Hi Readers: I know, starting over again. Well, kind of. While I do hate it just as much as you do, I am not entirely starting over this time around. And that's due to the fact that this is the same story, but just written differently. I would much rather write very long chapters, which is why I am going to lengthen the chapter that I just wrote yesterday as I continue my plans to try and write the best story I can for you. Plus, it'll get me in the zone when it comes to writing new chapters for you. This is just (like I said yesterday) one of the times where I need to restart to give you guys the best quality writing I can. And of late, I haven't been giving you that; so, I feel like now that I have a story that I feel has possibility, I need to give you just that. But first, I want to thank you for being patient and giving me all the chances, you have when it comes to the multiple stories I've tried to write for you. Now, I just hope that this one sticks. Thanks again for reading, and I hope that you guys enjoy "In This Together".
Chapter 1
Gaffney Chicago Medical Center – October 4, 2012
He couldn't get out of his business meeting fast enough, especially not after the call that he just got from his ex-girlfriend's best friend; the best friend whom he always asked to keep an eye out for the woman he loves, regardless of whether they were together at the time or not. And right now, unfortunately, it was the later; they weren't together at the moment, and that disappointed him due to the fact that he truly believes that the woman he was rushing to be by her side today was the love of his life. And her name is Miss Alexandra Marie Jacobs. But now, she was more than just the love of his life to him per the phone call that he just received from her best friend; as according to her to her, she is now both the love of his life, and the mother of his child. Yes, you just heard that right; the woman he loves is currently in the hospital due to the fact that she went into labor with his child. A child that he had no idea about while he was overseas. And yes, he said overseas, because that's something else that you need to know about our businessman.
Not only is he the Chairman and CEO of a major company here in the city of Chicago, but he's also a soldier; a soldier who now believes that he made the biggest mistake of his life when he decided to deploy one last time earlier this year. A deployment that led to the fight that he had with the mother of his child, which ultimately led to them breaking up; at least in private. Because according to the army, they didn't break up; and that was because he wanted her to be treated as if she was his loved one in case something bad happened. If he died while fighting for their country, then he wanted to have someone go to her personally and tell her that he died rather than have her learn second hand that she died from the local news. As well, it gave her the benefits that come with being the partner of a soldier. The benefits that he's so grateful that she had, as it means that he's helped her (somehow) during her pregnancy; even though he was overseas finishing up his last tour of duty in Afghanistan. Something that ended just a month earlier.
And that's something else that he's been ashamed up, the fact that he didn't get in touch with her sooner when he got home; because maybe then he would've known that she was pregnant without having to be called. But hey, at least he was here. Here to help her out with their child, the little one that he's already going to love from the moment he meets him or her. The moment he gets a chance to hold them in his arms, kiss that beautiful little face of theirs as he shows his child that he loves them more than anything in the entire world. Oh, and that he wasn't mad at her for having kept the baby; because another thing that he learned from the phone call that he just had with his ex's best friend, was that the reason she didn't tell him was due to the fact that she thought he would tell her to get an abortion. But that was the last thing he would've told her, especially since he's always wanted to be a father; and that's precisely what he is now. He's a father and he can't wait to see Alex and meet his child. And that's why he needs to find her room.
And while he wishes he could just run in there, he actually needed to know where he was going; so that meant that he had to stop at the nurses station, not that they were going to let him get past while he was running right now. "Woah, slow down sir. Where do you think you're going in such a hurry?" Taking a breath, Matt looked at the nurse. "Sorry, I'm looking for Jacobs, Alexandra. I just got a call saying that she's giving birth." The nurse smiled as she heard him say that, clearly able to tell that he was a first-time father based on the way he was both out of breath and just looked petrified at the moment. "Husband?" Sighing, Matt told her the truth. "Boyfriend. Or, ex-boyfriend. I was deployed overseas while she was pregnant. God, that makes me sound like a jerk for having done that. But I swear, I didn't even know she was pregnant when I deployed, I just got back a week ago." The nurse shook her head as she heard the veteran say that, not wanting him to explain anymore. "Hey, I understand. People break up all the time. What matters, is you're here."
