December, that year:
The brisk winter breeze was taking its toll on everything in eyesight. People shivering as they walked down streets, cars frosting over, leaves crisp and crunchy underfoot. But on this day, Violet and the Tracy's chose to stay home. Violet was in the living room when there was a quiet knock at the door. There was the sound of a small child, but Violet saw through the stained glass that someone taller was with the child. Standing up, she goes to the door, and without looking through the peep-hole, she opens the door.
"Hey, Violet." It was Max, and the little girl could only be his little sister. She looked so much like Max, the blonde hair was a little frizzy, the eyes looked like him too. There were some scars healing on her face, but they must've been a lot worse six months ago. She had a look of innocence on her face, the kind a five year old has. She may be eight, but mentally, she could be Alan's age, or on opposite ends of the spectrum, Violet's. Max did look better, he looked happy. His face had a small smile on it, and you could tell he did a lot of smiling nowadays. Before, you could tell that he was always down in the dumps, but now, he was happy.
"Hey Max. Is this Erin?" She asked with a smile, before smiling down at Erin, who was holding Max's hand. Erin must be a little shy, because she hid behind Max's hand.
"Yeah. Hey Erin, this is the girl I told you about." Max told her with a smile, getting down to her level.
"Hi..." Erin muttered quietly.
"Would you like to come in?" Violet asked politely, standing out of the way of the door. Both of them entered and looked around her house.
"Wow, nice house." He smiled as Violet led them to the living area, where they sat down.
Almost like he was on cue, Alan ran into the room, clutching the toy aeroplane that Scott gave him for his birthday last year. He stopped in the doorway when he saw the boy and little girl there. Violet saw him.
"Hey Alan, come say hi to Erin." Violet gestured to her youngest brother, who slowly and reluctantly stepped forward, but seemed to perk up.
"Hi Erin, I'm Alan." He introduced, stepping forwards with a polite smile on his face.
"Hi." She replied, letting go of her brother's hand and stepping forwards too. She had her eyes on Alan's toy aeroplane. Erin was older than Alan, but she still wanted to play with him. At least, that's what Violet thought.
"Why don't you show Erin your aeroplanes, Alan?" Violet suggested. Erin's face lit up, and Alan set off in the direction of the stairs, Erin not far behind him.
Max let out a little laugh as he watched his sister bolt up the stairs, following her little brother. Violet also smiled, and the two just stood uncomfortably in the kitchen, waiting for the other to speak. Max was the one to speak first.
"I... Wanted to say thanks," he said, nodding his head slowly at her. "You got me and my sister away from him."
"You're welcome, and she seems happy." Violet noted.
"A lot happier, but she still has nightmares."
There was another quiet moment.
"Violet? Who was at the door? Why is Alan with a little girl -" Virgil asked as he walked down the stairs, before turning his attention to the kitchen where his sister was stood with whoever was at the door. It was clear Virgil still remembered the trouble they got into for not telling their father about the incident involving this boy.
"Hey." Max greeted.
"Hey... Max, was it?" Virgil stepped forwards. Max nodded.
"Yeah. I just dropped by with my sister to see Violet but I guess I should say this too."
Virgil and Violet looked at each other, stood on one side of the kitchen with Max at the other side. Both were curious what he had to say.
"I also wanted to say sorry... especially to you, Violet." Max sighed. "I got you involved in my problem, and you got hurt from it. And Virgil, so did you."
"It's fine. Our Dad wasn't too happy we kept it from him, but there was no real harm done so he didn't care too much." Virgil said. Violet saw Max's rueful expression on his face as he had his head down but eyes were watching her.
"But an apology will never be enough for what I did to you Violet, or Gordon."
Virgil looked at the pair, concern on his face but saying nothing.
"It's fine, Max. I understand -"
"No, no it wasn't okay. I hurt you, made you feel horrible. I broke your wrists!"
"Wait, that was you? You didn't fall down the stairs?" Virgil spoke up, a hint of anger in his voice.
"Virgil, calm down." Violet assured, "Yes, I fell down the stairs."
"No, I pushed you down them, and I'm so sorry!"
"It's fine."
"Every time you say that... It isn't. I hurt you!"
"Violet?" Virgil asked.
