Chapter 4
Jordan stood in the shower, letting the water splash on her head. She cried, knowing that when she stepped out of the shower, it was going to be one of the worst days of her life. She cried, for Michael, leaving, and for never getting the chance to watch him grow. She cried for losing Woody, and cried for getting him back. Jordan stopped crying, hoping that she would be able to keep Michael, but knowing deep down that it was unlikely to happen. She got out of the shower, and started getting ready for the day. She ran Michael's bath, and swallowed the lump in her throat that came every time she thought about Michael leaving.
"Michael, bath time!" Jordan smiled as he came bounding in, his bathrobe trailing behind him.
"I'm ready, where's the duckies?"
"Getting ready to get in. You have to wash up first though, because we have a very big day today, and we have to get going soon. Woody is going to help you with your bath while I get ready, Kay?" The two shared a laugh as Woody walked in. He looked Jordan in the eyes, and saw the pain and fear in them. He squeezed her shoulder as she walked out, her head hung low. While Woody gave Michael his bath, Jordan packed her camera up, and set out one of Michael's best outfits. She packed up his suitcase, and hoped that he wouldn't notice when she carried it out with them. "Hey, you two slow pokes ready yet? We need to get a move on!" Jordan laughed as Michael and Woody came out of the bathroom, Woody covered in bubbles. "Woody, did you leave any bubbles in the bathroom?". Michael laughed with Jordan, and Woody laughed, glad that Jordan was having fun. After a few minutes of laughter, Michael was dressed, Woody was changed, and Jordan was ready, well, as ready as she could be.
Later that day, the Park
Woody grabbed Jordan's hand as they walked along the path in the park. She didn't pull her hand away, but instead squeezed tighter. She looked up at him and smiled. She told Michael to wait for a moment, she had to get a picture of him. She had been stopping him a lot, and he couldn't figure out why she needed so many pictures.
"Joodan, why do we need so many pictures?"
"Because I like your pretty face." Jordan ran her hand down his face with a smile, making the little boy laugh. Jordan finished the roll of film and noticed that they needed to get to there appointment, so they left the park. They got to Laura's office at 2:45, so they waited outside, Jordan holding Michael tight, leaning on Woody for support.
Laura Jacobs's Office
"Jordan, is there anyway that Woody could take Michael outside so that we can talk?" Jordan looked at Woody and nodded, giving the boy a tight squeeze before putting in Woody's arms.
"Joodan, where am I going? I wanna stay with you!"
"Hey little guy, remember when you were with me and Jordan went to make that phone call? Well, this will be just like that, only this time we're going to leave. Jordan will still be here when we get back kay?" Michael laughed at Woody's use of the word kay. Woody and Jordan soon caught on, causing Laura to cast them funny looks.
"Kay Woody, let's go. Joodan, love you." Jordan waved at her two boys as they left the office.
"Well Jordan, I'll get right to the point. I don't think that it would be a good idea to place Michael with someone who worked such odd hours --"
"What would I have to do to keep him?"
"Well, there one thing you could do, but I don't know if you would be up to it."
"What?"
"Well, we can place a child with two parents, even if they both work odd hours, because then it is more likely that someone will be able to be home with the child."
"So if I get married, I can keep Michael?"
"Yes. There are other ways, such as you quitting your job, but I don't think that you would want to do that."
"No, I don't want to quit my job. I don't have a boyfriend that I could marry, what can I do?"
"I don't know. You have until the end of the week to decide. Call me by Friday with your decision."
"Thank you. Goodbye." Jordan walked out of the office and walked over to where Woody sat with Michael. "Let's go boys. Michael, what do you want to do?"
"I wanna go to the park again, and take more pictures." Michael smiled at the detective and the medical examiner. He knew that something was wrong, and he hoped that the park would make them happy like it made him happy.
"Let's go then. Michael, you lead the way." Michael started off for the park, with Jordan and Woody following closely behind.
The Park
"She said that if I don't quit my job or get married, then I can't keep him. I work too many hours, to always be there to take care of him."
"I thought that you were cutting back your hours?"
"I am, but that's not final yet, so unless I get married, Michael will be leaving on Friday."
"Jordan, if you want, I'll marry you."
"Don't joke around with me like that. I need to figure out how to keep Michael."
"Marry me. You know that I have wanted to marry you, and I'm pretty sure that you still love me, so why not marry me so Michael can stay with his Joodan?"
"Fine, but if you change your mind I'll understand. I'm serious."
"So am I. I love you, and have wanted to spend everyday with you since the day I met you. So marry me."
"Woody, you don't have to do this just so I can keep Michael. I wouldn't want you to be unhappy and resent me and Michael later on." Woody looked into Jordan's eyes and noticed the tears that were about to fall.
"Jordan, remember when I tried to give you the friendship ring? Right before that I knew that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you, but I wanted to make sure that you felt the same about me. That was why I gave you the ring."
"Woody, I do love you, it wasn't pity when you were in the hospital. I just hope that you aren't going to marry me out of pity."
"I love you. So, will you marry me?"
"Yes." Jordan and Woody started kissing, but were soon interrupted by Michael.
"Um, Joodan, can we go watch a movie?"
"Yeah, we can." Jordan, Woody, and Michael headed to Jordan's apartment. All three of them hand in hand.
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