The Little Things Pt 148/? Part 2 (Forever After Sequel)
……………………………………………….
“I don’t know what it is about some people, baby,” Adam whispered as he sat on the back steps with Grace in his arms. “That old bag lives for making other people unhappy. I mean she didn’t even look at you. If hitting women was okay, she would be the first to get it from me,” Adam sighed looking down at Grace. “You don’t have to say anything, I know. That wasn’t cool. She just… she makes me so made. I was actually sitting in there wondering what the hell was wrong with me. I mean I’m a good man. I’ve been a great husband to your Grandpa. I think I’ve loved my kid’s right. And I’m really trying to be the best Buddy ever to you and your brother, but that woman had me in there trying to figure out what I’ve done wrong. That’s why I had to leave. I couldn’t sit there and look at my kid’s faces while she was shoving your Grandpa’s past in my face. I know your Grandpa’s life would have been easier if he hadn’t met me. He would probably still be married to Katy and they would have a few kids and a nice life in Conway, but I’ve tried my best. I know I love him better than Katy ever did. I just wish that woman wouldn’t put doubts in my head.” Adam stopped talking at the sound of Gail and her husband talking in the kitchen.
“Just let it go Gail,” Sal sighed.
“That boy brought shame on this family,” Gail said annoyed. “I don’t know why I should let it go.”
“Because it’s been twenty-five years,” Sal answered. “It’s not important.”
“I don’t get my sister,” Gail sighed. “She acts like she’s actually proud of those kids she calls grandchildren. Only Elle is her grandchild,” Gail remarked. “The rest are just borrowed. And now this new one. Mr. Rock star in there sat with that baby on his knee like he was showing her off. That’s what they get you know.”
“What are you talking about?” Sal sighed.
“All that sinning had to catch up with them,” Gail answered. “It’s that man’s fault that baby was born the way she was.”
“No one can control that,” Sal sighed.
“That man brought sin into Kristopher’s life and now look at them,” Gail said. “They’ve got one daughter who pops out a kid every other year. Another who’s just like his father. Who will go on to sin and ruin his life, and then you have the fake Christian pretending to be helping people, when you and I know he’s probably going to be as bad as his father. Elle’s the only good one, and god knows what he has planned for her. Then he has the cheek to sit there and look at me with that baby on his knee. Sitting there acting like she’s the best thing ever, when we know she’s the biggest mistake that family has ever had.”
“There you are.”
Adam looked up to find Kris walking around the side of the house. “I…”
“Are you okay?” Kris asked rushing to Adam’s side. “You’re shaking. What’s wrong?”
“Take her,” Adam panted handing Grace to Kris.
“Adam,” Kris frowned. “Adam what’s wrong?”
“I don’t know,” Adam panted out as he bent over holding his chest. “I can’t breathe.”
“Adam.”
“Kris I can’t breathe,” Adam said in a panic.
“Dad,” Kris yelled running into the house. “Dad… help.”
……………………………………………..
“He really couldn’t breathe,” Kris said as he paced up and down in the hospital waiting room. “Oh god, if he’s had a heart attack,” Kris said burying his face in his hands.
“Stop panicking,” Neil said standing up to guide Kris into a seat. “Let’s just wait and see what the doctor says.”
“You saw him Dad,” Kris said. “He looked like he was going to die.”
“He’s not going to die,” Neil sighed rubbing Kris’s shoulder. “It’s probably something he ate.”
“You’re lucky Mama isn’t here to hear that,” Kris frowned.
“He’s a big strong man,” Neil pointed out. “It’ll be something simple.”
“Who are you trying to convince, me or you?” Kris asked.
“His coloring was terrible,” Neil frowned. “When they loaded him into the ambulance…”
“It’s okay,” Kris said wrapping his arm around Neil’s shoulder.
“I don’t know what I would do if anything happened to you boys,” Neil admitted.
“Hey I thought you were supposed to be helping me,” Kris said trying to joke.
