Chapter 36

One week later

Finally out of the hospital, Jack was picked up by Monika, who used his mom's car to get him.

"How're you feeling?" Monika asked as Jack sat down in the passenger's seat.

"Well, the wound isn't fully healed yet. But with some bandages and ointment, and proper care, it should heal up."

"That's good." Monika said as the two began to pull out of the parking lot.

"So, any news 'bout the bastard that shot me?" Jack asked.

"Uh, yeah, actually." Monika took one hand off the wheel to rub her neck.

"What?"

"He... escaped custody."

Jack stared at Monika in silence.

"But they're tracking him down." Monika assured him. "He'll be caught. I know it."

Jack leaned back in his seat, rubbing his eyes.

"How's Natsuki handling it?"

"Oh, she's fuckin' pissed." Monika replied quickly.

Jack raised an eyebrow at Monika's choice word. After a few seconds, he brushed it off and turned his gaze out the window.

"Not surprising." Jack shrugged. "The sonuvabitch did point a gun at her."

Monika shook her head.

"She's pissed cuz the guy who shot you managed to slip free." Monika told him.

"Did they manage to I.D him before then?"

"Yes, actually." Monika nodded. "He's an ex-con. Was imprisoned for..." Monika stopped.

"For?"

She took a breath before continuing.

"Murder." Monika clenched the steering wheel as she said that. "He'd, uh, he'd target families. Strangle them in front of each other... starting with the kids."

Jack's head immediately snapped over to look at Monika.

"Are you fuckin' serious?!"

Monika replied with a single firm nod.

"He's insane. But I'm sure the police'll have him back in custody in no time."

Jack leaned against the door, resting his head on his fist.

For the rest of the drive home, the two sat mainly in silence. Turning into the driveway, Monika turned off the car and the two climbed out.

As Jack walked up to the porch, Monika lagged behind a bit.

"So, uh, I gotta head home." Monika stated.

"What? Really?" Jack asked as he turned to look at her.

"Yeah. I gotta start packing, and getting ready to move."

"Move?" Jack repeated. "You never mentioned you were moving."

"Yeah..." Monika rubbed the back of her head. "Sorry. With everything that's going on, first the robbery, then Valery's birth, it slipped my mind. Don't worry. I'm actually moving closer to this neighborhood."

"You and your parents?"

"Hm?" Monika looked up at Jack. "Oh, no. Just me. Well, me and Yuri. We decided to be house mates."

Jack was surprised to hear that.

"And Yuri's parents are okay with that? I mean, I know you're 18, but Yuri's still a minor, no?"

Monika waved her hand back and forth.

"Yeah, no, Yuri's dad was totally fine with it." Monika told him. "Said it was good she was finally making decisions of her own and taking the first steps to being an adult, or something along those lines."

"Uh-huh." Jack placed a hand on his hip. "Well, if you need any help, just give a call, 'kay?"

Monika smiled sweetly.

"Thanks for the offer, Jack. But I think it'd be best to spend time with your newborn. I don't think it'd be right to pull you away from her so soon after being born." Monika gave a quick wave. "See ya later!"

Jack waved after her.

Turning around, Jack walked inside his home. Upon entering, he heard muffled cries coming from his room. Approaching the door, Jack opened it to see Natsuki, sitting on his bed, cradling Valery.

"Shh. Shh. Shh." Natsuki was trying desperately to calm the baby. "Please, just stop crying."

The baby replied by crying harder.

"Dear God, please!" Natsuki said softly. "I don't know what's wrong!"

Jack leaned against the door frame.

"She's hungry." Jack told her.

Natsuki glanced up at Jack.

"That's impossible! I just gave her a bottle of formula not three minutes ago. And she hasn't stopped crying since!"

Jack walked over and gently took Valery into his arms. Checking her diaper, he felt it was damp.

"Then it's because she's wet." Jack said.

Natsuki rubbed her forehead.

"I'll take it from here, Nats."

"Thank God!"

Natsuki quickly left the room.

