"How did it go?" Adriana asked.
"I was right. He hates me," Jon said.
"What did he say?"
"That he hates me. He straight up that he hated me. I knew it. I fucking knew it."
Jon leaned against the kitchen counter and crossed his arms.
"I deserved it though."
Adriana looked out of the kitchen window and looked at J.J.'s playhouse.
"No. You didn't. You're his father. I'm gonna get him."
"Don't."
"Jonathan, hush."
"Adriana, drop it. Please."
"Fine," she said, throwing up her hands. "You better talk to him again soon because I'm about so spank his ass."
"I will. Just don't lose your cool. I know I shouldn't be talking, but it's to keep the peace."
"Whatever you say, Officer Good."
"I do have to go to work. Shit. I'm glad it's Friday though and I have a few days off."
"Well, don't be gone too long," Adriana said. "I would like to have some fun when you get back."
"Keep your horniness under control until I get back," Jon said.
Jon and Maddy went to the ice cream parlor the next day for a father and daughter day. Adriana took J.J., Aiden, and Maddy to the mall.
"Are you enjoying your ice cream princess?" Jon said.
"Mmhmm! I love chocolate chip ice cream!" Maddy said.
She scooped up a big spoonful of ice cream and stuffed it in her mouth.
"Careful. Wouldn't want you to get brain freeze now," Jon said.
"I won't Daddy."
Jon smiled and watched as Maddy devoured her ice cream.
Maddy noticed that even though her father was smiling he still looked sad.
"What's wrong Daddy?"
"Hmm? Oh it's nothing."
"You okay? You don't look okay..."
"Just thinking."
"Thinking about?"
"You, your mother, J.J., Aiden, and Jasmine."
"What's going on?"
"J.J. told me he hated me yesterday."
"Why did he say that?"
"Because of what I did. When I got angry and lost my temper."
"Is that why you were crying?"
"Yeah."
"I'm sorry for finding the gun."
"No. It's not your fault. Don't ever think it's your fault."
"J.J. shouldn't have told you he hated you. I don't hate you. Jasmine doesn't hate you. Aiden doesn't hate you. Mommy loves you. We all love you. But J.J. doesn't. That was mean."
"Yes it was. But, I don't blame him for saying it. I still regret what I did."
"Everyone makes mistakes, Daddy. No matter what happens, I'll always love you. And you'll always be my Daddy."
"Thanks princess."
"You're welcome. Daddy...don't cry."
"Daddy's trying not too. Um...you finished?"
"Yes."
"Let's go home and bake a cake!" Maddy said.
"More sweets?"
"Yes!"
"Okay then. We shall bake a cake."
"Careful there..." Jon said.
He was helping Maddy pour milk into the bowl.
"Okay now...we need the whisk...Where is it?"
"Right here!"
Maddy picked up the whisk and twirled around with it.
"Freeze Daddy!"
Jon put his hands up.
"You got me."
"Now, you shall make me a chocolate cake and put pink icing on it!"
"Your wish is my command! But I'm gonna need that princess."
"Oh. Sorry Daddy."
"It's all good."
Jon whisked the ingredients in the bowl then poured it into the pan and put in the oven.
"Alrighty. Your chocolate cake should be done soon."
"Yay! We can share it with Mommy and the others. But J.J. isn't allowed to have any."
"Madaline, you're supposed to share."
"He said he hated you Daddy. That's very mean. It makes very sad."
"Come on. Let's go sit outside and have a little talk."
Jon held out his hand and Madaline grabbed it. They both walked out onto the porch and sat on the swing. Maddy sat on Jon's lap and layed on his chest.
"Now, I know you're very mad at your brother. And to be honest, I would like to spank him for what he said but-"
"You should give him a good ol' whoopin' Daddy!"
Jon chuckled.
"He'll learn his lesson soon. But like I was saying, even though you're mad at J.J. you can let that get to you. J.J. said he did because he was angry. Not because he just wanted to be mean. Daddy did a horrible thing when I went after him, you, and Mommy. I'm very sorry for what I did. I was acting like a monster. You know Daddy would never hurt his princess, J.J., Aiden, Jasmine, and Mommy. I love all of you very much. I have a lot of making up to do."
"It's my fault."
"What's your fault?"
"If me, J.J., and Aiden weren't playing in the house, Aiden would've got hurt. I hid under your bed and found the box Daddy. It's my fault."
Chills went up and down Jon's spine.
Madaline was beginning to sound just like him.
Blaming herself for something that wasn't her fault.
"Hey, look at me."
Madaline sat up and looked into her father's eyes.
"Don't you start blaming yourself. Do you understand me? It's not your fault."
"Yes Daddy. I understand."
"Good. Always remember that."
Jon embraced his daughter and gave her a kiss on her forehead.
"Daddy?"
"Yes?"
"You're not a monster."
"I know."
"Are you and J.J. ever going to get along again?"
"I hope so. I don't want him to be mad at me forever."
"I'll make sure he says sorry. You're a great person and the best daddy I've ever had. I wouldn't trade you for the world."
After hearing his daughter say these words to him, Jon just lost it.
He cried so hard that he thought his eyes were going to dry out.
"I don't like it when you cry Daddy!" Maddy said. "If you cry, then I'm going to cry!"
Jon kept crying.
For him, crying was the best thing right now.
Tears were flowing from Maddy as she hugged her father tighter.
"I'm here Daddy. I'm not going anywhere. If crying makes you feel better, then cry. I'm not going to stop you. Cry as much as you like," Maddy said.
And that's what the both of them did.
Author's Note: Madaline is a smart little girl. (Sorry if the chapter was a little short.)