I know, I know it's been forever since I updated and have kept you all chomping at the bit to find out what happens next. Sorry about that, I'm really really trying to wrap this up by the end of the year and I'm down to writing the final 3 chapters now! It's becoming real now and it's a bit overwhelming. And it's my birthday - which is a little bittersweet because I started outlining these stories two weeks before my sweet 16, and here we are 13 years later on my 29th birthday.
Previously...
Ricky's face fell with a frown, eyes hardening as he stood up and ran his hand over his face - he had to approach his next question very, very carefully. "Tell me the truth, Amy... did you sleep with Ben in New York?" It was as if she were a balloon that had just been pricked by a pin, and popped; her body immediately giving up the tension filling it and causing her to collapse under the weight. Her sobs now audible. Taking a seat on the tiny sliver of the mattress that wasn't occupied, he wrapped his arm around her and held her close, kissing her head, "Shhh - hey, it's okay. I promise I won't get upset if you just tell me the truth, okay?"
Gasping for air, Amy just started to shake her head repeatedly and managed to get a good breath in before being choked by her sobs again; revealing the dark truth she never wanted to even admit to herself. "... B-B-Ben... r-raped... meee..." Once the words left her lips, she gave up; letting her rigid body go slack. Her arms fell to her lap, causing the baby to slide off her torso with a jolt. Acting quickly, he caught Emma before she fell off her lap, shushing her whimpers that were now mixing in with Amy's deep, guttural wails.
"W-w-what -" was the only word he could find to say. So many things were swirling around his head - including all the ways he would be killing Ben Boykewich.
Her head was in her hands now, screaming in sorrow at her feet, "I'm sorry! I'm so so so sorrrryyyyy!"
A strong crunch to the jaw shut him up, as Ricky's fist connected to Ben's face and sent him reeling. "You raped her!" He yelled, landing another punch, "You saw an opportunity, and you took advantage of her!" Grabbing him by the collar while he was still dazed from the blow, he threw him on the ground, "You thought she wouldn't remember, and you'd be in the clear -" Punch. "You never loved her! You only loved the idea of her!" Another punch, slamming his scrawny body down further into the concrete, his voice thick and laced with rage, "But guess what, rich boy? Amy did remember, and she told me everything, and I swear I'm going to make you pay for what you did to her." Two more punches. "Because I actually love that woman, and I'll be damned if you ever come near her again!" Shaking his hand out to alleviate some of the pain starting to creep in, he stood up and wiped his brow with his forearm. "You better be thankful she wasn't pregnant with your baby, or you'd be dead by now because I would have killed you!" He spat, eyes wild with darkness as he fought the urge to start hitting him again, but instead turned on his boot heel.
The older officer, tightened the cuffs at his wrists, making him wince at the uncomfortable shift. Straightening his shoulders to keep him standing straight, he stated, "Richard Underwood you are under arrest for assault and battery. You have the right to remain silent, anything you say, can and will be held against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you can not afford an attorney, one will be provided to you." Leading him across the floor, they paused in the doorway, the older man shifting the radio that was slung across his chest, "Do you understand these rights as I have explained them?"
With a nod, Ricky stared straight ahead into the dark hallway and replied, "Yes." He heard her sniffle behind him and turned just enough to meet her eyes with his; the fear now morphing to devastation at him being carted away like he was. He swallowed roughly, letting a tear cascade down his jaw because she had to witness all of this, "It's going to be okay, Amy. I promise." The officers gave a small nod to each other before the sandy blonde one shut the door behind them; their heavy booted footsteps causing the floor to rattle.
"You -" Ricky raged, bucking against the handcuffs to free his hands to finish the job he left behind. But the officers hand stilled his movements. He knew he couldn't cause a scene because those men would have no issues pulling their guns on him if he so much as jerked the wrong way. There stood Ben, smirking at him, arms crossed over his chest. "You son of a bitch!" He spit through gritted teeth, being led away forcibly past him and out the door.
Standing at the window, Amy watched through the tears blurring her vision as they ushered Ricky into the back of the squad car; the light from the street light across the road, illuminating him enough to see the sadness in his eyes and the worry on his face.
And Now...
A loud screechy door slammed shut, the burly officer behind him raising his voice, "Underwood, Evans. Evans, Underwood. Get acquainted because you'll be cell mates for awhile."
He stood unblinking, holding a set of white jumpsuits and white sneakers, "What's his problem?"
Shrugging it off, the boy sprung off the bed, his shaggy hair falling into his face, "What are you here for?"
With a bit of a sarcastic sigh that quickly merged into a scoff, Ricky took the four steps to his bed, and dropped the stuff in his hands, "Apparently a multitude of things: truancy from running away from my foster placement. Pretty sure one of those cops saw me steal a loaf of bread and the apple from the corner store down the street. But... it was probably the fight..."
"Now you're talking - did you win at least?" The kid asked him, rubbing his hands together like he had just heard some juicy gossip.
He scoffed again, "I'm here, aren't I?" Shaking his head and wringing out his hands a little, nervously, "Even if I did win, I'm still stuck here."
There was a pause before the other boy took a few steps towards him, raking the dark brown strands of the hair out of his eyes, "Nate Evans." Ricky nodded at his introduction, scanning the room apprehensively. It was the first time he'd ever been in a place like this. Group homes were one thing, but this place? Although the walls were painted a nice shade of blue, it still looked like a prison. Which is precisely what it was - a children's prison. Los Angeles Juvenile Detention Center.
It was the last straw with the judge who he had to face before being put there. The fosters he was placed with, doing little to nothing to stop the transition. They didn't care about him anyway, just used him for the money they got from the state, and free childcare of all the younger kids in the house. So it should have came as no surprise that he ran away. Anyone in that situation would.
Which is why the judge said juvie was a better fit for him. He couldn't escape from there, and the social workers wouldn't have to try to find him another home to "terrorize". But, anything was better than being with his biological parents, so juvie it was.
Nate waved his hand to dismiss his apprehension, "I wouldn't worry too much, you'll be out of here in a few days, tops." He sat back on his bed, bouncing his knee as he calmly muttered, "... I stabbed my brother..."
"Wait - what?" Ricky's eyes widened in disbelief, mouth slightly agape, "Why would you -"
Nate's head snapped up, showing the deep blue of his eyes, "When you've had to grow up like I have - with drug addict parents, and a big brother who would rather have you dead than have to be burdened with you... you'll understand."
An 11-year-old Ricky nodded, "Believe me, I get it." Biting his lip, he gave a two fingered wave, "Ricky -" leaning against the wall, "My uh - my parents are the same. Only I don't have a brother. I'm an only child."
"Lucky."
"Not so much... my dad - he uh -"
"EVANS! UNDERWOOD! REC ROOM NOW!" The burly man screamed from the other side of the closed door, banging it once with his fist
The action startled him, jolting slightly but recovering quickly so this kid wouldn't see the tremble in his hands, "Does that happen often?"
