Open Marriage (ON HOLD)

Chapter 22

"Aunt Rachel, please, you need to talk to mom for me. She really is going to try and ground me for this," Josh told his godmother.

"Josh, don't you dare try to put me in the middle of you and your mother," Rachel warned him.

"Yeah, it doesn't go well for the party that isn't Lynny," Chris laughed from his chair next to the hospital bed.

"She's overreacting," the teen insisted.

"Is she? I mean, look at where you are. All because you thought a little teenage rebellion was going to get you attention," Rachel pointed out.

"Joshua, your parents love you, dude. You and your siblings are everything to them. Why didn't you talk to them or talk to us?" Chris asked.

"Maybe, I didn't think they would listen," he answered, saddened.

"What is really going on?" Rachel asked, taking a seat on the edge of Josh's bed.

"I don't like what they are doing," he admitted. "In fact, I hate that mom and dad are spending time with other people."

"Have you told them that?" Chris asked, gazing at Rachel, then back at the young boy.

"Yeah, but dad said that what was going on with mom and him was difficult to explain. They both love each other, but..." Josh trailed off, unsure of what to say.

"Joshy, look at me," Rachel demanded. "I have known your parents for a long time. They love you. It doesn't matter what is going on in their personal lives you, Rae, Beth, Noah, Emersyn, and Olie will always come first."

"She's right. Don't worry about what your parents are doing or what the media is putting out there. When it comes down to it, you have two parents and two godparents who would do anything for you," Chris expressed, placing his hand on Josh's arm.

"I know. I want mom and dad to figure it all out and be them again," he said, looking up at the adults.

"No matter the outcome of this situation, I know your parents are always going to be in each other's lives. Nothing will break the bond they have," Rachel assured her godson.

"Does mom really like your friend, Uncle Chris?" Josh questioned.

"Um..." he stuttered. "I know that they enjoy hanging out together. Sebastian is a good guy. He'll be good to your mom."

"And Halston?" he asked, looking up at Rachel.

"I don't know the girl well, so that's something you need to talk to your dad about," Rachel informed as the door opened to Josh's room.

Rachel felt relieved as Y/N entered the room.

"How is the patient?" Y/N asked, standing at the end of her son's bed.

"Tired," Josh answered.

"Thank you for visiting him," Y/N addressed Chris and Rachel, hugging them both.

"Well, Rachel had to deliver all the presents she bought him today," Chris confessed, getting daggers from Rachel.

"Rachel, he is in trouble," Y/N reminded him.

"With you, not me. Josh is my godson. He is your son," Rachel pointed out, Y/N rolling her eyes.

"Has the surgeon stopped by yet?" the young woman asked, placing some more things for Josh on the end of his bed.

"No, the nurse did, saying the doctor should be here within the hour. That was about thirty minutes ago," Chris communicated, peering down at his phone.