Lucas is depressed after a failed book launch and Riley is not having it. More Riley-centric with some Sam sprinkled in.
Ms. Davis Scott you're up next with your presentation."
Riley looked up from the cat that she was doodling on the top of her paper. Well, it startled as a doodle and really was taking up her entire worksheet now. The worksheet that she should've been using to take notes on past presentations.
"I…um, I'm not ready yet." She grumbled out, not trying to look up at the woman.
"This is the second day in a row that you tell me you're not ready. You're established day was yesterday and you weren't ready then."
"Thanks for the timeline of events Mrs. S."
"Riley this is 50% of your term grade. All sophomores have to do this. Please take it serious."
Serious? How could she take it seriously when it felt like her whole world was falling apart? Why the fuck did a presentation matter when last night she heard her dad say that he'd rather be anywhere else but home. Home where mom and Carter were. Home where Riley was.
Riley had gone downstairs to get a bottle of water. It was midnight and her parents expected both twins to be asleep, but the girl had been mindlessly scrolling TikTok til the wee hours.
It was midway down her descent of the stairs that she heard their argument in the living room.
"Lucas I get that the book flopped and how difficult that can be, but it's been two weeks of this. Of you coming down here at night to mindlessly watch tv. It's been two weeks of you hiding in the study saying you're "busy" with the fallout, but you have people who love you and miss you."
"I spent years writing this book, only for it to fail Brooke. I'm allowed to be upset!"
"I understand you're upset about the book launch. I know how hard you worked Luke. But you can't keep wallowing in self-pity. At some point it has to end."
"Oh pulhease!" He scoffed.
"Riley and Carter have both asked me if you're going to be okay. They are just as worried about you!"
"I'm sad Brooke. Okay?! I poured my heart and soul into that book."
Brooke took a step closer, reaching out to touch his arm gently. "Lucas, you're not alone. You have me, you have our kids. We love you, regardless of what happens with your book. But you have to keep going, for us and for yourself."
Lucas pulled away, his resolve crumbling with his wife's touch. "I need some air," he muttered, his voice strained with emotion as he stormed out.
"Where are you going?"
"Anywhere but here." He left Brooke with those words. Ones that struck the wife like a hot knife. He left Brooke to stare at an empty living room, and a hurt 13 year old to silently trudge back up the steps. Riley stayed up until 3 am waiting for her dad to open the front door again. He never did.
Riley had kept hearing the argument to herself, choosing not even to tell her twin. She was eager to see if her dad had made his way back but was sorely disappointed when his chair at the table was empty. Always a keen observer, Riley noticed her mother's tired eyes. Her visage less bright.
"Where's dad?" Carter was the one to ask as they sat down, "Or did he leave early for work again?"
Brooke kissed them both atop their head and placed a plate of warm toast with butter at the center of the table. Riley could see the slight frown that grazed her mom's lips.
"He left early."
Carter sighed before taking a bite of his cereal, while Riley stared her mother down with bitterness. So they were just going to lie to them about what had happened last night?
"Riley, eat something please." Brooke chided because the woman knew that she'd eat so little without the urging of her parents. But Riley did not feel up to please her mother, or her father really, so she rolled her eyes and pushed herself up from the table, "I'm not hungry." She picked up her bag, "I'll wait outside."
The confused mother looked to her son who put his hands up in feigned defeat, "I have no idea what's up with her. She woke up cranky too. Almost knocked me out when I woke her up."
Brooke sighed, feeling the weight of the family on her shoulders. Carter had been more easygoing about Lucas's rough patch. More empathetic to his father's sadness. Not Riley though. Luke's little girl did not take well to her father's aloofness the past couple of weeks. The man would often be found in his study or at work then around the family, and the mother knew it was affecting her babies. So Brooke tried to be understanding of her daughter's attitude, but the girl did not always make it easy.
"Will you be ready by Friday?" Ms. Salazar asked Riley in the present, "Friday is the last day."
"Just give me the F because I'm not doing it." Riley boldly pushed. It felt good to have control of some things in her life. She didn't want to do the project so she wasn't going to fucking do it. The 15 year old dropped her head onto the desk, hiding her emotional state from the rest of the class. From the rest of the world.
"Expect a phone call home, Ms. Davis Scott."
Fucking great.
"You're doing that presentation." Is the first thing that came out of Lucas' mouth when Riley stepped into the back of his truck. Lucas was the usual parent that picked them up after school and although Riley was mad at him she was still comforted by his presence. A grounding familiarity.
"She called you?" The girl sputtered with a scoff. She was expecting the teacher to at least have called her mother.
"No, she called mom, and mom called me."
"Great. Glad you two talked." She rolled her eyes. Oh, so mom and dad were talking again?
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing." She muttered, leaning her head onto the window.
"Why are you refusing to do the presentation?"
"Because it's stupid."
"Riley Davis Scott." His voice suddenly stern enough to make the teen turn to look at her father again, "When we get home, you are going straight to your room to work on that presentation and right after dinner you will go back up to work until bedtime. Mom or me will be checking in on you since we can't trust you to complete this unsupervised."
Riley tensed her jaw. So her dad could get onto her about schoolwork, but couldn't spend time with her or be playful with her like before? Asshole !
"I won't do it. I don't want to."
Lucas looked at his youngest daughter in shock. Had his child lost her mind? "Little girl." His eyes narrowed and he almost chuckled at his daughter's boldness, "since when do you act like this? Like you don't need to do to what your daddy tells you?"
Riley couldn't help but feel hurt. Since you stopped acting like my daddy! She thought. Her eyes welled up, "Whatever, okay?" She brought her knees up to her chest, so she could hide her face from the world once more.
"It's not whatever. You are working on this project. And it can happen the easy way or the hard way. Am I clear?"
Riley just tightened the hold she had on her knees, refusing to look up at her father. His reprimand hurting her ability to not cry, "Like you even care."
"I do care Riley." The father's own voice caught in his throat when he heard the anger in his little angel. He knew where Riley's rebuke was coming from. His general lack of involvement lately. His sadness and failure not allowing him to fully be there for his family. Life had been feeling like a fog. He had still been keeping up with his responsibilities but mentally and emotionally he had distanced himself, "Riley, don't ignore me. I'm trying to talk to you."
Still hidden in her arms the teen scoffed out another "Whatever. I don't care."
And unfortunately her rude behavior outweighed everything else to the father. The 'whatevers' were getting old quickly and her capriciousness towards this project was not helping either.
"I care enough to tell you that if you keep that attitude up you'll find yourself in hot water. Consider this your warning, Riley Davis Scott."
