Haunted

Comedown

"Hey, Dax," Clara stood up as Maddox walked into Scooter's kitchen. Maddox tried to ignore the fact that she had a baby with her as he gave her a huge hug. Seeing his baby sister made him feel guilty that he was still there. He never meant to stay at Scooter's house for as long as he had, but after losing Eli to Jack he hadn't felt like dealing with everyone at home either. So two months passed and Maddox wasn't any closer to ready to face Justin than when he started.

"Hi Mama."

"Happy Birthday," she whispered, rubbing his back.

"Thanks."

"We brought you some presents," Clara reached for the shopping bags she'd brought with her.

"Wow, Mom," Maddox looked over the collection of gift wrapped boxes in front of him as she piled them on the table.

I know, we kind of went overboard," Clara shrugged, her eyes tearing up. "I just...wanted you to know how much you mean to us."

"Yeah," Maddox didn't know how to handle that comment so he ignored it. "Where should I start?"

"Wherever you want," Clara gestured to the pile. Maddox reached for one of the boxes and started unwrapping.

It took forever but Maddox finally made it through all 16 of his presents. He opened the last one as slowly as he could, not really wanting it to be over. Inside he found the Cartier watch, the one he'd been wanting for almost a year that Justin had kept telling him was too expensive.

"Dad let you buy it, huh?" Maddox slipped it on his wrist.

"That's from Scarlett," Clara insisted.

"He can't bribe me to come back," Maddox sighed. The watch was everything he'd dreamed of but it felt kind of stupid now that he had it.

"That's not why we bought it," Clara looked like she was going to cry. "Dax, we're all really sorry about what happened."

"I know, but," Maddox sighed. "Can't you two just separate again?"

"Maddox, no," Clara shook her head. "Your dad and I belong together, we love each other and always have. We're not splitting up just because you're mad at your Dad."

"Mom!" Maddox protested. "I know what I saw, okay? You all can try to tell me I didn't see it, but I'm not stupid."

"No one's telling you that," Clara said. "We're telling you that it doesn't change anything. I love your dad and he loves me. We're married, Maddox, and we're going to stay that way."

"I just don't want him to hurt you again," Maddox sighed.

"He's not going to," Clara insisted. "And running away from home doesn't fix any of this, Maddox."

"That's not why I'm here," Maddox rolled his eyes.

"Then tell me why you're here so I can fix it," Clara reached for his hand. "I miss you, Dax."

"I just don't want to be at home right now," Maddox sighed.

"Dax," Clara sniffed.

"Mom, don't cry," Maddox protested.

"I'm sorry," Clara stood up and went into the bathroom.

"Mom," Maddox sighed but she'd already shut the door. "I don't understand why this is a big deal."

As soon as he said it Scarlett started wailing. Maddox looked at the bathroom door but his mom didn't come back. He tried patting Scarlett's tummy like he'd done before but it was no use.