Run Hide
Chapter 1
        You want to run, you want to hide, all the memories are coming back to you at full force. Tears stream down your face as you are pushed even further into the rail, but you wouldn't trade places with anyone right now. You are at their concert, in the pit, on the rail, staring at the men that saved your life. 
        
        Scott stares down at all the people screaming, he can't help but smile, so many people loving him for doing what he loves. His eyes start to scan the crowd, going from the back to the front. He freezes getting to the front row seeing a girl holding a sign. She is tall, red hair, and deep blue eyes, 'like Flip's' he thinks to himself. She is dressed all in black, a tank top and leather pants. Her eyes and the sign are what catches his attention. He moves to the edge of the catwalk to get a closer look at it. 'You're the reason I'm alive, What's This Life For saved my life.' He reads the sign and notices the picture, a girl about to cut her wrist. He stares down at the girl and meets her eyes, they are full of pain and hurt, yet so passionate. He walks backwards down the cat walk making a mental note to go back to her when What's This Life For starts. 

        During a short break, Scott runs over to Lonnie at the sidelines and tells him to make sure you get a backstage pass. "I want to talk to her." Lonnie nods pulling one from his pocket. The concert is coming to an end, Mark starts to play the intro to What's This Life For, Scott walks to the end of the cat walk and crouches down staring into your eyes. You feel the tears and can't stop them from falling, you clutch your wrist running your fingers over the scars. Scott watches closely as you start to cry and how you hold your wrist, he glances at Lonnie while running off the stage to get ready for the encore. Lonnie starts walking over to you and stops to hand you something, he does it discreetly so as not to get attacked. You glance down at the pass and up to at him, he leans close, "I'll take you backstage after it's over, just stay right here." You nod in disbelief as he walks back to his spot nodding at Scott. 

        As the crowd is leaving Lonnie walks over to you again and helps you over the rail, "It's so much easier to lift someone who isn't passed out." He chuckles, you laugh as he lifts you up, and brings you over the rail. He leads you to a room and knocks quietly, the door opens a moment later and you come face to face with the brown eyes you've been adoring for years. He thanks Lonnie, before bringing you into his dressing room. You turn to him and ask quietly, "Why me?" He takes your hand his fingers running over your wrist. "I think you know why." You turn your face away tears threatening to fall. He gently turns you chin towards him wiping the tears away. He notices the book you're holding and tilts his head to look at the cover. You look down at it and hand it to him. "It's for you anyway." He takes your arm and pulls you to sit on the couch with him while looking through it. You get more and more nervous every page he turns. He's getting closer to all of the things you've written. The beginning is basically a Creed shrine, and the end is everything you've written, every sad depressing word. Finally you see him turn the page and start reading the things you wrote. You notice him stare at some of the pictures, pictures of girls cutting their wrists. Pictures of pain and sadness, you notice him running his hands over certain pages, as if feeling how much pain you were in when you wrote them. He closes the cover and turns to look at you. He just stares for a minute watching you. You stare down at the ground deep in thought, you feel the couch move as Scott gets up and sits next to you. He doesn't say a word he just pulls you into this arms and holds you tightly. He knows he should save his voice but he doesn't care, Scott starts to sing What's This Life For softly to you. You break down crying, sobbing into his chest. He just holds you tighter whispering softly to you, urging you to let everything out. Finally, you can't cry any more, he pulls back a little taking a tissue and wiping the tears from your cheeks. He gets up pulling you with him, "Come on, you're coming with me, we need to have a talk." He pulls you up and quickly packs his things. You walk out of the room with him, he knocks on Mark and then Flips door, they come out moments later carrying their stuff. "Ready to roll?" They nod at him, looking curiously at you. You fall behind them a little feeling self conscious knowing you don't look so great. "Who's she man?" Mark ask curiously, "I'll explain later man, it's a long story, but basically, she just needs to talk." Mark nods understanding. This isn't the first time this has happened and he knows it won't be the last. 


Chapter 2

        The guys scoot over to make room for you in the limo, Scott introduces you to them and they shake your hand. Scott starts asking little things about your life and family, Mark and Flip get bored listening so just to tease you they start making faces at each other. You notice them before Scott and try hard not to laugh, but as soon as Mark starts being a total goof you can't help it. You crack up laughing right as Scott is saying something. He first looks offended until he looks over at Mark and cracks up laughing himself. "What man? Something funny over here?" Mark asks grinning. Scott just shakes his head and turns to you again, "Now as I was saying." You crack up laughing again when Mark starts to imitate Scott, you put your hand over your mouth trying not to laugh and giving Scott an 'I'm sorry' look. He just shakes his head chuckling, "Man, can't I even TRY to have a conversation with her?" Mark shakes his head winking at you, Flip has been laughing the whole time and is just now trying to stop, he has tears in his eyes and his face is red. "Dude did you see Stapp's face, he looked like he was about to kill you for a second." Scott chuckles as the limo pulls to a stop in front of a gorgeous hotel. Scott jumps out holding out his hand to help you, you take his hand and slide out of the limo like a pro. "Man it took me forever to learn how to step out of these things." Scott smiles at you, you chuckle letting go of his hand, "Well it helps when your neighbor drives limo's and has one parked in his driveway all the time. Let's just say while everyone else was shelling out big bucks, I got a free ride to prom." Mark and Flip smile at you behind Scott, "Dude," Flip whispers to Mark, "You think Stapp saw more than just a girl that needs to talk, 'cause if he didn't I sure do." Mark laughs whapping Flip on the back of the head, "Keep your eyes up jack ass." Flip rubs his sore head while you all wait for the elevator. 

        The ride up to their rooms is interesting, Flip and Mark like to poke. They had you wiggling and jumping and laughing the whole way up. Scott just stands back watching chuckling as you try to escape their wrath. Finally after what feels like an eternity the door dings and opens. You jump out making Mark and Flip laugh at you. Scott puts his hand on your back leading you to his room and keeping you safe from Mark and Flip. 

