I will not be wrapping up the storylines for Piz/Parker/Duncan or Jason/Daisy in this story. I really thought this would be the last chapter. I HATE ending a story on an odd number like 41. However, I just can't do it. This chapter is over 8,000 words, and I'm still nowhere near finished!
Chapter 40: Vengeance and a Party
******December 28th*******
Nico picked up Jason, Jazmin, and Eli at the airport.
"So where am I taking you?" he asked them.
"We've got a lot to accomplish today since we have the bachelor party in Vegas tomorrow," Jason said.
"I secured the apartment for you. You owe me $2000," Nico said.
"Thanks for doing that. I wanted to make sure we didn't have to waste time when we got back in town looking for a place," Jason said.
"It's a good place for college students," Nico said. "It's got a pool and a nice work-out facility on the premises. It's close to campus."
"That's good," Jason said.
"Does it have a washer and dryer in the apartment?" Jazmin asked.
"Yes. It's a good size apartment," Nico said.
"I thought it'd be perfect for you. It's gated, so only people with an access code can get on the property," Eli said. "There's cameras and a security guard."
"That's great," Jazmin said. "I'm sort of glad I don't have to spend a night in my old room."
Eli put his arm around her and hugged her.
"So we're heading into town. Which house first?" Nico asked.
"Well, drop me off at a U-Haul place," Jason said. "Things will go quicker today if we can just throw everything in a truck in one load."
"I'll go with you to your place and make sure that one of the girls are home. I don't want you anywhere by yourself," Eli said to Jazmin.
"Did David get arrested?" Jazmin asked.
"He did. But he was out on bond before Texas would transfer him to Neptune. He's got a court date after the New Year. If he doesn't show up in Neptune on that date, he will face more charges," Nico explained.
"What are his charges?" Jazmin asked. She'd made a conscious choice not to ask about David. She hadn't been ready to handle even think about it. Now, though, she wanted it to be over. She wanted David to be in her past not her future.
"You waited too long to report the rape, but since he did go back and physically assault you again, the D.A. is going to charge him with assault and sexual battery," Nico said.
"Really? I thought the rape charge wasn't going to stick?" Jazmin asked.
"Well, Keith went to bat for you and one of your neighbors did identify him as being in front of your house the afternoon of the attack," Nico said. "He also admitted to some football players that you'd had sex. The physical abuse adds weight to the rape charge, so he'll be held accountable."
"That's good news," Jazmin said in relief.
"We need to take her by the court house to file a restraining order," Jason suggested.
"He's not in town now, so I guess it's okay if we get through the next two days. We can do it Monday, the day before the wedding. The court houses are only closed on New Year's," Eli said.
Nico pulled up at the U-Haul place.
"I'll pick you up as soon as I get the truck. We'll head over to our place and start moving stuff," Jason said to Jason.
"Aren't you forgetting something?" Jazmin asked. "We don't even have keys to the new apartment."
"I got'em," Nico said. "I have the lease in my name, but the two of you as the tenants. You need to go by the office, so they can get your photo I.D. on file." He reached into his console and pulled out two keys and gave them to Jason."
"I'll make a copy for you and Eli," Jason said. "It's good for you to have access in case of an emergency."
Jason got out, and then Nico drove Eli and Jason to her house-Mac, Parker, and Daisy's house now.
Mac was drinking coffee in the kitchen when they entered. She got up to greet them.
"It's so good to see you!" she said to Jazmin, hugging her. "How are you?"
"I'm doing great. How was your Christmas?" she asked.
"It was good. My parents got into it with the Sinclairs over their desire to pay for the last year and a half of school, so I suggested they pay for graduate school," Mac said.
"Madison behave?" Eli asked.
"Yeah. She even bought me a Christmas gift since her parents returned her credit cards," Mac said. She pointed to the diamond earrings on her ears.
"Wow? Diamonds? She must be really grateful," Jazmin observed.
"And got her credit cards back!" Eli added with a knowing smirk.
"I think she's trying to score points with our parents, but it was nice anyway. She got my mom a pair just like them," Mac said.
"There must've been a buy one get one free sale," Eli said with a snicker.
"You may be right about that!" Mac said, grinning.
"Jason went to get a U-Haul truck. Nico got an apartment for us," Jazmin said.
"Are you sticking around?" Eli asked Mac.
"Well, I need to go into work for a bit. I haven't went all week and can't next week," Mac said. "Daisy should be here soon. She called me when she made it into town. She was stopping at the store for a few things."
"Where's Parker? Is she back in town yet?" Jazmin asked.
"She's coming in tomorrow. She and Piz will drive up for the rehearsal dinner. He's coming in tomorrow night, I think," Mac said. "I hate that you're moving out, but I get why."
"Did you get anything great for Christmas?" Jazmin asked her.
