Destructive Choices

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They met and fell in love three years ago, their souls entwined and believed they had fiund true love with each other. Both having been married before, and each have two children with their previous partners, a boy and a girl. They thought life was going ok, with goals being met and their savings account going up. Until, one day when their perfect bubble began to burst.

He left his ex wife and their two children to follow his heart, moving to another state and flying over each holidays to spend a weekend with his children, or flying them down to his new home. The only catch, he’s wanting to see them more and more. His ex, blocks his calls and makes it harder on him. He feels guilty for the amount of time he spends with his girlfriends kids, and can’t help but want to move back to be with his own.

She was happy, looking forward to the possibility of owning their own home and thinking life was great as she started a new job and was feeling alive again after the divorce and custody battle. Her children were her world, and she couldn’t help but feel anxious when his were around. She was always kept at arms length, never really being involved with them. She just didn’t think he would up and leave them.

“I don’t see how! I can’t stand her. And I’m not there so I think she just like to make me miserable she doesn’t want me like you think.” I don’t tell her how she opened the door or what she said about her cause that would really make things worse.

“If you say so, but I don’t know what to say. I think she was never going to let you see them or have some kind of excuse to use against you.” I turned the tv off and let out a yawn. “Maybe you need to get a divorce and see someone about mediation for the kids. So there is a plan in place.”

I hated that she always said that. “That is a lot of money gabby. Plus my kids would hate me.” I sighed. “You sound tired babe go to sleep I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“Money well spent.” I half said under my breath. “Like I’ll be able to sleep knowing you’re out in a bar in this mood.” I hung up, hating that things always turned bad for us when his kids were in the picture. I wanted a future with him but his past wasn’t letting go.

I shook my head and paid my bill. I went home in a bad mood. I hated this I really did. I just didn’t know what I could do. I laid down and fell asleep hoping to see the kids tomorrow.

- kids are wanting to know if you’re joining us for breakfast?- she sent a text at 6am followed by another - Emma would like her ears done today. I think it’s something we could do as a family-

Rolling to get my phone thinking it’s gabby. I sighed when it wasn’t. -I’ll take the kids to breakfast have them ready and I still think Emma is to young plus we aren’t a family. Have them ready I’ll be there in a hour.- I’m not playing her game it is like this every time.

She scoffed and shook her head -you can’t kksg take them! They’re not used to you! Don’t blame me if they don’t want to see you. You’re a stranger to them!- she wanted to hit him where it hurt most.

I woke after a bad nights sleep and reached for my phone, somewhat disheartened when there was. I text from him. I wasn’t going to sit around and wait for him. After my shower, i text - going out with the girls today for drinks and lunch. - and I sent a photo of myself dressed in a short jumpsuit and heels

As I got out of the shower I saw I had two text seeing gabby name I opened that first and groaned. -damn you look good babe. I miss you-
then I texted my ex -I’m their father they know me!-

- can’t wait to kiss you!- I sent back, and grabbed my things heading out.

“Your father is there.” I said seeing him pulling up in the yard, “Emma, get your shoes on. Come on, dad is taking you to breakfast.”

The kids looked up from the tv and walked to get their shoes on, Emma running around loudly and the boy looking outside and ran to him “are you coming to live with us again? Why don’t you like here. We wish you did.” He said and started to cry.

I looked at him. I bent down. “No buddy, your mum and I can’t live together, I want to spend time with you both and have a good time so how about breakfast then we go play games at the arcade! Maybe a movie too!”

“Where’s that girl you live with?” He asked. “Can you stay here all week and come watch me play at school?” He asked hopefully as Emma walked over “I’m getting my ears done today!”

I rolled my eyes. “I can’t I have work and gabby is home right now.” Standing yo I looked at my ex. “We are not getting her ears done she is still to young!”

“You don’t have parental rights.” She laughed “and she wants them, so tough shit. She can have them done today or when you go back, I’ll just get them done anyway.”

“When you go back?” He asked sadly.

I nodded. “I have rights!” I glared at her. I bent back down and said “yeah buddy I have work but you are always welcome to come live with gabby and I! We would love you kids there.”

“You can’t tell him that he can come live with you and that whore. You’re basically an absent parent! The courts wouldn’t allow you to take them and I’d have you arrested for kidnapping if you even tried!” She stormed over and took her sons hand “get back in the house sweetheart, your father isn’t taking you anywhere for breakfast.” She turned and looked at him “how dare you! You cannot come here and tell him they can live with you. They have school! Friends! Family! How about you move back and be in their life more because there is no way I will ever let them fly over to you again”. She turned and stormed back into the house, slamming the door.

I cursed. Fucking hell. I waited then went and knocked . I needed to see them and he obviously needed me and wanted to spend time with me. I waited and waited when she finally opened up. “Your keeping me from them I have proof so please let me take them for the day and night I’ll bring them back tomorrow at noon. I’ll even try to get off work to stay to watch him play at school. Please just let me spend time with them.”

“You need to make more of an effort. They deserve a committed father not one who’s more interested in chasing pussy and living with another family. Your kids need you! I need help with them!” She said pushing open the door. “Bring them back otherwise I’ll go straight to the police.”

Sighing. “I will bring them back.” As the kids came running out and I got them in the car I finally smiled. “Ready kids!” They nodded and I took them for breakfast this is what I needed. But what she said hit me. I do need to be here for them more. It’s not fair to them.

I hadn’t heard from him all day, and then a brief call st night to say he was going to bed. So Sunday, I spent the day cleaning and cooking for the coming week and then I took a long soak in the bath wondering when he was coming home

After spending the day and night with the kids I went and dropped them off at their mums. Going back to my apartment I sat and thought. Sighing I texted gabby. -hey babe, I’m sorry I’m going to be a little longer, my son wants me to see him play. I miss you hope you’re doing well.-

I read his text and was so annoyed. So he’s just doing whatever he wants without consideration for things here. -ok- was all I replied. There was so discussion, or anything. I was having to just go along with what he wants to do because of them. She was wining, she was pulling him back and he was letting her.

I sighed I knew she was made but seriously they are my kids. I decided to call my ex. “Not calling to talk to you let me talk to my boy I need to tell him something!” Like hell I was telling her I was staying for the week. She would be asking me to do things around the house.

“What daddy?” He asked when he got on the phone. She silently listened in to the other ear piece and when she heard he was staying she was thrilled but confused what was he playing? He didn’t do sports. She kept quiet and then said “fantastic!! You can help with the yard work!”

-so when are you coming back home?- i sent

I groaned. “I cannot I’m here for the kids and the kids only.” My phone beeped and I saw it was gabby. “Look I’ll be there okay buddy! And I will take the kids to dinner tomorrow. But I got to go gabby is texting.” I hurried and got off the phone when I read the text I knew this was going to get bad. -I’ll be home Friday evening.-