A New End Chapter 1

5 years later…
Peter was pushing Chelle on the swings at their local park while Matthew was helping Ange build a castle in the sandbox.
Birds were chirping, the grass was blowing softly, laughter rang through the air. Everything was still and peaceful. Nothing could be-
"STEVEN!"
Alfred's voice cut through the calm and shattered it.
"Steven! Get out of that tree before you fall and hurt yourself!"
The boy stuck his tongue out at him and climbed higher.
Alfred yelled in anger before a soft hand was placed on his shoulder and he relaxed.
"Don't worry Alfred," someone whispered. "He'll be fine. You know he's an amazing climber."
Turning around, he found his boyfriend smiling warmly at him.
"Yeah…I know…"
He smiled lightly and took the other boy's hands in his own.
Someone gagged behind them and they turned to look.
A woman about sixty was bent over and dry heaving into the bushes.
"Do you need a doctor?" Alfred asked, a little worried.
She shook her head.
"N-No. J-Just leave the public displays of affection at home so I can enjoy my walk."
Alfred frowned.
"Are you saying that us holding hands is gross to you?"
"Y-Yes." She pointed to Chelle and Ange. "Do you see that there are children here?! They don't need to see that sort of thing!"
Alfred took a step forward, glaring.
"Those 'children' are my sisters and they see stuff like this all the time. Our parents are still very in love."
"But that's okay. That's normal. It's a man a woman. Not a man and a man."
By now Matthew and Peter had figured out what was happening and had come over.
"Excuse me madame," Matthew started and she looked at him. "But we DO have two fathers. And they are very much in love. It doesn't bother us."
The old woman looked horrified.
"You poor children! You've been brainwashed by those sick men!" She took a step toward them and offered her hand. "Come with me and I can help you. Don't be afraid. I won't let them get you again."
Alfred growled and his boyfriend slipped between him and the woman, trying to push him away while Matthew and Peter pulled on his shoulders.
"We are not brainwashed! They are our fathers and we love them! Just leave us alone!"
"But that's sick! It's not natural!"
"I don't care if you think it is but they're our family! Not yours! So butt out!"
The woman's face became unreadable.
"How do you explain not having a mother?"
Alfred's eyes narrowed.
"She died. When we were young."
The woman laughed.
"Is that what they told you? What an obvious lie. You poor children," she repeated sadly. "You obviously don't belong with them. None of you look alike anyway."
"Well we are!"
The woman took his hand.
"You all have been adopted or kidnapped. Those cruel, sick men are lying to you."
Alfred wrenched his hand back.
"Look lady," he started angrily. "You have no idea what we've been through so just drop it!"
The woman sighed and started walking away.
Alfred took a deep breath and relaxed so all the hands on him were removed.
It was then that he noticed her heading to Ange and bending down next to her.
"Oh she better not be doing what I think she is…"
Ange started crying and Matthew hurried over to her, picking her up and holding her close.
"What's wrong Ange?"
"Sh-She…sh-she said that D-Daddy and P-Papa stole me f-from my M-Mommy and th-that you a-aren't my f-family…a-and th-that D-Daddy a-and P-Papa a-are b-bad p-people w-who do g-gross th-things…"
Alfred growled again, having followed Matthew.
"Matthew, take her to the car and try to calm her down. Peter, get everyone else in their carseats and wait for me."
His hand was curled into a fist.
"A-Alfred…D-Daddy and Papa don't like it when you fight…" Matthew said, slightly scared. "A-And I know she said some bad things but she's just an old woman. You aren't really going to hit her…r-right?"
"Just do as I say."
The boys nodded quickly and walked away.
Alfred waited until they were out of earshot before rounding on the woman.
"What was that for?!" he demanded. "My sister is five years old! She doesn't need to hear crap like that!"
"I was trying to save her," the woman said simply. "You are all brainwashed and stubborn so I want to save that poor girl from your fate. She needs a proper home."
"She has a proper home! With us! You don't know our story! You don't know our lives! Let us be!"
"I will." She started to leave. "For now."
Alfred started to follow her but his boyfriend stopped him.
"She's not going to do anything. Just go home. Your brothers and sisters are tired and hungry anyway."
He nodded.
"Fine…" He gave him a quick kiss. "I'll see you tomorrow and don't forget about our date next week."
"Of course not. I'll see you tomorrow."
Alfred said 'goodbye' and went to his car.
"What happened?" Matthew whispered from next to him. "You were gone for a long time."
"She was baiting me. I just want to get out of here."
Matthew nodded and Alfred started driving home.
When they got there, he helped get all of the younger kids out before telling Arthur and Francis about what had happened at the park.
They told him to forget about it and that nothing would happen.
Still, that night the whole family fell asleep together in Arthur and Francis's bed.