Okay a few things do not own anything Disney or Pokemon those rights are
reserved for some other company. I would also like to thank my mom for all
her help. Several of the rather interesting things that happened in the
first story and this one are do to a seed of inspiration from her. SO
THANKS MOM. I hope that everyone enjoys this chapter much more than the
first I do realize it was short.
As Wesker pulled his vehicle onto the little dirt road that always led him home, the faint smell of Isabel's rose garden came to him on the warm summer's breeze. Applying more pressure to the accelerator the car's speed increased from a causal fifty miles an hour to seventy in a few seconds. He allowed a smile to grace his lips as the grey farm house that was Wesker's home came into sight. He had been away too long this time, trying to keep Isabel and their children safe, but Wesker was beginning to think that trips like these were unnecessary anymore. For the last six years the blonde man had left his family for weeks at a time, to act as a decoy allowing the company to see him even try to apprehend him all in order to keep them away from this wife and children. During his last little outing he found out that Isabel's father was dead, killed by one of his own viruses and like Umbrella at the end of their reign, HCF was having problems with more and more viral leaks. Wesker was fairly sure that with all that was happening with in the corporation that finding one scientist's daughter was not at the top of their priority list.
Putting the Black Jeep Grand Cherokee into park, Wesker grabbed his duffle bag off the passenger's seat and excited his car. The house was so different from the first time he'd seen it a little over six years ago. Climbing Roses now adorned the trellis on the sides of the porch. Bordering the house on all sides were some type of bushy flowers, he thought Isabel had called them four o'clocks once and even though you couldn't see it from the front most of the back yard next to the house was a rose garden, which Isabel had somehow gotten him to help plant. What weren't roses in the back was taken up with an herb garden and now that he was closer still, Wesker could smell the lavender, sage, and thyme all mingled in with the smell of the roses. Wesker knew it was a smell he would always associate with home.
Walking onto the covered porch and entering the house Wesker was immediately drawn to the kitchen, by the feminine wail of the voice that he would recognize anywhere. Isabel was crying, it caused a knot of panic to form in his chest, and he bolted to the source of the anguish.
The house was almost exactly the same inside as it had been when Wesker entered it with Isabel six years ago. The only real difference was the lack of people. Once Liam was born everyone had decided that the little farm house was just too small for eight adults, two toddlers, and two babies. For some reason everyone agreed that he and Isabel should stay at the house. Everyone else had found housing close by, the farthest one away belonging to Chris and Jill, being only five miles from where Wesker stood in the kitchen.
"Isabel, what's wrong." Wesker asked immediately concerned, walking over to where his wife sat he put a comforting arm around her.
Seeing the man she loved walk through the kitchen door made everything a little more bearable for Isabel. She knew that as long as he was here everything would be fine.
"I missed you so much." Isabel answered putting her arms around him also.
"Is that all? Well I'm here now."
"No that isn't all. I'm so tired all the time, I don't feel pretty anymore, and I've been so sick I can't keep anything down." She replied looking up at him.
"Oh God, you're pregnant again." Wesker stated a look of horror replacing the worried expression he'd just worn.
"I knew you'd react that way."
Isabel got up from where she sat and rushed out of the kitchen before Wesker could get another word in. The complete terror on Albert's face was too much for her. When Isabel realized she was pregnant again Albert had been away for a month and that was a month ago. She knew he would be shocked at the news but Isabel hadn't thought he would react the way he had. Entering her bedroom Isabel couldn't help but start crying again. She knew her emotions were way out of control, but she couldn't help it. The pregnant woman had caught herself snapping at Rosalie yesterday for no good reason. She knew Rosalie had sensed the change in her and had been keeping Liam out of the way.
Wesker stood where Isabel left him trying to get a grasp on the situation. He hadn't meant for his statement to come out as it had. Wesker loved his children, he wouldn't give them up for anything, but he hadn't expected to walk in and find Isabel was pregnant again. Wesker was reminded of how he felt when he found out She was pregnant with Rosalie, of course this time was a little different, it wasn't that he didn't want another child, just that he had hoped maybe this time they could actually plan one. Like Rosalie, Liam had been a surprise, one that when alone with his wife he jokingly referred to his back seat baby, since both of them were pretty sure that's were he was conceived. Wesker knew he would have to smooth things over with his wife, so taking a deep breath he cautiously walked back to their bedroom.
Isabel was still sobbing as Wesker entered the room. Hearing the door open she lifted her head, not saying anything, just staring at him. Wesker knew she was waiting for whatever he was about to say and that he had better make it good.
"Isabel, I'm sorry. I didn't mean that the way it sounded. I love you and I'm happy about having another baby. I can't wait to hold our new son or daughter."
"Yeah, well that's easy for you to say, you don't waddle around for four months looking like a baby whale, you don't have to go through morning sickness and labor. You get to leave for weeks at a time, while I do all the work. This is all your fault." She stated glaring at him.
"It's all my fault you're pregnant?" Wesker asked raising an eyebrow.
"How dare you, GET OUT." Isabel yelled picking up the glass of water that sat on the night stand next to her and throwing it at him.
Wesker ducked just in time to hear the glass hit the wall where his head had been and shatter, showering him with water and glass shards. Thinking it would be better to let her cool off before he tried to talk to her again, Wesker exited the bedroom closing the door behind him.
"Yep, she's pregnant again." He said out loud to the door.
"Mommy's going to have another baby, cool maybe it will be a girl this time." Rosalie said from behind him.
Wesker had been so caught up in the drama that had just unfolded in the bedroom that he hadn't even heard his daughter come up behind him. Rosalie didn't give him a chance to answer either, before she entered his room to see her mother.
Well at least someone's happy about this.
Wesker wasn't sure how to deal with his wife, Isabel had mood swings with Liam, but nothing like this. The only thing he could think to do was talk to Oliviera, Wesker knew she would have some insight as to what was going on. Then something else hit him as he was getting the broom and dust pan to clean up Isabel's mess.
Where's Liam?
Forgetting the mess in his bedroom, Wesker ran upstairs to see if his son was there. Walking through Liam's bedroom door Wesker was relieved to see his three year old curled up on his bed sound asleep, that was until he saw what was curled up next to him. There tucked into a little ball of fur was a golden retriever puppy that couldn't have been more than two months old.
Can this day get any better? We are not keeping a puppy.
Liam opened his eyes the moment his father walked in. Some how he had gotten his mother's green eyes and golden brown hair, but all of his father's strengths and abilities. Isabel and Wesker had found that out last year when Rosalie had pushed him and he scraped his knee. Liam immediately let out an ear piercing scream, but by the time his very worried mother got to him the cut had already healed. Rosalie was a fast healer also, but didn't come close to her brother, where it had only taken seconds for Liam to heal it would have taken her hours.
"Daddy your home! Look what mommy said we could keep." Liam stated picking up the puppy.
Wesker gave his youngest child a small smile, before going over to the bed and taking the dog from him. He knew that he was going to have to break the bad news to his son sooner or later, but since this was Isabel's doing Wesker wanted her there when they told the children that they simply couldn't keep the puppy, especially with a new baby on the way.
"I want you to stay here. I have to talk to your mother about something."
"Okay, but will you come back up and play with me?"
"When I'm done talking to mommy we'll see." Wesker answered, silently adding, "If you're still speaking to me."
Liam knew something was up, Wesker could tell by the look on his young face, his little brows were knitted together in a look of pure concentration, as if he was trying to figure out just what his father wanted to talk to mommy about. He wasn't as attuned to the emotions around him as his mother or sister, but once in a great while Liam could pick up on what was going on. Leaving his son's room Wesker thought about the differences in his children. Rosalie had inherited more of his personality than Liam. Wesker had seen her temper on several occasions, but she usually minded her parents, especially her mother, even though she was almost as strong as Isabel. Liam on the other hand didn't seem to have a temper at all and was usually very laid back.
As Wesker opened the door to his bedroom, he felt as if he were entering a lion's den.
This is ridiculous, she's my wife not some axe murder.
Isabel sat on the bed holding Rosalie on her lap, talking about baby names. She seemed in a better mood so Wesker figured it would be a good time to get the puppy situation out of the way.
"I see you found Sweet Pea." Isabel said looking at Wesker as he entered the room.
"You named it Sweet Pea?" Wesker asked in disbelief.
"Actually Rosalie named her."
Wesker was having a hard time swallowing this one, not only had they brought a puppy into his house, but they named it something as fluffy as Sweet Pea.
"Rosalie, I need to speak with your mother."
Rosalie unlike her brother knew exactly what her father was up to and didn't like it one bit. She liked the puppy and wanted to keep it.
