Always There - Part 2 || Greta Van Fleet

Chapter 251: Something to Tell You

Jake's P.O.V

I couldn't believe that it worked.

To think, just a few days ago I had almost given up on the whole idea, but.. now here we were, leaving for tour in just two weeks. And it was all because of Jaime. Without her, I don't think I would've ever had the drive on my own to go back down there, but.. all I've ever wanted was to make her proud.

And now I will.

The whole time, I couldn't stop thinking about her, how this next stage of her life was about to happen, and all I wanted was to be a part of it. And I didn't care who's baby it was. I wanted to be with her, and if she still wanted me, then I would do whatever it took for us to be together. But I just needed to tell her. As far as I was concerned, this was our family.. if she wanted it to be.

I played it over and over in my head on the drive home, what I was going to say to her, if the words could even find their way out of my mouth, but I knew when the time finally came and she was looking back at me.. I would say anything. I told her I wanted a family with her and I meant it, no matter the circumstances.

As I pulled up the driveway, I quickly hopped out, making my way inside and up the stairs. When I went to see her, I wanted to look and feel my best. She deserved that much. She deserved everything, and if I was going to offer her this, then I needed to make it special.

I just had to get changed and grab the rings.

But then I opened my bedroom door and my heart stopped when I saw her sitting on my bed, staring back at me with a beaming grin.

Jaime's P.O.V

I knew I didn't have much time. From what Jake said, all they really had to do was sign the contracts and it was a done deal. And I couldn't imagine that taking too long.

I quickly drove down to the florist, unsure of what I was even looking for, having not been here in months. Part of it hurt, knowing that the last time I was here was to buy Josh apology flowers, but this was a happy occasion. I quickly shook the thought.

"Can I help you?" I heard from behind me.
"Yes, um.. w-what kind of flowers would you recommend if.. you were telling someone that.. you were pregnant?" I asked. They smirked back at me, motioning down the aisle.
"Right this way." I followed closely as they lead me towards the back window.
"Do you know the gender?" They asked as they began grabbing hand-fulls of baby's breath. I shook my head.
"N-not yet."
"That's okay. I guess your preference will be fine then." I looked around, eventually pointing out the pink roses. They nodded, placing them together to make the most beautiful bouquet I've ever seen.

He deserved flowers more than anyone.

And then after a quick stop at the jeweler, I made my way back to his house, eagerly knocking on the door. I didn't have to wait long before their mom answered, flashing me a wide grin as her eyes shot over to the flowers.

"Oh, Jaime, those are beautiful."
"They're for Jake." I said nervously. "Um.. I was wondering if.. well, I wanted to surprise him when they all got home and-"
"Of course, of course." She giggled, moving out of the way. "Go ahead." I gave her an excited nod, hastily making my way upstairs and into his bedroom, where I knew I didn't have much time to get everything ready.

I had thought about this moment my entire life, the look on his face, whoever it was, though I'd be lying if I said I hadn't secretly been dreaming it was him, ever since that afternoon in their backyard. Sure, we were just kids, but I always thought that was the purest form of love, and when he kissed me, the first time he kissed me, the first time anyone had kissed me, it was just.. indescribable. All of the days of playing house, taking care of our little dolls together, I couldn't imagine it being with anyone else.

Not until I had to.
But now here we were, and it was finally happening.

And then my heart jumped at the sound of my phone.
Jake: hey <3 we're on our way back now. I have lots to tell you.
Jaime: I can't wait <33
Jake: <333
Jaime: just get here already lol
Jake: yes ma'am <3

My heart started beating faster as I eventually made myself comfortable on his bed, placing his gifts next to me on his end table. He was on his way, and in a matter of minutes our lives were about to change.

I always found it unfair how for the most part, the woman was always the first to find out, and more often than not, alone. Thankfully, I did have Sam, but what I would have given for Jake to have been there the moment those two lines popped up. After months of dreaming, they had finally arrived, and sure, maybe it was under.. different circumstances, but.. maybe the universe just always had a plan for me, or rather.. for us.

It was always meant to be us; that invisible string that tied us together, no matter how twisted and tangled it had gotten over the years, as we drifted back and forth between lovers who only tried to cut our ties, in the end it would always bring him back to me.

And then I couldn't help but think of my dad; how badly I wished he could be here to meet him, to see how happy he made me, to finally get to meet my family. But I knew he was always watching. I felt him everywhere and that was enough. Whether anyone would believe it, he was the real reason that Jake was still alive. I could still hear his voice echoing in my mind, forcing me to make him stay.

Because of that, I owed him everything.

Slowly but surely my daydreams turned into blurry mornings in the kitchen with the three of us; Jake had woken up early with them and brought them downstairs to get started on breakfast, careful to stay quiet, only for me to inevitably be woken up by the sweet smell of pancakes and freshly squeezed orange juice. I'd make my way downstairs where I was met with giddy laughter from the high chair as he put on his many faces, anything he could do to make them laugh. I'd watch from afar as long as I could, just basking in this newfound life we had built together, something I had always longed for, and now it was finally here.

And then my heart jumped at the sound of their front door. I instantly heard his familiar muffled laughter as he was met with cheers from his parents.
"Thank you, I know, it's.. a lot but.. I um.. I gotta get ready, I gotta to talk to Jaime." I couldn't help but smile, already feeling my cheeks burn at his sense of urgency. If only he knew that I was already waiting for him, as well as.. so many other things.
"Okay, honey." His mom giggled. I appreciated her discretion.

The sound of his echoing footsteps making their way up the stairs matched the loud beating of my heart, wondering if their stairs had always been so tall, their hallway always so long. The seconds felt like hours and all I wanted was to just see him..

And then with the turn of the knob he quickly made his way into his room, instantly stopping in his tracks as he looked around wide-eyed, his gaze eventually falling onto me as his mouth hung open. An elated grin escaped my lips, my heart now feeling it was going to beat out of my chest.

"Jaime.." He eventually signed, finally making his way over to me, sitting down across from me on his bed. I reached over, unable to control myself, gently caressing his face, wanting to appreciate this moment.

The moment before everything changed.

"Hi." I said, biting down on my lip, trying my hardest to contain the tears I felt coming to my eyes.
"W-what's all this?" He finally asked.
"I.. I have something to tell you."