Riley burned with anger. So he finally has an extended conversation with her and he's scolding her?! She wanted her dad. Not this version of him. She said nothing else until Lucas pushed her to speak up, "Are we understood?"
"Y-yes." She mumbled and the father could hear her watery voice. The knot in his throat coming back.
Their conversation ended when Carter came in with a hurried, "Hey dad! My bad I'm late!". He stopped buckling his belt when he sensed the tension in the truck, "Ummm what happened?"
"Nothing." Riley said first, finally lifting her head and leaning onto her brother for comfort. Carter put an arm around his sister and noticed that her eyes were red. He tightened his hold around her protectively, and immediately looked to their dad who was staring at them from the rear view. Lucas only gave his son a saddened look, choosing to say nothing else. The truck fell into a silence that followed them all the way home. A silence that Lucas realized had become all too common lately. One that he created. He abruptly turned on the radio, turning up the volume enough to drown out his whirling thoughts.
It had been Haley's words that carried him through the ride. She had tried speaking some sense into him last night.
"Lucas? What are you doing here?" Haley asked, her voice laced with sleep and worry. The door bell had woken both Nate and Haley up.
Lucas didn't answer. Instead, he stepped inside, his shoulders slumped, as if the weight of the world rested upon them. Haley closed the door behind him and led them to the living room where they settled onto the couch. Nate went into the kitchen to set a pot of tea.
Lucas rubbed the back of his neck. He couldn't find the words to express the turmoil. He couldn't face the defeat that hung like weights in his heart. He couldn't face his family feeling like this. Like a failure.
Haley broke the silence, her voice gentle yet firm. "Lucas, you can't keep doing this to yourself. You can't keep shutting everyone out."
He glanced up at her, his eyes devoid of their usual spark. She was saying the same things Brooke was. It was such a hard pill to swallow though. "I don't know how to fix it. I'm trying, but..."
"But nothing," Haley interrupted, her tone unwavering. Lucas was falling deeper into his sadness, and Haley was not having it. "You are not trying hard enough." You have a family who loves you, Lucas. A wife who's struggling just as much as you are, and kids who need their father. You can't keep wallowing in self-pity while they're home, waiting for you to come back to them. They count on you to be there. So you need to figure out what you need to do so you can be there for them. If it's therapy then let it be therapy. But you have to move forward. What other choice do you have?"
Her words stung, cutting through the haze of despair that clouded Lucas's mind. He knew she was right, but the thought of facing his demons head-on was terrifying. He'd never so publicly failed like this. And it killed him to have to settle with those feelings and face his family. Because they all knew. They knew how hard he worked on that damned book. And for what? For fucking nothing. Nothing came of all his hard work.
Haley reached out and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "You don't have to do it alone, Lucas. You don't have to bottle up the emotions. We're here for you, every step of the way. But you have to be willing to take that first step, to let us help you. To let Brooke help you. To let your kids' laughter and smiles and company heal you."
With the music on, Carter took the opportunity and whispered into Riley's ear on their way home, "Are you crying because dad got onto you about that whole thing with Mrs. Salazar?"
Riley nodded, not wanting to talk much at the moment. "I'm sorry Riles." Carter sympathized with her, "That teacher is an ass. She shouldn't have called home for something so small."
The brunette teen sighed. Her brother was trying hard to comfort her but he didn't even know half of what had transpired in the car. She was content to just relax on her brother the rest of the way home.
Riley made a beeline for the front door the moment her dad's truck had shut off. She acted like she didn't hear the "Straight upstairs, little girl!" from Lucas because yeah I fucking know dad .
She continued her run inside and was pleased that no one (aka her mother) was there to stop the journey upstairs. But if mom had been there Riley was sure she would've ignored her too. I mean dad ordered her to go to her room, right? Well, fucking gladly!
"Mom!" Riley yelped when she opened the door to the sight of Brooke seated at the edge of the bed. She hit the brakes on her run, almost making her trip in the process. She caught herself and looked up to her mom chuckling, a soft smile playing at her lips.
Riley blushed a little while walking in and closing her door, "H-hi mom."
"Hi princess." Brooke greeted her youngest with warmth in her eyes.
Riley was unsure what to do with herself, so she pulled at the sides of her uniform skirt. Was mama mad at her? She couldn't tell. Brooke patted the bed, ending her daughter's squirmy movements, "Just sit down."
Riley let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding and heeded her mother's request.
Brooke knew Riley was missing her dad something terrible, and it was clearly manifesting in her attitude and behavior, but something had to give. Their family could not keep going like this. And much like their eldest, Riley was willing to let her anger walk her right into trouble. Carter had his own meltdowns too throughout his childhood. Oh, he certainly did. But their girls were far more likely to fall into the trap of getting shrouded by emotions.
Brooke had gotten the call from Ms. Salazar while at work. The teacher explained the girl's bizarre behavior which surprised Brooke. Riley never had issues completing homework. The mother however, had an inkling of why her daughter was acting out.
Brooke ended the phone call with Riley's teacher, a large exhale leaving her body. She leaned back in her chair and looked up to the ceiling, wishing she believed in God, or some supernatural power that could fix how messed up everything felt.
"FFffUCK!" She screamed to the void before composing herself and looking back at her phone.
Brooke hadn't texted Lucas all day. In fact, they hadn't talked since last night when he stormed out. She knew he'd gone to Haley's place and stayed the night because Nathan had texted her and Haley had called her that morning. But Lucas hadn't come home and that hurt the woman. Regardless of it all however, they are still a team. Mother and Father. So she had to swallow her pride and text the man about Riley. He responded with an "I'll talk to her in the car."
But the more the woman thought about it, the more she couldn't ignore the voice in her head that told her to leave work early and be there for her child which is how she ended up in the girl's bedroom in the first place.
"Riley, I know things have been difficult lately," she began, her voice filled with empathy. "But refusing to do your presentation isn't going to make things better."
Riley shrugged, her eyes fixed on the floor. "Well it can't make things feel any worse."
Brooke willed her tears away. Her baby was sad, and she felt helpless to stop her pain. "I know things have been tough with your dad lately," she confessed. "But it has nothing to do with you, Carter, or me. Your dad-"
"Left us last night!" Riley finally yelled to get it off her chest.
Brooke looked at her daughter stunned. Had she heard all of their discussion last night?
"I heard him when he said he'd rather be anywhere but here." Riley explained when she saw the flabbergasted look on her mom's face, "I heard the whole thing. I was going to get water."
Brooke's breath caught in her throat as Riley's words hung heavy in the air. "Oh, sweetheart," She whispered, "I'm so sorry you had to hear that. But you need to know he didn't mean those things about leaving. He needed a break, your dad is just working through-"
"Oh my god! Stop! Stop sticking up for him being an asshole, mom! He's acting like we don't matter anymore, all that matters is his stupid book and that we keep up appearances that everything is okay, when it's not! And you know it too!" Riley caught sight of her mother's sudden tall posture and crossed arms, the raised eyebrow completing her whole look. Riley deflated.