"Daddy please don't..."
"Rosalie NOW." Wesker still didn't like to be questioned on his decisions, even though he was a little more patient with his children.
Rosalie was trying to hold back the tears, Wesker could tell, as she left the room.
"Albert Wesker! What do you think you are doing coming in here after being away TWO months and upsetting my daughter like that? WE are keeping the puppy and if Rosalie wants it to be called Sweet Pea, then the name stays too."
"So now you're telling me I don't have any say in my own house?"
"Well maybe if you were here instead of leaving me pregnant and alone with your two children, whom I have to run after from morning till night, you may. Now if you'll excuse me I have a mess to clean up." With that Isabel left the room and went to the kitchen for the broom and dust pan.
Rosalie was extremely happy they were keeping Sweet Pea. She had been listening from the living room when mommy had told daddy just that. Rosalie didn't know why she could hear things from so far away and lately it had been weighing on her mind. She knew mommy couldn't do it, neither could Steve or Uncle Leon and Aunt Claire. Rosalie also knew that Liam could hear better than she could and for some reason daddy always seemed to know what they were doing even if they were upstairs and he was in the kitchen. As her father walked into the living room, still holding the puppy, Rosalie could tell he wasn't happy about the way things were going today and she wanted to make him feel better.
"Daddy I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you mad."
Wesker softened at his daughter's apology. Placing the now squirming Sweet Pea on the floor he spoke.
"It's okay baby, I shouldn't have snapped at you."
"I'm used to it mommy's been like this for a while now. Can I have a hug?"
"Of course you can." Wesker replied picking his daughter up, holding her close and kissing her on the forehead.
"So what have you been up to?"
"Well, mommy found Sweet Pea on the side of the road a few days ago, so we get to keep her and she follows Liam around everywhere."
"Did you have to name her Sweet Pea?"
"I like it cause she's sweet and she's small like a pea." After a moment of silence Rosalie decided to ask her father about what was on her mind. "Daddy, how come me and Liam can hear better than mommy and everyone else."
Wesker knew this would come up. He just hadn't expected it to be while he was in the middle of a slight crisis. He thought that he would have Isabel by his side when he had to explain to his children about their special traits. Some how Wesker didn't think it was a good idea to bother Isabel about this right now.
"Daddy are you gonna tell me?" Rosalie asked again, with the same annoyed expression her mother wore when she didn't get an answer from him immediately.
"Okay lets go sit in the kitchen and I'll see if I can explain." Wesker answered setting his daughter down and leading her to the afore mentioned room.
Wesker and Isabel had decided soon after Rosalie's birth, that if questions such as these were to come up that they would be answered as truthfully as possible. He just didn't know where to begin.
"You get your hearing, eye color, speed, strength and ability to heal quickly from me. Before you were born I worked for a company that did work in the scientific field. I worked on all kinds of experiments and even experimented on myself. When I did the experiment on myself I ended up with all these abilities, which I being your father passed to you. Do you understand?"
"Kind of, but why doesn't Liam have our eye color?"
"That happened because I'm not the only parent. Liam just happened to get the gene for green eyes from your mother."
"What's a gene?"
Wesker felt like he was hitting his head on a brick wall, one answer just seemed to lead to another question and then another. He wanted his children to be informed and to be open with their questions, but it seemed as if Rosalie had picked the worst time for this. Trying to be as patient as he could with his young daughter Wesker continued with the impromptu science lesson.
"A gene is a part of you that tells your hair to be blonde or your eyes to be yellow or your body to be tall when you grow up. Now do you understand?"
"Yes, but will my gene tell my hair to change color and be like Uncle Leon's?"
"There are actually genes, you have more than one and they're kind of set."
"So Liam will always have green eyes and I'll always be able to hear better than mommy?"
"Yes."
"Okay I'm gonna go play with Liam."
As Wesker watched his six year old walk out the kitchen door he was feeling pretty good about his parenting job, until he saw the look on Isabel's face. She had apparently heard the whole thing and wasn't happy with the way he'd handled it.
"How could you? We were supposed to talk to her together when she started asking questions. I was the one who was supposed to explain to her what her grandfather did to me." Isabel stated beginning to cry again.
"Sweet heart, she wasn't even wondering about that. Rosalie wanted to know why she could hear things and you can't and I explained it to her. I didn't want to bother you." Wesker replied in the most placating voice he could muster at the moment.
Isabel felt like she had missed an important part of her daughter's growth process. She hadn't been there when Rosalie had asked her first important question. Isabel felt like a horrible mother and it only made her cry more.
"She didn't even want to know about what I contributed to her." Isabel said through her hands.
Wesker was out of his seat and holding her before Isabel could say another word.
"Isabel have you had a nap today?"
"No, I've been running after your children all day and I don't usually need one. This is all your fault."
"Yes I think we've established that's how you feel already. Wesker said smiling at his wife, "You my dear are taking a nap right now."
Isabel didn't argue with her husband, instead she allowed him to guide her out of the kitchen and to their bedroom, where he gently tucked her into bed.
Isabel had a nice nap and upon awakening, felt a little more in control of herself, that was until she walked into the living room to hear the conversation her husband was having.
"I need to see you... She's sleeping... I can't today... I have the children... Tomorrow, I'll wait until Isabel takes her nap, and then put the children down too... No she doesn't know... Alright tomorrow." With that Albert hung up.
Isabel couldn't believe her ears, that her husband would do such a thing, that he could hurt her like that.
"I want you out of my house now! You son of a bitch, how could you?" Isabel yelled at Wesker before he could turn around.
Wesker was taken by surprise. He had been so focused on his phone call that he hadn't heard his wife wake up.
"Isabel what are you talking about?" What's the matter?"
"You bastard, you were making a date with another woman. How long have you been screwing her? You're no better than my father. At least he had the balls to tell us he didn't want us anymore."
"Isabel I'm not cheating on you..."
"Oh really? So I guess I need to see you and I can't get away today I have the children mean nothing then."
"Isabel Marie Wesker enough! I was talking to Rebecca, I wanted a full report on your pregnancy, like I did with Rosalie, like I did with Liam and I thought it would be best to do so without the children running around." Wesker said in the same tone of voice he used with the children when they had crossed the line.
Isabel stood perfectly still, she hadn't seen Albert this close to loosing his cool in a little more than six years. She knew immediately that she had pushed a little too far. Isabel hadn't meant to, but at the thought of the only man she had ever loved cheating on her she felt a steel band form around her chest and the more she thought about it the tighter it seemed to get causing each breath to be painful.
Wesker was trying to get a grip on himself. The more he went over his side of the conversation the more he understood what it must have sounded like to his wife. In Isabel's already emotional state, he really couldn't blame her for thinking the worst. Walking over to where she stood in the kitchen doorway, Wesker wrapped his arms around Isabel and pulled her close to him.
"Isabel I love you. You have given me two children with a third on the way, not only that but you have given me a better life. I would never throw that away." Wesker's voice was gentle and put Isabel at ease.
"I'm sorry."
"It's alright, if you want, tomorrow we will load up the kids and go talk to Rebecca together. Then we'll go to the park for awhile, okay?"
"I think I'd like that." Isabel said giving him a smile. "And I'm sure Rosalie and Liam will love playing with Dylan."
God this is going to be a long four months.
It was his first day back and already Wesker felt out of his depth. He wasn't used to having to tip toe around people, if anything they usually tip toed around him. All except his family that was. Thinking about his children made Wesker remember his conversation with Liam earlier and he was mentally kicking himself for forgetting his promise to his youngest child. Letting go of his wife Wesker began to speak.
"I promised I would go play with Liam and I forgot."
"Albert that isn't like you, you'd better go spend some time with him."
As Wesker was walking up the stairs to his son's room he couldn't believe he had forgotten about Liam. The boy was so quiet, the exact opposite of his sister, that sometimes he got overlooked. Liam always seemed to let Rosalie have the spot light, being happy to have a rare quiet moment curled up on one of his parent's laps and that's why Wesker felt so bad about not playing with his son the one time he'd asked him too.
Wesker never made it to his son's room. When he got to the top of the stairs Liam came out of his room looking clearly upset, his lower lip protruded past his upper one and his eyes were shiny, as if he were trying to hold back tears. Before Wesker could say a word he was speaking.
"Daddy don't you want us anymore?"
"Liam what makes you ask that?" Wesker replied frowning.
"I heard mommy say that at least her daddy had the balls to tell them he didn't want them anymore."
"Mommy was just a little upset. She didn't mean those things, of course I still want you."
Liam seemed to relax at his father's explanation, but his brow was still furrowed as if he was still trying to figure something out.
