Chapter 85: What about Bob?

Warning: language, abusive relationship, partial nudity (kind of)

  "Mom!  Mom!"  Trevor said excitedly.  "When's Dad supposed to be here?"

  Luna smiled at her son.  "He should be here any moment now."

 

   "I have a game on Saturday, I hope he can make it!  Coach says I'm a brilliant player, a natural leader, just like my Dad!"

  Luna tousled his hair.  "Of course you're brilliant, Cupcake."

  Trevor ducked away.  "M-o-m!" he complained, "I'm eight years old now, I'm not a baby!  Please stop calling me that, it's embarrassing!"  Just then Trevor caught sight of his Dad looking through the front door window.  "It's Dad!"  He yelled, and he raced for the front door, and threw it open.

  Trevor really hoped that his Dad could make it to his game.  He knew his Dad was busy, but sometimes he wished his Dad would spend a little time with him too.  His Mom said that his Dad loved him very much, but Trevor wasn't so sure.  He always felt like he disappointed his Dad somehow, but he could never figure out exactly why.

  He really wanted to hug his Dad, but his Dad didn't like it when he did that.  He said only sissies did that, and Trevor didn't want to be a sissy.  He stood there awkwardly, looking up at his Dad, his mind going a million miles a minute.  What should he say?  He hadn't seen his Dad in three months, was a simple hi the right thing to do?  He waved, and then felt a little stupid.  "Hi Dad!"

 
  His Dad frowned in response.  Trevor smiled hesitantly.  "Hey Dad, I..."

  Devin interrupted his son.  "I don't have time to listen to your nonsense Trev, I need to talk to your mother, where did she go?"

  Trevor's face fell and he looked down at the ground.  "She's still in the house."

  "Look at me when you speak to me boy."  Devin's voice was curt.

  Trevor looked up.  "Yes Sir."

  Devin forced a smile.  "Much better.  Now, take me to your mother."

 

    "Yes Sir."  Devin turned around and headed into the house, his dad right behind him.  His Dad sounded kind of mad, and Trevor hated it when his Dad was mad.  He would yell at his mom, and make her cry.  Trevor had even seen his Dad hit her, his Dad told him that his mom had made him.  That she had a smart mouth.  Trevor hoped he didn't have a smart mouth, he didn't want to get hit.

  Then he remembered that his grandpa was at home, and his dad was always nice when his grandpa was home.  So he relaxed a bit, everything should be okay.  "Mom!"  He yelled, "Dad needs to talk to you!"

  "Mom?  Where are you?"

  "The bathroom!"

  Trevor led his Dad to the bathroom, the door was open, and his mom was brushing her teeth.  "Dad needs to talk to you."  Luna nodded.

  "Luna you need to teach the boy some manners."

  Luna rinsed her mouth out, and then turned to face Devin.  "He was just excited Dev, he wanted to tell..."

  "That's no excuse."

  Trevor hated it when his Dad talked so meanly to his mom.  "Dad, " he piped up, determined to help his mother out, "Tanner says I'm the politest, nicest boy he knows.  And he's a scientist, he studies human be...be...behavior so he knows about these things."  Trevor wished his Dad could be more like Tanner, but then he always felt bad for thinking that.

  Luna winced, as Devin growled.  "Did he?"

  Trevor nodded his head.  "Uh huh."  He said helpfully.  "I always say please and thank you, don't I Mom?"

  "Yes, you do."

  "I think we need to discuss this further at our house, Luna."  Devin commanded in a cold voice.

  "Dev..."  Luna's voice faltered at the icy glitter in his eyes.  He was furious.  Her shoulders drooped.

 

  "Whatcha gonna talk about Dad?"

  "Oh, how I made the All Star team, and I've been transferred to Bridgeport, and on my off time I've been looking at apartments for us."

  "Really!"  Trevor said happily.  "That's cool!  Can I come too Dad?  I want to hear about Bridgeport too!"

  "What do you think Luna, should we bring the boy with?"

  "Please Mom!  Please!  I'll be good, I promise!"

  Luna smiled sadly.  "I know you will Trevor, but not this time."  She hated having to tell him no, and his crestfallen expression tore her up.  He just didn't understand.  "I know you'll be good Trev, I just need to talk to Daddy alone, okay?"  Devin's mood had turned ugly the moment Tanner's name had been mentioned.  She only hoped she could turn his mood back again, but either way, she didn't want her son to witness yet another fight.

  "Okay.  I understand."  Luna knew he didn't really, but she had to protect him, as best as she could.



~<>~


 Jack eyed the hunk of junk on his work table.

 

  Turned out robots were much easier to make than transporters or time machines.  His first one hadn't turned out too well, it kept running repeatedly into walls, windows, doors, couches, tables, and people.  Grandpa Alder and Grandpa Ryder both objected to the last one.  A little bit of tweaking though, and he had a half way decent bot.

  Jack had named him Bob.  He thought Bob was a good solid name for a robot.  Bob didn't help him too much with quantum theory or equations like Jack had hoped, but he made up for it in other ways.  Bob fetched him food, so he didn't have to leave his lab.  He carried messages, he was an extra set of hands, and when he opened his mouth, Jack's favorite radio station played.

  Soon other people heard about Bob, and they wanted Jack to build them a bot too.  At first Jack had refused, it would take valuable time away from his very important job, saving his family. 

 

    The problem was, Jack was stuck.  Everything he tried, failed.  Failure after failure after failure.  It was disheartening.  Digital Ethan was of no help, he just said cryptic words like, when the time was right, Jack would know.  What would he know?  That he had failed his family?  Digital Ethan just smiled at him.  It was quite maddening.

  So in the end, to keep from going crazy, he started building bots.  It was mindless work, so it allowed him to mull the problem he was facing over and over inside his head.  Building a bot only consisted of fabricating some pieces from a special type of aluminum alloy, a few electrical components and wires, and some gear driven shafts.  Then he just put them all together, and added a few trait chips into a positronic brain, and presto!  A fully functioning bot.  Mindless work.

  Easy as eating strawberry pie.  Jack frowned.  He sure wished that building a transporter and a time machine was just as easy. 


~<>~


  Hawk softly kissed his wife's hair, and gently stroked her back.

 

  "I want to be a mother so badly."  Skye sobbed.

  Hawk tightened his arms around her.  "I know Kitten, I know."  He whispered soothingly.

  "But every month it's the same thing."  She cried harder.  "Other than that one time, I get my period, like clockwork."  Skylar had miscarried at five months a few years earlier, the pain of that still haunted her.  She tried not to be jealous of her sister Luna, but it was hard when every night Luna got to tuck her baby into bed.

  "It'll happen, when the time is right."

  Skye couldn't stop the flood of tears, it was all too much.  Every month hoping against hope, and then nothing.  Nothing.  Nothing.  Just lifeless blood.  "I'm so afraid Hawk.  Afraid I'll never hold my own baby."

  "It'll happen."  He repeated.  "When the time is right."  He believed that, had to believe that.  The prophecy would be fulfilled, they would have a child, a son.  He looked at the woman he held in his arms.  She was so brave, and gentle and kind, so pure to his darkness.  Some days he almost felt guilty at his own deceit. 


  ~<>~


  Luna jumped when her bedroom door opened, and she quickly hid her face.  "What part of leave me alone don't you understand Tanner?"  It had to be Tanner, her family knew to respect her boundaries, only Tanner ignored them.  She felt him sit down beside her on the bed, and then heard his horrified gasp.

 

  "What the hell happened?"

  "I'm clumsy, and I fell."

  Tanner cursed.  "On your face?  Don't lie to me Luna, it was him, wasn't it?  Wasn't it?"

  Luna started to cry.  "We broke up again.  It was my fault Tanner."

  Tanner started to get up from the bed.  "I'm going to kill him."  He vowed.  He didn't care that Devin was physically stronger and much bigger than him, hitting women was unacceptable in Tanner's book.

  Luna reached out a hand, and stopped him.  "Please Tanner, don't leave me, I don't want to be alone."  She also didn't want to be responsible for the death of her best friend on top of everything else.  Devin would kill him.

 

  "Just hold me, please?"  Tanner sighed heavily, and then gathered her close.  She snuggled into him with a soft sigh.  He would leave Devin for another day, he couldn't leave her the way she was.

  "He needs to be arrested Luna.  What he did was wrong."  Tanner said, as gently as he could.  Surely she could see that?  He felt her stiffen.

  "I started it, because I'm a stupid, fat wh*re."  She started crying again.  "It's not his fault Tanner, I drive him to do it.  If only I could be smarter, or prettier, or..."

  "That's a bunch of bull."  Tanner looked at her, and he wanted to weep along with her.  "Luna, don't you know, you are so beautiful, and giving, and smart, clever, funny..." He paused for a moment, "How could you ever believe otherwise?"

  "You only say that Tanner because you're my friend, only Devin could love someone as ugly as me, love love, not friend love."

  "No, I say it, because it's true."  He stared into her eyes, willing her to see the truth in them. He wasn't sure which one of them made the first move, but their lips touched, tenderly at first, hesitantly, before quickly heating up, along with his blood.  His heart thundered in his chest so loudly, he was sure she could hear it.  She pushed him back against the bed, almost aggressively.