        Scott opens the door to his suite holding it open for you. You step inside and look around at everything. Scott leaves you to go check his messages telling you to make yourself comfortable. You sit on the couch and notice a book on the table. Scott smiles walking back over to you, "umm Scott, since when do you read "If you give a Mouse a Cookie"?" He laughs taking the book from you, "It's Jaggers, he left it here by accident." You raise your eyebrows at him, "Suuuure it is." He laughs sitting down next to you. He pulls your book from his bag and opens it to a certain page, he sighs seeing the picture. "Where are they?" You look at him confused until he shows you the picture, it's a blue back round with the words "I cut on the outside to cover up the inside" on it. You turn a little so he can see the scars on your upper arm, he follows your hand down to your thigh and watches you trace every scar. You know exactly where they are without looking at them. You lift up the bottom of your pants and take off your boot so he can see the heart carved into your skin, then you pull down your sock and show him the scars on the back of your heel. "Easy place to hide them." You can tell by the look on his face he isn't happy, but you can also tell he's not going to yell. "Does anyone know?" He asks surprisingly calm, "No..." You whisper, turning your face away. Normally he would ask what brought on the depression, but you had a letter in the book already telling him everything he needed to know. He gets up and kneels in front of you, turning your chin to look into your eyes. "How do I know when you leave here that you're going to be ok?" You stare into his eyes not knowing what to tell him, you don't know if you'll be ok, you don't know anything. "I don't know." You whisper, he pulls something out of his pocket and hands it to you, it's a card. It has his cell phone number and his home number on it. "I don't care what time, I don't care where I am, call me, just don't do this again." He says quietly running his finger over your wrist. 

~~~~~~~~~3 weeks later~~~~~~~~~~~~

        You drop your bag on the floor of your apartment and sniffle. You glance around your studio apartment and sigh, you love it here. It's small, but perfect for just you. School is going good, that was the one thing you hadn't told Scott, you're getting a degree in vocals. You didn't want him to think you just wanted to use him to start your career. You wouldn't mind advice, but you don't want his fame to be the reason you become successful. You want it to be from your own hard work, and it turns out that hard work may be paying off. You have been in the studio's at your school most nights working on music and recording some things. Your teachers have said you have come a long way and they have no doubts that your career will take off. You had lost some weight and toned up a little, you don't want to make it for your looks but you're not stupid. You know you're going to have to be skinny and toned in order to get looked at. You're friends made sure you didn't go too far, you got all the guys in your classes opinion about how thin they like a girl. Most said thin, but with some meat on them, not like Brittany was said a lot. That made you grin. 

        Today hadn't been such a good day, you were feeling depressed for no reason. A regular thing with you and you just weren't into school today. You glanced over at the phone and saw Scott's card sitting next to it, you debated about calling him but decided not to. You didn't feel that bad, you just needed to rest. 

        You wake up in the middle of the night crying, the nightmare, it's the same one every night. It keeps you from sleeping and haunts your thoughts. You go into the bathroom to wash your face, you spot your razor on the counter and pick it up, sliding to the floor. You are about to cut when you force your self to throw it. The razor crashes against the wall as you run to grab the phone. You have no idea where Scott is or what time it is where he's at, all you can think is you need to call him. Scott rolls over in bed his eyes opening hearing a phone ringing. He picks up his cell phone and looks at the number. He doesn't recognize it but answers. "Hello?" He hears crying on the other end making him sit up in bed. "Scott? It's Jess..." He turns on the light and glances at your book on the night stand, "Jess, what's wrong? Why are you crying?" You sigh glad that he remembers you. "You remembered." He throws his feet over the edge leaning his hands on his knees, "Of course I remember, now what's wrong, talk to me." You start to tell him about the nightmare and a little about school. "What are you going to school for?" He asks trying to keep your mind off how you're feeling. "Umm, well...I didn't want to tell you because I didn't want you to think I was using you..." Scott looks at the phone confused, "Hun just tell me." You sigh and chuckle a little as you tell him, "Well, I'm getting a vocal degree." He laughs making you smile, "Since when do you need a degree to sing?" He smiles making fun off you, "Oh shut up." You were feeling better but all of the sudden a rush of emotions come over you and you start to cry again. "Sweetie, what's your apartment address?" Scott asks grabbing a pen and paper, "What, why?" You ask quietly, "Just tell me hun." You give him the address and he tells you to sit still and not move. He hangs up the phone and calls the airport getting the next flight to Minnesota in less than an hour. He calls you back and tells you he'll be there soon. You try to protest but he just tells you to sit on the couch and don't move, "Watch tv, I don't care, just do something to keep your self occupied. I'll be there soon." He calls Mark on the way to the airport, "Mark, hey sorry to wake you up, but I have to go do something." Mark sits up wiping the sleep from his eyes, "Stapp? Man what's going on?" Scott turns into the airport parking lot grabbing a small bag as he gets out. "I'm going to Minnesota, I'll be back in a couple days, can you watch Jagger for me?" Mark is fully awake now, "Stapp, what's going on?" Scott sighs, going through security, "Remember that girl?" Mark sighs, "Yeah what about her?" Scott grabs his bag again and runs for the terminal, "Well if you want her to make it through tonight you'll say you'll watch Jagger for me." Mark throws his feet over the bed, "Yeah man, you know I will, just be careful ok?" Scott sighs in relief, "I will, I'll call you soon ok, Hill is bringing Jag over to my place at noon tomorrow, I'll call her and tell her to bring him over to you k?" Mark nods, "Yeah that's fine, just hurry back man." Scott sits down in his seat and sighs with relief, "I will, don't worry. Talk to you soon." 
 

 Chapter 3

        You wake up to the buzzer for the door, you look around, you must have fallen asleep. You go over to the intercom "Hello?" Scott sighs with relief hearing your voice, "It's me hun." You push the button opening the door to let him in. He climbs the stairs up to your apartment, knocking on your door. You walk over and unlock the door, before you can say anything he is hugging you tightly while shutting the door behind him. You break down crying again, he runs his hand over your hair whispering soothing words to you while looking around at your apartment. He smiles noticing the framed Creed poster on the wall and pictures of them in frames. He glances around the apartment in appreciation, small but completely you. He walks you over to your futon and sits you down. You grab the box of tissues off the end table and wipe your eyes while Scott walks over to your kitchen and starts to look around. He opens a cupboard and finds what he's looking for, you watch as he takes two mugs from the cupboard and some tea. He fills the tea pot and sets it on the stove. 

        He holds up his finger and sneaks into the bathroom, making you smile a little. Scott closes the door and locks it behind him before looking around the bathroom, he spots your razor on the floor and picks it up. He starts to set it down before deciding to throw it away. He quickly looks through the cupboards for anything else you could cut yourself with before walking out of the bathroom. The tea pot starts to whistle just as he walks out so he goes over and fills two mugs setting a tea bag in each. You are sitting curled up on the futon, in a sweatshirt and pajama pants, Scott sits next to you and hands you the tea. You sip it gratefully sitting silently on the couch next to him. You watch as Scott sets the mug down and goes over to look at your CD collection. "Jeez woman how many CDs do you have?" You laugh, "Around 2,000." He gives you a look before turning back to look at them. He smiles seeing all three Creed CDs lined up right at the very beginning, right behind them are all of U2's albums. He follows the line down noticing you have a wide variety of music. He pulls one off the shelf and opens your cd player, he puts in the cd taking the remote with him and sitting down next to you again. You hear the familiar beginnings of Joshua Tree start and smirk at Scott. "How did I know?" He just grins, "'Cause you're smart." You shake your head, "Not 'cause you're predictable." He laughs, "Yeah, that too, now, stop avoiding me and start talking." He says softly, you shrink down again, you didn't know you had been so obvious, you turn away sipping your tea again. "Jess I didn't just fly a thousand miles for you not to talk to me.." He tells you quietly, "No one asked you to fly up here." He scoots closer to you putting his arm around your shoulder, "I didn't need to be asked, Jess look at me." You don't, you can't, you know what will happen, you can't resist those eyes. They seem to know everything without you having to say a word. He sets his mug down and turns your face to his, "I'm not leaving until you talk to me." You try to turn away be he doesn't let you. "What are you so afraid of sweetie?" The tears well up in your eyes, he doesn't need to be told that you've been abused, it's obvious from the way you're acting. He takes the mug from you and sets it down, turning back to you and pulling you into him. "Who hurt you?" He whispers into your hair softly, the tears stream down your cheeks, 'he knows' 

        You start to softly tell him the story of your ex boyfriend that liked giving you bruises as gifts. You feel him tense up and look up at him, he has an angry look in his eyes that immediately softens when he looks down at you. He gazes down at you brushing the hair out of your face. He runs his fingers down your face to your jaw line, your lips are red and pouty from crying and your eyes are the bluest he's seen them. His thumb runs gently over your lips before he leans down and kisses you softly. He pulls back watching your eyes flutter open, you look up at him softly, his eyes never leave yours. His hand finds it's way into your hair pulling you up to his mouth, his lips are so soft and he kisses you with such passion, you never want him to stop. Finally, breathless, he pulls away, gazing at you softly, "That's how a man is supposed to treat a beautiful woman." You can feel your cheeks turning pink and look away, he gently turns your face back to his. "You're beautiful Jess, don't let anyone tell you different. You don't deserve to be in so much pain, and I'm not leaving until I know you'll be ok." You bury your face in his chest holding on to him with everything in you. He's the first person to ever say anything like that to you, even though you don't think you're beautiful... Scott senses something's wrong and pulls back gently. You turn away from him making him get frustrated. "Stop it." He says pulling your face back to his, "You have no reason to hide from me, now what's wrong?" You pull away completely, whispering softly, "I'm not beautiful." He gets up and kneels in front of you, a look on his face you can't read. "Don't you ever say that again." He holds your face in his hands staring down at you. "I never want to hear those words come out of your mouth, that's bullshit." You are surprised by his tone of voice, it's soft yet serious. He walks away, standing in front of a window he turns back to you. He looks at his watch seeing it's really late, "Get up," He walks back over to you lifting you up softly. He unhooks the futon so it's laying down and tells you to lay down. You do while he grabs a blanket and lays it on top of you. He grabs his bag and heads into the bathroom, he changes into a pair of pajama pants and a t-shirt before laying next to you. "Get some sleep sweetie." He whispers kissing your cheek gently. You pull closer to him, he can see the fear in your eyes thinking about the nightmare. He pulls you close to lay on his chest wrapping the blanket tightly around you both. "I'm right here, go to sleep." 
 
 Chapter 4

        Scott wakes up to your cd alarm clock playing Don't Stop Dancing. He chuckles reaching over and turning it off. He looks down at your still sleeping form and sighs brushing away some hair from your face. He carefully gets up, leaving you to sleep while heading into the bathroom. He shuts the door and starts the shower. You wake up hearing the shower running and Scott singing, you giggle leaning your ear against the door to hear him better. You hear the water cut out and head to the kitchen to make breakfast. You are just setting the plates on the table when Scott walks out of the bathroom. He sniffs the air smiling as he smells food. "Mmm something smells good." He walks over to you seeing a plate full of bacon eggs and toast waiting for him. "Wow, now this is the way to wake up." You sit down and pour a glass of juice for yourself while Scott digs in. It doesn't take long before his plate is clean and he moans leaning back rubbing his stomach. "Now that was delicious." You laugh seeing his belly button peek out from his shirt, he looks down chuckling as he pulls his shirt down. "You know you liked it." He smirks at you making you laugh harder. You get up taking the dishes to the sink and start to fill it to wash the small pile that had accumulated over the last few days. "Your favorite color wouldn't happen to be purple would it?" Scott smiles at you handing you the clear glass purple plate. You smile, "Yes it would, how did you guess?" He just gives you a 'duh' look making you smile. You wash the dishes while Scott dries them and you tell him where they go. As he puts the last of the dishes away he turns to watch you fold up the blanket and put the futon back up. You feel his eyes on you, you look over at him "What?" He just shakes his head walking over to you. "Nothing." 

        You walk over to your dvd player and put in a movie, Scott sits down on the couch watching you grab the remote and then sit next to him. He rolls his eyes seeing "The Princess Bride, come on woman please, guys just aren't into this movie." You take a pillow and hit him with it, "Well it's my house so there." Scott glances over at you as the movie starts and laughs as you quote every line. You make a game of it and start acting out all the parts making him laugh. "Oh man, I don't think I've laughed so hard in a long time." You had finally stopped when you thought he was going to quit breathing. You sat down next to him again and curled up laying your head down on the couch. Scott looks at you pulling you to lay your head on his leg, he stops the movie and turns your head to look up at him. You turn slightly then gasp feeling pain shoot through your leg. Scott scans your face, "What's wrong hun?" You glance down at your leg and sigh, "Nothing, I'll be right back." You get up but Scott grabs your hand, "What's wrong," You pull away not wanting him to think you cut yourself again. "Nothing." He gets up and follows you to the bathroom holding the door so you can't shut it. "Jess what's going on, you will not shut a door in my face." He pushes open the door and sees the blood stain on your pajama pants. "Please don't tell me that you..." Your eyes get wide, "No, no, It's from awhile ago, it's just not healed over yet, the scab breaks every once in awhile." You pull up the leg on your pants and show him so he'll believe you. He grabs a wash cloth and a gauze band aid he had found in your cupboards already. "Sit down." You do and gasp as he gently washes the wound. He buts the band aid over it tightly making sure it will stay before pulling your pant leg down again. "There, any more like that?" You lie and shake your head no, he gives you a hard look before turning away. He knows you're lying but he also knows he won't get any where if he forces you to show him. 

        You walk out of the bathroom and see him looking through your book again. You sigh and open a window and climb out of it. Scott jumps up running to the window. "JESS!" You turn back startled, "What? Jeez I'm right here." He looks down and realizes it's the roof of at lower apartment you're sitting on. "Don't scare me like that!" He tells you climbing out the widow to sit by you. He sighs sitting next to you, "When do you plan on talking because I'm not going to just sit around here doing nothing." He tells you sternly, you look at him before quickly looking away. He gets up frustrated, "God Jess, I'm not going to hurt you, I want to help you. But if you're not going to talk then I'm leaving." You sigh staring at him, "No you won't." He glares at you, "Yes I will." You shake your head, "No you won't, I told you, you're predictable, you won't leave until you know I won't hurt myself, you don't know that right now. You won't leave." His glare is pure anger, he stops off the roof and back into your apartment slamming the window shut. You jump, then lay your head in your hands and cry. Scott punches a pillow before walking back over to the window seeing you crying. His heart breaks seeing you out there crying, he opens the window and crawls out again. He sits behind you and pulls you to lay against him, whispering softly. "Start talking or I will leave and that's it." You start to cry harder knowing he means it. Finally you start to talk, you tell him everything. How much pain you're in and you don't know why. How much it still hurts to think about your family and friends that have died. How much it hurts to have to hide the real you, you just poured your hear and soul out to him. He just holds you listening to every word you say squeezing you tighter when you start to cry harder again. 

        Finally, you have told him everything you've kept hidden from everyone forever. He kisses the top of your head and whispers, "Now was that so hard." You hold on to him burying your face in his neck as he whispers soothingly to you. "Come on, lets go back inside, it's my turn to talk." 




Chapter 5

        Scott follows behind you crawling through the window. He leads you to the couch sitting you down and handing you the tissues. You sniffle and thank him quietly, he starts to pace back and forth in front of you. His hand runs through his hair, you are memorized by him, he's beautiful. Of course you knew that but you hadn't really looked at him since the concert. He turns to meet your gaze walking over to you. He kneels down in front of you, "I shouldn't do this but...." He leans up and kisses you passionately, you feel his tongue begging for entry and open your mouth slightly, moaning as his tongue caresses yours. You feel yourself laying down on the couch and Scott laying on top of you. You wrap your arms around him, pulling him closer, loving the feel of him on you. You can feel his arousal against your leg and moan. Scott pulls away gently his hands running under your tank top, he lifts it over your head leaving you in your bra and pajama pants. His hands run up your stomach caressing your skin, he slides them behind your back and unclasps your bra. You lift up a little so he can slide it off. He moans seeing your naked chest in front of his eyes, he kisses you hard his hand running up to cup your breast. He slides down, kissing down your jaw line to your collar bone. He teases you licking around your nipple before taking it in his mouth. You gasp feeling the heat from his hot tongue and mouth. His hand slides down your stomach and into your pajama pants. He slides a finger inside of you feeling how wet you are, moaning against you breast. He pulls his finger out of you and out of your pajama pants, you whimper as his hand leaves making him smile kissing you softly. He gets off of you kneeling down by your feet, he runs his hands up your legs sliding down your pajama pants. He stares at your body smiling, "You're so beautiful." He whispers standing up, he takes off his t-shirt and pajama pants, you can't tear your gaze away from his amazing body. He unhooks the futon so it lays down before laying on his side next to you. He runs his hand down your cheek to your chest tracing every curve letting his hand rest on your thigh. He gently pulls your legs apart licking his lips before sliding in between them. You gasp feeling his tongue in your wetness. You moan and arch your back as he uses his tongue to bring you to climax. You are catching your breath while he slide up your body, wiping the sweat off your face. "Are you sure about this?" He asks gently, nuzzling his head with yours. You answer him with a kiss, he positions himself and slowly starts to enter you. You moan feeling him fill you completely, he stays still once inside you, letting you get used to him. Slowly he starts to thrust in and out, you moan and arch into him. He pulls you close holding your body and caressing it with his hands softly. He speeds up moaning, his hot breath on your neck and the sensations he's making you feel on your skin is almost too much. Scott feels you start to tighten around him, he starts to thrust into you faster and harder, he moans feeling you clutch his shoulders, your nails digging in. "Oh God Scott." You whisper breathless, you cry out as wave after wave of pleasure falls over you. Scott feels you tighten around him and moans speeding up moaning your name as he falls over the edge right behind you. He collapses on top of you out of breath, shuddering. He rolls off of you pulling you to lay on his chest. "Wow," He whispers kissing your hair, you just curl up closer to him, the feel of his warm body next to you is comforting. You think back over what just happened and wonder why it happened. You don't regret it, but you don't understand either. It's hard for you to grasp the concept of someone loving you. It just doesn't make sense to you even though it should. 

        Scott looks down at you realizing for the first time the feelings he's having. 'Do I love her?' He asks himself, not sure of the answer, 'If you don't then this was a stupid thing to do jack ass' he answers his own thoughts. You take his hand in yours and start to run your fingers over it, memorizing it, remembering every line on his palm and the feel of his calloused fingers. Scott watches you loving the feel of your soft hands against his rough ones. He turns his hand and entwines your fingers together. "Scott.." You say softly not wanting to interrupt his thoughts. "Yeah sweetie.." You take your hand from his and wrap it around his waist, "I don't regret it, but..." He looks down at you, "But what sweetie?" His arm tightens around you telling to it's ok, "But why me, I just don't get it.." He sighs, "What's it going to take for me to prove to you that you ARE beautiful, and that you deserve to be treated like this and better?" You start to pull away but Scott tightens his hold on you not letting go. "No Jess, every time I try to get you to realize just how beautiful you are, you pull away, that's gonna stop." His tone is serious yet soft, that is the one difference between him and everyone else, he doesn't yell, you don't know what it is about yelling but you get so scared of the person who's yelling at you, no matter who it is. 

        Scott's cell phone starts to ring, he reaches over you kissing you gently as he does. "Hello? HEY bud!" You can tell by the smile on his face it's Jagger. While they talk Scott keeps his arm around you holding you tight to him. "I know bud, I miss you too." You look up at him, "Scott..." He looks down at you, "Just a second bud. Yeah sweetie?" You curl up closer "Does he want to come here?" Scott gives you a look, "Jess we'd both love that but.." You stop him, "No buts, I've always wanted to meet the little dude." Scott chuckles, "Hey bud? Do you wanna come up here?" You smile hearing Jagger squeal over the phone, it's obvious how much he loves his dad. "Give the phone to Uncle Mark ok?" Mark takes the phone from Jagger. "Hey dude, what's up?" Scott tells him your idea, "Scott man are you sure you want to do that, I know you both miss each other but.." Scott stops him, "Mark please, can you just get him hear, I'll worry about everything else later. I miss my son." Mark hears the sadness in Scott's voice, "Yeah I'll get him there, I can probably get a flight tonight if you want?" Scott smiles, "Yes, the sooner the better." He hangs up the phone and kisses your forehead. "Thank you." You squeeze his sides knowing it'll make him feel better to have his son with him. Besides maybe it'll take some of the heat off you. Scott starts to nibble your ear and down your neck, you moan feeling his tongue, "I promise you, before I leave here I will prove to you that you are beautiful inside and out." He whispers softly before kissing you with a passion even you didn't know he possessed. 
 
 
 Chapter 6

        You and Scott get dressed after cuddling some more, you put on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt while Scott stays in his pajama pants. He flips on the tv relaxing on the couch while you try and find some food for supper. Scott glances over at you as you set a pot on the stove and grab a box of something. He turns his attention back to the tv thinking about everything that happened. 

        A few hours later you are almost done with supper and the door buzzes. Scott goes over to it and pushes the intercom button figuring it's Mark. "Hey daddy!" Jagger yells excitedly making Scott smile. You show Scott how the button to open the door. He smiles thanking you with a soft kiss. He grins holding the apartment door open waiting for Jagger to come running up. He grins hearing little footsteps followed by Mark stomping up the stairs behind him. "DADDY!" Jagger yells running over to Scott hugging him tight. "Hey little man I missed you so much." Scott kisses his cheek setting him down as Mark walks up behind him. "Hey man, come on in." You look up setting a big bowl of spaghetti on the table and four plates. Jagger watches you curiously as Mark and Scott talk. "Hey Jagger, I'm Jess." You smile and crouch down to his level. He smiles shyly, "Is that pasgetti for me?" You giggle tickling is tummy, "It's for all of us, I thought you'd like a nummy supper." He grins nodding. 

        While you are talking to Jagger Mark pulls Scott out in the hall. "So, what's happened?" Scott sighs, he's still not sure how he feels about you, but his feelings are starting to get clearer. "She finally talked and we've been hanging out and..." Mark looks at him "You slept with her didn't you?" Scott looks up at Mark nodding, "Yeah, she had just told me everything and she was sitting on the couch. I don't know what it is about her man...she's just amazing." Mark chuckles, "Sounds to me like somebody's falling in love again." Scott looks down thinking, "Come on man, I think I saw a bowl of spaghetti with my name on it." Mark grins opening the door, "You never stop eating Tremonti." Scott chuckles at him. 

        They walk in seeing you fixing Jagger a plate of spaghetti, you make him a piece of toast and butter it for him. Scott watches a smile on his face, he looks at the plate seeing you put just enough on it and Jagger face is already covered in sauce. Mark smiles walking over to you and introducing himself, "Any of that for me?" He asks eyeing the bowl, you laugh pointing out that there are four plates, he grins fixing himself one and digging in. Scott follows Mark's lead and fixes himself a plate, sitting next to Jagger. You sit down in between Scott and Mark and start eating. Scott watches Jagger eating carefully, you can't help but smile at how much Scott worries about him and care for his son. Mark notices you gazing at Scott and Jagger and smiles to himself. He noticed the minute he saw Scott he seemed so relaxed and at ease, and the way you instantly bonded with Jagger made him wonder if this wouldn't turn about to be the last relationship Scott ever needs. Scott watches in amazement as Jagger cleans his plate and asks for more, you glance at Scott getting his approval before you pick up the bowl. "Ok bud, but not too much, we don't want you to get a tummy ache." Mark watches a huge smile spread on Scott's face as you wipe Jaggers mouth off gently. He chuckles softly knowing that any doubts Scott has about his feelings for you have just gone out the window. After you are all done Jagger starts to look around, you can tell he's getting bored. Mark sees it too and hands Jagger his back pack full of toys. "Mark, I think I have a toy you'd like too." He raises his eyebrow as you pull out a play station 2. He grins looking at the games you have. "Oh god, here we go." Scott groans, you just laugh at him, "Oh come on, be nice." Mark smiles, "Yeah what she said." You laugh at him as he sits on the couch getting into the game intently. Jagger walks over to you a few hours later and asks if he can watch a movie. You smile crouching down next to him. "What do you wanna watch bud?" He shrugs pulling out some of his movies, not seeming interested in any of them. "Wanna look through these?" You point out a bunch of Disney movies you've got making him grin. Jagger picks out a movie and you give Mark a pretty please look making him laugh. He turns off the game and Scott gets Jagger into his pjs while you talk to Mark. "Umm Jess where we gonna sleep?" Mark asks, "Oh I have an air bed, or I can sleep on that and you can sleep up here?" Mark shakes his head, "naa, I couldn't get a flight back tonight, I tried, no luck, sorry." You give him a look, "Mark it's not big deal, you act like I care that you HAVE to stay." You laugh making him smile. Scott walks out of the bathroom a few minutes later Jagger in tow, "Hey bud, ready to watch the movie?" You smile at him as he gets comfy on the couch. Scott tells him to lay down and you make a bag of pop corn giving Jagger a small bowl. He smiles chewing on the buttery goodness. Not even half way through the movie Jagger is asleep, you had fixed up the bed while the movie was going. Scott pulled the futon down and laid Jagger down, "I hope you don't mind Jess..." He trailed off, you laughed quietly, "Yes Scott I mind terribly." You tell him quietly, sarcasm dripping off your tongue. He smiles kissing Jagger goodnight. "So where am I sleeping?" You ask quietly, "Well..." You can tell on Scott's face the idea of sleeping with another grown male, even if it is his best friend, doesn't appeal to him. "I'll sleep with him Scott." He gives you a thank you look while crawling next to Jagger. You crawl under the blanket on the air bed and curl up. Mark crawls in next to you telling Scott goodnight, soon you hear slight snoring making you giggle. Mark chuckles, "Well he's asleep." Mark turns to you, "So what's up with the two of you?" You turn to look at him, "What do you mean?" He rests his head on his hand looking at you. "He really likes you Jess, I was just curious how you felt about him." You lay on your stomach and turn your head to look at him. "To be honest Mark, I don't know him..well not the normal him anyway. I'm guessing you know what happened..." He nods, "I know neither of us planned it and I don't regret it, but I'm not going to go telling everyone it happened. I do like him, that much I know. But to be honest, the thought that anyone could love me is...weird to me. I guess my ex left more than bruises..." Mark's eyes get dark, "He didn't deserve you Jess, look, I know you two really don't know each other that well, but I know Scott doesn't regret it happened either. I think if you got to know each other you would love each other. It is possible Jess, he's a good guy, and I think if you are willing to give it a chance, something good will come out of it." You smile, "Thanks Mark." He smiles getting comfortable, "No problem, now I suppose we should get some sleep hu?" You smile nodding. "Night Mark." "Night Jess." 
 

 Chapter 7

        You bolt up in the middle of the night breaking out into a cold sweat. You're shaking and you were crying in your sleep again. Mark feels the bed move rapidly and opens his eyes sleepily. He looks up seeing you breathing heavy and moving so your knees are to your chest. He can hear you crying so he sits up carefully so as not to scare you. "Jess..." He whispers quietly, you jump turning your head away so he doesn't see your tears. "Jess what's wrong?" He asks scooting closer to you, he sees you shaking and start to worry. "Jess, do you want me to get Scott?" You shake your head, you don't want him to see you like this. Mark looks up at the futon hoping maybe Scott's awake. No luck, he scoots back from you a little and flicks at Scott's foot. Scott tosses his head a little before waking up. He meets Mark's eyes confusion in his own, Mark motions to you. Scott looks over and instantly knows what's wrong. "Jess come here." You look up at him seeing the worry in his eyes. You get up and curl up next to him, he holds you tight whispering softly too you. It's kind of a tight squeeze on the futon but you somehow manage. 
        The next morning you wake up to a pair of eyes on you. Jagger is watching you sleep, Scott and Mark are still out and snoring softly. "Hey bud." You whisper to him, he smiles, "Hey, did you have a nightmare?" You nod smiling softly at him. "Daddy's good at getting rid of them." You snuggle up closer to Scott nodding, "Yeah he is." Jagger plops down on his button the squishy futon mattress looking around. "I wish daddy would wake up, I wanna play." You smile at him, "Are you hungry bud?" He nods, "Wanna help me make breakfast?" He nods a smile spreading over his face. You carefully slip out of Scott's arms and pick Jagger up taking him into the kitchen. You set him on the counter and get out all the things you'll need to make breakfast. 

        Half an hour later Scott wakes up smelling something cooking, Mark wakes up to sniffing as he sits up. "Do you smell what I do?" Mark grins at Scott, "Yeah food, lets eat!" You laugh hearing them running over to you, Scott picks you up and twirls you around kissing you gently before setting you down. Mark picks Jagger up giving him razzberries on his tummy. Jagger's laughter fills the apartment and you can't help but smile at the little boy. You finish breakfast and put everything away as Mark packs his bag and says goodbye to you all, "See you soon man, call me all right?" Scott nods hugging his friend goodbye, Mark hugs you and kisses Jagger's cheek before walking out the door with a wave. 
        
        Scott and Jagger go play while you go take a shower and get dressed. You start to look around the bathroom trying to find your razor, you notice things missing and are about to call Scott when you notice a locked box on the counter. There is a note on it, 

"Jess,
        Tell me when you need something out of here and I'll get it, please don't be mad, you have to understand why I did it. I don't want you hurting yourself in anyway, but I didn't want to just throw all your stuff. Here's what's in here, some prescription pills, your razor, a box cutter I found, and knife (I wanna know about that by the way...) 
                                                Love,
                                                Scott"
        You peek out of the bathroom and see Scott sitting next to Jagger, he looks up, "I'll be right back bud." He pulls a key out of his pocket and before you can ask opens the box and takes out your razor. '10 minutes, any more and I'm coming in." You can't help but smile softly at him, he hardly knows you, yet he care more than anyone has in a long time. He kisses you softly before going back to Jagger. You get in the shower and shave first just so Scott won't worry, you wrap yourself in a towel and peek out the door, "Scott.." He walks over to you and you hand him the razor, "Can I finish my shower now?" You tease him a smirk on your face. "Yes smart alec." He chuckles locking the box again. You finish your shower and get dressed, you walk out and smile seeing Jagger asleep on the couch already. Scott chuckles walking over to you, "I think he got up to early." You nod laughing softly. Scott takes your arm and leads you to the window and outside on the roof. "Why did I find a knife in the bathroom?" He asks softly, looking at you intently. You turn away a little and stare at the city, "In case I was desperate enough to.." You trail off not wanting to say it. "God damn it Jess!" You jump hearing the anger and frustration in Scott's voice. "What the hell am I supposed to do? Am I supposed to just sit here and watch as you just get more depressed and eventually die? I can't do that, and unless you're going to knock off this bullshit and start to believe the things I've been trying to tell you, then it's pointless for me to be here. God damn it I love you Jess, and here you are just..." He trails off realizing what he just said, you look at him shocked. "What did you just say?" You whisper unable to talk any louder. "I said I love you." He starts to walk closer to you, you pull away scared of the way you're feeling, scared that you will only end up bruised and in pain again. Scott pulls you to him holding you against him tight, seeing the fear in your eyes. "I'm not them Jess, I will never hurt you like they did, I love you." Tears stream down your cheeks as you realize that you love him too, your hold tightens around him and you whisper softly sobbing into his chest. "I love you too." He smiles squeezing you as hard as he can, he lifts your face up to his and kisses you passionately. "I love you Jess, I don't know how anyone couldn't." The sobs rack your body as you realize for the first time you are capable of being loved. 
 
 
 Chapter 8

        Scott holds you on the roof just letting you cry. You let everything out, all the pain all the sadness, all the hurt you've kept hidden. Scott has been the only man ever to simply just let you cry, and that means more to you than anything. You knew before you met him he was a special person, and now he's yours. You never thought in a million years you would be able to love again, but here you are, in love with none other than Scott Stapp. Scott leans his head down resting it on yours his hair falling down by your face. He whispers soothingly to you and holds you tight. You love the feel of his strong arms around you, you've missed that feeling more than you realize. You miss the feel of being held and just being able to curl up on a couch with the man you love. You nuzzle your head in Scott's chest the tears slowly stopping. Scott squeezes you in a big bear hug loving the feel of you in his arms. He breathes deeply taking in your scent smiling at the sweet smell of your hair. He smiles knowing he made the right choice by following his heart, sure you're a lot younger than him, but you love him and you love Jagger. You didn't have to say it for him to notice, it was all the little maternal things you did that made him smile more than anything. Scott chuckles slightly remembering Jagger cleaning his plate of spaghetti. "What are you laughing about?" You smile looking up at him, "Just remembering Jag clean his plate" He looks down at you, "that never happens, you must be a better cook than me." You giggle at him laying your head on his shoulder. He tilts your head up and whispers softly staring into your eyes. "You're beautiful." Scott's heart stops hoping you won't turn away, when you don't he smiles softly. You smile back knowing what that smile is for. He wraps his arm around you and you head back into the apartment, "You didn't turn away." He says softly squeezing your side, "Maybe 'cause I have a reason to believe it now." You answer him kissing him sweetly making him smile as you crawl through the window. 

        You look up once inside and smile seeing Jagger playing on the floor, you walk over and sit next to him, "Hey you," He smiles at you then continues playing. Scott comes in the window and grins seeing you sitting next to Jagger. He holds a finger to his lips and carefully sneaks up on the little boy. You have to try and hide your smile as Scott gets closer. Finally Scott pounces sending Jagger into a fit of giggles. Scott tickles the little boy laughing as he squirms and giggles, you can't help but laugh at what a cute pair they make. Scott whispers something to Jagger, he giggles as they turn to you. "Oh no." You start shaking your head while getting up, "Scott no." You smile getting up to run, Scott runs after you and quickly catches you. Jagger giggles watching you try and wrestle away from Scott. "I got her bud, now it's your turn!" Jagger giggles running over to you, Scott has your arms pinned to the floor while he sits on your stomach. Jagger attacks you with tickles making you shriek and laugh begging him to stop. Finally Scott lets go and lets you up, you slap his arm playfully. "That was mean!" He chuckles at you, you grab Jagger and pick him up tickling his tummy. "You little bug, I'm gonna get you." Scott smiles watching you set Jagger on your hip and kiss his cheeks. You brush the hair out of his face and kiss his forehead before setting him down to go play again. Scott wraps his arms around you from behind kissing the top of your head. "Do you have kids I don't know about or are you just good with them?" You can't help but laugh, "Yes I have 23 kids and I've been divorced 12 times." Scott laughs at your sarcastic comment tickling your sides gently. You jump, "Hey no more tickling, I've had enough." He smiles watching you jump. "So what are we going to do today?" Scott asks sitting on the couch, "What do you want to do?" He shrugs, "How far is your school from here?" You laugh, "Like 5 blocks, and how did I know you were going to ask that?" He just smiles, "Hey bud? Wanna see where Jess goes to school?" Jagger jumps up nodding, you smile at him getting up. "Oh all right," you sigh grabbing your coat and handing Scott Jaggers. Scott picks Jagger up and you head out the door a few minutes later. 

        Scott has on his traditional baseball cap and sunglasses, "Umm Scott, sorry but it's pretty much useless in here, everyone knows who you are, they won't be fooled." He chuckles taking them off, you open the door and step inside the building, It's a weekend so it's not too busy but there are some people around. Scott notices the minute you walk in people look up smiling and say hi. "So tell me, does everyone know you?" He chuckles, Jagger is in awe looking around at the big building his eyes wide. You just nod to Scott and continue to walk around, "Now this I think you'll like." You grin opening a dark door, inside is 4 state of the art recording studio's, Scott examines all the equipment and nods approvingly. "This is sweet babe, so how often are you allowed to come down here?" You can't help but smile, "Anytime I want, the school is open almost 24/7, practice rooms are always being used, people are always here." He nods, "So it's kind of like recording studio." You nod, "Got anything you've recorded, "How did I know that was coming?" You ask sticking your tongue out. Scott just laughs setting Jagger down, "Don't play with anything ok Jag, just look." Jagger nods as they follow you out the door to another smaller room. "Hey Josh," you smile peeking in the room, "did you finish it?" He smile turning to you, "Yeah, even found the perfect cover." He smiles handing it to you. "Ahh that's too cute, thank you babe, I owe ya." He shakes his head, "You don't owe me nothin' now get outta here, ya bother me." He teases as you shut the door. Scott takes the cd and smiles at the cover, "Who's the little girl in the santa hat?" He asks flipping it over, "My cousin Gracie, she's my cutie." Scott smiles, "Now I know where you got it." You look at him confused, "You've babysat her a lot haven't you?" You nod smiling as you realize what he meant. Scott looks over the cd before looking around and grinning when he sees a cd player. "Hey Jag, go put this in for me." He whispers watching Jagger open the cd player, and setting in the cd carefully. You were busy looking for something and putting away a few things when you hear your own voice come over the speakers. "You just couldn't wait could you?" You turn smirking at Scott as Jagger dances around. He smiles, "Nope, and I wasn't going to." You shake your head rolling your eye. "Men are so impatient." Scott laughs wrapping his arms around you kissing you softly. He holds you close and starts to dance listening to the cd full of Christmas music you recorded. He smiles loving your voice knowing you would make it even if you had never met him. Now he wants to make sure you do, just by helping, not giving everything to you. He knows you'd never take it, but he can at least give your name a little mention. "Well Mr. Big rock star, what do you think?" You ask softly, your head on his shoulder. "I love it, and I love you." He says kissing you softly. 
 

 
