Love isn't always enough A Jordan Knight/ Joey McIntyre fanfic

Chapter 16: What is going on?

Four months later, in June 1991:

Jordan had not been able to reach Stephanie since she was upset at him and drunk on wine. He had called and left messages until their machine was full. 

She had recorded a message that said, "Jordan, I have gone to visit my parents, don't worry about me, I am fine. I just needed to clear my head. I love you, and one day we will talk when I am ready."

Those thirty-five words had broken his heart, he had been a mess on tour. On the last night of our tour in London, we caught a flight and arrived at the airport. We took our limo to the studio where our cars were. Jordan grabbed his stuff and left. 

When he arrived at his house, her car wasn't in his driveway. He unlocked the door and flipped the light on. He walked through the house. He saw that only a few things were missing, and those were her things. 

A couple of pictures of them together in high school, a few of her decorative pieces, her diplomas, her yearbooks, and all of her books. He walked upstairs to their closet and looked in it, and all of her clothes and shoes were gone, and her nightstand was empty.

He ran back downstairs to the kitchen and saw her ring, the key, and a note. He took a deep breath, sat down and opened the letter.

"Dear Jordan, I am guessing you are home since you are reading this letter. I am also going to guess that after you heard my message, you knew something had happened. So, by now, you know I have taken all of my belongings and left yours with this letter.
Let me first start off by saying I love you, I didn't leave because I didn't love you anymore, I left for myself. I accepted the job, and I have moved to the location of my new job.
Jordan, I needed to do this for me. I wanted to ask you if you would be willing to move with me, but you never called, so I had to make a decision because I knew what your answer would be. So, rather than making you feel like that and having to tell me no, I just left. 
I have a job, a benefits package, and an apartment, so don't worry about me. I am doing fine. Probably missing you like crazy. 
Travel and get your career on track and do this on your own without worrying about me being at home. My dad used to tell me that if you love something, you need to let them go if it's meant to be, then you will be back together. So, Right now, that is what I am believing in. None of the girls know where I am, nor do they have any contact info for me. So, don't bother them. 
I realized that with your busy career and our relationship, it was too much for you to try and call and stress about if I was okay. So, now you don't have to worry about that. Focus on your career. Live your life to the fullest. If we are meant to be together, then fate will bring us together. I will always love you, Jordan, and I will never regret our relationship. Go out, have fun and live your life to the fullest. Do whatever you have to forget about me; just be safe. I have faith that we will meet again, and if not, you were an amazing first everything, first love, first kiss, first partner, first fiance'; you were an amazing lover, and I am thankful for the time we had. Love always, Stephanie."

Jordan sat there reading the letter over and over as he cried. He sobbed like a baby; he called his mom. She answered on the second ring.

"Mom, she left me."

"No, she didn't, son. She went to visit her parents and only postponed the wedding."

"No, Mom, she left the ring, the house key, and a note. She took everything, all of her stuff. Mom, I can't lose her. I love her, I can't do this without her."  

"Calm down, sweetie. I am on my way to your house. I will be there in fifteen minutes. I love you, Jordan."

"Thanks, Mom, be safe; see you soon."

He was sitting on the floor crying, holding her letter and her ring, when Marlene arrived she opened the door and walked straight over to him.

She sat down beside him, and he lay against her. She consoled him as he cried. She rubbed his hair as she patted his arm and soothed him.

They sat there for about an hour. She just soothed him and rocked him. He was her baby, and she hated to see him going through this. She wasn't sure what had caused Stephanie to end their relationship, but she had no hard feelings toward her, but she felt sad for her son.   

When Jordan had cried all he could, he sniffled and raised his head up. Marlene stood up and helped him up. They went to the table, and she fixed them a cup of coffee. She sat down beside him and placed her hand over his.

"Jordan, son, I don't know why she left, but she must have had a good reason. Maybe she just needed time to herself. I mean, she just graduated, and you were gone."  

"She said she was leaving because this was something she needed to do for herself, and she accepted the job offer. She broke my heart for a job. I already told her she didn't need to work and I would support us."

"You told her she didn't need to work and you would support her? Jordan, you didn't think about or even ask what she wanted. She got a college degree, and that statement pretty much said you wasted your time on school because I don't want you to work. I want to support you, and you can take care of the house while I travel the world."

"Mom, I didn't mean it like that, I just wanted her to know she didn't have to work. I wanted to take care of her, I wanted to provide for her, and I wanted to show her I loved her. We had talked about buying a bigger house after I finished this tour because I would have more money. I have enough to pay this house off."

"Well, son, pay this house off and keep yourself together. You have to move forward. Now, it's up to you if you want to keep this house or buy a new one."  

"No, we made a promise to each other when we bought it that no matter what happened between us or if one of us passed away, this house was to remain ours. It was to stay in our life. I don't even think I could move somewhere else; this was ours."

"May I read her letter to you? Or is it too personal?"

"No, Mom, you can read it. There isn't anything bad in there." He handed her the letter, and she read it. She smiled at parts and shook her head at others."

"Jordan, she stated several times that she loved you, and this had nothing to do with your relationship. This was something she needed to do for herself. She believes that fate will bring you back together, and so do I because you two are meant to be together. So let her live her life, and you live yours. I believe when the time is right, you will come back together. I know you are hurting, son, but you have to let her go."  

"Thanks, Mom, for everything. Thank you for driving over here in the middle of the night. I'm sorry, I just didn't know who else to call. I needed my mom."

"It's okay, son, that is my job to be there for you when you are in pain. You are very welcome, I am glad you called me. I have felt like you didn't me as much over the last few years. It's nice to be needed by my baby. Do you want me to stay the night here with you?"

"Would you mind since you are here and it is really late? You can sleep in the guest room next to mine."

"No, I wouldn't mind; just let me call your father and let him know. That sounds fine, son. I brought a bag just in case, so I will run out and grab it."

"You call, Dad, and I will grab your bag."

They sat at the table, drinking coffee and talking about the family. Jordan was still upset, and he would be for a while. Everyone would support him and help him through this. They were supposed to have gotten married next month. That's why her friend told us the wedding had been put on hold.  

After a long conversation, more tears, and several cups of coffee, we both went to bed. I could hear him move around his room, and I could hear him still crying as he sat in his room. It would take him several months to get over this. 

He loved Stephanie, and she loved him. Little by little, his heart would heal, and he would get back to himself; he would always miss her and love her, but he would move on.