Special Chapter - What Could have Been

This is a special chapter to celebrate having over 4000 views.  It was inspired by a comment made by Legend of Sim who wondered how different Shon's life would have been without the aliens.  This is a brief glimpse into what his life would have been like if the aliens had never come.  It was a lot harder than I imagined it would be to write a lifetime condensed into one chapter.  Hope you enjoy!

 

What Could have Been

 

Shon giggled as his father rubbed his whiskers across his face. "Daddy up," Shon said as he lifted his arms. Laughing David picked his little boy up and tossed him into the air.

"Do it again Daddy," Shon laughed as his Dad tossed him into the air again.

"David don't come to me when that boy throws up all over you," Erika chided over her shoulder.

"Again," Shon demanded as his father sat him down on the floor.

"No, no that's enough son," David ruffled his son's soft dark hair so much like his own.

"Please," Shon said turning puppy dog eyes on his father.

Shaking his head, David looked towards his wife sitting with her back towards them. What harm would it do? He bent down and winked at Shon before throwing him up into the air

Shon's shrill giggle stopped as David watched his son shower him with vomit. "So not cool, son," David sighed holding his son at arms length, fighting his own gag reflex. Hanging his head, David turned towards the sound of laughter coming from behind them.

"I told you, didn't I?" Erika said laughing at her boys. "Don't give me those puppy dog eyes. I don't feel sorry for you at all."

First Day of School

 

It was the first day of school and Shon trudged towards the school bus, he looked back towards the house, his mother was waving goodbye. Kicking at a rock Shon sighed finishing his journey to the bus. Climbing up his eyes roamed the faces staring blankly past him. What was so important about going to school?

A little blond haired girl was waving her arms at him motioning for him to sit with her. Ignoring her Shon walked past determined not to sit with any girl. As his eyes searched for an empty seat, the girl continued to draw attention to herself. He was about to give up, when a small hand reached out and grabbed his arm pulling him into the seat beside her. "Hi I'm Wendi."

Slumping into the seat, crossing his arms he tried to ignore all the snickers going on around him. "You're cute," the little girl announced so that the whole bus heard. Shon's face became hot as he tried to become a part of the seat he was sitting on.

As he waited his turn to escape, his hand was grasped from behind. The little girl leaned forward whispering in his ear "I'm going to marry you one day."

Who did she think she was? Shon spun around knocking into the little girl causing her to fall backwards as he declared "No you're not!"

Prom

 

Going into his senior year Shon began to notice a certain blond girl. She had the prettiest blue eyes that sparkled when she laughed. Shon joined debate club to be near her, to watch her eyes light up when she laughed or smoulder when she was mad. There was something about her he couldn't get enough of, he found himself staring at her mouth wondering how it would feel to kiss those luscious lips. Sighing Shon pried his eyes away attempting to listen to the debate that was in progress.

Slumping in his chair, someone tapped his shoulder. Turning around he found only an empty seat and a note on the empty desk. He searched the room trying to see who could have left it, shrugging he slid the note into his hand as the debate ended. Rushing out of the room, he sought a quiet place to read the note, he scooted into the library. Sitting down trying to control is rapid breathing he unfolded the note as a smile played across his face. "Yahoo" he shouted in unrestrained excitement. His smiled vanished as the librarian hissed at him to be quiet. Leaving the library Shon couldn't restrain his smile as he half bounced half skipped to his locker. He didn't think it was possible but he had the note to prove it. "So do I have a date for the prom?" a soft melodic voice asked from behind him.

Heart jumping into his throat Shon turned around to face her "yyyes," he managed to stammer. She stepped closer to him causing Shon to fall backwards into his locker as he struggled to keep some distance between him and her. Laughing she reached in and grabbed his hand to pull him out. "You're so hot when you turn red," Windi whispered in his ear.

 

Wedding Day

 

Five years later Shon was standing in front of a mass of people all staring at him. Not one face was recognizable as he stared past them at the vision in white walking towards him. He wiped his sweaty palms on his pants hoping no one could tell how nervous he was.

 

Taking her hand as she came alongside him, reassured by the smile she gave him. With his heart pounding in his chest he managed to say his vows and he listened as Windi recited hers. Their lips met for the first time as husband and wife in front of all their guests. Parting Shon smiled down into her eyes that sparkled up at him. She smiled up at him saying loud enough for all to hear "I told you I was going to marry you one day."

Shon's face flamed hot as all eyes turned towards them as the room was filled with laughter. Leaning close she whispered in this ear "I love how you look when your embarrassed."

 

Twins

A few years later Shon found himself sitting on the floor with two rambunctious toddlers. A little girl and a little boy, twins both sharing his dark hair and piercing blue eyes. His job was to keep the twins occupied while Windi was organizing their surprise party.

"Daddy where's mama?" Dana asked.

"Mama is shopping," Shon told her.

"Shopping for toys?" Don asked hopefully with a twinkle in his eyes.

"No for food," Shon told him ruffling his hair. He watched as his son looked down at his toys disappointed.

"Don't worry son, she won't forget about your party," Shon reassured him.

