A/N: Hey! I've updated! (Finally, I know... lol)
Please enjoy and let me know your thoughts and what you hope to see happen in this story. I've got A LOT planned, but always happy to incorporate other ideas. I want to hear your thoughts.
Fate – Chapter Twenty-Five
Jay POV
"Baby, come here." I pull Brooke into my arms looking to my partner over her head, trying to silently convey my pleas.
"Hey Brooke, how about I take you to back the hotel." Brooke sniffs quietly, trying to compose herself before she pulls away.
"You're not coming?" She looks up at me hurt and vulnerable, confusion etched into her soft features.
"I'm going to help Millie clean up, you shouldn't have to deal with this tomorrow."
"But I need you." My heart constricts at that one simple sentence.
"I'll be with you within the hour okay? I promise." She finally nods and I lean forward to press my lips against hers softly.
"Okay." Kim walks forward and nods once at me, soothing my nerves and letting me know Brooke's in good hands.
"Come on honey." I wait until Brooke's free from the store before I curse loudly.
"I hate her."
"She's the worst." Millie confirms moving to grab some trash bags.
"Hey man, sorry I gotta go. Diego needs me to look over his project." Antonio approaches me and pats my back.
"All good dude. Thanks for coming."
"I'll swing by Brooke's tomorrow to start ripping up the floor… I hope she's okay."
"I forgot about that, yeah I'll see you there." He nods at me before making his way towards the exit.
"I'll be there too man." Ruzek promises before pulling me in for a quick hug.
"Take care of her." Al points seriously at me before following the others out.
"Mouse, I need your help."
I enter the hotel room full of anger and no one to let it out on, the first thing I hear is the sound of broken sobs from the sweetest angel I've ever met.
My heart breaks when I see Brooke curled up on the couch, heels forgotten on the floor, blanket pulled over her gorgeous dress, tears streaming down her face and leaving black streaks in their path.
"Hey baby." She hiccups as she looks over at me, shoving more ice cream in her mouth.
"I failed." Her whisper is fractured and full of self-hate.
"Brooke, there is nothing wrong with failure. You pick yourself up and you try again… life is about failing and persevering. Nothing worth it comes easy in life, sometimes success only comes after you evaluate and be willing to try things differently." My thoughts are scattered, captured by the tears.
"I'm scared."
"It's okay to be scared, but everything you want is on the other side of that fear. Fuck fear, babe." She laughs softly, unable to help herself.
"The only way you'll fail is if you give up and never try again." She nods slowly.
"I know you're right, I just…"
"Don't let your bitch of a mother make you feel this way."
"I can't help it." She shrugs at me.
"I've been scared… I've failed before." I reach forward to take the ice cream from her and put it on the coffee table along with the folder I was carrying.
"Really?" She questions unsure, my fingers wiping her tears away before I pull her body against mine seeking her warmth.
I kiss her forehead when I feel her shaking in my arms, hands running up and down her arms before she wraps my hands in hers.
"When I was first deployed…" I trail off trying to compose my thoughts, keeping my emotions in check knowing she shouldn't have to comfort me tonight.
I feel her stiffen in my arms, shifting her head back to look at me in wonder. Doubt in her gaze that I'll speak of my time overseas, but hope I finally will.
"After all the military training, I was so sure I was ready for what was over there, what I would face. But… I wasn't. I couldn't have been. How could I be ready to stare down the barrel of a loaded gun… to run through fire and leave cover to shoot back. How could I take a life…" Her grip on my hands increase, her lips finding the corner of mine tenderly.
"We were in the field and I froze, I couldn't move. The fear was cold and paralyzing and I could have gotten my fellow soldiers killed."
"Jay." She whispers softly.
"But I picked myself up and I went out again, and I'm glad I did because that lead me to my calling. Being a cop… that's who I'm meant to be. Every failure has lead to a success, and it's all apart of who I am. Every single thing; good or bad that's happened to you, has made you the woman I fell madly in love with. I wouldn't change a minute of it." She sniffles quietly.
"I love you." Her lips are against mine, seeking comfort in me when I pull her back to finish.
"I love you too, and if you failed tonight then I'll be right here to watch you try again. I want to be apart of every failure and success in your life… they'll be ours. I want to spend every moment of our lives together." She blinks away some tears, caught up in the romance of the promises.
"What do you mean, if I failed? I didn't hit the target, and your purchases don't count. They were pity purchasers."
"I don't pity you, I believe in you. That's an investment."
"I would have liked to succeed on my own terms then…" She shrugs, her stubbornness shining bright tonight.
"You did."
