Chapter 26: Mr. Wobbly
. . .
The next day Lily couldn't wait to get out from the hospital. Around noon she was back home and she was waiting impatiently for Ellie and Rick coming back from the cinema. To make the time pass faster, Jo turned on the TV and picked one of Lily's favorite Disney movies. In the middle of watching it Jo noticed that Lily couldn't keep her eyes open, as she was a little drowsy because of the painkillers.
''Hey, sweetie, do you want to take a nap?'' Jo asked, pausing the movie.
''Yeah...'' Lily murmured sleepily and curled herself on the couch.
''Here? I can take you to bed, if you want.'' Jo told her.
''Naaah.'' Lily answered and yawned.
Jo smiled lightly and stroked her hair. Then she covered her with a blanket and went to the kitchen to prepare something for lunch. Mac was at work, he couldn't tell when he would be back when they talked last night. While washing some lettuce Jo thought that he worked a lot more. Before that he had seemed to enjoy spending time with her and the kids. But lately something had changed and she wondered if it had something to do with what had happened between them at the wedding. She had the feeling that he was avoiding her, taking extra shifts. Also, he made out such a schedule that allowed her to stay with the kids at home as much as it was possible.
She sighed deeply. It seemed to be the same old story again. It had been just like that when she had given birth to Tyler and had had a couple of months off. When they had ended and she had been ready to get back to work, Russ insisted that she should stay at home and take care of their son. She still remembered his reasoning – the man's thing is to make money, the woman's is to take care of the kids and the house. Of course she hadn't agreed on that and had returned to work, but after all that was the thing that had made their marriage crumble.
She decided that she needed to talk to Mac about it, as she was sure it wouldn't work like this for her. She didn't need him to treat her with some special care. She wanted to be his partner.
Before she finished preparing a Caesar salad Ellie and Rick returned home. Even though Jo hushed them, Lily was woken up by them. When Jo entered the living room they were admiring Lily's cast.
''So she's fine now?'' Rick asked Jo, looking up at her.
''Yeah, she is. No signs of a concussion. Her arm needs about 4 weeks to heal. Then it will be as new.'' Jo assured him.
''That's good.'' Rick told her with a smile. Then he turned to Lily and his face completely changed. He put on the serious look. ''No more jumping on the bed.'' He told her firmly. ''Do you understand?'' He asked and Lily nodded slowly, watching him with her eyes wide open. ''If I ever see you doing it again, I'll tell Jo or Mac and you won't get any dessert or sweets for a year. Do you know how long a year is?'' He asked and Lily shook her head. ''It's 365 days long. 366 if you're unlucky. That means 365 or 366 days without anything sweet.''
''That's long.'' Lily sighed.
''It is. So I advice you not to jump on the bed anymore.'' Rick added and Jo smiled slightly.
''I won't.'' Lily promised.
''Good.'' Rick said and hugged her.
''Do you guys want something for eat? I made a Caesar salad.'' Jo offered.
''I love Caesar salad!'' Lily squealed making everybody laugh. After they ate, they watched some cartoons and played 'Monopoly' in two teams. The time flew and they didn't even notice when it was dinner time. When Jo realized how late it was, she ordered to end the game, but the kids made the sad faces. Ellie offered that they could order something and after a moment of hesitation Jo agreed on that. They ordered Italian and kept playing until the food arrived. After the dinner they finished the game. Rick and Ellie won twice which made Lily really sad, but the vision of big bowl of ice-cream made her feel better. So they moved to the kitchen to prepare their desserts.
''How many scoops can we have?'' Rick asked, taking the ice-cream boxes out of the freezer and handing them to Ellie, who was placing them on the kitchen table.
''Two, one sauce or one sprinkle.'' Jo told him.
''Three, one sauce and one sprinkle.'' Ellie made an offer.
''Two, one sauce and one sprinkle.'' Jo answered.
Ellie glanced at Rick, who nodded lightly. ''All right...'' She sighed.
''I can't wait till I'll be an adult and I will be able to eat all the ice-cream I want.'' Lily murmured.
