Chapter two

"Get the hell out of my room Lilian Acker" Erwin yelled at his younger sister as he tried to push her out of his room. Lily had come in to ask him to choose the bikini that would make her more appealing to guys at the pool. Erwin had frowned and insulted her telling her that that there was nothing appealing. That was a lie, he was just irritated by the fact that his sister had gotten to the age where she wanted to appear appealing to guys, pushed her out of the room.

"Please, help me out Er." Lily begged as he chuckled inwardly finding her brother's reaction funny. "Which do I wear, the red or the black?" Lily replied while using her leg to stop Erwin from fully shutting her out of his room. It was a tradition for the whole family to go swimming every last Saturday of the month. The Kids always looked forward to this day. Jessica had begun the tradition when Don was not around. It used to be a way to make the kids happy and forget even for just a minute that Don was not around but now it was a family bonding experience.

"You could wear the sexiest bikini ever and you would not be attractive. Forever a cow." At this point Lily's expression changed and her face fell. She knew he was joking but it still hurt to hear him say something so mean. Once Erwin noticed this he stopped "I'm sorry L. I did not mean it like that, alright come in I'll help you choose the stupid bikini."

Lily screeched happily as she ran into Erwin's room. The room was a typical teenage boy's room filled with posters of hot anime girls, consoles and lots of video games and figurines. Erwin was best described as an otaku. Lily found him weird because it seemed like he basically worshipped his anime characters. He had posters, figurines, games, clothing and cosplay outfits all dedicated to his favourite character. He had tried to initiate Lily and succeeded but she was much more reserved in her interest than him.

"Erwin! Your sister isn't a cow I Don't remember giving birth to one" Jessica chuckled walking into the room.

"You heard that." Erwin groaned

"Tell him mom" Lily stated with a smug look on her face pointed at Erwin who simply rolled his eyes at her.

"Let me have a look" Jessica said holding her hand out for Lily to hand her the bikinis. Lily gave her mother the bikinis and her mother frowned. She did not remember buying these for Lily but she did not address it. Lily was fifteen thus she was becoming a woman it was normal for her to want to look a little grown up. Deep down she missed her little girl preferring to wear Sophia the first trunks. "I think you should do with the red one. that's Ruben's favourite colour, right?" Jessica said giving her daughter a knowing wink. Lily went red with embarrassment immediately while Erwin's eyes went wide.

"Mom!" Lily snatched the bikinis from her mother "You promised … this doesn't even have anything to do with him. He's not comi…"

"You have a crush on my best friend?" Erwin finally spoke up "L!!! that's disgusting and no, I do not approve of this. No way" There was a comically horrified look on Erwin's face and Jessica fought the urge to laugh at her son's unnecessary over protective big brother tantrum. "Have you guys already… No. I'm going to kill him"

"No, hold on Er, It's not what you think" Lily said calming her brother and looking at her mom who had just gotten her in a big mess. The look was enough to make her mother try to escape through the door but that failed because Don was already by the door wondering what the commotion was about.

"I know it's a ritual for you children to fight on swimming Saturdays but this is too much."

"Lilian has a freaking crush on Ruben." Erwin replied. He had a big mouth "My best friend! I swear, if he has touched you, I'll kill him." Erwin said still fuming and pacing round his room.

"STOP IT ERWIN" Lily yelled with tears in her eyes. "I haven't done anything with him. he doesn't even know. It's one sided. It always has been!" with that lily took off cry and running into her room. Seeing Lily cry got him to senses and calm his rage down.

"I screwed up, didn't I?" he said running his hand through his head and looking at his parents. "I should go talk to her"

"No, I'll go. I kind of started this. I'll talk with her" her mom said walking out of the room and closing the door behind her leaving Erwin with Don. The silence lasted for some second before Don moved closer to his son who was sitting on his bed and regretting what he had just Done.

