Jack's POV:
The rest of the evening was rough, I eventually dragged her to the room we were staying in. We didn't even say goodnight to John, but we figured that was for the best. I know he's going to have night terrors, but sleeping apart at the house has been helping him.
I don't want to broach the idea of moving stateside to Angela, because most of the things I am doing around here, I could easily do wherever. She could too if given a grant to have a lab elsewhere. But that's a dream, a beautiful dream.
Her hands were shaking as she nibbled on a protein bar I made her eat. She had been drinking the majority of the night. I joined her for a few beers, but she is doing shots. It doesn't affect her as much. But when she starts nodding off and apologizing, I get concerned.
" You are losing your best friend and it's all my fault" she whispered when I checked on her.
" he's not my best friend anymore and hasn't been for years—- this isn't your fault" I said as I rubbed her back.
She looked up at me with her glassy eyes and I know mine are the same. Her kiss knocked me onto my back.
She looked at me with a smile and teary eyes and for the next two hours we did nothing but destroy each other. Our bodies tangled on the bed when we finally stopped.
" fuck" was all she softly whispered and I started to laugh which caused her to laugh and we both rolled to face each other.
" We are all the things they think" she said with a slight smile.
" Yeah, we definitely have some issues" I replied.
She snuggled against my chest, her fingers absently running down my body. I love the sensation, the light dancing drumming, keeping me grounded to this moment. To this beautiful moment.
—- the alarm went off too soon, Angela was already in the shower.
She only put on a small bit of makeup, her hair was partially down as she emerged in a small cloud of steam.
She took the cup of coffee I offered her and wiggled onto my lap as she sat.
I'm not dressed yet, so it's fine that her damp towel is marking me with wet spots.
Her lips brushed my cheek before she planted a kiss with a soft " thank you".
" You are always welcome" I replied.
We sit in silence, neither of us wanting to address anything.
But she clears her throat a few times as if something is weighing on her. Last night I tried to get it out of her, but when she's lost in her thoughts it's hard to get them out.
" will you be alright today?" She whispered.
" I'm trying, I feel there was so much left unsaid— I feel no closure like I hoped I would" I admitted.
She nodded into her cup, an eyebrow arched for just a second.
" what?" I asked her. And she shook her head.
But then she sighed and looked at me directly.
" you love me, no matter what?" She asked.
" I love you, no matter what" I replied.
" good" she said quietly before swishing her hair back and kissing me.
The alarm went off again and she chugged the rest of her coffee as I rushed off to get dressed. I wouldn't be going into the medical room with her. But I would wait outside until it was time.
I couldn't look at the news, it just filled me with anxiety. When we walked down the long hallway together, and stepped into the armoured vehicle it became reality. My hand gripped hers tightly, as the small convoy took off. Just a mile or so away, the sun didn't even have time to fully rise.
The building was ominous, the air was cold, Angela huddled against me. No press appeared, something felt off.
When Angela left my side to do a last exam, I paced. Thinking of the friend I used to know—- what he became. How I managed to miss it. It was all timed so brilliantly.
I never picked up on anything because of my relationship with Angela, and my friendship with him. I figured it was just him being miserable for the most part. Ana started to walk towards me but stopped.
I don't have the energy to be petty, she betrayed me and that still hurts. But today—- we are losing a friend.
" how are you holding together?" She questioned when I motioned for her to come closer.
" managing—- it's bizarre. Completely and utterly bizarre" I said.
" well, it's not the call we wanted. But it's the choice they made. He technically made it. How they allowed him to do that is beyond me—- Angela was right. There was a case there to plead, but his refusal? " she stopped talking for a moment.
" He wants to go out this way" I said as I dug my hands into my pockets. I continued my pacing while Ana took a seat.
" you are here to watch?" I asked.
" he could use a friend. I wasn't sure if you two were staying" she said.
" I think it might be too much for Angela, but she insisted on staying" I said, clearing my throat.
" she needs to be able to process her trauma. And if this helps her then... I can't find a reason to argue" I added.
" but what about you?" She asked.