"You wanted to know what his problem was, right?" Hopping off the mattress, Nate rolled his eyes at the disturbance, "He's a giant prick. That's his problem. C'mon, might as well do what he says..."
"UNDERWOOD!" A loud voice boomed, rattling the bars of the cell to startle him, "You made bail!"
Taking a second to adjust, he blinked a few times and slowly rose from the bench he was stretched out on. It had been a long time since he had slept on one of them, and after knowing the comfort of a bed for the last 9 years, he didn't miss how truly uncomfortable the benches were.
The sun was shining outside, and judging by the amount of noise, it was probably after 8 or so in the morning, which was a treat compared to the last 9 hours.
After being put in the back of the squad car, he was taken to this police station, and put through the process: being searched for any drugs or weapons, fingerprinted, and adding to his array of mug shots from the last 9 or so years. It was a nice 5 years since he'd seen the inside of a cell, and he didn't miss it at all.
His stomach grumbled, not having had anything to eat since the plate of dinosaur shaped chicken nuggets he had made for dinner before they went out trick or treating - over 12 hours ago.
The guard sighed loudly, impatiently waiting for him to get up and leave so he could go back to the box of doughnuts the other officers were cramming into their mouths.
Running his hand through his hair, his stomach growled louder, and he saw the dried blood complimenting the dark purple and yellow bruises outlining his hands and across his knuckles. Taking a long breath, he rose from the bench and stretched before making his way out of the cell.
Following the thin, blonde officer down the corridor, his eyes widened when they reached the corner - half expecting the steely eyed lawyer to be pursing his lips in disapproval at him, not his boss.
"You okay?" Leo asked, clamping a hand on his bare shoulder.
Avoiding his eyes, Ricky nodded and gave a nonchalant shrug, "Yeah, fine. Nothing I haven't been through before." They walked the remainder in silence, with him collecting his bag of belongings from a lady sitting at the front desk before getting to the set of double doors at the main entrance.
"Oh thank God!" She gasped, relieved, throwing her arms around his shirtless body, her eyes welling up with tears as she cried, "I was so scared for you -"
Squeezing her back, he sighed heavily into her neck, "I'm fine. How are the kids?"
Amy sniffled, "Scared they won't see you for awhile." Untangling herself from him, she swept the hair away from her face, "John's a little shook up by you not being there for bedtime and now breakfast...But, I told him you were at school, studying, and you would be back when you got done." She sniffled again, "I dropped them off with my dad and Kathleen." Pivoting her feet, she moved to give the man standing behind him, a hug, grateful they had one decent person one their side, "Thank you, Leo."
Accepting her embrace, the big guy smiled and clapped Ricky on the back gently, "Get something to eat, get cleaned up, and see your family, okay? We'll talk later."
He had been trying to avoid much eye contact with the man since he saw him around the corner, fearing the worst if he were to say something he couldn't take back. Finally allowing himself to glance up, his jaw twitched as he mumbled, "Hey Leo - thanks... for bailing me out..." Knowing it was a fragile situation, Leo gave an understanding nod and a wave as he headed down the paved parking lot.
Waiting until he saw his boss get into his car, he quickly turned to face her with an edge to his tone, "Why did you call Leo?"
Expecting this outburst, she sighed and rolled her eyes, "Here we go... Ricky, you got arrested and your bail was over two thousand dollars - you think I have that kind of money lying around?" She furrowed her brow, "Besides, I figured the one person I could trust with this, would be Leo. Since, you know, you're practically family to him."
Ricky sighed at that word, closing his eyes and yanking on his oily curls in frustration, "Amy - Ben is Leo's son... you realize that, right? I assaulted my bosses son!" Panic began to rise in his body, the small tremble in his hand, returning at the probability of the hell that was to await him in the fallout of his actions as he paced in a circle, "I'm done, Amy. I'm going to get fired, and that's going to be it. Kiss my future goodbye!"
She shook her head, "No. No you're not -"
"How do you -" Before he could finish, her lips were on his, shutting him up, and making him forget about everything for a few seconds. When she pulled away, she kept her eyes on his. They were filled with tears, her lip wobbling, as she confessed, "Because I talked to Leo. I told him everything." His eyes softened, knowing how painful doing such a thing was for her. Kissing her forehead softly, he heard her sniffle into his chest, "That's why he bailed you out, Ricky. He's on your side here."
"Why would you do that?" He swallowed, holding her a little tighter.
"... because I can't help but feel responsible for this whole thing!" Amy cried, "If I -" taking a shaky breath, "If I would have just stayed in California - with you - then none of this would happened and y-you -"
Ricky met her eyes, stroking he left cheek with his thumb, his voice soft, "Don't do that, Ames. Do not blame yourself again. My actions are not your fault, okay?" She sniffled as a response, cutting her gaze away. "Okay, Amy?" He repeated. She nodded slowly, shifting her feet and biting her lip. His lip tipped up a hare, "C'mere -" hugging her tighter against him, and peppering soft kisses against her hair. "Have you called Liv yet?"
Taken aback by his question, she stilled, "Why would I -"
Grabbing her hand, he sighed, "Amy... you suffered something traumatic. It would make sense to talk to your trauma therapist about it, don't you think?"
Taking her hand out of his with a frown, she shook her head and spat, "I don't need to talk to her. I'm fine!"
"Thanks for the ride. I guess I'll go clean up and grab something to eat before I meet you at your dads?" He mumbled, toying with one of their children's many toys littering her floorboards. She nodded, keeping her gaze locked on the steering wheel, while her hands visibly shook against it.
Their drive home was silent, both not saying a word because it would inevitably turn into an argument, and he didn't have the compacity for one right now. Not after being arrested in front of her, and then having to spend the night in a holding cell next to some weird guy named Drago who reeked of booze and cigarettes. He had to fight the nausea of it all night, which is why he allowed himself to drift off on that uncomfortable bench that made his back hurt. Fighting with her, was the last thing he wanted to do, especially in her current state.
He grabbed her hand, and brought it to his lips, kissing the inside of her palm softly and whispering, "It's going to be okay. You know that right? We'll figure this out."
Her fingers twitched against his jaw from the slight tickle, lip starting to wobble as she cried, "...I'm scared..."
Undoing his seatbelt, Ricky leaned over the console and pulled her to him, "You have nothing to be scared about, okay? None of this is your fault, alright?"
Feeling the soothing pace of his heartbeat against her chest, Amy nodded though a rough sniffle, "Hurry back... please... John needs to know you're okay..."
"I need to make sure you're okay, Ames." Pressing his lips to her hair, he sighed, "Why don't you want to talk to Liv?" He watched her eyes immediately lower to her hands that had begun to get shaky again. "Amy... this is serious... what happened to you... you need to face it and be able to heal from it in a healthy way. That starts with being able to be surrounded by people who care about you, and want you to be okay, in a safe environment. Liv is part of that circle too. Heck, I wish I would have had her when I was going through my childhood." He kissed her head again, rubbing his hand across her back, "Take it from me, you don't want to carry this with you anymore. It'll eat you up inside and make you feel disgusting and -"
She sniffled, "What am I supposed to say?" Wiping her face with the back of her hand, "How do I just tell her I was raped by my ex-boyfriend, who -"
Pulling back a little, he used his left hand to brush away the tears running down her cheeks, "You just start at the beginning. Like you did to me. Tell her everything. Don't hold back." She bit her lip, the little crease in her brow that showed up when she was worried about something, becoming visible. Shifting his hand, he ran his thumb over it, "Don't let him win, by keeping you silent - You didn't do anything wrong, Amy. You have to understand that."
