A/N: I feel like it's been so long since I've updated. But you know that's life for you. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Chapter 12PT2 ("I won't give up on us.")
At the Dairy Shack, Grace and Jack were seated at a small table near the windows of the building. From the windows they could see that it was a typically sunny day at Valley Glen, and they noticed that parents and children were rushing to get to places, and families were coming inside to eat together. Grace and Jack had already received their food, having decided on a burger and fries, and a soda. Jack finished swallowing part of his burger and then he looked up at Grace.
Each time that he saw Grace, he found himself sinking deeper into his thoughts. He didn't know if Grace would be the one he was meant to be with for the rest of his life. He didn't know if they would ever truly last. All he knew was that this girl that sitting across from him, was a girl that he couldn't help but love. Despite everything that they had been through, he still felt this sickening puppy love when it came to Grace. He came to the realization that he was staring at Grace for too long, because he saw the color of her cheeks turn scarlet. She looked back down at her food quickly and then she chuckled, "Jack? What are you looking at?"
He took another bite of his burger and then swallowed it, "Sorry...I was just thinking."
"Thinking? About what?"
He didn't reply to her questions. Instead he finished up his food, and when the two were done he decided that they should walk to the park that was only a few minutes away from the Dairy Shack.
When they arrived at the park, they took the time to admire their surroundings, and enjoy each other's company. There were a group of kids playing in the grass, and rolling down the hills and there were parents that were talking and laughing as they baked in the sun. One little boy in particular caught Jack's eye. He was a small kid, with sandy blond hair and he was playing football with his friends. It almost reminded Jack of his own childhood.
"Jack?"
Jack tore his eyes away from the little boy as he looked at Grace, "Yeah?"
"What are we doing here?"
"Well I thought that the park would be much better than walking around a bunch of buildings so-"
"No, not here. I mean...why did you want to hang out?"
Jack knew that this moment was coming, but he was positive that there was no way that he could really prepare for it. The two of them took a seat on a nearby bench as Jack tried to recollect his thoughts. He had gone over in his head what he wanted to say to her, but nothing really seemed right. Because what was the right thing to say? "Hey I know you cheated on me but I love you. Wanna get back together?" He shook that thought out of his head, because it just didn't sound good enough.
"Jack? You still there?"
He nodded, "Yeah...Grace, I talked to Shawna yesterday."
Grace rolled her eyes as she threw her arms over her chest, "Seriously? You brought me all the way over here to tell me that you're getting with Shawna?" Before Jack could reply she stood up, "Jack just do what you want ok? But please, I don't need to hear your stories about your perfect day with girlfriend."
Jack didn't know if he should be surprised or if she should laugh. She started walking away and he realized that she was serious. He grabbed her hand gently and she looked at him with an irritated look, "What Jack? I'm going home, this was a waste of time."
"Grace...I'm not with Shawna? Would you just listen?"
She allowed him to gently pulled her back over towards the bench, and she took a seat, "Sorry...it's just that-"
"I know...I have a history with her so I can get where you're coming from."
"Yeah..."
"Anyway...she called me to tell me that her brother, the one I mentored, was in the hospital."
Grace gasped, "What?"
"Yeah...I went to the hospital to go see him...He got into some trouble and he got stabbed repeatedly. I'm still waiting on Shawna to tell me if he will be ok."
"Oh my gosh!"
"Yeah...it was terrible. I felt so bad for Shawna. Duncan is really all she has right now. I prayed for him and I just hope no matter what happens, Shawna will be ok."
Grace placed a warm hand over Jack's as she looked at him, "I'm sure she will be...That was really nice of you, to pray for him I mean."
"It was the right thing to do...Anyway I'm sure he'll be alright if the doctors can fix him."
"I'm sure they can."
"From one fellow doctor to another right?"
Grace giggled.
"...When I was there Shawna said something to me, and it made me think about some things. She said that the hardest thing to do in life is to let a loved one go."
Grace nodded in agreement, "Definitely. Losing Marshall was the hardest time of my life Jack. And even though I found out that he was keeping all of these secrets from my family, I still wish that he was here sometimes...I know everything happens for a reason, but some things are harder to cope with than others."
"Yeah you're right...Losing my dad was hard too. I know I was younger, and I barely remember it now but sometimes when I'm just going about my day, I wonder what things would have been like if I had my biological father around. I'm thankful for my step-dad and for my mom, but I can't help but be curious."