" My ability to handle things increases when she's distressed, and—- I want to be there for him, I've nearly seen this man die like a thousand times" I said as Ana let out a soft laugh.
" That is correct" she replied.
The door creaked open and Angela walked out. Her eyes fell on Ana and myself, I noticed she didn't know if talking to Ana was okay with me now.
" it's fine" I whispered to her.
She said hello to Ana and sat down. Her eyes didn't look swollen from crying, so that's strange—- She held my hand, resting her head on my shoulder.
" You don't have to come if it's too much" she said.
" I've already made up my mind, I'm going to see this to the end" I said.
Angela just nodded her head and let out a slow sigh.
A bunch of other people, government officials left the room Angela was previously in.
" That many were watching you?"
" Yeah, it was really strict, but they never seem to ask the right questions" she whispered, so quietly that I almost missed it.
Her feet tapped on the floor, Winston showed up, not at all who I expected but I appreciate his solidarity in this matter.
" Jack, you've been asked for"
" what?"
" Follow me, I'm doing this as a favor" the man said.
I was led into the room, as far as I know nobody else is privy to this. I was cleared and searched for any contraband.
I didn't expect him to want to talk to me, unless he wants to just torture me again. But he's quiet, sitting in the cold and fluorescent lighting. Chained to the table and chair.
I took the opposite chair and tried not to sigh, his lack of greeting or acknowledgment was already a sign of how this would go.
He's just requested me, knowing I'd come— knowing what I was hoping for.
I'm not going to get that, and his silence is telling, after a minute or two of considering my options I decided to leave but as my hands touched the table for a moment, he slammed his down.
I pulled my hands back and remained seated, trying to read his face like I used too. But it's so stoic, there's nothing there to read. He's been under control for so long that thinking this could result in anything productive surely has been madness. I'm repeating this scenario over and over.
" I hated you" he says.
" I know" I replied, here we go again.
" they used that, they used me—- you used me... there's absolutely nothing I can do, or say to apologize. Because—"
" it wasn't you, I know you. An ass but not pure evil" I said.
He laughed, irritation was brewing in it.
" I'm not going to get what I want from this, you aren't the heartfelt apology type. But I do know that you went through an ordeal. All because of jealousy and you could apologize for that. You didn't need to dive off the deep end into Talon" I said as I tried to carefully choose words.
He snarled before replying " jealous? Is that what you—- this isn't about that. Overwatch was a sham, a fake organization that provided false security. It was so easily revealed the layers of corruption within it once Gérard was murdered"
" we worked on restoring its name together though—"
" through Blackwatch?" He asked, arching a brow.
" how we did it—"
" shut up Boy Scout, even you went vigilante and somehow still made it back to the top. You aren't universally hated"
" neither are you, some people still believe in you. Still knew who you were and what you stood for. Yeah; you're a dick, but you were my best friend! " I was nearly shouting.
His reaction changed, as his face twitched in response.
" you didn't have to go that way, you can still get out of this"
" no, I can't. I need to pay for the shit I've done. If there's anything ' decent' I can still do, it's by entering that room" he said.
There it was, that tone, that weakness. That's the man who had my back, that's the man I trusted with my life. The corners of my brain are feeling a pounding headache and waves upon waves of guilt.
" don't get all sentimental about me now" he said, trying to joke.
" You've done a lot of shitty things, but I don't find you to be— beyond pardoning the worst punishment" I replied, my voice cracked with emotion. He wasn't the horrible awful man right now... he was... he was my friend.
" my choice, I don't want to hang around getting dragged through more dirt than I already am"
" but we could change that. You've provided information on so many organizations—"
" you! Killed bad guys. I killed bad guys and good guys, and innocents. That doesn't get—- looked over"
" because you won't let it!"
" and you think you are handling everything okay? Having done nowhere near the level of criminal activity and murders that I have? Still eating you up? Still bothering you daily?"
" there's medication and therapy for—"
" nothing could help this! You aren't understanding that"
" I understand it better than you think. We've lived different lives. But you've undergone a lot" I replied.