“Right,” Neil nodded. “You’re right.”
Kris and Neil jumped up at the sound of the waiting room door opening. “Mr. Allen?”
“Is he okay?”
“I’m Dr. Judd. I examined your husband when he first came in.”
“Is he okay?” Kris repeated.
“Is it a heart attack?” Neil asked.
“It’s not a heart attack,” Dr. Judd answered. “We’ve completely checked him out and there are no signs anything wrong with his heart.”
“So what’s wrong with him?”
“It looks like your husband had a panic attack,” Dr. Judd answered. “Can you tell me if he’s been under any stress lately?”
“No more than usual,” Kris answered.
“He told me that you’ve had a few changes in your family recently,” Dr. Judd said. “A new grandchild and a son that went away for a while.”
“But he’s back now,” Kris frowned “I know he was worried about him, but not enough to have a panic attack over.”
“My son-in-law happens to be an overprotective parent,” Neil pointed out. “He’s not happy unless he’s worried about one of his kids.”
“Well it’s something to think about,” Dr. Judd said. “These things can be brought on without warning.”
“Can I see him?”
“Of course,” Dr. Judd nodded. “We’re just waiting on blood results coming back to rule out any drug use and then he can go home.”
“He doesn’t take drugs,” Kris remarked.
“It’s just precaution. We can’t send him home and not check.”
“Okay,” Kris nodded. “Dad do you might if I go?”
“You go,” Neil said waving Kris out of the room. “I’ll be right here.”
“Thanks Dad.”
“Just tell him to relax,” Neil said as Kris followed the doctor out of the room.
……………………………………………………
“I’m so sorry.”
“What are you sorry for?” Kris asked with a nervous laugh.
“The look on the kid’s faces when they were loading me into the ambulance,” Adam said rubbing his forehead. “And it was over a stupid panic attack.”
“You couldn’t breathe,” Kris pointed out. “That’s not stupid.”
“I felt like I was dying,” Adam admitted. “I just couldn’t get enough air into my lungs.”
“What do you think brought it on?” Kris asked taking Adam’s hand in his.
“What?”
“What happened before you started panicking?”
“I was just sitting on the steps,” Adam answered.
“Doing what?”
Adam looked at Kris before looking away. “It was nothing.”
“Adam,” Kris said shaking Adam’s arm. “What happened before I came?”
“I don’t want to start any fights,” Adam said. “She’s just a spiteful old woman with too much time on her hands.”
“Is this about my Aunt Gail?” Kris asked. “About what she said in the living room.”
“I had to sit and watch our kid’s faces as she went on and on about your ex,” Adam admitted. “But that wasn’t the worst part?”
“So what was?”
“Kris don’t make me…”
“Tell me,” Kris pressed.
“I overheard her and Sal talking in the kitchen,” Adam sighed. “They were talking about Grace.”
“What about her?”
“Your Aunt couldn’t understand why I was looking so proud of her,” Adam admitted. “She couldn’t understand why I would be proud of Grace.”
Kris clenched his eyes shut as he shook his head. “She’s an evil old woman, you know that.”
“She said it was my fault Grace was born with downs,” Adam continued. “That my sins were to blame for our family. She talked like our kids were evil.”
“Adam you know none of that is true,” Kris said standing up to sit on the edge of the bed.
“But she thinks it,” Adam said choking back a sob. “I’ve never witnessed hate towards my children before.”
“Adam,” Kris sighed rubbing Adam’s chest. “Please don’t get yourself worked up again.”
“I just don’t understand it.”
“Because you’re too good to understand it,” Kris whispered. “We have raised four of the most amazing kids ever, and no words some woman says will destroy that. So please stop getting yourself worked up over this. She’s not worth it.”
“I’m not going back in that house with that woman there,” Adam said wiping the tears from his face.
“Trust me, that woman is going nowhere near my family again,” Kris whispered pulling Adam into his arms.
