4.33 Do You See Them?

 Gabriel sat cross legged on the living room floor. Photo albums spread out in front of him. Something had been bothering him since the night they had looked at the pictures together as a family.

Landon stepped gingerly around the photo albums "whatcha doin?" he asked.

"It doesn't make sense" Gabriel mumbled eyes staring intently at a picture of his parents kissing on their wedding day.

Frowning Landon peered closer at the picture the seemed to captivate his brother's attention. "It's dad kissing daddy," he shrugged unconcerned.

"Look at it again" Gabriel requested "don't look at our dads. Look deeper."

"What do you mean look deeper?" Landon demanded peering at the picture.

"Don't you see anyone in the background? Isn't there anything odd about it?" Gabriel asked moving the picture so Landon had a better view of it.

Scowling at it Landon shook his head pushing the album away "I don't see anything."

Sighing Gabriel watched his brother leave the room. His sisters had reacted much the same as Landon had. Were his eyes playing tricks on him? Why couldn't they see what he did?

"Son have you done your homework yet?" Andrew asked coming into the room to check on him.

"It's done" he mumbled eyes still focused on the photo. He moved over slightly to give his dad more room to sit beside him.

"What are you looking at?" Andrew asked sounding cheery.

"Your wedding photos" Gabriel mumbled. Laying the album in his lap Andrew smiled at the picture of himself and Charlie kissing. So many happy memories flooded his mind. "Your dad and I were married on the beach" he began frowning as he peered at the picture "we didn't invite a lot of people." He stared intently at the picture.

"Do you see them too?" Gabriel asked pointing towards a couple in the background.

"I hadn't realize they had come" Andrew said almost to  himself "strange" he murmured "I would have thought they'd be older."

Glancing at the picture then up at his dad Gabriel asked "why? They looked the same in all the pictures."

Blinking Andrew digested what his son said "what do you mean all the pictures?"

"Besides this one" Gabriel reached for an older album "they appear at dad's graduation party. Some are on the beach where you and dad meet. Other's at grandpa's funeral."

Andrew stared at the pictures as Gabriel pointed them out. It was like he was seeing them for the first time with different eyes. Why hadn't he seen this before?

"Who are they dad?" Gabriel asked placing a hand on Andrew's knee.

"They look like Charlie's Uncles" Andrew traced his fingers over the images "I don't understand....they should be tons older."

"That's not the weirdest thing either" Gabriel leaned in close "not everyone can see them."

"Of course they can see them" Andrew objected "they're in the pictures."

"No they can't" Gabriel pointed at the wedding picture "I had Landon and the girls look at this picture and none of them saw the people."

Andrew sat thoughtfully on the floor, silence lingering between them. "I'll check into this. There has to be an explanation."

"I know what it is" Gabriel said confidently "we're special."

Andrew's lips twitched a little. He doubted Gabriel knew just how special he was. Pulling his son close Andrew kissed the top of his head. "Why don't you put these albums away and go outside and play?"

***

Later that night Andrew sat in the comfortable chair in his bedroom waiting for Charlie to finish his shower. "Hey babe" Charlie smiled coming into the room "the shower was a little lonely without you. Why didn't you join me?" Sitting on the edge of the bed Charlie could see the distant faraway look in Andrew's eyes "what's wrong babe?"

"Nothing. At least I hope it's nothing" Andrew got up and joined his husband on the bed carrying their wedding album with him. "I want it to be nothing" he explained biting his lip as he sat down opening the album to the picture he and Gabriel had been looking at earlier "what do you see?"

Grunting as he looked at the picture Charlie shook his head "us kissing on our wedding day."

"You don't see anything else?" Andrew insisted "how about in the background? Do you see anyone familiar?"

Charlie shook his head "what is it you want me to see?"

Pointing to the two men Andrew asked "what do you see there?"

Shrugging Charlie said "the ocean. Sand" he looked at Andrew in concern "what should I be seeing?"

Andrew could hear the irritation, the concern in Charlies tone. He couldn't blame him. Not really. He tapped the empty space or what was empty to everyone else "Gabriel and I see two men there. They look like a couple of your Uncles."

Charlie looked down to where Andrew's fingers still pointed at the phantom men "I don't see anything" he muttered.

Sliding his hands from the page Andrew picked at the bedspread "I don't understand why Gabriel and I see them and no one else can." He glanced up eyes round with worry "what's wrong with us?"

"There's nothing wrong with you" Charlie assured him. Pushing the album aside he pulled Andrew close "we'll get to the bottom of this. I  promise we'll figure this out."

Taking a huge gulp of air Andrew nodded "maybe we should have Zayne take a look at the pictures." He felt Charlie stiffen at the mention of the man's name "he might be able to explain why we're seeing his siblings in the pictures."

Charlie slowly exhaled "I'll ask him to come over for supper." He ran his fingers through Andrew's hair "come on let's go to bed."

Nodding Andrew let Charlie guide him down to the bed where he cuddled close to his husband's reassuring bulk. Resting his head on Charlie's chest he closed his eyes attempting to rest while his mind kept replaying the pictures in his head. Why could he and Gabriel see the men when no one else could? What made them different?