" Boy Scout, you have to stop fighting someday. So let this old soldier go" his voice was gruff, not bitter, just broken.
The knock on the table signaling that time was up and I needed to get my ass out.
" I don't let anyone go" I said as I stood up when the guard entered the room. I hate that I feel like crying. I shouldn't be feeling this way.
" There's a first time for everything" he said with his signature shrug.
But the sarcastic smile was so forced, painfully forced.
My boots thumped on the ground as I left the room. I couldn't find anything else to say, nothing would improve this situation. Nothing would make him feel better.
I rejoined our friends in the hallway. Angela patted my shoulder gently as I leaned my head on hers.
" are you okay?" She softly asked, but I could hear it in her throat. Muffled and sweet, she was concerned but calm.
" Not in the slightest" I replied as she rubbed my shoulder.
" this isn't what we wanted, as conflicting as it feels to say that" Winston said with a trembling lip.
" It will be alright" Angela says softly.
" It's quick?" Winston asked.
" ah— yes, it should be" Angela says with a nod. But I can listen to her heartbeat, only then did it quicken. Otherwise she's calm as can be.
Ana slipped a flask out, surprisingly the same old one Reyes used to have. We all passed it around, each raising it before taking a swig.
The doors opened for the viewing chamber, I held Angela's hand as we walked in and sat in our seats. After a few minutes they turned on the light and we could see him strapped to the table.
I never... I never thought it would come to this, I thought he would be my best man—- then I thought I'd be the one to put a bullet in his head—- then I thought I'd be the one to smash his head to a bloody pulp—- and then... somehow I saw how fucked he had been. I understood.
Did I not fight enough? Angela stopped fighting... she never stops fighting. I glanced over at her, her eyes were straightforward on him, I couldn't feel a rapid panic pulse. Instead she looks intrigued. So either her mind is acting up or she knows something. I couldn't pay attention to what was being said until he said his last words.
" fuck you" he muttered as he leaned back.
Angela patted my hand and wiggled a bit in her chair. My eyes instinctively closed. I couldn't look, but a slight murmur in the crowd was indicating something. Her hand was tapping mine as I looked up. Reyes was pissed, everyone was in a state of confusion, except Angela, who isn't a good actress.
" you knew?" I whispered.
" I had—- an inkling" she said back quietly as the room began roaring.
" Maybe it just hasn't kicked in yet" someone said.
Angela began to sink down in her seat.
" do we need to get out of here?" I asked.
" It's fine" she replied softly. Winston was looking our way and we just shrugged in reply.
A few members of the UN came into the room including Sojourn. The room with Reyes went dark as he was escorted out.
" Angela?" They asked as she stood up and prepared to follow them out, but I attached myself to her. A flurry of emotions, if she did anything— we can't talk our way out of this? She wouldn't risk everything for him...
We kept pace down the hall and into an interrogation room, Reyes was also there in cuffs. He didn't look so good but when does he now?
" what the hell was that?" Adawe asked.
" What happens when you try to inject poison into someone with nanotechnology flowing through their veins" she replied nonchalantly.
I nearly laughed, but I felt a huge smile on my face.
" did you inject him with more?" They asked.
" if you look at his medical records, I'm willing to share them with other sources..." she hesitated for a moment before continuing " some of it would compromise the serums used, the other undercover stuff. Honestly the man is full of chemicals and has been for decades... since I've never personally had a patient be lethally injected— I could only hypothesize about this. And now I have a result. Not that I wanted to know—- but given circumstances—- this is what happens. So I haven't done anything purposefully to sabotage this. When you asked me to ' keep him alive' I kept him alive. But regardless, it would have still been in him. Even the corrupted version of him pre- healings in the past months. " She was the picture of calm as she spoke.
I have always been proud of her but this moment is making her radiant. Absolutely nobody knows what to say.
" you bitch! You fucking bitch! I wanted this and you took this from me! You fucking bitch! I'll fucking do it myself" Reyes started shouting, he was losing it infront of everyone.
