Sunday, February 26, 2017

Chapter 28 - More

Rolled 8 - Teen babysits and earns $50

It was Saturday morning and Maddy’s 2nd birthday. The boys and the babies were still asleep so it was just Kaitlin and Maddy. Kaitlin sat at the dining table drinking her coffee, enjoying the unusual quiet while Maddy happily played with new toy she had gotten in exchange for wearing diapers when she had been sick.

As Kaitlin drank her coffee, her thoughts wandered to the past month and how things had changed since Reid learned the truth about Hailey.

That night, she had awakened in her bed to the sound of a crying baby. She didn't remember how she had gotten there. The last thing she remembered was Leroy pulling her next to him on the couch, gently rubbing her back. She must have fallen asleep.

When the baby cried again, she had shaken off the memory, going instantly into mommy auto pilot and began mindlessly throwing off the blankets and climbing out of bed. She was shocked when Reese stopped her. ‘Stay there mom,’ he had said, ‘I got this. You need to sleep'.  She muttered thanks and had gratefully gone back to sleep.


After the argument with Reid, Leroy had changed seemingly overnight. He stopped coming by in the mornings, only coming over once the boys were home from school. It was all business. He saw his daughter and left. It was as if he distanced himself from her on purpose. She couldn't blame him, she was a hot mess. He surely didn't want to be in the middle of her drama. So she respected his distance and didn't push for more from him than friendship. Maybe his ‘I love you’ had really meant - I love you as a friend. He deserved better and besides, she was still married.

As for Reid, unfortunately, he hadn't stayed away as she had hoped. He still calls her a few times every week apologizing for his behavior, asking if he can come by. She tried to politely tell him that it was a bad idea. But he continued to call and text telling her he missed her. She couldn't understand why anyone like him would want anything to do with her, especially since she cheated on him and it resulted in the little baby sleeping in the other room. It was flattering and unnerving all at the same time.

She hadn't told Leroy about it. She figured since he didn't seem to want to be with her anymore, she had no right to burden him with her messes.

Kaitlin had to stop brooding over her situation. Today was Maddy’s 2nd birthday and she wanted to make it special for her. A trip to the festival was in order. She called Candy to see if she and Dakota wanted to join them. Candy begged off but said Dakota would love to go, seemingly happy to be free of the little girl for a few hours.

Reese would have to stay home with the babies. Then Kaitlin had an idea. Maybe if Leroy came with them, they could all go. So she called Leroy on the off chance he would join them. She got voice mail so she texted him.

 * * *

Leroy’s phone rang. It was Kaitlin. It pained him to let it go to voicemail but he had no choice. He stood in his home staring out the window as he thought about the past month. Reid had sent a very real warning after the blow up at Kate’s. His bar had been vandalized the day following their confrontation. The police said there was nothing they could do. No one saw anything. They simply told him he needed to invest in security cameras like the break in was his fault.


After he and Candy had cleaned up he sat down in his office to assess what he needed to replace and how much it was going to cost him. He opened his desk drawer and found a sealed envelope with his name on it. He knew that it been placed there by whomever had busted up the place. He opened it up and read it confirming the whomever was exactly who he suspected - Reid.


‘This was a just a warning. If you want to keep your hole-in-the-wall bar, then stay away from her. She's mine.’

Leroy didn't really care about his bar so much as he worried about Kate. He couldn't drag her into a feud between them that he wasn't equipped to fight. As long as he kept his distance from Kate, then maybe Reid would finally leave her alone. At least this way she wouldn’t become a target too. Reid would just give up and go away.

Hailey was his priority now and he needed to be able to provide for her. Losing his livelihood wouldn't help. Leroy figured he would continue to drop by to see his daughter, but not when he and Kaitlin would be alone. It would be too hard for him and would only provoke Reid. When Hailey was a little older he would work out custody arrangements. That thought made him sick to his stomach. He wanted nothing more than to raise their daughter together - as a family. But not if it meant putting them in harms way.

