Part 2

"Alright baby. Goodnight, sleep tight, and don't let the bed bugs bite." I tickled Wesley's feet and chuckled hearing him laugh.

"Goodnight!" He smiled hugging his bunny rabbit.

I smiled and looked at him for a moment before reaching over and pulling the string to his lamp off. "I love you, buddy." I whispered leaning down and kissing his forehead. I brushed his hair lightly with my palm, taking in the moment with him.

I always did this with Wesley and Haley. Especially after fights with Jade. I just cared about them so much and it worried me to death that they've seen us fight. They shouldn't have to see that at such a young age.

I got up from his bed and walked out the door, heading towards Haley's room. I knocked before slowly opening it to see her laying on her, her back facing towards me. "Hey, pumpkin." I whispered, shutting the door behind me.

Haley didn't say anything, like I figured. I kicked some Barbie dolls aside as I walked to her bed, and then climbed in it with her, laying down. We laid in silence for a moment. I really didn't know what to say. This happens to often, I could keep telling her the same thing over and over.

I ran my fingers through her light brown hair, and then rubbed her arm. "You're such a pretty girl, you know that?"

Haley finally turned towards me and then hugged me tightly. I sighed and closed my eyes, resting my hands on her back. I heard her start to cry and that's when I began crying again.

Eventually she just fell asleep. We didn't talk at all. I think we both knew it was pointless by now. It's very rare Haley says anything to Jade when stuff like this happens. She just listens to me and does as told. When she does say something though, I'm proud of her. At least she knows it's wrong and to speak up for herself.

Jade can't take control of her like that either. It's one thing with me, but my babies are another.

I decided to stay in Haley's room and sleep with her that night. I really didn't feel like being alone. I knew Jade probably would stay out tonight anyways. And I wanted to be with my daughter.

-

It's been four days and no signs of my wife. No calls, no texts, nothing. I haven't bothered to even try. Yes, it was getting hard, but I didn't care that much. It's not like she helped out anyways.

I kind of liked it honestly. My children didn't have to worry to much, and they got good sleep. Haley asked maybe twice about her mother. I just gave a simple answer. "I don't know."

The thing I liked the most was being able to spend quality time with them. I would watch movies at night before bedtime and not have to worry about Jade barging in drunk. Haley seemed much more happy too.

But on the other hand, it was upsetting. My baby girl shouldn't have to feel happy when her mother's gone. Jade should be watching movies with us as well. And it's terrible fun things only happen when she's gone. It shouldn't be that way. A family includes everyone.

It was Saturday, I woke Haley and Wesley up with some chocolate chip Mickey Mouse pancakes and chocolate milk to go along with it. They loved my special pancakes and knew they only got them on Saturday mornings. It was like our little thing.

I promised them over breakfast I would take them out to do whatever they'd like. As long as it wasn't ridiculous or too expensive of course.

They were so happy, it was my favorite thing to see. A real smile on my children's face. A mother should always feel that way. And I do.

I got dressed and then dressed Wesley in his blue jeans and button down shirt before putting his boots on to complete the outfit. I think my favorite part about having a young one is picking out their outfits everyday. I mean, they're just so cute.

"Okay handsome, you're all dressed. Ready to brush your teeth?" I smiled and picked him up.

Wesley frowned and shook his head. "No!" He whined.

He always hated brushing his teeth. I honestly think it's the worst thing in the world to him.

"I know, baby. Just a quick brush and it'll be over with. If you just do it, you won't have to worry about it anymore." I brought him into the bathroom and set him down. "Step up on your stool, here's your Spider-Man brush." I handed him his tooth brush.

Wesley grabbed it and then looked at me like he was about to cry. My heart breaks every time seeing him like this. "Don't even." I pointed my finger at him. "Come on, be a big boy."

Haley walked in all dressed in her sundress and grabbed her toothbrush as well. "Can you do my hair, momma?"

I smile, twirling her hair around my finger. "Of course I can." I then looked at her wet her toothbrush then put toothpaste on it. "Look Bear, sisters doing it."

Bear was Wesley's nickname ever since he was just a baby. Jade gave it to him one day. She said something about being a 'momma bear and he was her little bear cub'. It was cute.

