A/N - This is another short update but, I needed to update. Crazy busy this Turkey day. Went to the parade, and also I'm doing this whole black friday thing. People are CRAZY. Anyways, I wanted to give you guys an update as part of Thanksgiving because I'm so thankful for all my readers, and reviewers. Speaking the reviews, keep them coming, because some of you guys crack me up with your reviews. Also, with your feedback, I think you only make my writing better, and I've been thinking about the rest of this story, and a sequel. Yeah I said it...SEQUEL...lol so keep it coming because you guys are seriously awesome. Don't panic, I'm not about to like end this story suddenly just to write a continuation. But the more feedback I get the more I want to write so thank you for that.I love you all so much, and hope those of you who celebrate Thanksgiving had a good one. Please enjoy this next chapter!
Rachel Berry was standing outside of Smashed, unlit cigarette in hand, at a complete loss for words. She hated being put on the spot, and it seemed like it was happening for about the eighteenth time that day. The police that morning, Quinn and Santana about her self harm, and the icing on top of the cake. Quinn and Shelby confronting her about a stupid lie she had told. How she hadn't lit the cigarette she was holding and sucked it down the filter yet, was beyond her.
"Rachel, you need to tell is the truth", said Shelby, calmly.
"Okay, yes. I lied, but please trust me when I say, it's not as big of a deal and you're making it out to be."
"Who did you lie to", asked Quinn."Do your Dads know about Jesse, or not?"
"No, they don't know. I lied to you, Quinn. As tired as I am of apologizing tonight, I am...very very sorry.", said Rachel sadly."Look Shelby, you were right, they will need to know eventually. I will tell them, but I'm just not ready yet."
"Why did you have to lie to me about that? I mean, you were pretty specific with it, you even went so far as to say that Jade made you tell them", said Quinn, in disbelief.
"I knew if I told you they didn't know, you would have either made me tell them, or you would have taken matters into your own hands and told them yourself", answered Rachel.
"Yeah...well you're not wrong about that", mumbled Quinn.
"They won't be angry with you, sweetheart. They're your parents, they will still love you", said Shelby.
"It's not that I'm scared they'll stop loving me. I'm not ready for the disappointment, or them saying we told you so. If I would have told them while it was happening, or even after I moved away from Jesse, they would have made me move back home. And...no matter what Hell I go through here...nothing would be worse than moving back to Lima. So...the longer they go without knowing, the longer I will have survived here, and the less of a reason they have to make me move back there", explained Rachel.
"Okay, I get that, but Rach...you have to stop lying about all these little things", said Quinn.
"I am not a liar", stated Rachel, a hint of annoyance in her voice.
"She's not saying that you're a liar. She's just saying that you're really going to need to start being honest with those who care about you. Otherwise, helping you through things will be twice as complicated", said Shelby.
Quinn moved to Rachel, and wrapped her arms around her waist.
"I know you probably don't feel like you are...but trust me when I say, you are doing...just...so much better." Rachel shook her head, and looked away."I'm serious, baby. With the exception of this morning, I've been seeing a light in you for a couple days that just...makes me so damn proud of you. It's a dim light, true, but it's there, and that's all that matters."
"I'm trying...", said Rachel, quietly.
"Yes, you are trying. And that's all I'll ever ask of you", said Quinn. She leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. Rachel giggled, and snuggled into Quinn. Shelby couldn't help but smile at the site. The two of them looked so perfect together.
Back inside, Santana and Brittany had started to wonder why Jade never made it onto the dance floor. As Mercedes started to preform another song, they strolled away from the dance floor, out of breath, and needing drinks. They headed to the bar, and Santana pulled her phone from her pocket. She had a new text from Jade.
Wasn't feeling well. Went with Alyson, she's taking me home so I can sleep. Can U tell everyone else for me? Sry for just leaving.- J
Ok sweetness. Please relax and try 2 feel better. Call me if you need me...I love you. - S
Usually, Jade would have told Santana she loved her back, but she didn't receive and answer.
"Weird...", she mumbled.
