Chapter 10: Welcome to the Family
~ Saturday June 1st, 2019 ~
The Fuller House was quiet as it was one of those very rare empty moments. Jackson's mother had scored three tickets for the musical Hamilton. Kimmy was nearing the end of her pregnancy and she and Stephanie were sniping at one another constantly. The tickets changed the mood completely and the three women were off to the theater for a night of fun musical entertainment. As soon as the women were out of the house Fernando and Jimmy decided they were going to sneak away to Uncle Monty's Sandwich Shop. Max overheard this conversation and invited himself along.
As he and Ramona were the only occupants in the house and Ramona was currently in her room awaiting company. Jackson pushed the couch, the chair, and the side table against the back wall while moving the coffee table against the wall by the front door. Next, he rolled up the carpet and placed it under the coffee table. With the room now configured Jackson ran up to his room, shut the door, and changed out of his everyday clothes into his fighting shorts and a gray men's Under Armor Raid Sleeveless T-shirt. Jackson takes the stairs and once in the living room he connects his phone to his Bluetooth Speaker and starts his workout music playlist.
As the first song comes across the speaker and the bass begins shaking glass fixtures throughout the room Jackson drops to the floor arms lose and he begins doing push-ups. Jackson's routine on days like today is usually two hundred push-ups (his record). With his eyes closed and his focus on his movements and the music, Jackson is already in his zone. He is doing four count reps saying in his head, One, Two, Three, One... One, Two, Three, Two... he is completing ten when the front doorbell rings. Unfortunately, due to his focus and the volume he does not hear the bell.
The music is so loud that the sound of the doorbell can barely be heard upstairs thanks to Jackson. As Ramona is expecting company she hears the chime mixed in with Jackson's music as it continues to ring, Ramona runs down from her room and once she turns the corner of the treacherous stairwell manages to make it down the steps without falling much like her mother tends to. Ramona freezes in her tracks briefly at the sight of Jackson in mid-workout. She has not seen him in this state of dress in a very long time. During the winter Jackson wore sweats during his workouts to help him burn calories (his words). Only now does she see how defined his arms have become. While not as large as a weight lifter she can see his biceps as he goes through the up-down motion of the push-ups. His body is glistening with sweat as he does this exercise on his knuckles.
Jackson's gray Under Armor T-shirt is already adhering to his chest like a second skin. Pulling herself away from the striking visual, Ramona makes her way to the front door and opens it to find Chelsey Kirkland on the other side patiently waiting to be let in. Ramona had sent her a text message asking her to come over so that they could discuss next year's Dance Team now that Chad was graduating and the captain position would be vacant.
"H..." Chelsey starts but freezes when she sees Jackson Fuller working out in the Fuller family living room.
It was two weeks ago that the pair went to prom together. Two weeks since they went to the after-party. Two weeks since she bared her body to Jackson Fuller and the pair made love. It would be exactly two weeks tomorrow since she has spoken to him. After the way, their date ended she has not been in contact with the young man, much less been anywhere near him. Her words were caught in her throat as she gazed at the ignorant young man in his form-fitting clothes. She (suspected) that she was one of only two women as of late to see him in his birthday suit. As her eyes watched the young man work out her mind immediately flashed to the memory of seeing him naked for the first time.
How even in her inebriated state she thought he was a gift from god. His lean yet muscular form had wet her loins in anticipation of the evening she planned to share with him. She gave Jackson her everything and he did not disappoint her. At least not until the next morning. When her friend's name left his lips her heart shattered into a million pieces. She didn't care what his excuse was, she had to get away from him and has kept her distance from him ever since.
"Ramona... can we please not do this here." Chelsey requests in a panicked tone.
Ramona looks at Jackson whose eyes are still closed as he is counting his push-ups in his head and only concentrating on his routine. She knows something happened between the two after prom but neither is talking about it. Honestly, their silence is driving Ramona bonkers. Still, she has important business to discuss and if Chelsey isn't comfortable being around Jackson she will have to do something to make her friend relaxed.
Pulling out her spare keys, Ramona says, "Yeah, let's go next door."
Chelsey sighs in relief, particularly since Jackson hasn't realized that she was present. Chelsey is the first out the front door followed closely by Ramona. The two Latinas depart the Fuller home for the Guerrero house just as Jackson finishes his push-ups and moves to up-downs.
An hour has gone by and Jackson is only halfway through his workout when the next disturbance arrives. As he is now working on his muscle memory with various punching and kicking combinations this time he hears the doorbell.
"It's Open!" Jackson yells while throwing a triple punch combination following it up with a knee thrust. As he plants his left foot on the ground Rocki Mahan lets herself in as Jackson switches to a kicking combination.
