The Help~(Completed♡)

Parenting Parents

Ellie's P.O.V.

I rolled over off of D's chest, expecting to lay on daddy, only to find a half empty bed. I sat up in the dark room,

"Daddy?", I whispered. I got out of bed, careful not to wake D, as I noticed a light on in the guest room across the hall. I walked towards it, cracking the door open. Daddy paced the room, breathing heavily as he shook and cried. "Daddy?", I said softly, walking in. He froze, wiping the tears from his face,

"H-Hey. What's up baby?", he asked, struggling to keep his breathing under control. I stepped over, carefully wrapping my arms around his torso,

"It's okay." He let out a shaky breath, hugging me tightly and sitting on the bed with me as he continued crying. I rubbed his back gently, "It's okay daddy. I'm right here.", I whispered, trying to think of how they calm us down, "I love you."

"I love you too baby. So, so much.", he whispered as he started to calm down. He sat up, wiping his tears again, "Thank you. I'm sorry."

"Why? You can't be a hundred percent al the time. You help me when I'm upset. I can try to do the same."

"You do. Let's get back to bed.", he said getting up. I grabbed his hand,

"Why were you freaking out?" He sat back down, sighing,

"Dad mentioned getting a divorce. Not because he doesn't love me or us, but because he does love us. He knows that he's different without me here and he thinks it makes him a bad parent. He's scared he'll fuck you guys up or make you never come back home."

"I don't even wanna leave. Just because he's different without you around doesn't mean he's a bad parent. It means you guys are a good team. A great one. Without each other, there's no balance and eight kids are overwhelming for one parent. Without D, you don't get the same respect because you hate disciplining us and normally won't. You're good with the emotions and soft stuff and not as good with lectures and punishments. But without you, D gets overwhelmed and can't keep up and ends up blocking some of us out and then feeling bad. He's really good at saying the right thing at the right time and he's good at disciplining us and aftercare and teaching us hard lessons. You guys fit like a puzzle and it's hard to do things without your other piece." He caressed my cheek softly,

"You're my favorite fifteen year old."

"...thanks?" He chuckled a little,

"I'm really glad you understand all that." The door opened as D came in sleepily,

"What're you guys doing?"

"Uh...-"

"I was freaking out a little.", daddy cut me off, "Ellie calmed me down. We're just talking." D sat on my other side,

"Why were you freaking out?"

"What we talked about earlier. I-I told her. I'm sorry."

"It's okay Ash. We don't hide things from the kids." He nodded.

"So... are you guys getting divorced?", I asked quietly. They both shook their heads

"No."

"It was in the moment.", D said, "I was worried about messing up without him here. But he's here more than he's gone and I-I honestly don't think I'd make it without him here as my partner, let alone without him here as my co-parent."

"I know I couldn't.", daddy said softly.

"But we don't have to worry about it because we're staying together and everything will be fine."

"Exactly."

"Now, can we go back to bed? It's very late." Daddy and I nodded. We all got up and made our way back to the bedroom awning got into bed on the other side of D, knowing daddy needed him.

"Goodnight love.", daddy said leaning over and kissing my head.

"Night dads.", I yawned, laying on D's chest. He pet my hair softly until I fell asleep. Everything's gonna be fine."

~~~~

"I'm sorry.", I said softly, "It came out disrespectful, I didn't mean for it to and I apologize."

"I appreciate that Ellie, but I can't let it slide or leave it alone. Does that really happen?", Mr. Mavericks asked. I nodded a little,

"I-I've heard rumors."

"I'm not saying you're lying. At all. But, have you seen it yourself?" I gulped,

"He-He's done it to me."

"Done what to you? Who?", D asked coming in. I glanced at him and back down,

"T-Touched me. And gave me better grades because of it. I-I shouldn't have blown up and said that."

"What'd you say?"

"He was mad at our test scores and I said maybe if he spent more time teaching and less time having sex with his students that we'd learn more."

"Has he raped you?", D asked, the word seeming to burn his throat. I shook my head,

"No. He-He just touched me. I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I was scared and I didn't wanna stress you out more."

"It's okay. But you have to tell me this stuff love. I need to know."

"Okay." Mr. Mavericks looked to me,

"I'm not suspending you for this. We're gonna have a verbal agreement that you will watch what you say." I nodded,

"Yes sir."

"Good. You'll have to talk to more people. This is a very big deal."

"I-I know."

~~~~

Daddy walked into the dimly lit kitchen, pausing as he saw me on the counter,

"Hey. Why are you still awake?"

"I couldn't sleep. I thought maybe I was hungry but I think I just needed a distraction." He sat next to me on the counter,

"I'll always be on your side. And I'm always gonna trust that you're telling the truth because you're my kid. And even if it comes out that you lied, I'll still stand by you. As long as you tell me the truth, I'll be right by your side."

"I know D."

"And I'm not saying I don't believe you because I believe everything you say because you trust me and you don't lie to me, I know that. But, you're absolutely positive?" I nodded,

"He pinned me to the table and took off my jeans. I'm not gonna forget that. I can't get it out of my freaking head.", I forced a shaky laugh, "I've been replaying it since it happened. I have nightmares about it every night."

"Is that why you've been staying with us?"

"Yeah. I-I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I was scared for some reason. I guess I didn't want to make it a huge deal and I knew it would be if I said something."

"But it needs to be a big deal. He won't stop until he is stopped. If he did that to you, he's doing it to others. Maybe worse."

"I-I know. It was selfish not to tell." He laid his hand on mine,

"You were scared. That's understandable. But the point is that you told us, even if you kinda had to, and I'm so proud of you. I know it was hard and it's gonna get harder, but I'll be right by your side the whole time. Your dad and I won't let anyone hurt you."

"I know D." I paused, "Th-There's something else."