Princess of the universe // Hardzzellee

Chapter 37

A week later Joe had brought Addison to bed. When he walked into the living room, Ben was sitting on the couch, staring into nothingness. Joe carefully approached him.
"Are you alright, love?" Joe asked. Ben shook his head. When Joe sat down, Ben buried himself in Joe's side. Joe put his arm around Ben's back. A sob escaped from Ben's throat while Joe rubbed his hand over Ben's arm.
"I am sorry," Ben choked out.
"Nothing to be sorry about, sweetheart. I miss him too," Joe said, knowing exactly what Ben felt like. Joe tried his best to keep his own tears in while he kept shushing Ben.

"I didn't think it was going to be this hard," Ben said. He brushed his tears away with the back of his hand.
"Me neither. Thought it was going to be just like a work trip," Joe said. Ben nodded.
"Not being able to call him to talk to him makes it so much harder," Ben mumbled. Joe quickly dried his own eyes with the sleeve of his hoodie.
"I er- didn't want to tell you how much I was struggling with this. I was afraid you'd think you weren't good enough. That I was that desperate longing for Gwil," Ben said. Joe turned Ben's face with his finger before slowly connecting their lips.
"Ben, you should never think that. I know exactly what you feel like right now. I miss Gwil. So, so, badly. I wish we could talk to him. That we could snuggle with him. I can't even remember the last time I was able to give him a proper hug. But that doesn't take any of my love for you away. Because I am still madly in love with you, Ben. That's how our relationship has always been and will always be. Every one of us is a third of this relationship. And if one of us is missing, we are not complete," Joe said. 
"That was a damn good speech," Ben said. Joe let out a loud laugh.
"Thank you."

"You believe me, right?" Joe asked. Ben took a shaky breath while nodding.
"Mostly because that is exactly how I feel." Joe connected their lips briefly.
"Do you want to watch something with Gwil? Or does that make things more difficult?" Joe asked. 
"Can we watch an episode of Midsomer Murders?" Ben asked. Joe chuckled.
"You are as much of a simp for Charlie Nelson as I am," Joe said. Ben shrugged.
"What can I say? Gwil looks extremely hot when he is trying to be serious while interrogating people," Ben said. Joe laughed softly.
"He really does."

While Ben went to get them some snacks, Joe looked up their favorite episode. Ben joined Joe on the couch. As soon as they were sitting, Ben wrapped an arm around Joe. He pulled Joe into his embrace. Ben placed a quick kiss against the side of Joe's head before he started the episode. Joe squeezed Ben's hand tightly the first time Gwil came on screen. 
"I can't believe he is our husband," Joe said.
"I can't either. I mean, look at him," Ben said. Both of them stared at the screen every time Gwil came on screen.
"I hope he will soon be able to do all of this stuff again," Ben said while he watched Gwil climb a tree.
"Me too."

The next day, Joe was off to work. Addison still got tired after a long day of school. So, instead of letting Rami pick her up, Ben picked her up himself. She hadn't said much to him while they were in the car. As soon as they were home, she left for her room. When she came downstairs to get some water half an hour later, Ben got down onto his knees in front of her.
"Hey, is something going on?" Ben asked. Addison walked around him, trying to get to the sink.
"Addison, please answer me," Ben said. Addison grabbed her step stool to put it in front of the sink. Ben grabbed her arm carefully.
"Please, sweetheart. If something is going on, I can and want to help you."
"No," Addison said. 

Things escalated quickly. Ben had given her a warning for ignoring him. Addison was now loudly yelling for Ben to leave her alone. Ben walked over again. He attempted to grab her shoulders to try and get her to calm down. Ben was taken aback when the first hand reached his face, smacking him across the cheek. Addison had deliberately slapped him in the face.
"Addison, stop that," Ben said. Addison hit him again.
"I hate you," She yelled. Ben grabbed her wrists with ease, restraining her from any movement.
"Take a deep breath," Addison glared at him while she tried to get her wrists free.

"I think you need some time to cool down," Ben said. He guided her to the staircase.
"You are going to sit here and think about what you just did. You are not to leave this staircase until I say you can," Ben said. Addison sat down, but as soon as Ben turned his back to her, she stood up.
"I'd stay seated if I were you," Ben said without turning around. He walked out of the hallway and into the kitchen.

Once he heard the door towards Addison's room open. Ben quietly got up to retrieve Addison.
"I believe I told you to stay seated on the staircase until I say you can leave," Ben said. With a hand on Addison's back, he gently guided her back to the staircase where she reluctantly sat down.

It was two minutes later when Ben heard sobs coming from the other side of the door. He was fighting every muscle in his body to stay seated. His - soon to be - daughter awoke the instinct to immediately comfort her. But he knew that he needed to show her that what she did wasn't okay. The slaps hadn't hurt because she didn't put any strength in them. But the shock that she did something like that was way worse.

After another two minutes, Ben got up from his chair. When he opened the door, he saw that Addison had her arms on one of the stairs, her face buried in them. Ben sat down on the floor in front of the staircase. When Addison didn't respond he cleared his throat.
"Is there something you'd like to tell me?" Ben asked. Addison looked up, but never met Ben's eyes.
"I am sorry," She said, tears still making their way down her face.
"What are you sorry for?" Ben asked.
"For hitting you and saying that I hate you," Addison mumbled. Her voice thinned at the end.
"Do you hate me?" Addison shook her head.

Ben stayed quiet for a little bit. He watched the wheels in Addison's head turn.
"Can I have a hug?" Ben asked. Addison looked up at him. Tears were welling up in her eyes again.
"Addison, I am not going to hurt you. What you did was not nice, but you apologized. You know what you did was wrong and that is most important," Ben said. He opened his arms. Addison took a deep breath before she stepped forward. Ben was gentle with her while giving her a hug to make sure he didn't give her the impression that he was going to hurt her in any way.

When they pulled away, Ben moved the hair out of Addison's face.
"Is there a reason why you were so angry?" Ben asked. Addison shrugged.
"Aubrey said I wasn't allowed to skip rope with them," Addison said.
"I am sorry that happened," Ben said.
"And I miss Gwilly," Addison mumbled. Ben closed his eyes while taking a deep breath. He bit on the inside of his lip to stop it from trembling.
"I miss him too. A lot actually. I hope we can see him really soon," Ben said. Addison nodded.
"Is he coming home?" Addison asked.
"I don't know. That depends on how well the special doctors could help him. Let's just assume he is not coming home. If he does it will be even more fun."

************

Hey guys,

Starting the new year off with some drama. We are just going to pretend like this story doesn't have enough drama yet.

May 2023 be an amazing year for you! 

Thank you for all the support you have given me in the past year(s). I recently went back and read all of the comments you guys left on this book and on all the others. I really appreciate all of those comments! I can't wait to write more chapters for you!

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

Goodbye,

Xx Itsametaphorjoe