A/N: My laptop died a few weeks ago so it's getting repaired, which means I have to continue to write this story on my phone. Which annoys the crap out of me, but the show must go on for my little bears. X
* * *
"Hi boys. How was your day?" He asked. He hadn't noticed us yet until he turned his head to greet the boys but stopped mid sentence and just gawked at Alena and I.
His eyes kept alternating between Alena and I until his eyes didn't move from Alena's. You could see the realisation hit him the longer he stared at Alena. I wondered whether he knew we were coming and he had just forgotten, or if we had just blind sided him with our presence.
"Hey Dad. There's someone you should finally meet." Drew spoke with enthusiasm as his eyes flickered towards me for a second.
I watched on as my father quickly placed his coat on the chair before facing Drew again. It was like a scene out of a movie and I was just merely a viewer on the sidelines, I couldn't stop any of this from happening. I couldn't move or say anything. I was frozen in place.
"Daddy?" Alena asked.
I watched as he fell to his knees with arms wide open, in time for Alena to come running right into his arms. He quickly hugged her and held her in his arms. I was envious at the fact that Alena didn't remember much about what had happened between our parents, mainly because she was just a baby at the time. She wasn't holding on to a grudge like I was. I watched on as they hugged for what felt like an eternity. It stung a little when I heard the tears coming from both my sister and my father.
"My little girl." He whispered as they broke away from their embrace.
"You're such a big girl now." He added.
I knew that they were already bonding a lot faster than what he and I were doing. However, it's not like he could blame me. I'm the only one who seems to remember what he did. I watched on as he placed both hands over her cheeks to wipe her tears, before kissing her forehead.
"Hi, Avery. It's good to see you again"
I blinked twice before focusing on him, "Adrian. Good to see you."
I almost smirked when I saw him slightly flinch at my use of his name. If he thought I was going to refer to him as Dad or Daddy, he had another thing coming. He smiled sadly at me before looking back down at Alena.
"We have so much to catch up on. I want to know everything. How is school? What year are you in?"
Drew chuckled before shaking his head, "Chill Dad. I'm sure we have all day to catch up."
He smiled up at Drew before standing up, "Of course. I'm so glad you girls are here, please make yourself at home."
'Home.'
I mentally snorted at the thought of that. Well, I thought I mentally snorted but i hadn't, because Drew's eyes snapped back at me with enough force reminding me to be on my best behaviour.
"Lunch is ready guys!" Ashley shouted out from the kitchen. I internally let out a sigh of relief, this awkwardness was easier to deal with while I had a plate of food in front of me.
I watched as everyone slowly started to walk into the dining room. Drew placed his arm around my shoulders and pulled me close to a whisper, "Less hostility and more care bear."
I let out a chuckle as I playfully punched his chest, "Be grateful that I'm here." I whispered back.
Drew stopped mid-step before facing me, "Please, Avery. All I'm asking, is that you give this a real shot."
He stared at me with his puppy eyes as I debated for a second. Letting out a sigh, I nodded in agreement, "I will. Just for you."
He smiled before pulling me close for a bear hug, "Thanks sis."
"Drew! Avery! Come eat!" Ashley shouted again but this time from the dining room.
"Let's go before she sends out a search party for us."
I chuckled as I followed Drew into the dinning room. As soon as he was in front of me, my smile dropped. This was going to be a challenge but I was willing to try and make it work, for Drew.
* * *
"So what grade are you in, Alena?" Ashley asked in between taking a bite from her steak.
"I'm in grade four, ma'am." Alena spoke nervously.
Ashley giggled before waving her hand playfully, "Please, call me Ashley or Ash! No need for the formalities."
"The what?" Alena asked in confusion, looking at me from across the table.
"Don't call her ma'am." I answered abruptly.
"Ooh! Sorry!" Alena responded within her giggles of embarrassment. I could tell she was nervous but she was putting on a brave face. I think what made it worse was that they kept asking her questions and for the last twenty minutes, it's all been about Alena; her hobbies, talents, favourite things in life. This didn't bother me one bit because it kept the lime light away from my life for the first time. I was simply sitting here and enjoying this steak and mash. This wasn't just any kind of steak, this was the expensive type, it tasted exactly like the one at 515. The perks of working in a restaurant? Free food. These people around me had the ability to pay $150 per steak and they had cooked about ten of them. They had the perks to buy whatever they wanted and not worry about how much money they had in their account, or worry if the payment will approve or decline.
