Fate

Chapter Fifty-Two

"Why should we have to do that Kenneth? When will this all stop?" Her voice sounded as though she were about to cry and she probably was.

"I'm doing better, okay? We're all doing better."

"Eric is right. Our daughter shouldn't have to live in this and she always has. It's not right."

"We do the best we can with her don't we?"

"I don't want you putting hands on her ever. Hitting me is one thing but don't hit her."

"They're getting in your head. Why would you think—"

"Because you have!"

I was trying not to sob now. Of course, he didn't want me here. He'd confirmed that the other day. Yet, I wasn't going to let him keep me from mom and I didn't believe she'd do that either. He was right about one thing. This family could not break apart because I didn't think mom could handle it. Right or wrong, she loved him and wanted to be with him.

She couldn't make that decision and I knew better than to think it would happen. So then there was little I could do. I'd talked to Eric already and he wasn't the only one I had to worry about. Now Alec was involved. I'd have to talk to him. Plead if I had to. Maybe he'd listen to me. We were that close I could talk with him about this? Father or not he couldn't just come in and change our lives like this. He lost that right all the times he didn't come to see mom.

"I'll stop okay? No one's breaking this family apart. I will never allow it," Kenneth declared sounding almost like a husband and father trying to defend his family.

If only it were so. I was so preoccupied I didn't notice mom had come up the staircase until she was right in front of me.

"Sweetheart?" She frowned as she kneeled in front of me.

"Mom, I don't want to leave you. I don't want them to take me from you." I sobbed.

She shushed me, "Baby, you remember when I told you we had to talk about something?"

"Yes." I trembled.

"We are going to have that talk soon. It's very important we do. For now, don't worry about it," she said touching my face.

I wondered what talk this was and knowing mom it must be important. I feared what it might be just as I feared what might happen.

Convincing one person not to say something was one thing but two people? Right or wrong didn't always apply in the real world.

"Now, come on. Let's get you to bed, baby." She said, reaching out her hand to help me up.

I let her help me to bed and without question, climbed under the covers with me. I still had tears streaming down my face as I laid my head on my pillow. She smiled sadly down at me and reached over to wipe my face.

"Sweetie, it's going to be alright." She soothed.

"I don't want to leave you, mom!"

"You won't. I'll do my best to make sure everything's okay."

"I love you, mom."

"I love you too Ariel more than anything."

I fell asleep that night with the assurance that she loved me. Of course, I'd always known that but I needed to know it more than ever. I'd have to fight for my family. Even if it was nothing resembling a joyful family unit as far as Kenneth was concerned. I'd do this for mom no matter what.

"Ariel?"

I raised my tired eyes to gaze at Liam and Maggie who looked at me in concern. I'd honestly forgot they were here. I hadn't slept well last night even with the assurance and both my mom with me. I'd had to force myself out of the bed and get ready for school. I had to talk to Alec so I had to be at school today. Still, I was exhausted, physically, emotionally, mentally, everything.