Detailed Roleplayers discussion
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McKensie and Lara II :)
Chris nodded and pecked her hair "I love you...I'll bring in Danny ok? He only has a few injuries but I'll bring him in ok?" He went into his brother in law's room and brought him in by a wheelchair by Kriss's bedside "there you go..." Danny started to cry seeing his best friend and wife like this "hey..," he caressed her hair and cheek "you still are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen and we'll get you a customized wheelchair...whatever color you want..."
Mai shook her head holding him close "it's ok...Jace, I need you...I...told Delaney about it...Im sorry but you need help you attacked me last night...almost choked me to death...you need help..."
Delaney nodded and texted Lilly "how's school going honey? We miss you!"
Krissy nodded her thanks as best as she could in a neck brace. She smiled weakly at Danny when he came in. He had stitches and a cast, and that frightened her. She didn't want him hurt. And she hated seeing him cry. "I'm alright, I'm alright, I promise, please don't cry." she begged, knowing she'd start crying too. "I'm not dead…"Jace tensed, shocked. She told Delaney… fine. He knew he needed help. But he had almost killed her? He haunched over, tugging at his hair as a low moan escaped him. "You're not safe around me." He whispered. He hated this. He wanted to protect her, not hurt her.
Lilly beamed when she heard from her mother. "Great! Making lots of friends. Miss you too. And real food. I miss that as well. The cafeteria food is getting old." She said honestly.
Chris smiled watching Danny be with his wife, he called his wife to let her know what happened "how are you doing?...Krissy is paralyzed...she's...she's taking it as well as one can..." He sighed as he said it hating that this happened to his little sister.Malibu nuzzled her as they lay in bed together he traced her shoulder "we are marked...beautuful works of art, how do we have such talanted friends? Did you see that cute little Nimu doing a tattoo on Mira?"
Mai hugged him tightly and buried her face in his chest "it's ok..,im ok...I know it was just a nightmare but I'm scared for you, you need help that I can't give...I love you but I can't be with you if you don't take care of yourself."
Delaney smiled softly "im so glad honey...I miss you, and I'll make your favorites when you come for a visit I promise! Me and dad are going on a trip."
Laila picked up immediately when Chris called back and she put a hand over her mouth in shock. Such a horrible thing to happen to the girl! "Oh I'm so sorry… At least she's not dead, right?" She shook her head. "And how are you taking it, big man?"Ashley smiled lightly, nuzzling her face back against his chest. "Mhm…" She mumbled. "Very talented." She did like the tattoo Mira had given her, and was glad that she had agreed to it. "I did. Must run in the family. It looked far better than I could ever accomplish."
Jace nodded numbly, not sure what to do. She wasn't safe around him. He was a monster. A monster who tried to kill his love without even knowing what he was doing. "I'll go in for help…" he promised. "I just don't know what to do… what if there's nothing to help this? What if I'll be this way forever?"
Lilly smiled brightly. "Thank you!" She said, as she truly did miss her parents, and wanted to see them soon. "So you're going on a trip… hm?" She giggled. "Where are you going? And why exactly?"
Chris sighed "trying to remind myself that it wasn't Danny's fault and I shouldn't kill him...but I truly do not like him! I mean I do but he kept driving in the rain...he could have stopped this,.."Malibu stroke her hair and smiled "I think they have a cute family...the twins and Nimu I don't know how they can afford that...we should have paid for these even if they are our best friends..."
Mai shook her head "I know so many soliders and agents that live with PSTD and they do just fine and they live normal lives because they take their meds and talk to a counselor...you can beat this...I know you can..."
Delaney smiled lightly "your dad and I need a trip...to well you know...you don't want details but we are going to Australia we always wanted to go,"
Laila sighed softly, knowing that might have been an issue. "Breathe darling. The past is in the past now, and no one but Providence can change that. Hurting Daniel won't do anything but make you feel worse when Krissy starts ignoring you." She said seriously. "I'm not asking that you be all friendly to him or anything, just watch your temper, ok love? I want you both back in one piece, there's been enough damage tonight already."Ashley nodded slowly, enjoying him playing with her hair. "That feels good, don't stop." She insisted. "But yeah, kids are expensive. Although we have become something of living advertisements for their studio, what with the tats and all." She pointed out. "We could get word out and try to help their business."
Jace stayed silent, but he gave a slight nod. Meds. And counselling. It was like a cure that was only temporary, he'd have to keep going back often to keep himself sane. What kind of life was that? A crazy person's, that's what. "I'm not a good man anymore, Mai. You deserve better." he whispered, his voice cracking.
Lilly scrunched up her nose, "Groooossss!" she complained, knowing what she meant. "Well… don't have too much fun. And don't get lost… and bring me back a kangaroo, ok? A baby kangaroo. I'll name him Joey Junior. … J.J. for short." she beamed.
Danny catessed her cheek and down her neck nipping softly "we can still have sex honey...isn't that great? Usually you wouldn't be able to, only a few things will change...and we can still go hiking and camping..."Malibu nodded "im paying for the tattoos, I'll make it anonymous so they can't refuse it. They both get so proud ful!"
Mai looked at him shocked "you'll have to break up with me...because im not leaving you, I know what I can handle! And not leaving you, I'm fine...I love you and I went through a lot to get you."
Krissy's eyes were closed as she nodded lightly. "Yeah. I guess that is pretty good." She said softly. It was hard to focus on the good stuff, when she was still in shock from losing so much, but she tried to stay positive, for Danny's sake, because she sure didn't want him blaming himself. "You still owe me a camping trip mister."Ashley laughed, agreeing wholeheartedly with that. "Yeah… they do get pretty proud. But they're cute because of it." she pulled the blankets around them tighter. "Like us and our nerdyness…" She teased, smiling lightly.
Jace winced, closing his eyes. He didn't want to break up with her… that was the last thing he wanted. He loved her. But because he loved her, he wanted her safe. "We'll give it a week." he said finally, sighing. "If I'm not better by the end of the week, then I'm breaking up with you. I'm not risking the chance I'll attack you again, and actually succeed. You don't know what that would do to me…"
Danny sighed wishing he could make things better for her, he wished he could take it all back "i should have listened to you, i wish we stopped and drank hot chocolate." He grabbed the pot and poured some hot water mixing in the chocolate powder "look its starting to snow!"Malibu chuckled "is there any single people left in the agency? Seems like everyone pairs up.that cute nurse is having a baby...Grace? Josh is on Chris' team and is an incredible hand on hand combat master."
Mai looked up at him in shock "you...you would break up with me?...i wont allow it! Youll hurt me that way more then accidentally hurting me in bed...please dont, no ultimatums...please?"
Krissy winced, hating to think of the could haves, should haves, would haves, because they were all to painful to wish for. "Well we didn't, and there's nothing we can do to change that." She sighed tiredly, not wanting to discuss it further. She turned her head slowly, to watch as he poured water into cups When he placed a cup in her hand, she held onto it, grateful for the warmth and the thick smell of chocolate. "Is it really?" She asked, brightening. She tried to sit up to see the window, and stopped, when she found she couldn't move hardly at all. "Danny… can you hit that button to raise the bed a bit?"Ashley laughed softly, looking up at him then. "You know what… I don't think there is… it's like everyone is so love sick from not being allowed relationships, and now they're all getting together." Then she raised an eyebrow. "Did you just call Grace cute?" She asked, teasing, but also rather possessive. "Because she and you are both taken, mister." She teased, pecking his lips.
Jace winced, looking down and away from her to the sheets. When she put it that way…. Oh this was so hard! Why did it have to be so painful! "I… I don't want you hurt, Mai…" He mumbled, sitting up and getting off the bed to lean against the wall, his whole body tense. "What am I supposed to do, when I nearly killed you and I didn't even know until you told me?" he asked, his voice anguished. This couldn't go on.
