You and Michael being Gregory’s parents part 5...
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Life had gone back to normal easier then you thought it would. Both you and Gregory took off some time to recover after the night at the pizza plex. But soon enough, he was back in school and you were back at work.
You weren’t sure how Michael wanted to proceed. You knew you wanted him to stay away from Freddie’s as far as he could, but you also knew that was too much to ask for. It didn’t take you long to show him the box filled with stuff from over the years. Articles, photos, papers. He was quiet impressed, and spent a while looking through it all.
Michael felt a bit scared about entering your and you’re sons life. He wasn’t used to living a casual life, and he didn’t want to impose on yours. But you assured him that fitting into the home you and Gregory had wouldn’t be hard.
Since Michael knew he had to stay in shadows a bit, he started picking up hobbies inside the house. Since he himself couldn’t really eat, he hadn’t cooked in years. And before that he hadn’t really been a master chef. But turned out, he was able to get quiet skilled with the help of some cock books and time. Of course, there where still some ill tasting meals. Meals which you and Gregory sadly had to be the taste testers for....
But he couldn’t spend all day cooking of course. He could of course spend his time watching the immortal and the restless, but he also knew it wasn’t the most healthy to spend all day in front of the tv.
Instead he found himself, reading, gardening, drawing, and even knitting. Gregory did start calling him grandma as a joke, but he also wore the socks his father had made him proudly.
It was a normal day, when you had stayed home working. Gregory was in school, and you still had work so you didn’t see Michael a lot. But it was still strange, it wasn’t unusual for him to bring you coffee or tea when you were working from home.
When lunch arrived you decided to go and find him. You found him at the dining table looking through some photos.
“Hey mikey” he looked up, he seemed to have a sorrow full expression but he smiled slightly at seeing you.
“Hello hun” he sighed. You sat down beside him and looked at the photographs laying in front of you. They were all quiet old. They were mostly different pictures of the three same children. A bigger brown haired boy, a middle ginger headed girl, and a small youngest also brunette boy.
You were no stranger to these people. Even if you had never meet them, you knew how much Michael’s long gone siblings meant to him. And how important they were to his story.
He was holding a photo of the smallest boy, his little brother Evan. He seemed to have a lot on his mind.
“It’s his birthday today” he said after some time.
As you were sitting in a shared but understanding silence you heard the front door open.
“I’m home!” Gregory shouted while putting away his school bag. He walked into the kitchen, his smile falling a bit after noticing the sharp atmosphere.
you were a bit surprised at his arrival, you’d been so busy thinking that you didn’t notice the clock ticking. You smiled at him.
“Hi honey” you were on your way to invite Gregory to sit with you, but realised that maybe Michael wanted to be alone. You looked to you’re side only to se Michael looking between the picture he was holding and Gregory. You decided you’re self to take a look, and immediately understood why Michael was comparing them.
“They look alike” you said, so softly it was almost a whisper. Michael went back to looking at the picture before sighing.
“Yeah they do”
“I look alike who?” Gregory asked, now confused and feeling a bit left out. It went a bit quiet. It was nothing new that a young boy would look alike one of his relatives at a similar age. But this was also a relative whom you’d never fully introduced to Gregory. He was aware that Michael used to have a family but that they weren’t in his life anymore. He’d read a bit about the Aftons in the papers you’d spared, but his mind still didn’t have all the information to connect dots and know the whole story.
“Well... your uncle” you said after some silence. You heard Michaels breath hitch.
None of you had ever called him that. An uncle. But that was what he was after all, Gregory was Michaels son and Evan being Michaels brother would indeed make him Gregory’s uncle. But that was hard to think, that that little boy on the picture paper was an uncle. He simply looked too young, like he always would.
Gregory was a bit confused but also understood the mood more. He knew more about you’re family than Michaels and understood it had to be on his more mysterious fathers side this uncle was on. He slowly walked and sat down on the other side of Michael.
Michael hesitated at first, but then gave the photo over to Gregory. Gregory held the photo carefully and inspected it as such too. He then looked up at his father, then down at the photo, then up again.
“I actually think he looks more like you”
The boy said a little puzzled.
“Really?” Michael was caught of guard a little bit. He looked at the photo again when Gregory handed it to him. He had never thought about his likeness to his brother, but it wasn’t something that crossed his mind back then...
“Wait a second, give me the photo” you said and held your hand forward. Michael who was still a little confused gave it to you. You held it up and looked at your boys, and funnily enough, they at the time looked more like each other than the picture. They both had this puzzled look in their eyes, slightly raised eyebrows, and not quiet a frown but not quiet a smile.
You smiled and looked down at the picture again, it wasn’t a great picture per say. Evan didn’t look very delighted to have his picture taken, but he also didn’t look like he dared to object. You remembered another photo you’d seen before and started looking for it.
Michael and Gregory watched curiously as you found the picture you’d remembered. You smiled as you held the photo while comparing it to your boys and then handing it too them.