" oh! Thank you for reminding me, there's some mental health protections in place here, now that he said that part out loud. So, he needs to be under psychiatric hold, not under the care of me, because I have him stable. He's fine. I have a whole list of medications he takes to just keep balanced. But a psych needs to evaluate him. But— I do declare that this man is unfit for execution. And given the fact that he's unable to go the route of the only legal offering the system still allows—- " she paused.
" I believe he's supposed to serve his sentence"
Reyes was even quiet, the room was silent as they looked at her. And I'm still beaming. The shit he did while in blackwatch, he would need to pay for that in the first place but I tried to get him off. There's so much there—- but now there's medical evidence that he wasn't acting of his own free will beyond joining Talon.
" You are a real pain in the ass Angela" Adawe said with a hint of admiration.
" I know" she replied as she took my hand.
" you knew nothing about this?" He asked me.
" I can honestly tell you, I support her, I listen. But I understand 5% of the medical talk she spews at me" I said.
" very well. Get the hell out of here, we will get an independent doctor to look into this" Adawe said.
" Not a problem" Angela replies.
" but anything related to government experiments will fall solely onto you" he added.
" understood" she states.
I pull her out of the room before Reyes can call her a bitch again. But he looks so relieved.
Ana and Winston were waiting and looking at us, but I motioned for them to just follow us back to the vehicle.
The driver barely spoke to us as we got in.
" what the hell was that!" Ana nearly shouted.
" Long long story short, genetics and nanotech, I did nothing" Angela said as Ana shook her head in disbelief.
" so—- he's not going to-" Winston began to ask but Angela shook her head no and Winston let out a small sigh of relief.
" This is such a weird feeling" I said.
Nobody replied, just silent agreement... and nobody knows how to process this.
—
We made it back to the base and split off, we promised to get John back soon but wanted some time to discuss this alone.
When we returned to our temporary room to repack our gear to head home, we hadn't said much. But I looked over at her, as she carefully folded things the way I personally do, if it was up to her it would just be tossed into the suitcase.
But watching her, and just—- feeling hysterically and frantically overwhelmed at absolutely everything in the past 24 hours.
She noticed me staring and and blushed, which only made me trying to avoid turning this into purely sex, because all I want to do is shower her in affection.
So I walked over to her, fully prepared to just thank her and kiss her, but she gripped onto my collar at the first chance she got, her legs bouncing her up to my waist, locking tightly around me, nearly knocking me off balance, I pushed her against the wall to not drop her. Her hands fumbled for my belt while kissing me, snapping it off and unzipping my pants.
—
" You are amazing" I whispered.
" So are you" she replied.
" but I have no idea how you kept all of that from me" I said as I regained my strength, turning on my side and facing her.
" it wasn't a sure thing. I didn't want to give you any false hope, and I know how you struggled with this like I did" she sighs.
" that makes sense"
" I had hoped it would. I feel it would have been worse expecting nothing to happen and having it happen... but now—- he's in jail. Overwatch is trying to hunt down those who won't let shit go" she was rambling now.
I smiled at her and she smiled back as we held hands. Now I feel better facing John tonight. We are supposed to be heading to my parents in a day, and I am so excited to see them and finish the wedding preparations in person.
She shivered for a minute and I held her closer, trying to warm her up.
" you don't think I was in violation of anything do you?" She asked.
" this is where I wish you would have talked to me about this first—- but I do completely understand your reasoning, but... you didn't know if it would work just had a theory" I tried to think of any legal way she could pay for this but there just isn't any guidelines for something like this. Especially when the original science was approved, so she didn't technically do anything to prevent it.
" good" she muttered into my chest as she kissed it.
" but in the future, even if there's a chance for a letdown, can I at-least be slightly informed? You have nothing else planned in the next week right? I cannot push back this wedding if I tried" I said as I tried to get a view of her face but she kept it turned downward on my chest.
" Not that I can think of" she replied.
" I'm relieved, is it—- bad to say that?" I said looking at her. I could feel her snuggling closer to me, her lips brushed my shoulder.
" no" she mumbled into my neck.
" I feel like I'm betraying you—"
" You haven't, he's been undergoing a lot of psych, medications and things to help with the effects of mind control" she says quietly.