***

Zayne flipped through the pages of the album stopping at the wedding pictures. A smile tugged at the corners of his lips. He remembered this day. It had been a bittersweet day for him. He was at his son's wedding yet it wasn't really his son. It was surreal. He remembered at one point he had looked up glancing at the ocean. He had thought he had seen someone but it was impossible. It had to have been a figment of his imagination.

He was about to turn the page when he saw it. The camera caught an instant in time he had dismissed. "They were there" he mumbled.

"Who were there?" Andrew asked sounding breathless.

Zayne dragged his eyes from the photo "two of my brothers. I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me at the time." He tapped the picture "they're standing right there yet they never approached me. Never spoke to me." He looked up pain in his light blue eyes "why?"

Millie leaned over taking his hand. She frowned at the picture "I don't see anyone" she said quietly giving him a baffled look.

"Evidently you're not the only one" Zayne told her giving Andrew a stiff lipped smile.

"You're right" Andrew sighed "only Gabriel and I can see them. Do you know why?"

Rubbing his chin Zayne leaned his head back on the couch squeezing his eyes shut. After a moment he took Millie's hand lifting it to his lips "I don't suppose your dad told you much about his family did he?" he asked turning his towards Charlie.

"Not much" Charlie mumbled "I thought they were mad at him for that BC he joined."

Zayne grunted in distaste "that must be a pivotal time point in our lifetime much as I hate to admit it. That event forced us to grow up. To make certain changes." He gave Charlie an apologetic look "your dad I'm sure wasn't very proud of himself for how he acted on that show. Just do him a favor and remember he was young and hurting."

Charlie nodded looking away. He hated to admit it but he was ashamed of his dad after watching the show.

"Put yourself in his shoes for a moment. He had just lost his wife. Someone he loved with all his heart. He had a young son to raise on his own. Then he found himself on a highly competitive show. The stress he was under and the grief he still was experiencing was too much for him. Imagine how you would have felt if it had been you and you had just lost Andrew." Zayne blinked back tears "I never thought I'd love again. At least that's what I thought until I met Millie. Things change. People change."

"I know" Charlie mumbled his voice barely audible as he wiped tears away "it's just I never saw him act like that before."

"You watched the show didn't you?" Zayne asked watching as both young men nodded.

"What does that have to do with Charlie's Uncles being at our wedding?" Andrew asked impatiently feeling Charlie take his hand.

"Um not a lot I guess" Zayne sighed "unless..." his voiced faded.

"Unless what?" Andrew prompted.

"My parents and siblings were inter dimensional time travelers" Zayne stated "I would assume your father's family would have been the same considering how close our dimensions are." Tapping the picture "evidently they came back every now and then to check on him and you."

"Why didn't my father tell me any of this?" Charlie demanded "I don't understand any of this."

"Time travel is stressful. The stresses increase when you time travel through dimensions," Zayne explained.

"What stresses?" Charlie asked "does this have anything to do with why Andrew and Gabriel can see people the rest of us can't?"

"Maybe" Zayne said turning to Millie "I remember over hearing my parents talking about phasing in and out of time. I don't know what they meant by that. I do remember being in my room playing and then being in the middle of a busy intersection almost being killed by a speeding car. My parents found me. Saved me. It only happened once but it could have been worse for the Zayne of this dimension. I think I was the reason my parents stopped traveling. It gave me a chance to stabilize."

Millie gripped his hand "can it happen again?" she bit back a scream "you've traveled into two different dimensions already. What if you start phasing again?"

"I don't know" he shook his head "it's been ten years and it hasn't happened yet."

"What if our children have the same condition?" Millie couldn't keep the tears back now "what if this" she waved a hand towards the albums "is just the beginning?"

***

After their guests left and the kids were tucked in for the night Andrew and Charlie sat quietly together on the couch. "What if Millie's right?" Charlie asked "what if this is just the beginning?"

Turing to his husband Andrew nodded "it could be but the beginning of what?" he asked "we don't know. We can do a lot of guessing but until we know something there's not much we can do."

"What if it gets worse?" Charlie asked "what if Gabriel starts to phase in and out of time or dimensions?"

It felt strange being the the one pretending to have the answers. The strong one. "Time travel and dimension travel are two different things."

"What if they're related?" Charlie persisted "what if that's the reason my dad's family hasn't been around? What if they're phasing in and out of time and dimensions? What if they can't stop traveling?"

Andrew put an arm around his distraught husband's shoulders. "I think we need to call it a night before we drive ourselves crazy with what ifs. Things will look different in the morning."

"No it won't" Charlie protested "what if you start phasing in and out?" He pulled Andrew close "I can't live without you."

"That won't happen" Andrew said sounding more confident then he felt. "I'm going to talk to my dad."

"What good will that do?" Charlie demanded.

"I don't know maybe nothing but I think Quinn mentioned something to him once about my genetic makeup being a stabilizer. I don't remember exactly anymore."

Nodding Charlie seemed to calm a little upon hearing that "so Gabriel could be alright."

"Yes" Andrew nodded relieved. He kept his concerns to himself though. He wondered if Charlie were in danger of phasing. He was the one directly related to these inter dimensional time travelers. What about the other kids? Were they in danger?

***

"Dad thanks for coming over" Andrew gave his dad a hug as soon as he walked inside.

"You sounded upset over the phone" Caleb said once Andrew released him "what's wrong?"

Walking into the living room Andrew pointed towards the now familiar wedding picture "what do you see?"

