(WARNINGS: Murder mention, Panic attack)

The first day of homeschooling went well considering that all Mitch wanted to do was sleep because of how tired he was. He didn't know how to explain, but he kept yawning every five minutes. The day eventually ended when Mitch fell asleep while working on his math work and Esther didn't have the heart to wake him up so she just carried him to his room and put him in his bed. She smiled when he cuddled up to his teddy bear that was given to him when he was a baby and walked into the kitchen, sighing quietly to herself. 12:00 flashed back at her, reminding her that Avi will come back at this time. The second she thought that, Avi came in, papers in his arms. He set them down and smiled his sister.

"Eight to twelve is possibly my favorite times of the day," Avi admitted, flipping through the papers. His biweekly paycheck just came in and he get excited. He got payed a decent amount, but it was enough for the kids to go what they wanted. "How did it go?"

"It went well," Esther answered, nodding towards the work. Mitch's sloppy yet eloquent writing stared back at her, making her think deeply for her next sentence. "He's a smart kid. I just wished that he could communicate with children his age more."

"Adults are essential, too," Avi murmured, organizing his papers. The music store was surprisingly not busy today. People like to come in the morning because that's when the new instruments and songs come in. "He's just so shy. I can't do that to him."

"I know," Esther acknowledged, getting some lemonade out of the refrigerator. She poured Avi and herself a glass and handed a glass to her younger brother. "He only talks to Kirstin and Scott. He doesn't have the social opportunities that his older siblings received. Scott and him are complete opposites. Kirstin is in the middle, but she's more of Scott than Mitch. Maybe you should put into day care or something."

"And have kids make fun of his disorder?" Avi almost yelled, his green eyes turning dark. His sister jumped, not expecting his sudden anger. "Es, I know that's what seems best for him, but kids are mean. They'll make fun of him for something he can't change. They'll make fun of his disorder. That's not fun!"

Esther sighed to herself as she sipped her lemonade, a flashback occurring. Carson's first born, a beautiful girl called Vic. Vic was a gorgeous ten year old. She had beautiful grey eyes and red hair. She had a love for music and animals. All of that was taken away from Carson. She saw him abuse and murder poor Vic.

She told everyone that she had no idea that Carson was capable of that, but she lied. She lies. She knew that Carson would abuse and even murder Mitch because he had the same personality that Vic had; however, she did not tell anyone of his terrifying past. Why?

She loved him too much.

