For Those You Love (REDUX)
Chapter 2 – Trouble in Paradise
A/N – So, hi there! It's been a long time, hasn't it? Yeah; I know. But hey, what are you going to do? It's been a rough couple of months, but I wanted to get this out before Christmas! So, count this as your Christmas present, guys!
Also, there is a SLIGHT smutty section in this chapter, towards the end. You'll know when it's coming. But when it does, and if y'all want to read it, please listen to May I by Trading Yesterday while reading. I feel it REALLY sets the mood!
HOPEFULLY It won't take too long to update now. So please, pop a review in for me? It REALLY helps. And, the more reviews; the more I update!
Of all the ways Lee had expected their date to go; this was not it.
He was standing outside of Carley's apartment, trying his damned hardest to buck up the courage to knock on her door. In the hand that wasn't balled loosely by his side, he held a bunch of long-stemmed Red Roses, with Baby-Pink Chrysanthemums, and bright White Lilies. Those flowers were her favorite; that much he knew. After four months of dating, he'd learned that much at least. That, and the way to her heart was coffee and chocolate; so he hoped to god the nut-free coffee chocolates were enough to get him back into her good books.
However, the longer he stood by her door; the harder it became to bring himself to knock. No matter how hard he tried, he could not will himself to move his hand the two centimeters needed to make a noise on the dark wood of the door.
After almost five minutes of deliberation, and desperate attempts, the man just sighed, turning around and leaning against the door in complete frustration. He thumped the back of his head against the wood in anger, letting out a deep sigh.
How the hell had they come to this…?
"Lee Jackson Everett, I swear to god, you are dead whenever you decide to pick up your phone!" Carley fumed, pacing her living room with her cell phone in hand. She'd been doing this for over forty-five minutes, and by now she was bordering on wrathful.
At first it had been only slight worry. Pretty much every date they'd been on in the four months they'd been together; which had taken place literally every Saturday; he'd been slightly late. Those times, it had only been ten minutes; thirty at most. But now it had reached the one hour mark, and that's when Carley started to worry. One became two, and two became three. And then, before she knew it, three and a half hours had passed. By then, she was genuinely scared for the man she was slowly falling for. But now, after three and a half hours with no inkling of a phone call or apology whatsoever? She wasn't.
She was infuriated.
It was bordering on four hours when she finally decided to pick up her own cell phone, and dial his number, still pacing back and forth. The dinner she'd prepared was long forgotten, now simultaneously bone-dry and burnt from being in the oven for so long, and ice cold as a result of being left out in the open air.
"Lee, I swear to god, you are so far out of line right now, you've almost looped back on yourself!" She hissed, her voice coming out harsh and angry. She wasn't as angry as her words sounded; but more hurt than anything else. "You'd better have a damn good apology, or don't even bother to come over. Understand? As far as I'm concerned; we're through!"
And with that, she slammed down her cell-phone screen, and growled to herself, launching the gadget across onto the sofa, resulting in a soft thud. Then, after a short while, she let out a breath. At first, it could have passed as sigh coming from her; but a moment later her resolve fell. A hand travelled up from her side, cupping itself over her mouth and nose, as a soft sob left her. Her eyes closed, and she sank down onto the chair beside her, the hand that wasn't over her mouth coming to run through her hair in distress.
She had thought he was different. But she'd been proven wrong.
"Whoa," A voice sounded; seeming to be almost foreign and muffled to Carley, before a pair of arms wrapped around her firmly, pulling her close to their chest. Amanda's hands immediately started a soothing motion, rubbing her friend's shoulder and resting her chin on Carley's head in an attempt to comfort her. "Hey… What's wrong, Car…? Huh…? What's happened…?"
However, upon following Carley's sideways gesture in response to her question, no more needed to be said. A sigh left the blonde, and she simply cradled her best friend closer. "He's an asswipe…" She muttered into her hair, almost as an older sister may comfort a younger sibling. "He doesn't deserve you, Carley… I told you he wouldn't be anything but trouble… I told you he'd hurt you…"
Carley just sobbed into her friend, shaking her head angrily. She was upset, that much was evident. But that was not why she was crying. She was furious at the way Lee had given her no reason to doubt him. She'd trusted him wholeheartedly; so much so that she was even thinking of going that step further with him; giving herself to him as fully as she could; something she would never think of doing so soon in a relationship. But that just proved how strong her feelings for him were.