"Daddy what did mommy mean by at least her daddy had the balls to tell them?"
Wesker didn't know what to say to a three year old who had basically asked him what balls were. He was trying to figure out what the appropriate response was when it came to Wesker, that he didn't need to tell his son that his mother had used an inappropriate word while angry. All Wesker had to tell Liam was the meaning behind the statement.
"Mommy meant that her father had the courage to tell them that he didn't want to be around them."
"Oh, okay. Can we play now?" Liam asked his brow smoothing out.
Wesker smiled at how fast his children seemed to shift from one subject to another. Both Rosalie and Liam had done just that today. At the thought of Rosalie, Wesker smile faded. He knew he should check on his daughter also.
"Let's go check on your sister first."
"Okay, she went to her room with Sweet Pea."
At the mention of the puppy's name Wesker winced. It was going to take some getting used to. Shaking his head Wesker followed his three year old to Rosalie's room. Knocking on his daughter's bedroom door, he began to worry when she didn't answer. Opening the door he was rewarded with the sight of Rosalie sitting on her bed holding the puppy as tight as she could and crying into it's fur. Wesker's heart sank to the bottom of his feet. Although Albert Wesker was known for his complete emotional solitude, one thing and one thing alone was able to distraught his usually cool facade, His wife and children. It was a side effect of them being the only source of love and affection he was able to feel.
"Rosalie, you heard too didn't you?"
"Yes." The little girl said lifting her head, tears still streaming down her face.
Wesker looked into the eyes that were so like his, and what he saw there hurt him even more. He saw doubt there, his daughter doubted his love for them.
"Rosalie if you heard your mother down stairs than you heard everything else also."
"N-not really I was sad because you hurt mommy."
"Wesker let out a sigh, yes his daughter had his temper, but for some reason she had gotten her mother's ability to jump to conclusions and think the worst.
"Rosalie Wesker I want you to listen to me. I love you, your brother, and your mother. I am not leaving you and I am not cheating on mommy. I was talking to Aunt Rebecca and we are going to her house tomorrow, you get to play with Dylan."
"Really?" Rosalie asked brightening.
Wesker wasn't sure if it was due to playing with Dylan or the fact that he wasn't leaving but she seemed happier.
"Yes really, and I think you better take Sweet Pea outside so we don't have an accident in the house." Wesker said eyeing the puppy that was sniffing around the room.
"Okay." Rosalie said getting off the bed and heading for the door.
Looking down at Liam, who had stood silently by his side the whole time, Wesker bent down and picked up his son.
"What did you want to play?"
"I just want you to read to me."
Wesker smiled at the boy in his arms, he should have known that all Liam would want was to spend time with him.
"What would you like me to read?"
"The story about the boy that goes to the special school to learn magic."
"You really like that story don't you?"
"Yes he has special powers like me."
Liam was happy that his daddy was finally going to spend time with him. He had missed daddy so much it seemed like forever since he'd been home. Mommy was fun and all, but she couldn't do the cool things daddy could do, like talk to him from the kitchen when he was in his room, without yelling and he showed him neat stuff like how to catch snakes and butterflies. Even though mommy always held and made over whatever snake or bug Liam caught he could tell she didn't like touching them.
When Isabel walked into Liam's room, she found her husband sitting on the bed propped up against the headboard his son resting in the crook of his arm listening to Albert read his favorite story.
I was wondering where my two guys were." Isabel said walking farther into the room, "Dinner's ready."
"Mommy, Daddy was just getting to the best part."
"Liam you heard your mother, it's time to eat." Wesker stated closing the book and ushering his son off the bed.
"Can we read some more after dinner?" Liam asked looking up at his father.
Isabel smiled at the interaction between father and son. At the moment they wore the same determined expression, Albert was determined to get his son ready for dinner and Liam was determined to get the answer he wanted from his father. Liam had so many of his father's facial expressions that Isabel sometimes wondered if he'd gotten anything from her, besides the hair and eye color. Of course if he was even half as handsome as his father when he got older, Isabel knew Liam was going to be a heart breaker.
"We'll see, now go wash your hands." Wesker answered looking down and giving his son a slight smile.
As Liam left the room Wesker noticed the smile on his wife's lips. Seeing Isabel happy made Wesker's smile widen, for the first time today the house seemed normal.
"What's the smile for?" He asked walking up to her.
"I was just remembering why I married you." Isabel answered still smiling.
"And why did you marry me?"
"I think it was because you're so damn sexy."
"Well as long as you have your priorities straight."
"I do." Isabel answered and after a moment added. "You know I never got my hello kiss this morning."
"I think I can fix that." Wesker said as he leaned forward to give her a quick peck on the lips.
"OH GROSS!" Came a voice from behind, interrupting them.
Wesker immediately looked up to see his daughter in the door way. She was sticking out her tongue and wrinkling her nose. He couldn't help but laugh at the expressions she wore.
"You know if I had never kissed your mother, you and Liam would never have been born."
"Nuh uh, that's not how you get a baby. You have to sleep in the same bed as your husband." Rosalie replied shaking her head.
"Yes, but if I'd never kissed your mother we would never have gotten married."
Isabel chuckled at the banter between Albert and Rosalie, both were stubborn and neither one wanted to admit defeat, not that either one was totally wrong on this subject.
"Alright you two down stairs for dinner." She finally interjected, giving Albert a swift kiss on the cheek and turning to walk her six year old down to the kitchen.
Dinner was a quiet event and Wesker was lulled into a false sense of security, when Isabel seemed almost normal. She made a big meal in honor of his return and even though he hadn't thought about it before Wesker realized how much he missed Isabel's cooking. Living off fast food for the last two months, the meatloaf, mashed potatoes, corn and gravy was a little slice of heaven.
"Daddy can we play board games after dinner?" Rosalie asked half way through her mashed potatoes.
"No Rosalie, Daddy's going to read to me some more." Liam replied before Wesker could even think about answering.
"You had him all day I want to spend time with him." Rosalie shot back.
"Alright you two, that's enough." Wesker's voice cut through their bickering. Looking at Liam he continued, "How about we all play a board game together?"
"Okay." Liam answered looking at his plate, not happy he had to share his father's attention.
Once everyone was finished eating the table was cleared and the dishes were done the debate over what game to play began.
"I want to play monopoly." Rosalie stated.
"Now you know that's too hard for your brother, we can't play that." Isabel replied taking a seat next to her daughter at the table.
"I wanna play Hi Ho Cherry O." Liam piped up.
"No way that's too easy." Rosalie whined.
"Alright how about Sorry?" Isabel offered up.
"Fine." Rosalie replied, chin to her chest and pouting.
As Wesker went to the little book shelf in the living room that held all the games, everyone else took their places around the kitchen table. Once he arrived back in the room box in hand, the set up began. The only thing that wasn't argued about was the color of the little plastic pieces. Rosalie chose red, Liam blue, Isabel green and Wesker was left with yellow. Halfway through the game it became obvious that Rosalie was clearly targeting Liam's little blue pieces as a way to get back at him for having to play a game she didn't want too. It was when Rosalie sent Liam's remaining piece back to the start position, with a sarcastic Sorry, that all hell broke loose.
"ROSALIE YOU DID THAT ON PURPOSE, YOU ASSHOLE!" Liam yelled.
"Liam David Wesker where did you hear that?" His father asked surprised his son even knew such a word.
"Uncle Chris called someone that when he cut us off in the car." Liam replied.
"I'm going to have a talk with your Uncle Chris." Isabel replied with a frown, "Now tell your sister you're sorry."
"No."
"What did you just say young man?" Wesker asked starting to rise from his seat.
"I said no, she was being mean." Liam answered tucking his chin in and crossing his arms in front of his chest.
"You, young man do not tell your mother no." Wesker stated lifting his son off his chair, setting him on his feet and walking him through the living room to the stairs, "Up to your room right now and you'll stay up there until you apologize to both your mother and sister."
Head down Liam marched up the stairs silently, but when he got to his room he slammed the door so hard it shook the whole house.
As Wesker walked back into the kitchen he saw that his wife and daughter hadn't moved a muscle. They were just waiting to see how angry he was. Wesker wasn't too angry at his son more surprised than anything. He had seen what Rosalie was doing and before Liam had his outburst Wesker was about to have a conversation with her.
Why does my daughter have to be so much like me?
"Can we play monopoly now?" Rosalie asked seeing her father walk back in.
"No, we can not I know what you were doing to Liam." Wesker replied staring straight at Rosalie, "You were purposely going after his pieces, because you didn't want to play Sorry."
