True North: part II
By Jaclyn Parker
"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it."
-Mae West
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Jack heard the laughter all the way from the sidewalk as he approached the house in Milltown. Knocking on the door, he heard a muffled giggle and then a voice yell that it was open. Upon letting himself in, the sight before him caused a giant smile to form on his face as he placed the sketch pad on the desk by the door.
Carly, her toes separated by cotton balls, half waddled and half chased their pajama wearing daughter around the living room, whose toes were also separated by cotton. Sage tried to fake her mother out by going around the sofa the other way but was counter-acted by Carly who had anticipated the move. With a squeal of delight, Sage found herself caught around the middle in a hug and hoisted up to be swung around. Carly's head flew back with a full hearted laugh as well as she twirled her daughter around in a dizzying circle.
"Well, what do we have here?" Jack asked and both females stopped abruptly, turning in his direction.
"Jack?"
"Daddy!"
The cries were simultaneous, one confused and one delighted. Carly placed their daughter on the ground, who swayed momentarily before waddling over to throw her arms around his waist.
"Hey Princess." Jack said, hugging her back just as tightly.
"Mommy and I are having a girl's night." Sage said, her eyes sparkling.
Jack had seen that his daughter was in her pajamas but he finally took in his surroundings. Pop music flowed from the radio while bottles of unopened brightly colored nail polish sat on the coffee table along with mugs of what he assumed were either hot chocolate or apple cider. An order of cheese fries with two forks buried deep within what was left and a mostly empty pizza box told the tale of how the night had probably started.
Glancing over at Carly he took in the appearance of his ex-wife as well. She stood there, her blonde curls tousled about her shoulders, in a hot pink camisole tank top that came to rest just below her belly button. A pair of low riding flannel pajama pants with multi-colored smiley faces on them hung off her waist, in effect exposing about an inch and a half of her creamy skin where the two articles of clothing almost met.
Jack felt a stirring within him that only seemed to grow when he realized that she was now aware of him staring and scrambled to throw on her thin bathrobe. It certainly wasn't the most provocative thing he had ever seen her wear, but in that moment Jack thought she had never looked sexier. He knew she could see it in his eyes as she quickly licked her lips in the nervous fashion of hers and drew the robe closed tighter.
"What are you doing here, Jack?" She asked her voice slightly shaky, making him grin even wider.
"Yeah, Daddy. We thought you were Parker." Sage said and Jack tore his eyes away from Carly to look at the little girl in confusion.
"Parker?" Jack asked and Sage nodded.
"He's…" Sage began but was interrupted.
"Right here." Parker's voice finished up.
They all turned to see Parker standing in the doorway, his eyes darting from his mother to his father. There was silence for a few uncomfortable moments before Carly finally spoke up.
"Is Kato all set for the night?" She asked, referring to the neighbor's dog that Parker was taking care of while they were on vacation. Parker turned his focus on her and nodded.
"Yeah, Jason's mom will drop me off in time to let him out and feed him in the morning." Parker said, moving in and shutting the door behind him.
"Where are you going?" Jack asked but Parker just ignored him.
"Mom, is my stuff ready?"
Carly frowned at the obvious slight to Jack but nodded back at her son. "The clothes you needed washed are on your bed. Please put away whatever you're not taking with you before you go."
Parker gave her a give blink which she assumed in teenager body language meant "okay" and Jack decided to try again.
"Where are you going?"
"Out." Parker bit out, glaring at Jack.
"Parker, enough." Carly said sternly and Parker just sighed loudly.
"Mom, I need to get ready. Jason's mom will be here any minute to take us to the school."
"Fine, go." Carly said, her voice filled with resignation. Parker started for the stairs at a brisk huff.
"Hey, Parker." Sage said, hurrying over to him.
"What, Sage?" Parker said, exasperation in his tone. Carly shot him a deadly glare and he shook his head. "I'm sorry. I'm just…I'm in a hurry, okay?"
"Well, I was thinking…do you wanna borrow my Nintendo DS for the bus ride? I mean, I know yours is broken. And mine is light blue so it's not too girly." Sage asked and Parker stared at her a moment before grinning at his little sister.
"That'd be great, Sage. Thanks." Parker said and Sage grinned back before turning to Carly.
"I'll be right back, Mommy. Don't start your painting your fingers without me!" Sage implored.