His phone dinged interrupting his thoughts. A text. From Kate:

Hi. I'm taking Maddy, Dakota and Ben to the festival today for her birthday. Reese is staying home with the babies. I thought if you wanted to join us then you and Reese could bring the babies so he could join us. Let me know. We are leaving at 11:00.

He wanted to say yes so badly. But if Reid saw them together, things could get ugly and fast. This town was too small to keep secrets. He replied:

Sounds like fun. Unfortunately I have an appointment with an important client at that time. I will stop by and see Hailey after I am done. Tell Maddy I said happy birthday. I will leave her gift if you guys aren't back by the time I leave.

He was glad now he hadn't answered her call. There was no way he could have declined. She would hear the lie in his voice.

Leroy waited until he was pretty sure Kate was gone before he left. He went by the store and picked up a toy for Maddy. Then he headed to Kate's apartment to face Reese alone. Reese had made it clear in the past month how he felt about him. The talk he had with Reese telling him he loved his mother, then acting like she was only a friend that shared a mutual hobby had most certainly caused Reese to hate him. Better he hate him than harm come to them. He didn't think Reid would actually hurt anyone physically, but he could most assuredly cause them problems financially.

* * * 

Kaitlin read Leroy's message. Sadly, whatever feelings he may have had for her really were gone.

Reese walked up and saw his mother smiling when the text came in, then her face fell. He knew what that meant, Leroy had turned her down. “He’s not coming,” said Reese more as a statement than a question.


Kaitlin sighed, “No. He has an appointment with a client. He said he would stop by after he was done. I'm sorry Reese. I really wanted you to go with us.”

Reese smiled trying to make her feel better. “It's okay mom,” he said, “I don't get a lot of time with the babies. It will be fine.”

“Okay. We won't be gone long. We should be back by 4:00,” she said then turned to get Ben and Maddy.

As his mother walked out of the room, Reese thought about the night he had walked in and saw Leroy sitting on the couch with his arms around his mother. When he first found out that Leroy was Hailey’s father, he assumed he had taken advantage of her and was disgusted. But it became clear that night, or at least he thought it had, that Leroy truly cared for his mother and she cared for him as well.

Leroy had all but yelled at him that night. But the man had been right, his mother needed her sleep so, instead of arguing, he had done as Leroy suggested and went to check on the babies. A few minutes later he watched as the large man gently carried his sleeping mother to her bed and stayed until she was fully asleep again. He motioned for Reese to follow him out and sat down to talk to him.

The two sat down at the table and Leroy started the conversation. “Reese, we need to clear the air. I am not sure why you suddenly decided I was the enemy here, but I need you to know that I care for your mother. She means a lot to me. I want to be a part of her life and I believe she feels the same way. She also loves you very much and if you don't want me around, she will have to choose. She won't choose me Reese. She will choose you. What do you think that will do to her? Do you understand what I am saying here? We both want what's best for her and your family.”

Reese had been both mad and embarrassed. “I just thought…”

“It's okay Reese,” he had said, “I don't know if she told you anything about our relationship. That is her story to tell. And I know you expected that Reid was Hailey's father and frankly, so did I. But I want you to know, I am damned glad he isn't. I love that little girl in there just as I know you love your little boy. I am proud to be Hailey's father and would never, ever do anything that would hurt your mother or any one of you.”

Reese could have sworn Leroy had tears in his eyes as he got up to leave. “Try to let her sleep,” he had said, “She had a really bad day today. Tell her I will call her tomorrow.”

Reese sat there thinking about what Leroy had said after he left. He wished that Samuel’s mom felt the same way about their child. Sadly he knew he needed to let Jade go. He got up and went to bed. The babies would need their 3:00 feeding and he was going to take it.

As he thought back on that night, he realized that his mom may need to let go as well. He hated Leroy Chapman. He was glad Leroy was coming by while everyone was gone. He was going to tell him to leave his mom alone.