"Dad, I dint mean to hurt her. I just… Ruben… I Don't know dad. He's my best friend. I just felt irritated dad. She's, my world. I'm not saying Ruben is bad but all the girls love him at school. What they if they try to hurt her"

"Listen son, I understand how you feel. It's hard watching our little princess grow up and it's even harder knowing she's at the stage of having crushes" Don explained cutting him off and patting his son on the back. "At the end of the day, we can't stop her. We just have to be there for her and protect her. It's not your fault. It's your brotherly instinct kicking in. I know you didn't mean to her, okay?"

After talking to him, Don left his room giving Erwin some space to think. Erwin had calmed down at this point but then decided he would apologize to his sister and also explain the reason for his anger. He walked out of his room to his sister's room. He wanted to knock on her door but for some reason was scared to. Finally, he gathered the courage to knock on her door after battling with himself for some seconds. Lily with her puffy eyes opened the door for him and went back to sit on her bed. Erwin sat beside her trying to muster the courage to speak to his little sister while lily played a with keychain in her hand. It was something she did whenever she was upset.

"I'm sorry" They both said at the same time after a long pause.

"No, I'm sorry. I never meant to make you cry. I overreacted because I was jealous and scared." He said while looking everywhere else but his sister who was right in front of him. "you mean everything to me. And Ruben…I was just scared of the fact that he could take you away from me or the girls that hit on him at school might act mean towards you. L, I'm so sorry…"

Lily cuts her brother off by giving him a hug. "Mom talked to me Er, I understand. I also did not want you to be disappointed at me, that why I didn't tell you about Ruben and truthfully, it really is one sided. He has no idea. No other boy on earth can take me away from you. It'll take more than that" she said with her arms still wrapped around her brother.

"Well, I would like to keep the boys as far as possible away for you" he mumbled under his breath.

"I heard that" lily said playfully hitting her brothers hand off her body.

Little did they know that their parents were at the door eavesdropping on them. As much as they wanted to come to help their children, they knew that they would figure it out on their own. Hearing their children actually reconcile almost caused them to tear up.

While both lost in thought about their children, they did not realize that Lily and Erwin were Done with their conversation and were about to open the door. When they eventually did, it was too late as Erwin had already opened the door causing Don and Jessica to fall on the floor

"You both behave like the children sometimes" Erwin said looking down at his parents who were struggling to stand up.

"It is not what you think" Jessica replied while adjusting her gown. We are just here to tell you that you both have five minutes left before we leave "

"Right" Erwin and lily echoed at the same time obviously seeing through their parents lie.

"But we are serious about having five minutes left "Don added.

"Okay everyone, shuu away while I attempt dressing up and packing my swimming bag in five minutes." Lily said pushing her whole family out of her room and closing the door behind them. She immediately went to her closet to see what she could wear. Luckily, her eyes fell on her black sleeveless gown with floral pattern which she had gotten as a present from Erwin. Well, who would have thought he had good eyes? she thought to herself as she picked up the dress from her closet.

Taking off the big shirt she had on, she wore the floral pattern gown. She went in front of the mirror, looked at her face blankly for a while and began to brush her hair. When she was Done, she packed her into a messy bun. Looking at the bikinis which started the drama, she went for the black one. She put it in her bag along with her white towel and her sunscreen. She picked up her phone, carried her bag and took one last look at her room to make sure she left nothing behind. When she was sure, she closed her door and headed downstairs

When she got down, she met everyone else down. Don had on shorts and a t shirt, Jessica had on a floral dress, while Erwin in shorts just like his dad. They did one last routine check to make sure nothing was forgotten and then headed to the pool.

On their way to pool, they talked about different things and sang songs played from the radio station together. Shortly after, the had arrived at their usual spot. Jessica and lily both head to the women's dressing room to change while Don and Erwin went to the men's. Once changed and sunscreen was applied, the fun started. Jessica, Erwin and lily decided to go swimming immediately while Don sat on a beach chair drinking beer as he watched his family play in the water.

"Daddy." Lily called as she ran towards Don.

"Yes baby." Don replied sitting up.

"Could you please help me apply more sunscreen on my back." Lily stated "Mum didn't apply enough."

