After All (A Jordan Knight/Joe McIntyre Fanfiction)

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They get to spend two wonderful days together as a family before Joe has to leave to finish the last three shows. He promises her he'll be back in three days, as soon as he walks off the stage. Joe's holding the baby, trying to memorize everything about him before he has to leave him. "Damn this is the hardest thing I've ever had to do. I don't want to leave you two. Not even for three days. Amber, tell me to stay."

"Joe, you can't stay, you have to finish the tour. Now give me Joseph and get out of here. I'll see you in three days. If we get released before you get back, I'll be at my parents house."

Joe kisses his son one more time and places him in Amber's arms. He kisses her softly on the lips. "Thank you Amber. I love you so much."

"I love you too, but what are you thanking me for?"

Joe leans down, kisses her on the forehead and says, "For giving me the most beautiful baby boy I've ever seen."

Amber smiles, "No, Joe thank you. He's the best gift I've ever received in my life."

The next three days are a blur for Joe. He's physically here with the guys, finishing their tour. But his heart just isn't in it. He misses his wife and his son. He wants to be with them. He was so happy those two days he got to spend with Amber and Joseph. It had almost felt like things were back to normal. He can't wait to get back.

Just as he promised Joe walks off the stage and heads straight back to Boston. Amber and the baby had been released from the hospital and they were at her parents house. So that's where Joe goes. It's super late when Joe gets there so he calls James, Amber's dad, so he doesn't wake up Amber or the baby. James answers on the first ring. "Hello?"

"Hi. James its Joe. I'm outside could you let me in?" He hears James exhale and the phone disconnect.

James opens the door, he looks exhausted and worried. "What do you want Joe?" And angry, he also looks very angry.

"I'm here to see Amber and my son. She said she was going to come here when they left the hospital. I told her I'd be here as soon as I got off stage and well, here I am."

"She's not here Joe." Joe can't believe what he's hearing. He thinks maybe she went home, to their house. Then he hears a baby start crying. He looks at James.

"Not here, huh? Then why do I hear my son crying?"

"Because he's here, but Amber left. She said she couldn't do it. She said she couldn't handle him crying all the time. She said she made a mistake, she never should have gotten pregnant. So the second day they were here, she laid him down for a nap and went out to get diapers, then didn't come back. She left notes for you, Jordan, Sara Beth and one for Susan and myself."

Joe follows James inside the house, Susan is coming into the living room, she's holding Joseph in her arms. He's no longer crying. Susan looks like she's ready to fall apart. Joe steps over to her, "Here Susan let me take him. You look like you could use a break." Susan hands the baby to Joe and immediately sits on the couch, finally able to break down. "I'm sorry Joe, it's just been a rough twenty-four hours. I didn't see it coming. She seemed so happy when she and Joey got here. Then she just left, with no warning at all. Her letter to her father and I didn't give any clue where she was going. She just thanked us for choosing her and loving her, for giving her such a wonderful life. She asked us to take care of Joey until you got here."

Joe's in shock. What was going on? What had happened? Why hadn't she called him?

James hands Joe an envelope with his name on it and offers to hold the baby. Joe gets up and gives him Joey, then goes outside to read his letter alone. Joe's hands shake as he opens the letter.

"My Dearest Joseph,

I'm sorry I'm doing this to you in a letter. I couldn't face you though. Let me start off by telling you that I love you more than I've ever loved anything in this life.
But I can't let myself love you this much anymore. It's all consuming. And you just keep breaking my heart.
I saw the pictures of you and Sam.
There's really nothing else to say. You broke me Joe. And I don't think I'll ever forgive you.
Please take care of our son. I know you never wanted him, but please try to be a better father than you were a husband. I'll come back for him when I can. I just need some time.
If being a father is too much for you to do, please just do what's right for him.
I love you even after everything you've done to hurt me. And I'll probably love you forever. But I'm begging you to not come looking for me. Please leave me alone.
                                       Amber"

Joe sits on the front step. He can't believe she's left him and their newborn son. He can't dwell on that now though, because his son is depending on him. He goes back into the house. James and Susan are waiting for him. "Joe what are your plans?"

"To take my son home and raise him to be a better man than me."

The End