On Your Mind

Disclaimer; I don't own anything related to Red Eye!

Chapter Four

The following day, Jackson woke to the sounds of a screaming infant. A quick glance at his alarm clock revealed that it was only 5am. What is the point of having a nanny if I still have to hear that thing?

A knock sounded on his bedroom door. He rolled over to face the solid wood door, uttering curses under his breath. His room was empty and spotless once more. He had won the battle with the cradle last night and moved the contraption down the hall into the nursery. He half-excepted the door to open, but it remained closed.

"Mr. Rippner? Abby won't stop crying—I think she wants to see you," Norma's voice came through the door.

Jackson rolled his eyes. More likely the brat's missing her mother…

"Bring her here," he said half-heartedly and the door opened.

Norma carried the red-faced baby to him and he gently gathered the infant. Abby fit in his arms perfectly and she turned her half-opened eyes on him. She was trying to stare him down. But, oddly enough, she quieted right down once she realized that he had her.

Figures that she would bond with me. I should have let Lisa hold her— then maybe she wouldn't be attached to me. I don't even like her. I only keep her around because it'll make Lisa happy. If it were up to me, I'd have drowned it already.

"Aww, she was missing her daddy," remarked Norma joyfully as Abby's eyes closed and she dozed.

"Apparently. Now, what do I do with her?"

"Um, she should go back in her cradle."

"Lead the way," he said politely, trying to pretend to be a caring father who would hate to keep passing off his daughter. "I don't want to jostle her any more than necessary."

"As you wish, Mr. Rippner. Follow me," she beckoned, leading the way down the hall, guided only by the early morning light. She quietly entered Abby's room and motioned to the cradle.

Jackson softly placed her small frame into the cradle and watched Norma insert a pacifier into her tiny mouth and cover her pink pj clad body with a fuzzy baby blanket. He smiled at her content shape.

If only Lisa were here to share this moment. If only she were as at ease with me.

Lisa would learn to adjust. Abby loved it here and he was not about to disturb his newborn daughter. She would stay and if Lisa cared at all, then she would stay too. He could make her life a heaven on earth or it could be a hell. He was not picky, yet he would prefer to spoil his Lisa. If she'll ever consent to me…

She has to stop this attacking crap. It's really pissing me off. I don't want her to be helpless either, but she needs to learn to control her fighting spirit.

His heart ached for his Lisa. It had been nearly a day since he had seen her for the first time in months. He missed her.

Soon, soon she'll come back.

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That afternoon, Jackson went to work preparing for Lisa's return. He knew that she would want her baby back just as soon as she was released. Her erratic state would keep her interred inside the hospital for a few more days at least, which would give him more than enough time to accurately prepare for her.

He rushed out to the stores and bought her a closet full of clothes. She would never be returning to her home once he had her in his grasp. Because of this, he hand-picked her new clothes with styles that suited his tastes and would please Lisa. He knew what she liked after having been a part of her life for so long.

Jackson then hurried to gather her favorite belongings and tried to recall what she had kept in her own apartment. He wanted his house to become a home to her as well. He wanted to make her comfortable. He owed her that much after everything that he had put her through.

She will be happy with me. I will do whatever it takes to make her forgot the past. Her only future is with me.

He knew that if she tried to run this time that he would have to kill her. There would be no torturing this time around. Lisa's death would be quick and covered up for Abby's sake. He really wanted them to be a family, but if she could not be trusted, then he would do whatever it took to keep his own life.

Lisa was a bonus—not a requirement—and the sooner he drilled that into her head, the better off they would all be. He would have no qualms with killing her. Had she been anyone else, then she would have already had two rounds from a .22 fired into her head and be buried deep in the ground.

Her type of behavior was not tolerated in his line of work.

That bitch has already been more trouble than she's worth. I can't afford to waste much more time on her.

He had already lost his job and creditability with her stunts on the Keefe assassination. He had been pushed too far to take any more shit from her.

This is her last chance. She will come around.

Jackson slipped the worn velvet box from his pocket. He carefully flipped open the lid and withdrew its contents. He twirled the wedding ring around and smirked ever so casually.

He held Lisa's wedding band. She had thought that she was finally rid of it after tossing it into his grave. He had snatched it up before the ground had closed in on 'Jackson Rippner's body'.

The metallic band had belonged to her in happier times. She had closed it up along with her heart following her husband's death and now Jackson was determined to make her face it once more. He was going to have her in his life and she was going to be his wife.

'Til death do us part, sweetheart…

Author's Notes:

Just a bit more insight into Jackson's plans. I've been really slow at writing lately and I'm sorry. Anyways, the next chapter's from Lisa's POV and we'll see if she can form an alliance and break free of the hospital. Thanks so much for the reviews and enjoy!