Mac's smile grew as she shared, "Dick got us tickets for the Caribbean after the New Year."
"That'll be amazing!" Jazmin shared. "My parents got me a new car. Dad is making Michael drive it down instead of flying in for the wedding. Michael is coming as Dad's plus one. Mother can't make it."
"What are you going to do with your Toyota?" Mac asked.
"I don't know. Sell it?" she replied with a shrug.
"My brother Ryan could use a good used car. He just got his license," Mac said.
"Hey, that'll work great. Whatever he can afford. The car is his," Jazmin said.
"What kind of car did you get?" Mac asked.
"You're going to love it!" Jazmin said. She pulled out her cell phone and showed Mac the picture she'd taken. Mac agreed that it was beautiful.
"Does Daisy know we're taking Jazmin's bedroom furniture?" Eli asked.
"Yes. Her stepbrother Chip is bringing her furniture tomorrow," Mac said. "She'll stay in Parker's room tonight probably."
"Well, I guess we'll get started. Eli, you can take my car and get some boxes," Jazmin said.
"Not necessary. I brought lots of boxes for you. I have some in the garage for Jason and Eli and left the rest upstairs in your room," Mac said.
"Great! Thanks!" Jazmin said.
Daisy arrived carrying a bag in each hand. "I'm here!"
"Need a hand?" Eli asked.
"There's some stuff in the car you can grab if you want," Daisy said with a smile.
Eli nodded and headed out.
"It'll probably be easier if you don't move the rest of your things upstairs until Jazmin gets her stuff out," Mac suggested.
Daisy nodded and put her bags in a corner out of the way. "Hey, Jazmin. How was your holiday?" she asked politely.
"Really wonderful. How about yours?" Jazmin asked.
"It was good," Daisy said. She didn't see Jason but figured he'd be there soon enough. Seeing him in Chicago had been hard. The sneaky devil had caught her at a weak moment. If she wasn't careful at the wedding, he'd manage it again.
"Jason went to get a moving truck. He should be here soon," Jazmin said, reading her mind. She bit her lips to keep from commenting about Daisy's treatment of her brother. Since she was indirectly responsible for their break-up, she didn't think any words from her would make things better.
Eli came in with a big box. "How did you get this in the car? It was a bitch to get out!" he complained.
Daisy grinned. "Well, I put the box in first and then started throwing stuff in it!" she admitted.
"Where should I put it?" he asked.
Daisy pointed to the corner. "Thanks. I got more stuff in the trunk that goes in the kitchen," she said.
Eli nodded and went back outside.
"Sorry, I've got to go. With the holiday and wedding stuff, I've neglected work," Mac said. "Call me if you need anything."
"We'll be fine. Don't worry," Jazmin said.
Eli came back in and took a box of stuff to the kitchen. "Jason's here, so we're going to load up his stuff from the house and take it to the apartment. Will you be okay here?" Eli asked, not really wanting to leave her.
"We'll be fine," Jazmin said. "I'll move down what I can. I should be able to take the bed apart."
"Don't try moving anything heavy," Eli said. He gave her a kiss on the cheek before leaving.
"Don't forget the boxes in the garage!" Jazmin called out. He nodded and waved goodbye.
"Is there more stuff in your car?" Jazmin asked Daisy. She nodded, so they went out to her car. Jason waved at them but didn't approach as he opened up the back of the U-Haul truck for Eli to put the boxes in.
When they carried the rest of Daisy's stuff into the living room, Daisy sat down in a chair afterward. "I got up too early. I'm already tired," she said with a yawn.
"I think Mac made some coffee," Jazmin said. The girls went into the kitchen.
Daisy poured herself some coffee and sat down at the kitchen table. "I'm so glad to be out of the dorms," she said.
"I didn't mind the dorms really. It was like basketball camp. Girls everywhere," Jazmin said smiling.
"So how are you doing? Really?" Daisy asked curiously.
"Much better," Jazmin assured her. When Daisy looked at her doubtfully, she added, "Seriously. I'm doing great."
Daisy looked at her quizzically as she sipped her coffee. Then she put it down. "Can I ask you something?" she asked.
"Sure," Jazmin replied.
"Why'd you do it? Did you really want to end your life?" Daisy asked.
Jazmin knew what she was referring to. She looked away, trying to figure out how to answer. Finally, she said, "I didn't want to die. I just wanted the nightmare to be over. I was trapped. I couldn't sleep, so I took a sleeping pill. Then suddenly I had swallowed the entire bottle. It was kind of like I was in a fog. But I never thought to myself that I wanted to die. I was just so tired of hurting."
Daisy nodded but didn't say anything. Jazmin decided to ask a question of her own. "Are you going to forgive my brother?"
Daisy was taken off guard by her question. She shrugged. "I'm too selfish to be with your brother. I want to be the most important person in his life, but I don't think I ever will be," Daisy said.