“I think if we use this picture, we can agree that you ALL THREE look alike” you said smiling.
Michael and Gregory looked at the picture tenderly. Michael was at first a little confused but then he remembered the memories this photo brought and could not help but smile.
It had been an early morning in the late 70’s Evan was barely four, Elizabeth was barely five and a half and he himself was soon to be thirteen. He had not gotten as bad yet, but his siblings still had a reason to be cautious around him. They’re father, William, had left that morning earlier than usual. With nothing but a note saying he had “business”. Michael, who had not set an alarm as it was Saturday, was woken up by his sister slightly hitting him.
“HEY WAKE UP” she then promptly screamed at him.
“I AM UP, WHY ARE WAKING ME UP” he roared back, until he remembered how mad his father would get every time he screamed and covered his mouth quickly.
“No need to worry, he’s gone” Elizabeth said with a blank bored look.
“Wait what?” Said Michael his eyes getting bigger. His sister had a hard time expressing emotions that wasn’t extremely happy or extremely sad and therefore he had a hard time grasping the situation.
“Yeah, he left a note” the ginger said pointing in the direction of the kitchen. Michael puzzled got up and promptly went to the kitchen, passing by little Evan on the way whom had waited outside the room in case he got mad when woken up by Their sister.
It was on the refrigerator Michael found said note, only stating...
“Important business, hopefully back tonight”
....that was all. No “foods in the fridge” no “remember to eat!” No “I’ll give you a dollar for helping with your siblings” nothing more.
Michael was used to his father being... well the way he was. But he wasn’t used to him just leaving them with almost nothing, and he wasn’t used to being put into responsibility without his father having to nag on him.
“Michael, I think you should make breakfast, since we aren’t allowed to touch the stove” Elizabeth broke him out of his state of building up hate, with a very true fact.
“.... well I guess your right” it was too early for Michael to think of a way to blow up his siblings, especially with the knowledge that they’re were only small kids, whom had also been abandoned, just like himself.
He started brining out some bread and beans, even tough they now lived in America, they couldn’t take this British delicacy away from him!
“I don’t particularly like beans” Elizabeth said matter of factly after she realised what her older brother was making. Michael sighed but still got out a carton of eggs, to make an egg sandwich for her instead.
“Hey Elizabeth, could you bring the juice and milk carton out?”
“HEY, I told you to call me Lizze!” The little girl said while jumping slightly.
“OKAY, okay! Lizze, could you please bring the juice and milk here.
“Okay!” Lizzie said, skipping away happily. While all of this was happening Evan was standing a bit away watching. He was quiet confused at the situation. He didn’t really get why father wasn’t there, and he didn’t really get why Michael was being helpful. But he couldn’t help but feel he needed to help. It took him some courage, seeing as he hadn’t talented to Michael in a few days, after he had gotten mad at him over something. Evan looked up to his brother, but he was feeling that as his brother was getting older, he was getting more agitated towards him.
After thinking deeply, he eventually brought a steeping stool beside Michael and stood up beside him on it. Michael looked over at him a little shocked.
“I wanna help” the little boy said quietly while looking down on the counter. Michael was a little confused, but couldn’t help but smile a little.
“Umm alright, some things are a little dangerous. But you could butter the bread?” The older brother saw this as okay as the butter knife wasn’t sharp.
“..okay!” Evan smiled, and looked quiet excited. He concentrated hard, trying to not get to much butter on the knife, and then trying to smooth it on good. While they were working away there, Lizzie had put out the juice and milk on the table. Michael saw this and grabbed a few spoons and a little box.
“Hey liz, you think you could put some cocoa in two mugs? I’ll warm the milk” he said smiling.
“Okay!” She said joyfully, she was particularly happy that her brother remembered she preferred juice over hot chocolate (except when it was freezing cold). Evan wasn’t really listening, as he was still very concentrated on the butter.
Michael managed to also set the table, and soon enough the simple breakfast was lined up for the three siblings. Beans on toast, egg toast with some hot chocolate and juice. Evan smiled big when he was handed his cup of hot chocolate, as he hadn’t realised that was what they where making while he put butter on the toast.
The siblings were happily eating in silence when The oldest broke it.
“Um, thanks liz for helping” he smiled awkwardly over at his sister. She beamed back.
“No problem!!”
“And uh, thanks to you Evan you’re quiet good with butter” he smiled at his brother. Evan looked at first puzzled, he couldn’t fully remember the last time Michael said thanks without being forced to by his father. Michael couldn’t stand Evan looking at him like that, so he reached over and ruffled his hair, promptly making the boy smile and giggle.
“...thanks for letting me help” Evan smiled, his hair much more wild than usual now.
“Oh my goddess Evan, you almost look like Michael now!” Lizzie said.
“We have to get a photo of this!” She continued, hopping down from her chair and getting the Polaroid camera. Both Michael and Evan was a little shocked but not for long before their sister was back.
