a new low '' kelsey

[Robert Victor LeBlanc]

Robert had done it again. He had brought his marriage to another breaking point, and this time it wasn't fixable. Robert had just broken one too many promises. As Mandy had said it herself, it had been too good to be true. Robert hadn't meant to hurt her, really he didn't. It just happened that way. Robert had made a complete three sixty, but also ended up right where he began. She had asked him if he regretted ever marrying her. He told her no. There wasn't one moment with her he regretted. Robert regretted a lot of things but, those moments were not on that list. There was a lot yelling, crying, and Robert's clothes on the lawn when it was all said and done.

Over the past couple of days, Robert had gone home (when Mandy wasn't) and moved his things out of the house. He took a couple keepsakes for himself. One for each of his children, a few old photos, and such things. Robert knew once they were told, they would never speak to him again. He supposed it wouldn't make much difference any how, it wasn't like they were speaking to him now. He should at least have something to remember this life by, now that it was essentially over. Robert expected this. He knew even before he told Mandy about Milly (leaving Milly's name out of it) he knew that it would not end very prettily. It didn't. Robert left it to Mandy to tell the boys. If he was the one to tell them, all hell would definitely break loose. As for Kelsey, Robert took it upon himself to tell her. Albeit, that wouldn't pass over very well either.

Robert sat in the living room, on the couch. He had previously removed his precious chair. There was a drink in his hand. Not surprising given the situation, and that fact that he really didn't care anymore. He might as well just go back to all his old habits. The drink would numb the pain anyway, the emotional pain. He chose not to feel it. It made him appear unfeeling, a really asshole (which he was) but, Robert was just stowing it away for later. The images of Mandy, seeing the pain he gave in her features, the same pain Kelsey would probably show him soon...it was all shoved back for later - for when he was alone.

Staring at the half full, short, crystal glass in his hand, Robert wondered if Kelsey would even bother to show up. He had sent her an owl that was short and to the point. To meet him here, in exactly three minutes time from now. While he waited, Robert replayed the evening that passed just a couple of days ago. While he dropped the bombshell that he was going back to work, the after shock of what he told her next is what got to him. Robert forced himself to see it. The hurt in her eyes as he apologized, the tears...that was quickly replaced by anger. Robert sat there the whole time and just...took it. He knew exactly what she would say, as she said it. As he expected, she had given up on him, on them. It was the last time she could go through all this. It was the end. Twenty years gone, just like that.

Robert took a drink the second he felt any sort of emotion. He felt himself choking, and he just swallowed down the contents of the glass, immediately getting up to refill it. The empty wine bottles in the kitchen told him he hadn't been the only drinking these past few nights. He sighed and sat back down, watching time tick away. The seconds didn't just tick away the time. It was like countdown to the end. Robert felt like it was the end of his family. In a way it was but, it wasn't. His children where still his, and it was up to them if they wanted to have their father in their lives or not. Robert wouldn't just abandon them. He made sure that if they ever need something he would help them without a second thought. The hardest part was telling them that. He had to tell Kelsey himself becuase she would take it the worse. Now probably wasn't the best time to do it either but, he had to. Kelsey had to hear it straight from him. He owed her that much.

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[Kelsey Rachel LeBlanc]

After what seemed to be months of nonstop disappointments and let downs, Kelsey was finally having some easier times. Everything that had happened in the past didn't seem to matter anymore. She and James were happier than ever, their children were growing so fast and beginning to walk and she actually felt happy for once. Though Bellatrix had enacted the new class laws, Kelsey was able to keep James safe from harm since he was now considered lower class. The only thing that seemed to be going wrong in her life was things with her father. Then again, when wasn't she mad at her father for something. However, this anger she felt towards her father was entirely his fault.