Rosalie didn't know why her father was making such a big deal out of this. The purpose of the game was to win, and that's what she was doing. It wasn't her fault Liam got in her way.
"NO FAIR! Stupid Liam can't play monopoly and we always have to play stupid games." Rosalie wailed.
"Rosalie Ann Wesker that is enough. You can go to your room also." Isabel cut in effectively stopping her daughter's rant.
Rosalie followed her mother's orders, getting up from the table and silently walking to her room. It seemed as though she was always getting in trouble over Liam, why did she have to have a little brother anyway? Before Liam was born everything was fine, now they could only play the games Liam could.
Well so much for family night." Isabel said as Wesker started packing up the game, "You know they only seem to act like this the first day you come home."
Wesker gave his wife a humorless smile at her last statement. Some how he knew that this was going to be his entire fault.
"Yes, well if your daughter would control her temper more..."
"My daughter? Where do you think she gets her temper from, Captain Wesker?" Isabel retorted smiling at him.
"Come here you." Wesker stated reaching for his wife and pulling her into an embrace. "It's about time you got that kiss you wanted."
Isabel was never happier than when she was in Albert's arms. Even after six years when he held her close everything else seemed to melt away. She felt safe and home. Isabel had never known she could feel that way. Moving closer until their bodies touched Isabel didn't want this moment to end, but all too soon it did. As Albert pulled away she saw surprise pass over his face.
"What is this?" He asked reaching between them and running his hand over the slight bump of Isabel's stomach.
"That would be your son or daughter."
"You're only two months, you shouldn't be showing yet, have you told Rebecca about this?"
"No, she's been busy I thought I would wait until my next appointment."
"Isabel! You know you need to keep her informed about anything out of the ordinary and this definitely falls under that category."
Even though Albert had kept his voice even, Isabel started crying again. It was too much that he was upset with her. First the children act up and now this.
"You think I'm a horrible mother don't you?" Isabel asked through her tears.
"I do not. I'm just worried about you, you aren't yourself right now and you're bigger than you should be."
"So now I'm acting nuts. Great I'm a bad mother and I'm out of my mind."
"I didn't say that. Now your being silly." The minute the words left his mouth Wesker new it was the wrong thing to say.
Isabel's eyes narrowed and her lips compressed into a frown before she spoke.
"How dare you... How dare you tell me my feelings are silly. You had better get the couch ready, because that's where you're sleeping tonight." With that Isabel left the room and made her way back to the bedroom.
Not for the first time that day Wesker felt like banging his head on a wall. He knew Isabel was dead serious about him spending the night on the couch and Wesker wasn't looking forward to it. Giving a sigh he turned around and went back into the living room, putting the game back on it's shelf, Wesker decided to go see if his son had cooled down.
Walking into Liam's room, Wesker saw the boy laying on his stomach width wise on the bed, staring intently at one of the odd shaped creatures that adorned his bed sheets. Wesker knew they were something called Pokemon and that they were off some cartoon that both his children seemed to enjoy, but other than that he had no idea what they were exactly.
"Are you read to tell your mother and sister you're sorry?"
At the sound of his father's voice Liam's head shot up and he looked towards the door.
"Do I have to, Rosalie was being really mean?"
"Yes you do. She's your sister, maybe what she was doing wasn't right, but there is no excuse for calling her such a name. I saw what was going on and I was going to put a stop to it, but you didn't give me a chance."
"But I'm still mad at her." Liam stated sitting up on his bed.
"Do you love your sister?"
"Yes."
"Wouldn't you feel bad if something happened to her before you could say you're sorry?"
"Yes."
"Then don't you think you had better tell her now?"
"Okay." Liam gave in with a sigh that was a parody of his father's
Sliding off his bed, Liam started to walk out of his room. Before he made it to the door Wesker stepped in front of him.
"I'm very proud of you." Wesker said picking his son up and kissing him on the cheek.
"Really?" Liam asked eyes wide in surprise.
Wesker nodded his reply as they walked out of the room and down the hall to Rosalie's door. Giving a slight knock Wesker opened it before Rosalie could answer. She too was sitting on her bed, but unlike Liam she was playing with her Barbie Dolls. Upon her father and brother entering the room Rosalie put the dolls down and gave both of them her attention.
"Go ahead." Wesker said to his son, placing him back on the ground.
Giving his father one last look Liam walked over to his sister's bed.
"Rosalie I'm sorry I called you a bad name. I love you and don't want anything to happen to you."
Rosalie didn't answer Liam right away instead a scowl formed on her features. After a few minutes of silence, Wesker decided he had better step in.
"Rosalie your brother just said he was sorry, don't you have something to say to him."
"It's okay Liam." After a few more minutes she added, "I'm sorry I acted so mean to you, I love you too."
Getting off her bed Rosalie gave her little brother an affectionate hug.
"Do you want to color with me?" She asked, getting back on her bed.
"No, he has to go apologize to your mother and then it's bed." Wesker answered for him, "Rosalie I want you in your pajamas when we come back up."
Taking Liam's hand and leading him out into the hall, down the stairs, through the living room and back to his mother, Wesker wondered if he should go in with him. In the end Wesker decided it was best if he stayed in the hall. Knocking on the door he opened it when he received an "Enter" from Isabel. Liam being a fearless three year old walked right in never guessing his mother wasn't in the best of moods. Wesker listened through the door to the whole conversation.
"Mommy I'm sorry I told you no."
Isabel couldn't help but smile at the serious expression her son wore. He really did have more of his father in him.
"Are you going to listen to me from now on?" Isabel asked.
"Yes mommy. Can I give you a hug?"
"Of course, come here." Isabel replied motioning for her son to come over to her.
Liam didn't hesitate. He walked over to his mother and climbed up on her lap. Wrapping his little arms around her neck he gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"I love you." He stated looking up into her green eyes.
"I love you too baby."
"I have to go now daddy said it's time for bed."
"Did he? Well you had better get to it then."
Liam nodded solemnly and crawled of his mother's lap. Before he opened the door to leave Liam turned around to look at his mother.
"Good night."
"Good night baby."
When Liam exited the room his father was waiting for him in the hallway. Taking Wesker's hand in his they headed back up to Liam's room. As Wesker was helping his son to get ready for bed he noticed the little boy looked as if he wanted to ask something.
"What's wrong son?"
"I was wondering if you would read some more to me before bed."
Checking his watch to see the exact time, it was a little after seven, so Wesker didn't see why not.
"Okay, for a few minutes and then bed."
Crawling into bed and pulling his pokemon covers up to his middle, Liam waited patiently for his father to join him. As Wesker positioned himself on the bed next to his son, Rosalie walked into the room without knocking. She was dressed for bed also, in a blue cotton night shirt with Cinderella on the front.
"Will you read to me too?" She asked standing just inside the door way.
"You can come sit by me Rosalie." Liam answered patting the narrow space next to him.
Rosalie ran over to the bed and hopped up on the edge at her brother's prompting. There really wasn't enough room so after some rearranging all three sat somewhat squished together on the twin sized bed. Wesker sat propped up against the head board pillows supporting his back, Rosalie sat on his right with his arm around her and Liam sat on Wesker's lap, his back resting against his father's chest. After a few minutes of his father's reading Liam's eye lids started to droop and soon he was sleeping soundly.
Hearing his son's breathing change Wesker knew the boy was sound asleep. Quietly closing the book and putting his index finger to his lips as a sign for Rosalie to be silent he then whispered to his daughter.
"Get up, your brother's asleep."
Nodding her head Rosalie quietly got off the bed and watched as her father easily got up, Liam still in his arms. After gently lying his son on the bed Wesker pulled the blankets up to his chin, gave him a light kiss on the temple and turned the bed side lamp off. In the dark Wesker motioned for Rosalie to go out into the hallway, even though it was totally dark Wesker knew she could see him as clearly as he could see her. As quietly as they could both father and daughter walked out of the sleeping boy's room.
Once in the hallway Rosalie looked up at her father waiting for him to walk her back to her room. Wesker smiled at the daughter that was so like himself, took her hand and led her down the hall. Once at Rosalie room he opened the door, walked her over to her bed and once she was in it, tucked the Disney princess bed sheets up to her chin. Kissing her on the forehead he turned out her beside lamp and went to the door.
"Good night sweetie." He said opening the door to leave.
"Good night daddy." Rosalie replied.
Smiling again at his daughter, Wesker closed her bedroom door and headed down stairs. Once he reached the last stop he saw that Isabel had set him out a pillow, blanket and his preferred sleeping attire, a pair of sweat pants and T-shirt, all in black. Stubborn woman he thought as he quickly changed and lay down on his makeshift bed. I hope tomorrow's better, couldn't be any worse, Was the last coherent thing that passed through his mind before the dark depths of sleep took him.