Chapter 9

        Scott and Jagger had gone back to Florida, but Scott calls you everyday and you end up talking for hours. You are head over heals in love with him and it shows. Now that Scott and Jagger are gone your apartment feels empty, but every once in awhile you catch a whiff of his scent and smile. Scott left one of his sweatshirts on the couch before he left knowing you'd wear it all the time. You found it after you got back from saying good-bye to them at the airport. 

        You open the door and step inside locking it behind you, the phone starts to ring the minute you get in the door. You smile knowing it's Scott, "Hello?" Scott smiles hearing your voice, 
        "Hey you, I miss you." You smile sitting on the couch grabbing his sweatshirt, you love to just sit and breathe in his scent. 
        "I miss you too, how's the little man?" Scott grins none of his girlfriends ever asked about Jagger, the fact that you do just makes him love you more. 
        "He's a little ball of energy that just never quits." You laugh knowing how true it is, "But he's good, had a little cold but it's gone now." You frown a little
        "Oh poor thing, I hate colds." Scott can't help but grin, 
        "He's better now, all back to normal." You smile
        "Good, my cuties can't be sick." 
        "Cuties?" Scott asks rasing his eyebrow at the phone
        "What you're not my cutie?" You ask giggling
        "No, last I check I was your sexy man." He says with a laugh
        "Oh yeah, that's right, now I remember." You tease making Scott laugh, "Well then my sexy man what have you been up to?" There is a long pause, you hear him move around and collapse on a couch before sighing. "Scott what's wrong?" He smiles a small smile hearing the concern in your voice. 
        "It's nothing, I'll be ok." Scott says quietly, you don't buy it at all 
        "Scott tell me, what's wrong?" He sighs, you swear you can hear him start to cry.
        "It's just..." His voice cracks, 
        "Baby what's wrong, you can tell me anything." You tell him softly letting your concern and love be heard in your voice. 
        "Hillari...." Is all he manages to get out before you can hear him crying on the other end. Your heart breaks hearing him crying wondering what she's done to make him so upset. You want to kill her when she hurts him like this. You know he still cares for her and always will, but you trust him completely and you can tell it makes a huge difference that you do. He tells you everything and you do the same for him. 
        "Baby what happened? You know I'll come down there and kick her ass if you want me to?" Scott can't help but chuckle, you smile hearing him hoping that comment cheered him up a little. 
        "She's trying to get full custody of Jagger, she claims I'm a bad father and that I have all these woman coming and going and shit like that." Your temper starts to flare at Hill, 'that bitch' you think to yourself. 
        "Jess...?" You shake your thoughts away, 
        "Yeah baby?" He is silent for a minute before replying
        "Am I a bad father?" That floored you, of all the ideas Hill has put in his head that one is the worst of them all. 
        "Hell no! I'm sorry Scott, but don't let that bitch put ideas in your head. You are a great father, Jagger is one of the luckiest kids in the world. He's such a sweetie, you've done such a good job with him. I don't know how many women you've been with, I really don't care, the past is the past. But I know that you're not like that and she has no proof to her claim so fuck her." Scott can't help but smile, he needed to hear that right now. "I know how much you love Jagger and you do everything for him, and I've heard enough about Hill from you, Mark and Flip to know who is the better parent, and it's certainly not her." There is a short silence before Scott sighs 
        "God I love you, thank you so much." You smile softly, 
        "I love you too, just telling the truth." 
        "Jess, can you come down here soon?" You look at the calendar 
        "Like when?" He pauses hoping he doesn't scare you with what he's about to say. 
        "Christmas break, I want you to spend Christmas with me..." You are shocked but a smile spreads across your face. "Jess...?" He asks hoping he didn't scare you
        "I'd love to." He grins trying to keep the excitement out of his voice but fails miserably. You can't help but laugh knowing what his face must look like. He laughs too realizing how he must sound. 
        "It's cute Scott, you sound like Jagger when you get excited." You giggle making him chuckle, 
        "Shut up." He teases, "Jess there's something else, I want you to meet my family...." You laugh softly 
        "I kind of figured that since you asked me to come over Christmas dork." He can't help but laugh hearing the smile in your voice. 
        "All right, well I should get going, Jagger wants to play.." 
        "Wait, when are you celebrating Christmas?" 
        "On Christmas duh." He teases, 
        "Well we're celebrating it that weekend....so...." Scott smiles getting what you're saying.
        "So I get to meet your family too?" He asks smiling, 
        "Yep, if you want to..." He laughs
        "Of course I do, ok Jaggers about to kill me if I don't get up so I'd better go." You laugh
        "Give him a hug and a kiss for me, I love you baby." 
        "I will, I love you too, bye hun." 
        You hang up and sigh, a huge grin spreading across your face at the thought of meeting Scott's family. 
 

Chapter 10

        You had a week of school before Christmas break, you got everything ready to fly down to Florida. Finally it's Friday the, you bored your plane carry on in tow and get comfy in the first class seat. Scott had insisted paying for your ticket and he wouldn't take no for an answer. You must have fallen asleep because you wake as the plane start to descend down. You look out the window and see Florida all around you, you grin knowing you'll be seeing Scott and Jagger soon. Scott said he would have someone come and pick you up and not to worry about a car. You get off the plane and are practically plowed over by Jagger running up to you, "Hey you! What are you doing here?" You grin picking up the little boy giving him a big hug. "Daddy said we were picking you up today, so he told me hug you the minute you came out." You laugh, typical Scott, always has a warm welcome. Scott walks over with a smile on his face, sunglasses and a New York hat hiding his identity. You grin seeing him, he pulls you into his arms and kisses you deeply. "Ewwwwww daaad." You laugh hearing Jagger and lay your head on Scott's shoulder, he chuckles picking up your bag as you take Jagger's hand. Scott leads the way to an SUV out in the parking lot, he throws your stuff in the back and straps Jagger in. You climb in front getting comfy in the seat. Scott smiles happy to finally be able to hold you again. 

        The ride to his house is short, you get out stretching and stare in awe at his huge house. It's a mansion compared to your tiny little apartment, Scott gets Jagger out of the back and grabs your things. He wraps his arm around you walking to the front door unlocking it easily. Jagger runs inside and up to his room, Scott chuckles, "Now he's going to show you every toy he owns." You smile at him, he takes you into his arms taking a deep breath, "God I've missed you." He sighs quietly into your hair. You can tell this whole Hillari thing has really gotten to him, he looks tired and slightly pale. You push some hair out of his face, "Go take a nap." He smiles slightly, "Ah mom do I have to?" You stick your tongue out at him, "I'll only take one if you take one with me." He bargains. "Ok, deal." Scott grabs your bag and you follow him upstairs to his room, he sets your bag down and heads to Jagger's room. He smiles seeing Jagger asleep on the floor, you peek in as Scott picks him up and lays him in bed kissing his forehead. "Night bud" he whispers softly turning to leave, you smile softly at him. He takes your hand and you pull him down the hall to the bedroom, he kisses you gently pulling you down on the bed. You crawl under the covers and pull Scott under too. He curls up close laying his head on your chest sighing. You run your fingers through his hair softly trying to soothe him. You smile getting an idea, you gaze down at him pulling the covers around him more before you start to sing Lullaby. Scott smiles softly hearing your voice, his eyes slowly start to close, by the time you finish he is sleeping a soft smile on his face. "Goodnight my love." You whisper closing your eyes yourself. 

        Scott wakes up a few hours later, he gazes up at your sleeping face and smiles remembering you singing him to sleep. He gets up carefully trying his best not to wake you. You shift a little but don't wake up, Scott goes to check on Jagger and finds him asleep also. He goes downstairs trying to decide what to make for supper. You wake up to the smell of food an hour later and decide to investigate. You hadn't gotten a tour yet so you just followed your nose. You smile seeing Scott mixing together something in a pot, "What smells so good?" You ask wrapping your arms around him, he smiles turning around, "Spaghetti." You laugh kissing him tenderly, "You remember everything don't you." He nods, you both look towards the door hearing little footsteps coming down the stairs. Scott smiles seeing a yawning Jagger in the doorway, "Hey bud, gettin' hungry?" Jagger nods crawling into his chair at the table. You set the table while Scott finishes up, he sets a big bowl of spaghetti down and makes Jagger a plate. You smile watching him, loving the fact that you are able to see this side of him. He makes you a plate and hands it to you smiling. You take it gratefully and start to eat. "Mmmmm it's nummy." Jagger says through a mouthful of spaghetti, "Jagger, remember, we don't talk with our mouth full." Jagger swallows embarrassed, "Sorry daddy." Scott just smiles at him. You finish supper and try to help Scott with the dishes but he won't hear of it. Jagger grabs your hand and pulls you up to his room, you look around the room and smile. Scott decorated it, you can tell, it's got him written all over it. You sit down on the floor as Jagger shows you all his toys and finally decides to play a game. He grabs Candy Land and you start to play. Scott finishes putting everything away and looks around for you, he hears laughter coming from up stairs, so he follows the sounds. He peeks into Jagger's room and sees you playing with him, "Hey that's no fair, you cheated!" You gasp making Jagger giggle, "I didn't cheat silly." Jagger giggles at you, showing you his card again. Scott smiles watching you play with him like he was your own. He walks down the hall to the office and sits down in his big leather chair. He unlocks the bottom drawer and pulls out a little black box, he opens it staring at the ring. He's had it for the past week, you've barely been together for 3 months, but for some reason he knows this is right. He closes the box and puts it back in the drawer, getting up he takes one last look at where it is before walking out of the room. Scott looks at his watch and notices it's getting late, Jagger should be in bed soon and then he can have some well needed time alone with you. Scott hears you talking softly and peeks into Jagger's room again, he grins seeing Jagger in his pjs already, laying in bed with you reading him a story. He steps inside quietly, you look up and smile at him not missing a word as you read. You finish the story and kiss a sleepy Jagger goodnight, you leave quietly as Scott sings him to sleep. Scott steps out in the hall wrapping his arms around you, "You're amazing you know that?" You lean against him happy to be in his arms again, "Why do you say that?" Scott squeezes his arms tighter around you as he answers, "None of my ex's treated Jagger, or me for that matter, the way you do. Half of them didn't even know Jag existed and the others...they just wanted my money. But you...you're different, you don't care about my money, just me..." He trails off, you turn around in his arms to face him. "Who needs money when you can have love?" Scott shakes his head not believing he found a woman who truly loves him and his son for who they are. 

        He gently pulls you down stairs to relax on the couch, he collapses on it with a sigh. You curl up next to him knowing he just needs support right now. His arm wraps around your back, his hand playing with your hair gently. "I'm so glad you're here." He says quietly, "There's no where else I'd rather be." You tell him softly gazing up at him. He kisses you gently squeezing you to him. You wake up to birds chirping by a window, it's morning, you must have fallen asleep on the couch. Scott is still asleep his arm still around you, you kiss him gently and he smiles waking up to you in his arms. "Hey you." You smile gently, he smiles back sighing as he stretches. He looks at his watch, "8 am, we slept here all night." He chuckles softly, "Oh well, I thought it was cozy." You curl up against him again, he smiles nodding. Scott lifts you up slightly adjusting himself so he's laying flat on his back, you lay on your side pressed against him. He sighs heavily, you look up at him, even after all the sleep he got he still looks tired and is still a little pale. You scoot up a little more so your face is laying on his shoulder. "Baby, will you do something for me?" You ask him quietly, he looks down at you squeezing you close to him, "Anything." You look up at him, he can see the concern in your eyes, he knows be looks tired, he is, tired and depressed. You pull him up bring him to the bedroom locking the door behind you. You set Scott down on the bed and crawl behind him. He is sitting on the end of the bed, you wrap your arms around his shoulders and whisper quietly, "Cry Scott, don't hide it." He looks up into the mirror over his dresser looking at your reflection through it, you look into his reflected eyes begging him to do what you ask. He looks down thinking, soon you feel him tense up and feel a tear on your hand. You tighten your hold around him and whisper soothingly just like he had done to you. 

        You hear the doorbell ring, you get up kissing the top of his head, "I'll get it." You hurry downstairs and look through the peep whole, you tense up. There on the steps in Hillari, the last person Scott needs to see right now. You open the door enough to stand in it, "Hello," You say as nice as possible. "Who are you?" She asks sneering, "Oh wait, you must be the new flavor of the week. Where's Scott, I need to see him." You step out closing the door behind you, "Scott is busy." You try hoping she'll go away, you're not letting her in the house no matter what Scott says. "Look bitch he's my ex-husband and my son is in there, I have a right to see him, I don't give a shit if he's busy." That was it, you just made up your mind to give her hell for putting Scott through everything she is. Scott had looked out the window and saw Hillari's car in the driveway, he decides he'd better deal with her and heads for downstairs. 

        "Oh I'm the bitch am I?" You sneer at her, "I'm not the one putting that man through hell and lying my ass off just to get money from him or custody of his son. I'm not the one putting idea's in his head about him being a bad father when you and I both know he's a great one. You're not the one listening to him on the phone, hearing how depressed he is and then hearing him crying. And for what, so you can get the satisfaction of a few bucks and your name in the paper. Get a life bitch and stay out of his, because as long as I'm around, you're not going to hurt him anymore." Hillari is fuming, her hand raises to slap you but before she can a hand reaches out and grabs it. You turn around seeing Scott standing behind you, "Get out of here now before I call the cops," he growls at her. She humphs and stalks off yelling at him. After she peels out of the driveway and down the street you sigh hugging Scott around the waist. He lays his head on your sighing too, but he can't help but smile. He heard the whole thing, his grip tightens around you and you in turn tighten your grip on him. "I love you so much." You whisper into his chest. "I love you too baby, now lets go back inside." 

        Inside, Scott stops just watching you, "What?" You ask tilting your head. "I heard everything." You sigh, wrapping your arms around him, "I'm sorry you heard that baby." He stops you, "No, I'm glad I did, it just made me love you even more." You can't help but smile, he hugs you tight "And I swear to God if she ever touches you or Jagger I will kill her myself." You hug him hearing the seriousness in his voice. "Don't say that Scott, I know you mean it and I love you for it, but please.." He looks down at you, "I'm sorry baby." You smile softly, "I know, let's just forget about her ok?" He nods pulling you to sit with him on the couch again. 

Chapter 11

        You and Scott don't think about Hillari the rest of the night. You can tell Scott has relaxed a little more and isn't so tense. Jagger woke up a few times wanting a drink and such, Scott just sits back smiling as you take care of him and get him back to bed. Scott glances over at the clock then at you, it's getting late and you are starting to nod off. He stands up and turns to you, you look up at him wondering what he's doing. He bends down and picks you up, you smile laying your head on his shoulder and wrapping your arms around his neck. He carries you up to his room and sets you down gently. You kiss him softly before heading into the bathroom to change. Scott changes and lays down on the bed waiting for you. You come out a few minutes later, Scott gets up and walks in. You figure since Scott brought all your stuff and you to his room, that's where he wants you to stay. You crawl into his bed, your eyes slowly closing, you feel the bed move and Scott pull you closer. "Hey you, come here." He whispers with a smile, you open your eyes and curl up to him. He lays his head on yours running his fingers through your hair. "I love you." He whispers softly, you smile into his neck and kiss it gently, "I love you too." 

        You wake up the next morning to the bed bouncing, you laugh opening your eyes and seeing Jagger crawling up to lay by you and Scott. "Hey cutie, come here." You hold up the covers and smile as Jagger crawls in. Scott opens his eyes slowly and smiles seeing you holding Jagger and curling up next to him again. "Hey little man, come on, let's all go back to sleep." Jagger smiles laying on Scott's chest, you curl up at his side and he wraps his arm around you. You kiss Jagger's cheek before laying your head next to his. Scott smiles looking down at the two people he loves more than anything sleeping together with him. He leans down kissing Jagger on the top of his head, "I love you my heart" He whispers quietly. He turns to you kissing your cheek softly, "I love you my soul." You smile hearing him and curl up closer. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Christmas Eve~~~~~~~~~~~~~

        You help Scott pack all the presents in the back of the SUV, he makes sure to grab the ones you got for him so he can try and peek. You laugh seeing him shake is and try and figure out what it is. "You're as bad as Jagger." He chuckles shaking it again, "So a guy can't be curious?" You just laugh shaking your head. Scott finishes getting all the presents in the car while you help Jagger get his coat on, you carry him and his back pack to the car strapping him in the back seat. Scott locks up the house and crawls in the SUV, he takes your hand as he drives to his parents house. You had talked to his mom one day, Scott had been in the shower and Jagger had wanted to call them, you found their number and explained who you were. Linda had been pleasantly surprised to talk to you, apparently Scott has been talking non stop about you. You and her talked for a little bit before Jagger became anxious, Linda heard how you talked to him and smiled. 

        Scott pulled up to their house, you saw a curtain move in the living room and smiled hoping out. You were a little nervous, but the talk with Linda had calmed your nerves. You are ready for a cautious welcoming knowing Scott's status. You help Jagger out of the car while Scott starts unloading presents. Linda opens the front door smiling at you as you walk up holding Jagger. He starts to squirm, you laugh letting him down to run to grandma. She smiles crouching down to hug him tight. She stands up a big smile on her face, "Come on in sweetie." You step inside, she takes your coat then gives you a big hug. "It's so nice to finally meet you, Scott hasn't stopped talking about you." Scott walks in right then and instantly blushes. You smile at him laughing softly, "So you can't stop talking about me hu?" He blushes even deeper hiding his face with a present and heading into the living room. Linda laughs pulling you inside, Scott's sisters are sitting on the couch laughing at Scott's red face. He walks over to you still a little pink, "I think it's cute" You tell him wrapping your arm around him kissing his cheek. He grins squeezing your side, Linda smiles pushing you both to sit and get comfortable. She walks into the kitchen, so you are left with Scott's sisters, you laugh as they push Scott over and sit next to you. He laughs "Hey she's my girlfriend!" They just wave him off and start talking to you, you hit it off right away with both of them and find you have a lot in common. Steven walks by the living room, Scott notices the look he gives you and gets up. "I'll be right back." Amie looks up at him with a face you can't read, but Scott can. You hear him sigh and walk out to find his dad. "Jess.."Amanda warns you, "I love my dad, but he's very cautious of Scott's girlfriends. I'm telling you this so you won't take anything personally, he can be down right mean sometimes with his comments. I know mom loves you, we do to, you rock girl." You can't help but smile at her, "It's obvious that Jagger and Scott both love you too, the hard part is convincing dad that you're not after Scott for his fame or money." Linda walks in sighing, "I'm sorry Jessica, but they're right, I love Steven with all my heart, but he's a very stubborn man. Please forgive him." You smile at her, "Linda, I know that, and I was prepared for a not so happy welcome from him, I just hope I can change his mind about what he thinks I am. I love your son very much, all I can do is hope you'll trust me when I tell you if he worked at McDonalds and lived in a box I'd love him just as much as I do now." Linda smiles tears in her eyes, "Oh sweetie, I do trust you, you're the first girl in a long time that actually cares for Scott like we do. I only hope he does something about it someday." You smile at her, "Me too!" You all laugh, Linda smiles watching your eyes light up as Jagger runs into the room and into your lap holding a toy. "Hey cutie, watcha got?" He shows you the toy and how it works, "Man that's cool, I wish I had stuff like that when I was little." Amie and Amanda laugh agreeing with you. 

        Scott follows his dad down the hall to the office, he knocks on the door and peeks in. "Hey dad." Steven turns to him smiling, "Hello son," Scott walks in sitting on a couch, "Dad, please, be nice to her, I really love her and she loves me." Steven's face gets stern, "How do you know that Scott?" Scott sighs not wanting to get into this, "Dad she loves me, you just have to trust me on this, she isn't anything like the others, if you actually talk her you'll see that. She is amazing with Jagger, he warmed up to her instantly and she treats him like her own." Steven turns to him, "Is she a fan?" Scott sighs, "Yes, she is." Steven just nods giving Scott the look he hates, "Then how do you know she isn't after you for your..." Scott stops him, "Don't even say it, I knew it was pointless talking to you, you won't even give her a chance, you just judge her before you even know her. DAMNIT DAD, CAN'T A WOMAN LOVE ME FOR ME?" He yells.

        You look up from Jagger hearing Scott yelling, you sigh knowing it's hard on him. He loves his dad and he hates fighting with him but you knew this was coming. "Jagger can you play by yourself for a little bit?" You ask setting him down, he nods going back to his toy. Amie watches you get up, "Jess don't," her eyes plead wit you, "It's better not to go in there." You smile at her softly, "I have to, weather he likes me or not, I plan to have a good time, and I will not let Scott around Jagger when he's this way, I promised him I wouldn't." Linda watches you walk down the hall and smiles, Amie walks into the kitchen, "Mom is today going to suck?" She asks smiling a little, Linda laughs. "I'd like to say no, but I don't know." 

        You knock on the door softly, they don't hear you because they are both yelling now. You take a deep breath and enter the room. Scott stops seeing you there, "Jess, you don't need to hear this, please." You shake your head, "You're right I don't need to hear it, but I don't need to stand here to hear it. I can hear it anywhere in the house." You can see the disapproving look on Steven's face, you turn to him. "I'm sorry you don't seem to like me, I wish you would give me a chance so maybe I can prove to you that I could care less about money and fame. But weather you give me that chance or not, I love your son, him, the real person, not the rock star. Money means nothing to me, family is the only thing that I care about. I've lost most of my family for various reasons, I am very close to my family and because of that I've been through depression for most of my life. Your son is the reason I'm alive, I was lucky enough to thank him, he cared enough to give me his number. So one night when I was about to kill myself, instead I called him. He flew to Minnesota without my asking and forced me to talk to him. If it weren't for him, I would be dead right now. Forgive my language but I don't give a shit about money, and fame...that's just an illusion, what I care about is that man standing right there who cared enough to fly a thousand miles just to save me. I'm sorry that you think it's impossible for a fan to love your son for who he is, but I'm telling you right now it's possible and I love him more than anything." With that you walk out of the room leaving them both speechless. Amie, Amanda and Linda are standing outside the door speechless themselves. They all hug you and tell you how amazing what you just did was. You walk back in the living room and sit next to Jagger, "Hey bud, can I play too?" He nods smiling at you. 

        Steven sits down not knowing what to say, Scott glares at him walking out of the room. "Hey you," he sits next to you pulling you to sit on his lap. "God I love you, I can't believe you did that, no one has ever done that before." You wrap his arms around you curling up into his chest, "Well maybe someone should have." Scott lays his head on your shoulder, you lean your head against his. Amie and Amanda walk back into the living room smiling at you both. "Jess that was awesome, and I'm sorry but if he doesn't knock it off mom will kick his but." Scott chuckles nodding. A few minutes later Steven stands in the door way to the living room, "Jessica, may I speak with you?" Scott tenses and starts to get up with you, you squeeze his leg telling him it's ok. Linda gives her husband a look telling him to behave. You follow him down the hall to the office again. He sits down in the same chair motioning for you to have a seat, he sighs, "I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't have judged you so quickly but it's hard." You nod smiling softly at him, "I love my son and I don't want to see him get hurt, I also don't want to see him spending his money on someone who is just using him." He pauses before looking at you, "No one has ever stood up to me the way you did today, that alone tells me something. I see the way you act around him and Jagger won't stop talking about you. I'm sorry for the way I acted, it's obvious to everyone, even me, that you really do love my son. I'm grateful for that, he deserves his happiness and you make him happy, can you forgive me?" You smile at him, getting up, "Of course I can." He smiles taking you into a hug, he takes your arm and you walk out in the living room, he leaves your side to go to the kitchen. Scott looks up, "Well?" You sit down on his lap again and lay back, you look at Amie, "A miracle just happened." Amie's mouth drops, "No way, dad apologized?!" You nod, "And he hugged me." Scott looks at you, "You're kidding?" You shake your head at him, he hugs you so tight you can't breathe. Linda walks into the living room smiling, "Dinners ready kids." She gives you an extra big smile and a hug, Scott smiles seeing you and his mom getting along so well. Scott picks up Jagger bringing him to the kitchen. You all get settled as Scott's dad says a prayer, Scott squeezes your hand looking at you smiling softly. You smile as the prayer ends and you lift your head, you help Scott get Jagger a plate of food. The dinner was delicious, you can see how antsy Jagger is getting to open presents. Linda walks into the living room and starts to pass them out, you have quite a pile, you smile seeing one from Jagger. "Hmm Jagger's handwriting sure looks a lot like yours." You tease him quietly, Scott chuckles pulling a little box out of his pocket, "This one you have to open last ok?" You look up at him smiling, "You didn't have to get me anything." He smiles, "Yeah I did." You just laugh. 

        You all start to open present, you notice Scott pick up the one you picked out, you stop and watch him start to open it. He opens the box and pulls off the cover, there is a long velvet box on top, he opens it curiously, his mouth drops seeing gorgeous pocket watch with the Creed crest on it. He doesn't have to be told it's made of real silver and must have cost a fortune. You smile seeing his reaction, everyone had stopped opening their presents seeing you watching Scott so closely. He looks at you tears in his eyes, "This must have cost a fortune." You jus laugh, "Of all the things you could say you pick that one?" He laughs a tear rolling down his cheek, you wipe it away softly, "So you like it?" He grins "I love it." He whispers kissing you softly, "Well there's more." He chuckles turning back to the box, He pulls out a picture frame and turns it over. Instantly a tear runs down his cheek, it's a picture of you and Jagger, Jagger grins seeing his reaction. You silently high five him making him giggle softly. "When did you do this?" You laugh remembering the day, "When I took Jag Christmas shopping, and they were delivered the day I kicked you out to get weird food items." Scott laughs "Yeah it took me 20 minutes to find one thing." You laugh remembering him complaining to you later, "Well I had to get you out of there somehow!" He smiles, "Ok now open yours." You grin, "You're not done yet babe." Scott looks at you confused, Linda smiles lifting the guitar case from under the couch. Scott looks at you, you just smile, "This was actually Jaggers idea." You tell him as he opens the guitar case, He gasps seeing the Mark Tremonti PRS but with one difference, there's a hand painted portrait of all three of them on the front, they had recently decided to get a picture done since they were such good friends. Jagger had mentioned it and Linda loaned you the picture. "Turn it over." On the back is a picture of him and Jagger together." Scott grins, "I had a little trouble picking out which guitar I should use.." You say teasingly, Scott laughs, "This was your idea bud?" He asks, Jagger nods happy his dad likes his present. "I love it little man." Scott smiles at him. Scott turns to you, "Ok NOW it's your turn." You unwrap the small box Scott had handed you, Amie and Amanda are on the edge of their seats, they are the only ones that know. You see a ring box and open it slowly, Scott waits for a reaction but what he gets is a little different than what he expected. "Start explaining." Scott looks at you confused, "What?" You turn to him a smirk on your face, "I never told you what I've always wanted my engagement ring to look like and yet here it is." Scott grins realizing you're not mad. "Thank your mom for that." He kneels down in front of you and takes the ring, "Now I really hope you say yes, because I don't think I can return this thing," You can't help but laugh as you start to get tears in your eyes. Linda smiles at Steven, she smiles bigger realizing he's smiling too. "I love you Jess, I've actually been wanting to do this for awhile. But I thought this would be the perfect time. Jess, you know how I feel about you, the night you called me I knew I couldn't just talk to you over the phone. I had to see you, I'm so glad I did, I fell in love with you the minute you opened the door." By now tears are streaming down your cheeks but you can't wipe the soft smile off your face. Amie, Amanda, and Linda are also crying with huge smiles on their faces. "Jess, will you marry me?" You smile at him as he slips the ring over your finger, looking up at you hopefully, "Do you really have to ask? Yes" You whisper wrapping your arms around his neck crying into his shoulder. He hugs you tight a huge smile on his face, Jagger runs and hugs you, "I love you too Jess." You hug him tight kissing his little cheeks, "And I love you sweetie" Amie and Amanda hug you tight before attacking Scott with hugs and kisses. Scott looks over and his dad and grins seeing the smile on his face, his dad just nods happy to see Scott so happy. Linda is hugging you tight already calling you her daughter, you sit back on the couch after all the hugs are over with and stare down at your ring, it's exactly what you had dreamed of. A princess cut diamond with a sapphire baguette on each side of the diamond imbedded in the platinum band. Scott sits next to you pulling you close, "Scott would you?" His mom asks as Steven sits down from making a fire in the fire place. Scott smiles starting to sing silent night. You curl up closer and lay on his chest. Scott nudges you to sing to so you join him, Linda smiles at you as the song ends. You look down at the floor and see Jagger asleep, you get up and pick him up, Scott takes you to the guest room and helps you lay him down. In the mean time Linda pulls the hide a bed out for you and Scott to sleep on. Amie and Amanda are in sleeping bags on the floor, "Now no hanky panky or we'll be forced to intervene." Scott laughs crawling in bed waiting for you, "Oh come on, I'm not that bad." They nod yes, "Yeah you are, we heard you when your were a teenager, you've only gotten worse I'm sure." They tease. Scott laughs, he smiles at you as you crawl in bed laughing and shaking your head. "Sorry Jess, he did get some as a teen." You laugh at them, "I should hope so, I don't know how the girls could resist." Scott smiles pulling you close, "Night my babes." He says to his sisters making you smile, "Night bro." He leans down kissing you softly, "Night my love." You smile at him, "Night my sexy man." He grins laying his head down closing his eyes. 
 
 
 Chapter 12


        You wake up the next morning to Amie and Amanda tapping your shoulder. You laugh seeing them in their sleeping bags looking up at you. "Hey Jess, ok spill we want to know all the dirty secrets on our big bro." They whisper making you laugh softly. "What do you want to know?" They grin at each other, "What's he like in bed?" You stifle your laugh in a pillow, "You actually want to know how your own brother is in bed?" You laugh asking them quietly, they nod eagerly awaiting your answer. You start to answer them, giving some details but nothing too embarrassing. Scott had woken up and was listening trying not to laugh. "Ok we get he's great in bed, now how big is he? We used to torture him when he was younger and give him mini rulers as gifts." You crack up laughing with them, "I don't know actual measurements but I will say this, no woman would be disappointed." They giggle knowing how bad they can torture him with the info you're giving them. "Jess this is awesome, none of Scott's ex's would have ever told us anything about him. I mean come on, just because he's our brother doesn't mean we're blind, he's hot!" You laugh loving how easy and fun they are to talk to. "I have to agree with you Amie, he is quite hot." They smile seeing the grin on your face. "Girl you are head over heals!" Amanda says smiling making you blush hiding your face in a pillow. You lay your head down and look at them, "Guys, umm just how many ex's has he had?" Amie looks at you, "Jess please tell me you don't think he'd ever cheat on you?" You shake your head, "No, never he knows I trust him, I'm just curious." They think a minute, "Three isn't it?" Amanda nods, "Yeah, I'd never say it to his face, but they were bitches, and little plastic princesses, they just wanted his money." Amie sighs, "Yeah, there was one girl that was ok, but she acted like Jagger didn't exist so she was gone fast, that is one thing Scott will not put up with." You smile, happy it's a small number, you wouldn't judge him anyway but it's still nice to know. "Then he met you, and that is a very very very good thing." They smile at you, "Before it was tall, blonde, and big boobs. You're the first REAL girl to walk through this house in a long time." You smile, "Oh and by real I don't mean just boobs either." Amanda says laughing, you laugh into your pillow totally unaware Scott is hearing every word. Amie looks at you, "This is gonna be awesome having Jess as our new sis!" Amanda grins, they get up and hug you, Amie happens to look over at Scott and see him close his eyes quickly. 

        At breakfast Amie notices something's up with Scott, you notice too but can tell that Amie seems to know exactly what it is. She gives you a look glancing at Jagger, you finish eating and pick him going into the living room to play. Amie starts to do the dishes and Scott helps, "So how long were you awake this morning?" She asks keeping her voice down, Scott looks at her then looks away, "Scott, answer me." She pushes, "Long enough." Amie looks at him trying to figure out what's bugging him, "Scott what the hell is wrong?" She finally just gives up and asks. "Why'd you have to go there Amie? Why'd you have to get into my ex's?" Amie stops, "Scott, Jess asked." He sighs, "I know, but you could have said a number and left it at that, but no, you had to go into details about how bad my choices with women were and how much you hated them." He tells her angrily, "Scott look at me." He turns to his sister with a sigh, "Yes, I'll admit, we didn't like your ex's, but who cares, all that matters is that you found the right one, and she loves you Scott, she really loves you. She's great with Jag, and she makes you happy. Who gives a shit about the past, I know Jess doesn't, she was just curious. You should know she's not going to judge you on how many girlfriends you had. Besides you know that is you lost everything and were living in a box she'd be right there with you." Scott sighs hugging his sister, "You're right, I just hate thinking about...them." Amie smiles softly, "I know, but you don't have to anymore, you get to think about her now." She says motioning to the living room. Scott can't help but smile knowing you're in there playing with Jagger. "Nice job on the right by the way." She smirks at him, he smiles chuckling, "I'm just glad she said yes, we've only known each other for about 3 months..." Amie shrugs, "So? You love her, Jag loves her, she loves you, that's all you need. But what ever you do, don't get married until you know each other completely." Scott hugs Amie nodding, "I'll be out there." Amie smiles watching him walk into the living room, 

        You smile seeing Scott walking over to you and Jagger sitting on the hide a bed. You're watching cartoons and relaxing. Scott crawls in next to you and pulls you close, Linda walks in seeing you all laying together and can't help herself. She grabs her camera and takes a picture, you look over at her and laugh. She smile laughing herself. "I couldn't help myself." You smile curling up close to Scott burying your head in his chest, Jagger is starting to fall asleep again so Scott turns off the tv and pulls you both to lay on him. Jagger on his chest and you on his side. He takes your hand in his and kisses it softly, "I love you sweetie." You smile up at him kissing his neck. "I love you to baby, and you cutie." You whisper kissing Jagger's head, Scott smiles squeezing you close. "Go back to sleep my love." He whispers before closing his eyes. 
 

 Chapter 13

        You wake up a few hours later to the bed bouncing, Jagger is jumping up and down giggling at you. "Hey you, no jumping on the bed." You tell him pulling him to sit on your lap, he looks down like he's about to cry, "I'm sorry." You tilt his chin up, "Hey, it's ok hun, just don't do it again ok? We don't want you to get hurt." You tell him softly, he smiles hugging you, "Ok" You hug him tight making him giggle, "Jeeeessss I can't breath." He laughs, you let go giggling, "Sorry cutie, you're just so huggable." He smiles jumping off the bed and grabbing one of his toys. You lay back down curling up to a still sleeping Scott. You kiss his lips softly and nuzzle your head against his, he breathes deeply and exhales opening his eyes with a smile. "Hey sexy" you whisper in his ear, he gets up chuckling, you lay there stretching while Scott heads to the bathroom. 

        Jagger looks up seeing Scott walk down the hall, he hops back up on the bed, "Jess...can I ask you something?" You sit up, "Anything sweetie." He crawls up and sits on your lap, you can tell something is bugging him, "Are you gonna tell daddy about me jumping on the bed?" You look down at him, "Why pumpkin, will he be mad?" You ask brushing the hair off his forehead, "Yeah....and then he'll yell....I don't like it when daddy yells, it's scary.." You look at him, figuring he probably overheard Scott and Hillari fighting before. "Hunny, I won't tell daddy, but can I tell him what you told me, about when he yells, he'd want to know pumpkin." He nods, tears in his eyes, "Come here sweetie.." You pull him to your chest, he starts to cry softly, "Shhhh it's ok, I promise everything will be ok." Scott walks in and stops, a concerned look on his face seeing Jagger crying. Jagger sniffles and pulls back, he sees Scott and looks at you, you whisper in his ear and he hops off the bed to go find Amie. Scott sits down looking at you, "What happened?" You sigh, "Scott, have you ever yelled at Jagger after a fight with Hill?" He turns to you an angry look on his face, "Why the hell are you asking me that?" You put your hand on his, "Scott please, just think and answer." He can see the truthfulness in your eyes and tries to calm down, "Yeah I think so." You sigh turning away, "Jess what happened, and why are you asking me that?" You turn back to him, "Scott Jagger was jumping on the bed when I woke up this morning. He asked me not to tell you because you'd get mad and then you'd yell. He said you're scary when you yell and he doesn't like it, that's why he was crying." Scott's face falls, he gets up and walks out of the room. Linda sees him walking away and looks at you, you sigh getting up. "What happened hunny?" Linda looks at you, as you explain what Jagger told you. She sits down sighing, you get up and go look for Scott, you find him in the office sitting in a chair facing the window. "Scott.." You say softly wrapping your arms around his neck, "Talk to me baby." He sighs, "I am a bad father." You pull away looking down at him. "What the hell did you just say?" He looks at you surprised by your tone. "If you think that then I don't know why I'm marrying you." He looks at you shock on his face, "Jess..please don't say that." You look at him anger in your eyes, "No, you don't fucking tell me that you're a bad father, that's bullshit." He can't believe the words coming out of your mouth, "Then why is my own son afraid of me?" He whisper tears in his eyes, you sigh, "Scott he's not afraid of you, he's afraid of the person you become when you're angry. He loves you, he wouldn't have let me tell you what I did if he didn't love you. To him you are the coolest, bravest and greatest guy on the planet. You WANT to play with him, you don't have to, that means more to him than anything. Scott you're his dad, he loves you more than anyone, he looks up to you, he is your biggest fan. There is nothing you can do that will change his mind about his feelings for you. So don't tell me you're a bad father because it's a fucking lie." Scott stands there speechless before smiling softly, "You know, you're the only one that can leave me speechless." You can't help but laugh at him, "I love you." He whispers softly pulling you in his arms, "I love you too, now go find him." He smiles kissing you softly." He walks out of the room still holding your hand, you follow him to Amie's room and see them playing Candy Land on her bed. Jagger looks up at you, you smile at him. He sees the smile on Scott's face and you can tell they both feel better. 
 

