Chapter 136 Hidden Emotions

Chapter 136 Hidden Emotions
Maddie's POV

Mariko and I arrived back at the apartment. Bella was being her fun self with giggles, running around in the lounge, while Angel sat on the ground at the coffee table. Toys were scattered, and it seemed like a bit of a mess. I was just happy to be free from any harm and not to see a guard.

"Daddy!" Bella ran towards Mariko, and he scooped her up into his arms. She wrapped her little arms around his neck, placing a kiss against his cheek. She pulled away and just smiled at him.

"What's that smile for?" Mariko asked her.

"I want to see Cloudy and Sparkles," she said.

"You can see them soon. Now, what did you do today?" he asked. I went to the kitchen where Rosie was making lunch for us.

"So, how have things been today with Bella?" I smiled at her.

"Well, she is really excited about seeing the twins. She doesn't want to be corrected on their names, she is adamant to call them Cloudy and Sparkles. I just think that you two should let her be. At least it can be their family nicknames. Perhaps she will grow out of calling them that when she is older," Rosie smiled as she chopped a tomato.

"I see your point." there was a knock on the door and Mariko went to open it. I heard laughter as I moved to the lounge.

"We are just here to say that we are going back to Seattle," Sophia said, her belly was showing more. At least she gets to enjoy her pregnancy. She took me into her embrace and so did Bradley. They sat down on the sofa.

"Angel, please make sure that Bella goes to her bedroom," Mariko instructed. She nodded in response. "Bella, go with Angel and take your toys to your bedroom," he said.

She took her things without any protest, Angel helped her, and they went to her bedroom. "So, how is your pregnancy?" I asked as Mariko and I both sat on two recliners, a little table was in the middle of us with a little pot plant on it.

"It's been great. I'm enjoying every moment of it. She is growing, and she is healthy," Sophia beamed.

"That is the most important thing...that she is healthy and growing," Mariko said. I couldn't help feel a bit emotional that she is dealing with her pregnancy in a better way compared to how I handled mine. Tears stung the back of my eyes.

"That is great," I managed to say with a forced smile.

"How are the twins? Are they okay?" She looked between the two of us. Bradley was silent, but it was odd to me.

"They are fine, they are growing and there is a lot of progress. We cannot wait to be back home in Seattle," Mariko said, as he looked over at me with a smile, but I only managed a weak smile before looking away.

"That is such a relief, I couldn't even imagine what you both must've gone through worrying about them,.. Not knowing if they will make it." I just didn't want to hear that. But I kept a brave face. I had to put the positive before me, for the sake of the twins.

"Yes, it was. But we continue to be there for them, and we held them for the first time today. It was such a great feeling," Mariko was so happy about that, and so was I. Yet, the negative thoughts tried to creep into my mind about them being okay.

I let Sophia and Mariko do the talking. I just didn't want to get emotional about anything. I wish that I could be with my twins the entire time. They are in good hands, the staff at the hospital is amazing.



Mariko's POV

I noticed that Maddie and Bradley weren't being talkative. I know that Maddie must be feeling some emotion with regard to the conversation that Sophia and I were having. It is a trigger. Noticing my son's mood, I decided to stand up.

"Bradley, I would like to show you something," I said, and then he stood up, following after me down the hallway and into my bedroom.

"Are you okay?" I asked. He knew that I had nothing to show him, but I wanted to know what was wrong.

"No," he sighed.

"What is it?" I asked.

"I know that you have a lot to deal with, and you are still getting used to getting back to normal and the twins that are still in the hospital, but I just don't want to say anything. I haven't even told Sophia about it because she would blab it out. We had an argument and I lied to her about why my mood had shifted. But I can deal with this one," he tried to reassure me.

"We are here having this conversation. Things are fine, so tell me what it is," I pushed.

"Well, mom is the problem. She is out there and partying, but she is taking it a bit too far. I have seen her posts on Instagram, and she is ruining herself that way. Alcohol and men. Is that what Bella needs in a mother when she does decide to see Bella? That car accident that happened... I don't want mom to be the reason that something happens next time." he said with worry, and I could see why it had been eating at him.

"I will have a word with her. I will call her," I said.

"She won't listen to you, she chose that life over family. Think about Bella if she can't even think about her own daughter. She wouldn't even answer her phone when I tried to call her. It's like old times when I was a teenager, and she just didn't think that I was important."

"I will try. If she doesn't answer, then let me handle it from there on. You have a baby on the way, focus on Sophia and the baby. They need you. I know you still care about your mother, but let me handle it." I tried to reassure him.

He nodded but still not really convinced that I would be able to handle it, "Thanks, Dad," he said.

"Now, join the rest. Everything will be fine. Any idea where your mother is right now?" I asked.

"Yeah, she is at home, but attending clubs. This isn't healthy for her," he shook his head.

"I got this one," I said, and then he left my bedroom.

What on earth is Amber on about right now? I have to do this for the sake of Bradley and Bella.