Cry of Unrest

ZACH

It’s Wednesday, and I couldn’t be happier. The kids have overstayed their welcome, to put it lightly. I’ve never heard a baby cry as much as this one.

Maybe she’s not comfortable around us, or perhaps she’s dealing with colic or other issues. Or maybe she just likes the sound of her own cries, or maybe I’m just tired of her being here. Either way, I’m over it.

Especially since I’m on a good behavior bond with my own mother. I can’t understand why I promised not to hurt Tyler in any way that could affect his mental health. She’s clueless about our private activities.

I could have used a distraction or two. I’ve spent most of the day hiding upstairs with Ella and Violet while Tyler and Callum try to calm Tilly’s constant crying.

If this is what we can expect every Monday through Wednesday, I might just go back to work right away. At least there, I can enjoy some peace and quiet, and have some time to think and brood—and just enjoy the comfort of the office. But thinking about this messed up situation might not be the best way to solve my problems.

“Would you mind watching Ella if I take a bath?” Violet asks me quietly.

I pull Violet’s face to mine, giving her a sloppy wet kiss on her lips before pulling back when she starts to squirm. “We’ll be fine, enjoy your bath, baby.”

She blushes as she pulls away, which is exactly what I had intended. Ella hasn’t been a problem when it comes to finding time for intimacy, but Tilly has put a full stop to that in just three days.

Everyone’s worn out, and Violet is grumpy. Downright miserable. I guess having such a quiet child of our own has set high expectations for an easy life. Is this why Sophie wanted to get rid of her?

“You’re a blessing, El’s. You’ve spoiled parenthood for us. You’re just too perfect.” I run my finger over her soft cheek, looking deep into her beautiful eyes. They still take my breath away. One eye like Violet’s and one just like Tyler’s.

My brother was right when he said she couldn’t decide between her parents’ eyes. Ella continues to gaze at me as I lay my head back down next to hers on the pillow. We stay like that for a while, eyes locked, as I take her in while she quietly observes me. The keyword here is quiet.

So peaceful. Ella is very quiet. Even her cries are soft, more like fussing than a full-blown wail, much like Violet’s soft-spoken nature. This is what I’ve been praying for, for years.

To have a little human that’s even a fraction of me is everything I wished for…and more. She’s pure perfection. Soon, Ella falls asleep, snuggled up next to me. That’s when I turn my attention back to the room, finding Tyler sitting on the bed, quietly watching us with his legs crossed beneath him.

“Where’s Tilly?” I ask, frowning.

“With your mother,” he replies. Ah, my mother to the rescue…again.

“Can you drop Tilly back with me? I think we need to talk,” he says, and I know he’s right, though I’m not really looking forward to it.

“I promised to watch Ella while Violet takes a bath.” I make an excuse.

“I’m sure Callum wouldn’t mind filling in for you?”

“Maybe I mind,” I pout, still angry about the situation he’s created and the consequences we’re all dealing with.

“Okay, it’s fine. I’ll go by myself,” he says, standing up, knowing exactly what he’s doing. I wait until he’s almost at the door, his hand reaching for the handle, before I stop him.

“Fine. I’ll go with you. But you’re buying dinner.” He tries to hide his smile, but I catch it just before he opens the door.

“We need to leave in thirty minutes. We have to drop her back at Sophie’s.”

“Not the lay-by?”

“Unfortunately not,” he replies. So that’s why he wants company. I can’t blame him for not wanting to go there alone. It would raise suspicions to be alone with her…for however long it takes to drop Tilly off.

I sit up, cradling Ella on my shoulder as I walk into the bathroom. Violet is doing exactly what she said she would, but I almost laugh when I see a bright orange face mask on her face.

“Is she hungry?” she asks, peeking at us through one eye.

She takes my breath away.

“No, she hasn’t fussed yet. Tyler’s asked me to drop Tilly off with him…I need some clothes.”

“Is he still worried about what you think?”

“Probably. I prefer the pick-up. The lay-by is harder to have sex in,” I say, thinking about the higher risk of being seen.

More chance of it getting back to us.

“He won’t sleep with her, Zach.”

“Maybe,” I reply. She splashes water over the edge of the tub as she sits up abruptly. Her expression turns stern as she opens her mouth. Is it lecture time?

“Zach,” she says my name in a tone I’ve never heard before. It’s a mix of pent-up anger and shock, I think.

“Vi?”

“I think he’s telling the truth. I think Sophie’s doing this because he made her lose her boyfriend.”

“You think that’s the problem? We don’t know. All we know is the facts that are written in black and white, and that DNA sheet states he is her father.”

“Zach, you’re being stubborn again. Order a DNA kit, and I’ll gladly swab Tilly and send it off so we know for sure?” I pause for a second, taken aback. I hadn’t even considered that. Why didn’t I think of that?

I mean, she wouldn’t know. He wouldn’t even have to know. But it would give Vi, Cal, and me the truth. Reassurance.

“That’s not a bad idea,” I mutter, standing next to the bath. “Vi, that’s a good idea.”

“Order one then, but don’t tell Tyler. He’s hurting enough. None of us has thought of this from his point of view,” she sighs, sinking back into the bath and splashing more water on the floor. I walk to the towel rack, grab one, and throw it on the floor. Holding tightly onto Ella, I use one foot to mop up the mess.

“Have you thought about how this is for him? Not only do his partners not believe him, which must be heartbreaking, but he also has to take responsibility for a child that isn’t his. That ties him to an ex that no one wants around. It’s divided his relationship with not only us but your parents and his mother and sister. Do you know Liz doesn’t believe him either, and that’s killing him inside. He expected it from Kelsie but from his mother. That really hurt him. And in the middle of all that hurt, he has to be civil with Sophie and a father figure for not only Ella but Tilly too. He’s hurting Zach, and we aren’t supporting him. We aren’t being his rocks because there’s a division between the four of us too. Callum one hundred percent believes him, but you don’t, and I’m teetering in the middle somewhere,” everything Violet’s telling me I’ve already thought about.

But she’s not considering the fact that he did cheat, and with Sophie, so there’s plausible evidence against him. I don’t need this from her too, but I guess I really have no choice and out of everyone who’s given me the same advice, she’s the only one I’m willing to listen to.

But she sure knows how to make someone feel guilty. I look down at Ella, who’s rooting for milk against my bare chest. Her mouth is wide open as she nuzzles against my skin.

“You’re not gonna get anything from me, baby girl.” I lift her so she’s facing me, and she starts to whimper softly as if offended that I refused her. Maybe I should get a bottle or ask Cal or Ty to do it.

Just when your mother was trying to relax, Ella, you decide to get hungry.

“I’ll get out,” Violet says grumpily, probably because I’ve completely ignored her rant, like the coward…that I am. I sigh at her tone, turning away from her slightly before thinking better of it.

She will kill you if you ignore this. I can’t keep brushing this aside. She’s right.

“I understand where you’re coming from, sweetheart, I really do. But I’ve been burned in the past. I’ll arrange for a DNA test. If it turns out that Tilly isn’t his, I’ll do everything in my power to make it right with him.” I gently tilt her chin so she’s looking directly into my eyes, releasing her bottom lip from the grip of her teeth.

A faint mark remains, as if she’d bitten down on her lip instead of lashing out at me. Maybe she did. “Everything. Okay?” Her gorgeous lips purse before she gives me two nods of agreement.

“Can you give me ten minutes to wash my hair, then I’ll be out?” I nod in response, not sticking around for any further lectures.

“Come on, Ella, daddy needs to find something to wear.”