Kate couldn't believe she had acted without though when she threw the tsculpture, hell normally she'd yell at Malcolm to deal with the spiders and evacuate the house until he told the spider was taken care of. Even then never in her mind would she just peg a sculpture at a window, it just made no sense to her but then she hadn't exactly been calm and relaxed to make sound decisions.
"Kate" Malcolm said softly. Kate kept her head down shaking it, she didn't want him letting her off the hook as he always did. She needed to just process what happened and learn from it. She also needed a moment to compose herself.
"I just need a minute" Kate said to Malcolm, she listened as he took her to her word and moved to Caleb's cot lifting the crying baby up into his arms and started to soothe him. After a couple of minutes Caleb's cries softened into snuffles as the boy calmed down. Kate lifted her head and looked at Malcolm and her son. The sight calmed and comforted her. Caleb's tears pained her as she felt responsible for them, if she hadn't been so riled up she wouldn't have upset Caleb.
"I'm so sorry" Kate said to him, Malcolm who was pacing slowly with Caleb on his shoulder.
"About what?" He asked confused. Kate got to her feet and shook her head not sure where to start. Her mind and emotions were scattered and messy, she felt stressed and jittery.
"Everything, I was going to cook breakfast and surprise you with breakfast in bed. Then Taylor showed up. I thought he was going to apologise for leaving the twins with me. That maybe he'd want to hold Caleb and – whatever it doesn't matter" She said she pressed a hand to her forehead and took a deep breath to calm herself.
Malcolm knew why she was upset, Taylor had obviously pushed her buttons which was something everyone had been carefully avoiding for the last fortnight in the hopes of keeping Kate in a pleasant mental state. Kate was having mood swings which were normal as her body was recovering and hormones from the pregnancy were settling down. But all their hard work was for naught as Taylor came around and in 5 minutes flat not only upset Kate but manage to make her lose her cool and damage a window.
"It does and it's ok to be upset" Malcolm told her, he didn't want her to bottle up her emotions, even if it resulted in some expensive repairs. It was just a shame she hadn't destroyed the sculpture as he was happy to lose it. He also knew Kate was upset because she looked to Taylor like the father she never had and for him to come and see her for a visit since Caleb's birth to acknowledge their son and share in their joy. Well, it had hurt her and whatever happened between them now only compounded that disappointment and hurt.
"No, I am angry, I was so overwhelmed and angry I had to put Caleb down because I was afraid I was going to hurt him! what kind of mother am I going to be if I can't control myself or even my own body" Kate said as she tugged on her stained t-shirt. She moved to the kitchen and started pulling out the makings for breakfast as she had to keep moving. She felt herself getting angry again and needed to be productive.
"Kate, we're in an adjustment period. There will be aberrations and when your body settles you'll feel better. Until then don't be so hard on yourself, you did the right thing in putting Caleb down when you felt overwhelmed. Look at him, he's fine. A few tears didn't hurt him at all" Malcolm assured her as he moved to the Kitchen with Caleb in his arms. He adjusted his hold on the baby so he was lying in his arms. "Kate look at him" he told her more firmly as she was doing anything but.
Kate stopped what she was doing and turned to him. She gave a reluctant sigh but did as he asked. She looked at Caleb's face that was a little red from crying but completely relaxed as he looked at her with wide eyes. The anger in her sapped away and a small smile played on her lips as it made her feel a little better.
"See, no harm no foul." Malcolm told her.
"Tell that to the back window" Kate said to him with a pout.
"I'll concede throwing a sculpture at a spider was a bit excessive" he said as he stifled a smile. They would laugh about it later but right now he knew it would be inappropriate. "You want to hold him?" Malcolm asked. Kate shook her head.
"No, I'm too unsettled. I'll just upset him again. I should go get changed" Kate told him and she moved to bedroom. Malcolm nodded and moved to Caleb's crib placing him down so the boy could snooze. Before he followed Kate into the bedroom. He watched as she pulled off the T-shirt and singlet top she had been wearing and pulled on a clean set with a sigh, her shoulders sagged. He moved up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her tight against him.