Catapulting into his chest again, she covered her face with her hands, shaking as she sobbed, "Why am I such a screwup?"
"You're not." He responded softly, the loud grumble of his stomach causing him to let a small chuckle pass his lips, "I know you hear my stomach growling - but I'm not leaving this spot until I hear you tell yourself this isn't your fault." She was still crying, her hard sobs quieting to softer whimpers. Taking her hands into his, he met her eyes, "I've been there, okay? I know what this is like, and it's not an easy road, but you have me and you'll never have to go through this alone." Lifting her hands, he placed three quick kisses on them, his lip tipping up at her, "Promise."
Cutting across the side of the guest house into the back yard, she watched them running into the grass, playing on the new playset her dad and Kathleen had gotten last month before she came back from San Diego. The kids loved it, John especially. Some days you couldn't get him off of it without a tantrum.
Robbie was at the top of the slide, holding onto Emma's waist as John popped out from under it, making her kick her sandal covered feet and squeal his name. That was all she said for the last week, repeatedly yelling it at whoever would listen. She sure did love her big brother.
The oven timer beeped loudly, signaling it was preheated to the desired temperature, and ready for her to slide their dinner in.
Ricky was having a late night session at the library preparing for some test, so it was up to her to provide everyone dinner.
She looked up from the pan of frozen chicken nuggets shaped like stars, and watched her two children on the floor by the sofa. John was battling his sisters stuffed animals together, making exploding noises with his mouth, while Emma fidgeted in the bouncer, sucking her thumb between whimpers. John was trying to keep the baby docile, so she could finish at least putting their meal into the oven, but Emma wasn't making it easy. She was teething and very cranky.
"Mommy... h-how tum Em-ma no wa-nt to pway wit me?" He pouted, lowering the little stuffed lion in his hand, with a puckered lip, "Dos sh-e wike me ne-more?"
Amy sighed, quickly tossing the pan into the oven and walking over. Removing the fussy baby from the bouncer, "Don't take it personally buddy, she's just hungry." She sat down on the cushion, and grabbed the throw pillow behind her head, "I'm sure once she's done, she'll want to play with you." Placing her daughter's body evenly on it before lifting her swollen boob out of her bra and wincing at the painful latch her child had, and the newfound way she wanted to grab onto her boob while she was nursing. It wouldn't have been so bad if her little baby nails didn't feel like talons.
Having been no stranger to the sight before him, John rested his head against his mother's arm, and started playing with one of the many toys littering the sofa. The sound of the rattle catching his sister's attention as she detached to look at him; not wanting to miss out on even a second of things around her, but also not wanting away from dinner, either. He stilled, remembering what his dad had said about Emma getting distracted while mommy was feeding her, and lowered the toy with a frown.
Going back to her dinner, Emma's legs began to stretch out as she drank quickly, and her feet hit his arm, causing him to giggle. After another minute, a mischievous smirk crossed his lips, as he lifted his hand slowly and grabbed her feet, taunting, "Tic-wel, tic-wel, tic-wel..." as he moved his fingers across her skin. Almost immediately, she detached again, and drew her foot back, grunting at the disturbance before continuing to drink. Until he did it again, and this time made a fart noise with his lips on the bottom of her foot.
"Ow!" Amy yelped, at her daughter pinching her nipple between her fingers as she squirmed and started to coo at him. Doing the action again, Emma batted her arm in excitement and cooed more, showcasing a big gummy grin at him. Normally, she would have scolded John for interrupting his sister's nursing, but the smile on his face at his sister, made her smile too. He was elated with joy, and she was happy to see it; happy to see them getting along. It was all she ever wanted for them.
"Mommy! Mommy!" He cheered, galloping through the grass to get to her before colliding into her legs, with a grin, "Em-ma jus sa-wed a n-ew w-ord, mommy!" Taking her by the hand, he led her over to where they were playing, "Hwere - see!" Crouching to her level at the bottom of the slide, he grabbed her small hand and asked, "C-an I jus go d-own the swide too?"
Quickly, Emma snatched her hand away, shaking her head, and squealed, "No!"
His grin widened, now bouncing on the balls of his light up shoes, "See, see, mommy!"
"Yeah... that's great buddy..." Amy tipped her lip up at him, trying her best to feign enthusiasm because inside she felt as if she was underwater; everything distorting and muffled. She wanted to be happy about her daughters new accomplishment, but it took everything in her to prevent herself from crying at that point.
John looked up at her, swiping the hair out his eyes with his hand, "Where daddy?"
She swallowed nervously, "Um - uh he just left his school. He should be here soon, okay?"
He could tell something was off, and his little mind wanted to know what it was, but instead he just kept looking up at her with those big brown curious eyes, "Mommy?"
She sniffled quickly, not wanting to draw attention to the tears brimming her eyes, "Yeah, bud?"
Without an answer, he wrapped his little arms around her legs and rubbed his head into her thigh, "I lov you..."
That was it. Those three little words caused the dam to break inside, and the tears to spill down her cheeks. Wrapping his head and neck in her embrace, Amy leaned down to kiss the top of his head, "I love you too, baby."
"Jon!" Emma squealed loudly from the top of the slide, "Jon!" being aided by Robbie and Kathleen in going down it.
Giggling through a sniffle, she released her tight grip on him and pointed, "I think someone is trying to get your attention to play with them." With a cock of his head, John untangled his arms from her legs and galloped back over, swiftly accepting his sister's outstretched arms and carting her over to the new sandbox a foot away from the swing set where Robbie sat, waiting. The sight of her children, and their uncle, playing together, brought more tears to Amy's eyes, and the lump in her throat grew bigger the more they squealed in delight at being with each other.
"Hey... how are you doing?" Kathleen asked softly, touching her shoulder, eyes kind and gentle, "George told me..."
Sniffling, her brow furrowed, "How did he -" before blowing a hard breath from her cheeks, "Oh... Ricky..."
"Try to not to be upset with him, he's just worried about you, and felt that George had a right to know since you're his daughter."
"So he used his one phone call to call my dad?"
She nodded, "Ricky thought he owed George that much - especially given that he was sitting in a cell for doing what he knew George would have done too."
Lowering her eyes, the tears started rolling down Amy's face again, her voice low and broken, "... How did I get myself into this mess?"
Wrapping her arm around her shoulders, Kathleen shook her head, "You didn't. This isn't your fault, honey."
One of her children's squeals, caused her to lift her eyes. Her face contorting as she continued to cry, "How am I going to tell them?"