 Chapter 14

        After packing up all of Jagger's toys and all of your new things in the truck. The three of you say goodbye to Scott's family and drive back home. It feels so good yet still a little strange to call Scott's house home. He asked you to move in right away, you love it so of course you said yes. Jagger was excited that you were going to be his new mommy, you were excited too, but also scared. You've always wanted kids, but you never figured you'd be 18, getting married and getting a son too. You figured the age difference would come between you and Scott, in fact you would have bet money on it. You know you're a lot younger than him, but you also realize that because of all that's happened to you, you're a lot more mature than your 18 year old frame. Scott didn't believe you at first when you told him that's how old you were, he thought you were older. You stare out the window wondering what Flip and Mark will say, they have no idea about the engagement, you just hope their welcome will be as warm as the Stapp's. 

        After you get everything settled back at home Scott calls Mark and Flip to invite them to supper and to tell them the news. They arrive 10 minutes later wondering what Scott has to tell them. "Dude what's up, what's the big secret?" Flip nods wondering the same thing as he and Scott walk in. "Sit down guys," They sit wondering what the big deal is and why Scott looks nervous. "Umm well you remember Jess right?" They nod, "Yeah, she was the one chick you went to go see right?" Flip asks, Scott nods and smiles seeing you in the kitchen making food. "Yeah, that's her...umm well, we're kinda....engaged." Both Mark and Flip's mouths drop, "What do you mean kinda engaged?" Mark asks his voice raising a little. Scott tries to explain but Mark cuts him off, "What the fuck are you doing Stapp, are you insane?! You barely know her and now you want to fucking marry her?!" Mark gets up screaming at him, you stop hearing him yelling in the kitchen. Flip gets up hearing something move in the kitchen. He walks in just in time to see you run out the back door in tears. "Stapp!" He yells turning back to the living room, "Jess just ran out the back door crying, go, I'll take care of him." Scott starts to run, Flip grabs his arm, "Hey, congrats man." Scott smiles a small smile at him before running out the door. "You just had to fuck it up didn't you?" Flip glares at Mark, "No Stapp fucked it up for himself." Flip sighs, "Did it ever occur to you that maybe this is a good thing?" Mark glares at him, "Look man, the only problem I have with it is the fact that they've known each other for only like 3 months, I just think it's too soon all right?" Flip puts up his hands in defense, "Then that's all you had to say, you didn't have to yell and make Jess upset idiot." Flip says pushing him towards the door, "Stapp will be on your ass later and I don't blame him." Mark sighs, "Yeah I guess I don't either, I hate my temper, it always gets the best of me." Mark sighs walking out the door with Flip. "We know man, just let Stapp cool off, it'll be ok, he knows your temper too, that's probably why he was so hesitant to tell us."

        Scott runs out the back door seeing you running through the yard and out the gate at the back. "JESS!" He calls out but you don't hear him, you don't know where you're running all you know is you have to get out of there. Scott runs after you wanting to kill Mark for hurting you with what he said. Scott knew it was coming but he should have made sure you weren't around when he told them. You realize there is a tall fence around the outside of the gated community, you stop running into it with your body. You collapse to the ground crying, Scott runs up out of breath, he pulls you into his arms "Shh baby, calm down, god you run fast" He chuckles lightly holding you tight to his chest. "Come on, lets go back to the house, I'll kick Mark's ass later, his temper gets the best of him, I promise you hun he didn't mean what he said." You squeeze his side as he helps you up, you walk back to the house in silence. Scott holds you tight letting you know everything will be fine. Jagger runs out of the house frantically looking for you, he sighs seeing you walking back up to the house. "You scared me!" He says angrily putting his hands on his hips. You can't help but giggle having seen Scott in that same position, "Sorry bud, we didn't mean to." You all go back inside, you head to the living room, you notice the light blinking on the answering machine. "Scott." He comes over and hits the button while you go sit down. 
        "Hey Stapp it's me...I'm sorry man, I shouldn't have said what I did, my temper got the best of me like always. I know Jess makes you happy, she's a great girl man, tell her I'm sorry ok? I'll see ya later." Scott smiles hearing Mark's voice over the phone, he walks in the living room and sees you laying on the couch. One look at you laying there and he instantly gets aroused. He sits down pulling you up and over his lap to straddle him. "Look what you do to me baby." He whispers in your ear, you smile slyly feeling his arousal. Jagger walks in and giggles seeing you on Scott's lap, "You're too big Jess." You laugh hearing him giggling, "Nope Jag, I think she's juuuust right." You laugh as he pulls you to sit on his lap like Santa, "And I want a barbie and.." Scott laughs tickling your sides. Jagger giggles at you jumping up on the couch to help Scott. "No, no Jag no!" You scream as they both tickle you. Finally they give in and let you go, you lay on Scott's lap trying to catch your breath while Jagger giggles at you. You pull him on your lap and tickle him yourself, Scott just sits there laughing at you two, loving how easily you play and laugh together. 

        Jagger falls asleep soon from all the excitement, Scott lays him down while you relax on the couch. Scott comes down stairs and looks at you, a sly grin on his face. You look up at him with a sly grin of your own. Scott walks over to you and pulls you up, "I think it's time I got you out of those close my beautiful Jess." You smile as he lifts you up and carries you up the stairs. He tosses you on the bed pouncing on it behind you. You giggle as he crawls up your body and attacks your mouth with his. You moan feeling his tongue caress yours, he licks his lips smiling, "God you taste good." You kiss him again pulling him on top of you, "So do you.." You whisper. His hands travel up your body, sliding inside your shirt. You lift up so he can slip it over your head, he moans seeing you in a purple silk bra. His hands slide behind you while his mouth attacks your breasts. You gasp feeling his tongue through the fabric. He slips the bra off your shoulders and off your body, he smiles in appreciation capturing a nipple in his mouth. You moan arching your back, while his hands slide down to your hips. You feel him unbuttoning your jeans sliding his hand inside, you moan feeling his hand caress your clit gently. He smiles sitting up pulling your jeans and panties with him. You moan as you feel his tongue enter you and his hands caress your skin. You love the feel of his touch, it is so gentle yet so passionate. He slides up your body, yanking his shirt off and pushing down his jeans. He pulls them off kissing your passionately. You moan feeling him enter you slowly, he thrusts in to you, slowly at first, soon faster and faster. You moan louder and louder, Scott kisses you so you won't wake Jagger. You feel your body tense and cry out into Scott's mouth, he moans feeling you tighten around him. You squeeze him close before collapsing on the bed out of breath, Scott on top of you. "Wow" Scott whispers quietly catching his breath, "My thoughts exactly." You whisper back to him laying your head on his chest. "I love you Jess" He whispers kissing your head wrapping his arms around you, you do the same feeling safe and protected. "I love you too." 
 
 Rescue Me  

 Chapter 15

        You wake up a few hours later, it's dark outside, you look at the clock seeing it's late that night. You crawl out of bed and grab some pajama's from your bag. You leave to check on Jagger smiling when you see him asleep in bed. You sit on the bed watching him sleep for a little while then fix the covers as you leave. 
        
        You head downstairs and make yourself some tea, that's when you notice it's raining outside, you curl up in a chair wrapping a blanket around you, sipping your tea while watching it rain. Scott rolls over in his sleep reaching for you, he wakes up feeling the empty bed, looking around the room he discovers you're gone. He glances over at the clock, 2am, he gets up throwing on a pair of boxers. He peeks in on Jagger and smiles seeing him fast asleep, Scott checks all the rooms upstairs not finding you. He heads down stairs checking the kitchen before heading to the living room. He stops in the doorway seeing you siting in his favorite chair a blanket wrapped around your lap and a steaming mug of tea in your hands watching the rain fall. He stares at you for awhile, examining everything about you. Your hair, your eyes how they seem to tell a story, you soft lips as they sip your tea. Feeling a pair of eyes on you, you turn and see Scott leaning against the door frame watching you. "Hey what are you doing up?" You ask softly, "I was about to ask you the same thing." He whispers back walking over to you leaning against the chair. "Whatca doing down here baby?" He asks kissing your head, "Just thinking" You smile up at him, "About what?" He asks kneeling down next to you, "You, me, us." Scott looks at you "Nothing bad I hope..." You look down at him seeing the worry in his eyes, "No, nothing bad, just thinking about it." He smiles, "Good, hey.." You look down at him, "I love you." You smile as he leans up to kiss you softly, "I love you too." He takes your hand pulling you up, "Come back to bed." You leave your mug and the blanket following him up the stairs. You crawl in bed behind him, he lays on his side facing away from you but pulls you tight against his back. You wrap your arm around him holding him tight. 

        You wake up the next morning to Scott laughing, he's sitting up with Jagger on his lap watching some cartoons. You smile up at them before sitting up, "Hey Jess, you gonna watch toons with us?" You smile at Jagger, "Sure bud." Scott pulls you close to him setting Jagger on his lap. Jagger smiles up at Scott while he's not paying attention. He grins seeing his daddy so happy and his dad's new friend Jess. Jagger knows there's something going on but isn't sure how to ask. "Daddy, are you and Jess having sex?" Scott's eyes get wide as he instantly looks at his son. "Jagger where did you hear that?" Jagger just looks at him innocently, "Uncle Mark said it the other day to Uncle Flip, he said you were getting great sex, what is it daddy?" You are trying to stifle a giggle, Scott gives you a look telling you it's not funny. While Scott fumbles over what to tell him you cut in, "Sweetie, Uncle Mark didn't mean for you to hear that, that's a grown up thing ok?" Jagger smiles at you satisfied with your answer, Scott sighs in relief, "I'm going to kill Uncle Mark later.." He says quietly relaxing again, "I have a better idea." You grin at him.

        Scott asks Mark to babysit Jagger for a few hours, he wants to go golfing and you're going with him. Mark apologized to you when you showed up and you forgave him easily. You can tell by his face that he feels horrible. "Mark it's ok really." You tell him with a hug, Jagger jumps happily into Marks arms and you leave for the golf course. You and Scott grin knowing that you will be getting a phone call soon. 

        Scott is on the ninth hole about to send it down the fairway when his cell phone vibrates. "STAPP I'M GONNA KILL YOU!" Scott cracks up laughing, you giggle knowing it's Mark. "So I take it he asked you?" Scott asks winking at you, "Yeah he fucking asked me, what the hell am I supposed to say?!" You listen to Scott tell him what to do and laugh as he hangs up the phone. "So Jag asked him if him and Vicki are having great sex?" Scott laughs, "Yep, paybacks are a bitch." You grin, "Yep they are, although I feel a little bad using Jag as a pawn." Scott just shakes his head, "It'll be fine, besides, it'll be an awesome story to torment him with when he's a teenager." You gasp, "No Scott, you wouldn't." He grins, "Oh come on, wouldn't you do the same thing?" You shake your head, "I'm not that mean!" Scott laughs pulling you close. 

        
 
Chapter 16

        You and Scott go pick up Jagger, you laugh at the look Mark gives you and Scott when you walk in. "Hey man it was her idea!" Scott says holding up his hands, Mark's mouth drops, "No way, you've got to be kidding me?" You just grin at him taking Jagger. You lean in to hug him goodbye whispering in his ear, "Paybacks are a bitch." He looks at you confused, you take Jagger out to the car while Scott has a little talk with him. Mark looks pretty embarrassed when he opens the door for Scott, apologizing one last time. Scott just laughs saying goodbye. 
        
        After you get back to the house and Jagger tells you about his day with Uncle Mark, Jagger wants to play with Scott. You smile as they run around and wrestle with each other, you head up to the bed room and grab your journal deciding to write. You never read what you're writing while you write it, you look down after you're finished and are surprised at the depressing words you find there. That's when it hits you, you're still depressed, you just haven't thought about it because Scott is always around. But what happens when he's not around everyday... You are lost in thought, you don't even realize that you're crying until you hear a small voice. "Jess? What's wrong, why are you crying?" Jagger is in the door way looking at you curiously. You jump out of your thoughts and quickly wipe away the tears. "It's nothing sweetie, I'll be ok." He crawls up on the bed and looks at you carefully, "Do you want me to get daddy?" You smile softly at him, "No it's ok bud, he doesn't need to know, so what's up?" Jagger looks up at you debating in his head weather or not to tell Scott. "Daddy just wanted to know what you'd like for supper." You smile at him softly, "What ever you want sounds good." He grins, "Mac and Cheese!" You smile, "That sounds nummy." He hops down from the bed, you look towards the window and sigh tears springing to your eyes again. Jagger peeks at you from the door way a worried look on his face. 

        "Daddy..." Scott turns back to Jagger after grabbing a box of Mac and Cheese, "Yeah bud, what's up?" Jagger thinks a minute making Scott crouch down next to him, "Jess was crying when I went upstairs...she said you didn't need you know, but then she started crying when I left again...will she be mad that I told you?" Scott gets a concerned look on his face, looking towards the stairs, he looks back down at Jagger, "No bud, she won't be mad, you did the right thing, can you go play for a little bit, I'm gonna go see what's wrong ok?" Jagger nods running up to his room. Scott sighs wondering what's wrong, he climbs the stairs quietly peeking into the bedroom, he sees you sitting on the bed staring out the window with obvious tears stains on your cheeks. He walks in quietly, "I figured he'd tell you." You turn to him smiling softly, he looks at you concerned. "What's wrong baby?" He asks sitting next to you, you look down at the comforter trying to think of what to tell him. "I don't know exactly..." You laugh softly, Scott smiles happy you don't avoid him or his questions anymore. "I guess...I was just thinking about what's going to change, when you can't be around all the time, I'm worried about....you know." You look up at him, you see the understanding and love in his eyes, he brushes some hair away from your face, "Sweetie don't worry about that now, we'll worry about it when we have to. If I have to...there won't be a tour so I won't be gone." You look at him, "No Scott, that is the one thing I won't let you do, I know how much you love it and I could never let you give that up." He smiles "I know baby, but I would if I had to, you know that." You kiss him softly, "I know, now when's supper I'm starved." He chuckles pulling you up into a crushing hug, you love his hugs, they remind you of your cousins, he holds you so tight and his arms are so comforting. You know every time you leave him he doesn't want you to go, you feel the same way, and you know it will feel the same when Scott leaves. 


 Chapter 17

        You walk down stairs with Scott, Jagger comes downstairs a few minutes later and carefully walks into the kitchen. He looks at you carefully hoping you're not mad at him. You look up from the paper you were reading and see Jagger looking at you tentatively. "Come here bud." He looks at you and then at Scott, Scott nods towards you telling him it's ok. You pick him up and set him on your lap with a squeeze, you can tell he's afraid you'll be mad for telling. "Sweetie, I'm not mad I promise, you did the right thing bud. Hun, if I ever tell you not to tell daddy something, but you think you should tell him and you do. I won't be mad, that's a promise." You lean down and kiss his forehead brushing the hair out of his face and smiling at him. He smiles and hugs you tight, "Oh boy, uggg you're as strong as daddy." He giggles, "No way." You smile at him, "Yes way, you're one tough little dude." Jagger giggles jumping down off your lap and running over to Scott, "Is supper almost ready?" Scott smiles down at him, "Yep, just a couple of minutes, so go sit your but down." Jagger giggles and you laugh as he scrambles to his chair eagerly awaiting supper. Scott walks over with a bowl of Mac and Cheese for Jagger and a hot dog. You get up and make yourself and Scott a plate before sitting down. 

        After supper Scott gets a call from Jeff that he needs to see him right away. Scott looks at you, "Babe, could you watch Jag?" You smile at him, "I think I can handle it." He chuckles, "Ok, I'll be back in a little while." He kisses you softly before heading into the living room to tell Jag what's up. Jagger hugs and kisses him goodbye then turns back to the tv. "You sure you'll be ok?" You laugh, "Scott, go, we'll be fine." He chuckles, "I know, I'll see you in a bit." He walks out the door and you head to the living room. Jagger is laying on the floor on his pillow watching Monsters Inc. You sit on the couch and not a second later Jagger has grabbed his pillow and crawls up next to you. He curls up on your lap making you smile. The movie is just about over, you look down seeing Jagger fast asleep, you stop the movie and carry him up to bed. He stirs a little while you get him in his pjs, you smile seeing he has the same face Scott does when he sleeps. You are tucking Jagger in when you hear the front door open. You meet Scott at the top of the stairs, "How was he?" You smile kissing him, "Perfect as always." Scott smiles, "Well where is he?" He chuckles looking around, "He fell asleep so I put him to bed." Scott smiles kissing you a little harder, he pulls away leaving his forehead on yours. "I love you." You smile at him, "I love you to." He goes to the bedroom to change while you go downstairs. You put in a movie and wait for Scott, he comes downstairs a few minutes later in a t-shirt and sweat pants. He smiles seeing you on the couch, he sits down with a sigh. You curl up next to him wrapping a blanket around you both, "What did Jeff want?" He sighs rubbing his face, "He wants me to start writing for the next album already." You squeeze his side and lay your head on his chest. "Don't think about it." You whisper kissing his lips softly, "Just relax." He smiles squeezing you to him as the movie starts. 

        About half way through the movie you hear Jagger crying, Scott is asleep, you get up carefully trying not to wake him. He wakes up as the cold hits his side. He hears Jagger and watches you walk up the steps quickly. He smiles getting up to follow you. You peek in Jaggers room and see him curled up in the covers trying to hide. "Sweetie what's wrong? Did you have a nightmare?" He nods uncovering his head a little. "Come here baby." You sit on his bed and pull him to you rocking him softly. "Shhh it's ok baby, it's all gone." He sniffles into your chest slowly falling asleep again. You start to sing softly to him, Scott can't help but smile watching you with Jagger. He heads back downstairs to wait for you laying on the couch. Jagger falls back to sleep so you head downstairs, you see Scott laying on the couch watching ESPN. You sit on the floor next to his head and lean your head back. He turns off the tv and turns to you, "I love you." You smile at him, "I love you too." You can tell something's bugging him, he sits up so you sit next to him. He lays his head in his hands and all of the sudden starts crying. You don't know what to say, you crawl behind him so you're straddling him and wrap your arms around his chest. "Baby what's wrong?" You ask softly, laying your head against his back. He doesn't say anything he just keeps crying. You just hold him tight not knowing what to say or do. Finally he sighs, his hands are at the sides of his face as he stares down at the carpet. You crawl out from behind him and kneel down in front of him. You lean your forehead on his head and wrap your arms through his. "Talk to me baby." His eyes move up to yours, he looks tired. "You don't want to go back to work yet do you?" He shakes his head with a sigh. "Then don't." He sits up a frustrated look on his face. "It's not that simple." You move closer to him, "Yes it is, Scott you need more time to just relax, all of you. I don't care what Jeff said, believe me, we know where you're tired and don't want to be out on stage. We'd rather wait then have any of you be unhappy or this tired. Talk to Jeff, if he doesn't listen then he doesn't care." Scott sighs looking at you, "You mean that?" You nod at him, "You know I do, lets go to bed." You get up grabbing his hand pulling him up the stairs. He flops down on the bed and falls asleep almost instantly. You stand there watching him for a few minutes before deciding to call Jeff. 

        You pick up the phone in Scott's office and find Jeff's number. He answers the phone after the second ring. "Hey Stapp what's up?" You smile figuring he looked at the caller ID. "Jeff, it's Jess, I need to talk to you." Jeff laughs, "Sorry Jess, guess I can't assume it's Scott anymore." You smile, "It's ok, Jeff....Scott's tired, and the thought of going back on tour just made him sit on the couch in the living room and cry for the past half hour." Jeff is silent. "I'm sorry Jess, why didn't he say anything to me?" You smile hearing the genuine concern in his voice. "Because he's stubborn and he loves what he does. If he's not about to die, he's going to do whatever it takes to make the fans happy. But I'm telling you, being a fan, we hate seeing him like this, we see it just like everyone else does. He needs more time off, they all do." Jeff sighs, "I wish he would have said something, I wouldn't have pushed it if he did." You smile, "I know Jeff, it's not your fault, I also know that he never would have talked to you. I hope you're not mad at me now." You both laugh, "No Jess, I'm glad you called, I'll call him tomorrow, I think we need to talk. He has to tell me this stuff. I love that he's so dedicated, but he's human, and I don't want to see him get so depressed again. You have no idea how much I thank God he found you Jess, you are the best thing to happen to him since Jagger was born. This phone call just proves to me how much you love him, thank you Jess." You smile, "Thanks Jeff, so you'll call him tomorrow?" Jeff smiles, "Yeah, we need to talk. I'm not going to push anything now, they're new job is to relax." You laugh, "I think they'll like that." Jeff smiles, "Yeah, night Jess." You smile too, "Night Jeff, thank you." 

        You hang up and head to bed, Scott hasn't moved, you crawl in bed next to him and curl up. You kiss his lips softly, "Goodnight my love." 
 
 

Chapter 18

        The next morning Scott wakes up to the phone ringing, he grabs it quickly so you don't wake up. "Hey Stapp, sorry, it's kind of early but we need to talk." Scott sits up "What's up Jeff?" Jeff sighs, "Scott, Jess called me last night, why didn't you say anything?" Scott look over at you, smiling softly at your sleeping body. "What exactly did you talk about?" Jeff rolls his eyes, "The fact that you spent a half an hour crying on the couch last night after you came home." Scott sighs, 
        "Yeah....I'm fine." Jeff wants to punch him for saying that. 
        "No you're not Stapp, so don't pull that bull shit on me. If you were fine Jess wouldn't have called me. Because of her calling me you're already getting more time off, what else do you want?" Scott looks over at you before getting out of bed. 
        "Jeff I don't want more time off, we need to get things started on the next record." Jeff can't help but chuckle
        "No Scott, you need to rest, I don't care if you write but you're not doing anything else for awhile. I will not piss off Jess, I've heard about her temper." Scott smiles knowing how true that is. 
        "Look Jeff, don't worry about Jess, I'll handle her, but we need to get started..." Jeff cuts him off
        "No Scott, that's the only answer you're getting." Scott sighs unhappily. As much as he doesn't want to go back on tour, he does too, he misses the atmosphere. "All right fine, I'll talk to you later." He says angrily hanging up the phone, Scott grabs his robe and stomps downstairs waking you in the process. You can tell by all the noise he's not happy, you sigh stretching and grabbing your robe. You check on Jagger smiling seeing him fast asleep. Heading downstairs you hear Scott in the kitchen noisily making breakfast, he looks up seeing you in the doorway, the unhappy look doesn't go unnoticed by you. "Scott, what's wrong?" You ask pretty sure you know the answer. "Why'd you call Jeff?" He asks angrily, you look at him not believing he's MAD about it. "I don't know Scott, maybe because you spent a half an hour CRYING on the couch, that might have something to do with it." He glares at you, "That was last night, it's not last night anymore." You glare right back at him, "Don't you dare get mad at me for caring about you." You tell him your voice low and angry. Turning around and heading up the stairs you hear Scott yell something in the kitchen. You just keep walking not wanting to be around him right now, you head into the bedroom taking off your pajamas and turning on the shower in the bathroom. The steam filling the bathroom feels good already, stepping into the shower you let the hot water relax your now tense muscles. You shiver feeling a rush of cold air, there in the door way stands Scott, the look on his face is one you haven't seen before. He looks innocent, almost hurt, climbing into the shower he stands behind you. He wraps his arms around your waist and squeezes you tight against him, you can feel his arousal against your leg but he ignores it. "I'm so sorry baby, I love you so much, please forgive me." He turns you to him and you can't help but giggle at his face. He is giving you those big puppy dog eyes you love and big pouting lips. You smile and kiss him softly, "I really am sorry baby." He tells you holding you tight to him, "I know, now let me take care of this." You whisper softly taking his erection in your hand, he moans feeling you start to pump him slowly. You drop to your knees his head immediately dropping to watch. You kiss around him, up and down his inner thighs, he pushes his hips forward begging you to take him in your mouth. "Please baby I need you" You smile up at him before taking him in your mouth, he moans loudly feeling your tongue on him. His hands tangle themselves in your hair as he stares down at you. You use your tongue to do every trick you know to please him. His hands tighten in your hair telling you it's working, "Oh god baby." He moans breathlessly, you smile up at him before sliding him all the way into your mouth, he gasps looking down seeing himself disappearing into your mouth. His hips start to thrust and you know he's close. You pull back allowing room in your mouth and let your tongue play with the tip of his hardness. He groans and cries out letting go in your mouth, you suck and swallow him down, your eyes never leaving his face loving the look of pure pleasure covering it. Finally Scott collapses against the shower wall gasping for breath. He pulls you up and holds you tight against him for support. Turning his face to yours his lips crushing down on you, his tongue invades your mouth as he reaches for the shower knob and turns off the water. He pushes you towards the door and out of the shower. Pulling away and grabbing a towel he throws it on the floor telling you with his eyes what's about to happen. "Now it's my turn." He whispers laying on top of you kissing you softly before sliding down your body. You gasp feeling his tongue enter you right away, you are dripping and he knows it. You love to please him as much as he loves being pleased, you give and never ask for anything in return. With Scott you don't have to ask, he freely gives you everything you could ever want. Before you know it you are at your peek, by now Scott is rock hard again, "I think it's time for make-up sex" he whispers in your ear while plunging into you, you gasp grabbing onto him and holding on for dear life. Scott turns his head enough to watch your face as he plunges into you and smiles seeing what he does to you. You are both so turned on by each other and know each other well enough by now to know what to do to turn the other on. Because of that neither of you last long, but it doesn't matter, the intensity of your orgasms were enough to satisfy you both. You lay there, shaking in each others arms trying to catch your breath. "Well if that's make-up sex, I want more...lots more." You whisper making Scott laugh, "Me too, damn you know how to use that tongue woman." You grin "Yeah, just a little secret I thought I'd surprise you with sometime." He smiles, "You're gonna do that a lot more right?" You laugh hearing him begging, "Only for you." You tell him kissing him gently making him grin. 
 
 
 Chapter 19
        

        The phone rings making you both jump, Scott groans "Back to reality" You laugh slapping his cute butt as he gets up. Throwing on a pair of boxers he runs to grab it, "What!" He asks sharply, "Jeez man, you not like me anymore?" Mark chuckles making Scott laugh, "Sorry Mark, just in the middle of something." Mark laughs, "Uh hu, and I know what, anyway, I was just wondering if you felt like writing later today?" Scott smiles, "Yeah man, that sounds good." You walk out of the bathroom going over to the closet to get dressed. Scott walks up behind you wrapping his arms around your waist. Mark hears him kissing your shoulder and rolls his eyes, "Dude, I'm still on the phone, jeez." Scott laughs, "Well then hang up moron." Mark laughs, "I'll see ya later Stapp, don't kill her man." Scott laughs, "Bye Mark." You laugh as Scott hangs up the phone, "So what are you two doing later?" You ask grabbing a shirt and jeans while Scott puts the phone away. "He's coming over later so we can write." You give him a look, "Just writing, that's it, I promise." You raise your eye brow but turn away, you know that they won't 'just write' you know Scott, he can't do that. Once he starts writing they will start recording and the cycle begins. You finish getting dressed without a word to Scott, you go check on Jagger and see he's just finishing getting dressed. You smile when he runs over to you, "Want some breakfast bud?" He nods, a big grin forming on his face. You pick him up and carry him down stairs, "Jess," Scott tries to get you to stop when you walk by the room but you don't. He sighs sitting down on the bed again, he knows he just screwed up again, he knows as well as you do once he starts writing it's only the beginning. 

        Scott comes downstairs smiling at Jagger who is sitting at the table eating a bowl of cereal. He walks over to you putting his hand on your shoulder, you shrug it off walking away. "No Jess," He grabs your hand and pulls you back to him, "Scott not now." You motion to Jagger, he sighs, "Yes now, I'm not going to yell." You give him a look knowing he will, he sighs knowing it too. "Fine but soon." You nod grabbing your toast sitting next to Jagger, Scott sits on the counter in a jeans and t-shirt waiting for Jagger to finish. "Daddy can I play outside?" He asks when he's finished, "Sure bud, just be careful and stay away from the pool remember?" Jagger nods running out the door, Scott turns to you, "Jess I'm just going to write that's it." You sigh staring down at your toast, "No you won't Scott, you'll start writing then you'll want to start recording, I know you." He sighs, "What do you want me to do Jess? It's my job, it's what I do, I had my break now I need to work again." You get up from the table, "Damn it Scott, Jeff just gave you MORE time off, you aren't supposed to be working, I don't care if you write by yourself, but I know the minute you and Mark start to write you won't stop." Scott looks up from the floor at you, before getting down from the counter and going straight to the basement. You sigh sitting down again, Jagger peeks in the door, "Jess....is daddy going to leave again already?" You sigh, "Come here bud," he walks over and you pick him up setting him on your lap. "I don't know sweetie, I wish I could tell you if he was going to leave again or not." Jagger looks down at the floor, then back up at you, tears threatening to fall, "I don't want him to leave again, he just got back." You hug him, "I know sweetie, I don't want him to either, want to go talk to him?" Jagger nods crawling down from your lap, you go over to the basement door and hold it open, watching as Jagger carefully walks down the stairs. Scott looks up hearing the door open, he's sitting on the couch across from his studio, "Jess I.." He look over surprised to see Jagger standing there, a closer look tells him he's crying. "Baby what happened?" Scott asks picking him up, "I don't want you to go to work again." Jagger sobs into his chest, Scott looks down at him surprised. "Hun who said I'm going back to work again? Did Jess tell you that?" Jagger shakes his head, "No, but whenever Uncle Mark comes over it means you're going to work again." Scott sets Jagger down kneeling in front of him, "Jagger, I'm not going anywhere, I promise, Uncle Jeff won't let me work ok bud? Uncle Mark is just coming over so daddy can have some company while he writes ok? I promise you, I'm not going back to work for a long time yet, and when I do, you'll know ok?" Jagger nods hugging him, Scott holds him tight to his chest sitting on the couch. You had walked down the stairs and heard everything, you stand in the doorway, Scott looks up his eyes asking you to sit down. You sit next to him and wrap your arm around his back leaning on his shoulder. He leans his head on yours closing his eyes. "I'm not going anywhere, I promise." You look up at him seeing the truthfulness and passion in his eyes, You kiss him softly, "I know." He kisses your forehead pulling you back to where you were. 

 Chapter 20

        Mark rings the doorbell acoustic in hand, he smiles when Jagger opens the door. "Hey bud, whatcha doin'?" Jagger smiles hugging Mark's leg, Mark chuckles walking in with Jagger still clutched to him. You laugh walking over seeing Jagger now sitting on Mark's foot giggling. Mark chuckles while looking down at Jagger, "Can I have my foot back bud?" Jagger shakes his head no holding tighter to Mark's foot. Mark hands you the guitar and reaches down to pick Jagger up and tickle him. You smile as Mark throws Jagger over his shoulder making him squeal and laugh. "Dude, I found a new weight when I walked in the door." Mark yells down the steps Jagger still over his shoulder. Scott looks up the stairs and smiles seeing Jagger's feet being held tightly by Mark. "Really? How much you think it ways?" Scott asks a smirk on his face, "DADDY! Tell Uncle Mark to let me down!" Jagger yells, Scott chuckles as Mark turns around so Scott can pick Jagger up. "Better bud?" Scott asks setting the little boy down. Jagger nods shaking his head to get rid of the head rush. You had followed Mark down the stairs and hand him back his guitar, he gives your side a squeeze as you take Jagger and head upstairs. Scott heads over to the bar and grabs them some beers. Mark peeks up the stairs before turning to grab his beer. "So man...got a date set yet?" Scott laughs, "No, actually we haven't even talked about it..." Scott trails off realizing it for the first time. Mark notices the change in Scott right away wishing he wouldn't have brought it up. "So what you got man?" Scott grabs his notebook and flips it open, showing Mark some of the stuff he's written. Soon you and Jagger hear the soft strains of guitar filter upstairs. You and Jagger play until late in the afternoon, soon Jagger starts to nod off so you lay him down in bed. 

        Heading back downstairs you turn on the stereo just in time to hear the beginning of the new Christina Aguilera song. You start to sing while cleaning up a bit, between your singing and the stereo you don't hear Scott and Mark come up the basement stairs. Mark looks at Scott with a sly smile, "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Scott smiles at him nodding before turning back to watch you. "Baby..." Scott says walking over to you, you jump hearing him for the first time. You laugh softly at yourself, your hand on your chest. "Don't do that!" You tell him quietly, he chuckles taking your hand, "Come here a second." He pulls you downstairs, Mark following closely behind you. Sitting you on the couch he hands you a piece of paper. "Scott what is this?" You ask looking from him to Mark, "I want to do another female solo, and I want you to do it." You look back and forth between them, Scott gets down on his knees in front of you, "Please baby, say you'll do it...." He pleads with you, you can't help but smile at him seeing how badly he wants you to say yes. "Ok ok I'll do it." Scott grins leaning up kissing you passionately, "Dude I'm standing right here!" Mark laughs, turning away, Scott laughs pulling away from you. "You know you want to look." He teases, Mark turns to him giving him the finger walking away shaking his head. You giggle at them, Scott makes sure Mark isn't looking before he pulls you to stand up, he slides his hand down your jeans with a sly smile, "Scott what are you...oohhh" You moan feeling his finger hit your clit, he rubs it a little before taking his hand out and winking at you. "Just wanted to see what I do to you when I kiss you." You lean in close and whisper in his ear while grabbing his crotch, "You do a lot more than that." He groans and pulls away as Mark walks in the room, "Dude I don't even want to know do I?" Mark asks, Scott shakes his head laughing, you sit back on the couch a sly smile on your face staring at the tell tale bulge in Scott's pants. Mark raises his eye brows and shakes his head. "Ok if we're going to do this then you two are allowed to have sex in the studio ok?" You laugh as Scott gets a sad look on his face, "Oh come on Mark, just once?" Mark cracks up laughing as do you, Scott winks at you smiling. "Hey you never know she might let you join." Scott tells him a smile on his face, "Dude I'm a married man, no more threesomes ok?" You instantly look over at Scott a 'wtf' look on your face. "He's kidding Jess." You look at Mark whose shaking his head, "Stapp, don't lie to her." Now you are starting to get mad, all the sudden Scott laughs, "Jess, me, Mark and his dog in a bed is not a threesome, I passed out so he and Flip threw me in there then Mark passed out so Flip and Brett put us together. Then when we woke up Mark's dog was in between us" You look at Mark who's nodding his head. "See I told you there was a threesome." You laugh, "But none of the real kind?" You ask Mark curiously, "Nope, at least not that I know of." He laughs, making you smile. Scott gives you a curious look wondering why the questions but blows it off as curiosity. 

        Later that night you and Scott are getting ready for bed, Scott is sitting on the bed watching some tv when he remembers the questions in the studio. "Hun....what was with all the questions in the studio?" You look at him as you change into your pajamas, "Just curious, you know I don't care about that stuff Scott." He smiles a small smile, "Yeah I know, I just wanted to make sure." You sit down next to him crawling under the covers, "Make sure of what?" You ask getting comfy, "That you trust me.." He says looking down at his lap before looking at you. You look at him surprised and move closer, "Hun I do trust you, you know that." Scott looks up at you, "I know, but I wouldn't blame you if you didn't...I mean, I haven't done anything with anyone..." You cut him off, "I know baby, relax, I was just curious that's all. Come on, lets go to sleep." Scott smiles kissing you softly, 
 
 


Chapter 21

        The next morning Scott wakes up to an empty bed, he looks around the room before getting up. He checks Jagger's room, he's still sleeping, he walks down the hallway checking all the rooms before heading downstairs. He walks through the living room to the kitchen before hearing something from the basement. He walks down the stairs slowly hearing a soft melody and then you singing. He peeks around the corner seeing you sitting at his baby grand piano playing softly, he watches you stop playing and write something down before playing again. He sits on the steps out of sight just listening. He smiles hearing you singing, you get up after a little while and open the door to the studio. Curiosity getting the best of him Scott scoots down so he can see into the studio, he watches you grabbing something obviously hidden, it's a cd. You put it in and start to play with the sounds and things. You hit play and Scott grins realizing you had been recording in his studio. He gets up making a mental note to come back down and listen to the cd. 

        Scott walks up to Jagger's room waking him up gently. He laughs watching the little boy pull the blankets over his head and roll over. "Come on bud, time for breakfast." Scott tickles him making Jagger giggle and wake up a little more. Scott grins picking Jagger up and carrying him upside down downstairs for breakfast. Jagger giggles trying to get away, Scott sets him at the table grabbing the cereal boxes, "All right bud, which one?" Jagger points to Captain Crunch, "Good choice as always." Scott smiles at him making Jagger and himself a bowl. You come up the stairs and see them in the kitchen, "Well some body was up early." Scott says smiling slyly. You wrap your arms around his neck, "Couldn't sleep." You say kissing his cheek, Jagger smiles as you walk over and do the same to him. Scott grins loving the picture you two make, he finishes up his cereal just as your breakfast pops out of the toaster, he kisses your cheek putting his and Jagger's bowls in the dishwasher before running up stairs with him to help Jag change. You smile watching him run up the stairs after Jagger, you look out in the back yard and decide to take a dip in the pool. While Scott is helping Jagger get dressed you quickly change into your bathing suit and climb into the pool. Scott and Jagger come downstairs looking for you, "Daddy she's in the pool." Jagger tells him running over grabbing Scott's hand and pulling him to the door. Scott looks outside and his breath catches in his throat seeing you in the water. "Can we swim too daddy?!" Jagger asks excitedly, "Sure bud, lets go get dressed." Scott smiles seeing the huge grin on Jagger's face. 