As Wesker pulled his vehicle onto the little dirt road that always led him home, the faint smell of Isabel's rose garden came to him on the warm summer's breeze. Applying more pressure to the accelerator the car's speed increased from a causal fifty miles an hour to seventy in a few seconds. He allowed a smile to grace his lips as the grey farm house that was Wesker's home came into sight. He had been away too long this time, trying to keep Isabel and their children safe, but Wesker was beginning to think that trips like these were unnecessary anymore. For the last six years the blonde man had left his family for weeks at a time, to act as a decoy allowing the company to see him even try to apprehend him all in order to keep them away from this wife and children. During his last little outing he found out that Isabel's father was dead, killed by one of his own viruses and like Umbrella at the end of their reign, HCF was having problems with more and more viral leaks. Wesker was fairly sure that with all that was happening with in the corporation that finding one scientist's daughter was not at the top of their priority list.
Putting the Black Jeep Grand Cherokee into park, Wesker grabbed his duffle bag off the passenger's seat and excited his car. The house was so different from the first time he'd seen it a little over six years ago. Climbing Roses now adorned the trellis on the sides of the porch. Bordering the house on all sides were some type of bushy flowers, he thought Isabel had called them four o'clocks once and even though you couldn't see it from the front most of the back yard next to the house was a rose garden, which Isabel had somehow gotten him to help plant. What weren't roses in the back was taken up with an herb garden and now that he was closer still, Wesker could smell the lavender, sage, and thyme all mingled in with the smell of the roses. Wesker knew it was a smell he would always associate with home.
Walking onto the covered porch and entering the house Wesker was immediately drawn to the kitchen, by the feminine wail of the voice that he would recognize anywhere. Isabel was crying, it caused a knot of panic to form in his chest, and he bolted to the source of the anguish.
The house was almost exactly the same inside as it had been when Wesker entered it with Isabel six years ago. The only real difference was the lack of people. Once Liam was born everyone had decided that the little farm house was just too small for eight adults, two toddlers, and two babies. For some reason everyone agreed that he and Isabel should stay at the house. Everyone else had found housing close by, the farthest one away belonging to Chris and Jill, being only five miles from where Wesker stood in the kitchen.
"Isabel, what's wrong." Wesker asked immediately concerned, walking over to where his wife sat he put a comforting arm around her.
Seeing the man she loved walk through the kitchen door made everything a little more bearable for Isabel. She knew that as long as he was here everything would be fine.
"I missed you so much." Isabel answered putting her arms around him also.
"Is that all? Well I'm here now."
"No that isn't all. I'm so tired all the time, I don't feel pretty anymore, and I've been so sick I can't keep anything down." She replied looking up at him.
"Oh God, you're pregnant again." Wesker stated a look of horror replacing the worried expression he'd just worn.
"I knew you'd react that way."
Isabel got up from where she sat and rushed out of the kitchen before Wesker could get another word in. The complete terror on Albert's face was too much for her. When Isabel realized she was pregnant again Albert had been away for a month and that was a month ago. She knew he would be shocked at the news but Isabel hadn't thought he would react the way he had. Entering her bedroom Isabel couldn't help but start crying again. She knew her emotions were way out of control, but she couldn't help it. The pregnant woman had caught herself snapping at Rosalie yesterday for no good reason. She knew Rosalie had sensed the change in her and had been keeping Liam out of the way.
Wesker stood where Isabel left him trying to get a grasp on the situation. He hadn't meant for his statement to come out as it had. Wesker loved his children, he wouldn't give them up for anything, but he hadn't expected to walk in and find Isabel was pregnant again. Wesker was reminded of how he felt when he found out She was pregnant with Rosalie, of course this time was a little different, it wasn't that he didn't want another child, just that he had hoped maybe this time they could actually plan one. Like Rosalie, Liam had been a surprise, one that when alone with his wife he jokingly referred to his back seat baby, since both of them were pretty sure that's were he was conceived. Wesker knew he would have to smooth things over with his wife, so taking a deep breath he cautiously walked back to their bedroom.
Isabel was still sobbing as Wesker entered the room. Hearing the door open she lifted her head, not saying anything, just staring at him. Wesker knew she was waiting for whatever he was about to say and that he had better make it good.
"Isabel, I'm sorry. I didn't mean that the way it sounded. I love you and I'm happy about having another baby. I can't wait to hold our new son or daughter."
"Yeah, well that's easy for you to say, you don't waddle around for four months looking like a baby whale, you don't have to go through morning sickness and labor. You get to leave for weeks at a time, while I do all the work. This is all your fault." She stated glaring at him.
"It's all my fault you're pregnant?" Wesker asked raising an eyebrow.
"How dare you, GET OUT." Isabel yelled picking up the glass of water that sat on the night stand next to her and throwing it at him.
Wesker ducked just in time to hear the glass hit the wall where his head had been and shatter, showering him with water and glass shards. Thinking it would be better to let her cool off before he tried to talk to her again, Wesker exited the bedroom closing the door behind him.
"Yep, she's pregnant again." He said out loud to the door.
"Mommy's going to have another baby, cool maybe it will be a girl this time." Rosalie said from behind him.
Wesker had been so caught up in the drama that had just unfolded in the bedroom that he hadn't even heard his daughter come up behind him. Rosalie didn't give him a chance to answer either, before she entered his room to see her mother.
Well at least someone's happy about this.
Wesker wasn't sure how to deal with his wife, Isabel had mood swings with Liam, but nothing like this. The only thing he could think to do was talk to Oliviera, Wesker knew she would have some insight as to what was going on. Then something else hit him as he was getting the broom and dust pan to clean up Isabel's mess.
Where's Liam?
Forgetting the mess in his bedroom, Wesker ran upstairs to see if his son was there. Walking through Liam's bedroom door Wesker was relieved to see his three year old curled up on his bed sound asleep, that was until he saw what was curled up next to him. There tucked into a little ball of fur was a golden retriever puppy that couldn't have been more than two months old.
Can this day get any better? We are not keeping a puppy.
Liam opened his eyes the moment his father walked in. Some how he had gotten his mother's green eyes and golden brown hair, but all of his father's strengths and abilities. Isabel and Wesker had found that out last year when Rosalie had pushed him and he scraped his knee. Liam immediately let out an ear piercing scream, but by the time his very worried mother got to him the cut had already healed. Rosalie was a fast healer also, but didn't come close to her brother, where it had only taken seconds for Liam to heal it would have taken her hours.
"Daddy your home! Look what mommy said we could keep." Liam stated picking up the puppy.
Wesker gave his youngest child a small smile, before going over to the bed and taking the dog from him. He knew that he was going to have to break the bad news to his son sooner or later, but since this was Isabel's doing Wesker wanted her there when they told the children that they simply couldn't keep the puppy, especially with a new baby on the way.
"I want you to stay here. I have to talk to your mother about something."
"Okay, but will you come back up and play with me?"
"When I'm done talking to mommy we'll see." Wesker answered, silently adding, "If you're still speaking to me."
Liam knew something was up, Wesker could tell by the look on his young face, his little brows were knitted together in a look of pure concentration, as if he was trying to figure out just what his father wanted to talk to mommy about. He wasn't as attuned to the emotions around him as his mother or sister, but once in a great while Liam could pick up on what was going on. Leaving his son's room Wesker thought about the differences in his children. Rosalie had inherited more of his personality than Liam. Wesker had seen her temper on several occasions, but she usually minded her parents, especially her mother, even though she was almost as strong as Isabel. Liam on the other hand didn't seem to have a temper at all and was usually very laid back.
As Wesker opened the door to his bedroom, he felt as if he were entering a lion's den.
This is ridiculous, she's my wife not some axe murder.
Isabel sat on the bed holding Rosalie on her lap, talking about baby names. She seemed in a better mood so Wesker figured it would be a good time to get the puppy situation out of the way.
"I see you found Sweet Pea." Isabel said looking at Wesker as he entered the room.
"You named it Sweet Pea?" Wesker asked in disbelief.
"Actually Rosalie named her."
Wesker was having a hard time swallowing this one, not only had they brought a puppy into his house, but they named it something as fluffy as Sweet Pea.
"Rosalie, I need to speak with your mother."
Rosalie unlike her brother knew exactly what her father was up to and didn't like it one bit. She liked the puppy and wanted to keep it.
"Daddy please don't..."
"Rosalie NOW." Wesker still didn't like to be questioned on his decisions, even though he was a little more patient with his children.