''If you earn enough money to buy ice-cream.'' Rick told her.
''They should give it for free...'' Lily sniffed lightly, watching Jo who was opening all the boxes.
''OK, Ellie, which one do you want?'' Jo asked. ''Chocolate and mint?'' She asked with a smirk.
''No! Chocolate and green tea.'' She laughed.
''But I was close.'' Jo told her with a smile.
''Yeah, you were.'' Ellie admitted.
''Lily?'' Jo asked.
''I don't want this bowl.'' Lily complained.
''Why not?'' Rick asked.
''It's blue.'' She answered with a wince.
''Right.'' Rick nodded. ''Here, the pink one.'' He said and handed her the other bowl.
''Thank you.''
''So, Lily? Which one?'' Jo asked again.
''This one and this one.'' She said, pointing out at the raspberry and the vanilla ones.
''All right.'' Jo said and gave her back the bowl with two scoops of ice-creams. ''How about you Rick?''
''Coconut and salted caramel.'' He answered.
''Seriously?'' Jo asked.
''Yeah, why?''
''It doesn't seem like they go well together.''
''I like it.'' Rick answered, shrugging his shoulders.
''OK then...'' Jo said and made a portion for him. Then she took the bowl for herself and placed two scoops of cherry-vanilla ice-cream in there. She added some chocolate sauce, but the sprinkle was too much for her, as they all had suspicious colors and tasted like pure sugar.
Lily and Rick went to the living room, while Ellie stayed in the kitchen, waiting for Jo.
''Can we watch something?'' Rick asked from the living room.
''Yes, but something short.'' Jo answered.
''How about 'Wallace and Gromit'?'' Rick asked again.
''Yup, that's fine.'' Jo told him. She tasted her ice-cream and glanced at Ellie, who clearly wanted to talk to her about something.
''Umm, mom, listen...'' She finally started. ''I was thinking... I know you don't like Andy, but...''
''I've never said so.'' Jo interrupted her and Ellie stared at her. ''What I don't like is you sneaking out to parties without my knowledge.''
''Yeah, right... Anyway... I wanted to ask... if you're OK with me inviting him tomorrow.'' She finally said. ''I want you to meet him. He's really nice, mom. I'm sure you're gonna like him. Mac thinks he's cool.'' She blurted out.
''Mac knows him?'' Jo asked with a frown.
''Umm... yeah. He met him last week.'' Ellie admitted, glancing at Jo. ''We're in the same group in the summer program and we need to work on our project.''
''Are you going to work on it tomorrow?'' Jo asked innocently.
''Yes.'' Ellie confirmed.
''So maybe you should invite also other people.'' Jo suggested.
''Huh?''
''Those from your group.'' Jo told her, trying hard not to smirk.
''Oh... Well, actually... It's a group of... two.'' Ellie told her and blushed slightly.
''That's called 'a pair', hon.'' Jo said with a smile. ''Sure, he can come.'' She finally said.
''Thanks, mom!'' Ellie said happily. ''Are you going to work tomorrow?'' She asked.
Jo wanted to say that she had another day off, but then she remembered that she wanted to talk to Mac about it.
''I don't know yet.'' She told Ellie.
''OK.'' Ellie nodded. ''Are you going to watch 'Wallace and Gromit'?'' She asked.
''In a minute.''
When Ellie left the kitchen Jo finished her ice-cream and cleaned a little. She was almost done when her phone started to ring.
''Danville.''
''Hi, mom.'' Tyler said. ''Are you home?''
''Yes, I am. Did something happen?'' She asked, feeling slightly uneasy. It was rather odd for Tyler to call her first, usually she had to leave him at least half-dozen messages on a voice mail.
''Well... I want to talk to you.'' Tyler told her.
''Are you OK?'' She asked again, more worried by the second.
''Yes. I just... need your advice.'' He admitted and she furrowed her eyebrows. That was something new.
''I'll put the kids to bed in half an hour, you want to come then?'' Jo asked.
''Yeah, that will be perfect.''
. . .