……………………………………..
“I see,” Kim said holding the phone to her ear as she stood out in the backyard. “I understand, Kristopher. Yes I agree with you. Okay, just make your way home now. Okay, tell Adam I love him. Okay, bye.”
“Well?” Sophia asked standing on the top step.
“Where’s your brother and sister?”
“They’re in your bedroom,” Sophia answered. “What’s wrong with Papa… I mean is he… is he okay?”
“He’s fine,” Kim smiled walking forward to give Sophia a hug. “It wasn’t a heart attack.”
“What happened?”
“They think he had a panic attack,” Kim whispered.
“A panic… why would he have one of those?” Sophia frowned. “He’s never had a panic attack before.”
“Don’t freak out, but…”
“Tell me Mama.”
“She overheard your Aunt Gail saying something,” Kim said causing Sophia to spin around back towards the house. “Sophia… Sophia.”
“Don’t Mama,” Sophia said storming into the house. “You,” she said marching into the living room. “Where the hell do you get off…”
“Excuse me, young lady?” Gail asked standing up.
“You come in here with your fake smile and your Munchin of a husband and think you can judge us?”
“Kim, I think you should tell your…”
“Shut up,” Sophia snapped pointing a finger at her Aunt. “I have sat back all day and watching you put down my Papa. A man who has done nothing to you. I should have kicked you out hours ago.”
“Kimberly?” Gail said looking at her sister.
“We might not be doctors or CEO’s of big companies, but I’d like to think we’re good people,” Sophia snapped. “We don’t sit around and judge people.”
“Young lady I will be not talking to like this in my sister’s house,” Gail said stepping forward. “You’re just proving that my opinion of you and your family was right.”
“You are a heartless bitch who gets off on other people’s misery,” Sophia snapped.
“What’s going on?” Sebastian asked as he and everyone made their way into the living room.
“Kids go back up the stairs.”
“Aunt Gail and her hobbit are just leaving,” Sophia answered. “And if you ever even think about my family again, I will make it my lives work to destroy yours.”
“Kimberly are you going to let her talk to me like that?” Gail asked looking at her sister.
“You have the ugliest kids I’ve never seen,” Kim answered. “Your turkey’s always dry at Christmas and I know for a fact that you’re up to your neck in credit card bills.”
“Sal,” Gail said spinning around to grab her purse. “We’re leaving. I’ve never been so insulted in my life.”
“Yeah, well take your fake nose and you’re fake Gucci purse and get the hell out,” Sophia snapped before ushering them out of the front door. “And don’t bother sending a Christmas card this year,” she added before slamming the door shut.
“Well…” Kim breathed out looking at all of the kids.
“Her turkey’s too dry?” Sebastian smirked. “Really Mama?”
“I’m not a natural arguer,” Kim frowned.
“You should have mentioned her fat ass,” Elle remarked.
“Elle Allen,” Kim warned.
“Her fat behind?” Elle asked.
“No you’re right,” Kim laughed. “She does have a fat ass.”
……………………………………………
“And then Sophia said she had a fake nose and a fake Gucci purse,” Elle said with excitement as she sat pressed against Adam’s side on the sofa. “Papa it was so good.”
“I can see you had fun,” Adam nodded. “But you shouldn’t be rude to people.”
“She started it,” Sebastian shrugged.
“I’m sorry, Mama,” Adam sighed. “I’ll call her later and say sorry.”
“You will not,” Kim said sitting down next to Adam on the sofa.
“She’s your family.”
“You’re my family,” Kim smiled giving Adam a kiss on the cheek. “And you know all she said was wrong, don’t you?”
Adam looked around at his kids as they all laughed and talked amongst themselves. “Yeah she’s wrong.”
“I’m glad you realize,” Kim smiled cuddling into Adam’s side.
Adam’s eyes caught Kris’s as he walked into the living room.
“I love you,” Kris mouthed.
“I love you too,” Adam mouthed back.