She'd planned a romantic meal for two; which had consisted of shrimp cocktail as a starter, Steak with a Chilli and Lime Sauce, served with Veg, and she'd even sprung for a chocolate cake as a dessert. But now all that was a waste. The salad she was to serve with the shrimp had gone brown from being set out for so long, and the steak had dried up in its sauce, which had dried up into a tar almost.
After what seemed like an eternity, her sobs softened to hiccups, and she sniffed, standing slowly and shakily. Carley tentatively walked towards their kitchen, opening the fridge and pulling out a square, pink box, which had been tied up with string. "Y-you… You might as well take this to work…" She muttered, walking back through to Amanda and extending the box. "I'm sure the other nurses'll appreciate a little pick-me-up…"
Amanda sighed, reaching out and taking the box from her friend gently. Her hands dropped to her lap, balancing the box lightly, as she looked at the shorter woman in sympathy. "You sure…? If you want me to I can keep you a slice back…?" However, almost as soon as she'd finished her sentence, the look she received made her backtrack. "Okay… I guess I'll set off then…"
It took five minutes for Amanda to get her bicycle around, and get dressed into her jersey and shorts; with her pannier strapped onto her back firmly. Then, once she'd made Carley give her word that she'd call her if she needed her, she set off on her bike, the chain clinking through the still evening air.
"Alright, jackasses!" Amanda grinned, walking onto the Nurses' Room with the cake-box in hand, and her bike helmed held firmly underneath her arm. Her language earned her a couple of glares, considering she was mere meters away from very sick children. She seemed completely oblivious, however, as she walked to her locker, and deposited her stuff, after sliding the box down onto the dining table in the centre of the room. "Seein' as my roommate's boyfriend was a complete douche and stood her up on the night she was gonna shaft him, she let me give you guys the cake she'd bought in specially. Knock yourselves out."
It seemed that it was appreciated, as no sooner had she slid it down onto the table, the other nurses crowded around, knives and plates in-hand.
The woman just rolled her eyes, and waved over her shoulder as she walked out, onto the ward itself.
She made her way over to the nurse's Station, picking up various files that contained information of her usual patients, before the ward manager approached her, smiling warmly behind a pair of round, immaculately-cleaned glasses. The matron was a small, elderly woman, in her mid-sixties and only half of Amanda's height. She was as thin as a rake, and hunched over, her grey hair curled into a tight perm, and her blue eyes dulled by the pristine glasses resting on the bridge of her nose. "Amanda!" She called, handing over a set of papers with a sympathetic expression. "New patient for you, seeing as Mr. Hobbs was discharged this morning."
Amanda couldn't help the sad smile that formed on her face at the elderly woman's words, looking down at the papers that had been presented to her. Benjamin Hobbs had been admitted little over a month prior with Pneumonia. And upon admittance, Amanda had been assigned as his paediatric nurse, caring for him almost every day. She'd taken care of him when his mother took a break, playing video games and eating junk food, when the other nurses hadn't been watching. "Oh, I'm so happy Ben was discharged. Poor thing had been here for what seemed like years!" She grinned, unable to help the happiness that poured from her, nor the relief in her azure eyes.
She looked down at the new file, and smiled sadly. "Oh Jeez, kid's been through hell today, huh?" She remarked, her brow furrowing as she walked with the matron, towards the curtained bays. "Broken leg, collarbone, and ulna… Jeez, what were they doing to get banged up like this?" She mused. But the more she read, the more she understood. The girl had been involved in a Phys-Ed accident that morning, and had been rushed through to their hospital in an ambulance immediately afterwards. Her parents were out of town, so she'd turned up in the ER accompanied by her teacher, who was essentially responsible for any decisions that were to be made in urgent circumstances.
Amanda smiled at the elderly matron who'd accompanied her, before turning to face the cubicle that young Katie was resting in; stopping dead in her tracks.