"Don't think about that right now. They're too young to understand, and you need to focus on you, and your well-being, Amy." She gave her another comforting squeeze, "Let yourself process and heal from this in a way that is best for you."
Taking a moment to compose herself, Amy swallowed roughly and hugged her arms to her chest, letting the remaining tears fall from her eyes before sniffling, "Do you mind watching them for a little bit longer? I need to do something before Ricky gets here."
Without hesitation, Kathleen nodded and took a step to the side to let her go and to keep the children from seeing her walk away and becoming upset. "Of course, they're fine here. You just do whatever you need to do. They'll be here when you get back."
"This is bad, George. So, so bad!" Panicked, he ran his hand over his face repeatedly, trying to combat punching something or sinking to the floor at his stupidity in the situation. "Why did I have to do it?" He asked himself with a groan, craning his neck up towards the ceiling, "I just... snapped..."
He stood up, putting his hands on his shoulders, "Take a breath will you before you fall through the floor." Doing so, George could see it in the teens eyes that he was spooked, and sighed with an edge in his tone, "I'm glad you did it. He deserved it for hurting my little Amy! And if you wouldn't have, I would! And we wouldn't be sitting here because I would be in jail for murder - not assault." Turning his back, he ran his hand over his face, his red with anger, "That sick little son of a bitch should be thankful you left him alive and just with a busted up face."
Ricky stopped pacing, "So what now?"
"Did you call Reuban?"
He nodded, "Yeah, but he's busy with some court thing today. He's supposed to stop by afterwards to discuss options." A knock at the door caused him to shake his head in disgust and keep his focus on the floor, "You get that. I'm gonna go call Amy and check on the kids." Before walking away quickly and closing the bedroom door behind him.
The knock came again, slightly more impatient. Scratching his brow, George growled at the disruption, "I'm coming!" Grabbing the handle and yanking it open, furrowing his brow at the stranger, "Who the hell are you?"
A woman who looked in her early 40s of average height, with short bobbed blonde hair, and dark rimmed glasses stood in the hallway. She held a clipboard in her arms along with a binder of some sort, and sported an apricot colored blazer that had a plastic badge, with her picture on it, attached. "My name is Bethany with Child Protective Services... is either a Richard Underwood or an Amy Juergens present?" Her tone was stern, eyes cutting first to her surroundings before pivoting around his body and into the apartment.
He gulped roughly, scrambling to close the door as quickly as possible without making it obvious, "Excuse me for just a second -" Wasting no time, he closed the door in her face and made a bee line to the bedroom, not even bothering to knock before busting in.
"What the - " Was Ricky's response, being startled by the invasion of privacy, "Geez, George!"
"Hang up." He demanded, taking another step closer.
His brow furrowed, lowering the phone down a hare, "Why -"
"Just do it. Hang up and come with me. We've got bigger problems to contend with..." Putting his hands on his hips, he grumbled as low as possible, "... Child Protective Services are here..."
It was as if a bomb had exploded on him. The phone fell from his hand, as it began to tremble, and a loud, "FUCK!" Passed his lips, trying his absolute hardest not to fall completely apart. "Ben must have called them, or those officers who arrested me did!" Tossing one of the many toys in the room, across it, he gripped his hair and started to speed up his breathing, "Either way, I'm fucked!"
George grabbed his shoulders again, making sure to be stern, "No you're not. We just have to go in there, act normal, and not give them a reason to want to poke around."
"I know alright!" Ricky spat, shaking him off, "I know the ropes with this stuff -"
He shook his head at his stubbornness, "No, you know it as a kid... you have no idea what it means as a parent. It's different. Very, very different."
There was a pause, his voice cracking as he asked, "Could I lose my kids for this?" George's silence and quick aversion of his eyes, sent a knife through Ricky, the tears now rolling down his cheeks.
He sighed seeing how scared he was, "Don't think like that. They want you to be scared of that. So again I say, get it out of your system, shut up, smile, and answer the questions truthfully - got it?"
"Oh my god! Oh my god! Oh my god, what have I done!" She cried through panicked breaths, pacing back and forth in the grass with her hands gripping her hair. "It's all my fault!"
Standing, she quickly stepped in front of her and grasped her arms, sternly shaking her head, "No, it's not. Don't think that -" Ever since Ricky's phone call ended abruptly, and her phone fell to the grass as she tried to keep herself together, she had been like this. Panicked and pacing. A bad combination that caused her chest to tighten and her breathing to become labored. A panic attack. She tried her best to help her through it, with reminders that she was safe, but it did little to help. Amy was a wound up rubber band ball, waiting to snap.
It came as a complete surprise to Liv when Amy showed up on her office doorstep, slightly disheveled with tears rolling down her cheeks. Given the last few video chats they had had, she knew Amy was trying to navigate her chaotic life that she was baby-stepping back into, but she was taking it in stride and making the best of it. She had a job, she had more time with her kids, her and Ricky were working more on their relationship - despite some newfound issues - and she had finally come to a place where she had accepted her grief and let herself be human again.
Since Amy was no longer a resident of the treatment facility, their much needed session had to be elsewhere besides her office. So Liv took them to a nice little spot at a nearby park, secluded and shady, to let her get everything off of her chest.
And so she did.
For two and a half hours, Amy sobbed, and whimpered, clawed at her clothes, and shook with anxiety as she divulged the trauma unfairly thrust upon her by a man who she thought once cared about her. But after hearing the details fall from her lips, she realized that Ricky was right - keeping silent makes Ben believe he's won, and that he's in control.
She swiped at her cheeks, "Child Protective Services are at my house right now looking for a reason to take my kids away from their father! Don't tell me it's not my fault!" Her voice starting to crack, "If I - if I never would have told Ricky -" a rough breath, "He - he wouldn't have -"
Not backing away, Liv wagged her finger in her face, "Do not do that. Don't beat yourself up. It helps no one - especially you." Amy's eyes lowered at the scold as Liv continued, "You didn't cause this. Okay? You were victimized by a man who you trusted, and that is not your fault. Neither is Ricky's arrest, nor anything else surrounding it. Ricky made his own choices. They had nothing to do with you, okay?" Taking a few seconds, Amy sniffled again before giving a small nod and lowering herself back onto the picnic blanket splayed out in the grass. Liv did the same, "Child Protective Services can't force their way into your home without probable cause. Their main objective is to make sure the children aren't being abused, or neglected. Which they aren't. And once they see that, they'll have no reason to pursue anything further. Take a breath - your kids are gonna be fine." Amy fidgeted with her nails, fighting the urge to start biting them. Liv sighed, "Amy... by allowing yourself to beat yourself up, and sink into this fretful state, you're allowing this Ben person to keep his hold over you and your life." Amy swallowed roughly hearing his name, and lowered her gaze to her feet. Liv sighed again, deeper, and grabbed her hand, her voice gentle, "He already took something from you - from your little family - don't allow him to take your progress too, okay? He's a miserable man, who has made it his mission to be the last man standing in your life in hopes that you'll be with him again one day. He doesn't care about you, or Ricky, or your children - he's a creep who only cares about the idea of you, and who you once were to him. Do not give him anything more - except your anger." Amy's eyes snapped up, unprepared to hear someone say what she's been wanting to do this whole time. Liv nodded, a fierce glint in her eyes, "Unleash hell on him for what he did to you, and Ricky, and your family. Don't allow him to get away with it because of who he is, or what he used to be to you. You don't deserve to be taken advantage of and have no voice in the matter. Accountability must be had, honey."