"Sure thing pumpkin." Don placed his drink on the sand then took the tube of sun screen from Lily. He tapped the space in front of him and Lily sat down.

Don squirted some of the pink semi liquid into his hand but just as he was about to get to work he noticed something on Lily's back. At that moment everything went silent, the birds stopped tweeting, the oceans waves stopped swishing and all was still as Don's eyes closed in in the teeth shaped birthmark right on the top of Lily's shoulder.

That birthmark runs in my family. Ronan's voice played like broken record in head over and over again.

"Daddy." Lily called

The silence stopped and there was noise again.

"Daddy." Lily called once again fully pulling Don out of his state of shock.

"Yes Lily."

"The sun screen." Lily replied

Don nodded as he rubbed the sun screen on his daughter's back but his eyes did not leave the mark. His mind pushed in different ideas and all off them led one way but he fought the thoughts. He refused to believe them.

"All Done." He stated.

"Thank you, Daddy." Lily replied standing up she turned to face her father. Leaning in she planted a kiss on his cheek and giggled "Love you Daddy."

It's just a coincidence. Even total strangers could have the same birthmarks at the same place. The angel on his shoulder tried to reassure him.

Don't be foolish Donald, that is baby is Ronan's baby. Don shook his head as he tried to assure himself that Lily was his and Jessica would never cheat on him. No when he was away serving the country and saving lives.

"No, I must be crazy to even think such about my wife and best friend" he said while standing up to go join his family swim. "Ron would never cheat on Valerie and Jess would never cheat on me."

They swam, they played, they ate and drank. Before they realized, it was time to go home. While on the way home, Don had flashbacks of lily and Ronan's birthmark but he shook it immediately. He trusted his wife with his life and considered it and offence to even think of such.

***

While Don was at work, he couldn't not help but zone out. He still mind kept trailing back to that damn birthmark. He wondered why he hadn't really noticed the birthmark on Lily.

You were never around smart guy! Get a Dna test.

This time the angel and the devil spoke the same thing. There was no harm in trying. If he was wrong, hell simply burn the test and live with the guilt of not trusting his best friend and his wife.

And if you are right?

He could not conjure up an answer for that question.

Luckily for him, he saw the empty container that Ronan had just drank in the trash can. He reached for the trash can, pulled out his straw, wrapped it came and kept it in his bag. Ronan walked in seconds later

"Yo, acker, you have been acting weird lately, what's wrong?" Ronan said taking a seat close to his best friend.

"Man, the truth is I Don't feel so good, I have been trying to hide it" Don said trying to maintain his composure.

"If you Don't feel good, you should go, okay? I will cover for you." Ronan replied. Although he had some doubts and felt like Don was lying but he waved it off. If he isn't telling me then it is not my place to know, also I am his best friend so he would definitely tell me. I Don't need to stress him, Ronan thought to himself as he watched his best friend pack up.

"Thanks man, you are the best" Don said while shaking his best friend. With that, Don left the fire station and drove home straight, he came down from his car and went into the house but left behind the bag containing Ronan's straw in the car.

"You're home early, strange" Jessica said putting down the book she was reading and looking at her husband who was looking for a believable lie to tell his wife. Even if he could escape from Ronan, escaping Jessica was not something easy cause she always saw through his lies.

"I forgot a document. I came to pick it up." Don said

"okay dear" Jessica smiled at him.

With that, he went upstairs not to his room but to his Lily's room searching for something he could use. His eyes fell on her hairbrush. He took strands of her hair wrapped int up and went on his way.

"Where is the document?" Jessica asked looking at her husband who said he came for a document he forgot but was about to leave without it.

"I could not find it, I'll go back to work to check again" Don replied.

Jessica narrowed her eyes at him. She felt a little uneasy about his behaviour but brushed it off. "Okay. Enjoy the rest of your day"

"You too" Don said walking out of the house, when he got into his car, he took a really deep breath, while still determined to do it. Don started the car and drive off. A he rounded the hospital parking lot he prayed that this would come out negative.

Although conflicted Don was determined to see this through. The possibility was eating at him. "Hello, welcome. How may I be of service to you" the nurse said breaking Don out of his thoughts. I guess it is now or never. Don thought to himself.