There, fast asleep in the chair beside young Katie Watson's bed, was none other than Lee Jackson Everett. Amanda had never seen him look so old, or so exhausted. Even in his slumber he seemed to be tense. His brow was furrowed, and his entire stance was tense; his fists clenched and his muscles twitching every so often. Then, all of a sudden, realization hit her. This was why he hadn't turned up to Carley's date night. This was why he couldn't phone her; because he was technically still at work, and to use his phone in a hospital was against the rules, to boot.
Her heart tore in two at the situation she was presented with. On one hand, the two of them had never really seen eye-to-eye. Sure, he was nice enough, and he had tried to get along with her.
But Amanda (although she would never ever admit it) had never really given him the chance. All she'd seen was a man encroaching on her and Carley's friendship, and that was something she could not bear to lose. After all, she'd been in that situation before; where her best friend had dropped her completely once she'd started seeing someone. And before she knew it, she was alone.
On the other hand? He made Carley happy. The pure adoration and devotion she'd seen every time they'd been around each other gave her no room to even question his feelings and intentions towards her best friend. None whatsoever. Just the way they acted; it was as if they'd known each other for years, but in reality it hadn't even been one year.
It was this thought that ran through her mind, as she slowly approached the bay, and entered; shutting the curtains behind her. "Katie; it's nice to meet you. My name is Amanda, and I'm going to be your nurse." She said softly to the little girl; who was looking almost exhausted as she lay in her hospital bed, her green eyes blinking in an attempt to stay awake. She seemed to wake up a little, however, at the sight of her nurse, and grunted in a little pain.
The noise coming from the child in his care had Lee jerking awake, grumbling something about 'not being asleep' as he rubbed at his eyes, moving his hand down to wipe at the dribble of drool on his chin; earning a soft scraping noise from the stubble that had grown throughout the day. He straightened in his chair; his hazy eyes opening slowly, and trying to focus on anything they could around him. At that moment in time, Amanda could see what Carley saw in him. He was cute in the sleepy state he was in; that much she would admit. But that expression she so admired was gone in an instant when he recognized the woman in the cubicle; his face paling. "O-oh sh-" He started, before cutting himself off. He had to remember where he was. After all, this little girl was in his care now. And it would be inappropriate for him to shoot his mouth off.
"Mr. Everett, if we could keep ourselves restrained; I would appreciate it." Amanda smiled, unable to help the amusement on her features as she watched him come to terms with the turn of events. She turned to the chart and sat down beside Katie; showing her all of her test results and explaining the murky, black-and-white image of her X-Ray, letting her hold it as she went into more detail; more for Lee's sake, so he would be able to fill in the parents when they arrived. However, they didn't have to wait long, as less than five minutes passed before a man and woman, aged between thirty-five and forty ran through the children's ward; coats flying and hair windswept; immediately all but pouncing on their daughter, and holding her tightly.
Amanda emerged five minutes later, smirking to herself, and flipping the notes into the girl's basket on the outside of the bay that was Katie's. And her smirk grew, when she heard footsteps behind her; no doubt within her mind that It was, in fact, her best friend's stupid boyfriend. "Amanda!" She heard, accompanied by a hand coming to clasp her bicep; spinning her around to face him. The woman was completely, 100% ready to laugh in his face, telling him that he'd fucked up royally with Carley. But one look at said face had her own falling and paling.
"I… I fucked up, Amanda…" Lee said; his voice soft and cracking. Never in the months that she'd known him had he looked so… so…. Defeated. That was the only word she could use to describe him. His hair was standing in all directions, even more so than normal. And his eyes… His eyes (although dark usually) were darker than ever; deep, sunken bags beneath them, showing the pure exhaustion he felt stood out starkly against his dark skin, making him look older and thinner than he actually was.
The woman's heart dropped.
Amanda sighed, looking over her shoulder, before making simultaneously the best and worst decision she'd ever made. Quickly, she took the man's hand, and led him to the Nurse's room, checking it was clear, before she pushed him inside, and made him sit down. This was met with an expression of utter confusion from Lee, but she didn't pay that any attention as she began to pace.
"Lee, you have a really small time slot here… Carley's literally like a coiled spring right now… Any little thing can trigger her off…" She muttered, continuing her pacing back and forth across the room, wringing her hands as she spoke. Her light blue hospital scrubs rustling as she walked, her hands now coming up to press against her pursed lips.