"You're still into this huh?" Rocki asks watching Jackson continue to work out as if she weren't present.
"I never stopped. So, what can I do for you Rocki?" Jackson asks half ignoring her presence.
"I'm supposed to get together with Ramona. Is she upstairs?"
Reluctantly, Jackson stops his workout. Stopping the music on his phone, he looks at the clock and sees that it has been over an hour so he can cut his workout short. "Wait here, I'll go check."
Jackson makes his way upstairs while Rocki shuffles over to the couch that is two feet from where it normally is and plops down. It's been a while since the last time she was in this house. As she recalls the last time she was here she and Jackson had to study for a history exam. Ninety minutes later Jackson's door was shut (and locked) and the two were making out on Jackson's double bed. It was the one time that they made out laying down. Rocki had worn leggings, a skirt, a loose blouse, and a vest. Their legs were intertwined, Rocki's arms were wrapped around Jackson's neck while his hands were wrapped around her waist. Rocki remembers how hot her body was at the time. The feel of Jackson's hands on her body was both electrifying and sent chills down her spine. She did her best to play this down and just gave Jackson all her affection.
"ROCKI!" Jackson yells at the goth-looking girl on his couch.
Rocki is startled out of her memory by her friend with benefits. Looking up she sees that Jackson must have been gone longer than she realized as he is not sweaty, nor is he in his workout clothes any longer. Jackson has changed into a black t-shirt, a grey button-down shirt that is currently unbuttoned, and black cargo pants. Jackson had hopped into the shower as he smelled very nice, his hair was combed and he had splashed a nice smelling aftershave on his face.
"Are you ok Rocki?" Jackson asks. "You look a little flush."
"Yes... sorry. I was lost in my thoughts. So... where is Ramona?" Rocki inquires trying to keep Jackson from prying into her thoughts. Touching her cheeks she feels the warmth on them and realizes that the memory of that encounter with Jackson has worked her up more than she would ever care to admit to anyone.
"She's not here. She might be at her dad's house." Jackson states. Her bedroom was empty and there were no notes. He had sent her a text inquiring as to her whereabouts but so far she had not replied.
As if on cue, Ramona Gibbler came barging through the front door but to Jackson's surprise, she was pulling Chelsey along with her. Chelsey looks less than enthused as she is dragged along through the front door but in they came.
"Baby... way... hospital... hurry..." Ramona voices incoherently.
"Ramona..." Rocki calls out to her best friend. "Stop, breath..."
Ramona releases her hold on Chelsey and leaning over lets out her breath and takes in air. "Jackson, my mom went into labor at the musical. We need to get to the hospital... NOW!"
"All right... let's go!" Surprisingly it was Rocki that stands up and says this.
"What..." Rocki says in mock indignation. "I came to talk to Ramona so unless there are any problems, I will come along... as long as you guys don't mind," Rocki says.
Jackson grabbed the keys to Steve's Audi while the girls were discussing what they were doing. From the looks of things, Chelsey would also be joining them as she doesn't have a car and they can't leave her sitting outside waiting for an Uber.
"This will be interesting." Ramona states after her talk with Chelsey. Jackson is too preoccupied thinking about the baby to worry about what Ramona and Chelsey discussed at Ramona's house.
The car ride to the hospital was surprisingly quiet with three girls occupying the majority of the seats. Jackson's eyes darted over the trio trying to gauge their state of mind. His primary focus was on Chelsey who was doing her best to ignore the fact that he was within an arm's reach of her. She was sitting in the back beside Ramona on the passenger side staring intently out the window. If the hospital where Kimmy was to have the baby wasn't in the opposite direction of Chelsey's house (it was south as opposed to west) Jackson would have taken her home first. But based on Ramona's state the baby might arrive anytime now so time was a luxury that he didn't have.
While quiet Rocki too was taking in the mood of the car. Ramona looked nervous and while she was concerned for her mother there seemed to be more to it as she looked from Chelsey to Jackson. Rocki watched as Jackson's eyes would jump to the rearview mirror and he would glance at his surrogate sister, then at Chelsey. As Rocki was quite smart she quickly deduced that while she didn't know what happened that Chelsey must be one of the girls that Jackson was spending time with. Based on previous statements she knew that the reason Jackson was initially seeing so many girls was that none of them, much like herself, were willing to commit to him. He said there was a reason for this but never went into it. She did wonder if he was being honest about it but Jackson wasn't a liar per se so she tended to believe him.
Although in her mind she did wonder what it was that could send a girl who was willing to be one of a (for lack of a better term) harem to wanting nothing to do with the man in question. Her mind started going down a road that caused her pulse to race as she looked at Jackson through her peripheral vision. HE WOULDN'T!