"You're going to be ok" he told her.
"I know, I just wish I was holding myself a bit better. Like you" She said as she relaxed against him soaking up his strength and emotional stability as he was the only thing keeping her completely grounded.
"Well I have the luxury of not being a woman" he teased, Kate chuckled.
"So you quit your job" Malcolm said in a low voice by her ear. He knew it wasn't the safest of topics but felt it needed to be discussed.
"Don't sound so pleased. I quit because Taylor was pressuring me into interrogating Alicia first as a friend and then apparently it was my job. All because she won't talk to him and he figured I have no intergrity that I'd just follow orders. I don't want to know what happened with Lucas and if Alicia wanted to talk I would not tell Taylor. I refuse to be drawn into that mess" Kate said with a sigh. Malcolm kissed the side of her neck before turned her around in his arms so she was facing him. He looked at her with empathy.
"For the record. I'm not pleased that you're upset but I'm a little pleased that I won't have to worry about you going back to work and being injured or worse" Malcolm told her. Kate placed her hands on his chest, she looked disappointed but he knew it was not in him but of herself. It made him want to give Taylor a piece of his mind as he hated seeing Kate down on herself when she didn't need to be.
"You know you'll have to bring home the bacon as I have no desire to go back into construction work" Kate told him as she tugged on the front of his shirt.
"Not an issue, with my income we could have a family of six and still be incredibly comfortable" He assured her.
"We're not having four children" Kate told him flat out as she made eye contact with him.
"Not today" Malcolm teased, it earned him a smile as Kate shook her head at him.
"Yeah keep dreaming" Kate told him with a chuckle.
"I will just for two more kids. How about we get some breakfast" he suggested.
Later that morning,
"Alicia, come on in. Kate's just having a shower" Malcolm said as he was holding a bundled up Caleb in one arm the door open with the other. Alicia smiled at the warm greeting it was one of the many reasons she liked visiting Kate's place. She felt welcome unlike at her place.
Taylor had left early before breakfast and come back in a royal had tried to reach out to him, to talk about whatever got him in a mood but he just bit her head off and then played nice with the twins. So instead of being his target to vent his anger she told him she had a doctor's appointment and asked him to look after the twins. He accepted the half lie and she changed into grey skinny cargos, a black lightweight long cardigan and white v-neck tshirt with a pocket before she left the house. She dropped by the infirmary for a check up and when that was finished she came straight to Kate and Malcolm's place.
"You know you don't have to carry him everywhere" Alicia teased Malcolm as every time she had visited them or vice versa majority of the time Caleb was being held. It was almost like the two were afraid Caleb might disappear but then she was the same with the twins for the first few weeks. As if it was all a dream.
"I know but I can't help myself" Malcolm said with a chuckle as he closed the door behind Alicia.
"I know the feeling. May I?" Alicia asked gesturing to Caleb.
"Of course" Malcolm said, Alicia lifted the baby boy from Malcolm's arms into hers and smiled down at Caleb who stared at her as if memorising every feature of her face.
"Hello handsome" Alicia cooed as she held the baby in her arms.
"Evan dropped by earlier, he said the meeting with Taylor yesterday was distinctly uncomfortable. He isn't exactly coping well with Lucas's death" Malcolm commented in a polite manner. He could only imagine what Alicia's life was like living with Taylor but he gave her kudos for sticking it out.
"No, which is why I decided to give him some time alone with the twins will help ease some of the pain for just a little while. They are all smiles and wanting love" Alicia said as she softly smiled at little Caleb in her arms.
"Well I know it helps me to come home to Caleb and Kate" Malcolm said with a smile.
"Malcolm, what happened to the back window?" Alicia asked as she noticed the damaged window.
"Oh Kate killed a huntsman, the window was collateral damage. Carter will be dropping by to give us a quote and a time frame for repairs at some point today" Malcolm said as he moved into the kitchen and made himself a cup of coffee. He offered a cup to Alicia but she declined with a shake of her head.
"What did she kill it with?" Alicia asked in slight amusement.
