Free fall

"Don't your mom deserve a hug?"

I can't believe this woman, after all this time.

"Why do you send those messages?"

"Look at you, all grown up..."

"Please, mother. Drop it!"

"Hey, calm down."

Lucas reaches my hand trying to keep things under control.

"You must be Alice. You better start talking now."

He stays between me and Alice.

"You always had good company with you, Amanda."

Lucas and I share a glance, she doesn't recognize me. My mother left when we were kids, after all this time she could probably know the difference under good lighting and if I was not wearing glasses. I'm still not safe.

"What do you want? Don't tell me you just missed your daughter after all this time."

"You said you couldn't help me anymore because your husband wouldn't agree, but when I saw you visiting fancy restaurants and maintaining a whole apartment just to meet with your boy toy, I was wondering what your beloved husband would say."

"So, this is about money."

"Of course not, is about priorities. You shouldn't spend all this money with futility instead of taking care of your mother."

"You want to talk about priorities? What about a mother not taking care of her daughters?"

"You have no idea, do you?"

Alice speaks like she knows something I don't.

"Ok, It's enough. What do you want Alice?"

"You better keep helping me if you don't want me having a little chat with my son-in-law."

"You wouldn't dare..."

"Oh! try me, little girl."

Alice storms out of the apartment, Lucas closes the door and comes back to me.

"I can't believe my mother is blackmailing my sister."

Lucas hesitates for a moment then sits down next to me in the bed and holds me.

"At least now we know what we're dealing with."

"She thinks you're my lover."

"That's better than she knowing the truth about you and why I'm here."

You're always so positive?"

"No, but I'm trying to make you feel better. I hope it's working, how are you feeling?"

I take some space from Lucas. I always feel safe with him, I know he's trying to make me feel better. But I'm far from good now.

"After all this time I thought someday she would come back at least to know about us. Of course, I didn't expect her to be very motherly, the woman left her two kids. But I thought maybe..."

"I know it's hard to find out your mother is not a good person, but it doesn't mean there's something wrong with you. If she can't love you, it's her loss."

Lucas caresses my face, I feel some tears dropping.

"You'll be fine, Candice. I'll take care of you, I promise you."

"What I gonna do? I don't have money, I can't ask Jackson."

"We need to find a way to lead her on until you can leave his house."

"She wants money, maybe if I let her live here could get us some time."

"Could work... but let me talk with her, I don't want Alice around you."

"Don't worry that much, I don't think she could do any harm."

My mother looks like Amanda, she likes money but I don't think she would hurt me.

"We can't trust her, also I told you I'd keep you safe."

The plan worked, Alice agreed to wait with the condition she moves to the apartment. The fundraising event is coming soon, which means in a couple of days I'll be back to my life as Candice.

When the event day arrives my day is so busy I don't have time to think this will be my last day with Jackson and Jax.

I try the dresses and rehearsal one last time, Ray planned a talent show. It will be rich people paying to watch more rich people singing, dancing, or anything else they want.

Amanda said to Ray she would sing, I tried to convince him I changed my mind but he thinks it's a great idea, he would never let me back off.

"This is what you're wearing tonight? I approve."

I hear Jackson talking behind me while I fix my hair, he's leaning against the door looking as good as always. I'm wearing just a robe, his eyes travel over my body making me shiver.

"Don't be silly, I still have to feed Jax. I don't want apple juice all over my dress."

Jackson looks happy, Lucas is still investigating his company. He couldn't find anything but the deal is I'm leaving after the fundraising.

He wraps his arms around my waist from behind, I got used to his body too fast.

"Thank you for everything you did with the fundraising."

"Ray did the most of everything."

"Still, it means a lot to me you're interested in our business. The foundation is very important to me."

"I know, I'm glad to help."

Ray told me a few things about the Redgrave Foundation, it's a good cause. But lately, they don't have enough money to keep it going, if this fundraising doesn't go well they may need to close the doors.

Jax leans down and plants a kiss on my shoulder, it's sweet and intimate.