Rosalie was trying to hold back the tears, Wesker could tell, as she left the room.
"Albert Wesker! What do you think you are doing coming in here after being away TWO months and upsetting my daughter like that? WE are keeping the puppy and if Rosalie wants it to be called Sweet Pea, then the name stays too."
"So now you're telling me I don't have any say in my own house?"
"Well maybe if you were here instead of leaving me pregnant and alone with your two children, whom I have to run after from morning till night, you may. Now if you'll excuse me I have a mess to clean up." With that Isabel left the room and went to the kitchen for the broom and dust pan.
Rosalie was extremely happy they were keeping Sweet Pea. She had been listening from the living room when mommy had told daddy just that. Rosalie didn't know why she could hear things from so far away and lately it had been weighing on her mind. She knew mommy couldn't do it, neither could Steve or Uncle Leon and Aunt Claire. Rosalie also knew that Liam could hear better than she could and for some reason daddy always seemed to know what they were doing even if they were upstairs and he was in the kitchen. As her father walked into the living room, still holding the puppy, Rosalie could tell he wasn't happy about the way things were going today and she wanted to make him feel better.
"Daddy I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you mad."
Wesker softened at his daughter's apology. Placing the now squirming Sweet Pea on the floor he spoke.
"It's okay baby, I shouldn't have snapped at you."
"I'm used to it mommy's been like this for a while now. Can I have a hug?"
"Of course you can." Wesker replied picking his daughter up, holding her close and kissing her on the forehead.
"So what have you been up to?"
"Well, mommy found Sweet Pea on the side of the road a few days ago, so we get to keep her and she follows Liam around everywhere."
"Did you have to name her Sweet Pea?"
"I like it cause she's sweet and she's small like a pea." After a moment of silence Rosalie decided to ask her father about what was on her mind. "Daddy, how come me and Liam can hear better than mommy and everyone else."
Wesker knew this would come up. He just hadn't expected it to be while he was in the middle of a slight crisis. He thought that he would have Isabel by his side when he had to explain to his children about their special traits. Some how Wesker didn't think it was a good idea to bother Isabel about this right now.
"Daddy are you gonna tell me?" Rosalie asked again, with the same annoyed expression her mother wore when she didn't get an answer from him immediately.
"Okay lets go sit in the kitchen and I'll see if I can explain." Wesker answered setting his daughter down and leading her to the afore mentioned room.
Wesker and Isabel had decided soon after Rosalie's birth, that if questions such as these were to come up that they would be answered as truthfully as possible. He just didn't know where to begin.
"You get your hearing, eye color, speed, strength and ability to heal quickly from me. Before you were born I worked for a company that did work in the scientific field. I worked on all kinds of experiments and even experimented on myself. When I did the experiment on myself I ended up with all these abilities, which I being your father passed to you. Do you understand?"
"Kind of, but why doesn't Liam have our eye color?"
"That happened because I'm not the only parent. Liam just happened to get the gene for green eyes from your mother."
"What's a gene?"
Wesker felt like he was hitting his head on a brick wall, one answer just seemed to lead to another question and then another. He wanted his children to be informed and to be open with their questions, but it seemed as if Rosalie had picked the worst time for this. Trying to be as patient as he could with his young daughter Wesker continued with the impromptu science lesson.
"A gene is a part of you that tells your hair to be blonde or your eyes to be yellow or your body to be tall when you grow up. Now do you understand?"
"Yes, but will my gene tell my hair to change color and be like Uncle Leon's?"
"There are actually genes, you have more than one and they're kind of set."
"So Liam will always have green eyes and I'll always be able to hear better than mommy?"
"Yes."
"Okay I'm gonna go play with Liam."
As Wesker watched his six year old walk out the kitchen door he was feeling pretty good about his parenting job, until he saw the look on Isabel's face. She had apparently heard the whole thing and wasn't happy with the way he'd handled it.
"How could you? We were supposed to talk to her together when she started asking questions. I was the one who was supposed to explain to her what her grandfather did to me." Isabel stated beginning to cry again.
"Sweet heart, she wasn't even wondering about that. Rosalie wanted to know why she could hear things and you can't and I explained it to her. I didn't want to bother you." Wesker replied in the most placating voice he could muster at the moment.
Isabel felt like she had missed an important part of her daughter's growth process. She hadn't been there when Rosalie had asked her first important question. Isabel felt like a horrible mother and it only made her cry more.
"She didn't even want to know about what I contributed to her." Isabel said through her hands.
Wesker was out of his seat and holding her before Isabel could say another word.
"Isabel have you had a nap today?"
"No, I've been running after your children all day and I don't usually need one. This is all your fault."
"Yes I think we've established that's how you feel already. Wesker said smiling at his wife, "You my dear are taking a nap right now."
Isabel didn't argue with her husband, instead she allowed him to guide her out of the kitchen and to their bedroom, where he gently tucked her into bed.
Isabel had a nice nap and upon awakening, felt a little more in control of herself, that was until she walked into the living room to hear the conversation her husband was having.
"I need to see you... She's sleeping... I can't today... I have the children... Tomorrow, I'll wait until Isabel takes her nap, and then put the children down too... No she doesn't know... Alright tomorrow." With that Albert hung up.
Isabel couldn't believe her ears, that her husband would do such a thing, that he could hurt her like that.
"I want you out of my house now! You son of a bitch, how could you?" Isabel yelled at Wesker before he could turn around.
Wesker was taken by surprise. He had been so focused on his phone call that he hadn't heard his wife wake up.
"Isabel what are you talking about?" What's the matter?"
"You bastard, you were making a date with another woman. How long have you been screwing her? You're no better than my father. At least he had the balls to tell us he didn't want us anymore."
"Isabel I'm not cheating on you..."
"Oh really? So I guess I need to see you and I can't get away today I have the children mean nothing then."
"Isabel Marie Wesker enough! I was talking to Rebecca, I wanted a full report on your pregnancy, like I did with Rosalie, like I did with Liam and I thought it would be best to do so without the children running around." Wesker said in the same tone of voice he used with the children when they had crossed the line.
Isabel stood perfectly still, she hadn't seen Albert this close to loosing his cool in a little more than six years. She knew immediately that she had pushed a little too far. Isabel hadn't meant to, but at the thought of the only man she had ever loved cheating on her she felt a steel band form around her chest and the more she thought about it the tighter it seemed to get causing each breath to be painful.
Wesker was trying to get a grip on himself. The more he went over his side of the conversation the more he understood what it must have sounded like to his wife. In Isabel's already emotional state, he really couldn't blame her for thinking the worst. Walking over to where she stood in the kitchen doorway, Wesker wrapped his arms around Isabel and pulled her close to him.
"Isabel I love you. You have given me two children with a third on the way, not only that but you have given me a better life. I would never throw that away." Wesker's voice was gentle and put Isabel at ease.
"I'm sorry."
"It's alright, if you want, tomorrow we will load up the kids and go talk to Rebecca together. Then we'll go to the park for awhile, okay?"
"I think I'd like that." Isabel said giving him a smile. "And I'm sure Rosalie and Liam will love playing with Dylan."
God this is going to be a long four months.
It was his first day back and already Wesker felt out of his depth. He wasn't used to having to tip toe around people, if anything they usually tip toed around him. All except his family that was. Thinking about his children made Wesker remember his conversation with Liam earlier and he was mentally kicking himself for forgetting his promise to his youngest child. Letting go of his wife Wesker began to speak.
"I promised I would go play with Liam and I forgot."
"Albert that isn't like you, you'd better go spend some time with him."
As Wesker was walking up the stairs to his son's room he couldn't believe he had forgotten about Liam. The boy was so quiet, the exact opposite of his sister, that sometimes he got overlooked. Liam always seemed to let Rosalie have the spot light, being happy to have a rare quiet moment curled up on one of his parent's laps and that's why Wesker felt so bad about not playing with his son the one time he'd asked him too.
Wesker never made it to his son's room. When he got to the top of the stairs Liam came out of his room looking clearly upset, his lower lip protruded past his upper one and his eyes were shiny, as if he were trying to hold back tears. Before Wesker could say a word he was speaking.
"Daddy don't you want us anymore?"
"Liam what makes you ask that?" Wesker replied frowning.
"I heard mommy say that at least her daddy had the balls to tell them he didn't want them anymore."
"Mommy was just a little upset. She didn't mean those things, of course I still want you."
Liam seemed to relax at his father's explanation, but his brow was still furrowed as if he was still trying to figure something out.
"Daddy what did mommy mean by at least her daddy had the balls to tell them?"