Matt agreed with the nurse as she said that, smiling as he took a breath; that was, until he saw Jessica. Alex's best friend, who called him to tell her that she was giving birth. "Jessica!" Matt said, as he called out for her, which then prompted Jessica to turn around and face the businessman and walking over to her. "Matt." Smiling as he walked over to Jessica, Matt smiled as he went to hug her. "I am so glad that you're home safe. Me and Mike were both so worried about you." Matt agreed with Jessica as she said that, smiling as he was glad that she and Mike worked things out. "I'm so glad that you and Mike worked things out. I always liked you two together." Jessica laughed. "You just like that your IT Specialist and your girlfriend's best friend worked things out, so you don't have to worry about being caught in the middle." Matt sighed as he looked at Jessica as she said that. "Yeah, not sure if I would call Alex my girlfriend yet based on the fact that I haven't seen her since I got back." Jessica agreed with Matt. "How is she anyways? The pregnancy?"
Jessica smiled, as she was glad he asked. "Already a great dad. No, she was fine, and everything went well. Up to and including the birth." Matt was surprised. "Wait, she gave birth already?" Jessica nodded. "Congratulations Matt, he's so cute." Matt was surprised as he heard Jessica say that. "Son?" Jessica nodded. "I would've called sooner, but Alex needed me. I am so sorry." Matt shook his head, as he would rather have Jessica help Alex through this; than have her be alone without him as she went through this. "And that's fine. Just as long as she wasn't alone when she went through it." Jessica agreed, as that was how she thought too. She thought that what mattered at the end of the day is that she and the baby are okay, not that he was there. "Maybe next time." Matt laughed. "How about first I get back together with Alex. Now, how late am I?" Jessica sighed. "She just gave birth an hour ago." Matt agreed. "Well, there's always next time." Jessica agreed. "Here, I got something for you guys." Matt was confused as he looked at Jessica.
He then saw that she got some roses and a teddy bear, tearing up a bit as he still didn't feel like this was real; but it most certainly was and is real. "For Alex and your son Jacob." Matt smiled. "You're the best Jess." Matt then proceeded to hug her, before going to grab the teddy bear and flowers from her. After which, he smiled at her. "Listen, is it just you…or is Mike here?" Jessica smiled. "He's okay. Just like Ty there." Turning around, Matt was confused as to why Jessica mentioned Ty; until he saw his best friend Andrew "Andy" Darden walk in with him. "Oh, hey." Andy smiled. "Sorry, I followed your phone via iCloud. I got worried when you rushed off and forgot Ty here." Matt agreed with his best friend, smiling as he walked up to his best friend and looked at Ty. "Hey buddy." Matt then proceeded to put the roses in the same hand as the blanket, while also going to grab Ty's leach. After which, he smiled at his best friend. "So, why you here anyways?" Matt smiled. "Me and Alex have a son." Andy was surprised as he heard Matt say that. "What?"
Matt nodded. "I know, I'm just as surprised. But listen, I am not in the mood for talking. Can you maybe do me a solid and go back to the office and pack my office up? I am not going back there for a bit due to the fact that I am going to be spending time with Alex and our son." Andy agreed with Matt as he said that, smiling as he hugged him. "Congratulations Matt." Matt agreed. "Oh, and if you could do me another solid and get me some of the essentials and drop them off at my place, that would be paradise." Andy laughed. "I'll do you one better; I'll get some of it set up. I promise man, we got you." Turning his head, Matt looked at Jessica. "Jessica, I got Alex. How about you go with Andy and make sure that he gets things that Alex would actually like." Jess agreed with Matt as he said that, as that made sense. "Oh, I most certainly am going to do just that so that I can make sure it looks good. Then I'll call Mike and ask him to join us at your place so that we can set it up. I promise Matt." Matt agreed, smiling at Jessica. "Listen, I need to go."
Andy and Jessica both agreed with Matt as he said that, well aware that he needed to go as he was needed elsewhere. More specifically, he was needed into Alex's hospital room where he was going to meet his son. Meanwhile, Andy and Jessica just stayed back and looked at him; until Andy turned his head and looked at Alex's best friend. "Thanks for calling him." Jessica agreed with Andy. "As much as Alex didn't want to tell him, I knew that she'd want him here." Andy smiled. "The truth is, he hasn't been the same since they broke up. He's been down and just…he's been working all the time and just staying away. Hell, he hasn't even come to the bar with me and Kelly as much." Jessica sighed. "Might also be him re-integrating back into civilian life Andy. I mean, he did just get back a week ago." Andy agreed. "I've been speaking to his military friend Jay Halstead some. It's also him having PTSD, says he's been to a lot of meetings lately. So, between work, as well as his PTSD therapy…" Jessica sighed as she heard Andy say that.
