Max's Pov - After a few weeks, Jade was finally released from the hospital. Dana and Juliet picked us up from the hospital and drove us back to Blackwell. The doctor told Jade to take it easy the next few days and not to push herself. She can return to classes like normal but needs to watch herself. I was glad to finally be out of the hospital, however I neither was excited to return to Blackwell either. The only reason I returned to this shithole was to look after Jade. The two of us need each other right now and I don't want to leave her side, especially after what that asshole did to her. It's been three days since Jade was released from the hospital. After attending class today, Jade wanted to go back to her room and rest. She wanted me there in her room with her as she felt safer with me. Besides, how could I say "no" after everything that's happened. I worked on school work as she slept soundly on her bed with her head resting beside me. I watched as Jade slept away the afternoon as I worked it away.

God, what time is it? I looked at my phone realizing it was about to be 4. I need to wake Jade up. She needs to eat. I looked over at Jade, sound asleep as though she hadn't slept in weeks. I gently ran my fingers across her face which caused her to stir.

"Hey, you need to get up. You gotta eat something." I said softly to her. "Mmm, nooo." Jade groaned. "I know you don't want to get up, but you need to, okay."

"sighs Okay, I'm getting up." Jade sat up on her bed, rubbed her eyes, and yawned. "Morning sleeping beauty." I teased. "Shut up." As Jade playfully pushed me. "laughs What do you feel like eating?"

"I don't know. I'm not really that hungry."

"You may not be hungry but the baby is." I gently placed my hand over Jade's baby bump, which had grown a bit more while she was in the hospital. "Am I doing the right thing by keeping the baby, Max?" I'm not sure what to say to Jade. I suppose in a way it's a good thing, but to Jade... she might have different ideas. "Jade... when the baby is born. If you wish to give him/her up for adoption. I'll support you. No matter what you decide, I'll be by your side every step of the way." I move my hand to hold Jade's. Jade kept her head down looking at her stomach, as she held it with her other hand.

"You know. I think I know exactly what you want to eat." Jade looked at me with a confused look. "You want a big ass steak with a side of fries and corn."

"With ketchup. And ice cream with cheesecake for dessert."

"Well, aren't you a bit expensive?" I say. "No, I'm not. That's the baby talking." I love it when Jade makes that cute angry face, just makes her more adorable. "Okay. Whatever you say. You want to come with me?" I asked her, even though I already knew the answer to the question. "Duh, stupid."

I got up from Jade's bed and put on my shoes. Jade did the same as we grabbed our phones and headed out the door. While Jade was gone for those three weeks, she managed to get her driver's license. Her parents bought her a black truck. I guess it's Jade's way of honoring Chloe's memory. "You drive." Jade tosses her keys at me as I barely catch them. "I don't have a driver's license."

"So? I don't feel like driving, plus you drove the car just fine in that one timeline. I trust you with my truck." Is Jade serious? I think the pregnancy is talking and not Jade. "Come on, Max. I'm being serious, get in the truck." Just do it, Max. You don't want to piss Jade off. I beeped the truck open and Jade climbed in the passenger's seat. I then climbed into the driver's seat, closed the door, and started the truck up. I carefully backed up and drove out of the student parking lot. I glanced over at Jade, who had a small smile on her face, which made me smile.

We headed to a local steakhouse and ordered food for the two of us to go. Then I got down at the store to get Jade her ice cream and cheesecake she requested. Along with a jar of pickles... I guess this is the start of the weird cravings she's going to have throughout her pregnancy. I drove the two of us back to Blackwell and headed to the girls' dormitories. As soon as the two of us settled back into Jade's room. Jade tore into her steak as if she hadn't eaten anything in weeks.

"Slow down, Jade. The food ain't going anywhere. It's already dead." Jade stopped stuffing her face with the steak and gave me a glaring look before she continued eating. I should probably keep my mouth shut if I want to see the light of day tomorrow. I continued to eat my steak, while Jade finished her's and now was eating her dessert. I watched as she opened the jar of pickles and started to dip them into her ice cream.

"What are you looking at?" Jade looked at me pissed, knowing that I was staring at her. "Umm, nothing. Nothing at all."

"Don't you fucking judge me. I'm enjoying my damn dessert and you're looking at me like I've gone fucking crazy." Oh shit, now I've really pissed her off. "No, Jade. I'm not judging you at all. I just find it... unique."

"Really Max? Unique? I know you're fucking judging because of the way I've been eating, and how I'm dipping pickles in my damn ice cream. It may seen fucking disgusting to you, but I'm absolutley enjoying it. So how about you fuck off and stare at your damn phone, rather than fucking judging me."

"I, umm..."

"Yeah, that's what I fucking thought. At a loss for damn words." Jade went back to eating her ice cream and pickles, as I looked down at my phone. Holy shit. I'm going to have to deal with this for the next few months. I know she doesn't mean what she says. It's just her hormones out of control... wait. Is that why she came onto me a few weeks back? Oh boy, I'm in for a long ride.


After Jade finished eating, she went to take a shower and came back to pass out in her bed. I watched as Jade slept, each breathe softer than the next. I couldn't fall asleep myself. My attention stayed focused on Jade as I worried for her. I scrolled through Tik Tok on my phone for what felt like hours, until I got one of those "Take a Break" videos. I swiped my screen down to see that it was 2 in the morning.

I should really get some sleep, but... Jade. She needs me with her just like how we were by Chloe's side when we discovered Rachel's body. I just don't know if I can do this alone... not without you, Chloe. As I closed my eyes I heard her voice. "Max, I'm always by your side. I'm always watching over you and Jade, and even the little one."

