We are about three chapters away from the end! I'm sad and happy!
Thanks to:
Mystery Girl 911 – You rock my friend! And don't worry; Jackie will be dealing with her issues in this chapter! I hope you enjoy!
Allstar – Lol thank you for your reviews that keep me smiling!
Thank you Guest reviewers!
Thanks for all the follows and favorites as well!
Lots is happening in this chapter! I hope you love it!
ENJOY!
Chapter 9: A Plan
*Eight months later*
Jackie felt so tense as she sat shot gun in Steven's car. She couldn't remember the last time she felt this anxious and terrified. She struggled to be comfortable in the car seat as she shifted constantly trying to get comfortable which she felt unsuccessful at. She was constantly picking at her outfit and brushing her hands through her hair in an attempt to calm herself. She felt a little light headed and scared over the situation in front of her. Steven, in the driver's seat of the car, noticed this about her. He held onto the wheel with one hand and used his other hand to pull her closer to him. She smiled weakly and rested her head on his chest and wrapped her arms around his waist. His arm rested behind her head.
In the past months, things had gotten a lot better for them both. Hyde had taken another try at getting to know his father and it turned out his father was a really great guy. Steven was surprised by his new found relationship with his father. They really seemed to get along. W.B. even offered Steven a job at managing one of his record stores. He really enjoyed this job and felt great about his bond with his father. He and Jackie were very glad that at least one of their parents was a good person.
Jackie on the other hand, felt better, but still struggled. Jackie was graduating from high school in two days. She was very glad that it was almost over. She didn't really talk to anyone at her school, since she knew they would only look at her like a fragile victim. Ever since her father was arrested everyone would stare at Jackie and whisper. She felt so embarrassed all the time. The only real friends she had were the basement gang and Steven. Since first meeting W.B. Jackie had slowly warmed up to him, but her mind was still anxious and fear ridden. She was tired of being locked up by her past and she decided she needed closure.
Steven's car pulled into the parking lot, but neither of them moved from the car at first. Jackie looked up at the building in front of them. It seemed so cold and dark inside. Jackie took another deep breath and continued to rest herself on Steven's chest. Steven brushed his hand through Jackie's hair.
"You don't have to do this you know." He whispered to her. She nodded, but kept her eyes glued on the building.
"No, I need to do this." She said. She felt weak, but also determined. She finally sat up and got out of the car. Steven followed her. He wrapped his hand in hers as they walked toward the building. Jackie felt like a small child as they walked through the building. There seemed to be people everywhere, moving around as they were very busy. Steven took his arm around Jackie's shoulders and pulled her closer to him as they made it to a front desk area. Jackie and Steven both quickly signed their names on a log sitting on the desk. Steven still held on tightly to Jackie's hand as they both turned around. Jackie slowly went and sat down on a seat in front of a glass window. Steven stayed behind her and rested a hand on her shoulder so she would remember he was there.
On the other side of the window, a prison guard led Jackie's father to the seat on the other side of the window. He was dressed in an orange prison jumpsuit and handcuffs across his wrists. They both picked up the phone and placed it to their ears. Jackie felt herself shaking a bit, but tried to keep in mind her reasons for doing this. She couldn't find her words at first, but gladly her father didn't keep himself quiet.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Her father asked. His voice still cold. He was the same dick bastard he was before . . . nothing seems to have changed. Jackie took a deep breath through her nose and regained her composure.
"I'm here for the little girl, whose childhood you destroyed." She said. Her voice trying to be strong. "You hurt me, and caused me to feel so much pain. Growing up, I never felt safe or protected. You don't even deserve the title of Father." She tried to hold back her tears, but a few slipped through. Her father just glared at her. "A father is supposed to love his child, pick her up when she scraps her knee, tuck her into bed at night, love and protect her." Steven squeezed her shoulder to remind her he was there. She stopped and took a deep breath. "But, you hurt me, pushed me down, and caused me to fear all fathers. Every bruise, and cut made me feel more afraid. You are a monster and I hate everything you every put me through." Her father's glare didn't fade from his face. "But, I can't live this way anymore." She said, sitting up a little straighter. "I have a family that loves me now, a guy who takes care of me," she rested her hand on top of Steven's on her shoulder. "I have a life I am very proud of, and I am going to walk away from here today and never think of you again." She glared back at him. "But, I know you will think of me, every day." His glare almost seemed to fade from his face for a moment. Jackie felt a weight lifted from her shoulders as she stood up from her seat, took her boyfriend's hand and walked away from her father. Steven let go of her hand, but only so he could wrap her in his arms.
"I'm proud of you, Jacks." He said to her, looking in her direction as they walked to his car. She kept her eyes locked forward and her jaw clenched tight. "Are you ok?" He asked, by then they were in the parking lot, next to his car. Jackie stopped in her pace and stared at the ground in front of her. She took another deep breath. She turned her vision toward Steven. A small smile played on her lips and her eyes were lined with tears.