Danny shook his head at her request and slowly lifted her up off of the bed and into the wheelchair, he pushed her outside to the garden and wrapped her up in the blanket with her cup of cocoa. The flakes slowly fell and he watched her face rubbing her shoulders "Happy my darling?"Malibu chuckled "I like her cute personality, she's really good with patients and just always smiling. I love my Ashley don't ever doubt it alright?" he pecked her lips back and played with the ring on her finger "You know...that ring had been through a lot..." he pulled out a piece of sand from the diamond setting.
Mai hugged him tightly and buried her face in his neck and kissed up her lobes "Don't ever leave me...your medication will help...and if it doesn't I can protect myself or sleep in the guest room after you fall asleep...I usually sleep on the couch and then come back before you wake up..."
Krissy's eyes widened when he picked her up, and she clung to him, scared of falling, as he put her in a hospital wheelchair, wrapped her in a blanket, and pushed her out to the garden. She clutched her cup to herself and gasped at the sight of the snow. The first snow of winter. "Oh isn't that beautiful…" She smiled, closing her eyes slowly. "thank you, for bringing me out here." She took a sip of the hot chocolate and allowed herself to relax. Ashley relaxed a little then, closing her eyes and tucking herself up against him. "Good. Because you don't even want to know what I would have done if I found out you were cheating on me." she teased, grinning. "Hell hath no wrath like a woman scorned…" She pecked his nose. "Yes, our ring has come a long way. It's a wonder it wasn't lost…" She looked down at the jewel. "And I'm so glad you managed to get it to me, both of you in one piece."
Jace tensed when she hugged him, and then he turned and hugged her back, kissing her hair and closing his eyes against her. He couldn't promise that he'd get better. But it was true, she could defend herself, she could keep him away. "I don't want you to live a lonely life on the couch, Mai, it's not fair to you. Is that how you want life to go on?" He asked softly. If the meds worked, that was one thing. If they did not….
Mira stood on the ladder in their small brownstone apartment, she was painting small birds on the mural of the nursery. She watched Nimuae paint little flowers in the grass and beamed proud of her daughter's talent "you are going to be an extraordinary artist one day little bird..." She smiled over at Antony who was painting the animals "don't you think Tony?..." She was glad to have this time with her family before bringing the twins in.Danny pressed his lips against her forehead and nuzzled her finding this moment tragic and yet incredibly romantic. "The news reported our accident...a lot of people have been praying and sending well wishes to you...and I told my agent i quit...I need to be here to take care of you." He took her hand pressing it to his face and nuzzled it "im here for you...Kristine honey..."
Malibu caressed her cheek with his thumb and brushed his lips against hers and closed his eyes thinking about that day, the sand and the torture, and the miraculous moment when he saw that blonde hair draped over him saving his life. "Do you want to know how I wanted to propose?...I was going to take you to that beautiful old lighthouse you always commented on when we drive by the beach...it was going to be a clear night that the northern lights could be seen...I would tell you how beautiful you looked and lean over the railing showing you the ring...and propose..."
Mai looked up at him with tearful green eyes her lips quivering as she nodded immediately "I was going to die...in that plane, I never thought I'd have the chance to love and feel the joy I do with you everyday...you make my toes curl and my heart beat quicker...I don't want to live one moment without you whether on the couch or in your arms...please don't talk about this anymore."
Nimuae looked up from where she was painting little pink flowers. Most of the paint was all over herself, but the stuff that actually got on the wall looked great. "Thanks Mamma!"Antony looked over at his daughter's creations and he shook his head, chuckling. "I think the flowers on the wall look great. And I also think you're going to need a long bath tonight, Nim." he winked at her and she grinned, as she loved the bath, and loved playing with all the coloured bubbles, and different soaps. "Ok!" She agreed, painting some more paint into her hair, a huge smile on her face.
Krissy nodded slowly… so everyone knew she was paralyzed then… great. That would save her telling them. But she didn't really want a news report with her face everywhere either… she didn't want anything with her face on it everywhere. She gasped when Daniel said he quit. "Oh Danny… but you love singing! You didn't have to do that…" She choked, not able to keep it together any longer. She gripped his hand, the tears escaping. How could he give up his dream for her?
Ashley knew what he was thinking of by the expressions on his features. And she reached out a hand to caress his cheek. "I'd love to know how you were going to propose." She said, curling up and looking at him wide eyed like a child in preparation for a good story. When he explained his ideas, she gasped and shook her head, amazed at how creative that was, and how perfect it would have been. She kissed him softly, a smile on her face. "For our anniversary, we should do that." She suggested. "Minus the proposal of course… but it would make a good outing."
Jace closed his eyes, wincing. The plane accident…. and all the pain she felt… often he forgot that she had suffered just like he had, though not in the same way. And apparently he was what kept her grounded, just like she did for him. He didn't respond, he just cupped her face in his hands, peering down into her eyes for a moment, his own brimming with tears before he dipped and kissed her gently, leaning his forehead against hers. They could make this work, they would. He promised himself that then.
Mira looked down at her pink giggling little girl, she shook her head a smile appearing on her face "try not to waste the paint honey, I still need that pink for the crib, you still want to help me paint Kiersten's crib? And then Kellen's will be that mint green won't that be cute?" She picked her up and changed her out of her clothes getting her to the bath tub "you might be getting old for bath's Nim!" She got the water started and the soaps all set up for her. She scrubbed the paint out of her hair and smiled "I think pink highlights look cute in your dark hair, I died my hair purple because I got paint in it and I liked how it looked..."Danny cupped her face brushing away the tears with his thumbs and nudged his nose against hers taking deep breaths "I don't love it as much as I love you, and you need my help right now...we have enough money and I can still sell songs without leaving your side." He held her close to his chest just letting her cry, everything was finally coming out and it was healthy good for her to release all of this.
Malibu nodded and kissed her back nudging his nose against hers and catching her lips again holding it for longer "we can pack up a picnic and just sit and watch the lights together...our one year anniversary isnt any time soon but hey, why do we need a reason to celebrate our love? We can go tomorrow...after going to breakfast for crepes, oh and I adopted an adorable bulldog puppy and we are picking him up tomorrow." He started to tickle her side and stomach playfully.
Mai sat in the waiting room of the counselor office with him, she squeezed his hand as they entered the room. The counselor was a young man barely out of med school he gave a smile over at Jace "good to meet you Jace, I was in Iraq about the same time you were, I've read up on your file your country owes you a great deal of gratitude." He watched his face wondering how he would react, then he would know how to start the treatment.
Nimuae looked guilty then and she stopped putting paint through her hair, slipping the brush back into the bucket. "Sorry Mum." She apologized, fidgeting. "I still want to paint the crib!" She insisted seriously. She did. She wanted to help paint. However, when her mother lifted her up and brought her over for a bath, she giggled in excitement as she watched the water and the bubbles fill up. "I'll never be too old for baths!" She insisted, wasting no time in hopping in and sinking into the bubbles. "I can make my hair have pink?" She asked, surprised and excited. She liked pink in her hair. It looked nice. Girly almost. She smoothed bubbles through her hair. "I like pink. And bubbles!"Krissy was overcome by the love her husband had for her, and she shook her head again and again, not able to talk through the sobbing, and not even sure what she would say if she could manage to make a sound. So she just clung to him, crying and crying in his arms in the snow until her tears dried and she felt the sorrow take a place in the back of her heart. It was no longer stronger than the love and hope she had for Danny and their life together. So she lay her head on his shoulder as best as she could, just watching the snow and enjoying the arms that held her safely. She didn't know when she had fallen asleep, but soon she was breathing peacefully, completely gone.