 

  Tanner knew he should put a stop to this before things got too out of hand, he just wanted to savor a few more moments.  He had dreamed about her for years, yearned for her to see him, to see how much he loved her, and not just as a friend.  Then she unbuttoned her dress, leaving her breasts exposed, and he knew the time to stop it had already passed.

  She reached down to unsnap his pants, but he stopped her, and kissed her softly to take the sting of his rejection away.  She was almost too frantic, too aggressive, and he wanted to slow things down, take his time.  This was a dream come true; he wanted to savor every moment of it.  "Slowly Luna, we have plenty of time, there's no need to rush."  He kissed her again, oh how he loved this woman, with every fiber in him.

  Luna was a little confused.  Take their time?  Devin had always wanted it quick, and hard, most times he wouldn't even bother with getting undressed.  He also liked leaving marks on her while they had sex, he called them love marks.  But Tanner, he was...different.

   She had just wanted to feel loved again, and when she had looked into Tanner's eyes, she had seen love there.  And through his eyes, she had even felt...beautiful. She couldn't remember the last time she had felt that way.

  She winced when his hand skimmed her ribs, and Tanner growled at the bruises he found there.  "It doesn't hurt much."  Luna lied, she didn't want him to stop, or worse, pity her.  She wanted him to finish what they had started.  He was so gentle with her, like she was precious, and for one night she wanted to feel like she mattered.

  She helped him take off his shirt, and she explored his chest with her hands, feeling the smooth skin beneath her fingertips.  He watched her, a slight smile on his lips, that turned into a groan as her hand slid lower and lower.  He caught her hand, and kissed it.  He surprised a giggle out of her when he flipped her over, and he peeled her dress away, one kiss at a time.

  Luna found him to be a playful lover, and giving, and she had never known that sex could be...so wonderful.  She had always enjoyed sex, but sex with Devin was almost punishing, and about getting off, while with Tanner...  She moaned.  It was a magical journey of touch and pleasure, and fun, and laughter, and...her thoughts drifted away.  She was lost in a sea of sensation.

  They made love several times more, Luna couldn't call it just sex, it felt like so much more.  After each time she would curl up in his arms, and he would hold her tightly, and she felt safe.  And loved.

  The morning came much too early for Tanner.  He would love nothing more than to just laze the day away with Luna, but first things were first.  The night before he had been ready to tear Devin apart with his bare hands, he still wanted to do that, but his reason had returned to him.  He wasn't a match for Devin, but he knew who was.

 

  "Tanner?"

  Tanner turned and smiled at Luna.  "You should go back to sleep, Luna, it's still early.  I'll be back in a bit."  He got up before she could change his mind, and started to throw his clothes on.

 She followed suit, and once they were both dressed, she turned to him.  "Tanner, we need to talk."

  He frowned.  "We'll talk later."

  She shook her head, and refused to meet his eyes.  "No, it's best that we talk now."

  He saw the determined look on her face, and sighed.  "Okay.  Let's talk."  Luna looked straight at him then, tears in her eyes, falling down her cheeks, and he felt his stomach drop.  "Hey, it can't be that bad."  He tried to joke, but the joke fell flat.

  "Don't hate me Tanner.  Please, don't hate me.  I couldn't bear it if you did."

    "I could never hate you Luna, I l..."  Luna placed a finger over his lips, stopping his confession.

  "Devin called me really early this morning.  He felt really bad about what he did, and he's getting help.  He wanted one more chance."

  Tanner could feel the bile rising up from the stone pit that was his stomach.  "Don't tell me Luna..."

  She smiled sadly at him.  "You're my best friend Tanner, and I don't want to ever lose you.  I love Devin though, and I have to think about Trevor, and what's best for him.  He deserves to have an intact family.  Devin is going to see a counselor, and get help, he has promised me this.  So, yes, I said I'd give him another chance.  But this is the last one, I swear it!"

  Tanner shook his head, his heart in glass shards at his feet.  "I have heard you say that so many times over the years Luna.  I don't believe what I'm hearing.  You're giving him another chance, after what he's done to you, all these freaking years!"  Tanner's voice rose on the last few words, and he made an effort to lower his voice and regain his control over himself.  "And what about us?  What about last night?  Didn't that mean anything to you?"

  Luna winced.  "Tanner, last night was...great, it really was, and I really care about you, a lot, but you have to understand..."

 

  Tanner couldn't take anymore.  He said bitterly, "No, Luna, I'm tired of trying to understand.  I don't understand why you let him do what he does, and then run back for more."

  "Please Tanner, just.."

  Tanner shook his head.  "I need a break from you Luna.  I'm sorry, I just can't go back to being just your friend right now."

  Luna started to sob, "Tanner, please, don't hate me!  I don't want to lose you!"  She reached out for him, but he shook her away.

  "I don't hate you Luna."  He said sadly.  "But I can't do this right now.  I need some space."  He walked out and closed the door on her tears, and her pleas.  He felt shattered, and still he wanted nothing more than to run back into the room and tell her he was sorry.  Tell her that he would be just her friend, if that is all she wanted from him, just so he could keep her in his life.  He sighed wearily.  He had to face facts, and realize that he needed to stay away from her, for his own good.

  At least until he could purge her from his heart for good, and think of her only as a friend.  Maybe then.  However, he still had one thing left to do for her, because it was the right thing to do, and because he did love her.

...


 

~<>~


  Luna felt utterly, and completely miserable.   Her stomach roiled like a witch's cauldron, her eyes ached from all her tears, and worst of all, worst of all, her heart hurt.  It had taken her two weeks to realize what an awful mistake she had made.  To realize that she had cried more over Tanner, than she ever had over Devin.  That she had missed Tanner with a fierceness that had surprised her, she felt as if a vital part of her had been suddenly and irrevocably amputated.

  Four more weeks had gone by before she found the courage to break things off with Devin, for good.  He had screamed and yelled at her over the phone, and called her horrid names, told her that if he couldn't have her, no one could.  Especially not Tanner.  She'd had to tell Devin about Tanner, because he needed to know that she didn't know which one of them was the father of the baby she now carried.

  He had not been pleased to hear that she had f*cked him, like he had accused her of so many times before.  She had corrected him, and told him she hadn't f*cked him, with Tanner it had never been about f*cking.  They had made love, and she had thrown it all away.  And for what?

  She had hung up on Devin, and his vitriolic rage, it had felt good too, but she knew his threats were not idle.  Only his death would stop him.  She used to fear him, but she didn't feel anything right now but emptiness.  She didn't want Trevor to get hurt, or pulled into Devin's war against her, so she had finally fessed up to her dad.  Every little bit, the good, the bad, and the ugly.

  He had been so quiet, she almost didn't think he had heard her.  Then she had found herself engulfed in a hug, and she had cried then, big ugly sobs.  When she had finally calmed down some, her dad had told her he was flying out to Bridgeport soon to meet with Devin.  That he would take care of it, and not to worry about Devin anymore.  So she had tried not to. 

  She still worried though.  She worried that her father would kill him, part of her even hoped that he would; Devin would never be able to hurt her again if he was dead.  An equal part of her feared that her dad would kill him.  She didn't fear it out of love for Devin, she just didn't want to see her Dad sitting in jail on murder charges.

  Her life was a shambles, and she had no one to blame but herself.  Devin had been like a drug to her, one that she could never seem to give up.  She didn't fully understand why herself, but she was seeing a counselor to help her figure it all out. 

  She groaned as another wave of nausea hit her.

 Maybe if she didn't feel so sick all the time she could cope with things better.  As it was, she wasn't coping well.  She just felt so depressed over how badly she had screwed up her life.  How she had screwed things up with Tanner.  He was so distant lately, only coming by to spend time with Trevor, and she couldn't blame him for that.  She missed his warm smiles though, his quirky jokes, the way he had always listened to her without judgment.

  She sighed heavily.  She should be thankful that he was still around.  He had stoically accepted her awkward announcement that she was pregnant, that he could be the father, but she really wasn't sure.  She winced.  It made her feel like such a tramp.  Only a tramp wouldn't...she forced the thought away as the Counselor had taught her.  Sometimes it was hard to catch all the negative messages she sent herself. 

  If she wanted to get better though, for Trevor, for this baby, for herself, then she needed to change her way of thinking.  "One day at a time."  She reminded herself.  A second wave of nausea over flooded her.  "Oh sh*t!"

 

  She heaved her guts out, and when her stomach finally settled, she sank wearily onto the steps.  This pregnancy was so different from her first one.  She was mentally and physically exhausted, and sick all the time.

  She missed her dad.  He still hadn't returned from Bridgeport. 

  She missed Tanner most of all.


~<>~

  Skye smiled at her sister, and tried to be happy for her.  Well, she was happy for her, really.  It was just so painful to see Luna pregnant with her second child, when Skye still hadn't been able to have one.  Month after month, year after year of trying, and still no baby of her own to hold.

  "So, would you want to go shopping for baby stuff with me?  I gave most of Trevor's stuff away, I didn't think I would need them again, but with this baby due any day now, I really should get some things for the baby."

 

  Skye's smile faltered, but she bolstered it up.  Her sister needed her, and she wanted to be there for her.  Skye still felt so badly that she had been so wrapped up in her own life, she had failed to see what Luna was going through.  "Sure Luna, I would love to."

