The Broken One Chapter Twenty-Five
December 18,2010
Sitting in the hospital bed I smile as I watch Junia sleep. She looks so content and happy. I reckon I would be happy too if I was only three days old and having everyone doting on me as well.
Seeing Junia slowly move in her sleep, her eyes opening I reach into the bassinet she is in, taking her out. "Hey baby girl," I say softly as I kiss her forehead, inhaling her newborn scent. "Did you enjoy your nap?" I ask when she cooes up at me.
"Oh you did?" I smile as I talk to her like she understands me. "I am glad you did. Mommy liked watching you sleep. I'm sure if daddy were here he would have too," I say as I think of Zac. He is off at some Christmas show they are doing. I kind of wish he were here with me but I know band stuff comes first, it always has.
Hearing the door open I look up, making a face when I see Kate come in the room. I was expecting it to be Jessica. She was the one who was supposed to be picking Junia and I up and taking us home.
"Avery," Kate starts a smirk playing on her face. "How are you feeling after giving birth to that precious little girl?" she asks when she makes it to where I am. Her hand slowly reaches out to ruffle what little hair Junia has on her head.
I chew on my lip wondering just what she is up too. "I am good," I nod forcing a smile before holding Junia closer to me. "Still in a bit of pain but the doctors say that is normal for someone who has given birth naturally."
Kate smirks more, "I'm sorry to hear about the pain," she tells me her voice thick with some sort of new tone I have never heard her use before. "But to be honest I'm not here because of you. I'm here to tell you I have contacted Child Protective Services," she says as she produces a paper from her purse, handing it to me.
Before taking the paper I put Junia in her bassinet again. Once I know she is snug in there I then take the paper from Kate. Unfolding it I look it over, swallowing a lump in my throat. It's a written statement from her. She has told them everything about Zac and I.
"You really did it," I whisper unable to believe she has really followed through with one of her threats. "You turned us in."
Junia lets out a cry before Kate can answer me. Instead of answering me, she picks Junia up, rocking her in her arms.
"I did turn you guys in," Kate nods as she looks up at me. "I told you I would if you decided not to do what I wanted and leave Zac once this beautiful baby girl was born," she smiles before looking down at Junia again. "I will go back on what I said in that on one condition Avery," she says as she keeps her eyes on Junia.
Swallowing hard I am sure I know what that condition is but I want to ask anyway. "What?" I ask my voice cracking when I feel tears wanting to come out.
Kate still keeps her eyes on Junia, "Leave," she says her voice so calm and clear. "Leave Tulsa behind. Let me raise Junia with Zac," she smiles one last time down at my daughter who she has calmed down. "Never speak a word of her being yours."
Closing my eyes I run a hand through my hair, "No," I spit out not wanting to give my daughter up. I'm already so attached to that baby in Kate's arms. "I'm not doing it."
"Then have it your way," Kate sighs before putting Junia down. "You do know this will ruin the band right. Their image will never be the same once the fans know that you and Zac were in a relationship," she hisses before turning on her heels and leaving the room.
Not even five minutes after Kate leaves the room, Natalie walks in slamming the door behind her which makes Junia cry again.
Frowning I reach over, picking my daughter up, "What are you doing here?" I ask figuring Kate has sent her to do her dirty work. Natalie has always done Kate's dirty work no matter how wrong she thinks it is. It's like she feels some sort of weird loyalty to her best friend.
"I'm here to tell you I think you are a selfish bitch," she snaps as she shakes her head. "Refusing Kate's offer like that. You do realize when the band ends all of them will blame you. Even Zac will blame you because he will know you had a chance to save them from being ruined and you didn't. You decided to be selfish."
Feeling tears in my eyes again I shake my head trying to shush Junia who is still crying. "I'm not being selfish," I whisper knowing that she has a point. Zac will be upset if the band gets ruined. He will be upset if he knows it's because of me.
