Be Alright: Somebody To Love #6

19

Madelyn's POV

Justin and I laid in bed, holding each other, in a comfortable silence, until we heard Pattie and Stella come back.

"My mom knew didn't she?" Justin asked as we got up.

"She figured it out. Don't be mad at her for not telling you. I made her swear to secrecy."

"I'm not mad. I'm glad my mom could be there for you." I glared at him, trying to figure out if that was sincere, or if he was taking another jab at me. "Really, Mads. I know it's been hard on you to have your mom in our lives. I'm glad my mom has been able to fill that gap."

"Thank you for understanding." I took his hand and squeezed it as we walked downstairs to the living room.

"Daddy," Stella turned to Justin, "Remember when you promised you would play the  princess dress up game with me on the playstation?"

"Are you okay?" He turned to me, probably not wanting to leave my side. As soon as I nodded he threw Stella over his shoulder, eliciting high pitched giggles. The two disappeared down the basement stairs as I sat down next to Pattie.

"Are you really going to make me ask?" She asked, obviously interested in what had happened in the last four hours.

"I think he's better." I sighed. "I think I got the angry part out of him. Now he's just trying to accept it and move on."

"And what about you? How are you doing now that it’s out?"

"I think it helped. It's a relief to know that he knows. I didn't realize how much I was hurting myself by keeping it from him. And even though I know he was hurt by it, I think we'll get through it."

"I know you'll get through it. You two are meant to be together. You'll figure it out. And I am always here. Whether you need a babysitter for the night or just someone to listen to you besides Justin, I'll always be here for you, baby girl."

"Thank you for being more of a mother to me than my own mother."

"Thank you for letting me love you like the daughter I never had." She hugged me tightly. "You're mom is crazy to not want you in her life anymore. You're an amazing person. I am so proud of you."

Justin's POV

The princess game kept Stella entertained for a solid hour before she was ready to move on to something else.

"Why don't you go ask Mommy to do something fun with you?" I suggested. She happily agreed and ran upstairs.

"Mommy! Can we play makeovers? And you can do my makeup? And straighten my hair? And paint my nails?"

"Of course!" Madelyn beamed. Even though she sometimes ranted about having three daughters, I knew she loved it. She loved teaching them how to do makeup and straighten their hair. She loved taking them shopping. She loved all of that girly stuff that Kingston and I steered clear of.

"Let's go!" Stella bounced into Madelyn's arms. They were both giggling as they went upstairs.

"How are you doing, sweetie?"

"I'm feeling really guilty for how bad I've treated her recently. And I'm feeling pretty stupid because I didn't figure it out."

"But you know now, and you are going to play a huge part in her recovery. She's playing like she's fine. She's masking all of her pain. But inside, she's still hurting. It's your job, as not only her husband but as her best friend, to be there for her. Constantly remind her she's beautiful and perfect. Remind her how special she is. Get your relationship back on track. Because I love her, and I would do anything to help her, but you're the one she loves and trusts the most. You're the one who can have the biggest impact on her."