When I woke up, my entire face burned and my eyes were swollen. I took a shower and tried to put myself together normally. I picked up my phone and dialed a number I hadn't called in a while. As it rang, I wondered if she would answer.
"Hello?"
"Aurora?" I asked and heard her catch her breath, "I'm not going to yell or fight with you, I promise."
"Will...I...uh..."
"What does Elijah's schedule look like for today?"
"Um, I'm not sure if I should say."
I sighed, "I understand." I took a deep breath so I wouldn't cry, "can you tell Elijah something for me?"
"Sure."
"I need his help and it has to be today. I will be at the restaurant we met at recently at 11 am today. I am hoping he can meet with me." I choked, "just let him know that he was right. If he doesn't come, I understand."
I hung up and got up quickly to get my mind off of my sadness. I got ready and went for a run, much longer than usual so I could run off my feelings. When I got back, I went upstairs and took a shower. As I got out, a light knock came to the bathroom door and I froze. My heart filled with hope and love.
Did he come home? Did he cancel it and come back to be with us? Did he finally stand to them for us? Oh god, I'm an ȧsshole! I didn't even listen to his side!
"Uncle," Emit called and my stomach dropped. Of course it's not Jayden, he made his choice. "Can we talk with you? We have Addie and the twins are getting dressed."
I came out with a towel around my waist and smiled to them the best I could. I went to Chase and took Addie. She gave me a large smile that hurt me deeply. I got out some clothes, "what's up?"
Chase gulped when I didn't look to him, "have you heard anything? From him?"
I took a moment to compose myself, "I have not heard from him since he left."
"Then how did you find out everything?"
I glanced to Emit before focusing on changing. "I spoke with his fiance." They both stared at me in horror, "I tried to call Cora to check on them and his fiance let me know he was at his bachelor's party."
"Then Cora knows?!"
"Jenny is Cora's best friend." I looked to Chase as his eyes welled with tears, "at least I heard it from her. She told me the entire truth."
"Uncle, maybe he'll call it off."
I scoffed, "they've been planning for years so I doubt it. Either way, he has lied more than enough and I'm not going to be a mistress."
"But...!" Chase began but we stopped as the twins came in.
"Momma!" They cheered and came to me. They hugged me as I fought to keep my smile.
"Morning, kiddos. Are you excited to go to Willow's house?"
"Yeah!"
"Alright well go get some food. We need to leave in 10 minutes." The twins rushed downstairs as I followed them while carrying Addie. As they got ready for the day, I got a bag together for Addie and fed her a bottle. I also put a notebook and pen in the bag for later.
Once the twins were done eating, I helped them get their things together.
"Will," Chase called from the door and I came over to where he stood with Emit. He gave me a sorrowful look, "are you sure you will be okay? I can stay home and help pack up."
I shook my head, "we are leaving everything behind but essentials and keepsakes. And I won't be here. I have a lot of loose ends to tie up."
Chase kissed my cheek before Emit hugged my side. They left and I called for the twins to come out to the car. I buckled in Addie as the twins got settled and then we drove to their school. I went inside with the twins as I brought Addie in a front baby carrier.
I seemed to surprise Ms.Levy as I came over to her with a sad smile. "Could I speak with you?"
She nodded before leading me to her desk, somewhat away from the kids.
"I'm sorry about last time we spoke. I know you didn't mean to tell Connor about this family." I gulped and dropped my gaze, "I don't really have the right to ask you for anything, as a loved one of a fellow male Omega, I can only trust you. I need help, for me and my kids."
She suddenly took my hand and I met her gaze. It took everything I had not to cry. "Something is wrong? You look upset."
I bit my lip, "I'm taking my kids and leaving their father." Her eyes bugged out of her head and her jaw dropped. "He plans to make me a mistress and not recognize our kids." Tears welled, "I can't let my kids go through that. So, I have to take them and run. Otherwise, he may hinder their future and daily lives. But I can't let anyone know other than you that we are leaving Thursday night."
She squeezed my hand and nodded, "I will give you the necessary documents so they can transfer. Just give them to me and I will submit them for you next Monday."
"Thank you. I'll take them tomorrow morning," I whispered and wiped away tears. I smiled to the twins, "have fun at Willow's house!"
