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Perfectly Ever After?
CHAPTER FOUR
Eva had lived with Erik starting right after ABA. They had been best friends and Erik cared for no one more than her. Eva was a mess. She looked horrible. She felt horrible. Evan the fact that she had gotten engaged a few days before the crash didn't help… but why would it? She loved Erik (you know… as a friend). It had been really hard for her to grasp the fact that Erik "O" Jones, her caring, loving, funny best friend, was gone.
Charlie hadn't seen Erik in almost a year, which made it even harder than it would have normally been. He felt so bad about not seeing Erik in so long, and then to have him die… it was just too much for poor Charlie. He had exploded and nothing could calm him down. His best friend had died! He had been thinking about getting together with Erik soon anyway. Sam just wasn't the same, even he could check out girls with Sam. But Charlie didn't want to check out any girls but Jody, so that didn't even matter.
Charlie had just sat their whole time, bawling. He wouldn't talk to anyone. He wouldn't let anyone touch him except Eva (they hugged a lot) and Jody (they hugged once). Jody had wanted so much to help him. It hurt her to see him like this… sad, depressed, sad… sad basically. He seemed angry at the whole world.
But Jody was finding it really hard to talk to anyone as well. She had left early, seeing her friends like this was killing her. She drove around a while, not sure what to do. Then she crossed the bridge. The familiar bright city lights reflecting off the tears on her face. Cooper was home. She didn't know what to do… it just happened. Just like last time, she thought.
It was pretty late at night… or really early in the morning. Jody didn't know what to do. Should she just leave Cooper and pretend it never happened, like he had done? Or did she stay? She wanted to go back to Charlie. He was staying in a small hotel close to Eva and Ryan.
But Jody couldn't go to Charlie. Not now. Charlie was exploding with all the emotions he hadn't let lose in several years. And Jody didn't want to face him again. It was too hard. She loved him. She was pretty sure he still loved her… but still. Jody had this secret… that she could never tell Charlie. It would hurt both of them more than they were ready to handle. She just couldn't go to him now.
So she had to stay at Cooper's. She could always go over to Eva and Ryan's, that was better than Charlie's. But she didn't want to face anyone then. It was still painful. Getting over Erik would take a long time. He shouldn't have died. He was a nice person. He cared about everyone. He was funny… and he knew how to have a good time. He was everyone's best friend. No one like that deserves to die.
But Jody had to get out of Cooper's place. She quietly got dressed and grabbed up her purse and coat. Cooper was half-asleep, but he still had a vague sense someone was walking around. He didn't know what or who it was or why. He didn't care. He loved Jody. Now he could be happy, she loved him back. Finally.
Jody left and drove back across the bridge. She could always go back to her own apartment. But… she wanted to be with someone. But… she didn't want to be with anyone she knew. She was so confused.
Jody pulled up in front of the dark building. She got out of her car and ran inside. After talking to the lady at the desk, she ran up to the second floor and stared knocking lightly on door 37. She could hear someone stumbling around inside as she waited. The door slowly opened and Charlie stuck his thin head out the door. He saw Jody and let her in quickly before shutting the door.
Charlie had obviously not been sleeping. He was still wide-awake. He sat down on the bed and looked up at Jody with sad eyes. Jody didn't know what to do, neither did he. Jody sat down on the low dresser. They just sat there for while, looking at each other.
"How you holding up?" Jody asked softly after a few minutes.
Charlie shrugged. "Ok, you know." Charlie muttered.
Jody smiled. "Well, at least you're talking."
Charlie shrugged again. "What are you doing here Jody?"
Jody sighed. "I'm not really sure. I just need to be with someone. This is hard on everyone. And… you know… misery loves company."
Charlie nodded. "Oh… so… what? You gonna stay?"
"If you want me too… I mean, I can."
Charlie nodded. "So, you just went home for a few hours and then came here?"
Jody bit her lip. "Yeah." She lied.
"So…" Charlie looked into Jody's eyes. "Now what?"
Jody shrugged. "I-uh-I really have to tell you something… It's sorta important."
Charlie nodded. "I have something I need to tell you too. Can I go first?"
Jody smiled. "Please do."
Charlie took a deep breath and began. "In… the past couple of years, I've lost a lot of people. I lost 2 girlfriends, my cousin, and now… my best friend. I don't want to lose you too… at least not again. I don't think I'd do to well with that. I-I love you."
Jody blinked. "…Wow! I… I don't know what to say. I don't… I don't want to lose you either."
Charlie looked up. "That's what you wanted to tell me?"
"No. I wish it that. But… it's a lot more complicated."
Charlie's face was overcome with concern. "What is it?"
Jody took a deep breath. "I… ok. When we first got together… you knew about the whole Cooper thing. And then you said you loved me. So we started dating and what not. And that was really great. But…"
"What is it? What's wrong? You look sick."
Jody nodded. "I feel sick. I haven't eaten in a few days…" Jody's eyes opened wide and she took a few deep breaths.
Charlie sat up straight. "Are you ok? Do you want some food?"
"That would help…" Jody nodded.
Charlie frantically went through his suitcase. He pulled out a bag of unopened chips and handed them to Jody. She took the bag and ate a few chips slowly.
"You okay?"
She nodded. "Yeah. I think so, thanks."
"So, you gonna tell me now?"
Jody smiled. "I guess nothing else is gonna come up to hold this off… which sucks. Ok. Um, do you remember… after a while when I was living with you for while?"
Charlie nodded and smiled. "Sure."
Jody ate another chip. "Well… I think it was… just a few days before I moved back out again. So…" Jody bit her lip. "This just keeps getting longer and longer doesn't it?"
Charlie gave Jody a confused look. "Ok, you're really scaring me now. Please, just tell me!"
Jody nodded and looked in to Charlie's deep blue eyes. "… I was pregnant…"