Natalie laughs before sighing loudly, "That is bullshit Avery. You are being selfish. You had a good fucking deal and you ruined it. You are a mother, I think it's time you start acting like one instead of the impulsive child you are," she snaps before turning and walking towards the door.
Chewing on my lip I frown, "Wait," I tell her, watching her stop after I tell her to wait. "I..is Kate serious?" I ask raising my eyebrow. "She really turned us in and she'll admit to lying if I leave."
Natalie turns to face me, her expression blank, "You saw the paper she had Avery. I'd say she really turned you guys in. As for her admitting to lying to her claims if you leave, you know she keeps her word," Natalie smiles as she walks closer to me.
Chewing my lip harder I look away from her and down at Junia who has stopped crying. "I'm sorry baby girl," I tell her as I look in her eyes. "Mommy has to leave you but I know daddy will take good care of you. So will Kate even if she hates me she loves babies," I mutter as I feel my heartbreaking. "Mommy is gonna give you to Aunt Natalie now. You have to promise to be a good girl and not cry. Look after your daddy for me."
Once I finish talking to Junia I look at Natalie seeing her standing beside my bed. Handing Junia over to her I stand up once she has her. "Take care of her," I whisper wiping away my tears. Turning away from Natalie I walk out of the room. I don't look back because I know if I do I will change my mind. I will change my mind and ruin everyone's lives, including Zac's.
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Awhile later I am at the apartment packing my things. I had called a cab to bring me back after I left the hospital. I'm sure by now everyone knows why I have left. Why I wasn't there Jessica came by. I'm almost expecting a call from Zac though I'm not sure what I will say when he does call.
At that thought my phone rings. Seeing it laying on the bed, I sigh and pick it up, looking at Zac's name on the i.d. Taking a deep a breath I hit to talk to him, almost regretting it.
"Hello?" I ask into the receiver waiting on his words. Waiting on him trying to change my already set mind. I am not going to back down for fear of Kate, of what she will do to us if I don't leave. I want her to just recant everything. She will if I leave.
"Avery," Zac's voice comes across the phone. He sounds so sad that it makes me frown. "Jessie, she told me you left. That Natalie said you wanted Kate to raise Junia with me," he croaks out which makes me frown more. Fuck he is crying.
I nod even though he can't see me right now. "I did," I confirm wondering if he has been told why. I kind of hope he has. I hope Kate has confessed to what she did.
Zac sighs and I hear him sob a few times. "Why?" he asks so perplexed. He almost sounds stunned that I would be considering this. Like he has no idea, which leads me to believe Kate hasn't told him a thing.
Swallowing a lump I sit down on the bed, "Because Kate turned us in Zac. She actually did it and the only way she would take back what she said is if I leave. I can't ruin the band. I can't be responsible for that. I am a mother now and it's time I stop thinking about me. Stop putting my needs before everyone else's."
"Avie if you stay with me you aren't doing that," Zac tries to reason. "It'd be putting your family first. Your daughter."
"I am putting my daughter first," I tell him as I wipe away a few tears that have fallen down my cheeks. "I am letting her have a life where she doesn't have to know about incest. Where she doesn't have to know her mom ruined her father's image because she was being selfish."
"Avie please," Zac pleads but I just hang up on him. My mind is made up and no one can stop me. I am leaving him and doing what is best.
Standing from the bed, I turn my phone off before going to my suitcase. Finishing up packing I slowly take off the engagement ring Zac gave me a few months back, laying it on the nightstand. With one last sad look around the room I pick up the suitcase and leave the room.
Going outside of the apartment I walk to my car where I open the trunk, sticking the suitcase in there. When it's secure I shut the trunk and get in. Fighting off more tears I start my car, driving away from the apartment, driving away from the life I thought I would have with Zac and Junia. I know one day that Zac will understand why I did this. He will understand and be okay. Hell maybe when Junia is eighteen we can even try again if he can come to forgive me for this.
"Goodbye Tulsa," I whisper as I drive out of Tulsa. "Goodbye my baby girl. Goodbye Zac."
