Chapter Five: Parental Advice [Cont'd]

**Warning: 18+, Adult/sexual situations in this chapter**

Miranda turned around slowly and smiled in his direction. She didn't know he had been watching her or for how long. She began to walk inside.

Joshua had been contemplating running away before she turned around but it was too late for that now. Tonight was the night he'd confess. Tonight was the night his life would fall apart and it was all his fault. 

Miranda walked up to him, still smiling. Although her week started off bad, it would end on a good note. On Friday she and Joshua would be married and some parts of her life were coming together. She brought her hand up to his cheek and gently caressed it. In response, he put his hand over hers and leaned his head into her palm. The sweet moment lasted only but a second before Joshua removed her hand.

Joshua: "I need to talk to you about something." He began. Miranda could tell he had something serious on his mind but at the moment she didn't care. She nodded along but she wasn't interested. She had something else in mind tonight and it did not involve talking. 

Joshua: "It's really important." He said.

He was just about to open his mouth again but this time Miranda spoke.

Miranda: "Look I'm sure whatever you want to tell me is important, but it can wait until tomorrow." He replied. Stunned, Joshua closed his mouth. This could not wait until tomorrow he had put it off long enough! He shook his head.

Joshua: "No it really can't. I need to tell you this now." He pleaded 

Miranda ignored his pleas and closed the space between them. "Shh" she said and put her finger over his mouth. 

Miranda: "Not tonight okay?" She said softly. He nodded. The look in her eyes told him she was going to win this battle. He would keep the secret for one more night. And maybe this was a good thing, he could make love to her one last time before their lives would be shattered and she'd never want to see him again.

Joshua: "Okay." He agreed. Miranda completely closed the space between him and wrapped him in her arms. She didn't care what he had to tell her. All she cared about was making love to him. She brought her lips to his and kissed him passionately. How long had it been since they'd been intimate anyways? Too long. She missed this, missed being in his arms, missed kissing him. "Well I after this I won't have to miss anything." She thought. Joshua pressed her body closer to his. He held her like it would be the last time because it very well could be. He wanted to remember her this way, so he held her tight and long as if their embrace would be imprinted in his mind. Miranda wrapped her arm over his head and brought her tongue close to his ear. She licked it slowly and he moaned softly.

"I love you." He said as his breathing increased, "I love you so much." He said. Miranda nodded and began to take off his clothes, he began to take hers off as well. Soon they were stripped down to their underwear and Miranda was on top of Joshua. 

Miranda leaned over Joshua and kissed him deeply. Soft moans of pleasure escaped their mouths. Joshua reached down to finish undressing himself and Miranda followed suit. Once they were fully naked their bodies connected once more. Joshua lifted her up and began to lower her onto his waiting penis slowly. She gasped as he entered her inch by inch. "Oh yeah, I missed this badly" She thought. Joshua began thrusting slowly at first. He didn't want to rush this, he needed to savor every moment. Miranda urged him to go faster and to stop teasing her. This time he shh'd her and continued to go at his pace. When it looked like she was getting annoyed he smiled and picked up speed. She smiled back and kissed him as he continued to thrust deep inside her, faster and faster. It wasn't long before they both climaxed and were laying next to each other. They kissed and cuddled for a while. Suddenly Joshua remembered his parents were resting in the guest room not too far from them and suggested they go upstairs. Miranda nodded and took his hand as they headed for their bedroom.

Chapter Five: Parental advice

Miranda recovered shortly and decided she needed to have a seat to process everything she just heard. Was her whole upbringing a lie? And who was the woman who raised her? a liar? How did she even get her hands on me? A thousand more questions buzzed through her brain. It was too much!

The questions continued to run rapidly in her mind. She did not know how long she actually sat there, all she knew was she had somehow managed to get in bed at some point. 

Joshua: "You're finally up." He said as he was making up his side of the bed. 

Arm's stretched out and yawning, Miranda nodded in agreement. How long was she knocked out?

Joshua: "I've been meaning to talk to you." He began. He still did not want to confess to his mistake but he knew she deserved the truth. She laid back as he laid down next to her. 

Miranda: "What about?" She asked. Was he finally going to tell her off? Would he tell her he was leaving because she didn't give him enough attention? Was he having an affair? The questions began again but she silenced her thoughts to listen. 

Joshua: "I Know I've been a little distant lately and that's because.." He began "I got promoted a while back and it's just taken a while for me to get adjusted to it. I'm sorry."He said. He couldn't tell her. He just couldn't do it. 

