Chapter Ten: Problems And Solutions
"Jimmy, what the hell is your problem?" Manny yelled.
"What's my problem? What do you think my problem is?" he yelled right back. "I come home from work early to see you in your ex-boyfriend's arms! That's my problem."
"And you wouldn't give me one second to explain myself, would you?"
"What's there to explain? I saw it with my own eyes!" Jimmy said. "Why were you hugging him?"
"Oh, so NOW you want to know why. After you kick Chris out, embarrass yourself, and break my vase. You want to know why he was hugging me Jimmy? You think it's going to be some elaborate scheme to divorce you or something?" Manny was extremely angry. This was the first fight that her and Jimmy had after being together for eight years.
"Just tell me," Jimmy said through his teeth, his fists clenched at his sides.
"Chris hugged me to comfort me because Matt is out of prison and he came back to Toronto. That's why!" she yelled at him, bursting into tears. Jimmy was speechless. He had made a fool of himself and knew he couldn't apologize for it. That would only make her mad. "You know what really bothers me though?" Manny whispered, still crying. "You just acted the same way Chris did every time he got mad. You reminded me of him and how angry he always got. He always overreacted and that is what led to our downfall. I'm really ashamed Jimmy."
Jimmy still didn't say anything. He had started to cry, but Manny didn't take pity on him. She picked Bella up and started to go upstairs. Jimmy tried to follow her, but Manny turned around and stopped him.
"You can sleep on the couch tonight," she said and walked away. She found Lucas in his room, already asleep. It was only nine o'clock, but Manny felt exhausted. She fed her daughter and then rocked her to sleep. She gently placed Isabella in her crib and went into her bathroom. After a long bath, she put her pajamas on and stretched out in her bed, alone for the first time since she had been married.
"Jake, can I talk to you for a minute?" she asked her husband. He had just come inside from checking on Avery, Maia, and Lily to make sure that they were asleep.
"Of course you can. I'll meet you in the living room. You want anything to drink?" he asked.
"No thanks." Jake poured himself a glass of water and sat down on the couch next to his wife.
"What's up sweetheart?" he asked. Then he noticed the look on Paige's face. She looked like she was about to be sick, or cry, or both. "What's wrong?"
"I don't know how to tell you this…" she began.
"Just tell me. I love you so much, and nothing you can say will change that."
"Avery's dad…he…he…he came here today," she said, bursting into tears.
"What?" Jake asked, surprised.
"He came here and he wants to see her. I told him no, but then Emma called about Jonathan. He said that he'd be back. What if he takes her?" Paige explained, between sobs.
"No one is going to take Avery from us. I promise you that. She is our daughter. He just left before she was even born and has no right to her. I am her father and I won't let that creep take her," Jake said angrily.
"I have to tell you something else, and you're not going to like it," she paused before continuing.
"Go on…don't be afraid to tell me anything."
"Avery's dad is…well, he's…Matt Oleander," she whispered his name.
"What?" he asked. "Isn't that the guy who raped Manny?"
"Yeah, he is," was all she could say.
"Did he rape you too?" his eyes widened.
"No…he didn't." Paige was staring at the floor, ashamed to look at her husband. "He was my boyfriend."
"You had sex with a teacher while you were still in school?" Jake asked, bewildered.
"Yes." Paige sighed and tried to wipe some tears away. "I understand if you hate me or think I'm a slut. I'm sorry that I didn't tell you earlier. I…I loved him and I thought that he was a good person. I didn't even want to have sex in the first place, but he convinced me to. The reason he wasn't there for Avery's birth is because he was in prison. I'm so sorry Jake, I really am. I hope you can forgive me." Paige didn't look up. She felt Jake's hand under her chin and he lifted it up, looking into her eyes.
"I could never hate you, and I don't think you're a slut. You made a mistake when you had sex with him. And if you hadn't, we wouldn't have Avery right now. I love her too much to ever live without her. The same goes for you. Everyone makes mistakes. Let's just leave the past in the past." He leaned toward her and kissed her.
"Jake, I really can't think of what will happen if Matt tries to get joint custody of Avery. She doesn't even know him, and I don't want her to."
"We have to make sure he doesn't win his case," Jake said.
"What if he does?" Paige asked warily.
"I'll think of something." They hugged and Jake led her upstairs where they fell into bed, too tired to change.
"I love you Paige," Jake whispered in her ear.
"I love you Jake," Paige said as she fell asleep.
