Chapter Four
Family Matters
Philip had just got the final report from the investigator on Jarod. Although the man had been very thorough there were still gaps that he would have to fill in himself. Damn, Philip thought. I'm going to have leave tomorrow if I want to know for sure. He placed the investigator's report back in his desk and locked it away. As he placed his key back in its hiding place there was a knock on the door. "Come in," to his surprise it was Jarod who opened the door.
"Can I talk to you?" He walked into the room fully and to a chair.
"Of course. Is there something wrong Jarod?"
"Well not really … um maybe. I was just wondering something," he paused and Philip nodded as if giving the go ahead to ask whatever it was that was bothering him. "I was wondering if you could tell me who my biological father is?"
Philip was taken back by his plainspoken question. "No, I mean I don't know who he is for sure." He watched as the little boy looked down in a quiet gesture of sadness. But, that lasted for a fraction of a second. When Jarod lifted his face and all the traces of sadness disappeared and he went back to his neutral expression. But, Philip had seen the hurt in his eyes. He stood up and walked around the desk to stand before him. "Jarod," the boy's eyes met his. "Even though, I don't know who your father is, I promise you I'll find out." Jarod seemed to contemplate that before he nodded and then he rose from the chair but as he would of walked away Philip grasped his shoulder and turned him around again, bending down so he was eye level with the child. "Hey, even when I do find out who he is it won't change our relationship. I don't ever want you to worry about us. You''re part of this family. You'll still be one of my kids. You are my son here," Placing his hand over his chest he said, "Where it counts." He released Jarod's shoulder and stood up again.
"Do you really think of me as one of your kids?" Philip couldn't even begin to describe how intense his eyes looked. They shined with an emotion he couldn't describe but what he thought was hope and longing.
"Yeah, I do. You're apart of this family. Don't ever doubt that. It won't change regardless of who your father is." Philip glanced at his watch. "Now, I do believe that it is past time for you to go to bed. Come on, I'll walk with you upstairs." He said as both he and Jarod began walking out his office.
"Wait, I wanted to ask you some more questions."
"Ahh, Jarod you've obviously been learning from your brother and sisters. Great stall. But, you just can't con me into letting you stay up late. I have to say that was a really nice try, though."
"Con you, I wasn't trying to con you," he looked at Philip who arched an incredulous brow. "Okay, okay I'm going." He started up the stairs smiling in spite of himself.
"Hey, it's okay. I did the same thing when I was young; who did you think they learned that trick from. You can't mess with the originator." That earned Philip a smile as Jarod continued up the stairs. Just as he made his way to the hallway, the doorbell rang. An enrobed Grayson came from his room. But, Philip stopped him halfway. "Grayson, you can go back to bed I'll get the door."
"Are you sure, sir?"
"Yes, of course. You go on back to bed." Grayson returned from where he came. After he left Philip walked over to the door and opened it. Shawn stood behind the door. "Shawn man, you look like hell. What are you doing here so late? Did you and Belle have a fight or something?"
As soon as Shawn came in, he shut the door. "Can I stay here tonight?" Shawn asked walking into the house and placing his helmet on a chair. Then he ran his hands through his hair.
"Sure."
"Look, I don't want to talk about it." Shawn interrupted.
"Okay, I was just heading upstairs anyway. You know where the guest room is." Philip walked away from Shawn getting the distinct feeling that whatever was wrong with him he would have to deal with it on his own. And when he wanted to talk about it he'd be available.
When Philip had walked into his bedroom Chloe was asleep. So he had gone to take a shower, several minutes later he returned to the room and went to the bed. He took a book off the bed as he slid into the bed. He placed the book the night table and turned off the light.
Once he got himself settled in the bed, under the covers, Chloe rolled over so that her head rested on his shoulder. He sighed and pushed her hair away from her face so that he could see it. His hand lingered on her cheek as if to make sure her hair no longer covered her face.
"Philip," she whispered as she turned away from his hand. "Who was at the door?" Chloe did not open her eyes yet she placed her hands on his chest over his heart.
"Shawn, I think that he and Belle had a fight. But, he wouldn't say. I think it may be pretty serious."
"I'll ask Belle about it tomorrow." Chloe said not opening her eyes as she moved closer so that her head rested more closely on his shoulder.
Philip knew that she was asleep immediately. Therefore it was pointless to try and continue talking to her. So he placed an arm around her and fell asleep holding her to him. His final thought before he totally succumbed to sleep was that he was going to prove somehow that Jarod was his son and claim him for his own.
