Christmas Day.

Normally, it is a day for celebration. Most people, who celebrate it at least, gather with family and take the time to appreciate their loved ones.

Back at home, me and my parents always hosted a small get-together around Christmas with all of of closest friends and family. We really took the time to appreciate the special people in our lives.

Here, today, it is different. Not having Hillary around is really dampening the Christmas spirit in this house. No one wants to celebrate anything. It doesn't feel right to be celebrating.

However, one thing remains the same. People around here are definitely cherishing the time they have with their family. As we have all learned, it doesn't last forever and can be ripped away from you in the blink of an eye. There is no shortage of love around here.

I walk out of my room after finishing dressing and grab Tilly from her bed, carrying her to her closet to help her get dressed. Without Hillary, we all really have to chip in and help with everything around here.

The doorbell rings, telling me that Tyler is here. An uncontrollable smile forms on my face. Him and I are going out to some sort of a Christmas show. He has made it his personal mission to cheer me up. He's so sweet.

I finish dressing Tilly and carry the little girl down the stairs. I open the door and let Tyler in. Immediately, his jaw drops to the floor. "You look incredible, Avery."

"Why thank you." I smile and show it off a little after setting Tilly down.

Tilly tugs on the end of my skirt. "I'm hungry." She says, her big blue eyes staring up at me.

"Oh right, breakfast." I smile and grab her hand. "I am just going to make her something to eat quickly and then we can go, Okay?" I smile, hoping he isn't too upset that I am not ready to leave yet.

"Sure. Is there anything I can do to help you?" He asks, following me into the kitchen as I set Tilly up in the chair at the table.

"Actually yes. Could you go wake Peter up please. He's going to watch her after we leave." I explain, flashing him a hopeful smile.

"Sure." He smiles back before kissing my cheek and exiting the kitchen. "Be right back."

"Thank you."

My father walks into the kitchen with a pop tart in his hands. He picks a piece off and shoves it into his mouth. "Where are you two going?"

"Out." I reply simply. He doesn't need to know anymore than that.

"Okay, well, I can watch Tilly." He says with a shrug as he walks past me. I crack the eggs into the pan and wait for them to begin solidifying.

"No, It's fine. Pete can do it." I ignore his offer. There is no way I am letting him alone with her. He's a monster and she can't be subject to his insanity. I need to keep her as far away from him as possible without him being too suspicious about what I am doing.

"Why not? I'm home all day. It's Christmas. Can't I spend some time with my kids?"

"Pete is going to take her out to see Santa. They already have plans. It's fine." I continue cooking the eggs so that Tilly can fill her empty stomach.

"Well, I could do that." He replies, still trying to get me to give in to him. I set the spatula down and turn around to face him. He is sitting across the table from Tilly. "I don't think you understand that I don't want you watching her." I say. "You're too distracted to watch a young child. Much less four of them." I cover up my fear of leaving her alone with him by making it seem like I am concerned about him.

"I don't think you understand that you don't get to make those kinds of decisions. I'm not distracted. I'm fine. I'm her father and I am going to take her to see Santa. Its what a good dad should do."

I turn back to the stove and scoff. "Oh, so now you want to be a good father?" I think out loud.

"I get the sense that something else is going on here. This isn't about Tilly seeing Santa is it?"

I grab the pan and scrape the eggs onto the plate. Tilly squeals as I slide it in front of her. She begins devouring it. "No, no it's not about Tilly seeing Santa." I shake my head. "Are you even aware that mom's death is under investigation again?" I watch the confused look on his face. "They are opening it up again."

I don't know why I thought he would know that. He's too concerned about himself lately to notice anything about anyone else. I guess I just expected him to be a little more present in our lives especially after these kids lost their mother.

I thought too highly of him apparently.

Pete and Tyler stand in the doorway of the kitchen.

"N-no, I wasn't aware. How do you know this?" He asks, still confused.

"The police told me. Yesterday when they were questioning me about Hillary. Apparently, mom was killed too. But you don't care about that do you? Even Hillary's death is on the back burner for you lately. And no, you suddenly seem to care so much about your family? You don't get to switch back and forth like this."

"Avery." Pete catches my attention. Just by the look on his face, I can tell that he wants me to stop this. I don't want to upset him any further but at the same time, this needs to be said. I can't continue letting my father get away with his childish actions. He is supposed to be an adult that we can look up to but lately, he has been acting even younger than Tilly.

I look back at my dad and sigh. "I understand that you are grieving or whatever and that you want to spend time with your family, but what you don't seem to understand is that some of us don't want to spend time with you."

I walk over to Peter and grab his head, pulling him closer to kiss his cheek.

"I'm sorry for waking you."

"It's okay. I'm sorry for walking in on your fight." I shrug. This is a conversation for another time. "I'm taking the kids to see Santa right?"

I nod. "And don't let him come with. No matter how much he might beg. Find a way to get them out of the house without him coming."

Peter nods. "Okay."

Authors note: three quick little things!

1) please check out the next chapter and ask the characters a question in it! It would mean a lot to me!

2) thank you. Thank you so so much for reading this story. I am so glad that you guys love reading this as much as I love writing it. This chapter was especially fun to write because of my little Avery starting to figure out how toxic her father really is.

3) Merry Christmas and happy holidays everyone!

Lots of love!🎄💋❄️🧣