Seth-
I had gotten a strange call from Randy. I couldn't hear him well, the only word I did understand was Reigns. I quickly went up to Artemis's room.
"We have to go, now Art", I said, helping her stand.
"Where?", she asked.
"I think your dad knows about you and Roman. I think he might go confront him. We have to stop him before he kills someone", I said, almost dragging her.
I made sure she was safely in the car before getting in on my side and driving to Roman's mom's house. Matt was outside trying to talk calmly to Randy.
"Where is your brother? Tell him to come out. He has the nerve to date my daughter but not to show his face", he yelled.
"He's not here at the moment, I swear. He'll be home soon", Matt said.
I got out of my car and jogged over to Randy, carefully approaching him. He looked at me.
"Did you know about this? About who she was really seeing? Of course you did, you all knew", Randy yelled.
"Dad?", Artemis said.
His eyes found her.
"Baby get back in the car, please Art", he said, trying his hardest not to raise his voice at her, he knew it scared her.
"Dad", she said again.
He sighed, calming himself as best he could before going over to her and wrapping his arms around her. Kissing her head.
"Can I please handle this dad, please", Artemis said.
"I'm your father and I will always protect you", he said to her.
"You don't have to worry, I can do this", she said.
Randy rubbed his chin before nodding.
"Alright ladybug", he said, stepping back and towards his truck.
I faced her towards Matt and his mom, who was coming out of her house. Her daughters behind her.
"Roman?", Artemis asked out loud.
"He's not here Art, he's on his way though", Matt said.
"You all knew who I was when I met you?", she asked.
I could tell they didn't want to answer that.
"Yes", his mom answered.
"That's why you asked all those questions", she said, getting choked up.
She took a deep breath.
"I bet you all thought it was funny right, put one over on the blind girl. I can't believe I trusted him and all of you", she said.
I could see her tears falling and it broke my heart.
"You can relax though, I told your lawyer I would speak on your dad and husband's behalf. Tell Roman he got what he wanted, he doesn't have to keep pretending he actually cares", she said.
"Artemis, he", she stopped Matt.
"Dad, I want to go home", she said.
Randy approached her and walked her towards his truck. I tried to follow but he stopped me, placing his hand flat on my chest. I met his eyes.
"I think that for a few days, you should stay away. I don't think neither Art or I can stand to look at you", he said harshly.
"Randy, I was trying", he cut me off.
"Trying to what Seth? Break your only niece's heart? Well, mission accomplished little brother. I trusted you with her, she was suppose to be safe with you", he said.
That hurt. A car screeched to a halt and Roman jumped out. He ran to Artemis, but I held him back.
"Artemis, let me explain baby", he said.
"I don't want to hear anymore lies", she said.
"How I feel wasn't a lie", Roman said, trying to push passed me.
"Your dad will get out, I promise", she said softly.
Roman stopped fighting to get passed me. He looked confused.
"What?", he asked, looking from her to me.
Artemis shook her head.
"You got what you wanted, I'll speak on your dad's behalf. You can stop pretending now", she said.
"I'm confused Art, what are you talking about?", Roman asked.
I cleared my throat.
"Your dad's lawyer went to the house to speak with Art. He said you and your siblings sent him to ask her if she would speak on your dad's behalf.", I said.
"I didn't send anyone, I told him you were off limits. I would never use you that way. I love you", he said, honesty written all over his face, in his eyes but she couldn't see that.
"Stop, I don't believe you", she said softly, more tears falling.
"Come on kid, let's get you home", Randy said, squeezing her shoulder.
She nodded but before she got into the truck, she turned a bit.
"I'm glad your dad's coming home, hug him", she said.
"Artemis", I barely heard her name come out of Roman's mouth.
I could tell his heart was breaking just as bad. Randy gave one long look at Roman before getting in on his side of the truck. I approached Art's window.
"This isn't how I saw this going, but", she stopped me.
"Stop, just stop uncle Seth. I never thought you, of all people, would lie to me.", she said, that hurt.