Lowering her head into her hands, "Why?" Amy squeaked through the lump in her throat, as angry, hot tears rolled down her cheeks, "Why does life hate me so much, Liv?" Brushing them away, "Why does the universe want to destroy what little happiness I've made for myself?" Looking up she met her blue eyes, lip wobbling, "I mean what did I d -" before her phone let out a loud chime. Grabbing it from the spot of grass it had dropped in, she held her breath, not wanting to read the bad news inevitably waiting for her. But when she saw the image, and read the caption, she released the breath and her lips formed a small smile.
It was of John and Emma, lying on Kathleen's couch; Emma was lying across John's torso, and he had his arm over her, eating a snack. The caption under it reading: "It got a little quite (and with toddlers that's concerning...) and this is how I found them. I knew I had to get a picture for you. They're doing great!"
Peering over at the screen, Liv smiled, "You want to know the answer to your question? Here is it - life doesn't hate you, Amy. The universe doesn't want to steal your happiness either." Pointing to the phone, "You've been given a gift - because if life hated you, and wanted to steal your happiness... you wouldn't have pictures like this to admire and cherish."
"Thank you so much for your time, I'll be in touch within a few days, okay?" Bethany stood up, extending her hand for them both to shake, with a smile.
Ricky went first, trying to hide the shakiness of his hand. George looked over at him subtly, walking her to the door, "Sounds good. Drive safe now." She nodded politely and made her way towards the stairs. Once he heard the door leading down to the butchershop close, he quickly closed the apartment door and blew a breath from his cheeks, "I think we're in the clear..."
Running his hand over his face, Ricky expelled the deep breath he had be holding in, and glanced down at his watch. Shaking his head at the time, and frowning, "Crap! I forgot to pick up the kids from Kathleen."
Waving his frustration off, George grabbed his phone and held it up for him to see, "They're fine - see -" Ricky smiled at the image displayed; John had his arm around Emma, as she nestled into his side with her blanket and bottle, both watching something on the TV that he couldn't see. Pulling his phone down and into his jacket pocket, George put his hands on his hips, "What do we do now?"
"Now... I go talk to Reuban and see what I can do about this mess!" He grumbled, going into the kitchen for a glass of water. Gulping it down quickly, "And depending on that conversation... I go see Leo..."
He rose a brow, pursing his lips, "Is that a wise decision?"
Filling the cup back up again, he gulped down three sips, "He bailed me out, George." Tossing it into the stack of dishes mounting in the sink, he made his way into the livingroom and grabbed his jacket from the couch, "There has to be some part of him that's on my side - or else he wouldn't have. I have to at least hear what he has to say."
"They just showed up to your apartment?" His eyes widened, taken aback by the news that the young man had brought to him, "And you don't know who called them?"
"I have a guess..." He lowered his eyes as he spoke, his jaw tensing, "I just hate the fact that this woman had to go through the shop when Bunny and customers were downstairs."
He nodded, "They aren't launching an investigation, are they?"
His shoulders lifted and then dropped, completely worn out, "I don't know. I was as honest as I could be, but with my history..." a rough swallow, "Thankfully, Amy doesn't live with us, so I don't think she's included in all of this... but her stint in the treatment center could pose a question to her fitness as a mother..." His eyes cut to his hands, "My mom - Margaret - she's making some calls and checking into some of her connections, but... it's a mess." After a few seconds of silence, he raised his head and met his eyes, his voice shaky and nervous, "I'm scared, Leo. I can't lose my kids -"
About to respond, they heard a heavy thud and then footsteps coming down the hallway before he appeared; face still shades of purple and yellow, the dark bruises lining his cheekbones and jawline, making his pale skin almost impossible to detect; left eye more swollen than it was last night, while the right one held only a sliver of black under it.
"Are you kidding me? You bailed him out!" Ben fumed loudly at his father, crossing his arms and stomping his foot like a child throwing a tantrum.
Rising from the seat he was in, Ricky wasted no time in grabbing the entitled brat by the shirt and pinning him against the wall, "You self centered little prick -" his voice was cutting, trying to refrain from breaking the teens scrawny chest wall, as he seethed with rage, "You called Child Protective Services on me!"
Knowing that trying to push him off was no use, Ben simply just shrugged with a smirk, "You beat the shit out of me - whose to say your anger doesn't run in your genetics..."
Getting a tighter grip, Ricky slammed him into the drywall harder, teeth gritted, "I've already got a mark on me for beating you once - why not finish the job correctly?"
Leo stood, putting his hands up and shouting at them, "Alright! Enough!" Obeying, he released his grip, massaging his knuckles to release the tension.
Dusting himself off, Ben angrily pointed at the door, "Get the hell out! You're not welcome here."
"No!" His voice boomed, demanding, "Ricky - sit. We're not done with our conversation." Before turning on his heel to be face to face with his son, "Shut up and listen to me!" Taking a few calming breaths, he began speaking, "I've been a very understanding man... a very forgiving man... but that stops now. I am done bailing you out of whatever trouble you've decided to get yourself into time after time. First with Adrian and getting her pregnant, then with Dylan and burning down the school... again with calling Omar a predator, and now with Amy -"
He scoffed, "Dad -"
But Leo wasn't having it, "I said zip it!" Shaking his head, "I really thought you wouldn't keep doing stupid things; that maybe college was the place where you could mature - but I was wrong."
Crossing his arms over his chest again, he shrugged nonchalantly, as if the words his father was screaming at him, held no merit. "What so you're going to punish me? What are you gonna do? Cut me off?"
"Life isn't about money!" He yelled, taking a step closer and putting his finger into his face, "I'm done, Benjamin. I'm done letting you skirt though life with the belief that you are untouchable. This is your mess - and you're going to clean it! Without my help, and without the help of the people I employ!" His face was turning red, "You're going to go down to that police station and you're going to withdraw whatever charges you brought against Ricky. And after that you're going to call Child Protective Services and tell them you made a mistake and to close the case." Another deep breath, "Then you're going to apologize to Amy, and you're going to go to Reuban and have him draw up a restraining order for Amy, that you're going to sign because it'll keep you from going near her, or her family, ever again!"
"And why would I do that, dad? Hmm? Ricky attacked me!" Ben rebutted, using his finger to draw an invisible circle in the air around his face, his voice angry, "He nearly broke my nose and you want to defend him?"