Then, without warning, the woman darted to her locker, quickly opening it and grabbing out her bike helmet; tossing it to him. Upon receiving an even more confused expression from Lee, she sighed, and once again walked over to him, pulling him up and all but pushing him towards the door. "Go get your girlfriend some flowers. Red Roses, and White Lilies are her favourites. And get your ass back to my apartment to bone your girlfriend." She said strongly, her jaw set, and her eyes showing no room for any arguments. When she saw the man's confused expression still lingering on his features, she gave him another shove in the back, causing him to stumble and almost drop her bike helmet.
"First;" She started, narrowing her eyes at his fumbling hands. "You drop my helmet, you're going to need a ride back here. Understand?"
A smirk formed at his paling, and his quickly nodding head, before she spoke again.
"Second…? Go get her, tiger. She's been waiting a long time for 'ya."
Lee was brought out of his mental-scolding by the sudden opening of the door behind him. The noise that left him was miniscule; a tiny squeak when in relation to his lanky, muscular stature. It was that, along with the man falling back similar to how a plank of wood would have done, that brought a snort of laughter from the woman. Almost immediately, her hand flew up to cover her mouth; attempting to conceal the amusement on her face.
After all, she was supposed to be pissed at him. She couldn't let him think he was in the clear in any way, shape, or form.
Lee, upon realization of what happened, immediately sat up; attempting to stand as smoothly as possible, which didn't turn out as he originally intended. In the end, after what could only be described as 'Bambi Learning To Walk 2.0', he reached out, and gripped the back of the sofa tightly in his hand, pulling himself up into a standing position. His left hand, still gripping onto the bouquet of flowers, slowly extended; and his face fell.
They were broken.
The flowers he'd spent so long debating over were snapped, bare, or complete mush in his hand; wilting more and more with each passing second. The look of complete sadness must have shown, as Carley let out a soft sigh, laying her hand on his arm gently, before moving it down to his hand, and taking the limp, broken stems from him gently.
"For what it's worth… What I saw of them… They were beautiful…" She offered, setting down the flowers, before turning back to him, a deep frown forming on her face. Her arms crossed over her chest, and her brow furrowed, as she leaned all of her weight over to one side. "But that doesn't mean you're in the clear, Everett… You left me high and dry. I meant what I said in those messages. If there's not a fucking good goddamn reason for it, then we're done. I'm not letting you fuck me around and waste my time like the other guys I've been with."
The cold, harshness of her voice cut into Lee like a knife; causing him to flinch with each word to leave her mouth. His hand clenched by his side, as he stared down at her carpet; concentrating on the medium blue flooring in an attempt to calm his ever increasing nerves. This next ten minutes could very well change his life. He could very easily lose her if he said the wrong thing, if he chose the wrong words to stammer out in response. So, after a moment of thought, he spoke; his voice low and hoarse.
"… I was at work…" He muttered, his eyes slowly moving up to stare into hers. Brown met green, and before he knew it, the words were coming out easily; as he still tried to show her through his gaze alone just how sorry he truly was. "There was an accident at football practice… I was coaching the new kids, and… well… A little girl got into an accident. One of the other kids rammed into her with a training pad and she fucking—she skidded about ten feet."
"I had to stay with her." He continued, now slowly taking a step forward, and gently reaching out, taking her bicep into his hand. All the while he kept up the eye contact, watching as her defences fell, and forgiveness started forming, ever so slowly. "Ask Amanda. She saw me in the hospital with the kid. I'd been there for six hours… Then she gave me her bike key and helmet and… well, she told me to get my ass up here and fuck you senseless…"
His final words had her eyebrows shooting into her hair, as shock filled her features; before a blush coloured her cheeks, making her turn a deep shade of red. But he didn't care. The man kept going, his voice cracking now out of pure nerves. "And, Goddamn it, Carley… I was so fucking scared to come here… I hate that I let you down. And I hate that I made you cry. And that's… That's because I love you."
