Chapter 4:
the next
day:
7:38 a.m.-
Jesse slept in the chair next to Maxie's bed with his elbow propped up on the side table and his fist under his chin. It had taken him a long time to finally get in a halfway comfortable position. He awoke slowly hearing the light sound of a door opening. Felicia smiled some with a blanket in hand and whispered, "I didn't mean to wake you." Jesse said, "It's okay." Felicia said, "I got up and rushed over here first thing this morning." She opened the blanket and began to spread it out over Maxie. Jesse helped her a little. She sat in the other chair on the other side of the bed. She whispered to Maxie as her fingertips barely felt of one side of her hair, "Your mom's here sweetie."
Jesse felt so guilty that Maxie had fallen down the stairs. He wished he could have prevented it. He noticed how warm and motherly Felicia was with her daughter. It almost made him miss his mother, but he was used to being on his own. Felicia suggested, "Why don't you take a break?" Jesse looked back at Maxie, "I can't leave her." Jesse began to apologize for what happened to Maxie, "Felicia, I'm really sorry and I should have…" She stopped him, "It was an accident." She said, "I want you to know how blessed Maxie is to have you." She then said, "She was a mess without you." "She really started to scare me." Felicia glanced at Maxie. Jesse said, "What…what do you mean?" Felicia said, "You know Maxie gets out of control." Jesse nodded an unhappy nod. He felt so terrible. Felicia said, "It's great to have you back." Jesse said, "Thank you."
For awhile they just sat there in silence waiting for Maxie to wake. A couple hours went by and Felicia dosed in and out of sleep in the rather dark room. Jesse just sat there awake unable to sleep. Finally Maxie's eyes opened, her head to one side seeing her mother there in front of her. She said, "Mom." Felicia said, "Hi honey. I'm so happy you're awake." "Are you hungry?" "Should I get the doctor?" Maxie said, "Good grief. Do you really have to hover over me?" Felicia laughed, "Well there is the daughter I know and love." She was acting normal so Felicia took that her daughter was definitely going to be okay. Maxie said, "I love you too mom." Felicia rubbed Maxie's shoulder. She said, "There's someone else who I know is glad to see you." Maxie thought it was probably her dad also ready and willing to hover over her like she was some specimen or something. She turned her head and saw it was Jesse. She had an almost surprised look on her face. He said, "You didn't think I would leave, did you?" She smiled and so did he. Felicia said, "I'll let you two be alone." She absolutely insisted.
Jesse said, "You have such a great mom." Maxie said, "More than I deserve." Jesse asked, "Does your head hurt?" "Are you in any pain?" "Can I get you some water?" Maxie murmured, "Okay I've had enough hovering now." Jesse laughed, "You can't get rid of me." She said looking into his eyes, "I don't want to." Jesse was worried about her after her breakdown last night. He asked, "You, you didn't have anymore nightmares did you?" She shook her head, "No, I'm fine."
Emily walked in, "I'm here to check your vitals." Maxie wanted to leave so badly. She hated being fussed over. "This sucks," she murmured with the thermometer in her mouth. Jesse scolded her, "Maxie!" She said, "Well, it does." Emily said cheerfully, "You shouldn't be here much longer; that is, if your tests come back normal." Jesse watched as Maxie now breathed in and out, Emily listening to her heartbeat through the stethoscope. Emily took it away. "You have nice strong heartbeat," she said. Jesse was very happy about that. Emily checked the rest of her, let Maxie know that Monica would be in a little later, and that breakfast was on its way.
Jesse and Maxie were now alone in the hospital. Maxie had her arms and hands under the covers. She had always hated how the hospital was always so freezing cold. Jesse said, "I'm sorry." She said, "Huh?" He said, "It's my fault you fell." She shook her head, "No, not at all." Maxie smiled. She wanted to touch him. She took her hand out slowly from the covers and began to hold it out, "Can I?" He said, "You don't have to ask," as he took her hand in his. They sat there for a moment just holding each other's hand. Something about the way he was looking at her was so different. Nobody had ever looked at her this way. Jesse was thinking how he never wanted to take his eyes off of her.
that afternoon:
Mac and Jesse stood in the hallway having a conversation. Mac said, "I never got around to asking you earlier how Maxie fell down the stairs." Jesse felt completely responsible. He said, "I don't know." She was leaving and before I knew it I heard her scream. I turned the corner and she had fallen. Jesse said, "It's my fault." "If only…" Mac said, "Jesse, really it's…" Jesse said, "I shouldn't have let her leave." Mac asked, "Was she upset?" Jesse said, "I think something was bothering her." Jesse started, "I'm to blame and…" Mac said, "You're not." "She's been through a lot." "Jesse, I have to tell you Maxie was devastated by your presumed death." "I could tell she was trying to hide, but I know she was having a hard time." "She cares for you so much."