        You look up hearing the patio door open and smile seeing Scott and Jagger in swim trunks. "Can I jump in daddy?" Scott grabs Jagger's floaties and puts them on him then looks at you, "Come on bud, I'll catch you." Jagger grins running out and jumping in, Scott laughs seeing a big splash and hearing Jagger's laughter. You turn to Scott splashing him with water as he walks to the stairs and gets in. "Oh that's it!" Scott laughs chasing after you in the water. Jagger is floating around the pool laughing at you two. You pop up from the water and look around, Jagger is giggling, "Where'd he go bud?" All the sudden you feel someone grab you and lift you up tossing you in the water. Scott laughs seeing your face as you wipe off the water. You laugh slapping the water splashing Scott again. He laughs splashing you right back, Jagger swims over to Scott begging him to show him how to float. You swim over to the deep end watching Scott help Jagger float. You start to float on your back, soon you are floating on your stomach staring down at the bottom of the pool trying to figure out what the mosaic is on the bottom. All of the sudden you hear Scott yell something and feel your body being pulled out of the water. "Jess omg Jess!" Scott is yelling at you, "Scott, stop yelling!" You look at him, he looks white as a sheet, "Jess oh thank God what happened?" You look at him confused, "Scott what are you talking about?" He looks at you angrily. "Why the hell were you face down in the water, you fucking scared me half to death!" All the sudden it makes sense, "Scott calm down, I was looking at the bottom, I was seeing what the picture was." Jagger is standing by a chair scared seeing Scott so mad, all the sudden Scott gets up walking away into the house slamming the door behind him. You jump hearing the door then quickly turn hearing Jagger crying. "Oh sweetie come here." You pull him to you wrapping a towel around you, "I...I...I told daddy you were just floating but he didn't listen...." He sobs, "Shhh sweetie it's ok, daddy was just scared, it'll be ok, shhh calm down hun." Jagger calms down and wants to go change, you walk in the house with him quietly, you look around for Scott but don't hear him. You see a note on the counter, "Be back later." You sigh knowing you screwed up without even trying. You call Flip wondering if he'd take Jagger for the night not wanting him to get even more scared in case Scott is still angry when he comes back. Flip agrees right away hearing the sadness and fear in your voice. 

        Jagger was happy to go stay with Uncle Flip for a night, he got all excited and put all his stuff together in a flash, you hear the doorbell ring and Flip walk in. "Jess? Where are you babe?" He smiles seeing Jagger run down the stairs followed by you, Flip hugs Jagger telling him to get his stuff ready. Jagger runs back up the stairs to grab his things, Flip takes the opportunity to find out what happened. "Jess what's wrong, what happened?" You tell him a quick version almost breaking out into tears, "Jess do you want me to stay?" You shake your head, "No, I'll be ok." Flip looks at you hard, not believing you but figuring you'd tell him if you needed anything. Jagger runs out to Flip's car, after a hug and a kiss goodbye to you. Flip hugs you telling you to call if you need anything. "I mean that Jess." He squeezes your hand giving you a look, you manage a small smile and nod telling him with your eyes you will. 

        You head down to the studio not knowing when Scott will be back, a strange feeling is taking over your body. It's a mix of guilt and sadness, you just need to have a good cry, the look on Scott's face scared you. He looked so mad, the last time a man looked at you that way he hit you. You sit in the corner of the studio in the dark and just start crying, the sobs take over the more you think. Would Scott ever hit you? You can't get the thought out of your head, you stare off day dreaming and soon see a movie in front of you, Scott standing over you, all of the sudden his hand pulling back...NO! You shake your head breaking up the images, "No, he wouldn't...would he?" A slow continuos trail of tears streams down your face, as you sit in the dark in the corner, knees to your chest crying into your arms. 

        Scott walks in the door quietly, he looks around the house seeing it empty, he notices the answering machine flashing. "Hey man it's me, I don't know if Jess will be around or not, but she called me, Jagger is staying here tonight, you need to talk to her man, she was almost in tears when I picked up Jagger, she looked scared...." Scott sighs. He starts to look through the whole house, he opens the door to the basement and walks down the steps not bothering to turn on the lights. It's twilight out so it's not too dark yet, he looks around the basement, and stops seeing you in the corner crying. You can feel him in the room, you feel him come closer, "Don't touch me.." You whisper quietly, Scott stops hurt, tears fill his eyes hearing your words, you look up at him, he can see the fear in your eyes as your body trembles. "Jess...please.." He reaches out stopping seeing your body tense and pull away. Tears start to run down his face knowing he caused that fear, "Jess please...I would never...." Tears are running down your face, you don't know if you believe him, you want to, but how do you know he's not lying....

        Scott suddenly turns and runs out of the room, he runs upstairs and grabs the phone collapsing on the couch in tears. "Mark, please...get over here." Mark hears Scott crying and doesn't ask questions. A few minutes later Mark walks in the door, stopping seeing Scott on the couch sobbing. "Scott what's wrong? What's going on?" Mark sits on the table in front of him listening carefully as Scott tells him everything. "I'll be right back man, ok?" Scott nods sniffling. Mark carefully walks down the stairs to the basement. "Jess...it's Mark....sweetie can I come down?" You look up seeing Mark at the bottom of the stairs, he can see the fear in your eyes. He moves closer but stays far enough away you feel comfortable. "Sweetie, I need you to listen to me, I have known Scott almost my entire life, hunny he would kill himself before he would ever hit you. He loves you sweetie, he wants to spend the rest of his life with you. I know you're scared, but I promise you, he will never hurt you, he's upstairs crying right now knowing he's the reason you're so scared. It kills him to know that he did this." By now Mark is almost next to you, he can see the fear slowly diminishing with his words. "Hun can he come down here?" You nod, Mark takes your hand carefully in his and squeezes it gently, "I promise you Jess, he will never hurt you." Mark lets go carefully running his hand over your cheek, he walks upstairs and pulls Scott up. "Come on, go talk to her." Scott looks at him, Mark just nods to the stairs, Scott walks down them carefully not wanting to scare you anymore than he already has. You look up seeing him standing by the stairs, the pain in his eyes is almost too much for you to bear, "Baby...." He looks at you begging you to let him hold you. You bring your knees down a little as he moves closer. He drops to his knees in front of you pulling you to him holding you tight. "God I'm so sorry baby..." You can hear the sadness in his voice, "It isn't your fault..." He pulls back looking at you, "Yes it is, I got angry.." You cut him off, "But you never hit me, if I had never been hit none of this would have happened, this is not your fault. It's no one's fault." Scott tightens his hold on you pulling you to him hugging you so tight you wonder how long you'll be able to breath. "I will never hurt you like they did, I would die first." You smile softly realizing how right Mark was. You wrap your arms around him and hold him just as tight as he is you. You kiss him softly, "Let's watch a movie." Scott smiles down at you brushing some hair out of your face. "I'll make some popcorn." He pulls you up kissing you passionately, "I love you so much" he whispers softly hugging you again. "I love you too." You whisper laying your head on his shoulder feeling safe again. 
 

 Chapter 22

        Scott helps you up wrapping his arm around you as you walk up the stairs. Mark is sitting on the couch and looks over smiling softly at you, Scott goes to make popcorn while you see him out. "You ok now?" He smiles down at you, you nod smiling at him, "Good, he really loves you Jess, just do one thing for me ok?" You look up at him, "Don't hide from him anymore, I know why you did, and so does he, but you have no reason to. He will never hurt you, if he ever did, he knows me and Flip would kill him." You laugh hugging him, "Thank you hottie." He laughs, "You're not too bad yourself, hey if you wake up one morning and are sick of Stapp I'll take ya." Scott walks over carrying a bowl of popcorn, "Hey hey hey, she's not going anywhere." You laugh "See ya Mark." Scott laughs as Mark walks out, "How 'bout that movie?" Scott ask pulling you into the living room. Scott sits on the couch after putting in Billy Madison knowing it's your favorite Adam Sandler movie. You smile seeing the opening as Scott sits down, he pulls you to lean on him wrapping his arm tightly around you. You feel safe again in those arms, it wasn't Mark's words so much, but the way he said them. He said them so confidently and truly that you knew he was telling the truth and that he was right. Then seeing Scott looking so hurt, you now know it doesn't matter how angry he is, he will never hurt you. 

        You fall asleep at some point during the movie, Scott looks over at you smiling softy at your sleeping body. He carefully turns off the movie and turns to pick you up. He wraps your arm around his neck and carefully picks you up. He brings you upstairs and helps you undress, you wake up a little bit but not enough to know what's happening. Scott gets you in your pajamas and crawls in next to you watching you for awhile. He smiles curling up behind you whispering softly "I love you baby." 

        You wake up the next morning to Jagger jumping on you, "Ooof, hey you." You laugh, Scott is standing in the doorway smiling, "Man I'm gonna get bruises little dude." Jagger giggles, "Sorry." You smile giggling with him, "It's ok, they're good bruises, I'll remember I was playing with the cutest kid ever when I got them." Jagger grins hugging you. Scott smiles sitting at the end of the bed watching you two. "Well get up here dad, I'm not moving yet, we're gonna watch toons." You tell Scott pushing his hand with your foot, Scott crawls up the bed plopping next to you. Jagger crawls in between you and curls up grabbing one of your arms each and putting them together in front of him. Scott takes you hand squeezing it gently, "There that's how it's supposed to be." Jagger says nodding his little head. You look at Scott and smile softly, he smiles back leaning down to kiss Jagger on his head. The little boy looks up as you both watch cartoons, "Are you my new mommy?" You look at Scott and then down at Jagger, Scott's surprised as you are, "Well...in a way I am...is that ok with you bud?" Scott smiles, none of his other girlfriends would have cared what Jagger thought, you do, and he loves it. Jagger nods, "I was just wondering, I'm glad you're my new mommy." He tells you crawling into your lap hugging you, you instantly get tears in your eyes and hug him tight. Laying you head on his you whisper softly, "I love you Jagger and I always will." Scott pretends to sniffle, "I feel left out." You laugh pulling him closer so he can get a hug too. He grins and winks at you before grabbing Jagger and planting a razzberry on his tummy. His cute little giggle fills the room, you manage to get Scott to let Jagger go before he runs out of air from laughing so much.

        Jagger runs to go get dressed after watching a few more cartoons, you lean on Scott wanting to fall back asleep. He laughs looking down at you, eyes closed, almost out. "Go back to sleep hun, we'll go play." You moan and ok to him as he lays you down and pulls the covers around you. "Sleep well my love." He says kissing you softly. 

        Scott walks over to Jagger's room and chuckles seeing him attempt to pull up his pants then almost falling over. "Want some help bud?" He asks just as Jagger gets them up, "Nope." Scott smiles sitting on his bed. "Hey bud, I got an idea, Jess is pretty tired from yesterday so how about we go do something, just the two of us." Jagger grins hugging him around the neck in only his pants. "Just like we used to?" He asks a smiling Scott, "Yeah just like we used to, anywhere you want to go." Jagger grabs a shirt and pulls if over his head, "Daddy, why is Jess so tired? What happened yesterday, she was crying a little bit when I was packing for Uncle Flips." Scott sighs, "Come here bud." Scott picks Jagger up and leans back setting him on his lap. "Before Jess and I met, she had some not so nice boyfriends." Jagger looks at Scott confused, "What did they do?" He asks innocently, "Well....Jagger they hit her." Jagger's mouth drops "Really?" Scott nods, " Why would they do that daddy?" Scott thinks a minute trying to think of how to explain it. "They did it because, they don't know how to cotrol themselves, and they were never taught that hitting a girl is wrong." Jagger looks up at Scott, "You'd never hit a girl would you daddy?" Scott looks at Jagger seriously, "No Jagger, never, that is something I will never let myself do, and I don't ever want you to do it either. Never hit a girl Jagger, it's wrong." Jagger nods, "I won't daddy, but...I guess I don't understand WHY it's wrong...I know it is, but why?" Scott smiles, "Well, because girls aren't as strong as us, some are, but most girls are weaker. So when those mean guys hit Jess, they really hurt her, they gave her bruises but they also hurt her mind. That's why you went to Uncle Flips bud, Jess was scared because she had never seen me so upset, she didn't know if I WOULD hurt her. So she didn't want me to touch her because she didn't know. So Mark talked to her and I talked to her, she knows that I would never do that now, but that's why she's so tired. Does that make sense?" Jagger nods, "So Jess was scared because she didn't know if you would hurt her, but when she found out you wouldn't she was ok?" Scott nods, "Yep, Jagger I want you to promise me you'll never hurt a girl, I don't care what she does, you will never hurt her like those mean guys did to Jess ok? Promise me?" Jagger nods, "I promise daddy, Jess is to pretty to hurt anyway." Scott smiles chuckling slightly, "Yeah she is, she's very pretty, and she loves you very much you know that?" Jagger nods smiling, "Yeah, she's cool daddy." Scott smiles even bigger, "I love her a lot Jag, she's done a lot for me, made me realize some things, and she made me slow down, not work so hard." Jagger looks up at him smiling, "Lets go play daddy." Scott smile, "All right, let's go." 
 
S
 Chapter 23

        Scott and Jagger walk down the street to the local park. Scott smiles as Jagger runs to a swing, "Push me daddy!" Scott walks up behind the little boy and starts go gently push him, all of the sudden Scott hears a gun shot and feels a sharp pain in his stomach, he blacks out collapsing on the ground. Jagger jumps down from the swing seeing his daddy bleeding, "DADDY!" He screams running to his side, Jagger grabs Scott's cell phone and tries to remember what his daddy told him to do if he was ever in trouble. "OH!" He remembers the number and quickly punches it in,
        "Hello 911 operator how may I help you?" 
        "My daddy's been hurt, please help me!" Jagger cries into the phone,
        "Hunny do you know where you are?" She asks trying to trace the number.
        "We are at the park, daddy was pushing me then there was a loud noise and he fell down." 
        "Ok sweetie, what is your name?" 
        "Jagger Michael Stapp." He says quietly the tears taking over, 
        The woman stops hearing the little boys name, "Oh god, sweetie do you know your address?" Jagger sniffles
        "Yes, the park is just down the street from my house, it's my favorite one." The nurse manages to trace the number informing the ambulance where to go. "Jagger there is an ambulance coming ok? Just stay on the phone sweetie, help is coming, is there anyone at your house?" 
        "Yeah, my daddy's girlfriend Jess." 
        "Ok sweetie, we'll let her know what's going on ok?" The ambulance pulls up running out and strapping Scott to a stretcher. An orderly picks Jagger up telling him what's going to happen while bringing him to the ambulance. 

        You wake up to pounding on the door, opening the door your worst fears start to flash before your eyes seeing a police man standing there. "Jess?" He asks, "Yes, that's me, what's happened?" You ask knowing something did, "Jess, Mr. Stapp was shot in the stomach, he's being taken to the Orlando hospital, do you need me to give you a ride." You grab your keys and purse already running out to his car, "Where's Jagger?" You ask tears starting to take over, "He's fine, he is being taken to the hospital also, we also notified a Mark...Jagger asked us to." You smile softly, glad that Jagger is such a smart little boy. 

        The officer pulls up to the hospital just a minute after the ambulance, you run over to it seeing Scott on a stretcher. Jagger runs into your arms crying with you. "Shhh it's gonna be ok hunny, I promise, everything will be ok." You follow the stretcher down to the ER and watch through the glass as they start to operator, Jagger is sitting on the floor at your feet crying. You sit down next to him pulling him to your lap and crying too. All of the sudden Mark comes skidding through the double doors out of breath looking in every direction. His eyes land on yours and he rushes to your side pulling you into a crushing hug. "Everything's gonna be fine Jess, I promise you that." He whispers into your hair as you sob into his chest. He stares into the ER tears filling his eyes seeing his best friend lying in there. He kisses your head and whispers "Come on sweetie we have to be strong, for Jagger." You nod knowing he's right, "Come here baby." You say softly holding Jagger tight, a nurse walks by and tries to get you to go into a waiting room. "No, we're not moving." You tell her, anger in your eyes. Mark gives the nurse an apologetic look as she walks away. You jump hearing the same doors Mark just burst through open again. You see Mr. and Mrs. Stapp, Amie and Amanda all run through the door. Mrs. Stapp takes one look at you and runs to hug you. "Oh sweetie, is he ok? What's going on, what happened?" You tell them what you know and Jagger tells them what he remembers. "Sweetie I'm so proud of you, you did awesome today." You tell Jagger hugging him tight, "Jess...is daddy going to die?" He asks tears in his eyes, you look at him not knowing what to say. "Hunny.....I don't know....but I can tell you what I think, if that's ok?" Jagger nods the tears spilling onto his cheeks making your heart ache. "I think that your daddy can't die yet, God won't let him, it's way to soon and daddy is going to be fine, that's what I think." Mrs. Stapp smiles a sad smile at you nodding her head, you look up at her and then to Mark. Mark sees the look and takes Jagger, "Come on bud lets find something for you to eat." Once he's safely away you break down completely. "He can't die, oh god please don't let him die!" Mr. Stapp pulls you up both of them hugging you, "Sweetie it's ok, it's going to be ok." Scott is finally done with surgery and is brought to a room. You follow the Stapp's down the hall, Mark is holding Jagger tightly soothing him and even getting him to eat a little something. As you are about to go into his room the doctor stops you and Mark, " Direct family only I'm sorry." Mr. Stapp glares at him and growls "They are family, and they're coming in." The doctor, not expecting the anger in Mr. Stapp's voice steps aside. Seeing Scott laying there, pale, not moving, you can't stop your tears. Amie and Amanda kneel next to you, comforting you the best they can as you all cry. Jagger and Mark sit together crying too, Mark telling Jagger funny stories of Scott and him trying to lighten the mood a little. You smile at him, thanking him with your eyes, he walks over to you and kisses you softly on the lips. "Jess, he will not die, he can't die, he has to much to do. Just remember that we all love you and are here ok?" You nod squeezing his hand tight, he rubs your shoulders a little glancing over at Jagger. "Hey, good the little dude fell asleep." Eventually everyone leaves except Mark, you and Jagger. Mark knew Jagger wouldn't want to leave and so he offered to stay and help with him so you wouldn't have to leave Scott. You can't thank him enough for everything, you can see the pain in his eyes and know how scared he is even though he never admits it. The nurses find a cot so Mark lays down with Jagger. He told you to but you knew you wouldn't sleep, you sit in a chair next to Scott's bed holding his hand. Finally you can't stay awake anymore so you lay your head next to his and silently cry yourself to sleep. 

        You jump awake in the middle of the night feeling someone kiss you, you open your eyes and see Scott staring back at you. "OMG!" You grip him, hugging him as tight as you can, sobbing into his chest thanking God he's ok. "Shhh sweetie calm down." He whispers, "Calm down!" You shout still in a whisper, "How am I supposed to calm down! My boyfriend was almost KILLED, I almost lost the best thing that ever happened to me, don't you tell me to calm down." Scott stops you with a kiss, "Sweetie come on, you need to sleep, you look worse than I do." He chuckles, pulling you to lay down with him. "I love you so much, I swear to God I'll kill whoever did this." You whisper a few tears falling onto his chest. "Shhh sweetie, I love you too, lets just go to sleep." 
 


Chapter 24

        The next morning you wake when you feel Scott wince from something. You open your eyes and see a nurse giving him a shot. He notices you're awake and smiles, "It stings," he chuckles, Jagger starts to stir a little bit and pushes Mark's arm off him. He looks over expecting Scott to still be asleep he grins seeing him awake. "Daddy!" He whispers crawling up on the bed, "Hey baby," Scott whispers hugging Jagger tight never wanting to let him go again and thanking God he didn't get hurt. Mark rolls over mumbling something throwing the blanket over his head, you giggle at him, his hair all wild, looking like a little boy. The doctor peeks in, "Jess may I speak with you?" You nod getting up squeezing Scott's hand. He pulls you out of the room closing the door behind him, you look at him begging with your eyes to know what's going to happen. He looks at you smiling softly, "He's going to be fine." You sigh in relief, "But, he needs to take it easy, and I know he won't unless you yell at him. So doctors orders, do whatever it takes to make him take it easy." You smile and thank him before going back in, Scott looks up at you wondering what the doctor wanted to talk to you about. Jagger looks at you with scared eyes, "What's wrong Jess?" Scott asks worry in his voice. You smile sitting next to him, "Nothing." Scott looks at you confused, "Then what was that about?" You crawl up more sitting back next to him, "I have doctors orders to make you take it easy, I am to do whatever it takes." Scott laughs, "Soo....?" He looks at you, "You're gonna be fine baby." He grins kissing you and hugging you close, Jagger crawls up next to you both and lays on your chest knowing he can't lay on Scott's. Mark shifts mumbling louder now, "Vicki...I told you I wanted ham not turkey." He says in a whiny voice, you look at Scott and crack up laughing. Mark wakes up from your laughing and jumps seeing Scott up, "Dude you're up!" He grins seeing you smiling, "Yeah I'm up now what's with sandwiches?" Mark looks at him confused you can't help but giggle. "You just told Vicki you wanted ham not turkey on your sandwich." Mark laughs realizing he was talking in his sleep. "I was dreaming all right, give me a break." He chuckles, "Yeah I know you were dreaming, I just don't want to hear it." Scott laughs looking at Mark's face as it starts to turn red. 

        After a week at the hospital Scott is released, he tries to brush off the wheel chair but one look from you tells him it's not going to work. "I would think you would love the idea of me waiting on you hand and foot." You tell him pushing him out of the hospital, Mark is waiting at Scott's house with Jagger. You watch as Scott limps slightly to the door. His stomach is still sore and so he limps a little bit. Bringing his stuff inside you and Mark make him go lay down, he grumbles for a bit but eventually heads upstairs. "Think you can handle him by yourself?" Mark smirks heading to the door, "Yeah, he leaves that bed his ass is mine." Mark chuckles, "I think it is already babe." You giggle, grinning as Mark hugs you and waves goodbye to Jagger. "Hey bud, want me to put in a movie, I have to go get daddy settled." He nods, "Jess...I'll try to be real good while daddy is still hurt." You smile at him, "I know you will sweetie, I love you my cutie." He grins, "I love you too Jess." You hug him and put in a movie before heading upstairs. Just as you figured Scott was up and moving around. "Get your ass in that bed before I kick it." Scott just chuckles, so you walk up behind him and kick him a little harder than he'd like. "OW, jeezus what was that for!" He looks at you surprised, "I just said get your ass in bed, you don't seem to understand that." He shakes his head giving in, "All right all right, how long is this going to last?" You fix the covers and throw some magazines and the book he was reading on the bed. "As long as it takes, you don't seem to get that you are not doing anything for awhile. I will be a bitch if that's what it takes, but only because I love you." He chuckles pulling you closer, "You won't have to be a bitch, I'll listen, can I get some water?" He gives you those puppy dog eyes you can't resist making you laugh. "Yes, I'll be right back, don't move or I'll kick your ass again." You warn him, "I'd rather have you kiss it." He whisper huskily you raise your eyebrow smirking. "Later." He grins as you head down to the kitchen, smiling at Jagger laying on the floor completely involved in the movie. You bring the water back up to Scott and smile when you seem him asleep, you gently coax his body to lay down completely and pull the blankets around him before heading down stairs to play with Jagger. 
 


Chapter 25

        You are sitting on the floor playing with Jagger when the doorbell rings, there is the same police man that brought you to the hospital at the door. "Hello." You great him warmly thanking him again for everything, he just smiles graciously. "I'm afraid I'm not here to bring good news....well it's good and bad I guess." You look at him confused, he glances down at Jagger, "Hey big guy, how you doin'?" Jagger smiles at him, "Good." You ask Jagger to play in his room for a minute while you talk to the officer. "So what's the news?" You ask sitting on the couch, "Well the good news is we caught the shooter....the bad news is, it's a woman named Hillari..." He pauses letting it sink in, "Oh my God, I can't believe she would do this." You gasp, the officer leaves you telling you he'll call you soon with more details. You go upstairs and stare at Scott as he lays in bed, he stirs feeling eyes on him. "Hey baby," He smiles yawning and sitting up, he looks at you again as you walk in the room slowly. "Hun what's wrong?" He asks watching you carefully, you sit next to him on the bed, trying to figure out how you tell your fiancée that his ex wife tried to kill him. "Jess, what's wrong, are you ok sweetie?" He asks getting a worried look on his face, scooting closer to you. "I'm fine but....they caught the shooter." Scott smiles, "That's great babe, so what's wrong?" You turn to him, not wanting to say the next words, "It was Hillari..." His jaw drops not believing what you just told him. "You mean my own ex wife tried to kill me." He says more to himself than you, you look at him seeing the pain and sadness in his eyes. You know he still loves her in a way and you wouldn't have it any other way. You can't believe she would do this, you wish it was a lie but you know better. Scott is staring off into space, a sad expression gracing his face. You pull him close hugging him, feeling horrible for no reason. "God I'm so sorry Scott, I...feel horrible." Scott pulls back looking at you, "You have no reason to baby, but thank you." You kiss him softly wondering what's going to happen, wondering what would have happened had Scott died, would Hillari have gotten Jagger? Scott, as if reading your mind answers your question, "I just don't understand it, she knows that even if anything happened to me she wouldn't get Jagger, it just doesn't make sense." You look at him curiously, "Who would get Jagger?" You ask quietly, squeezing his hand gently, "You." He tells you looking into your eyes. "What? But how I mean..." Scott interrupts you, "After you said yes." He smiles, "I put your name on the custody papers, so if anything happened to me, I knew Jagger would have a good home." You get tears in your eyes as a soft smile forms on your face. "I can't believe you did that." You tell him softly, "Is it ok that I did?" He asks worry evident on his face. "God yes, you know how much I love him." Scott smiles, "And I know how much he loves you, I hoped you'd be ok with it." You smile kissing him softly, your forehead resting against his. "Are you ok?" You ask softly looking into his eyes, he sighs, "I will be..." You wrap your arms around him and hug him tightly, "I love you." You whisper in his ear before kissing his cheek and going to get Jagger. Scott can't help but smile as you leave the room. He sighs leaning back wondering what exactly is going to happen to Hillari and what he's going to tell Jagger. 
 

 Chapter 26

        You go call Mark, Flip and Jeff and tell them that Hillari was the shooter. They are all as shocked as you are. The police call back and tell you that it was intentional, she wanted to get back at him for "stealing her son" you can't believe what you're hearing. "How could she do this?" You ask out loud staring off into space. You sigh and decided you should call Scott's parents and let them know what's going on. You can't help but smile hearing Linda fuming over the phone about ready to kill Hillari. You don't blame her and would love the opportunity to get back at her. "Ok who's next?" You sit back thinking....Jagger, how can you tell him his own mother shot his daddy? You sit and think about it for awhile but can't think of any good way to tell him so you decided to see what Scott's up to. Walking in the room you see him laying on the bed staring at the ceiling, you crawl in next to him and curl up. "Hey sweetie." He smiles down at you pulling you close, "What's wrong hun?" You look up at him "What are we supposed to tell Jagger?" He sighs, "I don't know, lets just not worry about that now ok?" You nod into his chest smiling when you hear little feet in the room. Jagger jumps up on the bed and crawls over by you both, "I wanna cuddle too." You smile pulling him in-between you and Scott. He curls up and soon you and Jagger are asleep. Scott looks down watching you with a soft smile on his face. Scott gets up, wanting to stretch his legs and let you both sleep. He carefully walks down the stairs knowing he's not fully recovered and that you'd kill him if he went any faster. Grabbing something to eat from the kitchen he sits down on the couch in the living room only to hear a knock at the door. "Ugg, it's open." He chuckles at himself, Flip pokes his head in "Hey man, how ya doin'?" Scott smiles as he walks in, "Pretty good considering." Flip smiles glad his friend is ok and seems to be getting back to normal. "Jess called and told everyone, man I'm sorry Scott." Scott looks down at the floor, "Yeah...trying not to think about it too much." Flip cringes regretting brining it up. "Sorry dude." Scott laughs, "I said trying, that doesn't mean it was working." Flip smiles happy Scott's not too upset, Flip grabs himself a beer and sits down next to Scott. They turn on the tv and talk for awhile before Scott hears you coming down the stairs. You smile seeing Flip on the couch with Scott, both of them laughing and smiling. "Hey Flip." You smile at him, "Hey gorgeous, hope you don't mind I dropped by and forced him to sit and talk." You laugh, "Oh no, I think he's getting a little sick of me bossing him around." Scott laughs, "Naaa, you're to cute to get sick of." You roll your eyes heading into the kitchen to get something to eat. Scott slaps your butt as you walk by making you yelp, "That's for kicking my ass." Flip looks at Scott funny and you crack up laughing. "Jess told me if I didn't get in bed she'd kick my ass, well...I must not be fast enough for her because she actually did it!" Flip laughs high fiveing you. "Hey wait a minute, don't you dare take her side." Scott warns Flip, "Hey man, she's right, you better stay in bed or I'll kick your ass too." Scott sighs in defeat, "Ok ok, I swear you're all against me." You smile, "Not against you, just want you to get better." You tell him carefully sitting on his lap, he smiles, "I will, especially with you around to keep me in line." You smile kissing him gently. "Awwwww how cute." Flip teases, you kiss Scott again while flicking off Flip. He laughs getting up, "Well kids, I should run, take care of him Jess." You smile walking him to the door, "You know it Flippy baby." He smiles hugging you goodbye and waving to Scott. "Latter man" 

        You sit on the couch next to Scott and watch some tv. Soon you both smile hearing Jagger awake and walking around. He walks down the stairs still rubbing sleep out of his eyes. "Jeeeesss, I'm hungry." You smile at him ruffling his hair, "What would you like bud?" Jagger thinks for a minute "Can I have Mac n Cheese?" You smile nodding, "I'll get it ready, go play for a bit ok?" He smiles hopping on the couch and laying his head on Scott's lap. You squeeze Scott's hand as you walk into the kitchen grabbing a box of Mac n Cheese. When it's ready you walk into the living room and smile seeing Jagger dancing around while Scott sits leaning on the couch laughing and watching him. "Supper's ready boys." They smile at you and get up heading for the table. You help Jagger wash his hands as Scott gets his plate ready, he smiles at you before heading over to the sink to wash his hands too. Half way there he stops, feeling a sharp pain in his stomach, he waits a second before starting again, only this time the pain is worse. He tries to shrug it off but with the next step he collapses on the floor. "Scott!" You rush to his side, he's still conscious just in pain, "Jagger get me the phone." Jagger jumps down from the table and hands you the phone. "Stay with daddy ok, I'll be right back." He nods a worried look crossing his face, "I'll be ok bud, I probably just broke open some stitches or something ok? Don't worry, everything will be fine." Jagger relaxes hearing Scott's words and seeing he's not badly hurt. You call an ambulance before returning to Scott's side, you take his hand and he squeezes it, telling you with his eyes it hurts worse than he's letting on. You hear the sirens pulling up and go to the door, holding it open for them. Scott is put in the ambulance with you and Jagger right behind him. They pull back Scott's bandages and you can see some of the stitches have come out and he's bled more than he should. "Man this is the easiest fix up of the day." Scott laughs as they begin to sew up his stitches again, taking him to the hospital just to make sure there's no internal bleeding. 

        A few hours later Scott is released free and clear with some pain medications. You convinced Jagger he was fine and told him what happened. "So they can sew your skin like clothes?" You laugh, "Kind of." Scott limps over to you smiling at Jagger. "Hey bud, wanna go home?" Jagger nods hugging Scott, "Umm hun, HOW are we getting home?" You laugh, "Oops, yeah I suppose we need some wheels hu?" You laugh nodding, Scott takes out his cell phone and calls a cab. After getting home, you send Scott straight to bed and decide to have a little slumber party with Jagger, to get his mind off the latest events and it'd just be fun. Scott loves the idea and loves the fact that you want to spend so much time with them, both of them. "Scott I love you, and I love your son, hell if I wasn't engaged to you I'd still take him." Scott laughs tossing a pillow at you, "Have fun, don't stay up too late." You give him a look, "Oh don't even say that, we'll be up late, Jagger's gonna dish the dirt on dad for me." Scott laughs, then gets a worried look on his face. "Uuuuu just don't take anything too seriously until you ask me ok?" You laugh, "Don't look so worried, jeez baby. Do you really think I'm worried?" He smiles shaking his head, "No, I guess not." You pull the blankets up around him, "Good, now go to bed." He smiles kissing you passionately before letting you go have your slumber party. 
 


Chapter 27

        After Scott is all set and in bed you walk down the stairs to see Jagger in his pjs, running around grabbing blankets attempting to make a fort. You smile walking over to him, "Want some help bud?" He nods grinning, you help him make a huge fort that takes up most of the living room. You know it will take forever to clean up but that doesn't matter now, what matters is Jagger having a fun night. You make some pop corn while Jagger gets both your sleeping bags set up in the fort. He grabs a stack of movies and sets them all up in the order he wants to watch them. You walk climb in the fort carrying some pop and a big bowl of popcorn. "Jess, do I have a bed time tonight?" You shake your head, "Nope, we can stay up as late as you want babe." He grins jumping up and down, "YAY, daddy never lets me stay up really late." You laugh, "Well this won't happen all the time, but every once in awhile we can do this ok? This will be our little thing, sound good?" He nods getting cozy so you can set the pop corn on his lap, you sit next to him after putting in the first movie. Jagger gets bored with it quick so he starts asking questions about you. Scott had heard all the noise downstairs from you building the fort and peeked down to see what you were doing. He sits on the stairs a smile on his face seeing the huge fort and hearing Jagger and you talking and giggling. "Daddy's old girlfriends never let me in daddy's room at night, one time I had a night mare and one of them opened the door and told me to be quiet and go back to bed.." Jagger tells you getting tears in his eyes, "Sweetie, did you ever tell daddy about that?" Jagger shakes his head, "No, she told me if I did, I'd be in trouble." You pull him to your lap holding him, "Sweetie, you know you can come in daddy's room any time you want to now don't you?" He nods, smiling a small smile, "I know, you aren't mean like they were." You kiss his forehead, hugging him tightly. "I love you little dude." He giggles, "I'm not THAT little." You laugh, "Ok ok, medium dude then." Jagger looks at you funny, "You're silly Jess." You laugh, "Yep, and you love it." Jagger giggles crawling back into his sleeping bag, "I'm tired Jess, can we go to sleep now?" You nod, "Sure bud, but remember you promised to tell me some more things about daddy." He smiles, "I know, I will tomorrow k?" You nod kissing his forehead, "K, sounds good, now go to sleep my little man." Jagger's eye close and soon you see him breathing deeply his little face has a content smile on it. You pick up some of the garbage and bring it to the kitchen, setting it on the counter so you can clean up tomorrow. You crawl into your sleeping bag curling up next to Jagger, you sigh brushing some hair out of his face before closing your eyes. 

        The next morning you wake up hearing someone coming down the stairs, Scott peeks in the fort and sees you just waking up. "Hey you, have fun last night?" You smile and nod, "Man this thing's huge." He chuckles quietly climbing in, "This is pretty cool babe." You smile sitting up and stretching, Scott sits next to you wrapping his arm around you squeezing gently. "Thank you, you have no idea how much this means to me." You lean on him wrapping your arms around his waist, "Come on, lets go back to sleep." You say crawling back into the sleeping bag pulling Scott with you, "Isn't that a little small hun?" You shake your head, "Nope, just right now come on." Scott crawls in behind you. It's a tight squeeze but once you're both comfy it's nice and cozy. You curl up against Scott loving the warmth his body gives you. He wraps his arms around you, yawning quietly. "Night sweetie, I love you." He whispers, he chuckles when he doesn't get a response. You are already fast asleep and dreaming. 
 

 Chapter 28

        Jagger wakes up and smiles seeing you and Scott curled up in your sleeping bag together. He crawls out of the fort and puts in a movie turning it way down and sitting in front of the tv. Scott wakes up hearing Jagger giggling quietly at Shrek. He looks down at you still sleeping peacefully and smiles. He carefully pulls his arm from yours and unzips the sleeping bag crawling out and sitting next to Jagger. Jagger crawls into his lap, "Mornin' bud, so what did you to talk about all night?" He asks smiling down at Jagger. "Nothing." Jagger says with a sly smile. Scott chuckles, "Nothing? Well I sure heard a lot of talking and giggling over nothing." Jagger pretends to zip his mouth shut, Scott makes an exaggerated face gasping. "You mean you're not gonna tell me?" Jagger giggles shaking his head no. "Well I'll just have to tickle it out of you then." Scott grins starting to tickle Jagger without mercy. You wake up hearing Scott and Jagger laughing and smile, you love waking up to that sound. Deciding not to move you just lay in your sleeping bag listening. "OK OK, I give up!" Jagger giggles, "So what did you two silly's talk about?" Scott asks letting Jagger catch his breath. "You." Jagger says simply beeping Scott on the nose, "What about me hu?" Scott asks moving Jagger over on his lap so he can look at him easier. Jagger opens his mouth, wanting to tell him about what you talked about last night, but not knowing how. Tears start to form in his eyes, he quickly gets up and runs to his room. Scott gets up to follow him but you stop him. "Scott wait," He looks back at you climbing out of the fort, "Jagger just..." You stop him, "I know, and I know why." His eye brow furrows wondering what's going on. "Scott....ugg, I'm going to be perfectly honest ok, so don't hate me." Scott gives you a look, "Jess you know I could never hate you." You smirk, "Well you might in a minute, Scott....you dated some bitches, they weren't to you, and it's not your fault that these things happened, but they did their damage" Scott walks over closer to you, "What do you mean Jess?" You sit down on the floor sighing, "Scott, Jagger had a nightmare one night so he knocked on your door, but whoever you had for company opened it and told him to be quiet and to go back to bed, then she said if he told you he'd be in trouble." Scott's shoulders slump, "Why didn't he tell me?" He asks you, "He didn't want to get in trouble, and I'm sure she would have done something to either piss you off so if Jag did do something wrong you'd yell at him, or something." Scott nods, "God what the hell possessed me to go out with these women?" You smirk, "Ehem." He looks at you, hands on your hips smiling at him making him laugh. "I didn't mean you and you know it." You smile at him, "I know, but you know me, I have to make you laugh, now go talk to him." Scott smiles, "How do you get this stuff out of him?" He asks a curios look on his face, "I don't, he just tells me, and it's not in me not to listen to him, he's too cute." Scott smiles, "Thank you baby." He kisses you softly before sighing and turning to walk up the stairs, you squeeze his hand letting go once he's part way up the steps. 
