Ch. 20

Plans

The next morning JR woke up early. The sun drifted into his room through the windows and he heard the birds chirping outside. He glanced down and saw Babe lying in his arms. He smiled and gently kissed her on her forehead. JR lay there for a while, just staring down at a sleeping Babe.

Babe then opened her eyes and looked up at JR.

"Good morning." She smiled.

"Yes, it is a good morning." JR leaned down and kissed her.

"How long have you been watching me?" Babe wondered.

"A little while."

"OK... that's a little creepy but..." Babe joked.

"What, I'm not allowed to stare at my beautiful girlfriend?" JR asked.

"Girlfriend?" Babe sat up.

"Well yeah, I mean after everything I thought we would..." JR started.

"I know, I agree. I'm just surprised that's all... and very happy." Babe grinned.

"Me too,"

A knock on the door interrupted them.

"JR, can I speak to you for a moment?" Adam walked in and stopped when he saw Babe and JR lying in bed.

"Oh... I didn't m-mean to interrupt." Adam said, embarrassed.

Babe pulled the sheet tighter around her, "Don't worry about it Adam."

"Yes then, um JR, I'll be outside ready to talk when you're dressed." Adam walked back out of the room.

After the door shut Babe said, "We should have told him the happy news that we are back together and stronger than ever."

"You think he would know by now though." JR said.

"Well, your dad always has been kind of slow with these things."

"Not slow, he just chooses to ignore them because he doesn't like them."

"That could be it, too." Babe stretched.

"You know what, why don't we take a drive today? Just me and you. I know you talked about how much you love to drive around when the sun in shining and its warm outside and today fits that description perfectly."

"Are you sure you're up to that?" Babe asked him quietly.

"Well my dad just got me a new convertible so I have to use it some time."

"Well then, that sounds perfect. Let's get ready." Babe said, and then helped JR get into his wheelchair.

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After they had gotten ready Babe and JR piled into the new red convertible and started driving around. They drove past familiar places and drove out to the heavily wooded areas, just taking in the scenery.

Babe kept glancing at JR, making sure he was all right. Babe knew that driving was still pretty scary for him after everything that had happened. He would only go in a car for something very important, like going to physical therapy. Other then that he was very seldom in a car except for today. She could tell he was still a little nervous because every little while his hand would grip the seat tighter.

"I'm proud of you, you know that?" Babe glanced at JR out of the corner of her eye.

"For what?" JR wondered.

"You know, suggesting this and driving around with me and you're not even that scared."

"It's not a big deal, and why would I be scared?" JR tried to act tough.

"Don't pull the macho guy stuff on me JR, I know you too well. And it is a very big deal. You went through hell and part of the reason was just driving a car. And now look at you, sitting in a convertible with the wind blowing through your hair. And I can even tell that you're enjoying yourself." Most of the time, Babe thought but left that part off.

JR shrugged, and Babe turned a little sharply and JR gripped onto the seat and the door handle. Babe noticed this and reached for his hand. She took it in hers and squeezed it reassuringly.

Babe felt JR hold her hand tighter and smiled at him.

JR looked at Babe who was smiling and then down at their entwined hands. And as he felt Babe's hand holding his, he made a decision that would change both of their lives.

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When they returned home, Babe was asked by JR to go and get Krystal.

"Why?" Babe wondered.

"I need to talk to her for a second." JR explained.

"About what?"

"Nothing..."

"But..." Babe started.

"Would you just go and get your mother please?" JR said impatiently.

"Yeah I guess, but do you want me to get you out of the car first?" Babe asked.

"No, just go get her please."

Babe nodded and walked into the house and went up the stairs.

She knocked on her mom's door, "Mama, you in there?"

Krystal opened the door, "Hey baby doll, whatcha' need?"

"Uh, JR actually wants to talk to you. He's outside, in the car."

Krystal raised her eyebrows, "Now what does he want?"

Babe shrugged and Krystal walked downstairs and out the door. Babe followed her and waited by the front door. After a couple minutes the door swung open and Krystal walked in, reaching for her coat.

"Where are you going?" Babe asked.

"With JR. We'll be back in a while." Krystal explained, and then walked back out the door.

"Well, that was weird." Babe said to herself.

She removed her coat and placed it on a chair, and then walked into the living room. She jumped when she saw Kendall sitting on the couch looking at her.

"Hello Babe." Kendall said coldly, standing up.

"What are you doing here?" Babe asked.

"I came here to talk." Kendall said.

"Well, JR just left so you can leave too. I'll tell him you stopped by."

"I came to talk to you."

"Well this is going to be fun," Babe said under her breath and then said to Kendall, "What about?"

"You, and your little schemes and lies."

"Kendall, what are you talking about?"

"Don't act stupid with me... wait, you're not acting, are you?" Kendall grinned bitchily.

Babe shook her head, "As much as I would love to stand here and listen to you be a bitch all day, I have better things to do. So if you have a point, get to it. But I'm not sure if you do because I swear you love to hear yourself talk about things you have no clue about."

"No clue? I don't think so; I'm on to you Babe."

"On to me about what exactly, Kendall?"

"How you are playing JR."

Babe sighed, "Why would I be playing JR?"

"Hmm, since you and your mama are little gold diggers you could claim you love him for his money or for more time with your son."

"First off, he is paying me while I work here and my mother is married to Adam so if I ever needed money she could get it for me. I don't need JR's. Secondly, I already see my son all the time, there is no reason for me to lie to see him. Third, I REALLY DO love JR."

"Whatever. Listen, how about if I give you a little incentive to go away?" Kendall said smoothly.

"Incentive? No way in hell. I'm staying here with the man I love and my son."

"You might change your mind after my offer. And you don't even have to leave town, just get out of JR's life."

"That's gonna be a little hard because see, we share a child."

"I bet you can find a way for 1 million dollars." Kendall smiled at her.