Brooke had a much shorter fuse when it came to her sass and her dad had already warned her. Best not mess with scary mama. Honestly, Riley was just a teensy bit more intimidated by mama. So she couldn't help but shrink a bit. "Sorry mama." She whispered with pouty eyes, hoping to look as miserable as she felt.
"I know you miss your dad. Him leaving last night was unfair to you and Carter. I know that. And Riley, you're allowed to be upset about it. But you cannot,-" She stopped mid-sentence, moving her hand to turn her daughter's chin towards her, "Riley, look at me-"
The girl inhaled deeply and met her mother's eyes once more. She didn't want to burst out in tears. God, every adult was getting onto her today and it made the teenager feel absolutely sorry for herself.
"You cannot keep acting out like this. You are asking for a stinging bottom if you don't cool it right now with your mouth."
"Y-yes ma'am." Riley nodded with a blush, twisting her fingers in between each other nervously. Her eyes leaving her mother's gaze once more. Your big mouth, dummy!
Brooke sighed, "Honey, give me your eyes." She waited until glimmery green eyes looked back her way, "I don't mean to be harsh, but look, most interactions you've had with me the past couple days have been either one or two words, or angry. Do you realize that? Princess, I love you so much, but I am not going to sit here and be your punching bag. And I'm not going to let you take it out on Carter or your teachers either. You and I can talk about it all you want so you can get your feelings out, but you're a big girl now and outbursts like that are not an effective way to communicate."
Riley's eyes filled with tears as her mother's words hit home. She even ignored the 'big girl' comment that would normally make her roll her eyes, "I know. I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion, "I-I'll do better, promise."
Her mom had read her like a book. And honestly, it felt good to know that mama knew exactly what she was doing and exactly what she needed. I mean, she loved her independence, but right now all she wanted was her mom to make it all better.
' But she can't. Only dad can.'
"And I accept your apology. I know you'll do better, baby love. You always do."
Riley leaned against Brooke's arm. The woman immediately maneuvered her arm around the girl. Mother and daughter sat in the stillness of the room.
"It feels like we're dad's punching bags," Riley finally spoke, soft and teary.
"Oh, Riles" Brooke gathered her daughter into her arms and held tight. "I promise you, things will get better. We'll get through this, okay?"
Brooke felt her daughter nod into her bosom. She held her close and rocked her, knowing that Riley didn't like to talk much when she got like this, but she did listen, "Baby girl, I'm so sorry that you and your brother have been getting the short end of the stick lately. I really am. I promise I'm trying to help your dad get out of this funk. I'm trying."
Riley nodded once more and let go of her mother after a minute or so. Her cheeks and eyes were rosy in a way that made her look years younger to the mother. Brooke cupped her daughter's cheek and kissed the top of her head, "We're going to be okay. We just have to be patient with dad."
"Okayyy. I'll try….I'll work on the dumb presentation now."
The mother smiled at her moody child. "I'll let you start then. Dad or me will let you know when to come down for dinner."
"I hope it's you and not dad."
"Riles." Although the mother couldn't bring herself to be stern with the girl about it.
"Sorry." Riley said with a small smile, before giving her mama a kiss on the cheek to appease her, "Love you mama."
Sneaky little girl! "I love you too princess."
Riley sat focused in front of her computer. The music was set on low and her presentation almost half finished. She was deeply set into a groove that was disturbed by a knock at the door. It creaked open and Lucas stepped into the room. His presence snapped the teen back into reality and she braced herself for another disappointing interaction with her father. '
"Hey Riles." Lucas began tentatively, the chasm between them palpable.
And the feeling made the man feel worse. This was his Riley we're talking about! Why did he feel so awkward with her? He had to do better. He knew this. Everything had come to a head and it was a matter of picking up the pieces now, "I hope the presentation is coming along."
The 15 year old held in her eye roll, but the built up frustration and resentment was not making it easy.
'Be patient' with dad.' It's what mom told her to do, but that shit was easier said than done.
"Yeah." She responded, still not turning to look at him and the man let out a deep breath trying not to take her daughter's coldness personally. ' You deserve it.' He thought.
"Well, take a break, dinner is ready."
"I don't want to eat." Her sharp response came but her face stayed facing the computer screen.
Lucas' expression hardened, recognizing the start of yet another argument with the child, "You're not going to starve yourself, Riley."
"I'm not starving myself. I'm just not hungry."
"Riley, we eat dinner as a family."
"That's freaking rich." The teen sassed back.
"HEY!" Lucas snapped, making the girl turn to look at him, "You don't get to just talk to me like that. You've been backtalking way too much, and you know it."
"Yeah and you've been moping and acting all depressed "way too much" and you can get away with it, so why can't I?!"
"Riley that is different!" Lucas clenched his jaw, struggling to maintain his composure in the face of Riley's outburst.
"It's not different! You're my dad and it's like you stopped acting like it! You care more about your book than us! It's like you just gave up!"
Luke's heart shattered at his child's words. "Riley-"
"No! I'm not eating dinner and I'm not talking to you about this shit anymore! I'm leaving!" She yelled loud enough for everyone to hear. She darted out of her desk chair and ran out the room and down the steps. Lucas stood in the middle of her daughter's room, shocked and hurt. He didn't even realize that tears had been streaming down his face. He sat down on the desk chair dumbfounded and overwhelmed, unable to get up and chase after his daughter.
He knew it's what he should do. If it were any other time, the girl would've been caught before she made it out the door with firm pops to her tushy…but right now he just couldn't.
Lucas didn't have it in him, and this inability made him fall into a deeper hole of regret. Riley was the child most like him. His little angel. The girl who would stay cuddled with him for hours if you let her. And he'd gone and fucked that up too. Failed at being an author and now failing at parenting. He had to get better.
But will you? Don't you deserve to feel this shitty?
He wasn't sure how long he'd been sitting there when the door opened, the single creak his clue.
"Lucas?"
The man gave a long sigh, "H-hey babe."
"I sent the kids to Sam's." Brooke walked in noticing Lucas's watery eyes.
Actually Riley had ran down the stairs and out to the front porch. Carter was the first to burst from the door, "What the fuck Ri?" He exclaimed. Brooke was not far behind the boy with austere orders for the twins to go to Sam's house with the food because her and daddy needed to talk. Riley had tried to say something to her mom but was only met with a 'you and I will talk later, little girl.'
