Blame and Guilt

(Three days later)

*Olivia's POV

Nick and I have barely spoken two words to each other since our fight. I hate this. I hate that all we've been giving each other is bunch of one-worded answers and short glances back and forth. Its extremely noticeable to everyone..especially Bradley. I really wish I could just forgive him, but I can't. He sat there and acted like he was better than me, like I was some injured puppy on the side of the street. I don't need rescuing. What I need is my husband on my side. I need him to support me when I say that Bradley needs help. I know PTSD when I see it. I have it, I know what it feels like and I don't want my daughter to go through that. And now? We're caught up in another fight. Another. Stupid. Fight. Thank god the kids are with Nick's mother.

"Why can't you just shut up and listen to me for one second, Olivia?! Why can't you do that?", the amount of rage between the two of us is so overwhelming. All of this because I was trying to help my daughter. "If you hadn't shot that girl-"

"So this is my fault?", my voice cracks and tears build in my eyes. "Its my fault Bradley was shot? It's my fault she's-"

"That's not what I meant."

"I KNOW WHAT YOU MEANT.", I walk to the door in attempt to leave. "I know I'm not the best parent in the world, but I'm trying really hard, Nick.", I say just above a whisper.

"Liv-", he reaches for my arm.

"Don't.", I jerk back and continue my way to the living room in search of my keys. Nick comes from the room, tossing the keys to me.

"Where are you going?"

"To get our kids. Is that okay with you?", I throw my coat on as I walk to the door.

"Is that okay with me? Liv, what the hell is wrong with you?!", he yell. "Why can't you just shut your damn mouth and listen to me?! Why can't you give me a chance to-"

"TO WHAT?!!", I turn around, throwing my keys at him as tears pour down my face. "I didn't do a thing to you. You can't treat me like shit and blame me for things I have no control over!"

"Baby, please..just talk to me."

"I don't want to talk to you, Nick.", my voice cracks and I run my fingers through my hair.

"Yeah? Well you don't have a choice anymore!", he comes towards me, grabbing my hand, pulling me to him.

"Don't touch me! You can't do this! You don't get to do this!", I slip out of his grip with a twist. "Give me my keys.", he sighs, but does nothing. "Give me my damn keys!", he drops them in my hand and I make my way to the door. I stop in the doorway when I remembered something Bradley told me. 'Always tell someone you love them before you leave them, especially if you are angry'. Its not word for word, but it stuck. I look up at him and we make eye contact. "I love you, Nick.", before he could respond, I shut the door. Isn't it kind of amazing how much we learn from our kids? Even the little things.

*Bradley's POV

Mom and dad have been fighting so much in the past two days. I mean, Alex and I have been with grandma, but you just know. I know. One good thing that came from this is that she made me so much food, its unreal. I've probably gained five pounds worth of pie fat.

"You sure you don't want anymore pie?"

"I've had three pieces today..plus, mom wouldn't be too happy about that.", I heard the door open and shut, but I guess she didn't.

"We don't have to tell your mom.", mom walks into the kitchen and I can tell she had been crying. They were fighting again.

"Tell me what?", she rests her hands on her hips and sighs.

"Nothing, darling. Are you alright?", tears begin to build in her eyes, but her being her, she pushes them back.

"I'm fine, mom. Where's the baby?"

"I'll go get him, sweetheart.", and then she leaves the room.

"What happened, mom?", she doesn't answer me. Instead, she waits until grandma comes back with a sleeping Alex in her arms.

"Thank you for watching them."

"Its no problem, they're angels.", she gives a noticeable fake smile. "What has my son done? Is it the socks? He never would pick up those darn socks.", mom slightly chuckles.

"No, its not the socks. We're fine, I promise."

"Okay..", she hands the baby to mom along with his diaper bag. "Well, tell Nicholas to call me. I'll get to the bottom of this funny sock business.", she pats us both on the back, pushing us out the door. On our way home, it was pretty much silent until I spoke up.

"Momma..are you and dad..gonna break up?", she looked surprised at that question. "Like, are you guys gonna get divorced?", okay, I know that's dumb to think, but I don't really know how the whole 'parent' thing works and it really scares me when they're fighting. And its because of me. I'm the reason they haven't said two decent words to each other.

"Why would you think that?"

"I don't know..it was stupid..", I look out the window and watch the trees pass by.

"Baby, that's not going to happen, okay? We haven't even been married a year, I'd like to make it just a little longer.", I laugh at that. She always knows how to make me laugh, even when I don't want to. "When we get home, do you wanna take your brother to the park down the street? It'll be lunchtime in a few hours-"

"You just wanna talk to dad, right?", she looks at me, saying 'yes' without actually saying it. "Well, I could just go to a friend's house for the night."

"Like who?"

"Hannah. She's in my algebra class. You've met her before when you picked me up at school."

"Umm..okay. Only if its alright with her parents. I need her mom's phone number-"

"And address, I got it."

"Dad and I aren't getting a divorce, okay? It'll take more than a silly fight."

"Promise?", she holds my hand in hers.

"I promise.", when we got home, I called Hannah and she said its cool, so I got ready and her mom came to get me. I don't know how this supposed 'make up' session is gonna go, but I'm sure I don't wanna be around for it.

When I got to Hannah's house, her mom said we could go to the mall. We weren't really planning on getting anything, its just kind of nice to get out, you know? So, that's what we decided to do. Get out, get fresh air, see other forms of life outside of our homes. Its really interesting, honestly. Have you ever seriously paid attention to what people wear out in public?

*Olivia's POV

I haven't seen Nick since I got home with the kids. He probably got called in. Right? There was no sign of him here, so that's got to be where he is. Working. Saving victims. I figured I might as well go take a nap or something, seeing that I'm not on call on the weekends and I haven't gotten any sleep the past two nights, it seems like a good idea. I know I need to talk to Nick and I have every intention of doing so. I'll talk to him..after I get some sleep. I need sleep. Alex has been knocked out since I picked the kids up, so he's in his crib.

I make my way to the bedroom and take of my clothes. I grab a t-shirt and pull it over my head before laying down. Its not even lunchtime and I'm already exhausted. I still haven't gotten used to never getting time to relax.

I must've been asleep for hours because when I woke up, it was dark out. I check the time and find out that its 9:30. How the hell did I manage to sleep that much? Alex. Shit. Just as I was about to get out of bed, I can hear footsteps coming my way.

A/N

I know its short. I'm just trying to get something posted. Since school has started, I haven't really had a ton of free time. Hope you liked it!