With A Dad Like Jack…
Summary: After spending five years in jail, Jack finally gets out in hope of rekindling his broken relationship with his daughter. Meanwhile Lisa is trying to move on and fix her life, but when the two cross paths, what's to be expected?
Disclaimer: I own the idea for this storyline and my own characters, nothing else.
Chapter One
13 Years Ago…
"It's Katy's big day. Wave to daddy."
"Hey daddy." Katy giggled as she curled into her mother.
"Somebody's being shy in front of the camera." Jackson teased.
"I think she lost her tongue." Carolyn joked as she playfully tickled her daughter.
"Should I turn off the camera?"
"I think it would be the best option." She stood up, holding onto Katy's hands. Katy let go of Carolyn and pattered over to Jackson.
"Hey there." He smiled. Katy smiled back before yawning.
"I think it's time for bed. She's worn out." Carolyn began to pick up toys that were scattered across the floor.
"Do you want me to take her to bed?" he rested Katy on his hip and played with her tiny hand. He felt her head rest against his arm.
"If you want; I could always do it…"
"It's fine. I can do it." He walked over to his wife. "Want to say goodnight to mom?"
Carolyn bent down in front of her with a warming smile on her face. She pecked Katy on the cheek and stroked her soft, blonde hair.
"Read me a story." She looked over at Jackson's dark figure in the corner. He peered over his shoulder.
"I've already read you a story." He slid a thin book back into place on the shelf and turned around. Slowly he sat on the edge of the bed and looked down at her. "Aren't you tired?"
She shrugged a little and rolled onto her side. "Will you tuck me in?"
"Of course I will." He pulled the covers up under her chin and tucked them under her body. She closed her eyes and leaned into his hand which was caressing her soft cheek. "Sweet dreams." He pulled away and put her night light on. Then he slowly closed the door and walked back downstairs. He was greeted by the smell of toasted bread.
"Jack, come here for a moment."
He raised an eyebrow and did as he was told. He walked into the kitchen and looked at Carolyn. She was sitting on the counter with a plate with a stack of golden toast on it.
"Midnight snack?" the counter creaked a little as his weight was pressed against it. She looked down at him.
"Is it unlike me to have a midnight snack?" she pushed the plate towards him. He looked down at it.
"As much as I want a piece, I'll have to say no. I'm still on this diet."
"Jackson. If that place wants you to lose a few pounds then it's not a good place to work for."
"It's either lose a few inches or lose my target."
"You'll have to run after people?"
"Possibly." He shrugged and stood up straight. He began to stretch. "Why do you want me in here?"
"I have something… Exciting, to tell you."
He levelled up to her and rested his hands either side of her. "What is it?"
"You know the way we've been trying hard to give Katy a little brother or sister?"
"Mhmm…"
"Well, I'm pregnant."
A smile crossed Jackson's face. "Seriously?" she nodded with a wide grin. "How long have you known?"
"A couple of weeks."
He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into a hug. "Does anyone else know?"
"Just my mom. She went to the doctors with me."
"I would've gone."
"I know, but you were just settling into this new, flashy job of yours and I didn't want you to get into trouble." She played with his collar and fixed his loose tie.
"I think you're more important than any job. Especially when it comes to… This." He paused for a moment and looked at her. "This is amazing." He kissed her lightly and pulled away from her completely. "Finish your toast; I'll have the bed warmed up for you."
She laughed and nodded. "Okay boss."
Jackson woke up to an empty bed. He squinted as he looked around. The sound of Katy's TV show echoed through the hallway. He got up and got dressed quickly before walking downstairs.
"Kate?" he walked into the living room, but she wasn't there. "Katy?" he walked through the house to see no sign of her. He jogged past the kitchen then backed up again. The back door was open and Katy was playing in the garden. He stormed up to the door and stood on the patio. "Katy. What did I say about playing in the garden when someone wasn't watching?" he crossed his arms and looked at her.
She looked at him. "Not to?"
"So why did you?"
"Mom was here… Then she left." Her voice was timid and quiet.
Jackson nodded and turned a little on his heel. "Come inside. Have you had breakfast?"
"No. Can I have fruit loops?" she stood up and ran inside.
"If you wish."
He sat in the kitchen with his cereal while reading the paper. Katy stayed in the living room with her toys and the TV. He jumped a little when the phone rang. He got up and answered it.
"Hello?"
"Mr. Rippner?"
"Yes. Who is this?"
"This is Doctor McKay from the hospital. It's about your wife." He sounded serious and tense. It was a little concerning. Jackson picked it up in his voice.
"What happened?"
"Your wife was involved in an accident. It's serious."
Jackson leaned against the wall for support and pinched the bridge of his nose. He could feel tears start to well up in his eyes. "I'll be there as soon as possible." He hung up and walked into the living room. He took in a deep breath and turned off the TV. "Do you want to go on a trip with daddy?" he picked Katy up and got her coat.
"Where to?" she grabbed onto his shirt.
