...Chapter 2...
I was standing in the middle of the livingroom floor, looking around. The professional cleaners did a nice job, it looked way better than it did when I was living here years ago. I turned to look at the girls. "Go ahead and pick out what rooms you want."
"Yay!" both of them yelled, running down the hallway.
"Uh, Jake?"
"Yeah?" he said, putting a box down. "What's up?"
"I suggest you go pick out a room too, before the girls do." he laughed and ran down the hallway with them. I just giggled, grabbing my purse.
A few minutes later, Daisy walked up to me. "Mama?"
"Yeah?"
"Where you going?"
"I have to make an appointment and meet with the doctor." Daisy frowned, then looked at the ground. "What's wrong, Baby Girl?"
"Are you gonna be okay?" she paused, then looked up. "I mean, are you really sick?"
I didn't know what to say and I never know what to tell them when they ask. I know the girls don't know what's really going on with me, and I just hate lying to them, because I don't want them to be sad or be upset. "Honey... I'm just going to meet my doctor, that's all."
"Are you okay?"
"Right now, I feel just fine." I smiled. "Can you watch your sister for me?" she nodded. "And watch your Uncle Jake too, you know how silly he can be."
"Yeah." she laughed. "I know, Mama."
"Good... tell Uncle Jake that I'll be back later." I gave Daisy a kiss on top of her head, then I walked out the door, got into the car, and drove off to St. Thomas.
As I was looking down at my phone, waiting for the elevator, I heard a gasp on the left of me. I looked over and saw a familiar face, then I smiled. "Hello Gemma."
"Holy shit! Valerie?" she gave me a hug and I nodded. "When did you get into town?"
"Earlier today."
"Cool." Gemma let go of me. "Where you staying at?"
"My parents' old house... I had it all cleaned and fixed up before I moved back in."
"You're staying for good?"
"Yeah, I just felt like it was time to come home."
"I'm glad, Val... it's been a long time."
"Yeah." I nodded.
"So what floor are you headed to?"
"The fifth."
"Okay." she gave me another hug. "I have to get going." then we broke from the hug. "We should have lunch and catch up."
"Sure, that would be great." the elevator doors opened. "I'll see you later, Gem."
"Bye, Baby." she smiled, then I got in the elevator, and she walked away as the doors closed.
Gemma POV:
Wow, I can't believe Valerie is back home and she looks a beautiful, except she looks a little on the pale side. I wonder why? I walked up to the nurses station and tapped my nails on the counter. "Excuse me?"
The nurse looked up and said "Can I help you?"
"Yeah, what's on the fifth floor?"
"Neurology."
"That's the brain doctor, right?"
"Yes." she nodded.
"Okay, thanks." I told her, then walked out of the hospital. Why would Val have to see a brain doctor? I'll have to ask her the next time I see her. Now, I have to go talk to Jackson.
Valerie POV:
I walked out of Dr. Russell's office and went into the elevator. He basically told me what I already know, but I have to come in for a new brain and head MRI, so he could have a better look at it, in two weeks. So I figure after I get settled into the house, then I'll start with the medical stuff. As I was walking to my car, I heard my name being called, I turned around and froze. I wasn't expecting to see him this soon. "Hello, Jax."
"Hey... what are you doing here?" he said, almost tackling me in a hug. "Mom told me she seen you."
"Yeah." I nodded, letting go of him, even though it felt good back in his arms again.
"So what are you doing home?"
"I just felt like it was time to come back." I shrugged. "I missed it here."
"Where are you staying at?"
"My old house, I got it fixed up, and I'm in the process of moving everything in."
"Do you need any help?"
"Uh, maybe." I smiled at him, but I'm not ready for him to see Daisy yet. "I'll let you know."
"Okay, good." he nodded. "You should stop by the clubhouse... I'm sure there's a few people that would wanna see you."
"I will." he gave me another hug, but this time we stayed in each other's arms a little bit longer, then we heard his voice being called, and we both broke from the hug and turned around. Then that's when I saw her. Tara. I guess she was also back in town. Before Jax could say anything, I spoke. "Um... it was good seeing you, but I have to get going."
"Okay." he nodded, but looked kind of disappointed. "We'll meet up later?"
"Sure." I got in the car and rolled down the window. "Bye, Jackson."
"Bye, Valerie." he waved, then I drove off, back to my house.
I walked through the door and saw Jake sitting on the couch, looking through some boxes, then he stopped, and looked over at me. "Where have you been?"
"To meet with my doctor... didn't Daisy tell you?" he nodded. "Okay, then, that's where I was." I looked around. "Where's the girls?"
"They're in their rooms... what'd the doc say?"
"Oh, you know... the same shit I already know." he frowned. "Jake, don't look at me like that. We both know what's gonna happen to me, but the question is... when?"
"Can't you get another opinion?"
"I've had like four different doctors say the same thing to me."
"Val, just get another opinion... maybe this one will be different."
"Well, I have an appointment in two weeks for another MRI."
"Okay, good." he nodded. "I hope to God and the Angels above, that we'll get better results when you get the MRI done." I just smiled. Man, I love Jake, and I'm so glad he's my best friend. "Everything will be okay, Val... you'll see."
"I hope so." I nodded. "But guess who I ran into today."
"Who?"
"Daisy's father." I whispered.
"Really? Did you tell him about her?"
"No, not yet... I'm not ready for that."
"Well, if that something does end up happening to you... he needs to know about her."
"I know, I know."
A few minutes later, the girls walked out of their rooms, and into the livingroom. Lilly went to sit in Jake's lap as Daisy walked up to me. "Mama?"
"Yes?"
"Can you hook up or TV's? Uncle Jake didn't know how."
I chuckled. "Well, Mommy doesn't either... but I know someone who can help us." I stood up and looked at Lilly. "You wanna go for a ride?"
"Yeah!" she cheered.
"Go get your shoes on." I told her, then she ran back into her room.
"What about me?"
I looked down at Daisy. "Well, you can stay with Uncle Jake and keep him company... because you know how he is."
She laughed. "I know, Mama."
Lilly ran back into the livingroom. "I'm ready!"
"Okay." I grabbed her hand. "We'll be back in a little bit." then we walked out of the house, got into the car, and I drove off.