"But what about dinner?" The man prompted, though cut off by the frustrated woman "Dinner two boxes of pizza that you ordered, Luke. I just sent the twins over with them."
Lucas nodded, "I don't know what Riley told you-"
Brooke crossed her arms across her chest and sighed with frustration, "Yes we need to talk about that because I just had a talk with her about doing better about her attitude." She shook her head to get back on track, "But Luke this is bigger than you and Riley arguing! You and I need to talk about our relationship as husband and wife, about our kids feeling like their father went AWOL, and about what you need to move forward."
The man looked at his wife with a flash of hurt in his eyes, though Luke knew she wasn't wrong. This wasn't just about the argument with Riley. It was about the disconnect that had grown between him and his family, about the personal demons he'd been grappling with every day.
Taking a deep breath, Lucas reached out and gently took Brooke's hand in his own. "You're right," he admitted.
Brooke let out a breath. "Okay, let's talk then babe."
About 8 months ago Sam and Jack had moved into an apartment complex that had been built a 12 minute walk from Brooke and Lucas' neighborhood. The apartments were more spacious and safer than theirs in Southside. Perfect for the recently married (in the courts) couple who needed those things once their fostering license cleared.
The proximity to Brooke and Lucas also helped Sam and Jack feel more at ease when it came to Isabella- their foster daughter of now six months. As a result, Carter and Riley had been spending more time with their older sister.
The twins found themselves that evening walking up to apartment 107, the ground floor two bedroom unit. Riley placed the pizza box she was holding on top of Carter's to knock on the door.
It was Sam who opened with a wide smile on her face. She was wearing a pair of grey sweatpants with a simple white tshirt, her shoulder length hair up in a ponytail. Riley flung herself into her older sister.
"Hi my thing 2." Sam held her tight and shook her a little like she used to do when the twins were younger. Riley chuckled at the nostalgic embrace.
"Ahem. Can you two move please? I'm tired of holding this pizza."
Sam rolled her eyes and let go while Riley groaned and mumbled out a "C you're so annoying."
"Hello to you thing 1."
"Hi Sammy," Carter came into the apartment and walked straight to the kitchen, "sorry we're busting in here."
"Mom called me, don't worry. And you two are always welcome."
Carter sat on one of the island stools while Riley shucked her Vans off and laid down on the living room couch. "Yeah." Carter sighed, "Dads been-"
"A fucking mess." Riley finished his sentence and Sam turned to Carter to confirm. He shrugged his shoulders, "Yeah, pretty much. Where's Jack and Izzy?"
"Jack and her went to pick out a plant for her room. They're on their way back now."
Both of the twins looked a little confused at their sister, making the 30 year old chuckle.
"It was her reward for getting straight A's."
"And she chose a plant?" Carter couldn't believe it. He would've chosen so many other things! But then again, Izzy was definitely more nerdy than he'd been at 11 years old.
"Yes that's what she wanted so that's what we gave her. Don't be judgy!"
"I'm not! It's just…not what I would've chosen."
"Yeah you would've chosen some lame video game." Riley quipped, feeing a little lighter now that she was at Sam's place.
Sam caught her little sister's lightheartedness and felt bad about the fact that she'd have to rain on her parade. When Brooke had called Sam to ask if the kids could go over she had also asked if she could make sure Riley sat with her thoughts for some time.
"Hey C, Jack and Izzy should be here any minute. We can eat out back since it's so nice out. Can you take the pizza and some plates out there?"
The boy nodded, "Yeah, sure."
"Riles, can you come with me?"
Riley lifted her head from behind the couch and looked at her older sister suspiciously. She had a feeling this was related to her mom and dad. Carter also sensed it and hopped up from the stool with the pizza, "See Ri, told you mama wasn't going to let you get away with shouting at dad like that."
"Awww! Sam, no, is that what this is about? Can you just tell mom you talked to me and leave it at that?"
The eldest sighed and pointed stringently at the back door, "C, go outside already!"
Carter winked at Riley on his way out, "Calm down princess. At least it's not mom coming down on you right?"
Sam couldn't help but agree, "C does have a point. At least it's me and not mama."
"You're lucky she didn't spank you!" Carter blurted, annoyed at his twin.
Riley folded her hands across her chest, Shut up C!"
"You know it's true! Mom's been letting your shit slide because she feels bad since dad's been acting all depressed, and she knows how much of a daddy's girl you are. I bet if this was last month she would've spanked your butt for running out on dad after cursing at him like that."
Riley stood up from the couch with a huff, "I get it okay! And I know all that already! You don't have to throw it in my face!"
"Hey!" Sam barked at them both, "This conversation is officially dead. We're moving on. Carter, leave her alone and go outside. Now." She extended her hand for her baby sister to take. Riley, come with me."
The twins glared hard at each other before Carter gave in first, muttering out a "fine" and headed outside. Riley stood up from the couch, a frown plastered on her face as she took Sam's hand. Both sisters took the small journey towards the master bedroom.
"So mom wants you to take some time and think about how you could've communicated with dad better." Sam spoke while she led a groaning Riley into the room. She had a gentle hand on the teen's back.
They walked towards the small brown reclining chair in the corner of the bedroom. It's where Sam sat Isabella many a time to do her own thinking, when Sam or Jack thought she needed it. And currently, it's where Riley would be taking her own timeout.
The teen sat down and followed her sister's movements with her gaze. Sam walked towards her vanity where Barry the bear reclined on the edge of the mirror. Sam always let Izzy hold her bear during timeouts.
'Barry helped me a lot when I was a kid. Do you want to hold him?' Sam had asked a crying preteen the first time she was sat on the chair for a tantrum that ended with her kicking Jack in the shin. Sam had calmly picked the tiny child up into her arms and led her towards their bedroom. Izzy did not fight her, instead choosing to go limp and cry. When offered the comfort Izzy eagerly took it and held Barry tight while calming herself down. The bear had become a staple for Izzy ever since. Jack thought it was the cutest thing to see the bear continue its tradition.
Sam grabbed a clipboard with a pencil and single sheet on it that lay next to Barry, then walked back towards her sister.
"What is that?" Riley asked, eyeing what Sam was holding.
"It's a reflection sheet. For you." Sam handed the clipboard over, "It helps Izzy when she needs some time to think about her actions."
Riley's head shot up, "Izzy is 11 and I'm 15!"
"True, but it's also something we use with the girls in the home and some of them are your age."
"Sammy noooo!" Riley's whine making her appear much younger than her 15 years, "I don't want do this!"
"Do you really think mom was going to let you get away with cursing at one of them without some sort of consequence?" Sam asked her with a raised eyebrow that could rival their mama's, "And she had just warned you to chill too, right?"
