Off The Air

Exposure (Pt. 2)

The next day Stephen is released from the hospital. You went home early that morning after realizing you had stayed there the entire night. You took the time to freshen up and run some errands. You had a lot of missed calls, and the entire situation had been blowing up on social media. So when you went out that day, you had fans constantly question you. From the images and videos that were taken by bystanders, it was pretty clear what the situation was and people began to turn on Evie. As you returned to the hospital later that day you couldn't help but think about the situation that you were in. You knew you had to tell Stephen about it so that he could make a statement regarding it. However, when you got back to the hospital Stephen was out of bed talking to Peter and Madeline, two of his three children. As anyone else, they were heavily concerned and confused about what happened. They didn't want to believe what social media was saying, so they went to their dad for the real answer.

As you enter the room they glance at you, then look back at their father. "So it's true?" Peter asks. "What's true? I told you what happened." Stephen says. "Should I leave?" You ask. "No, stay." Stephen replies. "Thank you for being here with him." Madeline says. "No problem." You reply. "They said I can go home tomorrow." Stephen says trying to change the subject. "That's nice dad, meanwhile mom won't return my calls." Peter replies. "I really think I shouldn't be in here right now." You say as a feeling of guilt is eating you. You open the door but Stephen rushes behind you and shuts it back. He looks deep into your eyes and says "I need you here." You gaze at him for a second, then take a seat. This moment causes Stephen to reveal the truth to his children.

You had no idea what he had told them. As he looks at you, his eyes get watery yet he fights back tears. "Ok, I haven't been truthful." He says. "Do you love her dad?" Peter asks. "Yes." He replies. Your heart stops and you bow your head, anxious as to what their reaction would be. "Then say it." Peter says. Stephen freezes, not understanding the situation. He had the idea that his children would be upset with him. "Say it dad." Madeline adds. "...I love her." He says. He turns to you, you're looking at the ground not wanting to see at anyone. He takes your hand and you look up at him. "I love you." He says. "I love you too." You reply. "We've been seeing each other for over a year now. It's wrong I know, but she makes me feel like I have nothing to be ashamed of. I loved your mother for a very long time, but this love feels different. It's genuine. It's mutual." He concludes. His kids just sit in silence, looking at each other as they contemplate what to do. "And so the guy that you were arguing with-" "Yea, that was someone that your mom has been seeing for a while." Stephen says cutting off Peter mid sentence. "How long?" Madeline asks. "20 years." "Dad that's like our entire lifetime!" "How could you let that happen?!" "I didn't! I didn't know!" You just sit there witnessing this encounter between Stephen and his children. The feeling of guilt eats you once again, it's all your fault once again. "Look I'm sorry you guys this is all my fault." You say breaking your silence. "No, honey it's not your fault." Stephen says.

Stephen takes your hand, and Peter's phone rings. "It's mom." He says. "Put it on speaker." Stephen replies. "Hello?" Peter says as he puts the phone on speaker. "Hi Peter, sorry I haven't been able to answer. I've been going through a lot." "Are you at home?" He replies. "No, I'm not at home. How's your father?" "He's recovering." He responds. Madeline requests to talk to her, so Peter hands the phone over. "Hey mom, so if you're not at home then where are you?" "Hi Maddy, don't worry about me I'll be fine." "You're not answering the question." Peter adds. "Well I've been very depressed these past few days and I just wanted to give myself a day out. Your father has really lost it and he wants to get a divorce." "I would too if my wife was sleeping around for 20 years." Peter says causing your jaw to drop, the tension in the room goes up by 10. "Peter! I am still your mother don't talk to me like that!" "What do you expect me to say mom?! Dad told us everything, so you might as well tell us where you really are!". "Well did he tell you about how much he loves y/n?! I tried to be there for him but he just wanted her! You think I'm the bad one?! Your dad's not too innocent either. I'm sure he's been sleeping around with her as well!" Evie finally catches on to the affair, and the fact that she's upset about it is enough to put a smirk on Stephen's face.