The next morning the Kiriakis household was a buzz with getting off for the day. Philip was in the dining room drinking coffee awaiting everyone else's presence. As he took another sip of his coffee, Chloe walked in and sat down. She was wearing a V-neck ice blue wrap dress with a black blazer to accompany it. The dress ended right above her knees and her hair was in an upswept bun. She looked very much the psychologist.
"What? Why are you staring at me like that? Is there something wrong with my dress?" She looked down at her dress.
"No, there is nothing wrong with your dress. I just was thinking about how beautiful you looked in it." She smiled in response and took the seat across the table from him. "You know Jarod asked me a very interesting question yesterday."
"Really? What did he ask you?" She sipped her coffee.
"He asked me if I knew who his father is."
"What did you say?"
"I told him the truth. But, I also told him that I would find out for him." Philip watched Chloe for any sort if response that she might have. However, her facial response remained completely neutral, much like Jarod's the night before. "So I was wondering if you could tell me if you remember being pregnant with Jarod. I mean I know you've said that you only recall being pregnant twice with the twins and Katherine. But, obviously that's not true."
Chloe couldn't believe this was happening. She knew that Jarod's arrival in their lives would change things between them. But, she never expected him to completely doubt her word. "Philip, I know that this maybe hard for you to understand. But, I would never forget being pregnant. And if … when I was pregnant with Jarod than I must not have known about him."
"Okay, okay, you don't have to get defensive on me. I just thought that because you have been pregnant before maybe you'd had some of the regular symptoms associated with it. You have gone thru it twice, you know."
"While that's true, you know every pregnancy is different for every woman. And as for the normal symptoms you're talking about, I'd assume you mean morning sickness." Philip nodded slightly. "I've never had morning sickness for any of my pregnancies. My mother didn't either when she was pregnant with me. I don't get morning sickness. You know that. Where is this all coming from anyway?" She asked looking at him quizzically.
"It's just that I think Jarod's presence brings a lot of things to light. You say you only remember being pregnant twice. But, really I don't understand how that would be possibly if you were pregnant with Jarod." He knew that he had probably pushed Chloe too far when she rose from the table.
"I am going to tell you this one last time. If I was ever pregnant with Jarod then, I did not know it. You know," her eyes, flashed with angry as she leaned across the table towards him. "If I had gotten pregnant it would have been before we were married. So what you really want to know is, was I pregnant when you married me. I wasn't but even if I had been I would never give up my child. You know how I feel about that. Jarod would have been raised by me regardless of his paternity." She started to walk away from the table but Philip got up and stopped just as the children entered with Nicolette on their heels.
"Chloe don't leave angry, please." He whispered as the children all got to the table. Nicolette stood off to the side. "Was there something you needed Nicolette?"
"No Mr. Kiriakis, it's just that there was a telephone call for Mrs. Kiriakis. The lady said it was urgent." The young lady repeated obediently.
Chloe jerked her arm out of Philip's grasp and turned to the children. "Good morning munchkins." She smiled brightly down to her children.
"Morning mom," was the simultaneous response she received from the children.
"I'm going to take this call and then I'll help you guys finish getting ready for school." Having said that she turned and left the room not once glancing at Philip.
Chloe came back into the dining room a lot calmer than she had been when she'd left. However, when she entered the room again only Philip was there. Just as she was about to turn away, he called out to her.
"Chloe wait," Philip rose from his chair and walked to his wife. She turned back around and waited for him to speak.
"Look Philip I don't want to rehash our earlier conversation. I know it seems preposterous that I don't even remember being pregnant ever except with the twins and Katherine. But, it's the truth."
"I'm sorry. I know that and I didn't mean to make it seem like I was badgering you. Or that I don't believe you. It's just that I want to find out who Jarod's father is for you. Because I know that it bothers you not knowing." He cupped her face in his hands making sure he had her full attention.
Chloe soften her frame as he caressed her cheek. Her hands moved down to his waist. "I'm sorry, too. I guess I have been on the edge a little myself. But, everyone keeps asking me how can I not know who his father is. I don't know what to say other than I just don't know. It's like a piece of me … my memory is missing. It's something I didn't even know was gone. And in order for me to ever have some piece of mind I need to know, I need to find out who Jarod's father is." Philip nodded understanding her concerns.
"Look, when I get back from my trip how about we go look for those answers. Together, we will find them." As he said this he was all the while thinking, ~ Maybe my trip will prove to be successful and I'll have those answers for you, my sweet. ~ "Okay?"
