A Little Sane

Chapter 36

Mercedes slowly opened her eyes. She was lying flat on her back with a four year old on either side of her. She gently pulled her arms out from under the kids. She was unsuccessful in keeping them asleep. They both sprung up like flowers. Aislinn climbed into Mercedes's lap. Mercedes gently kissed her cheek.

"Good morning my Aisie bear."

Jessie stood up and started jumping on the bed. Mercedes laughed.

"Jessie be careful okay? I don't want you to fall off."

Jessie landed on his butt laughing. Abbe was walking down the hallway, but stopped just in front of Mercedes's room. Mercedes and Abbe stared at each other when they heard the front door opening. Mercedes looked at her kids. She placed Aislinn on the bed.

"Stay here please."

Mercedes walked by Abbe and straight into the living room. She froze standing by the hallway. Jerome was standing by the front door. His nose was slightly bruised. They stared at each other for a few moments until two pairs of small feet came rushing through the living room.

"Daddy!"

Jerome smiled at his kids. Aislinn reached her hands up. Jerome laughed.

"You're such a big girl to be picked up like this."

He poked her nose and Aislinn smiled.

"Daddy your nose.."

Jerome continued to smile.

"Oh I'm okay baby girl. Daddy just tripped on the way home and fell down."

Aislinn hugged Jerome. Jerome sighed when he put her down. The twins ran into the kitchen with Abbe.

"I want Fwuit loop pantcakes!"

Mercedes and Jerome stared at each other for a few moments until both of them tried to speak. Jerome put his hand in the air.

"No.. I shouldn't have hit you.. I'm sorry."

Mercedes gently felt his nose. Jerome groaned.

"You need some ice on that.. I'm sorry I punched you..."

Jerome walked to their bedroom. Mercedes reluctantly followed him.  Jerome picked up his suitcase. Mercedes looked at him confused.

"Jerome what are you doing..?"

He turned around.

"I didn't come home to stay.. I am going to another safe house.."

Mercedes slowly walked up to him.

"What... No.. You can't leave..."

Jerome looked at her slightly angry.

"So it's okay for you to pick up and leave whenever shit hits the fan, but I'm stuck here?"

Mercedes's eyes got more watery with everything he shoved in the bag. Jerome looked at the bed side table and noticed their picture was in a new frame. He sighed as he closed the case. Jerome reluctantly turned towards Mercedes. He didn't want to see her tears, but that's exactly what he saw. Mercedes gently grabbed his arm.

"I.. I'm sorry.. Please.. Don't leave..."

Jerome gently wiped her tears. He leaned in and gently kissed her forehead. He pulled away.

"No I have to. Another thing... I want to see my kids every two days.. I'll come here to pick up and drop off.. I'm leaving because this apartment is better for a mother and children.. But I still want to see my kids.."

Mercedes wiped her tears. Jerome was standing by the bedroom door.

"You don't want me to know where you are going..."

Jerome groaned slightly and shook her head.

"Mercedes it's just easier to do pick up and drop off here..  I'll be back tomorrow to get them first thing in the morning.. I'd like to go ahead and start with my two days.."

Mercedes walked up to him and gently grabbed his wrist.

"You know I... Didn't mean what I said.. Right..?"

Jerome gave her a small smile.

"Of course I know you didn't mean it."

Jerome looked at the time and sighed.

"I gotta go.."

Mercedes watched him walk down the hallway and towards the front door. She heard it shut.

"Mommy? Why did daddy leave?"

Mercedes took off running out the front door.

"Jerome!"

She caught him just as the elevator closed. She covered her mouth in shock. She wiped her tears before she walked back into the apartment.

"Daddy is going to stay at another home for a while.. But here's the cool thing.. You guys will get to go spend some days with daddy at his other home.."

Jessie tugged on his mom.

"Why mommy?"

Mercedes knelt down in front of him.

"Here the thing baby... Mommy and Daddy just need some space from each other right now.. But daddy will come back.."

Abbe was playing with the twins in their room. Mercedes was staring around her room. She could instantly notice the stuff that was missing. She set on their bed and put her face in her hands. She felt as of she throat was closing and she couldn't breathe anymore. She was sure that this arrangement was going to last long than she wanted. She could feel that she had lost her husband, but she still get past her plan. She just wanted to do whatever it took to keep Diablo from holding another gun to his head or blowing him up. She refused to let Jerome or her children die. She picked up the picture on the bed side table. She wiped away tears that fell on the frame. They looked so happy and in love in that picture. Mercedes knew she was crazy for who she fell in love with, but it just happened. It jumped at her. She couldn't control it and know she was going even more crazy to save this insanity she called love.

How does a moment last forever?
How can a story never die?
It is love we must hold onto
Never easy, but we try
Sometimes our happiness is captured
Somehow, our time and place stand still
Love lives on inside our hearts and always will

Minutes turn to hours, days to years then gone
But when all else has been forgotten
Still our song lives on

Maybe some moments weren't so perfect
Maybe some memories not so sweet
But we have to know some bad times
Or are lives are incomplete
Then when the shadows overtake us
Just when we feel all hope is gone
We'll hear our song and know once more
Our love lives on

How does a moment last forever?
How does our happiness endure?
Through the darkest of our troubles
Love is beauty, love is pure
Love pays no mind to desolation
It flows like a river through the soul
Protects, perceives, and perseveres
And makes us whole

Minutes turn to hours, days to years then gone
But when all else has been forgotten
Still our song lives on
How does a moment last forever
When our song lives on