"You assaulted the mother of his children!" Leo countered, so loudly it startled Ricky. He was done dealing with Ben's mouth. "You took advantage of Amy when she was drunk and unconscious - You're lucky all he did was bust up your face!" Running a hand over his face, he sighed, "Amy doesn't belong to you, son. She's not your property! You had no right to sleep with her when she wasn't able to be coherent for it!"
Shaking his head, "Now go and fix this mess!"
"And if I don't?"
His eyes enlarged, "Excuse me?" Trying to keep his rising temper at bay, "... If you don't, and you decide to keep being an idiot... then I'll go back upstairs and let Ricky finish the job, because I've had it you!" Throwing his hands up in defeat, he sighed, "I raised you to be a good man. An honest man who is kind and giving... but all you've ever done since you met Amy was take from her." Sighing again, "Your obsession with this girl has gone far beyond the puppy love you showed for her in the beginning, Ben. You've reached the pinnacle to where I don't even recognize you anymore. You've allowed this compulsive obsession to morph you into a creep who preys on vulnerable women." Running his hand over his face, Leo shook his head and walked out of the room before turning on his heel and ushering one final warning to his son, "If I don't get a call from Reuban within the next 24 hours... I'm changing the locks... Your choice, Ben."
Waiting until his father exited the room, Ben turned and glared at Ricky with a huff. Ricky shrugged it off with an amused and disgusted scoff, shaking his head and making his way out of the house.
Tiptoeing to the door, she slowly turned the knob and stepped inside, surprised that it was quiet and the lights were all off everywhere except the kitchen. Stepping through, her brow furrowed, seeing him sitting on the couch with his head in his hands. "Where are the kids?"
Lifting his head, Ricky ran his hand over his face, "I left them at your dads. Kathleen was throwing a sleepover for everyone." Raising off the couch, he took a step towards her, rubbing the tension from his neck, "Did you go see Liv?" Putting her purse down, she nodded. Pursing his lips, "I went to see Leo and Reub -"
Amy's eyes widened, shouting through a squeak, "You told Reuban?" He stilled, lifting his eyes to hers. Hers holding both disbelief and embarrassment as she shook her head at him, "That means Adrian knows, and Omar knows - and everyone else!" Gripping the roots of her hair with her left hand, she groaned, "It's bad enough you called my dad and Kathleen -"
Taking a step closer, he put his hand on her arm, "I did that for your protection. Just in case Ben came after you, your dad could protec -"
Shaking him off, "I don't need you to protect me, okay!" She spit, crossing her arms, "I'm a grown woman! I can take care of myself!" The facade quickly cracking as her face contorted and she started to cry.
He swallowed, reaching out to her again, "Hey - hey I'm sorry, alright. I'm sorry." Gripping her arm, he brought her to him and wrapped both arms around her, kissing her head, "Everything's going to be okay. Don't worry about any of it."
"How can I not?" She sniffled through her tears, gripping his shirt between her fingers, "You - you got arrested! Social services are sniffing around for anything they can use against you! And now everyone knows what happened in New York!" Gripping him tighter, she sobbed into his shoulder, "Our life is in utter shambles, Ricky!" Letting her have her moment, he stayed silent, continuing to pepper soft kisses to her hair as she cried against him. Lifting her head slowly, he heard her weakly mumble, "... maybe I did leave too early..." Pulling away slightly, his brow furrowed and his lips parted. But before he could say anything she shook her head, "Maybe I should just go back and stay in San Diego - at least there everything wasn't falling apart when I was around!" His jaw twitched, trying to prevent himself from saying something he would regret later. Lifting her tear filled eyes to his, she saw what her words did to him; the hurt radiating inside those pools of brown, that she had caused. She gulped and let her lip tremble as she sputtered into his chest, "I - I j-j-just w-want t-this n-n-nightmare to enddd!"
"Hey - shhh, it will. It will end, Amy. You don't have to run away again." A tear slid down Ricky's cheek seeing her fall apart like this. Running his hand across her back, he tightened his jaw again, remembering who caused all of this. His blood starting to get hot. "If you run away then Ben wins, and all the progress you've made will be wasted because of him."
Sniffling again, Amy wiped her cheeks with the back of her palm, her voice cracking, "How can you still look at me after all of this?" Her eyes were pleading and tired; the sparkle that normally glistened in them, dulling. It hurt him to see it, because she was worth so much more than how she was being treated.
Meeting them, and the tears that still brimmed at the rims, he touched her cheek with his thumb and whispered, "Because I love you, Amy Juergens." Her lips parted at his confession with a small gasp, but he kept going, "I'll always love you, no matter what." She sniffled, her lip tipping up just a hare and her eyes brimming with more tears. Happy tears. His lips turned up into a smile, "Besides, me of all people should be asking you that question. I'm damaged goods afterall... yet you still chose to be with me." Kissing her softly, he stroked her cheek, "Shouldn't that tell us something?"
"That we're destined for the world to keep shitting on us?" She scoffed through a chuckle, wiping her eyes with her ring fingers
He shook his head, kissing her again, "No... It means that we have something between us that is more than physical. We have a connection that was fated, probably since the day I saw you struggling with your French horn at Bandcamp... Or since you first saw me and plowed into that dude in front of you."
They both giggled at the memory, before she latched onto his body tightly, whimpering into neck, "... I'm scared, Ricky..."
Grasping her tighter, "Don't be. I'm not going to let anything happen to you." Taking a deep inhale, he closed his eyes and burrowed his nose into her neck, breathing in the calming scent of her strawberry and cherry shampoo. "That's a promise I'm willing to take to my grave. You'll never be hurt by anyone like that ever again, Amy."
Feeling a slight shift in the mattress, his arm twitched slightly, not yet ready to leave the lovely dream he was in to face the morning. But when his arm twitched again at the cool of the bedsheet, he rolled over and slowly started opening his eyes. She was sitting up, hunched over with her phone in her hands, a worried look on her face. Pressing his palm into the mattress, he sat up and placed a kiss on her shoulder, his words slurred by sleep, "Morning... what's wrong?" Without hesitation, she shifted the phone into his hand to let him read for himself. To no surprise, it was a text from Ben, requesting to talk. He knew Leo's warning to Ben, but Amy didn't, and it wasn't his place to influence her decision. If she were to talk to Ben, it needed to be because she wanted to, and not because she knew Leo forced it to happen.
She bit her lip, "Should I?"
Handing the phone back to her, he lifted his shoulders and stifled a yawn with his hand, "It's up to you. I'll support you in whatever you decide."
Turning to him, she picked at her thumbnail, "Will you go with me?"
"Of course." He leaned in to kiss her lips before removing himself from the bed to stretch, "You want some breakfast?"
Grabbing his hand before he took off towards the kitchen, Amy meet his eyes, her lip turning up just a hare, "Actually... I was thinking maybe we could go pick up the kids and go out for breakfast somewhere? I want to spend some time with them. I really miss them."
Glancing at the clock on the stove, "John has school in an hour..." he gave her a blank look before shrugging, "But it won't hurt him to miss one day, I guess. It's preschool, he'll survive." Looking at the clock again, Ricky yawned and stretched his neck, "Let me grab a shower and then we can go pick them up." Pursing her lips, she nodded, and tried to hide the smile. "What's the look for?"
