Authors Note: Thank you to ghfan51184 for leaving feedback. I appreciate it. Here's the next chapter.
Title: Love, Lies, & Deception
Chapter 69 "Confessions"
(In Caroline Benson's office, she is going through some paperwork from earlier. She sighs deeply before looking up in confusion)
Benson: "I wish I knew what you had up your sleeve, Jason. You said it could be a killer secret. Whatever it is, I wonder who it affects? Michelle, the Brady's, or even Sparrow? I just hope whatever it is, he will have it in time for Michelle's custody case."
(Meanwhile, at Lucky and Elizabeth's apartment, Max and Emily are visiting their friends. Elizabeth has Ashlynn in her arms. Emily looks at the young mother with anticipation. Elizabeth is oblivious to the teen's intentions until Lucky can't hold it in any more and bursts out laughing)
Liz: (weirdly) "What is so funny?"
Lucky: "Babe, you know I love you, but sometimes you can't see what's right in front of your face."
Liz: (shakes her head) "What is that supposed to mean?"
(Lucky looks between his wife and Emily before facing Elizabeth)
Lucky: "Honey, I think our guest would like to hold the baby."
(Elizabeth looks at Emily, who just raises her eyebrows)
Liz: (confused) "If you wanted to hold her, why didn't you just ask? I would have let you, Em."
Emily: (scoffs) "I did ask you a few minutes ago, my dear. You didn't hear me. Or should I say you weren't paying attention."
(Elizabeth looks at Lucky, who nods his head in agreement. She then looks at Max, who holds back a laugh by smiling a little. The young mother looks at her friend apologetically)
Liz: "Sorry, girl. I didn't mean to ignore you if I did."
Emily: (smiles) "No worries. I just like giving you a hard time sometimes." (smirks) "It's a lot of fun, if I do say so myself."
Liz: (rolls her eyes) "I'm glad I can amuse you so much, dearie."
Emily: (smiles) "You know you enjoy it, woman."
(Elizabeth sarcastically laughs before Emily walks to her and holds out her arms so she can hold her goddaughter. Once the little girl is in her arms, Emily baby talks with Ashlynn. Lucky and Elizabeth can't help but shake their heads and chuckle at their friend)
Lucky: (to Max) "Is she always like this?"
(Max knows Lucky is referring to Emily and snorts)
Max: "Only around your kid, man." (chuckles) "She does cherish that little girl."
Liz: (nods & smiles) "That she does. I'm so happy we chose her to be our daughter's godmother. She loves her like her own."
(Lucky looks at Max seriously and points at him)
Lucky: "Don't get any ideas about reproducing anytime soon, man. I know you love Emily, but you are still in high school."
(Max faces Lucky in shock)
Max: "Dude, I'm only eighteen. Trust me, I have no plans for kids anytime soon. Emily's enough for me right now."
Lucky: (nods) "Good. Otherwise, I'd have to lay down the law with you." (raises his eyebrows) "I adore Emily and you together, but I don't need a confession from you or her saying you're more...you know...serious."
(Lucky's glare spells out to Max what he means. Even though the high school student knows what Lucky is saying, he sighs sincerely)
Max: "Trust me. I already got 'the talk' from Monica. I have no plans to take things further with Emily. At least, not right now. She and I both agreed to wait."
Lucky: (sighs) "I know I'm not Emily's parent or immediate family, but I consider her a sister and love her like one. While I do think you're good for her..." (points at Max seriously) "If you ever hurt her, I will personally kick your ass."
Max: (nods) "I understand. I have no plans of hurting her. If I ever do unintentionally, I will not object to you coming after me."
(Lucky observes Max's seriousness in his eyes and can tell the young man is being sincere about his feelings toward Emily. Lucky nods and offers his hand, which Max shakes. Meanwhile, at the prison, Sparrow is looking at Linda in confusion. He didn't know what she was talking about. Yes, they have a past, but the consequences from it? He looks at his former lover with a puzzled look)
Sparrow: "I-I don't understand, Linda. What are you talking about?"
(Linda sighs deeply at him. She wanted to tell him everything, every last detail. But she knew she needed to take it slowly so she didn't overwhelm him with it all at once)
Linda: "Joshua, do you regret our time together? I-I mean, I know what we did was technically wrong."
(He looks at her with tender eyes before taking her hands in his)
Joshua: "You're right. What we did was wrong. I cheated on my wife with you. The truth is, though...I haven't been in love with her for a long time. When I turned to you, Linda, I knew what I was doing." (smiles) "The day we shared our first kiss was the day I fell in love with you."
