Princess of the universe // Hardzzellee

Chapter 21

"Hey, Rami. Everything alright?" Joe asked as soon as he picked up the phone. He walked to a quieter part of the room. He immediately excused himself as soon as he heard the ringtone that is assigned to both Rami's and Lucy's contact. They both knew he was at work so it had to be important if they would call.
"Well, both Scarlett and Addison got into trouble at school," Rami said. Joe's eyebrows furrowed.
"What did you say?" He asked, positive about the fact that he heard Rami wrong.
"Scarlett and Addison got themselves in trouble at school," Rami repeated. Joe leaned back against the wall.
"What happened?" Joe asked.
"I haven't really been able to talk to the girls yet. The teacher told me that Scarlett pushed a boy off a playground thing. When he started crying because he got hurt, Addison said some rude things. The teacher won't specify what because I am not her parent," Rami said. Joe stayed silent for a bit.
"That is so unlike them," Joe said. He watched various people pass by. Rami hummed.
"That is what I thought. That's why I want to hear the girl's story too. But I send Lucy and Scarlett to the mall because Addison is very shaken up." Rami explained.

"Rami, what if we miss something? What if they are bullies? A three famous men gay couple and another Hollywood famous couple have brought up two bullies? What if this story gets out and we will all get jobless? With no money to raise our families. And- and- and-" Joe rambled while sliding down against the wall until he was sitting on the floor. His legs were trapped between his torso and his arms. Rami had been repeatedly calling Joe's name.

"Joey, listen to me. You are doing it again. You are looking for the worst-case scenario. Come on, take a deep breath for me." He waited until Joe inhaled before he continued: "While you continue doing that, listen to me. Tonight we are going to talk to the girls and hear what they have to say. Tomorrow we will visit the school to talk to the teacher so we can explain both sides. If Addison and Scarlett are the ones that are wrong we will visit the boy's parents and apologize. Then we will talk about this behaviour with the girls. Either way, it is going to be alright." Rami explained.
"Do you want me to pick up Addison now?" Joe asked. Rami shook his head before realising that Joe couldn't see that.
"No, she is kind of shaken up and I think scared of your reaction. It's better to pick her up like you normally would. In that way, you four can talk as soon as you come home." Rami explained. Ever since Rami had picked them up from school, Addison hadn't said a word. After he sent his own ladies to the mall, he tried to talk to her. Except for head nodding and shrugging, he didn't get any answers. Now he sat her down in front of the tv with a snack and something to drink.
"Okay, I'll see you in an hour then," Joe said. After saying their goodbyes and ending the call, Joe remained seated for a bit, trying to collect his thoughts.

One of his co-stars, Wentworth, walked up to him.
"What is going on?" Wentworth asked before sitting down on the floor. When it stayed silent, Wentworth didn't ask any more questions.
"My foster daughter got into trouble at school." Joe sighed. Wentworth turned his head to look at Joe.
"What for?" He asked.
"Saying rude things to a fellow student. She has to stay inside during recess this week. I know it's not that bad, but I feel like a failure as a parent to know that she got into trouble." Joe admitted. Except for Ben, Gwil, Rami and Lucy, Wentworth was the only friend he trusted with his feelings. He and Wentworth sometimes shared the same way of thinking which was quite helpful.
"Joe, you and I both know that you are an amazing parent. So are Ben and Gwilym. Every kid gets into trouble now and then. Kids are little rebels, they always like to test the waters. Your challenge now is to talk to her and teach her that it is wrong what she did." Wentworth explained. Joe looked up at him with a smile.
"Thanks, Went." Wentworth smiled.
"Any time. Now let's get back to set so we can get this over with."

