Patience

One

|Caden|

It's been a year and a week since I last saw her. She usually answers when I call. It's always the same time and the same place. She always come.. 
But instead I'm sat at my desk in the office pulling at my hair wondering what I did, why I lost her? 
I'd worked on myself a lot this year. The boys and I sorted out my side of the business, I didn't complete destroy it, what I did keep they managed to keep a float for the last few years amongst my attempt to handle my life

"You are going to pull all of your hair out" Ethan laughed as the 4 of the stood in my office watching me struggle
"fuck off" I growled
"Caden, if it means this much to you. Just go to her" Adam said like it was that easy
If she didn't want me around anymore who was I to chase

"Maybe she finally met someone who gave a shit about her" Damien said making my eyes darken and narrow at him
"I fucking give a shit" I growled back
"Yeah? Last time I checked your yearly visits with her was just a chance for you to get your dick wet in a girl who was still in love with you"
"Dam-" Brennan tried to interrupt
"No! Let him speak" I warned them all 

"She was a sister to us Caden, we loved her like she was family but we also watched you destroy her constantly. You broke her in ways even you won't be able to understand. If she's letting you go then accept it, do not pull her back in unless you are ready to make up 16 years to make up for" He said, I looked at him without saying a word. Honestly trying to process everything that he had said and he was right
I broke her, I used her. 
It wasn't fair

"I need her" I whispered watching his gaze falter slightly at me knew found emotion
"Then let's get your girl back but I think I speak for all of us when we say, you hurt again. You're done" He warned me earning a nod from me and the rest of the guys 
This was my final shot..

--

It didn't take us long at all to find out where Hadley had been staying. She had made a small move just outside the city, but close enough she was still in grasping reach
"This is a cute little house" Ethan said probably amping up to tease Hadley like he used to do as kids
"I don't think she is home" Adam said making me dart to look at him then back at the house
He was right of course, the driveway was empty and we all know Hadley well enough to know she wouldn't be using the garage to store the car. It wasn't something she would do for some reason 
None of us ever understood why

As if on cue, a small silver car made it's way past us signalling into the drive. You could hear soft talk coming through the open windows already
"She isn't alone" Brennan warned making us all watch as the car parked and three doors opened 
First stood a boy, a teenager more like. I would say around 13, then was a younger boy maybe 5? 
Then finally the reason we were here

"Alex, I get it but you cannot expect that to work surely" her voice rung making the skin on my neck heat 
She was so close yet so far away
Slowly and quietly we al made our way out of the car in the hope to catch her before she went inside

"Mum it's one night a week" Alex said making me freeze slightly at his first word
"Mum" I whispered to myself
"One day a week where you want to try and look after both of your siblings? I don't think that's a good idea. I get you want to help baby but that-" She started before turning to see us all stood there
Both of the boys turned too to look in our direction. The younger of the two moving to be behind Hadley while Alex stood tall slightly in front of her in a protective stance

"Alex honey, take your siblings inside and I'll be in soon okay" Hadley said touching his arm lightly but he didn't move
"Alex" She said again but still nothing 
"Alexander James!" Hadley almost yelled making him break out of his trance and he picked up his younger brother before opening another car door crapping the hold of a car seat

Hadley watched as all three of them disappeared into the house before turning back to us, by this time we were all practically in front of her. The look of worry and hatred laced in her eyes was enough to make my heart burn
I think I really have lost her

"Hey Dork" Brennan teased probably trying to lighten the mood but the look on Hadley's face made it obvious that it wasn't going to work

"What are you all doing here?" She screeched, I turned to the boys who all gave me a look to plead my case but I was still in shock of what we had just uncovered
"I uh-" I stuttered
"You uh what Caden?" She quipped earning a snigger from Bren which earned a glare from me 

"I don't- You have kids?" I asked making her narrow her eyes at me
"Does that mean you have some-" I started before she scoffed

"You dare stand there in front of me Caden and lecture me about potentially finding someone else. I waited for you, I gave you over 20 years of my life. I loved you unconditionally no matter what you did but you didn't return it" She warned me
I stood there stunned in silence for a moment before she sighed shaking her head
"there isn't anyone, not that it is any of your business" 

"Mumma!" A voice called making all of us turn to see the same little face from earlier except this time he was stood by their back garden gate
"Benny go back inside sweetheart" Hadley said but instead the little tike shook his finger at his mum staying footed where he was 

"Bring your friends Mumma! We can order pizza!" Benny said making Hadley sigh turning back to us 
"If you lot come in, you do not talk to them about any of our past do you understand?" She warned us, I looked back at the boys who all nodded following her forward 
Watching as Benny started running off as soon as she got close enough to him to try and grab him 

"You little" she laughed almost chasing after her boy