"Jax... I need to get dressed now."

"Ok, ok... You can't blame a man for trying."

Later I look myself in the mirror, I never thought I'd ever wear something like this. Ray helped me to pick this dress, and I'm glad he did. I walk out of the closet to meet Josie in the bedroom.

"Oh my God! Look at you. You look amazing."

"Thank you, Josie, this dress make me feel this way. But you're not bad yourself, look at you!

"I'm glad for don't have to wear a uniform for one night."

"Of course not, tonight is a special night and you're part of this too. I'm glad you liked the dress."

"Thank you for the dress and for inviting me."

"Not a thing, I have to thank you for everything you do to me here."

"Why does it feel like a goodbye?"

"You know I can't stay forever, Josie."

"I know, but I wish you could."

"Ok, we should get going now."

We meet Jackson in the living room. He's holding Jax, both looking amazing.

"Look at you both! You look so charming my baby boy."

I smooth baby Jax's clothes, he looks really cute.

"I don't think it could be different, look at you..."

Jackson tilts my chin and gives me a peck on the lips.

"There's only something missing..."

My eyes go wide, I look at my outfit checking me down. Then Jackson hands the baby to Josie and takes something from his pocket.

"Here... Now you're perfect."

He places the beautiful necklace around my neck.

"Oh my God! Jax... this is... this is so beautiful."

"Then is perfect for you."

It's really beautiful, I could never have something like this, looks very expensive.

"Jax... this is amazing but I can't accept."

"What? Why not?"

"It's just too much..."

"Don't be silly, I want you to have it."

(He's right, I'm being silly. I'm Amanda, his wife she would never say no to this gift. I can accept now, I'm not taking it with me when I leave anyway.)

"Thank you, Jax, I love it."

I lean to him and kiss him.

"Ok, let's go."

We arrive at the tennis club, the hall is perfectly decorated, we did a good job here.

"Amanda! This place is amazing."

Matt greet us warmly when we get to the entrance, the place s already packed.

"Oh! Hey Matt. Thank you, Ray will be glad to hear you liked it. Are you ready for your presentation?"

"Of course! These people never saw a more talented pianist."

He makes all of us laugh.

"Very humble, I'm looking forward to it."

"Don't boost his ego, baby."

Jackson holds me close speaking in my ear. His warm breath gives me goosebumps, I feel the heat rising on my neck and face. He smiles at me, he knows exactly what he's doing.

"You should do something to Jax, I know people would love it."

Hanna can barely hide her jealousy.

"Oh! Hi Hanna. I don't think so, I'll let this with Mandie here. Ray told me she'll rock it."

He glances at me smiling making me blush even harder.

"You should lower your expectations, Jax, don't trust in everything Ray says"

I smile back at him, I'm starting to feel nervous now.

The presentation starts, I'm glad people are having fun. Matt is on stage playing the piano, he was not lying. He's good.

I look to Jackson by my side on the table, he looks so happy. I can see how much this foundation means to him.

"You better don't say anything when he gets back here. I don't think I can handle his ego at the office after this."

We both laugh, it's so nice to have this moment with him, tonight I just want Jackson to be happy. That's the last thing I can do to him.

"I think it's your turn now!"

"Oh! Shit, I'm nervous..."



"Don't worry, just have fun."

Jax gives me a peck on the lips and I go backstage to change the dress. Right now I'm happy for Jackson, the fundraising is a success. At least he'll have something good about my stay in his house. I take a deep breath and take a place on the stage.

When the lights turn on I hear some gasps coming from the crowd, Jackson's eyes are locked on me. This will be more difficult than I thought but I'll just do what he said, just have fun.

"Thanks, everyone for coming tonight, you know how this foundation is important to my family. I'm glad you accepted our invitation to help this noble cause and meanwhile have some fun."

The crowd applauds.

"Well... this song is called "Gravity" from Sara Wireless. If you want me to stop at some point just keep throwing more money."