Violet sighed. "Look, your father hurt you. There was some pretty deeply enforced anger there. Me? I'd have killed myself."
"Trust me, I contemplated suicide for a long time, but I couldn't bring myself to do it because... Well, I couldn't leave Erin to suffer."
"Exactly. You have a heart of gold, Max. It was just beaten down on by one very sadistic man. A grieving man. Grief can be a misdirected anger, vented onto you."
"I can never tell you how sorry I am, though."
"We can do this all day Max. My answer will be the same. It's fine."
Virgil looked at them both. This revelation that Max was the one giving her, and Gordon, grief was a shock, but the fact that he was apologising for it shocked him more.
"But... What?" Virgil stammered, confused.
"Virgil, I can't ever tell you how sorry I am for hurting your sister the way I did." Max apologised.
"Max, look, I forgive you, if it puts you at peace. Now please, can we talk about something else?" Violet urged, desperate to change the subject. Max nodded in agreement. Virgil's gaze shifted between the two of them. Violet asked Max what would be happening with his father.
"To be honest, I hope he rots in hell," he said simply. "But I dunno. No chance of being released until his trial, set for next May. I guess he counts the days."
"What about you? And Erin?" Virgil asked, forgetting his momentary anger.
He sighed. "Foster care? I'm not sure. Erin's scared and so am I. The carers we're with now are nice, but Erin doesn't trust the father. I know he won't hurt her, but she doesn't. I don't think she will trust anyone."
"Surely she is undergoing some kind of therapy?" Violet asked.
"Yeah, and for the most part it works. It's her nightmares, I think, that cause these trust problems."
"What about you?" Violet asked after a small pause. She had her arms folded loosely, looking into his eyes caringly. Max hadn't really considered an answer to her question.
He shook his head. "I don't really know, honestly. I guess I'm glad that he's not threatening us anymore, but I'm more concerned about where me and Erin will be in a year. Foster care, probably halfway across the country, probably separated."
"I can't see them separating you." Virgil pointed out.
"Yeah, but I can't see many foster parents wanting a teenager with a track record of trouble and bad grades."
"Surely your current carers can make observations?"
"Yeah, but it doesn't change what I have done previously, does it?"
Max sighed and shook his head, leaning against the counter.
"I never thanked you either, or apologised to you." Max said, not looking up. "About what happened at the school. The fire."
"What do you mean?" Virgil asked. "You didn't start the fire, we saw the security tapes."
"No, but I know who did."
"You what? You know?" Virgil stood up straight, listening intently.
Violet put the pieces together. "Your father?" Max nodded in response.
"Elegant solution to his problem son, don't you think?"
"So that's why you were stuck there, by the fire door..."
"I... I'm sorry I pushed you back. You tried to help me. No, you did help me."
"Max, do I look like I care? We both got out alive, didn't we?"
"Violet, you damn near didn't!" Virgil piped up.
"Not the time, Virgil!" She hissed in response. She didn't intend to snap the way she did, but Virgil was only going to make Max feel a whole lot worse, and it definitely had an effect on him, especially the revelation Virgil just gave him, but Violet didn't particularly care. Well, she did. She did nearly die, but she felt better knowing that she helped him that day, and that he returned the favour five months ago, getting her out of the sticky situation with his father. She was grateful to him just as much as he was to her. "Thank you, Max."
He looked up. "What?"
"Since we're dishing out thank you's... Thanks for getting us away from your father too."
Max just shrugged. "I couldn't let him ruin someone else's life."
The Isherwoods stayed for another hour. And in that time Gordon had come in, and was quickly reassured by Violet that he was okay. Gordon accepted Max's various apologies and then found Alan with Erin. Scott and John also came home, seeing Max made them uneasy, but they understood when Virgil explained everything. Max had told them that they had to leave soon, as they needed to get back home. Erin was reluctant to leave, having had so much fun with Alan. Watching them leave together was rather heart warming for Violet, as it is what the six of them would do together, laughing together. It was a happy time for them, and for Violet as an onlooker.
And for that, she hoped for the very best possible outcome in their situation.
I didn't have any inspiration for something to happen in the four months of the story that I have skipped. But nearly there, about two or three more chapters.
I also literally got far too excited about the trailer for Thunderbirds Are Go than I should have done. Oh well, I'm excited for it :)