Speak To Me

(Jolie)

I stuffed a small quiche into my mouth, letting my gaze wander the room as I couldn't help but scoff.

"She didn't learn a thing.." I muttered, not seeing a single one of Nolan's real friends.

"We don't have to stay long, it seems like your brother might be ready to leave soon anyway." Alder whispered beside me, nodding towards Nolan who appeared bored to death.

I can't blame him..this isn't the welcome home party I had in mind. It should've just been us..I'm starting to regret letting Mom do this.

"Let's go save him." Alder added while filling a small plate with more quiche..now that the morning sickness seems to be subsiding, my hunger is back in full force.

I couldn't help but smile up at him as he bent down before kissing my lips sweetly.

"I can't get over how beautiful you look." He muttered while snaking his free arm around my waist.

I won't lie..if it wasn't for Alder, I probably would've taken my mom's comment to heart. She always gets on me about my weight..and hearing her say I gained weight wasn't a surprise, but how Alder acted after was.

"Don't you dare listen to her. You are stunning and I can't wait to see our baby start to grow more and more." He whispered against my ear before circling his arms around me and palming my stomach. That was more than enough for me to push everything my mom said aside.

If she wants to act this way..fine..because I have Alder now and enough support to get us through this.

I swear my brother was more excited to meet Alder than he was to see me. Even my dad can't stop talking about him. They are even planning some type of camping trip with just the guys soon.

Well, Daddy still doesn't know about the baby yet..but we planned to make a big announcement tonight..Nolan actually suggested it. I think he wants all the attention to be on someone else..which I understand. This is a lot..

Mom has made Nolan's struggles her whole personality lately. The way she goes on and on about these charity events she has spoken at, talking about Nolan's addiction and how it affects her.

What about Nolan? He is the one who has to fight these struggles daily..I know it isn't easy for us either..but she has painted herself as this victim when she is part of the reason Nolan is this way.

Suddenly I saw a flash of blue stride by as I watched my mother disappear into the kitchen. After that stunt she pulled with Tilly..my anger was ready to boil over.

Mom acted like it was some big accident..but Caroline Walters doesn't make mistakes..not ones like that at least. So I'm pretty sure she planned it..why, I'm not sure.

She was the one who said Tilly could come..maybe seeing them together in person was too much. I mean, I have never seen Rylan like this before.

He is so freaking happy..like truly happy. I know he has always had a smile on his face..but a lot of times it didn't reach his eyes before. Like something inside of him just wasn't complete..and I know it was hard for him being mom's favorite..which she made very obvious. He didn't want to let her down ever..so seeing him stand up to her, it's crazy.

I can tell she isn't handling it well either.

"Baby, why don't you go save Nolan? I'm going to be right back." I said, going to pull from Alder as a frown immediately filled his face.

"Where are you going?" He asked hastily, making me smile before sliding my hand up his chest.

"I saw my mom go into the kitchen..I just want to speak with her for a moment." Apparently that explanation didn't make him feel any better.

"Jolie..I don't want you to be alone with her-"

"Stop..I will be fine okay? I have put up with my mother for this long..so don't worry.." I reassured as he just let out a sigh before nodding hesitantly.

"I promise I will be good okay?"

"It's not you being good that I'm worried about Jolie.." He mumbled and I quickly placed a kiss along his jaw before pulling back again.

"If I'm not back in ten minutes..send in reinforcements." I teased, which probably wasn't the best because Alder just seemed even more concerned as I pulled away and headed for the kitchen.

It wasn't like my mother to not work a room when she walked through it..so something seemed off. Maybe Rylan chewed her out or something?

I walked through the white double doors as a few servers milled in and out. I couldn't help but look around in confusion as I expected my mom to be bossing the staff around in that overly sweet type of way she does when I suddenly heard a sniffle near the pantry. I felt my brow furrow before making my way over and slowly opening the door.

That's where I saw Mom standing towards the back with a bottle of bourbon in her hand as she quickly took a drink from it.

What the hell...seriously!?

"Mom?" I whispered in confusion..is she...crying? Like really crying? Not those crocodile tears that she usually pulls off..no, this was makeup-smearing, full-on bawling..

"What happened!?" I rushed, oh god..did Nana die or something!?

"Jolie...it's..it's nothing." She rushed, screwing the top back onto the drink before shoving the bottle behind a box of crackers.

"This is used for baking..I swear." She mumbled, going to wipe off her cheeks before turning away from me again.

"Aren't you enjoying the party?" She asked, her voice cracking as I felt...weird..I had never seen Mom like this..ever. She was always so well put together. I mean, even at that dinner party with Matteo she still was under control.

"Well, considering they are mostly your friends.." I said bluntly, done sugarcoating things with her.

"They are, aren't they..I suppose Nolan is upset with me." She added sadly.