Jazmin got angry at her reply. "I don't think you really love my brother at all. You can't possibly, or you wouldn't expect him to cut me out of his life," Jazmin said angrily. "You might as well ask him to cut off his arm or leg. I'm a part of him, and he's a part of me. Eli would never expect me to put Jason on a back burner!"
Daisy got up and protested. "That's not what I meant!" she exclaimed. The two began to argue loudly. Neither heard glass breaking in another part of the house.
David had driven to Neptune the day after Christmas. He lost his scholarship, but he still had a few friends that believed in his innocence. They'd kept him updated on what was going on with Jazmin and her friends. He knew that she was going to be back in town for Logan and Veronica's wedding. So he'd grown out his hair and quit shaving. The past two days he'd been driving by Jazmin's house. So far only Mac had been home. But today was different. Today he saw Jazmin get dropped off with her beaner boyfriend. He parked his car across the street a few houses down, keeping a baseball cap pulled low on his head.
He watched Mac leave. Then Jason came and took Eli away after Daisy appeared. David waited impatiently for Daisy to leave. He texted one of his friends that knew her and found out Daisy was moving into the house in Jazmin's place. Looks like the princess didn't feel safe there anymore. He snickered. Like she was safe anywhere. She led him on, teasing him. Then when he finally gave her what he knew she wanted, she acted like he was a monster. She made him a laughing stock. She was trying to ruin his life.
He got out of his car and walked toward the house. The two girls were in the living room talking. They were oblivious to his presence. When they walked toward the kitchen, he went to the side of the house away from the kitchen where the laundry room was. He took a chance and broke the window. He carefully crawled through. His arm sliced open on the window, and he cursed. Grabbing a towel, he wrapped it around his arm.
David cautiously walked closer to the living room. He heard loud voices in the kitchen. It looked like the girls weren't getting along. He quickly moved back into the laundry room as he heard Daisy's voice yell, "I'm going for a walk! Arguing over your stupid brother is getting us nowhere!"
David grinned as he heard the front door slam. Then he heard the steps creak as Jazmin went upstairs. He went over to the front door and locked it, putting the chain on for good measure. Then he pulled out his knife from the holder he had strapped to his leg. Grinning eagerly, he slowly walked up the steps.
Jazmin was in the bedroom trying to calm down. Daisy was so maddening. She didn't really get why her brother loved the woman so much, but he did. Jazmin wanted her brother to be happy. He was the best brother ever. She opened the closet door to pull out the rest of the clothes she'd left in there. When she turned around, her arms were full of clothes. Her eyes locked in on an intruder; one she didn't recognize at first. When the man's identity registered, she gasped and dropped her clothes. He'd grown out his hair and wore a beard and cap, but she knew it was David. She'd never forget his face.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, her mind racing. Where did she put her purse? She had to get to it. Her eyes latched onto the dresser, which seemed too far way. It was by the door where David was standing.
He grinned at her and slammed the bedroom door behind him. "I knew if I waited, I'd catch you alone. Don't worry. I won't take long. This time you won't be alive to go telling any tales," he said as he lunged for her. She grabbed the lamp and threw it at him. She screamed loudly, hoping Daisy was nearby and would call the cops.
Jazmin thought a moment about running to the bathroom, but then she'd be trapped. If he broke down the door, she'd be defenseless. She kept grabbing everything she could and throwing it at him. He ducked and dodged. A few things hit him, but it didn't seem to slow him down. When he charged her, she jumped on her bed, trying to get to the other side. He managed to grab her foot, causing her to fall on it. She kicked him in the head, enraging him. Then she quickly jumped back up to the other side of it away from him.
"You bitch! I was going to make it quick, but now I'm thinking you deserve more pain!" David said enraged.
Jazmin ran to the dresser to her purse. The gun. She had to get it. A searing pain in her left shoulder made her scream. He'd stabbed her with his knife. If she didn't get the gun out, he'd kill her. Taking a deep breath, she tried to ignore the pain, tears streaming down her face. Finally, her shaking hands wrapped around the cold metal, and she turned to face him. He had the now bloody knife raised to strike at her again. His eyes widened as he saw the gun. She stepped away as she pulled the trigger.
Nothing happened. David laughed. "Nice try. You shouldn't have a gun if you don't know how to use it," he said.
Jazmin looked down and popped the safety off. "I do know how to use it," she said, a calm descending on her. She pulled the trigger, watching the bullet plow through his chest. He looked stunned as she pulled the trigger again and again until he fell to the ground. Jazmin moved slowly to the ground, her eyes frozen on his still form, unable to believe he was really dead.
Daisy had walked to the end of the block and back, trying to calm down. Jazmin was too fragile for Daisy to be losing her temper with. She turned to walk back to the house and check on her. Upsetting Jazmin would probably make everyone mad at her. A loud scream from the house had her running toward the house. Her phone was in her jean pocket, so she pulled it out and dialed 911.
