Chapter 23:
6 Months Later
Spencer's POV:
It's been 6 months since Georgia moved in with us. Aria and Hanna are doing great with their baby's. Allison and Emily moved back to rosewood about 3 months ago, they didn't like it in New-York. At the moment, the kids are at school. I'm at work with Hanna and Helen.
Helen: My husband just texted me, he needs me at home.
Hanna: Go, family is more important
Helen: Thanks.
Helen hugs us and then leaves.
Hanna: So how's Georgia?
Spencer: She's good.
Hanna: And Isabella and Mason?
Spencer: Same, they're good.
I get up to check something, when my phone rings.
Toby: Hey Spencer.
Spencer: Toby, aren't you on duty?
Toby: Yeah, forget about that. So you know how the kids break up for summer in three weeks?
Spencer: Yeah?
Toby: I was wondering if you would like to go on holiday to Australia?
Spencer: Australia? How are we going to afford it?
Toby: I know we will.
Spencer: Um, ok? The kids will love it!
Toby: Ok, I'll book the tickets later tonight. I love you.
Spencer: I love you to.
Toby's POV:
I end the call and then sign out of work. I'm leaving early because Tanner said I could. I get home and about 4 hours later, Georgia, Mason, Isabella and Spencer walk through the door.
Spencer: Georgia, I'm very disappointed in you. I'm grounding you for 3 days. It also means that I need you to hand over your phone.
Georgia: Fine.
Georgia hands her phone to Spencer and then runs upstairs.
Isabella and Mason go outside and play.
Toby: What did Georgia do so wrong to get grounded?
Spencer: She got detention, for not doing her homework and being highly disruptive in class.
Toby: She's probably still missing her mom.
Spencer: Probably, but it's no excuse.
Toby: Hmm. I'm gonna book the tickets now.
Spencer: Ok.
I spend about two hours talking with the travel agents and sorting out the holiday and things like that.
Spencer: Georgia, Isabella, Mason! Dinners ready.
The kids come down and we all it at the table.
Spencer: Georgia, would you like to talk about your day, the good bits?
I don't get a reply.
Spencer: Georgia-
Toby: Georgia, your aunt is speaking to you. Whenever someone is speaking to you, it is rude to ignore them. Answer her!
Georgia: Don't you guys get it?
Spencer: Get what?
Georgia: It doesn't matter.
Spencer's POV:
Toby: Yes it does!
Georgia: Fine, you wanna know?
Toby/Spencer: Yes!
Georgia: Ok. When my mom died, I was so confused, as anyone would be. I couldn't sleep, I wouldn't eat. I had no idea who you were, I was scared to come to rosewood, away from where I grew up. When my dad left when I was four, it killed me inside. I wish I could stay with him now, but he doesn't want me. I still have nightmares of when I was told that my mom died? I don't think you would understand because she wasn't your mom was she? Your mom is still alive, mine isn't. The reason why I ended up in the hospital, was because if have been bullied since I started at the school. For the way I look, for the way I dress and for so many more things. I'm tired of not being able to tell the truth, having to tell them I'm adopted. I dint want people to tease me because of my dead mom! Don't you dare tell me that you understand because I know you don't. As much as I love being around my family, aunts, uncles, cousins, all it reminds me of is my mom. I miss her more and more everyday and I don't know how to deal with it. I can't concert rate on my school work and homework because it reminds me of mom, when she'd help me. Did no one tell you i am partially dyslexic? No, I didn't think so. So don't pretend that you know everything is ok, because it isn't. I'm not ok and I never will be.
Georgia is crying badly.
Spencer: If that's how you feel then we can help you. We can help you with your dyslexia. We can help you to feel better about yourself.
Georgia: I know. And I am so grateful that you took me in when I could have gone into care, but I think I would be better if with Grandma and Grandpa.
Spencer: If that's what you want.
Georgia: Look I'm sorry. I just miss my mom. I should be over it by now.
I get up and hug Georgia.
Spencer: No you shouldn't. To get over the death of someone you love, especially a parent, takes years. And I know I don't understand, but I sort of do from my friend Aria, she lost her dad to a house fire. She still isn't over it, but she gets on with life everyday as it comes to her, but she still thinks about him.
Georgia: I know. I'm sorry.
Spencer: Don't be.
Toby's POV:
After dinner, Georgia goes upstairs and Spencer follows her. A few hours later, everyone is fast asleep. Me and Spencer decided to take Georgia's stuff round after they have confirmed that she can stay. We wake up the next day. Instead of me taking the kids to school, Spencer does because she has and earlier start.
Spencer: I'll see you later.
Toby: Ok. I love you.
Spencer: I love you to.
I give my wife a peck on the lips and then get out of bed to have a shower. When I get out, a sudden feeling of sickness washes over me. I throw up in the toilet and then sit down on my bed. I put some everyday clothes on and then call work and tell them that I'm sick. About 8 hours later, my wife comes home, without Georgia. I'm sleeping in the couch, but I can still sort of hear stuff.
Spencer: Kids, be quiet, you father is sleeping.
I feel Spencer come and sit on the edge of the soda. She runs her fingers through my hair and that's when I fully wake up.
Spencer: Hey, what's wrong you don't look to good?
Toby: Oh, it's nothing, is as sick this morning after my shower.
Spencer: Are you ok?
Toby: Like I said, I'm sure it's nothing.
Spencer: Ok. Anyway, my parents said that Georgia can stay with the, if she wants to. I'm gonna take her stuff over now, will you be ok with the kids?
Toby: Yeah.
Spencer: Ok, I love you.
Toby: I love you to.
Spencer goes upstairs. I close my eyes but don't actually go to sleep. I hear her tell the kids to wake me up if they need anything. Then k hear her come downstairs about 30 minutes later with all of Georgia's stuff. I hear her leave the house and then the kids come running down.
Isabella: Daddy, can I play with my play dough?
Spencer's POV:
I arrive home to fine the kids being entertained by sticking stickers all over Toby's face. I can tell he's ok with it because he isn't sleeping.
Spencer: Hey you two, what you doing?
Isabella We are making daddy look like a sticker monster!
Spencer: Well, leave him alone now. He's not very well and if you catch what he's got, you'll be in trouble.
The kids run away upstairs. Toby sits up and I sit with him. He starts to take the stickers off.
Spencer: How could you be so stupid?
Toby: What are you talking about Spencer?
Spencer: The kids were climbing all over you and you know perfectly well that your sick. If they get sick to, I swear to god, I will kill you.
Toby: What, so if the kids get sick your gonna run me over with the lawn mower, or get a mallet and hit me over the head or something drastic like that.
Spencer: How dare you!
Toby: How dare I? How dare you?
But this time, me and Spencer are standing, facing each other and shouting.
Spencer: How dare I? What have done?
Toby: Your controlling!
Spencer: I'm controlling? I'm being protective, maybe a little over the top, but that's ok, is it not?
Toby: I'm not saying-
I cut him off.
Spencer: No, it's exactly what your saying, you think I'm a control freak and I shouldn't be acting like this around my children.
Toby: You know what? Yeah, cause that's exactly what I think of my wife that I love.
Spencer: If you loved me, you wouldn't be acting like a fucking asshole!