" he almost seemed like his old self today, so—- whatever you have done I think it's working"
Her head rested on me, she's so light—- she feels so fragile.
" I hoped it would, I tried really hard to help undo the damage" she softly says.
" so that's what you've been up too"
" I've always been working on that, since Gérard. The level of work they tried to do on him— they succeeded in a lot of ways" her skin rubbed against mine.
" You are so brilliant" I said with awe and wonder.
" no, it's just science. I just had to work out a few things ".
" a few things? You had to undo over a decade of mind control, without making things worse—- you" I said turning back to her, kissing up her back to her neck after each word. " always sell yourself so short, and you aren't short—" she laughed softly.
I brushed her hair off her neck and kissed her jaw before focusing on her lips. Crashing around in the sheets for a while longer before cuddling again.
" I just want you happy" she hums.
" I am beyond happy" I replied.
" but you could be happier" she said.
" yeah how ? because from where I am, and who I have as my wife— things are pretty damn good for me. So how?" I asked.
Her eyes were focused on mine, the moment she said " you could always be a farm boy again", I knew she saw the instant reaction. My eyes squeezed shut with joy for a moment trying to process it.
" thought so" she said as I pulled her on top of me for a kiss.
Her legs settled on each side of me, pressed against my thighs. Hair lightly tickling my jaw as she held her forehead to mine.
" are you certain?" I asked her, and her response was to lightly kiss my lips before gently nipping my earlobe a moment later.
" I want you to be happy"
" You make me the happiest, I will do whatever you want, whatever you need" I replied as she held my ear and body under her control.
" whatever I want?" She whispered.
" of course" I replied again.
" that's what I want for you"
" I know, we can talk about this more in the morning—-" I said as I kissed her.
" why because—"
" yes" I replied.
Eventually we finished packing ( again). And going to retrieve John from Lena.
" he's already asleep, so— that gives us some time to discuss parties" Lena said as she sat us down at the table.
" parties?" Angela looked confused.
" yeah again, We've talked about this before. He— cannot see you the night before or the morning of, considering alcohol does. Eh to ya, I figured we can have our girls night that night—- already booked us the hotel and an entire agenda. You cannot say no! Neither of you! But as per your husband's wishes we are staying in the same hotel" Lena said.
" Boy, do I have a night planned for you" Winston said, rubbing his hands.
" I have a feeling I will regret everything" I said.
" probably" Angela replies.
" I also wanted to ask... WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TODAY?"
" the right decision was made for Reyes. That's all I'm going to say on that matter" Angela said.
Lena's eyes got big and watery, she is rightfully curious but the entire ordeal isn't anyone's concern. Well maybe hers... but I'm not getting into it all.
We proceeded to end our evening taking John back to the house we were renting.
I spent most of it preparing a small dinner for us both while John slept.
Angela was lounging on the couch with a large glass of wine that I poured her as she watched the fake fireplace dance. She's always uncomfortable around fire but so intrigued by it at the same time. Her eyes are just transfixed by it.
Luckily the only thing we really need to pack here is clothes and toys, I figure we will be handing over the keys in the morning to Lena to return for us once we've made an actual decision.
Angela and I eventually fell asleep, on the couch after talking for a few hours about virtually nothing, and it was beautiful. Not having to stress about anything.
I packed up the toys and things while she peacefully slept. Probably for the first time in over a month or more.
I appreciated looking over at her smile while she dreamed. Not the tossing of night terrors.
Talon is still out there but the regular threat isn't as strong, we have overwatch watching the world again, and for me that makes it a hell of a lot safer.
It also helps being privy to most plans and things that are occurring. I kissed her temple as I walked by her, pulling the blanket back over her.
—
" are you excited kiddo?" I asked after trying my best to explain things to John. He was happy to be heading back to the farm, but we weren't going to tell him anymore until we settled on a place.
" yeah" he replied as he ate his cereal, Angela looked concerned but I tried to give her a hug to ease that.
" I always hated traveling when I was your age—- but you have grandparents that love you and can't wait to see you" she said.
