Chapter 21: In the Pouring Rain
Author's Note 2016: For my older readers, I had to laugh when I read Yamada was giving "the evil eye". That's just not Yamada generally. He's criminally calm and understanding…on the surface. So I did have to edit that line, that's not papa bear. Apparently this had a limey scene somewhere that I can't recall? It's been removed anyway.
Tsumaru and Jill ran through the forest where the trees were just starting to change colors. He laughed as he nearly tripped over his pants, sending them both tumbling to the ground. She giggled and wrestled with him, tumbling around. He chuckled, gaining dominance and lying on top of her. Grinning, he stroked her cheek and kissed her. Jill hugged his neck and rubbed his back with the other hand. After a moment, he moaned and pushed away, gazing down into her eyes.
"Not here…"
She eased his hakama robe open and licked the arch of his chest, whispering against the hot flesh, "Here, there…it doesn't matter."
He moaned and leant forward, reaching for the ties of her kimono and sighed, "You're insatiable, Jill…but if we get caught and charged with lewd behavior…"
Jill laughed and straddled his waist, "I promise…"
He smiled and kissed her…
It had been about five months since he and Jill had gotten together…it was never a dull moment. And as it continued, he found himself having trouble with the thought of losing her…
It had also been two months since he'd started treating Cliff…
In the end, he knew he was going to lose…however, he'd just enjoy it while he could.
XXX
Lillia stared at her youngest offspring, so full of life, glowy, and giggly. She was reclining on the couch, Jill nearby, both chattering away, full of energy…
Something was seriously wrong.
Lillia stood and stared out at the rain before glowering at Popuri.
"Popuri, it's Sunday and I was going to have the Doctor give me a check-up. I'd like it if you had one as well."
Popuri looked up and smiled, "I will."
"With me, preferably."
Popuri and Jill looked surprised before Popuri shook her head, scowling, "Mama! I'll go-"
"Popuri, I'm really starting to think you're not sick" growled Lillia, "You're not eating less, you're eating MORE. You're nowhere as fatigued as I am!"
"Mother, I'm not making this up!" complained Popuri, upset.
"Mother…"
They all looked up as Rick came down the steps, scowling, "I think I know what's wrong with Popuri…"
Popuri glowered at him, questioning, as he glared at her, "I KNEW he was trouble! I knew it!"
"What are you talking about?!"
The boy suddenly held up a bottle…Jill and Popuri inhaled.
The prenatal vitamins…
Lillia frowned and took them from him, staring at the label before looking at her daughter, stunned, "Why…why are you taking these?"
"It explains why she's wearing these huge shirts and stuff mother" growled Rick, "She's pregnant."
Jill grimaced and Popuri leapt to her feet, furious, "How dare you go through my room?!"
"Don't even, Popuri Yamachi!" snapped Lillia, her fury evident, "How many months pregnant are you?!"
Popuri bowed her head and looked at her mother blankly. Lillia hissed and, surprisingly, grabbed a fistful of Popuri's hair. The poor girl wailed out and Lillia snatched the shirt up. Gasping, she pulled away in horror. Rick looked stunned too. Jill snapped herself out of her dumbfounded state and grasped Popuri, pulling her away.
"I…I told him that you weren't ready…" whimpered Lillia bitterly.
"Who the hell are you to tell anyone what I'm ready for?!" snapped Popuri, "I love this baby!"
"Really? And where's Koji, Popuri?" demanded Lillia.
"In Boston!" she snapped.
"Exactly. And he'll never come back because now, you're pregnant" said Lillia, hatefully, "You actually trust that he'll come back?"
Jill countered, "My brother WILL come back! You have no right to talk about him that way!"
"Then why isn't he back now!?"
"Because I didn't tell him!" Popuri sobbed, "I didn't want him to come back without getting his education."
"Don't worry…you don't have to worry about him coming back at all" Rick uttered.
Popuri's eyes filled with tears, her lip trembling. Jill looked to her and snarled, taking her hand.
"C'mon, Popuri. You or my nephew has to listen to this s-t!"
Dragging her out, Lillia glared after them and balled her fists. Her daughter would see…that men, none of them, could be trusted. Koji would find out and fall off the face of the planet. In the end, they were all the same.
