A Second Chance

Chapter 15

I sauntered down the rickety, wooden stairs. Carley and I had woken up half an hour ago and decided to engage in some 'mutual exercise'. I smiled at the small woman beside me, holding her hand tightly.

"Remember, Lee. If you need some time away from Irene, just go. It'll be fine." She said, smiling back at me softly. I ran my thumb against her knuckles, cherishing the quiet-time.

"You sure?" I asked, coming to halt at the bottom step, encircling her in my strong arms.

"Yeah… why wouldn't I be?" She assured, softly kissing my lips. I jumped down and walked into the kitchen. Everyone was sat around the large, oak table, conversing happily as they ate their small rations.

"Morning!" I yawned, walking over to the sink and grabbing a cup of water. Kenny grinned at me, looking like an idiot.

"Morning buddy. Don't tire yourself out too early, would ya?" He joked. I snapped my head up, grabbing a chair and sitting on it nervously.

"You heard us, then?" I asked quietly, nibbling on my crackers.

"The walls are like paper in this place. Yeah, I heard." He laughed, almost spilling his own drink. I looked over to see Irene blushing into her bread. I closed my eyes in embarrassment, knowing that Carley would be in for torture once she joined us.

"Oh shit…" I muttered, rubbing my eyes and chuckling lightly. Clementine looked at us, confused. I addressed her. "Ask me when you're older."

"Oh, you're kidding me? She's nine, Lee. She's gotta know sooner or later." Kenny teased, leaning over and punching my arm playfully.

"I know, but I'm gonna leave it for Carley. She knows more than I do about…well… you know…" I answered, flicking dust at him.

"Not at the table, guys!" Katjaa scolded, walking in carrying a bundle of clothes.

"Sorry." I said, looking to her and smiling.

"It's alright. I washed these for you." She said, putting them down on the counter. "Where's Carley?"

"She had to take a shower." I explained, winking at Kenny, resulting in another fit of laughter.

After we stopped laughing, the woman in question entered, kissing me on the cheek lightly.

"Hey." I greeted, patting her stomach fondly. She smiled down at me, wrapping her arms around my neck and sitting in my lap.

"Hey." She replied, winking at me. I caught Kenny's eye and started laughing again. "What's got into you?"

"Everyone heard us this morning." I whispered in her ear. Her cheeks flooded red and she tilted her head down in embarrassment.

"Oh my god!" She whispered covering her eyes with her hand. I laughed along with Kenny, eventually getting 'the look' from the woman in my lap. I stopped soon after.

"So… How's your hand feeling?" Katjaa asked, sitting beside Irene and ruffling her sons hair.

"It's sore… nothing I can't handle." I laughed, flexing my muscles jokingly.

"Yeah, right." Carley scoffed, squeezing them as if searching for something. I messed her hair lightly, earning a mock-glare. I kissed her cheek lovingly.

"Thanks, babe. Great to have the support of your loving girlfriend, huh?" I joked. She stood to allw me to grab my clothes off the kitchen counter.

"You ready to go, pal?" Kenny asked, making as if to follow me. I looked at him in confusion.

"What? I'm going to get ready." I laughed, gesturing to the bundle in my arms.

"I know. I'm talking about Clementine and Duck's lesson." He explained, gesturing to the two small children. I shook my head slightly.

"No. Clementine's not leaving further than the backyard for a good long while." I said, earning a shocked and disappointed look from the nine-year-old.

"But-" She started. I cut her off sharply.

"No buts. You aren't leaving the house and that's final." I said sternly, receiving an upset look. She hung her head.

"Okay…"

"Little harsh, don't you think?" Christa commented, looking at me in surprise. I looked back with determination. She rested her slender hand on Clem's shoulder, comforting her.

"Do me a favour? Let me discipline her how I want to. I'm setting boundaries." I said, turning and leaving the room. I trudged up the wooden stairs and turned into mine and Carley's bedroom. I placed the bundle on the blankets, sitting beside them gently. I didn't notice the woman in the doorway.

"Hey." I heard. I looked up to see Irene. I stood suddenly, shocked to see her. She laughed quietly, walking into the room slowly, moving her hips sexually as she walked.

"Hey." I said, smiling at her. She came to a halt in front of me, giving me a look that I couldn't place. Was it happiness, content… lust?

"I wanted to talk. If that's okay with you…" She said, her voice now just breaths. I nodded silently, pulling my shirt over my head. I felt her hand rest on my chest. "No. Leave it off."

My breath caught in my throat as I backed away slightly.

"Lee, you know I hate how things ended. With us, I mean." She muttered, running her hand up to my cheek. I was about to comment, asking her to back off when she captured my lips with hers. I widened my eyes in shock, trying desperately to pry myself from her grip. Grabbing her wrists forcefully, I pushed her away, earning a hurt look from her.

Breathing heavily, I leaned on the dresser behind me for support. I sighed, wiping my mouth of saliva.

"What the fuck was that for?!" I shouted, pulling my blue shirt on roughly and glaring at her through narrowed eyes.

"I… I don't know." She said back, mirroring my expression. I stormed over to her, raising my hand as if to hit her. I caught myself before I could. She opened her eyes slowly, as if she were figuring out what had happened. "What stopped you?"

"I'm not going to lower myself to that standard. You aren't going to make me hit you." I growled, pulling away and seeing the open door. "Was that open when you came in here?" I asked, bringing my voice back to the normal level.

"No. I closed it when I … you know…" She replied quickly, obviously scared of me. I gritted my teeth and thought the turn of events over in my head. My eyes widened in shock and I bolted from the room. On my way downstairs, all I thought was:

"No. No. They didn't see anything."

Turning into the living room, I was met with a horrific sight. Carley was crying on the couch, being comforted by Katjaa and Christa. Kenny, Ben, Chuck and Omid were stood glaring at me.

"Shit." I muttered as Kenny marched over to me and grabbed me by the throat, smashing me against the wall.