"Chloe!" Oh shit. That was kinda loud. I looked over at Jade, who was still fast asleep. Good, I didn't wake her up. Chloe... thank you. I'll protect Jade and the baby with my life. "That's my little hipster." I only smiled hearing Chloe's words. I lay down beside Jade and pull the blanket over my body. I wrap my arms around Jade's body, as I pull her closer to me. Jade then rests her head in the crook of my neck as I then drifted off.


The next morning, I woke up before Jade and got dressed to get her breakfast. I grabbed the keys to her truck and headed to the Two Whales Diner. As I walked into the diner, the smell of bacon hit me and instantly woke me up. I looked over at the booth Jade, Chloe, and I sat in another timeline. Remember the fond memories the three of us had together. After reminiscing of the simpler times, I head over to the counter and sit down on one of the stools.

This place never changed and neither did the smell of delicious breakfast. A waitress walked over to me. She seemed new but had the confidence and smile for the job. "Good morning," She greets me with a smile on her face.

"Morning," I say with a small smile. "What can I get you this morning?"

"I need two Belgian waffles with a side of bacon and two hot chocolates to go." The waitress writes down my order in her notepad, then asks me: "Would you like marshmallows in the hot chocolates?"

"Sure." She finishes writing up my order then serves me a cup of coffee for the wait. "It should be out in a couple minutes." I give thanks with a smile as she hands my order to the chef, then goes on to serve other customers. I take a sip of coffee and go on my phone to keep myself occupied as I wait. "Max... is that you darling?" a voice called out to me. I looked up from my phone to see Joyce in front of me. I hadn't seen Joyce since Chloe's funeral. You could tell she's been mourning and crying but kept herself together for the customers.

"Hey Joyce. How are you doing?"

"I'm... doing alright, Max. Chloe was taken from this world too soon. I just wished the two of you could've seen each other again. You and Jade would have been such a good influence on her. Perhaps, you two would have helped Chloe turn her life around. That's enough ranting from me... How are you and Jade doing?"

"We've been hanging in there, Joyce. Jade decided to take a few weeks off after Chloe's funeral. She's back at school and doing okay for the most part."

"How about you, Max?"

"I've been doing okay, Joyce. The world just feels empty without Chloe in it. I wished I had called her sooner, telling her I was back in town, but I just got caught up with school. Maybe... maybe if I had talked to her sooner she wouldn't be..."

"No, Max. You can't blame yourself for Chloe's death. That damn Nathan Prescott killed my daughter, your friend, don't put the blame on you. I at one point blamed myself for my daughter's death, but I had to convince myself that it was Nathan's doing. He took her away from me: not you or myself. Chloe may be gone but now Nathan has to live in a cell for the rest of life." Wow, I never knew Joyce feels this way towards Nathan, but then again... what grieving mother wouldn't.

The waitress from earlier came over with my order in to-go boxes within a bag and two coffee cups. "Here's your two Belgian waffles with bacon and two hot chocolates with marshmallows. I hope you have a good day."

"Thank you. You have a good day as well." I pulled out my wallet and gave the waitress a 20 dollar tip. "Thank you so much." She put the money away in her uniform pocket and went back to serving other customers. I got down off the stool, grabbed the bag and two hot chocolates. "I'll see you later, Joyce."

"Max," I turned around to look at Joyce. "If you or Jade need anything, just give me a call."

"Thanks Joyce. We'll come to you if anything." I smiled at Joyce then headed towards the door and walked out into the parking lot. I beeped open the truck and climbed into the driver's seat. I place the food in the passenger's seat and the two hot chocolates in the cup holders. As I was about to turn the engine, I received a text from Dana.

Dana: Max you need to look at this!

Dana then sent an article to me but the headline caught my eye before I even opened the article. Deal Made By Feds Leaves Jefferson Free To Walk.

I felt my face go pale as memories flooded my head.

Max: No way... Are you sure?!

Dana: I just saw the article myself not too long ago.

Max: Fuck! I'm out rn. Jade should still be asleep, but I'm on my way.

Dana: I'll go and check on her. You just hurry back.

I put my phone down, turned the engine on, and quickly drove out of the parking lot of the Two Whales Diner. As I was driving, I get a call from Jade. I picked up my phone and answered it. "Jade! Babe! I'm on my way back right now. I'll be there in a f-"

"Babe? Wow, I can't believe you would date this bitch, Max."

"Jefferson! Where the fuck is Jade!?" I couldn't believe I was talking to this asshole again. "Now, now, Max. Jade is perfectly fine down here in my Dark Room." I then turned the truck around and went in the opposite direction of Blackwell.

"You fucking bastard! If you touch one hair on her head. I'm going to fucking kill you myself!"

"Now Max, I don't want her. I want you. I only grabbed hold of her so I could get you to come to me." This fucker planned this shit out since he got out of prison. "Let me talk to Jade. I want to hear her voice."

"Of course..." I could hear him walking in that empty, echoey bunker. "Here. Max wants to talk to you."

"Jade! Jade! Are you okay?!"

"Max! Oh god! Max! Help me please! I don't want to die down here! Max, help me please! Help us! Help us!"

"Jade! I'm on my way! I promise babe. I'm going to get you and the baby out of there!" Shit! I fucking mentioned the baby! "What's this? You're pregnant, Jade?"

"Don't you fucking touch her!"

"Oh... I see. The baby is mine. Isn't it, Jade? Stay away from me. Don't touch me! Max! Max! Please!" The screams of Jade in the background burned deep into my ears.

"Jade! Jade! JADE!" I slam my foot on the gas and before I knew it. I was back at the old, dilapidated barn, as if nothing had changed since I was last here.