  Luna heaved a huge sigh of relief.  "Thank you!  You know how much I hate shopping!  We could make it a sister day and go see a movie or something too."  Luna suggested.  "Unless, you're doing something with Hawk?"  Luna envied her sister sometimes, she had the perfect relationship.  Skye had managed to not royally mess up her life, unlike Luna.

  Skye rolled her eyes.  "Hawk is out looking for ingredients for his potions, he'll be tramping in the mud and the muck for the rest of the day, so I'm free.  What movie should we see?"

  "Hmm, well there's that new one with Matthew Hammond, maybe we could see that one?"

 

 
  Skylar agreed.  "That sounds like fun."

  Luna made a face.  "Other than the shopping part anyway."

  Skye chuckled.  "It's not that bad Luna.  Besides, shopping for babies is a lot of fun, all those adorable outfits!  And best of all, showing every single baby item that we buy off to the guys."  They both giggled.  Skye asked, "Who do you think will bail first?"

  Luna pretended to think about it.  Then they both said at the same time, "Jack!"

  Jack was more interested in bot talk than baby talk.


 

  Jack still didn't have a girlfriend, he only mumbled he was much too busy working on important life changing projects to go out on a date.  Skye was sure that girls just scared him, so he retreated behind his scientist facade.  He did have a penpal that was female though, she traveled all over the world and sent him post cards. 

  Skye caught him once with a waste basket full of crumbled papers, a clean sheet of paper in front of him, pen in hand, muttering to himself.  She had offered to help him out, but Jack had turned a deep red color, and told her no thanks, he didn't need any help.  She hadn't even known that her brother could blush!

 It had really made her curious about who he was writing to.  She had only managed to see a first name on the envelope though, Maxine, before Jack had shooed her away.  Sometimes Jack was as closed mouthed as their father. 

  None of them knew, even now, all these months later,  what had happened while their dad was in Bridgeport.  Only that Devin Winter had suddenly disappeared.  A massive search effort by police and volunteers had ensued, with no results.  He had simply vanished without a trace.

  Skye wondered a great many things, but she kept her silence.  She had noticed that Luna had visibly relaxed and smiled more once Devin was completely out of the picture.  Some things she just didn't want to know, and besides all that, she found her husband's reaction to it all amusing.

 It was a bit mean of her, but her inner prankster couldn't help it.  She knew that he had nothing to worry about, but he sure didn't.  She grinned to herself.

  "What a mischievous expression you have."  Her sister observed.  "Care to share?"

  Skye laughed.  "Maybe later.  We better get going if we're going to see a movie too."


~<>~


 Unlike Trevor who had decided to be born in the middle of the night, this baby chose the middle of the day.

  "Yeeeoooowww!"  Luna hollered.  There was nothing different about this pain though.  It hurt!  She was startled when the door flew open and Tanner ran in.

  "Luna?!  Are you okay?"  She watched his face pale as he realized what was going on.  "The baby's coming?!"  He sounded as if he was in shock.

  Luna panted through another strong contraction.  "I forgot how much this hurts!  Tanner, snap out of it, the baby's coming now!  I need to get to the hospital before it's too late!"

 

    "Too late?!"  He echoed.  His eyes widened.  "Too late?!  Aaaah, I don't know how to deliver a baby!" He panicked, and spun around in circles.  "We need water right?  Hot water?  Oh, and towels, yes, I think I saw that in a movie once.  Clean towels!  Oh!  A bed!  Good grief Luna you can't have a baby while standing up!"

  Luna smiled despite the pain she was in.  "Tanner! Tanner!"  She kept repeating his name.

  "We'll need warm blankets for the baby!  And clothes!  Oh no!  Does the baby have any clothes?!  And it's messy right?!  We'll need lots of washrags.  And scissors, isn't that how you cut the umbilical cord?  Oh!  They'll need to be sanitized!  Where's the rubbing alcohol?  Do you even have any rubbing alcohol?!"

 

  "Tanner!  We need car keys!"

  He stopped for a moment and stared at her, confused.  "Car keys?  Car keys?!"

  She loved him.  Really loved him.  Despite how upset he was with her, whenever she needed him, he was there.  He didn't know if the baby was his or not, but he had told her it didn't matter, that either way the baby still needed a father.  That he already felt like Trevor's father, and he would be more than happy to father this one as well.

  She wished she had seen it earlier, seen that all she had ever needed in a guy had been right next to her since grade school.  She didn't deserve his forgiveness, but she sure hoped that someday he forgave her anyway.

 

 
  "Car keys."  She panted.  "To drive us to the hospital to have the baby."

  "Oh!"  Tanner said.  "Car keys!  I'm on it!"  He raced out the door.  Luna, a little bemused,  followed him out.  In the state he was in, she sure hoped he didn't drive off without her!


~<>~


  The sound of his grandson crying brought him out of a good nap.  He yawned, and stretched, and then headed for the nursery.  He had been traveling a lot lately, looking for a new place to move his family to.  Midnight Hollow held too many memories, and he was convinced that they all needed a fresh start.  At least he had been home when Kalen had been born.

  "Hey there big guy, what's all the fussing about?"  Colin smiled as he bent down to pick Kalen up. 

 

  Colin loved being a grandparent, it was way more enjoyable than being a parent.  Being a parent involved hard work, and sometimes a lot of heart ache.  "What do you think big guy?  Eh?  Should we leave this dark depressing town behind, and head for sunnier places?"  Kalen gurgled and waved his arms and legs.  "I agree.  Sunny it is.  Now to just let everyone else in on our plans."

  Colin had been searching for years for the right place, the right job.  Nothing had ever felt quite right though.  But then he had received a phone call from Mr. Nickolas Alto the fiftieth, or whatever the h*ll he called himself.  Colin had met Nick while in Bridgeport searching for that jacka*s.  Turned out that Nick owned the team that Devin had played for, and knew right where to find him.

  The phone call had been a job offer of sorts.  The big wigs of all the wealthy families had joined together on a joint project.  They had sunk trillions of dollars into restoring Sunlit Tides to it's former glory, before the war of the red eyed demons.  Back to how it was when Colin's own ancestor Kona had lived there.

  Nick said they were turning it into a playground for the rich and the richer, and since the Kahekilis were richer, did they want to join?  it was an exclusive offer, only given because the Kahekilis had amassed a huge amount of money, and...Colin had the midas touch.  Everything he touched turned to gold.

  He frowned.  Business wise anyway.

 

  Personal wise, things were not always so golden.  Kalen cooed, and Colin smiled at him.  Then again, there were perks, and his grandkids were the best kind of perk.  No matter how they came into the world.

  Colin was pretty sure that Tanner was Kalen's biological father.  The fae blood could have come from the Kahekili side, but Luna herself didn't possess that much of it.  Luna had offered to have a DNA test done, but Tanner had rejected that idea, saying it really didn't matter to him. 

  Which just proved to Colin, that while no one was actually good enough for his daughters, Tanner came pretty close.  He wouldn't go so far as to say he liked him, but he wouldn't mind having him for a son in law either.  Too much anyway.  "And maybe this new start will help your parents out too."  He told Kalen.  "Too many freaking bad memories here."  He chuckled.  "And just think Kalen, your ole grandpa here is going to be a lifeguard for the upper snobs.  I can still make those bit...female dogs swoon, just you wait and see."


~<>~


  Hawk brooded as he stared out the window.

 

  He didn't understand the Kahekili way of doing things.  They held a family meeting, and then voted!  Voted of all things!  Voted on whether they would move or not.  They had all been excited about the possibility of moving to a place where it rarely rained, even his wife had been excited about it.

  Hawk liked the rain.  It suited him, but, he had to admit, sunshine suited his wife.  He had never known someone like her, and though he had tried to fight it, he couldn't help but...admire her.  She never had a bad word to say about anybody.  She was always the first to volunteer to help out with charities, school projects, or whoever else might need a hand.  She always managed to somehow drag him into it too.

  Moving.  The only objection he had heard came from Jack, who had asked what about Bob...that blasted robot that followed everyone around.  Sometimes Hawk thought Jack wasn't as scattered brained as he seemed, that he set the robot to follow him on purpose, to keep him from finding the Book.

  If it even existed.  Hawk had to wonder.  In all the years he had lived in the house, he had poked and prodded every nook and cranny, and never found a thing.  Was his mother wrong?  He shuddered.  His mother.

 

  She would need to be told.  Told they were moving elsewhere.  She had been pushing him to rape the other sister, who obviously was more fertile than the one he had chosen, but he had refused.  Reminded her that she had promised to do this his way, and his way, it would remain.  No matter how long it took.

  She had not been happy about it.  In fact, she had been furious, but he had stood firm.  He was not interested in rape, nor was he interested in seducing the other girl, she held zero appeal to him.  Only Skylar held his attention.  His wife drew him in ways he had been unprepared for.

  He now knew the secret to why Ivory had turned.  He knew what it was about the Kahekilis that changed her, and why his mother could never understand it.  Love.  While they had been raised separately from each other, he knew that neither he nor Ivory had ever received that from his mother.  He had even scoffed at the notion of it, as he had been taught.  It made you weak and pathetic, and in some ways it did.  He now had something to lose.  Someone to lose.