"It's your wedding picture" Caleb smiled at him "what about it?"

"It's the center of a lot of things" Andrew muttered sinking onto the nearby couch "maybe I'm losing my mind. I don't know anymore."

Caleb glanced at his son then back at the photo. Sitting down he slid the picture closer to him. Frowning he scrutinized the picture. Several minutes later Caleb sighed "I don't know what you want me to see?"

"What do you see there?" Andrew asked pointing to the two men that only he, Gabriel and Zayne could see.

"Um besides the ocean and sand?" Caleb asked glancing at his son like he half expected him to announce this was some sort of joke. All he saw was disappointment in Andrew's eyes and the dejected slope of his son's shoulders. "What am I missing?" he asked.

Trying to keep the desperation he felt from his voice Andrew pointed to the photo. "I see two men standing there. Two men Zayne identified as two of his brothers." Tapping the picture Andrew continued "I hadn't realized no one else saw them until Gabriel asked me about it. He's the one who found the other pictures where the two men appear."

"Only you and Gabriel see them?" Caleb asked his pulse speeding up.

Nodding Andrew looked up at his dad "Zayne sees them too. He said his family had been inter dimensional time travelers. So it makes sense that Zayne sees them."

Rubbing his chin Caleb felt the stubble grate across his finger tips. He let his son's words filter through is consciousness. Something about this was raising alarm bells in his mind. Quinn said his genetic make up was a stabilizer. He cam from another dimension. Andrew would have inherited that same stabilizer from him. Then why couldn't he see the men Andrew could? Could this only be effecting his son and grandson and not him? Why? "Maybe you and Gabriel are the only ones who need to see them" he mumbled grasping at straws.

Andrew gave him a dubious look "you don't believe that anymore than I do."

"Shaking his head Caleb released a pent up breath "no I don't. I think somethings happening." He glanced away "I just don't know what." The only person who would know was an elusive green skinned woman. Would she contact them?

***

"What the hell are you doing in here?" Quinn shouted at her visitors. Interlopers in her haven. How did people keep finding their way here?

The two men exchanged glances. Identical smirks upon their handsome faces "aren't we allowed to check on our brother?"

"He's not your brother?" she snapped eyes sparking dangerously.

"Who says he's not?" one of the two asked "our baby brother phased in and out of dimensions since he was a baby. He doesn't even know what dimension he belongs in anymore."

"I repeat. Why are you here?" Quinn demanded crossing her arms.

One of the men grinned. It wasn't a pleasant look on him "don't mess with time."

Her eyes narrowed as she read the silent messages emanating between the men. A tick in one of the men's cheek as his eyes glared at her. The silent tapping of the other's foot upon her rug as if he were impatient to leave. The way neither men would meet her gaze. They were lying. That much was clear. "Why should the timeline concern you?" she asked refusing to back down in front of them.

"There are things that shouldn't be messed with" they chorused together their voices blending.

"I know that better than anyone" she intoned glaring at them "leave."

Snorting they remained rooted to the carpet "comply with our request."

"A request implies a choice" she eyed the men "I choose not to comply."

"You'll regret your decision" they turned in unison to leave.

"I have regretted many things" Quinn said behind them "this decision won't be one of them."

"We shall see" they said their tones sending an involuntary chill down her spine.

Quinn stared at the spot where they had stood. Why warn her in such a manner that would only make  her  less willing to work with them? It didn't make sense. She only had minor changes to make in the timeline. Nothing that would change a fixed point. They were locked for a reason. Attempting to change fixed points would rip the fabric of the dimension apart. What were they planning? What had they already done? She hadn't considered Zayne's family a threat. It was time to reevaluate her plan and find what they don't want her to change and stop them.

4.32 Memories and Apologies

Gabriel sat beside Charlie on the couch a photo album spread open on his lap. "Are these your parents?" he asked pointing towards a young couple smiling towards the cameraman.

"Yes it is" Charlie's throat was dry. It still hurt to talk about his dad even after all this time.

"Let me see" Landon demanded getting up from the floor where he had sat pouting most of the evening. Pointing at the man's face he said "he looks like Zayne."

"Let us see" the girls cried clamoring to see "is Zayne your brother?"

"No he's not" Charlie told them once they had calmed down enough to listen "Zayne's just a good friend. Remember how we told you Grandpa came from another dimension?"

They all nodded agreement but it was Gabriel who put it together. "Is Zayne your dad from another dimension? Is that why he looks like your dad?"

"Yes" Charlie blinked back tears. It was hard to imagine that his dad could possibly be in another dimension with a different family like the Zayne they knew. If he was, he wondered if his dad missed him or had his new family wiped all memories of his previous life away. He rather doubted it after talking to Zayne. The guy seemed to have fond memories of his son and wife from whatever dimension they were from. It didn't make the pain any less or the jealousy Charlie felt towards whoever had his dad now.

"Your mom's pretty" Gabriel said bringing his mind back to the present.

"She was" Charlie agreed "my dad always said she was the love of his life."

"What was she like?" one of the girls asked.

"I wish I knew" Charlie sighed looking over at Andrew when his husband squeezed his shoulder.

"Why don't you tell them the story about how your parents met?" Andrew suggested "I know your dad told you that story a hundred times."

"I bet he gave her a speeding ticket" Landon guessed sitting back on the floor grinning.

