Here comes the bride

Detective Lucas is waiting outside the house. I was not expecting him here since he should be on a meeting with Jackson.

"Hey."

I try my best to sound okay but my voice is still shaken up.

"Hey, Candice. You look beautiful."

"Thanks."

"What's the occasion?"

"It's my grandfather's wedding."

"Oh! Congratulations."

"Thanks. What are you doing here, Lucas? Is everything ok?"

"Yes. I just need your signature on a few papers."

"Oh. About the case?"

"Yes, I thought you'd be with Jackson, he told me where to find you."

"I see..."

It feels awkward, I used to be very close to Lucas but now I just don't know how to act around him.

"Come inside, show me what do I need to sign."

Everyone is in the backyard, we sit by the kitchen table. Lucas show me the papers, while I read carefully he keeps watching me.

I look up to him. Honestly, I think I want to tell someone, maybe someone from outside like Lucas.

(No, I'm still not ready.)

"This is all?"

"Yes, thank you for your help, Candice. It was very important to solve the case."

"Don't mention it."

"I'll meet Jackson tomorrow, I'll check everything again. I want to make sure I'm not missing anything, I don't want to give Pierre any chance to get free so soon."

"Ok, tell me if you need anything else."

Lucas gives me a short smile before he leaves.

"Take care, Candice."

If Jackson is not meeting Lucas today he's probably at home. He told me to never lie to him again, even if this is scary I should tell him about the pregnancy.

I try to call Jackson to tell him I'm going home earlier but he doesn't pick up.

(He's probably in the shower or something like this.)

"Papa, I'm leaving."

"Why so soon?"

"I'm not feeling very well, probably something I ate."

"Oh! Are you sure you don't want to spend the night?"

"It's your honeymoon..."

"Oh come on..."

"See you later Papa..."

I laugh, sometimes he can be so distracted. I get baby Jax with Josie and head back home.

During the ride back I try to prepare myself to tell Jackson the news.

--------------

I walk inside my grandfather's place, no one notices me. They're all in the backyard, I watch them for a while. There are not too many people, only some of their friends.

(I thought Jackson would be here... but if Candice came alone to the oldies wedding I have nothing to do here.)

I look myself in the mirror, the baby bump I used to have is not here anymore.

("Hello miss Candice". I look perfect... He will never notice I'm not her. Now I'll just wait for Jackson to come back from work.)

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"Hey, you got back early."

"Yes, I thought they could start their honeymoon earlier."

"I wish I could be there with you."

"Don't worry, you can't congratulate them later. I'm here now."

Candice has a sweet smile on her face. She seems more relaxed today, maybe the wedding made her feel better.

"Come here."

"No, you come here. Why don't you come to the bedroom with me?"

I just smile and follow her to our bedroom.

She has something different, Candice is sexy but with some shyness. Today she's more upfront.

"mmm... I think someone missed me."

"You have no idea."

She grabbed my face and kiss me, I deepen the kiss. It's good but something is missing.

Candice take me to the bed, she starts taking off my clothes. There's something about her touch.

"Hey... wait.."

"mmm... just relax babe."

(Candice never calls me like this.)

She pulls me to her again for another kiss. But I can't go on.

"No, stop. Wait just a minute... relax, not too fast."

I look deep into her eyes when I finally see.

(Blue-gray eyes...)

I push her away from me.

"Amanda!"

Before I can leave the bed I hear someone opening the door.

(Oh fuck! no no no)

"Candice!"

I can see the pain in her blue eyes. She's hurt.

Amanda acts as nothing happened, she isn't even looking ashamed, guilty, or embarrassed.

"Are you insane? Get out of my house now, Amanda!"

"Are you not having fun anymore?"

"Leave! Now, Amanda!"

I do my best to hold myself, I have never been so angry with Amanda before.

"Candice, wait!"

I want to run after her but she's fast and I'm wearing nothing but my boxers.

I run my hands through my hair, I can't believe I fell for that. But I'm sure she'll believe me when I explain what happened.

"What are you still doing here? I told you to leave!"

I shove her clothes on her, I just want Amanda out of my house and my life.

"Jax, babe... I just thought if we spent some time together you would remember..."

"What I should remember Amanda? The terrible years I had by your side? The way you used me and lied to me? The way you tried to steal my money with your lover?"

Her mouth hangs open, there's nothing she can do to have me back.

"Put something in that head of you, Amanda. We're done! I don't want to see you ever again."

She finally swallows her pride, takes her clothes, and leaves.

(Now I need to find Candice, I hope she's still here.)

I put on some pants and run out of the room looking for Candice, I check her old room. She's not there.

(Maybe she's with Jax.)

I'm right, when I open the door she's placing the sleeping baby in his crib.

I feel some relief, she's still here. Maybe everything will be fine when I explain.

"Hey... I thought you left, I was looking for you."

"No, please don't."

"Please, just let me explain."

I try to touch her hand but she takes a step away from me.

"Stay away, Jackson!"

She looks at me with the eyes of an animal ready for attack.

"Candice..."

"I was just making sure he was asleep. I'm leaving."

"You don't need to go..."

"Are you kidding me?"

Candice scoffs. She closes her eyes for a moment like she's trying to calm down. She places a kiss on Jax's forehead and walks away.

"Candice, please..."

"Jackson, please just stay away. I can't do this now."

I thought she would cry or yell at me but she does nothing, it's even worse. I don't k ow what she's thinking.

I want to hold Candice and stop her from leaving me but I know I need to give her space.

I just watch her leave, I sit down covering my face with my hands, my head is blowing. I look at my son sleeping, I think about the way Candice loves him. Even hurt she came to make sure he was okay before she leaves, very different from his mother.

(I can't let her go, I need to find a way to have Candice back in our lives.)

"I promise you, my boy, I'll make her come back to us."