Okay, this is getting interesting... I think this chapter will get some reviews :p
Look for the next chapter on Monday. Enjoy!
P.S. Thanks again to Foxy4ever, I love your reviews ;)
Chapter 12
Brooke froze when she heard that. Son of a bitch! He's married, of course he's married! she thought, feeling an overwhelming urge to cry. Her thoughts were interrupted by the little girl…
– It's the heels…
– What you said? –Brooke asked, not getting what the little girl had just told her.
– That's why your back hurts. You use high heels…
– My back doesn't hurt. –Brooke replied.
– Then why you want to see my daddy?
Brooke paralyzed at the question. – I have um… other affection… –Brooke replied, looking deeply at the girl. She didn't look a lot like Jack. Must look like her mother, she thought. Still, Brooke could see in her eyes the intense look of Jack.
– What's your name? –the girl asked her, cutting her thoughts off.
– Brooke… –she replied, and when she was about to ask the girl about her mother, how old she was, where she lived and other zillion things she wanted to know, a woman's voice irrupted in Jack's office. Brooke felt like if hell froze over. Jesus Christ, her mother's here!
– Jackie! How many times do I have to tell you, you can't step inside your dad's office like this? –the woman said desperately, opening the door abruptly. Brooke looked at the woman as if she had seen a ghost. She wasn't very tall, she had blonde hair and beautiful big blue eyes. She was holding in one hand another little blonde girl and in the other a little boy. An elder kid was behind her.
– Sorry, Aunt Claire… –the little girl told the woman, nonchalant.
Claire then noticed Brooke's presence. – Oh! I'm terribly sorry, the nurse told me nobody was here… I'm so sorry to interrupt… –she told Brooke, ashamed. Then Claire noticed Jack wasn't even there, which she found weird.
– Oh, it's okay, I didn't make an appointment, I was just waiting… –Brooke told Claire, making a tremendous effort to sound casual.
Claire extended her hand. – I'm Claire Pace.
Jack's sister, Brooke thought as she shook Claire's hand. – Brooke Julian.
Claire went on. – And this little buddy here is my nephew Brett, this missy is my daughter Charlene and this one is Aaron, my son. –Then Claire threw Jackie a disapproving look. – And I think you already know my niece, Jacqueline.
Brooke had her eyes fixated on Jack's son, Brett. He was a beautiful miniature version of his father. Same eyes, same look, same nose, same mouth… He has a son, too… When Brooke was close to articulate an answer, Jack arrived.
– I'm sorry I made you wait, I didn't know you were… –his jaw dropped when he saw Claire and the children there. Damn it, damn it! She wasn't supposed to find out, not like this… he thought. – Claire, what are you doing here?
Jackie left the armchair and ran to her father. – Daddy! –Brett reached for his dad too.
– Hey…–he squatted and held his kids in his arms, giving a tender kiss to each one. Then he stood up and gave Claire a questioning look.
– I came to pick my results and your daughter sneaked in, as always.
– I could have picked them for you…
– I didn't want to bother you…
– You never bother me…
– I'm leaving now… are you picking up the kids or Margo is?
– I am. She's not home yet…
– Right, I forgot.
As Brooke watched the scene she felt completely out of place. Margo must be his wife… she thought. She couldn't take it anymore. – I'll just come back at some other time, doctor. –she said, looking deeply at Jack.
Before he could say anything, she looked at Claire and said: – Goodbye, nice to meet you all. –Then she rushed out.
On her way to the exit, Brooke ran into Patrick.
– Miss Julian! –he said, giving her a deep hug.
– Hey…
– What are you doing here? You're finally getting that boob job? –he asked her, smirking and giving her a smug look. Then he noticed something was wrong. – Are you okay? You look like you've just seen the devil…
Brooke put herself together and smiled. – Well, I'm just standing in front of him…
– Jack knows you're here? And don't try to pretend, I know about you two.
Brooke looked down. – Yeah, but he's kind of busy right now…
– He always is. Hey, you think you can make some space for me in your agenda? I'm going to fight you for leaving me out of this…
– I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. Um… sure, we can have lunch tomorrow if you want…
– Deal.
Then Jack appeared behind Brooke and gripped her shoulders.
– Hey, thanks for entertaining her… –he told Patrick, managing a smile.
– No problem.
– Ready for lunch? –Jack asked Brooke, hesitant.
Brooke just nodded, abashed. – Bye Patrick, I'll see you tomorrow… –she said.
Jack and Brooke walked out of the hospital in total silence. They got to the parking lot and Jack opened the door for her. She got in the car. As Jack drove, he glanced at her once in a while, but had no idea what to say, where to start. He knew she had to be pissed. Brooke was holding her breath, her eyes fixated on the window.
They arrived to the restaurant and got a table. When Jack was about to open his mouth, Brooke cut him off.
– So, Jack, what does Mrs. Shephard think about us going out for a week now? Where is she when her husband is having fun? –she snapped, voice menacing and furious.
Jack's eyes hardened. – Nowhere… she's dead…