December 18,2010
Sitting in the hospital bed I smile as I watch Junia sleep. She looks so content and happy. I reckon I would be happy too if I was only three days old and having everyone doting on me as well.
Seeing Junia slowly move in her sleep, her eyes opening I reach into the bassinet she is in, taking her out. "Hey baby girl," I say softly as I kiss her forehead, inhaling her newborn scent. "Did you enjoy your nap?" I ask when she cooes up at me.
"Oh you did?" I smile as I talk to her like she understands me. "I am glad you did. Mommy liked watching you sleep. I'm sure if daddy were here he would have too," I say as I think of Zac. He is off at some Christmas show they are doing. I kind of wish he were here with me but I know band stuff comes first, it always has.
Hearing the door open I look up, making a face when I see Kate come in the room. I was expecting it to be Jessica. She was the one who was supposed to be picking Junia and I up and taking us home.
"Avery," Kate starts a smirk playing on her face. "How are you feeling after giving birth to that precious little girl?" she asks when she makes it to where I am. Her hand slowly reaches out to ruffle what little hair Junia has on her head.
I chew on my lip wondering just what she is up too. "I am good," I nod forcing a smile before holding Junia closer to me. "Still in a bit of pain but the doctors say that is normal for someone who has given birth naturally."
Kate smirks more, "I'm sorry to hear about the pain," she tells me her voice thick with some sort of new tone I have never heard her use before. "But to be honest I'm not here because of you. I'm here to tell you I have contacted Child Protective Services," she says as she produces a paper from her purse, handing it to me.
Before taking the paper I put Junia in her bassinet again. Once I know she is snug in there I then take the paper from Kate. Unfolding it I look it over, swallowing a lump in my throat. It's a written statement from her. She has told them everything about Zac and I.
"You really did it," I whisper unable to believe she has really followed through with one of her threats. "You turned us in."
Junia lets out a cry before Kate can answer me. Instead of answering me, she picks Junia up, rocking her in her arms.
"I did turn you guys in," Kate nods as she looks up at me. "I told you I would if you decided not to do what I wanted and leave Zac once this beautiful baby girl was born," she smiles before looking down at Junia again. "I will go back on what I said in that on one condition Avery," she says as she keeps her eyes on Junia.
Swallowing hard I am sure I know what that condition is but I want to ask anyway. "What?" I ask my voice cracking when I feel tears wanting to come out.
Kate still keeps her eyes on Junia, "Leave," she says her voice so calm and clear. "Leave Tulsa behind. Let me raise Junia with Zac," she smiles one last time down at my daughter who she has calmed down. "Never speak a word of her being yours."
Closing my eyes I run a hand through my hair, "No," I spit out not wanting to give my daughter up. I'm already so attached to that baby in Kate's arms. "I'm not doing it."
"Then have it your way," Kate sighs before putting Junia down. "You do know this will ruin the band right. Their image will never be the same once the fans know that you and Zac were in a relationship," she hisses before turning on her heels and leaving the room.
Not even five minutes after Kate leaves the room, Natalie walks in slamming the door behind her which makes Junia cry again.
Frowning I reach over, picking my daughter up, "What are you doing here?" I ask figuring Kate has sent her to do her dirty work. Natalie has always done Kate's dirty work no matter how wrong she thinks it is. It's like she feels some sort of weird loyalty to her best friend.
"I'm here to tell you I think you are a selfish bitch," she snaps as she shakes her head. "Refusing Kate's offer like that. You do realize when the band ends all of them will blame you. Even Zac will blame you because he will know you had a chance to save them from being ruined and you didn't. You decided to be selfish."
Feeling tears in my eyes again I shake my head trying to shush Junia who is still crying. "I'm not being selfish," I whisper knowing that she has a point. Zac will be upset if the band gets ruined. He will be upset if he knows it's because of me.