"Huh? How?" I lean forward to grab the folder from the coffee table before turning Brooke to face me.
My fingers wipe the chocolate from her lip softly, watching her eyes smile up at me.
"I don't trust Victoria… she was acting suspicious. Everyvtime I saw her she was near the computer. So Kim brought you home so I could get Mouse to run a search on it."
"What? Jay…"
"I know, I'm sorry. I should have asked permission. But she deleted sales." My voice is urgent, as I feel the need to protect her.
"She wouldn't…"
"Here." I open the folder, showing her the pages of undeniable proof.
"Oh my god."
"I can't believe she'd go this far. I can't stop playing this whole thing over, wondering where I went wrong… and she tampered with my business. So I'd think I failed?"
"What are you going to do?" My tone is soft, knowing I can't push her with this decision.
"I don't know."
The hotel room is silent as we shower and get ready to turn in, Brooke's sitting on the bed moisturizing her arms but looking hard at the blank TV.
"You okay?"
"Not really. I'm so stupid." She admonishers herself as she throws the tube onto the bedside table.
"Hey, you're not stupid. I don't ever want to hear those words from your lips. She's wrong about a lot of things, but especially that. Please hear me on that."
"Maybe." I move around the bed to sit in front of her, my hands on her bare knees.
"You are not a failure, you are smart and talented. I don't just mean your fashions but in business too. You built the fashion line, an amazing accomplishment at any age… but you're so young. She swooped in to make it bigger but she couldn't do that alone. She needed your talent and eye for fashion. Babe, she ignored you your whole life, then started tearing you down as soon as you were successful. She knew she had to get you to believe you couldn't do it alone… but you can. I'll help you see it."
"You say that… but do you really mean it? Or are you blinded by love for me."
"Broke Davis, you are amazing. The toughest, bravest and most selfless person I've ever met in my life. I'm completely in love with you, and I promise to never lie to you. This is the truth. Just think back… the cheerleading competitions, student body president… what did she say about these? Nothing. Because she didn't know. She doesn't know you Brooke."
"You've made a life of surprising people, you're the real deal Brooke."
"Why are you so perfect?" She whispers blinking back tears.
"I'm not, but you are." I wink at her playfully.
"Shut up and kiss me." She giggles before leaning in to kiss me.
Brooke POV
Dread and hurt sit heavy in my belly as I approach my store, knowing Victoria is waiting inside.
Insecurities still bother me even after all the love and support Jay offered me last night, I smile as I remember his offer to come confront Victoria with me.
Victoria's on her phone scowling when I walk in; barely looking up to greet me.
"Can we talk about last night?" I ask quietly, struggling to unlock my anger at her.
All I can muster is the desperate need to feel a mother's unconditional love and support.
"No point is there?" I bite my lip before moving forward, bag straps tight in my grip.
"Mum?"
"What?" She sighs, finally looking up.
"I love you." I whisper, holding onto the last bit of hope she's changed. That somehow it wasn't all an act last week.
"Whatever. We have more important things to discuss."
"You mean like you deleting sales from the computer last night?" Shocked horror finds her face, a silence settling around us.
"Did you do it?" The room is tense while I wait for her reply; eyes full of tears begging to spill over.
"Yes." She finally whispers, something shifting on her face.
"Why? Because you want me back in New York?" Anger is finally free as I glare down at her.
"I was willing to give Chicago a chance… you know that. I came here and I offered my services. But… then I heard you almost died…" She trails off looking away, tears filling her eyes.
I pause for a few moments, trying to determine the sincerity in her tone and on her face.
I'm unsure if any of the emotions are genuine, or just a ploy to get her way.
"Because of Jay… I could have lost my daughter. You were tied up for god's sake Brooke… so I just wanted you to come home. Be safe."
"Mum…" I trail off, unsure if her acting is fooling me or if her fears are true.
"I'm okay. Jay makes me happy… this life I've chosen makes me happy."
"How can you say that with that black eye? Jay's job is dangerous. Doesn't it scare you?"
"Yes. All the time." I whisper out honestly, sitting down next to her.
She turns her head away, composing her thoughts before looking back at me waiting for me to continue.
"That night terrified me, I'm scared it will happen again. I've been having nightmares about what if he didn't get there in time… his job worries me. For so many reasons, I don't know what to do about it. I spend so much of my time stressing about it…"
"Then why stay Brooke?"
"Because it's worth it. I love him more than I've ever loved anyone, more than I ever thought possible. He makes me the happiest I've been, he is kind and sweet and loves me so much. Just the way he looks at me, it's clear I'm the only one for him. Every moment with him is a blessing and I wouldn't throw that away for anything."