“Earth to Reese,” said Kaitlin gently shaking his shoulder, “We’re going. See you later.”

“Bye Mom! Have fun,” he replied.

* * * 

Leroy showed up a couple of hours after they left. Reese was ready to have it out with him. Everything the man said to him about his mother that night now seemed like a pack of lies. But why would he lie about that and then act completely different. He could see the pain his mother went through every time Leroy came over to see Hailey. He always made it clear he was only coming to see Hailey. This was hurting his mother. Not the same way that his father had hurt them with his physical abuse, but it was just as hard to watch. He was done.

“Hi Reese, sorry I couldn't go with your mom,” said Leroy obviously uncomfortable.


“So about that,” replied Reese, “What's going on with you anyway? You told me you wouldn't hurt my mother, but you are. I really thought you were different. But you are no better than my asshole father. I think you need to arrange for weekends with Hailey and stay away the rest of the time. I am sick of seeing her cry.”

Leroy was dumbfounded. He had no idea that it had been hard on Kaitlin. She hadn’t indicated she wanted more than what they had as friends. “Reese...I - I do care,” he stammered, “She’s the mother of my baby. It’s just complicated. She doesn't, I mean, I don't think…”

“No! You didn't think did you. I'm calling bullshit!” Reese shouted back, “You want to know what complicated is? Try watching your father, the man that is supposed to love you, hit your mother and then getting punched trying to stop it.  Running away to escape him and being homeless, 6 people living in a shitty one bedroom apartment, having to raise your baby because it wasn't wanted by its mother. That's complicated!”

“I, I'm sorry Reese. I didn't know...Kate...your mother, she never told me. Damn, I suspected she may have been abused, but...she wouldn't talk about it and I didn't try to make her. I tried to stay away from her because she was with Reid. She had made it clear that we were a mistake. But things change. There are things you and her don't know. I don't want to hurt her. Reese, I love your mother. I am just trying to protect her.”

“Love her? Protect her?" said Reese incensed, "The only thing she needs to be protected from is you and my asshole father. Were you the reason she broke it off with Reid?”

“She had her own reasons for that," said Leroy softly, "None of which had anything to do with me. You will need to ask her.”

Kaitlin came through the door with Maddy and Ben in tow interrupting their argument. “Oh, hi Leroy,” said Kaitlin surprised, “I didn't know you were still here.”

Then she turned to Reese and said sheepishly, “Reese, I hate to ask since you have been sitting with the babies all day, but Candy needs to run some errands and wants to know if you can go over and sit with Dakota for a couple of hours. She said she would pay you.”

Maddy squealed, “I wanna sit with Kota too!”

Reese looked at Leroy before replying to his mother, “Sure. Okay. I will take Maddy and Ben can come too. We can play video games while Maddy and Dakota play together." He immediately took Maddy from his mom's arms and the three of them left leaving Kaitlin and Leroy alone.

Kaitlin stared at Leroy confused as the trio went out the front door, “What just happened?” she asked.

Leroy sighed, “Kate, we need to talk,” he said, sadness in his voice, “Let’s go sit down.”

Kaitlin followed Leroy to the couch and he pulled her down next to him. He began to explain, “Reese took the kids to give us some space. He is worried about you. He thinks I am hurting you. Kate, is that true? Am I hurting you?”

Leroy wouldn't look at her and she wasn't sure how to respond. She thought for a minute, trying to find the right words, then finally started stammering, “I - I thought you and I - but - only friends? Is that it?”

Leroy felt defeated and replied gently, “If that is what you want us to be. But, Kate, is that what you want?”

Kate slowly shook her head murmuring, “Not friends,” then she swallowed hard before continuing quietly, afraid of what his response would be, “I wanted - want more.”

“Kate,” came the pained response from Leroy as he let out the breath he was holding waiting for her answer. He reached over and pulled her closer to him and looked with longing deep into her brown eyes. “I want more too, much, much more.”

Kaitlin smiled with relief at Leroy's words and then his lips crashed into hers with need and desire. She moaned and closed her eyes and kissed him back matching his passion.

