Chapter 47 Seeking Help
Mariko's POV
I took Bradley to the hospital to get him checked out. He was fine, which I was relieved about. I think that he woke up when I punched him. He was awfully quiet as I took him to his apartment. He sat down on the sofa and I sat in the recliner, watching him. He was hunched over, resting his elbows on his knees, looking at the coffee table in thought.
I didn't like seeing my son in this state, nor in the spoiled state that he was in. I was not impressed with him trying to strangle Maddie. I should check up on her but I need to get this sorted with Bradley.
"I'm sorry, dad. It was like I saw red and I snapped. Maddie clearly doesn't want me and now you are expecting a baby with her," he looked up at me, his eyes glazed over.
"What you did to her was unacceptable. You could've killed her along with my baby. What would that have made you? Would that solve all of your issues?" I held his gaze.
"No, it wouldn't solve any issues and I would've been a murderer," he replied.
"Yes, that is correct. If you had to kill her, I wouldn't think twice about you rotting in prison. You were being selfish and who knows what Ash and his father have spoken to you about Maddie? I guess that whatever they might have said about her didn't bother you because you still wanted her regardless. I can't help but think if you only wanted her because the three of you wanted to parade her around like some toy which she is not. I am disappointed in the choices that you have made and I am angry with you after what has happened. You are still my son and I still love you, but you need to get your act together and deal with your issues if you want to become a better person. Maddie has spoken to you and I know that she relates to you. Your main issue stems from your mother. You have to deal with it, go to therapy. If you need anything, I will always be here," I said.
"I would like to be alone with my thoughts, please," he said softly.
I nodded and stood up. "Call me if you need anything. But do not get any closer to Maddie with ill intentions. I need you to prove to me that you have gone to therapy and dealt with it all. I need my son back," he looked at the coffee table. "I love you," I said before I walked out.
I wasn't sure about leaving him alone, but if that is what will make him feel better, then I will respect that. I need to check on my two girls at home.
When I arrived at the apartment, Bella was still up, she was sitting on the sofa, watching cartoons on TV with Mr Fluffy on her lap. Maddie walked from the kitchen. "Is everything okay?" she asked as I approached her.
"Daddy!" Bella got off the sofa and ran to me, hugging my leg. I bent down and picked her up, she wrapped her tiny arms around my neck. I gave a weak smile to Maddie. She was concerned.
"Everything is okay." I replied.
"Daddy, I made something for you."
"You did? Show me," I said as I placed her onto the floor and she ran down the hallway and into her bedroom.
I moved further into the lounge and I took a seat on the sofa, Maddie beside me. She took my hand in hers. "Is he okay?" she asked.
"I think that he needs help. Thank you for talking to him. I would've been against it, but hopefully you came through to him," I said as I looked at her.
"I felt like he had some rooted issues that needed to be dealt with. I guess my own experiences have led me to that possibility," she sighed.
"I feel like I have failed as a father. Was I a constant figure to support and love him? I always went away for work to which he felt abandoned because I had work to attend to and that was the last thing that I wanted. With Amber being the mother that she is, I have no doubt that there are issues that he kept to himself, but I feel like a failure. What if I fail our baby?" I asked, looking at her as the tears stung the back of my eyes.
She reached over to me with her hand, and cupped the side of my face. "You will never be a failure. You are a great dad and I wish that my father was more like you in terms of being a father. Our baby gets to have you and I wouldn't want it any other way. You are incredible and your love shows towards your kids. Never doubt yourself, parents make mistakes too, but regardless of that, you are great," she smiled at me.
"Here! I drew a picture of the baby." Bella was now beside us as Maddie pulled away.
I inspected the sketch and praised my daughter for it. I don't know what I would do without Maddie. I could have lost her today and my unborn baby. I hope that everything works out and that Bradley works out all of his issues so that we can be a family again without worrying.
Maddie's POV
Bella went to her bedroom because it was time for her to sleep. Before I could stand up from the sofa, Mariko took my hand in his and I looked at him. He was concerned. It was all in his eyes. "Are you okay?" he asked.
"I am fine," I gave him a weak smile.
"The baby?" he looked at my flat belly.
"The baby is fine." I placed his hand on my belly.
"I just want you both to be okay and healthy. I still fear the worst because of what has happened to Lana and her mother in their pregnancies. I was happy that Amber didn't have any complications, but with the possible long-term effects, I feel as if I am sitting on the edge of something happening. So promise me that you will let me know how you feel because we need to act quickly," he said, still with the concern etched on his face.
"I promise. Baby and I are fine," I reassured him. "I will be going to therapy tomorrow and then I want to get back to my books and work."
"I did bring some work back home with me so that you could be at home and do it. I don't think that you should be back at work soon, but if you need to study, then I will complete your work," he smiled.
"I need to focus on my studies. I want this year to end so that I can be done with it. I'm losing motivation," I was embarrassed to admit that.
"Let your wedding dress be a motivation," he said. His expression was neutral.
I scoffed, "How can a wedding dress be my inspiration?" I asked with a grin.
"I am serious. I do not plan on waiting that long to marry you, so let that be your motivation, future fashion designer," he smiled as he leaned in and placed a kiss against my cheek before removing his hand from my belly and standing up. "I will be tucking Bella in bed, I will see you in bed soon," he grinned before walking away.
He wants to marry me soon. How soon? Am I ready?
A wave of stress came over me at the idea of getting married. Planning everything will be overwhelming. Do I even want a huge wedding? Can we just elope or something?
I stood up from the sofa and walked into our bedroom. I got undressed and then I entered the bathroom, closing the door behind me. I opened the faucet in the shower, letting the water run, and then I got into the shower, closing the shower door behind me with a click. I stood under the water, closing my eyes as the water poured all over my body.
My hand moved to my neck and I opened my eyes. I nearly died...twice. I must have some sort of meaning in this world..a purpose that I do not know about. I furrowed my brows as my breathing began to get slow. I turned off the faucet and my vision blurred. I placed my hands against the tiled wall, blinking my eyes, but I felt dizzy as if something was trying to pull me to the floor. My vision became clear again. I turned around, opening the shower door. I'm not sure what is happening, I try to control my breathing and not to faint.
I slowly stepped out of the shower. "Mariko," I said, which was softly. "Mariko!" I tried again. I held onto the shower glass door. The bathroom door opened and Mariko looked at me with concern and he was at my side in a second. I was completely naked, water dripping from me, my hair was soaked.
He wrapped his arms around my waist. "Maddie, what's wrong?" he asked, hiding the panic in his voice.
"I think I'm fine now," I swallowed as I held onto him. "My breathing was slow and I was dizzy."
"Bradley nearly killed you. I think that we should go to the hospital just to make sure that you and the baby are okay. Remember it can also be long-term effects," he said.
I nodded. Mariko dried me and then dressed me. He called Margaret to come over and keep an eye on Bella. I just think that it is the overwhelming stress and the pregnancy that is making me feel this way. It didn't last that long, so it cannot be anything to worry about...or so I hope.