Jill gave Popuri a nice cup of herbal tea and a box of tissues, enraged.
"How dare they? They don't know Koji!"
"Oh Jill, what if they're right? What if I scare him off with this?" wept Popuri, wiping her eyes.
Jill opened her mouth and frowned, her phone ringing. Lifting a finger to signal her to wait a moment, she picked up. Tsumaru…
"Jill, sweetie, I uh, hate to bother you, but…I kind of left a key to a file cabinet at your house…if it's not too much trouble…"
He sounded frantic in his own Tsumaru way so she sighed, "I'll bring it right away, Tsumaru…"
"You're a lifesaver…are you all right though? You sound stressed…"
"I'm fine" she smiled, "I'll see you soon."
"All right…"
Hanging up, she turned to Popuri and opened her mouth. But the girl shook her head and sighed, "Go on…I'll…I'll be fine. I'm…I'm just feeling a little nervous, that's all."
Jill nodded, understanding, before smiling brightly, "Tell you what. On my way back from Tsumaru's office, I'll buy some of Keiji's favorite curry and we can watch some movies."
Popuri couldn't help but laugh a little, "Me and Keiji would like that."
Jill nodded and ran for her room, returning and shifting into her shoes, "I'll be RIGHT back. Don't let Rick or Lillia in, hear?"
"I won't…"
Taking off, Popuri found herself in tears again, hugging herself. Oh, she'd made a mistake…why'd she keep it? Why would Koji want to come back to a country hick like her? Especially a pregnant country hick…
The phone rang suddenly and she frowned, picking it up absently. She assumed it was Tsumaru and she was ready to tell him Jill was on her way.
"Hello…?" she murmured.
She was met by a long silence and she grumbled, about to hang up. But, her whole world shattered with one voice saying her name.
"…Popuri?"
Her heart raced, her mind went crazy, and she couldn't think straight. Nothing was clear except for one thing…
"Koji…."
There was another long silence before Koji's soft voice asked, "So…how have you been?"
She toyed with the tassel of the throw on Jill's couch, resisting the urge to burst out and say 'I'm pregnant!'…no, that wouldn't be good.
"I've…I've been good. How have you been?"
"Pretty…busy…"
"Oh…"
She frowned at the awkwardness…Koji didn't seem thrilled at all. It definitely wasn't boosting her confidence on this baby thing.
"Who…is he?"
She jumped when his voice came back. Shaking her head, she mumbled, "What?"
"Who is he…? I mean, I haven't heard from you in seven months-"
"Koji! I've been busy too!" she snapped.
"I have had to balance a million classes and work and I still find time to call home!" he countered, finally sounding angry, "But no, whenever I try to call, no one picks up or Popuri isn't available. For SEVEN months? Even Jill changes the subject when I bring you up! So what else could it be…"
She rubbed her face, suddenly feeling rather guilty. It was true…he couldn't assume everything was all right if they'd gone that long without communicating. And what must he have been thinking this whole time…and…
Had…he started seeing someone else.
"…There is no one else, Koji, I promise you that" she murmured, "But I understand if you started seeing someone…"
"Of course not" he said shortly.
She let out a sigh of relief and felt a little more comfortable, "I…it's just…family things. Mother's convinced I have her disease-"
"Do you?" he said, his voice becoming alarmed.
"I…thought I did…" she whispered, toying with his engagement ring nervously.
"But you don't…right?" he asked hopefully.
She finally smiled, "I don't."
"Good…God, you scared me…"
"I'm sorry" she sighed, closing her eyes and basking in the warmth of his voice.
"As long as you're all right…um…you…still have my…engagement ring, right?"
"I look at it every day."
"Really…? I…" he paused, "That's great. I thought you'd have stopped wearing it…"
"Of course not."
Beauty queen of only eighteen,
She…had some trouble with herself.
He was always there to help her;
She…always belonged to someone else.
I drove for miles and miles and wound up at your door.
I've had you so many times but somehow I want more.
I don't mind spending everyday,
Out on your corner in the pouring rain.
Look for the girl with the broken smile…
Ask her if she wants to stay a while.