"I wanted you to befriend him before you pushed him away because of your dad. Tell me the truth Art, would you have kept writing to him if you knew who he was?", I said.
She turned her head towards my voice.
"Its clear that you don't know me like I thought you did. You know I don't let my anger cloud my judgement. You were wrong", she said.
She was right, she would have kept talking to him even after finding out who he was. She was nothing like Randy and I had lost sight of that.
"Who else knew?", she asked.
Randy looked at me.
"Everyone but you and your dad", I said.
She nodded.
"I guess we were the butts of the joke dad, even our own family laughed at us.", she said.
"No Art", I said.
"Dad, can we go?", she asked.
"Yeah kiddo", he said, before driving off.
I groaned. Dean was trying to comfort Roman.
"I'm sorry, that stupid lawyer", I said.
Roman stood, angry. He went towards his family, Dean and I between them.
"I told you, she was off limits. I told you to stay away from her", he yelled at them.
"We didn't tell him anything, in fact I told him your exact words and he said he was going to stay away", Matt said.
Summer stepped forward, a look of guilt on her face.
"I might have told him to speak to her, but I didn't mention your name", she said.
"You didn't have too Summer", he yelled.
"Its not fair that she gets to live in this perfect little bubble without a care in the world. She took dad from us", she defended herself.
I had enough. Just because we hadn't filled in certain things in Artie's life, didn't mean she had it easy.
"I created that perfect little bubble for her because she was in a dark place, literally. She lost her mother and her sight on that same night, so sorry if I wanted to give her a little space of happiness and carefree life. Yes we kept her away from anything that would remind her of that night. No we didn't tell her your family's name, no we didn't tell her your dad's fate. She hasn't had it easy either. Did you wake up screaming for your mother at night only to realize she wasn't coming? Screaming in pain, screaming because she keeps opening her eyes and it's still dark. I held her those nights, so did my brother, and my nephew. So before you go and say that she doesn't give a damn about you or your father, let me tell you now, she does. Before your lawyer came and ruined everything, she had asked me to help her get in contact with your dad's lawyers", I said.
I shook my head.
"But you don't care about that right. You don't care that you just took my niece's happiness, not only that but your brother's as well", I said, walking back to my car.
I took my keys out and got in my car. Driving off and away from them.
Roman-
I took a deep breath in before releasing it, looking at my family. Dean stayed quietly to the side, watching.
"I woke up today to the most beautiful person I've ever encountered. We talked about our future and what it would be like once I was home for good. I was happy, she took me out of my dark place and now, I lost everything", I said.
"Roman", I stopped my mom.
"Dad's going to come home right, you all got what you wanted.", I said.
I looked at Dean.
"Lets get home", I said.
He nodded.
Seth-
I parked. Taking deep breaths before I made my way to her apartment. Knocking instead of walking right in like I always do. She opened the door.
"Why did you knock?", she asked, walking away from the open door.
I walked in.
"She knows", I said.
She turned to face me.
"You told her?", she asked.
I shook my head no.
"A lawyer did. She thinks Roman was using her. She won't talk to me so I can't tell her about the plan. Randy kicked me out of his house for a bit", I said.
"We knew this could happen Seth", she said.
I went and sat beside her.
"I need to fix this", I said.
"No you don't, let things play out. If she really does love him like she said she does, she'll forgive him and find him to talk. Let nature take its course", Paige said.
"And what happens if they don't end up back together?", I asked.
She shrugged.
"Then it wasn't meant to be", she said standing.
I looked over what she was wearing.
"Are you going out?", I asked.
She nodded.
"I have a date. This guy, he grabs lunch at the same place I do. Several times he's asked me out and I say no. Since you and I will only ever be friends, I said yes this time", she said.
I stood. I didn't know what to do or say. I pushed my hands into my pockets and looked at my feet.
"Have fun", I said.
She nodded and grabbed her coat before leaving. I sat back down. What was I going to do?