(So I wanted to go back and find the Vlog where this happened but I couldn't be bothered so enjoy this from a few years back. I remember when this was first released oh man.)
Rob's POV
"HEY DAD!"
I looked up to see my beautiful boy running towards me, he looked so excited with his now brown spiked up hair and I don't know how he was let to do that.
Rob: "Hey Little Lachy how was your flight?"
Lachlan: "It was good. I finished my book though so I was bored for a couple of hours but It's ok because I'm here now."
He had just turned 11 about two weeks ago and as a present his mum was sending him over to me for him to celebrate. Do I regret what I did with her? Yeah absolutely. But if it means I get to watch this beautiful young man growing up then I would do it over and over. I don't care what anyone says, even that bitch we call Lachlan's mother. When you have a child, You can't leave them. You stay with them through thick and thin, anything you do is for them. And I wouldn't have it any other way.
Lachlan: "Dad? You're thinking again. Are you ok? Do you miss mum?"
I looked at my boy and picked him up, hugging him while he half screamed and yelled to let go while he burst into laughter. After a few seconds I finally put him back down as he giggled to himself. How the fuck was I going to tell him.
Rob: "We talked about this remember? Your mother and I had found that the differences between us were too big and we could no longer try to fix them."
Lachlan: "So does that mean you two won't ever be together again? Like in the movies?"
I saw his face drop with a hint of sadness as I grabbed his hand. Squeezing lightly.
Rob: "No mate. But if it makes you feel any better, I'm sure you will make a tonne of friends while you're here."
He still seemed disheartened and it killed me. Every time he started thinking, he wouldn't stop. I loved my boy more than anything, and he was only 11. He was way too smart for his age and I know that made him upset as well. Being so far ahead of the other kids made it hard to make friends but he tried.
Rob: "Hey come on Lachlan, You know I wouldn't ever say anything that was untrue."
Lachlan: "Yeah dad I know it's just. Did mum say how long I would be here for? It's not that I don't want to see you, I do I really do. But I have school and I need to get back for any projects and homework I get given."
Rob: "You are 11? What kind of homework are they giving you to where you can't even enjoy your holidays?"
Lachlan: "My teacher Mr Grain made me take the school test to see whether I should be bumped up a grade, I finished year 6 a whole three months early. I'm going into high school next year and I'm 11. Dad I'm not mature enough for that. I still can't even tie my own shoe laces."
Rob: "You can't?"
Lachlan: "No. Mum never taught me and you left a long time ago."
Rob: "I didn't leave mate, I would never leave you."
Lachlan: "But you did. Yeah you payed child support, or actually double what you needed to pay so that I would always be able to do anything I needed but mum she..."
We had since walked back to the car and I couldn't help but feel sorry for him. I wonder if his mum had told him or not?
Lachlan: "I hate being at school. I'm too far ahead of people my own age for them to be my friends, and they bully me for being smarter than them, calling me a nerd and stupid four-eyes because of my glasses. I hate it. I wish I wasn't ever smart."
Rob: "Hey don't ever think that. Be happy that you are so smart that they are getting you to start high school early. I feel like the older kids will love you and take you under their wing because you are so smart and mature, Lachlan I don't know how the Australian Education system is different to ours here but I know that it will be a lot better for you."
Lachlan: "What? No dad I can't stay here they will do the same thing. I'll just get advanced too far ahead and we will both be in trouble, because I'm so scared I won't be able to do the work, and you won't be able to help me because you haven't been to school in a long time. Dad you do YouTube and make videos with your friends. What would you know about the education system?"
Rob: "A lot more than you think. Did your mum say how long you were staying?"
Lachlan: "She just said, and I quote, "Until you feel like coming back, If you are even wanted anymore.""
I looked over at him for a split second, his mum kicked him out and sent him to me. She had already told me a few days ago while he was in bed with what she wanted to do. Turns out she was moving to Sydney and wouldn't take Lachlan with him. She had already spoken to one of Lachlan's friends parents about taking him in but I'm glad they told her she was selfish and a horrible parent. You can't just leave your child all by himself. I guess that's why she sent him here. Damn it I haven't even told Preston yet. I hope those two get along. Preston's kid is around Lachlan's age isn't he?