And she still loves him, despite the fact that he hurt her sweet and fragile nephew.

~~~

September ended quickly and October came in like it was nothing. Leaves began to fall from trees and it was windy. Scott and Kirstin were still in school and enjoyed the third and fourth grade. Mitch loved homeschooling, mostly because it was only three days per week. Other than that, he usually went with Avi to help in the music store or stayed at the house. It was boring, but he survived. His schedule, however, will be changed and he will not like it one bit.

"Mitchy, do you want to go the park?" Kevin asked, looking into the room. Mitch had just woke up and was playing with one of Kirstin's Barbies. Kevin smiled when he saw his younger son attempt to braid the blond hair of the famously beautiful doll that children love. "You could bring Barbie if you want to."

"O-oo-ok-kay," Mitch answered, hopping of his bed. He hugged the plastic doll, straightening out the purple dress. "Da-ad-ad-ddy, wh-h-y do I ta-a-alk like th-hi-is?"

"You have a stutter, little one," Kevin answered, picking up his son and putting him on his shoulders. He smiled when he heard the squeal and laughter of his son. "That doesn't define you though, okay? You're still daddy's little boy."

Mitch nodded as he and his dad walked into the living room, pausing when they saw Avi and two other people. Both of them are females and look quite important. One had hair that was very curly and a beautiful blond color while the other one had short brunette hair. They smiled at Kevin and Mitch and Kevin smiled back. He set Mitch down, who quickly went behind his legs.

"I'm Miss. Tori Kelly," the curly haired blond began, smiling at the small brunette who was clinging on his neck. "I'm your vocal doctor. I will help you with your vowels, words, the whole nine yards."

"And I'm Genevieve," the brunette finished off, staring lovingly at the young child. She cleared her throat. "I'm your speech teacher. I will help you with reading out loud and how to enunciate words."

"What do you like, hon?" Tori asked, standing up and walking up to Mitch, but being informed of his shyness. She didn't notice how he seemed like he wanted to disappear. "What's guys favorite color, food, etc.?"

Genevieve got up herself and began to ask her own questions. It eventually got too much because Mitch looked up at Kevin, his brown eyes watering. Kevin's heart broke when heard his son begun to cry and he quickly picked up his son, allowing the tears to wet his shirt. Tori and Genevieve both gasped sadly, sharing a look. If they knew of his shyness, they would have not asked him so many questions. Avi sighed to himself as he adjusted his posture.

"I'm sorry, ladies," Kevin replied, holding his son closer. The sobs turned into little sniffles, but he was still breathing hard. "Do you mind coming tomorrow? I'll stay with him the entire time."

They both nodded as they left the house and Avi stood up angrily. He glared at his husband who froze. Why was Avi mad at him?

"Those women were here so they could give Mitch social skills," Avi hissed, shaking his head. Kevin set Mitch down and crossed his arms, glaring back. "Why did you do that?!"

"He's painfully shy, Avi," Kevin answered, gesturing towards his son who was holding the Barbie he was playing with earlier. "He doesn't like talking to people that aren't us. It's good that he talks to people, but he needs us to be there."

"He does not need his parents his entire life," Avi pointed out angrily. It was quite weird that he was saying the same points that Kevin has when Esther talked to him. "He's not entirely disabled."

"But he's our kid," Kevin rebutted, his voice increasing in volume. Avi walked into the kitchen, Kevin and Mitch followed him. "We're always supposed to be there for him!"

"Not always, though," Avi argued, grabbing a carrot. He grumbled to himself that he needed to make dinner. "He's old enough to talk to people."

"He's six," Kevin pointed out. He angrily walked up to Avi. "What's up with you?! Just a month ago you refused to put him into school. Now you want him to meet every person on this whole darned planet!"

"At least that will earn him the social skills he needs," Avi replied cooly, cutting the carrot. He glared angrily when Kevin slammed his fist on the counter, making carrots fly everywhere.

"HE DOES NOT NEED THAT!"

"YES HE DOES!"

The couple began to fight when finally Avi threw the knife, not watching were it went. They then stopped when they heard hyperventilating. The knife was on the wall, a couple inches away from Mitch's face. The young boy began to go back to Carson. He still has scars from the abuse. He fell to the ground, rocking back and forth, feeling like it was hard to breath. The door opened, revealing Kirstin and Scott. They were talking excitedly but stopped when they saw the condition their brother was in. Scott quickly ran to the sink and made a towel get wet while Kirstin quickly ran to Mitch, sitting in front of him.

"Mitchy, I need you to copy my breathing," Kirstin started off, her six year old brother nodding his head. She took a deep inhale for three seconds and let out a exhale. Mitch then repeated her actions, still scared out of his mind. "Inhale-one, two, three. Exhale-three, two, one. Continue. That's it! You've got it. Today is October ninth. You are okay. Carson is gone. He will never hurt you again. There we go. Breath slower, baby. There we go. Are you okay?"

Mitch nodded and accepted the wet towel from Scott. He wiped his face, shivering at the ice cold water. His parents stayed back, not wanting I ruin the moment.

"Are you tired, buddy?" Scott asked quietly and got a shake of the head. "Do you want to watch Spongebob?"

Mitch nodded excitedly, making his siblings laugh. The three of them ran into the living room, putting on the T.V and whooping in excitement when they heard the theme song play. Avi went to turn to talk to Kevin, but his husband shook his head. He went up to the knife and set it into the table, walking out of the kitchen. Avi sighed to himself heavily as he wiped his face.

What is happening to this family?

A/N: I hope you guys enjoy this.:) How do you feel about Esther still loving Carson? Will you like to learn more about Vic? How about the real reason why Vic got murdered? 

ALSO!!!

I'm doing a time skip for the next chapter so please choose the following age.:)

7

Or

9?

These seem like a big jump, but it's because I want to get to Mitchy's teen years because there is going to be A LOT of drama. Please comment down below with what you will love to see.:) I LOVE YOU!!!

-Maddie🐧🐧🐧