She then looked at him. "Listen, can we make a deal?" Andy was confused as he turned to face Jessica as she said that, while also listening to her. "If we hear anything from our friends that he's struggling, or something. Maybe that's staying away or having troubles, can we both agree that we're going to share that with each other. I know it's wrong to share information with the partner's best friend, but they need each other now. They have a son. Matt is going to need Alex for his PTSD, just as much as she's going to need him for her recovery. So, we need to make sure that they're in this; because as much as they fought over him re-enlisting, they love each other much more than they like fighting with each other." Andy nodded, as that was something he could do. "I think that we can do that for each other, as I want my best friend to be happy. And Alex makes him happy, and she understands the PTSD. She's not scared of it like his exes. She stayed with him through it, and I think that's why he hates what he did to her. He was just protecting her."
Jessica was confused. "How was breaking her heart protecting her?" Andy sighed. "He wanted her to move on, so that she would have love in her life again if something happened to him on the battlefield; then it could lessen the blow. At least, that's how his mind worked. I guess, he just didn't think she was pregnant. Had he known, then he wouldn't have broken up with her." Jess agreed with Andy, as that somewhat made sense. "Yeah, I guess that makes sense. I just hope that those two can get their act together." Jessica laughed, as she feels the same way. "Listen, do you have the keys to Alex's place?" Jessica was confused. "Yeah, why?" Andy smiled. "I already know Matt. And even if they don't get back together…" Jessica realized what he was saying. "He's going to at least insist that she moves in with him, so that they can raise their son together; and so that he can help her as she recovers." Andy agreed. "Exactly. So, might as well get some of her things there for when they bring their son home." Jessica agreed, smiling at Andy.
After which, they both started to walk away with each other. "You better get used to walking like this with me, as we're going to do it arm in arm in a year." Jessica was confused as she heard Andy say that. "What are you talking about?" Andy laughed. "He's done in the military. And if I know Matt, which I do; then this is going to be the wake up call he needs to realize that he's done with being a soldier. He's going to come home for good, and he's going to finally do what he's wanted to do for a long time. And that's marry the woman he loves. They're going to get married, and we're going to be the best man and maid of honor." Jessica laughed, as that was the truth. "By the way, how's Heather. I heard you guys celebrated eleven years almost a month ago?" Andy sighed. "Yeah, maybe don't mention that to Matt." Jessica was confused. "We got married two weeks before he enlisted. That day still causes him problems, because it's the day his entire life changed. Four tours overseas can do that to you. It's why he has a lot of troubles. PTSD." Jessica agreed.
She then proceeded to walk out of the maternity ward with Andy to go get some things for Matt and Alex, who are just reuniting now.
Alexandra Jacobs' Hospital Room – Walking up to Alex's hospital room, Matt took a breath due to the fact that this is going to be the first time he sees Alex in a while; hell, he doesn't even know if she wants him here. All he knows, is that he wants to be here with her. But unfortunately, he wasn't just going to be here with her as her parents were also here. "I swear, he's adorable sweetheart. She looks beautiful, just like you." Taking a breath, Matt walked in and looked at the woman he loves as well as her parents. "I can only imagine how handsome our son looks." Turning her head, Alex smiled as she heard Matt's voice. After all, she's missed him. "Matt." Looking at Alex, Matt smiled as he walked in. "Uhm, do you mind if I come in?" Alex shook her head, as that was what she wanted. "Yes, of course." Looking at her parents, Matt smiled. "Hi Melissa, hi John." John and Melissa both smiled, while John got up and made his way over to Matt. "How are you son?" Matt smiled as he walked up to John. "Glad that you aren't mad at me."
John smiled as he went to shake his hand. "Our daughter here explained everything." Matt was confused as he looked at Alex. "I found the letter you wrote to me and hid in my bags when I packed and left." Matt agreed with Alex as she said that, smiling as he made his way over to her and then walked up to her so that he could check on her. "How are you? You okay? I talked to Jessica, she said everything is okay according to her. Guess I Just want to hear it from you." Alex smiled as she heard Matt say that, as she most certainly is okay. "I'm okay. How are you?" Matt sighed as Alex asked him that, before leaning over her and pressing his lips to her forehead. "Let's just concentrate on you for now? Okay Alex? We can talk about me another time. Right now, you need to rest and recover after giving birth." Alex just looked up at Matt as he said that, worried. "You okay?" Matt sighed as he looked at Alex. "I just got back to Chicago after the two weeks of post-deployment stuff a week ago. You know, a week in Arlington and then a week in Arizona."