She heard a loud crash and scream again. "I need the police. My friend is screaming inside the house," Daisy said urgently. She tried to open the front door. It was locked. Did Jazmin lock her out? Daisy didn't have her keys on her. The scream was heard again, upstairs. She gave the operator the address. Then she hung up and went around to the back door as she pressed the two on her speed dial.
"Jason, get to the house. Something's wrong. I'm locked out, and Jazmin's screaming!" Daisy exclaimed. The back door was locked. "Damn it! I can't get in!" She heard gunshots. "Oh, God! There's gunshots coming from inside!"
"Don't go into the house!" Jason ordered. "Wait for the police! We're on our way."
Daisy walked around the house and saw the broken window. It must be how the intruder got in. She pulled off her sweater and placed it on the broken pane, so she wouldn't get cut. The police were pulling up as she climbed cautiously through the window. Hurrying, she ran to the front door and unlocked it.
"Are you hurt?" the deputy asked.
"No. I crawled in through the broken window. The door was locked. I'd only left for a few minutes. The door was unlocked when I left. Jazmin is here. I heard screams and gunshots from upstairs," Daisy said, pointing.
Another patrol car pulled up. Keith Mars and Deputy Leo got out. Daisy tried to follow the deputies upstairs, but they ordered her to go outside.
When Keith made it to Jazmin's room, he found his deputy kneeling down in front of her, trying to get her to release the gun. One side of her was covered in blood. Leo used his radio to call for an ambulance. Dispatch told him it was already on its way. He saw the body of a man on the floor.
"Jazmin, are you okay?" Keith asked her. He reached out and took the gun from her hand, handing it off to Sacks.
"She's not responding, sir. I think she's in shock," Deputy Sacks said.
"Jazmin!" a voice called out. Keith looked and saw Eli and Jason in the doorway with Daisy behind them, obviously ignoring his instructions to stay outside.
"Oh God! Is she okay?" Jason asked when he saw the dead body. He looked and saw his sister. The sight of her blood terrified her. "Jazmin! Are you okay?" She didn't respond.
"Get back! This is a crime scene!" Keith ordered, pushing him out of the room.
"Is she okay?" Eli asked. "Is that her blood?"
"Daisy, go downstairs and send up the paramedics when they get here. Jazmin needs medical attention," Keith said.
Jason and Eli stood in the hallway, trying to peer inside. "Is she okay?" Jason asked anxiously.
"She's bleeding from a knife wound," Sacks said. He was holding a shirt he found on the floor to her shoulder.
"Is that David?" Eli asked, pointing at the body.
Keith peered down at the body, grabbing the wallet out of his back pocket. "Yes, it is," he said after reading the license.
"How did he die?" Jason asked.
"It looks like your sister shot him," Keith answered. Jason and Eli exchanged stunned looks of disbelief.
The paramedics arrived and began taking care of Jazmin.
*****Neptune Memorial Hospital*****
Veronica, Logan, Mac, and Dick hurried into the ER waiting room, a place they all were too familiar with. They spotted Daisy, Jason, Eli, and Nico.
"What's happened? Is Jazmin okay?" Veronica asked anxiously.
"We don't know anything," Daisy said. "I think she's going to be okay."
"What the hell happened?" Logan asked.
"She was stabbed by that psycho David! He tried to kill her!" Eli said, his rage palatable.
"What?" Mac asked. She looked at Daisy. "Are you okay?"
"I wasn't exactly there," Daisy admitted.
"What do you mean? You were there when I left. You said you were going to be there," Mac said with a frown.
"Yeah, well, Daisy says a lot of things," Jason said bitterly.
Daisy glared at him. Then she turned back to her friends. "I was outside for like five minutes maybe. That's it! Jazmin and I had a disagreement over her stupid brother, so I went for a walk to cool off," Daisy said. "I just went to the end of the block and back. I heard screaming as I approached the house. I called 911. Then I called Jason. The front door was locked, so I went around and saw a broken window. He must have got in through there."
Duncan arrived. Keith Mars was with him.
"Keith got into the elevator with me. He told me that Jazmin shot David. How did she get a gun?" Duncan asked.
"That's what I want to know," Keith said, looking at Jason and Eli.
"How the hell would I know? I sure as hell didn't give her a gun!" Eli said angrily. "I don't even have a gun myself!"
"Neither do I," Jason said. He looked at Nico.
Nico shrugged. "She never got it from me. If she'd asked, I probably would've gotten one for her, but she didn't ask," Nico said.
"You'd give my sister a gun? Are you insane? She doesn't know anything about guns!" Jason yelled.
"Obviously, she knew enough to kill that psycho," Dick pointed out. "It's a good thing she had it, though. If not, she may have been stabbed to death."