He finished his speech, his chest rising and falling with each breath; having emotionally exhausted himself on his tirade. He stood across from her, his jaw tensing slightly, and his eyes boring into hers. He just hoped to god that she'd forgive him. Because everything he'd said was true. He'd never known love like it, until he'd looked at Carley all those months back. The stammering, blushing mess he'd become at the New Year's Party had been telling him all he'd needed to know; though he was unaware at the time. This girl, standing before him wearing nothing more than a pair of pyjamas, was the girl he was destined to spend his life with; To spend his life protecting and being protected by; To spend his life loving her and making their own journey together.
It happened quickly, then. Carley moved forward, closing the small gap that was between them, and throwing her arms around his neck; her lips crashing to his in the most intense, passionate, yet loving kiss they'd ever shared together. Lee's hands slowly moved up to wrap around her waist, as he kissed her back, his lips fighting against hers with pure adoration and love pouring out of him. It was almost a natural response for him to slowly hoist her up, with her legs slowly coming to wrap around his waist; her slender fingers knotting in his messy black hair.
It was after what felt like an eternity that they pulled away from each other, breathing heavy and red in the face, but remaining in their standing position, with Lee's arms hooked under Carley's backside to hold her up against him. Brown eyes met emerald eyes; both glistening in a mixture of love and lust, as their foreheads slowly leaned in to meet between them. "I love you too, Lee… More than you'll ever know…" She muttered softly, her hands moving down from his hair, to rest flat against his shoulders. Normally, she'd avoid 'mushy' stuff as she so called it. But this man… he was different. He loved Carley for her. Not for the person he wanted her to be. He embraced her independence; her stubbornness, and her work ethic. And, rather than wanting her to change; become the 'little wife' she'd seen more girls become than she liked to admit, he encouraged her to pursue her career, and do whatever she could to achieve her dream of becoming a news anchor.
"I'm sorry… About tonight…" Lee eventually muttered, his voice low and husky, purely from the position they were still in, coupled with their small, impromptu make out session. His eyes scanned the apartment, and guilt flooded through him yet again. Candles were laid out, fully burnt out and cold, along with the wine bottle that had been uncorked, with two glasses beside it; one being half-full of the deep red liquid. "Looks like it'd have been a really nice night… You went full-on romance…"
"You think this is bad; wait 'til you see the bedroom." Carley responded, the usual sarcastic tone to her voice. She was completely oblivious to her double-entendre until her boyfriend smirked and let out a small snort; resulting in an expression of mock-annoyance forming on her face. She slapped his shoulder playfully, before her mouth slowly formed into a smirk, biting down on her lip slightly, and gesturing with her eyes to the room in question. "Well… I know it's a little late… But we could always… Y'know… Try to save the night, if you wanted to…?"
At these words, Lee almost dropped her. His jaw dropped and his eyes widened in pure shock, as he attempted to mull over what she was suggesting. This could very well be the night they consummated their relationship, and he was fully aware of that fact. It had literally been months for him since he'd been intimate in any way, shape, or form. But, on the other hand, he wanted her to be absolutely sure about things when they did eventually take that step. So, in response, he gulped, and cocked an eyebrow at her, before speaking. "We… Are you sure…? You know we don't ha—"
His words were cut off by a small squeak coming from the man, as Carley's hand had slowly tangled in the hair at the base of his neck, and her hips slowly moved against his, silently giving her the response he had needed. "… Shut up, Lee… I want you…" Then, slowly, she leaned in; muttering those six, simple words, before her kissing resumed. This time, though, it was more passionate; needy, and heated.
It wasn't long before things progressed, with buttons beginning to get undone, and zippers being pulled down, as Lee slowly walked them towards Carley's room, kicking the door shut behind them, and moving her to the bed, all but falling down onto it, with him propped up by the heels of his hands to hover over her, never breaking the kiss. Their make out continued, with Lee's hands slowly moving north-bound, eventually coming to rest on her breast, cupping gently, before he began to gently knead. This, it seemed, only heightened Carley's mood; as her kissing became more intense, and was coupled with a low moan, pulling him tighter to her. They'd done this type of thing previously; getting so far as to share baths and showers together, and share heated kissing sessions, so seeing each other naked, or feeling each other's bodies weren't foreign.
Things continued slowly between them, eventually moving so they were fully on the bed, with their naked forms in-line, and resting together intimately, their kissing still not abating for a second. "… It's not too late to say no…" The man muttered quietly into her ear, as he moved his hips against hers slowly, sensually. This, in turn earned a small smile from the woman, who pulled his head away to stare into his eyes lovingly, and shook her head.
