James Maslow Imagines (Clean Version)

Acting Out

"(C/n), cut it out right now young lady."

Your stern voice made the child stop in her tracks, her red face turning towards you before stomping her feet on the carpeted floor. The shrill scream that followed pierced your ears as you tried to stand your ground, genuine concern filling your eyes as you watching the young girl unravel before you.

She was never this way. Having been raised to not preform such actions, it was a shock when she started acting up a week ago.

"I don't want to go!! I want to stay here!!" The continued chant echoed in the room as a small sigh escaped past your lips, your hands reaching your temples to attempt to remove the pain that had started to form. Finally reaching your limit, you snapped, mother instinct kicking in at full gear as you made your way towards the girl. Pulling her into your arms, you avoided flying limbs as she struggled against your hold, nearly knocking you off the stairs as you reached closer towards your destination.

"I've had enough. You know better than to do this. I think we need a time out." As the plan finally reached her ears, a scream surrounded the room once more as you placed her on the bed, your body turning quickly to leave the room. As the door closed shut though and her cries were now muffled, you couldn't find the will to move.

Standing with your back against the door, the support that had previously been holding you up gave out as you fell to the floor. Tears welled behind your eyes as you placed your head between your knees, the pain of recent events consuming you as worries began to form.

Were you the cause of this outbreak? Were you not doing a good job as a mother? As you contemplated the possibility, your heart broke in pieces as all signs pointed to yes.

You had tried to be a good mother like you had promised. Memories of the times when both you and your husband reassured each other filled your thoughts as you were harshly reminded that you didn't fulfill both of your hopes.

As the tears began to slide down you face, you lightly heard the sound of the door but didn't bother walking to greet the man as you always did. You didn't want to show him the face of a failure. As you curled more tightly into a ball at the nook of the door, each step that came closer towards you brought your heart to follow the rhythm as you dreaded the time he would finally reach you.

"(Y/n)?"

The soft melody of his voice filled the awful silence as you refused to meet his gaze, your tears dripping onto the carpet as you shrank from the intrusion.

You wanted him to leave. To not see you in this weak state but that would never happen as his arms wrapped around your form, the strong scent of his colgne filling your senses as you were pushed against his chest.

He didn't speak. Instead, his hand gently caressed your hair, waiting until your breathing had finally evened out before pulling back to stare into your now puffy eyes. Pushing a strand of your (h/c) behind your ear, a soft smile crossed his lips as he dug deeper into the problem.

"What's the matter baby girl?" You didn't want to answer. Instead, you wanted to curl up into his chest and release all the tears that still pushed against your eyes. As one slid across your cold cheek, he was quick to wipe it away as you looked down, not wanting to meet the gaze that thought you were perfect.

"I'm a horrible mother."

"What are you talking about? You're a great mo-"

"I'm not. You haven't been home to see it but (c/n)'s been acting up recently. Throwing fits for the first time since she was born and I can't help but think that this is my fault." Finally looking up into his hazel eyes, you were shocked to not see them as they now focused on the door behind you. Feeling the way he pulled you two up, a silent intake of air was the only action you could think of doing before his outstretched hand opened the door to your daughter's room.

Despite all that happened, it still broke your heart to find her laying on her bed, her soft sobs echoing against the walls as the pillow proved little help in muffling her pain. She didn't notice the two of you enter as she remained where she was, the bear that you both had given her for her birthday clutched tightly in one arm.

Releasing his hold on you, James walked closer towards the child before pulling her into his arms, knowing it would have the same effect on her as it did on you.

"You heard us didn't you?" A nod was your only reply as you sat beside them, your hand rubbing soothing circles on her back as she finally spoke.

"Mommy is the best in the world." The soft whisper brought a small smile to spread across your lips as you kissed the side of her head, the corner of her eye visible as she watched your action.

"Then what's wrong princess?"

"At school all my friends tell me that their families have fun. I want that to. I don't want daddy to be gone. I want my mommy and daddy to be happy with me." Snuggling closer into his embrace, you both exchanged looks as guilt washed over the both of you. You had known that his work would get in the way but never to this extent.

Pulling the small arms around his neck away to see her grief stricken face, his hand wiped away fresh tears while you pushed aside the wet hair that clung to her face.

You both needed to make this right.

"We are happy when we're with you. We couldn't be happier. But you know that sometimes daddy has work to do." A nod. That was all she muster as she looked down as a small smile crossed his complexion.

She was so much like her mother.

"But, I have the weekend off so I can spend all my time with you and mommy. How about we go to the zoo?" Immediately her face lit up as she pounced on the both of you, a small laughter breaking through the sadness that once caked her voice.

As you looked between the two most important people in your life, you were surprised when James' lips fell onto yours for a sweet kiss. Mouthing out the small phrase, we'll get through this, you were filled with a newfound strength as you nodded before leaning in for another kiss.

"I love you mommy and daddy."