Jesse said, "Mac I want you to know something." "I love your daughter." There was a pause. Jesse swallowed hard preparing himself to be chewed out. Mac said, "You really mean that don't you?" Jesse said, "Yes." "In fact, I want to take Maxie on vacation." "Actually it was what we were planning right before…" He stopped. Mac could see the sorrow in Jesse's eyes. Mac put his hand on his shoulder. "I'm so sorry you were shot." "I should've never told Lucky to keep an eye out for Manny." "I didn't tell Maxie about that part, but it's true." Jesse said, "You were doing your job just like me." Mac said, "I shouldn't have." Jesse became upset and said, "I shouldn't have taken Maxie there where Diego was going to be. In fact I should have found a way to keep Diego locked up." "Diego was a target in a public place." "I put Maxie and everyone else in danger." Mac said, "We had nothing to hold Diego for." "Now you have a real chance to move on." Jesse said, "I'm not going to waste anymore time."
Mac opened his wallet and said, "I'm going to pay for you and Maxie's vacation." Jesse said, "No sir, I can't accept that." Mac said, "You deserve it." Jesse tried to protest again and Mac almost smiled, "Please. I insist." Jesse was almost shocked by Mac's positive attitude and gift. Mac stuffed a check into Jesse's right pocket. Jesse said, "Thank you." "This means so much to me."
Mac said, "If there is anything else I can do for you just let me know." Mac spoke, "I'll be back tonight to check on Maxie, but hopefully Monica will let her go home soon." Jesse said, "Mac, one more thing. I would like Maxie to move in with me…at least for now." Mac had mixed feeling about this, but he knew he wanted Maxie to be happy. He said sternly, "Promise to take care of her." Jesse said, "Always." Mac nodded his head slightly. Jesse said, "I appreciate it." Mac said, "Even if I didn't like it Maxie would do what she wants. She always does." Jesse laughed, "I know." Mac said, "I would stay, but I have to get back over to the PCPD." Mac said, "See you both later." "Okay," Jesse said. For the first time Mac had approved of his relationship with Maxie or at least that's how it seemed. Jesse could hardly believe it, but it had happened and he couldn't be more grateful.
He made his way back into Maxie's room. He saw she was awake. She looked worried. Jesse sat down, "Hey sunshine." She smiled a little, but appearing to be fake. He questioned, "Is something wrong?" She said, "No." He said, "You can tell me." She finally spoke, "Mac went off on you didn't he?" "He wants you gone doesn't he?" She panicked and started rambling, "Oh no! He's going to arrest you." Jesse let out, "Wha…" under his breath. "He thinks you pushed me down the stairs. I'm getting out of this bed. He's not going to do this to us!" her voice became louder. She was going to go after Mac. Jesse stopped her, "Maxie, no." "You can't get up." She said, "He can't arrest you for something you didn't do!!" "Maxie, calm down," he spoke slowly and began to lift his hand to her face. He placed it there on her right cheek, "Listen." "Okay," she said. "Exactly the opposite." Maxie said, "Huh?" Then she heard him ask something completely unexpected. Jesse asked, "Maxie, will you move in with me?" It was abrupt and she thought he was kidding. She said, "Nice one." He looked disappointed and slowly removed his hand from her face. He said, seriously, "You don't want to?" She sat up, "You mean it?" "You…" His hand made its way to her face and he said, "As soon as we get out of here." He sat on her bed. He spoke softly, "I want to spend my time with you" as he looked into her blue eyes, the ones that always made him so drawn to her. He hadn't kissed her since the morning after they had made love and he wanted to. He moved his hand up fixing her hospital gown. He looked back into her eyes. Their faces began to move so close and their lips were about to touch when they heard the door open. It was Monica there to check on Maxie.
She said, "Oh, I didn't mean to interrupt." Maxie said, "It's okay." "Jesse was just checking out my forehead." Monica said, "You're doing quite well, but I have to keep you one more day." Maxie said, "Please, I'm great." "I feel like going home." Monica said, "I may consider letting you go home in the morning, but you have to promise to do what I say." Maxie said, "I will…I will." Monica said, "Okay." "We'll see." Once Monica was gone Jesse began trying to convince, "You should stay another day." Maxie said, "Oh please." Jesse said, "That bruise on your head looks awful." Maxie said, "Gee, thanks." Jesse said, "You can't hide it. It still hurts doesn't it?" She crossed her arms, "Fine." Jesse said, "Hey, don't be like that. I'm just worried about you." He kissed her hand. She said, "I know, I didn't mean to snap at you." "I just hate being stuck in here." Jesse said, "You've been in here enough." Jesse then asked, "Maxie, you didn't have any heart trouble when I was gone did you?" She said, "No." He said, "That's good."
