This Is Us - Chapter 23: Chapter 23

MATTY POV
I curled up in a small ball in the middle of the bed, hugging my legs to my chest as I buried my head in between my knees.
I wish I had never gotten pregnant again.
I wish I had never taken that one last pill before flushing the rest of the fertility meds down the toilet.
Then maybe Thomas and I would just be infertile instead of stuck with quadruplets.
Because if this is how he acts towards one baby, I can't imagine what he's going to be like when he finds out there's three more.
Merry fucking Christmas.
"Matty?"
Speaking of the devil himself, a small knock at the door disturbs my small pity party and I can hear Thomas' unmistakable footsteps on the hardwood floor.
"Leave me alone," I sighed but felt the bed shift anyway as he got close to me.
"We both know that's not going to happen," Thomas says as he cuddles up to my back, using his strength to force my uncooperating body into his arms as he wrapped his hands around my stomach.
"I'm sorry,"
"I know,"
"No, you don't,"
He gently kisses the nape of my neck, keeping his soft lips planted and I close my eyes. He's not going away anytime soon so instead of pushing him away, I decided it's best to let him in.
"It's not that I'm not excited about this baby, because I am. I'm just overly cautious I guess...I saw what you went through, what we both went through, and it's hard to get excited when you've been heartbroken," He explained as if I needed an explanation.
"I know sweetheart," I said, taking his large hands in mine and tucking them under my shirt, letting him feel the soft skin where our new editions were having a little kick party.
Thomas couldn't feel their movements yet but I could and I can't help but think that maybe they knew who he was and got all excited just because they hear their daddy's voice and know he's around.
He takes the opportunity to relax with me, nuzzling his head against mine while covering small pieces of exposed skin with little kisses, like my neck and my ear.
"He's already kicking," I tell him and Thomas pauses everything, propping himself up with his elbow to look me in the eyes and I can't help but giggle at his shocked face.
"He?" Thomas asks as if he was deaf and trying to figure out if he heard me correctly.
"Yeah, it's little boy, I found out today. I would have pointed it out to you but you two idiots kind of ruined the sonogram," I tell him and he pulls my shoulder, flipping me onto my back. I gasped in shock when he did so with such force until he kissed me.
"God, I would be happy with either but I was under a lot of pressure to give you a boy," He laughs into my lips and I remember the night I threatened him to give me sons or else.
I guess he'll soon find out the or else part of the deal.
I responded by kissing him harder, letting him slip his tongue between my lips and whimpering softly when he runs his hand up my body, toying with my soft nipples as I melted into him. His body pressed against mine as his hand traveled south, over the small bump, and towards the rather hard bulge I had going on.
"Thomas, I-"
"Guys!" Luca called out from the hallway and by the sound of his voice, I knew it couldn't be good. Thomas quickly pulled away from my panting body and I yanked my shirt back down.
I quickly sat up and moved out to the hallway where I could hear Houston growling and familiar the flashing red and blue lights flooded our living room.
"Holy shit, what are the-"
"POLICE! OPEN UP!"
The banging on the door matched the pounding in my chest as my heart nearly fell to the floor.
"There must be some mistake," Luca says and I walk down the stairs, while Luca crutches and Thomas comes last.
"Mommy? What's going on?" I could hear Jayde's little voice ask in fear and quickly turned to go put her back in her room but it was too late. The police burst through the solid oak door and rushed in.
"HANDS ABOVE YOUR HEADS!" They called out and I looked at them confused.
"There must be some kind of mistake!" I told them but they ignored my pleas as they went straight for Thomas who wore a blank face with his hands in the air.
"Are you Thomas Jackson?" One officer asked and I gulped.
"No, no, no! There's something wrong!" I screamed and a second officer holstered his gun as he turned to me.
"It's okay sir, you're safe now. There's no need to protect him," He said but I shook my head, trying to push past him and get to Thomas but the officer held me back.
"No! You have it wrong!" Luca yelled and Houston was going crazy, barking and growling at the officers as they stormed in.
"Thomas Jackson, you're under arrest for charges of suspected domestic abuse and assault and battery," The officer took my husbands hands and forcefully shoved him against a wall as if he was putting up a fight when he was complying.
"No! It's a misunderstanding! Thomas!" I tried to call out but the officer hushed me.
"It's okay, you don't have to lie for him anymore," He cooed and I couldn't hold back any longer as I punched him in the dead center of his stupid face.
"What the hell!" Another officer screamed and the person cuffing my husband turned around.
"It's alright, he's just a victim," The officer said and I damn near kicked the man while he was bleeding on the ground if it hadn't been for Luca pulling me back.
"Matthias, stop," He whispered to me but I was so angry I couldn't help it.
Thomas keeps his head down as he's read his rights and the officer goes to lead him out of our house. Houston snaps, barking at the one holding Thomas.
Another man with a shaky hand on his gun keeps it poised at Thomas as they walk past and I fall still.
Thomas calmly looks down at Houston and opens his mouth.
"Houston down bo-"
But a single gunshot ringing through the house finishes his sentence instead.