Alone with his kid, Jack walked over to the changing station, the one Yuri had bought during summer break, and began to change Valery's diaper. Throwing the used one away, applying some baby powder, and putting on the new diaper, Jack left the room with a now happy Valery.

Carrying her into the livingroom, Natsuki was seen sitting on the couch, rubbing the sides of her head.

"See?" Jack said while looking at Valery, who was happily playing with his bangs. "Easy peasy lemon squeezy."

Natsuki rolled her eyes.

"Maybe to you." Natsuki leaned back against the couch. "Speaking of, how do you know so much about taking care of a baby? You got some other kid out there or somethin'?"

Jack chuckled.

"Nah. Just used to do a lot of babysitting jobs in middle school." Jack replied. "Ranging from babies, to toddlers, to five year olds."

Natsuki raised an eyebrow.

"Really? You? Babysitting?"

Jack glanced at Natsuki.

"Don't judge."

Natsuki raised her hands.

"No judging from me. Just surprised that you weren't doing something like mowing lawns."

"I got paid more for babysitting." Jack said, turning his head to look at Valery.

"I bet Sayori would be surprised to hear that."

"She helped me, actually." Jack told her. "Speaking of, where is Sayori?" Jack handed Valery over to Natsuki.

Taking her into her arms, Natsuki glanced at the baby.

"Oh, she and her mom went somewhere." Natsuki replied. "It's her last night in town, and Sayori wanted to spend time with her mom. Probably to try and get some pointers about raising a kid."

"Did her mom stop in to see Val?" Jack asked.

"Yeah, for a moment." Natsuki shrugged. "Then the two had to leave. And I was left babysitting."

"Sayori should be back any-"

The door suddenly opened as Sayori walked in. Taking off her shoes, she left them by the door before heading for the livingroom.

"Jack!" She squealed upon seeing him. "You're home!"

Running over and tackling him in a hug, Jack managed to keep his balance, however his wound roared, causing him to groan in pain.

"Sorry!" Sayori quickled jumped back. "You okay?"

Jack nodded his head.

"Yeah, should be fine."

Natsuki stood up and walked over to Sayori.

"Well, now that the mother is home, would you please take over?" Natsuki put Valery in Sayori's arms. "I am going to sleep."

Without another word, Natsuki walked down the hall and into her room.

"I didn't even get a chance to speak." Sayori said softly. "Oh, well!" Sayori turned her gaze to Valery. "It's probably time for you to sleep, too, huh?"

Valery replied by reaching out to Sayori.

"C'mon!" Sayori said as she walked into Jack's room. Heading to the baby's crib, Sayori gently laid Valery down. She was already asleep before Sayori even set her down. "Phew." Sayori turned to Jack.

Jack leaned against the doorframe as he watched his girlfriend take care of their baby.

"What had you so worried about being a mom?" Jack asked. "So far, you're doing great." He gave a gentle smile.

"Thanks." Sayori said as she turned to Jack. "And I don't know. Guess the thought of having a kid was weighing on me."

Jack's smile suddenly faded.

"I'm sorry. For missing the birth." Jack apologized.

Sayori shook her head.

"It wasn't your fault."

"Yeah, but... I really wish I was there."

"Jack." Sayori walked over and placed a hand on his cheek. "It's fine. The important thing is that you're fine. Compared to your health, I don't care if you missed a single moment. You'll still have countless more with the both of us."

Jack looked down to Sayori, who stared up at him with a loving gaze. Locking eyes for what felt like an eternity, Sayori bit her bottom lip simply on impulse. The two seemed to be having an entire conversation just by staring into the other's eyes.

Leaning forward, Jack kissed Sayori. Falling into it immediately, the two wrapped their arms around each other, savoring the moment.

Pulling away, Sayori stared up at Jack.

"You know..." Sayori took on a much softer tone as she fidgeted nervously. "We haven't exactly, erm, done it... in a while." Her cheeks turned bright red, but she refused to look away from Jack. Suddenly, her nervousness seemed to vanish as her eyes pierced Jack's with a burning ferocity. "Fuck it. I want you to take me."

End of chapter 36