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The boys joined their sister in comforting first their Dad, and then their grandmother. After a round of hugs, the family took their seats.
“I don't understand why granddad would do this,” Sage said.
“Junior, it’s because he couldn’t keep it in his pants,” Oliver took a moment to explain to his sister. Even though from his tone and choice of words, he was pissed at his grandfather.
“Duh, Ollie. I get that part. I mean, why he would lie to his wife and son for like two lifetimes? Oh! And split up his kids?” She shook her head in disappointment. Leave it to Sage to voice the questions they were all thinking.
“Well, those are all good questions,” Oliver said.
“I swear our family is like a K-Drama on steroids. This doesn’t even seem real.” Ivy certainly shared her daughter’s sentiment.
“Then Granddad could have put an end to the paternity mix-up? He knew Dad had a twin.” Oliver’s jaw ticked, and his hands were tight balls in his lap.
Despite Manny’s best efforts, Oliver still hadn’t fully forgiven himself for how he treated his Dad. The thought that the whole situation could have been avoided must really piss him off.
The thing was, and Ivy wasn’t making excuses for her sorry excuse for a father-in-law, but it was unlikely Larson knew the secret Manny had a twin was the clue to the whole paternity fiasco. You had to have good knowledge of genetics to piece together the obscure fact about identical twins sharing the exact same DNA. She did her best to explain it to Oliver.
“Does the other twin know Grandad is his father?”
“No,” Manny answered. “Listen, Leonardo will be here in a couple of days. I will tell him then.”
“Why?” Oliver questioned. His apparent disdain, for the whole situation was palpable.
Ivy got it. Their world had been turned upside down. But that was because of secrets and lies. It was time for them all to come to an end. Manny would see to it that the buried bodies were unearthed. It was the only way for her family to have healing and be able to move forward.
“This guy did some shady sh…” Oliver stopped himself as his gaze shot to his mom and grandma. “…stuff,” he continued. “His lies caused a lot of damage.”
“I’m telling him because he is owed the truth. Everyone should know who their parents are,” Manny explained to Oliver.
“So, you just called him up and said come meet me, I know who our Dad is?” Benjamin asked incredulously.
“No. Your mom, Uncle Frank, and I flew out there to meet him. Which is why we were in Vancouver.”
All three children grumbled at the news. Then the questions started.
“Why didn’t you tell us?” Oliver asked.
Before Manny could answer. Sage jumped in with her questions, “Daddy, did you beat his ass?”
Ivy had no chance to admonish her before she was onto the next question. “What’s he like? Was he horrible? Are we going to meet him? Is he staying here when he comes? You said he doesn’t know about Grandpa being his dad. Are you sure? Have they met?”
“Take a breath, Junior.” Benjamin, in his fashion, was the voice of reason. “Although, those are all good questions.”
“No Sage, I didn’t beat anyone’s ass. Although I reserve the right to do so.”
“Emmanuel,” his mother admonished.
Manny just shrugged, not looking the least bit contrite.
Patting the seat next to him, Manny, gestured for Sage to take it.
“As for what he is like. I’m not really sure. Full disclosure, he apologised for what he did. I don’t get why he did it. So, I’m not ready to accept it. I’m still really pissed. However, if he hadn’t pulled his little stunt, all these secrets would have remained buried.” Manny sighed, and all his confusion and frustration was evident.
Sage hugged her Dad.
“What else did you ask, my little Lois Lane? No, he isn’t staying here. He will be staying at your Uncle Frank’s. As for you guys meeting him, let’s play it by ear. As for if he’s horrible, well, for his sake, he better not be.”
The family spoke for a bit. There was so much to work through. They all had more questions than answers. Larson was going to have some explaining to do.