Ashley grinned, loving that idea. A surprise date so soon, and at such an awesome place! With crepes for breakfast! It was beyond anything she could have imagined and she beamed, pecking his nose. "I look forward to it!" She gasped then, her eyes going wide. A bulldog? A puppy!? She shrieked and kissed him hard. "Malibu!" She grinned. "A puppy? How much did that cost? No never mind! I don't want to know. When do we get to meet him? Ohmygosh. A puppy!" She giggled, swatting his hands away.
Jace was more nervous than he ever had been in his life. He didn't want to talk to anyone about anything, let alone a stranger. And he was surprised to see the counsellor to be a young man, almost his age. Well… maybe this would be a little more comfortable and casual then. Yeah… well until he started discussion with Iraq. Way to hit the nail on the head. "Yeah." He agreed. "Thanks." he said somewhat awkwardly, what else was he supposed to say? Go into some whole tale about what happened? He didn't want to talk about it at all.
Mira laughed rincing out the bubbles and playing with her long dark hair "yes, I think you are old enough to have highlights in your hair, we can go to the salon I go to and put a few in. I don't think daddy will mind too much." Their family wasn't a usual suburban family and that was ok, people could judge all they want didn't change the fact that they loved eachother and she was a good mom even as a tattoo artist.Malibu grinned "it was supposed to be a wedding present, I know how much you love my sister's dog and you always show me cute bulldog pictures on the web, all those adorable wrinkles and what not..." He showed her the picture of the one he adopted "we can pick him up tomorrow, he's potty trained and well behaved he loves to play and munch treats. I thought he would be a good addition to our family!"
The counselor nodded "have you ever spoken to anyone about what you went through? With mai or your parents? Your team at HQ?" He inquired writing a few things down as he watched his patient's face and his girlfriend who looked supportive and almost concerned. He knew that he hadn't he kept it all inside pretending that it didn't happen.
Nimuae's grin practically reached from one ear to the other and she beamed. "I get pink hair!" She squealed, splashing the bubbles and giggling. "I get cool hair like Mummy…." leaned out of the bath and kissed her mother's cheek, giggling. She stood up then, unhooking the facet from the tub, and turning the water on. Closing her eyes tight and scrunching up her face, she poured the water all over her head to rinse it, braving the soap that used to terrify her because it could run into her eyes. Ashley looked at the picture and cooed softly, "Oh… it's so cute! Awww… coochie poo…. you're coming home soon…." She crooned, putting down the phone and turning to practically strangle Malibu in a bear hug. "Thank you Mali! This is probably the best present I've gotten since… well… ever!" She said honestly, pulling away to beam at him, kiss him, and then be a mat him again. She flopped back on the bed, still beaming. "Best. Day. Ever."
Jace closed his eyes, breathing in deeply. So that was how it was going to be. Find out just how bad he was right away? Alright. Might as well get it over with then. He knew that the counsellor wouldn't like his answer. "No. I haven't talked to anyone about it." he admitted honestly, scratching his neck awkwardly with the back of his hand. Why was he doing this again? Right… to keep himself from attacking his love. Great just great. He hated this. Why couldn't they just subscribe him a pill and stay out of his personal life?
Mira smiled helping her out of the tub and wrapped her in the fluffy pink towel holding her close as she pecked her forehead and took her to bed. She pulled out the large rock band t-shirt that was Antony's and got her dressed for bed as she combed out her long hair "did you know I got an hour with you...all by myself and I fell madly in love with you, you were such a quiet little angel...never cried..."Malibu laughed at her expressions and joy, passion that came from the love of his life "you can name him when we see him...but..." He pulled out a plaid bow tie collar and smiled "I thought this would be dashing on him, like a little sir..,very doctor who, don't you think?" He lay by her playing with her fingers "I love you...the first day of marriage has been amazing!"
Greg watched him and friwned "I see...I want you to start keeping a journal, you won't talk about it fine. I'm not going to push you, yet. You will write everything you can remember about the war down. And the emotions that associate with it. Can you do that?" He handed him a black notebook "im also going to put you on an anti anxiety prescription."
Nimuae wrapped the towel tightly around herself, curling up in her mother's arms as she got dressed and was carried to bed. She sat there quietly, not making a sound as her mother brushed out her hair, even though it tugged every now and then. She didn't complain like other children. "I didn't know that…" She said softly. "I'm glad I got to meet you as a small child. I think I might have remembered you… because I knew what you looked like, from dreams." She explained, smiling a little as she climbed under the covers and tucked them to her chin. Ashley looked at him in curiosity as he pulled out something, and she immediately gasped in surprise and glee. "Oh it's perfect!" She laughed, feeling the fabric. "Very appropriate." She nodded her approval. She turned to smile at him then, putting the collar on their nightstand. "I think we've gotten off to a fantastic start." she agreed, turning over to peck his lips. "Now let me sleep so we can wake up tomorrow to another good day."
A journal!? Was he serious!? Please tell me he's not serious! Who even journals anymore!? You've got to be kidding me… Jace took the black notebook and looked at it like it was a poisonous viper. "No one will read it though… right?" He asked, suspicious. He didn't want to write anything just to have someone read it all later. And if someone was going to, then he'd be sure to keep his writing as vague as possible. He did nod acceptingly, however, when he said he would prescribe him some meds. He figured as much. Hopefully they actually had some value unlike this horrible black book.
Mira caressed her hair and smiled pecking her cheek and nuzzling her "I dreamed about you too...a smart beautiful little girl that loves fruit and painting..." She held her hand and started to sing the lullaby she sang in that storage closet as she stroke her hair watching her fall asleep. She was so grateful to have her in her life and the twins...her incredible husband she was so lucky and fortunate.Malibu smiled and pecked her lips back as he curled up with his wife and fell asleep. He woke up and started the crepes getting the fruit set out and the Nutella. He smirked to himself remembering when he covered her lips in Nutella and ate at them on their third or fourth date, before they were allowed to. It was a lot of giggling and shushing eachother so they wouldn't get caught. He had loved her for the longest time and they just clicked, more then him and his sister it was a connection that people called soul mates and he believed it.
The counselor smiled "I will check to see if you write in it, same with your girlfriend but no one will read page by page. I know you think its stupid I did too, but it is an effective tool and it will end the dreams...which ends the terror and...attacking your girlfriend...trust me Jace, this works."
Nimuae's smile was huge as she slowly drifted off to sleep, her eyelids fluttering as she dreamed. Antony came in then, changed and washed after painting and he wrapped his arms around his wife from behind. "Hello lovely." He whispered, kissing her cheek. "Movie tonight? Or bed early?" He asked, wondering what she felt like doing this evening. He sure wanted a break from painting for a while though. They had painted the whole nursery, and now there was only the cribs left to do. Ashley woke to the divine scent of crepes and sugar and chocolate and fruit. Beaming, she leaped out of bed and got dressed, tying her hair up into a sloppy bun before she padded into the kitchen, gasping. "Mali! I didn't know you'd make it this extravagant!" She cried, walking over to give him a quick hug. "And why on earth are you smirking at the Nutella?" she tipped her head to the side, one eyebrow raised. Her man sure could be funny sometimes…
Jace nodded slowly, accepting that. Alright. So it would be checked, and he'd have to write in it, but no one would see it. Fine. That was better then. "I'll take your word for it." He grumbled, taking the prescriptions slip from him and leaving the office, as their time for that session was up. He pouted all the way to the car, still looking glum as they got in and drove away. Well that was a waste of time…
Mira smiled up at him leaning into his chest and sighing in happiness "hey...I kind of want to watch a movie and snuggle..." She turned around and cupped his face kissing him deeply "not in the mood to sleep, I just want the twins home and everybody safe...horrible things happened to us and I just want to watch a stupid romantic comedy with my husband..."Malibu spread more Nutella over her lips and ate it off smirking "thinking about doing this..,in my office...and then having to have the rug dry cleaned." He nuzzled her and smiled setting the table and pouring them some fresh squeezed orange juice "so after this...we will go to the adoption center and get our new family member alright?"