End of Flash Forward 2034
“I don’t know what it is about some people, baby,” Adam whispered as he sat on the back steps with Grace in his arms. “That old bag lives for making other people unhappy. I mean she didn’t even look at you. If hitting women was okay, she would be the first to get it from me,” Adam sighed looking down at Grace. “You don’t have to say anything, I know. That wasn’t cool. She just… she makes me so made. I was actually sitting in there wondering what the hell was wrong with me. I mean I’m a good man. I’ve been a great husband to your Grandpa. I think I’ve loved my kid’s right. And I’m really trying to be the best Buddy ever to you and your brother, but that woman had me in there trying to figure out what I’ve done wrong. That’s why I had to leave. I couldn’t sit there and look at my kid’s faces while she was shoving your Grandpa’s past in my face. I know your Grandpa’s life would have been easier if he hadn’t met me. He would probably still be married to Katy and they would have a few kids and a nice life in Conway, but I’ve tried my best. I know I love him better than Katy ever did. I just wish that woman wouldn’t put doubts in my head.” Adam stopped talking at the sound of Gail and her husband talking in the kitchen.
“Just let it go Gail,” Sal sighed.
“That boy brought shame on this family,” Gail said annoyed. “I don’t know why I should let it go.”
“Because it’s been twenty-five years,” Sal answered. “It’s not important.”
“I don’t get my sister,” Gail sighed. “She acts like she’s actually proud of those kids she calls grandchildren. Only Elle is her grandchild,” Gail remarked. “The rest are just borrowed. And now this new one. Mr. Rock star in there sat with that baby on his knee like he was showing her off. That’s what they get you know.”
“What are you talking about?” Sal sighed.
“All that sinning had to catch up with them,” Gail answered. “It’s that man’s fault that baby was born the way she was.”
“No one can control that,” Sal sighed.
“That man brought sin into Kristopher’s life and now look at them,” Gail said. “They’ve got one daughter who pops out a kid every other year. Another who’s just like his father. Who will go on to sin and ruin his life, and then you have the fake Christian pretending to be helping people, when you and I know he’s probably going to be as bad as his father. Elle’s the only good one, and god knows what he has planned for her. Then he has the cheek to sit there and look at me with that baby on his knee. Sitting there acting like she’s the best thing ever, when we know she’s the biggest mistake that family has ever had.”
“There you are.”
Adam looked up to find Kris walking around the side of the house. “I…”
“Are you okay?” Kris asked rushing to Adam’s side. “You’re shaking. What’s wrong?”
“Take her,” Adam panted handing Grace to Kris.
“Adam,” Kris frowned. “Adam what’s wrong?”
“I don’t know,” Adam panted out as he bent over holding his chest. “I can’t breathe.”
“Adam.”
“Kris I can’t breathe,” Adam said in a panic.
“Dad,” Kris yelled running into the house. “Dad… help.”
……………………………………………..
“He really couldn’t breathe,” Kris said as he paced up and down in the hospital waiting room. “Oh god, if he’s had a heart attack,” Kris said burying his face in his hands.
“Stop panicking,” Neil said standing up to guide Kris into a seat. “Let’s just wait and see what the doctor says.”
“You saw him Dad,” Kris said. “He looked like he was going to die.”
“He’s not going to die,” Neil sighed rubbing Kris’s shoulder. “It’s probably something he ate.”
“You’re lucky Mama isn’t here to hear that,” Kris frowned.
“He’s a big strong man,” Neil pointed out. “It’ll be something simple.”
“Who are you trying to convince, me or you?” Kris asked.
“His coloring was terrible,” Neil frowned. “When they loaded him into the ambulance…”
“It’s okay,” Kris said wrapping his arm around Neil’s shoulder.
“I don’t know what I would do if anything happened to you boys,” Neil admitted.
“Hey I thought you were supposed to be helping me,” Kris said trying to joke.