"What?"
"Well, Jade went home to sleep...but she didn't tell anybody she was leaving, and she didn't text me back just now."
"She looked okay to me a little while ago", said Brittany.
"Yeah well...she's really good at making it seem that way", said Santana, as she typed out another text.
Hey...why didn't U tell us U were leaving...just wondering...- S
...
"Shit...nothing."
"You know, her phone probably died. She uses a lot but she always forgets to charge it", giggled Brittany.
"That's true. Well, let's stay for a little longer than we'll go over there instead of home.", said Santana.
"Okay", said Brittany, happily.
They ordered some more drinks, and found Quinn, Puck, Rachel, and Shelby sitting back down at their table.
"So...Jade went home to sleep, she wasn't feeling well", said Santana, as she sat down.
"Wait, really", asked Rachel.
"Yeah, she left with Alsyon. Texted me and told me to let you all know."
"She wouldn't just go without saying goodbye", said Puck.
"That's what I thought...but maybe she feels really sick. When we were shopping earlier, she did have to sit down for like a half hour, it was pretty bad", said Santana.
"Has her doctor said anything about when the baby will be gone", asked Shelby.
"She said sometime within this upcoming week. After, she's right back to weekly check ups and tests", said Rachel.
"How fun for her", scoffed Quinn.
"Well, it doesn't sound fun at all, but it's her health. She shouldn't be taking it lightly", said Shelby.
"Yeah, try telling her that", laughed Puck.
Meanwhile, Jade was riding in the back seat of Mika's car. She was laying down in the back seat, half asleep, unable to move.
Where...am I...what is happening to me...
She could barely keep her eyes open, but she was fighting it as hard as she could. All she could see were faint lights, and shadows that seemed to be moving. Somebody was talking to her.
"Don't worry, I got you. Everything's gonna' be just fine once I get you home...".
Home...home with...Jonah and Rachel. Home with...San...and Brittany. Home...
"Everybody will be so happy to see you, Jada."
Jada?
"Don't be scared."
Back at smashed, Rachel and Puck had just finished preforming Need You Now for old times sake. Once back at the table, they started taking shots with everybody else. Soon enough, three o'clock in the morning rolled around. Jonah, no matter how much he protested had let Santana and Quinn take over the DJ booth. He was tired, and wanted to take Puck home before he drank himself into a coma. So, after ten minutes of the girls begging, he let them take over. He stayed for about five minutes, and listened to them. To his surprise, they actually knew what they were doing. So, with Puck hanging on his left shoulder, and Mercedes holding his right hand, he hailed a cab, and the three of them left the bar, headed for the apartment. Shelby was getting ready to head back to Quinn and Santana's place to get her things together, and go to the airport. Quinn was going to be distracted for a few minutes, so Rachel decided to go outside with Shelby. They stood in front of the building, while Rachel pulled a single cigarette and a lighter from her cleavage.
"Okay, I was going to hold my my tongue", said Shelby, tiredly."...but I can't. I really wish you hadn't picked up such a gross habit."
"I know, I wish the same", said Rachel, with a guilty smile on her face."To be honest...it's hard because Jade smokes. Noah's an occasional smoker as well so seeing them do it makes it hard for me to stop."
"They should probably quit too. I smoked for about a year...and I won't lie, it was amazing...but, quitting is was even better."
Rachel smiled at her mother. She lit the cigarette, took two or three quick drags, walking towards Bruno, in the process.
"Here Bruno. You're a bouncer...you probably need this more than I do", she laughed.
"Oh wow, thank you shorty. I just ran out", he replied as he took it from her. She smiled, and moved back towards Shelby.
"Good girl."
"I'm...really happy that I got to spend time with...Mom...".
"I'm happy too. I really didn't think you'd actually be willing to spend even five minutes with me", admitted Shelby."...but I'm so thankful, Rachel."
"Can I come see you when I visit Lima for Thanksgiving", asked the tiny girl, shyly.
"Oh my God, of course you can, sweetheart. You can visit me any time you want."