And she will be loved…
And she will be loved…
"What's that?" she frowned, surprised.
"Huh…? Oh, my bad, I'm just sitting in my car and…well, let's just say it's my wimp out song" he said sheepishly.
She giggled softly, "It sounds cute…"
"Popuri…if you haven't been sick, what have you been up to?"
She shifted uncomfortably, "I…first…aren't you coming home this month?"
"Well…that's why I called Jill…I wanted to see if I could get a straight answer from her about you because I could get my full masters if I stayed the rest of the year."
Popuri's heart nearly stopped as she screamed out, "NO!"
"Huh?" Koji questioned, baffled, "I-"
"I don't want to be selfish, Koji, but it's been hard enough with you gone and I don't want you to stay another year because I want you home here with me!" she blubbered.
Tap on my window, knock on my door, I want to make you feel beautiful.
I know I tend to get so insecure.
It doesn't matter anymore.
"All right, all right" he said, soothing, "I won't stay…I'm not sure I could handle being away from home much longer either."
She sniffed and rubbed her eyes, "I'm sorry, I'm ruining your dream and not being supportiv-"
"You have been perfectly supportive" Koji interrupted firmly, "No ordinary woman would've let their fiancé leave this long…but…I've fulfilled my dream. I should be home in a week."
She looked up, her emotions fluttering, "R-really?"
"Yep…"
"I'm-I'm so happy" she wept.
"Then stop crying" he chuckled huskily, "Women…"
It's not always rainbows and butterflies, its compromise that moves us along.
My heart is full and my door's always open.
Call anytime you want.
I don't mind spending everyday,
Out on your corner in the pouring rain.
Look for the girl with the broken smile…
Ask her if she wants to stay a while.
And she will be loved…
Yeah, she will be loved…
And she will be loved…
Yeah, she will be loved…
She nodded and took a deep breath. Koji sighed.
"NOW will you tell me what you've been up to?"
Staring at her bulging belly, she rubbed it and murmured, "The reason I thought I was sick was after you left I was…so nauseous and weak."
"Mm. I hope you went to get checked up on."
"Yes…"
"What was it? Stomach flu?"
"I'm pregnant" she announced simply.
She grimaced as the other side went silent and she murmured, "Koji…?"
"…I'm sorry, I just thought you said you were pregnant."
She tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, biting her lip, "I did."
"…You're joking."
She clenched her fists, waiting for him to yell at her, tell her he never wanted to see her or their baby. She waited for the world to end…
"HOW could you not tell me something like that?! Damn it, Popuri, our BABY? You don't keep a BABY secret!"
She stared at the floor guiltily, "I know."
"I can't believe this! And Jill helped you keep this from me?! How could you do this to me?!"
"I wanted you to focus on school! I know you, Koji, you'd come home and make everything better while neglecting yourself. I wouldn't have you resent me for ruining your dreams!"
"Ruin—this is my first child we're talking about. God, Popuri, I would've made it work! You didn't have to…"
He went silent and she whimpered, "Koji, I'm…"
I know where you hide: alone in your car.
Know all the things that make you who you are.
I know that good bye means nothing at all.
Comes back and begs me to catch her every time she falls…
Yea…
"You've been eating right? Getting enough rest? Not working? Nutrients? Check ups?" he suddenly asked.
She smiled, "Yes….you have a very healthy baby due in two months…I think it's a boy."
Quiet once again ensued and she heard Koji tap something, "This…this…I…I have to get home. I can't wait…I have to see you."
"Koji, don't you dare come home until everything there is done" she growled, "Because when you come back, you're here to stay."
Tap on my window, knock on my door, I…want to make you feel beautiful.
I don't mind spending everyday,
Out on your corner in the pouring rain.
Look for the girl with the broken smile…
Ask her if she wants to stay a while.
And she will be loved…
Yeah, she will be loved…
And she will be loved…
Yeah, she will be loved.
She could tell he was smiling for some reason and sighed, "I will never…ever forgive you for this, Popuri. But it can't be helped…you did what you thought was best."
"…I…was worried. I kept this thing from mama and Rick and they just found out today…"
He whistled, "Skill, baby."
