel.
"Girls keep an eye on Ethan okay?" He heard Luke say, before he saw his husband smiling just above him.
"You know you are much better than any snow angel," Noah said sitting up in his spot. He pulled Luke down with him and kissed him softly on the lips.
"You just messed up your angel," Luke laughed, his arms slipping around Noah's neck.
"Nuh uh," Noah said kissing him again. "My angel is perfect, and he's nice and warm."
"Who wants hot chocolate?" Emma's voice filled the air as Luke and Noah moved in for a kiss. They smiled at each other and settled for putting their foreheads together instead.
"We're coming Grandma," Luke said moments later as he stood and pulled Noah up with him. Ethan bounded into his arms, and Natalie almost toppled Noah in her attempt to give him a hug.
"Luke," Faith said as they headed into the house, "Mom wanted me to give you your Christmas gift. She left it at the house."
Luke tensed up momentarily at the mention of his mom and he frowned as they entered the kitchen. He set Ethan down and watched as he ran to Noah's mom who had been staying at the farm for the past few days.
"Luke, are you okay?" Faith asked frowning.
Luke shook his head and smiled as he put his arm around Faith. "Do you want the standard big brother answer, or the I'm close with my little sister answer?"
"I'm a big girl Luke," Faith insisted. " Please tell me what's wrong. I can tell that mentioning mom was not a good thing."
Luke sighed and led his sister to the parlor so they could talk. "I don't know how to explain it, Faith," he said when they were seated on the couch. "I know you're a big girl, and I know you can read my moods about as well as I can read yours…but I don't want to influence your opinion of our mother just because I'm not speaking to her."
"But Luke, after all she has put us through, please don't think that I can't take it or understand. Dad told me that she did some really bad things during the trial but he wouldn't tell me what."
Luke frowned. "Did you know what the trial was about? I mean I don't know how much Dad told you."
"Dad wouldn't tell me specifics, but he said that someone hurt you and that the trial was to make that man go away so that he can't hurt you anymore."
"Yeah, that's about the size of it," Luke said frowning, "and I think you're old enough to know exactly what happened…because I don't think you can understand why I'm so mad at Mom unless you know."
"Then please tell me what happened so I can understand.. I want to know what's going on Luke."
"You promise you won't think any less of me?" he asked seriously. He was suddenly worried that he was making the wrong decision. But this was Faith, she was very perceptive and they had always been pretty close.
"Luke, you are my big brother and no matter what you tell me I will always love you. You were there for me when Mom wasn't. Now just spill will you."
"It's not that simple Faith," Luke said sadly. "If it was…if it was just something as easy as Mom thinks I lied about something then I wouldn't hesitate, but this was…this was something bad. Remember when Noah and I missed Thanksgiving?" He waited for her to nod before continuing. "I think Noah told Mom I was sick…and that wasn't far from the truth. I had been drinking…because I wanted to forget what happened the night before. I was raped, Faith," He said looking down at his hands. "I was completely humiliated, and our mother believed him over me. She bailed him out of jail, testified for the defense…lied on the stand and that on top of the fact that she was with Dusty even before Grandma and I got sick."
"Oh my god Luke," Faith said giving her brother a hug. "That's awful. I can't believe that she would do that to you. Please tell me that you are ok. If it were me I don't think I could ever forgive her for what she did."
"That's just it, Faith, I can't forgive her. I'm okay. I have to be okay and being with Noah definitely helps. I'm through with Mom though. After her attitude when I resigned from WOAK I just couldn't take it anymore. I told her how I felt about everything and as far as I'm concerned I don't have a mom."
"I completely understand Luke, I felt the same way when she abandoned us before, but eventually it got better. Do you think that might happen here?"
Luke shook his head. "I don't see that happening Faith. Maybe it's just because I've lived through so many of their break ups and I've had a lot of promises broken but…the last straw was that she believed Randy over me, to the point of getting up on the stand and saying some awful things. It's just too much, you know? How are you doing with the divorce? I know how close you and mom were at one time."
"Yeah well those days are long gone," Faith frowned. "I am really hoping she will back off and let us live with Dad full time."
"Have you told Dad that this is what you want?'
"Yeah. He and Grandma Lucinda are working on it. Mom's not caving though, and I just don't get it. Could she have made it more obvious that she doesn't want us?"
"She made that decision when she chose Dusty over the family," Luke said bitterly. "And to think I was worried about her when she never came to the hospital while Noah was unconscious. Mom just likes blaming everyone else for her screw ups." He shook his head and looked down at his fingers. "Between us and Noah though we can help Dad keep Nat and Ethan in line right?"
"Nat thinks Noah hung the moon and well Ethan just adores both of you and well I will do whatever it takes to not have to go back to Mom's."
"Am I still your favorite," Luke smiled as he wrapped his sister into a hug.
"You bet. You are the best big brother in the world."
"There you two are," Noah's voice startled them and they both turned to see him in the doorway. "Come on guys the cocoa is getting cold."