Everyone laughs at my joke, then the hall goes silent when the music started.

Everything around me fades away, I can only see Jackson, it's like we're the only one here. Our eyes were glued to each other.

I shut my eyes, the lyrics hurt me, I'm nearly choking, struggling to keep with the song.

When I open my eyes again the tears I was holding starts to fall.

When I finish the crowd is silent for a moment, then burst into cheers and applause. Jackson is the only one still staring at me, he looks frozen in his place.

We stare at each other for a moment and have no doubt, I'm telling him the truth, I can't keep lying to him.

I drop the microphone and storm out of the stage, I want to run for Jackson but someone blocks my way.

"Amanda! I thought you wouldn't come."

I freeze in shock unable to answer, it's the man from the pictures I found. He looks surprised to see me too.

"Pierre! I'm glad you came. I see you already know my wife."

Jackson comes behind me placing his arm possessive around my waist.

"Yes but I never thought she was a superstar."

"It's a surprise for me too, I'm still stunned."

Jax kisses my temple, he and Pierre shake hands.

I look around, is he alone here? What this man is doing here, what's his relationship with Jackson and Amanda?

"Excuse me, can I take a picture of you two?"

A photographer approached, I'm still shocked. I don't have any reaction when Pierre gets closer to me.

"Of course, I'd love to have a picture with the star of the night."

Some other people approach to take pictures and greet me, I'm starting to feel dizzy.

When the flashes snap again and again everything goes dark.

"Amanda! Please wake up baby."

I hear Jackson's voice and I open my eyes with some difficulty.

"Oh thank god. I'll call the paramedic."

Jackson runs out of the room, I'm laying on a couch. I look up and see Pierre is here too.

He leans down and speaks low to me.

"Does he know?"

I can't understand what he's talking about, I think he didn't notice it not Amanda.

"What are you talking about?"

Pierre doesn't have time to explain, Jackson, get back inside with the paramedic. He starts to check my vitals.

"Is she ok? She's pregnant, we should get her to the hospital?"

Jackson is worried by my side, Pierre glance at me surprised, I wonder if he's the father.

"Her vitals are good, It was probably just a pregnancy sickness. With some rest, I bet you gotta feel better, Mrs. Redgrave."

"What about the baby? Amanda, I'm taking you to the hospital."

"No, I'm feeling better Jackson. You heard her, it's a normal thing to happen."

"Ok, then I'm taking you home."

(Gladly, I can't wait to leave this place and get away from this man. I need to stay away from Pierre the most I can till I talk with Lucas.)

Jackson takes me home. I'm feeling better when we arrive, I never had so many ups and downs in a short period. This is affecting me, but I still have one more thing to do. I have to tell Jackson the truth, now Pierre is here I don't have much time before everything blows in my face.

First I take Jax to his crib, then I get a deep breath and walk to the bedroom. I find Jackson having a drink.

"I bet no one will complain it was not a blast."

"I think so, it was a night full of high emotions."

My heart is hammering in my chest.

Jackson stands up and walks to me, he placed a hand between my breasts.

"Yes, I can feel..."

"Jax, there's something I need to tell you..."

"Shhh.. let me speak first."

He kisses my forehead and places a finger on my lips.

"I have been thinking this for a while now, I never thought we could be a real family but the last couple of months..."

"Jackson, please..."

"Please, let me finish..."

I need to tell him, but he stops me again.

"The last couple of months you made me believe this could be possible. I never thought you would be by my side with these issues, the way you're taking care of our baby, and what you did at the fundraising... You gave me hope..."

My eyes are watering, he's not speaking with Amanda, Amanda was not here the last couple of months. We did this together, what we built together was not a lie.

"Thank you for staying by my side, I don't know what I'd do without your support."

"You don't need to thank me."

He's very close now, his breath warming my face. I can feel his scent.

Jackson touches my back, his hand sliding down. I crave his touch on my bare skin.

Tonight I don't want to think, if I never see him again I want to have something to remember.