"Don't worry. Purple Pansy Passion will be ready and waiting when you come down again." Carly said, smiling at her daughter and sending a thank you to her son with her eyes. Both kids bounded up the stairs and then it was just the radio's music filling the room. As an overly perky song about falling in love came on, Carly quickly moved to turn the radio off.
"So are you going to at least tell me where he's going?" Jack asked again, his aggravation obvious.
"Since tomorrow is an in-service day, there's a school sponsored trip for the high school to the new sports complex over in the next town. It's got midnight bowling, laser tag, and some all night indoor batting cages. Supposed to help keep the kids occupied and off the streets after hours." Carly said, shrugging and moved back towards the couch.
"Our 15 year old son is going to be out all night and you didn't think to tell me about it?" Jack asked, his voice rising.
Carly's eyes widened and she stared at him. "Jack, it's completely chaperoned. They go until about 12:30-1am then get shuttled back to the school. He's staying at his friend Jason's house when they get back. He signed up weeks ago but just decided yesterday that he really wanted to go. In light of what's happened recently I thought it was a good sign that he wanted to spend time with his friends."
"Well, it still would have been nice to have been informed of this little school trip." Jack said, glaring at her.
Carly looked at Jack for a long moment before quickly moving to start picking up the leftover plates and silverware from dinner. Jack winced at the way she was banging things together, knowing that he had taken out his frustration with Parker on her. He also knew that she was showing a lot of restraint, holding in everything she wanted to say to him, which was incredibly unlike Carly. After a few seconds, Jack silently moved to help her. He grabbed the two mugs from the top of the pizza box before they fell and she whipped her head around to look at him. Jack just stared back and she rolled her eyes before stalking into the kitchen, leaving Jack no choice but to follow her.
"Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you. I guess I'm just upset with the way things are going with me and Parker." Jack said, handing her the mugs when she held out her hands.
Carly put them in the sink and took a deep breath before turning to face him.
"Jack, I understand that, but you have to look at it from his point of view. You are marrying the mother of the girl he…" Carly trailed off, still not quite believing that her baby boy had lost his virginity.
"I know. It's just that we used to be so close and then with Sage and J.J. on top of that…" Jack said then frowned. "By the way, where is J.J.?"
"When he heard about Parker's trip, and since it's only for 10th grade and up, he asked to stay at a friend's house for the night. Apparently Michael Schwartz got this new game for Xbox and J.J. is dying to try it out." Carly said, her lips twitching at the memory of her younger son practically on his knees begging to be able to go play the game.
"Ah, hence the 'girl's night' with Sage." Jack said and Carly nodded. Jack smiled but Carly could tell he was still incredibly bothered by their children's treatment of his engagement to Janet. Lord knew that while she wasn't thrilled with it either, she hated to see him hurting like this. Despite everything that had gone on between them over the years, Jack was a wonderful father and loved his kids.
"Jack," Carly said, placing a hand on his forearm. "For whatever it's worth, I'll try talking to them again."
"Thanks, Carly. I'd appreciate it." Jack said and she smiled at him. He smiled back and took her hand from his arm. He laced his fingers with hers and brought their hands up so he could kiss her knuckles. Her baby blue eyes widened and without hesitation he brought his other hand up to caress her cheek.
Carly couldn't help herself as she instinctively leaned into his touch. Jack groaned as her scent swept over him; a combination of her strawberry shampoo, the chocolate candy she ate whenever the kids weren't looking, and the undeniable uniqueness that was just pure…
"Carly." Jack said softly and her gaze searched his own. They both knew what was coming and neither one wanted to stop it from happening. Jack cupped her cheek gently and slowly leaned forward. He felt another stirring deep within him as her lips parted and a soft breath escaped her.
"Mom, Jason and his mom here so I'm leaving!" Parker's voice slammed them back into reality.
Carly's eyes popped open and in an instant she had shoved herself away from Jack. Clutching the kitchen sink for dear life she tried to slow her heartbeat to a normal rhythm and calm her tingling body. Jack was leaning against the counter, his knuckles white as he, too, tried to force his body to relax.
"Mom!" Parker called again, frustration and something similar to teenaged end of the world panic in his tone.
"I'm…I'm coming." Carly said and without even looking at Jack, she moved towards the refrigerator. Opening it and pulling out two bottles of Gatorade, she returned to the living room.