She chuckled, "I guess…but mama wasn't pleased and neither was Rick. Mama said…"
"What…?"
"That you wouldn't come back…that you'd desert us like papa."
"I'm nothing like your father" growled Koji bitterly.
"No…no you're not" she agreed, hugging herself.
He's gonna try so hard to say good bye…
He's gonna try so hard to say good bye…
She frowned as she heard an alarm go off. Koji sighed again.
"I have to go, baby…"
"But-" she whimpered, "I miss you…"
"I miss you too…and I want you…to take care of yourself until I get there, understand? I will provide everything we'll need for our family, okay? I promise…"
She softly cried, "Okay."
"That's my girl…now you nap. You sound tired."
"You can't tell me what to do from a thousand miles away, Ko-sama" she pouted.
"Hey, don't make me get on a plane and fly thirteen hours to punish you" he warned.
She giggled, "I'm scared."
"You better be" he chuckled before murmuring, "I love you so much."
"I love you so much too" he whispered, warm, happy tears running down her face.
"I'll be home soon…I promise."
He hung up and she clicked the phone off before hugging herself, smiling, and curling up on the couch.
It was still to be seen if Koji would come back, yes…but she felt it in her heart of hearts…
That he would indeed be home soon.
Jill blushed as she pulled on the slinky dress her mother sent her. Was it SO impossible for the woman to send her something that DIDN'T show off her boobs like this? Sure, she had them, but jeez…
"Jill…you ready?" asked Tsumaru shyly from outside the door.
"Almost!" she called.
"All right" he said calmly, "But remember, uh, we can't miss the ferry like last time."
She pouted, blushing. At the last dinner her father invited her to, she'd taken her time with make-up and such and ended up missing the ferry to the mainland. Her father had sounded rather disappointed when she called and she felt awful…but not this time! Picking up her makeup bag and rushing out, she stared at the surprised Tsumaru with intent.
"Let's go. I can do my makeup on the ferry."
"All right…you look lovely, by the way" he smiled.
"Gah! You can gawk at me on the way! Let's go!"
He laughed gently as she dragged him, in a hurry. Popuri was sitting on the couch and knitting by the fire, smiling at the two. Jill yelled a good bye to her, taking off out the front door. Popuri couldn't help but laugh and shake her head before smiling contently at the little hat she'd sewn for her Keiji…
It had been about three days…Koji wasn't home yet. But…
But?
She sighed and decided to go down to the inn, in the mood for a slice of cake. Keiji had a bit of a sweet tooth, it seemed, just like his daddy. She tried not to oblige him too much but alas, she was kind of in a chocolate mood too…
She cut by the Chicken Farm, merely out of habit, but told herself not to look in, not to spare it even a minor glance. She would never see them again, if she had the choice.
"POPURI."
She started to just keep going, not even pay the voice of her brother any mind but she stopped, glaring over her shoulder. Her mother had come out as well, still looking angry and disgusted. Popuri had gotten away from this for a couple days…she'd rather not hear it at all, but still.
"So have you finally come to your senses?" growled her mother.
"Koji will be home" she said plainly.
"You stupid slut! Don't you see what you're doing to our family keeping that damn thing!?" demanded Rick, his voice bitter.
"He is not a 'damn thing'. He's my baby…and you can disown me for all I care!" she snapped, angry.
"If you can't see that you'll be alone, that you're living in the fantasy that your beloved Koji will be back, I'll make you come to your senses!" snapped Lilly back.
Popuri quickly backed away, sobbing out a gasp as they both came at her. She didn't know what they'd do but it scared her…would they? Would they hurt her baby?
There was no way she could run. Even the weak Lillia could easily catch up with Popuri at this stage in pregnancy. And Rick…Rick she could see doing something horrid. Like…stab right where Keiji is.
But…that couldn't happen. NO…Koji had promised…he'd promised they'd be a family. The one thing she could do is protect their baby…
She started to scream, freak out, draw attention to them. If anyone saw they were willing to kill an unborn child that she obviously was going to keep, they'd see how these people were. But then, who knew she was pregnant? Her lip just trembled and she wept, feeling weak…
Sobbing, she stared at their faces, not realizing her eyes had been clenched shut in horror. Strangely, they'd stopped and their eyes were wide, obviously stunned for whatever reason. She frowned and stared at them, confused. She should've run, but what happened…? Did they realize…?
