For you, I hope the grass is greener

Chapter 22 Getting Calls

Daphne's POV

I'm trying to be at peace with this whole situation, because I do know that I'm the rock of this family and if everyone else is going to heal, then I probably have to pave the way for this. I won't live every day in pain and anger. That's not who I am as a person. So I will throw the anger behind me as best as I can to help my babies the only way I know how.. by showing them no matter how hard you get knocked down, that you can get right back up.

"Hey, let's just have a relaxing rest of our night.. you both have finals tomorrow, and I want to make sure you both pass so you can study if you want to, but if you're just tired, you can hang out doing what you want or even head to bed.. the decision is yours.. but just relax either way.. things have been crazy and I don't want you to be overwhelmed in all of this." I explain to the kids as they nod with me.

"I need to study.. and call my friend because we wanted to discuss our final." Marley declares as I nod, and Andrew states,"I need a shower and to call my girlfriend before bed." I nod once again, and they both hug me and kissing my cheeks before they go to their respected areas.

I look around for a moment, trying to figure out where I should sleep tonight.. nothing sounds good at the moment, honestly.. when I enter my room all I think about is the sight of my husband and that naked woman across my bed and when I sit down on the couch I can smell him and I don't want that either.

I go back to my faithful chair, having a seat before I hear my phone ringing. I instantly look at the name on my screen to see it's my mother-in-law. So, of course, I quickly answer because I have never been in bad terms with her. "Hey Sammy." I state as she yelps out. "Oh, Daph.. I am so sorry for everything my son has done.. he told us everything, and I couldn't be more disappointed and disgusted in his behavior.. I didn't raise him like that, and I hope you don't hold his actions against us."

I shake my head because I figured she knew me better than that. "I would never do such a thing, Sammy.. You and Richard are great grandparents, and you know how much all of us love you.. I would never hold any of his actions against you." I explain to her as she lets out a sigh of relief.

"I was so worried I wouldn't be able to see you again. I even threatened my son with disowning him if that happened." She yelps out as I shake my head. "Sammy, I appreciate your love for us, but that shouldn't overshadow any love you have for your son.. I won't keep the kids from him nor his family.. the only thing that's going to change in this entire situation is that we won't be living in the same house, that's it." I try to help ease the stresses in her mind, but I don't know if it worked.

"But he has changed so much! I can't even look at him the same! He has this new girlfriend or mistress, or whatever she is.. There is no way we will ever accept a tramp like her in our house." she declares as I let out a deep breath.

"I can't tell you how to feel Sammy.. but all shunning her is going to do is push your son away.. and that will make everything hard on everyone around for holidays in the future or family gatherings.. you don't want to burn that bridge with your own son, I know you don't.. yes, he has a new woman, and it's a hard pill to swallow at the moment, but I won't be around any bad mouthing of her, and I hope you could do the same.. She is a human being just trying to find love, and she found Danny.. Danny is a good man and deserves to be happy, which is what he wasn't with me anymore.. so I will leave them in peace, and I am going to nicely recommend that you do the same." I state as she groans out in displeasure.

"I dont know if I can do that.. I can see where you're coming from.. but how can I respect anything that he is doing?" She asks me as I let out a deep breath. "No one is asking you to respect or understand where he is coming from or even see things from his point of view.. but if you shun them, then this could put such a bad tone on everything we want in the future for our families.. How many times have we all talked about togetherness within the family? This is the time to be strong and together. Think about it, Sammy, what if they get pregnant? You can't tell me you wouldn't want any part of that new addition.. right? You have always loved babies! So please don't burn your bridges with them now because of the anger in your heart.. It might make it so there is nothing to fix later. When things evolve for them."

"I hope they don't have a family." She snaps not at me but about the situation. "I want them to do what makes them happy, and that might involve a child.. we can't make that decision for him, and we know that it is a possibility.. so the option has to stay open.. I love babies, and I won't hold his happiness against him, so please just be open-minded and know that nothing will change between us on the family aspect.. You're always family and always will be.. nothing will change that." I explain sweetly to her, hoping she can feel how genuine my words are to ease the anger and pain in her heart.

