Mitch stared outside, not wanting to be distracted by anything. McKenna hasn't said a word to him since she found out about Avi and Travis slept in the guest room. Mitch sighed to himself, shaking his head. He then dialed a number on his phone, hoping that the person will pick up. The person picked up after half a ring and Mitch smiled a bit, happy to talk to someone he loved.

"Hey, Mitch! What's up?" Scott's sweet voice responded. Mitch sighed to himself, hoping Scott's reaction will not be negative.

"H-he-ey-y, Scott. I was wo-on-de-ring-g a-ab-ou-ut s-so-om-me-th-th-in-ng-g," Mitch began, biting at his nails. He then stopped and put his hand on the railing. "I j-ju-us-st-t d-do-on't-t know how to t-te-el-l you."

"You could tell me, Mitchy. I won't get mad."

"C-co-ou-uld you come to t-th-er-ra-py with me?" Mitch asked shyly, hoping Scott would say yes. All he got in response was a sweet chuckle.

"Of course I'll go with you. I've been wanting to talk to you anyways. We haven't spoken to each other for a long time."

"Of c-co-ur-rs-se," Mitch replied, nodding his head. He then got into his room and gathered some stuff together. "I-I'l-l see you in a f-fe-ew."

"Okay. See you."

Mitch then left, smiling a bit when McKenna ran up to him and hugged him.

"I can never hate you, Daddy," McKenna pointed out, letting go of Mitch's legs. Mitch squatted down to hug her tightly, happy that she is no longer mad. "Is GrandDaddy Avi having tea parties with other children in Heaven?"

"Yep," Mitch answered truthfully, his eyes beginning to water. He then blinked them away successfully, not wanting to cry in front of his daughter. "I-I'l-l be b-ba-ac-ck-knin a few h-hou-urs. T-te-ell Papa that."

McKenna nodded as she ran off to the guest room and Mitch sighed heavily, his hear breaking. He then walked out of the house, praying that everything will be okay.

~~~

"You're not selfish," Scott pointed out, frowning at the story Mitch told. Mitch shrugged his shoulders, not knowing how to defend himself. "You're not. You weren't ready to tell McKenna yet. Papa protected you a lot when you were younger so of course you're going to grieve more. If I was in your shoes, I wouldn't tell Sara and Matt right away. That's not being selfish, Mitchy."

"T-tra-vis says it is," Mitch commented quietly, looking up at Scott. His blue eyes that always seemed so youthful and happy sky blue seemed to dim to an older and sadder dark blue. "I d-do-n't-t know w-wh-ha-at to do."

"Travis is being dumb. I'm sorry, Mitch," Scott commented sadly, looking at the clock. It said 1:30. "Your therapy session went well so that's good."

"I g-gu-ue-ess," Mitch responded, shrugging his shoulders. "If c-ca-al-ll c-cr-rying-g good."

"It is good," Scott replied, nodding his head. He then grabbed Mitch's hand and rubbed it gently. "It means you are improving. You don't need to be ashamed by the fact that you cried. That's okay. It's a natural human instinct. Now I have one thing to talk to you about. It's the surgery."

"Scott."

"Mitch."

"I c-ca-an-n't-to pay for it," Mitch finalized, crossing his arms. He looked down at the table when Scott slipped him an envelope. "W-wh-ha-t is t-th-hi-s?"

"Open it," Scott demanded lightly, trying to contain his smile. He had to laugh a bit when Mitch widened his eyes a bit. "I'm a Young Adult book writer. I get a lot."

"Scott," Mitch murmured, looking down at the check. It has $2,500 on it, the perfect amount for the surgery. "I c-ca-n't-t t-th-hi-is-s! You n-ne-ed-d it!"

"I have a lot of money. It's okay," Scott reassured, smiling more when Mitch hugged him. "Consider this as a 'you're the best younger brother' gift."

Mitch smiled as he hugged his brother tighter. He is finally feeling happy again.

I'm so proud of you, Mitch.

Mitch then raised an eyebrow, wondering where the voice came from. It sounded like...

Papa?

~~~

McKenna and Travis came home from the grocery store, noticing how the house seemed happier for some reason. McKenna's smile grew and she hopped into the kitchen, hugging Mitch's legs when she saw him. Mitch laughed and ruffled her hair.

"H-he-ey-y, k-ki-id-do," Mitch commented lovingly, his smile faltering when Travis didn't smile at him. "I h-ha-av-ve s-so-om-me g-go-od-d news!"

"Yay," McKenna yelled excitedly, clapping her hands. She then nodded, hopping onto a seat. "What are they?"

"I can h-ha-ave-e the s-su-rg-gry!"

Mitch knew that McKenna would react happily. She squealed and hopped into his arms, hugging him tightly. Mitch smiled, happy with the news. He did not expect Travis throwing down the groceries. He jumped and set McKenna down, watching as Travis marched upstairs.

"P-pl-la-ay-y w-wi-it-th your t-tr-uc-ks, okay?" Mitch told McKenna, walking towards the stairs. He made sure that McKenna was not near when he finally yelled at Travis. "W-wh-ha-at-t the heck, Trav?"

"You just don't drop a bombshell like that," Travis scolded, his anger increasing when Mitch crossed his arms. "We don't even have money for it. How do you expect us to pay for it?!"

"Scott is h-he-el-ping-g," Mitch defended himself, walking up to Travis. "He g-ga-ve-e me m-mo-on-ney."

"That we have to pay back?" Travis yelled as he backed off, sitting down on the bed. "You clearly did not think this out."

"No! Trav, w-wh-hy are you m-ma-ak-ing-g t-th-hi-is a-bo-ou-t m-mo-on-mey?" Mitch asked, shaking his head. Travis then stood up and said the cruelest words Mitch has ever said.

"I'm not making it about money," Travis defended, pushing Mitch a bit. Mitch slapped his hand, refusing to be hurt by another man. "It's the fact that you had the audacity to say you're having the surgery right away to our daughter, but it took you a month to tell her that Avi died! You only care for yourself!"

Travis widened his eyes, finally realizing what he said. He began to apologize, but Mitch shook his head. The tears came running down Mitch's cheeks as he sat down on the bed and turned away from Travis, the sobs shaking his body. Travis then backed out, wanting nothing more than just wanting to take back those words.

All he felt now was regret.

A/N: I'm mean, lol. Also, please know that Travis will not be abusive. He ares for Mitch a lot, even though it seemed like he didn't in this chapter. Anyways, I hope you all enjoyed the chapter and remember that I love you all so much.:)

-Maddie🐧🐧🐧