"I'm just... I'm really happy I came back."
His lip tipped up, walking towards her again and dipping in for another, slower, kiss, "Me too." Before capturing her lower lip with a husky, "Care to join me?"
She cocked a brow at his suggestion, shoving him playfully, "Don't you think we should be dating at least a month before I join in on your shower?"
He smirked with a scoff, "Says the girl who gave me a mind-blowing blow job a few weeks ago in someone else's shower..." Biting his lip, he cocked his brow at her, "A month, huh? You really think you can last that long? Aren't I super irresistible though?"
She couldn't help the giggle that escaped, "Wowww, cocky aren't we?" Throwing her legs over the side of the mattress, "We slept in the same bed last night without having sex, so it's doable." She stood to stretch, "What about you? Think you can go a month without sex?"
Ricky scoffed again, running his hand into his hair, "Please, I survived the entire summer - a month is nothing."
"Hey, I abstained just fine in San Diego before you got there, thank you very much!" Amy shot back, shoving his shoulder.
He clicked his tongue, smirking, "Uh huh, right. That's why I heard you in the bath my first night there, 'taking care of yourself'."
Eyes widening, her cheeks went red, "You heard that?"
Nodding, he grabbed her hand and circled her knuckles with his thumb, his eyes holding amusement, "Mhmm, I'm flattered you chanted my name so much, Ames... hope your fingers did as good a job as mine..."
Rolling her eyes, she bit her bottom lip, trying to shoo away the memory of the act he was describing before her cheeks turned into beets, "Uh-huh, well I hope your hand does as good a job as mine because that's all you'll be getting for the next month."
His lip twisted up into a wicked smirk, his eyes glinting with lust as he mouthed, "We'll see..."
"What a wager - how did you come up with that anyway?" Looping her arm through his, she leaned in to whisper something into his ear, both of them giggling as he shoved the door to the shop open.
Their laughter halted upon seeing him, her grip tightening on his bicep as his eyes lifted to meet hers.
"What do you want?" Ricky spat, taking a protective step in front of her once he felt her body tense and heard her breathing start to quicken.
Stuffing his hands into his pockets, Ben took a few steps closer, "I came by to talk to Amy-"
He put his hand out to stop him, "You can speak from there. Don't take another step closer."
Lifting his shoulders, "Fine." He paused for brief second before speaking, "I wanted to apologize, Amy. It's become apparent to me that maybe our night in New York wasn't completely seen the same way. We were both drinking, and decisions were made that now seem questionable..." Twisting his shoe into the floor, "I care about you. You know this - I always have... but if what we did was traumatic for you... or my actions put you in a situation where you halve to question the gravity of what we did... I'm sorry. I'm sorry if I unintentionally took advantage of you, or made you feel used in anyway." His head lowered slightly, "I spoke with Alice, and she made me realize that I was wrong. Given how we were both drunk when things went too far - be it accidentally or not..." Sighing, "Still, they did. And if I hurt you in anyway... I'm sorry, Amy..."
Nodding slowly, Ricky's jaw tensed, not believing a single shred of what was flying out of Ben's mouth because he knew the truth. Leo made him do this, and while he appreciated him doing so, he knew Ben wasn't sincere in any of the words he just spoke. Hopefully Amy knew that too. "Okay, you've said your piece - now go. You're done here."
But he knew better, Amy was always so forgiving to everybody, to a fault, that it came as no surprise to him when he felt her grip loosen from his arm and her voice squeak through a sniffle, "... Could you give us a minute?"
Biting his tongue to prevent himself from saying what he really wanted to say - which was essentially to tell Ben to fuck off - Ricky leaned over and kissed her head, swiping his thumb across her arm, "I'll be in the car."
Waiting until the door chimed behind them, Ben smugly twisted his lips, "You really came back for him, huh?" She stayed silent, crossing her arms over her chest. Scoffing, "Oh course you did... you've been obsessed with him since he got you pregnant at Bandcamp."
Her brow rose, lips pursing, "Weren't you just apologizing for being a piece of shit? What changed?"
"Nothing. I am sorry, Amy." He sighed again, his voice lowering, "I'm sorry about a lot of things. One being that you actually think being with that guy is the answer knowing how it ended the last time."
"Try again." She snapped back, her eyes daggering, "Actually no, don't. It's time for me to speak now." Waving her hand to dismiss him from speaking, "No more of your half-assed apologies, alright? Let's state facts now." Pausing to gather herself, Amy took a deep breath, and took a step forward, "You raped me, Ben. You decided that you were going to sleep with me when I was so drunk, and incoherent, I couldn't protest - even though I told you no several times. You didn't care. You didn't care enough about me to stop... and you don't care about me now. You just care that you got caught." The tears were brimming in her eyes, but she refused to allow them to fall. He would not get the satisfaction of seeing her cry. So she swallowed them back and snarled, "So you can apologize until your blue in the face from lack of breath, but it doesn't change anything. It doesn't change what you did to me." Her lip started to wobble against her wishes, a few tears escaping her lashes in protest of being held back. She swallowed again, clenching her fists tightly until her nails dug into her palms. It was the only way to prevent herself from completely falling apart remembering the situation, "Do you know what I've been through because of you? I nearly lost my life, Ben... because I was so distraught and confused by something I couldn't grasp; these hazy snippets of that night randomly popping up, causing me to question myself..." Her voice dropped to barely above a whisper, being choked by the lump forming in her throat, "And then having to bury it so deep inside me, in fear that Ricky would hate me, and be disgusted by me if he ever found out..." More tears rolled down her cheeks, dripping off of her jaw onto the floor as she lifted her head to meet his eyes; wanting him to see the rage and the pain buried deep within their glassy pool as she growled through gritted teeth, "THATS what you did, Ben! You made me question if I caused this. You used me and made me believe it was my fault; like I was going crazy for believing what I already knew but was too terrified to come to terms with." Jaw tensing, "But just to add onto my suffering... you had the father of my children arrested, and sent social workers to my house to take my kids..." Lowering her eyes, she sniffled, "You claim you care about me? That's not care, Ben. That's manipulation! You're manipulating me just like you always have since I met you! It's always been about you! And getting what YOU wanted. You never gave a damn about me, or what I wanted." There was a break in her voice, another tear sliding down her cheek, "You don't love me. You never did. You were obsessed with me, and when I got away from you, you couldn't handle it - which is why you've always had it out for Ricky... because he's the man you'll never be." Ben swallowed at the dig, his eyes turning hard as she continued her verbal assault. "He's someone that, despite what we've been through, I know he'll never hurt me like you did." Taking another step forward, just mere inches from his face, Amy's lip twitched into a smirk, "I love Ricky. I always will. He makes me happy, and we're going to continue to be happy... and you? Well you can be miserable for all care - If I cared." Ben swallowed again, his Adam's apple bobbing with annoyance and frustration as his breathing became harsher. Her smirk widened at his reaction, before her lips pursed again and she shoved her finger into his scrawny chest, her voice cutting, "So no. I don't accept your apology. I won't. I want you to leave. Do me that favor and leave my life. Drop the charges against Ricky, call social services and tell them what an amazing dad he is, and then stay away from me and my family, forever -" She shoved him, angrily, "Forget I exist. Forget I ever existed, okay? Go off and live your life and terrorize someone else. Just... leave..." Eyes hardening, "Because if you don't... if you ever come near me again - you won't have to worry about Ricky... because I will kill you. Understand?" Silently, Ben nodded and lowered his gaze to the floor, his jaw tensing at seeing this woman who he still loved, demeanor shift as she rammed into his shoulder and walked out the door. Out to him. Out to the man who he loathed, and would always be his enemy.
