A Ruin Of Roses (Used to be: My Mysterious Husband)

THIRTY-NINE

𝙳𝚞𝚋𝚕𝚒𝚗, 𝙸𝚛𝚎𝚕𝚊𝚗𝚍, 𝟾:𝟸𝟽 𝙰.𝙼 𝚂𝙴𝙿𝚃 𝟷𝟷𝚝𝚑 𝟸𝟶𝟷𝟾
[𝙿.𝙾.𝚅 𝚁𝙾𝚂𝙴]

"I have to tell you something that happened while you were sleeping," I say, my hand resting on Jaxon's arm.

"Anything," Jaxon replies, his tone noticeably softer than when he first woke up.

"You guys can come in," I call quietly, gesturing toward the door. It slowly pushes open, revealing Jaxon's siblings, who have been waiting patiently outside. Jaxon's eyes widen in surprise, and when Sean and Lillian also enter the room, he instinctively squeezes my hand. I give him a reassuring look and whisper, "Wait, baby, before you get angry, let them speak."

"My baby," Lillian says, tears filling her eyes as she steps forward, her voice trembling with emotion.

"Mom," Jaxon responds, allowing her to hug him. His gaze avoids Sean, who stands there with a complex mix of emotions. I squeeze Jaxon's hand, silently urging him to give Sean a chance. "Sean and I talked the other day, he will need a moment," I murmur to Jaxon.

Lillian runs her fingers through Jaxon's hair, her tears falling helplessly. "I'm sorry," she whimpers, her apology laden with regret.

He finally reaches forward, wrapping his arms around her, and they share a long, heartfelt hug. The room is filled with the palpable emotions of a family trying to heal. I stand up and gently take Jayden's hand, leading him out of the room to give Jaxon and his parents some privacy.

"I'll be back," Lillian says as we exit the room. The door closes behind us, leaving Jaxon alone with Sean. I exchange a knowing look with Jaxon's siblings and take a deep breath, hoping that this moment of reconciliation will help mend the fractured bonds within their family.

𝙳𝚞𝚋𝚕𝚒𝚗, 𝙸𝚛𝚎𝚕𝚊𝚗𝚍, 𝟾:𝟹𝟹 𝙰.𝙼 𝚂𝙴𝙿𝚃 𝟷𝟷𝚝𝚑 𝟸𝟶𝟷𝟾
[𝙿.𝙾.𝚅 𝙹𝙰𝚇𝙾𝙽]

 "I know you're mad at me," Dad says, his voice tinged with remorse. "And I don't expect you to just up and forgive me for what I did, but I want you to listen," he pleads.

"Fine," I mumble, my guard still up.

"She showed up to the house and told us you were hurt, and it scared me... It took that moment to sink into my brain that I could have lost you and never got you back, and I'm willing to fight every day for the rest of my life to fix what I did," he continues, his voice filled with sincerity.

"I loved you guys so much," I admit, a heavy weight lifted from my chest. "All I did was try to teach them to respect you because I knew you were doing what you did to keep us fed and happy. Why they refused to listen to you, I don't know, and it hurt me knowing they didn't see you the way I did... that they didn't look up to you the way I did," I say, my voice catching.

Our eyes lock, and for the first time ever, I see tears in his eyes. His vulnerability strikes a chord with me, and I find myself unable to look away.

"I let my stupid ego and power take over me, and I hate myself for that. I'm just asking for another chance, please," he whispers, his tears rolling down his cheeks. "You can have the stupid business. I don't want it anymore. I just want my son."

I stare at him for a long moment, trying to hold back my own tears, but they fall anyway. I've never wanted anything more than a moment like this with him. He steps forward, his arms wrapping around me so tightly and securely that I feel at home again.

"I love you, Jaxon," he whispers.

"I love you too, Dad," I whisper back, squeezing him a little tighter. "I don't want your business. I just want you to stay around," I admit, my voice filled with longing.

"You never have to worry about that," he reassures me.

"We're here for you and your family," he says, and I sink into this feeling I never knew I needed. I let it wrap around me, grateful that my life is coming back together. The rift between us is beginning to heal, and the future seems brighter.

"And about your wife, the stepfather, what are you going to do about that guy?" he asks, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"I beat the crap out of him after I found out he raped her. Why, what's your idea?" I reply, my anger still simmering.

He smiles. "We can do something about him when you get out of the hospital" He Chuckles. "And her mom too, she's just as guilty," I add.

He nods, sitting next to me. "It's a plan then," he chuckles, and I nod. This feels right, having him here feels right, and I'm overjoyed that everything is coming back together. The bonds of our family are slowly being mended, and there's a sense of hope and unity in the air.