Where The Lights Are {Sequel to Paradise} {COMPLETED}

Chapter 8

"Let's go to DQ!" Chad exclaims. Fallon and I jump up, "Yay!" Chad puts Rowe on his shoulders, and we go out to the car. I climb into the back seat, and Fallon and Chad strap the kids in their car seats in the middle row. Then, they hop in up front.

We get there, and I carry Rowe, and Chad carries AJ, and Fallon carries Presley.

Chad orders, two dilly bars for AJ and Presley, a small vanilla ice cream in a cup for Rowe, an Oreo blizzard, a M&M blizzard, and a Reese's Cup blizzard for the three of us.

We walk over to a table and sit down. My phone buzzes is my pocket; I pull it out and answer it. "Hello?"

"Can you come over? I need you. You don't have to stay for long, I just need you," Joey says. I nod, "Of course. I'll be right over. Probably in Chad's car," I reply, hanging up.

Chad's already holding the keys out to me, "Be careful Mia. I love you," he says kissing my cheek. "You too. I'll be back in 10 minutes tops, I promise," I say. "Okay! Don't spill ice cream in my car!" He exclaims.

I get in, turn down KLove, and drive to Joey's house. I let myself in, and find Joey buried under blankets on his couch.

"Oh my gosh, Joe! Are you okay?" I ask him. He moans something that's not audible. I go close to him and place a hand on his forehead. He's on fire. I lay a wet cloth on his forehead.

"Where's Jazmin?" I ask him. "She went to her brother's house. She'll be back on Monday," he replies weakly. "Do you need me to stay with you?" I ask. He shakes his head, "Have your fun weekend, love, I'll be fine. Thanks for coming." I sigh, "Okay, if you're sure. I love you Joe!" He nods, "I'm sure. Love you too, have fun."

I drive back to Dairy Queen, and we go back to the Graham house. Once the girls are sleeping, I go back downstairs to where Chad and Fallon are watching TV. I lay my head on Chad's chest.

"You okay, darling?" He asks, stroking my hair. "Joey. He's sick, I'm worried about him," I reply.

"Is Jazmin staying with him? She's a great girl, Mia. Joe really loves her," Chad says. "Jazmin's not here. Joey told me she went to visit her brother," I reply. "Oh gosh, is he okay?" He asks. "He was burning up, but was under a dozen blankets. I put a cool towel on his forehead," I tell him.

"Mia, we're going to see Joe. Fallon, can you stay with the kiddos?" He asks. Fallon nods, "Of course, babe, be careful." Chad kisses her cheek, and tosses me my jacket, "Come on kid, let's go."

We get to Joey's house, and he's in the same place he was when I left. "Joe, bro, I'm here. Are you okay?" Chad asks, shaking Joey lightly.

"Chad, bubby, is that you?" He asks. "Yeah, it's me dude. Did you take any fever reducer?" Chad inquires. "No. Do I need to?" Joey asks another question. "Yeah. We've gotta get that fever down," Chad says, opening several drawers trying to locate the medicine.

I walk over to a cabinet, and pull out a bottle of Advil. "Get the orange juice," I whisper to Chad. He nods, and fills a cup with orange juice. Joey takes the pill and falls asleep.

"Chaddy, is he gonna be all right?" I ask. He nods, and slings an arm around me, "He'll be just fine, my dear, I promise." I nod, "Okay." He leans down and kisses my forehead, "Trust me Mia. God's got this."

We go back to Chad's house, and I go to bed. I'm in the room with the girls. I lay on the spare bed for the longest time staring at the ceiling.

"Mia? You awake, darling?" Chad asks, passing the room. "Chad, I can't sleep," I whisper. "It's okay. You wanna do something?" He whispers back. "What are you nuts? It's the middle of the night," I sigh.

"Come on Mia, it'll be fun," he says. I sigh, and pull my hoodie over my shivering body. I slip on some converse and Chad quietly leads me to his car.

"Where're we going, Mr. Graham," I giggle out. "You'll just have to wait and see," he says smirking. Chad pulls up to this park, where everything is lit up by Christmas lights.

"Eeeeek! It's so pretty!" I squeak, getting out of the car. "Wait for me!" Chad exclaims, meeting me at the gate. A man takes money from Chad, and we are allowed in the park.

I stand next to a swing set covered in lights and pose. Chad snaps a couple photos with his phone.

"Work it girl!" He exclaims snapping. I giggle, and he takes more pictures. "Are we just having a giant photo shoot?" I ask him, climbing up a ladder to the slide. He nods, "Yup!"

"You've gotta be in some of them!" I exclaim. I see one of the park volunteers. "Ask him to take pics," I nudge Chad. He shrugs, and walks over to the boy who looks about Joey's age.

"We're having a photo shoot. Would you mind taking some of both of us?" Chad asks, handing him the phone. He nods, "Sure guys. Tell me when to take 'em."

Chad and I do cheesy poses and the guy takes pictures of us. We finish taking them, and Chad retrieves his phone and slides it in his pocket.

"What do ya wanna do now, girlie?" He asks. "I want some food," I sigh. He laughs, "Mia, girl, when are you not hungry?" I shrug, "That information is confidential." He reaches over and tickles me. I giggle and try to run away, but his arm around my waist prevents me from doing so.

"Gotcha," he whispers in my ear, I feel his breath on my neck. "Let. Me. Go. Chadwick," I say, fidgeting and squirming in his arms. He shakes his head, "Nope, I'm actually good right now."

I somehow manage to wriggle free, and run across the park. "You'll never catch me!" I chant, trying to hide in the dark somewhere.

"I will find you, and when I do, it won't be pretty, Mia!" Chad exclaims. I keep quiet as I continue running, trying to avoid Chad.

My phone beeps, it's a text, I pull it out and see its from Chad. 'Come on kiddo or I'm leavin you here. Meet me at the gate in 5'.

I debate whether he is actually ready to leave, or if it's a joke. Either way, I go to the gate. Chad's standing there, looking impatient. "Giddy up horsey!" I exclaim, jumping on his back.

"Let's go. What should we do?" He asks. "GO TO WALMART!" I burst out randomly. "But we don't need to buy anything," Chad points out. "Chadwick, fine, then we can go back to your house and spend the next five hours in sleeplessness," I say.

"Fine, we'll go to Walmart," he sulks. I cheer, "Yayyy! Thanks Chaddy! You the bomb!"