Roman-
I had found us a perfect house. Nathan would still have to share with Carter and Thea would have to share with the new baby, but the backyard was big enough to build another room or two. The pool was a little smaller than ours and so was the living room, kitchen was a little smaller as well. I was starting to rethink this. We walked in and the kids seemed really excited, I wrapped my arm around Christina's waist.
"I know it's smaller than our home, but the backyard is huge and it gives us room to build two more rooms", I said.
"Can we do that to our home now?", she asked.
"Afraid not, the rooms would be too small", I said.
She nodded.
"We've talked about this already, haven't we?", she asked.
"Yes babe, before Carter was born", I said.
She nodded.
"Do you like it?", she asked, looking up at me.
"Like I said, it's smaller. If you and the kids don't mind, we can make this work", I said.
She nodded.
"We have to discuss this with the kids", she said.
"I know, we don't have to worry about them changing schools. The house is still in their district", I said.
"Good, I'd hate to have them change schools", she said.
I nodded. The kids came back after exploring.
"So what did you guys think?", I asked.
"I like it, but shouldn't we get a house with more room, since there will hopefully be more kids coming around?", Ella asked.
"The backyard gives us room to build more", I said.
"What about uncle Jon?", Nathan asked.
"I think uncle Jon is gonna move in with Sarah", I said.
"So we won't see him anymore?", Thea asked.
"Princess, uncle Jon loves you and he will always be there when you need him, I promise", I said.
She nodded. Dean had always been there since the day they were born, they were use to him being around all the time. They loved him and didn't want him to leave.
"So what do you guys say, you like it?", Chris asked.
"Yeah, as long as I don't have to change schools", Ella said.
"Okay", the twins said at the same time.
Christina-
Waking up that night, I turned over to find Joe's side empty. I sat up and went to find him, he was in the kitchen on the counter eating cereal.
"Joe", I said.
He turned to look at me and jumped off the counter. He put his bowl in the sink and walked over to me.
"You okay?", he asked.
I nodded.
"Just woke up and you weren't in bed. Everything okay?", I asked.
"Just thinking", he said.
"About?", I asked.
"This trial and Jason. What if we find out something we don't want to hear?", he asked.
"Knowing us, I think I would have told you everything", I said.
"And you know I would have done the same", he said.
He leaned down and kissed me. I took his hand and we went up to our room. Laying down, he rubbed my back.
"Why didn't you tell me about our scare?", I asked.
"What scare?", he asked.
"My cancer", I said.
I rested my chin on his chest and he sighed.
"The tests came back that you were fine and I guess I didn't want to scare you again. Especially if you don't remember the results", he said.
"What happened?", I asked.
He brushed my hair behind my ear.
"You were reaching for a bowl, it was on a high shelf and I just remember you crying out in pain and when Jon and I ran in, you were sitting down and rubbing your arm. The last time you cried out like that was when you told me about having cancer, remember.", he said.
I nodded.
"It scared me", his eyes were watery and a tear slipped.
"But I'm fine", I whispered.
He smiled and I wiped his tear.
"Thank god you are. I had a few words with god. I promised him that if you were okay, that I would be the best husband and father I could be. I told him I couldn't live without you because you make me a better person, without you I'd be nothing and I'd lose all self control.", he said.
"Don't say that, what about our kids?", I asked.
"I love them, but I'd lose myself without you and I know my parents know that. So do yours, they would have probably taken them from me and I wouldn't stop them, because I know they would have been better off without me", he said.
"Joe", I said.
"I lost you once and it wasn't good. I was drinking all the time and getting into random fights for no reason. I didn't give a damn if I lost everything. You knew all this already", he said.
"I'm sorry", I said.
"Not your fault, it was mine. I let you go and I shouldn't have", he said.
I straddled him and he buried his fingers in my hair. He sat up and wrapped his other arm around my waist, holding me against him. His lips an inch from mine.
"I love you so fucking much, it hurts", he whispered.
"Same here", I whispered.
Roman-
Christina was fast asleep next to me, we had made love. I couldn't stop thinking about my past.
The twins and I had gone to a bar, they were hoping to get some women to take home. All I wanted was to get so wasted I don't remember a thing. I was on my third beer, I chugged it and asked for another. I felt a cold hand on my arm. I glanced to my side and noticed a red head beside me, I told myself she would have looked better without all that makeup on.
"Leave me alone", I grumbled.
