Chapter Fifteen

Song courtesy of Nickelback

I Disclaim

"Leila!" Dave called after her as she ran from the room. He stood there for about 10 seconds before taking off after her. He opened the door and turned the corner to see her still there. She was squatting against the wall with her face in her hands. He saw her body shaking and knew she was crying. He stood there looking at her, he did this. He hurt her. He drove her away. Dave sat on the floor beside her hoping she'd let him at least do that. He watched her try to wipe the tears but they kept coming. He slowly lifted her and placed her in his lap, Leila melted into him and let the tears freefall.

This time, This place
Misused, Mistakes
Too long, Too late
Who was I to make you wait

Dave held her tight stroking her hair. He tried to think of things to say, but he didn't think sorry would cut it. Finally he resigned himself to be silent. He was elated she was letting him go this far and he wasn't going to let his mouth ruin this one.

Just one chance
Just one breath
Just in case there's just one left
'Cause you know,
you know, you know

Nobody bothered them as they walked by and visitors for Stephanie gave updates as they went in and out of the room. Leila hated this, she felt weak. She hated crying and yet seemed to do it a lot lately. Each time she composed herself she'd crack again. He placed soft kisses to her forehead as he continued playing with her hair. His heart was in two. One section was jumping for joy he was here with her, the other breaking for the damage he'd done. His brain was working overtime to try and fix this. He noticed her sobs finally subsided and he looked down. He had missed her beyond measure and he was a complete jackass for being so stubborn and blind. Leila looked up at Dave trying to read him.

That I love you
I have loved you all along
And I miss you
Been far away for far too long
I keep dreaming you'll be with me
and you'll never go
Stop breathing if
I don't see you anymore

He gave her a tender smile and his eyes begged for something, some sort of connection. Hell, he didn't even know if she still felt anything for him. Leila slowly stood but her eyes remained locked to Dave. She had read an article while she was out of the country and the interviewer had asked Dave questions about his family. They referred to Angie as his wife and he never denied it. Several questions were asked and he never denied he wasn't with her. It was almost as if he were still happily married. She knew things could be taken out of context, rearranged to make the interview more publicly appealing. But his answers sounded like a proud husband. In WWE magazine he said recently separated, she knew that wasn't true he had been separated for a year when he was interviewed and now he mentioned nothing of his pending divorce. She had wondered if they were reconciling in some way. She looked into his eyes hoping there was only love reflecting back. Did she even want to know?

The interviews had hindered her return home. "Are you back for good?" He asked trying to hide the emotion in his voice.

Her jealousy getting the better of her, "Are you back with Angie?" She looked at him with deadly eyes telling him the truth would be in his best interest.

"Why would I be back with her?" Where in the hell was this coming from? Why would she even think that? She's been out of the country and hasn't spoken to me in months and that's the first thing she comes up with, Angie?

"That's not an answer, but it has been awhile so I don't really have the right to intrude on your life or ask questions like that." Leila picked up her purse and began walking away.

"Leila, wait." He reached out for her and she turned with an unusual expression, one he hadn't seen on her ever. "Can't we talk?"

"Go home, David. Go home to your wife and talk to her." Her words dripping with disgust and laced with enmity. She pulled her arm away and turned again to leave. Dave was not having any of this. He crossed to her swiftly and stood in front of her causing them to run into eachother. Leila huffed as if the site of him caused her repulsion.

"Explain yourself, baby girl, because you aren't making any sense." He was firm with her and losing patience.

"I read the articles, David. You were interviewed by several overseas newspapers and you talked about Angie as if you were either still together or back with her. Not once did you mention or even sound like you weren't with her." She tried to get around him but he kept blocking her path. "What the fuck do you want? Just let this go and move on, or move back whichever applies." Leila's patience was also wearing thin. As she maneuvered around him he let her. Dave watched her walk out of the hospital and away from him yet again.

"Why does she think you're with Angie?" Shawn asked having heard most of the exchange. "What articles?"

"I heard about them too. I was too busy to give interviews and said I'd do them over the phone. Old interviews were meshed with new and they came up with personal questions I had answered two years ago. One question asked about the girls and Michelle, but they made it sound like Angie was their mother." Dave couldn't believe this, not again. He wasn't even sure she'd believe him. "I didn't bother trying to correct it because shit like this happens all the time and what's the point?"

"She's staying at Steph's, here's a key." Shawn pushed a housekey into Dave's hands. He looked at the door to Stephanie's room, kind of rude to just leave. "Steph gave me this key for you. She knew you'd have to chase after Leila and I'm guessing that's a big fat clue to get your ass out of here." Shawn shoved Dave towards the elevators and he didn't think twice. He drove as fast as he could to Steph and Paul's house and just went in. He saw the rental car in the driveway so he knew Leila was here. Not even bothering to yell for her he just went to the one room he knew she'd be in, the kitchen. She had her back to him and just as he suspected she was digging in the freezer for ice cream.

"If you know I'm fucking coming you could at least put some ice cream in here. Shit Paul, nobody eats this crap but you, stock up on real food." Leila just kept talking to herself unaware Dave was leaning against the counter less than five feet from her smiling. "Aha! There you are, asshole hid you in the back." She turned around and instinctively threw the ice cream at Dave. "You scared me…what the fuck?"

On my knees, I'll ask
Last chance for one last dance
'Cause with you, I'd withstand
All of hell to hold your hand

I'd give it all
I'd give for us
Give anything but I won't give up
'Cause you know,
you know, you know

Dave didn't let her think twice and he grabbed her hands kneeling in front of her. "I'm not with Angie. I signed the divorce papers two weeks after you left. The interviews were fake, they took old stuff and meshed it with a few new questions. I didn't think it was a big deal since columnists do that all the time, I never realized it might actually do some damage. Shit, I didn't even know you'd read them much less have access to them." He gave her that sultry smile. He still wore those sensual sunglasses that turned Leila to mush. She fought like hell to not look at him but the connection between her brain and her eyes was disobeying her every command.

That I love you
I have loved you all along
And I miss you
Been far away for far too long
I keep dreaming you'll be with me
and you'll never go
Stop breathing if
I don't see you anymore

Leila tried to think of something mean to say but she just wanted to feel him again. Damn it, damn it to hell. Her eyes doing what they do best started leaking again, spilling tears down her cheeks. She finally broke eye contact and looked down. Dave would have none of this and pushed her face back up gently with his hands.

So far away
Been far away for far too long
So far away
Been far away for far too long
But you know, you know, you know

"Come home, Leila. Come back with me. You belong with me, I want you with me." He paused making sure she was hearing every word. "I've been a fool and it took you leaving to make me see what was there all along." You're doing great Dave just take your time. "I'm so sorry for making you doubt how I feel." Leila shook her head vehemently.

"No. Don't apologize. I bailed. I left you without trying to fix things. I didn't give you a chance to think whether or not you even wanted another commitment. I screwed up this one." She looked at him with all the love she's ever had. None of it left her heart.

I wanted
I wanted you to stay
'Cause I needed
I need to hear you say
That I love you
I have loved you all along
And I forgive you
For being away for far too long
So keep breathing
'Cause I'm not leaving
Hold on to me and
never let me go

Dave jumped to his feet and held her as tight as he could. He wanted to swing her around and dance for joy. He showered her face with kisses but waited for her to deepen the kiss. He was still listening to his brain and moving at a slow pace. He hugged her again. "I love you, baby girl." He buried his face in her hair and placed his hands on her hips. What the fuck is that? He pushed her back to arms length and looked at her body. Her boobs looked huge and what's with the baggy shirt? Her face looks fuller and…

"I'm pregnant."