Them. | The Final Installment of the Him Series | Joe Jonas Fanfiction

One.

I know what it may seem to look like for the outside world. I understand why the assumptions are made and why I'm looked to be a mother abandoning her family. After Joe took the girls out for breakfast just a few days after my leaving, the articles instantly started, the assumptions that Joe and I were headed for divorce. Now that I've been gone for over a month, it seems as though the rumors are steady swirling, everyone wanting to know where I am and what went wrong. We had always seemed so happy. If only they knew the real reason for my absence.

It makes me wonder... if Joe has told our family and friends the reason for my absence. Has he spilled the truth to them? Do they know where I am at all? What I'm up to? I suppose it's hard to tell, the boys are so used to hiding so much from the public that they aren't going to show what's going on or that there's problems to begin with. I, myself, have always been good at that. That could be one reason I fit in with them so well. Though it could also be a reason why it was so easy for me to trick them into believing all was perfectly normal while I planned the hardest thing I've ever had to do.

With the girls being with Joe on tour, I've only seen a few photos from paparazzi, this being the only time I've been grateful for my daughters being photographed. Thankfully, their faces have been blurred both times, which I can also say I'm grateful for. If they're going to be photographed either way, at least their faces aren't plastered online. Regardless, it's nice to see the photos of them with Joe. Once a few days after I left and the other just a few days ago in New York where he took them to see Sesame Street the Musical as we talked about taking them to. He's doing just as I requested, making sure to be present and available for the girls, although even in the photos, his eyes are tired and drained. Just as I assume mine look, the same as they looked when I arrived outside of Hope's home only four weeks ago, Stella standing by my side, giving Hope a knowing look, thinking I didn't notice.

*

The door swung open, Hope dressed in pajamas due to the early morning hours, her eyes tired and confused.

"Did we plan a visit I didn't know about?" she asked, rubbing her eyes to try and wake up.

"No," Stella sighed.

"I need your help," I told her, making her focus on my face, a look of concern appearing on her own.

"Come in."

We entered the home, Stella sitting on the couch as I remained standing. My head pounded with anxiety, hoping she'd understand and not immediately call Joe to let him know of my whereabouts.

"What's going on, Addie?" she asked, looking between Stella and I.

"Buckle up," Stella warned her, making her furrow her brows.

"It all started the day we brought Delphine home from the hospital," I told her, sighing.

Hope looked at me, confused. "What?"

I gulped. "I've been receiving threats towards Willa and Delphine since we brought Delphine home from the hospital."

Her mouth dropped slightly, shaking her head. "No."

"I don't know who it is, and I don't know why. I've been trying to figure it out ever since. Stella's been helping since she got a note telling her to ask me about whoever it is that is doing it. Only a couple of months. I made her promise to not tell anyone."

"Joe. Does Joe know?" Hope asked immediately.

I sighed, glancing at the time. "Assuming he's awake... he does now."