"Its time we get everything out in the open" Rafael announced.
The triplets shared worried looks and Marco he was on the verge of throwing up.
He knew Lorenzo and Leo would find him weak. Nico would no longer want to be around him.
(A/N Marco only compares himself to his brothers because it's a brother relationship and he compares himself to them. He obviously can't compare himself to Rafael because he's not their father)
"Now I have been patient as I don't want to push you but I want you all to be open as much as you can" Rafael continued.
"I'm not hiding anything, can I go?" Nico thought it was a pointless meeting.
James and Alex shared a look, they were going to tell Rafael about the abuse today.
"No. And since no one is talking let me start by telling you all a summery because I've had enough" Rafael said.
The triplets thought he would start on them but he didn't.
"Lorenzo you're my eldest son, yet you act irresponsibly at times even though you're an adult. You have control issues and always need to be respected no matter what" he said.
He hoped going through all his children, that the triplets would open up. His two eldest sons and Nico didn't have any serious issues so he was really just picking Lorenzo's flaws at this point.
He honestly couldn't think of a flaw for Leo. He didn't have anger issues, he worked hard, no abuse or poor mental health. He was probably the perfect son.
"Leo your a perfectionist, it's okay to be wrong some times" he simply stated.
Marco gulped knowing he was next.
Rafael looked over at Nico though. Rafael had to think because again Nico had no issues. He had good grades and did well in sports, he was intelligent and unlike a typical jock he loved learning especially science, which Rafael noticed he has bonded over maths and science with James.
"You can be irresponsible" he stated.
"How" Nico was the first to complain because Lorenzo and Leo took the critism as they knew it was true but they knew what their dad was trying to do.
"You took Lorenzo's car out without asking him and damaged it" Rafael stated. He knew Marco was just as responsible but Marco had bigger issues. And on that day he didn't care about a damaged car, he cared that the triplets had been found.
Nico nodded knowing Marco was also to blame but he knew Marco was suffering so took responsibility.
"Now you 4" Rafael decided it would be best to group them together.
"Wait" Alex said stopping him.
"What is it" Rafael asked.
"Do we all have to be here for this, can't it be done privately" Alex suggested
"I agree" Marco added. He didn't want his brothers to find out what a disappointment he was.
"You can tell me details privately if you wish but there's no hiding it now. Besides it will be beneficial for everyone to know"
"Fine but if you cross a line " Alex warned, in a voice that suprised everyone but James and Skye. He didn't even have to finish the sentence. Everyone found it eerily similar to Lorenzo's warning.
Rafael didn't bother with the tone. He was suprised but nothing more "right well let's start out. You three were kidnapped when you were 4, we searched everywhere for you but couldn't find you. Marco you were never to blame for them getting kidnapped, you was a victim too, you tried but you were only 8 , there was nothing you could have done to stop them being kidnapped" Rafael said, he had already reassured Marco about it alot , sometimes several times a day when it first happened.
"And I have not looked into your past purely out of respect. I could go digging but you were released from the hospital so I knew you three weren't about to drop dead. I was hoping you would come to me with what happened and wanted to respect that some things you wanted to leave in the past. I know it's hard and I know you want to forget it but it happened. Its nothing to be ashamed of and I'm so proud of you three for fighting through it, god knows how long it went on" he said.
James and Alex shared a look
Skye didn't dare look up. She was ashamed of everything. He raped her and the boys tried to help only to get hurt. She got Marco kidnapped. He got abused too.
Marco seemed to know what Skye was thinking because he wrapped an arm around her.
He was just as ashamed of himself as Skye was herself.
He blamed himself for everything his three siblings went through.
"We were abused" Alex spoke for the three of them.
No one spoke.
Lorenzo and Marco knew, so it came as no surprise.
Rafael knew but it hurt to hear them admit it.
Nico and Leo were trying to wrap their heads around it. They both knew the triplets had gone through something but not abuse.
"And I'm proud of you for telling us. It took alot of strength" Rafael said in a soft tone that his other sons were shocked that their dad could be like that.
"Are they dead" Leo asked darkly. He didn't bother asking what happened to them because they knew they were in the Mafia so there was no point hiding his intentions
"Prison" James muttered.
Skye and Marco knew slightly different though, not that they were in a place to say that Skye threw a knife and Marco shot him.