Parker stood there, a backpack slung over his shoulder, tapping his foot impatiently. His eyes narrowed at the sight of Carly coming out of the kitchen then narrowed more when Jack followed moments later. Carly just shook her head at her oldest son and handed him the two drinks.
"I put extra money in the front pocket of your backpack, just in case." Carly said, surprised to hear that the tremors running through her body were not in her voice.
"Mom, I have my dog-sitting money." Parker said, but Carly shook her head.
"No, you save that. You earned it, so you get to spend it on what you want." Carly said then added "Within reason."
Parker rolled his eyes but grinned at her. "Thanks, Mom."
"You're welcome. Now, I only want two texts…" Carly started to say but he held up his hand.
"I know, I know. One when I get there and one when I get to Jason's house later on. You told me, like, a million times."
"Well then that can be a million and one." Carly said, sarcastically before pulling her son into a hug. He went willingly for a moment before wiggling out of the embrace and moving to the door that Sage was holding open.
"Bye, Parker. Have fun." Sage said, hero worship in her eyes.
"See ya, Shorty. Don't let Mom destroy the house okay?" Parker said, ruffling Sage's hair before disappearing out the door without even a look back in Jack's direction.
Even with what had just almost happened in the kitchen, Carly couldn't help but send a sympathetic look his way. Jack tried not to show it but the waves of hurt were clear to her. Carly opened her mouth to apologize on Parker's behalf but Sage cut her off.
"Daddy, you're still here?" Sage said, running over to him and he wrapped an arm around her shoulder.
"Yeah, Jack, why are you here?" Carly echoed, realizing that he hadn't yet mentioned the reason for his impromptu visit.
"Oh, I brought something Sage left at the farm." Jack said, motioning to the desk.
"My sketch book! I've been looking for that for days." Sage cried and ran over to pick it up.
Jack watched the color drain from Carly's face as she realized what Sage held.
"That…that's been at your house this whole time?" Carly asked quietly, her mind running through the sketches that she knew were in there. Sage didn't know it, but Carly had been looking for that same sketch pad ever since she realized which one her daughter had taken for her drawings.
"Yeah, I guess it has." Jack said, watching Carly's reaction closely.
"You didn't look at them, did you Daddy?" Sage asked accusingly, clutching the book to her chest.
"No, I didn't. I figured you would show me when you're ready." Jack said and he knew it was the right answer when he saw the relief in her eyes. "But I am willing to bet that you are just as talented as your mom."
"No way! Mommy's designs are so beautiful. Just like her." Sage said and Carly sent a loving and indulgent smile to her child.
"You're right. Your mom's designs are amazing." Jack said and Carly's eyes shot to his face.
"I'm going to go put this in my room. Then can we watch the movie, Mommy?" Sage asked and Carly nodded at her, not able to say anything.
Sage raced for the stairs but paused before heading up. "Don't go away, Daddy, until I come back down okay?"
"I won't, Princess." Jack said and with that Sage took the stairs two at a time. Carly waited until she could hear Sage in her room before turning on Jack.
"You did see those designs!" She told him, pointing a finger at him.
"Accidentally, but I stopped after the first one. She's very talented." Jack said and Carly couldn't help but let out a smile of maternal pride.
"I know. She comes by it naturally." Carly said, mock fluffing her hair.
"Yes, she does." Jack said, smiling but completely serious. Carly stopped joking and frowned at him, searching his face again.
"You saw it, didn't you? The final piece of the Starry Night collection."
Jack didn't answer but she knew it just the same. A red hot flush came over her and she turned away.
"It's a beautiful dress, Carly. Why didn't you ever make it?"
Carly stayed silent and just shrugged. Without turning around she could feel him come closer to her until he was literally inches away from her. His breath tickled her neck as he bent over to whisper in her ear.
"I wish you had. You would have looked incredible in it." Jack said and Carly closed her eyes tightly, forcing the tears that were burning in her throat and eyes away.
"Jack, what are you doing?" Carly managed to whisper out and whirled around to stare up at into his face.
Jack just shook his head, the millions of conflicting thoughts in his mind and body swirling around him.
The sound of Sage coming back down the stairs forced them to realize again where they were and for the second time that night Carly quickly walked away from him. Jack gathered himself together and turned just before their daughter came into view.
"Good, I knew you wouldn't leave!" Sage said grinning at Jack, oblivious to the tension surrounding her parents.
"Of course not, Princess." Jack said, hugging his daughter to him tightly.