"Lee, I love you… Please… I want this…" She replied, her fingers now stroking the back of his neck, which sent shivers down Lee's neck, and he leaned their foreheads together once again, before slowly uniting them, a groan leaving him at the feeling. Their skins were slick with sweat already; heated with pure passion and drive to make this as special as they could for the other. So once Carley had adjusted, and had nodded slightly against his forehead, he kissed her gently, starting to move his hips gently, as if he were terrified to hurt or break her.
Of all the men Carley had been with in her life (which wasn't many, compared to her friends), none had been so considerate of her comfort as Lee had been. None of them had made sure to double check once they'd finally reached the point of no return. She knew it was unfair to compare them. After all, they were different men. No two guys would be exactly the same, and she knew there was things that Lee did that she'd find that she didn't like. But the difference that she noted to herself, that she couldn't ignore was one, huge thing. And that thing was that those other guys… they weren't Lee Everett.
They weren't the guy who went out of his way to help people, no matter his own wants or needs. They weren't the man who stayed with a child who wasn't his for six hours, going completely unpaid for doing so, too. So as she laid there, with the man she loved more than anyone hovering over her; making love for the first time as a couple, she couldn't believe the contentment and pure adoration that flowed through her. Her legs hooked up over his hips, and she kissed him gently, more a quick peck than anything else. "G-god, I love you…" She managed to gasp out, her cheeks flushed with arousal and warmth.
It was a good ten minutes later that they both collapsed, panting and smiling in pure satisfaction; messy haired and exhausted. Lee rolled over onto his side, and pulled her naked form to his chest, so he was spooning her from behind, not bothering to put any pants, his arm falling over hers, and taking her small, dainty hand in his large, rough ones. "That… That was amazing, Car…" He muttered softly, kissing the back of her head lovingly, and keeping her firmly against his chest. "I love you so much… So fucking much…"
"I love you too, Lee… Always will…"
When Amanda returned early in the morning, she stood shocked at the state of her apartment, her mouth hanging open in pure shock, and her eyes widening. "Holy shit, guys…" She said softly, walking into their living area, and stepping over what she could assume were Lee's pants, as they were far too big to be Carley's. That, and she saw her bike locked up in the shelter; safe and sound, and exactly how Lee had promised.
Yawning, she walked into the kitchen nook, and flicked the coffee maker on, inhaling the aroma of freshly brewed coffee that suddenly filled the room with a contented sigh. Last night's shift had been rough; losing two children in the aftermath of a car accident, and having to inform their parents, whilst trying to juggle a whole manner of different things meant she was exhausted.
However, it made it all worth the stress, when Carley crept out of her room (which had a tie hanging on the doorknob), dressed in Lee Jackson Everett's t-shirt and a pair of large men's boxers that had been dubbed her 'post bang shorts'. A smirk passed between the two friends, and they fell into a comfortable silence as the coffee brewed. Within minutes, they were both sitting with steaming mugs in-hand, and mulling over the nights events.
"So… How'd it go with lover boy…?" Amanda eventually asked, looking at her best friend with a cocked eyebrow and an amused expression written clearly on her face. The blush that coloured Carley's cheeks was enough for her to know exactly what had gone on, and a smirk of satisfaction formed on Amanda's face.
"We… Uh… Well, I guess you could say we saved the night…" Carley answered quietly, looking down into her mug as if she was talking to her coffee, rather than her roommate. "It was fun…"
Amanda couldn't stop her smirk from growing at her friend's embarrassment. Nor at the fact that Lee slowly crept out of Carley's room wearing his boxers, and nothing else; looking decidedly ruffled, and flushed; his skin peppered with hickeys, and a dopey grin on his face.
"God…" She said lowly, looking over the two lovers in exasperation, before continuing. "You two finally got your heads out of your asses for long enough to talk, it seems."
Lee and Carley couldn't really help the look that formed on both of their faces, as they looked at each other; almost communicating using thought alone. Their conversation was interrupted, however, by Amanda's next words; making all three of them burst out laughing, as they got around to start their day; eating breakfast together for the first time.
"I guess I really am the third wheel now."