hours later:
Jesse said, "So you never answered my question…" She asked, "What question?" He said, "The move-in-with-me one." She replied, "Are you sure about that?" He answered, "As sure as I've ever been. Please say y…" Before he could finish she smiled, "Yes." Maxie couldn't wait to be with him. Jesse grinned from ear to ear.
the next day:
Maxie had just been released from the hospital. Jesse and Maxie were in her dorm room to gather all of Maxie's belongings. Jesse noticed how messy the room was. The bed wasn't made either. He never knew Maxie to be a slob. That was usually his specialty. He shrugged. They both started picking up things and organizing them on the bed. After awhile Jesse walked into her closet to make sure nothing was forgotten. He noticed something on one side of the very top shelf. He picked it up slowly. As he saw what it was he remembered.
"Jesse, you've already spent almost all of your money," Maxie whined. Jesse said, "I'm going to win it." Maxie stood there seeing how determined Jesse was as he threw the balls with all his might. She loved that about him. Finally he knocked down the tower of wooden pillars. The carnie said, "Congratulations. You're a winner." Jesse took Maxie aside handing her the cutest brown teddy bear. She felt so special in that moment and thinking how thoughtful he was. She kissed his cheek, "Thank you." She had her arm hooked in his and in her other hand cotton candy, so she tucked the bear's head in between her elbow closing it.
Kelly's Diner:
Jesse and Maxie were walking to Kelly's with all of Maxie's stuff. As soon as they came around the corner they were barraged by a crowd of reporters. This guy shoved the microphone in Jesse's face, "Detective Beaudry. Can you tell us how you survived?" Jesse and Maxie were trying to get to Kelly's. Another reporter, this time a woman asked, "Were you taken against your will? Did you fake your own death? Are you in stable mental health?" The questions were coming all at once so fast Jesse couldn't speak and he didn't want to. He was angry. They were invading his and Maxie's privacy. Another man very tall asked, "Will you be resuming your risky career with the PCPD?" Maxie had so much anger that had built up ever since the first question, "SHUT UP!" she screamed, "Leave us alone!!!!!!" They both almost shoved at the reporters and Lucas showed up right then helping them past these jerks.
Lucas shouted back at the news reporters, "Get the hell out of here and don't come back!" Lucas thought they were going to follow them into Kelly's so he now locked the door and put the CLOSED sign up. Lucas said, "I tried to warn you, but didn't know you had already left the hospital." Maxie said, "It's okay. Thanks for that." Lucas said, "No problem." "Someone should teach them some manners." Jesse hadn't said anything. He was so angry. He just nodded his head at Lucas. Jesse and Maxie headed for upstairs. Jesse was rolling in Maxie's suitcases and Maxie had a small suitcase and a big bag in her hands.
Right when they got to the foot of the stairs Jesse took them out of Maxie's arms and hands. He lifted her body in his arms. She questioned happily, "What are you doing?" He said, "Not taking any chances." She laughed. Once inside Jesse put her down. He then went to get her other suitcases. He came back with them and saw Maxie looking through her bag for something. While she did that he opened one of her suitcases taking out something."Maxie, you forgot something in your dorm room" she heard him say. She said, "Oh, really?" "Lets go back and get it," as her back was turned. She was now messing with her cell phone. He said, "I got it." She asked, "What was it?" He walked over to the side of the room taking the item out of the bag. Her face felt softness. Her hand placed on it taking it. Once she saw it she was speechless. She just looked at it and felt so much all at once. She couldn't believe how a stuffed animal touched her spirit. It was the sweet brown teddy bear that Jesse had won her at the carnival.
Jesse started to yawn. "Are you tired?" she asked. He asked "Are you?" She said "Honestly?" He nodded. She said, "I feel like I could sleep all day tomorrow." He said, "Then that's what we'll do." She smiled, "There's something else I want to do." She reached up smoothing his face with her hand and her face went close to his. She opened her mouth kissing him. Jesse drew her into his body kissing her deeply and she kissed him with all she had. Their tongues seem to melt together. It was bliss as the kiss lasted and lasted for several minutes. After the kiss slowly ended Jesse gasped, "Wow." She smiled. She loved kissing his soft lips.
Jesse let Maxie get ready for bed first and then he took his turn in the bathroom. Maxie took out her favorite pillow she had brought with her. When he came back he noticed Maxie had already pulled the covers back for him. He slipped into bed with her. It wasn't long before they were lying comfortably with each other sleeping.