When Jay finally returned home, he was greeted by an unusual hush in the house. The kids had gathered in the living room, their expressions serious. As he entered, Blue, Rumi, and Sir exchanged glances before Blue took the lead.
“Dad, we need to talk,” she said, her tone firm but laced with worry.
Jay raised an eyebrow, sensing the urgency. “What’s going on?”
“We’re worried about Mom,” Rumi began. “She’s been hiding her feelings from us, and it’s clear she’s not okay. She keeps insisting that she doesn’t want help and that she’s got everything under control, but she doesn’t.”
“Yeah,” Sir added, nodding vigorously. “She panics all the time, and it’s really obvious. We can tell she’s struggling.”
Blue jumped in, “And she won’t let us call you when she needs help. She just pushes us away. We think she needs you to talk to her, Dad.”
Jay’s heart sank at the revelation. He had suspected something was wrong, but hearing it from his children made it more real. “I appreciate you all telling me this,” he said softly. “I’ll talk to her.”
The kids nodded, feeling a mix of relief and concern. They wanted their mother to be okay and knew their dad could help.
As Jay made his way to the living room, he found Bey sitting on the couch, a magazine open but her attention elsewhere. He walked over and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close without saying a word.
Bey stiffened slightly, looking up at him with a puzzled expression. “What are you doing?” she asked, trying to mask her emotions behind a veneer of strength.
Jay held her tighter, feeling her tension. He could sense the storm of feelings she was battling. “Just holding you,” he replied softly.
Bey’s heart ached at his warmth, and the urge to break down welled up inside her. But the familiar thought of being a burden loomed large, keeping her from letting go. Instead, she pulled back slightly, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek. “What can I do to help you relax?” she asked, trying to redirect the focus away from her.
Jay sighed deeply, feeling the weight of the day on his shoulders. “I need a hug,” he admitted, the vulnerability in his voice making Bey’s heart flutter with a mixture of guilt and warmth.
She laughed lightly, but it was laced with nervousness. “I will later, but for now…” she trailed off, searching for a distraction.
“Are you okay?” Jay asked, concern etched on his face.
“Yeah,” she replied, but it came out more like a sigh. “Just tired, I guess.”
The long sigh that followed her words spoke volumes, and Jay could tell there was more beneath the surface. “Tired, huh?” he said gently, not wanting to push her too hard. “You don’t have to pretend with me, Bey.”
Bey swallowed hard, her heart racing as she considered opening up. She felt the weight of her emotions pressing down on her, but the fear of being a burden held her back. “I know. I just… I want to be strong for you and the kids,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
Jay cupped her face in his hands, searching her eyes. “You don’t have to carry this alone. You’re allowed to lean on me, to feel weak sometimes. That’s what family is for.”
Bey nodded, feeling the warmth of his love wrap around her like a blanket, but the panic still lingered. “I’ll be okay,” she insisted, though part of her wanted to break that facade and let the tears flow.
“Alright,” Jay said, his tone both gentle and firm. “But promise me you’ll let me know if you need anything.”
Bey took a deep breath, trying to hold onto the moment, knowing that she needed to start being honest with herself and with him. “I promise,” she said softly, though doubt still gnawed at her.
In that quiet moment, they both knew the road ahead wouldn’t be easy, but the bond they shared would help them navigate the challenges together. And for the first time in a while, Bey felt the flicker of hope that maybe, just maybe, she could let someone in.