Mai pued him to her "hey...you made this promise, you promised you would listen and try everything they recommended...I need you to try, because staying silent isn't healthy...and I hate to see you hurting...and I hate being scared at night...@
Antony nodded, closing his eyes and leaning his forehead against hers. "You got it love. Movie night and snuggle coming right up. He walked into the kitchen, glancing back at her to smile. "Now that we're both out of the agency, we'll get a normal, good life. You'll see. We deserve it after all." he winked at her and started popping the popcorn and putting it in a bowl with salt and butter. Then he set it on the coffee table, along with a bag of Doritos, and some skittles, and he went to their movie cupboard. "What about 'Life as we know it?' He suggested, listing off the first title he saw. "Or 'When in Rome'. Or 'No Reservations' or 'The proposal'."Ashley squeaked when he smeared chocolate on her lips, and then she laughed, kissing him back as he got it off her again. "You naughty boy!" She teased, elbowing him. She pulled out her chair and sat down, sipping the juice. "This looks so good Mali, honestly…" She shook her head, and her stomach growled on cue. Laughing, she started putting toppings on her crepe. "I can't wait to meet the little baby…" She said honestly. "We'll have to figure out what to name him…"
Jace sighed, getting out of the car and hanging up the keys, entering the house where he dumped the book on the counter, along with the bottle of pills they had picked up, and just leaned his head against the wall, looking completely worn out. "I know. I know. I promised to try, so I am going to do it." he said, shaking his head. "You don't need to remind me. I'm just… It's just hard to follow through with that promise." He admitted. More than hard. He felt he was starting to develop a phobia for that book.
Mira grabbed her favorite fleece blanket and poured a handful of skittles in her hand as she pat the spot next to her beaming at him "when in Rome was really cute...I like the unpredictability of it." She curled up and lay her head on his shoulder taking deep breaths "yeah we deserve a good life...lets go to Rome...I've always wanted to go, all the history and the food!" She kissed his jaw "Nimu wants pink hair..."Malibu smiled putting together his crepe and leaning over to peck her cheek "it's up to you honey, you get to decide, we don't have time for a baby but this little guy can be our baby right?" He squeezed her hand and smirked "it's crazy...marriage, and babies I ne ER thought it would be my life...or ours we are married to our work and the agency...but after I...you brought me back Ash and you continue to put me back together..."
Mai swallowrd knowing he was going to need a pretty big incentive to get healed, to write and take his meds "I-if...you don't write in that book every night...no matter what...happens or what excuse you give ill...I'll leave you. So it's up to you Jace...I-i don't want to do it but...you need a push a big enough why..."
Antony nodded, snapping open the cover and sliding the CD into the player, moving back to the couch and plopping down beside her where he grinned, and put an arm around her. "Alright love, let's go to Rome." he agreed, chuckling. "After the kids get settled in… we could probably hire a nanny for a week or so. Go to Rome, just you and me." Then he raised an eyebrow. "Pink eh? Not going to get purple like her mother?" he teased. "I wonder who influenced that decision…." he pecked her nose, turning to watch the movie then, he thought it was cute that Nim wanted to be like her mother. Ashley beamed, so thrilled and excited all at once. "Well I can't wait to see him, and when we do, I'll decide a name then." She decided, slicing a piece of her rolled up crepe and eating it. "These are perfect by the way." she listed to him talk and felt her insides grow mushier and mushier. "You know just how to butter me up, Malibu…" She finished up her crepe and walked over, pecking his cheek. "Come on. I want to go see our puppy. And for the record, it was you who saved me." She winked and rinsed her dishes, dumping them in the dishwasher as she headed for the door.
Jace lifted his head from the wall, his heart feeling like it had just been speared. He turned to look at her, utter sorrow in his features. He didn't say anything, he just walked past her, picked up the book and a pen, and went to their room, shutting the door after him. He sat on the bed and stared at the blank first page, glaring at it before he clicked the pen and slowly began to write. Within three sentences of talking about how stupid this all was, and about how his love had just given him an ultimatum, when she had asked for none, and about how Iraq had been the most horrible terrifying experience of his entire life, Jace was already sobbing quietly, trembling from the stress and emotions that had already started to surface. He couldn't see through his tears to write anything else so he growled and flung the book at the wall, listening to the dull thud it made as it fell.
Chris walked into the beach house, he sighed deeply as he threw his keys on the counter and pulled the hamburger out of the freezer to make dinner. He felt drained, his sister was paralyzed...His wife was pregnant with their second and oh right he had to go on a year long dangerous mission. He looked up as he saw Parker bound down the stairs with the black puppy at her toes "Hey Park! Want to help me grill up some hamburgers tonight?" he asked with a smile trying to keep things oh so casual and not get Laila upset.Mira laughed and pecked his lips "Not me, not this time. She was the one that told me she liked the paint in her hair. I just informed her that it was very possible to make it permanent and not damage her hair." she explained feeding him a dorito chip and watching the movie with a smile "So...are you ok? I mean quitting the agency...it was our lives for so long...I mean, I wonder if we will get a little stir crazy."
Malibu choked out laughter as he finished his breakfast far quicker then he expected and tossed the dishes in the sink hoping that none would shatter as they piled into their jeep. "I really need to find that cover..." he bundled her up in the blanket left on the seat as he drove to the adoption center. They waited in the waiting room until the scattering sound of nails against tile greeted them along with a very hyper wrinkly bulldog puppy already tugging at Ashley's shoe lace.
Mai listened to his agony and shut her eyes trying to drown out the sound and the overwhelming guilt she felt, but she knew he had to be pushed. He was like a race horse he had to be challenged and pushed or he gets antsy and depressed. She knew the journal scared him, anyone in a 10 mile radius knew that but he avoided feeling...he was numb until she taught him what love was. But did he feel fear? Sadness? Torment? probably not. She lay on the couch knowing she wouldn't be wanted in the bedroom that night.
Parker grinned when she heard her father return home and she leaped for him, hugging him tightly. "I'd love to!" she said honestly, wanting to help her father with anything she could. She loved spending time with him, whenever he was around the house. She grabbed some of the frozen hamburgers, and stacked them on a plate, carting them outside so she could start up the barbecue. Laila walked in then, smiling when she saw her family working together on dinner. She was wearing a looser shirt, as her stomach was starting to show. Walking up to Chris, she hugged one arm around his waist. "Hey handsome man. How are you?"Antony chuckled, leaning his head on hers to kiss her hair gently, and then just watch the movie. "That's sweet. I don't mind if she wants pink hair. I just think it's probably because you've got such a fantastically uncommon shade yourself." He pointed out. He watched the movie for a moment longer, letting the silence draw on before he answered. "I'm ok still. I might take on projects for them here and there just for the money, if I ever get bored." he said honestly. "But for now, I'm ok. You? How are you managing?"
Ashley was a fidgeting nervous mess as they drove to the center, and then sat in the waiting room as seconds stretched into minutes. The sound of the happy little puppy approaching brought time back to its proper speed again and Ashley gasped, half laughing, half crying as she scooped up the little bundle of wrinkles and kissed his head. "Oh aren't you so pudgy!" She grinned. "That's what we'll call you, puppy. Your new name is Pudge." She grinned at Malibu, holding out the puppy. "Isn't he so cute!?" She put him in his arms and scratched the little puppy's ears who whined and wriggled around.
