Ever After

Chapter 16: Teagan's Problem

WARNING:
This chapter includes mentioning of anorexia so don't read if you can be triggered.

*Two Days Later*

"What are you doing love?" I smile folding a shirt before shoving it into my bag. "I'm just packing." Sadie had told us that she was on board with going to Rome. Jackson said that we would have to leave in about a week. "You have plenty of time to do that." I nod. "I know just wanted to get a head start. I have to pack the kids bags too." He pecks my cheek pulling a shirt from the closet. He had just gotten out the shower. "Going somewhere?" I ask as he pulls his good shirt out of the closet.

"Yeah actually. I need to go in to work. It shouldn't be an all day thing." I nod. "Okay well I wanted to see about getting Marble a friend and I was gonna drop the kids at my parents house. I want them to spend time together before we leave for Rome." He kisses my cheek. "Okay. I can get them after I get off." I shrug. "We can figure it out later."

He nods. "Okay. Hey but promise me you won't go look at any animals without someone going with you. Not only kids get abducted Teagan." I laugh. "Okay. I promise. I was gonna see if Jess wanted to come anyways considering I'm gonna be away for awhile. Oh and remind me to make dinner plans with the whole family mine and yours before we go. I want one big dinner." He kisses me.

"You've got it. Now I really need to be going and good luck on finding Marble a friend." I hum. "Thanks. Hey say goodbye to the kids first." He nods. "Of course." As I continue to pack Emma comes running in. "Mommy?" I nod. "Can we go see Marble again?" I pick her up. "Actually I thought you and Sadie would like to spend some time with grandma and grandpa before we leave." She nods. "Yes but I wanna see Marble before I leave." I smile. "Of course. I promise I'll take you. Just not today okay?" She nods. "Now come on tell Sadie I said to get ready to go to grandma and grandpa's." She nods running off as I set her down. I huff continuing to pack.

*

"Grandma! Grandpa!" My dad scoops Emma up. "Hey cupcake! Guess what?" She giggles. "What?" He taps her nose. "I already have to fort set up in the living room." Sadie gasps. "Really?!" He nods. "Come on. I'll show you." He takes them inside and my mother brings me into a hug.

"How are you and Jackson doing sweetie?" I hum. "Good." She smiles. "I heard he brought Marble down for you." I nod. "I'm going to try and find him a friend so he's not lonely while we are away. Zane has already agreed to watch him while we are away." She hums. "Well good luck on finding him a buddy. Would you like to come in for a bit?" I shake my head. "I really should be going Jess is waiting for me to pick her up. Jackson made me promise I wouldn't go looking alone and he had to work."

She pecks my head. "We'll be safe dear. I love you." I smile. "I love you too mom." I climb back into my car and head off to get Jess. When I get there I wait outside house that they had bought now that Mark's a doctor. I search around on the internet trying to find some kind of horse for sale when Jackson calls me. "Hello?"

He hums. "Hey beautiful. How's horse shopping going?" I huff. "Not sure. I'm about to start right now. How's work?" He sighs. "Boring now that I'm not the CEO. There's nothing fun to do." I frown. "Jackie I'm so sorry. Take the job back. I don't want you to be unhappy." He shakes his head. "Baby if I wanted it back I'd take it. It's just there's nothing for the owner to do since we are so close to heading to Rome. Once I get there it will be a whole different story. Oh...I have to go but I'll call you later." I hum. "Okay. I love you Jackie." He hums. "I love you more baby girl."

We hang up and Jess opens the car door. "Sorry about the wait." I shake my head. "It's fine. I was just talking to Jackson anyways." She nods getting in and buckling up. "So where to?" I sigh. "I wish I knew." She looks over at the gas gage. "To a gas station would be nice." I sigh nodding. "Are you okay?" I nod. "Yeah I just feel funny. I'm sure it's nothing." I put the car in drive pulling out of her driveway.

I find a gas station pulling up to a pump. "I'm coming in. My stomachs grumbling." I nod before sliding out of the car. "So how are you and lover boy? I can't wait to plan the wedding. It's gonna be so cute. Are you excited Teagan?" She stops walking. "Teagan?" She turns and I reach my hand out to her. I hadn't even realized that I had fallen. "Oh my gosh! Someone call an ambulance!" I hear people scurrying. "Teagan?! Teagan?!" My eyes drift shut and there's silence.

*

"Are you fucking serious?! She's laying in a hospital bed and you're gonna ask me about money?!" Jess was holding Jackson back. "Jackson stop!" He pulls free. "How dare you?!" "Jackson..." I croak. He glares once more at the man before rushing to my side. "Hey hey sunshine. I'm here." He whispers brushing a thumb over my face. "What happened?" He swallows. "Baby they say you haven't been eating...The last time I physically saw you was a couple of days ago when you told the kids we were going to Rome and even then you picked at your pizza." He looks over his shoulder and Jess leaves with the guy. "Is there something you aren't telling me?"

I shake my head. "No Jackson. I've felt full I promise. If I was hungry I would eat." He huffs. "They think you maybe be anorexic." I shake my head rapidly. "No no. Hell no!" "Teagan..." I shake my head. "Don't..." He takes my hand. "You're parents came by and they told me. Why hadn't you told me?" The tears pool in my eyes.

"What was I supposed to say? Hi I'm a rich girl who hates herself so much because of what people think that she doesn't eat!" I sob. "Baby girl..." I shake my head. "I'm not anorexic! I'm not..." He cups my face. "Hey look at me. Don't tell me what you think I want to hear tell me the truth. Did you know that you weren't eating?"

My bottom lip starts to quiver and I pull it between my teeth. "I knew..." He
huffs. "Did you do it on purpose?" I shake my head. "No Jackie I promise. I haven't been like that since we met. You made me feel so loved that nothing anyone said meant anything. It still doesn't. I just didn't want to eat but I promise it won't happen again. I swear." He kisses me. "I believe you baby but we need to get you eating again. I don't care if you eat lite. At least eat something." I nod. "How about I order us some deep dish stuffed crust pizza. Like you like." I nod with a smile. "That sounds wonderful and Jackie?" He hums. "I love you." He kisses me gently. "I love you too baby." I sigh softly as he gets up. I smile widely at him and I knew that I'd never be unhappy or anorexic another day in my life as long as I was with him.

Enjoy!