When Mac got off the elevator the first thing he heard was Jo's raised voice. He thought it was odd, as she rarely yelled or argued, so he rushed to the door.
''I just can't believe you were so careless!'' He heard when he opened the door. ''What have you been thinking, Tyler?!'' Jo asked, raising her voice even more and Mac raised his eyebrows upon hearing her. ''Do you have the slightest idea what responsibility it is to have a child?!'' Jo cried out and Mac froze. He thought it wasn't the best idea to enter the living room now, so he decided to move quietly to the bedroom and wait there until they were done arguing.
''Believe me, I do. Since yesterday I haven't been thinking about anything else.'' Tyler murmured.
''How do you imagine it? You're 22!'' Jo told him. ''You don't have a job, you're still in college...''
''I'm to graduate before the baby will be born.'' Tyler noted, but Jo ignored him.
''How are you going to deal with all this?'' Jo asked again, only this time there was less anger in her voice and more concern. ''Do you really want to be a father already?'' She asked with clear disbelief.
''Mom, listen to me, please.'' Tyler moaned and Jo finally looked at him and got silent. ''When Amy told me... I totally panicked. I wasn't ready for it at all. But then... It's not about me 'wanting' to be a father. I already am. Now I have to act like one.'' He said and Jo stared at him, still not saying anything. ''I want to be with Amy and I won't leave her. We'd have children eventually anyway and...''
''You don't know that.'' Jo cut him off, rolling her eyes. ''You're 22!''
''Yes, I do know that.'' Tyler said stubbornly. ''I love her, mom.'' He added and she stared at him in silence for a moment. Then she moved to the couch and sat down next to him.
''Oh, Tyler... You're both so very young. And having a kid... it means your life will never be the same again.'' She told him.
''Will it get worse?'' Tyler asked. Jo looked at him, trying to figure out if his question was rhetorical. But it wasn't.
''No.'' She shook her head. ''It won't be worse, just different.'' She said quietly. She slowly started to accept the whole situation. She still treated Tyler as a child – careless, feckless, slightly selfish. He wasn't any of those anymore. He was a grown-up man now, which was making it even harder for her to accept. ''So what are you going to do now?'' She asked, looking him in the eye.
''I bought a ring.'' He said with a shy smile. He reached to his pocket and pulled out a small, velvet box.
''You did? Are you going to propose?'' Jo asked, completely surprised.
''Umm... Isn't what I should do?'' Tyler asked with a sudden hesitation. ''I mean... I want Amy to feel... I don't know... safe, I guess.'' He stumbled over his words, glancing at Jo. ''I want her to be sure that I'll be there for her. That I'll take care of her... and of the baby.'' He added. A small smile started to play on Jo's lips upon his words. And it was growing bigger with every moment. She shook her head lightly. He really loved Amy.
''Can I see?'' She asked.
''Yeah, sure...'' Tyler nodded and opened the box. ''Unfortunately it's silver. I couldn't afford to buy a gold one right now.'' He admitted reluctantly. ''But I will. One day.''
''And this stone? What kind of stone is it?'' Jo asked, looking at the ring.
''I have no idea.'' Tyler admitted with laughter. ''I chose it because it's green... like Amy's eyes.''
''I'm sure she's gonna love it.'' Jo told him with a smile.
''You really think so?'' He asked hopefully.
''Yeah.''
. . .
When Jo entered the bedroom, Mac put his book down instantly and looked at her with anticipation. But she didn't say anything, only threw herself on the bed and let out a deep sigh.
''I didn't hear you entering the apartment.'' She told him.
''Well... you were busy.'' He told her carefully.
''Yeah...'' She sighed.
''So... is he alive?'' Mac finally asked in a joking tone and Jo chuckled.
''Yeah, he is. He has just left.'' She said and rolled to her side in order to look at him. ''So... Amy's pregnant.'' She told him and he nodded. He didn't mean to eavesdrop, but it was impossible not to hear that part. ''And Tyler is going to propose to her tonight.''
''He is?'' Mac asked.
