Broken

Chapter twenty-four

Elliott

Jennifer, Kelly and the twins ended up staying for dinner. Peyton has been stuck at Skye's side and won't leave her for anything. Skye doesn't seem to mind, in fact Skye was trying to show her sign language. She told her they'd be friends forever and to all our surprise Peyton copied her like she'd been signing all her life.

I grab a couple of beers and offer one to Jennifer, she looks to her wife who nods. She holds her hand out and  Jennifer hands over their car keys. I kiss Jessie's forehead and lead Jennifer out to the back deck. We clank bottles before taking our first sip. I sit on the banister and roll the bottle between my hands.

"Miranda, Macy's mother, had  a job more stressful than ours as a cop. She taught troubled students that other teachers refused to take the time and deal with them. When we almost lost Macy, I entered her classroom and threatened to arrest them if their actions caused our child. Their eyes widened in fear that I was serious.

"She came home that day and said they made sure she was comfortable and asked her what she craved to eat. As the weeks progressed, they would bring her the foods she craved, helped her carry her things from her classroom to her car and vice versa. If she was stressed even the slightest, one of them would call me while a few of them tried their best to calm her.

"When Macy was born her entire class came to visit in the hospital, bringing gifts for her and the baby. They graduated a year later and when she started the school year after that, she'd found out that she was pregnant with our second child. She had a new set of troubled students, worse than the last. She came home, crying every night or she'd call in for a substitute.

"The day she died, we had a fight about her quitting her job before I left for a shift I wasn't scheduled for. She died before I could apologize about the things I said to her," I choke as my voice cracks from trying not to break down and chug the rest of my beer. "I can't even tell my wife the truth about what happened to her in fear it will cause her the pregnancy."

"My first wife lied about the baby she died delivering. Baby died with her and she wasn't even mine," Jennifer chokes in a wavering whisper. "She reported to my father everything. He tried my entire life to kill me and nearly succeeded four years ago."

She lifts her shirt, revealing scars all over her chest and stomach. "He threatened to kill my family next, but I killed him first, well lead him to his demise. We all have our secrets Elliott, some are worth keeping. If she finds out, call me. I'll help you tell her your reasons for keeping it secret," she chokes with a light smile and I let out a relieved breath, thanking her.

Her wife knocks on the doorway and becomes concerned when she sees our tears. She slides the door closed and asks with concern, "What has both of you crying out here?"

Jennifer raises her eyebrows, letting me know it was up to me for her to know. "Where's Jessie," I ask quietly, wiping my eyes.

"She and the kids are setting up rooms for us to stay the night. Peyton begged to stay and Jessie caved at her puppy eyes," she says with a laugh. "I was just coming to let you know we're staying."

"She flatlined that night," I choke quietly and she immediately stops laughing as tears fill her eyes. "She doesn't know, because I asked her doctors to keep it a secret. Jessie and the twins were about to be pronounced dead when she took in a gasping breath, while I was held back, watching everything. I need you to promise me to keep it secret, please?"

She looks at Jennifer who nods and she nods at me. "On your own time, Jennifer can fill you in on the rest of what we talked about," I say quietly as we all head back in.

Jessie was rolling dough to make cinnamon rolls and I step behind her, placing my hands over hers. "Mmmm," she hums as she leans against me. "Elliott, you're poking me and we have guests."