After baby

Chapter 15-Hardin

I'm so fucking annoyed right the fact that my family was talking about my daughter and I know it's true because Vance said it to me before and so did Ken about her behaviour but I never told Tessa that's why I didn't want to go to Ken's birthday because he rang me and said to come without Emery and I cussed him out for an hour and told him to ring Tessa and invite all of us or none of us are coming but the fact now even Addy knows I'm sick of my daughter looking like the bad person all the time they see her twice a year if even they don't see the caring,sweet loving side to her that we see the one that writes us notes on how much she loves us or who gets scared of monsters under her bed and needs us to make her feel safe

Emery acts tough and that nothing bothers her but she really is a sensitive kid she just doesn't know how to express her emotions a bit like how I was so when she tries to say how she feels or if something happens she reacts with anger

I know exactly what happened when Emery attacked Abby back in Washington the whole family sat around and talked about it after we left

First on my list of people to call is Landon "I heard what happened in school"is the first thing he says "oh did you you now what exactly did you hear"

"That Emery came up to Addy saying things to her and Addy was defending herself"

"You have to be joking me"I scoff "my daughter didn't say anything to your daughter it was your daughter and her friends"

"Addy doesn't lie"

"Well she clearly did this time" I tell him I know when Emery does be lying and this time she wasn't "well who is more likely to lie Addy or Emery"he says

"What are you trying to say my daughter is the liar"

"Well we know Emery's behaviour in the pa-"

"Don't you dare say anything about my daughters behaviour even if your her uncle or not you never speak of another child's behaviour"I shout into the phone before hanging up I can't take another second of him how dare him try say something about Emery "what's wrong"Tessa comes in "Tess...there is something I need to tell you"

"What?"she looks worried "it's about Emery well more about the rest of the family like Vance,Ken,Landon they all have been talking about Emery and not in a good way"I look at her and her eyes go wide "wha..saying what"

"That her behaviour is the reason we never get invited to stuff and Landon is trying to say it's Emery's fault over what happened in school"I can't read what she is thinking right now she is to quiet "how would they know anything they don't even visit they wouldn't know what she is like"she snaps that's not how I thought she would react she is thinking exactly what I was thinking she stands up rubbing her stomach then sits back down "why would they even be talking bad about a child that's just rude"

"That's what I said to Landon on the phone" she leans her head on my shoulder "are you ok"I ask her

"I'm just...annoyed"she sighs

"Who cares what they think we know what our daughter is like not them"

"It just hurts that is your own family speaking this way and know Emery knows"and then Emery walks in "don't say anything" she whispers to me

"Are you ok baby"she asks her and she nods "does the family like me"she looks up at the both of us her eyes tearing up "of course they do princess"

"Doesn't seem like it"

"They do they are just....odd"I look at Tessa I don't really no what word to use "You have mommy and me and we love you the most never forget that" and it's true it has always just been the 3 of us doing everything together and if that's how it is for the rest of our life with our new baby Auden I would be happy 

Then my phone starts ringing it's Landon "what do you want"I snap "I think we should all talk all of us sort this out"

"Fine come over"I say hanging up the phone "who was that"Tessa asks "Landon there coming over"I tell her and she nods I have to say in the last few years Landon has got braver he used to never even speak back to me

When Landon comes in with Addy and you can feel the tension in the air we are all just sitting here awkwardly Emery and Addy staring at each other I make sure Emery is on my lap so she doesn't run for Addy or I don't run for Landon 

"Tessa Hardin I want to just apologise for the way I was speaking about Emery"

"Don't apologise to us apologise to her"I point to Emery "Emery I want to say I'm sorry for talking about you I shouldn't have I was just in a bad mood over the way Addy acted and I took it out and blamed it on you"

"Well Landon I think it was very silly of you to talk about me when I'm your niece but I will except your apology"Emery says "I just want to say one thing Landon I didn't expect that from you to speak of a child about there behaviour when your are a teacher"

"Ino Tess"

"Tessa"I correct him "I don't know what happened I'm really sorry"he says and she nods "And Addy what do you have to say to Emery"he says to her and she rolls her eyes "nothing"

"Addy"

"Fine Emery I'm sorry"

"Wow you really sound it"Emery remarks "I really do mean it I'm sorry"Addy says and Emery looks at her best friend "And here is your barbie doll I stole"she hands her the barbie "thank you"

"We have to go but again I'm really sorry for the way he acted"Landon tells us again "Landon I swear if I ever hear you talking about my daughter again you won't be seeing us again"I know I'm probably being a bit dramatic but I don't care my daughter means everything to me and if your talking bad about her your gone