Fill My Lungs | J. Todd ✔

[24] Home At Last

As promised, Jason had brought Valerie to her apartment and rang the doorbell. She stood beside him, waiting for her friend to open up.

Shortly after, the door opened, revealing Sarah who immediately took Val into a tight hug. She hugged back, feeling a surge of relief course through her veins to finally be at home safe and sound.

Jason had stepped aside to give the two of them space but surprisingly for him when they pulled apart and Sarah brought Valerie in, she didn't shut the door in Jason's face like she used to. Instead, she held it open, allowing him to come inside as well.

He raised an eyebrow as if asking her if she was sure about that but Valerie reached forward, taking his hand and bringing him in.

"Wait here," Sarah told him, gesturing to the couch in the living room, "I have to check first that Val is okay."

"I'm fine, Sarah..." Valerie tried to protest but her friend was having none of it. "She works in the ER," Valerie told Jason, seeing his blank expression, "she wants to check that I am not injured."

"Enough explaining, now come."

Jason waited outside just like he was asked to while Sarah took Val to her room and fetched her equipment. She carefully checked her head and back for the cuts but found them well-treated.

"See, I am not hurt."

"And you better not get hurt ever or I will make you regret everything," she warned, stepping back and putting her medical kit back, "but in all honesty Val, I am so glad you're back."

"Me too."

Sarah hugged her again, holding onto her friend tightly. She had been so worried for her and when she had learned about the whole Garrett situation, she had for some time thought that perhaps it was too late to save Val and they might never get to see her again.

That was until she had gotten a call from Jason.

Thinking about Jason, she let go of her, realizing that he was outside, "alright, let's go talk to your almost boyfriend. He's been waiting for long."

"Um... About that..." Valerie spoke up but her voice trailed off so her friend rose an eyebrow, encouraging her to complete the sentence, "you can deduct the almost now. He is my boyfriend."

"Ah right, that means it's even better he came here. I have to give him an absolute earful. He should know he's not the only one having the capacity to yell down at people."

Valerie realized she was referring to that one phone call in which Jason and Sarah had gotten into a heated argument. She still didn't know what had caused them to explode on each other but perhaps they could resolve things right then.

They came out to find Jason on the couch just like earlier. Sarah's eyes swept around the place cautiously as if she still didn't trust the man who had brought her friend back.

Valerie nudged her elbow, silently asking her to give Jay a chance and not kick him out afteryelling down on him as payback for that phone call. Seeing that, Sarah sighed, taking the seat across from him while Valerie settled on the couch beside him.

"Thank you for keeping your promise and bringing her back," Sarah spoke up at last but her voice was slightly stiff.

"I had to, I can't keep her away from her home."

"But you would if you could?" She raised an eyebrow skeptically and a hint of a smirk etched on Jay's face.

"I would if I could."

"Hey," Valerie struck his arm lightly, "don't joke around like that. Sarah will end up taking it seriously and get mad at you. And I don't want you to fight with each other so please don't."

"Fine, I won't. Happy now?"

"Very."

Sarah felt that perhaps she had been worried about Jason just due to what the rumors said about him. With Valerie, he felt like an entirely different person; caring and attentive with that unmistakable adoration in his otherwise expressionless eyes.

"I was a bit too harsh on you that night," Jason had turned to face Sarah, voice returning to that serious tone, "I apologize."

"That's... That's alright, I understand. You were just as worried as I was for her," Sarah replied, deciding it was futile to keep judging the man in front of them.

He had taken good care of Valerie and kept her safe from Garrett reaching out to her again. He had also brought her back just like he had promised. She had no reason to stay angry at him.

And Valerie loved him, she could see that clear as day. She didn't want to come in between Valerie's feelings and keep her away from him just due to what the world's perception was of Jason.

There was no truth backing those rumors up, it could all be a misunderstanding too.

"Anyways, Garrett is now behind bars and the allegations against him are enough to guarantee him a lifetime in prison. He won't get to Valerie again," Jason concluded, "but still, you two should be careful. If there's any problem regarding Garrett or anything whatsoever, let me know."

"Oh no you don't have to. You've already done enough," Sarah shook her head, "but at least now there's one more person who can look after this trouble magnet."

Valerie knew she was referring to her, "hey, I am not a trouble magnet!"

"Yes, you are," surprisingly both of them spoke in unison and a soft smile tugged upon Sarah's face at last.

"That's not fair. Out of all the things, you two teaming up against me was the last thing I expected," a light frown was evident on Val's features but her eyes were sparkling nevertheless.

"We are not teaming up against you, honey, we just want you safe," Sarah remarked, standing up from her seat to go to the kitchen, "so Jason, are you staying for a cup of coffee?"

"I have to leave. Maybe some other time, thank you."

"Sure. Some other time."

She had gone to the kitchen so Valerie accompanied Jason to the door. Just as he was about to step out, he turned, bending to capture her lips with his in a kiss.

"Take care," he whispered as he pulled apart, a soft smile gracing his lips to see her radiant features.

"You too," she smiled, "and thank you."

"Don't mention it."

She closed the door after he left and when she came back, Sarah was pouring out coffee into two cups one of which she handed to Valerie. They came back to the living room together and as they sat down, she asked, "so now spill, how did the almost tag get deducted from your relationship?"

Valerie looked eager to tell her right away, "well, he confessed this morning at breakfast."

"Okay and...? All the details, Valerie. You know too much about me and Marc to keep your love life a secret from me."

She shook her head, a light laugh escaping her, "I know, I know. I am not keeping anything secret from you."

It felt good to be home, she thought. It wasn't that she was uncomfortable at Jason's place but she had missed Sarah a lot. So it felt quite relieving to be back with her, talking about their lives over a cup of coffee.

Just like the old days.

***