We've Got A Lot Of Catching Up To Do ~ Chapter Four

A Week Later...

"Chelsey, stop jumping on the bed! Your brother is trying to sleep," I said as I sat on the bed, rocking Christopher in my arms.

"Mommy's mean," Chelsey pouted as she sat down on the bed.

"Do you want to sit in time-out?"

Chelsey only shook her head in response to my question and pulled her Barbie doll from her bag.

"Mommy, when can I see Daddy?" Chelsey asked as she combed out the Barbie's blond hair.

"I told you sweetheart. Daddy is in Texas and he doesn't want us to come back," I said looking at my little girl and my sleeping son.

"Doesn't Daddy love me?" Chelsey asked as she laid her head against my arm.

"Honey, Daddy does love you. He loves you and your brother very much, but he just doesn't love Mommy anymore," I said as a tear rolled down my cheek.

"I'm sorry I made you cry Mommy."

"It's okay, sweetie. Sometimes people need to cry," I explained to her.

"I love you Mommy, even if Daddy doesn't."

"I love you too, sweetheart," I said as I placed my arm around her. "Now listen sweetie, Aunt Mimi and Uncle Brady are supposed to be home in a couple of hours, so why don't you take a nap so you can play with your new cousin."

"Okay, Mommy. I love you," Chelsey said as she kissed my cheek. "I love you too, Chris," she said, kissing his forehead. "Mommy, I won't be mean ever again."

"You're not mean sweetie. I'm sorry if I yelled at you. I love you," I said, hugging and kissing my daughter with my free arm.

Chelsey climbed into the other bed and was soon asleep.

Knock! Knock!

"Who could that be?" I asked as I got up and went to the door to the hotel room. I opened the door to find my mother and father on the other side. "Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad," I said as I stepped away from the door to let them in.

"Hey, sweetie! How are you doing? We didn't catch you at a bad time, did we?" my mother asked me as she followed me into the room.

"Oh no, Chelsey just went to sleep and Chris has been asleep for awhile now. I wasn't expecting you," I said, a little surprised to see them.

"We were just in the neighborhood and wanted to see how you were doing," Dad said as he and Mom sat in the two chairs next to the window.

"When's Mark coming back?" Mom asked.

How am I going to tell them? I thought to myself. Belle, you have to tell them. What am I saying? I can't let them know, at least not now. If I tell them, they'll want me to move in with them and as much as I love them, I can't put up with them and Chelsey and Chris.

"Oh, I'm not sure. We've were talking about a buying a house or maybe just renting an apartment for awhile."

"Honey, your mother and I moved out of the penthouse before you came. The electricity and everything is still connected. You could take it, it's a little too big for just your mother and me," Dad said, looking at me.

"Oh, that would be great!" I exclaimed.

"Well, sweetie, we can have your things shipped up here and have you moved in before Mark gets back," Mom said.

Oh my goodness! Now I have to tell them about Mark before they call and find out that Mark's not coming back, I thought to myself.

"Mom. Dad. I have something I need to tell you," I said, looking at both of them with smiles on their faces.

"What is it?" they asked in unison as the smiles washed off of their faces.

"Mark... Mark isn't coming back."

There, you've said it. Now, let's see their reaction. No look of surprise? Something's wrong, I thought as the looks on my parents's faces didn't change.

"Belle, we've known for two days now. Fran called and asked how you were holding up. I told her fine, considering you had just given birth. That's when she asked how you were dealing with the divorce."

"Why didn't you tell me? I've been freaking out, trying to find a way to tell you and you knew all along!" I yelled, waking both Chris and Chelsey up. I stood up and paced the floor, trying to get Chris back to sleep.

"Granny! Papaw!" Chelsey yelled, seeing the two figures sitting in the chairs.

"Hey, sugar!" Dad said as he got up and picked her up from the bed.

"What did you bring me?"

"Nothing, but if your mother will let us, we'll take you over to our house and show you what we've got for you," Dad said, still standing by the bed.

"Why didn't you bring it?"

"Because then I wouldn't have a reason for you to come to our house," Dad whispered in a voice, still loud enough for me to hear.

"Can I please?" Chelsey said, flashing her puppy dog face.

"Go on. I'll be over in a little while," I said, smiling at her. "Bye, Mom. Bye, Dad. Oh, and if it's still possible, we'd like to take you up on that offer."

"It's yours," Dad said as my mother, father, and Chelsey left the hotel room.

"Let's go, Chris. We're gonna go see someone that is very important to you," I said as I grabbed his diaper bag and headed out of the hotel room.

I put Chris in his carseat and pulled out of the hotel parking lot.

"Mommy's got something very important to tell somebody," I said as I drove down the street. I pulled into the driveway and took Chris out of the car and walked up to the front door. "This is it, Belle, you're about to change the lives of everyone around you."

TO BE CONTINUED...

I really hope you liked this chapter. Please review and tell me what you think is gonna happen. once again, ideas are welcome too, I basically know what I'm doing, but I've not written the next chapter yet. Please review!