Rachel smiled, and with no warning, was in Shelby's harms, hugging her as tightly as she could. She didn't want her to leave, but wouldn't dare ask her to stay longer.
"You'll call me every day" ,asked Shelby, holding back tears.
"I swear, I will call you every day."
"You will tell me if something bad happens, or if anything goes wrong...".
"Yes, I promise I will."
"Rachel...you are such a great girl...I love you more than you will ever understand", said Shelby, as she wiped a few tears from her cheeks.
"I love you too...Mom."
The two of them just stood, holding each other in the crisp, cool autumn air. Yes, they were both half drunk, but that only meant one thing. The things they were saying, the feelings they felt were just pure and real. A mother and daughter, bonding so successfully after what seemed to be a pretty awkward relationship snag. Rachel felt so content, standing under the New York City street lights, cuddled into her mother's arms. It didn't matter that it was three in the morning, there were still people wandering by, some drunk, some sober, going about their city lives as if it was just another early morning. God, she loved the feeling she had at the moment. It was almost indescribable. So thrilled to be hugging her Mother, yet so sad that she was hugging her goodbye. It was a bittersweet feeling that she would remember for the rest of her life. Nothing mattered. Jesse didn't matter, her lies didn't matter.
"Don't stop, believing...", she sang, softly."Hold onto that feeling...".
Shelby smiled, and tightened her hold on the tiny diva. She loved her so much, it was almost painful. Leaving wouldn't be pleasant, but it would be much easier than she had anticipated. She had traveled to the city, fully prepared to at least see her daughter. However, in the back of her mind, she was sure Rachel would dismiss her without any questions asked. The woman didn't like being wrong about anything, but the fact that she was wrong about Rachel completely ignoring, and hating her, made her so happy. Once Quinn, Santana, and Brittany had made their way outside, they all had to say their awkward, drunken goodbyes. Shelby was heading back to the apartment to gather her things, and leave. Quinn and Rachel decided to go with her. Santana and Brittany decided to go check on Jade. While they waited for a cab, Santana's phone started going off. She grabbed it from her pocket, and read the text she had received from Jonah.
My sister ain't even here...nothing is here, Jade is fucking gone- J
Almost a half hour later, Santana and Brittany were walking into the apartment. Puck, Mercedes and Jonah stood there in the living room, looking confused as ever.
"You guys, what the Hell is going on", asked Santana.
"We got back here, I went into Jade's room to check on her...nothing...literally", said Jonah.
"What do you mean, nothing", asked Brittany.
"Go look in her room", said Puck.
Santana and Brittany kicked off their shoes, and hurried towards Jade's bedroom. Santana flicked on the lights, and they both stared. To say the room was completely empty would have been an understatement. Everything was gone. No bed, no desk, no dresser. No posters or photos on the walls, no curtains, no lamps. Nothing. The room looked brand new, as if nobody had ever lived in it before. Walls, floor, and Jade's scent was all that remained.
"Oh my God...", said Santana, in almost a whisper.
The two former Cheerios flew back into the living room.
"Jonah, where is she", asked Brittany.
"That's what I'm trying to figure out. We got back, that's what I found", said Jonah, as he paced around the room.
"What the Fuck...I thought she came back here with Alsyon", said Santana, trying her hardest not to let any tears fall. She wanted nothing more than to stay strong, but keeping herself from getting upset was getting harder by the second.
"I called Alyson...she s-said ...she went straight home...by herself", slurred Puck."Now she's all worried too, and wants me to..um...k-keep her updated."
"Did you call Jade", asked Brittany.
"Like sixty times, but her phone is shut off", said Jonah.
"Did you leave any voice mails", asked Santana.
"No, not turned off...shut off. Like somebody ended her service completely", said Jonah, his voice breaking. Mercedes reached over, and rubbed his back.
Brittany sat down on the couch next to Puck, covered her face with her hands, and started to cry. He placed his hand on her knee, and squeezed slightly.
"This seriously...makes no sense dude...", said Puck. "Somebody..like stole Jade."