"Dad told us everything mom, and while what he did isn't right it doesn't take away from the fact that he was loyal to you. Throughout our entire childhood he stayed with you to keep us from growing up in a broken home, meanwhile you were verbally absolve and were already with another man. He provided for you and took care of the entire family, yet you had the audacity to cheat on him for 20 years?! We were children mom!" Madeline concludes, she hangs the phone up and gives it back to her brother. "Can we take you home today?" She asks. "Actually, when I get out of here I wanted to go to y/n's apartment. It's closer, is that fine with you?" He asks. "Yea, I'll take care of you." You respond. "I'm not sure if I'll be able to go home today, but you can ask." He tells Madeline. Madeline quickly exits the room, eager to get her father out of the hospital.
"Hey Peter can you do me a favor?" "Sure." "Can you go get Benny from the dog sitter's house? You remember where she lives right?" "I got you dad." Peter leaves the room, leaving you and Stephen alone. You stand up and put Stephen's face in your hands. "You smell so bad." You remark. "I don't do hospital showers, so I'm sorry about that." He replies. "It's alright, once I get you home I'm gonna clean you up, fix you a nice meal and let you get some rest. Does that sound good?" You say running your hands through his hair. "Sounds great." There's a sense of relief between you two. The truth is out and you have nothing to fear. Madeline comes back with the news that Stephen can be released, which gives you all something to celebrate.

Madeline was kind enough to drive you and Stephen back to the apartment, and Peter got Benny and all of his necessities. So now this wasn't just a safe place for Stephen, but Benny as well. "Ok, well I'm gonna go. Call me if you need anything." Madeline says before giving you a hug and kissing her dad on the forehead. After she departs, Stephen almost sits on the couch before you stop him. "You're not sitting down until you've had a shower." You grab his hand and take him into the bathroom. You reach into the closet and get him a towel. When you turn around his shirt is unbuttoned, and you can see the scar from his surgery. You try to hand him his towel, but you can't stop watching him take his clothes off. "My eyes are up here darling." He says as he takes the towel from you and gets the water running. "Are you gonna join me?" He asks. As much as you wanted to, you had to decline. "I gotta go get dinner started." You reply. "You sure?" He says as he takes his underwear off. "I know what you're trying to do." You tell him. "Is it working?" He asks as he enters the shower. You fail to answer him as you watch him cover himself with soap. "I wish I could, but I've really gotta start cooking." "Or... you can get your ass in here and I can help you cook." "Stephen you need to rest." You reply. "I feel fine. I just want my lady, that's all I need right now." He finally convinces you to join him, so you strip and get in with him. He doesn't see you doing this, so he's surprised to see you when he turns around.

"I guess dinner can wait a bit." You say as you start to wash yourself. "You know this is a great way to save money." Stephen says. "Was that gonna be the next thing you would've said if I didn't get in here." "No, but it's a great tactic to use next time." Stephen says before kissing your neck. You can feel his prickly little facial hair and say "You're growing some scruff." Stephen feels his face and replies "Sorry, I'll shave once I get out." "I didn't say anything about shaving." You reply as you take his shampoo and start washing his hair. For the first time ever you actually feel like his wife, and you feel obligated to take care of him, so you do. "I just want you to know that I love you, and I'm gonna take care of you." You tell him. "I love you too, and I'm gonna protect you with my entire life if I have to. Don't worry about me so much dear, I'm alright." "Stephen I have to worry about you. That's how this works, it's how love works. I have to worry about you, I have to take care of you, I have to be there for you." This statement makes Stephen realize  something about himself. "You're right, this is how it works. True love is mutual. I guess I spent all those years tolerating what Evie did that I lost track of what love was." "And that's alright, you have a chance to start over." You say as you rinse out Stephen's hair. "And I'm grateful for it. I'm not ashamed of this at all, and when I tell the world about it I won't care what they think because that same night I'm coming home to you." Stephen says before turning the water off.

Message from the author:
Hey readers! I'm so glad that you guys have been keeping up with this story. I just finished school for the year so I'm gonna have more time to dedicate to this story. I appreciate the patience (or impatience) and I'm gonna start working on the next chapter as soon as this is published. Alrighty, hope you enjoy!