(Linda looks at Joshua in shock. She knew he felt something for her as he showed it when they were together. But to hear him admit out loud like that surprised her. Sure, he said he loved her years ago when they were together. She never believed he meant those words, though. What is making her believe his words now? The way he is looking at her. The sincerity in his voice. The way she sees him massaging her fingers. He sees her in continued shock and chuckles)
Joshua: "You act like you've never heard me say it before."
Linda: "Never with the meaning behind it." (tilts her head) "Yes, I have heard it before from you, Joshua. But I always got the impression you were telling me what I wanted to hear."
(Joshua looks at her in sadness. He never knew she felt this way. Yes, they talked and gave into each other on many occasions, but he always thought she knew how he felt. Well, he was determined to make her believe him. To convince her she was the one he has always loved)
Joshua: "I want you to listen to me right now, okay?"
(Linda stares at him before nodding, allowing him to continue)
Joshua: "Yes, I was married when you came into my life. Technically, I am still married. But she asked for a divorce, which I will grant. I did love Abby, however, she knows I no longer feel that connection towards her. Truth is, I never felt for another woman what I feel for you, Linda. I should have told you a long time ago that you hold my heart. Not Abby, not anyone else." (chuckles a little) "I should've said all of this to you a long time ago."
Linda: (tilts her head, confused) "Why didn't you?"
Joshua: "Simple. Because I was a coward. I wanted to try make my loveless marriage work. Was it a wrong choice?" (nods) "Yes." (shrugs) "But I guess I didn't know any better."
Linda: (exhales deeply) "So, you're-you're telling me all of this time, we could have been happy together, but you wanted to make Abby happy? Even though she wasn't happy half the time?"
Joshua: (whispers) "Yes." (sighs sadly & normal tone) "I will never be able to forgive myself for hurting you, Linda. I wouldn't blame you if you couldn't."
(Linda scoffs slightly at his confession. Truth was, though, she understood what he was going through. Yes, she loved him and has dreamt of a life with him all this time. She had to face reality, though. When they had feelings for each other, he was with Abby. Linda may not have liked it, but she had to accept it. During her relationship with Joshua, she was always known as 'the other woman'. As much as she wanted to argue with her former lover over the whole thing, she knew she had no right. Was she pissed off at him over it? Yes. Again, though, she had no right. If anything, Abby is the one who had the right to be angered. Surprisingly, though, Abby admitted to her soon-to-be-ex-hubby that she fell out of love with him, too. She knew about the affair and enjoyed making him squirm. The Sparrows agreed to split amicably)
(Joshua continues to look at his true love, hoping they can get past everything. His begging eyes cause her to look at him tearfully. Tears stream down her face before she finally speaks)
Linda: "I have loved you for as long as I can remember. Even though you are still technically married, I always hoped we would find our way back to each other. I know that was wishful thinking."
Joshua: (nods) "Deep down, I always wished for that, too. I'm just sorry it took until now for me to realize it all." (tearfully chuckles) "After all this time, Linda, it was always you I truly loved."
Linda: (smiles) "I love you, too, Joshua."
(After their tender moment, she remembers why she came to see him in the first place. She was terrified of how he would react to her secret. It concerned him and she was scared he would never want to talk to her again. He had a right to know, though. She braced herself for whatever lecture he would give her. Hell, she knew if it was even a possibility he would never speak to her again. She sighs deeply as she looks at him)
Linda: "There is a reason why I came here today, Joshua."
Joshua: (nods) "Okay."
(The saddened look on her face tells him it is serious)
Joshua: "Will it make me mad?"
(She half laughs, half sobs)
Linda: "You may never want to speak to me again."
(He stares at her in horror as he tries to read her mind)
Joshua: "You're scaring me, Linda. What is it?"
Linda: "After you broke up with me and went back to Abby, I found out something. I didn't know what to do, so I kept it to myself. I wanted to tell you since the day I found out, but I couldn't."
Joshua: (nods) "Okay, so tell me now."
Linda: (tearfully) "I'm so sorry, Joshua."
Joshua: "Tell me what? Linda, you can tell me anything."
(Linda looks down sadly and closes her eyes. Joshua attempts to comfort her by gently squeezing her hands. She clears her throat as she looks at him. She knew while she had the courage she needed to get the words out. She looks at him in the eyes)
Linda: "After you broke up with me and went back to Abby, I found out I was pregnant...with your child."
Chapter 69 Done
Chapter 70 Preview: 'How does Sparrow react to Linda's confession?'