"Y-yesssss." Riley muttered, a blush rising to her cheeks.
"So then you need to stop being a brat about it, and complete that sheet without bullshitting. Plus, mom wanted me to tell you to be ready to explain to her what you came up with while sitting here."
Sam watched the little pout on her sister's face fall deeper. Riley was resigned to her fate knowing in her heart of hearts that Sam was right. She was being hard headed, "Fine."
The older sister pulled up the vanity chair to sit by a still upset Riley, "Riles, I know how much it sucks to be punished when all you want to do is feel mad and scream. But sometimes we don't even know what we need to feel better." Sam could see the wheels turning in her sister's head, "That's one of the benefits of having Brooke Davis as a mom. She's really good at knowing what we need. You just have to trust her. So take this time and really think like she wants you too."
"I do trust mama." Riley cut in, "I'll take the sheet serious."
"I know you will." Sam assured her sister leaning over to give her a kiss on the forehead, "And hey for what it's worth, I basically told mama "fuck you" once when I was 14 and like Carter guessed about you I got my butt spanked so at least that didn't happen today, right?"
Riley shook her head in disbelief, "You said that to mama?"
Sam nodded with a deep exhale, thinking back, "Y-yeaaahhhh. Not my finest moment."
A 14 year old Sam sat on the navy blue couch in Haley's house. She was wearing a pair of dark green shorts and a black hoodie with a spray painted sun on it. Her arms were crossed tightly over her chest, a scowl etched on her face.
In the kitchen, Brooke exchanged a worried glance with Haley. The sullen teen had come in with the same attitude and was rude to both her mother and Haley in one fell swoop. This led to Brooke sitting her down on the couch for a 10 minute timeout before she could go downstairs with Jamie.
"Rough day?" Haley asked Brooke to alleviate the mother's frustration.
Brooke let out a breath, " You think? She got so upset last evening, and I don't even know why."
"Teenagers. Sometimes they don't make sense. No matter how hard you try to understand their behavior. Trust, I work with them every day. Little sociopaths."
"Yeah." Brooke sighed, "It's just hard when you get the brunt of it. She went back to calling me 'Brooke' again."
Haley dropped the chicken she'd taken out on the counter in surprise, "What? Why? That's just mean."
Brooke shrugged her shoulders, "She doesn't always call me mom or mama, maybe 80% of the time she does, and the other 20 it's Brooke. But since yesterday it's just been Brooke."
"And nothing happened before that?"
"No! Nothing!"
Haley shook her head, "Yeah that sounds like something. I'm sure she'll tell you once she gets over all the teenage bravado. How has she been with Lucas?"
"He's been catching some strays but I feel like mainly it's with me."
Sam heard them from the living room and seethed. She hated when they talked about her as if she wasn't right fucking there. Like she was five years old! She was smart enough not to say anything though. And her attitude wasn't 'out of nowhere'!
Yesterday evening Sam had overheard her mom take a call about a potential 3 week business trip two months from now. Three weeks. That was a LONG time. A really long time. Up to that point Brooke had not been away from Sam for more than a week. And the worst part was, the part that made Sam's heart fall was when her mom said, '3 weeks is a long time, but if that's what we have to do. We can talk more details about what shortening it would look like."
Sam fixated on the span of time. THREE WEEKS! Without mama? What if she had a nightmare? Well, there was dad. And he was just as good at calming her down. But mama's voice always helped her drift off to sleep! What if she needed a mama hug, or worse, what if her period finally came and Brooke wasn't there?
Oh fuck, fuck, fuck. Here come the tears.
'Why do I have to cry for everything?' Sam thought.
The girl turned away from the office and ran to the solace of her room. And it was after that revelation that Sam's angstiness began. She had resorted to calling Brooke by her name again. She wanted her mother to know she was upset. Brooke left it alone. Sometimes teenagers have bad days. However the mood had continued onto the next day and now it was wearing on the woman.
"Samantha?" Brooke's voice came from across Haley's living room towards her sour faced child.
Sam's arms remained across her chest , not bothering to turn and look at her mother, "Yeah?"
"Your ten minutes are up. Do you have anything to say about your behavior?"
Sam shook her head, the scowl never leaving her face. The teenager was highly aware she was being stubborn, keeping the reason for her anger to herself, but her mom still hadn't told her about this long ass three week trip she was about to take either!
Brooke sighed, but made sure to look directly into her petulant child's eyes, "So then you need ten more minutes to yourself to think about it."
"Come on Brooke! I haven't even done anything to be in trouble!" Sam finally spoke up and argued, "Or to be sitting here like some little kid in timeout!"
"First of all you certainly have earned yourself this timeout. If you feel childish because of it then you need to reflect on what that means about the actions that led you here. Second of all, you have been nothing but irritable and defiant today. Do not try and gaslight me into believing otherwise. And, finally and most importantly, I want to know why you're so upset so I can help you, but I am not going to keep tolerating you disrespecting me or others, like your Aunt Haley. in the process."
Sam said nothing though her mother's words only fueled her frustration.
'Mama doesn't know what she's fucking talking about.' Her mind reeled, 'Mama is going to leave you for three weeks! Because she's tired of you! Because you can never act right! Mom's leaving! She's leaving you!'
After eight months Sam still hadn't shaken off her fear of losing mom and dad.
"Fuck this! Fuck your timeout! I'm not sitting here!" Sam stood up, yelling at her mother and time stopped for them both. She covered her mouth immediately. Cursing at her parents was a big no no.
"Samantha!" Came Haley's voice from the kitchen and into the living room. The blonde haired woman hurried into the space with a hand on her hip ready to back up her best friend.
Sam looked at both adults and swore their eyes were ready to eat her alive. She quickly sat back onto the couch, "B-Brookesorryididntmeanit!"
Brooke, however, knew she had to put a stop to her daughter's attitude right then. She looked over her shoulder towards her friend, "Haley, I'm borrowing your bedroom for a bit. Sam and I need to talk."
"Of course." Haley nodded, giving her friend a sympathetic smile and the teenager a small glare, "I'll give you two privacy."
Sam swallowed hard and shook her head with wide eyes as Brooke walked towards her, "N-no mom. Wait-I'm sorry." The teen pleaded.
'So we're back to mom again, huh?' Haley grumbled loud enough to make Sam blush. 'Why did mom have to tell her about that?!'
Brooke chose not to comment, instead she took her daughter's upper arm and led her up the stairs.
Sam wasn't sure what 'talking' meant. Would she be scolded? Or would she be spanked? The last time she got spanked was when she'd snuck out in New York City, and that was absolutely awful! Oh god, this was not looking good for her.