"Okay." I watch her sniffle, nodding her head.
"I'm sorry, but you're my daughter Brooke. I'll always worry and do what I feel is best." She reaches out for my hand and holds it tight.
"You sure you're ready to be back babe?" I jump slightly at the sound of his voice, pulling me from my staring match with the new living room flooring.
"Yeah Jay, the floors are replaced. It will be like it never happened."
"But it did…" He whispers, his body caressing me from behind.
"Do you want to talk about it?" His chin finds my shoulder, his scuff on my bare skin.
"I'm okay."
"How can you be?"
"Because you're okay, and we're together. Everything else will work itself out."
"It doesn't bother you?" I pause, knowing exactly what he's referring to.
"Like I said, you did what you had to do. If it's a choice between you walking away or them… always choose you babe. Come home to me."
"Always." He whispers, pressing a kiss into my neck.
"I love you." I turn my head, leading our lips together for a soft kiss.
"I love you too… let me know if you want to talk about it."
I scroll through my phone distractedly as I slide my keys into the lock and push the door open.
My feet stumble on a delivery box in the entryway, a grumble slipping through my lips as I kick it to the side.
It's been a busy few weeks redecorating the living area, to erase any memories of that terrifying night.
My keys drop loudly on the table, I frown when I see Jay's set of keys there before turning to look at the delivery box.
"Babe? You didn't think to move the box to save me tripping over?" I call out jokingly, expecting his normal playful reply.
It's your crap, maybe if you trip over enough you'll stop buying more.
I frown concerned when I don't get a reply, my heart beats rapidly in my chest as I continue through the apartment and straight for the bedroom.
My gut is clenched in fear, a million scenarios and thoughts racing through my mind.
None of which could prepare me for the sight in front of me.
My phone drops to the floor, bouncing by my feet, the loud crack doesn't even pull my attention away from the man I love in front of me.
"Jay?" The whisper gets caught in my throat, tears springing to my eyes.
My stomach is full of knots, heavy with nausea as I watch frozen in place as Jay packs some clothes into a bag.
He looks up guiltily; regret shining in his blue eyes.
"I'm sorry." He shrugs out before turning his back on me to pull more clothes out.
I watch shocked and frozen in fear, my feet unable to move. My body unable to react, wishing I could scream and cry and beg for answers.
"Sorry?" I finally whisper out, my lips the only part of me able to move.
"Just know that I love you." His voice is serious, his eyes flitting away.
"Jay, I don't understand." Tears stream down my cheeks, sobs ripping through my chest.
I hear the drawers close softly, confident finality about it.
My eyes follow Jay as he zips the bag, slings it over his shoulder and walks towards me.
His hand finds my cheek, my head shaking in denial.
"Please don't go." I whisper brokenly.
"I have to, but know that I don't want to." He leans forward, his cheek touching mine gently.
I inhale his scent, trying to memorize it, ready to call for it later. Pain is ripping through my chest as his lips gently brush my cheek.
By the time I've moved, a hand reaching out to pull him closer he's already walking across the threshold of our bedroom.
Watching his back as he walks out of our room, walking away from our life and every memory we have created together, snaps something in me.
"Jay!" I call out with hysteria as I race out, I try pulling on his arm but he doesn't slow his movements as he heads for the apartment door.
"Jay, stop!" I race around in front of him, hands on his chest and back against the apartment door.
"Just stop, damn it!" The crying is obvious in my voice, betrayal, hurt and a feeling of unworthiness making it difficult for me to breath.
"I'm not letting you leave until you tell me what's going on. Why you're leaving… why you're leaving me." Jay's blue eyes look away from me in shame, pain clear on his face and in his tense body.
"Jay." My voice is sharp and he turns back to me, tears in his own eyes.
"Maybe we rushed this. I need time."
"Time for what?" I gulp harshly, not ready to accept any of what he's saying.
"To figure things out."
"To figure what out?" I cry out desperately, wishing I could understand.
"Please move Brooke. This was a mistake." It's like a slap in the face; I push away from the door and by Jay.
My sobs are uncontrollable as I listen to the apartment door open and close behind him.
I stumble blindly into my room, closing the door harshly and sliding down the door.
My hand covers my mouth, trying to reign in my heartbroken sobs as I try and make sense of the past few minutes of my life.
It only took minutes for Jay to destroy the trust he's built up over the course of our relationship, only minutes for him to shatter his love for me.
A/N: I know, you HATE me... and you're confused.
All will be revealed in time... I promise. :)
Don't hate me too much or I'll keep ya waiting for more ;)
Please do leave me a review and I'll update as soon as possible.