Big Girls Don't Cry ✔️

Raising Jordyn

Martin

I realize something as the years passed, raising a child while in your spouse is in the military is impressive, especially when said child gets their period as Jordyn did when she turned eleven. I wasn't prepared for this to happen.

I was lucky that Kelsey explained things to Jordyn when she was home, but now I was in uncharted territory with our daughter. Since Kelsey didn't have periods, this proved difficult for me. I called Rose to find out what I should do. She directed me to buy pads, chocolate, ibuprofen, and tissues. I can do this.

I went to the store and stared at the pads as Jordyn stood next to me.

"Well, we have ones with wings, ones without wings, super absorbent, light days, heavy days and so on, then there are tampons," I told Jordyn.

"Dad, this is embarrassing," Jordyn groaned.

I turned to her. "Jordyn if I can stand in this aisle and buy you pads, you can deal with it. Suck it up, buttercup," I said as Jordyn rolled her eyes.

"Why doesn't Mom have pads? I could use ones she left behind," Jordyn mentioned as I sighed. Yeah, we hadn't told Jordyn yet that Kelsey is transgender.

"We'll get there," I said as I shoved a package of pads at her, then went to get the other items Jordyn needed. I hope Kelsey calls soon so she can help me tell Jordyn the truth. I promised her I wouldn't tell Jordyn without her.

We stood in the checkout lane as some girls walked by, and one said, "Oh my god, that's so embarrassing to have your dad buy you pads." The girls laughed as Jordyn hid behind me. Fantastic, now I get to deal with jerky girls being mean to Jordyn.

"Jordyn, ignore them," I told her.

"Dad, I go to school with them, and they're always mean to me," Jordyn told me.

"What do you mean?" I asked her.

"The kids call me a freak and say I won't have any friends because I'm not like them," Jordyn admitted as I furrowed my brows. "I don't look like you or Mom, and they said I left on the doorstep because my real parents don't want me."

I looked at Jordyn and knew I had to tell her the truth with or without Kelsey. Our daughter is eleven and bullied by nasty people.

We got home, and after taking care if Jordyn's woman issue, I sat her down to talk to her.

"Jordyn, I'm going to tell you something, and I want you to listen. Your mom is what they call transgender. She was born a male but didn't feel male and changed to female. I never saw her as anything than female. Your mom and I couldn't have children of our own but adopted you because we wanted a family. You aren't ours biologically, but you're ours no matter what because we chose you," I explained as she looked at me confused.

"Huh?" Jordyn asked.

"Jordyn you're adopted," I told her as she stared at me.

"So, I was left on the doorstep?" She asked.

"No, we got you in an office," I answered.

"Was I left on their doorstep?" Her eyes widened.

"What? No, you were picked up at the hospital," I replied.

"You stole me!" Jordyn said incredulously.

"What? No," I exclaimed. Oh, this was going so wrong.

"I want Mom!" She yelled as she started to cry, then I heard the computer ring. Oh, thank god, it's Kelsey.

I answered it, "Hi, Honey," I greeted Kelsey.

"Martin, why is our daughter crying?" Kelsey asked as she pointed at the screen.

I looked to see Jordyn balling.

"Oh, because she started her period, I told her you're transgender, and she's adopted," I said casually.

"And I see you handled that so well," Kelsey remarked as I rolled my eyes. "Jordyn, come here." Jordyn got up and sniffled. "Your father is a dork and told you the truth, even though he could have waited for me to return home, which I'm coming home in two days."

"Oops my bad," I said as Kelsey gave me an annoyed look.

"When I get home, I will explain everything," Kelsey assured Jordyn.

"Mom comes home because Dad sucks at this," Jordyn sniffled as Kelsey chuckled and I groaned.

"Don't worry baby, I'll be home in time to move again," Kelsey informed us as we sighed. Yep, Kelsey was coming home on leave; they would return for deployment. It was hard on Jordyn, and she wasn't able to make friends because of it.

"I love you both," Kelsey said before signing off.

I felt arms wrap around my waist as I placed my hand on Jordyn's back. "I know kiddo, it sucks, but one day Mom will be home for good."

"When?" Jordyn asked, muffled.

"Soon, I hope," I sighed.

All we could do is wait for Kelsey to come home permanently. Jordyn needed her mom, and I needed my wife.

********
Kelsey

I arrived home and straightened out the mess Martin made with Jordyn. She didn't understand a lot, so I simplified it for her. When Jordyn got older, I would explain further.

Martin explained to me what happened in the store, which is why I wasn't hard on him. I know it's difficult on Martin and Jordyn with me away, but eventually, it won't remain that way.

We packed up and moved to a new location. Once we settled into the new house, I noticed Jordyn wasn't happy.

"Are you okay?" I asked Jordyn.

"Not really," she said with a shrug.

"Let's talk," I said as we sat down and Jordyn talked to me. She told me everything that was happening to her, and I listened. I get it; life is difficult when you have a parent in the military.

She finished telling me everything.

"Jordyn, I want nothing more than to come home permanently, but I must fulfill," I reminded her.

"I know. I miss you when you're gone. It's hard getting a phone call here and there. I try to make friends, but the kids don't accept you when you're new," Jordyn told me.

"Well, maybe one day we can fix that where you won't have to leave, and I will be home. Trust me; a lot of us have families back home, and we miss them as much as they miss us. Some deployments last longer than others, we have a job to do, but in the end, our families are what keeps us going," I explained as Jordyn looked at me and gave me a small smile.

"I don't want you to think I'm not proud of you, because I am. I think Dad needs help," Jordyn said with a look as I laughed.

"Give your dad credit. It's hard raising a pre-teen and will be harder to raise a teen while the military stations a parent overseas. I want you to make a promise and take care of your dad while I'm away. He needs you as much as you need him," I said.

"He cries at night when I'm in bed. I hear him," Jordyn admitted as I looked at her. "We miss you, Mom, when you're not here, especially dad."

"I miss you both," I told Jordyn as I wrapped my arm around her and hugged her.

Until I leave the military, we had to hold onto hope that love will conquer all, especially for us.