Part XXVII

Alex abruptly placed a few more pieces of clothing in her suitcase. Although the thought of leaving Marissa behind seemed a pretty bad idea as of the moment. But she had work to do. She couldn't afford not to go on the road trip. She did have a contract. So even with a heavy heart, Alex tried not to worry Marissa further. She was determined not to cause the brunette anymore problems. Marissa already has enough.

She walked over the drawers and scrambled for something. Marissa, who just got out of the shower, looked at her curiously.

"Looking for something?" Marissa asked, drying her hair.

"The skirt that goes with my brown blouse, have you seen it?"

"No…" Marissa replied sitting down on the bed.

She looked at Alex who was still rummaging through their drawers in silence.

Alex turned around and saw her expression. The blonde let out a smiled a walked towards her. She sat beside Marissa and held her hand.

"I'll be back before you know it." She whispered giving Marissa a kiss on the lips.

She pulled her fiancé closer, resting their foreheads against the other.

"I know. I'll just miss you." Marissa buried her head on Alex's chest, a tear escaping from her eye.

The blonde ran her fingers through her cheek. Alex let out a sigh as she felt the tears.

"You have to talk to her. She might think you're blaming her for everything."

"I don't blame her. It's my father's fault! He couldn't keep his urges to himself!"

"Marissa…"

"Don't defend him!" Marissa stood up, her temper a blazing.

"I'm not defending him…" Alex pleaded extending her hand.

"THEN ACT LIKE YOU DON'T!" Marissa snapped, startling Alex.

Alex knew she had to be patient with Marissa. The woman is going through something though. Alex could only guess how much pain Marissa is feeling right now. If being yelled at was part of this relationship as of the present time, Alex would endure. She knew things would get better. Marissa would be better.

Without a word, Marissa locked herself in the bathroom. Alex followed, and rested her head against the bathroom door. She could hear Marissa cry. But Alex understood Marissa needed time. Maybe Marissa could use a change in environment as well. An idea suddenly popped out of Alex's head. She hurriedly walked towards the nightstand and took her mobile phone. Pressing call, Alex let out a grin.

"Hey Beth, it's me. Can you do something for me?"

----

Summer stared at brochures for hours without uttering a word. Jodie watched helplessly beside her. Their baby plans are put on hold. Three out of the three specialists they have talked to gave the same diagnosis.

"I'm sorry, but the results show it's highly unlikable for you to get pregnant. If you do, it's still a very slim chance of carrying the child through term. Once you get it through the nine months, it's still a risk. You could both die."

Of course Jodie wouldn't risk Summer's life, upsetting her even more. Summer wanted to go through and possible method to give Jodie a child. But Summer couldn't. She felt useless now, although she would only say that to herself. She was starting to hate herself now. Why was she so fragile?

"Get some rest. You need it…" Jodie whispered pulling her closer to her.

Summer could only cry in her arms. How could they make a family?

"I'll carry it Summer." Jodie whispered, holding Summer tighter.

"I have no idea what pregnancy is all about. But I'm willing to go through it. For you, I will. So we could have a kid of our own. I know you don't want to adopt. You want him or her to look like at least one of us. I'll go through it Summer. I'll do it for you." Jodie smiled lifting Summer's chin so her wife was now staring at her.

Summer couldn't hold back the tears anymore.

Tough Jodie was letting go of her "toughness" just for her.

What more could you ask for?

"I love you Jodie. I LOVE YOU!" Summer buried her head on Jodie's chest and held her tight.

"I love you too Summer… With all my heart..."

----

Beth typed a few words on her laptop then frowned when her phone began to ring. Assuming it was Alex, since Alex was calling her non-stop for any news on her so-called plan, Beth already answered the phone with a tired tone.

"You know Alex… You could just wait… I won't be able to finish if you call every hour." Beth put pressure on the bridge of her nose, trying her hardest not to be pissed off with her overly excited friend.

Um… It's me…

The voice stunned Beth. She could only close her eyes and rest her back on the chair, falling silent.

I know… I… Don't deserve anything from you… I just wanted to know how you are…

Beth didn't reply. She just let the person talk. She had, by far, no intention to speak again.

I hope work is ok. Hope you don't work too hard too. I know… It wouldn't mean anything but… I miss you… I…

"STOP PLAYING WITH MY HEART! I've had ENOUGH!" Beth put her left hand on her forehead, trying her hardest not to let the tears control her.

She hanged the phone and walked over to her fridge. She took out water and drank a glass or two. Bianca wasn't going to break her again. She wasn't going to let her back in.

----

Marissa gathered all her strength and walked towards the living room. Since the time she locked herself inside the bathroom, Alex had not spoken to her nor uttered words. It worried her. She knew she was a little harsh on her fiancé, but she was hurting. She walked out and saw Alex silently reading a TV guide while she pressed on random channels on the remote.

"Are you hungry?" Marissa asked, fumbling on the tray she was holding.

Alex hurriedly stood up and helped her, carrying the tray safely on their coffee table.

"What's for dinner?" Alex asked with a tone clearly serious to Marissa ears.

"I made steak, and a prepared a few vegetables on the side." Marissa pointed at the food while Alex took a spoon and scooped up a few veggies.

She opened her mouth and began to chew.

"Tastes good." Alex let out a smile.

She took a spoonful once more and began to feed Marissa, making the other woman smile as well.

"I'm sorry…About…" Marissa began to say but was halted by Alex's fingers on her lips.

The blonde leaned in and kissed her. Resting their foreheads against the other, they both smiled.

"I don't know what I'll do when you leave…"

"You don't have to wonder… Because you're coming with me." Alex replied earning a confused look from Marissa.

"While you were contemplating, I took it upon myself to see if I could take you on the road with me. I asked Beth to make reservations, I'll stay with you. And you'll be in the games with me. I called your office too. Your boss wasn't too happy about it. But he said you could go. Told him he could let you quit for a while if he wants to. I'm not letting you out of my sight." Alex continued on surprising Marissa even more.

"Hope its ok. I mean… I just want you to be safe. You're in a tight situation right now. I can't just leave you behind. You're going to be my wife. You're my life Marissa…" Alex finally stopped silent and just looked at Marissa.

There were tears in the brunette's eyes. And of course they were happy ones. She was blessed being loved by a person whom she knew would never ruin her trust. Someone who would never break her heart.