See, one day, Kelsey was snooping through her father's things because she was bored and had stumbled upon something. It was a note, from a woman. When she confronted her father, he went on to tell her that it was from his new mistress. In her eyes, this made her father a hypocrite since he gave her hell and told her mother-in-law about cheating with Albus when she was drunk. Now here he was, cheating on her mother yet again and not caring about it. It just angered her so much that he did that again. When Kelsey had cheated, she was drunk and didn’t know any better. For all she knew, Robert was sober and happy about cheating. It made it worse that her mother just had a baby also and he was doing the same thing that he did all the other times. He would leave Mandy with the children while he was off cheating. It made her just want to hit him. After all, look what all his cheating did to her. Kelsey didn’t want all of this to happen to her little baby sister. She wanted her sister to have the childhood that she never had. One with two loving parents who never fought and that would bring her up in a loving home. She knew that she would have to talk to her father eventually about everything and make him see that he had to go back to her mother.

Kelsey wanted her children to be brought up in a loving home also. That was why she made sure to spend every waking minute making sure her two infant children were happy and loved. On this day, she was in the living room with her head on James’ lap as she watched her two little babies crawl around on the floor. All of this just brought a smile to her face because it was all too perfect. She had two beautiful children and a loving husband that would do anything for her. She didn’t deserve James though. He was far too kind and better than anything she deserved to have in this life. He was the light brought to her when everything else seemed to be falling apart. He was all she needed and was happy to have him.

Sadly, their happy family moment soon came to an end when she heard the hoot of an owl outside the window. Sighing lightly to herself, she rose from the couch and opened the window. Carefully, she untied the letter from the owl and watched as it quickly flew away. She knew who the letter was from even before opening it. Robert must mean some serious business if he just sends a letter instead of dropping by. Without any explanation, Kelsey simply told James that she would be back later and apparated to see her father. Upon entering the house she knew that something was wrong. It had an odd feeling that made her quite sceptical. When she found where her father was it only added to the sense that something was wrong since he was drinking.. again.

“You summoned me?” Kelsey snapped, rolling her eyes at the same time. She could only imagine what he screwed up with now. The only reason why she even came here was because she wanted to know what happened. It was not like she was here to enjoy her father’s lovely company.

[Robert Victor LeBlanc]

As the minutes passed, Robert slowly started second guessing himself. He didn't necessarily want to leave his family but, it hadn't been his choice entirely. When he had confessed to Mandy, it was her that suggested - or rather demanded - the divorce. Robert hadn't fought against it, he just gave in. He tended to give up a bit easily than others. This was something he probably should have fought for but, he didn't. Robert just stood back and took in everything she gave him, none of it anything good. Honestly, he didn't think he could fix things this time. He should have learned how to keep one life separate from the other. He had done it before, but it didn't work then, and it didn't work now. Robert stared at the wedding ring that was still on. He had taken it off every now and then but, it was never permanent. That was something that struck an odd cord with him. Robert figured it was time to just take it off, sell it or something. He was hesitant to do it. Instead, he just took another drink.

As Robert watied for Kelsey, he contemplated on how he should tell her. It was probably best to just not beat around the bush, and tell it how it was. It was one simple sentence. Due to the amount Robert had dranken so far, he'd probably get it out with ease, as if this would be a simple converstaion. Robert was prepared for tears, anger, even some sort of violence. It was going to kill him to see that look on Kelsey's face but, he was forcing himself to do it. He just had to do it. Kelsey had to hear it straight from the horses mouth. It would seem that Robert just liked to torture himself. That's what all this was, his own sub consious finding ways to torture him, make life worse for him, cause him unnecessary pain.

Life for Robert wasn't that bad. It was not like he was completely losing everything. Mandy would let him continue to see Talia, of course. It was just up to Anton, Vincent, and Kelsey if they wanted to see him. This would affect the three of them more so than Talia. Robert did not want to be completely shut out of their lives but, he had a strong feeling that that was just how it was going to end up as. At least he could say he had Talia. Then, there was Milly, whom was part of the reason for the divorce but, not entirely. She was young, beautiful, smart, a great mother, and person. She took care of him on her own willpower. Merlin help her do that. It was unintentional really. He wasn't exactly sure how this all could happen...again. What he did know was that he did have feelings for Milly, real ones. The kind of feelings he never talks about. That's what got him in trouble. Besides, as he told Mandy, she deserved better. A lot better. Even though she claimed there was no one better for her than him, Robert knew there were better men out there, better fathers.