Her defiance completely melted away at the thought of what lay in store for her. "M-mama I really am sorry!" Her bravado now replaced with spilling apologies, "I didn't mean it muma! I'm sorry I cursed! I really am!"
Brooke chose to focus on taking deep breaths before dealing with her child. She walked up outwardly stoic (though it hurt a little inside), ignoring Sam's hurried apoogies."
Once in the bedroom Brooke led the nervous teenager to the bed, "Sit down Samantha" She ordered and Sam obeyed. She'd gone too far and the girl knew it.
Sam watched as her mother locked the door and went to sit next to her. Brooke then, too easily (Sam still had to get to a healthy weight), pulled the small girl over her lap which made Sam give out two kicks, realizing what punishment her mother had chosen, "Mama noooo!" She cried out with a squirm, "Please not this! I won't curse like that again! I don' wanna spanking!"
Brooke held her daughter close to her front with one arm, "You are right Sam,you will NEVER speak to me or any adult like that again." The woman deftly pulled the girl's shorts down her thighs leaving Sam in white cotton undies stamped with cupcakes. They were a reminder to Brooke that Sam was still a little girl that needed so much of their guidance. She was 14, but emotionally younger. She was still growing from her traumatized past. She was learning to be secure in the fact that she had a mom and a dad. Brooke frowned a little at her thoughts.
Sam let out a little whine as she squirmed, 'M-mommy noooo.' Brooke looked down and patted the girl's bottom, "I love you. You are my child and I want you to do better. This is happening."
"But Aunt Haley and Jamie!"
"These walls are thick. And Jamie is down stairs with your aunt Haley so we have privacy. You have earned this. You've been acting out of sorts all day Samantha. Rude and contrary for no reason. And then you curse at me like that?!"
"I'll be good now mama! I will!"
Brooke's heart tightened at her daughter's childish tone, though Sam wouldn't know it, "Yes, you will be good, and hopefully this will help you remember to respect the adults in your life that love you. Last I checked you are still a child, so you still need to listen to your mama and daddy."
"Y-yes ma'am!" Sam cried, digging her head into her arms.
Brooke handed down 15 (one for every year and one more for good measure) firm stinging swats, four of which were on her sit spots, Sam squirmed, yelping out a chorus of 'ow,' 'Mommy ow!" and 'I'm sorry's. Those thirty seconds left Sam a very contrite and teary mess. That feeling of chastisement forced the already emotional girl to the edge, the voracity of her tears matching her emotional state.
Brooke righted the crying girl onto her lap as soon as she finished the spanking. The teen's shorts hung off her left leg though she didn't much care. Sam nuzzled her head into her mother's chest, letting the green shorts fall onto the ground, happy to just cry into her mama while Brooke rubbed the sting away. Sam didn't care if she wasn't acting her age. She was scared, sad, and hurt. She wanted Brooke to make it all better. Even if it was her mom that was leaving her.
But Brooke had other plans. They needed to talk. It was clear that Sam was upset about more than just her punishment. She had not given Sam a particularly long or hard spanking. But it was definitely one that helped pull Sam back from her spell of petulance. One that cracked through her walls and brought her to a space where all she needed and wanted to be was in her mama's good graces.
Brooke was quick to take the tissues she'd placed in her pocket out and looked down at her little one, gently prying Sam's face from her chest. Sam sat still, letting her mother clean up her runny nose while she did her best not to burst into tears again.
They sat in silence, save the teenager's hitched breathing and stray tears. Her mother still didn't look particularly happy though and that made the sad teen feel worse. "Let's get that hoodie off Sam." Brooke spoke softly, "You're hot."Sam lifted her arms and let her mom maneuver her upper half out of the garment, leaving her in a short sleeve white T-shirt that she immediately began to pull the ends of. Her nervous habit.
"Sam, eyes up honey." Brooke said softly though still not an ask. The teen found her nerve and looked into her frustrated mama's eyes.
"Now what has been going on with you, little girl?" Brooke raised an unimpressed eyebrow, "And I need you to tell me right now because all the games you've been playing stop here."
Sam's face fell into an even deeper and weepy pout. Her mama had just given her a spanking that left her bottom stinging, she was still looking at her with stern eyes, not gentle ones , still scolding her, AND she was still leaving on a 3 week work trip, "M-mommy, y-you- you're leaavviinggg meeee!" The 14 year old blurted just as she broke into a wreck of sobs, "I'll be good! Don't leave!"
Brooke furrowed her eyebrows confused as she let the girl fall back into her. Sam sounded like the scared little girl that had first come to them all those months ago. It hadn't even been a year since Sam's arrival so Brooke was empathetic to the girl's abandonment issues. Sam needed Brooke to simply be 'mommy' and Brooke was never a mother to deny her childrens' needs.
She enveloped the child, "Honey, what are you talking about? I'm not leaving you."
Sam's breaths were hitching as she cried, her body trembling with emotion, finding it hard to talk in full sentences, "M-mommy, p-please! Don't!"
"Hey. Shhhh, Sammy. Deep breaths." The mother began to rock the child and pat her bottom, just like she did at night to ease her fears. "I'm not leaving. I'm right here. Can you calm down baby, so you can tell mama what's been going on?" The woman paused to let the girl take some deep breaths.
"I'll be-be good." Sam mumbled again through her tears, "S-stayyyy."
"Sammy, sweetheart, I'm not leaving you." She assured, "And I want you to know that you are always my good girl. AND even when my good girl is being naughty like today-" She paused to kiss the top of Sam's head and gently pat her bottom, making the teen redden and mutter out a 'mommmmm' though it didn't deter Brooke's speech,
"Like today, or even naughtier than that, I still wouldn't leave you, Sam. Mama's always going to be here."
"B-but you are leaving! I heard you! Three weeks!" Sam had to stop because another sob came through, luckily her broken speech was enough for the mom to put together.
Brooke rubbed the girl's back with a long sigh. 'This is why little girls shouldn't eavesdrop.' She thought to herself.
"Peanut, I don't know how much of that phone call you overheard but I am not planning on doing the trip. I told them we'd talk about it because I didn't want to get into it right then on my day off. B know three weeks is a long time for you. Well, it's a long time for me to be away from you, anyway."
And the relief made the girl's eyes water all over again as she fell right back into her mama. Oh my god! So she was worrying for nothing!?
"So that's why you've been so upset with me?" Brooke drew her gaze closer to her child's face, "Why I was no longer mama, hmm?"
Sam's cheeks reddened like her pink tush. God, why had she decided to do that? She felt awful doing it. And looking back she could see how bratty that was.
"I didn't want you to go." Sam shyly admitted weepily, "I- I was gonna miss you! And I was mad. I'm sorry for being mean. I hated calling you Brooke all over again." She pouted at the thought, "You're my mama." She shook her head, "not Brooke."
