Daddy Issues- Joseph Quinn

The red box

Saturday morning came around and the pair were packing the remainder of the belongings they wished to take to America. Their flight was to depart in the evening so they figured they still had a few hours to pack a couple last minute items before they needed to leave.

They'd spent the past 2 days doing nothing but packing while Mabel made a million lists of things she needed to take with her and another million lists of things she needed to remember to do before she left her house unoccupied for the next couple months. Joe found her lists hilarious and quirky but admired how dedicated she was being to the whole experience of moving with him.

"Okay so that should be the last box of clothes, my clothes of course because apparently you just don't own very much" she chuckled to Joe as she taped up a big cardboard box.

"Not everyone needs 40 pairs of jeans Mabel" he teased.

"Okay fair enough, but you literally own 3 pairs"

"Plenty" he flashed her a big fake smile. Mabel enjoyed Joe's simplicity, it was refreshing to be around someone who cared so little for the material things and cared so much about the emotional things.

Joe wrapped his arms around Mabel's waist and connected their lips, them both melting into the kiss. Mabel pulled away and sighed looking around at her bedroom.

"What's wrong sweetheart?"

"It's so empty." She laughed. Joe followed her eyes and looked around the room.

"Mabel if you don't want to come I understand" Joe trailed off before Mabel interrupted him.

"No. I'm coming Joe. Us against the world right- besides long distance? Not possible, never works." she stated. Joe nodded his head in agreement. They both knew long distance was never an option, it's too difficult and they'd be more stressed than happy.

"I however will be leaving to come home when Kristen has the baby, I really don't want to miss it" she smiled. Mabel was so excited for her to be able to be the cool aunt who spoils her constantly. Although Mabel had little experience with children, she'd come to love Joe's nephews so much that she could see herself being great with kids.

Joe decided to continue packing the things they'd need while Mabel frantically organised their flight tickets and passports. He watched her concentrate and just admired every single one of her features. He admired how she'd thrown her hair into a claw clip with no intention of making an effort but she effortlessly looked incredible. He watched her eyes flicker from the several pages in front of her as she ticked boxes, Joe simply knew he loved her more than anyone or anything in the world.

"That's it, that's everything" Joe said as he placed the last box into the pile of items that would go with them. Mabel's eyes shot up to Joe and then around the room, noticing how bare the room officially was. This was it, this was her saying goodbye to her room for the next while.

"I'm going to head downstairs and just check there- I'll be back in a minute" she smiled softly as she existed the room.

Joe knew it was time.

While Mabel searched the downstairs of the house Joe quickly scrambled into his jacket pocket to find the small red box with gold detailing embossed along it. He quickly opened the box and smiled at the sight. He sat on the bed and waited for Mabel to return. He sat for a while wondering what was taking her so long, he checked his watch and noticed she'd been gone for a while and decided he should probably go check on her. Getting up from the bed Joe could feel his heart race as he heard Mabel coming up the stairs, he quickly got down on one knee in front of the door so he'd be the first thing she saw as he opened it.

The door swung open to Mabel muttering something. As her eyes caught Joe on one knee, ring box in hand her heart skipped a beat, her head spun and Joe's world came crashing down with one sentence.

"I have to move to Australia" she blurted out

Joes hands fell down his side in defeat as he just looked at Mabel, his heart beating so rapidly yet he felt like all the oxygen was ripping from his body.

"What?"

"When I was downstairs I got a call from Marvel studios- I had auditioned months ago. I just assumed I didn't get it, but I did." She said in disbelief.

"But we're supposed to leave tonight for Atlanta." Joe said confused now standing.

"Joe I can't give this up you have to understand this right?" She said trying to place her hand on him. He shrugged her off.

"Understand? I was just on one knee about to ask you to marry me and you decide to just leave me?" He raises his voice slightly making Mabel flinch.

"Joe"

"No Mabel, just no." He shook his head. "It's clear you've picked this over us."

"I didn't know this was going to fucking happen Joe. You think I planned this? It's my career or you, do you understand that? Do you understand what I'd be giving up coming with you?" She shouted.

"So giving us up is just that fucking easy is it Mabel? Just a 2 minute decision, no biggie?" He yelled back. Joe felt his heart break with every word, he couldn't believe this was happening, after all they've come through, after all they've worked for she could just let him go with no problems.

"It's not easy Joe but this is my career. I can't look back on my life and regret not taking this opportunity?"

"But you can look back on giving us up without an ounce of regret?"

"Joe please just listen and understand what I'm saying" she cried.

"No Mabel, fuck you. This is it, we're done, there's no point in even trying if without a second fucking thought you'd just leave me. Clearly this was all a fucking joke to you" he shouted grabbing his passport and ticket.

Mabel couldn't control the sobs coming from her.

"I love you" she cried.

"Sure you do Mabel." He scoffed leaving the room.

Mabel followed him down the stairs calling after him, begging him to listen but he had no interest in hearing what she had to say.

He stopped at her front door and turned to her handing her the red box.

"Here, I don't need the constant reminder than I simply wasn't good enough"

Mabel gripped the box in her hand, tears running down her face.

"Joe please" she softy spoke.

"It's over Mabel. Enjoy your life of happiness that just doesn't include me" he said softly. "I loved you, more than I loved anyone or anything in the entire world and you knew that. Don't act like this is such a surprise." He spoke before opening the front door. He turned to look at Mabel, her eyes dull and puffy, her face tear stained and her hand gripping the small red box. His heart was breaking and he felt his world crashing but he couldn't be the one to stick around where he wasn't a priority.
He glanced at her one last time.

"Goodbye Mabel Mae"

AUTHORS NOTE
Book one is complete 💔 sorry for the extremely short chapter but there wasn't much left to this half of the story, simply the ending

The second book in the series is going to be called More issues- Joseph Quinn (a sequel to daddy issues).

It'll be set one year in the future when Mabel and Joe somehow bump into each other at Mabel's marvel premier. Will old feelings resurface! Is anyone unavailable? Has Joe forgiven Mabel? Can they have a happy ending?
Lots of questions, and lots of answers.