Robert had been so deep in thought while staring at his glass that he never noticed that Kelsey had arrived. It wasn't until she had said something that he pulled himself out of those thoughts and back to the matter at hand. "Sit, please," he said, without looking at her. Robert didn't know if he could look at her with what he had to say and explain. He figured she would cry, scream at him, call him names - all of which he deserved. Robert just didn't know if he could tolerate seeing the hurt look in her face and eyes.

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[Kelsey Rachel LeBlanc]

Kelsey was sick of the old life she had. The one where something terrible always happened and she had no control. She wanted to just start fresh, with no drama and no unfortunate accidents happening. That's all she really wanted. Sometimes, late at night, she would lay in bed, her head on James' head, and think about packing them up and simply running away from it all. They could go to a new place, start over and become something new. No one would know of their past nor of the things they did. Her children would have a chance to grow up in a normal environment without having to worry of the past mistakes of others coming back to haunt them. They would be free to be normal and have the life that she wished she had had. One of these days, she would do that. She would leave it all behind and start over.

Standing in her father's house made many old memories flood back into her mind. Some were good, like the time she got her favorite teddy bear for Christmas. She was standing near the tree, only a mere 4 years old, when her eyes had fell upon the beautifully decorated gift under it. The sight of it made her smile with delight as she ran towards the box and did not hesitate to rip off its wrapping. Her mother had to help her open the box but when she saw the contents inside she smiled with delight. There sat a chestnut brown teddy bear with button eyes and a sewed on smile. From that day on she never let that bear go and to this day, she still has that bear.

However, along with the many good memories that came with this house there were also many bad ones. One of them she could not get out of her head. It was when she was nine and it was on her birthday. There had been a small party thrown for her and most of her family and friends were there, except for one person. Robert had neglected to show up for this event and it just crushed the nine year old Kelsey. After the party was over, she simply just sat on the top of the staircase, looking down at the front door, waiting for him to show up. When he didn't, she sat there and cried for hours. Her mother had to come and hold her, telling her that her father just got held up at work or something. It was the first real time she cold remember her father letting her down, though there had been many many times before that.

Now, as she looked at her father, she new that there would be another memory soon to come to add to the disappointment pile. The look on his face alone was enough to tell her that something was going on and in her gut she knew that it was something terrible. So, as he told her to sit, she sat but never let her eyes wander away from him.

"w-what's going on?" she swallowed. She wanted him to tell her fast, like ripping off a band-aid. Whatever it was, she knew she was not going to leave this house without tears in her eyes and possibly hating her father even more for doing this to her.

[Robert Victor LeBlanc]

Robert swallowed. It suddenly was difficult to talk. The words were there, just sitting there. It was a simple nine word sentence. Saying it out loud just seemed ten times harder than it was to think it. He took in a deep breath and refused to look at Kelsey. He knew if he did he would lose it. "Your.." he paused and sighed. Just get it the fuck over with, he thought to himself. "Your mother and I are getting a divorce." There. It was out and now the fountains of tears and probably blood (his blood) could over flow.

Robert sighed, staring at the floor below his feet. He wanted to just get up and walk away but, that wouldn't do him any good. He didn't even think he could move his feet if he wanted to. Robert clenched his jaw and waited for it. He waited for the painful pleading, yelling, possibly screaming that would come out of Kelsey's mouth. The last time a divorce was pending, she pleaded with them both not to end it. They didn't, for several reasons. This time...there was no fixing it. Robert had failed his family one too many times now.

He was afraid that Kelsey would think he was leaving her but, he wasn't. Robert never wanted to leave her. He couldn't. This had nothing to do with their children, it was all on him. He could feel it weighing down on him as if he wore the world on his shoulders. In a sense, he did wear part of a world. He had dropped it and didn't know if the broken pieces would go back together.