"I don't think he really cares honestly." She has to realize this party is the least of Nolan's concerns right now..he is just trying to get it over with at this point.

"Were..were you there when they got married?" Mom suddenly asked, making my brow furrow. "Did they look as happy as they do today?"

"What? Who mom?" How much did she drink?

"They really are a good fit..they look good together..but I just couldn't see past it. She thinks I don't know, but your father and I..we suffered too once." She began to ramble as more tears fell from her face. "I wouldn't trade it for anything either..I say I would..but I wouldn't." "Okay mom.. you're starting to scare me..what are you talking about?"

Has she lost her mind or something?

"Rylan and Matilda.."

I let her words sink in as I tried to process them..

"Was daddy there?" She asked and I just blinked my eyes in confusion.

"Wait..Rylan and Tilly..you are saying they are married?" I asked, feeling completely clueless about all of this.

My mom looked at me in surprise.

"You don't have to play stupid with me Jolie..Matilda confirmed it just now."

"That freaking jerk!! Oh my god..I should've known something weird was going on. I see how it is...this is payback for me not telling him about the baby first..oh he is dead." I blurted in frustration.

"Baby? What baby?" My mom suddenly asked, making my stomach drop..shit..I didn't mean to say that outloud.

I looked at my mom as her eyes traveled to my stomach before coming back to my face.

"Jolie..are you?..." She began as I let out a groan.

"Yes, I am okay..and before you ask who the father is, its Alder and he has even asked me to marry him. I love him mother and he loves me too and there is nothing you can say or do to get between that. So if you can't accept him as my future husband and the father of your first grandchild then you don't deserve to be in our life!" I yelled, panting heavily as my mom just stared at me with wide shocked eyes.

I watched as she glanced down at my stomach again before raising her hand and covering her mouth.

"A baby." She whispered, and that's when I saw more tears filled those now bloodshot eyes.

"Yes....I'm having a baby." I whispered, knowing what she might say next would determine everything...

But she didn't say anything..no, instead she stepped forward and reached out, pulling me against her chest as she hugged me tightly.

I felt my body stiffen, the act shocking me to my core as she began stroking my hair gently.

"You are going to be a great mother.." She whispered, making tears burst out of me as the action sent me back years.

Back to those old days where my mom didn't give a shit about her image or wealth..yeah she would dream about being one of those women, but she was still a mother first. Somehow along the way that changed..she stopped putting our happiness first and began following her own..at least what she imagined it to be. She wanted us to be perfect..no, she needed us to be perfect so she could fit into that role she always dreamed of playing.

"I'm sorry......." She began, making me pull away slightly to see this now broken woman standing before me..no, she wasn't broken, she was real. This was her beneath all of that fakeness she always piled on.

"A sorry won't magically fix everything mom.." I whispered, knowing it was going to take a hell of a lot more than that.

"I know.."

"Especially after you said you would change the first time.." I reminded her as she just nodded. I could see the shame filling her face..and I actually liked it. I liked seeing the realization of how horrible she has been.

"I just wanted the best for you.."

"No..you wanted the best for you mom. Because if you wanted the best for us, you would see Rylan is happier than he has ever been..and me..I am so in love with a great man..a man who will protect and care for me..for us.." I began, feeling those tears yet again as my emotions began to heighten. Apparently I can't talk about Alder without crying..

"And Nolan..you have to stop pretending that everything is okay. Because it's not mom..he doesn't need a fancy party or any of this shit..and I know it's scary for you..but you have to realize none of us are perfect..and trying to make us that way is pushing us further from it..especially Nolan." I stated, knowing Nolan needs mom to acknowledge his pain. That she has to admit her role in this and how she was helping to enable him by ignoring it. We all were at first..not this time though.

"I just thought if I pretended he was okay..he would be.." She choked and I nodded my head in understanding.

"I know..but you need to realize he is an addict..and you trying to sugar coat it and almost glamorizing this situation with your parties and charity events..it's not helping."

Please let this sink in..because if she doesn't stop, she can't have a relationship with Nolan..it's way too toxic for him.

"I know.." She added sadly as I stepped back to look at her.

"Why don't we just send everyone home...then we can have a real party for Nolan..with just his family." I suggested, watching her swipe underneath her eyes and clearing off the smeared makeup. I didn't expect her to agree..and in a way it was a test..but what she said surprised me.

"You will stay?" She asked, and I nodded.

"Okay, let me just go make the announcement then."

Wow..she was really going to do it?

I watched as she straightened her back before taking in a deep breath and marching past me. Of course I followed..I needed to see this..

We made our way through the kitchen as she rounded the corner before almost running into someone.

"Well, there you are..I was wondering where the hostess was hiding." A man said deeply, making my brow furrow....wait..is that?

"Bruce Remington.. what are you doing here?"