  All of that he had realized last night as he watched his wife sleep.  She was simply beautiful, inside and out.  That awareness in him now, that somehow she had wormed her way into a heart he hadn't even known he had, was dangerous.  His mother would know immediately, know that he had been compromised, and then...it didn't bear thinking about.

  He knew who she would go after first, and it would not be him.  No, it would be Skylar, because he loved her, and his mother destroyed anything that he had ever loved.  Including his own father, so he had simply stopped loving things, people, pets, anything.   It had been much easier that way.

 

  He was not stronger than his mother, he knew that.  Knew in a power against power match, he would lose.  But his son on the other hand, he knew what the prophecy spoke of.  Knew the kind of power that would run through his child's blood.  The old Camulodunum magic mixed in with the fae, mixed in with his own djinn powers, and the little bit of his mother's powers that he carried within him, his child would be truly powerful.

  Powerful enough to defeat his mother.  To defeat the one thing she wanted more than anything.   Seemingly overnight, though he knew in reality it had been coming for a while now, Hawk's plans had totally changed.  Instead of teaching his child to hate, to use his power for ill, Hawk would teach him how to defend himself.  How to defend those he loved.

  What to tell Skye?  That was the question, and the reason for him to stand, brooding, watching the rain fall from the sky.  If he told her now who he was, he would lose her.  His mother would know that he had failed.  She would know why he had failed, and his Skye would be sent to that awful place, where he could only hope that she died quickly.  He would be forced to conceive a child with Luna, and once that child was born, if they were lucky, they would be killed.

  If he waited, until they had a child, well, that had it's own trouble.  He could not hide his identity forever, his mother would force the issue eventually.  What he needed now was time, and he hoped against hope that when Skye did find out, she would be merciful.


________________________________________________________________________________________

Notes:  Eventually I'll go into more detail about what happened in Bridgeport, but Luna is not ready for it, so you all will have to wait, lol :P  I will say though, Devin will no longer be a problem.  I will not miss him at all, he ended up being more awful than I originally planned on.

  What?  Has Hawk really changed?  Yes, in the same way that Ivory changed, so it is permanent.  He has himself in quite a pickle though, one he didn't see coming, lol  At some point, Raven will come, it is inevitable.  Hawk knows her better than anyone, and he is going to do all that he can to protect his family.  Yes, she is stronger than him. 

  In game he is a genie (called djinn in story cause it sounds cooler)/witch mix.  Raven is witch/vampire mix, and Hawk's father was a genie.  I've never done much with genies yet, and decided this was a good time to try them out.  He does look pretty cute while he's doing his genie idle thing:

 

  Aaand---yes I moved them again.  To Sunlit Tides, where this legacy first started.  I sort of liked the idea of ending it where I had started it, all that full circle stuff, lol

  Luna has some stuff to work through, that she couldn't possibly do on her own.  So she's seeing a counselor, it will be a long, lifelong process, but she's on her way.  I know, I know, about time, lol  

  As for Tanner and Luna---well, we'll see what happens. ;)


  Thanks for reading!  And for leaving comments, I always enjoy reading those.  If anyone has a question, ask away, and if I can, I'll answer it.  Some of it I might have to say, sorry---spoiler!  Haha!

Chapter 84: Big Girls Don't Cry

Warning: Language, abusive relationships

  The car was supposed to be a hobby to help keep his grandfather out of trouble, except Alder didn't like working on cars, he only liked driving them, and the faster the better.  Colin pulled a wrench out of the toolbox, the task of making it a running car seemed to have fallen on his shoulders.  Colin didn't mind, he actually found it soothing at times, he could beat on it and have his choice of who he pictured while he did so, bird boy, or a*shole.

  He heard the giggling again, and his lips twisted.  Today it would be the a*shole.  He pounded on the rusty part with the wrench.

  "I don't think that's the proper way to fix a car."

  Colin turned slightly and faced his Dad, wrench in hand.  "Maybe not, but it keeps me from pounding the sh*t out of the a*shole."

  "Luna's happy with him."  Ryder observed.

  Colin grunted.  "Today."  He had tried to talk his daughter about the a*shole, but she had stubbornly defended him and his stupid a*s choices.  Choices that had made his daughter cry too many nights in a row after talking to the a*shole on the phone.  She thought no one would hear her in her room, but Colin heard her.  Everything he had tried to tell her fell on deaf ears, she wasn't interested in hearing it, and she had even threatened to move out and never speak to him again.  So he had backed off.  Was he f*cking happy about it?  F*ck no, but he didn't want to f*cking drive her away either, then she would only have the a*shole.

  "Being a parent f*cking sucks Dad."  Ryder nodded in agreement, he had been there before.

  Luna giggled.  "Let's try this again!  Smile!" 

   She held her phone out and tried to snap another picture, but Devin tickled her again, causing her to squeak and drop her phone...again.  "Dev!" she scolded playfully.  "I want a nice picture of us, you're not being very cooperative."  She bent down and picked her phone up, dusting off the snow.

  Devin laughed.  "Luna, you're putting on too much weight for it to be a nice picture.  Just look at how chubby your cheeks are!"  He shook his head.  "You could stand to lose a few pounds."

  Luna bit her lip.  She had tried not to gain too much weight, and she thought she had been fairly successful.  Many people didn't even know she was pregnant.  "I'm sorry, it's the baby."

  Devin rolled his eyes.  "That's always your go to excuse isn't it Luna?  When in fact it's because you're such a lazy cow, if you ate less, and exercised more, well, I might find you more attractive."

  Luna was crushed.  "You don't find me attractive?"

  "When you're a fat cow?  Not as much, but it's all good baby, I still love you."  Luna's face fell, she appreciated his honesty, but the words still hurt.  "Hey, just to make you happy, take a picture of this."  Luna raised her phone and snapped a picture just as Devin kissed her.

 

  He let his hand wander up, and he squeezed her breast.  "I do like how big your boobs are getting though.  Just thinking about them is making me really horny right now.   Baby, how about we go to your bedroom."  He kissed her neck while his hand fondled her breasts.

  Luna tried to push his hands away.  "Dev, please don't!  We're in public, and at my Dad's house."

  Devin growled.  "Don't be such a c*ck tease Luna.  We're practically married, and you're living here now right?"  Luna nodded her head yes.  "Then that means this is your house too, not just your father's.  So let's go to your bedroom Baby, just the thought of pulling one over on your old man turns me on."

  "But," Luna tried once more, "our house is just over..."

  Devin covered her mouth with his own, forcefully kissing her and shutting her words off.  "Why don't you want me in your room Luna?  Has Turnip been there?"  He hissed.  "Well, has he?  Did you f*ck him in there Luna?"

  "Dev, you're hurting me.  I've told you before, it's not like that between Tanner and I, we're just friends."  Luna winced, whenever Tanner came up in conversation, which was often, Devin's mood turned ugly.  She loved that he was jealous, it proved that he loved her, but she just wished he would take her at her word sometimes.  They were only friends.  She knew how to turn this around though, she could hear her father clanking around in the garage, he was preoccupied, so..."Okay, I'll sneak you in."  At least she knew that Devin was still a little attracted to her.

  Jack frowned at the digital diagram in front of him.

 

 
   He needed to be able to teleport more than just a package of data, and according to the mechanics of Quantum entanglement theory, it should be possible.  He scratched his head absently.  But how?  Ethan's diagrams and equations outlined most of it, except the one critical part, the sheer size of a human versus the size of a packet of data.

  He had asked digital Ethan about it, but he had been of no help.  The real Ethan had never had the time to finish testing and figuring it out, it really was up to Jack.  He sighed.  What he needed was some sort of quantum nanite that could transfer data at the sub atomic particle level.  He sighed again, and rubbed his temples wearily.  What he needed even more than that was a helper of some sort, one that didn't require sleep or food, and could just keep running the equations and 3D models.  What he needed was a robot version of himself.

  He chuckled to himself.  As if that could ever happen!  But, what if?  The what if question had always been a tantalizing concept to him.  Could he make a robot version of himself?  Did he dare try?  He didn't want to waste valuable time chasing a distraction, but on the other hand, if he had robot, it would actually help him gain time by making him twice as efficient.  He grabbed a notebook and began to jot down some notes.


~<>~


  Luna stared down at the ice cream container, spoon still in hand.

    She felt panicky and slightly nauseous, how had she downed half a carton of ice cream so quickly?  She couldn't believe it, she had meant to only have a spoonful, but it had tasted so good, that she had kept eating it and eating it and eating it.  She was so disgusted with herself, she had acted like the pig that Devin always accused her of being.  It turned out he was right, and the proof was in front of her.

  She pushed the carton away from her as a wave of nausea hit her.  She couldn't gain any more weight, if Devin ever really left her for good, she would be utterly devastated. It was bad enough she had pushed the baby on him, but to add gaining weight on top of it?

  She got up and paced around the kitchen, trying to get rid of the anxiety that flooded her body.  She took some deep calming breaths.  She had promised herself she wouldn't do it anymore, she didn't want to hurt her baby.  She paced some more, trying to outpace the urge.  If only she were strong enough, but she couldn't bear it, she just couldn't bear it, the ice cream had to go.  She ran for the upstairs bathroom, it was hardly ever used, and locked the door behind her.  She knelt down in front of the toilet, and stuck her finger down her throat.  She gagged, making her stomach roil in rebellion.