“Right,” Neil nodded. “You’re right.”
Kris and Neil jumped up at the sound of the waiting room door opening. “Mr. Allen?”
“Is he okay?”
“I’m Dr. Judd. I examined your husband when he first came in.”
“Is he okay?” Kris repeated.
“Is it a heart attack?” Neil asked.
“It’s not a heart attack,” Dr. Judd answered. “We’ve completely checked him out and there are no signs anything wrong with his heart.”
“So what’s wrong with him?”
“It looks like your husband had a panic attack,” Dr. Judd answered. “Can you tell me if he’s been under any stress lately?”
“No more than usual,” Kris answered.
“He told me that you’ve had a few changes in your family recently,” Dr. Judd said. “A new grandchild and a son that went away for a while.”
“But he’s back now,” Kris frowned “I know he was worried about him, but not enough to have a panic attack over.”
“My son-in-law happens to be an overprotective parent,” Neil pointed out. “He’s not happy unless he’s worried about one of his kids.”
“Well it’s something to think about,” Dr. Judd said. “These things can be brought on without warning.”
“Can I see him?”
“Of course,” Dr. Judd nodded. “We’re just waiting on blood results coming back to rule out any drug use and then he can go home.”
“He doesn’t take drugs,” Kris remarked.
“It’s just precaution. We can’t send him home and not check.”
“Okay,” Kris nodded. “Dad do you might if I go?”
“You go,” Neil said waving Kris out of the room. “I’ll be right here.”
“Thanks Dad.”
“Just tell him to relax,” Neil said as Kris followed the doctor out of the room.
……………………………………………………
“I’m so sorry.”
“What are you sorry for?” Kris asked with a nervous laugh.
“The look on the kid’s faces when they were loading me into the ambulance,” Adam said rubbing his forehead. “And it was over a stupid panic attack.”
“You couldn’t breathe,” Kris pointed out. “That’s not stupid.”
“I felt like I was dying,” Adam admitted. “I just couldn’t get enough air into my lungs.”
“What do you think brought it on?” Kris asked taking Adam’s hand in his.
“What?”
“What happened before you started panicking?”
“I was just sitting on the steps,” Adam answered.
“Doing what?”
Adam looked at Kris before looking away. “It was nothing.”
“Adam,” Kris said shaking Adam’s arm. “What happened before I came?”
“I don’t want to start any fights,” Adam said. “She’s just a spiteful old woman with too much time on her hands.”
“Is this about my Aunt Gail?” Kris asked. “About what she said in the living room.”
“I had to sit and watch our kid’s faces as she went on and on about your ex,” Adam admitted. “But that wasn’t the worst part?”
“So what was?”
“Kris don’t make me…”
“Tell me,” Kris pressed.
“I overheard her and Sal talking in the kitchen,” Adam sighed. “They were talking about Grace.”
“What about her?”
“Your Aunt couldn’t understand why I was looking so proud of her,” Adam admitted. “She couldn’t understand why I would be proud of Grace.”
Kris clenched his eyes shut as he shook his head. “She’s an evil old woman, you know that.”
“She said it was my fault Grace was born with downs,” Adam continued. “That my sins were to blame for our family. She talked like our kids were evil.”
“Adam you know none of that is true,” Kris said standing up to sit on the edge of the bed.
“But she thinks it,” Adam said choking back a sob. “I’ve never witnessed hate towards my children before.”
“Adam,” Kris sighed rubbing Adam’s chest. “Please don’t get yourself worked up again.”
“I just don’t understand it.”
“Because you’re too good to understand it,” Kris whispered. “We have raised four of the most amazing kids ever, and no words some woman says will destroy that. So please stop getting yourself worked up over this. She’s not worth it.”
“I’m not going back in that house with that woman there,” Adam said wiping the tears from his face.
“Trust me, that woman is going nowhere near my family again,” Kris whispered pulling Adam into his arms.
……………………………………..