"Hi, I would like to do an express DNA test please" he replied giving the nurse the Dons straw and Lilys strand of hair. The nurse asked Don to follow her for some documentations. After that, he was told to wait at the waiting room.

While Don was seated there, he continued the prayer for himself to be wrong about his suspicions. If I had to choose, I would rather live with the guilt of mistrust than finding out Jessica cheated on me with Ro, my best friend and my little princess isn't mine. Don thought and prayed until he fell asleep.

"sir, your result is ready, if you could come right this way to get it and sign out" the nurse said while politely waking Don up. Don woke up and looked at the time. An hour had almost passed. He followed the nurse to get the result, got it, signed out and went straight to the car.

While seated the in his car, Don could hear his heart pounding so hard it felt like it would burst out of his chest. Should he open it? Should he throw it away? Thoughts began to filled Don head. He let out and loud scream and decided to open it

"99.9% match" the paper in Don's hand read.

Once again everything went silent. The blaring horns on the streets, the tweeting birds, all was silent. Don rose his hands to his eyes and cleaned them. This was not right. He wasn't seeing right, he had assured himself. He shut his eyes tight and opened them again, the report was the same.

"Jess." He bit his lip as tears ran down his eyes "Ro." He punched at his staring wheel "Fuck!" He screamed "Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!"

Don did not want to go back to work or got back home. So, he drove aimlessly round the city until he found himself at his children's school. One look at the school and he broke down in tears. He couldn't believe his little princess wasn't his. The hurt and betrayal was too much for him to bare. Even with the evidence in his hands he still couldn't believe that Jessica and Ronan would hurt him. He struggled to get himself for the second time and drove himself to the bar.

He walked into the bar and chose the seat at the very end. With that, Don started drinking. What started with a bottle ended up with several bottle. He watched his phone light up as someone was calling. He looked to see who the caller was and saw that it was his wife, Jessica. He looked at the phone with disgust and dropped it back. Don drank and stayed in the bar till midnight. By this time, he had gotten several missed calls from Ronan, Jessica and his children. When Don decided he was ready to go home, he ordered a taxi as he couldn't drive in his drunken state.

Shortly after the taxi arrived and Don staggered in and gave the driver directions home. While heading home, Don thought of what to say to his wife and children but he could not think of anything. Finally, he got home. He paid the taxi driver and then staggered into the house. The moment he dreaded had arrived. The moment he opened the door, he was greeted with worried faces of his family and the face of betrayal, Ronan.

"You, get the hell out of my house" he said pointing at Ronan

Ronan was shocked but once he smelt the beer on Don's breath he knew it was just the alcohol. Or was it?

"You lie to Ronan and me" Jess began furiously "You refused to pick our calls, show up late and drunk and the first thing you have to say he get out? To Ronan who helped us?"

"Mom" Erwin shouted trying to calm her down.

"Children, go upstairs. This is between your father and I" Jessica said giving her children a stern look. They knew better than to disobey their mom whenever she gave that look. So, the children took one last look at everyone and went upstairs to their rooms.

"Ronan, I said get out of my home" Don yelled trying to swing a blow at Ronan but missed due to his drunken state.

"Chill man! We were here worried about you." Ronan offered

"Ronan was worried about you and all you can say is get out." Jess sighed "Have you lost your mind, Don?" Jessica yelled again pointing

"Chill Jess, he is drunk." Ronan replied

"Don't fucking call her Jess." Don shouted "Don't…"

Ronan and Jessica stared at Don in confusion.

"Get the fuck out of my house."

"Don."

"It's okay Jessica, I'll go" Ronan said making his way towards the door. He paused and turned back to look at Don.

"I will see you tomorrow bud, take care." He continued and with that, he left the Acker's residence.

"Donald, what's going on?" Jessica said after having a moment to calm herself.

"I am going to bed."

Jessica stood stunned as Don struggled up the stairs clinging to the railing. This was going to be a first of Donald Acker's many drunk nights.