They all looked at him without replying. Their silence indicated the sudden realization that he had a point. Then all eyes began turning to Veronica.
"Veronica?" Keith asked. "Do you know anything about this?"
"Well...," Veronica said slowly.
"Damn it, Veronica! What's wrong with you? You gave Jazmin a gun?" Eli asked angrily.
"Watch your tone!" Logan said, glaring at him.
"No! I didn't get her a gun! I don't carry a gun. I offered to get her a Taser," Veronica said defensively.
"That sounds like Ronnie," Dick said to Mac.
"So what do you know exactly?" Keith asked her.
"When we were in Chicago, I saw Joseph coming out of her room and thought he might be harassing her, so I went and checked on her," Veronica shared. "Then she admitted that Joseph had gotten her a gun."
"Joseph?" Jason asked. "He bought her a gun?"
"She was scared. She wanted to feel safe," Veronica explained. "She promised that she'd learn how to use it. Joseph was going to show her."
"Guess it worked. David's dead," Dick observed.
"She shot him with a gun she had illegally," Keith informed them.
"You're not going to charge her!" Jason protested.
"It's up to the D.A.," Keith said grimly.
"You better call your dad," Nico told Jason. He grimaced as he nodded and pulled out his phone.
"He won't make her stay home, will he?" Mac asked in concern.
"Let's make sure she's okay before we worry about anything else," Veronica said.
The doctor came in. "Jazmin is going to be fine. The knife went through the tendon in her left shoulder, but it should heal up with no problems. She got some stitches. She's right handed, so it shouldn't be hard for her to restrict her movement on that side," he told them.
"Can she go home?" Eli asked.
"Yes. I'm going to give the nurse some prescriptions for her to fill for pain and infection and how to care for the wound. Then she's free to go," the doctor said. They thanked him before he left.
"I'm going to go sit with her," Eli said.
"I'll go with you," Veronica said, following him.
Jason came back into the waiting room. "Any news?" he asked.
"She's okay. They're processing her for release now. Eli and Veronica are getting her ready," Mac told him.
Duncan gave Jason an accusing glance. "So how exactly did this happen? Jazmin's back in town like an hour, and she's almost killed in her house, a place she was brutally assaulted in and almost died in the last time she was there, and now she's killed a guy! What the hell's going on?" Duncan asked.
Jason wanted to hit Duncan for saying all the things he was thinking. Once again he'd failed his sister. Hating himself, he just turned away from Duncan and walked out of the ER waiting room.
Daisy slapped Duncan on the arm. "What the hell was that? Can you be more of a jackass?" Daisy said, her eyes blazing in anger. "I was there, too! I left her alone. May as well blame me for it while you're at it!"
"Let's calm down!" Logan said, stepping up to them. "We're all upset. It's normal to want to play the blame game."
"This blows!" Dick exclaimed. "Now Jason and Eli won't want to go to the bachelor party!"
"Not important right now," Mac said.
"Cancel the Vegas plans, Dick," Logan said. "There's no way I can go off to Vegas after Jazmin was attacked again and killed a man. The wedding is in three days. She, Eli, and Jason need our support."
Dick looked crestfallen and started to protest but Mac shook her head. "Don't worry. We'll come up with something else," Mac said, her mind racing. She was the maid of honor. It was her responsibility to Mac sure Veronica's wedding went off without a hitch.
"We need to finish moving for Eli and Jason. They need to take care of Jazmin. We got to do this," Mac said to her friends.
"I'll tell Veronica to bring Jazmin to our house. She doesn't need to go back to that house and deal with anything," Logan said. "She and Eli can stay in Dick's old room."
"I'll go talk to Jason," Nico said, slipping out to find him.
"I'll call some movers. It'll make everything easier," Duncan said.
"They'll need to go to both places. Jason's and Jazmin's," Mac told him. Duncan nodded and pulled out his phone.
Daisy rolled her eyes. Duncan acts like an ass and thinks his money can make things all better. Now she remembered why she didn't want to date him when she first met him.
A short time later, Jazmin slowly appeared with Eli and Veronica flanking her. Her friends gathered around her in support.
She assured them that she was okay. "I'm okay. They gave me a shot of something. I don't feel much of anything right now," Jazmin said.
"Veronica, why don't you take Jazmin to your house? We're going to take care of the moving and stuff for her and Jason, so they don't have to worry about anything," Mac said.
"You and Jazmin can stay in our extra room," Logan offered to Eli.
"That's a good idea," Veronica agreed.
"Let's get her there then. I want her to rest," Eli said.
They all filed down to the elevators. Each of them determined to do what they could to help.
