When It's Over

6

Jewel arose from bed, staring at the untouched half, a frown on her lips.

They'd had bigger arguments, but it had never pushed her husband out of their marital bed before, until last night.

She didn't understand why Carlos questioned her loyalty to him when it came to Ryan. She would never hurt him like that, they'd both agreed after their year was up that they wanted each other for real.

Yet, Carlos still believed that apart of her somehow wanted Ryan.

Jewel would admit that when their marriage grew rocky, she wondered what it would have been like with the other man. But it would never make her jump into his arms.

She passed her hand over her face as she entered her bathroom.

After her morning routine, Jewel slid into a pair of black trousers and a white shirt, her white Versace slides to match.

She strolled across to Mya's room, her daughter was sound asleep and the guilt of last night ate at her. She'd completely ignored the fact that Mya could be home. Or even Jeston, had he not been at Justin's.

They never wanted to argue in front of Mya or make her look at either parent differently.

Jewel shook her shoulder lightly as she whispered in Mya's ear.

"Pumpkin it's time to get up, you have school."

Mya rubbed at her eyes, a smile graced her lips as she wrapped her arms around Jewel's neck.

Jewel's heart melted, despite it all, she'd never regret choosing to stay with Carlos because of this feeling. Being loved by her tiny humans, selflessly.

"Good morning mummy."

"Good morning pumpkin. Let's say our prayers and get ready."

Mya slid down to her knees, her hands clasped and eyes closed as both mother and daughter prayed.

After a bath and getting dressed for school, Jewel sat Mya in front of the vanity as she began to detangle her curls.

As much as she'd love to take credit for her daughter's mid back length curls, she knew it came from Carlos' Puerto Rican heritage.

"Mummy?"

"Yes baby?"

"Why were you and daddy fighting?"

Mya's eyes were trained on hers through the mirror and Jewel found it hard to lie to her daughter.

"Daddy doesn't like a friend of mummy's and both mummy and daddy got upset over it."

"Because you want him to like your friend?"

Jewel nodded.

"Kharyi said you're not supposed to tell people who they could hang out with so daddy is wrong."

Jewel's eyes widened, not expecting the words that escaped her eight year old's mouth.

"Kharyi seems to know a lot."

Jewel countered as Mya nodded.

"That's why he's my best friend because he's really smart."

"And what about Briana."

"They both are."

Mya retorted.

"That's nice baby. But with adults it's different."

"How?"

Jewel should have expected that question.

"When a mummy and daddy are together. They need to agree on the friends they both have."