Holding A Minor Grudge
Madison
“And we’re just going to tuck your tiny little feeties into this sock, and then Mommy is going to take you to see Auntie Mira. You like her, remember? She’s the one who tickles your tummy,” I cooed to Josiah as I got him ready to leave.
“Why are you going to see Ramira?” Joey asked from behind me, making me clutch my heart.
“Jesus, Joey! Are you trying to kill me?” I asked.
“No. I was just enjoying watching you with our children. And don’t change the subject. Why are you going to see Ramira?”
“I have a session,” I lied smoothly.
“No, you don’t. Why are you really going?”
I picked Josiah up, setting him on my hip as I turned around. “I wanted to go vent about how stupid Leah and Brennan are both being.”
“Maddie, you may think they’re being stupid, but this is how they are choosing to handle their trauma. I know you don’t understand, but it’s going to be okay. The only thing we can do is stop feeding into their need to check up on each other. Eventually, one of them will wake up and go back. Speaking of Leah, what are you doing after you leave Ramira’s office?”
“Coming home. You know I don’t like taking the kids out in public unless I have to.”
“I know. When you get home, stay away from Leah. She needs space. We really have been too overprotective.”
“You mean I have been. I don’t mean to be. I just don’t want any other men around her. I want to see her with Brennan,” I admitted.
He walked over to me to cup my face and press a kiss against my lips. “I know, babygirl. I want that too, but you need to face facts. It’s not our choice. It’s hers.”
“I know, I just… He makes her happy when he’s behaving. I just want to help them.”
“Promise me you’ll give her space.”
“I promise. You better get to work, or you’ll be late.”
He rolled his eyes. “You know I don’t care about being on time any more. Some little vixen came into my life and taught me the meaning of smelling the roses,” he said, smiling at me. “Do you want some help taking the kids to the car?”
“Yeah. Little fatty bo daddy here is above my weight limit,” I joked.
“Nah, that’s the car seat. Our little prince can’t be fat.”
I laughed softly as I put Josiah into his car seat before grabbing the diaper bag as Joey lifted the car seats. I groaned as his muscles flexed.
“That look is how you got pregnant,” Joey teased.
“No, all that,” I told him, gesturing at his body, “is how I got pregnant.”
He chuckled as he walked out of the room, muttering, “Guess you’ll always be pregnant.”
I grinned as I walked down the hallway to knock on Leah’s door before pushing it open a little. She drowsily lifted her head.
“Maddie?”
“Good morning, Leah. I just wanted to tell you that we were all leaving. The kids and I will be home before Joey. If you need anything, you have my cell number. Don’t hesitate to call me.”
“I won’t.”
She rolled over and pulled the blankets up over her head, making me roll my eyes. “Whatever,” I grumbled as I shut the door.
After everything that she had accused me and Joey of a few nights before, I was still pissed, even though she apologized for what she said when she got home. I stomped out to my car, immediately relaxing when I saw Joey talking animatedly to our kids. I hurried over to him to wrap my arms around his waist.
“I love you, Joey!”
He tugged me around to the front of him. “I love you, babygirl.” He glanced inside the car. “Please be careful. You have my whole life in that car.”
“I promise.”
After one final kiss, he went to his car. I waved merrily at him as he drove away before jumping in my car. I tilted the rearview mirror down to look at my kids. “Let’s go get into trouble!”
In what felt like no time at all, I was pulling up in front of Ramira’s office, where both she and Dale stood, waiting for me. While Dale got the car seats out, Ramira hugged me.
“So, how is she doing today?” Ramira asked.
“She’s alright. I didn’t punch her in the throat like I wanted to!” I told her, making her burst out laughing.
“You should be happy that she is becoming you! Feisty and kind of an asshole,” she retorted.
“Pfft. I am not an asshole.”
She raised her eyebrows at me. “You’re an asshole, Madison. I’m an asshole too. Being an asshole isn’t bad per se. It doesn’t mean we are bitches.”
“What does it mean?” I inquired as she led me inside her office building.
“It means that we are not weak. It means that we don’t tolerate bullshit. It’s just taking her a little longer to realize her full assholeness,” Ramira said.
“Don’t make me laugh, Ramira! I’m trying to be mad here!” I giggled.
“I’m not sure what you think is so funny about that.”
“Because you say asshole, and I think of the literal asshole on one's body! I always tell Caleb that he will find his forever asshole licker soon.”
“Ergh, Madison! That’s my brother.”
“So is Joey, but we talk about him.”
“We do not! I answer questions when you ask them!” She exclaimed.
“But you know I’m with Joey and am asking the questions because I want to try it with Joey,” I argued.
“Ugh, okay, changing topics now. How are you feeling? You’re not letting yourself get too upset over this situation with Leah and Brennan, are you?” She questioned softly.
“Of course not! I will just punch them!” I answered.
“You can’t just punch everyone that pisses you off, Madison.”
“I can if they are family. Anyway, how are you and Dale doing?”
She smiled widely at me as she glanced at the man in question. “Don’t tell anyone, but we are looking into adoption.”
“Oh my God, that is great,” I gushed as we walked into her office. “I’m so happy for you.”
“Thank you. Sit. The babies are asleep. We should talk before they wake up.”
I nodded as I lovingly looked down at my newborns. “They were just fed. We have a few hours before they become needy again,” I laughed. “Besides, we have Uncle Dale here. He can tend to them while we talk.”
Dale rolled his eyes as he plopped down in the chair next to me. “Maybe I have shit to do for myself.”
I pretended to gag. “I so do not want to hear about you fucking Ramira on her desk.”
He gave me a sly look. “Nah, just the chair you are sitting in.”
I gagged again while Ramira shouted his name. After a hard glare, she turned back to me.
“Alright, let’s get to planning, because I am quickly reaching the point of allowing you to punch them both…”
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