The Secrets We Keep

September 7-drafts

Jay POV*

I wake up at 7 am for a run. "Hailey, I'm going for a run". I put on a short sleeve shirt and some shorts. "Take the baby" she says shifting her position on the bed. "Hailey she's three days old I can't do that" I whisper in her ear. "Take Amira she's probably not sleeping" Hailey's before going back to sleep.

I walk to Amira's room and there she was wide awake looking out the window. "Amira lets go, get dressed" I say scaring her. "Where" she says turning around in her desk chair. "Were going for a run it not optional" I say shutting the door. I get downstairs and grab us both ice waters to drink after the run. "Okay, I'm ready to go" she says putting on her shoes. We leave the house and start running down to the block and to the park.

"So your not sleeping and that's not good for your health" I start. "Okay" she says running towards the park. "Me and Hailey were think you could see someone about the that" I say as she stops. "Like professionally" she says as I walk back to her. "yeah I know you talk to Hailey and I but your still not sleeping and whenever you do sleep it's for a short period of time. We just want you to be healthy mentally and physically it's nothing to be ashamed of, I went to therapy and help me so much" I tell her. "Okay" she says taking off running to the park playground.

"You can't do that we were talking" I say as she gets on the swing. "Your just mad you lost" she says laughing. "We weren't even racing, You wanna stay here while I run around the block a couple times" I ask her. She nods. As I'm running I text Hailey and tell her about the therapy suggestion.

Okay - Hailey

She only sends one word answers when she's mad or sleep deprived. After running a couple laps around the block I swing back by the play ground. "You ready to head back" I say. "yup" she says jumping off the swing set and running past me. "Again" I say chasing after her.

Hailey POV*

As I'm making breakfast when I hear the door open. They both walk to the kitchen and grab their waters. "Well you guys had a nice run" I say. Amira and Jay nod their heads.

"Go shower were going to Vanessa and Kev's house while the boys get haircuts" I say as Amira goes upstairs.

"Did you two talk about therapy" I ask. "You didn't get my text" he says throwing away the empty water bottle. "I left it in the baby's room  yesterday, it's still there. But what you text me about?" I say. "She agreed to go see a therapist" I say.

Two hours later and everyone has shower, eat breakfast, and is ready to go. "Alright everyone has shoe, and jacket" Jay says doing a once over of what each kid is wearing.  "Yes" they all says. "Then lets head to the car." I say opening the door for them to walkout. We get to the car and I realize that I forgot Rue. "Hailey where are you going" Jay shots as I get out the car. I walk back to the car with the baby carrier and the diaper bag. "Oh, don't tell anyone about this" I say turning back to look at the kids.

We get to Kevin and Vanessa place, we ring the door bell. "Hey guys" Kevin says opening the door with Val in his hands.

" uncle Kev" Ryder says hugging his leg. "Hey are you ready to get your hair done" he says. " so what have y'all been up to today" Vanessa asks. "Jay and I went for a run around the block and I won both times" says Amira. " Mommy left RoRo in the house" Ry says playing with his dinosaur on the floor. "Mommy told you not to tell anyone" I say looking back at him.

" Well haircuts let's go Kevin says ending the silence.  Me and Vanessa get u from the couch. "bye Val" we say handing her to Kev. " I thought you were going to take her"  Kevin says. "I used to spend all day with her it's your turn" she says grabbing Vals diaper bag.

"Your keeping her right cause, 4 kids" Jays face look a little scared. "she Rowan can stay". " bye I love you don't let them take all his curls" running my fingers through Auggie's curls. Jay nods before walking out the door.

Jay POV*

We get to the barbershop and I take Auggie and Ry's hands as we walk in. " Ay Kev brought another white boy" one of them says. I look over at Amira and she's trying to hide her laugh. "Man shut up. This my friend Jay and his kids, but Auggie says wants his braided" Kevin says moving Auggie up to show how much hair he has. "Alright sit right here little man and you guys can sit over there" someone else says.

Vanessa POV*

"How are you?" I ask. "I'm good a little tired but good. I actually need to tell you something. but before I say it just know that I never meant to keep this from you I just couldn't find the right time to tell you about it." she says putting a sleeping Rue down in her car seat. "What is it, your kind of scaring me" I tell her leaning forward. " The drunk driver who hit you was my dad... I'm so sorry he did that to you and I hope we can still be friends." she says. "Your not saying anything says something please" she pleads. "I already knew that" I say watching her face change color. "You knew who told you" she asks. "Your mom came to see me after you left" I say. "I told her not to see you" Hailey says running her hand through her blonde hair. "She just wanted to say sorry, we talked a lot about parenthood, mini you and she even paid for the hospital bills which I wasn't expecting" I say. "Hailey I'm good Val's good, everything is what it should be" I say.

Hailey POV*

Two hours later when the door opens and the kids walk in. "Hey guys" I say bouncing Ru in my arms. "I thought you were getting a haircut" I say passing Rue told him. "You don't like it" Auggie says. "No I love it, I love the braids it looks great" I say admiring the braids. "Thanks Kev" Auggie says hugging him. We leave their house and grab some lunch from Wendy's.