"I'd prefer you stop upsetting my fiancée…I think it's the polite thing to do."
Her pulse raced and she wasn't sure if she hallucinating or…turning around, not sure what to expect, she felt her heart flutter.
Koji.
His brown hair was blonder with highlights, cut into a very modern do but there was no mistaking those eyes…her own eyes filled with tears of disbelief and joy.
"Ko-sama…?"
He smiled at her and murmured, "Hey."
Sobbing happily, she rushed towards him into his arms which immediately wrapped around her. He held her tightly, rubbing her back, murmuring.
"God, I've missed you so much."
She just inhaled his scent, clenching at his shirt, before pulling away and staring up into his eyes, questioning.
"Koji…? I thought you had more things to do…? Don't tell me you just came."
"I worked day and night for the last two days to finish up early. Will miss my graduation and everything but I figured my baby might just be more important" he grinned lazily.
She pouted, "Koji…"
He softly lifted the ends of her shirt, surprising her, and smiled a sheepish little smile at her round belly. He touched the swollen flesh and his mouth gaped a little as Keiji kicked softly at the touch. He rarely moved in any other situation but maybe he realized someone important was there, she thought with a smile.
"It's too…amazing" he whispered softly, a wider smile gracing his face.
Softly pulling the shirt down, he glowered at Rick and Lillia, pulling Popuri to stand behind him.
"And what, pray tell, were you going to do to her, huh? Since I'm a deadbeat and she's a disgrace?" he asked icily, his face otherwise deadpanned.
Lillia just stared and Rick gritted his teeth, grabbing his mother's arm, "Come on, mom. Just forget about them."
Tugging the seemingly dumbfounded woman along, Rick glared back at Koji who returned the look tenfold. Rick swallowed and glared at his feet. This was disappointing.
With Koji back, Jill….
"Dr. Izumi and a woman? What is this?" laughed one doctor.
"What a pretty little thing! And you're with him?"
"That is amazing, Izumi, it looks like you bagged yourself a supermodel."
Jill had to fight off laughing with each of these comments, Tsumaru disgruntled and embarrassed, sipping Chardonnay.
"I can have a girlfriend…" he mumbled.
"Of course you can, dear" she agreed, kissing him chastely.
"Your father hates me."
She glanced at Yagami Yamada who watched them with a rather watchful eye from the corner of the room. When telling the man she was now seeing one of his former students, he'd been so far from pleased but didn't say anything. Tony stared at her and had taken her aside, questioning what happened with Cliff. She flinched and told him it just couldn't work and he'd been silent the rest of the night.
"He'll get over it, jiji-chan" she sighed, resting her cheek against his chest.
"Meh…that nickname's not helping."
She giggled and he rubbed her back, glancing at Tony who was watching them suspiciously. He sighed.
"They must've really liked Cliff."
"They hated him too, don't worry."
"But…I think they expected you to be with him" he mumbled, "I'm probably just some replacement piece that doesn't fit."
She scowled and tugged his chin, forcing his gaze towards her, "You fit perfectly. I don't know what your problem is, Tsumaru!"
"Maybe I think Cliff was the right piece too…"
Her eyes widened as he slowly walked to stare out the huge glass panes of the wall, the night sky bright with stars. He heard Jill behind him and she rested her head against his arm. He grimaced as he felt tears wet the fabric, the movement of her shaking her head.
"I don't WANT you to think I want Cliff back because I don't. I don't love Cliff. I love you. Why are you doing this to me?"
He trembled and ran a hand down his face and turned to face her, "I love you too…but…I can't see you staying in my arms forever. You're not meant for me."
"I'm meant for whoever I want to be meant for!" she snapped, balling her fists.
He hushed her, kissing her forehead, and then whispered into her ear, "Then say it, Jill. Say that you want to be with me forever."
Her seething stopped and she froze. He licked his lips, expecting her to turn him down or say it was too soon.
"I want to stay in your arms forever."