He was perched on the hood of his car, watching them through the window because she knew he wasn't just going to stand off to the sidelines without at least being able to see her and their interaction. Normally, it drove her crazy that he was so adamant on hovering, but today, it was comforting.
Not waiting for her to speak, Ricky hopped off his car and wrapped her in his arms, kissing her lips passionately. "You're amazing, you know that?" He smiled, brushing the hair away from her eyes, "We're gonna be okay, Amy..."
For the first time since she revealed everything to him, Amy felt at peace. Here was this man, whom she shattered over and over again, standing by her side amidst all the chaos. Even getting himself arrested defending her against someone he used to call a friend, and taking whatever consequences it came with, because he loved her. She broke this man's heart more than once, in cruel ways, yet... he continued to love her. Through all of it, Ricky chose to keep wanting her. Even when he had another option... he chose her.
It wasn't a choice to love him. It was fate.
Their fate in finding each other that one afternoon at Bandcamp that turned into a spiral of highs and lows that led them to this. Right here. This moment in time where he was holding her in his arms, marveling at the inner strength it took to tell Ben off and walk away from a fragile situation. Not giving a damn about himself, or what it might mean for the charges brought against him. He only wanted her in that moment.
Her heart felt whole again, the tears rolling down her cheeks in happiness instead of sorrow as she sniffled and nuzzled into his chest, "I know that... because I have you by my side."
"Y-ou t-ant gwet me! Y-ou t-ant gwet me!" He shouted, running around the sofa in a circle away from his niece who was cruising along the sofa cushions.
Kathleen came back into the room, her brow furrowed at seeing the 10-month-old who was somehow removed from her playpen, attempting to cruise her way to the other couch. "How did Emma get out here?"
The tots looked at each other, wasting no time in pointing at the other and declaring, "he did it" in unison.
Running over to his sister, John wrapped his hands around her tiny waist, and looked up at their caregiver, "Um, Kaff-ween... c-an - c-an I jus hav sum cann-y pwease?"
"John, it's 8 in the morning. It's breakfast time, buddy." She shook her head, picking up a few discarded toys from under the coffee table.
"Cann-y for bwekfest?" He cocked his head, closing one eye and lifting his lip. She shook her head again, putting an empty sippy cup on the sofa. Picking up the baby, he carried her over to their uncle, and turned back with a pursed lip expression, "Fwen-ch Toa-st?"
About respond, they heard the back door open suddenly and a voice shout, "We're here!"
Dropping the toy truck he was holding, he ran towards the kitchen excitedly, "Mommy hwere!"
"Hey buddy -" Sticking his head out, Ricky's lip tipped up
A small gasp fell from his lips as John screamed, "DADDY!" And jumped into his open arms, clawing at his back with his tiny fingers.
Ricky could feel his son's heartbeat racing inside his small body, and clutched him close, running his palm over his head, "I'm okay, bud - I missed you so much though."
"Why you jus n-ot com bwack fr-om skool?" John sniffled twice, scrunching his t-shirt
"I had a really important issue to fix, and I couldn't leave until it was done." Ricky sighed, hearing his son's whispery sniffles, "But it's done now, and mommy and I want to take you and Emma out for breakfast with us."
Releasing his tight grip, he raised his head off his shoulder and asked, "Me skool?"
"Do you want to go to preschool today, John?" A frown came to his face. Taking his hand, Amy patted it gently, "You can if you want to, baby, or you can come with daddy, Emma and me."
Nodding, he poked his dad's cheek with a giggle, "I go wit youuuuu!"
Attending to their other child who was aggressively babbling at them from her place on the first step of the stairwell, she ran a hand over Emma's mess of curls with a giggle, "So much bedhead... you take after daddy, huh?" The infant's response was a squeal as she tried to climb to the next step.
Wiggling out of his fathers grasp, John went over to his sister, "Em-ma jus cwy cuz she mwiss daddy..." Wrapping his hands around her waist and pecking the back of her head, "But I jus hwolded her til she went night-night a-gin!"
They both smiled at the boy before their mom kissed his cheek, "You're such a good big brother, buddy."
Seeing her daddy come into full view when he got closer to the stairs, Emma raised both her small arms up to her head and passionately squeal-screamed out, "Dada!"
"Awre we go-in n-ow?" John asked, bypassing his sister to climb a few more steps.
Amy giggled at him, reaching behind her to tug at his pant legs, "You're in your jammies, silly!" Handing the baby to Ricky, "Why don't you let daddy get you and Emma changed and then we'll go, okay?" With a nod, he shot up the stairs and disappeared into the hallway.
Sighing playfully, he hiked the infant pulling at his nose, up higher on his hip and made his way up the steps, only to be greeted by a high pitched shriek. "Wicky! Wicky!" She heard her little brother cheer, knowing full well that they'd be having a plus one on their outing because Robbie absolutely adored Ricky, and Ricky would insist on not leaving him out.
So it came as no surprise when she heard Ricky shout back, "Robbie! Robbie!" Before a fierce round of cackling sounded, making her smile as she got off the step and went into the kitchen.
Hearing footsteps, she opened the refrigerator door, "they went to bed a little later than scheduled - so I hope that won't be an iss-" stopped mid sentence by two arms wrapping around her body.
Amy sniffled, her voice laced with gratitude, "Thank you for being so supportive, Kathleen. To my dad, to Ricky and my kids, and... even to me."
Kathleen patted her hands, reassuringly, with a smile, "Thank you for saying that, Amy." Feeling her hands release, she turned on her heel to see her face. "Are you okay?" Tears ran down the young mothers cheeks, but not in sadness this time. Her eyes were glassy, but they didn't hold the pain she normally saw in them. Those were tears of happiness. And she loved seeing them.
Dabbing her eyes with the tips of her ring fingers, Amy smiled through a sniffle and nodded, "I am. I went to see my therapist yesterday, and I'm taking it one day at a time. I feel stronger, and I think I'm finally ready to fight for what I want."
Nodding, Kathleen put her palm on the island, hearing the chorus of clompy footsteps descending the stairs, "And what do you want?"
Noting the combination of noises coming her way from her little family, her smile widened and a tear slid down her jaw as she stated, "For me and Ricky and our kids to be a family again..."
What do you think will happen now, hmm? ;)