Page 28 of Accidentally Perfect

Does what Brad said to me bother me? Fuck yes. But he did drive the point home that he was their father, he also made it clear that what he and Laney had is in the past. There's no reason for me to feel jealousy, not when it comes to Brad. But all of this is new to me. The feeling that I have to protect Laney and her daughters. Brad is not a threat. He's not an issue but an ally. Someone who wants exactly what Laney wants for those girls. He could have been so much worse. He could still be holding a torch or her. He could be blinded by money and be a nuances. But he's not and I have to remember that. Even when it's hard, I have to remember that he's one of the good ones. A good one who just so happened to sleep with my wife, who has been intimate with her more time than me. Damn it. I told Laney that she needs to trust in us and now I need to follow my same advice.

I finally feel like I’m not alone, that I have a purpose. I haven't felt this way since my mother was alive. Natalie is great, I couldn’t ask for a better sibling, but I still have this sense of loneliness, a void that I haven’t been able to fill. Having a bastard for a father is rough. A son needs to have his father there, to show him how to be a man, a husband, even a father. Mine has never been someone I could depend on. Money was the only thing that was on his mind. It’s amusing to me that I now hold the power to take all that money away from him. A fact that I’m sure isn’t lost on either of us. It’s sad that he had a beautiful woman at home and two kids, who would have given up their world to be something to him, yet treated us the way he did. He couldn’t have cared less for his family, for me. There were no examples to live by at home when it came to becoming a man. I had to learn on my own, and I never thought I would be able to do it. But looking into Laney’s grassy green eyes, I know my purpose. I can be the man I want to be. She gives me hope; a reason.

Laney isn’t far behind me when I return to the room. I put the food and drinks on the table and take a seat in one of the open chairs. I can feel the tension dissipate from my shoulders. “The doctors came in,” Laney says as she walks over to me, taking a seat on my lap. My hand automatically comes around her waist and pulls her flush against my chest. Stella is still cuddled up with Amanda while Addie is lying comfortably in her bed with Brad by her side.

“And?” Brad asks, his voice clipped.

“Amanda will be able to go home tomorrow, but Addie will need to stay a few days. The specialist that Nathan found will be here tomorrow morning to assess her condition.” I nod in agreement. “He’s going to make sure everything’s where it needs to be. He wants new x-rays to determine if the growth plate was damaged and if so, to what degree. His preliminary findings that the hospital sent over looks promising, but he wants to make sure and see new films tomorrow.”

“That’s good, love,” I say as I give her a squeeze.

“Yes, I’m off for two more days, but I’m going to arrange with the hospital to get my shifts covered until Addie is taken care of and up and around.”

“How is she going to be able to move around with her leg in a brace?”

“She’ll have to have a wheelchair, Brad. They have them for kids; she will be fine. It will take some getting used to, but I’m confident Addie will get a handle on how to maneuver the chair.”

“Laney, you do realize the girls’ bedroom is on the second floor. How do you expect her to get there? Are you planning on her sleeping on the couch for the next several weeks, possibly a month? Or are you going to roll a bed into your office, or library?”

“We’ll make it work, Brad.”

“My apartment is one level; she can stay with me while she recovers. Bear can too if she doesn’t want to be away from Bug.” Brad suggests.

“That’s not going to happen. I want them both with me. I’ll figure something out.”

I stay silent while Laney and Brad discuss the situation. I know what I want to do, but I told Brad that I would step in only if I need to. They are the parents. Hopefully as more time goes by I'm included, but right now I won't overstep, although it's killing me not to fix this for Laney.

“You act like they've never stayed with me before, Laney. They’ve been staying with me for the past few years.”

“I understand that, but your place is tiny, and I don’t see how Addie will be able to get around, it’s doesn’t matter that it’s one level. She’ll be bumping into things left and right. Besides whom do you think will be staying with her while you’re at work?”

“My penthouse is one level." I speak up. "There's six bedrooms and multiple other rooms. It’s on Columbus with views of Central Park and the Hudson. I don’t see any reason why you and the girls can’t just move in with me.” Brad looks defeated.

“No thanks, Nathan.” Brad is quick to decline my offer. “If the girls can’t be in my apartment then I want them in my house, not a place they don’t know.”

“It’s my house, Brad. Mine. It was never yours. Let’s make sure we remember that, shall we?”

“There isn’t any reason why my house can’t be an option. Laney, we’re married, did you think we wouldn’t live together?” I hear Brad chuckle under his breath.

“I think it’s a fabulous idea, Laney. The girls would love something new. It doesn’t have to be forever, but right now a large, single level place is the best for them.” Stella gives me a little wink as she sides with me.

“I don’t like it, Laney; I want the girls in familiar surroundings. I would think you’d want that too.”

“I do, Brad, but I think it’s a good option. Like Stella said, it doesn’t have to be forever. But when Addie is released, it’s the best option.”

“Excuse me.” A nurse comes in breaking up the conversation. “It's getting late. The girls need their rest so they can heal. Which parent will be staying with them tonight?"

“I’m not leaving my girls. I don’t want them to wake up without their mother.”

“I don’t feel comfortable about leaving the girls either,” Brad says.

“I’m sorry, it’s hospital policy. One parent can stay.”

"Let them figure it out, I'm sure we can come to a decision here shortly." The nurse nods her head in agreement and leaves the room.

“Thank you, Nate.”

“Laney, why don’t you go home and get the girls some clothes and the stuffed horses they sleep with. Once you get back then I’ll head home. I need a few hours of sleep before I have to line-up a sub with my lesson plans. I’ll come back in the morning and wait with you until Amanda is released. I’ll stay with Addie while you get Amanda settled in at home. I think it’s best for you and Bear to stay at the house until Bug gets out. It’s closer to the hospital, anyway.”

“Okay, we will. But once Bug is out we'll be with Nathan.”

Brad’s idea to give it a couple of days isn’t a bad one. It will give me plenty of time to get the penthouse ready for the girls. I know just the person who will make it so those two girls never want to leave.

“Come on, sweet girl. Let’s go to your house. We can start packing up the girls’ things.”

I want this time to get Laney alone. I need to be with her. I need to show her how proud I am of her for standing her ground; for giving my idea a shot.