"that ugly rock sculpture Boylan gave us" Malcolm answered, the door to the bathroom opened and Kate came out dressed in loose cotton yoga pants and what looked to be one of Malcolm's button down shirts with her long hair tied back into a bun.
"Alicia" Kate said with a smile. Alicia could see for her morning issues with a spider Kate was doing well.
"Hey, how you feeling?" Alicia asked with a amused smile. Kate looked at the back window and rolled her eyes as if it was mocking her.
"Like I should be locked up in a sanatorium, aren't we doing our daily thing in an hour with the brood?" Kate asked Alicia, Alicia could see Kate was a little thrown off and probably wondering if she had forgotten something as they had been keeping a pretty consistent schedule.
"Taylor wanted some time with the twins" Alicia said with a smile as she adjusted her hold on Caleb. The baby was making the most precious of noises
"Fair enough" Kate said as she moved to the kitchen and gave Malcolm a quick kiss.
"Would you ladies like some tea?" Malcolm asked.
"Yes, please" Kate said, Malcolm got to work in the kitchen and Kate gestured for Alicia to follow her to the lounge. They both sat down and Alicia turned sideways on the lounge so she could look at Kate.
"So really how are you feeling?" Alicia asked Kate.
"Fine, the window was an aberration. I just wasn't thinking" Kate said with a dismissive wave of the hand. Alicia knew there was more to the window more than it being an aberration but decided to save the conversation for later. Kate smiled as Malcolm came over and placed a tea tray on the coffee table.
"If you two don't mind I will duck out for work but I'll be back at lunch" Malcolm told them.
"Ok, I'll see you out" Kate said jumping up from her seat. She followed him to the door and Alicia pretended that she didn't hear Kate proposition her husband with sexual favours and him reminded her that it would have to wait 4 more weeks. This followed by their exchange of 'I love you' and a kiss. The two were definitely making Alicia envious as she missed those moments of her marriage.
"I really hate how I have no control over my body and emotions" Kate said when she returned a few moments later.
"The first couple of weeks with a newborn can get a little crazy" Alicia said.
"Yeah no kidding. Look, we need to talk" Kate said in a serious tone.
"Ok" Alicia said as she placed Caleb on the lounge between them as her arms needed a break.
"Taylor came over this morning and riled me up something fierce" Kate told her, she leaned over Caleb and unswaddled him from his blanket to give him some freedom to move around.
"So there was no spider?" Alicia asked cautiously as she now knew why Taylor was in a foul mood. She now wasn't sure she wanted to know the rest of the story.
"Oh no there was a spider and I nailed it with that sculpture." Kate said with a wry smile. She sat up and looked at her. "But you should know Taylor wants to know what happened with Lucas and he asked me to pry it from you. I refused to, he pushed it as it's his nature and obviously it didn't go down well as I'm a crazy hormonal woman" She said gesturing to the window.
"I'm so sorry, Kate. He shouldn't have asked that of you" Alicia told her.
"I know and I appreciate the apology but it's not your fault. I also understand you wanting to forget what happened that day and move on but Taylor's not going to let it go" Kate told her, she purposefully left out a huge chunk of her conversation with Taylor as she didn't want to be involved and she felt wrong criticising Taylor too much.
"Taylor believes I murdered Lucas, no matter what I say he'll twist my words to suit the narrative in his head" Alicia said after a moment of silence passed between them.
"I would have killed Lucas" Kate told her frankly. Alicia looked down at Caleb and grew morose as she felt burdened by what she knew. She looked at Kate and knew that she was the only person she could talk to who wouldn't judge her.
"I did" Alicia said admitting the truth. If there was the slightest chance they could work it out, she knew telling Taylor that fact would kill it completely. Kate placed a hand on Alicia's knee in a gesture of comfort.
"You had extenuating circumstances, I meant I would have killed him on sight. Hell, I should of killed him. Anyway I know you and Taylor both kept giving him opportunities to change and he didn't want them-" Kate started but Alicia shook her head as Kate misunderstood her.
