Rating: T/M for implied abuse and neglect. One case of profanity.
Genre: Family Angst
Pairing: Josh Uley/ OC
Disclaimer (for fanfiction): All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Summary: Everyone was gathered for young Sam Uley's thirteenth birthday party.
Prompt: Girl on a swing
Word-Count: 515
A/N: I know it's late but I couldn't go to sleep without posting this! Something A little different…
The whole house had been decorated for such a purpose and his father had been invited over to help prepare the food.
Joshua Uley had worked long and hard to earn his wife and son's trust after leaving them when his boy was barely a toddler.
He'd left to chase a dream but when reality proved too complicated, he returned to the only home he'd ever known.
Alison Uley hadn't been able to trust he still cared for her but she was willing to put her pain aside so that their son would grow up with both parents being civil to each other.
They'd worked together over the years and it was recently that Alison accepted she still loved her estranged husband. They'd even talked about him moving back in!
XxX
Sam had blown out the candles and was about to reach for his presents when a well-used ford mustang spluttered up along the house and an irate white woman with badly-coloured hair, pulled a honey-coloured young girl out of the front seat and dragged her over to Josh.
"There you are you lousy bastard!" She threw the child at him, turning once more to the car. "I've done my fair share. Now it's your turn!"
The guests were left in shock as the woman chucked a selection of bags out of the trunk before moving to the front seat.
"Her name's Levi."
XxX
All eyes turned to Alison who once again had to deal with Josh's betrayal. It had been bad enough when he'd upped and left her with a toddler. To think he'd pulled the same thing again was disgraceful!
Sarah Black ushered her into the house, leaving Josh to the men. No-one thought about the little girl who had been dragged across the country and abandoned by her mother.
XxX
Josh scanned the area, making sure Alison was alone. Spying her in the kitchen, he wheedled his way over to her.
Her back was ramrod straight and uninviting. "Alison, honey, I know it's a lot to take right now but I know we can get through this!"
Alison turned slowly, barely recognising the man she'd loved and lost. "No Josh. There is no 'we'. You should take your child home. I've had enough for one day."
XxX
He dragged the young girl to the house dumping her bags on the floor before heading to the fridge for a beer.
She watched him open and down the beverage in seconds, unsure of what to do.
"Take your stuff upstairs and stay out of my sight."
His words set the tone for years to come. Alison and Sam followed suit, barely acknowledging her at school nor caring to find out how she was coping with the recent upheavals.
XxX
It was a rare sunny morning when Levi left the house, running to the old swing that Josh had constructed in the hopes that he and Alison would get back together. As her legs moved back and forth he allowed herself to dream that one day, she'd find a family that wanted and loved her.