Chapter 56

Past Betrayal

Chloe felt the grass under her fingers and couldn't help but grin. Her gardener was one of the best and kept the grass green and lush. The bushes were trimmed and vines crept expertly up the side of the walls, tended and cared for. He had even installed a light blue metal swing-set with his own money.

Pushing herself out of her cross-legged position, Chloe flattened the hem of her dress and stretched, arms reaching above her head. She hadn't been to this house for years but it hadn't changed at all. It was still the same house with the red front door, the pale blue curtains, the one rose she had planted a long time ago.

Walking forward she took a look down the street and grinned as Jeremy walked up dressed in some kind of tuxedo which suited him perfectly. One hand was behind his back while the other pulled Chloe into a hug.

Chloe snuggled tightly into his shoulder. "Hello."

Jeremy didn't reply but pulled away from Chloe, falling to one knee. Bringing his other hand out from behind his back he brought out a black box. "Chloe…" He started, flicking open the box to reveal to most beautiful ring Chloe had ever seen. "…will you marry me?"

Chloe's gasp of happiness turned into one of horror as Jeremy's head burst into fire. Glowing red eyes and a grinning skull confronted Chloe.

"Please marry me." A distorted, echoing mimic of Jeremy's voice asked.

Panicking, Chloe turned on her feet to run back into the house but saw it was nothing but a pile of rubble. A bony hand grabbed her shoulder, causing her to cry out and pull away. She started sprinting for the street, but every step extended the grass under her feet. She ran and ran until her lungs burned and she finally collapsed to her knees, panting.

When she looked up, she was face to face with a huge head that was a horrible mutation of her own fathers.

"COME TO ME."

Chloe screamed a soundless scream as fire blossomed in her stomach.

XXX

Snapping her eyes open, Chloe gasped and took in the darkness above her. Slowly she started to make out the lampshade and calmed down as she realised she was in her room.

"'you okay?" Came a half-sleepy voice next to her. Chloe turned to smile softly at Jeremy. She pulled in closer to him, one leg snaking over his waist under the covers.

"I'm fine." Chloe replied with a soft sigh. "A bad dream, was all."

"Was it really bad?" Jeremy asked, his eyes shining in the darkness.

"Nothing you can't cure." Chloe said softly, putting her chin in the nook of Jeremy's shoulder. "It sucks that I had a bad dream on one of the best nights of my life. It's like someone has it out for me." Planting a quick kiss on Jeremy's lips, Chloe sighed once again. "I'm going to call you the father officially, after tonight."

"Oh?" Jeremy smiled, barely seen in the night. "I thought I decided that when I almost died."

"You don't get to decide anything." Chloe joked.

"Why not? I'll be the man of the family." Jeremy smirked.

Chloe gave a fake gasp of shock. "Look at you, Jeremy Edwards! Getting all cocky now you've done the deed."

Jeremy felt the blood rush to his cheeks. "It's-"

"Let's see how cocky you are when you're exhausted." Chloe grinned and put the bed-covers over her head.

"I don't think we sh – Oh!"

XXX

David had told her everything. He wasn't even certain if she would believe him, but the weight on his chest was far too much. As it was, Lucy had listened. From what happened when they separated to the accident and everything he knew about Death. He had even admitted his feelings for Dorothy. Everything just spilled out and he couldn't stop. The feeling of complete loss when he found out about Dorothy, trying to find something to live for and focusing on revenge.

"It's not like I want revenge!" David protested. "Well… I do, but… but I don't want to do it like I've been imagining… I almost killed Joshua, Lucy… I almost murdered a man and then what would I be? I'd be as bad as the people who killed Dorothy! I just… I don't know anymore…" David shook his head and looked out the window, seeing the lights of buildings in the darkness. "That's it. Now you think I'm crazy as well as hating me." David stood up. "Screw this. This was a mistake. This-"

"It's not a mistake." Lucy said firmly, rising with David and placing a hand on his shoulder. "This… situation you're in, it's hard to believe but I know you. And I know when you lie. You aren't lying. It's hard to believe, but you are not lying." Lucy lowered her hand and took a deep breath. "I am glad y-you moved on, David. I'm glad you found Dorothy."

David just lowered his head. "What about you? Did you find anyone?"

Shaking her head, Lucy sat back down. "I couldn't… I didn't want to risk anything. My sister is a stranger now so…" Lucy shrugged. "It's been hard but I'll manage."

"It's my fault." David bit his lip. "If I had never done what I did… your sister would still be in a good relationship with you."

"No." Lucy said firmly. "No, David, don't tell yourself that."

"How can I not?" David asked. "I know what I did, Lucy, don't try to make me feel better after all this time. I haven't gotten completely over it but I'm getting there, but I don't deserve for you to try and make me feel better. Especially not now!"

Sensing something in his voice, Lucy looked up. "What do you mean?"

"I… I'm next." David looked to the roof. "I'm next, Lucy. It's hard to know that I'm scheduled to die in the near future. I don't know when or where… or even how. I could die suddenly or suffer slowly, I have no damn clue!" Exhaling deeply David paced back and forth. "It's selfish of me, isn't it? I came here when I'm practically on my death bed. I avoided you for so many years and I come now? I never should have come back into your life."

"Don't say that…"

"Why not?" David asked, shaking his head. "I've hurt everyone I've ever came into contact with! I hurt you, I hurt your sister, I hurt Max… Dorothy died! I can't do this again, and you know that's going to happen if I come back into your life! I'll hurt you all over again because you know what, chances are I'm gonna bite the dust! Joshua can't save everyone and… fuck it, I don't want to be saved!" David strode over to the window and focused into the distance. "What in the name of hell do I have to live for anymore? I don't deserve you, Max despises me. Part of me wants to smash this window and jump the hell out. End it while I have the chance."

"You don't want that." Lucy said softly.

"How do you know? You don't know me! Hell, I don't know me! My mistake screwed us all over!"

"How do I know? I was married to you, David." Lucy said so firmly it stopped David in his tracks. "If anyone made a mistake it was me. I should have gave you another chance, I should-"

"I went to bed with your sister!" David all but yelled, his eyes wide. "I didn't deserve another chance! I fucked up, Lucy, I fucked up bad! You didn't do anything! You fucking loved and trusted me and I ripped your feelings into tiny pieces! One chance was all I had and I lost it all for one stupid night with a woman that was nothing compared to you!" David took a deep breath and put his head in his hands.

Lucy looked at David, feeling her eyes grow hot. "You really… you really regret what you did?"

"Every damn day. I wake up with gnawing in my gut and voices in my head. All I could think about was 'what if?'"

Lucy looked to the floor before looking back up to David. "I may have not given you a chance before but… but perhaps now I can. I hate to see you like this, David."

"I've told you, Lucy, I do not deserve it."

"Why not? You've been dwelling in your own hell for years!" Lucy raised her voice, which was surprising to David. Even in their worst arguments, especially the last ones, she had remained deadly calm. "Isn't that punishment enough? You regret what you've done, you hate what you've done, and you know what, David? I forgive you."

"I… what?" David's voice cracked. "…what?"

"I forgive you…" Lucy lowered her voice. "I know that we can't go back to the way we were before… but let's start again. Let's grow to trust each other again, let's talk with Max and… figure out what will happen next."

A/N: Thanks to Bookreader2010and Gabe's-Girl-Forever for the reviews! I haven't been this 'into' writing a story since 'The Apocalypse'. I am excited for what is to come. Speaking of which, S**t hits the fan next chapter!

'Till then!