Our Love Story {Discontinued}

Homecoming

"Lourdes wait!" Jared went after his wife, well soon to be ex-wife.

"I'm not doing this today Jared. I know you love her, I know you always will."

"I just- I wanted to give you the divorce paperwork. I know it's sudden, but Mik... Mik is pregnant."

"Oh- oh wow. Congratulations... I mean... Is that weird to say?" Lourdes asked, but Jared had an astounded look on his face.

"You took that much better than I expected if I'm honest."

"I know," she began, "that I can't ask to leave her if she's having your baby. You love each other, so be with each other," Lourdes placed her hand on his upper arm, "You'll never love me, or anyone else, as much as you have ever loved Michaela. Have a good life Jared, I'll sign the papers and get them in by the end of the week."

"Thank you for understanding Lourdes," Jared said, pulling her in for a small hug before they parted ways again.

• • •

Ben and Grace left the room with Cal and Olive just behind them. Steve stayed in the room with his daughter, who was still fighting for consciousness.

"Jared."

"Mr. Stone," Jared paused for a moment, staying in the doorway, "How is she?"

"She's ok. I've seen her through better and worse."

Jared nodded and sat down in a seat near where Michaela laid. She closed her eyes and seemed to fall asleep soon after.

"I know," Steve began. Jared looked at him, extremely confused. "I know she's pregnant," Jared looked at the man with such an astounded look that Steve thought Jared might fall over.

"How?"

"She told me. I know you're divorcing Lourdes, and we both know where that's going to leave you." Jared nodded and Steve continued, "As soon as those divorce papers go through and you are legally divorced, you have my permission to marry Michaela," Mr. Stone said, letting go of Michaela's hand and walking to where Jared stood, handing his future son-in-law a small black box. Jared opened it, and inside was an engagement ring.

"Sir, thank you for your blessing, but I already have a ring," Jared responded, trying to hand the small box back to Steve.

"It was her mother's ring. Karen wanted me to keep it in the family. If Mik says yes, which she will, I'll give you her mother and my wedding bands."

"Thank you," Jared replied and hugged his future father-in-law before Mr. Stone left the room. Jared sat down and pocketed the ring before sitting next to Michaela. He placed her hand in his, gently rubbing his thumb over the back of her hand. Michaela's eyes opened and she smiled at Jared.

"Hey," she whispered, blinking to adjust to the lights again.

"Hi. Are you feeling better?"

"A bit sore, but otherwise I feel ok."

"The doctor said you get to go home today."

"Yeah. I'm going to Ben's."

"Oh... I was hoping maybe they'd let you stay with me."

"I'd be happy too," Michaela replied with a smile, "But can you handle taking care of me?"

Jared tolled his eyes and kissed Michaela's cheek before going to find out if he would be able to take Michaela home.

• • •

As the night neared its end, Michaela was being prepped to leave the hospital while the nurses lectured Jared, as well as Ben, on how to take care of Michaela.

The three left the hospital just before midnight. Jared drove back to his house and Ben sat in the backseat with Michaela to keep an eye on her. She'd fallen asleep for most of the ride, but woke up when Ben started talking to Jared. Instead of moving, she listened to what they were talking about.

"She's asleep now, so I'm going to ask. Did you know she was pregnant before she was shot?"

"No. I had no idea. She was avoiding me."

"Ok. Did my dad give you the ring?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Because I know how you should prop-" Ben's words cut off when he realized Michaela was waking up, "How long have you been listening Mik?"

"What?"

"We both know you were listening. How long have you been awake?"

"Since you started talking."

"Michaela!"

"You woke me up!"

"Well, looks like I ruined the surprise. At least you don't know what we're planning."

Michaela punched his arm as Jared pulled up to the house. Ben got out of the car first, helping Michaela out of the car and into the house. She sat down on the couch and Ben gave her a hug before taking Jared's car to get Michael stuff from her apartment.

"Are you still feeling ok?" Jared asked, sitting down with her.

"Yeah I'm fine," she answered laying her head on his chest. "Thank you."

"What?"

"For getting me to the hospital and offering to take care of me until the doctor lets me off of bed rest."

"Of course. I have something for you," Jared said with a smile and Michaela let him up to get it. He returned and sat down again, holding out the engagement ring that he had proposed to Michaela with before flight 828. "Just over 5 years ago I got this ring, hoping that you'd say yes and we'd spend the rest of our lives together."

"Jared- please don't propose, not now."

"I'm not. I want you to wear it. It's going to be a promise ring I guess. I'm promising that I'll always love you and our baby and I'll always be here with you and for the both of you for the rest of our lives. I'm not asking you to marry me, not today at least, but I still want you to wear it."

Michaela leaned forward and kissed Jared, placing her hand around his ear. When she pulled away Jared slid the ring onto her ring finger on her right hand instead of the left.

• • •

About 5 and a half weeks had gone by and Jared and Lourdes were officially divorced. Michaela felt better and had permission, from her doctor, to leave the house. Jared had been planning their first real time out together for weeks, and he knew how he wanted the night to end.

"Jared!" Michaela yelled from upstairs, she had gone up to change into something nicer than sweatpants. "Jared!"

Jared rushed up the stairs to see Michaela standing with blood running down her leg. She had tears streaming down her face, and was near collapsing when Jared kept her from falling forward.

"I'm losing the baby. They're not gonna be able to save her, it's a 30 minute drive."

"Mik, you need to breathe. Just breathe. It's ok. I'll call the doctor, you go to the bathroom and clean yourself off. Breathe. It's going to be fine." Jared could barely get the words out through Michaela's weeping and his own tears. He was choking on his words, but if he couldn't stay strong then how can he help Michaela stay strong too.