He froze up at that as she hugged his waist, burying her face against his chest. Slowly wrapping his arms around her, he smiled some. He wasn't expecting that…
"You know…it's perfectly healthy to have sex when you're pregnant…"
Koji's gaze snapped to Popuri who was curled up in his arms, sitting by the fire in blissful silence. Staring at her a moment longer, he shook his head, laughing nervously.
"Healthy or not, I'm not stable enough."
"Pooh, Koji! Men are so silly!" she shoved him gently, "The baby can't SEE what we're doing and they can't FEEL what we're doing."
"Meh! That's just some excuse nymphos made up so they could continue to screw with their pregnant wives" he grumbled.
She rolled her eyes and shook her head before staring up at him, tracing the bulge in his pants, "You haven't missed me…?"
"I DEFINITELY missed you…until I heard you were pregnant. Then I just got frustrated. I have to wait two more months."
"No you don't!" she complained, "Let's do it now!"
Shoving him on his back, she started to unzip his pants and he jumped, grasping her hands and laughing a little.
"You gonna rape me, Po? What a bad little girl."
"I am not going to rape you" she pouted, "Because you'll like it!"
He laughed and held her busy hands, kissing them while tenderly gazing at her, "On our wedding night."
She paused herself and stared down at him, wide-eyed, "…Our…wedding night?"
"After the baby's born. He can be our very important special guest. May be out of order but what can you do? It'll be perfect."
She flushed, sitting up. In the midst of all this baby drama, she forgot that she indeed had been planning a wedding before Koji left. She looked down at her belly and whined.
"Ko-sama, I'll look so fat in a wedding dress…"
He snorted, "Popuri, I wouldn't think you were pregnant unless you told me…"
His face transitioned to concern, "Wait, are you eating enough? Why are you so thin?"
She gave him a reassuring smile, "Tim said I am the picture of perfect health and that not all women blow up when they're pregnant."
"Good" he murmured, "I want to see all the sonograms of my little guy, kay?"
She giggled and rested her head on his chest, snuggling into him, "Of course. I named him too, by the way."
He peered down at her, "Oh?"
"Keiji."
"…KEIJI?"
"Yes! Isn't it adorable?" she sighed.
"…Keiji."
"Yes, Keiji" she rolled her eyes, "And there will be no changing it because that's what I've called him since the beginning. He knows his name."
He sighed, rubbing his face, "All right, Keiji it is…but…can't we change it a little from my name like…Keiju or Keijin-"
"No! Keiji!"
He sighed again and blushed, "I just always found it arrogant to name your child after you…"
"It's Keiji, not Koji" she reminded.
"True" he smiled.
He sat up and yawned, rubbing his eyes. She held his arm, concerned.
"You wore yourself out to get back here, didn't you?" she scowled.
He smiled warmly at her, "A little…but it was worth it. And you forget I was just on a thirteen hour flight, a two hour bus ride, and a two hour ferry ride."
She gasped before cooing, stroking his cheek before staring into his eyes, "You…do love me, don't you?"
"I'm offended you'd even question such a thing."
She sighed, "I know, I just…mama…"
"Your mother can go to hell" he said bluntly, "I told her everything candidly…well, not the sex thing, but that's not the point. She doubted me and even thought I'd abandon you. I'm not happy with her."
She sighed, "She seemed so surprised when she saw you…I think she's so used to the idea that men are garbage."
"Still…" he sulked.
She kissed him, "Don't feel disappointed in me, but I questioned if you'd come back too…I thought I'd scare you off, being pregnant and all."
He snorted, "I finished my education, plan to start my career, got my woman, AND I'm going to have a baby? I think I'm set."
She gave him a doting smile before yawning, covering her mouth. He scowled and stood, taking her hands.
"Come on, let's go take a bath and I'll tuck you in."
"Will you be tucked in with me?" she asked sleepily.
"Of course."
She smiled as he led her towards the bathroom. Keiji always had seemed a little disgruntled in her stomach, fidgety and uncomfortable. But she could feel him, settled and relaxed. All her anxiety over Koji must've leaked through to him and now, now that daddy was home…
All was well.
Jill was heavy on her feet as she wandered into the darkened hospital, Tsumaru having to pick up a few papers before returning home. She was really tired after tonight and could use some shuteye but she'd wait for him. Jiji-chan was worth it.