Jace didn't sleep that night. He paced the room, trying to calm himself and get his breathing normal again, and then he would sit down and continue to write. Each time he managed it longer, but each timed ended in agonized wails, and the book hitting the floor. And then the pacing. And then the writing again. In the morning, he was just sitting on the end of the bed, staring at the wall. He had the book held loosely in his hands, one double sided page scrawled in writing and tears. One double sided page about the tortures he had had to endure in the concentration camp. And he looked as if he had just been tortured in the same way all night long, for the state he was in.
Chris smiled but behind that smile was sadness, he would miss birthdays and his little girl growing up. He would miss the birth of his child and helping his poor pregnant wife cope. Krissy couldn't even be there to help, she was paralyzed and Danny had to care for her arlubd the clock. He turned in her arms and hugged her tightly pressing his face in her hair and trying to take deep calming breaths "I need advice...I don't know what to do Laila...I have two pressing issues and they both can't be done at once..." Mira sighed thinking honestly about how she would answer that question "im coping...the best I can..art therapy helps, and holding onto Nimu...but we have twin newborns coming to live with us, little tiny hearts and souls that have already been through so much. How are we supposed to raise and take care of them? I feel lost when it comes to Nimu and she's 9, she's lived much of her life...how are we going to do this?...I just want to keep them at the hospital with Grace and the nurses that know how to care for them..."
Malibu laughed as the puppy scampered back to Ashley's arms and snuggled up. His wrinkled bum wagging happily as he licked her face slobber dripping down his mouth. Malibu hooked up the littke bow tie around his neck "pudge it is then!" He rubbed his ears and pecked her cheek "are you happy darling? Is he what you wanted?"
Mai didn't sleep she heard it all through the very thin walls of the apartment. She made some toast and eggs for him and set it down for him habding him a cup of water and his pills "these will help...but you made really good progres, I know you don't think so but now you are releasing those pent up feelings and started to feel again..."
Laila noted the sadness in Chris's smile, and she didn't like it one bit. It was like he was memorizing her face, holding onto things that wouldn't last, and that thought made her start to panic. It wasn't like he was going anywhere… he would be here, and they would have their child, and life would go on. There was no need to worry. And then he said he needed advice, and Laila had the sinking feeling that this advice had something to do with the sadness she saw in his eyes. But she just continued to hug him, the hug becoming more of a cling, as she nodded. "What is it? I'll try my best to help you." She promised, not liking seeing him distressed. Antony frowned, sensing this was a serious topic, so he paused the show and turned so he could face her and listen properly, as she explained how she was feeling. He understood where she was coming from, with the whole not knowing how to parent thing. "I'm nervous about all of this too, love." he said seriously. "But in the long run, we'll learn from our mistakes, and I'm sure the twins would far rather have their mother caring for them, than some nurses in a white room with lots of tubes and beeping." he said gently, trying to get her to see. "In the end, they'll value our love for them, more than if we do parenting right or not." he pointed out. "We'll take this one day at a time… ok? And I'll be here every step of the way."
Ashley smiled down at the wriggly little thing, it was so tiny and scruffy and wrinkled that her heart just melted right then and there. She adjusted his bow tie collar, scratching down his back as the little bundle started to fall asleep in her arms. "I'm so thrilled…" She whispered, watching the small life settle and sleep in her arms. Hot tears of joy flooded her eyes and she smiled weakly, looking over at Mali and then back at the dog. "He's perfect…"
Jace looked over slowly as Mai came back into his room, some breakfast for him in one hand, and the pills and water in the other. He just nodded slowly, taking the glass and downing the pills, and the water, praying to high heaven that they worked, that they did something for the panic and constant terror that now swirled in him. Was this what they wanted? Everything to just come flooding back all at once until he was extremely paranoid and frightened all the time? Because if so, it was working. He nibbled at some of the toast, but found he wasn't hungry, and so left it alone. "Did…" His voice scratched and he tried again. "Did you sleep?" As always, he was worried for her sake.
Chris saw that she caught onto his sadness, she always did. No matter how hard he tried to hide something from her she managed to figure it out without any hesitation. It was endearing but also difficult especially in these circumstances. "I have to make a decision, the agency wants me on a dangerous year long undercover mission...I don't have anyone I can pass it on to...but Luke. But he's still in training and I worry about him...but it's got to be either of us...and I don't like being away from you but I'm sure Luke doesn't either...I need help..."Mira slowly started to see his point of view and bit her lip nodding "I guesd I can understand that...it's just, we have absolutely no experience and I have no family...you do, I wish your mother could teach and help me. Because Im scared and when I get scared I get defensive and want to go on a dangerous mission, anything to avoid facing the scary situation...so I need you, I want you to make amends with your mother...please? She won't come because she doesn't want a fight with you..."
Malibu smiled watching her with the pup as he stood and signed off the paperwork, picked up the new bed and giant bag of dog food along with the many toys they recommended. He hoisted it all into the jeep then hooked up the leash to the collar and handed the end to Ashley "let him walk around and sniff things, get to know the place."
Mai swallowed wishing he would eat more, she pushed the plate back to him "doctor said you need a full stomach to take your pills...please eat Jace..." She didn't want to talk about her sleeping or how worried and guilty she felt. She just wanted to make things easy for him so he didn't have to worry about this on top of everything else in their life. It was going to be a process but the reward of sleeping safetly in his arms again was worth it.
Once Laila heard what he had to say, her own expression turned almost panicked. He would have to leave, she knew that. With Kenna still on the mend, and Luke still in training, there was no way Luke could go. But that meant that Chris would be gone for a whole year… in danger, while she was here living out the last months of pregnancy without him. He would miss the birth of his second child. He would miss their first couple months as well. He would miss Parker's first day of school, and her sixth birthday. Laila's hand moved to her stomach and she looked up at him, clearly pained, not physically, but because of this news. "You know I'll miss you terribly, right?" She said softly, not questioning his need to leave, she knew that would only make it harder on him. Antony winced. He knew it would end up coming down to this. Having to call his horrid mother again, apologize for the upteenth, hope she didn't scream and curse and at him, and then ask for her to come over to meet his wife and kids. Wonderful. Fan flipping tastic. But he would do it, for said wife and kids, because he cared about them more than his own sanity. "Alright… alright!" He threw his hands up in defeat. "I'll call her right after the movie and ask her to come in the morning, ok? Then she can give us advice on parenting." He sighed tiredly. "I never thought I'd get talked into this…" he muttered grumpily, playing the movie again. He gave a light smile in Mira's direction. "You are pretty persuasive."
Ashley petted the small bundle in her arms, still amazed that they got to take it home, as Malibu got together all the paper work, toys, and food supplies. She slipped the leash loop around her wrist and smiled at Mali, setting the puppy on the floor. "Are you sure you got all that?" She raised an eyebrow. The puppy was already up again and running, scatting all over the tiles in the effort to see, smell, and chew on everything. When the puppy went to gnaw on a pair of Malibu's leather shoes, Ashley wagged her finger at it. "Nuh uh, Pudgy, not for you." She insisted, pulling out one of the rawhide chew sticks and handing it to him instead. The puppy immediately flopped to the floor to gnaw contentedly on the dried meat. Ashley laughed. "Doesn't look like he's much interested in the house…" She smiled.
Jace gave her a looked that clearly said he didn't want to eat anything else. It looked exactly like the expression a kid might give a parent who was trying to feed them vegetables. But her pleading tone won him over, and even though the eggs tasted like rubber and the toast like cardboard in his mouth, he forced down another couple of bites, until he thought he would gag if he ate anymore. It wasn't her cooking, it was all the thoughts in his head that had made him lose his appetite. Food never looked good when you couldn't stop thinking of your own blood dripping from open wounds. "Thanks." He said feebly, standing to take the dishes into the kitchen. Man he was dying to escape this all, he wanted to just go back into his shell again, for this was only making him feel worse. The doctor said he would get better after the first bit, but he didn't feel any better.
