Beastly Beautiful (On Hold)

| Chapter 13- Jace |

| April 11, 2018 |

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I'm so sorry for the wait *cries* There's really no excuse but you only had to wait an extra two days *hides* Yeah not good enough...BUT...yes but...I hope this chapter makes up for it MWAHAHAHAHA!! Enjoy ;)

PS- Listen to the song when you see it for this chapter. Ugh my heart melts with how perfect it goes with the scene it's before *swoons and melts with tears*

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| Chapter 13- Jace |

* No matter how wrong a person does to another, there's always a reason, good or bad.*

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Philip and I were casually playing a game of cards on the patio table when my mom walked out with red puffy eyes. Immediately, both of us were on our feet and rushed to her.

"Mom, what's wrong?" I demanded, furious that someone made this woman cry. No one, and I mean no one would get away with it. "Who upset you?" I growled.

She chuckled as she wiped the remainder of her tears away. Philip watched her with caution, his quiet gaze calculating, looking for any injury and relaxing when he found none.

"It's okay. I'm not the one who needs comforting," she replied and I frowned slightly as I watched her lower herself on the swing. She closed her eyes and took in a shaky breath.

"Mom, what's wrong? What do you mean?" I asked softly as I took a seat next to her, still tense from seeing her tears.

She slowly turned to me and smiled sadly. Philip took a seat on her other side. Both of us waiting to see what got her so teary eyed. Our mother wasn't one to quickly show tears so when they were out, there was a solid reason.

"I've been a horrible example," she sighed as she leaned her head back and casually swung us with her feet. We were going to interrupt her when she shot us two a glare and made us shut up. "I was always telling you guys to forgive, no matter how wrong a person does to you. I was always preaching of being righteous and when the time came for me to live up to what I was teaching, I became a complete hypocrite," she continued as tears swam in her eyes.

"No matter how wrong a person does to another, there's always a reason, good or bad. Sometimes the reason is so small it's like it isn't there anymore. Yet the reason is there and we have to try and understand things from their perspective."

"Mom, is this about Laney?" Philip asked quietly and she bit her lip, nodding while I tensed. What happened? And how did Philip catch that? Wait, it's Philip we're dealing with. He's quick. A future psychiatrist I'm calling it. 

"Yeah. I held a grudge against her ever since she walked out on us and I never wanted to understand why. Why? Why would she do it? Why did she break my baby's heart? Why did she become a beast? But now...now hearing her crying, her anguished apologizes, the messages," she coughed out as fresh tears swirled in her eyes, "all of it is much worse than I thought. She has it worse than any of us!" she exclaimed as she stood up and paced across the floor, on a roll now.

"And the worst part about it is that she brought it upon herself! She closed herself off! She made a monster out of herself and now she's suffering because of a reputation she had to uphold!" she exclaimed, running hands through her hair.

"I can't even begin to imagine the pain she is going through right now! And I made it worse by being a complete witch to her!" she finished as she plopped back down, her head in her hands.

I was shocked. My mother broke down because Laney had broken down first. My mother and Laney had somewhat consoled each other while I was out here with my brother. I felt my throat tighten up. Was this a good or a bad thing? Did Actress Laney breaking mean Freelance Laney was coming out?

I jumped when I felt a hand on my shoulder. "You should go check on her bro. Mom said she fell asleep but she might still be awake and need you," I heard Philip tell me and I numbly nodded. I wasn't sure what to expect. Was it wrong if a part of me was glad this happened?

Slowly, I got up and I hugged my mom before I walked inside the house and slowly crept through the hall. I made my way to the wooden door and I knocked softly. No sound came out from the other end so I quickly crept in the room.

I saw Laney's figure curled into a ball with her short hair splayed around her. Her breaths were coming out in a steady stream and her body raised and fell in a steady rhythm. I felt my heart stutter at the sight of her and I smiled softly.

I crept closer to her and almost felt like a creep with how I was watching her. As if in a trance, my hand crept forward and my index finger slightly brushed her cheek. Her cheeks were red and blotchy with dried tears and her lips were slightly parted.

This was the Laney my heart fell for. This was the Laney I could rely on having my back. This was the Laney that I could trust with my life and heart. This was the Laney that I fell in love with. And I don't think I ever stopped loving her. No matter what she did to me and my family, unintentional or not, she would always hold a piece of my heart with her.

I bent down and placed a lingering kiss on her forehead, smiling warmly as she sighed in content and snuggled closer to the bed. "I love you," I barely whispered before I pulled away and walked out of the room, closing the door with a small click behind me. 

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Tada! Tell me what you think! Spam me, I won't care. Tell me your inner thoughts and feelings and love me for what I did. Jk ;P But I hope you enjoyed that confession. I know I enjoyed writing it :D 

Anyway, thanks for reading! See ya in the next update!!