George and Poppy, Haleys now 5 month old babies, were finally dozing off to sleep. Alex held George and Haley cradled Poppy. "I'm sorry," Haley whispered to Alex. This was the 6th night this week that Alex had to help out. "Shh," Alex cooed to George, "Again, it's okay," she whispered in response to Haley. Haley placed Poppy in the crib and Alex followed with George. The sisters silently left the basement and headed straight to the kitchen. Alex tried her best not to ask about Dylan, but the day stirred her up and she couldn't take it anymore. It was evident that Haley wanted to say something too, she poured a glass of juice for Alex and made herself herbal tea. "Haley," Alex started, she moved closer to her sister, who was sitting on the chair at the kitchen island, and gently gripped her hand. "I know," Haley interjected, "Dylan just needs a break. He's been feeling burnt out." "Really? Is that what he told you?" Alex raised an eyebrow, "Taking out the trash on his way to the club isn't exhausting," She folded her arms and rolled her eyes. "He does more than that," "Okay. What does he do that 'burns' him out so much? Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining about helping you. But my schedule is pretty hectic yet I'm the one standing beside you almost every night, taking my breaks from work to come home and still finding the time to help grandpa with the dog beds all while tutoring students at Caltech," "You help grandpa?" Haley singled out the unimportant statement and focused on it, trying to deter Alex from the inevitable. "You're right. He does nothing to help," she sighed, "I just can't do it without him." "Honestly Haley, you've been doing it without him. For 3 months. Yes, I'll admit that he was a great father for the former part of parenting, but now it's just becoming a habit."
Claire got out of bed, she yawned and put on her night gown. It was 1am but she couldn't sleep. "What are you girls doing up?" She walked into the conversation between Haley and Alex. "We couldn't sleep," Haley spoke quickly. Alex tilted her head, couldn't sleep? She'd be out like a light if she wasn't helping. The realization, that Haley hasn't told their mother about Dylans escapades, had hit her. Haleys eyes darted to Alex, trying to communicate without saying anything. Alex was silent, she took the hint. "Me neither. But you should try and get some rest," she rubbed Haleys arm and took a sip of the tea. "Yeah," Haley bid her sister and mom a goodnight and went to bed.
It was now 3am, Dylan snuck into the basement of Phil's house, trying not to awaken his wife or their sleeping babies. He removed his shoes and walked around to his side of the bed. After falling onto it, he passed out. Haley woke up, she switched on her bedside light and gave him a disapproving glance. She knew that waking him to argue would be pointless but she was angry. She got out of bed and shook him awake, "Dylan? Really?" She whispered. Dylan was too drunk to comprehend her annoyance. "Hi baby, didn't want to wake you," he slurred. Haley put a finger up to her own lips, gesturing for him to keep it down. "Don't 'Hi baby' me. Do you know what time it is?" "Hi mommy?" He said, confused as ever. Haley rolled her eyes at him. "I don't understand," he said bluntly. "You never do. Am I such a terrible wife that you have to leave all the time? And it's not even for work. You're out drinking, getting high, partying. Be a dad for once," she ran her fingers through her hair. "My parents don't even know what you're doing." "You're just upset that you can't do those things anymore. And besides, why do your parents have to know everything? They're not my parents," he flopped back onto the bed. Haley put on her night gown, grabbed the baby monitor and stormed out the basement. She walked up to Alex's room and quietly opened the door. After closing the door behind her, she removed her gown and slowly got under the sheets. "Haley?" Alex woke up. "Can I sleep here for a bit?" Haley asked. Alex mumbled a yes and they both drifted off.
Dylan woke up to the sounds of George giggling, "Shh baby. Or you'll wake daddy," Haley smiled at her son on her hip. She grabbed a bag and restocked it with a few diapers. "Morning princess," Dylan said to her. "It's noon," she kept her smile, the "annoyed but refuses to show it on her face" smile. "You're a princess any time of the day," he stood and side hugged her, kissing the top of her head. Haley wiggled her way out of his arm, "Alex," She yelled. After about a minute, Alex came to the basement. "Could you please put George in the car seat?" She asked. Alex took the bag from Haley and carried George to the car. As soon as Haley was sure that Alex was out of earshot, she began. "I'm struggling to take care of our kids and I need you to help me," she tried to remain calm. "For the past 3 months, you've been a bit," she paused, trying to think of how to say 'absent' without actually saying it. "You haven't been around much." Dylan sat on the bed and pulled Haley between his legs. "I'm sorry. I know it's meant to be just one night but I took advantage of it. I just don't think I'm cut out to be a father," he explained, now rubbing Haleys back. She put her hands on his shoulders and relaxed. "I'm going to Grandpa's cabin for two weeks," she stated. "His sisters one?" Dylan questioned. "Sort of, its his now. And before you ask, no, you're not coming along this time around. I just need some time away with my family," she knew she was being harsh, but she didn't want to be taking care of Dylan when she just needed a break. Having two kids is difficult as it is, add 'mothering' your husband to the mix and it becomes more than exhausting. "I won't make it, I've got a job interview tomorrow," he didn't quite seem to understand that it wasn't an invitation. Haley pried herself out of his grip, feeling her body tense again. This is one of the reasons she needed a break. He never listens, he never understands. Things cannot be said to him in more than one sentence at a time. He pulled her in again, this time with force. "You don't need time away from me. You need time away from the kids," he said, attempting to be seductive. Haley was now confused. "How did you not get what I said?" She asked, pushing him away again. He gripped her arm tightly, "I just need a supportive wife. Is it so hard for you to let the kids have some freedom and go with your family? You should support me at the interview," he said. "Freedom? Dylan, they're 5 months. I'm not leaving my kids to go to an interview with you." "Our kids," he said in a 'matter of fact' tone. The hold he had on her wrists got tighter. "You're hurting me," she looked down, seeing his nails piercing her skin. His other hand gripped her waist and pulled it against himself. "Are you still drunk?" She asked, only now noticing the smell of his breath. He got frustrated with her words and released his grip on her, pushing her away. Haley felt a piercing pain shoot through her spine as she fell against the bed frame. Dylan didn't seem to notice as he walked to the shower. Haley rushed to the mirror and pulled up her dress, "Okay. No harm done," she exhaled. Not like she could see much, considering the position she stood in. "Haley, honey, we're leaving," Phil yelled from the top of the stairs.
