A Lucky Catch

Chapter 42

Babe, are you sure you don't want me to drop you off at the airport?" I offered for what seemed like the 100th time.
"My love, I'm positive. I need you and my babies to rest. I'll take an Uber and then text you when I get there." he said before giving me a reassuring kiss.
"Remember to text me when you depart and arrive please. And tell the family I said I miss them." I said giving him the tightest hug ever.
I had insisted many times that I wouldn't mind taking him, but I gave in and let him do it his way. Layla and Trayce had their date set up for tonight and Elle was staying the night at my moms. That meant that I would be home alone for the rest of the day and I had plans but plans that no one knew about. I'm going to visit Joc in prison. I haven't seen or spoken to him since the day of the incident. It's been really tough because he was my best friend but Crystal is.... Was my cousin. I lost both of them that day.
Nobody knows that I'm driving out to visit him, shit Corey would probably have a heart attack if he knew. He gets worried that anything about the incident will cause stress and make me and the twins sick.
I finished getting dressed in the strict dress code. I avoided belts or anything sharp so I just kept it simple with jeans and a v-neck black long sleeve. Simple I tell you. I grabbed my keys, phone, and wallet and walked out the door. The prison was about 1 ½ hours from the house and the drive would allow me to prepare myself. I would prepare myself on how to react, what to say, and how to feel. Will some part of me miss him? Will I still be angry? Will I be happy to see him? I'm not sure. My emotions are in a knot buried in the pit of my stomach.

The drive felt endless which forced every part of my brain to question if it is wrong of me to visit Joc. It seemed impossible to push away these thoughts.

I soon arrived to the prison and goosebumps strung along my body. There was no turning back at this point. I walked into this weird vibed office and was immediately put through the first search checkpoint. I passed the security check and walked up to the window where an older grumpy looking woman sat waiting for me to speak.

"Miss..... What do you need?" she said between her gum chewing mouth.

"I'm... I'm here to Visit Joc Russell Pederson." I responded with hesitation.

She then turned towards her computer and typed who knows what and responded, "Sorry...no visitors for him."

"That must be wrong. Pederson is spelled with a D not a T. P-e-d-e-r-s-o-n."

I'm very aware of that miss. He wants no visitors, now step aside and allow me to take the next person." She spat back.

" Can you just let him know that Alani is here. I'm sure he'll change his mind. Give him this please." I said while handing her Elle's picture.

She finally gave in and told me to take a seat.

15 minutes later, the same lady called my name and gave me a visitor sticker with "Pederson" written on it. I left my belongings at the check-in desk and followed the two guards into the visiting room. i walked in and saw different types of men visiting with their loved ones. It was overwhelming to think of the reasons why they are all here.
As my eyes scanned the room, they found him. He was at the back of the room in his orange jumpsuit. He looked tired, sad, and depressed. As I was walking towards hIm, he lifted his head and had Elle's picture held in his hands.
"Alani...." He said as he stood up in front of me.

"Can I hug you?" I asked.
"We aren't allowed to, but the guards back is turned." He responded as he embraced me against his body.
"Inmate Pederson, release contact." The guard said sternly which caused our hug to end. We then proceeded to sit down and begin our visit.
"Hi Joc, I miss you."
"I miss you too. Thank you for the picture of Elle. She looks so beautiful."

"She's getting so big. She has Layla's attitude 100%." I said earning a laugh from him.

"I'm sorry Lani. I never got to tell you and I know I don't ever deserve for you to forgive me. I'm not asking for forgiveness, I just want you to know that I regret it. I wish I was the one that died. I loved Crystal so much and what I did.... I could never forgive myself. I deserve to rot in here. I took your cousin away from you. I had no visitors on my list because I don't want anyone to forgive me. I will live with this guilt for the rest of my life" he poured out before I interrupted.
"I don't think I could forgive you..... But I lost two people that day. I lost my cousin and my best friend. You already have a harsh punishment and I believe you still need someone. Your one huge mistake didn't just ruin your life, it affected all of us. Give everyone time and maybe they'll see things differently." I persuaded.
"Does anyone know you're here?" He questioned.
"No..." I said in response as I knew in my mind that everyone would be upset if they knew I were here.
"I can't have you here then Lani. I'm not going to be another reason to cause something. You know Corey would be pissed if he knew you were here. All the guys would be too. You need to go home. Take care of the babies and give them a kiss for me when they're born please."
"I love you Joc..."

"I love you too Lans." he said and then stood up to put his hands behind his back which meant he was done with his visit.

The guard then took him away in his handcuffs and I couldn't help but cry. It was all a lot to take in. But he was right, I needed to focus on the twins. My due date was approaching faster and faster. I was then once again lead back to the lobby by the guards and I reached the front desk to retrieve my belongings. Before I left, I went back to the front window and there the lady was.

"Thank you again. I appreciate you helping me with my visit." I said making sure she felt my appreciation and I knew she did when I finally seen her smile. What she did for me was a lot and without her, I wouldn't have been able to visit Joc.

**********

Yikes, its been forever since I updated. But this chapter has been ready for a while I just wanted to wait for my activeness to kick in before I published it. 

Q???:

Do you think Alani was wrong to visit Joc? Would you forgive Joc?

A: I think she'll get a lot of crap from everyone when they find out, but I mean I don't know if I could ever face him if I were here.

(Comment your answers)