The Navigator

8. Let Her Talk

Author's Note:

Song Credit: Difficult, Ruby Waters

Disclaimer: This Chapter contains some mature language and sexual themes. This story is rated mature so discretion is advised.

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Addy pulled open the door, catching Brooke with her fist still banging at now open air. She was holding Gemma and as any proper aunt should, Brooke started to rain attention down on the little girl.

"Gemmie!" She exclaimed, Gemma reaching fat fists towards her favorite person wanting to be transferred from her mother's arms to Brooke's. The women accommodated, Brooke enthusiastically bouncing the baby on her hip.

"Are you ready to go to the Festival Gemmie! I'm so excited to take you. I bet you will be the cutest baby there."

Brooke ran a finger under the chunky chin eliciting uncontrolled giggles. It was only after the laughter died down that the enamored Aunty saw the look on her friend's face. What she saw there, had the goofy smile sliding away.

"Addy, what's wrong?"

Brooke stepped into the house, plans forgotten for the moment. Addy opened her mouth to speak but before she got a word out Darren answered for her.

"Don't mind her, she's just dealing with the consequences of impulsive behavior. We will work it out though won't we?"

He put an arm over her shoulders and Addy leaned into him, grateful he was so forgiving. Brooke looked between the two of them, and knowing her friend as she did Addy answered her question.

"I saw Jax last night."

"She snuck off last night is what she means." Darren corrected with a firm squeeze.

Brooke ignored Darren, mouth agape.

"What happened Addy?"

"What do you think happened?" Darren said, speaking over Addy again. "He told her what she wanted to hear."

He was about to go on when Brooke's eyes snapped to him, a glare firming her tone.

"Could you let her talk Darren?"

He stared at her, but Addy took the opportunity to finally speak to her friend.

"Well, I told him about Gemma."

Darren groaned and shook his head, disappointed in her actions. Brooke glared again and he held up his hands requesting a cease fire. Brooke looked at Gemma before looking back to Addy.

"What did he say?"

Addy loved the way Brooke's eyes could sparkle when she was excited about something, and this was personal for her. It had always bothered her that Jax didn't know about Gemma. She understood that his communications were delayed and more than that he had put anything from Addy on a blocked list. Still she firmly believed a man deserved to know about his child. This was great news to give her.

"He wants her Brooke."

Both women ignored Darren's groan of disbelief and for a moment just smiled at each other. Remembering the moments they had spent during Addy's pregnancy where Brooke had speculated Jax's reaction. Addy had done her best not to be drawn into the imaginings, they did nothing but hurt her. However, now that she knew what Jax felt she wanted to share that with Brooke.

Brooke had been there from the first flutter of fear when Addy realized she missed her period. The agonizing wait while her communicator scanned her, looking for abnormalities. She had held Addy's sweaty hand and promised she would be there for everything when the scan came back positive for pregnancy. Never did she waiver from that promise either; holding back hair during the waves of morning sickness, stroking Addy's face and encouraging her as her body was opened and her baby pulled from her.