''Yes.'' Jo confirmed, rolling her eyes.
''I know how you feel about it all, but actually I think you should be really proud of him.'' Mac stated, but Jo only glanced at him, not at all convinced. ''He acted like a man. He took responsibility for his actions.''
''Well, yeah... But... what if he has a sudden change of heart?'' She asked with hesitation.
''I thought he claimed to love her.'' Mac said, furrowing his eyebrows.
''He did. But... how can he be so sure? He knows her only for three months!'' She moaned and Mac smiled.
''At some point, during those three months, he looked at her and he realized he would like to be with her every single day, because she simply makes him happy. And then, the other day, while being away from her, he realized that he would never be happy again without her.'' He said slowly. Jo furrowed her eyebrows upon hearing him and she opened her mouth, ready to make some comment about him being wrong. She wanted to say it wasn't at all as easy as he made it look. But she kept silent. She thought about Russ, how she had never been sure of him. Now it made sense. Maybe this certainty appeared only with the right person.
''So, yeah. He can be sure.'' Mac finished simply. Jo stared at some undetermined point on the wall in front of her, thinking deeply. So maybe this was how the real men loved. They didn't make any false promises, they didn't say what they didn't mean. They were very reluctant to make any commitment, but when they finally did, it was carved in stone.
''Well, maybe you're right...'' She admitted reluctantly. ''But I'm still worried how they're gonna make it work. They need a place to stay, Tyler doesn't even have a job, they don't have any savings...''
''They'll be fine. Tyler is a smart man, he'll get by. Also, he has you. I'm pretty sure you'd be the first one to rush to help him if any troubles occurred.'' Mac teased.
''Of course! He's my son!'' Jo exclaimed. Mac words were making her feel better. ''I guess you're right... It's not like it's a tragedy.'' She finally admitted.
''Tragedy is when someone is dying, not when someone is going to be born.'' Mac told her. She looked at him and saw a smile playing on his lips.
''Yeah...'' She nodded. Then she rose to her feet. She took off her sweater and put it in the closet. His eyes skimmed over her. The black tank top perfectly set off the paleness of her skin. The fabric rose slightly when Jo raised her arms and tied her hair up in a bun, as always before taking a shower. He couldn't take his eyes off the line of her naked skin that was visible between the hem of her top and the waistband of her jeans. He wanted to run his fingertips across it. To pull her closer and press his mouth there. He shifted uncomfortably on the bed, but he didn't take his eyes off her.
She tilted her her and removed the earring from her right ear. Then from the left one. She unclasped her necklace and bracelets and threw them into the jewelery box that was placed on top of the chest of drawers. It was her daily ritual and he loved watching her doing it. But he loved the moment right before she went to bed even more. When she exited the bathroom, carrying the warm smell of the coconut shower gel. He loved watching her as she slipped under the covers and let out a content sighed. She looked like a cat then – soft and half asleep – and he wondered if he heard her quiet purring when he wrapped his arms around her.
''Still, I find it hard to believe that my little boy is going to be a father.'' Jo sighed and Mac forced himself to look at her face. She shook her head and walked towards the bathroom. Suddenly she gasped loudly. ''If he's going to be a father, than I'm going to be... a grandma.'' She said, wincing in disgust at the sound of the last word. ''What a bummer...'' She sighed, disappearing in the bathroom.
''Oh come on, you'll be the sexiest grandma of all times.'' Mac noted in a low murmur and stood up.
''I forbid you to call me that!'' Jo warned him and he smirked, as he hadn't been sure if she had heard him.
''What? Sexy?'' He asked teasingly.
''Grandma!'' Jo told him in a menacing voice, opening the door once again unexpectedly when he was near it, on his way to leave the bedroom. She had already taken her top off and was holding it in front of her, trying to cover herself. Mac's eyes raked her bare shoulders and the sexy curve of her stomach.