“Here! You take it your better than me.” She said, handing the camera to Michael. Michael hesitated a bit then looked over at his brother.
“... is it okay?” He asked. Evan looked a little insecure, but taking in his brothers careful expression and his sisters happy one, he couldn’t help but politely smile and nod his head.
“Yeah it’s okay”
“Alright, smile!” Lizzie said
-Click-
Its was later in the day, they had all had made it trough and had eaten all three daily meals, and Evan an afternoon snack (and also some movie snacks, but their father didn’t need to know that). Michael had helped his siblings get to bed, and was himself now reading a magazine on his bed. The clock was a little over eleven in the evening, when he heard his fathers car park outside, and his father himself enter their house. It took him a while before he came to Michael, going to check on his sleeping siblings first. He heard his father standing outside, and how he stopped before his door for a second. He proceeded to then open the door without knocking, as usual.
Michael didn’t look up from his magazine.
His father cleared his throat, making Michael look up slightly.
“I assumed you helped your siblings trough the day... so thank you, you were helpful”
Michael looked at his father with same pretty blank slightly irritated expression.
“... for once”
Ah, there it was.
After that Mr Afton proceeded to walk away without closing the soon to be teens door, a habit he had gotten, presumably to make his son spite him more.
Michael huffed up from his bed and slammed the door shut.
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Back to current day at the dining table.
Nobody had said anything, both you and Gregory seeing how Michael was clearly living trough some memories. He’d ended up with a painful expression, making you reach out to put your hand on top of his. This made him snap back to reality a little. He came back even more, when a slightly smaller hand, belonging to his son was put on top his arm. This led him to smiling, the warmth reminding him of where he was, and how he would focus on the good memories.
“Yeah, we do actually look alike, all of us” Michael smiled. You all smiled, both you and Gregory feeling the sharp atmosphere fade away.
“Well then we have the important question... does my son look anything like me!!” You jokingly said getting up and crouching beside Gregory. Now it was true Gregory resembled his fellow brunette father a lot, but as Michael looked between you too. He couldn’t help but see how you have the exact same cheeky smile, and excited eyes.
“Oh yes... you both look like little devils whom are plotting against me via speaking trough your minds” Gregory was first taken aback, but then he smiled.
“If we could speak via our minds, I wouldn’t have to call you grandma to your face!!”
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It was later in the day, and Michael was watching the sun set. It was now fall and colder, but the sun still shined down the horizon. The rest of the day had been sweet and happy, you all cooking dinner together.
You had offered to wash the dishes, and Gregory had went to do some home work leaving Michael alone with his thoughts. He was soon interrupted though when he heard someone quietly come out and sit beside him.
It was Gregory, who had brought along the photograph of the little boy from earlier. He looked at the photograph and then at his father carefully. Michael realised he had something on his mind.
“It’s okay, you can ask something if you have questions” he smiled at his son. Gregory smiled a little back, and then dropped to a more serious expression.
“Is he... your brother..” he asked carefully.
“Yeah... he was” Michael said a little sad, but still smiling slightly. It took a Gregory a second to realised how his father had said “was”, and when he did he was washed over with some guilt for asking. Michael saw this and put his arm around him and smiled at him, to show him it truly was okay. Gregory was unsure of how to proceed. He wanted to ask more but didn’t want to make his dad sad. Without really thinking he asked...
“Did you love him?” After he realised what he said he stopped a little and looked a bit guilty. But Michael only patted his shoulder, to once again show him it was okay.
“Yeah... just not enough” Michael sighed.
Gregory thought it was a bit of a strange answer, but also felt it was enough for tonight. He leaned into his fathers side. Michael gladly hugged him closer and kissed his head.
...and I’ll never make that mistake again, Michael thought to himself.
You watched them from the glass door opening to your yard. Everything was truly perfect. In a way you could never believe before it could. In a way you couldn’t imagine, when you feel in love with a man who clearly had baggage. In a way you couldn’t imagine when that man disappears soon after you’d together had a son. In a way you couldn’t images when you were sitting there alone, raising a child whom you didn’t know what to tell about the mysterious disappearance of his other parent.
But it truly was perfect. So prefect you couldn’t help but silently join them. Putting your arms around them, and kissing both their heads.
Together watching the sun go down. Leaving your garden quiet and dark, the only light coming from your warm home, and the sparkling stars in the sky.
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And HERES PART 5 AFTER LIKE HALF A YEAR LMAO. I started writing this months ago and just had the start sitting in my drafts, even tough I had an idea I didn’t actually come up with the part with the second photo and flashback until now! I don’t know how but I randomly remembered that ask I got a few moths ago of someone saying how much they liked this story just motivated me, so thanks to that person ❤️❤️ I don’t know if any of my readers are still here waiting for part five, and I don’t know what my future of this blog will be. But I really enjoyed writing this, and hope you did too❤️
