Just The Baby Father

She Loves You

" I can't believe you did that." Sean glares at Jade.

"Yeah well, I figured that Riele should be fairly warned of the horror she'll endure." Jade bites back. 

"You used to be so happy to have Zoe. Then she's born and you don't want to hold her. You scream at the nurses to take her away. After that, it's all downhill." Sean chokes out. He takes a deep breath. He laughs humorlessly and wipes his eyes. Jade watches the love of her life look at her with pure hatred. Zoe stirs on the bed. She pops up with a yawn and stretch.

"Daddy?" Zoe calls. She climbs down but slips and catches herself. She walks briskly over to Sean and tugs at his jeans. He drops down with a smile and tear-stained eyes. 

"Yes, baby?" He responds. Zoe's face scrunches. 

"You cry?" She asks and Sean shakes his head. He hugs her and she pats his cheek. Zoe holds his finger and brings it to her lips to kiss. She pats his cheek again. "No cry." She smiles, unaware that she just made it all better. 

"Let's go downstairs." Sean gets back up and starts to lead Zoe out. " Tommo and Liz are here to play. Aunty Ri has a big surprise too." Sean says excitedly. 

"Mommy too?" Zoe asks looking hopefully at her father. Sean sighs and opens his mouth to speak.

"Yes sweetie, Mommy too. Actually, can Mommy talk to you for a bit first?" Jade says. Zoe stops in her tracks and nods. She pivots and turns to face her mother. 

"Come here baby." Jade whispers. She kneels down and Zoe walks, cautiously over to her mom.

"Are you gonna yell?" Zoe asks timidly. Jade shakes her head no as tears fall down.

"Mommy hasn't been nice. Mommy was very mad at you but you never did anything wrong. Mommy is very sorry for being mean and nasty. Mommy spent so much time mad at you she missed out on everything. Can you ever forgive me?" Jade cries out. She sobs uncontrollably not even realizing her daughter patting her head. 

"I forgive you Mommy. Let's go play!" Zoe says before rushing out the room to greet her cousins. 

" Hey Jay, it's okay." Sean consoles Jade. 

"No, it's not. Gosh, the day I had her my parents came before you did. Sean, they were so disappointed. Everything I feared they would say they said and more. My mom fussed out the doctors and made sure I didn't get the epidural I was begging for. Naturally they kicked her out because she was causing distress to me which ended up causing later birth complications and I took my anger out on an innocent baby. Sean I am so sorry, I'm horrible. I never even knew it affected you so much." Jade cries again. Her body shakes. 

"Jay, I believe you and all but I think you have more to think about to be better. I'm hearing you but I think you're reacting this way now because you see I'm ready to put some space between us." Sean says warily. Jade freezes and starts mumbling. 

"Please Sean no, I do feel really bad. Just give me a chance, please. I need you." Jade begs and Sean sighs.

"I know, I hear you but I just need to know for sure because as of right now I can't forgive you and I can't sit back anymore while you rain on my daughter's parade. Get the help you need or else you're out." Sean threatens. He leaves the room swiftly feeling like he just got the hugest weight off of his chest. 

"Hey Sean, can I talk to you for a quick sec?" Riele stops Sean in the hallway. His face falls.

"Oh my damn Ri, I am so so sorry for Jade. She was way out of line." Sean rushes. 

"No, no I get it. I just, is she going to be okay? We've all been brushing this off but Zoe is 3 now. It won't be long before she voices how Jade makes her feel. Should I ask my doctor for a referral ?" Riele inquires in a caring manner staring into Sean's tired face. 

"On second thought, why don't you go take a nap in the guest room? I'll watch Zoe for a little bit." Riele proposes.

"That sounds good um Jade did just openly admit to treating Zoe wrong and her anger and all. She explained her parents were really upset and they chose when she was in labor to come and voice that so she thinks the pent up emotions she had from her parents, the birth complications just all chalked up to being Zoe's fault. She said she was sorry but the thing that bothers me is that she said she never realized how she treated Zoe affected me. If she really felt sorry wouldn't she feel bad about how she treated Zoe affects Zoe?" Sean expresses. Riele grabs his hand and rubs his knuckles.

"Hey, I think I get it. It may just be that she can't see how it affects Zoe because Zoe acts so indifferent to at all. She'll come around but all that matters is she's realizing it now while she still has time to make up for it. I'll ask my doctor about it and I'll let you know what she says. Lets be grateful and hope we get our girl back." She tries to cheer up Sean who just nods his head and squeezes her hand to let her know he'll be okay. Sean heads off to the guest room while Riele watches him carefully. He's changed drastically these past few years and though he's matured his only source of happiness is Zoe. It's rare to see him well-rested and smiling like the happy, weird, shy yet outgoing dork he was just yesterday it seems. 

"Aunty Ri, are you comingggg?" Zoe screams from downstairs. She talks so clear for a 3 year old. 

"On my way Zo bean." Riele calls back down and then starts heading downstairs where her husband is playing with all the kids.

"Jace, I just had Sean go take a nap so let's keep Zo down here as long as possible." Riele informs Jace once she's within ear shot. 

"Gotcha babe. Liz wants to go out later for a girls night. Maeve and Kira agreed, not sure if the invite was extended to Chloe." Jace throws out while he's waiting for the kids to hide. "I'm still counting so you snooty bootys better be ready!"  

"You're gonna be such a good dad." Riele says.

" And you'll be an even better mom. The way you treat all of us and all these kids is amazing. You've got maternal instincts written all over you. Otherwise I wouldn't be so happy about you having my seed." Jace ends with a wink. Riele rolls her eyes.

"You always have to ruin everything but thank you baby. Now go find those kids." Riele laughs and Jace blows her a kiss.

"Catch it." He says before setting out to find his nieces and nephew. He never expects Riele to play his little game and actually catch his blown kisses but she does everytime and this time is no different. She catches it and holds it over her heart with a smile.