Here I go with the quick updates. Blame it on sheer boredom, I'm telling ya. I've got absolutely nothing to do right now.
To those who've reviewed this fic so far, thanks. Means a lot to me and makes me feel more confident in my writing abilities. :-) So, keep 'em coming, please! LOL.
Anyway, here's chappie four. If it's not long enough, I apologize.
(The Scotts')
Jade led the way into the house that night, talking excitedly about the fun she'd had. The day had been fun. But, also tiring. The movies, zoo, lunch, the mall (Kim's idea, of course) and, finally, dinner at this new Chinese restaurant.
The three of them headed into the den. "Jade, thank Kim for the new clothes and doll she bought you," Jason said as he sat on the couch.
"Thanks, Aunt Kim!" Jade said happily as she climbed onto her father's lap.
Kim grinned. "You're so welcome, sweetheart," she said, also taking a seat on the couch. She sighed deeply.
"Don't tell me you're tired. You- the human version of theEnergizer Bunny," Jason said, grinning.
Kim laughed. "I think I'm actually worn out. It's a miracle," she said jokingly. He laughed and nodded.
Jade turned and looked up at her father. "Daddy, when's Mommy coming home?" she asked.
The merriment quickly vanished and Kim swallowed hard and looked at Jason- who sighed. It was now or never.
Jason looked down at his daughter. "Baby... your mother's not coming home," he said quietly.
"Why not?" she asked. It was evident in her face how much she hated the sound of this.
Jason closed his eyes. 'Damn you for putting me in this position, Gina. Damn you. I hope you do stay the hell away from here for good 'cause I don't ever wanna see you again,' he told the woman who'd shook his world up just three days ago silently. He couldn't remember the last time he'd felt such fury.
"Why not, Daddy?" Jade repeated.
He opened his eyes and looked at her. "Well, honey, she doesn't wanna be here anymore," he said softly.
"Why? Is she mad at me? Mommy doesn't like me anymore?" Jade asked in a now tearful voice.
Kim felt a lump forming in her throat. A wave of sadness crashed over her.She looked away quickly. Gina deserved the the best ass-kicking a person could give. Seriously.
Jason's stomach tightened and his fury towards his wife burned even hotter. "No, sweetie. That's not it. Of course she likes you and she's not mad. It's... see, sometimes grownups are sad about things and they feel the only way they can be happy again is if they... go away. To a place that makes them happy," he said.
"Why was she sad?" Jade asked.
Jason winced. "Because she didn't have everything she needed, sweetie," he said.
Tears filled Jade's eyes. "She's never gonna come back?" she asked sadly.
"I'm afraid not, baby, I'm so sorry," he said, shaking his head. Kim forced herself to look at the crushed little girl.
"Daddy, are you gonna go away, too?" Jade asked fearfully. She just didn't understand any of this at all. She just knew she didn't like it.
"No, baby. Never. I'm never going away," Jason said seriously.
"P-promise?" Jade asked in a choked up voice.
"Promise," he whispered with a sad smile. He'd kill or die for this child without the slightest hesitation.
"Aunt Kim, are you gonna go away?" Jade asked, her eyes wide.
"Never, baby. Never. I promise," Kim said, tears filling her own eyes.
Jade nodded. "I wanna see Mommy," she said.
"I know you do, baby," Jason said. But if he never saw Gina again, it'd be too damned soon. She'd broken their child's heart in the worst way and that was just unacceptable.
Kim reached out and touched Jade's cheek tenderly. "Sweetie, your father loves you and so do I. We're always gonna be here," she said, feeling the need to reassure her over and over.
Jason's nodded. "Kim's right," he said. He couldn't believe Gina had basically decided to let Jade grow up without her.
Jade hugged him tightly and finally let loose. She began sobbing uncontrollably. As if she'd been told her mother was dead. Jason would never forget the look in his daughter's eyes. He held her and dropped his head, the reality of it all hitting him like a sledgehammer all over again. Tears filled his eyes. True, he wasn't a very emotional person- he rarely cried. But, the hell with all of that now. His heart had been ripped out and stomped on repeatedly. So had his child's. He began to cry silently, his shoulders shaking.
Kim always felt unnerved whenever Jason shed even one tear. But, this was totally understandable. Actually, if a person didn't cry even a little about something like this, they'd have to be considered wiggy. Kim slid over and wrapped her arms around both father and daughter. Jason removed one of his muscular arms from Jade and wrapped it around his friend's waist. She kissed his temple softly, then, the top of Jade's head.
The three of them just sat and cried.
Jason sighed when he and Kim stepped outta Jade's room the three hours later. It'd taken quite awhile to get her to fall asleep. The two adults had tried everything. Jason looked at Kim.
"I'm guessing you wanna head home to bed. Who can blame ya? But, thank you for everything,Kim. You showed us a great time and you were a huge help with Jade," he said. He couldn't thank her enough.
Kim waved her hand dismissively. "You never have to thank me, Jase. Because I was only being a friend. You'd have done the same for me," she said. He nodded. "Are you still up for going out for breakfast tomorrow?"
"Yeah. It'd be good for Jade to spend as much time as possible away from this house right now," he said, rubbing his hands over his face.
Kim nodded in total agreement, then, she half-smiled at her friend. "She's so lucky to have a dad like you," she said, feeling a warmth.
"Thanks. God, Kim. Telling her was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life," he said, shaking his head.
Kim leaned against the wall. "I know and, again, I'm so sorry all this happened," she said.
"I'm sorrier for Jade. Gina just ditched our kid. I don't care what her excuses was. I could kill her," Jason said.
"Can I do it?" Kim said bitterly. Like Jason, she never wanted to lay eyes on Gina again.
Jason couldn't help chuckling at Kim's statement. "You and me. Man. We've gone through a lot together, haven't we?" he said.
"Everything," she replied. She'd gone through a lot- good, bad, happy, sad- with all her friends. And she was closer to them because of it all. But she'd always shared a connection with Jason that she knew she'd never share with anyone else. They went all the way back to preschool.
Jason nodded. Then, he and Kim fell into silence and just smiled at each other. After nearly twenty-three years, words weren't even necessary most of the time.
Finally... "I better get going," Kim said, standing up straight.
"Yeah. I'll walk you out," he said.
A few minutes later, they were standing by her car, discussing possible places to have breakfast tomorrow.
"You know, the IHOP's always the best choice," Jason said.
"True story. The IHOP it is," Kim said, nodding.
"Cool. I'll come pick you up," he said.
"Uh-uh. No way, Scott. I should come here because I'm sure I'll have to redo Jade's hair and redress her," Kim said with a smirk.
"I love how confident you always are in me," Jason said dryly- causing her to giggle.
"I'm gonna head. See ya tomorrow," she said, opening the car door.
"For sure," he said as she got in. She grinned at him and he closed her door. She strapped herself in and pulled away moments later. Jason stayed in his spot til she was outta sight, then, turned and headed back up to his house.
Stay tuned.