Lachlan: "Dad?"
I heard it in his voice as the tears were flowing, as soon as I heard them I couldn't help but feel my whole body choking up, the last thing you ever want to see is your own child in tears, for any reason.
Rob: "Yeah mate?"
Lachlan: "Does mum... not love me anymore? Did I do something wrong?"
She had always been like this, never really had any emotion or concept of love. Even when she was with me when she stayed here in Texas for a couple of years before Lachlan was born. She wasn't faithful, at all. We were dating for two years, and Preston had to tell me what was going on when she apparently tried to fuck Preston, but because he wasn't interested, got violent and threatened him not to tell me. He did later that day, and how he thought that she had been cheating on me before him.
Rob: "Lachy, mate I don't know."
When I had confronted her about it, she went into a massive tirade about how I didn't love her, How I never did and that I made her do it. That I had forced her to do what she did because I wasn't good enough... and I almost believed her, I loved her and she was doing this to me, I found out Preston denied her because he's gay. He had no interest in girls and had a short thing with one of his mates Kenny, it had never been sexual but they were still friends.
Lachlan: "How can you not know? You're my dad. Aren't you supposed to know everything?"
Rob: "There are many things we can't know. How another person thinks, how they act, how they live. We can't know that. For example you could be the same age as another student here in Texas. But the two of you could be extremely different and neither of you would know the difference. It's the Same when you get older. You soon start to mature enough to the point where you understand and accept that you don't know everything. That there is a lot in the world that you don't know. And while humans strive to learn everything we can, across a massive amount of subjects. We can never truly know everything. It's not fair. And if we did know everything and there was nothing left to learn. What would be the point? What is the meaning of life if we have learnt everything we will ever need to know?"
I knew he had stopped crying, that was one thing I loved about my boy. He would always stop whatever he was doing and listen carefully, examining every sentence, every word used and it was a beautiful to witness, when a child looks up at you and listens, hanging off every word. It's beautiful.
Lachlan: "Dad?"
Rob: "Yeah mate?"
Lachlan: "Why are we in Texas?"
Rob: "I had come down here a few years ago. It had been a while and I'm not surprised your mother didn't tell you. I've been living here with someone for a couple of years now. They have a son too around your age."
Lachlan: "A brother?"
I saw his face light up but I feel bad that I had to dash them.
Rob: "Not yet. This person and I we uh, haven't done anything like I did with your mother. We aren't engaged do you know what that means?"
Lachlan: "Isn't that where a man and a woman exchange rings and say they want to get married but aren't ready for that yet?"
Rob: "Pretty much yeah..."
Lachlan: "But Jay's mum and dad said that boys and girls can do it with another boy and girl if they are the same. That love doesn't mean anything to a person if they find someone they want to be with forever."
Rob: "Yeah that's right."
Lachlan: "I asked mum about it and she got really angry with me, saying that I was only ever allowed to marry a girl. That she would kill me if I ever married a man, saying she didn't raise me like that..."
Rob: "Yeah she uh, she isn't very accepting of others."
Lachlan: "Dad?"
Rob: "I'm not deflecting the question but how are you not tired from the trip?"
Lachlan: "I am but I haven't seen you in a long time. Dad is that why mum left you?"
Well... Fuck he had me there. While no I'm not gay, I knew I was Bisexual and have known that for a long time. Maybe that's why she hated me when I confronted her about Preston? Saying I never loved her. Even though I had never looked at another woman or another man in my life since I had met her.
Rob: "Do you know the words for them?"
Lachlan: "I think so. Jay's mum said that she thought she was a Lesbian until she met Jay's dad. What's a Lesbian?"
Rob: "Ok, So in the wold there are biologically speaking, two genders, Male and Female. The basic run down is that if a guy likes another guy they would accept it and be labeled as Gay. If a woman likes another woman, and they accept themselves for who they are they are a Lesbian. But then their is one more, and this is where I come into it. There is another one called Bisexual, and that is when I as a man, can like both men and women. So how a person looks does not matter to me on whether I love them or not."
