Chapter 5

MarleyPOV

"No." That was all he said before turning back around to face the stove. I shook my head in disagreement.

"Why not?" I ask innocently.

"You know why not… I don't talk to him and you know that."

Ryder and his father's relationship is really complicated. Ry had found out during our senior year that his dad was having an affair. That's when everything changed. Ryder stopped telling his dad everything and his father stopped asking about Ryder's life. They talk, but not the way they did before the affair.

"RyRy… What did I tell you before we started planning?" When he didn't answer, I continued. "I don't want our relationship to ruin your fam-"

"You are my family, Marls. You and the kids." Ryder interrupts me shortly.

"You know what I mean, I don't want you to be at odds with your parents the whole time we're planning…" I say, dying off at the end at the sight of Mike standing in the doorway of the kitchen.

"Are you fighting again?" Mike asks the two of us and Rachel pokes her head in the door, coloring book in hand.

"No, we're just talking. "Ryder assures him as he walks over and scoops up Mini as I pull Mikey onto my lap.

"What are you talking about?" Rachel asks.

"We were-"

"Talking about RyRy's dad coming to visit!" I say before Ryder could finish.

"REALLY?!" Rachel yells, causing Ryder and Mikey to flinch. She'd ben screeching like this since she could talk… you get used to it, at least I did.

"No, he's-" Ryder starts before I glare at him, causing him to stop short. I watch as he smiles at Rachel's excitement. "Yeah, I'm going to call him after dinner."

"Really?" I ask, surprised at his sudden mood and opinion change.

"Yes, really, Stars. Now someone set the table please."

RyderPOV

"You want me to what?" my dad asks over the phone.

"It's really, really bad, dad. Mom is going crazy." I tell him.

"what is she doing now?"

"Harassing Marley, What else is new?"

"And you want me to come to Lima and…" He asks me hesitantly.

"Mediate, force her to stop… I don't know! I just thought- Marley is freaking out and im just worried that mom's dis-encouragement will-"

"Affect Marley. I understand, I'll try and get out there as soon as I can." I let out a sigh of relief at my dad's agreement. "And Ry? I just want you to know how happy I am for you. Marley, she's a sweet girl, son. When I heard from Carol and Burt about what that poor excuse of a man did to our sweet girl… I was relieved to know she had you, because I knew you would take care of her. "

"Thanks dad. I'm just trying to take care of her and the kids. I just want to give them the chance of a family they deserve." I tell him, looking into the dining room where Mar-Stars is trying to get Rachel to eat her vegetables.

"I know I don't always say it, but I'm proud of you, Ryder. The man you've become since high school is a loyal and dependable one. You should be proud of yourself." Dad tells me.

"Thanks dad."

Well, I'm going to go and try and book a flight."

"Okay, just let me know if you need Marley or I to pick you up." I tell him.

"Will do." He agrees before hanging up.

MarleyPOV

"So?" I ask Ryder as he walks into the dining room, a frustrated look on him face.

"He's coming… ugh, he's just so frustrating! Everything he says is bullsh- it's all a lie." Ryder tells me, running his hand through his hair. I let the kids leave the table before sitting on the top of it.

"Maybe he's ch-" I start to say but Ryder shoots me a look.

"There is no way in hell he's changed!" He disagrees, his tone ice cold. "He talked about how angry about how angry he was when he found out from Carol and Burt- by the way, when did they start talking to him? Anyway, he talked about how angry he was when he found out what happened to "our sweet girl."… What is that?"

"Contrary to what you believe, your father and I got along all those years ago. I guess its because of how we both saw so much potential in you…"

"Don't start with that potential crap, Marley. The only reason I invited him is because its killing me to see what my mom is doing and how she's treating you. I did not invite him to cross bridges or burn them or whatever." Ryder snaps, the anger and frustration obvious in his eyes and voice.

"Ryder, I just want everything to be okay…" I whisper, afraid to make him angry.

"Well Marley, I hate to burst your bubble, but not everything can be okay all the time… Not everything goes the way you want it to." That made me angry… no, it made me furious.

"Don't you dare tell me that I get everything I want or that my life has turned out the way I wanted! Do you really think that this is how I imagined my life turning out? Because it's not, at all. I did not expect to marry a man who didn't really love me. A man who hit me and abused me. I didn't ever imagine he'd leave me. Do you really think that I thought that would happen?" I rant at him.

"Marls-"

"No. Let me finish. I never thought I'd be a single mother for two years. I can't believe that I'm divorced… So Ryder, my life has not turned out the way I wanted and I don't ever expect it to." I finish, tears threatening to spill over. I get up off the table and walk right into the bedroom, leaving a shocked Ryder behind me.

When I reach the bedroom, I slam the door and lock it before I throw myself onto the bed and let out a loud sob. Why do I always mess things up like this? I always, always over think… it always screws everything up. I just had so much to say, and didn't know it was all going to come out like that… so … so harsh.

"Marls… Stars…" Ryder's voice whispers from the other side of door. "Please baby- I'm sorry I yelled… I didn't mean any of it."

"Go away!" I hear myself yell. I hear his body slump against the door before he, as I can only assume, slides down it to the floor. I crawl down the bed and walk over to the door and sit on the floor against it.

"I love you, Marley. I'll always love you… no matter what." I let another tear slide down my cheek before I whisper the softest reply, knowing Ryder won't hear it.

"I love you too, Ryder. Forever and Always."