But just what might the two weeks away in Arlington and Arizona be, even though he's been back stateside for three weeks? Well, the week in Arlington is to be checked out by the army doctors there. And then, Matt always takes a week to himself at his private retreat (resort) in Arizona where he can just relax, breathe, and take it easy as he gets re-adjusted to civilian life. Re-adjusted to sleeping in a bed, while not having to worry about cooking or anything. It's what he's always done, and he's done it with Alex once more; he just wishes that he didn't do it this time. "Alex; had I known, I wouldn't have done it this time. I promise. It was just right around 9/11 too. And as much as I wanted to come right back to fix things, I just knew that if I didn't go to Arizona; it would've been hell for me here." Alex agreed with Matt as he said that, well aware that was the case. "It's okay Matt, you have to do what you need to do what you need to do in order to readjust." Matt agreed with Alex, smiling as he bent down and kissed her forehead softly. "I already spoke to Jessica. They're doing to take care of everything. Pack your things up, and then our little guys' things to bring them home."
Alex agreed with Matt, smiling at him; after all, she knows why he's doing that. "You want me to live with you?" Matt sighed. "I have that home for a reason. I'm sorry. I wish I could stay with you where you're set up but…" Alex agreed. "Baby, breathe and relax; okay? I know. I know you need your things. I know you need your pool to relax at times with your PTSD. I promise, I understand why I need to move in with you." Matt agreed. "Plus, had we not broken up; it would've been where you were anyways." Alex smiled. "Matt, I know. It's all good. I know that you broke up with me just in case you didn't come back. You wanted me to move on with my life to soften the blow. But never again, because you're stuck with me and Jacob." Matt smirked. After which, he finally looked at Alex and took the roses out from behind his back. "That reminds me. These are for you." Alex smiled, as she grabbed her roses. "Thank you." Matt smiled and agreed with Alex. "And this is for Jacob." Alex smiled, agreeing with him. "Mom, you might want to move out of the chair."
Matt smiled and agreed. After which, he made his way over to Melissa who was holding Jacob. "Yeah, time for me to meet my little boy." Melissa agreed with Matt as he said that, smiling as she got up so that she could give Jacob to Matt. "Here we go." Smiling at his son, Matt proceeded to look down into his eyes. "God, he's so little." Alex agreed with Matt as he said that, smiling as he carried him over to her. "He's perfect, just like us together." Alex agreed as she moved over in bed a bit, while Matt proceeded to sit down next to her with their son in his arms. At the same time, he turned his head and just smiled as he kissed her forehead softly. "I'm glad that we're going to live together again." Alex agreed. "The truth is, I missed the house." Matt sighed. "I actually don't live there anymore. It's another reason why I was in Arizona." Alex was confused. "I got a place that was better for my PTSD, place where I can be relaxed. I'm sure you'll love it still." Alex agreed. "What's different about it?" Matt smiled. "It has an indoor pool and is closer to downtown."
Alex agreed. "Let me guess, the pool is for PTSD." Matt nodded. "Got that right, and I think I bought it just in time as it means that I am just a call away from this little one if he needs me. Like in the next room." Alex agreed, smiling as she looked at Matt. "I missed this." Turning his head, Matt smiled as he looked at his and Alex's son. "Well get used to it, as you're stuck with me now. I'm never letting you go again, nor am I deploying again." Alex was shocked. "Really?" Matt nodded. "PTSD is getting bad." Alex agreed. "Well, that just means we need to work together with our son to make you feel better." Matt agreed with Alex, as that's precisely what he wants. "That's precisely what I want for the rest of my life." Kissing Alex's forehead, Matt smiled as he was very happy here with the woman he loves. "I love you and I am so glad that we're back together with our son." Alex agreed, as she feels the same way. While Matt turned his head and looked at Jacob, bending down and kissing his son's forehead once more. ."God, you are so adorable mister."
Smiling as she heard Matt say that, Alex couldn't help but be really happy right now simply due to the fact that she has it all right now. She has her son Noah, the man she loves by her side, and the life that she's always wanted with him once more. "I love you Matt." Matt agreed with Alex, as he loves her too. "I love you too Alex." Alex smirked, agreeing with her loving boyfriend as they both sat here as a family to start their permanent life together. After all, this is precisely what they want to have with each other. A long life together with children and all. "I missed us." Matt nodded. "Well, now you don't need to." Alex laughed, smiling as she's so happy right now. So much so, that she didn't even care that her parents were here; all she wanted to do right now was cuddle up to her guys. She didn't even talk to them, as she was more enthralled with her boys, not that her parents cared; especially since they both know just how much their daughter loves Matt. And that's precisely why they are more than happy that they're back together.
