Summer Love

Chapter 16

Blake sighed and knew what was about to happen. This had been building up for months and he knew Miranda had every right to explode and vent her frustrations.

"Go ahead." Blake said calmly and Miranda took a deep breath, she wasn't sure how much more calm she could stay. She wanted to vent everything that was pissing her off and she wanted Blake to understand that he needed to make a few changes, but she also wanted to keep this civil.

"I don't want to have a baby with you if we don't change the way this relationship works." She said bluntly and Blake frowned, but knew that was coming.

"What exactly do you want to change?" He asked. trying to keep this conversation flowing productively, knowing Miranda had a tendency to rant. Miranda raised her eyebrows, knowing this would hurt Blake, but it had to be said.

"You need to make Sadie and I your first priority." She said simply and Blake's heart hurt.

"You and Sadie ARE my first priority." He clarified in a soft voice, but he knew this was going to work in her favour.

"You're never home!" Miranda immediately spat at him, her frustration rising by the simple fact that Blake was trying to argue this point. Blake sighed and took a deep breath. He deserved this, he knew he did, but he just wanted this argument over with.

"I'm trying my best." He said quietly and Miranda scoffed, her temper starting to flare up again.

"Well that's not good enough. You think seeing us once a week is trying your best?" She retaliated quickly and Blake kept his mouth shut, knowing any argument he had was mute. He needed to let her get upset for a moment. "You think the fact that you never see me is fair? You think leaving me to raise our child while you're off in LA or Nashville or wherever the hell you are that week is fair?"

Blake's head started to hang with every word. It wasn't just the argument that was getting to him, Miranda had been pissed at him many times before. But this time was different. This time, he had no valid defence. He couldn't argue the point, because he knew she was right. Miranda paused for a moment and tried to decide what she was trying to say. When Miranda paused, Blake realised she was waiting for him to speak and when he looked up at her, his heart dropped when he saw the tears in her eyes. She was equal parts upset and furious.

"I'm sorry." Was all he could think to say and Miranda sighed in frustration.

"Sorry isn't good enough. Sorry doesn't fix anything. You know full well that you don't spend enough time with us. I signed up for a Husband and a Father for my children. That means being home, having dinner with us, falling asleep next to me. I didn't sign up for the person you've been lately." Miranda scoffed and Blake had to close his eyes to stop himself from crying. Every word was true. That's what made it so hard to hear, but it was about to get worse.

"And Sadie signed up for a Daddy. How do you think she feels every night when she asks for you and I have to tell her you're not going to kiss her goodnight? That little girl cries every night your not home because she wants YOU to tuck her in. You don't have to be a perfect parent Blake, you just need to be there. That's what Sadie will remember, just showing up."

Miranda stopped when she looked up and saw Blake's shoulders shivering as he silently sobbed in his chair. He had his eyes closed to try and mask it, but his head was hung and he looked so pathetic. Miranda sighed sadly. She wasn't trying to make him feel this terrible, but he needed to hear these things. She had tried talking rationally and this was what it had come to.

"I'm not trying to be a Bitch Blake." Miranda started again, her voice softer now that he was getting upset. "But I just need you to know what it's like when you're not home. If it hurts to hear, that's a pretty clear indication that there's something wrong."