        Jagger is laying on his bed crying, wanting to tell Scott what he told you but afraid of what will happen if he does. Scott peeks in the room his heart breaking seeing his son crying, he walks over and sits on his bed gently rubbing Jaggers back. "Baby come here." Scott says gently picking him up and holding him while he cries. You peek in the room, Scott looks up, his eyes telling you he wants you to come in. You walk in quietly sitting in the rocking chair in the corner, watching Scott be the amazing dad he is. You can't help but smile softly at all the love you see between them. Scott gently rocks Jagger back and forth rubbing his back, trying to soothe him. "Sweetie I promise you, Jess isn't going anywhere, she's the only girl that will be in this house from now on." Scott whispers in Jagger's ear making the little boy smile into Scott's neck. Jagger pulls away a little from Scott, still sniffling slightly, before running over to you and crawling in your lap hugging you tightly. You hug him back kissing his head, "I love you cutie." You whisper to him, he smiles squeezing you as tight as he can. "Uggg man you're strong." You laugh hugging him back. Scott chuckles walking over to you both, he walks behind the rocker and wraps his arms around your neck. You lay your head on his hand while Jagger lays his head on yours. "How about we go get some ice cream?" Scott asks squeezing your shoulder, Jagger's head shoots up a big grin on his face. "YAY ICE CREAM!" He runs out of the room to get his shoes on. You laugh watching him run out the door and hearing his little foot steps on the stairs. Scott pulls you up pulling you into his arms kissing you passionately. "We need to start talking about some stuff." He says his fingers playing with your ring, "I think it's about time you had another ring on this finger." You grin hugging Scott tightly around his neck, he chuckles pulling you closer to his body. "I hope you don't think I've been putting it off, I just wanted to make sure this was right before rushing into anything.....and I know now that it's more than right." You squeeze him tightly tears forming in your eyes. You had wondered why you hadn't talked about it yet, but you were happy with the way things were so you didn't worry. Now you can't wait to start planning. "There's only one condition...I can already see wheels turning in your head so I figure I'd better say it." You giggle burying you head in his chest. "I don't care what it costs, I want you to have your dream wedding." You grin knowing how surprised Scott will be when he discovers your dream wedding won't cost half as much as he thinks it will. 
 

Chapter 29

        Sitting in the ice cream parlor you are lost in thought about the wedding. You know exactly what you want, you have for years, you're just thinking of last minute things in your head. Scott laughs as he waves his hand in front of your face, another failed attempt to pull you out of your thoughts. "Sweeeetie? Earth to Jess?" You jump looking at him, "Yeah?" He and Jagger laugh making you blush, "Planning already I see." Scott teases, you look up at him, "Not really, I'm kind of already done." You laugh, Scott looks at you surprised. "I've know what I want for years." You explain with a shrug. "Only problem was finding the man." Scott smiles chuckling, "Women, hu Jag." Jagger nods, "Yeah, women." You and Scott both laugh loving how Jagger mimics his dad. 
        The drive home from the parlor is quick, Jagger runs upstairs to go play, so Scott takes this opportunity to talk to you. He pulls you upstairs getting comfy on the bed. You lay on your stomach, your head laying on your arms looking at him. "Jess....I don't know what you have planned in your head but...well, I know I wouldn't feel comfortable getting married in a church..." He trails off, you smile, "Good, neither would I, how does the beach sound?" Scott looks at you, "The beach, really?" He smiles loving the idea already, "Yeah, as the sun sets." He grins, "Wow, I love it." You laugh seeing the look on his face. "Would you like me to just tell you what's in my head, I think it'd be a little easier." He laughs, "Sure, I got time." You laugh, "Ok, colors, blue, purple, and silver, they go pretty together, they're not too girlie and they're my favorite." Scott laughs, "We like those." He says grabbing a note book, and starting to write, "Tuxes, what ever you want, just nothing crazy." You smirk at him, making him laugh, "Ok so black tuxes...how about people?" You smile at him, "Come on Scott, what do you think I am, Flip, Brett and Mark obviously, and before you even hint at it, yes I want him to be." Scott smiles knowing you're talking about Jagger being the ring bearer. "Now what about you?" Scott asks curious as to who you'll pick. "Oh God, I still don't know" You laugh, "That's the only thing I can't choose." Scott chuckles, "Well it's not like we have a date set yet, and we have pretty much everything down already, just need to figure out guest list and stuff" You nod still thinking about who to pick for your bridesmaids. "So how about we set a date?" Scott asks moving closer to you rubbing your back a little, you smile loving the feel of his hands and the realization that you are getting married. "When's a good time?" You ask him, he chuckles, "Hun, ANYTIME is a good time, but I was thinking August, after my birthday, before yours. Like...how about the 19th, half way between both." You smile reaching back with your hand to pull him down next to you, "It's perfect." Scott smiles kissing you gently. "No, you are." Scott grabs the phone and dials Mark's number, Mark picks it up after the third ring out of breath. 
        "Sorry man, did I interrupt something?" 
        "Uhh yeah." Mark laughs, 
        "Well I just wanted to let you know I'm getting married on August 19th, if you wanna come or something." You laugh at how casual Scott is. 
        "Dude, what the hell do you mean of something, I'm IN it aren't I? And if I'm not why the hell not?" Scott laughs
        "Yeah man, you're in it, we'll talk more later, get back to your woman." Mark laughs,
        "No problem man, talk to ya later, get back to your woman too." Scott laughs hanging up, "Who was that?" Victoria asks Mark as he hangs up the phone in the bedroom. "Scott, he and Jess are getting married August 19." Mark says with a grin, Victoria smiles, pulling Mark closer, "Now where were we?" She asks seductively making Mark growl. 
        Scott dials Flips number right after hanging up with Mark, Flip answers right away. 
        "Hey Stapp, what's up?" 
        "Oh nothing much, laying around, relaxing, getting married August 19, not much." Flip laughs making Scott smile
        "So you two set a date hu? What if I'm busy that day?" Flip teases
        "You are busy, you're in my wedding." Flip laughs sitting on the couch, 
        "Put Jess on man." Scott hands you the phone wondering why Flip wants to talk to you. 
        "Hey gorgeous, so you finally landed the man hu?" You laugh
        "Yep, think I got a good one?" Flip thinks a minute, 
        "Well, he's kind of filled out a little, got the chipmunk cheeks going, doesn't have those gorgeous blue eyes all the ladies love...he's all right I suppose." You laugh
        "Jess, believe me, you defiantly landed a good one, he's done three things right in his life. Started Creed, had Jagger and now he's marrying you. He's got the job, kid and the wife. He's happier than I have ever seen him. Now marry him and have lots of great honeymoon sex." You laugh knowing that's exactly what will be happening, and you can't wait. "Thank you old' blue eyes." Flip smiles loving when you call him that. "Love ya gorgeous, now put the big guy on again." You smile handing the phone to Scott. 
        "Are you trying to sweet talk my woman Phillips?" Scott teases winking at you.
        "Dude even if I tried she ain't going no where. You finally found the right one man, you got the kid, the career and soon you'll have the wife. Don't mess this one up!" Scott laughs, 
        "You know I won't, but if I do you can kick my ass." Flip smiles, 
        "You bet I will, anyway, Congrats man, now go back to your woman." Scott smiles hanging up. 
 
 

 Chapter 30

        After talking about the wedding a little bit more, Scott reaches over and pulls a folder out of his dressed drawer. He opens it and pulls out a few papers handing them to you. "What's this?" You ask taking them from him, he just nods to the papers an unsure look on his face. "I was never sure when to bring this up...." He trails off, still not sure he made the right move. "Scott..these are adoption papers." He moves closer, "Yes...for you...to adopt Jagger." You look up surprised, "I...I don't know what to say." He takes out a pen, playing with it in his hand, unable to look at you, worried you won't want to adopt Jagger. "He needs a mom Jess....and he loves you, and I love you..." You reach over and grab the pen from his hand, signing the papers. Scott watches you closely a smile spreading over his face. The minute you're done signing Scott turns your face to his kissing you passionately. "Ewwwww that's gross daddy!" Jagger giggles walking into the bedroom. You laugh breaking the kiss, you hold out your arms as Jagger jumps up on the bed and crawls into them. You kiss him on the cheek and laugh when he wipes it off. Scott takes the papers to his office, calls the adoption agency and faxes the papers over, grinning the whole time. "What's daddy so happy about?" Jagger asks turning to you, "Well...I just signed a paper that will make me your new mommy officially." Jagger's face drops slightly, "Is that not ok bud?" Jagger turns to you, "Does that mean I won't get to see my real mommy?" You shake your head quickly, "Of course not, I could never do that sweetie, all it means is that you are one of those lucky kids and you get two mommies." Jagger smiles hugging you, you hug him back tightly loving the fact that he will soon be your own. 

        When Scott walks back into the bedroom he laughs seeing you, feet in the air with Jagger on his stomach on them. "I'm flying daddy!" Scott walks over and picks him up, "I see that bud." You sit up pulling the sheets back over you and curling up again, Scott laughs. "Lazy butt." He says pulling the covers down again, you stick your tongue out at him making him laugh. You grab the covers again and throw them over you, Scott sets Jagger down and pats him on the butt to go play. Jagger giggles while running out of the room, Scott closes the door and walks back over to you. He crawls underneath the covers an evil grin on his face. "And what is that grin for Mr. Stapp?" You ask giggling. "I think you know damn well what it's for baby." Scott reaches over and pulls you on top of him so you're straddling his legs. You smile feeling him starting to get hard already, he pulls you down to lay on his chest, stripping off both your pajama's. He lays you on top of him and slowly slides inside you. He makes slow passionate love to you making it last as long as he can. Your body tingles with all the different sensations he is leaving on your skin. You look up into Scott's eyes, they are so full of passion and love, you know he loves seeing what he does to you. He is a man in every way, he never leaves you unsatisfied, he is strong and caring, and he loves you and his son with all his heart. You feel your body start to tense up, your head goes back in pure pleasure as Scott speeds up giving you all he has and more. You hear him moan and feel him cumming inside you, you lean down and kiss him as you both orgasm making it even more intense. You lay on top of Scott panting and out of breath. He wraps his arms around you holding you tightly feeling your warmth. "God I love you." He whispers into your hair, kissing your head and squeezing you tight. "I love you too." You whisper kissing his neck, and nuzzling closer. 
 

 Chapter 31

        Jagger knocks on the door as you and Scott are cuddling, "Daddy, I'm hungry!" He whines making Scott groan. You laugh starting to roll off him to get dressed, "Hey where do you think you're going." He says grabbing you gently and pulling you back down on top him. "To make breakfast, dad." He chuckles, "Ok ok, I guess I have let you don't I?" You give him a look, "I don't have to make you food ya know." He smiles, "I know, but you're a better cook and I love your cooking..please baby?" He gives you those puppy dog eyes you can't resist making you sigh and finish getting dressed. Scott throws on a pair of boxers and some loose fitting jeans before opening the door to let Jagger in. He comes running in and bounces up on the bed turning on the tv, Scott chuckles sitting down behind him. You head downstairs and start making breakfast. 

        Climbing back up the stairs breakfast in hand you smile seeing Scott cuddling with Jagger. They smile seeing you in the doorway. "Breakfast has arrived bud." Scott says picking him up before sitting himself up. You sit next to them and you all start to eat. When everyone's finished you take the dishes downstairs and put them away. You smile hearing little footsteps trying to sneak up behind you, "AGGG!" Jagger pounces you're leg, "AHHH!" You scream laughing at Jagger on you're leg. "I'm a monster that's going to capture you!" He grabs your hand and pulls you to his room, Scott is laughing watching the sight. "Daddy you're supposed to try and save her." Jagger whispers, "Oh sorry bud." Jagger tells you to sit in the corner and that will be the tower. He grabs his fake sword and gets ready waiting for Scott. All of the sudden Scott bursts through the door, a pot on his head and a spatula in his hand. You have to hold back your giggles as he and Jagger fight. Eventually Jagger pretends to die a very dramatic death and Scott rescues you, "Nice pot hun." You giggle taking it off his head. "Why thank you milady, now, may your night in shining cookware take you away from this place." You giggle into his chest making Jagger giggle. Before you know it you are all on the floor laughing. "TICKLE FIGHT!" Jagger yells attacking you, Scott joins in tickling you until you beg for mercy. You all collapse on the floor breathless, you turn away to lay on your side and hide your face as you feel a pain in your side. You know what it is, so you don't want to worry Scott. You think you've done a good job of hiding it but obviously not. "Babe, what's wrong? I know something is." He asks moving closer too you, "It's nothing." You say turning back to him smiling. "It's not nothing, what's wrong?" You give him a 'later' look and get up. He takes the hint helping Jagger get up and watching you leave the room. He watches carefully not seeing anything different, hoping you'll tell him later what's wrong. 

        A few hours later Jagger is engrossed with a cartoon so Scott pulls you into the kitchen. "Tell me, now." You sigh feeling the pain again, "It's an ovarian cyst, so basically a pain in the ass. I get them every once in awhile. They go away, just takes about a week of pain." Scott frowns, "I'm sorry baby." You smile at him, "It's ok, it's not your fault." You stick your tongue out at him making him smile, "Still, I don't want you in pain." He wraps his arms around your waist kissing you gently, "I'm fine, it just hurts a little." Scott looks at you hard, "But if it gets worse you're telling me, got it." You can't help but smile, "Yes dad, you know I will." He chuckles, hugging you gently. "Ok ok, I just want to know you're ok." You smile squeezing him tight, "I know, and I am." 

        Later that night you wake up in pain. You bring your knees to your chest and cringe feeling the pain increase before dyeing down a little. Scott wakes up hearing you gasp, he rolls over and sits up seeing you curled in a ball. "Baby, are you ok, do you want me to call the doctor?" You shake your head. "No, this is normal, it just sucks." Scott gets a worried look on his face and gets up. He grabs a warm wash cloth and a glass of water from the bathroom. Kneeling next to you he gently wipes your face and helps you drink the water. He lays back down next to you holding you gently rubbing your stomach where the pain is. It's been over an hour and you're not doing any better, Scott is sick with worry, wondering if he should call the doctor or not. You feel him roll away from you and hear him pick up the phone. "Scott what are you doing?" You ask not moving, "I'm calling the doctor, don't even start arguing with me Jess." Scott gets up heading into the office with the phone. "Hey, Dr. Christionson, I'm sorry I'm calling so late. But my fiancé Jess is in a lot of pain, she says it's an ovarian cyst...." Scott trails off and listens to what the Doctor has to say. Walking back into the room after hanging up the phone. "Sweetie, the Doctor suggested I take you to the hospital, I think he's right hun." As much as you don't want to go you know he's right. "Ok.." You whisper, "I'm going to get Jagger in the car and then I'll help you ok baby?" You nod not moving. Scott picks up Jagger grabbing his comforter and his pillow, carefully buckling him in the back seat. Opening the back hatch Scott pulls the seat so it's laying flat and throws a blanket on it before heading inside to get you. You haven't moved, unsure of how you can with all the pain, Scott wraps a blanket around you and grabs your pillow in his hand while gently picking you up. You gasp feeling a sharp pain from being moved, Scott cringes knowing he caused it. You hold on to him as he carries you to the car and gently lays you in the back. You can't help but smile softly at how thoughtful he is. Scott closes the hatch and carefully drives to the hospital. 

        You are admitted right away and they start to run tests while Scott sits in the waiting room with a sleeping Jagger. A doctor walks in 20 minutes later and tells Scott that you were right, it is a cyst. But being this is the third one you've had, they would like to drain it, you said ok but you wanted Scott in the room. A nurse walks in to stay with Jagger while Scott leaves to be by your side. He watches the relatively easy procedure but can see the pain on your face and feel in his hand as you squeeze it tight. Soon enough it's over and you are free to go home, Scott lets a nurse wheel you to the car while he carries Jagger, who never woke up.

        Finally home again, you curl up in bed and fall asleep while Scott lays Jagger down again. He smiles walking into the bedroom seeing you asleep and looking better. He crawls in next to you and curls up behind you glad that you're finally letting him take care of you for a change. 
 

 Chapter 32

        You wake up the next morning to an empty bed, you are about to get up when Scott walks out of the bathroom. "I don't think so, babe." He gives you a stern look, "Scott I'm fine now." He looks at you hard, "Don't argue with me." He's much more stubborn than you are so all it takes is that hard look to make you give in. You know he just wants to make sure you're ok, but you've been through this before. You lay back down and smile as Scott tucks you in. He kisses your forehead while fixing the blankets around you, "Go back to sleep sweetie." Scott is the only one awake, he grabs the phone out of the bedroom so if it happens to ring it won't wake you. As he's walking down the stairs the phone rings making him chuckle. "Hi mom." He smiles seeing his parents number on the caller id. "Hi sweetie, how's everything?" Scott sits on the couch knowing it's going to be awhile before he's off the phone. "Everything's good now." Linda looks at the phone confused, "What do you mean now, hun?" Scott sighs, "Nothing serious, Jess had an ovarian cyst, according to the doctor this was her third one. She was in a lot of pain last night so I called the doc and he said to bring her into the ER. They drained the cyst so she's feeling better, but I'm making her stay in bed today." Linda smiles hearing the worry in Scott's voice as he remembers last night, it's so obvious to her how much he loves you and you love him. "Well I'm glad she's ok, anything else big happen?" She laughs hopping that if anything, it's good. Scott smiles, "Well..one thing, this is better though." He laughs, "Jess signed adoption papers to adopt Jagger." Linda grins "That's wonderful hunny!" Scott smiles, "Yeah, I was kind of scared to bring it up...I didn't know how...so the other day we were talking about wedding stuff and I just kind of handed them to her, it took me longer to give her the pen than it did for her to sign them." He smiles chuckling into the phone. "She loves him Scott, you know that." He smiles, "Yeah I do, and she loves me too, that's a perk." Linda laughs, "Yes she does, and speaking of weddings...is there a date set yet?" Scott laughs hearing his mom's hopeful voice, "Yes mom, there is, August 19." Linda lets out an excited laugh. "I was hoping there was, yay." Scott laughs hearing his mom so excited, "Jess will tell you all the details." Linda laughs hearing a not so enthusiastic Scott talk about it. "Oh hunny, I'm so happy for you, Jess is wonderful." Scott smiles, "Yeah, I know." He laughs knowing that sounded stupid, Linda laughs hearing his love struck voice. "Daddy?" Jagger whispers making Scott turn and smile motioning Jagger over, "Hey mom, wanna talk to Jag." Jagger smiles as Scott hands the phone over. "Hello pumpkin!" She smiles hearing Jagger's voice, "Hey grandma, I have to be quiet Jess is still sleeping." Linda smiles, "That's what daddy said, you love her don't you hunny." Jagger smiles looking up towards the bedroom, "Yeah, she plays with me whenever I want, and she makes nummy food! Daddy said she's going to be my new mommy, and Jess said that I'm lucky because I have two mommies." Linda smiles, glad that you still want Hillari some part of Jagger's life. "Yes you are sweetie, you have two mommies that love you very much." 

        Eventually Jagger hands the phone back to Scott and he hangs up. After making them both breakfast they sit on the couch watching cartoons together. Scott hears you moving around and heads upstairs to check on you. He sees you walking out of the bathroom and crawling back into bed. "What are you doing out of bed missy?" He asks eyebrows raised and arms crossed. "I had to pee, didn't think you wanted me doing that in the bed." Scott laughs, "No, I guess not." Jagger peeks in smiling seeing you awake. "It's my cutie!" You smile at him making him blush. Scott laughs picking him up, "Since when are you shy around girls?" Jagger buries his head in Scott's chest giggling. "Since me that's when." You tease. Scott puts Jagger over his shoulder, "Ahhh, there that's better." Jagger giggles looking at you upside down, "Jess help me!" You smile at Scott as he walks over and plops Jagger down on the bed. "There ya go bud." Jagger sticks out his tongue at Scott making him laugh. You pull Jagger on your lap and lay your head on his. Scott grins seeing the picture, "What are you grinning about hmmm?" You ask, "Nothing, just how cute a picture you two make." You smile, "Get over here." You pull him closer and motion towards the mirror across the room, "There, that's an even better picture." Scott smiles wrapping his arms around both of you. "I would have to agree." 
 


Chapter 33

        August almost here already, so while Scott forces you to stay in bed, you force him to start making wedding plans. He is busy making calls when you peek into the office. You smile leaning against the door frame just admiring him as he works. "Yes, the 19, uh hu, yes, thank you." He jumps seeing you in the doorway, "You're supposed to be in bed." He starts to give you that stern look again but you stop him by sitting on his desk in front of him and kissing him softly. "So I can't be by you? All right then, I'll leave." You get up but he pulls you on his lap, "Ok ok, I guess you've been in bed long enough." You laugh, "Yes I have, I'm bored out of my skull, I want to DO something!" He laughs hugging you around the waist. All of the sudden the phone rings, Scott groans reaching over to answer it. "Hello, really? That was fast, no, that's great, yes, thank you very very much!" Scott hangs up the phone with a huge grin on his face, he takes your face in his hands and kisses you passionately. Leaning his forehead on yours his eyes twinkle as he looks at you. "Hi....mom." Your mouth drops before quickly turning into a huge grin. You hug him as tears start to stream down your face. You laugh into his neck, "I'm such a girl." He laughs squeezing you tight. "I think this calls for ice cream." You nod against his neck hugging him as tight as you can. Scott picks you up setting you down in the chair again running to tell Jagger. You smile seeing him so happy, and when he's out of ear shot let out a happy squeal. "I'm a mom..." You smile loving the thought. Jagger comes running into the room and jumps on your lap hugging you, "Hi mommy." He whispers smiling, your heart melts and you hug him tight. "Hi my baby, oh I love you so much Jagger, thank you for letting me be your mommy." He giggles into your neck, "No problemo." You laugh rocking back and forth holding Jagger tightly. You look down at him and smile seeing Scott, you turn your head and smile, "You know bud, you're one cute little dude, I think dad might have some competition." Jagger giggles shaking his head, "Hey now, wait just a minute!" Scott's mouth drops as he gasps. You laugh loving how he over exaggerates everything to make Jagger laugh. "So how about that ice cream?" You ask raising an eyebrow at Scott. He smiles picking Jagger up to get him ready while you go get ready yourself. 
 


Chapter 34

        ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The day before the wedding~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

        You can't sleep, it's 2am and you have been trying to sleep for the past hour. You are too nervous and excited to sleep so you finally decide to get up. It's the day before the wedding, you can't believe it's finally here. Everything was going perfectly, tonight was the rehearsal dinner and then the big day. You crawl out of bed and head downstairs, you make a cup of tea and sit in your favorite chair. Your mind wanders off, picturing the next day in your mind, you would have never thought at 18, you'd be getting married, and be a mom already. Not that you're complaining, you have loved every minute you've spent with Scott and Jagger. What worries you are the times when you'll be apart. It's not that you don't trust Scott, it's that you don't trust yourself. You would never cheat on him, but you know that you are still depressed, although it's not ruling your life as much now. But what about when Scott's not around? What will happen then? Tears start to stream down your face as you realize what very well could happen if your depression takes over. That's when you realize what you have to do. Grabbing a pen and paper you start to write. 

        Carefully, you leave the note on the night stand next to the bed. You grab a blanket and a sweatshirt before walking over to Flip's house. You knock on the door hoping you won't wake April, Flip opens the door a few minutes later. "Jess? What are you doing here, it's 3 in the morning?" He can see something's wrong by the look on your face, pulling you inside he turns on a lamp. "Jess, what's wrong?" He asks sitting next to you on the couch. "I don't know if I should marry Scott..." Flip's jaw drops, "What? Where did this come from?" You sigh, "I've been thinking about it for a long time now...it's not that I don't love him, I do...more than anything. But I don't know if I should let him make this mistake..." Flip looks at you confused, "Why would marrying you be a mistake?" You sigh, "Because I'm only going to end up hurting him, the depression isn't gone Flip, it's still here. I just don't have time to think about it with Scott always around, but what's going to happen when he's not? It's going to take over again and I KNOW I'm going to do something." Flip watches you as tears slowly start to trickle down your face. "Jess, does Scott know about any of this?" You shake your head, "Sweetie, you have to tell him, you should have told him already. He loves you hun, and he's not going to let anything happen to you." You sigh, "But that's the problem, I know he won't let anything happen to me, if someone else does it. But how is he going to stop ME from doing anything to myself?" Flip starts to say something but stops, "I don't know hun, but he will, he'll find a way." 

        Scott wakes up with a smile, he just had a great dream, he glances over to look at you but doesn't see you. Looking around he realizes you're gone, he reaches over and turns on the light on the night stand. Looking at the clock he sees it's 3:30 in the morning. He sees the piece of paper and picks it up, 'Needed some air, be back later, I love you. Go back to sleep hun.' He looks at the clock wondering how long you've been gone. Stepping outside in his robe Scott looks around the neighborhood, seeing a soft glow coming from Flip's living room he decided to go check it out. Flip looks up hearing a knock on the door, he walks over and peeks in the peep whole, glad to see Scott standing at his door. "Hey man, is Jess...there you are." He smiles at you but it quickly fades seeing you crying. "Jess what's wrong?" You quickly look away, not ready to talk about it with him yet. "Jess tell him." Flip gives you a warning glance, you look at him to protest but he just hardens his look even more. "Tell me what?" Scott looks between you and Flip, "What's going on?" You get up and run to the bathroom suddenly feeling sick from worrying about everything so much. Scott looks at Flip, "What's going on?" Flip sighs sitting down, taking a deep breath before telling Scott what you said. Scott immediately goes to the bathroom to try and talk to you after telling Flip to go back to bed. 

        You collapse next to the toilet, not feeling any better. You had never actually worried yourself sick before, so far it wasn't feeling too great. You freeze hearing someone walking to the door. "Jess....open the door, please?" You lean against the tub next to the toilet as the tears start to stream down your face. You are so afraid to talk to Scott, you know Flip told him, why wouldn't he. And you know what Scott is going to do, he will do everything he can to try and convince you to marry him still. But you don't want to hurt him like you know you will sooner or later. You hear the door handle turn back and forth and Scott sigh angrily when it doesn't open. "Don't do this Jess...don't hide from me." You let out a quiet sob not knowing what to do, you love him so much, you want to feel his arms around you and hear his comforting voice. But because you love him so much you know the best thing to do is to let him go. Scott looks at the door, debating on weather or not to break it down but before he can Flip walks over and hands him a key motioning to the lock. Scott thanks him with his eyes before turning back to the door. "Jess...please.." He tries one last time, knowing it's pointless. You look up at the door and then freeze seeing the lock start to turn. You curl up as tight as you can and pray you're dreaming, you hear the door open and feel Scott in the room. Holding back your sobs you don't know what to do, run to his arms or hurt him to save him?

        Scott stops seeing you on the floor curled up and crying. He kneels down next to you wrapping his arms around you. "Shhhh sweetie, listen to me. I will not let anything happen to you, that includes you hurting yourself. Do not let this win, letting your depression win will hurt me more than you'll ever know. You have to fight it baby, for me, for Jagger. I love you Jess, I'm marrying you tomorrow, there is nothing that will stop me from loving you. And not even your own fears will stop me from marrying you. Come on, lets go home." He picks you up, your body trembling, tears still streaming down your face. 

        Scott lays you down in bed before crawling in behind you. You finally snap out of your crying fit and turn to him. You bury your face into his chest and cry, "God Scott I'm so sorry, I should have told you." Scott wraps his arms around you trying to comfort you. "Yes you should, but I know now, it's over. Relax baby, everything will be ok." He tilts your head up and kisses you softly, "I love you Jess, never forget that." You kiss him back, "I love you too." Scott hugs you tightly before you both fall asleep. 
 

 Chapter 35

        You wake up the next morning and realize it's your wedding day. You hear a knock on the door and hear your best friend Sam on the other side. "Jess! Get up, you be gettin' married mama!" You can't help but laugh hearing her, you look over where Scott is normally and see a rose with a note attached. "For you my love, soon you will be my wife and I will be the happiest man alive. Love, Scott" You smile getting up and letting the girls in. Scott had called Sam and told her not to let you out of her sight, he was worried your fears would come back and you'd try to run again. She promised she would and couldn't wait to have a new "brother in law" Scott could only laugh. You're friends since forever walk in the room and hug you tightly. They help you get ready to go to the beach this afternoon to take pictures. 

        Scott had left late that night after you were asleep and headed over to Mark's. Mark opens the door with a smile, "Ready for tomorrow?" Scott nods smiling back, "Ready as I'll ever be." Flip came over later and they just hung out and talked about old times before all falling asleep in Mark's living room. 

        At two you, Sam, Sarah and Anna, all head over to the beach. You are dressed and ready to go, you are about to get out of the limo but Sam stops you. "Jess, promise me, right now, if you start to feel weird or anything, you will tell me. I promised Scott I wouldn't let you out of my sight, and I intend to keep that promise." You smile and squeeze her hand, "Thanks babe, I promise, I will, I finally told my brain to shut up, I'm not going anywhere but down the isle today." Sam grins hugging you. You and Sam are first to get your picture taken together, Linda walks over smiling at you. "Oh sweetie you look beautiful." She says tears in her eyes, "Thank you so much." You hug her tight feeling yourself start to tear up. Finally picture are done, you head over to your tent to sit and relax a little before the ceremony. Sam made you promise you would be there when she got back, she wanted to see how Scott and the guys were doing. You never break promises, you'd die first, Sam knows this so she knew she was safe leaving you. 

        Sam peeks in the guys tent and smiles seeing Scott pacing back and forth while Mark, Flip, and Brett sit back and relax. "How's it going in here?" Scott looks over at Sam and gives her a look. "She's fine Scott, she promised me she'd be there when I got back, you know she..." Scott interrupts her, "Never breaks promises." He relaxes a little happy that there's no problems. "Where's the little guy?" Sam asks looking around, Scott smiles, "Playing with my dad, he got bored." Sam smiles, "How's the big guy?" She asks looking at him, Scott holds up his shaking hand and chuckles. "A little nervous I'd say." Sam smiles taking his hand in hers, "Everything is going to be fine, I promise." Scott smiles giving her a hug, "I know, can't help it though." Sam glances at her watch, "Yipes, gotta run, almost done waiting." She winks at Scott before running back over to your tent. "Jess if you're not in here I'm gonna...good you're here." You laugh standing up, "Almost time?" You bite your lip more nervous than you thought you'd be. "Yep, don't worry babe, Scott's a nervous wreck too." You laugh feeling a little better knowing that. 

        You see Jagger running over to you and smile happily picking him up. "Mommy, is it almost time to go?" You smile nodding, your heart melting hearing him call you mommy. Sam takes Jagger as the music starts to play, she and Mark are walking together, then it's Sarah and Flip, then Anna and Brett. Followed by you. You peek out of the tent as Jagger walks down the isle carefully and smile. After seeing him get to his place you let the tent close again and get ready. You stand up straight, take one last look at your hair and make-up before hearing the music start to play. Taking a deep breath you step out of the tent and onto the isle of rose petals and sand. You hear people gasping and smiling at you but don't see anything but Scott the minute you look up. You hear faint whispers about your simple floor length silk dress. To be honest it doesn't even really look like a wedding dress, almost a long slip. But you fell in love with it instantly and knew it was the one. You didn't want to wear shoes considering you will be on the beach, so non of the guys or bridesmaids did either. 

        Scott looks up hearing the music start to play and quickly inhales seeing you at the end of the isle. He can't take his eyes off you, to him you have never looked more beautiful than at that moment. Locking eyes with you he can't help but smile as tears form in his eyes. He is begging time to move faster so you are finally next to him. Mark, Flip and Brett all have grins on their faces seeing Scott's reaction and seeing the look of sheer happiness on your face. Mark nudges Flip and Brett motioning to Jagger, they smile seeing his little mouth dropped open staring at you. You glance down at Jagger seeing Mark motioning to him and giggle, Scott looks down and chuckles. You lock eyes again as you finally reach Scott. "You're so beautiful." He whispers taking your hand and turning to the alter. You squeeze his hand softly smiling at him. 

        The ceremony is a blur, you don't hear anything that is said, all you hear is Scott saying "I do." And watching him slide the wedding band on your finger. Jagger did a perfect job and even smiled when you kissed at the end. The minute you broke apart Scott had a grin plastered on his face, you couldn't help but smile. 

        Now it's party time, Mark, Flip and Brett had all planned things to do to Scott tonight, you just told them go for it, knowing full well this would be their only chance. You sit with Jagger on your lap while the guys play yet another joke on your poor husband. Mark glances over at you and smiles, you just shake your head at him hugging Jagger tighter. Finally they are done torturing Scott and let him go sit back down. He collapses next to you and sighs laughing. "I'm going to get them back sooooo bad someday." You laugh knowing full well he will. Mark runs up to the dj's booth and grabs the mic, "All right then, it's my turn to play dj, hehe now what can I torture you people with hmmm...." You laugh wondering just what Mark's got up his sleeve now. You watch him set up a cd and hit play instantly making you smile hearing the song. He look over at you and Scott, "All right you too, first dance, don't make me come get ya." You set Jagger down and let Scott lead you out on the dance floor Scott had built. Pulling you close Scott starts to sing the words as you dance, "I don't wanna close my eyes, I don't wanna fall asleep 'cause I'd miss you baby and I don't wanna miss a thing...." You glance up at Mark and smile, he smiles back winking at you. 

        Finally! The party if over, you collapse on the sand still in your dress and laugh. "I am sooo glad that's over." Scott laughs at you helping you up, "What do ya say we head home Mrs. Stapp." You grin, "I like that idea Mr. Stapp." Picking Jagger up from the chair he had curled up in you find the limo driver to take you home. "Thanks Ralph, I owe ya." Scott says tipping the limo driver. "Naaa, I got to watch my friend get married, for the last time, that's worth sticking around for. Party wasn't bad either." Scott laughs waving him goodbye before walking up the lawn to you. He smiles kissing Jagger on the top of his head while he opens the door. You head up stairs and get Jagger ready for bed. You walk in the bedroom and smile seeing Scott changing out of his tux. You slip out of your dress and collapse in a chair. Scott turns to you, "Baby...I would love to...but I'm so tired." You laugh, "Me too hun. Let's just go to bed, all I want to do is feel you next to me while I sleep." You both smile curling up in bed, "I love you my wife." Scott whispers kissing you sweetly, "I love you my husband." You whisper back closing your eyes gently and falling asleep in his arms. 
 

 Chapter 36

        You wake up the next morning, still tired but refreshed. Opening your eyes you smile up at Scott's sleeping face. Laying your head on his chest you think about everything that's happened. You can't help but smile knowing you made the right choice, you grin knowing exactly how to wake Scott up. Normally you wouldn't, but you have to make up for last night right? You peek under the covers and smile seeing Scott in his silky pajama pants. You carefully pull away from him before straddling his legs. Very gently, you pull Scott out, being eternally grateful for that slit in the front of men's pants. You lean down keeping an eye on Scott as you start to lick the head of his cock, smiling as it starts to harden. Scott moans in his sleep, his eyes starting to open softly feeling you take more of him in. You run your tongue up the underside of him making him fully awake and moaning your name. "Jess...God..." He moans making you smile, you crawl up his body kissing and licking the whole way. Finally getting to your favorite part, his beautiful face, Scott reaches up and pulls you down kissing you passionately. You can never get enough of those lips, Scott adjusts his body a little. You moan feeling his cock rubbing your clit, Scott smiles knowing in a minute he'll have you begging. Flipping you over to you're on your back Scott hovers over you making a shiver go up your spine. He kisses down your body teasing you, you gasp feeling his tongue pleasuring you. Scott smiles feeling your body start to tense already, "Come on baby, cum for me." Hearing his voice so deep and full of passion throws you over the edge, you arch your back crying out. Scott slide up your body and enters you quickly making you moan as he kisses you. Scott thrusts into you hard and fast, holding your body close and kissing you everywhere. You moan clutching him begging him not to stop. Before you know it your body tenses and you clutch Scott feeling wave after wave a pleasure wash over you. Scott groans as he feels you pulsing around him letting himself go at the same time. You collapse on the bed, Scott on top of you, trying to catch your breath. "I'll wake up like that every morning babe." Scott whispers kissing you softly, "Me too." You laugh as he rolls over pulling you to lay on his chest. 

        You wake up a few hours later to the phone ringing, you reach over Scott to answer it. "Hello?" You say groggily still not fully awake. "Heeellooo." Mark grins hearing your tired voice, "Hey Mark." You laugh hearing the knowing smile in his voice. "So I take it you and hubby had fun last night." He teases, "Actually we were too tired, so it was more like this morning." Mark laughs, "Anyway, I just called to say Scott should have another wedding present coming in a few hours. I'm glad you answered the phone now that I think about it." You laugh wondering what it is. "Do I get to know what it is?" You pry hoping Mark will tell you, "Nice try Jess, but...ah hell I've been wanting to say something to someone, it's a new guitar, one he's wanted for awhile but never wanted to buy for himself." You smile "That's awesome Mark, I know he'll love it." Mark smiles, "Yeah, there's a little something in the case for you too, but you're not finding out what that is, it's a surprise." You smile, "Aww Mark you didn't have to..." He stops you, "Yes I did, Scott is my best friend and you are his wife, You're part of the family now babe, and I KNOW you two are gonna be together forever." You get tears in your eyes loving how sweet Mark is. "Thank you Mark, that means a lot." He smiles hearing you try to hide the tears, "You're such a girl Jess." He teases making you laugh. "I know, I'm working on it." Mark laughs saying goodbye, you hang up the phone and curl up next to Scott who's now awake. "So what's up?" You smile up at him, "You're getting a present later." Scott eye's you suspiciously, "What is it?" You shake your head, "No way, I'm not telling." 