Suddenly Leroy remembered Reid and pulled back. He looked at Kaitlin again, this time with sadness in his eyes and whispered one word, “Fuck.”

“What’s wrong?” asked Kaitlin nervously at the sudden shift in his mood. Leroy didn't swear much so she knew whatever it was, it had to be bad.

“Sweetheart,” he said somberly, “if we are to be more, and God knows I want to have more with you, we have to put all of our cards on the table. I have some things I need to tell you. And after my conversation with your son this afternoon, you obviously have secrets of your own. I don't think 'more' is going to be easy.”

"Fuck," said Kaitlin echoing Leroy's earlier description of their situation. Leroy grinned at her and started to pull her to him for another kiss when a small cry came from the next room.

Kaitlin sat back and sighed, “That sounds like our daughter. You want to go get her while I will get her bottle ready?”

Our daughter. Leroy liked the sound of that. “Sure,” he said smiling, “but, Kate, this conversation is far from over.”

Go to Chapter 29

Go back to Chapter 27

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Chapter 27 - Bad Day

Day 27 - Rolled 17 - Sick Toddler. Change diaper often. No using the potty.

Kaitlin woke up to the sound of Maddy crying. Poor baby, she thought, you have to be jealous of the new little ones taking your spot as the youngest. She went to her crib and immediately knew jealousy had nothing to do with her tears. She was sick and her and her bed was a mess. Today was going to be a really bad day.

She cleaned up Maddy and put her in the high chair with a bowl of food. Maddy immediately started playing in it not feeling like eating.

Kaitlin stripped Maddy’s bedding placed clean sheets on her crib. Then she loaded the washing machine with the soiled sheets and went to check on Maddy.

Her daughter had tossed her food onto the floor had soiled her pants again. Kaitlin almost gagged when she went to get her out of the highchair. She cleaned her up again. "Tell mommy if you need to go Maddy," Kaitlin reminded her daughter.

Kaitlin hoped to lie down for a few minutes, but it wasn't to be. As soon as walked in the bedroom Hailey began fussing. Her cries were quickly echoed by little Samuel.

Now Reese and Ben were awake too. It was 4:00 am and they had school that day.

Fortunately Reese went to take care of his son while Kaitlin took care of her daughter. After about 30 minutes, it was quiet again. Samuel went back down easily so Reese and Ben tried to get back to sleep. It was almost 6:00 am.

Maddy came toddling across the room crying, looking for her mother. Kaitlin quickly picked up the little girl shushing her so she wouldn’t disturb the boys.

As soon as they exited the bedroom, Maddy started to cry again. “My tummy hurts,” she whined just before she had another accident which made her cry louder. Kaitlin held her away from her. Maddy evidently had a stomach virus that just wasn't done yet. Oh fun.

Once again Kaitlin cleaned up Maddy, but this time put her in one of the diapers she had leftover from when she wasn’t potty trained telling her, “Maddy, we are gonna have to wear diapers today until your tummy is better.”

Well that was the wrong thing to say. “Noooo! Big girl panties! Maddy not a baby!” came the very vocal protest from Maddy.

“Shhh. Maddy you will wake everyone up! Wear them today and we will get a new toy tomorrow,” bargained Kaitlin. Maddy still wasn't happy and stuck out her bottom lip, but at least she didn't try to take off the diaper. Crisis averted.

She put Maddy down then set about making breakfast for Ben and Reese. Once done, she fixed bottles for the babies. Just in time as they began to fuss again. She got them fed and settled and was getting ready to jump in the shower when Maddy started calling for her. Kaitlin looked around and saw the little girl walking weirdly towards her. That could only mean one thing. A dirty diaper. “Maddy?” asked Kaitlin, “did you have another accident?”  She nodded her head on the verge of tears. Poor Maddy. She was miserable. Kaitlin sighed and went to work changing her. At least the diaper kept everything ‘contained’.

