Overboard: Somebody to Love #4

14

Justin’s POV

            Madelyn had been away for just a week when I realized how hard this was. Staying home with the kids for the whole last week had been challenging to say the least. Aniston was still throwing fits. Stella was being even more of a diva than usual. And Kingston was being even rowdier. Anytime I told them not to do something, they would all do it.

            I was making dinner when I heard Stella scream. I ran into the living room to see what had happened. Kingston was repeatedly hitting her.

            “Kingston!” I yelled a little too loudly. He automatically started crying. “You don’t ever hit a girl. I don’t care what she did to you, now go sit in time out.” He was sobbing, but he listened. He sat himself down in the far corner of the living room.

            “Stella stole his toy and then bit him when he tried to get it back.” Aniston told me.

            “Stella, go sit in time out on the stairs.” I sighed.

            “No!” She yelled and stuck her tongue out.

            “Do it before I spank you.” I threatened. I wouldn’t ever really spank her, but threatening it always made her listen. She stomped all the way to the stairs and then sat there quietly.

Madelyn’s POV

            “Why would I try to take my own life?” I asked Dr. Loren during the second week of my rehab stay. “I have a fantastic life. I have a stud of a husband, three gorgeous children, two lovely dogs and some fantastic friends. Why would I want to leave my life? Do you know how many people would kill to have my life.”

            “You tell me.” He smiled.

            “I didn’t want to. I was just taking a bath and then I hit my head and I blacked out.’’

            “You’re family and friends said you were suicidal when you first found out you were pregnant with this baby.”

            I looked down and put my hands on my stomach. I felt so guilty for how I had acted towards this baby.

            “I was feeling overwhelmed, but I wasn’t ever suicidal. But now I am feeling a lot better about this baby. I know I will be able to handle one more kid. I’ll be fine.”

            The doctor just studied me for a moment. I couldn’t tell if he was actually hearing me or just thinking of other ways to torture me.

Justin’s POV

            “Daddy?” I heard a small voice whisper. I opened my eyes to find Aniston standing right beside my bed. I looked at the clock, it was almost two in the morning. “My tummy hurts.”

            “Do you want to sleep with me?” I asked. She nodded. I rolled over to make room for her on that side of the bed and she crawled up. “I really want Mommy.” She whispered. She hadn’t been in my bed for two minutes when she threw up all over the pillow, sheets and comforter.

            “Aniston.” I moaned as I got up. I had no idea what to do. Madelyn was the one who always handled the vomit and the sick kids that went along with it. I put her back in her bed and put all of the bedding into the washer. I grabbed a new set of sheets out of the linen closet and put them on the bed before going back to check on Aniston.

            By the time I got to her, she had thrown up all over her bed. I took her bedding off and put it in the laundry room as well.

            “Are you going to get sick again?” I asked her. She shook her head no and so I picked her up and carried her into my bed. But she did get sick again. I took off those sheets and added them to the laundry that was piling up.

            “I want Mommy.” Aniston cried as I rocked her in my arms.

            “Daddy?” I heard another voice say from behind me. “My tummy hurts.” Stella moaned. I wanted to cry now, too. I had no idea what to do with them or where to put them.

            “Mom?” I called her. It was late, but I knew she would help. “The girls are sick. I don’t know what to do. Aniston has thrown up on every pair of sheets we own.”

            “I’ll be right there.” She said sleepily.

Madelyn’s POV

            That day was the first day I felt as if I had really gotten through to the doctor. I didn’t know if it was successful, but I couldn’t wait for my next session. Each session got better and better, but eventually I could feel the doctor knew I was telling the truth.

            “So Madelyn,” he started, “I do agree that you are no longer a risk to yourself or to the community. I am releasing you from Passages. You are free to go.”

            I didn’t even know what to say. I had been in rehab for twenty-two days, but it had felt like eternity. They gave me back my cell phone and I called for a taxi. I was going home to see my kids.

            “Mommy!” Kingston was in the living room when I opened the door. Upon closer evaluation, everyone was in the living room, but Kingston was the only one awake. Justin was asleep on the couch with Aniston on his chest. Stella was asleep on a blanket in front of the television.

            “Hi monkey.” I cried, lifting him off the ground. “I missed you so much.” I was sobbing uncontrollably. “I love you so much.”

            “I love you too!” He smiled happily, making me cry harder. All of my cries caused Stella and Aniston to wake up.

            “Mommy!” They both ran for me. I knelt down and hugged them both.

“You left us.” Aniston was almost in tears.

            “I know, I’m so so sorry.” I cried more. I had missed them so much.

Justin’s POV

            I about jumped out of my skin when I woke up to find Madelyn embracing all three kids in our living room.

            “How?” I started to ask.

            “The doctor realized I wasn’t suicidal. And that I hadn’t ever been. He released me. It felt good to have someone trust me.”

            The tension in the room was unbearable. I had no idea what to say. Obviously she was still mad at me, but did she really mean what she said in the hospital? Were we really done?

            “You can move your stuff to the guest house until you find another place to stay.”

            Oh yes, she definitely still meant it.