After All • Calum Hood (Sequel to ISTTY)

4

Madeleine's p.o.v

"We're heading out" I sent a message to Calum, letting him know that I was about to meet my mom. We said we were gonna meet at a coffee shop near my flat. It was almost 4PM and I said we'll meet at 4:30PM so I was on time. I grabbed Wyatt's diaper bag and the keys, leaving the flat and made my way towards the street, I wasn't in a hurry because I didn't wanted to arrive yet, I was a nervous wreck because I was seeing my mom after so long, it was a mix of feelings between anger, sadness, deception but also joy, after all, she was still my mom.

After walking a while, I found the coffee shop. It was a bit fancy, typical of my mom, the elegance. I came in and I moved Wyatt in my arms a little, I checked my phone and there were no messages, so I decided to grab a table to sit and wait for my mother

—Madeleine, here -I recognized her pitchy voice. At this point I could feel the heartbeats of my heart wanting to escape my chest, I turn around slowly to find my mother on a completely white outfit, already sitting on a table-

I go near her and fake smile at her, I know she'd realize It's fake but I didn't care anyways. She stands up and her eyes fly to see Wyatt, who's totally distracted exploring this new place he's in... Oh god, this will be uncomfortable

—Hi, daughter -she scans me from head to toes- Y-you're beautiful. I didn't expected you to be like this

Logically, today I put a little bit more effort on me, I couldn't let my mom see me so... Simple. Otherwise, she'd think I was having a troubled life. It's weird that she'd judge from an outfit but that's who she is.

—What? You didn't expect me to be so well? -I ask with a little bit of irony on my tone- Well, mother, I don't know what you could think of me, but believe me, Calum and I are doing excellent

She noticed her comment was a little bit out of context, but she chose to ignore my comment

—Can I hold him? -she ask holding a finger of my son, I nod- wow, you're heavy... Oh my god, look at those chubby cheeks -she did weird faces trying to get Wyatt to laugh, but he was just looking at her confused- lovely, I'm your grandma Annie, nice to meet you

—Wyatt, his name's Wyatt -I say annoyed-

—Wyatt Hood -she thought out loud- Madeleine, he's identical to his father. What did he inherited from you?

Her question made me think of what Calum always says: "he inherited his character from you" which made laugh over the thought. My mom looked at me confused, frowning her eyebrows

—Nothing, really. Wyatt is like Calum's lost twin

—Speak of the devil. How is he? How is he doing? -she ask with her arrogant tone, I sigh-

Talking to my mom made me feel uncomfortable. Does she thinks she can come back to my life as if nothing ever happened? I mean, it's okay that she wants to be back in my life, but... not even an apology?

—Perfect -I falsely smile- he's at work right now -I say as I remember that he hasn't answered my message yet- and we're doing great. -she turns to look at me with an awkward smile- we created a beautiful family, my family.

—Madeleine, I'm sorry about everything -she sighs and look at her feet- I'm sorry I've been such an terrible mother, I'm sorry I turned my back on you when all you needed was my hand

Right when my mom was apologizing, a waitress came in, very inopportune. I read the menu and order the first thing that comes to my mind, impatient to hear what my mom had to say. She limited to order a black coffee and an avocado toast, the waitress leaves as soon as she finishes writing down the order

—You can continue -I say, she nods and clears her throat-

—I know my whole life I've been the type of person who cares about the society, about its parameters, but I shouldn't had let that damage our relationship -she pauses and I nod, motioning her to keep talking- I'm sorry to ever think that this little creature was a mistake -she looks at Wyatt and pulls him closer to her- It didn't arrived on right timing, but he's not a mistake... I should've been your biggest support, but instead, I ended up being the first to turn their back on you. Please, look at my position, as a mother, I was never prepared to my daughter getting pregnant at such a young age, I never thought you'd be the type of girl who'd end up getting pregnant at his teenage. I'm not excusing myself, it's just that... Now is that I see your position, I can't even imagine what you felt

—It wasn't that hard after all, I had the support of so many genuine people, people who did not judge me but helped me. I'd lie if I say that I didn't needed you, because I did, my whole life I believed that when my first child arrived you'd be guiding me through the basic principles of being a new mother, but I just had to learn them on my own... And well, with Calum's and Calum's mom help, they never leaved my side no matter what. For me, Wyatt arrived on perfect timing, just when he had to. About you, it'll be tough, but I have resentment, deception, anger and sadness towards my father and you, but I won't deny my child the possibility of meeting his grandfathers, nor I won't deny you the possibility of meeting your only grandchild

—And what with the possibility of having a good relationship with my only daughter?

—You had your possibility and you lost it, now you'll have to earn it. I can't simply accept your apology and move on as if nothing ever happened between us