"Okay," Chloe responded before Philip pulled her to him and hugged her. As he released her he looked down into her eyes. They were a brilliant shade of blue so vivid that he couldn't recall the last time they had seemed so relaxed and calm.
Shawn walked into the dining room and looked like Hell. His hair was ruffled as if it hadn't seen a comb in ages instead of one night. He was also sporting a five o'clock shadow that covered his entire jaw. And his eyes that were usually lit up with mischief had a wan saddened look. As soon as he saw Philip and Chloe in each other's arms, he paused. "Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt."
When Chloe turned and saw him she was shocked for a moment. But she quickly covered it. "You didn't interrupt anything Shawn. Don't worry about it." He nodded and moved to get a cup of coffee. "Are you alright–," Chloe started to ask but was interrupted by the children who were reentering the room with their book bags ready to go.
"We're ready Mommy," Ariana chimed as she entered first closely followed by her brothers and sister. When she saw Shawn she looked up in surprise. "Hi Uncle Shawn, I didn't know you were here. Did you bring Serena?"
"He obviously didn't Ana. Do you see her here?" Dominic answered and received a seething look from his twin in return.
"No, she's at home with her mom. But, you'll see her at school today." Shawn told her.
"Oh okay then." Ariana looked towards her parents then and saw that they were embraced. Normally, she wouldn't think anything of it because they were always doing stuff like that much to her dismay. However, this time was different. Pushing her hair behind her ears she looked over at her twin who returned her gaze with silent question and arched brow.
Jarod had been watching the twins and had seen looks pass between the. So he glanced at their parents. Although, he had yet to catch onto their silent looks he could tell that something was wrong. So he took it upon himself to break the silence and ask the question on their minds. "Is something wrong?"
Chloe had been so emotional, feeling the love in shelter of Philip's arms that she almost missed the question. "No, no nothing's wrong. I was just saying goodbye to your Dad he's going away on a business trip."
"Your coming back, right?" Jessica spoke for the first time that morning. Philip moved away from Chloe to bend down so that he was eye to eye with Jessica. Every since her parents death she was always weary about any parent going away. So he needed to reassure her.
"Of course I will come back. Always," Philip hugged the small child as she wrapped her arms around him. When she released him Philip pinched her nose. "Can I get a kiss goodbye?"
Jessica nodded giggling and leaned forward to kiss his clean-shaven cheek. Philip lifted her up kissed her on the cheek.
"Hey are guys going to say goodbye to me or what?" He asked his other children. Dominic and Ariana walked over to him and hugged him goodbye. Dominic did the same. They both made sure to remind him to call every night to talk to them. After all the children excluding Jarod had given Philip their request for him, they headed out to the car.
Philip turned to Jarod before he walked out the door. "Jarod wait a second." Jarod stopped and watched Philip as he turned to Chloe. "Are you leaving now?"
"Yeah, that was Dr. Brice on the phone earlier. She needs me to come in early for a meeting. So I'm taking the kids to school today on my way. What time are you leaving?"
"I'll be leaving sometime around noon. But, don't worry about me. I'll call you later." Chloe nodded. "Good. I love you."
Chloe smiled and looked up at Philip. "I love you, too. And you'd better call me. I'll miss you." She smiled again before wrapping her arms around him and hugging him tight. When she released him and walked to get her purse and briefcase and headed to the door.
Jarod awaited Philip's words to him. Philip turned and looked at the boy who had come to mean so much to his family. "While I'm gone, you're the man of the house. So take care of you mother and your brother and sisters for me." The little boy beamed with he was given.
"I will."
"Good, you better go. I don't want you to be late for school." Philip responded.
Jarod ran out of the door towards the car where all of the other children waited for him. Nicolette stood there waiting to help him in the car.
Chloe had been standing by the door with her things in hand as she watched her son leave the house. "Thank you."
"Don't thank me; what's yours is mine remember." He walked to the door and pulled Chloe to him by her shoulders and kissed her on the mouth. It was a long, soft, and sweet kiss as he gently sought entrance to her mouth with his tongue. Their tongues danced together in a smooth fluid motion of perfect harmony.
"Mommy, are you coming?" Ariana yelled from the car.
"No, she's not. She too busy getting kissed by Dad." Dominic replied.
Philip lifted his mouth from hers. But, he kept his forehead in touch with hers as they laughed softly at their children's comments. Slowly he lifted his head and released her. "You better go before the kids come out and get you."