Kaitlin looked at the clock. She might have 30 minutes before the babies were up again. She looked from the shower to the rocker and the rocker won. Just as she was dozing off, her cell phone rang.

She jumped up and nervously checked the caller ID. Leroy. Thank God. “Hi Leroy,” she answered.

“How are you this morning?” he asked.

“Don’t ask. Maddy is sick. So it is crazy.”

“Want some help?”

“Is that a trick question?” she said laughing.

“I will be there in 10 minutes.”

“My saviour,” she said as she hung up. Crap - I am still in my PJs and haven’t even brushed my teeth. Okay, teeth first, she thought as she ran in the bathroom to do just that.

No sooner than she finished, the buzzer sounded and she let Leroy in.

“Hi!” he said and hugged her, “I was at the bar and you sounded frantic so I didn’t wait.” He took in his surroundings and her appearance and said, “You weren’t kidding!”

“It's been a zoo. Maddy has a stomach virus. But the babies are sleeping now.  Hopefully they will stay on a similar schedule. There is coffee. Wanna have some before all hell breaks loose?”

“Sure,” he said and headed to the counter to grab a cup.

“Do you mind if I jump in the shower?” asked Kaitlin as he sat down with his coffee, “I promise to be fast.”

Leroy smiled and said, “Bottles in the fridge and diapers by the crib. I got this!”

“Thank you,” replied Kaitlin thankfully and ran straight into the shower forgetting to grab clean clothes.

While Kaitlin was in the shower, Samuel woke up. Leroy went in to check on him. Just as soon as he had his diaper changed the buzzer sounded. Carrying Samuel he went in the other room and answered the buzzer, “Can I help you?”

“Reese? This is Reid. Buzz me in,”

Damn. Not good timing but Leroy figured no time would be good and at least he could be here to help with the conversation. Kaitlin wanted to do this alone, but this involved him just as much as her. He hoped she didn't get mad and send him away. He just wanted this behind them so they could try to move forward. He decided to let him in.

When Reid walked in he was shocked to see Leroy standing in Katie’s house this early in the morning and holding his baby. “Leroy? What the hell are you doing here again? And why are you holding my child?”

Leroy looked at the baby in his arms. “Hi Reid, nice to see you too," he said sarcastically, "This isn’t your baby.”

“Like hell it's not!” shouted Reid.

“No. You don’t understand….”

“I understand perfectly. Now, give it to me - right now you asshole and then get out of here. And where is Katie?” Then he yelled her name, “Katie!!”

When Kaitlin turned off the shower she thought she heard Reid call her name and felt her knees go weak for a second. She took a deep breath and wrapped towel around her and walked into the living room. Her eyes went wide when she saw that Reid was indeed standing there arguing with Leroy. “Reid? What are you doing here?” she asked.

Both men turned and looked at her.

Reid spoke first, “What the fuck is going on here Katie. Why is this lowlife here again and holding my child. And why aren’t you dressed? Somebody better give me some answers now!” he yelled.

“Reid, hold your voice down. Now Hailey is crying and you are upsetting Maddy!” she said as she ran off to get Hailey.

“Look asshole,” ground out Leroy in a low whisper, “I told you this is NOT your child. It happens to be Kate’s grandchild. Reese is his father.”

Reid started to laugh. “Her kid was screwing around the same time we were! Neither one of them is smart enough to know how to prevent pregnancy. Two peas in a pod.”

Leroy wanted to punch him he was so angry, “You need to leave while you can still walk out. I should have never let you in. She doesn’t want you around.”

Kaitlin walked out of the bedroom carrying Hailey and stopped when she heard Reid and Leroy still arguing, neither one noticing she had come back into the room.

Reid was in Leroy’s face, “How do you know what she wants," he shouted, "you’re just her slumlord. Why are you here anyway? A housecall to collect rent? Well you can leave now. I got it covered.”


“Stop it!” exclaimed Kaitlin. Both men turned around and looked at her.