Miranda almost laughed. That was it, really? 

Miranda: "That's a relief." She said.

Joshua: "What do you mean?" He asked, feeling a bit confused yet happy she brought the lie.

Miranda: "I thought it was something else, something I don't know..bad? Never mind what I thought though." She said. "You could have just told me."

Joshua: "Yes I know." He said. He pulled her gently into his arms and gave her a peck on the forehead.

He closed his eyes and just enjoyed her being in his arms. She was happy and he was at peace for a second anyways. He wish this could last, he wish he still didn't have a dark cloud over his head. Miranda looked at him lovingly. She felt lucky to have someone to love her the was he did. She was also glad for the distraction from her thoughts of her newly discovered information from yesterday. They broke their embrace shortly. Joshua had offered to cook her breakfast and she accepted. He rose from the bed to head downstairs. 

His last thought before departing was how much he didn't deserve her. 

The next day..

Joshua's parents arrived early the next morning. He had told his father how he and Miranda decided they'd have a small ceremony at their home. No big venue, not a million guests, no paparazzi, just close family and friends, mostly from his side. He didn't tell them exactly when they were getting married only that it'd be soon. Nevertheless, it didn't stop them from showing up. It was a surprise to Joshua but he was happy to see his parents. He had been meaning to see his father. He wanted his advice on his current predicament even though he knew what he would say. Shortly after they had arrived and were settled in, his mother whisked Miranda away to go shopping and to bond with her future daughter in law. 

He spotted his dad near the bookcase and walked up to him.

Joshua: "Dad you got a minute?" He asked.

Willie: "Sure son." He replied. They walked into the living room and took a seat on the sofa. 

Joshua decided to just come out with it. He knew his dad hated people beating around the bush and he couldn't risk Miranda and his mother over hearing this conversation. No doubt that his father would share it with his mother anyways. 

Joshua: "Dad I cheated on Miranda. It was an mistake and I never meant for it to happen." He blurted out, how cliche' he thought. The look his father's face went from disappointment to shame in a mere second. He shook his head quickly. He hadn't raised his son to be like this. 

Willie: "Joshua" He started, "You weren't raised like that." Joshua started to defend himself, but was quickly cut off. 

Willie: "You were raised to respect women and to protect them, not going around breaking their hearts. What on earth would you do if she had done this to you? Do you not use your head boy? And I mean the one on your shoulders" He began to lecture. 

"I am completely disappointed and disgusted with you right now!" He yelled. 

"I am ashamed to call you my son." He finished. Ouch, that hurt. He had felt guilty enough before revealing this to his dad. He hadn't thought this out properly. Telling his father could never have been a good idea, hell it might have been easier to just confess to Miranda. 

Joshua: "Dad I know I was raised better than that. I would never intentionally hurt Miranda, I love her." He said. He said in a small child-like voice.

Willie: "You don't hurt those you love Joshua." He said flatly.

Joshua: "I know Dad. I'm sorry, but I can't take it back." He said. Willie shook his head.

Willie: "You need not apologize to me boy. I'm not the one you plan on entering marriage with on a lie." He said. "That girl is the sweetest person I have ever seen and she treats you so good. How could you be so stupid and fuck up a good thing?" He began to lecture again. Joshua made no attempt to interrupt him again only nodded in agreement. 

Willie: "You're going to tell her boy and that's that! If she leaves, that's something you will live with." He demanded.

Joshua: "Yes father." He finally said. 

Miranda and Mrs. Thomas returned about an hour later. Willie retired to his guest room and his wife joined him. Joshua was in his office upstairs. Miranda made her way outside to see the set up for her wedding. The crew had done a wonderful job and she was happy with the sight she saw in front of her. It wasn't anything spectacular but it was beautiful to her nonetheless. 

Miranda was still staring at the wedding set up when Joshua had came downstairs He had to tell her, he had  no choice now. He couldn't see her face as he watched from inside but he knew she had a smile on her face, a smile that would be replaced with a frown and sadness after he told her the news. He hated himself. He hated himself for cheating, for lying about it and keeping it a secret for so long. He also hated himself for what he was about to do. 

To be continued...

Chapter Four: The Reveal

Six weeks had passed since Joshua and Mimi's affair. Over those six weeks, Mimi could no longer bear the guilt and moved out. She wanted to tell her best friend, but she did not want to break her heart. Joshua also wanted to tell his fiance but feared he'd lose her, so he kept the secret. Miranda was more confused than ever. Joshua was always quiet around the house. And the person she thought was like a sister to her had up and left with no notice whatsoever. Of course Miranda assumed she was the blame for all of this. If she hadn't been so distracted with tours, interviews and concerts she'd be at home more and could give Joshua the time and love he deserved. If she had been there for her friend, then she probably wouldn't have moved out. She attempted to find out what was wrong with Joshua but he insisted it was stress from work, she wanted to press the topic but decided not to.