"To see mommy."
He walked into the reception and walked to the desk. Katy stood by his feet. "I'm here to see my wife. She was in a crash."
"What's her name?" the woman said, looking up at him.
"Carolyn Rippner."
The woman typed something into the computer. "You're going to have to wait a moment."
"Are you being serious? There is no time to wait." He protested.
"I'm sorry sir, but you'll have to."
He slapped the desk and walked a couple of paces backwards. He put his head in his hands and looked down at Katy. He crouched down and held his hand out to her. She walked over slowly and took his hand.
"I need you to be brave okay? Mommy isn't feeling the best and she needs her quiet. Do you think you could do that for me?" she nodded slowly and looked down. "Good girl." He rested his head on hers and closed his eyes.
"Mr. Rippner, I'm Doctor McKay."
Jackson got up and looked at the doctor. "Is everything okay? Will she be okay?"
"At the moment, things aren't looking too good. She has a lot of internal bleeding that we may not be able to stop. But we are trying very hard." He looked down at his clipboard. "We're sorry to tell you, but your wife miscarried also."
Jackson closed his eyes and ran his hand through his hair. "Can my daughter and I see her?"
"It's not the best…"
"Please. Even if it's just for a moment." His eyes were pleading; Jackson was desperate to see her.
The doctor looked down at Jackson and then to Katy. "Fine. Follow me." The doctor turned around and walked down the bright hallway.
"Your wife doesn't remember much of what happened. All she knows is that she's in a lot of pain." He opened the door and walked inside.
Katy peered around Jackson's legs until he walked in. "Mummy." She ran in and stood at the edge of the bed. Carolyn tried to turn her head but instead winced.
"Katy…" she reached for her hand and looked at Jackson. She smiled lightly. It looked like she was in pain.
He stood beside Katy, picked her up and sat her beside Carolyn. "How're you feeling?" he tried to keep his cool even though he could feel the tears well up in his eyes. He had to be strong for Katy.
She glanced at Katy then looked at him. "Can you take Katy out for a moment? I don't want her to hear."
"Katy, will you please wait outside for a moment?"
Jackson put her down and watched her walk outside.
"Jack, I don't know how long I'm going to last. I feel so bad."
"Don't say that. I can get you private treatment. Your own doctor." He took her cold hand into his.
"No. You'll need the money to look after Katy..."
Katy ran down the hallway, pulling curtains and looking inside the empty cubicles. She pulled back the last curtain at the end and looked inside. There was a woman sitting with her arm in a sling. She had red hair and looked quite young. She looked over at her and smiled. "Hey there." Her smile was quite happy even though she looked like she was hurt.
"Hi. I'm Katy." She giggled.
"Hi Katy. My name's Lisa." She looked around. "Are you lost?"
"No. My daddy's with my mummy. She was hurt today."
Lisa stayed quiet for a moment as the realisation came to her. "I hope she gets better."
Katy nodded and looked at Jackson when he came up behind her.
"I've been looking for you." He looked at Lisa. "I'm sorry."
"It's fine." She smiled slightly and looked around uncomfortably.
The sound of the heart monitor flat lining echoed through the hallway and the sound of nurses and doctors running on the tiles made the corridor feel even fuller than what it already was. Jackson looked to see where they were going; Carolyn's room. He picked Katy up and ran up to the door. "I'm sorry sir, you cannot come in."
"But it's my wife… You have to do something."
"We'll try our best."
Katy peered through the narrowing gap in the door as it closed. The last thing she saw of her mother was her lying in the bed with the doctors trying to make her heart beat again.
A week later…
The people filed out of the church, their heads low. Some paid respects to Carolyn by leaving a flower by her coffin and some gave their remorse to Jackson as they left. Jackson raised his head and looked at the girl who was standing by the coffin. He didn't know her, but she looked strangely familiar. He handed Katy over to her grandmother and slowly walked up to her. He tapped her on the shoulder and watched her turn around.
"It's you. The woman from the hospital." He said.
"My name's Lisa. Lisa Reisert. I'm so sorry for your loss." Her voice sounded sincere, and her face looked guilty.
"Thank you. How did you know Carolyn?"
"I didn't. I just felt… guilty."
"Why? Why feel guilty?"
"I feel like this is my fault. I know this is my fault." She looked down.
Jackson felt a wave of confusion hit him. He shook his head. "What are you talking about?"
"Did the hospital not tell you? I was the one who was in the other car."
Jackson zoned out for a moment. He could feel no grief anymore, just anger. "You killed her?" he looked up at her. He could feel something catch in his throat. "Get. Out."
"I'm so-"
"Save your breath. I want you gone." He waved his hand while he walked back to his family. He didn't want anything to do with her; he didn't even want to look at her anymore. Not at this moment anyway. He would eventually take his revenge on her.
A:N I hope this was more of an adult way of writing, most of my stories come across as teenage to me. I have the second chapter almost finished; it will be set in the present. There will be adult content, but not in detail.