"Are you comfortable telling us how bad the abuse was" Rafael asked. He knew it was bad but didn't know how bad.
Marco probably knew the most but he would never tell anyone.
"Are you going to look into our past and get our records" Alex asked.
"At some point yes. I want you to open with me first" Rafael said.
Lorenzo smiled, he couldn't access their records but Rafael could and once he did, he knew whoever was behind it would be killed.
"You'll find out everything" Skye whispered tears starting to fall.
Before Alex or James could comfort her , Marco had her on his lap and she quickly buried her face. Alex and James watched carefully but both of them slowly relaxed knowing he wasn't hurting her.
"Yes but whatever happened Skye nothing could change how much I love you three" Rafael knew it was bad just by her reaction.
Lorenzo, Leo and Nico were staring at Marco, they didn't know he could be so... caring and affectionate.
Marco didn't bother looking at his father, he knew his father would only think of him as a disappointment.
Rafael studied his daughter a little then Alex who was still looking at Marco, on edge ready to jump in.
He remembered how Alex hated anyone touching her, how he hit Marco when he found them cuddling.
Was it just physical and emotional abuse?
He decided he would ask that question privately.
"We'll talk more in private about the abuse" he stated.
It was important for it to be out in the open but he knew only the important details needed to be heard by everyone.
"Marco" Rafael said turning his attention to Marco who was holding onto Skye not only for her wellbeing but for his.
"She's safe" he muttered.
"Yes and you were the one who rescued her. You took all the abuse Marco and I am so proud of you. You are so strong, so brave" Rafael said again using the same soft tone.
"No" Marco said.
He was weak.
"What happened Marco" Rafael asked softly.
Everyone listened carefully. No one knew the details.
"A man kidnapped us, there was quite alot were we were held, the man tried to hurt Skye, I took the abuse instead" he stated coldly.
"What happened to all the men that were there " James dared ask, his own fears of them turning up crept up.
Marco looked at James. He didn't know how to word it. He didn't know how to say he killed them.
"They are dead" Marco didn't have the energy to be nice about it.
And yet to his surprise James didn't call him a murderer, he looked relieved.
"And what about the man behind it" Alex asked knowing who was behind it.
"I shot him' Marco whispered, tears started to fall as he thought back to what he had done.
Rafael sat next to Marco, he couldn't hug his son as he and Skye were hugging but he wrapped a arm around Marco and side hugged him.
"Whatever happened, whatever they did to you, you will always be loved. Nothing was your fault" he quietly reassured.
Marco looked down at Skye. And then at his dad. Then at his brothers who were watching. He was a disappointment.
Was he ready to come clean about what truly happened?
He never told them the first time and he caused so much damage, damage to himself, to everyone around him, and most importantly he hurt his brothers.
Maybe this time he could tell them.
He already knew they would pity him at first but be disgusted in him, they would be dissapointed.
Rafael would hate that he had such a weak son.
His older brothers would look at him with disgust.
And Nico would stop talking to him.
He was hurting so bad. He hated talking about it. He was getting more sick, he could barely eat.
"You don't need to tell me Marco if you don't want to. I won't force you to tell me but whatever happened was not your fault. You're shutting yourself down again and I don't want to see you get ill. I love you Marco and I always will"
Marco sighed. He wanted to keep hold of Skye to know she was safe but he wanted to tell. He hated that he wanted to, but he wanted to get better.
He knew after he told he would leave, he didn't want to stick around to see the disappointment.
"Well as I told the triplets, you can always come to me privately" he said seeing Marco hadn't replied.
He stood back up "if there is more you want to share with us you can. However you are all suffering. You four can talk to us anytime you want but I want to see all of you healthy so I have booked you four to see a therapist" he announced.
Marco hated therapist. They acted like they understood and would be there to help you but they had no idea.
"How long before you look into our past" Alex asked.
"Not long but I would like to mention I am tracking down the kidnapper and whoever was involved"Â Rafael stated. He didn't know when but he was going to kill the people who harmed his children.
Marco gulped. They would find out.
If he did it now then he could save himself the pain that would come when they found out themselves.
"Dad....I...."
So I'm sorry this took ages to write. I think it might be a bit of a disappointment as you all want everything out and I do too. But the first step is admitting abuse. They probably will say more privately.
Again a cliff hanger. Will Marco actually tell his family he was sexually abused though?