"No way" one of the girls shook her head at him "I bet he rescued her from a burning building."

"Grandpa was a cop not a fireman" Landon pointed out sitting up aggressively shaking his head.

"So" she laughed at him riling him up.

"Enough" Andrew interrupted them before their bickering turned into an argument "let your dad tell you the story."

Charlie smiled over at Andrew his eyes thanking him while his mind searched through all the stories his dad had ever told him about his mom.

***

It was late when Cheri left from work. She tossed her bags into the passenger seat as she got in behind the wheel. She couldn't wait to get home. Take a nice long hot bubble bath. She sighed with anticipation. It had been a long horrible day. She hated her job. Her feet hurt not to mention the boulder sized headache she had throbbing behind her eyes. She never realized how draining it was to take people's orders all day long. Not only that but the constant complaints about how bad the service was or the food. She often wondered why they kept coming back if it were so bad or why eat the food if all you could do was complain about it? Did they think she was stupid enough to hand out free meals based upon their word and an empty plate. Obviously it wasn't bad enough they couldn't eat it. Whatever she thought about this waitressing job it was only temporary.

That wasn't even the worst part of her job. It was the constant come on's from the disgusting old men that leered at her over their coffee's. Was she supposed to swoon and fall at their feet when they offered to keep her warm at night? She smiled at the thought and the shock on the ancient old geezer who grabbed her wrist pulling her down to face level. His toothless grin and fetid breath washed over her while he gazed into her eyes with a look of utter bewilderment as he tried to decipher her answer. "Let go of me. I don't need a man, especially you, to keep me warm at night. They invented blankets for that."

Of course that seemed to open up other less desirable propositions from her co-workers. "Oh honey that's not what he meant...."

"I know what he meant" she retorted tossing her hair back.

"Well honey if you don't need a man" her co-worker gave her a leering head to toe inspection "maybe I could keep you company instead."

She shivered in disgust at the thought of sharing anything with that old hag. She knew the older woman supplemented her income by taking home anyone who asked. Needless to say the rest of her shift dragged on to eternity. Ugh she hated her job so much she thought. She made sure the doors were locked before starting her car. She may be young but she wasn't naive. She turned into traffic regretting not having her wiper blades replaced the last time she had her car serviced. The pouring rain and the bad wipers was making it difficult to see.

On impulse she took a short cut down a gravel road. She slowed down as a rhythmic thumping on her back fender caught her attention. "What the hell" she thought coming to a stop to investigate the sound. She searched her glove compartment for the flashlight she carried. Within seconds she was soaked from the torrential rain. Her flashlight spluttered for a moment before going out completely. "Great just great" she mumbled as she stood in the rain laughing at how awful one day could be.

Lights from an approaching vehicle had her lifting her hands to shield her eyes. The truck came to a stop and a man's voice asked "do you need help?"

What a stupid question she thought. "Nope" she shook her head frowning at the young man as he approached her "just felt like standing in the middle of the road in a rainstorm."

Nodding he got back into the cab of his truck "ok then have fun."

"Wait" she cried knowing her chances of anyone else coming along to help were less than zero "I'm sorry."

He hesitated a moment before turning towards her slamming his door shut "so you admit you need help."

"Obviously" she waved a hand towards her car "I think I ran over something."

"I'd say you did" he pointed towards the screw driver sticking out of the tire.

Laughing at the ridiculousness of the situation she said "that explains the thumping I heard. She took her phone out snapping a picture of it "no one will ever believe me" she explained watching her knight get to work on changing her tire. "Is there anything I can do to help?" she asked having grown tired with taking pictures and watching.

"Nope I've got it under control" he huffed pulling the tire off. "Ow" he cried waving his hand in the air.

"What happened? Did you hurt yourself?" Cheri cried rushing to his side.

"I'm ok" he hid his hand behind his back.

"Let me see" she demanded.

She pulled on his arm until she had his hand in sight. She tutted over the grazes along his knuckles. "Not much damage" she told him with a smile "you should put some disinfectant on it though when you get home."

"I'll be sure to do that" he agreed storing the tools and flat in her trunk "do you think you can make it home from here?"

"No problem" she said with an easy grin "how about you?"

Thankful for the rain and darkness that hid his blush he said "I actually live right over there" he pointed in the direction of a house not to far away "I saw you stop and thought you might need help." He walked towards his truck "I'm glad I did."

"What's your name?" she called after him not wanting this moment to end.

"Zayne Thompson" he said getting into his truck.

She stood in the gleam of the truck's headlights smiling "It's nice to meet you Zayne. I'm Cheri. I'd like to repay you for your help."

"That's not necessary" he shook his head.

"How about a home cooked meal?" she offered "it's the least I could do."

***

Later that night Charlie tossed and turned unable to sleep. Switching on the beside lamp Andrew sat up in the bed they shared "what's wrong?"

"Nothing" he mumbled "turn the light off and go back to bed."

"Liar" Andrew said "I know you. There's something bothering you. Was it telling the kids about your parents?"

Sitting up Charlie nodded "yeah it made me wonder about a lot of different things."

"Such as," Andrew prompted.

"Dad had so many siblings" he said his voice low and tinged with anger "they were all there for his wedding with my mom. Where were they when he died? All my life I thought it was just me and my dad. It's like they stopped caring about him. Like he didn't exist anymore."