Chris held her close, so close that he knew he was squishing her swollen stomach but he knew his decision. He took deep breaths trying to calm his racing heart as he looked down at her "6 months...I'll take the first months and then Luke will be trained by then and take the last 6..." Or if there are any injuries or complications Luke will just take over but he wasn't going to bring that up with his already panicked wife "I will be here for Parker's first day of school and her birthday but not the birth of the new baby, I'll skype you and we can still enjoy it together ok?"Mira smiled up at him innocently "I don't know what you are talking about...I just got you to marry me, and 5 tattoos when you had a mere 2...ok I am very persuasive." she kissed him deeply just as the actors had their famous last kiss. She giggled and nudged her nose against his "Please...please say your mother will like me, I'm freaking out and even if you have to lie please...please just say she'll like me..."
Malibu took his shoe away and shook his head "Oh no, I just have a feeling i'll need to get him his own italian designer shoe..." he got the dog gate set up and scratched his belly smiling "Oh I have a feeling, I will be the one doing the discipline around here!" he smiled over at his wife "I've never seen you so excited Ash..." it made his heart super happy and he couldn't wait to spend his life with her and their Pudge."
Mai sighed watching him, she destroyed him and she caused this pain...she wrapped her arms around him tightly and buried her face in his neck "I'm not going anywhere...I'm so proud of you...I'm sorry, I love you...please don't spiral down, the doctor said it would be hard at first but it will get better..." she kissed his forehead and got the bed made and the room cleaned putting that cursed book on the table. She paused and pulled out a red notebook and handed it to him "This was mine...most of the pages were ripped up and thrown at the poor nurses...so I know how you feel..."
Laila nearly winced from how tight he was squashing the baby against her, but she didn't, for it hurt more, the thought of letting him go. So she hugged back just as tightly, dangerously close to tears. Six months… better than twelve, but far worse than none at all. She knew she would miss him dearly, and she didn't know how she would handle a birth without him… but this was for the better. This was a compromise, and she knew that Chris would not leave if he had a choice, so she found herself nodding numbly, leaning her forehead against his collar bone. "At… at least you'll be here for Parker." She swallowed. "And we can Skype… and text and call often…" She was trying to reassure them both… but it wasn't really helping her much. "And… and you'll be home after six months…" She couldn't cry, she wouldn't, she wouldn't let the tears fall. She had to be strong for him. Antony smirked, pecking her hair. "Exactly love." he teased, hugging her gently for the rest of the movie, and enjoying the kiss he got out of it. When she started talking about his mother, he frowned. He had not realized that she might be nervous, and he felt callous for not seeing it. "Oh love… of course she'll like you." he promised, "You two will probably team up against me with your schemes and persuasion…" he teased, lifting her into his arms and walking them into the bedroom, where he set her down and smiled as he changed. "She'll like you, I promise."
Ashley giggled, watching as Pudge was set behind the dog gate, still chewing happily on his treat, getting it all slobbery. "I can be firm…" She promised, giving Malibu puppy eyes. "Just you wait and see. I'll make sure he's raised right." She vowed. Her heart was all mush for the pup, however, and even though she'd try to be firm, she knew she'd end up spoiling him. She glanced over at Malibu and grinned. "I love him, Mali, he's the perfect addition to our family." She walked over to kiss Mali. "And I am so thankful that you thought of this…. now I believe we have a date to get to…"
Jace closed his eyes when he felt arms slide around him and hug him tight, and then a face against his neck. His shoulders slumped and he relaxed against the kitchen counter, letting out a heavy sigh. And then he spotted the little red notebook, and felt a new sort of sorrow enter him. She had gone through this too. And there had been no one there for her but nurses… He gripped the little red book, but didn't open it. He didn't want to pry into something that personal to her. So he just pressed it back into her hands, turning to face her in sincerity. "Thank you for showing this to me…" he said softly, meaning it. It gave him hope, if she could get out of it, then he could too.
Chris let her breathe and pecked her forehead, he knew she was heartbroken and that tore him up on the inside. He rubbed her arms and set her on the coach "Let's just enjoy tonight and have a nice barbecue. I don't know how to tell Parker about this...she already misses me, I just...don't want to hurt her and you...I can't ruin 2 lives tonight..." he fed Munchkin some of the excess beef and sighed "Least the dog still likes me."Mira swallowed "I really am quite horrible at...first impressions, I mean I'm a violet haired tattooed artist...every mothers dream!" she covered her face sinking into the pillow and moaning "Do I own a dress? Or some pearls to make myself look more dignified?" she was really freaking out, she never met any mothers...boys were hesitant to have her meet the family and this was her husband!
Malibu smiled and kissed her softly "We can't leave him here unfortunately...he will pee and chew and whine. He will be like me when I'm drunk!" he teased and grabbed the leash picking up the squirming little bundle of fur and smiling at Ashley "We can still have a romantic time...and we can intoduce the world to our new little fluffy son!"
Mai stroke his cheek and smiled "After this there will be a lot of great sex waiting for you...just think about that ok? Stay positive and know that I love you and you have so many supporting you...Delaney won't stop calling, literally she has left maybe an hour of voicemails all together...please call your poor sister...and don't scare her."
Laila nodded slowly, trying to regain control of her breathing. Yeah, of course. That was the logical course of action. Enjoy the night and try to ignore the impending doom hanging over her head. Alright. "Then we won't tell her tonight." She agreed softly, knowing better than to say they should tell Parker right now, after all, she wasn't even in a state where she could help comfort her. "When do you leave?" She asked, getting out the seasoning for the buyers, and the buns as well, trying to keep busy and not think too much about how long he would be gone from her. Antony chuckled, pecking her cheek as he crawled into bed and pulled the covers over them both. "if I love you, then she's bound to love you too." He insistent, snuggling closer and wrapping his arms around her waist, drawing her to him. "Don't stress about it, ok? You're the most likeable person I know." he said, smiling. He reached over and flicked out the light, and then kissed her gently, snuggling in and closing his eyes. "Night love."
Ashley was in complete agreement. She didn't really want to leave Pudge anyways. "That's fine by me." She laughed softly, slipping her hand in his as they walked out to the jeep. "You two are going to be so much trouble, you know that? The two men of the house…" She teased, loading in their blankets and supplies before hopping in the jeep herself. She couldn't wait to get to the lighthouse on the point and actually get to look around. She loved old buildings, especially lighthouses.
Jace actually managed a smirk then, one of his eyebrows quirking up in a teasing manner. "You're going to bribe me with sex?" He teased, shaking his head as he walked to their home phone and scooped it up, dialling his sister's number. He too knew she'd probably want to hear from him. "Alright I won't scare her." he promised, going into the bathroom as the phone rang to her sister's number. He hoped she wouldn't ask too many questions, causing him to end up 'scaring her' as Mai had put it.
Chris got the burgers flipped and the patio table set up for their dinner. He smiled at his little girl squirting a flower out of ketchup for her on her burger and put cheese and lettuce just one slice. He knew his girl...it just crushed him that he wouldn't know the second baby. He would meet the kid when it was nearly one and that crushed him "Friday..." he said softly to answer his fretting wife, he knew she was upset and he had a lot to make up for this.Mira smiled softly and snuggled close to him, she kissed his lips and sighed "How did I get to be with such a sweet guy..." she whispered and pulled the blankets up to her cheek and sighed closing her eyes and falling asleep dreaming of her sweet babies and the life they will give them.
Malibu smiled as Pudge leaned his head out the window, his tongue was lolling and he was barking happily. Malibu smiled at Ashley and squeezed her hand. He parked the jeep at the lighthouse and helped them up to the top "What if a wailing ghost lived here mourning the loss of her sailor." he said in a spooky voice and grinned wolfishly.