" cows and chickens" he said while munching on his cereal.
" Yes, lots of time with them" I said.
" good" he replied.
Angela and I shared a look of concern but sat back finishing our coffee and filling travel mugs. Against my judgement, Angela did want Ana and Fareeha at our wedding... so at least we didn't have to worry about heading anywhere other than the states today. The keys had been safely delivered to Lena earlier, all we had to do was close the door.
We headed out shortly after John finished and I washed his dishes. Closing the door was slightly sentimental but I'm excited for the next chapter.
The flight was uneventful, John mostly wore his headphones and watched movies, and Angela was my copilot.
" tomorrow is the day we scope out the town for anything I didn't manage to accomplish for the wedding, but you don't have to join if you don't want too" I said.
" well, I feel you've already planned the majority of it— so will you really miss my terrible input?"
" terrible!? Hardly" I replied.
" You know how to plan things and I don't" Angela replied.
" but surely you have some input? " I said but then rethought my question, she's never been involved with any planning of anything at overwatch, birthdays, holidays etc.
She looks incredibly uncomfortable and I did try to apologize but she just looked out the window and repeated that it was fine.
" Trust me, I don't mind darling, I know what I'm good at " she replied.
" Okay, well then I guess you will spend time working on the lights with my mother" I said mentally checking something else off.
" fine by me"
I reached out for her hand as we soared above the farm for a minute longer so I could warn my parents before landing.
The landing was smooth and we pushed it under a tarp when done. John was already leaning on the fence and trying to pet cows. Angela was hugging my parents and I had our luggage with us, apparently Lena is bringing the dress with her.
—
The next few days seemed to fly by, John was doing better now that he had some structure to his days again, chickens to feed and grandparents to love him.
I sat by the fire at night with my parents while Angela went to bed early, they looked so tired too and I tried telling them it was fine and I was just working on some finishing touches and maybe some Overwatch reports once finished.
But they stayed up, chatting about John and Angela.
" The smartest thing you've done was decide to marry her, and come back to us" my mother said with a grin.
" I know" I replied.
" he knows..." my dad also replied.
" well, I'm glad you both like her"
" oh we love her, she's just—- is she always so introverted? I always saw her as an extrovert like you"
" she has her moments, parental stuff still bothers her, I think you two make her nervous" I said honestly.
" nervous?!" My mother exclaimed.
" she has an amazing personality and the ability to have so much compassion for people, but I think she's been without parents so long that she just gets—- she gets stuck in her head. She wants to make a good impression but overthinks it and ends up shutting down. She loved you both so much, I think you two are the only people that she is scared of" I said making sure to be softer in case she woke up and heard us.
" well, I'm sure her family will—-"
" She doesn't have any" I replied quickly.
" she doesn't have any family?"
" Just Overwatch, John and me and now you two" I said, clearing my throat.
" Son—- if this wedding event isn't something she wants then..."
" no, she does but I think she's struggling with logistics and getting excited for it. She's been through a lot so I'm trying to make sure that it's all about her" I said.
" alright groomzilla" my mom chuckled.
" Oh I will be" I answered with a laugh.
"'She doesn't seem like the type to like a big—- show for her?" My dad states.
" I want it to be comforting and welcoming. Like an official welcoming to the family, just with a lot of things she likes"
" I know— that Swiss chocolate is just taking up so much room in the freezer. When it was delivered I was so flustered! I didn't know where to put it all!"
" well we have a lot of people coming and I want it to be perfect"
" well, you two love each other. The whole day could be full of rain and frogs! And it would still be good" my mom said with enthusiasm.
" I know I know" I replied with a chuckle at her old saying.
We paused when John started crying, it was soft, but Angela was snuggled with him tonight. But now she's definitely awake.
After a few minutes she quietly starts coming down the stairs and nearly jumps when she sees us all sitting here.
" I'm sorry!" She exclaims.
" for what?! You aren't interrupting anything at all. We were talking about the wedding" my mom reassures her as Angela shyly joined the group.
