Until Cece (Happily Ever Alpha World)

“You’re not a failure, Cece, and you might not realize this, but you and Mike at one point or another decided together that your job was to stay home and take care of the kids. He did his job, which was to take care of you guys. And I don’t care what bullshit he spewed, you did your job and are still doing it, and I know it’s the hardest job in the world. He can say all day long that he’s going to take custody from you, but you know that’s not how that works. A judge will decide what happens, and everyone who knows you has witnessed the kind of mom you are. Mike is a good dad, but he works sixty hours a week if not more, and right now, he’s only seeing the girls one day a week by choice. You tell me how he’s going to suddenly change that.”

Her words do wonders to calm my aching heart, and I look up at her as she squeezes my hand and continues, “The house isn’t important. If you have to move because you can’t afford it, then you and the girls will find somewhere else you can afford. And if you want to stay here, I’m sure Mom and I can come to some kind of agreement to help you cover the mortgage until you can afford it.”

“I don’t want that,” I whisper. “I don’t want people covering for me anymore.”

She lets out a sigh. “I know you don’t want that, but it’s like Mom told me tonight—sometimes we can’t handle everything on our own. Sometimes we need help, and there is nothing wrong with asking for help or accepting it when it’s offered.”

“I don’t care about anything but my babies,” I tell her, knowing the only reason I don’t want to leave this house is because it’s always been their home. But then I remember what Winston said, about how it didn’t have to be a sad thing to move into a new place, like it wasn’t when Mia and I did it with Mom.

“They are fine. Confused, but fine,” Mia says, and I frown, wondering why they’d be confused. “Kate and Lola talked to their dad tonight, and judging by the questions they asked when I tucked them in, I’m guessing Mike mentioned the divorce and selling the house.”

“He didn’t,” I hiss, my worry suddenly transforming into instant rage.

“I don’t know for sure, because while they were on the phone with him, I was putting Ruby to bed.”

“That piece of…. God, he’s a dick. How did I never realize he was such a dick?” I growl, shaking my head.

“I’m sure you noticed; you just didn’t overthink it, because he was—or is—your husband.”

“You’re probably right,” I mutter, knowing that’s exactly what it was. I always brushed it off, knowing there wasn’t anything I could do about it, and just dealt with it.

“So I’m going to guess that right now isn’t the best time to let you know that Mom and Chaz are going to be here in a few days,” Mia adds.

“Seriously?” I whine, closing my eyes and falling back against the couch. “I should have thought about that before I had a lapse in judgment and called Mom tonight when I was on break. I just… I needed Mom. I needed her to tell me that everything would be okay.”

“I get it, and I really think it will be good having her and Chaz here. They can help take the girls’ minds off things for a few days or months.”

“Months?” My eyes pop open and widen.

She gives me a shrug. “Mom reminded me that she works for Chaz and he works for himself. I don’t know how long they’re going to be here, but my guess is it will be until they know you and the girls are okay.”

“Right.” I sit forward then stand. “On that note, I’m going to go kiss my girls then lie in bed and figure out what I’m going to say to them in the morning over pancakes.”

“I know it’s easier said than done, but you shouldn’t stress too much about the conversation you’re going to have in the morning. The girls know how much you love them, and they trust you and Mike.” She tips her head to the side. “Maybe just be truthful. I know you hate the idea of them knowing what is happening, but sometimes not knowing is worse than the truth. It’s not going to be easy for them either way, but at least they will understand what’s going on and what might happen.”

Tears fill my eyes once more. God, I’m so sick of crying. “You’re right,” I tell her, stepping up to her and needing a hug. She stands to wrap her arms around me. “I love you, and I’m so thankful for you.”