  She did it again, pushing her finger further back, and she began puking up all the ice cream she had eaten just moments ago.

     When she had emptied her stomach, she flushed the toilet, and used mouthwash to rinse her mouth out.  She splashed some cold water on her face, and stared at the woman in the mirror.  She was such a failure, she couldn't control her urge to eat, or her urge to throw it up afterwards.  She didn't know what Devin saw in her, she was only glad that he saw something.  Glad that he put up with her.  She was so lucky to have him, she didn't want to mess things up.

  She dried her face.  At least the anxiety was gone, purging always helped that.  She rubbed her tummy, and whispered, "I'm so sorry baby.  I'll do better next time, I promise."  It was a promise she hoped she could keep, but so far she hadn't been able to.  She blinked back tears, she was a grown woman now, she was too old to cry.

  She was too old to climb into her Daddy's lap too, and have him fight her battles for her.  Besides, she already knew how he felt, but he just didn't understand Devin the way she did.  He said Devin was no good for her, but he was wrong.  Devin was strong, and popular, and handsome, and a very talented football player, he was going to be a big shot someday.  And every girl wanted him, and wanted to be with him, but he was with her, only her, and not them.

  She unlocked the bathroom door and went into her bedroom.  Her dad had never changed her room, so it looked just like it had before she moved out.  She crawled onto her bed and curled up into a ball, hugging her knees to herself.  She wished her Dad was home, she could really use a hug.

~<>~

  She was on one of her walks when the pains hit her.  She felt as though her stomach was being ripped apart, and she feared something was wrong with her baby.  She called Dev, but he told her to stop being such a drama queen and get her a*s to the hospital.  She would have liked a ride, but when she told him where she was, he told her she was being stupid.  She was only a few blocks away from the hospital.  Once again he was right, and she shuffled her way there as quickly as she could, pausing only when a contraction would force her to.

 

   
   Within minutes of arriving a nurse wheeled her into a room, and just a few moments later,  Doctor Rosenburg rushed in. She liked the doctor, he had kind eyes.  He told her that her baby was ready to come out, so she asked the nurse to call Devin for her once more.  She could tell by the look on the nurse's face that Devin wasn't going to show up.

  Luna didn't have any more time to think about that, her body was taking over.  The pain was excruciating, but she was too close to delivery, they couldn't give her any pain meds.  She cried, tears of joy, not pain, when she saw her son for the first time.  "Trevor."  She whispered his name, and reached out for him.

  "Just a minute Sweetie." the nurse said gently.  "We need to check him out.  He's a little small."

  It took a forever and a day for them to check Trevor over and make sure everything was okay with him.  At least it felt that way to Luna, but once he was certified as healthy and placed into her arms, Luna didn't care about any of it.  She had her beautiful son in her arms.  She breathed in his baby scent, and cuddled him close to her.  He was worth every moment of pain.

  A few hours later, she was ready to be released.  She called Devin to pick them up, and he promised to be there in fifteen minutes, so she went outside to wait for him.  She didn't want to upset him by having him come look for them.

 

   She watched for his vehicle, but after forty minutes he still hadn't shown up.  She reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone.  He answered after the sixth ring, and he sounded angry and out of breath.  "What the h*ll Luna?"

  "What happened to you?  I thought you were going to pick us up?"

   "Something came up Luna, contract negotiations, sorry, you'll have to find another ride."  She heard whispering but couldn't make it out, she was about to ask what he was whispering when he came back with, "I have to go, Luna.  I'll call you later."  Click.  The phone went dead.  She stared at the phone in her hand.  Trevor started to fuss, and she bounced him gently, trying to keep him calm.

  She had left for her walk hours ago, it was now the middle of the night.  She felt like crying, but she sucked it in, and dialed a number.  "Daddy..."

  "Luna, where the h*ll are you?"

  "At the hospital..."

  "I'll be right there."  And he hung up.  She had been hung up on for the second time that night, but the last one was different.  She knew her Dad would show up.  She sighed heavily.  He would end up having to rescue her after all.

  ~<>~

  Colin gently placed his grandson into the crib he had bought for him.

 

  "There you go buddy, home, safe and sound."  Trevor's eyes drifted shut as he yawned sleepily.  Colin smiled down at him.  Not even a few hours old, and Trevor already owned a large part of his heart. Trevor's father though, Colin could happily suit him up with a pair of lead shoes.  The a*shole had left his daughter and grandson stranded.  "Contract negotiations my a*s." he muttered to himself.

  The a*shole couldn't even come up with a lie that made sense.  He wished Luna would see him for what he was, but she had stupid f*cking blinders on where it concerned him.  Colin gritted his teeth.  It was so f*cking hard to watch his daughter put herself through that a*shole's bullsh*t, and not be able to do anything about it.  It had to be f*cking karma laughing at him.  How many women had he hurt by his actions when he was younger? So many faces, and he didn't even f*cking remember their names.  Back then, he hadn't f*cking cared either.  Life was a f*cking b*tch.

  He had been f*cking going out of his f*cking mind worried, when Luna had gone for a walk, and then didn't return.  He had called her friends, no one had f*cking heard from her.  He was sure she had been hit by a f*cking car or something equally as terrible when the hours passed, and there was still no f*cking word from her.  He was just about to f*cking call the police stations and hospitals when she had finally called him.  He had been so f*cking relieved that she was alive, he had only asked her the one question.  Where the h*ll was she?

 When he went to pick her up at the hospital, he noticed she was way too f*cking thin.  She was always eating, so he didn't f*cking know why she kept losing the weight, but if it kept up, he was going to f*cking drag her a*s to the doctors.  Kicking and screaming if need be. 


~<>~


 "You should have let me get him."  Tanner's soft voice startled her.

   "I was already awake, but thanks, Tanner."  Tanner had been at the house the night she had brought Trevor home, he had been as worried about her as her father had been.  Her dad had told him it was too late to drive home, and just to crash in the spare bedroom.  That one night had turned into two, and then three, and so on.  He didn't seem to be in any hurry to leave.

   She had tried to get Tanner to go home many times.  She had told him in no uncertain terms that she could handle this motherhood thing without any help, she was just fine on her own.  Her family pitched in to, so it wasn't like she was totally on her own.  Tanner had simply smiled at her, and stayed anyway.

  She smiled fondly.  She had soaked way too many of his shirts over the years to fool him, he knew her too well.  Knew that she would want the help, but didn't want to have to ask for it.  Knew that just his presence had a way of soothing her, and keeping her calm.  She loved her family dearly, but sometimes they were too much.  Her dad was always trying to feed her, her grandpas fought over the correct way to hold Trevor, her brother Jack probably didn't even know she had been pregnant, and her sister Skye was filled with too much advice.

  She was thankful Tanner hadn't listened to her, because it was so nice to pretend for a little while that she wasn't alone in this. Luna had been a mother for all of thirty days, and she already felt like a failure.  Trevor was fussy, and wanted to be held constantly.  Some nights he wouldn't stop crying, and she felt so helpless that she wanted to cry right along with him.  Then suddenly, Tanner would be there, like an angel, and he would work his magic and manage to get both her and Trevor calmed down.

   Luna turned around to face him, a slight smile on her lips.  "I really do..." she paused as she took in his state of dress, or undress, and then quickly turned around again.   Tanner had a great body.  She hated it when she noticed non-friend things about him, he was just her friend, and her best friend at that.  She shouldn't be noticing how sexy he was in an old bathrobe, and it definitely shouldn't render her speechless either.  After an awkward moment, she said stupidly, "You have pj's here?"   Then she cringed inwardly.

  Tanner looked down at his clothes.  "Yeah, um, well, your Dad said since I practically live here anyway, I might as well move into the spare bedroom.  So I brought some of my stuff over."  He added, a little unsure, "I didn't think you would mind?"

  "No, no, of course not.  But why would you want to live with us?"  Oh please don't let Devin find out, oh please don't let Devin find out, it was a litany in her mind, replaying like a broken record.  What had possessed her father to invite Tanner anyway?  She knew her Dad had always liked him, but really?  Talk about complicating her life, and now Tanner would be walking around the house...like that.  He would be taking showers in the same shower she used.  Suddenly an image of him taking a shower popped into her head.  Her cheeks heated up, and she resisted the urge to fan herself.  Really, she didn't know what was wrong with her, it must be post pregnancy hormones.

  "Why?" he asked, a little perplexed.  "We're best friends aren't we Luna?  I want to be there for you, and for Trevor, like any friend would, you know, cause your boyfriend isn't able to right now."  Tanner made the statement as nicely as he could, he didn't want to get her dander up, and then listen to her defend the creep she was with.

She automatically corrected him.  "Fiance."  He was her best friend, and she was grateful for his willingness to help.  "I appreciate it a lot Tanner, but I feel bad, like I'm taking advantage of you."

  "There's no other place I'd rather be, then here with you and Trevor."

  "Okay, if you're sure."

  "I'm sure."  Tanner replied without hesitation.  Luna would just have to make sure that Devin never found out, she hated to think what his reaction would be to the news that Tanner was living with them.  By her Dad's invitation no less.


~<>~


  Luna slid into the seat next to Tanner.  "Hey, you've been working on the car?  It looks great.  I can't believe Dad let you touch it, let alone sit in the driver's seat."