"No, you don't understand. I thought I was going to die and I didn't want him to survive me. I didn't want him alive to hurt my girls. I could have knocked him unconscious with a blast from the pistol but I turned up the setting and murdered him which is why I can't ever tell Taylor. If he knew the truth he would hate me, our marriage would be over" Alicia told her, hot tears stung her eyes but she refused to cry.
"Obviously why you've remained quiet, if you don't talk you're technically not lying to him" Kate said thoughtfully. Alicia nodded.
"Lying through omission. So you going to tell anyone? I mean as Deputy you have to- what?" Alicia asked her as Kate started to laugh and shake her head.
"I quit my job, I don't have to tell anyone squat. Anyway you're my closest friend, so what you tell me I take to the grave unless it's something stupid like how you have come to the realisation that you do have really weird looking toes because I think people need to know that" Kate told her, injecting some levity into the subject. Alicia laughed and shook her head at Kate but grateful for the laugh.
"Well I think my toes are perfectly normal" Alicia informed her, shaking her head as she picked Caleb up into her arms. She couldn't help but enjoy holding the baby boy and it distracted her from thinking too deeply about her own problems.
"That is a matter of opinion" Kate told her with a teasing smile.
"Kate-" Alicia started she wanted to broach the subject of what Taylor had said to her and more importantly why she had quit her job but a knock at the door sounded.
"Oh that's Carter" Kate said, she hopped off the lounge and headed to the door. Alicia watched as Kate reached the door and opened it for Carter.
"Hey Beautiful" Carter said with a smile to Kate.
"Carter" Kate said with equal warmth, Alicia watched in surprise as the next thing she knew Kate sucker punched Carter hard in the stomach. The man groaned in pain and doubled over clutching his stomach. "Don't 'Hey beautiful' me." Kate told him. Alicia tried to not laugh.
"You're lucky Alicia and my godchildren are alive otherwise I would have to make your life incredibly miserable" Kate told Carter as she moved to the freezer and pulled out an ice pack. She tossed it to Carter who was leaning against the door frame trying to recover his composure. He caught the bag and winced as he tried to straighten up.
"You punch like a 200 pound biker" Carter wheezed in disbelief as he had been under the illusion that women usually softened up in their pregnancy and didn't have much strength. He was nearly in tears from the pain as he straightened up and walked into the house.
"What? You think because I had a baby that I'd go all soft and mushy to beat you to a pulp because I can do it, I have enough crazy hormones rolling in me to pull it off" Kate said as she moved to close the front door.
"I don't doubt that considering the state of the back window. I didn't take you for a woman who went into hysterics, should I be concerned with Malcolm's health?" Carter teased but when he looked to Kate, he could of sworn he saw fire and brimstone in her eyes and he really didn't want to think about where her next hit would go. In fact he decided it was safer to put some distance between them and quickly moved into the kitchen area putting the island bench between them.
"Actually forget I said anything. In fact, I'm sorry for everything I played a part in and everything I didn't. A blanket apology if you will" Carter said as he held his hands up in surrender. Caleb gave a small cry that Kate recognised as an 'I'm hungry' cry.
"You're lucky" Kate said narrowing her eyes at Carter as she turned away from him and moved to Alicia who passed Caleb to her. Kate lifted her boy up to her chest and rubbed his back in a soothing manner. "Hungry aren't you?" she said to Caleb who had settled for a moment now he knew his meal wasn't far away. "Well Mummy can beat Carter's ass another time." Kate said speaking to Caleb in a light and happy tone she looked to Carter with a dark glare.
Carter moved around the kitchen island as Kate walked past and into the bedroom. Kate closed the door and Carter looked to Alicia who was struggling not to laugh.
"Get it out of your system" Carter told her as he pressed the ice bag to where Kate had punched him. Alicia laughed at him as she watched his pain but it wasn't that he was hurt but because Kate had got him good. After a few minutes he frowned at her. "Geez, it's not that funny" he told her.
"Oh but it is" She assured him as she couldn't help but find it hilarious.
"I may be bleeding internally and you think it's funny? Well I guess better my guts than my boys." he said as he grimaced in pain.
