A Little Sane

Chapter 101

The hotel door slowly closed. The king size bed in the room stood out the most. The room was beautiful. Mercedes couldn't help but stare at the huge flat screen tv. Her eyes traveled to the balcony. She was in a trance. 

"Are you sure you can trust Oriena and Elijah with the club while we're gone..?"

Mercedes was instantly pulled out of her trance slightly annoyed at the lost feeling of the bliss. She groaned jokingly.

"Yes. Can we not talk about work or what I did to officer Davis while we're here? I don't know how they could afford this room, but it is gorgeous!"

Jerome chuckled. Mercedes instantly walked towards the balcony. She stood overlooking down town Applegate. Jerome watched her from the back, but knew that she was smiling that beautiful smile he loved more than anything. He set their bags against the wall. He set on the bed and looked around. It truly was a nice room. Better than the theirs at home he thought. He started thinking about what TaTyana had said. That they needed to take this trip seriously. His heart ached. He knew they couldn't take this trip seriously if they didn't even at least acknowledge that divorce was a thing that happens. Jerome knew one thing for certain. That he was completely and unconditionally in love with Mercedes and that he would do absolutely anything for her greater good. Even if that meant divorcing her and letting her go a little. He would always be there to watch over her, but if he had to let her be with a more normal and sane person for her to truly be happy then he would do it. He pictured her smile and heard her laugh. Their memories flooded through his mind. He just wanted her to be happy. He knew he would do anything for her to be happy. It wasn't that he wanted that to happen, but he knew that he had to acknowledge every option if they were ever going to work enough to stay in each others lives. He let out a heavy breath.

"Mercedes...? Could you please come here..?"

Mercedes smiled to herself before walking back into the room, shutting the balcony doors. She noticed Jerome sitting on the edge of the large bed. He didn't look too happy. Mercedes tilted her head in sad comfort.

"What's wrong baby..?"

Jerome slowly looked up into her worried eyes. He sighed.

"We need to talk..."

Mercedes was definitely taken back and nervous by his statement. 

"What about?"

Jerome stared at her as he tried to find the words. 

"This trip.. we have three days.. we really need to take it seriously.."

Mercedes laughed. Her cheerful demeanor meant she wasn't thinking about anything, but having fun.

"What do you mean? I am taking this seriously. We're going to hang out."

Jerome shook his head. He really hated to bring this up.

"No you're not.."

Mercedes' smile instantly dropped. 

"What's going on Jerome...?"

Jerome's expression fell as well. Mercedes could see the discomfort in his eyes. Only when he parted his lips to speak did the moment of silence get interrupted. 

"We need to have that conversation that TaTyana was talking about.."

Mercedes stood up straighter.

"W-why..?"

"So we can make sure we understand where we we are going with this trip.."

Mercedes backed up. She was hurt and it was written all over her face. Jerome felt his heart crack.