Wesker didn't know what to say to a three year old who had basically asked him what balls were. He was trying to figure out what the appropriate response was when it came to Wesker, that he didn't need to tell his son that his mother had used an inappropriate word while angry. All Wesker had to tell Liam was the meaning behind the statement.
"Mommy meant that her father had the courage to tell them that he didn't want to be around them."
"Oh, okay. Can we play now?" Liam asked his brow smoothing out.
Wesker smiled at how fast his children seemed to shift from one subject to another. Both Rosalie and Liam had done just that today. At the thought of Rosalie, Wesker smile faded. He knew he should check on his daughter also.
"Let's go check on your sister first."
"Okay, she went to her room with Sweet Pea."
At the mention of the puppy's name Wesker winced. It was going to take some getting used to. Shaking his head Wesker followed his three year old to Rosalie's room. Knocking on his daughter's bedroom door, he began to worry when she didn't answer. Opening the door he was rewarded with the sight of Rosalie sitting on her bed holding the puppy as tight as she could and crying into it's fur. Wesker's heart sank to the bottom of his feet. Although Albert Wesker was known for his complete emotional solitude, one thing and one thing alone was able to distraught his usually cool facade, His wife and children. It was a side effect of them being the only source of love and affection he was able to feel.
"Rosalie, you heard too didn't you?"
"Yes." The little girl said lifting her head, tears still streaming down her face.
Wesker looked into the eyes that were so like his, and what he saw there hurt him even more. He saw doubt there, his daughter doubted his love for them.
"Rosalie if you heard your mother down stairs than you heard everything else also."
"N-not really I was sad because you hurt mommy."
"Wesker let out a sigh, yes his daughter had his temper, but for some reason she had gotten her mother's ability to jump to conclusions and think the worst.
"Rosalie Wesker I want you to listen to me. I love you, your brother, and your mother. I am not leaving you and I am not cheating on mommy. I was talking to Aunt Rebecca and we are going to her house tomorrow, you get to play with Dylan."
"Really?" Rosalie asked brightening.
Wesker wasn't sure if it was due to playing with Dylan or the fact that he wasn't leaving but she seemed happier.
"Yes really, and I think you better take Sweet Pea outside so we don't have an accident in the house." Wesker said eyeing the puppy that was sniffing around the room.
"Okay." Rosalie said getting off the bed and heading for the door.
Looking down at Liam, who had stood silently by his side the whole time, Wesker bent down and picked up his son.
"What did you want to play?"
"I just want you to read to me."
Wesker smiled at the boy in his arms, he should have known that all Liam would want was to spend time with him.
"What would you like me to read?"
"The story about the boy that goes to the special school to learn magic."
"You really like that story don't you?"
"Yes he has special powers like me."
Liam was happy that his daddy was finally going to spend time with him. He had missed daddy so much it seemed like forever since he'd been home. Mommy was fun and all, but she couldn't do the cool things daddy could do, like talk to him from the kitchen when he was in his room, without yelling and he showed him neat stuff like how to catch snakes and butterflies. Even though mommy always held and made over whatever snake or bug Liam caught he could tell she didn't like touching them.
When Isabel walked into Liam's room, she found her husband sitting on the bed propped up against the headboard his son resting in the crook of his arm listening to Albert read his favorite story.
I was wondering where my two guys were." Isabel said walking farther into the room, "Dinner's ready."
"Mommy, Daddy was just getting to the best part."
"Liam you heard your mother, it's time to eat." Wesker stated closing the book and ushering his son off the bed.
"Can we read some more after dinner?" Liam asked looking up at his father.
Isabel smiled at the interaction between father and son. At the moment they wore the same determined expression, Albert was determined to get his son ready for dinner and Liam was determined to get the answer he wanted from his father. Liam had so many of his father's facial expressions that Isabel sometimes wondered if he'd gotten anything from her, besides the hair and eye color. Of course if he was even half as handsome as his father when he got older, Isabel knew Liam was going to be a heart breaker.
"We'll see, now go wash your hands." Wesker answered looking down and giving his son a slight smile.
As Liam left the room Wesker noticed the smile on his wife's lips. Seeing Isabel happy made Wesker's smile widen, for the first time today the house seemed normal.
"What's the smile for?" He asked walking up to her.
"I was just remembering why I married you." Isabel answered still smiling.
"And why did you marry me?"
"I think it was because you're so damn sexy."
"Well as long as you have your priorities straight."
"I do." Isabel answered and after a moment added. "You know I never got my hello kiss this morning."
"I think I can fix that." Wesker said as he leaned forward to give her a quick peck on the lips.
"OH GROSS!" Came a voice from behind, interrupting them.
Wesker immediately looked up to see his daughter in the door way. She was sticking out her tongue and wrinkling her nose. He couldn't help but laugh at the expressions she wore.
"You know if I had never kissed your mother, you and Liam would never have been born."
"Nuh uh, that's not how you get a baby. You have to sleep in the same bed as your husband." Rosalie replied shaking her head.
"Yes, but if I'd never kissed your mother we would never have gotten married."
Isabel chuckled at the banter between Albert and Rosalie, both were stubborn and neither one wanted to admit defeat, not that either one was totally wrong on this subject.
"Alright you two down stairs for dinner." She finally interjected, giving Albert a swift kiss on the cheek and turning to walk her six year old down to the kitchen.
Dinner was a quiet event and Wesker was lulled into a false sense of security, when Isabel seemed almost normal. She made a big meal in honor of his return and even though he hadn't thought about it before Wesker realized how much he missed Isabel's cooking. Living off fast food for the last two months, the meatloaf, mashed potatoes, corn and gravy was a little slice of heaven.
"Daddy can we play board games after dinner?" Rosalie asked half way through her mashed potatoes.
"No Rosalie, Daddy's going to read to me some more." Liam replied before Wesker could even think about answering.
"You had him all day I want to spend time with him." Rosalie shot back.
"Alright you two, that's enough." Wesker's voice cut through their bickering. Looking at Liam he continued, "How about we all play a board game together?"
"Okay." Liam answered looking at his plate, not happy he had to share his father's attention.
Once everyone was finished eating the table was cleared and the dishes were done the debate over what game to play began.
"I want to play monopoly." Rosalie stated.
"Now you know that's too hard for your brother, we can't play that." Isabel replied taking a seat next to her daughter at the table.
"I wanna play Hi Ho Cherry O." Liam piped up.
"No way that's too easy." Rosalie whined.
"Alright how about Sorry?" Isabel offered up.
"Fine." Rosalie replied, chin to her chest and pouting.
As Wesker went to the little book shelf in the living room that held all the games, everyone else took their places around the kitchen table. Once he arrived back in the room box in hand, the set up began. The only thing that wasn't argued about was the color of the little plastic pieces. Rosalie chose red, Liam blue, Isabel green and Wesker was left with yellow. Halfway through the game it became obvious that Rosalie was clearly targeting Liam's little blue pieces as a way to get back at him for having to play a game she didn't want too. It was when Rosalie sent Liam's remaining piece back to the start position, with a sarcastic Sorry, that all hell broke loose.
"ROSALIE YOU DID THAT ON PURPOSE, YOU ASSHOLE!" Liam yelled.
"Liam David Wesker where did you hear that?" His father asked surprised his son even knew such a word.
"Uncle Chris called someone that when he cut us off in the car." Liam replied.
"I'm going to have a talk with your Uncle Chris." Isabel replied with a frown, "Now tell your sister you're sorry."
"No."
"What did you just say young man?" Wesker asked starting to rise from his seat.
"I said no, she was being mean." Liam answered tucking his chin in and crossing his arms in front of his chest.
"You, young man do not tell your mother no." Wesker stated lifting his son off his chair, setting him on his feet and walking him through the living room to the stairs, "Up to your room right now and you'll stay up there until you apologize to both your mother and sister."
Head down Liam marched up the stairs silently, but when he got to his room he slammed the door so hard it shook the whole house.
As Wesker walked back into the kitchen he saw that his wife and daughter hadn't moved a muscle. They were just waiting to see how angry he was. Wesker wasn't too angry at his son more surprised than anything. He had seen what Rosalie was doing and before Liam had his outburst Wesker was about to have a conversation with her.
Why does my daughter have to be so much like me?
"Can we play monopoly now?" Rosalie asked seeing her father walk back in.
"No, we can not I know what you were doing to Liam." Wesker replied staring straight at Rosalie, "You were purposely going after his pieces, because you didn't want to play Sorry."
Rosalie didn't know why her father was making such a big deal out of this. The purpose of the game was to win, and that's what she was doing. It wasn't her fault Liam got in her way.