"You know I didn't think Sixers apologised for anything let alone a 'blanket' apology" Alicia said with a grin, she couldn't help but take some satisfaction from Carter's pain.
"I'm growing up, which apparently has its own set of pains and problems" he said as he exhaled slowly and leaned over the bench.
"You deserved it" Alicia told him.
"Yeah, but I had no clue of how insanely strong Kate is." Carter said tilting his head in the direction of the main bedroom.
"It's been a bad morning" Alicia told him.
"Yeah I got that" he said as he pushed off the bench and decided to do his job quickly and escape before Kate came back and remember that she wanted to kick his ass.
"Also I'd appreciate it if you don't mention her little aberration" Alicia said casually.
"Aberraton?" Carter scoffed he moved to the window and looked at the splintered glass. He picked an errant spider leg from that had stuck to the glass. "You know I thought when Malcolm called the spider story was a cover up but it's real" He commented with a wry smile.
"I hate spiders" Kate said, Carter noticeably flinch and she couldn't help but smile as she adjusted Caleb in her arms under the light cotton nursing cover.
"Are you breastfeeding?" Carter asked her, his face scrunched in slight disgust but she didn't take offence as she knew he was against children of all sizes.
"Yes and I'm covered up, so stop being such a prude." Kate told him, shaking her head at him but the smile not leaving her lips as Carter was distinctly uncomfortable.
"Ok, well the glass will need replacing due to the orders. It could be take a month" Carter said scratching his chin as he looked at the glass with his back to Kate and Alicia.
"But Carter will do it in two days" Alicia said from behind him, Carter looked over his shoulder to Alicia who wore a 'go ahead and challenge me' look on her face.
"Right, two days. Is that alright with you?" Carter asked Kate, he watched Kate carefully and knew he'd done right as Kate looked relaxed and satisfied with the question and silently thanked Alicia for saving him from the wrath of Kate.
"Yeah, that would be great" Kate said. Carter turned back to the window and took quick measurements.
"Ok, done. I'll leave you two to whatever you do" Carter said as if he was interrupting 'secret' women's business. He also wanted to leave before he upset Kate. She might be holding her son but she still had two fully functioning legs. He could just imagine the story of how Kate multitasked breastfeeding with ass-kicking. Something he didn't want his name attached to.
"I'll see you out Carter" Alicia told him as she gestured to the door.
"You're not going to unman me or anything?" Carter asked as they walked to the door.
"No, I'll save that for the next time you visit" Alicia said in a dry tone.
"You two scare me" he told them before he left. Alicia closed the door on him without so much as a goodbye.
"You ok?" Alicia asked Kate as she moved into the kitchen to get some food and water. Caleb reappeared from under the cotton blanket and Kate's top. Kate held him upright and proceeded to rub his back gently to burp him.
"Yeah actually punching Carter felt rather cathartic though can we not tell Malcolm about that?" Kate asked.
"My lips are sealed. So what exactly did Taylor say to you?" Alicia asked as she brought over a plate of fruit and a jug of water to the coffee table.
"It's between me and him. Anyway I'm more upset at him not acknowledging Caleb than I am about what he said" Kate said as she gave a sad smile. "It was like as far as Taylor concerned Caleb didn't even exist even though he was crying and I had vomit trailing down my arm." Kate said exasperated. She gave a flustered breath as emotions rolled in her. She looked over her shoulder at Caleb to make sure she wasn't repeating history again. But Caleb was fine and she felt herself relax.
"It's my fault" Alicia said.
"Will you stop. It's not your fault and anyway I'm just being ridiculous. I'm not special, I don't need to be patted on the back for having a kid. I just kind of expected him to be like everyone else. You know, full of compliments and smiles" Kate said with a shrug.
"I do" Alicia said, her comm. unit beeped and she pulled it out of her back pocket. The timer she had set on her comm. was beeping announcing it was time for her to head home as Taylor would need to go to work. "I have to go, I'm back on duty with the twins" Alicia said.
"You can bring them over if you want" Kate said to her.