  Tanner swallowed hard, and forced himself to look away from her.  She wasn't wearing much of a top.  He glanced sideways at her.  Her shorts were really tight too.  He shifted uncomfortably.  Being just her friend was hard, especially since he wanted to be more.  So much more.  He cleared his throat.  "Uh yeah, I found I like to do body work, and I'm good at it.  Your Dad doesn't have the patience, so he let me."

  He wished she had worn the outfit to seduce him, but no such luck.  Knowing Luna, she had merely thrown on whatever clothes happened to be clean and closest to her reach.  She must be down to only clean underwear.  It sure looked like it could pass for underwear.  Lingerie style underwear.  He groaned silently.  He was in a torment of his own making.

  Luna turned to look at him.  "He just let you?  My Dad?"  She shook her head.  "Unbelievable."

  Tanner turned to face her, and casually put his arm across the seat. "He likes me."  Tanner said simply.  "And I like him too, we have a lot in common actually."  He took it as a good sign that she didn't move away, nor did she smack him, but instead she leaned back against his arm and looked up at him with those beautiful silver eyes of hers.

  "Now that's a scary thought." She murmured.

  Her lips were so close, it was all he could do to hold himself back and not close the gap.  He wanted to kiss her so badly, but she was with someone else.  He had to keep reminding himself of that, and they were just friends.  Just.  Friends.

  She licked her lips nervously and he stifled a groan.  "A sculptor friend of mine is getting married in a week, the day before Trevor's birthday in fact.  I don't want to go alone, but Dev won't be able to make it.  Would you, would you mind going with me?"

  "To a wedding?"

  "I know, I know, not exactly bachelor territory.  But, please Tanner?  I really, really don't want to go by myself..."

  Tanner sighed. "I guess."  Luna squealed, and kissed him on the cheek. 

  "Thank you Tanner!  You're the best."    Tanner sighed again.  He was such a sap.  He never could say no to her.


~<>~


  "Guess who decided to crawl out of his crib and go exploring instead of taking a nap?"

  Colin looked at the who in question.  "Hmm, I wonder."

 

    "The real question is, what is the damage?"

   Ryder smiled ruefully.  "Well, let's see, there's one little boy's outfit, a pair of tennis shoes, some walls that will need to be repainted, carpet that needs to get replaced, some sculpting clay, paints, assorted tools and brushes, oh, and a toilet."

  Colin raised his eyebrows and looked at Trevor.  "Well, weren't you a busy little bee."

  "Bee Ganpa!  I bee!  I make petties, ike Mama!"

  
  Colin chuckled.  "Yes you did, you little rascal.  Just like your Mama used to when she was little."  He pulled out his phone.  "Time to make some phone calls."  He had the repairman on speed dial.  As he waited for the repairman to answer, he asked, "Hey Dad, where did you put his clothes?"

  "The garbage.  There was no getting those things clean.  Trevor did a great job."

  "I bee!"  Trevor clapped his hands happily.  "I bee!"

  "I will remind Luna, once again, not to leave her studio unlocked.  Not that she'll listen."  Colin grumbled.  If his daughter had f*cking listened to him, she wouldn't be with the a*shole to begin with, let alone still with him.  All he needed was one f*cking sign from Luna that she was done with him, and he'd make sure that f*cking d*ckhead never showed his face around here again.

 The repairman finally answered.   "Hello Mr. Kahekili, let me guess, you have a broken toilet that needs to be fixed."

  "You guessed it."


_______________________________________________________________________________

Notes:  Darn, I hardly know what to say in my notes!

  Sorry---somewhat sad/depressing chapter, it is totally not my fault though!  Luna took over, this chapter was NOT supposed to be about her.  She was going to have a small mention---but then as I'm writing---her story started to unfold.  I feel so bad for her. =(  Originally, Devin was just going to be a cheater---but he has turned into so much more.  Ugly more.

  I never expected to write about abusive relationships---or eating disorders!  Bulimia is a very serious condition---you can click on the link to learn more about it.  Not all Bulimics do the binge and purge cycle, but Luna does.

  Well, I tried to end it on a slightly fun/happy note.  Trevor might look just like his dad, but he'll never be anything like him.  He makes pretties---like his Mama. =)

  Tanner doesn't really live in the household.  He was going to, but then Ivory had surprise triplets instead of twins---and I loved Jack.  So, in order for Jack to stay---Tanner wasn't actually able to move in, but for story purposes, he sleeps in a spare bedroom.  

  Thanks for reading---and I will endeavor to make my next chapter happier, lol

Chapter 83: Winter Fairytale

 

 

Warning: Language, and I touch on abusive relationships, there is one scene that was tough to write, so it may be tough to read (second to last scene).

 Hawk hugged her tightly to him.  "Skye, I'm glad you made it."

  Skye burrowed into his warmth.  "I got off work earlier than I thought I would."

 "You sounded strange on the phone, is everything okay Hawk?"

  Hawk smiled.  "Now that you're here, it couldn't be better.  It's a beautiful day, and I found this lovely spot by the Lake's edge that I wanted to share with you."

  "I'm not joining the Polar Bear club."  Skye warned.  "I think my Dad is crazy, swimming in sub zero temperatures.  Him and his what doesn't kill you makes you stronger philosophy."  She rolled her eyes.  Her Dad had some strange ideas.

 
   Hawk laughed.  "No, I'm not that crazy, the water is too cold.  Come on, let me show you something."  He held out his hand, Skye, still a little dubious, took it.

  Instead of leading her to the spot he had been talking about, he surprised her by spinning her around and bending her backwards in one fluid move, which caused her to squeak.  "Hawk!"

  "I love you." He whispered, his mouth hovered only inches away from hers.  "I love you so much."

  Skye melted.  "I love you too, you crazy man!"

  "I want to marry you Skye, and have a house full of children."  He kissed her softly on the lips.  "Please say you'll marry me, you'd make me the happiest of men."

  Skye's eyes shone.  "Oh Hawk!  Yes! Yes!  I would love to be your wife!"

  He kissed her again, and then gently spun her back upwards.  He smiled at her.  "Ah, Kitten, you have made me the happiest guy there ever was."

  Skye smiled back playfully.  "Well, I don't know about ever."  Skye was so happy she thought she might burst from it.  They had dated for so long Skye had begun to think he would never propose. Devin had proposed to her sister a long time ago.  Of course, he had yet to make good on that promise, and it seemed like they were always breaking up every other week. 

  "I do."  He reached into his pocket, and slowly drew out a ring, it sparkled brightly in the light.  He held it out to her.  "For you Kitten, the woman I love the most in this Universe."

  "Oh Hawk, it's beautiful!"  Skye wiped a few tears away.  She held out her hand, and Hawk slid the ring onto her finger.

 

   She wrapped her arms around him, and kissed him ardently.  Hawk groaned, and pulled her in closer, returning her passion.  He let his hands slip down, and Skye squirmed, trying to get closer to his heat.  Hawk broke the kiss off abruptly, his breathing heavy, and he laid his forehead against hers.  He apologized.  "You make me forget myself." 

  Skye's cheeks were flushed despite the cold, and her body trembled.  She was sure she would have fallen if Hawk had let go of her.  "I started it." she confessed sheepishly.

  Hawk kissed her nose.  "I can't wait until we can finish it, but I made a promise to you, not until our wedding night."  He begged her, "Please let it be soon.  Like this week?"  He asked hopefully.

  "This week?  Now I know you are a crazy man!" Skye chuckled.  "To think I could put a wedding together in less than a week.  I need months Hawk!  There's the venue that needs to be rented, a dress to be found,  a wedding cake, flowers and.."

  Hawk whispered in her ear, interrupting her train of thought.  "Let's elope Skye."

 

   Shocked, Skye stared into his eyes, was he serious?  Elope, when all her life she had dreamed of having a big wedding, of having her Dad walk her down the aisle?  He was definitely crazy! "Hawk, I've always wanted..."

  "Skye, your father hates me, if we tried to have a proper wedding, you know he'll stop it, somehow."

  Skye bit her lip.  It was true that her father had not warmed up to Hawk yet, he just might put a stop to any wedding plans, or at the very least, cause a lot of headaches.  But no wedding?  No walking down the aisle?  No flowers, or wedding dress or ?  She pulled out of the shelter of his arms, and shivered in the cold air.  "I don't know Hawk."  She said hesitantly.

  "What's more important Kitten, a big wedding, or us married, spending our lives together, raising children and growing old together?"

   "Well..."

  "I love you Kitten, and I don't want to lose you."

  Skye's eyes widened.  "Hawk!"  She breathed.  "Do you see it?"

  He was confused.  "See what?"

  She grabbed his hand.  "Come on, let's get a closer look!"  She half pulled, half tugged him further into the wooded area.  "Oh, Hawk, isn't he gorgeous?"

 

  Hawk saw a perfectly ordinary white horse that was prancing around in the snow, he didn't know why she was so excited over a silly horse, but he mumbled some affirmative words that seemed to shut her up.  He was so close to getting to her to agree to marrying him right away, and then that stupid horse showed up.

  Skye was enchanted by the Unicorn in front of her.  She always thought they only lived in fairytales, and yet, here he was, in front of her.  He neighed, and she felt driven to get closer to him.  Hawk protested, but she ignored him, her eyes were solely on the magnificent creature in front of her.

