"Hey, what the fuck is going on?", Brody asked fearfully as Jessica nervously stepped back from the hug. "You just told that me Faber was awake, I thought..."
"I'm sorry. He's doing better. He did wake up. But he was so disoriented, out of it. Before they kicked me out of his room he didn't even know who I was.", she sighed as he shook his head, softly smiled.
"Jess, c'mon. You've known Faber as long as I have. He takes a two hour nap in the afternoon and he's useless the rest of the day. You throw some painkillers into the mix too...?"
Laughing lightly she nodded, backed up entirely. "You're right. It's our backyard barbeques all over again. Only substitute the keg for Tylenol and codeine."
"Exactly. The guy's never done well with depressants.", Brody smirked, then caught a look from her.
"What's that look?"
"What's with the apple?"
"Nothing. Bought it off a magazine cart. You want it? Comes prebuffed and without any substantial bites taken out of it."
"Thanks but I'll pass.", Jessica smiled.
"Any changes with Chris?", Brody asked.
"My mom's down visiting him now with Dana. Her and I talked to him last night though for awhile. He apologized to us."
"And everything's okay?", he asked skeptically as she frowned.
"Not one hundred percent, Brody. I mean even not being in a hospital our son is a full blown moody teenager. Just think of you at that age."
"I'd rather not. Thanks.", he smirked before going solemn.
"Dana told me what he's been up against though. Transferring schools, seeing all the counselors, the fighting."
"He's turned a corner because of Mike.", Jessica said curtly. "You know that when they got in the accident it was because they were on their way to re-enroll him in karate?", she said as he shook his head.
"No. I didn't."
"Look Brody, let's face it. What you did-"
"I know everything I did, Jess." Brody cut off, then took a breath to keep from snapping further. "I know that Chris wants nothing to do with me. I just want to, I have to make sure that he's-"
"He's had a rough time.", Jessica interrupted. "He's had a rough time, and yesterday wasn't a good day. But after Chris sees Mike and sees for himself that he's doing better it will help him. A lot."
"I know. I'm sure it will.", Brody said softly. "I know the two of you are undoing a lot of damage."
"We are. But it's coming along, okay?"
"Okay. I believe you."
Bowing his head he wiped the apple off on his shirt, took a bite. Once finished chewing he spoke again.
"Look, I know you two have got it covered but I just...you know Carrie's met with a lot of shrinks. Right now she's in treatment at this hospital, and there's a woman she introduced me to. Her name's Abby. She's more of a liaison for people being treated, but I know she's a good listener, has worked with patients for years. She's helped Carrie out a lot. If you and Faber want I can try and see if she'd be willing to sit down with-"
"No, Brody.", Jessica refused. "I understand where you're coming from but it's being handled. Alright? I'd rather not keep Chris here any longer than needed."
Solemn now, Brody nodded, bowed his head. "Okay."
"I didn't mean for that to sound so harsh, I just...the sooner we get things back to normal for him the better-"
"No Jessica, I understand. I do."
When she moved closer, lifted his chin he sadly met her gaze. Saw her giving him a watery smile as she moved her hand away.
"I know these weren't the ideal circumstances but I'm glad we had the chance to talk. To see each other."
"Yeah. Me too."
"You look good, Sergeant Brody."
"I still have nothing on you though.", Brody said playfully, getting her blushing. "And neither does Faber. The asshole lucked out, that's for sure.", he smirked as she laughed.
"You know he and I have..."
"Yeah, Dana showed me a picture. Violet's her name, right?"
"Yeah. For Mike's-"
"Nana Violet. I remember. Good thing it wasn't a boy or he would've been named for his Grandpa Herman.", Brody snorted as Jessica rolled her eyes.
"No. I vetoed that pretty quickly.", she chuckled. "I heard that you and Carrie are-"
"Yeah. Got the sonogram photo in my wallet.", Brody smiled.
"Congratulations. You know she's lucked out too."
"I wouldn't go that far, Jess.", he said bashfully.
"Brody she's almost four months pregnant and barely looks it. She may as well have won the damn lottery.", Jessica said bitterly, getting him laughing.
"I'm glad for you both though. I'm glad that she came through for you."
"Me too. But she's not the only one.", Brody said as she nodded in understanding.
"When Dana told me what she actually did on her college trip I was completely...I wanted to be furious but I couldn't."
Growing emotional now it was his turn to nod.
"If it hadn't have been for her, I-"
"I know. Our little girl.", Jessica said. When her wistful smile went serious though, Brody frowned at her.
"What's with the look? Is something going on with Dana too, or-"
"No. It's not that, it's just...there's another reason Mike drove all the way here."
"To take Chris to karate, I-"
"No. Not just that. He was going to talk to Lauder too. For hopefully the final time."
"Final time? What does that mean? Lauder and Faber are fucking joined at the hip.", Brody snorted.
"Not since three months ago.", Jessica shuddered, getting a concerned look.
"Why? What happened?"
"I..."
"C'mon, talk to me."
"Lauder's been coming by the house in Charleston. The last few times he was completely drunk. Mike's usually handled it, gotten him to sober up. But I was home alone with Violet last weekend. Lauder burst in and I tried talking to him but he didn't hear a word. All he did was keep ranting and raving at me. He threw a chair! I wound up locking myself with the baby in the bedroom. I was scared to death!"