Brooke wrapped her child in another hug, "I am your mama. Always will be. And as your mama I would never make a decision about leaving like that without talking to you first, peanut."
Sam sat up, still on Brooke's lap, "Pinky promise?"
"Yes baby, pinky promise." The woman extended her pinky and Sam interlocked her own. Brooke then kissed her hand and Sam smiled widely copying her mama's move.
"You should have talked to me." Brooke said when the girl dropped back to rest her head on her chest.
"I-I know."
Sure, her daughter "knew." Yet she was still willing to be irritable and defiant to the point of getting herself spanked. "If you'd talked to me yesterday we could've avoided all this grief, Sammy. Why didn't you?"
And Sam had the decency to blush, "I-I was mad that you didn't tell me. I-I wanted you to tell me."
"There was nothing to tell, my love."
"I know that now." The teen sighed loudly, "M'sorry f-for everything mama." She whispered then curled her legs up to be as close as she could to her mom, feeling embarrassed and tired all together. The mother sensed it and let the girl relax into her. She wished they were home so Brooke could lay her baby down for a nap, but this would have to do.
The pair sat like that for a few minutes, Brooke loving her up and reassuring her baby while Sam allowed her mother's words to ease the anxiety she'd been feeling since yesterday afternoon. She took in deep breaths, inhaling her mama's lavender scent.
After recounting her experience of cursing at Brooke and Riley feeling grateful that the same hadn't happened to her, Sam closed the door to the room, leaving Riley to reflect for 30 minutes.
The thirty year old slightly gasped in surprise at the sight of her 4 foot 5 foster daughter sitting on the floor in the hallway. The brunette wavy-haired child with thick rimmed glasses looked up from the carpet she'd been hyper-focusing on waiting for Sam to come out.
"Izzy! You scared me, sweetheart. Is everything okay?" Sam asked, approaching her.
"Y-yeah. I'm okay. I um, Jack said you were in your room with Riley. I was waiting for you."
Isabella was still weary of her foster parents' absence, though she tried (and failed) to be subtle about it. She needed to know where they were if her mind had any chance of ceasing its incessant worry that they would disappear into thin air.
After all, that's what people she loves do. They leave. Her father left when she was 5. He couldn't take being around her druggie mother anymore. Her mother left her at 8. She had overdosed. Her grandmother took her in until dementia got to her. A far away aunt denied her care, and so at 10 years old she was placed in foster care. And six months ago is when the system finally placed her with two strangers, Jack and Samatha. Two people that claimed they would always be there for her, so long as she wanted them.
But everybody leaves. Her mind would remind her whenever the girl felt most at ease in her new home. When, lately, her mind would wander and she'd envision calling Jack and Sam 'mom and dad.' She'd envision being held like she saw on TV where the parents embrace and comfort their emotional children. But everybody leaves.
It's not that she thought they didn't love her whenever Sam and Jack said it. In fact, hearing 'I Love You' from her foster parents two months ago when they brought up the idea of adoption made her heart positively flutter with joy, but it was a fact of life for people to desert her whether they claimed to love her or not.
The two guardians, however, were committed to helping the orphaned child believe otherwise. Which is why they took it in stride when Izzy had said she wanted them to wait on the adoption. Although she did tenderly ask if they could still say 'I love you' to each other which made the two parents burst with pure love. Izzy was such a sweet girl and the pair were getting more glimpses of it as the days went by. No matter how close to the chest the girl stayed, Jack and Sam could see right through it, both once foster kids themselves. Both professionals in the area of 'abandonment issues.'
"Thank you for waiting." Sam gave the freshly turned 11 year old a reassuring smile, "Let's head outside?"
"Is everything okay?" Izzy asked standing up from the floor, "Is Riley okay?" Isabella liked Sam's family. They were always so kind to her and made her feel like she belonged. Izzy could forget she was an outsider.
"Yeah she's okay. She needs a moment."
"Is she in trouble?"
"Not with me." Sam assured, grabbing onto her small ward's hand.
Although Izzy was more reserved with hugs, she always was willing to hold their hand. In fact, she preferred to be holding their hand when they were near her. In public she'd more often than not sneak her hand into theirs. Jack and Sam started to just hold theirs out for her whenever they got out of the car, and Izzy always held on.
"So with Mrs. Brooke?" Izzy asked, leaning closer into Sam.
"You can just call her Brooke. But yes, she's in a bit of trouble with our mom. But she'll be okay."
Isabella nodded, trusting her mo- no -Sam!- simply trusting that Sam's words were true. There was one thing the pre-teen was sure of when it came to her relationship with her guardians. They were always honest with her.
"Do you wanna see my plant Sam?" She asked, pulling on the woman's arm just a bit. She was trying to hide the excitement in her voice, but failed terribly "It's a Chinese Evergreen and it can grow up to 3 ft if kept in the right conditions."
The woman loved moments like these. When Izzy let herself just be 11 years old. Jack and Sam were intentional about encouraging her when she did, "Of course. I'd love to, sweet pea."
Isabella felt warmth grow in her stomach, a small smile forming on her lips. The 11 year old had grown fond of her foster parents' nicknames for her.
"Okay, I think you're gonna like it." She said leading them into her room, "There was a choice between a darker leaved or lighter leaved, and I went with lighter because that means that they like more light and the window in my room is sun facing."
Sam was beaming as she heard the child carry on. Izzy was one of the most bookish children Sam and Jack had met. She loved learning new things. Reading encyclopedias for their random facts and to quell her small obsession with Dinosaurs. She'd read up on them, watch all the documentaries, played dinosaur themed games online, and even owned dinosaur themed pajamas that Sam couldn't resist buying her when she'd seen them at the store. Izzy's dream was to be a paleontologist. And when she put together that plants were one of the oldest living organisms she wanted to get one for her room! Sam and Jack were more than happy to oblige and nurture her interest. They loved anything that allowed the girl to open up and do the things that she enjoyed.
"She's cute!" Sam exclaimed when the plant came into view.
"How do you know it's a she?" Izzy asked, looking up at the woman with genuine interest.
Sam chuckled, "I guess I don't. I just assumed."
"Well I have to look that up then because now I want to know." Izzy said, letting go of Sam's hand and fussing at her new plant. Sam folded her arms across her chest and just watched for a second so very happy for the child.
"Izzy! Sam! Come get pizza before Carter eats it all!" They both heard. Izzy sighed but dropped the leaf she was holding.
"Come on. Carter really does eat for like five." Sam joked, making the girl smile and follow the woman's lead.