"I'm  sorry" Andrew pulled his husband close "I always thought your dad was an only child. I never heard him talk about his family other than your mom."

"I remember asking him if I had cousins, Aunts, Uncles. You know that sort of thing and he'd always get this lost far away look in his eyes like he was remembering something that was painful." He shivered in Andrew's arms "what could my dad have done that his entire family disowned him? Cut him off like he was nothing?"

"I don't know" Andrew soothed holding his grieving husband close "your dad always seemed to be a good guy. The only thing I remember him mentioning he regretted was joining that BC so soon after your mom passed away."

Nodding Charlie sat up "I've never seen the show. Have you?" Andrew shook his head knowing that it was going to be a long night as he watched Charlie get up and retrieve the laptop from the dresser.

Several hours later Charlie sat silently staring at the blank screen. Taking his hand Andrew squeezed it tight. "That's not my dad" Charlie mumbled "he'd never treat someone like that."

"Everyone makes mistakes" Andrew murmured. He wouldn't have believed it if he hadn't watched the same episodes as Charlie had. Zayne had always seemed a good guy maybe a little hot headed but he wasn't the type to take his aggression out on anyone. At least he never thought so before.

"They had to have doctored the footage" Charlie said "my dad wouldn't have been so mean spirited. He wasn't that person" he turned hurt, confused eyes towards Andrew. "Tell me you don't believe it. Tell me my dad wasn't that person." Tears  cascaded down his cheeks as he tried to come to terms with a side of his father he didn't know or understand.

Andrew held Charlie as tight as he could while his body shook and trembled against him. He understood what Charlie was going through. It was difficult to come to terms with a fallen hero. To know that the person you looked up to all your life was less than perfect. It was even worse when that person was your dad. "Honey your dad was a good person. He saved lots of lives. He sacrificed his life for Uncle Jeff." He waved a hand towards the laptop "that was just a small fraction of who your father was. We don't know what happened then. At least not all of it. They only showed the portions that were interesting to get the most ratings. They made it look worse then it really was."

Charlie nodded against Andrew's shoulder "I know" he mumbled "I've spent my entire life putting my dad on a pedestal. I started to think he was perfect."

"I know baby" Andrew cradled his head against his shoulder "I'm sorry he wasn't perfect."

"It's ok" Charlie sighed relaxing in Andrew's arms "he's still my dad mistakes and all. I still love him."

"As you should" Andrew murmured feeling his husband relax in his arms. After a while he heard the deep even breathing as Charlie finally fell asleep. Andrew gently kissed the top of his head. He couldn't help but wonder about the absence of Zayne's family from Charlie's life. He wondered if he should ask his Uncle if he could try and find them or if he should just leave well enough alone.

***

Emmaline walked outside frowning at the rusty old car that slowed to a stop in front of the house. She looked behind her wondering if anyone else had noticed. The driver looked familiar, long dark hair. She watched as the driver's door opened and a familiar head popped out. "Indira" she frowned walking towards the old car she had drove up in.

"Emmie" Indira cried running up to her and throwing her arms around the young woman.

Emmaline stood there arms hanging at her side. This wasn't what she expected. The Indira she knew was anything but this expressive woman hugging her. "What are you doing here?" she stammered at a lost as to what to say or do.

"Aren't you glad to see me?" Indira asked frowning her arms dropping to her sides an unfamiliar look of uncertainty in her eyes.

Emmaline braced herself for an onslaught of verbal abuse. Instead of the classic Indira put upon poor me act Emmaline watched as her sister half turned towards the ancient vehicle mumbling "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have come."

Reaching out Emmaline grabbed her arm "don't go. Mom and Dad will want to see you."

"Will they?" she asked her voice carefully modulated not to give away any emotion "I wouldn't if I were them."

"Indy is something wrong?" Emmaline asked using the old nickname she had used when she was little.

A slight smile flickered across Indira's face "life happened." She chuckled sadly "I finally learned that life doesn't revolve around me. I don't have all the answers and I certainly don't know everything." She hugged her arms around herself "the only problem is I learned it a little too late. Everyone hates me."

"Not everyone" Emmaline protested "mom and dad love you. Always have if you had been listening."

"And you? What about you?" Indira asked "I was always awful to you and Andrew. The things I said and did."

"If that's an apology I accept" Emmaline said crushing her sister in a bear hug "I love you, I've missed you."

They pulled apart as Indira took in a shaky breath "I've missed you too" she smiled walking towards the car "I have someone for you to meet."

Emmaline followed behind her curious to know who she was going to meet. She gasped as Indira helped a toddler from a car seat. "This is my son" Indira said kissing the boys cheek.

The dark purple hair was all Emmaline needed to know who the father was. She tried to smile as she watched her nephew "does Randy know?" The look on Indira's face was answer enough "you should have told him."

"I tried to find him" Indira blinked back tears "I wanted to tell him. I was hurt and angry. He left me." She took a breath that stuck in her throat thick and suffocating "I can't justify what I did or didn't do. Everything was all screwed up in my head. I was screwed up. I won't deny it. I wanted to hurt him but underneath the anger I hoped he'd come back without me asking him to."