 Luna always accused her of living in a fairytale, but if he was real, then maybe, just maybe, fairytales themselves could be real.  She could marry her Prince Charming, Hawk, and live happily ever after.  She approached him softly, and carefully.  He held still, and watched her.

 

   "You are so beautiful."  Skye said, as she tentatively stroked his muzzle.  He whinnied softly, and then gently nuzzled her back.

  Hawk stood back and just observed, the horse seemed skittish whenever he tried to move closer, and he didn't want Skye getting hurt.  He needed a child from her first.  "Careful Skye." he said, "that's a wild horse, it might hurt you."

  Skye turned slightly towards Hawk.  "He won't hurt me."  She turned back to the Unicorn.  "Will you?  No, you are special, and a sign for me, to let me know everything will be okay.  I know what to do now, thank you."

   The Unicorn tossed it's head, causing Skye to back up a little.  Then he nickered, and gently nuzzled up against Skye once again, before catching the wind and disappearing among the trees.  Skye watched him go, she was so focused on the Unicorn that Hawk startled her when he came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. 

  His voice was low, almost a whisper.  "Sorry." 

  "He was beautiful, wasn't he?"

  "Not as beautiful as you are."

  Skye leaned back against Hawk.  "Let's do it, let's elope."  Hawk smiled, victory at last.  His mother would be pleased.


~<>~



"Dev, I just don't understand why you have to leave tonight.  Couldn't you leave in the morning?   I have to talk to you, it's important."

  Devin rolled his eyes.  "Then talk, I'm right here."

 

  "Dev, I need your full attention!"

  "Baby, I'm not in the mood to listen to you nag about a wedding date again.  We're in the middle of football season, I have a plane to catch so I can meet up with the guys.  I'll call you."

  "But..."

  He grabbed the back of her head and kissed her hard on the mouth, shutting her up.  "I have a big game tomorrow, it could make or break my career.  I need to be focused on that right now.  I'll call you, okay?"  He kissed her again, and slapped her butt.  "Be good Baby."  He jumped into the waiting taxi, and was gone.

  Luna frowned as she walked over to her Dad's house, she didn't want to be alone, and he still lived next door.  She was so preoccupied with her thoughts,  she ran headlong into Tanner, and would have fallen on her butt, except he caught her.  "Whoa, careful Luna!"  Once she was steady on her feet, he quickly released her.  "Hey, are you okay?"

  "Of course I'm okay, don't I look okay?"

  
 "I mean, I'm two months pregnant, but I can't seem to find a good opportunity to let my fiance know that he's going to be a father.  He plays for the Desert Badgers you know, the top team in the league, and he has an all important game tomorrow.  I mean, I couldn't possibly interfere with that right?  I mean, he might mess up, and then it would be my fault because..."

  Tanner let her vent, and just nodded his head at the appropriate times.  He couldn't have found words for her anyway, he needed a few minutes to digest what she said, she was having a baby, with that jerk!  He had listened to her heartbroken cries and let her soak through many of his shirts with her tears over the years, and all over that jerk.  Just when he thought Luna had finally come to her senses about the jerk, she would reconcile with him.  The jerk didn't deserve her.

"Tanner, are you even listening to me?"

 "Huh, what?"  He flushed.  "Of course I was, I just got stuck on the part about you having a baby."  With that jerk, he silently added.

 
 Luna looked down at her shoes, avoiding eye contact.  "D*mn."  She swore softly.  "I didn't mean to let that part slip, I wanted him to be the first to know.  I'm just so frustrated with him right now."

  "Nobody knows?"

  She nodded.  "Well, except you, now you know."

  "Congrats Luna, you're going to make a terrific mom."

  She looked up at him then, and in her eyes he could see the little girl she once was.  "Do you think so Tanner?  I never had a mom, so I don't know..."

  "I know so."  He said firmly.  "You're loving, and patient, and kind, and.."

 Luna laughed.  "You make me sound like a saint."

 Tanner teased her, "Oh, I know you better than that."

  Luna sighed, somewhat sadly.  "Yeah, I'm definitely not a saint, unlike my sister Skye.  She's never had sex yet, can you believe that?  She doesn't even know what she's missing, I love having sex, there's nothing like it in this world."

  Tanner choked.  "Um, no, wow, well..."  He stuttered awkwardly.  Sex was the one topic he tried to stay away from when talking with Luna.  He already had enough thoughts in that direction about her, he didn't need any help.  Besides, if she ever found out he was still a virgin, she would never let him live it down.  Desperate times called for desperate measures, he needed a subject change, and fast.  "So, uh, how are you going to tell your Dad the happy news?"


~<>~


  "I can't believe I just got married by JP.  My Dad is going to freak out."

  "He'll have to come around now Skye, we're married, until death to us part, and that could be a long time."

  Skye sighed.  "I suppose.  It's just, he's so stubborn!"

  "Everything will work out just fine, you'll see."  Hawk assured her.

  Skye smiled up at him, and for just a moment, he was enthralled by her, by the sparkle in her eyes, the pinkness of her cheeks, his wife really was beautiful.  Just as quickly he mentally shrugged it off, he couldn't afford to forget his true purpose for this marriage.  A child.  Not just any child either, but a child that was prophesied about long before he had ever been born.  That was all that mattered.

  He put his arm around her.  "Come on Kitten, I'll take you home, so you can grab some of your stuff and take it back to my place.  We'll face the ferocious lion together."  Hawk had no intention of living anywhere but at the Kahekili house, if he played his cards right, he would be moving in with her, not the other way around.  Skye had to believe otherwise though.

 "I'm just so nervous, I want him to be happy for me."

 "He loves you Skye, and once he gets used to the idea of us being married, he'll come around.  Especially once we have our first child."

  Skye sighed happily.  "I can't wait to have my own children.  Teaching other people's children has been a joy for me, but to be able to snuggle my own child, that would be a dream come true."

  "Come on Kitten, let's get your stuff, and tell your father our good news."

  "Okay.  Before we talk to him though, I need to change out of my workclothes."

  "I'll be more than happy to help you out."  Hawk told her, waggling his eyebrows playfully.

  "I'll just bet you would."  She giggled.
 


~<>~


   Luna was pregnant.  Un-freaking-believable.  Colin scowled.  It wasn't the grandkid he minded, in fact, he rather enjoyed spoiling the ones he already had.  No, it was her choice in the father that put him in a foul mood.  Sh*t, they were stuck with the a*shole forever now.  He should have buried the dumba*s in the backyard a long time ago.

 

  Why couldn't she have picked Tanner?  He actually liked Tanner.

  He sighed heavily.  The things he did for the sake of his daughter and grandchild.  Like restrain himself from committing murder.  He heard Skye call out for him.  "I'm in the living room."  He called back.  He still had hopes for Skye, she was still dating bird boy, but no engagements as of yet.

  Skye bounded into the room.  "There you are Daddy.  I have something to tell you."

  Colin groaned.  "Please don't tell me you're pregnant."

  "Daddy, of course not."

  "Good."  He grunted.  His eyes narrowed though when he saw bird boy come into the room, and sit down in the chair beside him.  He glared at him, but bird boy only smirked back.  Colin gritted his teeth, and reminded himself that he didn't want to be estranged from his daughter.  So no smashing bird boy in the f*cking face, though he really wanted to.  His fingers itched, Colin turned away, trying to get a grip on himself.

 

  "Well, you see Mr. Kahekili, I want you to know that I really love your daughter and..."

  Colin quickly turned back to bird boy.  "No."

  Hawk stared at Colin, confused.  "No what?"

  "No you can't marry my daughter."  Colin said pleasantly.  He even managed to keep his face mostly expressionless.

  Skye groaned.  "Daddy!  I'm not twelve years old anymore!  And I don't need your permission to marry or not marry."

  "Permission, maybe not, but if you f*cking want my blessing, forget it.  Bird brain can not be f*cking trusted."

  "Daddy, I wish you wouldn't call him that.  He's done nothing to deserve the way you treat him!"

  Hawk interrupted,  "It's okay Skye, I married you, not your father."

   "What the f*ck did he say?"

  Skye winced.  "Now Daddy..."

  "We love each other very much Mr. Kahekili, and we want to start a family.  We were tired of waiting,"  Hawk implied the on you but didn't say the words, "so today we were married at the courthouse.  We're only here long enough to let you know we got married, and for Skye to pack up her belongings."

  Colin's hands clenched and unclenched in his lap, and he counted silently in his head, trying to reign in his temper.  He calmly considered his options.  One, strangle f*cking bird boy with his bare hands.  This idea had a lot of merit, Colin would love to get his f*cking hands on him.  Two, beat f*cking bird boy with a bat.  Beat him f*cking senseless.  Definitely a good option.  Three, he could buy a rope, he even knew where the perfect tree was.  Four... 

  He kept counting up all the different ways to f*cking kill bird boy, he hit number fifty, and he was still thinking of better and better ideas.

  Skye twisted her hands anxiously.  "Daddy?  Say something please?"

 

 

   Colin was silent.
 
   "Daddy, I just want you to be happy for me."  Skye said sadly.  "That's all."

  Colin looked at his daughter, sighed heavily, and then made one of the hardest f*cking decisions of his life.  "I have one condition."

