Love & All Things Broken

My phone buzzed just as I was putting the finishing touches on the house. I'd spent the last hour cleaning up the house—fresh flowers from the market, a few candles lit, and I even made that taco dish we used to share when we were first dating. It's been forever since we had it and I'd forgotten how much we used to love sitting together each with a fork and just eating directly from the pan. I thought I'd put it in the oven after Macy goes back to her mom's—provided Felicity is interested.

Macy was upstairs getting ready, when I saw Jessica's name flashed across my phone.

I almost didn't answer. Almost let it go to voicemail like I should have done a dozen times over the past few months. But Macy is here, so I obviously can't. I'm still working on figuring out the balance. I thought it could be something that Felicity and I decide on together...instead of me making another unilateral decision that impacts my wife—without thinking of how it affects her.

"Hey, Jess."

"I need Macy home. Now."

No hello. No pleasantries. Straight to demands. Classic Jessica.

"What's wrong? Is everything okay?"

"Nothing's wrong. I just want my daughter back. You've had her all weekend."

I glanced at the clock. Felicity's flight should be landing soon if my calculations are correct. "Can it wait until tonight? I was hoping—"

"No, it can't wait. Brad's taking us to dinner, and I want Macy there. Family dinner."

Family dinner. The phrase hit like a slap. Since when did Jessica care about family dinners? Last I heard, Brad was the guy who complained about everything related to Macy.

"Jess, Macy was really hoping to be here today. Felicity's coming home from her trip, and Macy wanted to see her before she headed home la—"

"Why's that? Because you're putting Felicity over Macy's interests? Gaslighting Macy into thinking Felicity is some sort of mom to her? I'm her mom. Felicity is nothing but a weekend addition to her life. Enough is enough Caden."

The venom in her voice caught me off guard. "Hey! That's completely unfair and absolutely uncalled for."

"Get her ready to come home Caden. I don't need to defend my decisions. Handle it."

"Jess, I am supposed to have her for a couple more hours."

"You never cared before if I picked her up early. You don't get to start now."

That one landed. Because it was true. But not anymore.

"Look, can we just—"

"No. I'll be there in twenty minutes."

The line went dead.

I stared at the phone, frustration bubbling in my chest. What the fuck had just happened? This wasn't about dinner. This was about control. About Jessica making sure I couldn't have something good happen without her interference.

I climbed the stairs. Macy's door was cracked open and she was sitting on her bed, listening to music.

"Hey, kiddo."

She looked up, grinning. "Hi!" She looked really happy.

My heart sank. "So... your mom called. She wants you to come home."

The smile fell from her face. "But I thought I was staying until after Felicity gets here."

"I know. I thought so too."

"Can't I just call her back? Tell her I want to stay for a little while longer?"

Before I could answer, her phone rang. Mom flashed on the screen.

Macy looked at me, then at the phone. "Maybe I can tell her now."

She swiped to accept. "Hi, Mom. Dad to—"

I couldn't hear Jessica's side, but I watched Macy's face change after she was cut off and the more she heard. The excitement drained away, replaced by confusion, then something that looked like guilt.

"But Mom, I want to—" Macy started, then stopped. Listened. Her shoulders slumped.

"I know, but—" Another pause. Her eyes got watery.

"It's just for a little—"

"No, I didn't mean—" She looked at me helplessly, then back at the phone.

"I'm sorry, mom." Another pause.

"Yes, Mom. I understand." Her voice was small now. Defeated.

"Okay. I'll get my stuff."

She hung up and sat there for a moment, staring at her hands. I felt helpless. I've never interfered where Jessica's relationship with Macy was concerned. I honestly wasn't sure what the right talking point here was.

So, I went with a basic. "What did she say?" I asked gently.

"She said..." Macy's voice cracked slightly. "She said I'm her daughter, not Felicity's. And that I shouldn't be here for when she gets back."

I sat down on the edge of her bed. "How do you feel about everything?"

"It's not fair! I want to be here. At least to give her the surprise. I wanted to apologize for not thinking of her before when I found the purse. And tell her I won't ever do that again."

"I think we can find a solution that will help you do that and still get you home with your mom."

"Because Mom said..." She stopped, wiped her nose with the back of her hand. "She said if I really cared about our family—about her and me—I wouldn't choose Felicity over her. She said it hurts her feelings when I want to be here more than there tonight. She didn't even let me tell her I wasn't chasing Felicity! But that I still wanted to be here."

I stood up, pacing to her window. Outside, the neighbor's sprinkler was running, casting rainbows in the late afternoon sun. Such a normal, peaceful scene—nothing like the storm brewing in my chest.

"You know what, Mace?" I turned back to her. "Your mom is wrong."

Her eyes widened. I'd never contradicted Jessica in front of Macy before. Never.

"I'm not saying this to be mean about your mom," I continued, sitting back down. "Just that — well, you wanting to be here doesn't mean you aren't choosing your mom. It also doesn't mean that Felicity is trying to replace her. You caring about Felicity doesn't take anything away from how you love your mom. Love isn't pie, kiddo. There isn't less to go around when you add more people."

Macy nodded slowly. "I know that. I just... I don't know why Mom is being like this."

I sighed, choosing my words carefully. "Sometimes adults get scared. We're not perfect, you know. You saw that with me over the last week, right?"

"Definitely!"

"Well, maybe your mom sees how much you care about Felicity and worries it means something it doesn't."

"But I want to apologize to her. About the purse. I feel terrible."

"You know it's not your fault. It's still my fault how everything happened."

"Yeah, but dad. I didn't even think about her." She dropped her head. "I only thought about myself and that's what I want to say 'sorry' for."

"Okay, well you should still be able to do that." I stood up, decision made. "Here's what we're going to do. You're going to write Felicity a note—everything you want to say to her. I'll make sure she gets it. And the surprise we prepared? We'll figure out another way to make that happen."

"Dad. No one writes notes anymore. Can I do a video instead?"

I scoffed. "Fine. If notes are too old for you, then a video sounds like a cool idea. I bet she'd like that just as much."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. Your relationship with Felicity matters. And your feelings are yours and yours alone."

Macy hugged me tight. "Thanks, Dad."

"Now go pack up."

"Okay. Mom should be here soon. Can I do the video when I get back to mom's house? I want to think about what to say since all this stuff is different now."

"Sure kiddo. That sounds like a good plan." I reached over and hugged my daughter. I need to figure out how to deal with Jessica. One thing is for certain, I've clearly fallen asleep at the wheel with Jessica's treatment of Felicity's relationship with Macy.

Since we divorced when Macy was just a toddler, I don't think I ever considered the kinds of things that could be going on under the surface. We both met our current spouses years ago. Why there would be such animosity is beyond me.

I heard Jessica's car in the driveway. My jaw clenched, but I forced myself to stay calm. This conversation with Jessica was coming—clearly it had been coming for years, really. But not today. Today was about protecting what mattered: Macy's feelings, and making sure Felicity knew she was loved when she walked through that door.

But I for damned sure won't be asleep at this wheel any longer.

Felicity will know that I not only love her, but that I'm seeing things in a new light.

This shit won't stand.