Group Home

Chapter 12 - Recoveries

Jayce's eyelids fluttered for a moment before he opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was teary-eyed Grace. Upon noticing he had woken she rushed to his side. He looked around the room frantically, finally registering that he was in the hospital. The memories flooded back all at once. He had been stabbed. 

He opened his mouth to speak only to begin coughing violently. There was a burning sensation in his chest all the while. It seemed his injury was external at least, most of the pain was't from within. 

"They patched up your lung," Grace said quietly, stroking his hair. "You're gonna be fine."

He nodded wordlessly. He liked the feeling of her hand in his hair, but his stomach twisted as he remembered the news he had received before Ryan attempted to murder him. She had cheated.

The whole time they were together she had been Ryan's too. She had been kissing them both. He didn't even want to consider that they might've been sleeping together too.

"I'm sorry, Jayce. I didn't mean-"

"You didn't mean for me to find out," he rasped, interrupting her. She shook her head.

"I didn't feel anything for Ryan. He forced himself on me and I was afraid of him."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I thought you'd be mad, and he'd be mad too. When you're mad at each other you fight. I didn't want that to happen and I didn't want to be in the middle of it."

He shook his head. 

"I'm sorry."

"Where's Erica?"

"She's at school. Nancy's gonna bring her when it's over."

He lay still and quiet for a minute. Her betrayal had hurt, but could he even stay mad? He was heartbroken more than anything.

"Do you need anything?"

"No."

"Do you want me to go?"

He sighed, reaching out for her hand. There was an IV in his which was slightly sore as he moved it. She grasped his hand and a single tear glistened as it fell from her cheek onto the bed. Unable to look him in the eye, she stared at the little wet spot it left. 

A part of him knew he should feel lucky. He had survived being stabbed in the chest and having his lung punctured. But did he even want to live? He'd been deceived by almost everyone he cared for. Then again, he had Erica. And he wasn't incapable of forgiveness.

Grace had known it'd be hard to face him after he woke from his surgery. She anticipated anger and hurt, even disappointment. 

What she didn't expect was to ever earn his trust again. It was hard to give someone your heart, she knew that. It'd be a thousand times harder for him to believe she wouldn't break it since she already had.

"Do you hate me?" she asked, using her free hand to wipe at her eyes. He closed his, not wanting to see her cry, and shook his head.

"Can I have some time, please?"

"Of course, I'm sorry." She got up and picked up her purse, leaving the room.

*

A week later, Jayce was discharged. He was able to breathe, speak, walk, you name it. It wasn't exactly as if it'd never happened, he was often short of breath and had a huge scar on his chest, but things were slowly returning to how they'd been before.

Joy's pregnancy had somehow been less painful than Grace's betrayal. He was upset about Joy's infidelity, and that it was with Ryan of all people, but he found he couldn't stay mad at her either.

 She was mortified, as any pregnant teenager should be, but she wasn't seeking revenge anymore. It was clear that Jayce had legitimate feelings for her and that getting between them hadn't helped her at all. She had apologized to Jayce for everything, and he had forgiven her. Things were finally winding down.

Ryan was sent to another group home. He couldn't stay after assaulting Jayce, but since Jayce didn't press charges, he wasn't penalized much. For carrying a knife, yes. For plunging into someone's lung, no.

All of the drama was over. Although everything had changed, things slowly became better. Ryan settled in well at his new group home. Grace was content living with her mother. Joy was excited to give birth to her baby. Jayce's lung was functional.

On his way to the bathroom one night, he noticed Grace's door had been left ajar. He turned on his heel and peeked inside.

"Hi," she whispered when she noticed him. She patted the bed, a smile on her face.

He walked across the room and sat beside her. "Hey."

"Can we talk, maybe?" He nodded. "I know that it's probably really hard for you to forgive me for what I did. It was awful, and I know that I shouldn't have. But I wanted to tell you that I always really liked you. You're honest, and caring, and such a wonderful father. You're sweet, funny, smart... I could go on forever. I'm really mad at myself for messing up because-"

He leaned in and pressed his lips to hers, effectively shutting her up. When he pulled away, she was awestruck. She had missed the feeling of his lips on hers. He was so gentle and soft, even when they kissed feverishly before they had made love.

"I know, baby," he mumbled before leaning in and kissing her again. The term of endearment made her heart flutter as much as the feeling of his lips caressing hers did. Her arms found their way around his neck, hands sliding into his thick, silky hair.

*

"Wow," he muttered as he rolled over onto his back, off of Grace. He was still reveling in the feelings she'd given him with their lovemaking and kissing. He turned his head to look into her eyes.

"Blake?" she mumbled, rolling onto her side to rest her head on the uninjured side of his chest. 

"Yes, baby?"

"I love you."