"Why? If you let it, you and I can have a pretty good time tonight. You look like a man who knows how to handle a woman like me", she said.
I rolled my eyes. How many times have I heard that.
"No thanks", I said.
"Come on now, don't be stubborn", she said.
I set my beer bottle down with a loud thud. I turned to look at her, I straightened up and she looked frightened a little.
"Listen, I don't have time for you, so if you don't mind leaving me alone, the last thing I need is an annoying", Josh stopped me.
"Joe", I heard Jon say.
I rolled my eyes and went back to my beer. I asked the bartender for a couple of shots. He brought them right over and I downed each one. The red head had left and was now in another man's lap. Jon sat on one side of me while Josh sat on my other side.
"What?", I asked.
Josh had been staring at me.
"You really think this is what she would want for you? If she was here", I cut him off.
"But she's not. I let her go, I let them take her from me", I said loud.
"You know damn well why she had to go", Jon said.
"I should have gone with her, she needs me", I said.
"No, she doesn't", Josh said.
I finished my beer and was about to start yelling at Josh. Jon put his hand on my shoulder.
"She doesn't need you man. You need her, but she isn't here and that is neither your fault or hers. If she saw you like this she would kill you and you know it", Josh said.
"I know what I can do. What if I get a flight to Seattle and surprise her?", I asked, fumbling to get my wallet out.
The twins sighed and shook their heads.
"Man, you aren't going to do it. You say this and then back out last minute", Jon said.
"I'm doing it this time", I said, raising my voice.
I downed the last shot and paid for our drinks. I stood and we started to walk out, a group of guys that I recognized from school were walking in. I accidentally bumped into one and he shoved me. I shoved him back and his friends joined in. Jon and Josh having my back jumped in as well.
Next thing I know we're all being taken to the police station. I was going to call my dad, but I knew I couldn't, remembering his last words to me the last time this happened.
"Don't call me anymore, I'm done", he said.
The twins were bailed out by their dad.
"Sorry man, my dad said that your dad told him to leave you here", Jon said.
"It's fine", I said.
"See you at school", he said, before walking out.
I nodded, I laid back on the bench. An hour or two later I heard an officer come over.
"Joseph Anoa'i?", he asked.
I stood.
"Your bail was posted", he said.
I walked out and I looked at him confused, surprised.
"My dad posted my bail?", I asked.
"A Mr. James Mathews, says he's your father in law. You look a little young to be married", the cop said.
I smiled and walked out front. Christina's dad was sitting down, still in his pajama pants and a sweater. He saw me and stood, picking up two coffee cups.
"Mr. Mathews", I said.
"You don't have to say anything, here", he said, handing me a cup.
He waved to the officer and we walked to his car in silence. Getting in his car, I took a sip of the coffee.
"How did you know I was here?", I asked.
I didn't take my eyes off of my coffee cup.
"Your mom was over at our house when your dad called her telling her that you were back in jail", he said.
I nodded.
"She left and I noticed that your dad hadn't left the house, as it got later I realized he wasn't gonna go get you. My wife and I called police station after station looking for you, finally finding you", he said chuckling.
"You didn't have to come and get me", I said.
"Yes I did. You're my son in law and I wasn't about to leave you in there. So, want to tell me what this is about? Why you're acting like you don't care?", he said.
"I miss Christina", I said.
He looked over at me.
"I know, but I can tell you that she is fine. They removed any ounce of cancer she had, she's rehabing her arm", he said.
"Have you spoken to her?", I asked.
"She doesn't speak to us much, still very angry with us, but Cora says she's doing fine, misses you", he said.
I looked out the window.
"Has she, has she asked for me?", I asked.
"Yeah, told her you were fine. Doing good in school, and still playing football", he said.
I nodded.
"Don't make me a liar", he said.
I looked at him and we pulled into his house, still dark out.
"You can't keep doing this to yourself, if she ever comes home, do you really want her to find you drunk or worse. My daughter is alive, what if the next bar fight you get into, someone stabs you or pulls out a gun and shoots you, that would kill her", he said.
"I'm sorry, I don't want to disappoint anyone, especially Chris", I said.
"Then get yourself together", he said.
I nodded.
"I don't think your dad's gonna let you in. Sleep in Chris's old room", he said.
I nodded and we walked in. I went into Christina's room and laid down. Her pillow still smelled like her.
"I miss you so much baby", I whispered.