"What about you Avery? How you liking school?" My father asked.
I shrugged my shoulders before responding monotone like, "It's school. Nothing to enjoy. I suck it up, go and do what is required of me. I then go home and get ready for work so that Alena and I can survive and have food on the table."
I internally groaned at myself because my outburst caused a dead silence to occur. Alena and Michael looked at each other before looking back to me from across the table. I had Drew next to me look down at his food in shame.
"I'm sorry, if you'll excuse me." I spoke softly before getting up from my chair and walking out the front door. I honestly didn't mean to sound inconsiderate, sometimes my mood got the best of me and I accept that.
I looked up at the sky as I exhaled loudly. Placing my hands on my hips I began to pace. How was I going to go back in there? I just completely embarrassed myself in front of them. I knew they didn't mean to throw their money in our faces but it definitely didn't help the situation.
"Hey."
I instantly turned at the sound of his voice, "Drew, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for it to come out like that."
"It's okay, Avery. Shit happens." He spoke softly as he stood in front of me.
"Besides, my parents could have gone easy on the set up." He added.
I let out a sigh of frustration, "That's the point! They shouldn't have to. What is wrong with me Drew. I'm angry all the time!"
"Do you really want my honest opinion?" He asked, causing me to stop pacing and face him.
"Yes."
"You're holding onto too many grudges, you refuse to allow yourself to be happy so you dwell on your past. Time to let go." He spoke his words in confidence, not stuttering once. Makes me wonder how long he's been thinking about this and just never told me.
'He's right.'
I rolled my eyes at myself. I knew he was right. There was no denying it. Drew let out a sigh before walking over to me, wrapping his arm around my shoulders.
"You need to let go, Avery."
"I don't know how to." I forced the words out as my eyes began to water.
"Yes, you do. You already started with Mum."
I looked into Drew's eyes as he spoke the words out loud. He was right. Since mum has been getting help, it's been easier to get along with her. It's been easy to just talk to her on the phone, almost reminds me of what the good days. I don't automatically associate her with the bad memories as much.
"That's different." I denied
Drew scoffed bitterly, "No it's not."
"Yes, it is."
"Enlighten me."
I let out a sigh as I tried to explain it to him, "Despite the drugs and alcohol Drew, she was there."
Drew chuckled bitterly as he ran his hands through his hair, "No she wasn't Avery. She was there physically but emotionally or mentally she wasn't. She deserted you the same way Dad did. If you can forgive her and give her a second chance, why can't you give the same to Dad?"
"Because I know he's still lying to me. Until he's honest, I can't move on." I forced the words out through gritted teeth.
"Well, maybe it's time that we have that conversation."
Both Drew and I turned our heads abruptly to face the door, the direction of which the voice came from. I bit on my inner cheek as I saw my father standing there, hands in his pockets.
'How long has he been standing there?'
'What did he hear?'
Drew looked between his dad and me. My eyes widened at Drew in hopes he would stay. He shook his head lightly at me before walking inside. I let out a sigh as I watched him walk inside. I watched Drew's figure disappear from sight until my eyes moved to land on my father, who was still standing in the same position.
It's been a minute or two since Drew walked inside, feels a lot longer to be honest. I didn't know what to say or where to start, I was hoping he would take the reigns and begin.
As if he could hear my thoughts, he took a seat on the first step before patting the space next to him.
This was it, I needed to make a decision. I either took the leap with my father and sit down, or I go inside and get Alena so that we can go home.
'You need to let go, Avery.'
'You're holding onto too many grudges.'
'You dwell on your past.'
'Time to let go.'
Drew's words kept repeating themselves in my head.
I let out a sigh as I walked over to the step to sit on it, facing the front yard. I couldn't bear to look at him right now. If I was going to have this conversation, I needed all the courage I could gather.
"Avery, there's a reason why I backed off." He spoke softly.
I swallowed the lump in my throat as he said those words. I couldn't find my voice so I just sat there, waiting for him to continue. I watched as he opened his mouth to continue.
This was it. This conversation was finally going to happen and I was scared shitless.
* * *
A/N: So what do we think so far? It's so hard writing chapter to chapter because I always have to go back and read what happened, which is why I'm starting to write in advance again lol. If you liked this chapter, please don't forget to give it a vote! Xx
Next Chapter: Avery finally learns of all the secrets her father has been keeping. Can anyone guess what they are?