"We're coming love," Luke smiled and stood pulling his sister up with him. They followed Noah into the kitchen where his mother was talking with Holden and Emma once again thanking them for their hospitality. Luke and Faith took their seats and Luke gratefully wrapped his hands around the warm mug. As he sipped his chocolate he watched the people around him, laughing and chatting just having a good time. He cherished moments like these, and wouldn't trade them in for anything. So far the year was getting off to a fantastic start, and he couldn't be happier.
Robbie flew into his arms as soon as he opened the door. James just held on to the younger boy and looked at his father for an explanation. He couldn't remember seeing anything less than a smile on Robbie's face since he arrived at their door…weeks ago now. Today though, those green eyes looked sad and lonely. James knew that look all too well.
"Still no word?" James asked directing his question at his father and Lucinda.
"Not yet," Lucinda said taking off her reading glasses. "Where is Maddie today, dear?"
"She had to work late," James explained. He pulled away from Robbie and lifted the younger boy's chin so he was looking at him. "What's got you so glum? Are you sad Mom hasn't come back? Or are you sad because you don't like having to look over your shoulder waiting for her to come back."
Robbie shook his head. "I don't know actually. I just feel abandoned. I mean it wouldn't be the first time, and I know I ran away but…"
"It still would be nice to know she cared. I understand," James said tousling his brother's hair. "We'll figure something out, Robbie…we have to. As it is you are missing quite a bit of school because of Mom's carelessness."
"Mom doesn't care, and Dad doesn't either. He probably just misses his punching bag if he misses me at all."
The dejected tone of voice made James frown and he wished there was something he could say to cheer his little brother up. He wanted to throttle their mother and her husband too. This was getting ridiculous. Before another word could be spoken there was a loud pounding on the door. It was so unexpected that it startled both boys.
George was about to stand to get the door but Lucinda placed a hand on his shoulder. "Let me handle this, Darling." She said even as she moved forward leaving no room for argument. When she got to the door she steeled her spine and opened it, to reveal Marsha and a very perturbed looking gentleman. The look on the man's face did not intimidate Lucinda however. "Is there something I can do for you," she said in her coolest voice."
"You can let me in so I can get my son," Marsha exclaimed. "And get the hell out of this god forsaken town. You and George think you are so much better than us, now get out of my way."
Marsha attempted to move past Lucinda but she halted her with a look. "Do not think that you can just show up and expect us to hand the boy over to you," she said keeping her voice stern and controlled. "You were supposed to be here what? Three weeks ago? And from what I can see you have done nothing but harm the child, and you are being extremely rude. Extremely rude and it is uncalled for. Now if you are going to act like an adult I will let you in, but otherwise Robbie is not going anywhere near you just because you say so."
"Just who do you think you are lady?" Marsha raged, "You have no claim to Robbie, and if you think I am letting my son stay here with you and George, and let you poison his mind against me the way George did Jimmy you are sadly mistaken. Now you can either move or I will move you, which is it going to be miss high and mighty?"
"That's enough, Mother," James said jumping to Lucinda's defense. "You will not lay one hand on her and you need to stop lying. Dad did not poison my mind against you. You did that all on your own with your actions. And I'm not going to let you hurt Robbie the way you hurt me. Broken promises are your specialty and you have shown that in these past few weeks. If you cared an iota about Robbie you would have been here before today."
Lucinda stepped out of the way to let the couple into the apartment. She could see that James had this well in hand and she folded her arms to see what was going to happen now that the parties were inside."
"What did you bring him for," Robbie asked crossing his arms as well. "It's not like he cares."
"You will not talk to me that way boy," his father said angrily. "I will not tolerate it, do you hear me. I am your father and I deserve your respect. Now get your stuff so we can get the hell out of here. I have things to do in Chicago and coming down here to haul you home has put me way behind."
"Yeah right," Robbie said standing his ground. "I'm so sure that's exactly what you were thinking about three weeks ago. Or was it just yesterday that you realized your stress reliever wasn't anywhere in sight. You don't miss your son, Dad, you miss having someone to take out your aggression on and I'm through with that," he shouted.
"Boy you will not talk to me that way. Now get your stuff and get in the car. You don't want me to make you, now do you boy?"
George glared at his ex-wife. "You are just going to allow him to speak to your son that way?" he said incredulously. James frowned and stood ready just in case his little brother needed backup.
"I'm not going anywhere with you," Robbie said defiantly. "I don't want to go where you don't love me."
"Marsha has no say in how I talk to my son, and if you think I am going to let you run all over me mister, you have another thing coming. Now Robert get your stuff and get in the car or suffer the consequences."
"I already told you no. I'm not going. You don't give a damn about me, and I don't want to be anywhere near either of you."
"Alright that's it. You have gone too far. I will not tolerate your back talk. I am your father and you will respect that."
The smack was loud and hard. Though Robbie had been expecting it, it stung and tears appeared in the corner of his eyes as he felt his smarting cheek. "Robbie no," James said as the boy pushed past his father and past Lucinda out the front door. "Are you fucking out of your mind," James raged, but his words were cut short by the squealing of tires, and he rushed out the door cursing under his breath.