Delaney answered to phone and frowned "Hello?" she didn't have the caller id on so she had no idea who she was talking to. She sighed in relief when she heard her brother's voice "Jace...are you ok? Oh my gosh do you know how worried I was?! I am going to put you in a headlock and torture you!"
Laila heard his whisper and she nodded, resigning herself to the knowledge that that was how things were going to go, and that there was nothing she could do to change it. Parker, still beaming at her flower burger, heard the whisper and frowned. "What's Friday?" She asked, clearly curious. Laila smiled gently at their daughter, kissing her hair. "The end of the week, love." She put together her own burger and sat down at the table on the patio, pouring everyone juice and remembering to smile. Parker knew that wasn't the whole truth, but she was smart enough not to ask for more, as she bit into her burger and tossed a few crumbs to the sparrows. Ashley made sure to hold onto the dog so it wouldn't decide it could fly and jump out the window to chase the birds. When they got there, she walked with Pudge and Malibu up to the top of the lighthouse, looking around in awe at the crashing waves and expanse of rolling sea. When Malibu teased her, she shoved him playfully. "Don't scare me like that! Come dark I'll be shaking like a baby." She said seriously, making a show of turning away from him and strutting with Pudge to the other railing. "Pudge likes me better." She said, lifting her nose to complete the show.
Jace relaxed when he heard his sister's voice and he nodded. "Hey, it's me." He agreed, letting her spew on her worried rant before he finally heaved a tired sigh. "Please don't." He said seriously, not wanting to think of torture, it was just a tease, but it was still painful. "I'm alright, I swear, and I called you didn't I? how are you?" he wanted to talk about her and not himself, so she didn't worry too much when he said he was feeling miserable.
Chris watched his little daughter and sighed worried about how this would effect her. he was going to have to have a daddy, daughter date with her and explain how much he would miss her and how they would talk every day. He kissed his wife's temple and nuzzled her as he went and got the ice cream sandwiches. "Hey Parker I saw Munchkin sleeping on your bed I thought we agreed that wasn't allowed. You have little black hairs all over the blanket..."Malibu laughed and shook his head "That's obvious, you don't even need to pretend that's the case because it is! Pudge would bite me if he had the chance, he loves his mama and I'm the bad guy that makes sure he doesn't pee wherever he wants or destroy the book collection." he held her close around the waist and nuzzled her close "There are no ghosts, just you me and mister wrinkle butt!"
Delaney frowned listening to his voice knowing something was so wrong "Jace...honey, what's going on? Are you in the dark twisty place?..." she worried sick about her little brother especially what he had been through "Is Mai helping or, not? I mean you can stay at our place if you don't want her...seeing how hurt you are..."
Laila was managing, that was the nicest way to put it. She knew she would enjoy these last couple days with him, because that's what she knew they were, final days before she had to say goodbye to him for six whole months. However were she to survive? She wasn't thinking about it now, she was pretending it didn't exist for the sake of their daughter. Parker looked up when her father spoke and her face paled, having thought that she had managed to sneak Munchkin into her bed without notice. She shrunk into her chair a little, and then screwed up her face in guilt. "He looked so lonely on the cold hard floor…. and he just kept looking at me with those puppy eyes…." She swallowed. "I couldn't leave him on the floor, Daddy, I couldn't."
Jace sighed, reaching up a hand to rub his temples in circles. So she figured it out on her own. But he didn't really like the pity he heard in her voice. Sure, he didn't expect anything less, but everyone pitying him was starting to get tiring. "I'm in a painful place I don't think I'll ever pull out of." he admitted, hoping he wasn't scaring her off with this. "Mai is holding me together, even though I don't want her to see me like this. And I feel horrible… because I attacked her, and now she has to sleep on the couch, and has been awake all night because I'm in the next room making noise…" He sighed heavily, tears flooding his eyes then. "I can't hurt her like that, Delaney, its not fair to her."
Chris couldn't help but smile, she was such a sweet spirit and had such a tender heart towards everything living. He pulled her into his lap and held her close nuzzling her soft brown curls and sighing "Ok little one, just for a short time ok?" he knew he had to tell her now "Parker honey I have to go on a long trip...I want munchy to keep you happy and safe ok? I don't want you sad, you be a big help for mommy and the new baby you have to promise me Parker..."Delaney frowned her worse fears realized, he was in a lot of pain and trouble. She couldn't help him she couldn't save him from this all she could do was try to be supportive and love him. "Jace...it's not fair you are going through so much agony...Mai has been there, she knows that kind of pain and got through it, she'd never leave you and she'd never complain because that's how much you mean to her...don't you get that? It's not fair for either of you, but you can't do this alone no one can..."
Parker beamed when he said Munchkin could sleep on her bed. It was the most thrilling thing to happen to a small girl, and she immediately jumped from her seat to go hug her father. However, her cheery disposition dwindled at his news, and a sad sort of pout sprouted on her features. "A long trip?" She repeated, as if trying to understand. "But you'll be back soon, right? It's not forever? Like forever and ever?" she inquired, as if that made all the sense in the world. To her, a year was forever and ever, and she wanted to see her father again. She didn't want him to go. Ashley laughed easily, looking down at the pup that was happily wagging his tail and sniffing the winds. "Well… someone needs to be able to discipline him, I suppose." She agreed, allowing herself to lean back into his arms as he held her. "Hmmm…. his name is Pudge." She teased, reaching her free hand down so she could lace her fingers with his. "I love you Malibu. I know that sounds cheesy, but I really do. I value your opinions, and your personality, I love your humour and your cute side, and when you do romantic things like this." She smiled, opened one eye, and kissed his cheek.
Jace found himself needing to sit down, so he sank to his knees on the floor and leaned his head against the wall, unable to stop the tears now that they and started. All that pain… all that pain that he had stored deep in himself, in a locked vault, was starting to surface, and she was right. It was agony. But did that mean she was right that it was ok to just drag Mai into this? Sure, she had been here before, but that was all the more reason not to pull her through it again. "I just…." He swallowed, as his voice had broken. "I just don't know what to do…''
Chris sighed hating to see that little light dwindle it broke his heart, he pulled her into his arms and held her close "you know how your birthday is in May?...Ill be home the month before that honey...not forever just 6 months." He pulled out a calendar with disney princesses on it "you can mark off every day till I'm home....and it'll make it go by quicker." He pecked her forehead "need to be my big brave girl..."Malibu flushed and squeezed her hand gently bringing it up to his cheek and nuzzling it "and I love you my incredibly cheesy wife...I love your passion and your compassion for everyone. Your beautiful and smart far too good for me...I just love that somehow I ended up with you and you kept me around...till I was madly in love and couldn't leave your side..."
Delanry frowned concerned for him "im coming over ok?...just stay there don't do anything stupid ok?" She hung up the phone and made his favorite cake taking both to the small apartment. Mai cane in handing him his next dose of meds "are they helping at all?..."
Parker nodded slowly. Her birthday. In May… but that was so long away! She didn't want to say that though… as she hated seeing her father sad, and even now, she was intuitive enough to see that both of her parents were sad about this. So she hugged her father, clutching the calendar to herself. "I promise I'll count the days… and be a good help to Mum, and call you all the time." She vowed, her voice muffled because she had pressed her face into Chris's shirt. "Don't get lost, Daddy, or decide to stay longer… or lose your phone. I want to talk to you soon."Ashley blushed bright red, and she just smiled at him for a moment, clearly completely in love, before she shook her head and pecked his lips, pointing to the horizon. "Look, Mr. Romance, the sun is setting." her smile turned to one of perfect happiness as she watched the colours dance over the waves, and the whole ocean became fire as the sun lit it up in colours, even Pudge stopped wriggling to watch. "Isn't it beautiful?" Ashley breathed, awestruck. This was even better than she had imagined.
