Hurt

I just walked into some crazy situation. I came to Jackson's place to visit baby Jax, I heard loud voices coming from his office.

When I came to check with Josie, we just found Jackson bleeding, Lucas is with him.

"What's going on here?"

I stare at Jackson, his mouth hanging open. There's blood on his lips. When he doesn't answer I turn to Lucas.

"Can you please explain?"

"Things just got out of control. I'm sorry but I couldn't stand the fact he left you now that you're..."

Lucas hesitates, his eyes drop to my belly. I turn to Jackson again, now I understand his shock. Lucas just told him about the pregnancy.

"Is it true?"

When I don't say anything he takes my silence as an answer.

"Why don't you tell me? You told him but not to me?"

(How dare him to act hurt?)

"I wanted to, but when I tried you were busy..."

I emphasize the words making sure he notice my sarcasm.

"Candice, you didn't give me the chance to explain."

"Explain with I saw with my own eyes?"

I glance at Lucas that is now looking confuse, I don't want to have this conversation in front of him.

I shake my head walking away, whatever happened with them I'm not ready to talk with Jackson but he follows me to the living room.

"Candice, you're not leaving without talking with me."

"I don't want to talk with you now."

Jackson grabs my arms making me stop.

"Is that true? Are you pregnant?"

The words are too heavy to say, I don't answer anything.

"Please, I need to hear from you."

I raise my head looking into his eyes.

"Yes."

"You should have told me, not him."

His voice is weak now, maybe hurt.

I look at him with the same hurt expression remembering the day I came to tell him about the pregnancy.

"Unless... is not...mine."

His words make me change from hurt to angry.

"Don't do that."

"Is there any chance...?"

"You're the only possible father."

With that, I try to get away from him to leave again.

"We need to talk about this."

"Now you know, there's nothing else to talk about."

"Candice, you know nothing happened that day."

"Then I'm sorry for interrupting you."

"Don't be like this."

"Like what? She's your wife, I'm the other."

"Stop acting like this, I know what you saw was... I know it hurts...

But you know the truth, you know you're the one I want."

Suddenly I feel very tired, I just want this to end.

"Jax... will this ever end? We'll never have peace. I can't live like this."

"We didn't even have the chance to try. You can't give up before trying."

Jackson holds my face with both hands looking into my eyes with intensity. It's hard to breathe when he's so close.

I can't hold the tears, his touch used to be what gives me peace but now I can't stand being in his arms.

"I'm sorry... Jackson, I can't..."

"Please, Candice doesn't give up on us..."

I feel like this is too much to process. I love him, I do love him like I never loved anyone before. But I'm too weak now to fight.

"Please just let me go."

Jackson releases my arm reluctantly, I finally leave his house.

The next few weeks he calls me plenty of times, I ignore all his voice calls.

I'm staying with Papa and Bonnie, he came to see me a few times but I don't answer. Josie comes almost every day with baby Jax.

Two months pass since I left Jackson, my baby bump is already showing.

Spending the day with Jax is one of my favorite things, he's trying new words and getting smarter every day.

"Candie! It's time for the boy to go."

"Thank you, Papa. We're going soon.

Come on Jax, Josie is here to take you home."

He usually spends most of the days with me and Josie takes him home later. But today is not Josie...

Jackson is waiting for me outside. I glance at Papa Danny behind me, he should have told me.

"Sweety... you need to talk with him, he's the father. Are you sure you want to keep him away?"

"Still You should have told me."

"Would you come if you knew?"

I don't say anything, I just shake my head and walk outside.

"Hey, big boy!"

Jax runs to his father, it is hard to follow him now that he can walk.

"I was not expecting you."

"I know."

"I'll get his things."

"Candice..."

He calls me and I stop, I think about what Papa told me and decide to listen to what Jackson has to say.

"How are you?"

"I'm okay."

"Is everything okay with the baby?"

"Yes, I'm still getting sick some days but nothing too bad."

"You already know if it's a boy or a girl?"

"No, maybe in a few weeks."

I just answer his questions, but I know this is not all we have to say.

"Candice... Come back home with me. I want to take care of you and our baby."

The way he says our baby makes my heart sink, I miss him but I'm too afraid to suffer again.

Jax keeps pointing to my belly saying baby, it's the new word he just learned.

"That's right Jax, there's a baby there. You will be a big brother soon."

Jackson places his hand on my stomach, I miss his touch. Even this simple touch makes my heart jump.

I miss his touch. Even this simple touch makes my heart jump.

I place my hand over him, he gets closer and gives a kiss on my forehead. We stay like this for a moment, Jax in his arms and we both touching my belly.

"You told me you wouldn't leave me."

He whispers to me, I close my eyes trying to fight the tears.

"Jax..."

I try but I'm unable to speak. But there's no need. Jackson put his free arm around me, our little family is together again.