After they brushed their teeth, we were downstairs. I was sitting on the couch braiding Haley's hair as she sat on the floor. Wesley was playing with his train. "So where have you thought about going today?" I asked focusing on her braid.

"Well, I really want to go to the trampoline place." Haley said.

"No!" Wesley frowned.

"Well, where do you want to go bubba?" I asked laughing a little.

He just shrugged and continued with his train.

Just then the door opened up, and I jumped a little before seeing who it was..

Jade.

After four days, she finally comes back. I haven't seen her since that night she gave me a bruise. It's still on my face. I have a huge bruise on my cheek and a little purple under my eye. She hit me pretty hard.

"Jade." I whispered to myself, holding onto Haley's braid.

She looked different. She looked.. sober? I didn't want to believe it, but she was.

"Mommy!" Wesley got up and ran over to her, clinging to her leg.

Jade looked down at him and patted his head. The expression on her face was hard to tell. It was almost like she wasn't feeling anything, but then again, it looked like she was. She glanced at me for a moment, and then back down at him and picked him up. "Hey Bear." She whispered, pushing some of his hair to the side.

I moved my eyes to Haley, she was upset. Her happiness was completely gone. It disappeared. She pulled away from me, letting her braid fall apart and then stood up. "Haley, honey." I grabbed her hand.

Haley looked at me and then down at our hands. "Are we still going out?" She asked me, hurt filling her voice.

I pulled her close to me and then grabbed her other hand, looking up at her face. "Yes honey, we are. I promise. Just me, you, and bubba." Haley looked over at her mother and I followed her eyes. Jade was starring at us, like she wanted to talk to me. I sighed and then tugged on Haley's hand, making her look at me. "Just let me talk to your mother and then we'll go. It'll be short."

Haley frowned and then shook her head. "Don't let her hit you."

My heart sunk more than it ever has before. Hearing my own daughter say that was just.. I can't even explain it. I felt like a weak mother in that moment. Like I was nothing.

I looked at Haley distraught. I then glanced at Jade again and she was looking away, I knew she heard her. "That's not going to happen baby." I told her. "I promise this time."

"You've promised a lot of things." She whispered and then walked over to Jade.

I stood up and crossed my arms, watching Haley take Wesley and then heading upstairs. My eyes moved to my wife and she cleared her throat.

"Hey." She crossed her arms as well.

"What are you doing here?" I started picking up the hairbrush and pony tails from the couch where I was doing Haley's hair.

"This is my house too."

I looked up from what I was doing and started laughing sarcastically. "Oh, no, no, no." I pointed the hairbrush at her. "No, it's not. This house belongs to the West family. And as I recall, you aren't part of it anymore. I told you to come back when you found my wife, did I not?"

Jade sighed and ran both her hands through her hair, shaking her head and biting her lip, looking away. She then closed her eyes and looked back at me, stepping closer. "Tori, I know what you said. This is your wife, okay?"

I laughed again and stepped back, setting the brush on the coffee table. "Are you speaking to me as Jade the mother of our children, or as Jade the fucking drunk?" I asked looking at her coldly.

I've honestly had enough at this moment. It was effecting our family now more than ever. Haley and Wesley both have seen way too much. I'm trying to stop that from happening ever again.

"I'm speaking to you as the woman you married." She walked up, getting aggravated. I looked over her face and then huffed, looking away. "Tori, we have to talk. I've done enough thinking and I'm ready to come back. I'm ready to try with you again."

I felt tears come to my eyes and quickly shook my head, walking around the couch. "I can't do this right now, Jade. I promised the kids I'd take them out today."

"Then let me come with you!" She round the couch quickly, standing in front of me. "Let me prove to you."

"You've said this too many times. I can't believe you. You always say you've changed and never do!" I spat. "And no, you're not coming with us. I promised Haley it would be just us."

"Tori.." She walked closer and placed her hand on my cheek.

I slapped it away and moved onto the stairs. "No. This is the happiest I've ever seen these kids. You're not taking it away. We'll talk when we come back. Until then, leave. Like I've said before, this house belongs to my family."