"Oh my God...", said Jonah."I'm so fucking naive...holy shit. That son of a bitch!"
"Mika...", stated Santana.
"Oh no...", whined Brittany, as she stood up, and grabbed Santana's hand.
"Call the police", said Mercedes."Call them...now."
The very second Jonah pulled his phone out, it started ringing.
"...the fuck...", he mumbled, looking at the screen.
"Is it her", asked Santana eagerly.
"No..it's...it's my Mom...".
"Answer it on speaker", demanded Puck.
"Alright...nobody say a word...not one word, I'm not kidding", said Jonah, before he answered, and pressed the speaker button.
"Hello?"
"Jonah James...", said one Lacy Price, on the other line.
"Mom?"
"Yes, it's your mother, what's the matter don't have me programed into your phone?"
"What's going on, Mom...".
"What's going on, is your sister is sick, and needs help. So we told your brother to bring her home for the time being."
Jonah was instantly pissed off beyond anyone's understanding.
"First of all, yeah she's sick but we were taking care of her just fine. Second, Mika is the last person she needs to be around, and don't pretend like you don't know why. Third, how can you say for the time being, when her room is completely cleaned out?"
"Don't be ridiculous, Mika is perfectly capable of bringing your sister back home. Clearly, she cannot handle living there. Your father and I received a phone call from a Doctor Mindy Andrews, and apparently, Jada is in need of some very serious medical care", the women spoke calmly.
"Mom...".
"Well we couldn't very well ask you to bring her home, Jonah James. You wouldn't have been very cooperative about it. Besides that, Mika was done with his duties there for now. Your father only sent him there to over see his new restaurant plans. Now that he's done, and his friend has gotten into some trouble, he is able to return home to Lima for a little while."
"Wait...his friend?"
"Yes, that delightful Jesse St. James boy, the one who was dating Jada's little friend."
Santana opened her mouth to say something, but Brittany quickly covered it with her hand.
"Mom...he...oh my God. He's not in trouble, he's getting locked up for breaking Rachel's wrist", said Jonah, in disbelief.
"Oh, that was a misunderstanding sweetheart. We've already planned to bail him out as soon as possible."
Everybody's eyes grew wide.
"Mom! Don't do that...please don't do bail him out", begged Jonah.
"It's already in the works. We're setting him up with a lawyer as well."
Santana wanted to throw up. Now she understood what Jade and Jonah were talking about when they said their mother had some serious denial issues. Puck had already known, so he just rolled his eyes, and shook his head. Jonah knew he couldn't do anything about them helping Jesse, but he had to try and get his sister back.
"Mom", he said, his voice breaking a little."Please...let her come back. She was...doing fine here."
"Obviously she wasn't, Jonah."
"No she was...you have to let her come back. Her friends, they need her here. She needs to be here, otherwise Dad will loose money. She's the reason why Smashed makes him money", said the darker boy, trying to appeal to this mother's love of money and power.
"Well, I'm sure you and that friend of yours with the mohawk will do just fine handling that place", said Lacy.
"She needs to be here...".
"No, she needs to be at home with your father and I."
"Okay, well...what if I need her", asked Jonah, as some tears rolled down his face. Santana, Brittany, and Mercedes felt for him, and were also crying silently. They could sense his desperation, and it was obvious that the woman wasn't about to give into her son.
"You'll be just fine without her. You'll need to concentrate harder on managing Smashed, and less on your little music job", said Lacy, in such a condescending tone, it only further angered Jonah.
"Jesus...Mom, just send her back, damn it", he snapped.
"Watch that tone, young man. And I don't appreciate the language. Your sister is done with New York for now. She's sick, and her credit card statements have been...interesting to say the least."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"She spent almost two thousand dollars on a plane ticket, and some sort of police protection system. Come to find out, it was to help Jesse's wife leave him."
Everybody exchanged looks of shock and confusion.
"W-Wait...wait a sec...how did you know that, Mom?"
