Meredith didn't do or say anything about the diary. She only verified that it was in the location Finlee had said, but she didn't want the little girl to get in trouble for snooping. Especially when it would only cause rivalry between the two sisters.
With Finlee in her room and her brothers working on their homework, the house was much quieter than usual.
Amelia had left, going back to her own house, while Meredith was in the kitchen fixing dinner. Something light and easy on the stomach because of Finlee not feeling well, but still filling enough to satisfy the kids who aren't sick.
Christopher finished his homework pretty quickly and had rushed upstairs to play. Before going to his room to play though, he went to check on his sister. About ten minutes after going upstairs, he came running back down.
"Mama. Mama!" Christopher yelled, "Fi-Fi threw up."
"Okay. How is she doing? Is she okay? Was there blood in her vomit?"
Christopher shook his head, "No."
"Fi-Fi is fine, baby. Take her a bottle of water." Meredith replied
"Okay Mama." He said, grabbing a bottle and then racing back up the stairs.
Christopher took the bottle of water to his sister, and then played with his trucks in the hallway, outside of her room. He wanted to stay close to his sister in case she needed him again.
Finlee was fine until dinner. In fact, she mostly slept the whole time.
Meredith woke Finlee for dinner, and the eleven year old ate about two bites before throwing up again.
Shortly after dinner, Elodie strolled in, finally coming home from the library.
Addison was sitting on the couch, obviously waiting up for her oldest daughter.
"Well, you're home late."
Elodie stared at her mother, "Yeah. I was doing research for my project. I need at least three sources."
Addison nodded, "Okay."
"Good night, Mom."
"Good night, sweetheart. Love you."
Elodie raced up the stairs to her room. After getting ready for bed, she climbed in under her covers to read another entry from her father's journal.
Addison and I had court today. We're a week in to the custody battle, and I don't think it's going well. I don't think today went well. Addison's lawyer painted her as the sainted mother - which she is. I was shocked about Meredith testifying against me - for Addison.
Update: The next day
We went back to court today to hear the judge's verdict.
Addison got sole physical custody. I got visitation, every other weekend and two weeks in the summer.
And if that wasn't heartbreaking enough, I swear my heart split in two when Elodie came bursting into the courtroom. She openly told the judge - and everyone else in the room - that she didn't like me. That I think she's broken.
And I did think she was broken at one point, but not anymore. Now I know the truth.
The truth is she is so much stronger than me. She said she didn't need me, and it's true. Elodie was once my little girl - and in my eyes, she will always be just that - my little girl, but she doesn't need me. I need her though. I need her and Quinten and Finlee and Christopher more than they need me.
I need my kids. I need them to know how much I love them. If they learn nothing else from me, the most important lesson I want them to carry with them for the rest of their lives is that daddy loves them more than anything in this world. Even more than my life. Although, there's not much to live for or look forward to these days. I'm gonna try and keep fighting - for my kids - even if I don't get to see them as often as I'd like.
Elodie sighed as she closed the journal. She blew a kiss up to the sky, "Goodnight Daddy. I love you too."
Hope you enjoy. Comments are greatly appreciated.
What would you like to see happen next?