Lachlan: "So did mum get angry because you were Bisexual?"
Rob: "I think so, I don't actually know. But I do know that while I did love your mother very much all those years ago. I have moved on and found a new person, and they make me so happy and I love them."
Lachlan: "What if I want to be Bisexual too?"
Rob: "This is something you can't want or need. It is something you feel inside you. When you get older and go through puberty, your body starts to grow and change, and that's when you start to look at people differently. A lot of people know when they are young, maybe your age and even earlier that they are different but don't know the right term to use. When you get older and learn about it, you understand more and it can help you."
Lachlan: "So I can't choose it?"
Rob: "A lot of people will tell you that you can. That you can choose to be gay or straight, which is a man and a woman liking each other. But know that in my life I never chose to love who I love. It's a feeling you get, your body will start to feel hot, you feel really nervous..."
Lachlan: "Like butterflies?"
Rob: "Yeah like butterflies."
I looked over at him and smiled, he smiled back and seemed really happy now. I hate that I had to take his mind off of his mom, but maybe, just maybe he will get along with Preston and his son.
Lachlan: "So where do you live?"
Rob: "I live with the person I love in his home, I moved from Canada into this place with him about a year ago. And don't worry mate. You will still get to have your own room while your here."
Lachlan: "Oh wow really?"
He seemed so happy by that? Why was he so happy?
Time Skip
Preston's POV
Preston: "LANDON YOU NEED TO FINISH YOUR HOMEWORK!"
Landon: "UNCLE ROB SAID HE WOULD HELP ME!"
Why did he have to leave when he did? I swear Landon loves him more than he loves me, and I adopted him and raised him on my own. I guess when someone else comes in the whole dynamic changes.
Preston: "Landon please, you need to do your homework on your own sometimes as well. How are you going to do any tests in school? You can't have anyone help you in class."
Landon: "But I don't understand it. He said he would help me."
I watched as he started to get emotional. Causing me to run to my boy and pull him into my embrace, he had developed slower than the other kids, and they even threatened to keep him behind a year. He was only twelve but they made him stay back anyway. He was an emotional kid, growing up being too attuned to the world and the people around him. But no one cared about him because he couldn't do basic math or science.
Preston: "Landon you know you still need to try. No matter what."
Landon: "But I am trying dad. I'm trying so hard but I don't get it."
I heard my phone buzzing in my pocket. Causing me to pull it up and put it on loud speaker for Landon, I know he really likes Rob and hearing his voice might calm him down.
Preston: "Hey Robby."
????: "It's a boy?"
Rob: "Yeah mate. It's a boy. Hey baby girl, we are five minutes away, Landon have you done your homework mate?"
Landon: "You said you would help me."
????: "I can help him?"
Rob: "Not yet, not until we get you into school. Sorry Preston that I had to run, but I've picked up Lachlan at the airport. It was supposed to be a big surprise but This little cheeky one couldn't help himself."
Lachlan: "Come on dad cut me some slack."
Dad? Wait he told me he had a kid didn't he? Yeah. Yeah when I adopted Landon seven years ago. He told me he wished his child could be here with him so they weren't alone.
Rob: "We will be there very shortly. It's only 4:30 so I thought perhaps We can take the kids out for dinner tonight when we finish with Landon's homework and get Lachy here sorted into a room. He can just stay in mine for now until I get his sorted."
Preston: "Of course, I'll start getting everything ready."
Rob: "Hey Preston..."
Preston: "Yeah baby."
Rob: "I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I was scared as to how you would react knowing."
Preston: "Hey don't worry about it, the kids come first but we will have to talk about it later."
Rob: "Deal. See you soon love."
Landon: "BYE UNCLE ROB!"
Rob: "Good bye Landon."
I hung up the phone and saw the smile on his face. He was getting excited and I knew that meant trouble.
Landon: "ANOTHER FRIEND!"