After finishing filming, Joe drove over to Rami's house as soon as possible. He already called both Ben and Gwil to inform them about the situation. Before Joe could even ring the doorbell, the door opened. Rami walked outside before silently closing the door behind him.
"She fell asleep. She is really shaken up though. According to Lucy, Scarlett said that the teacher yelled at them. I also think that she is scared of how you three will respond to what happened," Rami said. Joe nodded he kept his eyes on the door. Rami unlocked it for him. Addison is laying on her side on the couch. Her eyes were closed and small snores escaped from her throat. Joe smiled before picking her up and carrying her out of the house.
"Call me tonight," Rami whispered when Joe passed him.
"I will, thanks, Rami." Joe placed Addison in the backseat before he strapped her in. He raised his eyebrows when she stayed asleep through all of it. He shrugged before taking place in the driver's seat.

When they are almost home, Joe looked in his review mirror to check on Addison. He saw that she was awake and staring at Joe's back with a scared expression on her face. He briefly turned around to meet her eyes, and when he does she immediately looked away.
"Hey, sweetheart. Did you sleep well?" He asked. In his mirror, he could see that Addison nodded. He pulled into the driveway shortly after. After stopping the car, Joe got out to open Addison's door for her.

When they walked inside they are met by Ben and Gwil watching tv. 
"Take a seat, sweethearts," Ben said as soon as he saw his husband and Addison coming in. Joe put down his keys and backpack before making his way over to the couch. Addison quietly followed him. As soon as they were all seated, Joe started talking: "So, Rami called me to tell me what happened." Addison looked down in shame. She started shaking slightly.
"Honey, come give me a hug," Joe said while scooting over so he could wrap his arms around Addison.
"Sweetheart, it's alright. We are not mad. You don't have to be scared. We are not going to yell at you and we are not going to hurt you. We made that pinky promise, remember? I'll even do it again," Joe said while holding up his pinky. Addison hooked hers through Joe's.
"We are not going to be mad but we do need to talk about what happened, okay?" Joe asked. Addison nodded so he broke the hug so they can properly see her.

"Do you want to tell us what happened yourself?" Ben asked. Addison looked up to meet Ben's eyes.
"Do you promise not to get mad? Also not at Scarlett and Declan?"
"We do," Ben assured.
"Declan was telling me and Scarlett that you, Rami's and Lucy's jobs were not normal. Then he said that I should have normal parents and that you were really weird. We asked him to stop, but he keept going. Scarlett pushed him off, not that hard and then I told him that you are amazing and that maybe he should have better parents because he was being a meanie." Addison had looked away again. Gwil, Ben and Joe briefly locked eyes with each other. Gwil scraped his throat.
"What do you think about the fact that there are three of us?" Gwil asked. Addison shrugged
"I have extra love. He doesn't," She said. Ben couldn't help but smile.
"I am glad you see it that way. Some people don't. Most parents are a boy and a girl. Sometimes two moms and two dads. Three dads don't really happen often. Because it is not 'normal', people think it is weird," Ben explained. Addison frowned.
"Poor other kids," She mumbled.

"We know that you were defending yourself but we are not rude to other people and we don't call someone a meanie, okay?" Joe asked. Addison nodded but looked away again.
"So, because you did that, you are not allowed to watch tv or play video games tomorrow and the day after, okay?" Joe continued. They had quickly texted about consequences in different scenarios earlier that day. Addison nodded again.
"We are going to talk to Miss Lisa tomorrow because she has to know the entire story too. And she is not going to yell at you again." Gwil ended the round.

Joe scooted over so he could pull Addison in his lap. Addison pressed her ear against Joe's chest. While Joe wrapped his arms around her.
"I'm sorry," She mumbled. Joe tightened his grip around her.
"I know. Just don't do it again," He said back. When the first tears start to make their way down her face, Joe started rocking her back and forth.
"Ssh, it's okay, sweetheart. We are not mad," Joe whispered.

***********

Hey guys,

This chapter is a lot longer than usual. I hope you liked it! 

Give me about 5 chapters before the drama will start. You guys are going to hate me, believe me. 

Take good care of yourself and others. Stay safe, stay healthy.

Goodbye,

Xx Itsametaphorjoe