Jennifer Jareau's Daughter

Chapter 20

JJ's POV:

I get home from work at 2:45. I walk in the house hearing my kids laughing loud. I go in the kitchen to see Max, Henry, Sarah, and Miles, playing monopoly at the dinner table. I watch with a smile as Will comes behind me kissing me and handing me a coffee as we watch this is the first time I see Max relaxed. She is acting like a kid instead of an adult. She really looks genuinely happy. I see Max tense as she sees me standing there watching.

"Why are you watching us? How long have you been there?" Max asks tensely

"Max relax." Miles says rubbing her back

"I already asked Will if he wanted to play he said no. Do you wanna join us Mrs Jareau?" Miles asks as Max elbows him

"I'd love too. Are you sure you all don't mind? Also please call me JJ." I ask smiling as Will goes into the living room to watch tv

"Actually." Before Max could finish Sarah interrupts her

"We would love it if you could." Sarah says smiling

"Who's winning so far?" I ask sitting down near Henry smiling as he hugs me

"Henry but he is cheating." Sarah answers rolling her eyes

"I am not you guys just suck at this game." Henry says sticking his tongue out laughing

"To be fair you guys saw how the orphanage was we didn't have time for monopoly with all the chores." Max says

"Plus you know the orphanage didn't have monopoly it'd be a sin if they did." Max also says causing me to look at the floor

"How was school? Anything interesting happen today?" I ask changing the subject

"Fine." Max replies simply

I sigh knowing I won't get anything out of Max except one worded answers. I don't know what to do. I keep trying but she keeps pushing me away. All I can do is keep trying and hope one day she will let me in. As I start to play I see my daughter get up dragging her friends upstairs. I can only assume they are headed to Max's room. I can't help but wonder will our relationship ever be fixed?

Max's POV:

I drag my friends upstairs knowing they know I need a break from JJ. As nice as she is being it doesn't fix the trauma she made me go through. Yes I have been through some things I don't like to talk about but I have seen people who have had it worse. I always took most of the beatings for the younger kids when I could. I shielded the younger kids like the older kids used to do for me when they were at the orphanage. I am grateful for what they did for me. They are the ones who raised me. Miles pulls me out of my thoughts as he talks to me.

"Hey Max are you down for movie night tomorrow at Sarah's?" Max asks me

"Are you coming?" I ask looking at Miles and Sarah

"Yeah Max he is gonna be there." Sarah says smiling knowing about my small crush on Miles

"Cool what are we gonna play?" I ask

"Well Miles really wants us to play Chucky." Sarah answers laughing as Miles glares at her

"So we're doing our annual scary movie all nighter we do every month?" Miles asks me as I nod reassuringly

"Who's in charge of snacks and don't say Miles he'll bring healthy options." I say laughing

"I was thinking you could this time." Sarah says shrugging

"I'm down you know I make good desserts. One good thing the orphanage taught me was to cook." I say smiling at Sarah

"Okay so we got that figured out now one last thing are we gonna do the annual sleep over as well?" Miles ask knowing he will need to let his mom know

"Of course Miles we have been doing this tradition since we formed this group." Sarah says shaking her head at his question

"Plus it takes Max away from JJ which we know she really needs it." Sarah says as I nod at her last statement

"Yeah Miles plus we have to prank Sarah while she is sleeping like we always do." I whisper to Miles making him laugh

"Hey Max, you know what you should sing "Halo" by Beyoncé. Remember you told me JJ would sing it to you when you had a nightmare or when you were feeling sad?" Miles ask me as I smile at him

I nod my head smirking. I don't know what I'd do without this little group. I watch my friend's faces as I sing realizing that without them I don't know where'd I be in life. They are the reason I had more of childhood than what the orphanage allowed. I can't wait for tomorrow. I know one thing tomorrow is gonna be epic it always is.