She hums for a moment before she replies. "That's very thoughtful of you.. I told Danny that if anyone would be understanding of this whole mess, that it would be you.. I hope you can find the happiness that you deserve as well and know that if you need anything you can call." I smile to myself as I reply. "Thank you so much, Sammy.. that means the world to me." I hang up the call as I sit back on the chair, wondering if there is any way I could fall asleep on this chair. But it's too small for that.. I groan out, looking around as I think about the sleeping possibilities. I don't have the energy to pump up the air mattress, so maybe I will just put a blanket down over the couch and sleep there.

---- Next Morning----

After completely covering the couch and spraying it down with some perfume.. I finally felt alright with falling asleep on there. The exhaustion consumed me so easily because of all the overwhelming emotions, helping most in my family with these stresses and putting extra effort into everything since my foot is still hurting.. but luckily, not even half as bad as before. The sleep is exactly what I need, and I finally felt like I got some sleep.

I wake up to the sound of my phone ringing. I quickly grab it off of my coffee table that's beside me. I pick it up without a second thought or even look to at least see who it is. "Hello?" I greet as the voice I never expected to hear pops up on the other end. "Hey, Daph.. I wanted to see if I could bring you some breakfast since things have been so hard on you." Scott, Daniel's brother asks me as I clear my throat before sitting up and rubbing my eyes, trying to help wake me up.

"I'm sorry, Scott, but I'm not in the mood for any company.. but I'm also sure that your brother wouldn't appreciate you doing this, especially after everything that has happened." I state as if it should be obvious, but maybe that's only obvious to me. But he has put a huge wedge between his brother and him by always making comments about me and has touched me here and there by 'accident'.. So him coming out of his way to see me after my husband and I separated. It is suspicious and not very welcome, to say the least.

"Well, I don't care what my brother thinks because you are family.. and family helps each other.. I am here just here wanting to help out my family that I love. Is that really a bad thing?" he whines this out with pity woven through each word that I can't help but to feel like an assh*le for my response.

"Ok.. wrll I appreciate that, but I am not presentable, and the kids won't be either." I declare as he quickly responds. "Oh.. the kids are there too?" he asks in an almost disgusted, sounding tone as I scoff. "Yeah, of course they are.. when don't I have my kids with me?" he hums as he sounds annoyed now. "Fine, I'm on my way up to the front door.. let me in." He demands this of me not giving me anymore say in the situation.

I hang up the call and roll my eyes while I stand up and head straight for the door. When I get to it, I open the front door just to see him waiting for me. He instantly hugs me as he tries to give me a kiss. I would assume this since his lips puckered up as he leans in. I turn my head so he can only get my cheek. He lets me go, then pushes past me as he stares down at the blankets on the couch where I slept while he heads straight for the kitchen, bringing whatever food he brought into there.

I follow him as he instantly starts getting into the personal sh*t. "So I know you're sad and all, but I have to know, did you see my brother f*#king the girl?" I shake my head as he shakes his head. "Dammit, I was hoping you were going to tell me that you joined them or something." I throw a look of disgust and appall at him as he throws his hands up in surrender. "Ok, fine.. You're right.. My brother is an idiot." He states as I retort. "Your brother just wants to be happy."

"Does it make you happy cleaning up the mess he made of broken hearts while he f*#ks some bimbo and you sleep on the couch alone, looking pathetic for not even seeing the signs that he threw out at you every day?" he asks in the most condescending tone that makes me want to slap him.

"I don't think I am pathetic.. Love is blind so I guess I never saw the signs.. But I don't care what you think.. I was fine sleeping on the couch until I could get me another bed." I snap back as I cross my arms across my chest. "Don't get all huffy and puffy.. we're just talking.. So tell me why you need a new bed? is it broken? I need to know why you slept out here?" I shake my head, not wanting to talk about all of that with him of all people.