"I'm leaving." Greg looked up. Allison stood with Liv and Elliot on each side, and the 7-month-old twins strapped into the car seats on the stroller. "You have been horrible to live with the last 4 months, you've been down-right cruel to me and our kids, and I'm done with you." Greg looked away, back down at his gameboy, pretending she wasn't there. She wanted to leave, he wasn't going to stop her. She rolled her eyes and walked her children to the car. It was almost their bed time, so they would sleep the hard part of the drive.
"Mommy?" Elliot said as he was strapped into his car seat. "Why are you crying?"
"I had a fight with your dad, and we're moving."
"What about Cujo?"
"We'll get him later," Liv said, hushing her brother. "Hold Wooby." She handed her bear to the frightened boy as she climbed into the seat between her baby brothers.
"You need to sit in your seat, Liv."
"If I sit back here, I can feed them so you don't have to pull over," Liv countered. Her mother nodded and moved the car seat for the tiny girl. She had grown up quickly when Elliot was born, and loved caring for her baby brothers. She felt if she could keep them happy tonight, then her mother would be happy, too.
The drive was mostly silent. Jeffy had fallen asleep quickly, while Doug was happily sucking on a bottle staring at Liv. Soon, Elliot, too, was asleep. Allison peeked into the rear veiw to look at her daughter. Things had been bad the last few months since House had been...well...House. Allison wasn't ready for Liv to spend the night at a friend's house, and Greg had gotten mad. He'd told her she could, and then looked Allison in the eye and said, "Its not your descision, she's not your daughter."
It had broken Allison's heart. Liv overheard the comment and asked questions. The more she asked, the farther apart Greg and Allison got. They tried to explain that adoption made Allison her mom, but Greg had already crossed the line.
"Mom?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you love Daddy?"
"Yes."
"Does Daddy love you?"
"I think he does."
"Then why are we leaving?" Allison didn't answer. She wiped her eyes and kept them on the road. Liv took that to mean it was quiet time, and she closed her eyes to get some sleep, as it was very dark and very late.
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"Nana!" Liv called, running to Allison's mother. It had been just over 13 hours in the car, taking a few potty breaks here and there, but mostly sleeping. They were happy to be out, and free to run around the farm just outside of Hickory Grove. Allison's father went into his house, shutting the door in disapproval.
"Hi Olivia," she said, hugging her quickly before moving to the boys eagerly. "Elliot! Come see your Nana!" She lifted him ups and cuddled him, and kissed each twin equally. Liv frowned. "What's wrong with her?" she asked.
"Why do you hug them more? She is a part of my family as much as the boys."
"Not really," Allison's mother said.
"Hey, Nana?" Liv said. "Do you want to know the difference between me and my brothers?"
"Sure."
"Mom chose me after I was already here." Live smiled and wandered off after a stray kitten had scampered by. Nana was officially told off by her first grandchild.
"She's a lot like her father," Allison said smiling.
"So you left him...because...?" Allison had failed to mention she left Greg. All her mother knew was they were visiting. "He got here 3 hours ago, and explained everything. He's sleeping in your room. Talk to him, honey."
"I thought you-"
"I don't. But you were so happy with him. It doesn't matter if I approve. It matters if you are happy." Allison kissed her mother's cheek and went up the steps to the porch. Her father avoided her gaze and ignored her 'Hi Dad.'
"Greg," she called into the bedroom. He was sitting on her bed, staring at the door, knowing full well she'd be coming in. He looked tired. His eyes were puffy and red; he'd cried.
"I knew you'd come here."
"What are you-"
"Al, I can't let you do this." He took her hands and pulled her into a hug. "I can't let you leave and take everything that's important to me. I need you, and the kids. You guys are my life! I'd still be a pill-popping Vicodin addict, pining after Stacy if you hadn't been there. You gave me a life, Allison. Don't take it away from me."
"You hurt me, Greg."
"I'm an idiot. Livvie's more your child than mine. I have no right to question your parenting. I'm a complete moron." Allison drifted into his arms farther.
"Hey, Greg."
"Hmm?" he said, smelling her hair.
"I love you, ya moron," Allison whispered, kissing him.
"Come home?" he pleaded. She nodded and pushed him farther onto the bed. "Al, do you want more kids?"
"I hadn't thought about it. We never actually tried for those guys...they just sort of...happened."
"Then we need at least one that was thought out and planned."
"Okay. We'll start trying when we get home."
"How about we start trying now?" Allison smiled and pushed him back onto the bed.
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Allison sat in his office chair. She'd done that only when she was pregnant with their three boys. Hopefully, he would get the idea. This however wasn't the case. He had only glared and called her in for a diagnosis.
"Can he wait?"
"Actually, he's sort of, you know, dying."
"Now?"
"Well, he may have a day, possibly two. Why?"
"What happened last time I sat here?"
"I yelled at you," he said, glaring. "Now get out of my chair. Better?"
"What did you say?"
"I said, Pregnant or not- wait. Are you-?" She nodded, smiling. Greg helped her up and kissed her lovingly. "Be a girl!" he told the perfectly flat belly. "We have plenty of boys!"
"Honestly, we'll have another boy. I know it," she said.
"Yeah, probably. Now this guy may actually be dying. Think we can try to cure him?"
"Oh, fine. Let's go."