Grace tossed him a sad smile, "Yeah...I guess when God took away your father, he decided to help heal your wounds by giving you a new father. And that's what I think God is doing for me. Even though he took my father away, he's giving me George and in the process I'm gaining more than I originally had. Now I'll have two step-sisters. And even though it will never be the same with George, I'm happy that God has given me something you know?"
Jack smiled, "Yeah...And I think that's great that your mom is getting married to her first love."
"Yeah...Maybe it was God's plan all along. I don't know, but it's happening and so I can't mope about it anymore. I just have to accept what God gives me...So is this what you wanted to talk about Jack?"
"Not exactly...It's just that, all of this started making me think about you...I love you Grace. And I don't want to lose what we have. I know we've hurt each other and I know there's going to be even more fights in the future, but I can't get over you, and I don't really want to. I don't want to give up on us."
[I do not own I won't Give Up by Jason Mraz]
When I look into your eyes
It's like watching the night sky
Or a beautiful sunrise
There's so much they hold
And just like them old stars
I see that you've come so far
To be right where you are
How old is your soul?
Grace and Jack were looking at each other now, and neither of them were really saying anything. Grace didn't know what to say at this point. She wanted to be with Jack, but she didn't know if it was the right course for her to take. What if they ended up hurting each other again?
"Jack...Are you sure about this?"
"I've never been any surer than I am right now Grace."
I won't give up on us
Even if the skies get rough
I'm giving you all my love
I'm still looking up
"Jack...I love you."
"I love you too."
"Enough to wait?"
"Enough to be the kind of man that you deserve."
And when you're needing your space
to do some navigating
I'll be here patiently waiting
To see what you find
"I'm just not sure if...If I deserve you anymore. I mean I cheated on you with Grant."
Jack shrugged, "We're not perfect Grace, and I never expected you to be perfect. We're only human. But if you need some time to think about it. Take all of the time that you need. I'll wait."
'Cause even the stars they burn
Some even fall to the earth
We've got a lot to learn
God knows we're worth it
no! i wont give up
Grace was about to open her mouth to say something when a ball flew their way. It hit the ground and barely brushed against Jack's foot. Jack picked it up and noticed that it was the kid that he had seen when he first started walking around the park. The little boy eagerly reached for the ball and Jack chuckled, "Seems like someone needs to work on their throwing skills."
The little boy crossed his arms over his chest and stuck his tongue out at Jack, "And what do you know about football old man?"
Jack raised an eyebrow at the little boy, "Old man? I'm only nineteen."
"That's old!"
"And how old are you?"
"I don't tell strangers my age."
He chuckled, "Smart kid. Well how about we make a deal? If I show you what I know about football you have to be promise me, you'll never call me an old man again."
The little boy shrugged, "Deal."
Grace chuckled as the two of them walked over to the field.
I don't wanna be someone who walks away so easily
I'm here to stay and make the difference that i can make
Our differences they do a lot to teach us how to use the tools and gifts
We got yeah we got a lot at stake
And in the end, you're still my friend at least we did intend
For us to work we didn't break, we didn't burn
We had to learn, how to bend without the world caving in
I had to learn what i got, and what i'm not
And who i am
Jack was surrounded by three or four kids and he was showing them how to correctly throw the football. She found herself smiling at this, and suddenly a wave of heat flushed through her cheeks as she thought about what it might be like if they ever had kids. She could imagine Jack teaching their son how to play football, or keeping their little girl away from all of the little boys.
I won't give up on us
Even if the skies get rough
I'm giving you all my love
I'm still looking up
Still looking up
She bit her bottom lip as she wondered if she should get back with Jack. She didn't want to go through the heartache again. She didn't want to go through all of the arguing, but she knew that it would come whether she liked it or not. The question was, should she take a leap of faith in this guy?
I won't give up (No I'm not) on us (Giving up)
God knows i'm tough enough (I am tough) (I am loved)
We got a lot (We're alive) to learn (We are loved)
God knows we're worth it (And we're worth it)
I won't give up on us
Even if the skies get rough
I'm giving you all my love
Im Still looking up
Amy and Ricky were in the hospital, sitting in two empty chairs as they stared at Nora. She was fast asleep, though she had been up earlier so that the doctors could give her some treatment. Ricky was staring at Nora with blood shot eyes. He hadn't been sleeping well ever since the incident, and Amy knew that it was affecting not just him, but John as well. John kept asking Amy why his dad looked so sad, and each time, Amy really didn't know how to answer him, so she would distract him with other things like toys or food.
She looked over at Ricky and gently touched his hand. He squeezed it and looked over at her with a sad smile, "You can go if you want to."