"Don't you worry about that. Just know that your sister will not be back there for quite some time. And don't bother trying to contact her, we've terminated her phone service, and she won't be speaking to anyone for a while. Obviously the two of you cannot handle being around one another without getting into all sorts of trouble. So, we've done what's necessary, and taken her away from you."
"Taken her away from me", snapped Jonah, causing everybody to jump."She's not a fucking toy, she's not a privilege! She's my sister, and a human being, and what you're doing is bullshit, Mom!"
"Again, young man, I do not like that tone, and you will stop swearing at me this minute, do you hear me?"
Mercedes mouthed the words calm down to her boyfriend, as he sat down, and took a deep breath.
"Yes ma'am...I apologize...but please...don't do this. You don't understand, Mom. She won't get better in Lima, she will only get worse. She hates it there...you can't just...keep her there", he said, almost crying.
"Don't be silly, Jonah, she'll be just fine. I have to run dear, I have to be up in a while to pick Mika and your sister up from the airport. I can tell you've been drinking, so why don't you just go to sleep and we will talk about this later", said Lacy, so calmly it made everybody in the room angry.
"Mom...", said Jonah, desperately.
"Goodbye, Jonah James."
The line went dead.
"Oh my God", cried Brittany, burying her face into Santana's shoulder.
"Dude...we have to do something", said Puck.
"We can't do a fucking thing", said Jonah, wiping some more stray tears away.
"You weren't kidding...you're mother's a piece of work and then some", sobbed Santana."I don't care though...I really don't, I'll fly back to Lima and get her myself if I have to."
"I'm going with you", said Brittany.
"No...you can't. I'm sorry, I'm with you on this, trust me...but you can't", said Jonah."I hate to say this...but...she's gone."
"No...", whined Brittany.
"This is fucked", said Mercedes.
"They can't just bail St. Fuck Shit outta' jail, and literally steal your sister! How can you just sit there and not wanna' fucking do anything about this", snapped Santana, through her tears.
"I wanna' do something, but I can't! Do not start with me", yelled Jonah.
"Alright, alright, no you guys aren't fighting...just calm the Hell down", said Mercedes.
"Okay", said Santana, calming down a little."You're not thinking this all the way through. Do you have any idea what Rachel's gonna' do when she finds out Jesse's getting bailed out...much less what she'll do when she finds out Jade is gone? We have to fix this, Jonah. For Jade's sake, for Rachel, and for our sake...".
"I understand, Santana. But...you need to understand...what my parents do is final...there ain't no changing their damn minds", said Jonah.
"We can try, right", asked Brittany, hopefully.
"We can, girl...but it won't do a damn thing", said Jonah."They take drastic measures, don't you see that? Her room is empty, and Mika took her away right from under our noses. Obviously he was the one who was texting from her phone. God knows what the fuck he did to get her out of the bar, and what he'll do to her in between here and Lima. Fuck", he growled.
"Try not to think about that, baby", said Mercedes.
"So, that's it then, we're just letting your family get away with this bullshit", asked Puck.
Jonah didn't say a word. He just buried his face into his hands, while Mercedes hugged him. Brittany and Santana hugged each other, and continued to cry, while Puck just shook his head in frustration.
Jade Price was gone, and there was nothing any of them could do about it.
Sunday afternoon, Santana and Brittany walked, tiredly into Santana's bedroom. They hadn't gotten much sleep, so they planned on passing out all over again. There was no changing into pajamas, just dropping onto Santana's bed. They both felt so bad, so guilty. Everybody did. They were all so wrapped up in having fun, and drinking that a person they loved and cared about vanished right before their eyes. Seconds after they had laid down, Rachel poked her head into the room.
"Santana", she asked, shyly.
"Hey Rach...".
"Hi. Sorry to bother you...but I was wondering how Jade's feeling. I've tried texting and calling, but I think she must have forgotten to pay her bill, because her phone is shut off", said Rachel.
"Oh God...", whined Brittany, breaking into tears all over again.
"Rachel...", said Santana, sitting up."Come sit. There a few things we need to talk about."
Thank you for reading, please don't be shy, review and leave your feedback. Love you all!