"Yeah," She sighed letting her head rest against briefly before she pulled away looking into his eyes. "Call me."
"The second I get in."
"I love you." Chloe turned and walked to the car.
" I love you, too."
Belle sent her daughter off to school, acting as though everything were fine in the world of the Bradys. But, she apparently hadn't done a good enough job of pretending nothing was wrong, for when she answered the door she was surprised to see her brother and sister-in-law on her doorstep.
"Okay Tink you wanna tell me what's up? You look like hell." Brady said as he walked pass his sister into the house. Mimi followed him sighing.
"Subtlety thy name is not Brady. Geez, could you at least let us get into the house before you start, Brady." Mimi closed the door and took a good look at her best friend. She had to admit Belle did look bad. She was still in her robe and her eyes were slightly reddened as though she had been crying. And her long blonde hair was in complete disarray. To put it lightly Belle was a complete mess.
"What are you guys doing here?" Belle asked sniffling.
"Serena told me that something was wrong when I dropped Rocky off at school. She said she was worried about you." Mimi said as she looked around the living room and noted that nothing looked out of place. Something bad had obviously happened last night.
"Look I appreciate you guys coming over. But you really didn't need to I'm fine." She sat down on the couch and ran her hands through thru her tangled hair.
Brady looked at Mimi who shrugged her shoulders. "Look, Tink what's wrong did you and Shawn," he paused as Belle's eyes filled with tears. "Where's Shawn? Belle, did something happen to Shawn?" Brady kneeled down in front of her, grasping her upper arms. "Belle."
"I don't know. We had a fight." She answered looking down at her hands as Brady pulled her into his arms. "He left and didn't come back last night. I have no idea where he is." She was so broken up that she didn't hear the shuffling the little feet of her daughter.
"Momma, 'An's crying." Iris said as she came from the upstairs. She saw her aunt and uncle and got excited but it quickly deflected when she saw her mom in Brady's arms. He was holding her mother as she cried. She ran over to her. "Momma cry?" She placed her small hand on Belle's robed covered leg. Belle looked up at her young daughter's concern and broke down bawling on Brady's shoulder.
"Belle, I'll go get Ian. We'll figure this out." Mimi said giving Belle a comforting pat on the shoulder before she turned to go up the stairs to get Ian. Overhead she and Brady shared a private look to say that he would take care of his sister.
Belle unraveled herself from Brady's arms and reached down to pick up her daughter. As Iris sat on her mother's lap she gently wiped the tears from Belle's face. "Momma sad. I make better." The two-year old leaned up and kissed Belle's cheek. "All better?" She asked.
Belle wiped her eyes and nodded. "Yeah, baby I'm better. Thank you for making Mommy feel better." She kissed Iris on her forehead and smiled thinking of how the roles were reversed. Her two-year old daughter was trying to make her feel better. But her smile faltered a little. Mimi came down the stairs carrying a happy Ian into the room.
"He just needed to be changed. Is everything okay?" She asked looking at Brady who nodded.
Brady knew he needed to find out what happened and he also knew that she would say nothing while Iris was there especially since it had to do with Shawn. "Iris are you hungry?" Brady asked. The little girl looked up at her uncle surprised but nodded. "Well I bet that Ian's ready for breakfast too. So how about you let ole Uncle Brady fix you something to eat?" He asked again as he stood and held out his hand for her to take.
This time Iris looked at her mother for approval, "Baby, you should go on and eat breakfast I'll be okay. Now go ahead." Belle placed the two-year old on her feet and propped her to take Brady's hand.
"Okay Momma." Iris took her uncle's free hand as Mimi transferred the baby to him.
With both children in his grasp he headed to the kitchen stopping once to lean down to Mimi give her a kiss. "Find out what happened." He whispered before continuing on his trek toward the kitchen.
After he left Mimi tried to think of the best way to get Belle to open her. But, before she could implement her plan Belle spoke up.
"Look, Mimi it's nice that you and Brady came here. And I really appreciate it. But, I don't really need you guys here. I'm fine." She said standing up and wrapping her arms around herself.
"Belle, its ten o'clock in the morning and you're still in your bathrobe. I've known you for years; you are one of my oldest and best friends so I know when you're not fine. So don't lie to me. Just tell me what happened."
"I … I can't not yet, I need to pull myself together. Let me take a shower and get dressed."
"Belle, you can't run away from whatever happened."