******The Next Day******
Eli didn't sleep much. Instead, he woke up every hour to check on Jazmin, who was having to sleep on her stomach. She'd awaken a few times, obviously troubled by bad dreams. He still couldn't believe what had happened yesterday. He never really considered that David would be insane enough to try to hurt Jazmin again. The man was basically only going to get a slap on the wrist for what he'd done to her. He could've stayed in Texas and gone on with his life. Even if he got convicted of more here in Neptune, Eli knew he wouldn't have gotten much jail time. He was white, and he had no prior crimes. He was basically home free if he'd stayed away. Instead, his insanity had actually compelled him to come back to Neptune. Although Eli was glad the man was dead, he didn't like the fact that Jazmin had been the one to kill him. He wouldn't want that for her. Then again, maybe it will make her feel safer knowing she was the one who saved herself this time.
He put his hand on her forehead to see if it was warm. The nurse had said to watch for infection. They'd given her a tetanus shot and antibiotics anyway. Eli had been glad that the man only had a chance to stab her once, so the damage hadn't been extensive. Some stitches had managed to sew up the damage.
There was a knock on the bedroom door and Veronica poked her head in. "Hey, is she awake yet?"
"No," Eli said, sitting up.
"I'm making breakfast," Veronica said.
Eli nodded and she shut the door. Veronica was glad Jazmin had a chance to put the bastard down who hurt her. However, she wished Jazmin hadn't had to fire the gun or had gotten hurt. Veronica found death too easy. She'd much rather use her Taser to immobilize them and make sure they spent many years locked up like they deserved.
She went back in the kitchen to finish breakfast. Mac and Dick arrived shortly after Logan was up sipping coffee.
"I was thinking a small intimate gathering at Dick's instead of two separate parties would be better today," Mac said. "We can just call it a wedding shower. People can bring gifts. It'll keep you from having to transport so many gifts from the wedding."
"We don't need gifts. I put on the wedding invitations to donate to our favorite charity," Veronica said.
"People still will ignore it. Besides some of us got you fun things for the honeymoon," Mac said with a naughty grin.
"Those kinds of gifts she will most definitely accept!" Logan exclaimed with a smirk.
Eli appeared. "Good morning," he said to everyone.
"Is Jazmin awake?" Mac asked.
"No. She woke up in pain about four hours ago, so I gave her one of her pills. It knocks her out," Eli explained. "She should be up soon."
"We gotcha moved in," Dick said to him.
"Thanks," Eli said.
Dick handed him two keys. "This one is for the front door, and this one is for the pool house," Dick said.
"I don't need a key to your front door," Eli said with a frown.
"Dude, you can come in anytime. You may want to wash your clothes sometimes," Dick reminded.
"So what's the plan for today?" Logan asked.
"We should just have a cook-out and drinks at Dick's. The ladies can have the inside for the bridal gifts while you guys stay outside," Mac said.
"Or we can watch you open up all your naughty gifts," Logan said with a smirk.
"That's fine, too," Mac said with a shrug. "How about we set it for seven? I'll call everyone and send out emails."
"I'll call Alicia. I know she'll want to help with the food," Veronica said.
"Aren't your parents paying for the rehearsal dinner tomorrow?" Mac reminded her.
"Yeah, but Alicia will still want to make something. Trust me. She loves making dishes we rave about," Veronica said.
"Did you get Lily a birthday gift? Mac and I dropped ours off before we came," Mac said.
"Oh, crap! I need to do that! I have it in my room," Veronica said.
"I'll do that," Logan offered.
"Is Jazmin going to be okay?" Veronica asked Eli after everyone sat down to eat breakfast.
"I hope so," Eli said. "Jason, on the other hand, is pretty upset. His dad is coming today. I can't imagine it's going to go well for him."
Veronica frowned. "I was there the last time Sebastian laid into Jason at the hospital. He was awful to Jason. He even slapped him hard across the face," Veronica said.
"That wasn't much of a hit. Believe me," Logan said, thinking of his dad's so-called tough love. "But he did pile on the guilt."
"Well, let's look on the bright side," Dick said. "At least this hellish chapter is over for Jazmin. The New Year can only be better."
Veronica reached out and took Logan's hand and smiled. It was going to be a great year for all of them. She just knew it.
******Later That Day*******
Eli took Jazmin to her and her brother's new apartment after lunch. He wanted her to settle and rest before the bridal shower or whatever the hell Dick was throwing. She insisted she was going.
"Veronica would understand if you didn't come," Eli was saying as they walked around the apartment courtyard. She wanted to see the area before heading to the apartment.
"I know she would," Jazmin said. "I got some stitches. It's sore, but I'll be okay. I'm just hoping when I try on the bridesmaid dress the bandage won't show."
"Are you okay with what happened?" Eli asked her in concern. She didn't seem nearly as upset as she should be over taking a life. Hell, he had been more upset when Thumper was killed, and he hadn't actually done the deed.
