GAME OVER ━━ Lip Gallagher

CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

          "What happened in the dining room?" Alan asked, oblivious to the tension surrounding them. Neither of them spoke. The memory was interpreted in different ways. From Phoebe's point of view, it instilled fear. It was the moment her father showed his true colors. She watched as his face changed, as his eyes darkened, and as his hand flew out to grab her like something out of her nightmares. She could remember the heavy pressure of his fingertips digging into her biceps, bruising her skin, bruising her heart. It was the moment she realized the monster lurking in his shadow. But for Millie, it was the moment she realized just how badly she wanted it all to be over. The perfect family picture she tried to instill in her brain faded away like a polaroid catching flame. It was the moment she realized just how terrible she was at motherhood, at loving someone other than a monster. It was one of her biggest regrets, especially after seeing the way Phoebe reacted the last time they had walked into the dining room.

          "Long story," Phoebe finally responded, shrugging her shoulders. "But I'm sure. Let's do it." There was a pause. Millie assessed Phoebe closely, eyes focused on the brunette before she sighed. "Sure! Alan, would you help me move everything?" — "Yeah!" He passed his cup over to Phoebe and began moving the platters into the dining room. Phoebe watched, her hands clutching the mug tight between them. She couldn't let the past hold her back anymore. Sure, it was just a room. It wasn't like it was something bigger, like going to school (she had already had time to conquer that fear). She knew that if she couldn't get over this, then she'd find herself believing she couldn't get over anything, and she needed her strength. "It's nice," Alan spoke, snapping the girl out of her thoughts. "Thank you," Millie replied with a small laugh. "I've always wanted a big house." Alan passed by Phoebe with another platter, winking over at the girl. He felt so proud of himself for making Millie like him.

          She rolled her eyes at his action, bringing the cup up to her lips to take a drink. Once the two were done, she knew that it was time. She passed the drink back over to her fiance and made her way into the small room. Millie watched closely as she decided on a seat to take. She situated herself in the one opposite of her old one, sitting down. Alan swooped in behind her and helped scoot her up to the table with a smile. "I'm going to pour some orange juice into the pitcher real quick. You two should go ahead and plate yourselves some food." Alan sat across from Phoebe, wiggling his eyebrows over at the girl. "It smells so good," he stated, using the tongs on the platter to place a few sausages on his plate. She nodded her head in agreement, plating herself some eggs. "She's always been a good cook," she replied, not realizing the compliment that left her lips. She took the top pancake and a few sausages to finish off her breakfast.

          "So, what happened here?" he asked. He took a bite of the sausage, his eyes never leaving hers. She pressed her lips into a firm line. She knew that she didn't have to answer. He would understand if she told him that she didn't want to, but she also knew that it would be better to get it off of her chest. Keeping secrets never helped in relationships. So why did she feel so reluctant to tell him? She waved the question off dismissively, a smile apparent on her features. "I'll tell you some other time," she told him with a finalizing nod. He only shrugged his shoulders. She would tell him eventually. Seconds later, in came Millie with a now full pitcher of orange juice. "How are you guys liking it?" she asked, sitting beside Phoebe. The younger girl smiled over at her mother before turning back to her eggs. "It's really good, Millie. You're a really good cook." She laughed a bit at the compliment, shocked by how sweet his words were.

          Phoebe shoveled a forkful of eggs into her mouth, sighing at the soft texture. Her hand flew over her mouth as she looked over to her mother. "Do you have any salt?" she asked. She was already getting ready to stand when Alan cleared his throat. "I can get it. I wanted to top off my coffee, anyway." Both women glanced toward the boy, but he was already standing with his mug in hand. "It's in the cabinet beside the refrigerator," Millie told him, wide eyes moving from the boy to the girl beside her. Phoebe smiled knowingly back at her mother. Alan was just proving himself even more to Millie, making her fall in love with him like everyone else around them.