Jo realized how close to her he was standing and she tried to take the step back, but she bumped into the door frame. He instinctively placed his hand on her hip to steady her. His smirk disappeared and he furrowed his eyebrows slightly, studying her reaction. Her eyes were locked with his and she lowered her hands lightly. The tension in the room grew. It was almost like there was no air in there. His fingers skipped across her skin lightly, in a barely perceptible caress. He couldn't help himself and he glanced down at her. As soon as he did, he regretted it, as the sight made his heartbeat quicken its pace. Her soft breasts were clad only in a black, lace bra. It was slightly sheer, so he could see the outline of her nipples and he wondered what color they were, how big they were and how they would react to his touch. Almost as if on its own, his hand moved slowly up. He kept it flat, stroking as much of her skin as he could. His eyes returned to hers and he watched her carefully. She didn't push him away, she didn't stop him. Her teeth grazed her bottom lip like she wanted to stop herself from making any sound. Mac recalled their kiss and he decided he wanted to taste her again. He slowly leaned forward, stopping inches from her face. His hand was still moving up her body, until he touched some particularly sensitive spot and Jo gasped. He sized the opportunity and gently touched her lower lip with his mouth. He could feel how her lips were trembling. She breathed out against his mouth and then kissed him back lightly. His right hand stayed under her breast, cupping it gently, while his left hand went to her back and his fingertips caressed her spine. She deepened the kiss a little in response. His control was slipping and he gave in to the urge to touch her more. He slowly moved his thumb across her nipple. He felt how she shuddered slightly and then suddenly pulled away.
''Mac...'' Jo started, but she was out of breath. She shook her head while inhaling deeply. ''You don't have to do that.'' She told him. He raised his eyebrows and moved his hands away, keeping them on her hips. ''It's OK. You don't have to do it.'' She repeated. ''I know you care about the kids, but they're ours already. No one will check if we're in a relationship or not.''
''True.'' He nodded. ''But I care not only about the kids. I care about you as well.'' He added in a quiet voice.
''I know.'' She told him quickly. ''But I don't want you to feel...'' She hesitated choosing the words ''...obligated to take it to the next level. We don't have to. It's fine as it is.'' She assured him and smiled at him, but it looked slightly fake – it didn't reach her eyes. ''I don't expect you to be my... lover.'' She added, the last word was almost inaudible. His brows furrowed even deeper. He wasn't sure if she meant it or she used it as an excuse. Maybe she didn't want to hurt his feeling and reject him openly.
''I'm sorry.'' He murmured. ''I just... got caught up in the moment, I guess.'' He said and took away his hands.
''Don't worry about it.'' She answered and patted his shoulder. ''We're all humans.'' Then she turned her head and moved to the side. ''OK, I'm going to take a shower.'' She said and he nodded. She hesitated slightly, but she entered the bathroom eventually and closed the door behind herself. Only then he released his pent up breath. He couldn't believe it happened again, only this time it was her, who had stopped it.
He was sure he wouldn't be able to fall asleep anytime soon, so he decided to go to the living room and watch TV. But before he did, Jo's phone started to ring. He glanced at the bathroom door. The water was already running so there was no chance for her to hear it. He glanced at the screen and saw Flack's number. He couldn't decided if he should answer it or not. Before he made up his mind, the phone stopped ringing. Only seconds later his phone started to buzz in his pocket.
''Taylor.'' He said, answering it.
''Hi, Mac. Listen.. is there Jo somewhere near you?'' Flack asked.
''She's in the bathroom.'' Mac told him. ''Did something happen?''
''She's on call tonight and we have a case.''
''You know what? I'll take it for her.'' Mac decided in a flash.
''OK... I'll text you the address.''
''OK. See you there.'' Mac said and hang up. He glanced at the bathroom door again. Nothing indicated that Jo would be done anytime soon, so he decided to write her a note that he got the call and had to leave.
. . .
A/N Yeah, it's me again...
What can I say? I guess only that I had a really rough couple months, but I hope it will be over soon and I'll have more time for finally working on this story.
Thank you very much for all the reviews – every time I get them I'm surprised that there is still someone who wants me to continue.
Sorry for all the mistakes – as the last chapters this one wasn't proofread as well.