"I guess I have more of my father in me than I thought," she said, blanching a bit at the thought. "I'm glad he's dead. I'm glad I was the one to take his life. Now I don't have to be afraid anymore."
Eli looked at her closely and didn't see anything but honesty in her eyes. She meant it. For her sake, he was glad. "Then I'm glad, too," he said, squeezing the hand he was holding. He led her to her new apartment.
Sebastian was sitting in the only chair the living room had while Jason stood grimly by the kitchen counter. Her father got to his feet when he saw her.
"Daddy! You didn't have to come early! I'm okay," she said.
"What? My only daughter is traumatized once again by that maniac, and I'm supposed to stay home in my bed like nothing happened?" he asked. He frowned at the sling around her arm and carefully hugged her. "Your brother tried to avoid telling me about your injury, but I talk to Sheriff Mars. You'll be happy to know that there will be no charges filed for your illegal gun possession."
"That's good," Jazmin said. "I hadn't really considered I'd get into trouble with the law."
"I don't want to hear about you carrying around a gun anymore," her father told her in disapproval. He still wasn't sure if he wanted to reward Joseph for the gun or punish him. Sebastian didn't like be unsure about anything, nor did he like not being the one to solve her problems.
"I'll have V get you a Taser," Eli said, in complete agreement with her dad.
"I got your bed set up," Jason told her.
"You should rest some before we go to Dick's," Eli suggested. He kissed her on the cheek as she went off to explore her new place.
Sebastian frowned at Eli. Then he looked at Jason. "So I'm waiting for you two to explain how you let this happen?" Sebastian said accusingly.
Eli gave him an angry look. "We didn't let anything happen. We went to move our furniture while she packed. She wasn't alone and the house had an alarm system," Eli said. "You were supposed to have a guy watching David, right? Shouldn't you have known he was in town? If we knew, believe me, we wouldn't have left her side."
Sebastian didn't like Eli turning things back around on him, but Eli didn't stay to hear more. Instead, he dismissed Sebastian and said to Jason, "Tell her that I'll be back in a few hours." Then he left.
"Eli's right. Why didn't we know David left Texas?" Jason asked his dad. He had to listen to his dad's lecture for almost an hour before Jazmin and Eli had arrived. Since Jason felt so bad about the entire mess, it hadn't occurred to him to question why they didn't know David had been in town.
"I don't know. My man there hasn't gotten back to me. I'll find out. That you can be sure," Sebastian said grimly. His daughter could've been killed yet again. This time, he was as much to blame as his son. They had both failed her. He had been denied his revenge. However, he had to console himself with the thought that at least his daughter had gotten her vengeance. Maybe now her suffering would be over.
******The Casablancas******
Veronica held Logan's hand as they walked into Dick's living room. All their friends were there. Trina was ordering everyone around while Thea talked to Jazmin, who seemed remarkably okay considering what had happened to her the day before.
"We have great friends, don't we?" Veronica said to Logan.
"We do. Dick's fraternity brothers are only here in small droves since most are out of town!" Logan said, proud of Dick for not overdoing it for once.
"I'm so lucky!" she exclaimed, leaning into Logan.
He turned her to face her. "I'm the lucky one," he said, looking at her with adoration as he kissed her. A few whistles and "Save it for the honeymoon!" broke out. He grinned and turned back to their friends.
"Okay, you must open mine first!" Daisy said eagerly, thrusting out a box for Veronica.
Veronica sat down in the spot Trina had reserved for her and began to open the box. She wasn't a prude, but she stole a quick glance at Alicia when she peeked into the box. She was very happy her dad was too busy to come!
She handed Logan the small tube of cream.
"What the hell?" he asked. "Penis enlargement cream? I don't need that!" The group broke out into laughter.
Veronica's eyes widened as she read the title of the two books Daisy had put in the box. "The Bedside Kama Sutraand Tickle his Pickle: The Hands-on guide to Penis Pleasing!" Veronica read aloud.
Logan's eyes widened as he grabbed the last book from her. "Now this is more like it! This one is totally for me!" Logan exclaimed with a smirk. Again, their friends laughed as Veronica felt her face flush in embarrassment.
"Daisy, my stepmother is here! You are so lucky Dad couldn't make it!" she yelled.
"Hey, it's not my fault you guys decided to invite the guys to the bridal shower!" Daisy said with a grin.
"What else is in there?" Logan asked eagerly.
Veronica handed him a fuzzy set of hand-cuffs and a cock ring.
Alicia frowned in confusion. "What is that?" she asked. Insane laughter broke out as Veronica gave Daisy a glare. Daisy leaned over and whispered to Alicia, whose mouth fell open in shock at Daisy's explanation.
Wallace groaned in embarrassment. "Daisy, you ain't right! I'm scarred for life now!" he complained. His mother should notknow what that thing was!