"Can you stay to watch the movie with me and Mommy?" Sage said, looking at him hopefully. Jack's eyes shot to Carly's face which held a definite amount of panic.
"Sage," Carly's voice trembled and she cleared her throat discreetly to fix it. "Sage, honey, that kind of ruins the whole effect of a girl's night."
"But," Sage started to protest, matchmaking ideas obviously running through her mind.
"Besides, I'm sure your dad has other plans." Carly said and by the look of sudden anxiety on his face, she knew she was right.
Jack glanced down at his watch and closed his eyes in distress over the time. The movie that he was supposed to see with Janet had started 5 minutes ago.
"Actually, your mom is right. But I'll see you tomorrow, remember? You guys are spending the night at the farm." Jack said and he watched Sage's expression drop.
He knew that normally Sage loved the farm and there was only one reason that had her looking like he had said she was going to face a firing squad. Jack just wished that Sage would give Janet a chance, but also knew that he was partly responsible for his daughter's feelings. The way he had acted around Carly in the weeks leading to his engagement with Janet was confusing to even him, much less a hopeful 10 year old kid. And actions and feelings like tonight had brought didn't help him.
"It'll be fun. Holden and Lily said that Faith and Natalie can come over for a sleepover." Jack said, cringing as he caught Carly's slightly amused look. Yes, he was trying to get his daughter to loosen up and yes, he was bribing her with a sleepover. At this point, he didn't care as long as she smiled when she was at the farm instead of sulking.
"Okay," Sage said, the mention of her friends sleeping over not even producing a hint of a smile.
Carly could see that Jack was at the end of his rope and when he glanced down at his watch again, she knew she had to help out.
"Sage, come on, you'll have a great time. And look at it this way, you'll have cool new flower designs on your fingers and toes to show off. Maybe I'll even let you bring some of them to your sleepover." Carly said, talking about the shiny foil nail decals that she had bought today at the beauty supply store. Sage's eye had lit up earlier when she had seen them, her mind already planning to put a different flower on each of her fingers. Just as Carly had hoped, Sage's eyes lit up again.
"Really? Can I take the heart ones too?" Sage said and Carly laughed.
"You drive a hard bargain, kid." Carly told her, nodding her head in agreement. "But only if you say goodbye to your dad without giving him a rough time."
"Cool!" Sage said and then turned to Jack, hugging him tightly. "Bye, Daddy!"
She released him and hurried over to the coffee table, already back to selecting a nail polish color and decals.
Jack was surprised to be dismissed so quickly but looking at Carly's face he agreed with her obvious thought line. 'Don't look a gift horse in the mouth'.
"I should be going." Jack said, inching towards the door.
"Okay," Carly said back, not moving from her position by the couch. "Have a good night."
"Yeah, you too." Jack responded, meanwhile thinking how completely inane the conversation had turned considering what had been happening all night. "I'll, uh, call you tomorrow about the kids."
"No, it's fine. I'll just drop them off after Sage's dance class. Emma will be there, right?" Carly said, keeping her tone normal and even despite her also thinking about the two near incidents of the evening.
She couldn't help but thank God that tomorrow was Friday and she would be working at Metro all weekend while the kids stayed with Jack. She wouldn't have to run into him again until Sunday night when he dropped them back off at her house.
"Um, yeah, and if she's not, Janet will be." Jack said and at that Carly just flattened her lips into a straight line and nodded her head.
Then as if saying her name conjured her up, Jack's phone began to vibrate in his pocket. He jumped slightly and meeting Carly's eyes he could tell that she knew what was happening.
"You'd better go." She said softly, her voice just above a whisper but somehow reaching his ears.
"Yeah, okay." Jack said and then smiled at his daughter. "Bye Sage. I love you."
"What? Oh, bye Daddy. Love you too." Sage said, looking up briefly before once again trying to decide between the bright purple or the hot pink nail polish .
Jack looked at Carly again but she made no move towards him or to say anything else, so he opened the front door. Nodding to her he smiled, receiving a small one in return before she took a deep breath and turned to focus on Sage.
As he was closing the door he heard the music go back on and the laughter start again. When the door was shut, he paused a moment just listening to the sounds from inside the house.
Then, with a deep sigh himself, he pulled out his cell phone and tried to think of what reason exactly he was going to tell his fiancée for being incredibly late for the movie.