Jace just nodded in a defeated manner. "Alright." he said softly, hanging up the phone and putting it down slowly. He just sat on the floor, staring at the wall as the tears continued to fall. Since when did he cry? He never cried. So when Mai came in, he kept his back to her, not wanting her to see the hot tears that were leaking from his eyes and refused to stop falling once they had started. "Yeah." he said softly. "I think so. I don't want to stop and see though… in case this gets worse." he said honestly, taking the pills and swallowing them down with some water, before he went back to just sitting there, waiting for the tears to run out.
Chris kissed her softly and held her close just needing to take in this moment, his perfect, brave smart little girl. He would miss her hilarious antics and loving generous heart "I won't...I promise, ok? I'll be home in May and then Uncle Luke will go in daddy's place and we can have a big party for your birthday!" he promised and took Laila's hand and squeezed it softly saying so much without having to say anything at all.Malibu smiled softly it was glorious, just as he imagined it those many months ago. He took her ring off her finger and knelt at the railing smiling up at him "Will you be my wife the rest of our lives?..." not exactly a proposal but still he got the same shivers and flutters as if it was the first time he was proposing. Pudge watched confused wondering why his master was on the floor with that shiny thing that wasn't a treat.
Mai hated that he wouldn't even look at her, it broke away another piece of her that she was struggling to keep together. She rubbed his back and pressed her lips to the back of his neck just wanting to be there for him, to not feel so hopeless and guitly. She heard the door and got up letting Delaney into the bedroom and leaving them to have some privacy.
Delaney sat by her brother and took his hand making him look at her "Come on...being in this room sulking isn't going to help anything we are going for a run, don't argue with me." she said with a warning lifting her finger as she grabbed his gym clothes "I'm not going to dress you but if you are not ready in 10 minutes, I will!"
Parker nodded against him, still not ready to pull away just yet. She wanted to remember how her father smelled, and exactly every detail about this moment, so she could remember it when ever she got lonely during the next six months. She had never been apart from her father for very long, and this was going to be hard. Laila smiled over at Chris, her lips wavering between a sad and a happy expression as she squeezed his hand back. "Come Parker, time for bed now…" she said softly, knowing the girl was going to get tired and cranky any time soon. "Your father can tuck you in." She smiled at Chris and stood, helping bring in the dishes. Friday would come far too soon.
Ashley looked over at him, immediately beaming. Even though they were married, this was still so incredibly cute, especially since they had never really gotten a true proposal moment. "Of course!" she exclaimed, dropping to embrace him, laughing as Pudge took the opportunity to lick both of them. She scratched the puppy's ears and held him up against her as she sat back with Malibu and watched the remains of the sunrise. "Funny… I thought the proposal was supposed to come before the wedding…" She said, her smile playful as she leaned her head on Malibu's shoulder and sighed in contentment.
Jace closed his eyes as he felt Mai comfort him, and the tears only came hard and fast. This wasn't fair. She was too good for him, and too good to go through this with him. He knew he was hurting her, and he hated it.
And then a familiar figure sat beside him and he wiped his sleeve across his eyes, glancing over at her forlornly. "I thought sulking was going to help…" He said miserably, obviously not meaning it. He knew Delaney meant well, and that she was trying to help him get going again, but he really just didn't have energy for much right now, especially not arguing, so he just nodded numbly and took the clothes, using the bathroom to change. There was no point disagreeing with her, he didn't have the heart.
Friday did however come, he was packing away the last few things and sighed pulling out his favorite old rock t-shirt he hugged Laila tightky and handed it to her "wrap up in this if you start to miss me alright?" He dug under the bed and find the teddy bear blanket combination gift for the baby, it was light blue and extra soft "I thought the color would work whether it's a boy or girl..." He choked up at the last part and kissed her stomach "be safe gettibg here ok? I want to meet you as soon as I can..." He whispered and sighed grabbing his bag and going out to greet the infamous jet on their driveway.Malibu laughed as pudge licked his face. He took the rolypoly puppy from his wife and held him close till he stopped squirming and snuggled up "see im not the bad guy..." He assured and pecked Ashley's cheek "since when do we ever follow the status quo? I mean it's us...and if I want to propose to you marriage while being married why not? I think it would stop a lot of divorce rates..."
Delaney nodded her consent as she helped him to the door already in her work out gear, she had to get him pumped up something to motivate him "If you actually try and beat me, you can have sex with Mai all day and the agency and everyone else won't bug you." She promised with a grin, she knew the irony of that bet, they never got a full night because something always was going on. She watched his face slowly change into a smile and grinned "there's my Jace...alright! 5 miles ready...set...go!"
Laila clutched his shirt tightly in her hand, her grip getting tighter and tighter as the effort to not cry became harder and harder. "Ok." She whispered softly, the pain only increasing as he pulled out the gift and she hugged it to herself. "This is too thoughtful, Chris…" She whispered, running her hand through his hair as he spoke to their baby. She had to keep herself from leaping on him and begging him not to go as she watched him walk to the jet. She held Parker's hand then, as they both stood there and waved from their driveway, even long after they couldn't see him anymore. The first few days with Chris gone were the most painful, because it was a hard transition into doing things without him. Like setting the table for two. And sleeping in a bed alone at night. By the end of the week, Laila invited Parker to share the bed with her, as neither of them were sleeping well without Chris in the house. Laila from loneliness, and Parker from nightmares. Munchkin took to sleeping on the bed in between them, or standing guard at the door, as he seemed to sense that both the girls were constantly distressed. But as the weeks wore on, and Laila got heavier with child, they started to get into a routine again. It had been one month since Chris left, when Laila sat down and sent him a Skype call, hoping to talk with him again. The baby was due to come any day now, and she figured they should fit in one more chat before the date. Ashley laughed as she watched Mali try to make friends with their stubborn little 'wrinkle butt' as he called him. She smiled, leaning her head on his shoulder. "I never said I was complaining…" She pointed out, her smile widening. "I think it's nice that we shake things up a bit. Keeps life interesting." she pointed out, looking up as the stars started to come out. From here, you could see millions of them across the ocean.
Jace knew Delaney was trying her hardest to help him move on, so he went along with it, and allowed himself to get excited about something again as they jogged out the door. Sure, the reward was enticing, if he could manage to think about anything else but concentration camps for more than a couple seconds… "Delaney… how do you even know Mai will agree to this? How do I know I'll actually get this reward?" He asked, raising one eyebrow at her. "I sure am not going for this if it's all just a trick and I get nothing in the end…" he teased, putting on a mock serious expression.
Chris was somewhere in Eastern Europe, he quickly went to his laptop as it started to ping. He felt relief when he saw her face, she looked tired and he knew it was coming close to the due date "hey sweetie love!" he said cheerfully, he knew she'd see the scars and bruises on his face though he tried to cover them up "Hows the most gorgeous woman on the planet doing?" he was so grateful to be able to talk to her, it had been so long.Malibu smiled and watched the stars dance on the ocean waves. He leaned into her neck and kissed it softly "I know what we are doing when we get home..." he played with her hand nipping her fingertips "interested?" he chuckled and watched the wrinkle butt do the pee pee dance "Hes got to go to the bathroom Ash."
Delaney smiled at him "It was Mai's idea so I'm pretty sure she'll go for it!" she jogged next to him watching him slowly come back together and joke with her "I even think she went shopping for some new underwear..." she smirked over at him and hit his side playfully "Hurry up!"
Jace was only aware of anger and pain as he slowly woke, gasping and trembling. When he realized who's arms were around him, he slumped into them, his tears silent as they splashed onto the pillow. "I'm sorry…" He gasped, "I'm sorry."
Brandon shook his head, shocked and mortified. "That's awful." He murmured. "The guy needs a break… and some help." He kissed her head. "I'll look around and see what people recommend, ok? We have the best doctors after all." He smiled.