Smiling contently, she wandered around his office when a tortured moan echoed through the room. She jumped a little, startled, and looked around fearfully. Another pained sound came, followed by another, and another…she shook her head. It was one reason she couldn't follow her father's path: she couldn't handle pain.
But…that voice behind the sound. It almost sounded…familiar?
Her feet forced her to explore, discovery the owner of the cries, the wails. Her heart sped up with every step closer she took, the sound growing louder. She knew in her heart of hearts who it was but for some reason, she couldn't stop. Entering one of the crisp, disinfectant smelling rooms, she stopped and stared in horror.
…Cliff?
The sheets were curled around him, his body trembling coldly though the room was actually quite warm. His skin was paler than she ever remembered it being, his hair stringy and sick looking, a mess on top of his head. The warm pink lips she remembered were replaced by an ill looking color, cracked and dehydrated. The sacks under his eyes, they were so black…it…
This couldn't be Cliff.
She knelt beside him very slowly and couldn't help but reach out and touch his cheek, her eyes stinging with horror.
"…Cliff?"
His eyes languidly opened and he stared at her, his eyes extremely bloodshot. He gave her the most painful smile she'd ever seen.
"Hey…"
"…What…what's going on?"
"…I…I'm trying to quit…it's honestly harder than I thought" he laughed sorely before whimpering, shivering.
She quickly stood and pulled a blanket over him. He stared at her before looking away, murmuring.
"I…I thought you never wanted to see me again…"
She grimaced and scowled, "I didn't."
"Oh…"
"But…it shouldn't be this bad. You shouldn't be this addicted…"
"Duke's alcohol…it has some special fermentation process and I think…I think that's what gets people so addicted and…I don't know."
He sobbed out suddenly, shocking her, and convulsed violently. She watched in horror, her heart racing, as nurses rushed in to calm him. Watching as Cliff screamed and sobbed, his body being controlled by something that ruined his life, she remembered how much Cliff wanted that job at the vineyard, how it was important…
He just wanted to make it, to support himself…
To support her…
And Duke…Duke helped turn him into… this.
Biting her lip, her mind flooded with anger, she ran out of the hospital, rushing down the street.
She came to the vineyard, the lights still on. She thrashed at the door, furious, angry, sad…when the door opened, she was met my Manna who instantly glared at her.
"Oh, you."
"Yea, me" she hissed coldly, "Where's your husband?"
"Why? Do you want him to?" Manna said meanly.
Duke came to the door, blinking, then glowered at her as well, "Well, well, if it isn't the whore…"
She flinched and glared back before reaching in and grabbing his arm. He was obviously stunned because he let her drag him half way down the street before yelling.
"You little bitch! Let go of me!"
"What are you doing with my husband?! Let go of him!"
"You're trouble, that's all you are!"
Jill ignored the yelling, keeping a firm hold on him before pulling him into the hospital. She shoved him into the door, pointing a trembling finger at Cliff whose convulsions had stopped but his appearance alone would get the point across.
"How dare you do this to him?! How can you do this to another human being?! How could you ruin his life like this?!"
Duke gawked, stunned, and quickly looked away, his eyes stunned. She screamed, "Look what you did!"
"Jill…it's all right" whispered Cliff, his voice alone sickly, "It's not Duke's fault…it's mine."
Manna stared and swung on Duke, her eyes flaring, "You…you! I told you not to do the same thing to Cliff as the others and you did it anyway!"
"Others?!" snapped Jill.
Duke quickly walked out, leaving Manna to kneel by Cliff, holding his hand.
"I'm so sorry, you poor thing…I won't leave your side."
"That's all right, Manna…"
"No, it's not…"
Jill watched this before feeling sharp pangs in her chest, the ache almost overwhelming. She wandered out herself and then ran straight into Tsumaru. He stopped her and stared at her, surprised.
"Are you all right, baby?"
She sniffed and nodded, resting her head against his chest. Why did it hurt…why did it hurt to see someone she didn't care about ache like that?
Was it because really…she did…
Oh Tsumaru…
End Notes:
I don't own Maroon 5 "She Will Be Loved"