If It Weren't For You – Chapter 15

By MyNameIsCAL

-Iggy's POV-

Fang started to limp when he got down on himself like this. We had walked all around downtown before I finally got him to agree to eat somewhere. He didn't say much except for reading the menu. Even on the way home, he was silent.

"Don't let Nudge get to you," I finally said, squeezing his hand. "She'll come around. Gazzy will make it right."

"Gazzy doesn't even like me that much."

"That's not true, Fang. You're family to us. He cares about you, even though he's a little wary about you." I knew this wouldn't change any of Fang's feelings though. "Just please don't beat yourself up over this, Fang. It's not worth it. Things have been so great recently."

"I'm scared, Iggy."

"Scared? That someone will pull the rug out from under you? I won't let it happen, I promise."

He let out a breath, but said nothing more. We reached the house a few minutes later. He guided me up the steps and opened the door.

"I'll go shower when you're tucking Ava in," I told him.

"Alright, I'll set your clothes out." Fang squeezed my hand and trudged down the hall.

"How was your date?" Max asked me.

I shrugged. "I'm not sure he really relaxed like I wanted him to."

"He looks less tense," Angel assured me.

I went to the room I shared with Fang and found the clothes he set out for me. Even after I showered and dressed, Fang was still reading a story to Ava. I lay in bed, listening to his voice as it travelled down the hall and into my room. Sometime later he came in to grab his clothes before he went to shower. Then without a word, he climbed into bed and snuggled up against me.

"Did you manage to get Ava to sleep?" I asked.

"Yeah she fell asleep halfway through the book."

I started to run my fingers through his hair. "My mother used to read to me when I was little."

"Why don't you ever talk about your parents?"

It surprised me Fang never asked before. I guess I always wanted to tell him, it just never seemed like the right time to bring it up.

"I was the youngest child of three and the only male. My father was a dirty man. He hurt my sisters and my mom all the time. Except he loved me. He wanted me to carry on the family business. Sometimes I'd try to fight him and he would get angry. My mom tried to protect me by sending me to stay with Max's family sometimes. Then I started having headaches after he hit me once. Although hitting me had nothing to do with the headaches. My mom took me to the doctor and we found out my eyesight was going. My dad lost it after that." I let out a breath, trying to focus on Fang's hair instead of the images I remembered. "He killed both my sister, but my mom sacrificed herself to save me. When he realized what he had done, he turned the gun on himself."

Fang shook his head. "That's awful."

"My mother was best friends with Max's mother. Her parents took me in so I wouldn't have to get put with a family I didn't know. The rest is history." I dropped my hand.

He took a moment to respond. "I'm really sorry, Ig."

"After Max's parents died, I thought I was a curse. You know what Max said to me? That I wasn't. That I was a blessing even because I could help her take care of everyone." I let out a breath. It had been a long time since I had thought about all of this. "But then after what happened to Ari, I still wonder sometimes."

"That wasn't your fault though."

"No, I guess not." I closed my eyes, remembering the day that we arrived at the hospital and they couldn't save Ari. "Anyways, did you take your medication?"

"Yeah, Max made sure."

I kissed him on the forehead and we said goodnight. It wouldn't be long before his medication had him out cold.

Time started to fly by. Suddenly Ava had turned one, and she was walking and saying more words. It was good because she tired Fang out and kept him from thinking too much. Most of all, Fang seemed genuinely happy now. There was less limp in his step and he was finally off all of his medication.

The last traces of summer were finally disappearing as September drew to a close. Max was preparing for the annual fundraiser in Ari's name. There hadn't been one last year because of Ava.

Over the summer we had also met some of the neighbors. Most of them were welcoming. The Saunders, Our neighbors that lived across the street, had a kid Ava's age and they were the nicest to us. Even Fang didn't seem so anxious when we spent time around them.

Angel and Gazzy were coming this weekend for the fundraiser. I was trying to get meals in order. Fang was going to take me to the grocery store after he came home from taking Ava to the park.

"Hey, Max?"

There were some footsteps and then the scraping of the chair on the floor next to me. "What's up?"

"I want to ask Fang to marry me."

"Well, that's great, Iggy." She squeezed my shoulder.

I was relieved she didn't sound disappointed or something. "I mean, it's only been a year though. I don't know how he'll take it…"

"I think if you find the right time to do it, he'll say yes."

Before I could say more the front door opened and Ava came running in. Max squeezed my shoulder one last time and stood.