"I'm a lot better." She wrapped her arms around Steven's neck and pulled her face to rest on his shoulder. His arms went around her waist and rested his head in her hair. He felt relieved to know she was ok. He kissed her hair and rubbed her back. Jackie released several breaths she had been holding in. It was like she finally had gained her peace.
. . .
*Two days later*
Jackie laughed and posed as Kitty took another photo of her in her graduation gown and hat. It was the morning of her graduation and her family was celebrating her. For breakfast, Kitty cooked chocolate chip pancakes and several delicious treats to match. Steven, Eric, and Red were sitting at the kitchen table eating the wonderfully tasty food. Steven, Red and Kitty were all dressed up to see Jackie get her degree. Eric was still in his underwear, since he didn't want to sit through a long ceremony on a Saturday. Jackie understood though. She posed again, blowing a kiss to the camera as Kitty snapped another photo.
"Jackie, you are so pretty!" Kitty said, and did her classic giggle. Jackie smiled and gave Kitty a hug.
"Thank you so much, for everything." Jackie said feeling so happy. Jackie broke apart from Kitty and smiled at her. She then walked over to the kitchen table and planted herself in the seat next to Steven. She smiled at him and took a bite of his pancake.
These few days since her closure with her father, Jackie had never felt so good inside. She felt so much happier and her past was behind her. She was right when she said she would never think of him again, he was her past and this was her future. She grinned at Steven as he smiled at her. She was happy that he was always here for her. She leaned in her seat so she could kiss his cheek. But he purposely turned his head at the last second so their lips pressed into one another. A sudden flash went off. The couple turned to see Kitty with her camera. She just took their picture. They laughed together. They felt so happy, nothing could ruin their happiness.
"Do you know what you're going to do after today, Jackie?" Red asked her. Jackie looked at him and rested her arms on the table.
"Yeah, I have an idea I'm working on." She said, smiling as she took another bite of a pancake.
"See Eric, Jackie's got a plan." Red said, pushing his paper toward his son. Eric had been taking a year off, to "figure things out". Jackie and Steven laughed at Eric's annoyance.
Kitty did her classic laugh when things got awkward. "So, Jackie, what's this idea?" Kitty asked her, sitting herself down in between Jackie and Red.
"It's something I've been thinking about for a while." She said, looking deep in thought. "But, don't worry, I'll tell you all about it when I get it under way." She said, smiling at her new family. They smiled back. "Well, let's get my future started." She said, standing up from the table to go to her graduation. Red, Kitty and Steven followed her. Steven was quickly by her side, holding her hand. Red and Kitty got in the front seat of their car and Jackie and Steven crawled into the back seat and cuddle up and smiled as the car pulled out of the drive way. The future laid in front of them.
. . .
*Eight hours later*
Jackie and Steven rested on Steven's cot in the basement. Steven was on his back as Jackie laid her head and upper body on his chest, while her bottom half rested next to his on the couch. They were cozied up to each other and Steven's arms were wrapped around Jackie's petite waist. They always enjoyed being in each other's company. Steven looked at Jackie and smiled at her. Jackie looked at him and cocked an eyebrow.
"What?" She tried to stifle her laughter.
"I'm just really happy right now." He said to her.
She smiled. "Good." She leaned over to his face and pecked his lips. "I'm happy too." She said. They relaxed again, enjoying the quiet and each other's company. Jackie propped herself up on her elbows to she could look Steven in the eyes. "Do you want to know about my new project?" Jackie asked him. He raised his eyebrows.
"Yeah, of course." He said.
She smiled weakly and looked down for a second before speaking. "I've been thinking a lot these past couple days." She said, her voice was very weak and tired. "I've decided I don't want what happened to me with my parents to be in vain. I want that little girl I once was to finally have some peace, and I know the perfect way." She looked up and met his eyes. He was still confused. "My parents' house is just sitting there collecting dust and using up space. My father is going to be locked up for life, and my mother is showing no sign of returning, so I'm going to put that house to some good use." She smiled weakly.
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"I'm going to make my childhood home into a home for abused girls." She said proudly, a weak smile still playing her lips. A grin slowly appeared on Steven's face.
"Jackie, that's an amazing idea." He leaned up and pressed his lips into her's. When he pulled away he said, "I'm so proud of you." She leaned down and kissed him again. They shared their love. Jackie pulled apart from his lips and rested her head back on his chest. "I love you," He whispered to her.
Jackie smiled. "I love you, too."
Don't you just love love! Please review and, again, tell me what you think! What did you think of Jackie's idea? I'm excited to know what you thought.
Once again, check my profile for updates on stories (: Cuz I want to keep you in the loop!
Check out my other story: Sing Another Song! It's goooooooooood!
I LOVE you guys! Please review, follow, favorite, send me a message, or sing a song about summer! Or all of the above! WOO!
~Spencer