"I will in the afternoon as I think you and Malcolm should have some 'family' alone time" Alicia told her as she got up from the lounge.
"Ok, I'll see you later" Kate said.
Alicia had been on her way to the front door when she stopped at the open window at the kitchen. She had stopped because she heard Malcolm's voice and he was angry, she peeked through the slats as saw Taylor was standing in the living room with his arms crossed as Malcolm continued to talk with emphatic hand gestures looking as angry as he sounded.
"- It's entirely reprehensible! First you send her into a tailspin when abandon your children into her care and disappeared into the jungle for days then you come and don't even offer a thank you or any words of kindness to Kate or any of us-"
She listened in shock as Malcolm continued to tell Taylor how he felt about Taylor coming into their home and not even apologising to Kate for when he dumped the twins in her care when she had just given birth to Caleb only 48 hours previous then promising to return in the afternoon only to arrive four days later. It was news to Alicia, she sunk down against the wall and continued to listen as Malcolm gave Taylor a piece of his mind about what happened that morning.
Alicia's mind was reeling as no one had told her, not even Kate and now it made sense to her why Kate was so upset because Taylor had blatantly disregarded her condition and pushed his agenda first. Anger unfurled in her as she couldn't believe he had abandoned their daughters, abandoned her and everyone had covered it up for him. No, she could believe everyone covering it up but probably out of sympathy for Taylor and his loss. But still, he had abandoned her and the twins to bury Lucas.
She felt angry and cold at how she and their children ranked in his life. It was enough for her to rise to her feet and move to the front door. She punched in the access code and opening it.
"After everything she had done for you, you couldn't muster up an apology or polite conversatio-" Malcolm stopped talking and his mouth closed in an instant at her appearance and Taylor turned to look at her. He looked annoyed at having Malcolm talk his ear off as if the man's complaints and anger were a frivolous matter, an annoyance to endure and nothing more.
"Please don't stop on my account" Alicia said to Malcolm.
"No, I can see I'm wasting my time" Malcolm said shaking his head. He looked to Taylor "Commander, next time you wish to enter my home you come with an apology and better manner. It's the least Kate and I deserve after everything" Malcolm said to Taylor. Alicia moved out of the doorway so Malcolm could leave.
"I'll be by this afternoon with the twins" Alicia told Malcolm before he stepped out of the house.
"I'll see you then" Malcolm said and then he left. Alicia waited a few moments to pass before she turned her attention to Taylor, she stepped into the house and closed the door behind her.
"I guess you want your pound of flesh now?" Taylor asked.
"What's the point? we could tear at one another for years and not get anywhere" Alicia said as she moved to the kitchen. She was giving up before the battle as she was tired of feeling miserable, tired of feeling like the lowest ranking person in the room. She already convinced herself that she wasn't going to win any argument with him nor would she get preferential treatment.
"Not even going to get angry" Taylor said.
"Oh I'm angry but like I said what's the point? You know what I want? I want our life to be what it was before the festival. I want us to put everything behind us and move on" Alicia told him as she moved into the kitchen and busied herself with making a fresh pot of coffee.
"I can't do that until I know what I'm putting behind me" Taylor said, Alicia stopped for a moment and sighed as she couldn't believe the first real conversation they were going to have would be an argument. She turned to face him and folded her arms across her chest.
"If I can put the fact that you abandoned me and our children when we needed you behind me. Then you should be able to stomach never knowing exactly what happened that day between Lucas and I" Alicia told him.
"I didn't abandon you" He said in a low and serious voice.
"I woke up alone, our children were being taken care of by our friends unbeknownst to me. You left the twins with Kate when we promised to give her and Malcolm space to bond with their son-" Alicia started but Taylor cut her off.
"I needed to bury my child" Taylor told her, she could hear the desperation and the grief in his tone but ignored it as she felt he had crossed too many lines. She also needed him to feel as guilty as she did so then they would be even. It was petty but it was how she felt.
"You could have waited until I was up and about or given our children over Elisabeth and Jim." Alicia told him.
"They were needed by the colony" Taylor said.
"Bull, you left the twins with Kate to use her weakened state as a diversionary tactic" Alicia told him.