With a beaming smile Don looked up and laughed. "Today we're this many," he said holding up three fingers.

Nodding her head Dana agreed with her brother. "'We're not little anymore."

"No you're getting so big I won't be able to do this anymore," Shon said as he lifted her up and tossed her into the air. Smiling as her giggles filled the room.

The Accident

 

"Honey I'm off the to the store," Windi called out from the other room. "The kids are coming with me."

"Bye Dad," he heard them call as the door closed. He thought about getting up and kissing them goodbye but he knew they would be gone by the time he got up.

He laid there enjoying the silence that only occurred when the house was empty. Smiling he knew Windi had arranged this shopping trip to give him time to sleep. She knew how exhausted he'd been with working long hours. His overworked mind drifted off to sleep lulled by the silence.

The persistent ringing of the phone jerked him awake. Rubbing his eyes he glanced at the clock. Six o'clock? Where was Windi and the kids? The silence in the house confirmed they weren't home yet. It's been five hours since they left, what could they be doing? With dread he answered the phone "Hello?"

"Is this Mr. Shon Olivia?" an authorative voice asked.

"Yes," Shon croaked as his stomach tightened into knots.

"I'm sorry sir but your wife was involved in a car accident ..."

"Is she alright?" Shon interrupted him. "Are my wife and kids alright?"

"I'm sorry sir they were killed instantly when the semi jack knifed and rolled over the car your wife was driving," the voice explained.

"No," Shon screamed dropping the phone as he fell to his knees. Why didn't he get up and kiss them goodbye? Why had he been so selfish as stay in bed? He should have been with them.

Out of Control

 

"Pour me another," Shon grumbled as the barman approached.

Hesitantly the barman said "I think you've had enough."

Scowling at the retreating he man, Shon looked at his glass, empty except for a few drops at the bottom. Grimacing Shon lifted the glass and launched it at the barman who refused to serve him. Watching as the glass shattered on the back of the man's head, Shon felt his anger lesson.

Standing Shon staggered to the door. Weaving through traffic Shon arrived at his house. Opening the door he imagined his wife standing beside the window, watching anxiously for him to come home. He heard the ghosts of his children playing in the other room. No matter if he came home sober or drunk he heard the same thing. For the thousandth time he wished he had been with them when they died.

He flopped on the couch moaning like a wounded animal. His parents had been there, he noticed his mom had tried to clean up and his dad had left another note. Covering his eyes, Shon ignored it as he had ignored the others.  It was more of the same, begging him to stop drinking, to get help. What help could anyone give? He lost his family, his life, it was all gone. He didn't want to listen to empty platitudes of how in time he'd get over it. He didn't want to get over it.

"This is the police," a harsh voice announced followed by loud pounding on the front door.

Shon jerked awake and crawled to the edge of the couch. Leaning over he held his head in a vain attempt to stop the pounding inside his head from keeping beat with whoever was pounding on his door.

Groaning as the harsh voice demanded "open the door. We have a warrant for your arrest."

Arrest? What on earth did they think he did that would make them want to arrest him? He didn't remember anything but a vague memory of being refused service by the barman last night.

The Verdict

Standing before the judge, tears streaming down his face Shon heard the words that sealed his fate. Twenty years in prison for assault with the intent to kill. He couldn't remember doing it but the video showed him throwing the glass at the barman. He must have done it, why else would he have thrown the glass? They found the man severly beaten behind the bar several hours after Shon had hit him with the glass. He didn't think he had it in him to hurt someone like that.

He turned to follow the bailiff out of the court room. His father rushed up and hugged him close "Son I know you didn't do this. If it's the last thing I do, I'm going to prove it."

The bailiff forcefully pulled Shon away from his father. As he was dragged away he caught a glimpse of his mother crying and his father staring after him. Shon silently shook his head at the mess he had made of his life. How could he have done this?

He had never thought of himself as a violent man and yet he had brutally beat another man within an inch of his life. He deserved to be here, locked up where he couldn't hurt anyone else.  As he laid on his bunk tears fell from his eyes. There was nothing he could do to change what had happened.

Second Chance

 

Five months later he sat facing his lawyer from across a table. His father was sitting beside the lawyer. "Son we've found evidence that clears you of the assault charges with intent to kill."

Stunned Shon sat there motionless, not trusting what he'd just been told. "What do you mean cleared?"

Clearing his throat the lawyer spoke up "Evidence that shows that you didn't beat up the barman. You did; however assualt him by throwing the glass at his head. The judge is willing to release you as he feels five months is enough time served for that indesecretion."

Staring at them Shon slowly nodded "does that mean I get to go home?"

"Yes," the lawyer affirmed getting up, he shook Shon's hand saying "you'll be released on Monday."

David stood back with tears in his eyes hugging his son close. "You'll come and live with us until you're on your feet again. I had to sell your house to pay the lawyer and the private investigator to clear your name."

"That's ok dad, I understand," Shon mumbled relieved that he was getting out of here soon.

"Son you need to go to grief counselling once your out. You can't keep going as you have been."

"I know Dad and I will, I promise," Shon said thankful for the second chance he had been given.