Currently..
Joshua had vowed he would not tell Miranda about his brief moment of weakness. He thought a little weight was lifted off his shoulders when Mimi move away, but he still felt on edge. They hadn't spoken since their night of passion and had no idea where her head was. He feared she'd come back and tell Miranda everything. Every day he breathed a sigh of relief when she didn't show up. He also thought Miranda had gotten suspicious when she always asked what was wrong, he had to get better at hiding his emotions. He needed to talk to someone so he call his friend, Matt, and invited him over. The door bell had rung and Joshua let Matt in. Matt sat down and Joshua joined him.

Matt: "Dude you look like you're bugging out. Is that why you called?" He asked. Was it that obvious? Joshua thought.
Joshua: "I screwed up Matt. Bad." He answered. Joshua gave him a run-down of what happened weeks ago.

Matt: "You're joking right?" Matt asked once he was done.
Joshua: "I wish I were." He replied. Matt nodded.
Matt: "You really cheated on Miranda with that? I mean she's alright but Miranda is hot." Matt said. Joshua gave him a warning look. He knew he messed up but that didn't mean he could make comments about his fiance freely. Matt mumbled an apology.
Matt: "So are you going to tell her?" He inquired.
Joshua: "No. I love her and I just can't break her heart. I already did enough damage." He answered.
Matt: "This is going to blow up in your face if you don't tell her. Do it before Mimi does." He warned. Joshua agreed with him, but he still had no plans to tell her. As far as he was concerned, he was taking this secret to his grave. He just prayed Mimi and Matt would as well.

Later that day..
Joshua had left for work and Miranda came home to an empty house. She was just about to call Mimi for the 1000th time, when she heard her phone vibrate. She hoped it was her, but her heart dropped when she it wasn't her. It was the man who offered her his services a couple weeks back. He had already told her he had found some information about her mother. Where she had grew up, her hometown,etc. But not real facts, no useful ones anyways.

 Miranda: "Hello?" She answered.
Stranger: "Hello Miranda. I think you're going to like what I have to say today." He said. Her heart seem to lift back up at the sound of that.
Miranda: "Really?" She said, her voice filled with hope.
Stranger: "Yes." He nodded to himself. "I found information on your father this time, his name is Timothy Griffin." He started.
Miranda: "No that can't be right, my father's name was Alex. My mom at least told me that." She said shaking her head.
Stranger: "I thought you would say that. I remembered you telling me that so I looked him up too. Alex Carter is currently serving 40 years in prison." He said.
Miranda: "What?!" You're telling me my dad is in prison?" She yelled.
Stranger: "No. Alex is, Timothy currently resides in Riverview with his wife, Skylar Griffin, and his son, ." He replied.
Miranda: "My mother wouldn't lie to me." She insisted. "Alex is my father."
Stranger: "Miranda I find people for a living. I thought you agreed to trust me." He said. She remained silent and he continued. "Alex is serving time for attempted murder if you wanted to know. I also found out another interesting fact." He said.
Miranda: "Which is?" She asked.
Stranger: "Well I looked up Skylar, she has a restraining order against Alex. She is also his ex-wife." He said.
Miranda: "This sounds like a crock of shit Sir, really that doesn't make any sense." Miranda said, irritated. Did this guy think she was a fool?
Stranger: "Oh no it makes perfect sense Hon. Skylar is the reason he's behind bars. He made an attempt to take her life. I don't know all the details of how it played out. That is where you came in. I found Timothy and Skylar's address, if you want more answers you're going to have to get them yourself." He explained. Miranda's head began spinning. Where did her mom fit in all of this? He hadn't mentioned her once and why did this sound like an awful soap opera?

Miranda: "Wait, why didn't you mention my mom?" She asked.
Stranger: "Ah I forgot that detail. You see Miranda, she wasn't your mom. She only raised you." He replied, "I'm also afraid I must go. I'll fax you the hard copies of everything I found along with the address. Good luck." He said and hung up. Miranda stared ahead and listened to the phone call drop. She was speechless. Seconds later she let the phone fall and all she could think of was she just found out she was adopted.

*Sorry for the lack of pictures, thanks for reading!