"NO FAIR! Stupid Liam can't play monopoly and we always have to play stupid games." Rosalie wailed.
"Rosalie Ann Wesker that is enough. You can go to your room also." Isabel cut in effectively stopping her daughter's rant.
Rosalie followed her mother's orders, getting up from the table and silently walking to her room. It seemed as though she was always getting in trouble over Liam, why did she have to have a little brother anyway? Before Liam was born everything was fine, now they could only play the games Liam could.
Well so much for family night." Isabel said as Wesker started packing up the game, "You know they only seem to act like this the first day you come home."
Wesker gave his wife a humorless smile at her last statement. Some how he knew that this was going to be his entire fault.
"Yes, well if your daughter would control her temper more..."
"My daughter? Where do you think she gets her temper from, Captain Wesker?" Isabel retorted smiling at him.
"Come here you." Wesker stated reaching for his wife and pulling her into an embrace. "It's about time you got that kiss you wanted."
Isabel was never happier than when she was in Albert's arms. Even after six years when he held her close everything else seemed to melt away. She felt safe and home. Isabel had never known she could feel that way. Moving closer until their bodies touched Isabel didn't want this moment to end, but all too soon it did. As Albert pulled away she saw surprise pass over his face.
"What is this?" He asked reaching between them and running his hand over the slight bump of Isabel's stomach.
"That would be your son or daughter."
"You're only two months, you shouldn't be showing yet, have you told Rebecca about this?"
"No, she's been busy I thought I would wait until my next appointment."
"Isabel! You know you need to keep her informed about anything out of the ordinary and this definitely falls under that category."
Even though Albert had kept his voice even, Isabel started crying again. It was too much that he was upset with her. First the children act up and now this.
"You think I'm a horrible mother don't you?" Isabel asked through her tears.
"I do not. I'm just worried about you, you aren't yourself right now and you're bigger than you should be."
"So now I'm acting nuts. Great I'm a bad mother and I'm out of my mind."
"I didn't say that. Now your being silly." The minute the words left his mouth Wesker new it was the wrong thing to say.
Isabel's eyes narrowed and her lips compressed into a frown before she spoke.
"How dare you... How dare you tell me my feelings are silly. You had better get the couch ready, because that's where you're sleeping tonight." With that Isabel left the room and made her way back to the bedroom.
Not for the first time that day Wesker felt like banging his head on a wall. He knew Isabel was dead serious about him spending the night on the couch and Wesker wasn't looking forward to it. Giving a sigh he turned around and went back into the living room, putting the game back on it's shelf, Wesker decided to go see if his son had cooled down.
Walking into Liam's room, Wesker saw the boy laying on his stomach width wise on the bed, staring intently at one of the odd shaped creatures that adorned his bed sheets. Wesker knew they were something called Pokemon and that they were off some cartoon that both his children seemed to enjoy, but other than that he had no idea what they were exactly.
"Are you read to tell your mother and sister you're sorry?"
At the sound of his father's voice Liam's head shot up and he looked towards the door.
"Do I have to, Rosalie was being really mean?"
"Yes you do. She's your sister, maybe what she was doing wasn't right, but there is no excuse for calling her such a name. I saw what was going on and I was going to put a stop to it, but you didn't give me a chance."
"But I'm still mad at her." Liam stated sitting up on his bed.
"Do you love your sister?"
"Yes."
"Wouldn't you feel bad if something happened to her before you could say you're sorry?"
"Yes."
"Then don't you think you had better tell her now?"
"Okay." Liam gave in with a sigh that was a parody of his father's
Sliding off his bed, Liam started to walk out of his room. Before he made it to the door Wesker stepped in front of him.
"I'm very proud of you." Wesker said picking his son up and kissing him on the cheek.
"Really?" Liam asked eyes wide in surprise.
Wesker nodded his reply as they walked out of the room and down the hall to Rosalie's door. Giving a slight knock Wesker opened it before Rosalie could answer. She too was sitting on her bed, but unlike Liam she was playing with her Barbie Dolls. Upon her father and brother entering the room Rosalie put the dolls down and gave both of them her attention.
"Go ahead." Wesker said to his son, placing him back on the ground.
Giving his father one last look Liam walked over to his sister's bed.
"Rosalie I'm sorry I called you a bad name. I love you and don't want anything to happen to you."
Rosalie didn't answer Liam right away instead a scowl formed on her features. After a few minutes of silence, Wesker decided he had better step in.
"Rosalie your brother just said he was sorry, don't you have something to say to him."
"It's okay Liam." After a few more minutes she added, "I'm sorry I acted so mean to you, I love you too."
Getting off her bed Rosalie gave her little brother an affectionate hug.
"Do you want to color with me?" She asked, getting back on her bed.
"No, he has to go apologize to your mother and then it's bed." Wesker answered for him, "Rosalie I want you in your pajamas when we come back up."
Taking Liam's hand and leading him out into the hall, down the stairs, through the living room and back to his mother, Wesker wondered if he should go in with him. In the end Wesker decided it was best if he stayed in the hall. Knocking on the door he opened it when he received an "Enter" from Isabel. Liam being a fearless three year old walked right in never guessing his mother wasn't in the best of moods. Wesker listened through the door to the whole conversation.
"Mommy I'm sorry I told you no."
Isabel couldn't help but smile at the serious expression her son wore. He really did have more of his father in him.
"Are you going to listen to me from now on?" Isabel asked.
"Yes mommy. Can I give you a hug?"
"Of course, come here." Isabel replied motioning for her son to come over to her.
Liam didn't hesitate. He walked over to his mother and climbed up on her lap. Wrapping his little arms around her neck he gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"I love you." He stated looking up into her green eyes.
"I love you too baby."
"I have to go now daddy said it's time for bed."
"Did he? Well you had better get to it then."
Liam nodded solemnly and crawled of his mother's lap. Before he opened the door to leave Liam turned around to look at his mother.
"Good night."
"Good night baby."
When Liam exited the room his father was waiting for him in the hallway. Taking Wesker's hand in his they headed back up to Liam's room. As Wesker was helping his son to get ready for bed he noticed the little boy looked as if he wanted to ask something.
"What's wrong son?"
"I was wondering if you would read some more to me before bed."
Checking his watch to see the exact time, it was a little after seven, so Wesker didn't see why not.
"Okay, for a few minutes and then bed."
Crawling into bed and pulling his pokemon covers up to his middle, Liam waited patiently for his father to join him. As Wesker positioned himself on the bed next to his son, Rosalie walked into the room without knocking. She was dressed for bed also, in a blue cotton night shirt with Cinderella on the front.
"Will you read to me too?" She asked standing just inside the door way.
"You can come sit by me Rosalie." Liam answered patting the narrow space next to him.
Rosalie ran over to the bed and hopped up on the edge at her brother's prompting. There really wasn't enough room so after some rearranging all three sat somewhat squished together on the twin sized bed. Wesker sat propped up against the head board pillows supporting his back, Rosalie sat on his right with his arm around her and Liam sat on Wesker's lap, his back resting against his father's chest. After a few minutes of his father's reading Liam's eye lids started to droop and soon he was sleeping soundly.
Hearing his son's breathing change Wesker knew the boy was sound asleep. Quietly closing the book and putting his index finger to his lips as a sign for Rosalie to be silent he then whispered to his daughter.
"Get up, your brother's asleep."
Nodding her head Rosalie quietly got off the bed and watched as her father easily got up, Liam still in his arms. After gently lying his son on the bed Wesker pulled the blankets up to his chin, gave him a light kiss on the temple and turned the bed side lamp off. In the dark Wesker motioned for Rosalie to go out into the hallway, even though it was totally dark Wesker knew she could see him as clearly as he could see her. As quietly as they could both father and daughter walked out of the sleeping boy's room.
Once in the hallway Rosalie looked up at her father waiting for him to walk her back to her room. Wesker smiled at the daughter that was so like himself, took her hand and led her down the hall. Once at Rosalie room he opened the door, walked her over to her bed and once she was in it, tucked the Disney princess bed sheets up to her chin. Kissing her on the forehead he turned out her beside lamp and went to the door.
"Good night sweetie." He said opening the door to leave.
"Good night daddy." Rosalie replied.
Smiling again at his daughter, Wesker closed her bedroom door and headed down stairs. Once he reached the last stop he saw that Isabel had set him out a pillow, blanket and his preferred sleeping attire, a pair of sweat pants and T-shirt, all in black. Stubborn woman he thought as he quickly changed and lay down on his makeshift bed. I hope tomorrow's better, couldn't be any worse, Was the last coherent thing that passed through his mind before the dark depths of sleep took him.