Chapter 163: I need to go

River POV

"I'm sorry Riv. I really am" he sobs lightly.

"What happened before isn't your fault you protected me the best you could you were just a little boy your self and everything after that is on that monster of a father we had" I say through my tears.

"Oh River when I get back we can sit down and talk about everything" he says.

"No! No you knew who I was for how long and you didn't want to see or talk to me why should I even see you?" I choke out through my tears which are harder now.

I..Riv.. I don't know what to say other then I'm sorry." He says.

"Is this what everyone was fighting about? Am I the reason Flame had a break down and everyone is fighting each other?" I yell at him.

"Yes. I'm sorry Riv" he says crying. Fuck that and fuck him. He's hurt everyone not just me, why did he want to keep this from me?

"Don't call me that. I don't understand why you waited so long, did you not want to see me again? I have dreamt of this since I was 7 years old. If it was me it would have taken me minutes not weeks to tell you. I just can't do this with you right now, I need to go."

I hang up on him. Pickle reaches out for me and I pull away from him "Have you known this whole time?"

He shakes his head "No I found out that day in the elevator when I found out your last name. I went right away to my brother and punched him when I found out he knew the whole time. I never wanted to keep this from you none of us did but he wouldn't listen. I told him this was going to happen" he says sadly.

I stand up and wrap my arms around his waist he leans down and just puts his head on my shoulder. He holds me tight against him as I cry. When I'm done I wipe my eyes and face with my shirt.

I pull away from him "Pickle I missed you. Welcome home" I say with a laugh. I lean up and kiss him.

"I need to go for a run to clear my head. Please stay for breakfast and I'll be back." I kiss him soft and I feel the tension ease in his body.

"River I wanted to tell you" Pickle says sadly. The way he says it makes my heart hurt for him.

"It's okay it wasn't on you he should have told me and never should have asked you three to keep it from me"

He kisses me and holds me close. I can feel the tears coming again so I pull away "I'm sorry but no, I just need to clear my head" I turn and go to get dressed.

Chailor said that she and Annie will finish breakfast and take her bath while I'm gone. I don't know what I would do without her. I need her to teach me how to be a mom. Not just a mom, a good mom. I want to be a good mom like she's going to be.

I pull on my running shoes and run. I easily do 4 miles I wore my tracker so Crash won't make me run again. I'm dripping sweat heavily at this point.

As run on to our street I notice a car down the street that just looks out of place. It's black and the windows are tinted really dark, I can't even tell if anyone's in there. I pass my driveway and go up the road towards the car as I get closer the car it drives off. I go to the corner and catch a little of the license plate it's a NV plate and it ends in H63.

What if it's my father? I mean suddenly Ryders back what if my father's back too.

Oh my god Annie, what if it's the church? What if it's just a random person and because I'm stressed out it's making me spiral out?

My heart is pounding now. I need to check on Annie, just to settle down my anxiety. I would never forgive myself if something happened to her.

I run back to the house and through the door.

I look around but I don't see her anywhere and panic sinks in, actually no one is around. Where is everyone?

As I reach for my phone I hear giggles my heart skips, I follow the sounds of her beautiful little laugh. I see the back glass sliding door open so I go to look out back.

There is suddenly a little play set in the back yard and Pickle is pushing her and Chailor on the swings.

I just watch for a minute enjoying the view. Pickle looks so handsome when he's smiling and being his natural kind hearted self. He's always so serious and him relaxed like this is my favorite look. I hurry and go to my room and grab my camera, I want to add this picture to my portfolio for my first class tonight.

I get a few great ones of his big smile and some of Annie's excited face as he holds her toddler swing up for a minute before letting her go. I go more in the yard and capture some of Chailor laughing in the standard swing next to her, she has one hand on the chain and one on her belly.

Pickle spots me and his eyes light up. I love the way his green eyes light up when he sees me. He loves me I can see it in his eyes and I can feel it when he touches me.

I missed him, I want to be mad at him but I can't. He was fighting for me the whole time, he punched his brother trying to do what was best for me. He smiles bigger as I hold his eyes for a long while. I finally go to him and kiss him hard and deep. Annie giggles and Chailor says "Eww yucky" in a little voice ment for Annie.

I pull away and he holds me close. He just holds my waist with his arms. He leans in and kisses me again just a soft long peck on my lips and he's making me hot. I can feel myself blushing as he pulls away and brushes my hair back behind my ear.

"How about me and miss Annie go and watch a movie on the big TV for awhile before it's time to go?" Chailor says. Pickle pulls away from me and lifts her out of the swing.

"Hold on a minute. Are we just going to pretend this play set has been here the whole time" I say waving my hands around.

Chailor laughs "Me and Lincoln ordered it the first night she was here, we figured why not get a jump start for our little girl and we can watch her enjoy it in the meantime."