She sits next to me and I put a blanket on her immediately, and she smiles and thanks me.
" we were thinking that you two deserve a decent honeymoon— we will watch John. Obviously" my mom said.
" we couldn't" Angela said as she looked at me.
" it's not a problem"
" he gets too anxious and—" Angela started but stopped herself.
" alright, the offer is there if you want it" my mom looked at me, I know that look. She won't take ' no' for an answer.
" How else will I get more grand babies" she added.
I let out a short laugh, and Angela looked bewildered. Her posture stiffened and I don't know how to explain the situation.
" I'm serious, I love one, but I always thought you would have an entire roost!" She was being adamant about it.
" I need to check— I need to get your medication" Angela said as she looked at me with an indicating look. She scurried out of the room and I'm confused.
" mom" I said, knowing that I now know how to explain part of John's unusual circumstances.
" what?" She asked with her hands thrown up.
" John, well. Angela. She's. "
" unable to have more like me?" She asked.
" what? No— maybe? I always thought I was too much for you two to handle..."
" no— I had surgery after you because there were complications, and you being an only child I think worked out for you eventually" she said.
" Angela is complicated in this way, she's—- full of stuff and I don't think it's possible for her. John just happened somehow— well I mean. " I laughed anxiously and then tried again to explain. " Angela didn't know she was pregnant with him. So he has some health concerns but we think most are cleared up—- but I think baby talk is off limits for her" I said softly.
My mom looked disappointed and my father just shrugged.
" ANYWAYS! Cows are looking good" I said loudly hoping Angela would hear a change in conversation.
She came down a few minutes later and looked slightly upset but my parents wouldn't be able to detect that.
" sorry if we upset you! We are headed to bed now—- early morning" my dad said.
Angela said a sweet goodnight to both of them, and joined me on the couch.
" I'm really sorry about that— I know, they can be a bit aggressive on somethings" I said as I rubbed her back.
" no bother" she replied, kissing my cheek.
" and just so you know—- I'm fine with the one we have" I said.
Her mouth twitched and she began digging in her bag for her phone.
" I meant that to make you feel better" I foolishly said.
Her eyes narrowed for a moment.
" don't say something just to make me feel better, I want the truth" she snipped as she tucked her feet under herself. Her eyes snapped back to her phone and I didn't say anything.
There's nothing to say, yeah I'd like another kid—- but chances are she can't. I figured this was all we are going to get and John is more than enough. But again. This might all come down to her trauma. Junkrat even mentioned something, but I feel that would be too much to ask her about... ever.
" just tell me the truth then" she says quietly.
" I'm more than happy with John, but if we had another I wouldn't be upset about it. One is perfect and two is—- two is two, can't have too many of a good thing" I said trying to force out a laugh.
She let out a sigh and nodded, I rubbed her shoulders for a moment before she replied " I'm really tired, I love you... sorry if I'm emotional".
" Our wedding is soon, I'd be shocked if you weren't" I replied. She let out a small laugh, and within minutes was asleep on my shoulder, there's a difference. We all learned registering awake and asleep Angela at some point at Overwatch. I moved her over to the pillow and tucked her into the couch.
Now I had some time to reflect and prepare for the wedding. I don't have much left to plan, I'm doing my " bachelor party" ridiculously the night before the wedding like hers, then setting up the entire wedding day... because snow is due.
We had a beautiful wooded area planned out and reception in a log cabin within walking distance. We had some security patrolling and of course all of us would be armed anyways.
It feels weird, it feels so surreal knowing how soon we will be at our reception. I snuggled with her, our last night together before the wedding.
Sleeping is impossibly hard, the adrenaline of the trial and coming home to do our wedding— it's a lot more to process than I thought.
" what's wrong?" Angela whispered sleepily.
" go back to sleep" I said quietly.
She grunted and sat up, her hands folded in frustration " tell me" she says.
" too much to process" I replied.
" then show me the stars " she says as she struggles to get up. She's already putting her boots on and coat.
" angel—-" I said rubbing my face.
" you promised" she replied as she headed towards the door. I grumbled as I put on my boots and leather coat.