Astonished Emmaline watched as Indira burst into sobs that shook her entire body. She had never seen her cry before. "I lost everything I worked so hard to achieve. The image of a happy family gone. The business career...gone. The image of success...gone. It didn't mean anything when I was hollow inside. It was only after I lost it that I realized what I had given up to get it. I had to admit to myself that I didn't want that life anymore." She hugged her little boy close "I decided for my son's sake I needed to try to rebuild the bridges I had burned. He deserved to know his family even if I was never welcome."

"Of course you're welcome" Emmaline objected "you're family. We love you. All you ever had to do was come home."

***

A ball flew over the gate to the back yard, bounced and rolled into the street. A little girl about eight years old ran after it "Elissa don't run into the street," a deep voice cautioned the girl. She skidded to a halt staring at Indira "daddy come quick."

"What's wrong?" her dad asked eyes on his daughter not seeing the woman she was staring transfixed at.

Pointing Elissa said "it's her daddy it's mommy."

Randy followed his daughter's finger. His breath caught in his throat. "Indira" his voice muffled as if he were trying to talk around cotton balls.

Indira turned to meet him her son clutched in her arms. "Randy?" her voice quivered as her eyes misted with tears "I...I didn't know you were here."

He took a step forward his knees shaking as if they'd buckle at any moment. "You're parents were kind enough to offer me the garage apartment."

"Good. That's good" she struggled to hold onto the squirming toddler.

"Down mama down" the boy demanded.

"Alright pumpkin" she said moving to put the boy down on the ground "stay close to mama."

The boy nodded toddling over to explore the plants near the house. Randy followed him with his eyes "is that..."

"Yes" Indira nodded "I found out I was pregnant a few weeks after you left. I tried calling you but your phone was shut off."

"You could have called my  parents or yours" he said sounding hurt and angry.

"I was angry" she cried "and afraid. I wanted you to come back but I wasn't ready to admit it. As time went by I realized how much I had messed up but by that time I didn't know how to fix it."

"Why are you here?" he asked dragging his eyes from his son.

She briefly explained what she had already told Emmaline "I can't justify my actions. I was awful. I want to change. I think I have changed." She looked over at Elissa "I wouldn't want anyone choosing me as a role model to follow."

"What do you want from me?" Randy asked pulling his daughter close.

"Nothing" Indira replied "I know we can't go back and we can't pretend nothing happened." Nodding over at her son " he deserves to know his daddy and his sister. That's why I'm here. Family."

"You want me in his life" Randy asked sounding doubtful.

"Yes I do" she nodded firmly "you are his father. He needs both his parents."

"Alright" he nodded back at her "I'd like that."

"Good" she smiled feeling for the first time that things were finally going in the right direction.

4.31 Three Years Later

"Dad" Gabriel called from his room.

Andrew looked over at Charlie who was engrossed in a television show "honey would you mind going to see what our son is hollering about?"

Charlie grunted assent eyes riveted to the screen. He remained frozen to the couch.

"Charlie please" Andrew repeated "I would but I'm in the middle of cooking supper for everyone."

"Yeah yeah I'm going" he muttered giving the TV one last lingering look before going down the hall to check on the angry yelling emanating from their eldest son's room. "What's going on here?" he demanded as he opened the door. He was confronted with his two sons wrestling on the floor while the girls were cheering on their respective favorites.

The girls looked up shocked, mouths open "dad" the boldest of the three vocalized "we didn't hear you come in."

"No I guess it's kind of hard to hear over all of this noise" he indicated the two boys grunting on the floor.

Upon hearing his dad's voice Landon began to cry "ow you're hurting me."

"Am not" Gabriel objected "hey let go" he cried as Charlie pulled them apart. Looking at the floor he shoved his hands in his pockets "sorry" he mumbled "I didn't know it was you."

Charlie gave each of the boys a stern disappointed look. "Why were you fighting?" he asked once he was sure he had a tight hold on his emotions.

Gabriel shrugged looking at his feet. He disliked knowing he had disappointed his parents. It was somewhat better that it was Charlie instead of Andrew but just barely.

"He just attacked me for no reason" Landon said pointing at his older brother "he should be punished."

Charlie rubbed his chin. He hadn't missed the way Gabriel's head had jerked up at the accusation of having attacked his brother unprovoked. Yet he held his tongue and said nothing to contradict him. His eyes swam with tears but he remained silent. "Do you think that's fair?" Charlie asked his firstborn hoping to get the boy to open up and tell his side of things.

Gabriel swiped at his eyes as tears began to slide down his cheeks. His thoughts in turmoil and the unfairness of having to be the oldest and having his things taken without his permission.

"Son" Charlie knelt in front of the eight year old "if you don't tell me what happened I'll have no choice but to believe what Landon told me. Is that what you want?" Charlie hoped the boy would open up. He knew Landon was lying. It wasn't the first time he suspected the boy of lying if he thought it was advantageous to do so. It was even worse that Landon took pleasure in getting his older brother in as much trouble as he could. Charlie didn't understand the whole sibling rivalry thing having grown up with just him and his father. "Alright" he sighed "you're to come straight home after school. No TV. No video games."

"That's not fair" Azalea protested to the baleful glares of the others "he didn't do anything wrong."

 "Shut up" Landon hissed at her.

"No I won't" she stomped her foot "you always get away with stuff and I'm tired of it."

"I'm warning you" Landon gave her a glare.

"You already tore the heads  off all my dolls" the little girl cried to the stunned protests of her sisters.

