Chapter 3.6 - We Need to Talk

“I know I said I didn’t want to talk yet, but…”

“We’ve done a lot of not talking, so now you want to talk.”

Madeline grinned at him, a little playfully. “That’s about the sum of it, yeah.”

Alaric smiled back at her. “What exactly did you want to talk about?”

Her face grew serious. “I can’t stay with him anymore.”

“I know this sounds terrible, but I was hoping you’d say that.”

She laughed. “Of course you were. But seriously… Beckett and I don’t have anything in common, and it will honestly ruin both our lives if we stay together.”

“And what about us?”

“We have everything in common, and we’ll live our best lives together.”

“I couldn’t agree more. So we’ll tell him tomorrow?”

“We?”

“Don’t tell me you couldn’t use some moral support.”

She thought about it, then shrugged. “Alright. Wait, tomorrow?”

“It needs to happen as soon as possible. And honestly… you’ve been out all night. I think the cat is probably already out of the bag.”

She sighed. “I’ve made a mess of things, haven’t I? I should have just married you years ago. It would have solved so many problems.”

Alaric embraced her. “We should rectify that as soon as possible.”

She nodded, then pulled back. “Wait… did you just ask me to marry you?”

“As soon as your divorce is finalized, yes.”

Madeline laughed softly. “Okay.” Then she frowned. “Now we just have to tell Beckett.”

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“Madeline! I’ve been worried sick. Where have you been all night?”

When he saw who was following her, he frowned. “Alaric? What are you doing here?”

Madeline bit her lip, glancing at Alaric for support. “Beckett… we have something to tell you.”

Alaric reached out and took her hand. Beckett immediately focused in on their hands, then looked back up at their faces. “What’s… what’s going on?”

“I’m leaving you, Beckett. I’m sorry.”

“You’re leaving me… for him.”

She hesitated. “Yes.”

Beckett nodded slowly, seeming to take that in. “How long has this been going on?”

Madeline hedged. “Well… that’s a complicated question… I mean…”

“So, since high school.” He gave an ugly laugh. Then he quieted. “Jonah isn’t mine, is he.”

Madeline frowned. “Of course he’s yours!”

Beckett just shook his head. “You can’t really think I believe you. The kid looks just like him!”

“He looks a lot like you, too! It’s really just a coincidence.”

Beckett hadn’t stopped shaking his head. “Just go, Madeline. Take the kid with you. I don’t want anything left here to remind me of you and your affair.”

“You can’t mean that!”

He met her gaze, hate glowing in his eyes. “You don’t want him, do you? Fine. Consider it your punishment. But I will not have your child in my house. I’ll be back in an hour. By the time I walk in this door, you and all of your things had better be gone.”

He stalked out.

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An hour later, Madeline and Alaric had barely finished moving her belongings and her son into Alaric’s small house.

He frowned. “I know that there isn’t much space, but…”

She smiled at him. “It’s okay. We’ve got each other now. Everything will be alright.”

Author's Note: So, the Family Structure roll is... Step Children! As I'm sure everyone saw coming a mile away. And here's another thing: the entire reason for the whole Beckett/Madeline/Alaric love triangle was so I could have a Step Children roll where every child was eligible for heir. So, surprise! The first heir candidate for Generation 4 is Jonah! And don't worry, I plan to give him just as much plot as I give Alaric's biological children.

Also, while I'm revealing rolls, the Miscellaneous Fun is Live Your Trait. Alaric's chosen trait is Ambitious, so... I hope you can see that coming through. Next chapter: we finally see the last of this plotline... and Sunset Valley!