  "What's that?"  Skye asked.

  Colin couldn't f*cking believe what he was about to say,  but his daughter came first.  He didn't trust f*cking bird boy, and no amount of time spent with him ever made him think differently.  He was hiding something, Colin f*cking knew it.  Unfortunately, he had yet to  prove it, bird boy was slick, he'd give him that.  It was just a f*cking matter of time before bird brain slipped up, and his daughter would need her daddy then.

   Hopefully Skye would see the wisdom of his offer, unlike Luna, who had rejected it and moved in with the a*s next door instead.  "I think you guys should live here.  The house is plenty big enough, and then I can keep an eye on f*cking bird brain."

 "Daddy, are you serious?"

  "Deadly."

  "Daddy, I don't think..."

  Hawk spoke up.  "Skye, I think it's a good idea."  He had been mostly quiet, waiting for the right moment, and he was pleased that her father had come up with the idea himself.  It worked much better that way.  Once he had his son from Skye, he would make her father pay for every slight he had ever endured from him.

  Skye stared at her husband, stunned.  "Say what?  But Hawk..."

  "He's your father Skye, and he loves you too.  If staying here makes him feel better about our marriage, then I am all for it.  He may even get to know me better, and find that he likes me."  Hawk grinned.

  Colin snorted.  "F*ck no."

  Skye sighed, exasperated.  "Daddy, your language, really!  It's atrocious tonight."

  Colin grunted.  "Are you staying?"

  Skye glanced at her husband, he gave her an encouraging smile.  "I guess so."  She said doubtfully.  She wasn't sure how it would work out, her father and her husband living in the same house.  They both seemed to want the same thing though, so, at least they had common ground there.

  "Great, I'm glad that's all settled.  Both of us love Skye, so I'm sure we can all learn to get along, right Mr. Kahekili? Can I call you Dad?"

  Colin glared at him.  "F*ck no."  Skye rolled her eyes, she had a feeling she might have made a mistake in agreeing to stay living with her father, but only time would tell for sure.


~<>~

  "You're what?!"

 "Pregnant, Dev, I'm pregnant."  Luna had finally been able to pin Devin down long enough to let him know about his impending fatherhood.  "I know we weren't planning on starting a family quite this soon, but..."

  "Sh*t Luna, you were supposed to keep that from happening!  What the h*ll?"  He shouted angrily.

  "I'm sorry Dev, remember when I was so sick, I kept throwing up?  Well, I wasn't able to keep anything down, let along a pill, so..."

  "You're so f*cking careless!  D*mn, you only think about yourself.  What about me?  You know this is the worst possible timing!"

  Luna lowered her head, and stared at the ground.  "I'm sorry Dev."  She repeated, softly.  "I didn't mean for it to happen."

 

 "That's always your f*cking problem Luna, you never f*cking think!"  He grabbed her arm, and shook her hard.  "You're so f*cking stupid sometimes."

 "Dev, please!  You're hurting me!"

  "Why the f*ck do you have to be such a stupid b*tch?  It's your fault for making me so f*cking angry."

  "I'm sorry.  I'm sorry!"  Luna whimpered.  "I don't mean to be."  Devin released her arm, and Luna rubbed it.  It hurt, and she might have slight bruising in the morning that she'd have to keep covered up.  It was her fault for pushing him, she knew better, she really did.  She would just have to try harder, do better, be better.

  "Well, you have to get rid of it, that's all there is to it."

   Luna teared up.  "Dev, no!  Please, I want to keep this baby!  I don't mind waiting on marriage, really I don't.  Just, please, let me keep this baby."

  Devin thought for a moment.

 "I don't know."  He said slowly.  "The timing is all wrong, I have to focus on my career Baby, it's important for our future.  I don't have time to f*cking play Dad."

  "Please Dev?"

  "Where the h*ll will it stay?  Not here."  He said, horrified.  "This house is too f*cking valuable to get f*cked up having baby sh*t and puke all over the carpets."

  "The baby and I can stay with my Dad, until we get married.  He won't mind, really."  Luna had moved in with Devin right after graduation, despite her father's protests. 

  "Well, f*ck Luna, sounds like you've got it all worked out.  Now all you have to do is f*cking persuade me."  He yanked her closer, and Luna bit back a cry.  He kissed her, his mouth rough, and his fingers dug painfully into her back.  "That's right Baby, play the f*cking whore for me."

 

  He pulled the top of her dress down, exposing her breasts.  "F*ck, you're so beautiful."  He squeezed one breast, causing Luna to moan.  "F*ck yeah, you love that don't you, my little wh*re."

  "Oh yes, Devin, oh please!"

  With one hand on her breast, he used the other to pull her panties down.  "You're so f*cking wet."  He used his fingers to fondle her roughly, and Luna moaned again, bucking against him.  He yanked his shorts off, and pushed Luna onto the bed, kneeling on the bed in front of her.  "Come on wh*re, do your job."

 Twenty minutes later, she lay on the bed, with Devin's arms wrapped around her.  He kissed her gently.  "I'm sorry Baby."  These were the moments she lived for, and treasured.  It was when she saw the Devin she had fallen in love with, the soft, kind, caring man.  He was always tense after coming back from a game, she shouldn't have been so stupid and laid the baby news on him like that.  He didn't want to be angry, it was just her stupidity that brought it out of him.  She had just been so excited about their baby though.

  Almost as if he sensed her thoughts, he laid his hand on her stomach.  "So, we're having a kid, huh?"
  She nodded her head.  He brushed her hair back.  "I like the name Trevor.  It's my Dad's name."  He playfully slapped her butt.  "Come on Baby, let's raid the fridge, I'm starving."  Luna smiled contentedly as she followed him to the kitchen, all was well again.


~<>~


  Attempt number seven hundred ninety nine, not that he was counting or anything.  Jack sure hoped it worked this time, but he had his doubts.

 

 
 Ethan had told him it would be difficult, and he sure wasn't kidding.  


______________________________________________________________________

Notes: And Gen 8 is now in charge!  Skye is the heiress, but I rolled Full House, so Luna and Jack are staying, plus the addition of Hawk to the household, and there's my four.  Luna never actually moved out, that was just for story purposes.

  Luna is in a full blown abusive relationship, but she doesn't see it that way.  She loves Devin, and thinks (which of course, being a typical abuser, he reinforces this belief) that whenever he goes off, it's her fault for setting him off.  Luna is also really careful to hide any signs of what is happening, and not show any bruises, so her friends and family don't know what's going on.

  Why does she stay?  That's always a hard one to answer, particularly if you've never been involved in an abusive relationship.  (Thankfully I have not, but I know people who have.)  The abuser doesn't start off abusive, they are usually quite charming, and they slowly whittle away your self confidence and self worth, until you start to believe the lies they tell you.  It's sort of like the frog and the pot story.  Throw a frog in a pot of boiling water, and he will immediately jump out.  Throw him in a pot and slowly heat it up, and he will stay in there and boil to death.  (Besides the fact is that it can be very difficult, and downright dangerous at times, to leave an abusive relationship.)

  People involved in abusive relationships are usually quite good at covering up that fact, and many times close friends and family don't even realize what is going on.  Which is true in Luna's case, Colin doesn't know about the abuse, cause if he did, all h*ll would break loose, lol  He knows something is off, just not what.  That inner alarm of his is on red alert!  He's also distracted with Skye and Hawk, because he knows something is off there as well.  Hawk is very clever though, and so far has managed to keep his secrets.  Also Colin has his job, and his other kids (plus grandkids) that keeps him busy as well.

  One last note on all that---back in highschool, my best friend's parents seriously talked that way.  I remember how appalled I was that her dad called her mom his personal little wh*re, and she giggled and acted like it was a good thing, and then they proceeded to be a little more demonstrative than I ever wanted to see.  O.o

  Aaand apparently I can't make up my mind on whether to spell Dev's name as Devin or Devon.  I've written it both ways now, in previous chapters, lol  So, I guess either works! Doh!  Also, for you with the eagle eyes and elephant memory (I tend to be oblivious to things like this unless they are pointed out, lol XD), Hawk's eyebrows kept changing to those, and it is quite annoying!  I would take him into CAS to fix them, start taking pics, only to realize way too late that the game had changed them back.  I'm too lazy to redo all those pics though, over some eyebrows, so, if you notice that his eyebrows look different in some pics (even in future chapters)  you'll know the reason why!  Haha!

  As far as rolls go, Skye is in the education career.  Good thing she doesn't need money, because they don't make very much, haha!  Hawk is in the alchemist career, Luna is a sculptor, and Jack originally rolled science for his career.  I had just bought ITF though, so I changed his to making plumbots because I wanted to play around with that.  Plumbots are more trouble than they are worth, lol

  The Unicorn totally photobombed my Skyehawk engagement pics.  I ended up taking so many pics with it, it's not even funny.  But it was so pretty, and unexpected, I had to write it in.  After all, Princess Skye believes in fairytales, and besides that Unicorns always appeared to the pure of heart and to the virgin maidens, to everyone else they would appear as a regular ole horse, lol

  Questions?  Comments?  I love reading comments, even if it takes me a while to respond back.  I'm always trying to find a way to answer without giving too much away, and sometimes that takes me a while, lol

  Thanks for reading! =)