In the Twist of Separation

Just get through it

A week had passed and Gary was still not talking to Robbie, refusing to see him or be near him. He even straight up refused to let the kids see him, in his eyes robbie lost the right to see them the minute he picked up the bottle never mind went back with a girl

"Come on Gaz, he's a fuckin mess" Mark leaned against a sound board looking at his mate trying to make him see sense, stilling on the spot Gary's whole body tensed. He should've known mark would be on Robbies side, he can't blame him since they're basically brothers but he expected a little support from the shorter man

"If you think he's a fuckin mess how do you think I am lad? He done this not me" Gary bit back not even taking the time to look at Mark and continued looking through lyric papers they've been working on. He wants for forget, he really does but he just can't

Looking at the northern man Mark huffed in frustration picking up his coffee mug and walked out the room, he only wanted the best for both of his mates but Gary refusing to cooperate isn't how he thought this would play out. Walking into the kitchen Mark started making another drink while his mind wandered onto robbie, he's been staying at Marks for the past week since the older man couldn't bare to leave him in a hotel

He's heard robbie toss, turn, cry and sing every night this week just because he couldn't sleep, not without Gary. Mark had tried to speak to Robbie about it but the stokie man always found a way to get onto another topic, he's seemed to accept they're over. Countless phone calls ignored and texts not returned seemed to give Robbie no hope in Gary ever forgiving him

Hearing the kettle ping mark was brought of his daydream and seen a glimpse of Gary's body walking past the door on the phone, from what Mark heard he was arranging something for Oscars birthday tomorrow, he's 9

Lifting the milk out the fridge and stirring the hot drink mark watched Gary walk into the kitchen just putting his phone back into his pocket after taking more than a few seconds to look at his lock screen "what's the lock screen?"

"Oscar and Taylor" Gary sadly smiled, he'd dropped them off at his mums today after promising them a fun night of movies and ice cream. He partly feels guilty due to he fact he hasn't been round a lot but he's doing his best to make up for it now. Looking at his younger band mate it was like Gary could almost read his mind

"You think I should let him come tomorrow don't you?"

"Well I don't see the harm mate, he is his dad as well" Mark shrugged leaning back against the counter wrapping his hands around the warm mug before taking a slow drink of the liquid, the Yorkshire man can't deny that Robbie is the dad of their son as well but he's being selfish and doing what's best for him

"I...no, I can't"

"You don't realise what he went through do you? While you were away, while we were away on tours and working" Mark was taken aback at Gary's blatant blindness to robbies feelings, yes he drank again and yes he cheated (that Gary knows of) but the pop star went through hell battling his mind while looking after his two precious souls

"It can't be any more than what I feel right now, he cheated Mark! Not only cheated but he drank and not just drank he got blind drunk, how am I meant to trust him with my children if he can fall off the wagon that easy?!"

"You almost sound like you're totally innocent, you forget I was there I seen you not call him back or not send a goodnight text back, I seen it all. Them kids needed you more than you knew and so did he, he's always been a fragile mind but you were too work driven to see he was slowly getting worse" Mark seriously said looking at the older man straight in the eye, he's never been one to voice his opinion and certainly not to Gary but Robbie is his best mate and it's Gary's husband and no matter how much he disputes the thought Gary does still love him

"You make it sound like I abandoned him and the kids for work?! That's absurd to even imply that, I was doing it all for them!..."

"The way you done it doesn't show that Gary, you know he's staying at mine right? He's fuckin broken, all he wants is to speak and explain but you threw him out before he got a chance"

"He's broken? He's broken? I gave him plenty chances to speak but he couldn't even remember her fuckin name that's how drunk he was, I can't have them two around that. He wants to be at the birthday, fine, he can be, tell him that but he better keep out of my way..." Gary warned swiping an apple from the fruit bowel and making quick movement to the studio in the basement

Mark shook his head in disappointment at Gary's reaction, it's obvious he's guarding his feelings and shutting down every connection left to Robbie but at the end it's not either of them who'll suffer, it's the kids

Well it's a start, Mark thought

The next day

"Is daddy going to be there?" Oscar bounced round the living room buzzed off the feeling that it was his birthday and it was just under 30 minuets till his party

"Yeah he'll be there mate, he's even got you something special" I winked pinching my beautiful sons cheek and watched him let out a little giggle as he batted my hand away, bending down to his height I softly stroked his cheek with the back of my knuckles

"How about we get you some food yeah? You must be hun..."

"Cake!" Oscar shouted running towards the kitchen and out of my gentle hold, it's the little things that remind me of robbie. Maybe him coming won't be so bad after all

"Come on sweetheart, birthday boy has made his demands" I chuckle looking over at Taylor who was looking out the window intently as if she was waiting for something or someone, my heart sank as I realised what she was doing, she was waiting for him

"I'm waiting for daddy" she breathed not daring to break her stare from the window, looking outside the window onto the open street I watched her not once break her stare. Bowing my head down in a saddened manner I gently nod to myself, I can't keep them away from him. Not just because I can't be around him, not right now but it's not fair on them

Turning my attention back to the little boy who ran into the kitchen and is now attempting to get cake out the fridge I leave Taylor to look out the window as I go to help Oscar

After one cake fed little bundle of joy, I hear someone knock on the door. Knowing it's robbie coming early to help set things up for the party I help Oscar down off my body from watching the TV and lightly push him on his back

"Go answer the door mate" I softly smile looking down at him, as soon as my words leave me he's straight to the door trying to jump up to the handle

"Dad! Dad!" He shouted and Taylor caught on to who was behind the door, quickly joining her brother at the door I'm now faced with two energised children who desperately want to see Robbie

"Stand back love" moving in front of Taylor I grab he handle turning it round and slowly opened the door. All three of us were faced with Robbie hiding his face with a massive present in his hands making Oscars eyes go wider than what I thought was possible

Dropping the present down from his face and revealing the face that lights up both kids eyes robbie engulfed both of them into a tight hug as he dropped to his knees to their height

"Hello Darlin" watching him kiss our daughters cheek then ruffle Oscars hair "...and you! Birthday boy"

Standing back into the hall way making way for him to walk in, feelings are still extremely raw since it's only been a week that's passed but seeing how happy the kids are with him just makes me think I've done the wrong thing?

"Ga.."

"I...the kettle just went" rushing the first thing that entered my mind out of my mouth I couldn't even bring myself to look at him as he stood with both kids stood either side of him both hanging off his arms like his armour

Just get through today Gary, just get through it