Sunday approaches. Sunday's are preparations before Monday. It's sort of a drag like Monday. It goes faster than anyone wants it to. Though summer is over and school has started, it is scorching hot outside. Kian slumps down in his chair in the yard. He was outside taking pictures of scenery in the neighborhood when got too hot. He's been think more about his photography. He really wants to major in it for college. He's always been into the arts and can draw and paint pretty well. This must have been passed down genetically. He keeps thinking about the information about his dad that he knows. He looks through the book that Roni gave him. He flips to the pages of his parents. He looks through some of the art work. His mom freely painted too. He doesn't know much about her because unlike her parents, she wanted to keep her life out of the public eyes. He's thumbing through the book when he's interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Come in" he says. It's Mariah and she holding one of his old drawings.
"I found this a book in the corner of my room. I never got to start painting my room because I've been kind of busy. I was wondering if you could help. Your pretty good." She says. On the last part she hold up the drawing. He smiles a nods. He hasn't had much time with her and this painting could be a good way of feeling a connection to his dad. They get the buckets of paint and head to her room.
Lear, who just left the station thinks it's time to tell Sherry about the notes and head. He knows that Aaron, Kian, and the twins want to keep it a secret but it could come back to bite them. He heads to Sherry's house to pick her up for their date. They try to have a date night at least once a month. On Sundays they try to talk about there week to kind of take a break from everyday and spend time with each other. He pulls up outside of her house. She opens the door after telling Kian and Mariah that she's leaving. She gets in the passenger seat after Lear opens the door for her.
"How was your day?" She asks when she gets in the car.
"Good. Just been a little long this week." Lear responds he drives his way to an Italian restaurant.
"Tell me about what happened this week that made it this long."
"Uhhh well that's what I was getting to. Earlier this week Aaron showed me some notes that he got this week. They were delivered by lunch. It looks like it was from Wendy or one of her little minions. It seemed threatening. The next day the twins get a package in the mail that was a pretty accurate model of Paul's head. The person who sent it had to be close when the body was found or had to have something to do with the murder because it was identical to the real one. That's why I think Wendy has some type of involvement in it. I didn't tell you early because Aaron didn't want anyone to know. I was trying to respect his wishes as a dad but I should have told you as your fiancé." Lear says
"It's fine. I understand that you're trying to balance everything out. Just let me know sooner next time ok." Sherry says. Lear nods and opens the door for her to get out the car and into the restaurant. They enjoy their dinner and for once Lear doesn't think about his job.
Kian and Mariah are having so much fun painting the room that they don't even realize that it almost 9:00. They finally finish up the room and as their cleaning up they start talking about life. Mariah slips up about Tyler.
"He has some nerve." Kian says while hammering a cap onto a can of paint.
"I know but I said yes." Mariah nervously says.
"YOU SAID WHAT!?" He stops in his tracks.
"Relax. I know I sound crazy but he at least deserves a chance. Even if he's doing this maliciously, he can't say that I was the bad guy. If it doesn't go well after the first time I promise I'll cut him out completely."
"What did Luke say?" Kian refrains judgement.
"He's ok with it. I know he's really not but he saying he is because it's my decision and he's being supportive. I feel horrible but I have to try things for my child. If I do it now she won't remember if it goes wrong. If it doesn't she will have her real father in her life. Nothing can legally happen because Luke's name is on her birth certificate. That her dad legally."
"Ok. I trust your judgement but you know that I'll always be there to beat him up if needed lil sis." He jokes. Mariah laughs " but seriously. I will always be there for you and Malaya. No matter what boy comes in and out of you life, I will always be her. I am your brother now." He smiles. She lays her head on his shoulder. He ruffles her hair a little bit.
"We need to do this more often. I enjoy spending time with you" Mariah says
"Agreed"
The night is pretty calm. Kian and Mariah cleans up there mess and looks at the finished room. Kian accepts that this is a connection with his dad but he did it with his new family now and not the past family that he couldn't have. They settle down for the night and wait on Sherry. She would do the same for them. They're downstairs waiting and eating cookies when they hear the doorbell ring. That's strange because Sherry should have a key. Kian opens it and looks. No ones there. He looks at the doorstep and there's a basket sitting there. There's something inside covered with blankets. He brings it in and unwraps. Mariah peers over and sees a baby doll with a knife straight through its head.
(Authors note. Do you guys ever think that Aaron and Roni are going to confirm that they're dating?)