"I didn't do that but I admit I wasn't in the best state of mind" he told her.
"Like today?"
"That was different"
"Of course, so you asked Kate our closest friend to talk with me about your son."
"You need to process what happened instead of bottling it up"
"And having her tell you the details is just a necessary byproduct of the process?"
"Not exactly, but how am I supposed to know how you are if you won't talk to me?"
"Why is it so important to you that I talk about it?"
"Because I don't want you twisted out of shape like Kate. She threw a sculpture at her back window to kill a spider for christ's sake"
"She is exhausted and hormonal. She is nursing a newborn and barely sleeping as she and Malcolm don't have the luxury of round the clock medical staff to look after their son when they need more than a 3 hour block of sleep. It's why when people visit they offer to help with cooking food or holding Caleb to give them a rest. You know like how Kate came round here to help us? It wasn't that long ago" Alicia said.
"I remember but don't see how it's excuses her lack of control or how it's relevant" Taylor said. Alicia gave an aggravated sigh.
"Ok you want relevancy? I don't want to talk about what happened because I have bruised pride and I'm also tired of talking about your son and what he has done to me, this colony and anyone else who fell victim to him. I'm tired of hearing you villify yourself over his actions as if it was you who committed the atrocities. We all have our crimes, unspeakable things we have done during our careers in the name of our country. But we own them, what Lucas did, he did himself and they are not your crimes to own" Alicia told him. He gave her a scathing look as he always did when he was angry and felt like he wasn't being heard or understood.
"I was responsible for him and his actions are a reflection of my parenting skills. I can just imagine what our daughter-" Taylor's words were cut off as Alicia had slapped his face. He looked at her stunned that she had slapped him.
"Don't you dare talk of our children in such a scathing tone. They need you and they are lucky to have you as a father. You may not have realised it but you are different parent today than you were with Lucas, you live a different lifestyle now. I wish you could see that instead of focussing on all the wrong things" Alicia told him.
"What about you?" Taylor asked, he ached to hold her and wipe the tears away from her face but for some unknown reason he held back. Alicia gave a half shrug and shook her head.
"What about me? I'm not the priority here, I never have been" Alicia told him, tears slipped down her face on their own accord.
"Is that what you think?" Taylor asked her in a low voice, hurt that she felt that way but also stung by her honesty and the truth of her words. He had been prioritising the Colony and what happened to Lucas before her. But he was maddened by her reluctance to be open with him. The realisations of his own actions of late sinking in.
"What do you think?" Alicia asked as his comm. unit beeped to life alerting him that he had a message. He cursed under his breath and pulled it out of his pocket. He read the message. He was needed for an emergency.
"We're not finished here" Taylor told her and Alicia knew immediately he was leaving her to tend to some crisis in the Colony. He reached out to cup her face to assure her but she stepped away from him. He didn't blame her considering how he had been keeping her at arm's length.
"Of course not" Alicia told him. She wiped the tears from her face. "I need to go check on the twins" she said, she moved past him and disappeared into the nursery closing the door behind her. Taylor looked at the door but was not sure of what he should do or say. He needed time to digest his own thoughts, so instead of following her and ignoring the Colony concerns and left the house.
Alicia heard the front door close. Tears ran down her face as she felt his departure spoke volumes. She wished for once he'd fight for her, give her priority over the colony and finish their argument. Just once be comforted for what happened, Alicia looked down at Ella and Ava who were awake and looking up at her. She took a shaky breath trying to her best to smile, when Ella blew raspberry noises at her and then continued as Ava joined in.
Alicia couldn't help but laugh, the smile came easier to her lips and she wiped the tears from her eyes. She leaned down and responded by blowing raspberries on each of their tiny tummies making them giggle in return. "Ok, we are going to get you two back into your day clothes and off to Aunty Kate's house with me. You two can blow raspberries at her and Caleb" She told them in a cheerful tone as she refused to drag them into the mess she and Taylor were in.
TBC- WOW! Thank you for all the reviews! Yay over 100! Ok Cya all soon!