When Reid saw her with the baby cradled in her arms, he walked over to her and said laughing, “So I understand you are a grandmother Katie. I gotta tell you, you and your kid need to learn a little about birth control!” Then turning his attention to the baby he said, “So this one must be our little oopsie. Why didn't you call me?”

“You need to leave Reid,” said Kaitlin, “This is a bad time. I will call you later.”

Leroy walked into the bedroom to put Samuel back in his crib. He was going to physically remove Reid if he didn’t leave.

“Katie, I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. I'm sorry,” said Reid, “Come on, I was only teasing. Let me hold our baby and you get some clothes on. I don't like you half naked in front of other men.”



Leroy came back and Reid was still there so he stood by Kaitlin. “Reid,” said Kaitlin her voice shaking, “she is NOT your baby. You're off the hook. So get out.”

The arguing was upsetting Hailey and she started to cry. Kaitlin shifted the baby around and gave her a pacifier to sooth her.

“Of course she is,” said Reid disgusted with this whole conversation, “It’s biology...” Reid stopped mid sentence when Leroy placed his hand protectively on Kaitlin's shoulder and he understood. “No!” he said looking at Kaitlan for confirmation. “Katie? Fuck, let me see her!” he demanded.

Kaitlin flinched and instinctively pulled the infant closer to her. Now that Reid had put two and two together it was obvious that he wasn't the baby's father. “You fucking bitch!” He spat out, “You were screwing your slumlord boss the whole time you were with me!”

Leroy stepped in front of Kaitlin getting in Reid's face, “That’s it! I have had enough of your bullshit!” he said through gritted teeth, “Leave now on two feet or leave in an ambulance. Your choice asshole.”

Reid ignored Leroy and turned to leave, but stopped and addressed Kaitlin, “Katie, look. I can forgive you. We all get caught up in the moment now and then. We can still be together. You don’t need another brat to raise anyway so give the kid to the slumlord, let him raise it and we can start over. Think about how much better your life will be. I already told you I have way more to offer than this lowlife scum.”


“Leave,” said Kaitlin shaking.

“You heard her," said Leroy and pointed, "There's the door.”

As Reid finally turned to leave he looked at Leroy and said too calmly, “I’d watch my back if I were you, slumlord. She's mine.”

* * *

After Reid left, Kaitlin, still wrapped in the towel was shivering. “Kate, you are shivering,” said Leroy concerned, “Give me Hailey. You need to get dressed and dry your hair.” Kaitlin handed Hailey to Leroy without a word and went to do as he said. Leroy cuddled his little girl.

A few minutes later she emerged from the bedroom, not feeling any better. Leroy made some hot tea and handed her a cup. Her hands shook when she took it from him. “He's gone Kate," said Leroy soothingly, "It's over.”

Kaitlin looked at him, her eyes wild, “Did you hear him? He's not gone. He threatened you. You must hate me now. I'm so sorry. What are we going to do?”

Leroy did hear. And frankly he was worried, but it wouldn't help Kaitlin to share his concern. Instead he said, “He's all talk sweetheart. Don't worry about him. And for the love of God, stop apologizing. None of this is your fault. I could never hate you. Come on let's go sit on the couch so you can relax. The boys will be home soon."

When they sat down Kaitlin laid her head on Leroy's shoulder and fell asleep almost instantly. He didn't dare move lest he wake her. But he didn't mind, he needed to think. What would Reid do? He didn't take his threat lightly. Reid usually got what he went after. But surely he would leave them alone now that he knew Hailey wasn't his. He hoped.

A few minutes later, the door opened and Reese walked in. "What are you doing here?" asked Reese angrily.

"Shhhh!" whispered Leroy, "Your mom's asleep. Why don't you check on the little ones and leave her alone." He had made up his mind he wasn't going to put up with any of Reese's crap. Reese had liked him just fine when he thought they were just friends. But what were they now, he wondered. Still friends? She said she loved him. But as a friend or as a lover. Maybe he misunderstood.


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