Ch. 10: Upset
*A/N: I'm so sorry I haven't updated in so long! It's been a little crazy! Hope you enjoy this chapter! Please review! Your comments are really helpful! J
One summer day, fourteen year old Iris was walking along next to the lake, skipping rocks along it. She held the hand of Isabelle, and watched as Danny, Gwen, Ruth, Ben, and Luke ran ahead. The other children were at the Thortons', and her mother and Elizabeth were with Clara, who was giving birth to her third child. The men were all waiting at Jack and Elizabeth's house, and were trying to corral fourteen children. Iris had offered to take the younger children out so Elizabeth could have a bit of a break.
"Aunty Iris, when can I go see mommy?" Little Isa asked her.
"I don't know Isa. A few hours maybe." Iris replied.
"Oh." The little girl said, slightly disappointed.
The children headed back towards the Thortons because it was going to be dark soon. Once they were home, they found Jack and Frank cooking up fish and vegetables, and soon, everyone was eating the delicious meal.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth and Abigail were waiting with Clara for the baby to finally appear. She had been laboring for hours, and was quite ready to be done. Abigail made a few sandwiches, and she and Elizabeth took a quick dinner break. Finally, around midnight, the baby finally decided to come.
"It's a boy!" Abigail exclaimed, holding up the baby, wiping it off, and passing him to his mother, the baby squalling loudly.
"He's precious!" Clara said, smiling tenderly at her baby.
"I'll go find Michael!" Elizabeth said, running out the door.
Elizabeth returned awhile later with Michael, who was thrilled to meet his new little son. The parents decided to name him Mark Isaac, and were instantly in love with the little boy. Elizabeth went back to her house to relieve the men from taking care of the children, while Abigail stayed with her daughter and little grandson.
Back at the Thorton's, Elizabeth walked into the house to find tons of children running around, playing on the floor, and chasing one another.
"Children! Quiet down please! Where's your father and uncle?" Elizabeth commanded.
"They're in the kitchen talking to Sarah and Ruth because they were fighting over a doll." Abby said to her mother.
"Thank you. And remember, the indoors is not a place for chasing each other!" Elizabeth said, heading into the kitchen.
"Jack! It's complete chaos out there!" Elizabeth exclaimed.
"I know, sorry. We just needed to deal with this for a few minutes and it erupted out there." Jack explained, handing little Rachel to Elizabeth.
"I think I'll take the kids home. It's about time for Gwen to go to bed." Frank said.
"Alright. I guess it's time for some of ours to go to bed too! Oh, would you like us to keep Clara's kids?" Elizabeth asked.
I guess that'd be better. We didn't tell Michael that we were taking them to our place!" Frank said.
"Ok, and thank you for all your help Frank!" Jack said.
"My pleasure." He responded.
After counting to make sure he had all his children in tow, Frank set off with Iris, April, Jonny, Lydia, Caroline, Luke, Ben, Ruth, and Gwen, leaving the Thortons with six kids.
"Ok, Isa, Sarah, Daniel, and Rachel all need to go to sleep now." Elizabeth said, rounding up the younger ones. Jack took charge of the older kids, and finally, some order was restored to the home.
Michael and Clara decided to leave the kids with Elizabeth for the night, and Abigail soon went home to give the new parents some space. They went to bed early, but of course, had a interrupted sleep with their new baby!
Abigail had her café open bright and early the next day. Frank had taken the children down to the lake so she could have a bit of peace. Unfortunately, it was interrupted by Bill Avery.
"Abigail! Congratulations on the new grandbaby! Is it a boy or girl?" Bill asked, smiling.
"Thank you. It's a boy." She replied coolly.
"What's his name?" He asked.
"Mark. He's very sweet." She said, a smile coming to her face.
Wonderful! You know, ever since we first helped Clara come to Hope Valley, I've felt like she was my own daughter! But, I guess that would make Mark my grandson too!" Bill said.
"Hmm, well Mr. Avery, that would imply we were or had been married, neither of which is accurate." Abigail said, the smile vanishing.
"Unfortunately." Bill said, taking a step closer to her. "Don't you ever wish it had turned out differently between us?"
"Mr. Avery. How many times do I need to repeat myself? I am not in love with you. I love Frank and our children! Goodness! I do not wish it had turned out differently!" Abigail said loudly.
"But remember when we were happy together? We—"
"I think you should leave. NOW!" Abigail exclaimed, opening the door for him.
"As you wish." Bill said, brushing his hand on her arm as he left.
Abigail was furious. She closed the café and busied herself with preparing lunch. Finally, her large family returned. Frank instantly realized something was amiss.
"Abigail, I let Iris, April, and Lydia stay at the lake for awhile longer. Is something the matter?" Frank asked her softly.
"Bill Avery came again. Honestly Frank, I don't know what's wrong with him! I keep telling him I don't want to have anything to do with him and I love you, but he won't take it." Abigail exclaimed quietly so the children wouldn't hear, embracing Frank.
I'll talk to him or Jack. This has gone on long enough!" Frank said firmly, kissing her on the head.
"Thank you." Abigail whispered.
Meanwhile, Iris, April, and Lydia were walking back from the lake. As they neared Main Street, they came across Mr. Avery.
"Good afternoon ladies! My, you're growing up fast! Why, I remember the day your mother adopted you two." He said to Iris and April.
"What?" Iris asked, a bit stunned.
"Yes, you were pretty little, maybe three or so, and April was only a baby. Tragedy with your parents, but I guess Abigail and Frank are good enough as replacements. See you girls later." Bill said, walking away.
"We're adopted?" April asked quietly.
"I guess. Did you know?" Iris asked Lydia.
"No!" she said.
"Why didn't they tell us?" Iris angrily exclaimed, running towards the café, her sisters following.
Iris burst into the café.
"Mother! Father! Except you aren't really my real mother and father! Why didn't you tell us we were adopted?" Iris shouted.
Abigail and Frank looked at each other, shocked.
"Iris, we were going to tell you eventually, once you were older." Abigail said softly.
"But why? Why did you lie to us?" Iris exclaimed.
"Honey, we didn't lie to you. We raised you as our own daughter because we adopted you as our own. You ARE our real daughter." Frank said to his eldest.
"But I'm not really!" Iris shouted, running to her room.
"Am I your real daughter?" April asked softly.
"Oh sweetie, of course you are! We adopted you when you were a baby and you've been our daughter ever since." Abigail said, giving the girl a hug.
"Good, because you're my real mom and dad." April said, hugging her mother.
"I'm glad to hear it." Frank said, smiling.
Later that day, both Frank and Abigail had tried talking to Iris with no success.
"Well, Bill's really done it this time." Abigail said angrily.
"I know, but try to forgive him. Maybe it's for the best." Frank said, calming his wife.
"I suppose. But Frank, what if this ruins our relationship with Iris? She's our eldest daughter, the one the others look up to!" Abigail said, beginning to cry.
"Shhh, it'll be alright! She'll come around! We just need to keep loving her and being her parents." Frank said, rubbing her back. They both knew this was the start of a long journey through the teen years.