Dick was rolling with laughter. "You totally have to let me know how the cock ring works out!" he exclaimed.
Logan gave Veronica a wicked wink and put the cock ring back in the box.
Finally, Veronica pulled out a sheer white, barely there negligee. There was much applause, whistles, and cat calls. Daisy stood up and took a bow.
Veronica handed Logan the empty box and told him to put everything back in. "Thanks, Daisy. You shouldn't have. Really," she said dryly.
Daisy just gave her an unapologetic grin. "Hey, you two have been together a while. I'm just doing my part to make sure you have a happy marriage!" she said. When Veronica laughed and began opening more gifts, her eyes went to Jason, who was on the edge of the crowd. She noticed him break off and couldn't help but get up and follow him.
He walked down a hall into a room. Curious, she followed him and stood in the doorway. It was a library of office of some kind. There was a desk and bookshelves with lots of books. Jason was walking around looking at titles.
"Hey," Daisy called out, leaning on the doorway. "Are you okay?"
Jason gave her a pain filled look. "So you suddenly care how I'm doing?" he asked bitterly, surprising her.
"Don't be like that!" she scolded, straightening up and folding her arms across her chest. "I never said I didn't care!"
"Oh, yeah, that's right, I forgot. It's me that doesn't care enough about you!" he said sarcastically. "It's a good thing you got away from me while you could. I can't seem to do much right these days." He walked over to her and stopped in front of her, his unhappiness apparent.
Daisy frowned, not liking hearing him be so full of self-loathing. "What happened to Jazmin isn't your fault, Jason," she said soberly. "That was beyond anyone's control."
"She could've been killed yet again. She literally had to kill a man to save her own life!" Jason said angrily. "She should never have had to bear that burden!"
"You should just be grateful she was so resourceful," she pointed out.
He examined her silently a moment. "You could've been killed," he said softly, voicing the other thing that was eating at him. He could've lost both the women he loved in one fell swoop while he was just a few blocks away, totally oblivious. He stepped closer to her, his eyes filled with pain. His hand lifted to her cheek. "I could've lost you forever. How would I have lived with that?"
Daisy was struck silent by his surprising confession. This was not what she expected him to say. His real pain called to her, and for once she thought simply of offering him comfort. She turned and shut the library door, locking it. Then she faced him. "I'm okay," she said quietly. She reached out and hugged him. His arms went around her, hugging her tightly.
Over and over his mind kept picturing her in that room with Jazmin. Instead of David on the floor dead, he'd see her. He pulled back and looked down at her intensely. "I'd die if something like that happened to you," he said harshly. And then he kissed her passionately, pouring all his anger, fear, and frustration into the kiss.
Daisy was powerless in the face of the emotions and passions rolling through him. She pulled back and said, "Just for tonight."
Her reminder that she still didn't want him caused him to snort in annoyance. "I love you," he reminded her.
As he looked at her so full of passion and seething emotions, Daisy felt something inside her break way. His words both made her melt and filled her with fear. Somehow some part of her realized that maybe she had simply been playing at being a girlfriend before. Maybe she hadn't realized that love meant more than sex and emotion. It meant sacrifice, commitment, and a willingness to go to any lengths for the one you loved.
As Jason and she stared without speaking at one another, she suddenly was struck with the thought that this man had only begun to love her. If she let him, his love with consume her, changing her forever. The thought filled her with both excitement and dread. Before she could decide if she'd be willing to risk everything and completely open herself up to that kind of love, he was kissing her again. All other thoughts faded in the onslaught.
Sometime later, Daisy was curled naked in his arms on the oversized couch that was in the room. Jason obviously hadn't slept since Jazmin was attacked again and fell into an exhausted slumber. Daisy examined his sleeping face in contemplation and conflict. Somehow his impassioned love making had convinced her finally that she was very important to him. That if something ever happened to her it would destroy him just like it would if he lost his sister. She realized that knowing how to love and care for his twin had made him a natural caretaker, a man trained to never love halfway. Her new understanding changed everything for her. It put everything in a new light.
Daisy carefully got up without waking him and thought about the implications her new understanding made while she dressed. A part of her wanted to wake him and have him take her home and make love to her all over again. Another part of her was weary and fearful. She didn't know if she was ready for the responsibility of being loved by him. She honestly didn't know if she was capable of giving him what he needed. Her indecision pushed her to leave him sleeping.
Until she knew what she was ready and willing to give him, she had to keep some distance, some perspective. She had to be sure. Until she was willing to risk everything, she couldn't be with him.
******Chapter End******
So the next chapter will cover the rehearsal dinner and the wedding for sure! I hope you enjoyed this update and the end of the David storyline. I always planned on this ending for David and this ending only. I didn't want someone else saving Jazmin, but I wanted her to save herself—a complete evolution of her character. I hope it wasn't disappointing for you!