Natalie laughs before sighing loudly, "That is bullshit Avery. You are being selfish. You had a good fucking deal and you ruined it. You are a mother, I think it's time you start acting like one instead of the impulsive child you are," she snaps before turning and walking towards the door.
Chewing on my lip I frown, "Wait," I tell her, watching her stop after I tell her to wait. "I..is Kate serious?" I ask raising my eyebrow. "She really turned us in and she'll admit to lying if I leave."
Natalie turns to face me, her expression blank, "You saw the paper she had Avery. I'd say she really turned you guys in. As for her admitting to lying to her claims if you leave, you know she keeps her word," Natalie smiles as she walks closer to me.
Chewing my lip harder I look away from her and down at Junia who has stopped crying. "I'm sorry baby girl," I tell her as I look in her eyes. "Mommy has to leave you but I know daddy will take good care of you. So will Kate even if she hates me she loves babies," I mutter as I feel my heartbreaking. "Mommy is gonna give you to Aunt Natalie now. You have to promise to be a good girl and not cry. Look after your daddy for me."
Once I finish talking to Junia I look at Natalie seeing her standing beside my bed. Handing Junia over to her I stand up once she has her. "Take care of her," I whisper wiping away my tears. Turning away from Natalie I walk out of the room. I don't look back because I know if I do I will change my mind. I will change my mind and ruin everyone's lives, including Zac's.
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Awhile later I am at the apartment packing my things. I had called a cab to bring me back after I left the hospital. I'm sure by now everyone knows why I have left. Why I wasn't there Jessica came by. I'm almost expecting a call from Zac though I'm not sure what I will say when he does call.
At that thought my phone rings. Seeing it laying on the bed, I sigh and pick it up, looking at Zac's name on the i.d. Taking a deep a breath I hit to talk to him, almost regretting it.
"Hello?" I ask into the receiver waiting on his words. Waiting on him trying to change my already set mind. I am not going to back down for fear of Kate, of what she will do to us if I don't leave. I want her to just recant everything. She will if I leave.
"Avery," Zac's voice comes across the phone. He sounds so sad that it makes me frown. "Jessie, she told me you left. That Natalie said you wanted Kate to raise Junia with me," he croaks out which makes me frown more. Fuck he is crying.
I nod even though he can't see me right now. "I did," I confirm wondering if he has been told why. I kind of hope he has. I hope Kate has confessed to what she did.
Zac sighs and I hear him sob a few times. "Why?" he asks so perplexed. He almost sounds stunned that I would be considering this. Like he has no idea, which leads me to believe Kate hasn't told him a thing.
Swallowing a lump I sit down on the bed, "Because Kate turned us in Zac. She actually did it and the only way she would take back what she said is if I leave. I can't ruin the band. I can't be responsible for that. I am a mother now and it's time I stop thinking about me. Stop putting my needs before everyone else's."
"Avie if you stay with me you aren't doing that," Zac tries to reason. "It'd be putting your family first. Your daughter."
"I am putting my daughter first," I tell him as I wipe away a few tears that have fallen down my cheeks. "I am letting her have a life where she doesn't have to know about incest. Where she doesn't have to know her mom ruined her father's image because she was being selfish."
"Avie please," Zac pleads but I just hang up on him. My mind is made up and no one can stop me. I am leaving him and doing what is best.
Standing from the bed, I turn my phone off before going to my suitcase. Finishing up packing I slowly take off the engagement ring Zac gave me a few months back, laying it on the nightstand. With one last sad look around the room I pick up the suitcase and leave the room.
Going outside of the apartment I walk to my car where I open the trunk, sticking the suitcase in there. When it's secure I shut the trunk and get in. Fighting off more tears I start my car, driving away from the apartment, driving away from the life I thought I would have with Zac and Junia. I know one day that Zac will understand why I did this. He will understand and be okay. Hell maybe when Junia is eighteen we can even try again if he can come to forgive me for this.
"Goodbye Tulsa," I whisper as I drive out of Tulsa. "Goodbye my baby girl. Goodbye Zac."