“I see,” Kim said holding the phone to her ear as she stood out in the backyard. “I understand, Kristopher. Yes I agree with you. Okay, just make your way home now. Okay, tell Adam I love him. Okay, bye.”
“Well?” Sophia asked standing on the top step.
“Where’s your brother and sister?”
“They’re in your bedroom,” Sophia answered. “What’s wrong with Papa… I mean is he… is he okay?”
“He’s fine,” Kim smiled walking forward to give Sophia a hug. “It wasn’t a heart attack.”
“What happened?”
“They think he had a panic attack,” Kim whispered.
“A panic… why would he have one of those?” Sophia frowned. “He’s never had a panic attack before.”
“Don’t freak out, but…”
“Tell me Mama.”
“She overheard your Aunt Gail saying something,” Kim said causing Sophia to spin around back towards the house. “Sophia… Sophia.”
“Don’t Mama,” Sophia said storming into the house. “You,” she said marching into the living room. “Where the hell do you get off…”
“Excuse me, young lady?” Gail asked standing up.
“You come in here with your fake smile and your Munchin of a husband and think you can judge us?”
“Kim, I think you should tell your…”
“Shut up,” Sophia snapped pointing a finger at her Aunt. “I have sat back all day and watching you put down my Papa. A man who has done nothing to you. I should have kicked you out hours ago.”
“Kimberly?” Gail said looking at her sister.
“We might not be doctors or CEO’s of big companies, but I’d like to think we’re good people,” Sophia snapped. “We don’t sit around and judge people.”
“Young lady I will be not talking to like this in my sister’s house,” Gail said stepping forward. “You’re just proving that my opinion of you and your family was right.”
“You are a heartless bitch who gets off on other people’s misery,” Sophia snapped.
“What’s going on?” Sebastian asked as he and everyone made their way into the living room.
“Kids go back up the stairs.”
“Aunt Gail and her hobbit are just leaving,” Sophia answered. “And if you ever even think about my family again, I will make it my lives work to destroy yours.”
“Kimberly are you going to let her talk to me like that?” Gail asked looking at her sister.
“You have the ugliest kids I’ve never seen,” Kim answered. “Your turkey’s always dry at Christmas and I know for a fact that you’re up to your neck in credit card bills.”
“Sal,” Gail said spinning around to grab her purse. “We’re leaving. I’ve never been so insulted in my life.”
“Yeah, well take your fake nose and you’re fake Gucci purse and get the hell out,” Sophia snapped before ushering them out of the front door. “And don’t bother sending a Christmas card this year,” she added before slamming the door shut.
“Well…” Kim breathed out looking at all of the kids.
“Her turkey’s too dry?” Sebastian smirked. “Really Mama?”
“I’m not a natural arguer,” Kim frowned.
“You should have mentioned her fat ass,” Elle remarked.
“Elle Allen,” Kim warned.
“Her fat behind?” Elle asked.
“No you’re right,” Kim laughed. “She does have a fat ass.”
……………………………………………
“And then Sophia said she had a fake nose and a fake Gucci purse,” Elle said with excitement as she sat pressed against Adam’s side on the sofa. “Papa it was so good.”
“I can see you had fun,” Adam nodded. “But you shouldn’t be rude to people.”
“She started it,” Sebastian shrugged.
“I’m sorry, Mama,” Adam sighed. “I’ll call her later and say sorry.”
“You will not,” Kim said sitting down next to Adam on the sofa.
“She’s your family.”
“You’re my family,” Kim smiled giving Adam a kiss on the cheek. “And you know all she said was wrong, don’t you?”
Adam looked around at his kids as they all laughed and talked amongst themselves. “Yeah she’s wrong.”
“I’m glad you realize,” Kim smiled cuddling into Adam’s side.
Adam’s eyes caught Kris’s as he walked into the living room.
“I love you,” Kris mouthed.
“I love you too,” Adam mouthed back.
End of Flash Forward 2034