        The doorbell rings not 10 minutes later, Scott jumps out of bed pulling on a pair of jeans making you laugh. Opening the door Scott signs for his present just as you are walking down the sitars. He puts the box on the coffee table and smiles seeing a guitar case inside. You watch as he opens it, his mouth dropping as he picks up the beautiful silver guitar. "Scott what is it?" You ask walking over to him to get a better look. "Oh my God....Scott." He looks up at you tears in his eyes, "I know, I can't believe he bought it." You peek in the case and see your present wrapped on the bottom. You pick it up and are almost afraid to open it. You do and gasp, "What is it babe?" You get tears in your eyes as you read Mark's note. "I overheard your mom talking about how much you like Frank, so I thought you'd appreciate this. Love ya babe, Mark." You smile down starting to read the lyrics. "What is it babe?" Scott asks looking over your shoulder, "The original lyrics for one of Frank Sinatra's albums, written out by him." Scott takes them from you reading them over, "Wow...I think we need to call Mark." You nod, "Yeah." Scott picks up the phone dialing Mark's number. "How much did you pay for it man?" Mark laughs hearing Scott's voice, "So I take it you like it." Scott laughs, "Well obviously, now tell me, how much did it cost?" Mark just shakes his head, "It doesn't matter, it's yours now." Scott sighs frustrated, "Dude, that guitar is fucking signed by Jim Morrison, it had to cost you a fortune now tell me." Mark laughs, "Nope, no deal. How'd Jess like her present?" Scott smiles wrapping his arm around you, "She loves it man, how'd you get those?" Mark smiles, "That I will tell you, there was an auction not to long after he died, his kids were trying to get rid of some of the things that had no value to them and also give some money to Frank's favorite charity. They went pretty cheap, but I thought they were probably the best thing there. I mean, hell they're hand written and he signed his name. I heard Jess's mom at the wedding talking about a book she found for Jess on Frank and thought they were the perfect gift." Scott can't believe what he's hearing, "So you just gave them to her, I mean, she loves them but wow man.." Mark laughs, "Yeah, sure to me they were cool and a piece of history, but I know they're gonna mean a lot more to her." Scott smiles shaking his head and handing you the phone. You take it still staring at the lyrics not believing you're holding them. "Mark, how am I supposed to thank you?" Mark laughs, "You're supposed to go, 'thank you Mark' and then maybe sometime invite me over for supper." You can't help but smile, "But...these were yours, and you just gave them to me?" Mark laughs again shaking his head, "YES! Jess the guy was a legend and sure I thought he was great, but I KNOW you like him more than I do. You're mom and I had a long talk at the wedding." You smile, "So how's my buddy doing? Still staring at the guitar?" You laugh, "Yep, Mark....can I ask?" You say quietly so Scott won't hear. "Jess...promise me, if I tell you, you won't say a word to him." You smile, "I promise Mark, he just got me really curious." Mark laughs, "Ok, I heard about it from a friend, it was at a silent auction and to make sure I out bid everyone I put down a million." Your mouth drops, "Oh my God Mark...." Mark chuckles, "You can't say a word Jess, he'd kill me." You nod, "Yeah I can see why." Mark laughs, "Jess, I can afford it, I don't buy stuff like that very often if at all, but I knew Scott had to have it. It's going to mean more to him than any collector out there. So that makes it worth the money." You hang up the phone a few minutes later, looking out in the living room Scott is gone, you head down to the basement and see him just setting the guitar in a glass case up on the wall. You smile watching him step back admiring it and wiping away a tear. You wrap your arms around his waist kissing the back of his neck. "I can't believe he did that." He says quietly staring up at the guitar. "I can, he loves you, and you would do the same thing for him and you know it." Scott nods, "Yeah, I would." You hug him, "Let's go laze around in bed until Jagger wakes up." Scott smiles, "I like that idea." 
 

Chapter 37

        You and Scott crawl back in bed flipping on the tv. You curl up next to him feeling cold, Scott jumps feeling your cold hands on his skin. "Brrr baby, you're freezing." You give him a look, "You're telling me." He laughs pulling you closer while wrapping another blanket around you. After a few minutes Scott glances down at you, "Warming up any?" You nod, your head laying on his chest. He smiles brushing some hair off your face, "Good, I don't want you to get sick hun." You smile up at him, "But if I did you'd wait on me hand and foot and I love that idea." He laughs, "I seem to remember someone complaining the last time she was stuck in bed..." You playfully slap his arm, "Shut up." He laughs, "Nope, you're too much fun to tease." You giggle shaking your head. You grin hearing a door open and little feet come running down the hall, Scott smiles seeing Jagger in the doorway running towards the bed. He flops up on the bed and curls right up in between you two. "Hey buddy, have a good sleep?" Scott asks kissing the top of Jagger's head. "Yep, but now I'm hungry." Scott chuckles, "Ok, I'll go make breakfast, you two stay cozy." Scott gets up and heads downstairs to the kitchen, Jagger notices you all curled up, "Why do you have so many blankets on mommy?" You smile sitting up pulling Jagger on your lap, "I was really cold so daddy was keeping me warm." Jagger smiles, "All better now?" You nod, "Yep, lets find some good toons." Jagger giggles grabbing the remote and changing the channel. 

        You hear the doorbell ring but don't pay any attention figuring it's one of the guys. Scott goes to open the door, he pulls it open only part way seeing Hillari standing there holding the press release about the marriage. "What the hell is this?" She asks holding up the press release, "That would be a press release." She tries to push the door open but Scott holds it firm looking Hillari over. "What do you want Hill?" He asks his voice annoyed, "I want to know why the hell I didn't know anything about this and who the bitch is." Scott takes a deep breath trying to control his temper. "You didn't know because I didn't want you to. And there is no bitch in this house, and if you call her that again you can forget your visiting hours with Jagger." Hillari glares at him her temper flaring. "You can't do that Scott, I want that bitch away from my son!" Scott can no longer contain his temper, "That's IT Hill, you will never call her that again or you won't see Jagger at ALL, now LEAVE before you do something you'll regret." She smirks, "Don't you mean, you'll do something you'll regret." He glares at her his body stiffening, and his voice getting low "No, I won't regret it if I do it." Hillari instantly gets tears in her eyes, "Scott I love you, please...don't say that." Scott doesn't move, "Yeah, I'm sure you loved me while you were screwing those other guys too." Hillari bursts into tears walking back to her car. Scott shuts and locks the door leaning against it sighing heavily. "God I hate having to do that." He whispers out loud, "I know you do." You say quietly, Scott's eyes open, he smiles a sad smile seeing you sitting on the stairs. "Where's Jag?" He asks sitting next to you, "In his room playing, come on, lets make breakfast." You pull him up wrapping your arms around him and kissing him softly. He smiles a happier smile taking your hand leading you into the kitchen. "I love you." You whisper in his ear and kiss his cheek sweetly. He smiles, his hand running over your cheek. "I love you too." 
 

 Chapter 38

You help Scott make breakfast, telling him to sit down and relax. You can see how much it hurts him to have to deal with Hillari. You head upstairs peeking in Jagger's room smiling as he sits on the floor playing. "Hey bud, breakfast is ready." He smiles up at you bolting down the hall to get his breakfast. You giggle watching him running down the hall and turning the corner. "Somebody's hungry." You say to yourself smiling as you climb down the stairs. By the time you are down the stairs and into the kitchen Jagger is already eating happily, you wrap your arms around Scott's neck kissing his head. Before sitting down next to him. He smiles softly at you taking you hand and squeezing it softly. 

After breakfast you put the dishes away while Scott and Jagger go play. You can tell he's feeling better and plan on keeping his mind of this morning as long as possible. The phone rings making you jump and laugh picking it up. "Hello?" You hear a woman sneer on the other end and quickly make your way into the bathroom so Scott won't hear. "What do you want Hillari?" You hear a surprised gasp and then a sneer. "I want my husband back bitch." You roll your eyes glad that Scott didn't answer the phone. "And who said he wants you back hmmm?" You smirk hearing her growl. "I know he does, now shut up and give him the phone." You laugh loving how pissed you can get her. "There is no chance in hell I would give him the phone knowing you're on it. Not only do you flare up his temper, you make him super depressed. I told you once and I'll tell you again, as long as I'm in this house, you will not hurt him." You hang up the phone and unplug it from the wall. Scott sees you pull the cord from the wall and raises his eyebrows. "Who was it?" You shake your head "No one." You start to walk by you but he stops you. "Jess who was it, you don't pull the phone cord out of the wall for no one." You sigh, "It was Hill." He lets go of your arm getting the depressed look on his face. "Oh.." Is all he says making you sigh. "Scott..." He doesn't answer, just keeps walking up the stairs to his room. "Hey Jag...wanna do me a favor?" He walks over to you as you sit on the couch. "Will you go see what daddy's doing? But do it really quiet ok?" He nods sneaking up the steps making you smile. Jagger comes running down the stairs a few minutes later a concerned look on his face. "Mommy...daddy's crying." You hug him and kiss the top of his head, "I'll go see what's wrong sweetie, you keep playing ok?" He nods not to surely, "It'll be ok sweetie." You hug him again making him feel a little better. You put in a movie for him and get him settled on couch kissing him one last time before heading upstairs. 

You take a deep breath before pushing the bedroom door open. Scott is laying on the bed on his stomach, his head turned away from the door. You bite your lip seeing his shoulders shaking, it feels like a dagger piercing your heart to see him like this. You walk over to the bed quietly, without a word you lay next to Scott wrapping your arms around him and laying your head on his back. You feel him tense up and start to cry harder. "Jess...please, I don't want you to see me like this." You tighten your hold on him, and whisper softly, "Well too bad, I love you and I'm not going anywhere." 
He tenses more trying to pull away so you can't see his face, but you hold onto him tighter. "Scott stop. you wouldn't let me hide from you, what makes you think I'm going to let you hide from me?" He pulls away completely standing up and going into the bathroom, shutting the door in your face. You stand there stunned staring at the door. You try the handle only to find it locked. Now you're pissed, this is exactly what you did only he wouldn't let you get away with it. You run your hand over the door and see the hinges in the side. You shrug figuring it's worth a shot so you get a screwdriver and a hammer. You gently tap the pin out of the hinge making the other loose, smirking you pull the other one out and push the door open. Scott looks up, tearstains all over his face, you hold up the pins, "You think a locked door is going to keep me out?" He just pushes past you, but not before you grab his arm. "Stop it, now." He pulls away from you harshly making you fall to the floor. He turns around expecting to see you scared but instead he sees pure anger. You get up and leave him alone but not before giving him one last hurtful look. 

Scott swears at himself as you leave. "Shit...good one Stapp." You walk downstairs and write a quick note to Scott, "Come on Jag, you and me are going to visit Uncle Mark." Jagger jumps up following you out the door smiling. Scott panics hearing the front door closes. He runs to the door and stops seeing your note. "Call me when you calm down and aren't being a jack ass, we'll be at Mark's." Scott sighs. 

Mark smiles seeing you then gives you a confused look not seeing Scott. "Hey babe? Where's..." He stops seeing the we need to talk look on your face. "Hey Jag, Uncle Flip is downstairs, I bet he'd love to play some ping pong with ya." Jagger grins running downstairs. "What'd he do now?" You smirk glad that Mark is so perceptive. You tell him the whole story and watch as he sighs and runs his hands over his face. "Damnit." He says softly, "Jess....have you seen him taking any pills lately?" You think and shake your head no. "Shit." Mark sighs, "Mark, what's going on?" Mark sighs a heavy sigh. "Jess he was on depression meds, but he must have stopped taking them, I'm the only one who's supposed to know, I told him to tell you, but he obviously didn't." You put your head in your hands sighing "Shit, he can't just quit taking them, that could kill him." Mark nods, "I know, I'll be back. I need to go have a little ass chapping with our Scott." You laugh softly, taking his hand as he gets up, "Thanks Mark." He squeezes your hand before walking out the door. 

Scott opens the door to a very pissed Mark, "Where are they, and why the hell did you stop taking them?" Scott sighs shutting the door, "Well hello to you too." Mark turns back to him, "Answer me Scott!" Scott sighs, "Down the drain, I don't need them anymore." Mark has to use every ounce of strength not to hurt him. "YES YOU DO!" Scott flinches tensing up. "Damnit Scott, don't give me that bullshit, you need them, you wouldn't be acting this way if you didn't." Mark grabs Scott and pushes him out the door, "Get in the car NOW." Mark drives Scott to the doctor and gets him a new prescription, glaring at him the whole time. "Do I have to have Jess force feed you them or will actually take them?" Scott glares at him, "Jess knows!" Mark glares right back, "Yes, you wouldn't tell her so I did, she loves you Scott, but if you don't knock this shit off you're getting your ass kicked from all of us." Scott sighs in defeat. Mark drags him in his house making you look from the couch. You see Scott holding a little paper bag and Mark squeezing his shoulder hard pushing him to you. They glare at each other as Mark leaves. You get up and carefully walk over Scott. He glares at you walking past you, you grab his arm, he yanks it away his elbow flying back and hitting you in the eye. Mark was at the top of the stairs watching to see what would happen not knowing how Scott would react. Mark flies down the stairs stepping over your body and immediately punching Scott right where he hit you. You and Mark both know it was accident, but to Mark it doesn't matter. Mark punches Scott's right eye, his jaw and his stomach making him collapse at his feet. Mark glares down at him, "Get out before I do something I'll regret." Scott gets up the best he can, he reaches for you but you pull away. Mark pulls you to him looking down at the black eye already forming. Scott leaves tears in his eyes realizing how bad he screwed up. Mark hugs you tightly, "That is not Scott, Jess you have to believe me, he's not himself." You nod hugging Mark tighter. "I know, I just want him back." Mark holds you telling you to stay there tonight and he'll go get all yours and Jagger's stuff. "Oh God...Jagger, what am I going to tell him..." Mark looks down at your eye wincing, "Baseball accident?" You laugh but nod, "It might work. Mark....would you stay with him." Mark nods getting you an ice pack, "Yeah, he may hate me right now, but yes. Do you want Flip to stay here with you and Jag?" You nod. Mark tells Flip to come upstairs and stays down by Jagger, "Jeezus Jess what happened?" You tell him everything knowing he should know about Scott's meds and what happened. "Would you stay with me and Jagger here? Mark is going over to stay with Scott." Flip nods, "Of course." He kisses your cheek and hugs you tightly. "It'll be ok babe, I promise." You nod tears threatening to fall, "I just want him back Flip." Flip hugs you as you start to sob, "We all do babe, we all do." 


 

 Chapter 39

You sit on the couch with Flip waiting for Mark to come up stairs again. He comes up a few minutes later holding Jagger. Jagger's eyes widen seeing your eye, "Mommy what happened?!" He asks running over to you, "Mommy had a little accident and hurt my eye, I'm ok baby, it'll heal soon." Jagger nods ok while crawling up on your lap. You sigh glad he believed what you told him. Mark gives you a look before heading over to your house to get yours and Jagger's things. "Why are we staying here mommy?" You run your hand through his hair hating to lie to him but knowing he shouldn't see Scott like this. "Uncle Flip wants some company so we're going to have a sleep over. Jagger jumps up and down excitedly, you smile loving to see him so happy. 

Mark walks over to your house, not bothering to knock he walks in the door looking for Scott. He stands still, listening for any noise. He heads up the stairs hearing something, turning the corner he sees the bathroom light on. Carefully creeping down the hall he stops in the doorway seeing Scott on the floor, knees to his chest sobbing. Scott feels someone in the room, taking a guess that it's mark he words his sentences carefully in his head. "She hates me doesn't she?" He asks through his tears, Mark jumps before sitting next to him. "No, surprisingly not, she just wants the man she fell in love with back." Scott runs his hands through his hair letting his elbows rest on his knees. "What happened to me Mark?" He asks tears in his eyes, Mark sighs, "Hill happened, she messed with your head and it's still working. So make it stop so what happened today doesn't happen again." Mark stands up turning back around in the doorway, "Jess sure must love you to put up with this shit, don't make her do it again." Scott sighs, the tears overtaking him again. He feels horrible for everything that's happened, "Mark wait...how do I fix this?" Mark stops hearing Scott's voice, smiling as his question knowing that if he's asking that he took his meds. Mark walks back into the bathroom and looks down at Scott, "I don't know man.." Scott looks up at him, "It was an accident... I would never..." Mark nods, "She knows, don't worry about that man." Mark sighs sitting next to him again. "How's her eye?" Scott asks tentatively, "'Bout the same as yours." Scott flinches wanting to punch himself for doing that to you, "Mark...hit me again." Mark looks at him like he's crazy, "What?" Scott looks at him, "You heard me." Mark shakes his head, "You're crazy Stapp." Scott glares at him, "Hit me again Mark." Mark stands up, "No, I hit you plenty. Now knock it off, look, let me talk to Jess, maybe she'll talk to you now that you're not being an ass." Scott looks up at him, a glimmer of hope flashing in his eyes. "I'll be right back." 

You look up when Mark walks in the door, "Jess can I talk to you for a minute?" You shake your head, he pulls you into the kitchen leaning against the counter, "Jess...will you go talk to him, he's not acting like an ass anymore, he feels terrible. He wanted me to hit him again. I didn't, but he sure was making it tempting." You hug him kissing his cheek before walking out the front door. You walk in the house expecting to see Scott on the couch, when he's not you head upstairs. After looking in the bedroom and Jagger's room you see the bathroom light on. You peek in and see Scott sitting on the floor staring into space. You sit next to him breaking him from his trance, he glances over at you not sure if you're mad at him. You get up on your knees and wrap your arms around him, you can feel his entire body relax. You kiss his neck whispering softly, "I love you." He pulls you tight to him brushing the hair away from your face. He runs his fingers lightly over your bruised eye, he chuckles. "At least we match." You can't help but laugh, making him smile as he kisses you with all the love in his body. You hold on to him tightly knowing everything will be ok again. 

 
 
 Chapter 40

You sit on the floor hugging Scott wishing everything was back to the way it used to be but knowing better. "Stay with me tonight." He whispers in your ear, your body is betraying your scenes, you want to stay, but you know you can't. You pull back a little and look at him, "I can't..." You let go and are about to leave but he stops you, "Jess please....I don't think I can be alone tonight..." You stop sighing, and sit down next to him again. "What do you mean, and please tell me you don't mean what I think you do." He sighs turning over his wrist making the faint scars you never noticed visible. You look at him trying to read his eyes, confusion and fear in your own. "Scott no...please tell me you didn't...." He looks down not able to look you in the eye. You sit back stunned, staring at the floor thinking, you know you can't stay tonight, you're still hurt, you need a night away. But now more than ever you want Mark to stay with him. Just then Mark is standing in the doorway, you get up and grab his arm pulling him into the bedroom. "Mark, you have stay here and do not let him out of your sight." Mark grabs your arms seeing your whole body shaking. "Jess calm down, what's wrong?" You sit him down, "Mark there's scars on his wrists." Mark tenses, "Tell me you're kidding." You shake your head sitting next to him, "I wish I was...Mark please." He shakes his head ridding his mind of the images running through it, "You know I will babe." You sigh in relief still processing everything that's happened today. Mark leaves you in the bedroom to check on Scott, you figure you should take this opportunity to leave before your body betrays you and you don't. 

Mark drags Scott downstairs and gets him a beer, they sit on the couch watching ESPN in silence. You, Flip and Jagger are watching a movie, Flip has his arm around you comforting you after the events of the day. You told him about the scars on Scott's wrists and everything that happened. He hugged you for a full five minutes making all the stress seem to lift off of you. Flip glances down and sees you fast asleep, he smiles carefully maneuvering your body so he can pick you up and bring you to bed. Flip lays you down in Mark's bedroom knowing Mark won't be back tonight. After fixing the covers he kisses your forehead and whispers "Goodnight Jess." Taking one last look to make sure you're asleep he leaves to put Jagger to bed too. "Uncle Flip can I sleep on the couch?" Flip smiles, "Sure bud, but I'm taking the remote, you need to sleep not watch tv all night." Jagger makes a face making Flip chuckle. "Come on, lets get you in bed." Flip makes up the couch so Jagger can sleep on it and tucks him in. "All set?" he asks turning on a small lamp for a night light. "Can I have a glass of water please?" Flip smiles, "Sure bud." Flip comes back with the water and smiles seeing Jagger asleep. He sets it down on the table, kissing Jagger goodnight before heading upstairs to the guest room. 

Flipping on the light he grabs some clothes out of the dresser in the corner. After one to many late nights at each others houses they now have clothes at all three. Throwing on some clean boxers and a t-shirt Flip is about to crawl into bed when he hears you moving around. He gets up, walking down the hall to peek in Mark's room. Peeking in he sees the bathroom light on and hears the unmistakable sound of a person throwing up. Walking into the bathroom he sees you laying on the floor next to the toilet. You jump hearing running water, Flip sits next to you handing you a glass of water. "What's wrong babe?" He asks quietly, "I don't know, I was just laying in bed thinking about everything and I just started to feel sick." Flip looks at you, "Were you thinking or were you worrying?" You look away, "Jess, answer me." You stare at the floor and answer quietly, "Worrying." Flip sighs, "That's what I thought, Jess you're making yourself sick. You have to stop worrying about everything." You sigh, "I know, but it's so hard..." Flip wraps his arm around you, "I know, but you have to, if you don't you're going to wind up in the hospital." You wrap your arms around him and sigh getting up. Crawling back into bed Flip tucks you in sitting next to you. "Now will actually go to sleep now and stop worrying about everything?" You nod, closing your eyes. Flip stays until he is sure you're asleep. 

Mark and Scott haven't moved from their spots on the couch. Mark is starting to get annoyed, "Will say something already?" Scott looks at him, "What am I supposed to say?" Mark sighs hating to bring it up but knowing he has to. "Scott...why are there scars on your wrist...?" Scott sighs knowing it would come up eventually. "Same reason Jess has scars on hers..." Mark leans his elbows on his knees feeling the tears welling up in his eyes, "Why the hell didn't you say anything?" Scott looks at him hearing the emotion in his voice. "What was I supposed to say? Hey man I wanna die I'm gonna go cut a wrist now?" Mark jerks his head towards him anger and pain in his eyes, "YES! If that's what you felt like then YES!" Scott sighs, "And how was I supposed to say that Mark, do you think I wanted to feel that way? Do you think I wanted to wake up every morning with the will to DIE?!" Mark grits his teeth, his head in his hands. "You could have said something and you damn well know it Scott." Scott sighs, "Let's just go to bed, I don't want to talk about this anymore." Mark sighs watching Scott walk up the stairs, worry evident on his face. Mark stands in the hall and listens until he hears Scott get in bed and fall asleep. He carefully pushes open the door and walks to the chair in the corner of the room, grabbing a blanket out of the dresser he sits down and watches over Scott keeping his promise to you. 
 

 Chapter 41

Scott wakes up in the middle of the night, he sits up looking over at the clock seeing it's 1 am, less than an hour ago he went to bed. Hearing someone shift and moan Scott glances over, just able to make out Marks figure sitting in a chair. "Mark..what the hell are you doing man?" He asks making him jump awake. Mark yawns groaning "Keeping a promise." Scott turns on a small lamp next to the bed, "To who?" Mark gives him a look, "Your wife." Scott looks at him confused, "What promise, what are you talking about?" Mark groans pulling the blanket up around him further, "Make sure you don't do something stupid." Scott sighs a frustrated sigh, Mark gives him a look, "Don't even think about getting pissed at her, I'm pissed off enough at you, you don't need both of us on your case." Scott looks at him, "And what are you so pissed about hu?" Mark glares at him, "You said you didn't want to talk about it Mr. I can't tell my best friend when I'm hurting." Scott glares back at him, "Shut up Mark." Mark gets up frustrated and hurt, "NO, WHY THE HELL SHOULD I, YOU'RE THE ONE THAT'S NOT TALKING! YOU'RE THE ONE THAT WON'T TELL YOUR BEST FRIEND PRACTICALLY YOUR FUCKING BROTHER WHEN YOU'RE HURTING! YOU'RE THE ONE PUSHING JESS AWAY WHEN ALL SHE WANTS TO DO IS BE THERE FOR YOU! WHY THE HELL SHOULD I SHUT UP, I THINK I HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO BE MAD AT YOU, I....Do you have any clue, ANY clue how bad it hurt when Jess fucking told me, to know that you had done that shit when I'm there every damn night? That hurt Scott, deep, I thought I was your friend. I guess I was wrong..." Mark walks out of the bedroom and down the stairs hot tears streaming down his face, he sits on the couch, face in his hands, letting them fall. 

Scott leans back in bed, emotionally and physically exhausted. He looks over where Mark was sitting and sighs. Getting out of bed and climbing down the stairs it feels like a dagger going into his chest seeing Mark on the couch crying. "Mark...I'm so.." Mark tenses, "I don't want to hear it Stapp, I don't care that you're sorry." Mark stands up glaring down at Scott, "Sorry isn't good enough. Sorry doesn't take away the pain, sorry doesn't take away the scars, sorry doesn't take away the fact that we were there for you, but you chose to hurt us." Scott collapses on the couch tears streaming down his face. "Shut up Mark, please just shut up." Mark softens looking down at him. "No, I think you need to hear it. I don't give a shit about how you've hurt me. But don't push Jess away, she knows better than any of us what you're going through. She loves you and I promise you, she is not going to give up on you, she'd die before she would. So fine, don't talk to me, but if you don't talk to her then forget it. I'll quit until you're healthy again, and you know I will Stapp, you can bet me on that." Scott looks up at him seeing the truth in his eyes, "How did she do this to me, how did Hill fuck me up this bad?" Mark sighs, "If I knew I'd tell you, now if I call Jess and get her over here, will you talk?" Scott nods slowly. Mark can't help but sigh in relief picking up phone. Flip wakes up hearing the phone ring, "lo?" he asks sleepily, "Hey man, sorry, Jess needs to come over here, he'll talk." Flip sits straight up, "She'll be over in a minute, thank God man..." Mark sighs, "I know. Go back to sleep man." Flip wakes you up, you quickly grab a few things and go back home. 

Mark opens the door seeing you walking up, you look at Scott on the couch, tearstains all over his face, and your heart breaks. Mark heads up stairs to bed leaving you alone to talk. You grab a blanket and curl up next to him wrapping your arms around his waist you hold him tightly. He starts to talk quietly, the whole story coming out, you hold him tighter as the tears start to flow. At first he's embarrassed and tries to hide them. But you eyes begging him not to hide from you, and just knowing you're there made him relax. Finally he's done, exhausted from the past few days and not knowing weather or not you would come back any time soon left him sleepless. You watch as he falls asleep finally seeming relaxed. Mark peeks down the stairs and smiles seeing you lay down on the couch with him hugging him tightly. "God I love you so much, don't ever hide from me again." You whisper laying your head on his chest, "I won't..." he whispers the tears overcoming him again. You hold him as tight as you can as he cries and cries, you know how horrible he feels and just want to make him better. Finally he cries himself to sleep, you lay there, watching him, hoping he feels better in the morning. 


 

Chapter 42

You wake up in the morning, and carefully crawl off Scott. His face is still tearstained but he looks more relaxed and less tired. You watch him sleep for a minute before fixing the blanket and going to take a shower. 

Scott wakes up to the shower running, he sits up rubbing the sleep out of his eyes before heading into the kitchen for something to eat. He sits at the table eating a bowl of cereal and waiting for you. You walk over to him and rub his shoulders a little before wrapping your arms around his neck. He smiles laying his arm over yours. You squeeze him gently while laying his pill down next to the cereal. He squeezes your hand before popping it in his mouth and swallowing. You kiss him sweetly, his hands go around your sides tickling you. You laugh and jump pulling away. "Hey no fair." He chuckles, "I think it is." You hear the door open and smile as Jagger runs in to the kitchen, Mark behind him. "Mommy!" He runs over to you hugging your leg. You laugh picking him up kissing his cute little face. Mark sits down at the table with a yawn, "You can keep him man, he's up to early." Scott laughs as Mark lays his head in his hands getting comfy. Jagger wiggles in your arms so you let him down. He runs over to Scott and looks at him curiously. "Daddy you and mommy match." He giggles, Scott chuckles picking him up, "Yes we do, they'll be gone soon bud." Jagger cuddles into Scott's lap making you smile. "Hey sleepy head, want some breakfast?" You ask Mark rubbing his head. He smiles lifting his head up, "Sure what we having?" You laugh, "That woke him up." Flip wanders over so you decided to make them a nice breakfast while they sit at the table talking. Jagger runs over and wants to help so you plop him down on the counter so he can hand you things. 

"So is everything back to normal now, besides your eye?" Flip chuckles, Scott nods sighing knowing he still has a long way to go, but that last night was a big step. He glances over at you watching as Jagger hands you and egg and you help him crack it on the side of the pan. He smiles seeing Jagger giggling and happy. "Heeeeelllooo, earth to Scott?" Mark chuckles as Scott snaps out of his trance, "Wha..What?" Flip laughs slapping him on the back of the head, "Stop staring at you wifes ass for 5 minutes will ya?" Scott laughs and shakes his head no while grinning. "I'll never stop staring at that man." You turn to them, eyebrow raised and shake your head. Scott chuckles walking up behind you, whispering so Jagger won't hear. "I love staring at this ass too much to stop." You jump feeling him squeeze it before letting go of you. "You're horrible Stapp." You laugh kissing him "I know, ain't it great." Mark and Flip along with Jagger all make 'ewww' faces. You laugh looking at them all while bringing them their breakfast. 

You and Jagger decided to play in the pool while the boys went downstairs to play. Mark sees the Jim Morrison guitar in a glass case on the wall and smiles a small smile. The guys play pool for a bit before wondering what you're up too. Scott smiles seeing you playing with Jagger in the pool. You look up hearing the door open and smile seeing all three guys in their trunks. "Having fun without us hu?" Scott smiles at you, "Yep." You smirk at him, Scott climbs in and swims over to Jagger. Mark and Flip grin at each other before running to the pool and making a huge splash as they cannonball in. You scream and laugh as you, Scott and Jagger are doused in water. Jagger wipes the water out of his eyes before grrring at Mark and Flip. They make scared faces and try to get away. You laugh watching Jagger 'attack' Mark splashing his face with water. 

After playing in the pool for a few hours you are all hungry. Scott starts the grill and makes some hamburgers. You help Jagger dry off and get him into some dry clothes. Mark and Flip walk over to where you're sitting with Jagger on your lap. Mark picks him up, tossing him to Flip before Flip tosses him back. You smile as Jagger giggles and laughs. They let him down and he runs back over to you. "Mommy, I'm hungry, can't daddy hurry up." You laugh and kiss his forehead. "Yeah dad, can't you hurry up?" Scott raises his eyebrows at you and points with a fork, "Quiet you two or no burgers." You pout with Jagger making him laugh. "I just can't win." 

The burgers are delicious, you try to get Scott's secret out of him but no luck. He just laughs and asks why you need it. "I am your husband you know." You wrap an arm around him and kiss his cheek, "I know, but I wanna know how you do it?" Scott gets a sly smile on his face, "You KNOW how I do it mama." He tells you quietly making you blush. Mark and Flip laugh at you as you burry your head in Scott's chest. Jagger looks at everyone curiously then shrugs before going back to his food. 

Eventually Mark and Flip head home, Jagger is tired so Scott lays him down for a nap. He smiles walking out into the living room seeing you relaxing on the couch. He sits next to you and you curl up into him. "I love you." You tell him softly kissing his neck. He smiles pulling your head up to kiss you. He starts off slow but soon you are laying on the couch, Scott on top of you. "Scott..we should go upstairs.." You whisper breathless. He smiles pulling you up. The minute the bedroom door is closed Scott is all over you, and you love it. Before you know it Scott is slamming into you making you cry out in pleasure. You hold him close kissing him deeply trying to be quiet so you won't wake Jagger. You feel your whole body tighten and gasp moaning as wave after wave of pleasure hits you. Scott moans against your neck gently bitting it as he comes right behind you. He collapses on top of you drenched in sweat. You hold him close loving the feel of his body against yours, you had missed him so much these past few days. You kiss him gently nuzzling your head with his. "God I missed you." He breathes deep trying to catch his breath. "I missed you too, I was so horrible baby, please forgive me." You kiss him again holding him tighter. "Of course I do, I love you." He smiles kissing you back, "I love you too baby." 
 
 
 Chapter 43

You wake up a few hours later warm and cozy in Scott's arms. Scott looks down feeling you shift in his arms and smiles. He squeezes you closer kissing your hair, breathing in your scent. You smile looking up at him, "Now this is a nice way to wake up." You whisper curling into his chest more. He chuckles, "Oh yeah, I think I can handle waking up next to my sexy wife every afternoon." You roll your eyes getting up to get dressed before Jagger wakes up again. Scott puts his hands behind his head watching you. "Wait..stop right there." You stop and turn to him, "What?" He tilts his head, "A little more to the left...there perfect." You look like he's crazy. "I should brag to Mark and tell him I've got the best view in the world right in my bedroom." He says with a grin making you blush as you start to grab your clothes. Scott gets up and you can't help but watch him walk into the bathroom. "Damn I love that ass." You whisper as he walks by, he turns to you, eyebrows raised. "Front's not bad either." You smirk, making him smile. "Who's staring at who now?" He asks wrapping his arms around you. "Me staring? I was just admiring my gorgeous husband." He laughs walking into the bathroom giving you another prime view, making you blush again when he looks over his shoulder before shutting the door. 

You get dressed and go check on Jagger while Scott showers and gets changed. "You know...it feels pretty good to know my wife loves staring at me while I'm naked." You look at him like he's crazy. "Hun, do you know HOW many women would kill to see you naked?" He chuckles, "I know, but do you know HOW many women are GOING to see me naked?" You raise your eyebrows and cross your arms giving him 'the look' he chuckles, "One baby, just one, and the day she stops wanting to see me naked she'd better tell me." You can't help but smile at how sweet he is. "Me? Stop wanting to see you naked...like that'll ever happen." Scott laughs hugging you to him, "See, there's where I'm the lucky one, all those other women will get sick of me, but I got one hot mama that I can at least hope won't." You laugh hugging him back. 

You smile hearing Jagger running down the hall and then the stairs. Scott follows you as you walk downstairs to find him. "Where'd my cutie go?" You ask looking around, Jagger jumps out from behind the couch making you jump and laugh. "You scared me baby!" He giggles, "That's what I was trying to do silly." Scott chuckles picking Jagger up, "So bud, what do you wanna do?" Jagger leans close and whispers so you can't hear. Scott grins hugging him "Sure bud." Scott sets Jagger down and you watch as he runs downstairs happily, "He wants to jam with daddy." You smile, "Have fun kiddo." You tell him kissing his cheek. "You don't want to?" He asks concerned. "I played with him all afternoon, he wants to be with you, go." Scott looks at you uncertain. "Scott go, I'm fine, jeez." He chuckles shaking his head. "Ok, I'm going, but you're sure you're ok?" You roll your eyes, "Yes will you go already." You head upstairs after hearing them start to play, you didn't lie. You are fine, but you are feeling a little different and you think you know why. 

Sitting on the bed waiting is just annoying. "This has to be the longest 3 minutes in history...why do I think every woman has said that?" You laugh at yourself. You look at the clock and get up just as the timer dings. Scott peeks in the bedroom, never having been convinced you were ok. He freezes hearing the timer. Looking in he sees you walking into the bathroom. "Jess...." You turn and see him standing in the door, you can tell he knows by the anxious look on his face. "Well...go...don't keep me waiting!" You can't help but laugh at him glad that he sounds happy. You walk into the bathroom and nervously walk over to the test, Scott is standing in the doorway fidgeting. You look down at the test and then up at Scott, his eyebrows are raised asking the question for him. You nod slowly, he grins running over to you. "YESSSSSSS!" You laugh as he picks you up and spins you around before kissing you like never before. Jagger runs in having heard Scott yell. "Daddy what's wrong?" He asks looking around franticly. Scott grins picking him up, "Nothings wrong bud, guess what? Mommy's going to have a baby!" Jagger smiles looking at you, "Will I get a little brother to play with?" You can't help but smile at him, "I don't know hun, maybe." He grins, "YAY!" You kiss his cheek glad that he's so happy about it. Jagger runs out of the room running through the house happily. Scott turns back to you, pure love and happiness in his eyes. Pulling you to him he holds you leaning his forehead against yours. "You realize I'm going to want to kill you eventually don't you?" Scott chuckles, "Yeah, I know, but you have no idea how sexy a pregnant woman is. Even when she does want to kill me." You smile kissing him feeling complete. You smile feeling his hand on your stomach caressing it already. "You are going to be one sexy mom." He grins, you just shake your head knowing he's never going to change...and you don't want him to. 
 
 
 Chapter 44

Scott runs to the phone and starts calling everyone, you shake your head smiling at him. Scott sits on the bed grinning as he hears his mom's voice. "Hey mom, I've got some good news." Linda smiles hearing the happiness in her sons voice. "What is it sweetie?" Scott pulls you to sit next to him squeezing your hand. "Jess is pregnant." You smile at him as he pulls the phone away hearing his mom squeal happily. You giggle picking Jagger up as he runs over to you. "Mommy where is the baby?" Jagger asks quietly, you pull him up to the other side of the bed so Scott can talk while you talk with Jagger. "In my tummy sweetie." Jagger tilts his head looking at your tummy, "Can I see?" You smile and lift up your shirt "You can't tell yet pumpkin, but my tummy will get bigger as the baby grows." Jagger feels your tummy poking your belly button. Scott watches a soft smile on his face. "Can I talk to it?" You nod, "Sure you can, I know the baby would love that, and daddy can talk to it. But you know what I bet the baby would really love?" Jagger looks at you thinking, before shaking his head. "If you and daddy sang to it." He grins proudly, playing with your stomach some more.

Scott calls everyone he can think of before finally hanging up the phone and laying next to you. You smile as he lays his head on your stomach caressing it with his hand. Jagger is curled up on your other side asleep. "Did he wear you out with questions?" Scott chuckles. "No, but he's already decided the sex." Scott laughs, "A boy right?" You shake your head, "No actually, he said at first he wanted a boy, but then he thought about it and he said he wanted a little sister so he can protect her." Scott looks up at you surprised, "Really?" You nod, "That's so cool, I would have thought he'd go ewww" You laugh. "I kind of did too, but I swear I didn't put the idea in his head." You hold up your hands in defense. Scott smiles chuckling, "Even if you did, it's cool." You smile down at him playing with his hair. "So out of curiosity, what do you want it to be, if you could pick that is?" Scott thinks a minute. "Well what I want it to be is healthy that's all that matters." You roll your eyes, "I know that that goof, you know what I mean." He chuckles "A girl, I'd love to have a little daddy's girl." You smile, "Yeah, being one myself I know the benefits." Scott laughs "I get some benefits too ya know." You smile, "And what ones are you thinking of?" You ask curious as to how much he's thought about it. "I don't know...all of it...but I had a dream one night, not too long ago actually. I was walking this beautiful girl down the isle, and giving her away.." You look down at him seeing a dreamy far away look in his eyes and smile. "Lucky girl." You whisper making Scott smile. "I don't care what sex it is...but I kind of hope it's a girl too." You smile at him "You realize we're going to go crazy when they're both teenagers?" Scott laughs, "Yeah I know...I don't want to think about that now." 

The phone rings a few minutes later making Jagger jump awake. "I hate that thing." He growls at the phone making you laugh. "Go back to sleep hun." He curls up next to you again as Scott grabs the phone. "Lo? Hey Jeff, yeah I didn't want to leave a message. Yeah, good news man, really good news, Jess is pregnant." You watch as a smile forms on Scott's face as you hear a happy Jeff on the line. "Scott that's great, now how about you? How are you doing?" Scott sighs, "Getting there...it's going to take a long time..but getting there." Jeff smiles, "Well you got something to keep you busy now anyway." Scott laughs, "Yeah, oh boy morning sickness...weird cravings..what have I done?" Jeff laughs, "You love it and you know it." Scott smiles at you, "Yeah I do, see ya Jeff." You give him the eye as he hangs up the phone, "Now you're really going to get it, I'll have you running for things at 4 am buster." Scott laughs kissing you. "And I'll love it." You shake your head smiling down at Jagger as he curls into you more. 
 
 Chapter 45


