In The Clear | ✓

03 | uncle mads

Jensen had met Maddox Tacoma various times over her time being with Miles. There were parties and holidays, birthdays and premieres. He was one of Miles' groomsmen at their wedding—probably would've been Miles' best man if Dayna hadn't beaten him out. Maddox had been at both of Rocky's birthdays no matter where he had been in the world filming the week before and hr helped Liberty and Dayna fight off cameras when she was born. In other words, Maddox was a fantastic person who Jensen was ecstatic to have around the house before she left for London.

            It hadn't taken her long to clean up the clothes she'd spread across her and Miles' bed. Making herself feel ready enough to go downstairs and pretend she hadn't been on the verge of breaking down took longer. Jensen didn't know if there was going to be a right time to go downstairs, so she slowly walked over to their stairs. She took a couple deep breaths before placing her hand on the railing and making her descent.

            As she made her way down the stairs, Jensen heard Miles and Maddox talking. No doubt after a hug that lasted at least a minute. It always did when they got to see each other.

            "Thanks again for letting me stay here, kid," Maddox said. He paused for a moment. Jensen continued her descent down the stairs as he continued, "Maybe I should stop calling you kid since you have one."

            "About that—" Miles started.

            But Maddox had already spotted Jensen, who held her hands out as if she were saying remember when you told me at Miles' 40th that I was wearing the baggiest shirt known to man? Yeah, well, surprise! Here's why! Maddox's jaw did all but slam against the floor as his arms dropped from pulling his curls into a ponytail that looked like a bun with the length of his hair. She hoped if he passed out, he'd land on the couch beside him and not hit the bricks on the fireplace behind him.

            Maddox looked back to Miles. Eyes still wide. Jaw still practically unhinged. "You have two?"

            "We're—how—" Miles asked. He turned to look at Jensen and his face relaxed. "Oh. Yeah. I was about to—" Looking back to Maddox, he was met with a smack to the bicep. "Ow!"

            "Why didn't you tell me?" Maddox asked. "I raised you better."

            "We met in university."

            "Those are developing years."

            "Hi, Maddox." Jensen walked over and hugged him. The less they bickered in front of Rocky—how ever good-naturedly—the better. She couldn't tell the difference. "How was the flight?"

            "Good, good."

Maddox hugged her back gently before pulling away. Jensen took a step back and hoped her eyes weren't swollen from crying, she didn't need him seeing that. Maybe him staying at their house would help keep her mind off her worries, if only so he didn't have to see her break down.

            "So," Maddox said, looking at Jensen's stomach and back to her over the rim of his round glasses. Teasingly, he continued, "anything new to report on?"

            "I signed a new producing deal for the studio yesterday," Miles said, putting a hand on the small of Jensen's back. "Read the script last week, it's phenomenal."

            Jensen grinned as she leaned into Miles' side gently. "I'm leaving for press next week."

            "I'm gonna be a big sister," Rocky said.

            "That," Maddox said, picking Rocky up. She giggled as he poked her in the stomach. "Was exactly what I was looking for, kiddo. Thank you."