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...