Molly
I'm so angry at Christian that I don't even realize how quickly I put all my shopping away. Fuck I can't even remember where I've put half of it, great!
I need to distract myself for a while so I get started on setting up my new laptop so I can check in with work when Tom comes bouncing into my room and does a very dramatic show of falling on my bed as if he's just finished a 24-hour shift at a busy nightclub.
"You ok there twinkle toes?" He takes a moment to think over what I've called him before his famous cheesy grin spreads wide across his face.
"Twinkle toes, I like it!" We both burst out laughing as he gets comfy next to me while my laptop quickly springs to life. '
"I'm going to make dinner tonight give mom the night off. Pot roast and apple pie ok?" My mouth instantly waters at hearing what's on the menu tonight, the guy is one insane cook and it's been too long since I've tasted any of it.
"Yesss!" He chuckles at my response but I dont even care.
"Hey, Tom. Why do you think Christian has a problem with me and don't say he doesn't unless you truly believe it?" Tom's smile fades as he takes in my question.
"Honestly I dont know Molls. I want to say he doesn't but I have seen the subtle looks and comments he's made toward you and I can see it myself."
"Well, I'm glad I'm not the only one who sees it but still, I dont understand what I've done wrong, I swear he hated me from the moment I arrived here!"
"It does seem that way but honestly Molls I dont know why he's acting like he is, I've not seen you do or say anything wrong, you know I'd tell you if I had. I know he's going through a lot right now with the kids but still, it's no excuse to treat you badly... You know what I'm going to have a chat with him when he gets back!"
"No, no Tom please don't. It could make things worse and I really can't handle any more right now!"
"It's 10 years tomorrow isn't it?"
"It is. I miss him, Tom!" It's been over a year since his death but I still miss him.
"I know baby girl, I do too but you're doing so well these days, and I'm so proud of you!" I find myself smiling at Tom because I know he means everything he says.
"I remember the day after it happened when Claire came to see me in the hospital... Before she turned against me, she told me that grief gets easier with time and I remember laying there thinking to myself that she was just being stupid and that it would never get easier."
"And now, what do you think now?"
"I think she was right in some ways I mean when I think of Archie now I still get that same feeling in my chest and heart but whereas before I instantly felt like I was suffocating now... Well now I feel like I can still breathe through it and I don't cry every time I think about him anymore which I guess is something but I dont think I'll ever completely get over him."
"Molls, he was a massive part of your life for a long time. He was a massive part of both of our lives and he always will be. No one expects you to forget about him but that also doesn't mean that you shouldn't keep moving forward with your life. He would want that for you and you know it!"
I nod my head agreeing because I know he's right even if I'm not sure how to feel about it but before I can say anything else there's a knock on my door before it's pushed open and Jack appears with a wide smile plastered across his face.
"I told Chris I'd put the new safety gates up for him, want to help sweet cheeks?" Tom and I both laugh at his cheeky banter before Tom agrees and I put my focus back on my new laptop.
"Shit sorry Molls I just went without thinking, do you want me to stay with you?" I look up to see Tom has come back into my room looking concerned causing a smile to spread across my face at his kindness and love.
"I'm fine twinkle toes, you go help Jack with the gates. I'm going to head out for a walk soon anyway and dont worry I won't go far." He lets out a little laugh before heading for the door again but still, he doesn't leave.
"I meant what I said Moll and dont you forget it!" He shoots me a wink and blows me a kiss as I nod then he closes my door shouting "Love you" As he heads back to help Jack.
"Love you to twinkle toes!" I quickly shout out and the laughter I hear from him soon after makes me laugh to myself.
Within 30 minutes I'm sat next to the little lake that runs through the forest. I found it on my first day here while I was out jogging and I love it! The peace and calm I feel here are always such a welcome feeling.
Another thing I like is how quiet it always is here. I've been here many times since I arrived in Texas and not once have I seen anyone else here which means I can have some time to think about things and sometimes I even speak to Archie when I'm here.
My phone pings bringing my mind back to the present and I curse under my breath at jinxing myself.
Tom: Hey, baby girl, where are you?
Me: I'm in the forest by the river. Is everything ok? Tom doesn't usually text me when I go for a walk. He knows that I'm taking some time to think and he usually lets me be alone unless I've been out here for a long time and he's worried but I've only been out here 20 minutes so him texting me already instantly has me on edge.
Tom: Amys here! Oh shit!
Me: What? How? Wait the kids, are they ok?
Tom: I dont know but she's clearly of her tits. The kids are fine, we've managed to keep them all away from her.
Me: Oh thank god. What does she want?
I start heading back towards the house, I'm not sure that I can help in any way but I want to be close just in case only within a few minutes my phone pings again and the text has me running for the house and fast!
Tom: She's just slapped, Christian!
He may not like me but regardless of feelings he's Tom's brother and I'll help if I can. There's also another feeling lingering inside of me that hates the idea of her hitting him for other reasons that I choose to ignore and not think about.
Instead, I just concentrate on this being about him being Tom's brother. These other feelings inside of me confuse and scare me but more than anything they scare the shit out of me. Where the hell have they even come from?
I quickly make it to the house and the moment I open the door I hear the effects of a slap and catch sight of a woman slapping Christian in the corner of my eye. She's screeching so loud that she hasn't even heard me come in but I think I'm just in time as she starts raising her other hand toward his face.
I quickly move forward and reach out just in time to grip her wrist and stop her from being able to slap him again.
"Get your fucking hands off of him!"