Jackson's group was the first to arrive after Kimmy, Stephanie, and DJ. Ramona jumps on the phone and texts Max to see where they are. Max sends Ramona his GPS fix and based on Google Maps she surmised they would arrive in about 15 minutes, give or take the flow of traffic. Chelsey and Rocki sit toward the back of the waiting room as Jackson and Ramona go in to see the expectant surrogate mother. Amongst the hustle and bustle of the doctors, nurses, and various people traveling the hallway visiting the women having babies or having had them Rocki turns her focus to the woman next to her.
"Chelsey, I know we've never talked... ever..." Rocki begins, "but judging by the way you are acting around Jackson I'm going to take a stab in the dark and guess that you are one of the girls that Jackson has been spending his time honing his kissing skills on." Rocki says staring intently into the eyes of the Latin girl beside her.
The pair are sitting on a two-person seat and as Chelsey hears the words coming from the gruff goth girl she realizes for the first time that she is pinned in her seat against the wall. There are seats in front of her and no walkway. The only way out of the waiting room is through Rocki who could easily block her path.
"I was... we aren't on speaking terms right now." Chelsey states for the record.
"I noticed. I would have to be pretty ignorant not to see that you are doing everything in your power not to speak to him." Rocki says. "I guess what I want to know is... did Jackson do something... ungentlemanly?"
Chelsey listens to the question and then realizes what Rocki is politely asking her. "NO!" She answers matter-of-factly. "No... that isn't our problem."
"Good," Rocki replies. She would hope that Jackson wouldn't be that kind of guy... ever.
"What is your interest in our situation anyway?" Chelsey asks for the first time.
"As far as I've heard, we are one... and two... of six girls. Now that I know you are one of the five I think I can figure out who the others are and why Jackson isn't dating one of you... yet."
"What do you mean yet?"
"Well... I hold the key now... if you want me to share, I will, but I don't know if that knowledge will help or hurt." Rocki tells the confused girl in front of her.
"Just... just tell me already." Chelsey states.
"Jackson told me some time ago that none of the girls that he was with would commit to him because of a specific reason. On Valentine's Day, Jackson was out on a date with one of his girls. I know this as I was there with Ramona on a double date."
"Wait... Ramona knows about this other girl?" Chelsey asks incredulously.
"Oh yes... has since Valentine's Day."
"Who is the girl?"
"Sienna Logan."
"So... Sienna is one of us. I'm going to kill Ramona." Chelsey says almost hatefully.
"You can't. Jackson swore her to secrecy. If Ramona didn't keep quiet he would never divulge any other secrets to her and it would break the sibling-like bond the two have forged. That's why I never pressed her for anything else that Jackson told her."
Chelsey absorbs what Rocki has said and she can feel her rage subside. As hurt, as she feels that Ramona never shared such privileged information with her, she can see the spot she was in and respect her promise to Jackson.
"All right... Ramona's off the hook. But why are you sharing this with me? Why not keep it to yourself?"
"Honestly... because you're unique," Rocki admits to Chelsey and herself.
"I'm not following you."
"What I'm about to say is between the two of us. Jackson divulged this to me, and I'm telling you. You go to him with this and he will know that I was the one that told you and he might change the way he feels about the two of us. Follow me?" Rocki asks wanting to make sure Chelsey understands what the stakes are.
"I understand."
Rocki sighs. The next few words are going to be the hardest thing she has ever shared with anyone. "Back in February, I had some alone time with Jackson the Friday after Valentine's Day. We were in the middle of a makeout session and all of a sudden Jackson began pulling away. He had never, ever done that before." Rocki states for the record. Chelsey says nothing, she just continues to listen. "He told me... in no uncertain terms, that he cared for Sienna. Eventually, I asked him if he was in love with her."
Tears were welling up in Chelsey's eyes. The Latina managed to finally ask, "Wha... what did he say?"
"He said... he said he thought he might be."
"Wait... might be... he said might be?" Chelsey asks in disbelief.
"Those were his exact words. From that moment on we never kissed again. I haven't even been over to his house since our last makeout session. I'm telling you this as the look in his eyes as he looked at you was not of a man in love with another woman. I don't know what happened between you two to create such a rift... but I'm warning you... you may be about to lose the best thing that ever came your way." Rocki tells the other girl.
"Think about that... long and hard before you let him go."
Gradually Jackson's relatives arrived in groups. First Ramona's father, her uncle Jimmy and Max Fuller. They were followed by Jackson's grandfather, his Uncle Jessie's family, and another extended family group. Chelsey never realized that Jackson's family was so vast. Fernando and Stephanie were all garbed up in medical scrubs to support Kimmy while she delivered the baby. The delivery lasted just over half an hour. While the window was blocked off Max and Ramona leaned against the door to listen in. Jackson was behind them flanked by Rocki on his right and Chelsey on his left. During one of the contractions, Chelsey's right hand came up and took hold of Jackson's left. They held hands with neither saying a word until they both heard the baby's first cry.
