6

Chapter 6

The rest of the morning passed quickly and soon the sun was beginning to rise above the horizon. Mia sat outside with Lydia and her brother in front of the house, talking while eating breakfast, trying to distract from what was going on inside the house. There hadn't been much progress in figuring out what exactly was going on. The twins were starting to think that they were going crazy. Their parents must have thought the same thing because whenever they saw her coming through the doorway, they were always quick to hide whatever was happening inside. The only people who knew the truth weren't speaking to either of them.

At about 11 A.M. they noticed a tall figure walking slowly toward them and they could barely recognize him. His normally bright red hair was slicked back in a ponytail, he wore black jeans and a gray turtleneck sweater under his leather jacket. His dark brown eyes looked dazed and vacant as they stared at nothing, but his facial expression betrayed his feelings.

As he got closer Mia recognized the man. Her heart dropped.

"Dad? Is it really you?" She questioned as she hopped out of her chair and rushed over to him embracing him tightly. He hesitated slightly before hugging her back.

When she finally released him from the hug he turned his attention to the twins. "Lydia, Victor... It's been a long time."

Victor nodded silently and offered the older man his hand to shake. The three stayed standing for several minutes in silence before finally Victoria spoke up. She was clearly upset and she asked accusingly, "What are you doing here?"

He looked away for a second when he heard the anger in her voice but then looked back at her with his blue, pleading eyes, "Can we please sit down and talk?"

She nodded but remained tense and silent.

As he glanced over to his daughters, he saw that they were also glaring at him angrily, "Come on... Let's go inside, okay?"

They followed him inside and took a seat in the living room. He sat down on the couch next to Lydia. Mia took a seat across from them and watched her father closely. She couldn't remember the last time they sat together like this.

Their father cleared his throat, "I apologize for showing up unannounced like this, but I came here hoping to fix things between us."

Victoria's jaw clenched, "There's nothing to fix. Our marriage ended many years ago and there is no point in talking to you now. In fact, I have no reason to."

Victor nodded, "I realize that now, Victoria but I don't know how to forgive you. You left us, you disappeared from our lives completely. We never knew where you went, why you left or even why you married Dad in the first place. And although it pains me greatly that we haven't talked since you left, I do realize that I can no longer hold grudges against you and I'm sure that Lila does too. I'll be honest, I've been miserable the whole time I was away in Canada, trying to work through the grief and loss my family suffered. For weeks at a time I would spend every waking moment thinking of you. I felt lonely, alone and empty. However, when I returned to New York I found myself craving a different kind of company. I was happy with the life I was living with you and I didn't intend to leave."

"But we broke up anyway! Why are you apologizing to me? What is there to apologize for?" Victoria argued.

"It wasn't just about me though, Victoria. How about we start with you? Did you even care to call me once since I was gone? Or even send me some flowers or cards or anything?"