The soft baying of animals in the distance, the sky was so bright, sparkling and dancing on her hair. Tiny flakes fell from the sky, her face lit up as she held my hand.
" show me" she whispered as I pulled her close.
" you want me to show you the bears?" I said with a cheeky grin.
She laughed into my chest, the warmth of her breath making my body shudder.
" that line won't work on me again" she says with a laugh.
" You sure?" I asked.
" maybe—-" she replied as she leaned against the barn.
Her face tilts up at me when I joined her, before she pulled me into a kiss. Followed by another.
Warm breath clouding the air as we pulled away.
" you can tell me anything"
" I know that, I don't find a point in talking about him anymore" I stated as I cleared my throat. I was getting accustomed to the chilly night.
" I don't mind listening. He was a large deal for so many—- and we know it wasn't on him—- completely. I was his doctor, you his best friend. We let it slip; we believed it wasn't true" she says with a little sigh.
" but we need to stop blaming ourselves for this. Gérard was an accident, he was an accident" she added.
" I know I would feel worse if—- " I started but my emotions hit me. The tears just started to fall from my eyes. Her arms wrapped around me as I cried, her soft humming to try and help ground me to the moment. But it hurts so much.
" you've needed this" she says softly.
" I know I know I know I know" I repeated. Stuck in a loop over and over the same emotions rattling inside my mind.
" Jack, shhhh you need to stop this, there's nothing more we can do about him, about what happened and how it happened"
" we have to deal with this every single day—- knowing all of this information and just letting it—- go?"
" we won't get the closure on this that you want. It was easier to hate him" she said.
And that realization kicked me. I fell to the ground and she helped me focus. Her hands keeping my head up and focused on her face. While I took deep breaths until I calmed down. The animals were singing to the sky, and I was melting into the earth.
" why is that true?!" I asked.
" having an enemy is easier than having a complicated history—- especially the level we had with him. You wanted him to be the bad guy—-"
" but I am" The words slipped out of my mouth before I could stop them.
Her hair shook in my face as her head was pressing against mine.
" no, absolutely not. Was Gérard a bad guy? ... I didn't think so, neither are you" she says, her thumbs wiping away my tears.
" what is there to do about this?"
" move forward, or therapy. Probably lots of therapy" she said.
" wasn't that in our agreement in court?"
" yes, but now, we know there will be help for us. I can't always be my own doctor" her mouth tugged into a smile before I kissed her.
" he was, apologetic, he seems so—- lost" I admitted. Her hands danced across my shoulders before squeezing me against her again.
" we are all lost, we all got fucked up. The best thing we can do, is therapy and focusing on family and our new home"
Our what?
" I was waiting, to tell you—- but. I think I found a nice bit of land—- something to build on anyways—- I know you—" she kept pausing as I kissed her neck. I feel so overwhelmed and overjoyed.
" you did what?!" I nearly shrieked with joy.
" I'll show you, I was waiting for our wedding night to gift this to you, since—- well"
" what?"
" I didn't want to sign without your approval" she said.
" oh I thought—"
" what?"
" nothing" I said as I brushed her hair behind her ears. I cupped her face in my hand before kissing her again. I don't deserve this, or her. But right now I will enjoy this moment.
" now, time to focus on that wedding" she said with a grin.
" yes, absolutely" I replied.
" perfect, now—- about the cake—" she said with a giggle and I laughed.
" I'm serious" she said trying to get rid of that bright smile.
" oh, I know you are. You are always serious when chocolate is involved" I replied.
I'm about to marry my best friend, in front of our friends. I kissed her soft hair, walking back into the house together.
—-
A/N: I hope this doesn't seem rushed or anything, and i didn't want to just abruptly stop with Reyes' stuff. So i'm hoping this is okay! I figured this is all good and needed. But if i'm wrong please let me know!
Thank you so much for reading! Extra shoutouts to : : Kirabeta, jfm76,ayumiiishinozakiii, TheMdogs, robot584, CyborgNinja777, dragontear365, Trokxy, Chaosdynasty,and L0rdOfThEMemes