"I know, I know and I'm not trying to run away from or blow you off." Mimi looked at her dubiously. "Seriously, Mimi I just want to get dressed. After I do that, I'll tell you what happened. I know you won't leave until I do. Okay?" Mimi nodded. "Good I'll be back in twenty minutes." Belle went off upstairs to her bedroom.
After watching her leave Mimi walked into the kitchen where Brady was watching the children as they fed themselves cereal. "I thought that you were going to fix them breakfast."
"I did. They're eating cereal." Brady answered his wife as she arched her brow incredulously. "Well I did. What's wrong with cereal, it's packed with nutrients the kids need. It's healthy…why are we even talking about this? Did you get Tink to spill or what? Did she tell you what happened?" Brady asked her as he helped Ian bring the spoon to his mouth. Although, it wasn't really necessary because Ian hadn't been really using the spoon to feed himself, he used his hands.
"No she wanted to take a shower first." Mimi watched the children eat. After a few moments of silence she looked at Brady and saw that he was watching her as he helped Ian to feed himself. "What? Is something wrong?"
"No."
"Then why were you staring at me?"
"I just noticed the look in your eyes. That's all." He picked up the empty bowl that Ian had just ate out of and placed it in the sink. While Mimi grabbed a wet cloth towel and proceeded to clean both Ian and Iris' face and hands.
"What look?" She asked pointedly not focusing upon Brady's face instead giving extra inspection to Ian's little face.
"The one you get whenever you see children. The look you had before you got pregnant with Spencer, like you want another child." Brady responded. Mimi looked up at him and was a little quiet.
"Brady, I love having your children. But I think that three children are just enough for me. I just I remember how much I liked being pregnant. You know how we were when Conrad and Racquel were this little. I'm getting reminiscence in my old age." Her eyes softened slightly as she spoke of past memories of their children.
"Hey, I think the three rugrats we have are enough," he held his hands in a surrendering motion. "I just thought that you wanted to have another one. So we could have a brood like Chloe and Philip."
"Don't even joke about that."
"I'm just saying that I would be totally willing to do my part. Although …" he paused as he looked her up and down then making a tsking sound with his teeth. "It might take longer now considering your age." Mimi hit him in the arm as he laughed.
He was still laughing when a fresh and showered Belle entered the kitchen. "What are you laughing about?"
"Nothing," Brady's laughter stopped when he looked over at his sister. Although she had cleaned up some and fixed her hair, her eyes still reflected some of the sadness within her.
"Momma can I go play?" Iris asked from her high chair. Belle's gaze shot to her child and she nodded. But, before she could reach her to take her out of the chair, Brady lifted the toddler out of her high chair. She ran out of the room and into living room leaving only the adults and Ian.
"I should go watch her." Belle said looking toward the doorway.
"Belle, she'll be fine for a few minutes for you to at least tell us what's wrong. Besides, this whole house has been child proofed. Maybe we can help." Brady remarked from his spot leaning against the counter and Mimi standing off to the side.
"Yeah Belle just tell us what happened."
"Okay," she sighed. "I will but I don't know where to start any other then to tell you this except to come out and say it. So I'll just say it," she took a deep breath. "JT is our brother, our biological brother" She looked up and saw no real change in Brady's facial expression. "You already knew didn't you?" Brady didn't respond. "Answer me, Brady did you know?"
Brady looked at Mimi and she gave him a 'you know you better answer look.' So he did what he had to do. "Yes, I knew. We both did." Belle glanced at Mimi.
"Belle, I couldn't say anything. You know that if I could have I would have told you that. But, I couldn't. We all decided that if you and Shawn didn't know it would be better."
"All, who is this all? Where do you guys get the right to decide if Shawn and I should know about JT? It's not your right. You had no business deciding it for me."
"Belle calm down." Brady said but she interrupted him.
"No I won't calm down. If you all weren't concerned about trying to protect us than he wouldn't have left me."
"What!" Mimi exclaimed.
"Because of you were keeping secrets Shawn left me, I don't know where he is and I blame you guys for this. You've destroyed my family." Belle walked over, picked up Ian and left the kitchen in a hurry leaving Brady and Mimi in a deafening silence.
Neither Brady nor Mimi knew what to say. "So tell me Brady how are we supposed to fix this?" Mimi asked him. Brady shrugged his shoulders and hugged his wife.
"I don't know. I just don't know."
Philip and Shawn were at the Kiriakis Manor discussing Philip's planned trip.
"I didn't know you were going out of town." Shawn said as he drank his coffee.