By 8:30 pm, the Daniel's residence, along with Riley and Carter, all sat in the living room watching 'Across the Spiderverse.' Izzy was clad in her pink dinosaur jammies. Her head had made her way into Jack's lap fifteen minutes ago. The sleepy girl was struggling to keep her eyes open.
Sam eyed the girl from where she sat thinking it was the cutest sight she'd ever seen. She was over the moon that seeking physical affection from them was becoming more okay for the child, and though bedtime for the 11 year old was soon, Sam was willing to let her stay up if it meant watching Jack and Isabella bond.
It was then that the doorbell rang, making the child's fluttering eyes open wide and her body tense up. Jack, keen to the little girl's needs, bobbed his legs in a soothing motion, gently patting her arm, "Shhhh, Izzybear, relax." He whispered, "You're fine. It's just Brooke or Lucas." That's all it took for Izzy to know that she was okay and nobody was there to take her away.
"Fuck, here we go." Riley grumbled.
"Hey." Sam whispered sternly. She wanted the cursing at a minimum when around the fifth grader. "Come on now." She pointed her head at the dozing Izzy, before getting up to open the door.
The teenager mumbled out a 'sorry' before laying back into the couch. Her ears poised to hear which parent it was.
"Hey champ."
"Daddy, hi." Sam said, bringing the man in for a hug, still ever affectionate with her parents. Lucas hugged his eldest tight, and couldn't help but hold her for moments longer than usual. Why had he fought so hard to isolate from his family?
Riley heard the words exchanged at the door, and her heart sank a little. Dad. But then both Riley and Carter turned to look when they heard the door close and their older sister and father disappear.
"Sam wanted to talk to your dad first." Jack explained in a whisper so as to not jolt Izzy awake.
Carter and Riley looked at each other wondering what they'd talk about. "Damn now I have to wait longer." Riley bit her lip in anticipation. Carter gently pushed his sister back to sit on the couch, "Just lay your head on my shoulder."
Sam and Lucas sat on the steps outside her door. Like she always would, Sam leaned on her dad's shoulder and the man instinctively put his arm around her. "Thank you for helping with the twins tonight and for talking to Riley. I'm sorry I put you in that situation Sammy."
Sam shook her head. God, how did she still cry so much at 30? There was something about Lucas and Brooke that brought it out of her. She hugged her dad's middle, surprising the man, but he didn't miss a beat when he wrapped his arms around her. Her words muffled with his shirt, "Daddy it's okay. I'm always willing to help you and mama. I-I just want you to get better." She admitted, "Life will give you another shot dad. I know it will. But we really miss you out here."
Lucas kissed the top of his eldest's head. His eyes watering when he heard "daddy, I'm always gonna be proud of you." She finally loosened her grip and wiped at her eyes. Lucas smiled a little at her. His sensitive baby.
"Riley's far less mad by the way." Sam mentioned wiping at her left eye.
"You're a Riley whisperer."
"No, that's you." She joked back and Lucas' smile faded. He hadn't been that lately.
"Daddy just talk to her. Like actually communicate."
"I'm going to. I have amends to make with the twins." They stayed like that for some time. The other's presence enough for each of them.
Eventually father and daughter made their way back into the apartment.
"Riles come here, please." Riley heard Sam say when the door opened, making the teenager's chest tighten. She felt Carter squeeze her hand in comfort, so she got up and went to face the music. The walk was short and she had locked eyes with her dad sooner than she had wanted to.
"Hey baby."
"Hey dad." She murmured softly, coming to a stop closer to Sam than to her father. Lucas took in a deep breath and shuffled in his spot by the door, "I was hoping we could talk." He turned to address Sam, "Peanut, could we borrow one of your rooms?"
"Yeah. Izzy's is the closest. First room down the hall on the left."
Before Lucas could say anything Riley moved straight to Izzy's room. She sat at the girl's full sized bed and grabbed a hold of the green triceratops stuffie that Izzy had laid on her pillows. Riley was scrounging for some alone time before talking to her dad. Too bad that lasted about a whole minute before a quick knock came and the door opened.
Lucas stepped in and felt his heart sag at the sight of his pouting daughter clinging to the stuffed dinosaur.
He sat next to her and noticed how she tightened her hold on the dinosaur when he got close. "Riley. princess -"
But Riley felt like she had to say her piece first. That reflection sheet was more helpful than she'd expected, and more than she'd ever admit, "Dad wait. I-I'm sorry I cursed at you. I was, well, I am upset about a lot of things. I heard what you said before you left last night and I got so mad, but I know cursing at you and mom is never okay."
Lucas looked at her with a sad smile, "Oh baby girl. And I'm sorry I pushed you to act that way. I never should've left or said those words. I've made some huge mistakes lately, especially as a father."
Riley looked up at him slightly shocked to hear the apology. Come to think of it, her dad hadn't sounded as 'dad like' as he was now in a while. It was nice. She couldn't help that her eyes watered. Lucas put a hand to her cheek, "I promise I'm going to get better baby girl. I haven't been the best daddy to you and Carter, and I'm so sorry. I made an appointment to see someone. And I'm going to try to be more open with all of you. Failing just really hit me hard."
"I don't think you failed." Riley said softly, her voice teary at her dad's apology, "You still wrote the book, which is a big deal alone. And I know I'm not the rest of the world, but I read it and liked it."
Her words were said with such earnestness that Lucas teared up right along with her. He didn't think that hearing such words from his youngest daughter is what he needed to heal, but it certainly helped. "My sweet girl." He cooed before bringing her in for a deep hug. He easily gathered Riley in his arms and stood up while holding her.
The pair still had some talking to do, and he needed to make do on his promise to be better, but the father and daughter enjoyed the embrace. Riley hugged the man's neck tight as her dad rubbed her back, swaying them gently, "I'm so sorry Riley," happy that his daughter was extending forgiveness, "I love you baby girl."
"Love you too daddy."
A knock came from the door a minute later, surprising both Riley and Lucas. Riley held on tighter to her dad as if trying to disappear. She hoped it wasn't Izzy. She did not need to be seen being carried like a baby by her daddy, though she did not make any moves to leave his arms.
"It's Carter." Came from behind and Riley relaxed.
"Come in C." Lucas called. The door opened to Carter looking at his dad with similar pouty eyes as he'd seen in Riley. The man nodded in understanding. His son needed reassurance, and to be honest, Lucas needed to feel his son's forgiveness as well.
The man moved to sit back on the bed with his daughter in tow. He placed the girl on one side and patted the bedding to the other side of him. Carter did not hesitate to join the cuddle. "I'm sorry to you too, baby boy. Daddy is so sorry."
Lucas realized then that yes, his heart would heal, holding his children in his arms made it absolutely clear.