Five minutes later, Haley got into the car and was ready to leave. "Is Dylan not coming?" Alex asked. She sat in the driver's seat and turned on the radio. George was with Phil and Claire while Poppy was strapped in Alex's car. Haley shook her head, "No. He has an interview tomorrow." She tried not to make eye contact with her sister as she put on her seat belt. Alex didn't push it.
Since recently, each member of the family started having their own little issues with Dylan but never spoke about it. Except for Claire, who always spoke her mind. Dylan made a fool of himself at the Golf Club Luke worked at, he offered to help Phil with one of his biggest clients, which led to the house being flooded and one of their kids slipping. Usually Phil wouldn't be harsh, but it's not the first time he put his neck on the block for Dylan. Alex, she saw him for who he really was.
Haley tried her best to concentrate on something other than her sore wrist and spine, she even started a game of eye spy with herself. She started feeling sweaty and after rolling up her sleeves, she realized that it wasn't sweat, but blood from when Dylan dug into her. She hastily pulled down her sleeves again, hiding her wrists from Alex by crossing her arms. "Why are you squirming?" Alex glared at her, "my driving isn't as bad as yours," she added. Haley briefly smiled and said that she's beginning to hate road trips.
Alex was in her own mind. Last week, while completing a lesson on genetics, she had given her students the task of breaking down their own DNA and comparing it to others. Yesterday, As an example, she used her DNA in comparison to her parents. The results were not something she was prepared for. Phil and Claire's DNA was not a match. She had to sit through the pain of breaking down every part of it to her students. Alex always knew she was different but didn't know why or how it could be possible. Sometimes, it was not even about her brilliance that differed from her family. Since she found out, she hasn't told anyone. She talked herself into shutting it down because Phil and Claire did raise her, she is part of the family and she couldn't have chosen better parents. But it was eating her up. She could barely keep Haleys pregnancy secret, how was she supposed to keep quiet about this?
Moments later, they pulled up to the cabin. Haley got out first and carried her kids bags in, she returned to get her luggage and Poppy. "Grandpa," she was happy to see Jay, he always gave her the reassuring feeling that everytbing will be okay. She kissed Jay on the cheek and he took Poppy from her. "Hi Popsicle," he grinned from ear to ear, glad they've decided to bring the babies. Haley rushed to her designated room to change her dress. Just as she picked it up over her head, Alex opened the door, "Pop and George's toys," she rolled in a small suitcase. She immediately closed the door behind her "Haley. Oh my- are you- are you okay." She hurried to Haleys side, her jaw dropped when she saw the bruise on Haleys lower back. "What?" Haley turned to face her and then grabbed the dress she was about to put on. "You're hurt. Badly hurt. What happened?" Alex moved closer. Haley stepped further away. "No. I'm fine," Haley put on the dress. "You're terribly bruised," Alex stated. "No, you're seeing things," "Gaslighting me isn't gonna work. I'm telling mom," she held the door handle, second thinking about saying 'mom'. "Wait. No, Alex," Haley pulled her sister back. "You cannot tell anyone anything." Haley locked the door, something she should have done in the first place. Then she turned her wrist to show Alex what Dylan had done. Haley explained the events that transpired while Alex sat there dumbfounded. Alex then stood, "I'll be back." She abruptly left the room then returned with a first aid kit. She sat Haley on the chair beside the wardrobe and opened the kit, removing an alcohol swab and bandage. Alex sat cross legged on the floor and gently aided to Haleys wrist.
A million thoughts ran through Alex's mind. Even though she now knew that Haley isn't even her sister, moments like these made her emotional. A tear fell. How can Dylan do this? He used to be so... different. Her heart shattered, she was sniffling, unable to speak about how she feels. "Hey, don't cry," Haley reached forward with her other hand and wiped away Alex's tears, "I'm okay." "Haley you're not okay. Stop pretending that you're fibe with all of this. It's wrong. What he did was nasty. It's not okay. You're my sister and I love you," Alex cried out. Haley is known for not bring very bright, but she knew this was more than Dylan. She got off the chair and sat next to Alex on the floor. "What's going on with you?" She asked. She knelt her head on Alex's shoulder and hugged her from the side. "I can't tell you." Alex pulled Haley in and hugged her back. Haley felt a little discomfort on her back and she flinched. "Sorry." Alex stood. "Look, it's not an easy pill to swallow. Yesterday, I found out about something and I'm not ready to share that with you," Alex stretched out her hand for Haley to stand up. Haley understood. She was going through a lot with Dylan and didn't tell anyone, but she needed Alex to know that whatever it is, she'll support her. "When you're ready," Haley hugged her once more.