Ramona hugged Max with tears in her eyes. Her little cousin had just entered the world and Ramona realized that this little one now permanently connected her to Jackson's family. They shared a cousin, solidifying their families together. Once the baby was cleaned and passed around to all the family members in the room DJ called her boys and Ramona in to come to meet their newest cousin. Chelsey and Rocki followed them in and got to see the baby girl.
Jackson passed her to Rocki first as the gruff young woman seemed to melt in the infant's presence, something none of the teens had ever seen before. When she was content Rocki handed the baby to Chelsey. Chelsey told Stephanie that her daughter was beautiful and then returned her to Stephanie. She and Rocki decided that the family needed their time and asked Jackson to take them home which he said he would do now that the baby was here.
Rocki lived the closest so she was first to depart. Jackson was surprised when Chelsey moved from the back to the front passenger seat. Putting the car into first gear, he heads toward Chelsey's home.
"Are you in love with Sienna?" Chelsey blurts out. She didn't even realize she was saying it until it left her mouth.
The words hit Jackson's ears and he pulls off the road at the first opportunity and shuts off the car. "Two weeks and that's the question you want to lead with?" Jackson asks looking at Chelsey.
"Nothing else matters if you say Yes," Chelsey informs the perplexed Mr. Fuller.
Jackson thinks about her words and realizes that she is right. If Jackson were to say yes, nothing else would matter to her. She would be the other woman. A fact that would not be fair to her. If he said no then it meant they stood a chance.
"I care for Sienna a great deal. I know you have your suspicions, and I don't normally talk about what goes on between me and the others... but I will say that you are correct, and leave it at that."
"So I wasn't your first..." Chelsey says with sadness.
"No... I never meant to allow our date to get that far. The alcohol in the drinks..." Jackson pauses. He needs to stop making excuses and tell her what matters. "Whatever the reason for it happening, nothing I said was a lie."
"You told me you love me." Chelsey reminds Jackson.
"Yes I did, and I meant it," Jackson states.
"Did you say that to Sienna when you two..."
"No," Jackson states with all honesty.
"Why not?"
"I can't say..."
Jackson sees an annoyed look on Chelsey's face with that statement. "Let me clarify, I"m not keeping the information from you, I can't say because I don't know myself. I know I care a great deal for Sienna, but I wasn't sure that it was love when we made love. However, when you and I were about to make love... I spoke from my heart, without hesitation."
"I need time to process all of this. I'm not saying you are completely forgiven for not being truthful with me... but I'm not mad at you for that morning." Chelsey says and then something comes back to her. "Just to clear things up... did you think you were with her that night... or me?"
Jackson takes Chelsey's hands in his and the two lock eyes. As sincere as he can, Jackson says, "I knew I was with you. I said Sienna's name because I realized that I was in her pool house... and that I had made love to one of her friends where she and I had done it as well."
Jackson can't read the expression that is coming over Chelsey's face. She looks confused, annoyed, upset, and maybe a bit relieved. Jackson decides to continue. "I want you to know that I do not regret having made love with you... I love you. What I did regret was the position I put you in by not telling you the nature of my relationship with Sienna."
"I accept that," Chelsey says.
The pair, now on better terms, lean in for a chaste kiss. It is nowhere near as good as the many they shared before but it is a good bridge to build on going forward. Jackson restarts the car and holding Chelsey's left-hand drives the girl home. Pulling into Chelsey's driveway a short time late, Jackson turns off the car. The house is empty (Chelsey informs Jackson) and he walks her to the front door. Chelsey unlocks the front door, she thanks Jackson for the car ride, and kisses his cheek.
"Go spend time with your new cousin." Chelsey states with a meek smile.
"I will. Take care Chelsey and I will talk to you later." Jackson says.
When Jackson is gone Chelsey sighs loudly and makes her way up to her bedroom. Once behind closed doors, she falls flat on her bed. A short time later her phone chirps and she sees a notification from Ramona. Clicking on the notification the message has several pictures, but three stand out to her. The first photo is of Jackson holding the baby. The second photo is of her holding the baby. The final picture was of Jackson and Chelsey holding the baby together. Ramona had insisted on this pose and the three of them did look adorable.
In the back of her mind, she is scared. For two weeks Chelsey has worried that she might be pregnant. The alcohol impaired her better judgment and she didn't even think to worry about protection. Chelsey puts her phone down and places her hands on her abdomen and sighs. She has about a week to go before her monthly visitor is due to arrive and it will be the longest, most nerve-wracking week of her entire life.
The End of Season 4