Ever After

Chapter 2: A Promise

I stir awake softly in the night. Thin sheets wrapped around my naked body. I pull the comforter up snuggling close to where Jackson should be but I groan when I don't find him. I sit up calling for him softly holding the sheets to me. When he doesn't pop up I frown harshly I slide out of bed pulling my robe on. I had panties on but that was about it. I step out of the bedroom and down the hallway. There were rooms past the kitchen and I happened to know one of them he used for work. I find myself standing in front of it. I knock gently before stepping in. There he was pin in hand concentrating on some that was displayed on his laptop. "Jackie..." I say my voice cracking a bit as I fiddle with my fingers. He immediately looks up at me and then down at my hands. "What's wrong love? You should be in bed." I frown. "So should you..." I mumble and he drops his pen standing. "I had work to do." I let my tears pool some crossing my arms over my robe. "Oh...okay..." He cups my face. "Love?" I shake my head. "It's nothing." He stops my hands. "Your pick your nail polish off. It's not nothing." I sigh. "It's not unusual to wake up to find you working but..." I let some of the tears fall. "Do you even begin to understand how cheap I felt?! I wake up naked to find you gone! You got what you wanted held me for as long as you head to then snuck away! Can you imagine?!" I wipe my own tears. "But you've got work to do." I turn heading out even though he repeatedly calls my name. "Mommy?" I see Emma in the hallway rubbing her eyes. "Hey sweetie." I scoop her up heading back towards our rooms. "I fell asleep with Sadie. Can you tuck me in to bed?" I kiss her head. "Of course." I take her to her room switching on the light. I set her down under the sheets. "Which stuffie would you like?" She smiles. "Paws." I hand her the stuffed dog and she cuddles him. I tuck them in before planting a kiss on her head. "Goodnight Emma." She smiles. "Goodnight mommy." I flick the lamp on and as I head out I turn the light out before shutting her door. I check on Sadie tucking her in as well before heading back to my room. I take the robe off pulling some clothes on. Just a simple shirt and shorts before climbing back into bed. I hear the door open and I hear his heavy footsteps. "Teagan..." I shake my head. "I don't believe a word that comes from your mouth Jackie. Let's get married. Let's open a rescue farm. That was just to get into my pants. I can't believe you. I am really beginning to think I don't know you anymore." He huffs. "Teagan I meant that..." I scuff. "Yeah sure. I'm going to bed Jackson. Not that it matters." He huffs before turning around and I start to ball. Throwing my hands up to cover my face. "I love you Jackie. God knows I do. But this? This is how I feel. This is how you make me feel. Look at me Jackson really look at me and know my heart is breaking. It's chipping away and with every passing down the pain becomes a little more numb. One day I won't feel a thing. All this because all I wanted was for you to love me. You have all this care Jackie like you say? The man I sat next to that day in English would never have done what you just did. I came first. I was a priority. Now all you care about is sex and the amount of money you can make sitting in that damn office. I'm breaking. I'm shattering Jackson. I just want you back Jackie. I just want you back."

I don't hear him move and I don't hear him say anything. For a minute I think maybe he had already left and that I was sobbing and pouring my emotions out to the walls. Until I feel him pull me closely to him from behind. "I do love you. I promise I do baby." I turn wrapping my arms around his neck sobbing into him. "Prove it Jackson." He nods softly just holding me. He holds me so tight that I think I might just melt into him.

That maybe my broken pieces might form back together but his glue didn't seem permanent anymore. So how long would it hold me this time?

*

When I wake up in the morning I'm wrapped in a softly entanglement of him. He's pinned me beneath him trapping me in. I comb softly through his hair soaking in this moment that I haven't gotten to experience in some time. He hums softly not opening his eyes but just snuggling me closer. "Morning beautiful." He purrs and my heart melts a bit. "Morning Jackie." He moves his legs to lock with mine and he pulls me closer to him before placing his nose on my jaw. "So what would you like to do today? Anything your heart desires." I hum scratching at the back of his head. "Anything?" He hums still not yet opening his eyes. "I don't know but I would like to stay here a bit longer." He nuzzles his face into me neck making me smile. "We can do that."