"We thought Gabriel did that" they said together.

"No he just let you believe that" she took Gabriel's hand "I'm sorry. I should have said something sooner."

"It's alright" he mumbled.

"So what did happen?" Charlie asked keeping his voice gentle, persuasive. He kept an eye on Landon while the little girl spoke.

"Landon knows he's not supposed to come in here without permission" she explained "he did anyway..."

"I didn't do anything" Landon mumbled crossing his arms.

Rose walked over to a book lying on the floor. She picked it up and handed it to her dad "he did that."

Charlie thumbed through the book. He recognized it as one of Gabriel's favorites. It was a birthday present from his Grandpa as well. The Time Machine by HG Wells. He opened the book and the spine was clearly broken. Loose pages fluttered to the floor. Crayon scribbles made the majority of the words unreadable.

He understood Gabriel's anger over having one of his prized possessions destroyed. Why he found the boys struggling on the floor the way he did. He took a closer inspection of the boys. Gabriel had a busted lip and the beginnings of a black eye. Landon on the other hand had a few scratches and his hair was messed up. It was obvious that Gabriel had take pains not to hurt his younger brother while Landon did not give his brother the same consideration.

"Landon why did you do this?" he asked in a voice rough with anger despite his best efforts to keep a tight lid on his emotions.

Landon jumped at the sound of his father's voice "I'm sorry" he cried "I won't do it again. I promise I won't." His eyes darted around the room. He shrank before the unanimous stares of disapproval from everyone.

"Don't tell me" Charlie said "tell your brother."

Turning to Gabriel he sighed mumbling "I'm sorry."

Gabriel shrugged wiping at the offending tears again "why?" he demanded "why did you do it?"

"I don't know" the boy mumbled all to aware of the disbelieving looks from everyone around him. He lifted his head up to Gabriel "I guess I'm tired of listening to you say you're going to be a time traveler." He looked at Charlie "why not me? Why does he get to be the time traveler?"

Inwardly Charlie groaned. He wished Quinn had never put the idea in Gabriel's head that he was the chosen one. He gave each of the kids a stern no nonsense glare before he spoke "that decision hasn't been made yet. Your dad and I will decide when you're all older and not before."

"But dad" Landon interrupted "he's always saying he is. Make him stop."

"Landon what do you want to be when you grow up?" Charlie asked.

He thought for a moment tapping his chin with his index finger "a fireman or cop."

"What if I said you couldn't be one of those" Charlie asked him.

"You can't do that" the boy protested.

"Why not?" Charlie asked making the boy think.

"Cuz I can be anything I want to be" he asserted.

"If you can be anything you want to be why can't Gabriel?" Charlie asked him.

Landon shrugged averting his eyes "what's my punishment?" he asked instead.

"Same as Gabriel. Straight home after school. No TV. No video games" Charlie thought for a moment before adding "and you're going to replace the book you damaged."

Landon gasped "that'll take all my birthday money" he gave Gabriel a nasty look.

"I think that's fair" Charlie said waving the book in front of Landon's face "this was his birthday present from Grandpa."

"Fine. Whatever" Landon growled stomping from the room.

***

Once he was gone Charlie sat on the edge of the bed motioning for Gabriel to join him. The girls slunk from the room murmuring various apologies as they went. "Son why didn't you tell me Landon did this?"

Gabriel looked at his feet shrugging "I didn't want to get him in trouble. I thought that being a good leader meant taking the responsibility for the actions of those under us."

Charlie pondered his son's words "I appreciate what you thought you were doing. If you do that how will Landon learn from his mistakes? You can't shield him from the consequences of his actions."

Gabriel shook his head "I hadn't thought of that."

"I know you didn't" Charlie put an arm around his son's shoulders. He was so much like Andrew in his tenderhearted notions but he also had a strong inner core to go with it. "From now on I want you to come to me when your having problems with anyone. You don't have to be bullied even if it's your brother."

"Alright" he mumbled "is it wrong that I want to be a time traveler? Does that make me abnormal?"

The worry in his his son's eyes made Charlie reconsider the easy words he was about to say. "Son I think you can be anything you want to be. I'm not saying you will be the one chosen but I do think you need to consider other options. You won't be a time traveler forever. It's a mission. Once the mission is over you'll have to become something else."

"Oh" Gabriel sighed "I hadn't thought of that. I'll think of something." He got a far away look in his eyes "maybe I'll be a writer. I'll write my memoirs as a time traveler. I know everyone will think it's fiction but that's ok. I'll know the truth and that's all that matters."

"That sounds like a plan" Charlie lifted the damaged book "I'm sorry about your present."

"It's ok" Gabriel sighed "I'm going to keep it anyway. Grandpa gave it to me."

Charlie moved to get up. As he approached the door Gabriel called out to him "Dad why don't we ever see your parents? Don't they like us?"

Charlie dropped his hand from the door knob. He knew one day the kids would become curious about his side of the family. He had hoped it wouldn't be this soon. "My parents can't come to visit. They would if they could but...." he couldn't bring himself to say it out loud.

"Are they dead?" Gabriel asked "is that why you don't talk about them?"

"Yes son" he choked back a sob. After all these years he still couldn't bring himself to say it. It seemed that the wound only got worse over time. Maybe it was seeing Zayne and his family that kept the wound open.