Preston: "Landon remember he could be completely different, just like all of your other friends at school right? Remember we talked about how they were different to you?"
Landon: "Yeah because I'm too stupid."
Preston: "You're not stupid Landon, you're just taking your time. Come on why don't you go find something comfortable to wear and then I'll help you with your homework until they arrive ok?"
Landon: "Ok dad."
Watching him bounce off and into his room made me so happy. If I had never got that message from Paige at the home. I'd probably had never even known he existed. Paige was good friends with my sister Keeley, I didn't tell anyone but her that I was hoping to adopt someone and she helped me through the process. Now, seven years later. He was my pride and joy, and there wasn't anything he could do to ever change that.
Time Skip one last time
I was waiting in the kitchen just finishing up the dishes that I had asked Landon to do earlier before they got too dirty but lo and behold, he is trying to do his homework now. Might as well get it done.
Rob: "It could have been but at least now we can talk to them about where you will be put."
Lachlan: "Thanks dad."
I watched as a little brown haired, blue eyed young boy came into the kitchen and stopped dead in his tracks looking at me. He was so adorable. It didn't surprise me he took after his mother for his eyes. His body was like his dad, I doub't he will gain much weight growing up.
Preston: "Hi Lachlan, I'm Preston."
Lachlan: "Oh ok, It's nice to meet you. Dad said that you didn't know I was coming. Or that I didn't even exist. If it makes you feel any better, I didn't know I was coming here either until I was at t airport and already through the games, Mum sent me off and now I'm here."
I watched as Rob came in with two large suitcases before picking them up and heading off towards the spare bedroom. We can't keep him in there though. It's not big enough. Maybe we can set it up for the basement to be used as Rob and Lachlan's room and part for the house, and Landon and I can keep the second floor. Obviously the middle floor used for everyone as the kitchen and entrances are here. As he came back, Landon latched onto his side, I watched as Lachlan looked at my son a little strangely.
Rob: "This is Landon, He's only 12 so almost the same age."
Lachlan: "Hi Landon."
I watched my boy as he stepped forward and shook Lachlan's hand.
Landon: "You sound funny."
Preston: "Landon."
Lachlan: "It's ok, I'm not American, I'm from Australia."
Landon's eyes went wide as he looked at Rob.
Landon: "Robby is he adopted too?"
Lachlan: "Adopted?"
I saw the look on Rob's face as he tried to figure out what to say, why do I always have to save him.
Preston: "No Landon, Lachlan wasn't adopted. Remember when we talked about it a few weeks ago, Sometimes people who have children keep them and look after them, but the lucky ones have to wait because their parents couldn't look after them."
Landon: "Ok."
Rob: "Have you finished your homework?"
Landon: "Not yet. But I'm trying."
Rob: "Why don't you take a break for now then and show Lachlan to his room, and don't forget we are going to dinner soon so make sure you are both ready ok?"
Landon: "Ok. Come on Lachlan I'll show you to your room."
As soon as they both left the room, I noticed Rob visibly calm down and relax, He must have stressed himself out a little bit at the thought of them not getting along. I continued the dishes before I felt his hands resting on my waist, his arms then snaking around me as he held me there.
Rob: "Fuck."
Preston: "Scared?"
Rob: "Terrified, I didn't think they were going to get along, they are the complete opposite to each other and I know Lachlan has already taken note of it."
Preston: "He can't be that smart already surely."
Rob: "They wanted him to start High school at 11."
Preston: "That won't happen here. They actually end up punishing a child for being too far ahead."
Rob: "What?"
Preston: "I'm kidding. Don't worry so much about it, I'm sure the boys will get along great."
Rob: "You really think so?"
Preston: "I really do."
I finished the last plate and drained the sink before reaching over and drying my hands. I turned myself around but he feuded to let go of my waist. I let my arms fall over him and kissed him slowly.
Preston: "You're a great dad, The two of them will become good friends. And we are going to go out one night and enjoy ourselves just like we promised."
Rob: "Absolutely. Are you ready for dinner?"
Preston: "I am kind of excited to see how these guys will go. I can't wait."