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[Kelsey Rachel LeBlanc]

Those words were something that the eighteen year old Kelsey never wanted to hear in her life. Her parents were getting a divorce. No, it just couldn't be. They had to stay together. Having her parents together was about the only normal thing in Kelsey's life. She was suppose to look at them for guidance and wisdom on her own marriage. How could she do that if they were not going to be together anymore? Then it dawned on her. How could her marriage last now? Though she didn't like to admit it, she was like Robert in many ways. Having similar traits, if her father brought his marriage to a complete train wreck of an ending, Kelsey would surely do the same to hers. In her eyes, there was just no more hope for her. She was going to end up just like him and that thought scared her.

Then Kelsey began to wonder just exactly how the marriage ended. Did her mother find out about the whore with whom her father was sleeping with or did Robert break it off with Mandy just to be with said whore? Whatever the case was, Kelsey was not happy about it at all. She could feel hot tears start to stir in her eyes as the reality of everything set in. The epic romance of Robert and Mandy, after being through so much together, was finally over and Robert was to blame for everything. Her sadness began to turn into anger as she thought about how much her father had put this family through over the years. He was the most selfish person she had ever met.

".... A divorce?" Kelsey managed to spit out in disbelief. She could not find the words to describe her emotions at that point in time. She wanted to yell, cry and run away but yet she wanted to know why this was happening. Why did her father have to be such an unfaithful bastard? Why did she have to end up with such a family? Surely she never did anything to deserve all of this.

"Mother better be leaving you because I swear to Merlin if you are leaving mom for that bloody tramp I will kill you right now even if you are my father," Kelsey spat, glaring daggers into her father's face. Her own eyes were filled with tears as she looked into Robert's eyes, looking for some sense of emotion. She was ready to kill him then go off, find the whore and kill her as well. It was all her fault after all. If she would have just left him alone, her parents would be still together and everything would be wonderful.

"You just had to ruin this didn't you?! Do you want everything in your life to be crap? Not only are you losing the one woman who ever loved you enough to put up with your crap but you are also losing your children, especially me. I am done with you and your complete and utter crap," Kelsey snapped yet again, all the anger and sadness showing up on her pale face. She could feel her wand hand twitch as she looked at Robert. It was taking everything in her power not to take out her wand and kill him right there. This was the final straw for her, she was done with him for good.

[Robert Victor LeBlanc]

Robert did not dare to look up. He kept his eyes on glued to the floor. He could not even nod or anything to confirm her question of the divorce. Robert refused to look at her. He refused to see whatever pain and hurting that was there. That would just kill him, even though he was sure he was pretty much dead on the inside. Robert had been well aware of the ramifications this divorce would have. What part of his children that didn't hate him, most certainly would.

He remained silent through Kelsey's snap. He felt like it was pointless to even answer her questions, either way she would hate him. Maybe things would be better if she did kill him. No, he didn't want that on her concious - although Bellatrix would probably congradulate her on doing the job. Robert had no idea how to even explain this. It was simple really. He had yet again strayed unintentionally, and when he came clean about it, Mandy specifically put an end to things. As much as Robert didn't want to divorce, it fel it was something that had to happen. Lately, he had felt like Mandy wasn't happy, and perhaps that was his reasoning behind his slip up. Whatever the reason, it really didn't matter. Things had come to an end.

Robert sighed and looked up at the ceiling. He opened his mouth to speak but quickly shut it. Nothing he could say seemed appropriate, and he knew none of it would make much of a difference. Instead of even saying anything, he stood up and took a few steps away, turning his back to her. He swallowed down the large lump that had grown in his throat. Robert frowned at himself. This was getting stupid. He wasn't going to cry, crying was stupid. He knew what would coming way before this moment actually happened. It really shouldn't have been much of a surprise to him. When Kelsey, however, said she was done with him, that hit him as if someone hit him with a sac of rocks.

He swallowed one more time, sniffed once, and then turned around to face her again. "For once it wasn't just me," he said slowly with a sigh. "It doesn't matter, you won't hate me any less," he said solemnly. "I am sorry but, what happens between your mother and I has absolutely nothing to do with you."