"Will you tell me about them?" Gabriel asked "please."

Looking down at his son Charlie smiled "alright after supper we'll get out the old photo albums and I'll tell you about my parents."

***

Indira tossed the mail aside ignoring the final notice stamps on the majority of the envelopes. The house she and Randy had bought together was empty accept for a few scattered remnants of their lives together. Things she couldn't bear to throw away or sell. How the mighty had fallen she thought. It was hard to believe it had been three years since she had last seen Randy and Elissa. What was she now? Eight? Randy had every right to leave. He had been right she wasn't a good role model for anyone to follow.

"Mama" a loud excited voice called to her "mama look."

Indira followed the toddlers pointing finger gasping in dismay as she raced towards her child. "Don't touch" she cried scooping the toddler up into her arms. The mouse squeaked and ran across the floor to it's home inside the wall. She shushed the by then screaming baby in her arms wishing she were better equipped at comforting children.

Unbidden memories of her parents soothing her when she had fallen skinning her knee came to mind. As usual she had been crying in hysterics blaming her brother for having tripped over her untied shoe laces.

"Look what you made me do" she had accused to everyone's astonishment none more so then Andrew who looked on the verge of tears.

"I didn't do anything" he stammered looking towards his parents.

"I told you to tie my shoes"she pointed to her shoes. She remembered feeling unfairly put upon when her parents lectured her on the importance of tying her own shoes. She wouldn't always have them around to do it for her.

How true those words had turned out to be. She had been so sure she'd always have someone around to take care of her. So sure she knew what she was doing. So sure of her beliefs and standards.

"Mama sad" the voice of  her son made her open her eyes. She looked into his calm brown eyes so much like his fathers it brought tears to her eyes.

"Yeah bud I'm sad" she murmured feeling his little arms slide around her neck. His soft sloppy kisses on her cheeks. "What would I do without you?" she asked hugging is solid little body close.

His high pitched giggles brought a smile to her face. It was time to put the past behind her and all her stupid ideas of how the world was supposed to work according to her. She needed a new start. Her son needed the stability of family. It was time to go home. She should call she knew but she was too afraid they'd tell her not to come. As if they'd do that a little voice inside  her head said. If they were smart she thought they'd tell her to go away.

She had been nothing but a judgmental idiot. Her ideas were exactly the way her old professor said they were. No wonder he was so shocked. She was ashamed even to think of it. There were so many things she was ashamed of. She had done everything she could think of to keep from going home. There was no other choice left. She needed her family. She was finally able to admit that. She worried now if she had burned too many bridges. If she had could she build another? Her son deserved to know who his family was.

Her mind shied away from thinking too much about Randy. She thought towards the beginning that he'd come back. She tried calling him only to find his phone had been disconnected. Where was he? Had she really been that intolerable to live with?

The only answer was of course she was or he wouldn't have left. That was when she realized she was a terrible person. How would she feel if someone had said or done half the things she had done to him? Having a child of her own had opened her eyes to so many things. She also realized if she hadn't been forced into doing it on her own she still wouldn't have seen it. Having her son was one of the most amazing, most terrifying things she had ever done in her life. She loved him with everything she had as cliche as that was she meant it.

She put her son down and picked up one of the boxes to carry it outside to the car. Her mind on the time when she told her manager about how Randy had left her then finding out she was pregnant. She remembered thinking her boss knew so much about life and business. She wanted to be just like her. Ruthless. Go for the jugular. Take no prisoner type of attitude. She couldn't have been more wrong. What her manager told her turned her stomach. At the time she wanted to believe it was just morning sickness but she knew.

Her manager patted her hand "don't lose any sleep on that dead beat man of yours. He isn't worth your time. He wouldn't know an opportunity if it came and bit him on the ass."

There had been rumors that Indira had dismissed at the time but now she knew were all too true "Mr Hiller."

 A wicked gleam came into the woman's eyes "he offered Randy a promotion for certain shall we say favors."

With a sinking heart Indira regrettably realized she had tried to pressure Randy into taking that promotion. She knew Randy felt uncomfortable in the presence of Mr Hiller but that didn't matter to her compared to the money he could make. She had accused him of being unmotivated and lacking ambition. "Those rumors" she mumbled.

"Aw honey those aren't rumors. He's head his eyes on that husband of yours since the day I hired him. That was one reason why no one made a fuss over you and him getting together even though it was against company policy. Mr Hiller had his hopes of getting his hands on that ass."

The way the woman laughed like it was the best joke she had ever heard made her stomach churn. She wanted to run away and never go back. She could never treat someone like that. Like a piece of property and she was pretty bad. She thought this was what she wanted to be. It was a hard lesson to learn but she was glad she learned it now when she could still make changes.

Learning all of that hadn't been the worst of it. She would always remember how her manager had patted her hand saying "I've got a good doctor that can get rid of that little problem of yours. You'll only miss a few days of work." The way she said it made her cringe. Her whole body broke out in a cold sweat. She got up and stumbled from the room. Head spinning she ran for the elevator and never went back.

She lost her job of course. The one she had always thought she wanted. She should have listened to the doubts she had all those years ago when she was still in college. The ones that kept prompting her to change.

Now she was a broke single mother who owed more money than she could ever hope to pay back. In an odd sort of way she was the happiest she'd ever been. She had her son. She had a new set of priorities. She was going home.