I left the classroom and brought Addie out to the car. I drove to the restaurant and brought Addie in with me. We got sat down at a table and gave Addie her pacifier as I took out the notebook and pen. I began making lists of what has to be done before we leave and what we need to bring with us.
"So this is the baby?"
I looked up in surprise as I saw Elijah and their sister standing at his side. They both sat down across from me as I looked to Addie when she began babbling.
"This is Addie." I stated as I looked to their sister.
Her eyes welled with tears, "Addie? That was my childhood nickname."
I nodded before dropping my gaze to the table, "I'm sure you both know what's happening."
"The wedding you mean?" She asked and I pulled Addie against my ċhėst. "Jayden said you agreed to it. That you wanted to be independent but still a family."
I scoffed and looked to her, "until I accidentally spoke to her last night, I had no clue." I took the ring out of my pocket and set it on the table in front of her. "He proposed to me just a few weeks ago." I grit my teeth, "he even involved my children in the proposal when he planned to cast us aside. He took me on a vacation to celebrate our engagement."
"I didn't know about the wedding until this morning, otherwise I would have informed you."
"Does she know about me and the kids?"
Adeline shook her head, "as far as I know, she has no idea."
I took a deep breath, "I don't plan to be a mistress to anyone. So I am leaving before their wedding. The kids and I are moving by Thursday night. I wanted to let you know and ask for help."
Elijah chuckled, "I told you this would happen, Will!"
I stared him down, "are you planning to help me or not? I know you were right but rubbing in my face is not going to help. I have a lot to do in a short amount of time."
He smiled slightly, "of course I'm going to help you. I told you I would."
Adeline suddenly put her hand out to me and I felt inclined to placed my hand in hers. She held it tightly, "I haven't talked to Jayden since he said he planned marry Jenny. What kind of person does that?! I'm not going to stand at his side when he makes the same mistakes our dad did." She looked to me and then to Addie, "let us know what we can do to help you. We are here to support you."
I removed my hand from hers and turned the notebook around to put it in front of them. "This is what I need your help with."
Adeline took the list and began reading it but Elijah watched me. "Where do you plan to go?"
I shrugged, "anywhere I can get tickets for that is far away."
"How do you plan to fund this?"
I looked to Addie and my heart squeezed as she pulled on my necklace that had the ring on it of their names and stones. "I always find a way," I whispered. "He certainly isn't the first person to screw me over and I won't let money hold me back."
Elijah pulled a credit card, check book, and six plane tickets. He smiled to me sadly, "how about California wine country? I have a friend that lives there and can help you get settled." I stated at the stuff and felt I couldn't breath. So much relief and guilt filled me that it filled my lungs. After a moment, I fought out a breath and looked to him. "I set up a bank account linked to mine that is pretty much limitless. The tickets are for Wednesday night as I didn't know when you wanted to leave."
I slowly took the items in my hands as I fought not to cry. Elijah placed his hand on mine and I froze.
"I meant what I said in the beginning. I won't let you be destroyed like my Mom was. Anything you need, just say it and I will make it happen. I want to make sure you and the kids never struggle again. And I will do everything in my power to keep him from finding you. Leave everything to me. All you have to do is get you and the kids to California. Don't worry about taking anything with you. Make a list of the things you want to keep and I will have my employees go Thursday afternoon to collect everything."
I took th necklace off my neck and gave Addie her toy so she let go of it. I placed it in front of Adeline, "I love the meaning of this necklace, but I can't keep it. It's too painful to look at."
She looked to my sadly and placed it in her purse, "I know. Would you mind if I keep it? Just so I can remember the kids?"
I nodded, "thank you both for all of this."
They both sadly smiled, "he's a moron for betraying you. We won't make the same mistake as he did. You and the kids are our family, regardless of what he thinks."
I wiped my face as tears began down it, "I should go. I have a lot of people to say goodbye to."
They followed me as I stood up and walked with me to the door. When we got to my car, Adeline suddenly hugged me and began to cry. "I'm so sorry, Will."
I hugged her with my free arm, "we will be okay."
She nodded before letting go of me and I went to the car. I put Addie in her carrier and got in the driver's seat. I drove straight to Hunter's new address I got from Cam.
When I got to his house, I took a few moments to compose myself before carrying Addie to the door. I knocked lightly and was startled how quickly the door was opened.. Shannon stared at me in shock and seemed unable to speak.