Blended Family

[justagirl4fun]

"Honey, you're not replacing anyone. She never even met her dad. She only knows him from seeing him in pictures. She was probably just mad that you scolded her, and that was the best comeback she could come up with because...well, because 4-year-olds aren't all that good at comebacks. Just relax. You'll connect with her."

[grandmaster342]

"I know sweetheart, but it just sucks. I guess we'll connect eventually." He said to Natalie as they walked outside, and he strapped Jax into his seat.

Joey got into the driver seat and waited for his fiance.

[justagirl4fun]

"You will, honey. You will," Natalie said reassuringly as she walked around to the other side of the car and buckled Isla into her car seat before getting in the front.

[grandmaster342]

Joey drove home. Once there, he took Jaxon to his nursery and tucked him in for the night.

"Hon, maybe it's Isla's bedtime as well?" He suggested. Joey was trying to not overstep his boundaries.

[justagirl4fun]

"Yes, I think it is," Natalie said. "Why don't you show her her brand new bedroom?" she suggested.

[grandmaster342]

Joey picked up Isla and took her upstairs, opening a door.

"Your mom told me what you liked, so I could make your room fun and private. I know you want to try and tolerate Jaxon, but every girl needs privacy every once and a while. What do you think?" He asked.

[justagirl4fun]

Isla looked around the room, her eyes wide in awe. The walls were painted a bright, sunny yellow with pink trim, and a pink and yellow quilt covered a white four-poster bed. Pink and white striped curtains hung in the windows, one of which had a window seat piled with cozy cushions. The two dressers, armoire, and rocking chair were white, and a little pink table and chairs - perfect for tea parties and arts and crafts - sat in one corner. By the rocking chair was a bookshelf, lined with Isla's favorite books and some stuffed animals, and next to the little table sat a toybox and another shelf, this one filled with puzzles, games, and art supplies. "Wow, it's so beautiful," Isla gushed and planted a kiss on Joey's cheek. "Thank you Mr. Joey! Thank you!"

[grandmaster342]

"You are very welcome." Joey said smiling. He got down to Isla's level. "Look, I'm sorry about what happened at the restaurant. But honey, you need to understand that sometimes your mommy will need help with you just like she help's me with Jaxon. I wasn't trying to be mean to you. I know that you did have a daddy at one point. I'd never ever try to replace any of those memories. But, I hope that I can be a close second to him."

[justagirl4fun]

Isla stared at the ground. "I...I'm sorry I'm bad Mr. Joey," she said quietly.

[grandmaster342]

"Sweetheart, you're not bad. You just got mad because things are changing, and your feelings blew up. I know it's hard for you during this transition. You went from being an only child to now having a little brother. Your mommy has to divide her time between two kids now. I know things look complicated and frustrating now, but it'll get better." Joey reassured as he hugged Isla.

[justagirl4fun]

Isla just nodded and yawned as she hugged Joey back. "Mr. Joey, where's my pj's?" she asked after a minute as she squirmed out of his arms and started opening all her drawers looking for them.

[grandmaster342]

"Check the top drawer sweetheart." Joey said. "Your mommy brought over most of your clothing earlier in the week. They should be there."

[justagirl4fun]

Isla pulled open the top drawer and stood on her tip-toes to peer inside; sure enough, it was filled with pajamas. She selected a pair of bright pink and white striped thermals, which she put on. "Okay, now are you gonna read me a story?" she asked.

[grandmaster342]

Joey picked up Isla and laid her in bed.

"Of course, now which story should it be?" He asked.

[justagirl4fun]

"The Velveteen Rabbit," Isla requested, wanting her favorite.

[grandmaster342]

Joey grabbed the book off of the shelf and sat in the bed beside Isla.

"Get comfortable hon." He said before starting the story.

[justagirl4fun]

"Wait! Where's my blankie? And Bubba?" Isla asked. She vaguely recalled having her blanket and bunny in the car on the way to Joey's house earlier that day, but hadn't seen them since.

[grandmaster342]

"Relax sweetie." Joey said before going over to the closet and pulling out both things. He walked back over to the bed and handed them to Isla. "Your mom put them in your closet shortly after you guys arrived."

He put his arm around the little girl and continued reading.

[justagirl4fun]

Isla relaxed as soon as the blanket and bunny were in her arms. Her thumb slowly gravitated towards her mouth as she leaned into Joey and listened to the story.

[grandmaster342]

Joey finished the story and looked over at Isla as she tried fighting sleep.

"Sweetie, stop fighting it. You can go to sleep. You'll wake up tomorrow, and mommy and I will still be here." He said as he stroked her hair.

[justagirl4fun]

Isla nodded sleepily. "Where's my mommy?" she asked softly, having never gone to sleep without a goodnight kiss from her mother.

[grandmaster342]

"Let me go and get her." Joey

[justagirl4fun]

Natalie followed Joey to Isla's room. "Hey sweetie," she said softly as she sat on the edge of the bed. Isla crawled into her lap, and Natalie held her for a minute, rubbing her back, before laying her down. "Good night, my love. I know it can be scary sleeping in a new house for the first time, but Joey and I will be right down the hall if you need anything, okay?" She brushed the girl's hair out of her face and kissed her before tucking her in and leaving the room, closing the door on her way out.

[grandmaster342]

"Night Isla." Joey whispered before the door was fully closed. He walked to Jaxon's room and stood in the doorway. Once content that he was sound asleep, Joey walked to his, now his and Natalie's, bedroom and disappeared into the closet. He reappeared in just a pair of boxers and white tank top. Joey walked over and sat on his side of the bed pulling out his laptop.

[justagirl4fun]

Natalie changed into a nightgown and went to the bathroom to brush her teeth and wash her face before returning to the bedroom and slipping into bed next to Joey. "Well, I guess everything went okay today..." she said