ғᴏᴏᴛsᴛᴇᴘs | ᴋᴍ ✔︎

Jeri vs Kristie

"You were my life, you turned off like a switch.
You know what they say, well they say life's a bitch."
– ALLY HILLS

Night had completely drawn in, no more glimpses of a retreating sun, the moon now shining bright and proud in it's place, the light bouncing off the ocean below. It was one of the few moments since her arrival that Christen had left Jack's side, letting the younger girl have her space to process everything.

And she was trying.

Her heartbreak had quickly been replaced by anger as social media was flooded with photos of a happy Rachel accompanied by Millie, who Jack had once thought fondly of during her short stint in London but now her feelings were jumbled, her heart and head fighting for control and it was giving Jack a serious headache.

Oddly enough it was Jeri who had been helping her, besides Cody and Press, and had shown everyone a new side to her - including her family. It stepped on Hope's toes a little, she wanted to be there for the younger woman she adopted years ago but she knew Jack well enough to know not to force it.

So she stood back and let Jeri handle it...after she had gotten to know the other Morgan, and surprisingly taught her a few things too, but that's a discussion for later.

"It's natural to feel angry," Jeri states, finally taking Jack's phone from the vice-like grip of the Dash player, locking the screen and setting it on the coffee table. "Especially if she's acting like this, but I wouldn't pay much attention to it."

"Easier said than done, I haven't really posted anything, except a single picture, but she's out here on Twitter and Insta like she's never been happier." Jack paused, her brow furrowed. "Hell, maybe she is, maybe she wasn't happy with me at all."

"Okay, well I'm biased because of the bullshit between her, Kristie and Cody but I don't think she seems like the type to just date you for no reason. You made her happy, but sometimes things just have to end." Jeri states softly, trying to tread carefully. "I mean look at Cody and Kristie, after all the mess they seem to be in a healthier place, and they're both wiser for it."

"You're saying I should wait for her?"

"Fuck no." Jeri almost yells, bringing a small smile to Jack's face as she rests her head on the older woman's shoulder. "I'm not saying that, no one would tell you to wait for someone who isn't waiting for you. I'm saying learn from this, grow and you'll find someone better for you, whether in future that turns out to be Rachel or someone...nearer."

The hint wasn't lost on Jack but she didn't react to the bait.

Their soft conversation was cut short when Jeri spotted Kristie following Cody upstairs and the aunt was off her ass quicker than Usain Bolt running to the bathroom after a dodgy burrito.

"Where do you think you're going?" Jeri asked, her tone firm, arms crossed over her chest. Cody's groaning caught the attention of everyone else, including Hope who was giving Jeri a thumbs up.

"What did you teach her?" Alex could be heard asking Hope who shrugged.

"Some things can't be taught, just polished to a perfect finish."

"Well?" Jeri reiterated.

"Aunt Jeri, can you just...not?" Cody asks as she pinches the bridge of her nose. Kristie doesn't say a word, which is what usually happens when Jeri confronts her.

"Nope. Come with me Mewis, time for that talk." Jeri takes Kristie by the arm, leaving no room for arguments - although Cody does try - and leads the Dash pro out to the beach.

"You know, you can't kill me, everyone knows you're the last person to be seen with me." Kristie mutters, ignoring the laughter from the house they were leaving.

Jeri makes sure to close the door, choosing to dismiss the opened windows and the nosy faces of everyone inside.

"There's so much I want to say to you," she starts. "But we would be here for years. I'd love to yell at you for breaking my niece's heart the way you did. For leading her on–"

"I didn't—"

"I'm talking." Jeri cuts her off, finally putting to use all the little tricks Hope taught her about firm tones and death glares. "You broke her, and I thought that was the worst that could happen. Honestly, if this was my home, you would never be allowed in because I don't entirely trust you with my niece. All the good you've done is just overshadowed by all the bad you've done. Alex must see something in you because well, I don't know you but I know Cody. I know she's been through hell before we got her back and even after. I know she fights every single day just to keep her head above water."

The youngest Morgan tries to ignore the glances she receives from everyone else in the house as the all listen in on what appears to be a half-rehearsed speech mixed with an angry rant. Kristie, however, doesn't interrupt once and holds eye contact with Jeri.

"She needs stability, she needs love and she needs people she can trust. I don't know why but she always comes back to you, and yes that's her choice but I'll promise you one thing. One single thing, Mewis." Jeri states, taking a threatening step forward, and lowering her voice so that nobody but Kristie is able to hear her. "I'll break you if you break her. I promise you that, I've been taking classes, I dont care that you're taller, I can take you."

"I see those drama classes in high school didn't go to waste." Pamela chuckles, softly shaking her head as she wraps an arm around Cody, holding her tight and planting a kiss on her granddaughter's head.

"Can I talk now?" Kristie asks as Jeri takes a step back. The two glance at the house, noticing the blur of hair and bodies as everyone tries to duck from view. "I know what she's been through, I was there to see that, and I'll be damned if anything like that happens to her ever again. I know you don't trust me, I don't need you to trust me, I don't even need Alex to trust me. My only concern is Cody and yes, I screwed up in the past, I can't deny that. I can't deny that I acted like a jerk, like someone I don't even recognize myself to be, and I'll be the first to tell you how ashamed I am of my behavior."

Kristie takes an opportunity to lower her voice, taking time to reveal something to Jeri she hasn't even spoken to Cody.

"Now, I can't say that Cody and I will never argue, that we'll never have moments when we don't speak to each other, cause that would be bullshit. But I love that girl and no one, yourself included, will ever change that. I'm not going anywhere, Jeri. Unless Cody herself tells me to leave. So, I guess you'll just have to get used to seeing me around."

Everyone in the kitchin begin to conspire about what's being said by Kristie, but all the talking ceases as she and Jeri re-enter the kitchen.

"You're still not sleeping in her room." Jeri is heard saying, even though she has a smile on her face.

"I already told her that." Alex shrugs, glass of wine in hand as she smiles sweetly at Kristie, a look that says 'go on, try and argue with me'.

"Can I?" Jack butts in, the chorus of laughter brings a small smile to her face. The smile only grows as Cody wraps her up in a hug.

"It all hits the fan at once with us, huh?" Cody whispers in her best friend's ear.

"I love you, Maxi." Jack squeezes her best friend, trying but ultimately failing to convey just how much she loves her best friend.

"I love you, too."