"And leave you here alone? No thanks."
"I've been here for hours now, and I know you have homework to do."
She sighed. He was right about that. Her homework was starting to pile up and she knew that she needed to stay focused, but that was practically impossible with everything going on. She squeezed his hand tighter, "We're in this together remember?"
"But what about your trip to Hudson? I don't want you to give that up for me Amy."
"Ricky...you really think that just because we're away from each other I can't help you? You can always call me Ricky, any time you need someone I'll be here. And if it's that serious then I'll just rush back home."
"But Hudson is your dream."
"Sometimes Ricky...sometimes dreams change."
The two of them fell silent again as they looked back at Nora.
Kathleen was in her bedroom, looking over at something on her laptop nervously. Before she could start typing, George walked in. Kathleen looked up at him with a smile, "Hey honey, I thought you were going to work soon."
"I am...I just wanted to talk to you about something before I leave," he said. He walked over to the bed and took a seat and the two shared a chaste kiss. George smiled. He never in a million years thought that he would get back with his first wife, but now he felt happier than ever.
"So what's up?"
"I was thinking of becoming a Christian."
Kathleen's eyes widened at this, and she pulled him into a hug, the excitement getting to her, "That's amazing George! But what changed your mind?"
George sighed, "Poor Nora...she has lung cancer. So I figured if I talked to the Big Man upstairs she'd get better."
Kathleen frowned at this, "I had no idea that Nora had lung cancer...that's just terrible, and I hope she makes it...But George, just because you become a Christian doesn't mean that Nora will be healed."
"But I thought that if you prayed for something you got it?"
Kathleen gave him a sad smile, "That's not quite how it works honey."
"Well what kind of God is that then? If he can't even heal someone!"
"He can do anything...It's a difficult thing to explain, but there's this beginners Bible study for couples at the church. It's next Sunday, maybe you might be interested in coming." She leaned over towards her night stand and pulled out a small pamphlet and handed it to George.
He shrugged, "Maybe I will...Thanks Kathleen."
He gave her another kiss and then he made his way outside the bedroom door, and then the house, and then to work.
Once he left Kathleen turned her attention back to her computer and started typing. It took her about fifteen minutes to complete it, and when she was done writing the email, she nervously pressed send, unsure of if it was the right decision.
From: Kathleen Bowman
To: Victoria Smith
Dear Mom,
I know it's been a while...And I know that the last thing you expected was a letter from me. You probably don't want to talk to me at all, but I just thought that it was my duty to tell you what was going on, you and dad I suppose...I'm getting married soon. To my first husband, George. You can email me back for more details, but the wedding will be in a few weeks, and so I just wanted to invite you and dad. It's up to you of course. Have a nice day...God Bless.
Sincerely,
Kathleen
Down at the fight club, the training sessions were pretty slow. There weren't too many people, and so Joe finished up his sessions fifteen minutes before he was supposed to. As he was gathering his stuff, a man walked in. He had tan skin and dark brown hair, and eyes that intimidated you. He was at least five inches taller than Joe, and he had a beard.
As he walked in, he didn't look like he needed a training session, or even wanted one. He looked angry, and when Joe turned around he felt himself involuntarily flinch, "Hey Fernando."
"How has the kids training been?" Fernando said in a gruff voice.
"He'll be fine...I told you he'd be fine. You have nothing to worry about."
"I hope so. Because if I have something to worry about, there's going to be hell to pay for you." He looked at him with an intense gaze, "How much money are we getting out of this kid?"
"Enough to pay off our gambling debt. Look this guy is dedicated and he's not going to back out."
"You said that about the last kid you tried to get to train here. He chickened out and we had to ask to extend our due date to pay off our debt. There's no more extension. If we don't give them that money Joe, they're gonna kill us."
"I know," Joe sighed, "I know just...trust me alright? Jack wants this, and he's strong enough. Plus I'm pretty sure he's taking steroids."
"How do you know that?"
"Well I gave them to him. I let him make the decision but I just know that eventually he'll cave in. With all of the pressure he has on him, he'll probably end up taking them to boost his confidence."
"Alright Joe. I'm trusting you with this one. But trust me when I say if we don't get that money, I'll kill you before those jerks can even lay a finger on you."
Joe felt his blood run cold as Fernando walked out the door.
A/N: And there we have it. I think this chapter was actually pretty short in comparison to the last one. Anyway, the next chapter will be more focused on Ally and Jack, and the whole court case. Thanks for reading!