"Yeah well I just found out about it myself." Philip eyed Shawn cautiously unable to believe that noting was wrong. "So what happened last night? What did you have a fight with Belle or something?"
"Philip I don't really feel like talking about it." Shawn answered.
"Shawn, just tell me what happened you know I'm going to find out anyway. Look whatever it is maybe I can help."
"Philip you can't help. This is something I need to deal with on my own. Besides, it doesn't really concern you. Nothing that you need to worry about. Believe me." Shawn sat at the table looking as if he might jet any minute.
"Shawn, I'm family. Anything that concerns you concerns me. Man, you should know that by now considering our past history and all. Seriously, you can tell me, I want to know. What is it Shawn? What's going on?"
"Fine, you want to know, I'll tell you what's bothering me. My brother is not only mine. He's Belle's too. JT is Belle's biological brother because John is his father. And Belle knew this but, you know what she said nothing. She didn't even tell me." Shawn said completely shocking Philip. He hadn't expected Shawn to say that. "She knew and she never said a word to me."
"Shawn I don't know what to say. Are you sure, man? Maybe you misheard?" Philip asked hopefully.
"No, I heard it from my own mother, only she didn't know that I was there. It doesn't matter how I found out. The point is that I heard it and the first thing I did was go home to tell my wife to find that she already knew."
"Look, I'm sure once you've had sometime both you and Belle will be fine. But, until then you are welcome to stay here while I'm gone." Shawn nodded in response.
"So, where are you going? I don't remember hearing anything about this trip at our meeting?" Shawn asked carefully switching the subject off of him not unnoticed by Philip.
"It's not business. It's personal. I just told Chloe it was business so she wouldn't ask any questions."
"It's about Jarod isn't it? You are going to find something out about him and you don't want Chloe to find out." Philip didn't answer but Shawn knew it was true. "Well where are you going?"
"I'm going to Italy. But, you can't tell Chloe. She can't know; at least not until I get back. So you have to promise me you won't say anything to her, Shawn. Promise me." Philip said to Shawn waiting for his promise agreement.
"So the investigator found something then." Philip nodded slightly. "And you want to check it out before you tell her." Again Philip nodded. "Look I won't say anything to Chloe."
"Good, thanks man."
"Because I'm going with you." Shawn said after thinking for a few minutes.
"Shawn you can't go with me. Now, is not the time for you to run away from your family problems. And you know you can't leave Belle. Not like this." Philip said knowing he had to try to talk Shawn out of leaving with him.
Shawn pushed a hand thru his hair irately. "Look Phillip I am not running from my problems with Belle. I know that I need to talk to her about this. But, I am not ready yet. I need time I need to get away. Just for a while. That's all. Besides, you know you can't do this alone. You need my help, you know you do." His hand moved from his hair to back on the table. He looked into Philip's eyes pleading for them to understand.
"Fine, look Shawn I won't tell you what to do. It's your choice, your decision. But, I am going to Italy and I am going to find out if Jarod is my son."
"You're right this is my decision and I've made it. So when are we going to leave?"
"Right after I make a phone call. Probably around two." Philip responded.
"Alright then, I'll be back. I have something I need to do." Shawn said getting up from the table. He walked out of the dining room just as Philip picked up his cell phone to dial a number.
"Look Brady, Mimi I think I just need some time to myself. Besides I just … I need to come to some conclusions on my own. And as much as I love you guys. Your being here isn't helping me." Belle said to her brother and sister-in-law, now composed and holding her son. "Besides, don't you need to go to work or something?"
"Belle," Mimi started to say as Brady's cell phone rang. Mimi looked at her husband crossly as he answered it.
"Meems it's probably work, I have to answer it." He walked off to the side and answered the phone.
"As I was saying, Belle we don't consider being here for you a problem. Plus, I think we should talk about this." Brady walked back over to them closing his cell phone. Mimi just looked at him.
"Hey, that was work, I jave to go. You gonna be okay Tink?" Brady nodded to his sister.
"And since when does work become more important then this?" Mimi asked Brady as she crossed her arms over her chest.
"Mimi, it's okay. I'll be fine Brady. Go ahead and leave." Belle said soothing Ian's blonde hair while he grasped the necklace around her neck and played with the penchant on the end of it.
"Alright then I'll take off. I'll only be a little while. See you at home." He leaned down and kissed Mimi on the mouth. Then he left the house the door slamming in his wake.
"I wonder where he ran off to." Mimi said aloud watching his departing back.