"Jesus, Jess." Shaking his head Brody swore, ran a hand over his face.
"After I told Mike he said he'd cut him off. Threaten him with a restraining order if he didn't keep his distance."
"Shit. I'd fucking do it anyway just to be on the safe side. After what he...never mind.", he said, thinking he best spare her the details.
"Brody I know what he...Dana told us. About what happened at the hunting lodge.", Jessica said softly as his eyes iced over.
"If he's still out for blood he should just fucking find me then.", Brody growled.
"And what?! Get even more of it from you?!", she exclaimed.
"Look, I may not be Jessica Brody anymore but I'm allowed to be concerned when a drunk with a chip on his shoulder is making threats or making people feel threatened. Lauder may feel he's completely justified in targeting you, but I've had enough of goddamn bricks being tossed through windows! Mine or anyone else's."
"Jess, I-"
"I wouldn't wish what we dealt with after the bombing on anyone. Not you, not Carrie, not my worst goddamn enemy."
"Sara Goodman.", Brody interjected.
"What?"
"Sara Goodman, she was your worst enemy. Back in high school when she got you kicked off the cheerleading squad? Then she became PTA president?", he reminded as she laughed, rolled her eyes.
"Against everyone's wishes. She was a piece of work.", Jessica grimaced before going serious again.
"I just want you to take care of yourself, Brody. Especially with Carrie and the baby."
"And Farrah, don't forget Farrah.", Brody added.
"Yeah, Dana told me about her too. She sounds like a sweet little girl."
"She's one of the good ones, that's for sure.", he smiled before his phone buzzed in his pocket. Pulling it out he opened the new text message.
"Speaking of which...shit, I have to get her at Maggie's. Take her to her friend's party. How could I forget? I baked the fucking cupcakes for her."
"Sounds like you're a regular Mr. Mom.", Jessica smirked.
"Hey, you ought to see the way I wear an apron.", Brody snorted as she rolled her eyes, moved to hug him again.
"Take care, okay?"
"Yeah. You too."
After she backed up, cut back over to Mike's room, Brody dialed the front desk, asked for the extension to Carrie's room so he could call, let her know the change in plans.
"Brody it's okay. Look I've got enough food to feed a fucking army and a friend gave me a vase for the flowers. I'm fine. Go get Farrah. No I haven't forgotten what we discussed. Yeah. Okay I love you too. Bye."
Smiling, after hanging up she reached for the stray sunflower again.
"I'm sorry about that."
"Don't apologize. It's alright.", Frances said, arranging the flowers in the vase.
"I'm assuming the call was from the man who brought you breakfast?"
"Yes. Brody.", Carrie said, smiling slyly thinking about what he and her had discussed and that they'd have to find a way around Abby's rule later on.
"He's also the father I take it."
"Yeah. He is. Believe me I wouldn't be this far along if it had happened with anyone else.", Carrie snorted as Frances nodded, sat in the chair by her bed.
"You know I saw Brody upstairs, when I was restocking my cart."
Frowning at her change in tone, the tense way she was seated, Carrie arched a brow.
"What? Were you worried he was going to clean you out again?"
"I saw him with an attractive brunette.", Frances said coldly.
"Yeah. She's his ex wife. Jessica."
"They still seem to be very close."
"Well they met in high school and have two children together. Of course they're close.", Carrie snorted. "But Jessica's husband, a man Brody served with, is being treated here after being in a car accident. Jessica and Brody's son was also hurt. If they have any reason to talk to or try to comfort each other I think that's a fucking good one.", she snapped.
"I apologize. I didn't mean to start anything or to upset you."
"It's okay.", Carrie sighed. "You just don't know what it took us going through to get where we are now. And I don't think you want to.", she scoffed before hearing a knock on the door.
"I can get that."
"It's fine. I need to stretch my legs anyway."
Getting out of bed she set the flower on the nightstand, crossed the room without realizing she'd knocked the save the date card from Maggie on the floor. Seeing Carrie's back was turned Frances bent down to grab, pocket it before standing back up.
"Abby, hi.", Carrie greeted.
"Hi honey. I just wanted to see if you were up for a visitor."
Shrugging, she stepped out in the hall, then gasped. "Saul?", she laughed, seeing him slowly walking down the hallway with the help of a nurse who he was noticeably agitated with.
"His PT specialist wanted to get him up and walking today. He insisted on coming down here and having you walk him back. Is that okay?"
Nodding, Carrie ran in her room to grab her sweatshirt while Frances quickly stepped out, unlocking then turning the corner with her cart.
"Who the fuck is that?", Saul asked, squinting at the brunette as the nurse frowned.
"New volunteer. I hear she's pretty jumpy though."
"She fucking looks it.", he muttered, making his way down the hall until he reached Carrie's room. "Can we sit in here for a few minutes or are you going to make me take another goddamn lap?"
"It's fine Mr. Berenson, take a seat.", the nurse sighed as Frances rolled her eyes, smirked. Her back pressed against the alcove wall as she crossed her arms, intently listened in.