Storm and Grace

Take My Hand..

Lin-Manuel's POV

He punched me.

I laid on that floor for what seemed like minutes. I was shocked. Distraught.

When Jen and Johnny had started dating, I was skeptical. I had my doubts about their relationship. But Johnny had won me over almost instantly. We became close friends. Brothers. We confided in each other. I was there for him just as much as I was there for Jen.

But after their breakup in the UK, things were never the same. Johnny and Jen were never the same.

This wasn't like him.

I began to stand up, but before I could say anything, Vanessa was helping me stand up.

"How dare you," she hissed and gave Johnny one of the deadliest glares I've ever seen her give anyone. And she was a lawyer.

I looked at Johnny but he said nothing. His nose was flaring. He was pissed off.

"How dare you walk in here, make demands and then punch my husband?" Vanessa's voice was calm. But I knew that she was livid.

"You both knew and didn't tell me," Johnny growled. "You lied to me."

"And I'm sorry we did," Vanessa cut him off. "I feel for you, I really do. But this isn't the right time. We are dealing with a crisis right now. This talk, and your little tantrum can wait."

"Wait," Johnny laughed. I knew that laugh wasn't genuine. It was a pissed off laugh. "So, everyone can fucking do what they want. Lie to me, take my girl away from me and all everyone wants me to do is wait. That's fucking nice, isn't it?"

Vanessa didn't answer.

"I'm in no mood to be waiting," Johnny growled. "Not anymore. I need to talk to Jen."

"What you need to do is leave," Vanessa cut him off again.

"I'm not leaving without Jen," Johnny screamed.

In an instant, I remembered Jen was still in that room. I turned to look at her and saw her standing by the bed, silently crying. She was shaking like a leaf. I walked towards her and pulled her in closer to me.

"Jen," Johnny screamed out. He marched towards us.

He grabbed her by the arm and pulled him towards him.

"Stop it," I hissed. I tried grabbing Jen back but Johnny began to walk away with her.

"Stop it," Vanessa screamed. He grabbed Jen and began to pull her towards her. "Sean, Mark, please!"

Almost instantly, both Sean and Mark began to pull Johnny away from Jen.

"Don't fucking touch me," Johnny screamed.

"Lin," Vanessa called out. "Take care of Jen, I'll walk them out."

"I can do that," I began.

"No," Vanessa cut me off. "I'll do it myself. Stay here with her."

"I'm not fucking leaving," Johnny growled. He was being held back by Sean and Mark.

"Please get him out into the living room," Vanessa ordered.

Johnny was nearly dragged out of that room.

When Vanessa closed the door, I could still hear Johnny resisting.

I knew he was going through it. I felt shitty that he had found out about the baby during such a traumatizing time. I didn't blame him for punching me. I deserved it. He didn't deserve what he was going through. I knew he loved Jen and I knew he wanted to marry her and wanted a family with her. He had confided in me that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Jen since before their breakup. I knew she was the one for him.

Whatever he was feeling now, was completely valid.

But all I could focus on now was Jen. Something had gone terribly wrong with her that had made her take such drastic measures tonight.

She needed professional help. That was my goal and only focus: getting Jen the right help.

Johnny's POV

Sean and Mark nearly dragged me to the living room where Vanessa walked in shortly after us.

"This is what's gonna happen," she began. "You will go home and stay away from Jen until she gets better. You will have no contact with her while she's away."

"Fuck that," I screamed.

"And secondly," she continued, completely ignoring my outburst. "You will never assault my husband ever again. I'm sorry we lied to you. I'm sorry you had to find out the way you did. I'm sorry that you feel betrayed. But right now, the woman you love is nonverbal and completely traumatized. She tried to take her own life hours ago."

I looked at her and felt the tears began to sting.

"She needs help," she continued. "And we intend on taking her to a place where she will get the best help possible. And in order for her to do that, she needs a peaceful night. Not the tantrum you just threw in front of her."

I knew she was right. But everything hurt inside of me. I felt so many things: rage, frustration, pain, heartbreak. I wanted and needed to hold Jen. I wanted to stay with her. I wanted to let her know that even though I was hurt that she kept the loss of our baby from me, that I still loved her. And that everything would be okay.

"I need you to leave," Vanessa's voice brought me back to reality.

"Please," I said, my voice a lot calmer than before. "If I can't stay, please. Just tell me where you're taking her."

"No," Vanessa answered. "I think it's best that you don't see her or be near her until she completes the program."

"What?" I panicked. "How long is that gonna be?"

"I'm not sure," Vanessa said, crossing her arms. "From what I've heard, it can be weeks."

"No," I shook my head. "No fucking way. I can't be without her for weeks. Not now."

"It's for the best," Vanessa nodded.

"Please," I cried, tears streaming down my face. "I need to know where she's gonna stay. Please."

"Johnny," Vanessa sighed. "I'm not gonna tell you. Please stop."

I felt my heart breaking all over again. I stood there and openly sobbed. A broken man.

"Please take Johnny back home," I heard Vanessa's voice. "It's getting late and he needs to rest. And so do we."

"Yes, ma'am," Sean responded.

Sean grabbed me and began to walk me towards the door.

"Vanessa," I called out. She looked at me and waited. "Tell, Lin I said I'm sorry. I didn't mean to punch him."

Vanessa gave me a look.

"And I'm sorry," I sniffed.

"Thank you," I nodded.

As we reached the door, I turned around once more. "Just tell me one thing."

Vanessa frowned but waited for me to say something.

"Was the miscarriage the reason why she chose to stay away from me? And never reach out to me?"

"Yes," Vanessa nodded.

"Why?" I swallowed hard. "Was she angry at me?"

Vanessa's eyes began to get teary. "No," she responded. "She thought she had failed as a woman. She had lost you and then she lost the baby. So, she decided to let you go so that you could find someone that could give you a family."

I sobbed.

"I should have been there," I sniffed.

Hey guys. Hope you enjoy this small update. I know that I have a habit of updating the story way too often and for that I do apologize. Moving forward, I'll try to move at a slower pace. Maybe once a month? Would that be okay? Let me know.