Back to you

understanding

Dinner that night - Jen's pov

The topic of Sophia and James leaving has been kept out of our conversation ever since we arrived back home because I am unsure if she is ready to share her emotional side with me just yet. The last thing I was is to make her feel uncomfortable on her first full day with me.

"Can I ask you something?" She says in somewhat of a frightened tone as she cuts up a piece of chicken on her plate before turning to head to face me.

"Of course! Anything!"

"I was wondering if it would be okay for Liliana, My best friend! Remember I told you about her this morning?" I nod remembering the conversation we had over breakfast. "Okay, Uh I was wondering if she could come and visit sometime? Not now of course! But once everything is settled?."

I nod looking over at the fireplace in front of us and then back at Leilani as she places her fork on her plate and picks up her glass of water from the coffee table. We decided tonight we would eat in the living room across from the fireplace while watching her favourite movies. Anything to make this transition as easy as possible for her.

"I think that is a wonderful idea! But like you said not now! I'm sorry honey but we have to keep things on the down low until we can figure everything out. I don't want this getting out to the media before we are ready for it, yeah? I don't want you to get bombarded with people and questions just yet... or at all for that matter but unfortunately, it will happen. Adjust to your new life here first and when you are ready then and only then will we announce it! I think it would be better for us to take trips down to Australia before bringing too many people up here. How does that sound?"

"Yeah, I understand. It sounds great, taking trips down there. It would be fun to show you around. Show you where I grew up and went to school and stuff. How long do you think we have to keep this a secret?" She asks looking up at me with a hopeful look in her eyes

"Honestly" I sign before continuing "As long as we can. I know it will be hard but nobody really suspected anything so it might be a little easier than we think. It's going to be a lot for us when the news does break. And I'm not trying to scare you at all honey! I just want you to know."

"No, I know" She nods as she swallows her food before reaching for her glass again. "How big do you think this news will be?"

"Pretty big honestly. As you may know, I'm... for some reason loved by the tabloids so when this news breaks it will probably be all over everywhere for a while. Especially because Brad is involved, The media and the public have been so obsessed with us and our relationship for years and years and for reasons I just don't understand."

"Well, I have to admit I am definitely one of them" She says shyly making herself blush as she giggles.

"Are you now?" I turn my body to face her, raise my eyebrows and laugh.

"I am. It was very, very strange finding out that my favourite celebrity couple are actually my parents."

"I can only imagine. So tell me, Why? Why are you and apparently the world so obsessed? Maybe I can finally understand. Oh wait before you do, are you finished? I'm going to go put these in the dishwasher and grab a glass of wine, Is that okay?

"Yeah, yeah that's fine and yes! I'm all finished thank you for dinner." She takes one last sip of her water before she puts for fork and knife on the plate.

"Okay, I'll be two seconds." I put up both of our plates and glasses carrying them into the kitchen. "Do you want anything to drink Leilani?" I shout loud enough so she can hear.

"Do you have like lemonade or anything?"

"Yes, I do! I'll get you a glass"

"Thank you"

After pouring us both drinks I walk back into the living room placing them both on the coffee table, Before walking over the the hamper full of blankets taking out one for each of us.

"Thank you" she says placing her glass back down after taking a sip and taking the blanket from me as I hand it to her.

"Okay, tell me!" I fold my legs in front of me while leaning my arm on the back cushions and resting my head on my hand.

"I mean I don't know!" She says crossing her legs under the blanket and placing her hands on her lap. "I think it was because back then you guys were so relatable you know. Like two of the most famous and attractive people at the time and still now. Is that weird to say considering you're my parents?" She laughs looking me in the eye. I join in the laughter and shrug my shoulders not really having an answer.

"Anyways, Whenever someone asked about you guys you were always honest and would say stuff like "we're actually very boring at home, like our personal life is not that glamorous" and people really love when they can relate to big stars. You guys seemed so happy and genuinely in love. You know the "golden couple". And as for now I think people just love the idea of a happy ending and they want to you both of you happy...and back together. You know?"

I stay silent trying to process everything she has just said. I am at a loss for words. I haven't heard someone talk in that much detail about our relationship since we separated.

"I think I do understand now!" I take a sip of my wine while still trying to process but I can't stop asking myself one question in particular. "Leilani you are very mature for your age. Why is that? Have you always been like this?"

"I guess um, I guess when I started to realise and understand that I was different from my family is when I started to mature, Which was a few years ago. I had to because I had to stand up for myself at school and stuff you know? I wasn't bullied bad but it did happen. I mostly got the comments and questions. Though the stares at parent-teacher things were the worst because we all knew there was something different about our family. We could feel all the eyes on us but I just didn't know what that "thing" was. You know?" She says as her voice starts to break as she's trying to hold back tears that just want to pour out.

"Oh honey, Come here" I move closer to her before wrapping her up in my arms and placing her head on my shoulder. "I'm so so so sorry I did this to you. I just wanted what was best for you at the time and trust me it was the right decision! I absolutely did not want you to go through what I was going through at the time of the divorce. It was seriously a shit show." She giggles through her tears at my language.

I lean my head to the side and place a kiss on the top of her head before stroking her hair. She unwraps her arms from my back and looks up at me before speaking.

"So I've heard" She giggles

"Oh, you have no idea" I say sarcastically while rolling my eyes, making her smile once more before we are interrupted by a ringtone. "Now why would someone ruin this beautiful moment" I place a kiss on her head before getting up to pick up my phone.

"Who is it?" She asks.

"It's your father"