Miss You More (A Joey McIntyre/Jordan Knight Fanfiction)

13

It feels like forever before the nurse comes out to tell Joe that Amber's done and he can come get her. Joey is sleeping in his lap with is little head against Joe's chest. Joe stands up trying his best not to wake him. He succeeds, Joey is so worn out from today's events Joe doesn't think anything could wake him.

When Joe gets back to Amber her leg is bandaged, along with her forehead. "Hey beautiful, how you feeling?"

"I'm good Joe. Thankful we're alive and in one piece. I got away pretty easy. Only fifteen stitches in my leg and five in my face. Looks like I'll be wearing bangs again." They both weakly laugh, seeing all around them how much worse it really could have been. "I'll go pull the car around, they said they have to wheel you out in a wheelchair."

"Let me have Joey. I just want to hold him in my arms. I heard a young boy was killed today. What a nightmare for his poor parents. I can't even imagine." Tears fill her eyes and Joe's heart breaks for those parents. He gently places Joey on her lap and lightly kisses her on the lips.

Once they're all in his car Joe's not really sure where to go. He wants to drive them all back to his place and never let them leave again. Amber wants the same thing but knows it won't be that easy. She has no idea what comes next with her and Joe. And there's Bradley. He's probably at her place waiting for her now.

They drive a little ways away from the hospital and Joe pulls over in the first parking lot he sees. He puts the car in park and starts speaking immediately. "Amber I don't know where we stand now. But everything I said back there is true. I love you, I've always loved you. I want my wife back. I don't want to spend another night without you. Tell me what I need to do."

"Joseph I love you too. And all I've wanted since I left was to find my way back to you. But I've got other obligations now. Bradley is probably at my house right now waiting for me to get home."

Joe lowers his head. "I understand. I waited too long."

"No Joe you aren't understanding at all. I've got to let Bradley know that I can't marry him, because I'm already married and very much in love with my husband. Where we go from there, I don't know. But together, I think we can figure it out." They stare at each other for the longest time. Finally Amber speaks up, "I think you should drop me at my house. Keep Joey with you and I'll call you after I talk to Bradley." Joe agrees that's probably the best idea.

Unfortunately when they get to her house, Bradley's isn't the only car out front. "Shit, Jordan's here. How did he even know I went to the marathon today? Sorry Joe, this may take a little longer than I expected. But I promise I'll call you as soon as I can." Amber leans over and kisses Joe so softly on the lips. She turns and looks at her sleeping son. "Are you sure you don't want me to come in with you?"

"No. I've got to take care of this myself. Bradley's not a bad guy, he's actually pretty great. I think it would really hurt his pride if the reason I'm breaking up with him was there while I do it."

"You don't have to you know? If you want to be with him you know you can be. I'll stand by you no matter what, I just want to see you happy, love."

"I'll call you Joe. I love you." She's out of the car and limping up to her door before he can respond. He watches her until he sees her reach her front door. Bradley opens the door before she can, the last thing Joe sees is Bradley embracing her as he pulls her into the house.

Joe knows it's going to drive him crazy waiting for her call. Then it hits him, she doesn't even have her phone. Some Boston police officer has it. Before he can really think too much about it Joey starts to wake up, whimpering from still being tired. Joe drives home so he can put him to bed and wait however long he has to for her to call him.

As soon as Joe gets Joey into his bed he begins to pace. He worries she'll change her mind. That she'll decide too much damage has been done to their relationship and she'll stay with Bradley. This fear becomes crippling. He'd been so mean to her since she got back. He'd said some truly awful things to her. He honestly wouldn't blame her. Bradley could offer her something new and untainted. He could only offer her a multitude of issues that were still unresolved and painful.

That wasn't true. He could offer her more than that. He loved her with all his heart. Always had and always would. He could offer her the family she'd  always wanted them to be. He could offer her the life they'd dreamed of having together. He could offer her his undying love and affection.

He'd offer her anything in the world she wanted if she'd choose him.

Joe feels like he's been waiting forever when there's a knock on his door. His heart jumps. Joe excitedly answers his door only to feel disappointed.

"Jordan?"

"Hey Joe. Amber asked if I'd bring her by, but she's kind of freaking out in my car. She's scared you might not want her here."

Before he can say anything else Joe moves past Jordan and is down his driveway. He opens Amber's door. "Joe I'm sorry to just show up." Joe lifts her into his arms, "Shut up. Don't apologize, of course I want you here. Everything I told you today is true. I love you Amber."

Jordan meets them as they are coming back up to the house. "So everything's okay here?"

"Yeah, everything's great Pops. Thanks for the ride. We'll talk tomorrow?" Jordan kisses her cheek. "Definitely. Joe take care of my girl okay."

"I will J. Thanks for bringing her by."