~~~4 Months later~~~


You wake up in the middle of the night feeling pain in your lower back. You get up to go into the bathroom but the pain hits you even harder half way there. You gasp collapsing to the ground. Scott wakes up hearing your body hit the ground, he jumps up seeing you on the floor. "Baby what's wrong? Are you ok?" You can't talk it hurts too much. Scott grabs the phone dialing 911 kneeling next to you. 

You lay in a hospital bed still in pain waiting for the test results and x-rays to come back. Jagger is laying on a cot next to you and Scott is gently rubbing your back trying to alleviate some of the pain. "Mrs. Stapp..." The doctor peeks in and smiles seeing Jagger asleep. Scott helps you sit up biting his lip as he sees you wince. The doctor shows you and x-ray showing the baby putting more pressure than normal on your back. "There are two options to help take the pressure off your back, one I Know you will say no to but I have to tell you anyway. The first option is aborting the baby." You and Scott both shake your heads no at the same time, "I didn't think you'd like that one." You can't help but smile a little. "The other is a simple procedure of a surgeon making a small incision and adjusting the baby. It will only take an hour or so and then you should be able to go home. If you would like to do that." You nod yes wincing feeling the pain. Scott helps you change into a gown and get you ready, he stays with Jagger in your room since it's nothing huge and there is a 99% success rate. Scott crawls behind Jagger falling asleep the minute his head hits the pillow

You are sitting in the ER waiting for the surgeon to come in. You smile seeing him all set and ready to go, "Hello Mrs. Stapp, should we adjust this wild kiddo?" You laugh liking him instantly. You opt for a local anesthetic so you can go home faster. A nurse talks with you while the surgeon does his thing. Within a half an hour he is done and you are wheeled back to the room. You smile seeing Scott sleeping, his arms wrapped around Jagger. Scott wakes up as the nurse presses a button on your iv making it beep. "Hey..how ya feeling?" He asks crawling in bed next to you. "Much better." You smile kissing him softly. "We can go home soon." You smile glad that nothing was seriously wrong. You don't want to think about losing your baby. Scott runs his hand over your stomach caressing it. "Stop moving so much in there little one, give mama a break." You giggle his hand tickling your stomach. 

You crawl into bed the minute you get home, it's still really early in the morning. Scott knows Jagger will be getting up soon but hope he'll sleep late for once. Two hours later Jagger crawls up waking Scott up, "Bud...mommy wasn't feeling too good last night so we were up really later. Can you go back to bed for a few more hours baby?" Jagger crawls up, "Can I sleep with you and mommy?" Scott nods pulling him in between the two of you. "Go back to sleep bud." Jagger curls into a ball closing his eyes a small smile on his face. Scott kisses his forehead before sighing and going back to sleep himself. 

You wake up and glance over at the clock seeing it's a 11:30, you got a lot more sleep than you thought you would. Turning your head you smile seeing Scott laying on his side facing you with Jagger in a ball next to him. You kiss Jagger making him wake up, he smiles seeing you up. You motion to the door and he nods. You pick him up and carry him downstairs getting cozy on the couch. "Should we just have a lazy day bud?" Jagger nods yawning, you look at him seeing he's a little pale. "Baby do you feel ok?" Jagger shakes his head, "My tummy kind of hurts." You feel his forehead frowning when it's warm. "Lay down pumpkin, I'll get the thermometer." Jagger curls up grabbing a blanket and wrapping it around himself. You grab the thermometer out of the bathroom and sit with him while he holds it. It beeps and you sigh. "Baby you've got a fever, no wonder you don't feel good. You just lay right here and I'll be right back ok sweetie." He nods laying down again. You grab some sprite from the fridge, a glass of water and some crackers. Jagger smiles as you sit on the floor in front of him, "Here baby, I got you some sprite, water and some crackers. You let me know if you want anything else to eat ok?" He nods taking one of the crackers. "Can I watch a movie?" He asks quietly, "Sure you can baby, what would you like to watch?" He thinks about it for a minute before smiling, "You pick mommy." You grin walking over and looking at the selection, you smile seeing one you like and you know Jagger does too. "How does Robin Hood sound?" He nods smiling. "I like that one." You giggle, "Me too baby." 

Scott wakes up and glances over at the clock, "Whoa..I was a little tired." He chuckles seeing it's now 1:30 in the afternoon. Climbing down the stairs he smiles seeing you reading a book while Jagger is asleep on the couch. "Hey...whatcha doin'?" You smile giggling at him. "I just woke up." He chuckles, "The hair wasn't a clue, no not at all." You whisper sarcastically. He chuckles, "That bad hu?" You nod. Scott notices the thermometer on the table and looks at you concerned. "He's fine, just a little upset stomach." Scott brushes some hair away from Jagger's face kissing his forehead. You smile watching him walk over to you. "And how about you?" He asks wrapping his arms around your shoulders. "Much better, it's amazing how simple that was to fix." You laugh quietly. "I'm so glad that's all it was, I was so worried, the thought of losing either of you scares me to death." You squeeze his hand pulling it up and kissing his palm. "That won't happen." He smiles then turns serious. "Jess...there is one thing...I hate to think about it or even bring it up but I think we have to... What happens if there is a complication and only one of you can live...?" Your shoulders slump, you don't want to think about this, but Scott's right, you have to eventually. You look down at the floor, thinking, "Then I want to die." Scott looks at you pain in his eyes. "I don't know if I could do that Jess. I mean...if we lost the baby...we could have another...but if I lost you...it would kill me." You sigh, "Can we not talk about this?" He nods, "I didn't really want to in the first place..but it had to be brought up." You nod, "I understand, but nothings going to happen, we're going to be fine." You take his hand and place it on your stomach making him smile. "I love you sweetie." He leans over and kisses you gently, "And I love you my baby." He leans down kissing your stomach. You caress his hair loving how excited he is about having another child. 
 

 Chapter 46

You are sitting in the delivery room, contractions coming one on top of the other. Scott is sitting behind you caressing your back and holding your hand. Jagger is with Mark, Vicki, April and Flip in the delivery room. The doctor looks up and tells you it's time to start pushing. You are breathing heavy and in pain. Scott holds you tight whispering words of encouragement. You start to push screaming and crying from the pain. Scott makes a face feeling how hard you're squeezing his hand. "One more push Jess, come on babe." Scott kisses you as you catch your breath. You push as hard as you can crying out and collapsing against Scott as the baby cries. Scott grins seeing the doctor picking up the baby. Scott crawls out from behind you to cut the cord. "Jess it's a girl, we have a little girl." Scott is grinning as he kisses you. You smile as the nurse brings over your little girl, Scott has tears in his eyes as you take her. "She's so beautiful." He whispers kissing your forehead. "Just like her mother." You smile kissing him sweetly. You are wheeled to your room while Scott walks into the waiting room to get everyone. Mark looks up smiling seeing Scott grinning in the doorway. 

You smile hearing the door open and seeing everyone walk in. "Hey Jess." Flip smiles seeing you holding your new little girl. "Hey guys." You smile back. They all circle around you smiling down at the new addition to the Creed family. "Name yet?" Mark asks Scott chuckling. "Not yet..guess we haven't even really talked about it." You smile at Scott seeing his brain already working overtime to think of something. Eventually everyone leaves, Mark offered to take Jagger for night promising him you'll be home tomorrow. 

Scott collapses in a chair exhausted but happy. A nurse comes and takes away your daughter to put her to bed. You smile handing your new little girl to her. Scott lays in bed next to you yawning. "Hey who's the tired one?" You laugh at him, he pulls you close kissing you. "Any clue about a name?" He chuckles, "Nope not a one." You laugh. Scott sits up a little, "Well Jagger actually mentioned a name the other day that I kind of like. Allyssa." You smile "I like that." Scott smiles, "So do I, hey, how does this sound, Allyssa Lynn?" You smile, "I like that, you're good at this." Scott laughs, "I'll go tell the nurse." You smile as he walks back in the room, "All set. Our daughter now has a name." You laugh, "Speaking of names, how'd you get yours?" Scott asks sitting next to you. You laugh remember what your mom told you, "Actually, my parents hadn't really picked one yet, but they found out the hospital would do the paper work if they had a named picked out. So my mom said, 'we both like Jessica right?' so that's what they picked. And after that my dad went and got her a cheeseburger happy meal. She had a craving for it." Scott laughs. "And here I am thinking it's something special." You laugh, "Nope, last minute name over here, I was almost Laura." Scott looks at you shaking his head, "Naa that doesn't fit. Jessica fits." You smile, "Well I like it." Scott laughs, "Good 'cause you know I do." You smile pulling him to lay next to you curling up against him. "I'm tired, lets go to sleep." Scott smiles holding you close, "I think that sounds like a good idea mom." You grin hugging Scott. 
 

 Chapter 47

You wake up the next morning when a nurse starts taking your blood pressure. "Good morning." She smiles, seeing your up. "Your husband went out to get you some breakfast, you're free to go whenever you'd like." You smile and thank her sitting up just as Scott walks in holding food. "Hey baby, how you feelin'?" You kiss him gently as he starts to take out food. "Good, and much smaller." You laugh feeling your stomach. Scott smiles taking a bite of his food smiling. "The doc said you're free to go but I thought breakfast would be good." You nod and laugh as your stomach growls. "Yeah I think that is a good idea." 

A few hours later Scott pulls in the driveway and laughs seeing Jagger running across Mark's yard Mark right behind him. "Hey little man," Scott grins picking him up, "Wanna see your sister?" Jagger nods grinning. "You guys pick out a name yet?" Mark asks following Scott into the house. "Actually, Jagger did." Jagger looks at him confused. "Remember that name you picked out?" Jagger nods, "Well guess what, we liked it so much that we decided we wanted that to be her name." Jagger grins. "Well what is it man jeez?" Mark asks chuckling, "Jag, you gonna tell him?" Jagger grins, "Allyssa." Mark smiles, "That's pretty bud, middle name?" He asks looking at Scott, "Lynn." Mark nods his approval as you walk down the stairs grinning with tears in your eyes. "When were you planning on telling me?" Scott and Mark grin high fiving each other. "So I take it you like the nursery hu?" You hug him and Mark nodding. "Yes, I especially like all the Creed things in there, where did you ever get that idea?" You tease. Scott chuckles walking up the stairs with you. Mark and Jagger following. Mark smiles seeing Allyssa laying in her crib squirming a little bit. Scott picks Jagger up so he can see his little sister. Jagger grins, "She's pretty daddy." Scott smiles kissing him, "Yeah she is bud, and she's ours." Jagger leans over the crib with the help of Scott and kisses Allyssa on her cheek. You smile as they look each other and you can see the instant bond forming. Scott and Mark decided to hang out downstairs, but Jagger wants to stay with Allyssa some more so you stay with him. Flip and April come over and gushing with you, you can tell they are ready to have kids and are anxious for it to happen. You smile seeing April rubbing her stomach looking at you jealously. You hug her laughing "It'll happen, just have fun trying until it does." She laughs, "Oh I am." You look at her and grin, "Well hurry up! I bet it'll have Flip's eyes." She smiles, "I hope so too." Flip is playing with Allyssa but looks up when he hears you talking. "Hey, you two talking about me over there?" He chuckles seeing April's hand on her stomach. "Soon babe, I promise, but you can't tell me you're not having fun?" April giggles at you kissing Flip. "Yes I am." You smile at them. 

Eventually Allyssa falls asleep so you all head downstairs to hang out. Jagger is having fun with Mark playing video games. Scott and Flip start talking so you and April head into the kitchen to make some snacks. Scott took the baby monitor and jumps hearing Allyssa start to cry. Flip smiles watching Scott run up the steps quickly. 

"Hey sweetie, what's wrong baby?" Scott whispers picking Allyssa up rocking her in his arms. "Shhhh sweetheart, it's ok, daddy's here." You peek in and smile seeing Scott sitting in the rocker singing softly to Allyssa. "Hey dad." You say softly walking over to him, "Hey you." He smiles at you while kissing Allyssa on the forehead. "All better right baby?" Allyssa curls into him cooing softly. You smile, "I think so, and I think you got your wish, she's definitely a daddy's girl." Scott smiles laying her down again, "She's so beautiful, just like her mama." You blush as Scott hugs you kissing you passionately. 

 
 
 Chapter 48 

"I'm starting to wonder if my daughter is mine at all." You tease Scott as he runs to get a crying Allyssa. He chuckles running up the steps, coming down a few minutes later carrying her. "Hey baby girl." You smile as Scott sits down with Allyssa in his lap. Jagger comes down the steps a few minutes later yawning. "Hey bud, how was your nap?" You ask as he crawls into you lap, "Good, but Allyssa woke me up." He turns to her making faces to make her giggle. "Don't wake me up silly." He says tickling her. You and Scott smile glad that Jagger doesn't feel left out or neglected. You've both been trying hard to make sure they get equal attention. 

Scott sits on the floor playing with Jagger and Allyssa while you make some snacks. You smile seeing Allyssa asleep on Scott's rest while he plays with Jagger quietly. You set the snacks down and pick Allyssa up from Scott's chest to put her to sleep so Scott can play with Jagger. Just as you are about lay her down she wakes up crying again. You laugh sitting in the rocker to feed her. Scott comes up after awhile when he noticed you never came back down. He smiles peeking in seeing you asleep holding a sleeping Allyssa. After putting Allyssa to bed he picks you up waking you in the process. "Hey sweetie, go back to sleep." You yawn curling up under the covers. Scott chuckles fixing the covers and kissing your forehead. "I love you sweetie, go to sleep." You smile softly up at him. "I love you too." 

"Hey bud, want to play downstairs?" Jagger nods following Scott down the stairs to play. "Daddy, when will Allyssa be able to talk?" Scott sits on the couch pulling Jagger up on his lap, "Not for awhile bud, she's got a lot of growing to do yet, and so do you." Jagger pouts, "Well I wish she would hurry up, I wanna actually talk to her." Scott chuckles, "You will bud, just wait a while, soon you two will be little jabber boxes." Jagger giggles, "Where's mommy?" Scott smiles, "She's upstairs sleeping, I think we wore her out." Jagger smiles curling up in Scott's arms, "Hey what's up with this? You haven't been this cuddly in a long time." Jagger shrugs curling up in Scott's arms even more. "Jag, what's wrong?" Scott asks brushing some hair away from his sons little face. "You're going to leave again soon aren't you?" Scott sighs, "Who told you that baby?" Jagger looks down, "No one, I heard Uncle Flip on the phone." Scott squeezes Jagger closer, "Yeah I am bud, but I've been thinking about some things, mommy and I have to talk, I want you guys to come with me again." Jagger looks up at him his little eyes glowing. "Really!?" Scott chuckles, "Yeah really, you know how much I miss you when I'm gone bud. I don't want to have to miss you guys. And I want to be able to play with Allyssa and you whenever I want." Jagger hugs him grinning his face quickly falling. "But what if mommy says no?" He asks tears threatening to fall. "Bud I don't think she will, she knows how you feel bud, so don't worry. Mommy won't just say no without a reason. I'm pretty sure she'll say yes, she loves me and I know she hates it just as much as you do when I'm gone ok?" Jagger nods his smile coming back. "I love you daddy." Scott smiles hugging him. "I love you too bud, don't ever forget that ok." 

 Chapter 49

You wake up when you feel the bed move. Scott is sitting on his side of the bed leaning against the headboard deep in thought. "What ya thinking about hun?" You ask quietly making him jump. "Work..." He trails off, "When are you starting on the new album?" He looks down at you before laying on his side. "In a couple weeks. We need to have a talk." You sit up a little bit wondering where this is going. "What's wrong hun?" You ask scooting closer to him, "I want you, Jag and Allyssa with me when we go on tour." You sigh, "Scott, I don't know..that's going to be hard." He sighs, "Please Jess, I want you all with me, I want to know that you're safe and I want to go to sleep every night next to my wife." You sigh, "All right." Scott grins kissing you softly. "You just made a certain little boy very happy." You raise your eyebrow at him and smirk, "I think I made a big boy happy too." Scott smiles kissing you again. "Very happy." He whispers pulling you to him, hugging you tightly. "Why did you really want me to come with, I know that's not the only reason, you're horrible at hiding things from me." Scott's hold on you tightens as he lays his head on yours. "Because if I get depressed and you're not there...I don't want to think about what will happen." You hug him tightly kissing his neck. "I love you." You whisper softly assuring him you'll come with. He hugs you back letting a lone tear roll down his face. "I love you too." 

Jagger walks in quietly, curious as to what you said. "Mommy...?" You look at him and see the question in his eyes. "Yes baby?" You ask crouching down to his level. "Are we going to go with daddy?" You smile at him nodding, making him grin. His arms go around your neck and he hugs you tightly. "Thank you thank you thank you thank you." You laugh squeezing him tight. "Your welcome sweetie." Jagger wiggles down out of your arms and runs straight into Scott's. Scott grins hugging him tight while falling backwards onto the bed while Jagger giggles. "That's fun daddy." Scott smiles kissing his forehead. "Bud, you're going to have to be mommy's helper while we're touring you know that right?" Jagger nods happily. "I know, mommy says I'm a good one already." You smile sitting next to them, "You bet you are." You say kissing his forehead. 

Jagger runs to go play, you watch with a smile as he runs out of the room. Scott sits up wrapping his arms around you kissing the back of your head. "Thank you, for everything." He whispers softly. You lay your hands on his squeezing gently while leaning back on him. "Your welcome." You look up at him and see a far away gaze. "Hey..." You whisper making him look at you, "I love you." He smiles, "I love you too baby." 
 

 Chapter 50

The day is finally here, Creed is about to start work on the new album. Jeff had found a house and they were leaving to stay there. Scott looks so depressed as he throws his bag in the trunk. You look at Mark and Flip worry written all over your face. "Don't worry Jess, you know we'll take care of him." You sigh, "I know, I'm still scared, I hate seeing him like this." They get up and walk over to you, "We hate it to sweetie." Flip says giving you a hug, "He's going to be ok, you're welcome to come over anytime ok?" You nod tears starting to form in your eyes. Mark and Flip head out to their cars while Scott comes in to say goodbye. 

"I don't want to go." He whispers hugging you tightly, "I know baby, but you have to." You can feel his tears hitting your neck, you can feel your heart breaking and worry consuming you. You know Mark and Flip will take care of him but you want to be there with him. Scott walks out the door, tears in his eyes as he gets in the car. Flip and Mark look at each other wondering if they'll get this album done with Scott like this. 

After they're gone you sit on the couch with Jagger and have a little cry fest. You hold him close as he cries into your chest and you cry with him. "We'll see him soon sweetie." You whisper kissing his head. 

After getting to the house Scott heads straight to his room to unpack. Mark and Flip decide that before they even think about the album they need to have a long talk with Scott. Scott is in his room putting his clothes in his dresser when Mark and Flip walk in. Flip sits on the bed while Mark stays in front of the door so Scott can't leave. "Start talking, NOW." Mark says forcefully. Scott just stops, tears rolling down his face. He sits on the bed, head in his hands, frustrated. "If I knew I'd tell you." Mark sighs leaning against the door. "You'd better be taking them or I'm going to fucking punch you." Scott nods, "Yes I am, I'm starting to think that I'm like Jess and nothing is going to help." He sighs, "Have you told her?" Flip asks squeezing his shoulder, "No..." Flip rolls his eyes, "Heeeelllo moron it would probably be wise to TELL HER! She is your wife ya know." Scott can't help but chuckle. "Yeah, probably." Mark smiles feeling the mood lighten and Scott smiling. "Come on man, lets jam." 

After a few hours of work they all take a break for some munchies and beer. Scott is looking better and feeling better, Mark is starting to think it's just bad days every once in awhile. Scott reaches for a beer but Mark stops him, "No way man, here." Mark hands him a coke, Scott sticks out his tongue at him making him laugh. "It's for your own good." Scott chuckles taking the coke. 

You and Jagger are feeling better, still a little bummed but better. The phone rings and you grin seeing the number Scott had given. "Hey baby." You smile hearing Scott's voice. "Hey you, how you doing?" He smiles, "Better, I still wish you were here though." You sit on the couch sighing, "I know, me and Jag had a little cry fest after you left. Now we're eating cookies and playing." Scott smiles seeing the image in his head. "Where is he?" You smile getting Jagger, "DADDY!" He yells into the phone making Scott chuckle. "Hey buddy, are you being good for mama?" Jagger grins happy to be talking to his father. "Yes daddy, I miss you, when are you coming home again?" Scott sighs, "Soon bud, don't worry, I won't be gone too long in a row ok?" Jagger smiles, "Ok daddy, that's good because mama says she doesn't want to sleep alone." Scott laughs hearing you tickling Jagger for telling. "Well you crawl in bed with her and keep her company ok? Don't tell her I said to, just do it, it'll make her feel better ok bud?" Jagger nods, "Ok daddy, I will, I love you!" Scott smiles, "I love you too bud, put mama back on ok?" Jagger hands the phone back to you crawling in your lap. "Hey hun, I will be home soon ok?" You nod, "I know, I still miss you though." Scott can hear you sticking out your tongue and laughs, "I miss you too hun, call me whenever you want to, I'm never to busy to talk to you. I'll call later tonight ok?" You smile, "Ok, I love you baby." Scott smiles, "I love you too, bye for now." You hang up and smile at Jagger on your lap. 

 

 Chapter 51

You hear a key in the door and look up seeing Scott open it and smile seeing you on the couch. You stand up surprised to see him home. He grins pulling you into his arms kissing you passionately. "What are you doing home baby? Not that I'm complaining." Scott chuckles pulling away from the kiss. "Mark and Flip kicked me out and told me I had to go home..." He stops and you wonder what was supposed to come after that. "Come home and...?" Scott sighs pulling you to sit on the couch with him. "Tell you something I should have awhile ago.." You look at him and sigh, "The pills aren't helping are they?" Scott looks up a slight smile on his face. "This is why I married you, you know everything." You can't help but smile scooting closer to him. "Why didn't you say anything?" He sighs shrugging. "I don't know, I guess I figured I'd just get better on my own...wrong." He chuckles. You wrap your arms around his waist and lay on his chest glad that he doesn't hide anything from you anymore. "What are you thinking?" You ask quietly, he looks down at you breathing deeply. "That I'm like you, that I just have to learn to live with it." You squeeze him tightly wondering if he's right. "There are other things to try.." Scott's voice gets stern as he looks down at you, "I'm not going to a shrink." You giggle, "I wasn't suggesting that, you know I hate them." He laughs, "So what were you suggesting?" You shrug, "I don't know, right now I was just thinking that there's a little girl upstairs that would love to hear daddy's voice." Scott grins kissing your head before pulling you off the couch and up the stairs. 

You lean in the doorway watching as Scott picks up a sleeping Allyssa. You smile as he sits in the rocking chair kissing her forehead and smelling her new baby scent. She wiggles and clings to Scott grabbing onto his shirt. "Hey baby girl, I missed you too pumpkin." He chuckles feeling her gripping him. "She was crying all afternoon until I put on Weathered." Scott smiles looking down, "Are you giving mama a hard time girly?" You smile, hearing little feet running up behind you. "Mommy did I hear daddy?" Jagger asks running over to you, before seeing Scott sitting in the rocker. "Daddy!" He yell whispers knowing better than to wake his sister. "Hey buddy." Scott whispers smiling at his son, "Come here." Jagger crawls up in his lap carefully and curls up. "Now this is a Kodak moment." You smile at them, Jagger clings to Scott just as much as Allyssa. "Come on Jag, it's past bed time." Jagger crawls off him and runs to his room waiting to be tucked in. Scott carefully lays Allyssa down in her crib before kissing you and walking down the hall. You smile lovingly at him as he walks into Jagger's room. You watch as he tucks him in and sings to him softly. You've seen that same sight more times than you can count but you will always love it. Scott looks up smiling at you as he follows you downstairs. "So what do you want to do now that I'm home for a night." He chuckles, "Right now, I want to curl up on the couch and watch a movie." Scott smiles, "Sounds good to me." 
 

 Chapter 52,


You curl up on the couch with Scott, happy that Mark and Flip are such good friends. About half way through the movie Scott stops it and gives you a look. You smile knowing that look and what comes with it. Scott grins seeing you smiling, "Come on." He grabs you hand and pulls you up the stairs. You giggle as he pulls you into the bedroom and locks the door behind him. You flop back on the bed as Scott lights a few candles and puts on some music. He starts to walk over to you but you stop him, "Uh hu, take it off baby." He chuckles as you smile at him. He starts to move a little to the music pulling off his shirt teasingly. He undoes his belt unzipping his jeans at the same time. He teases you a little more turning around and only letting his jeans fall a little lower. You lick your lips just seeing the top of his ass, you can feel your excitement beginning to flow. Scott turns around and smiles seeing the passion and the lust in your eyes. He slowly slides his jeans over his hips letting them fall, you moan at the sight of him naked before you. "I think you're a little over dressed hun." He says softly walking over to you. "I think so too." You whisper back as his hands reach for your shirt. He kisses you as he pulls the shirt over your head, smiling when he realizes you weren't wearing a bra. His hands slide down your body caressing your skin. He stops at the waist band of your pants making you squirm. "What do you want baby,tell me." You kiss him moaning before whispering in his ear. "Finger me Scott." He groans hearing your words and answers your request. His hand slides down rubbing your clit feeling how wet you are for him. "God baby, all this for me?" He moans pulling his hand up so you can see. You lock eyes with him then seductively lick his finger clean. Scott's eyes go wide feeling himself harden even more. "God that's hot baby." You smile kissing him letting him taste you. He slides your pants off and slides down in between your legs. "Mmmmm this is a taste I've missed." He whispers before attacking your wetness. You arch your back and moan as his tongue works it's magic. Finally you can't take it anymore, you pull him up kissing him passionately. "Please Scott, don't tease me anymore." He kisses you entering you slowly, you grab his ass and pull him into you. He groans feeling you tighten around him. His hands caress your body, smiling at the slight changes and knowing what they're from. He pulls back admiring you, you start to get a little self conscious, you want to cover up but Scott stops you. "You're beautiful hun." He smiles kissing you softly. He pulls away as your head flies back and you start to clench around him. He groans feeling himself near the edge. "God baby....ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh" he moans as he lets himself go. You arch your back feeling him pulse inside you. You both collapse against each other breathing heavy and drenched in sweat. "I love you." Scott whispers kissing you softly laying on his back. "I love you too." You whisper laying against him shivering slightly. Scott grabs the blankets off the floor and wraps them around you both. "Better?" He asks kissing your forehead, you nod against his chest curling closer. "Goodnight my love." Scott whispers kissing your forehead, he looks down when you don't answer and smiles seeing you asleep already. 
 
 
 Chapter 53

You wake up the next morning to the phone ringing. Crawling over a sleeping Scott you grab the phone. "Hello?" You ask sleepily, "Hey Jess, it's Mark. Scott up yet? We gotta start work soon." He chuckles thinking that sounds funny. "Nope, he's still asleep, but I can wake him up for ya." Mark smiles, "Did he talk to you last night?" You sigh, "Yeah, thank you Mark." Mark sighs, "Jess...I'm scared, what if he is like you, I don't know if he could deal with it like you can. You're stronger than he is in that area." You sit up more, "Don't worry about it hun, as long as he has you guys and his family he'll be fine." Mark smiles, "Good, now wake him up and chap his ass for me." You giggle. "Yes sir, he'll be there in a bit." Scott looks up at you as you put the phone down. "Mark?" You jump hearing his voice, "Don't do that, jeez." Scott chuckles "Yeah, he wants me to chap your ass, they're going to start soon." Scott chuckles, "He can wait a little bit." You laugh, "Maybe I should come with then so Mark doesn't blame me for keeping you." Scott laughs then grins, "You should come with babe, you'd love it." You think it over for a minute, "I think I will, but you're working remember that." Scott chuckles getting up. "Mmmmmm me like." Scott laughs at you staring at his naked body as he heads for the shower. "I know you like, that's why I do it." You laugh getting up and getting dressed. You wake up Allyssa and Jagger and get them ready to go with. Scott is grinning as you walk out to car. 

As you pull up to house Mark peeks out and smiles seeing Scott carrying Allyssa. With you behind him holding Jagger's hand. "Hey, you brought 'em all?" Mark teases opening the door, Scott nods smiling. Jagger runs to Mark and grabs his leg. Mark chuckles looking down, "Hey bud, you gonna watch daddy work?" Jagger nods smiling, as Mark lifts his leg taking Jagger with him. Jagger giggles as Mark carries him around a little on his leg. "Yo dude, we gonna work?" Scott teases. "Ok bud I gotta go, wanna sit by mommy?" Jagger nods as Mark lifts his leg setting Jagger next to you. You smile as he ruffles Jagger's hair before joining the guys. 

It's interesting to watch the guys play and see how a song comes about. Allyssa was amazingly good, she loved the music and hearing her daddy singing. After a few hours Jagger is starting to get bored and Allyssa is asleep so you say goodbye to everyone and head home. Mark can see that Scott has finally slept a full night and he looks much better and more relaxed. "Dude lets call it a night, it's after midnight." Scott is writing like mad and can't stop. "No man I can't, I have all these ideas and I have to get them down man." Mark just sighs, "All right, well I'm going to bed, night man." Scott can't seem to calm his mind, it's going crazy with idea's. Finally he puts his pen down and sighs, glancing over at the clock he chuckles, 3 am. "Oh well at least it's all down." He sighs just deciding to crash on the couch and not bother moving. He smiles thinking of you in bed, with his children asleep in their rooms all content, and smiles. 
 
 

Chapter 54

Mark wakes up the next morning and heads downstairs. After making himself some break fast he sits at the table. Mark glances at the note book sitting open and picks it up seeing Scott's handwriting. "Whoa..." He says quietly reading the words to himself. Mark sits back on the couch with a heavy sigh, Mark starts to wonder if Scott had any clue what he wrote. Before he can wonder long Mark jumps hearing footsteps on the stairs. He puts the notebook down quickly and starts to eat his breakfast. 

"Hey man, anything good on?" Scott asks walking into the living room. "Naa nothing, what time you go to bed last night?" Scott chuckles, "Umm 3 I think." Mark looks at him funny, "And you're up this early? Dude no wonder you look like crap." Mark chuckles as Scott throws a pillow at him. Scott sees his notebook on the table and picks it up. "Dude I don't remember writing any of this, I had so much running through my head..." Mark eyes him carefully, "Like what?" Scott stares down at the notebook reading every word, "Stuff..." Mark rolls his eyes, "Dude do I have to slap you, jeez just tell me." Scott can't help but chuckle. "Stuff I shouldn't have been thinking about...." Mark stops eating and looks at him, "Don't tell me you..." Scott looks up, "No, no way...I was just thinking about when I did...that must be where all this came from." Mark starts to chuckle, "You realize you and Jess are fricken' mirror images." Scott laughs nodding. "Yeah I'm starting to see that more and more too." 

Flip comes down stairs and looks over Scott's shoulder, "Damn man, are you gonna go kill yourself so we have to find another singer, 'cause you realize how bad that would suck?" Scott can't help but laugh at Flip's teasing tone. "No Philips I'm not...at least not anymore. Jess would kill me first." They all laugh, Mark and Flip exchanging glances telling each other they're still worried. Unknown to Scott, Mark had taken the locks off Scott's bedroom door and all the bathrooms in the house, just in case. 

Scott and Mark start to work some of the things Scott wrote down into songs. Flip is left with nothing to do, Scott watches him leave the room and wonders if he'd ever want to write with them. 

Flip flops down on his bed with a sigh, he's tired and sore but in a good way. He grabs his cell phone and talks April for awhile before calling you. "Lo?" You ask grabbing the phone out of breath. "Hey Jess, it's Flip, how ya doin' babe?" You smile hearing Flip's cheerful voice over the phone. "I'm good, how 'bout you?" Flip smiles, "I'm ok, I just thought I should mention some stuff that's happened around here. Nothin' bad, Scott's fine, so don't worry k?" You smile, "Ok, what's up?" Flips sighs, "Well, just in case something DOES happen, Mark took the locks of Scott's door and all the bathrooms. But the interesting thing happened last night. Scott was up until God know's when writing like mad. Then this morning he was all surprised by what he wrote. It was pretty depressing, at least what I read over his shoulder." You can't help but giggle. "But he's fine..or at least he seems that way. It's like he's finally realizing that even if he want's to he isn't going to be able to hurt himself again." You smile, "I love you guys." Flip laughs, "We love you too Jess, it's pretty amazing, I don't know what you did to him Jess, but keep doing it!" You laugh, "Don't worry I will, what are they up to now anyway?" Flip lays back getting comfy, "Working some of the stuff Scott wrote into songs." You do a little dance happy things are coming along. "Why don't you ever help babe, I'm willing to bet you got some sweet ass lyrics in your head." Flip smiles. "That's their job, I like just being the drum guy." You roll your eyes, "Seriously hun, it would be awesome to have a Flip song out there, just promise me you'll try it k?" Flip smiles, "Ok, I'll write some stuff down, but don't expect the two goons to see it." You laugh, "Well...can I?" Flip smiles, "As long as you keep it between us, yes." You smile, "Ok, you got it." Flip hears Allyssa start to cry and decides to let you go. "Hey babe, I'll talk to ya later, go take care of the cutie." You smile "I will, take care of my other cutie ok?" Flip laughs. "You bet, see ya." You hang up the phone and run to get Allyssa.

After hanging up the phone Flip thinks about what you said, he grabs a notebook and starts to write down some of the ideas in his head. After writing all the ideas down Flip gets up and peeks in on Scott and Mark who are still hard at work. Flip leaves a note on the table while grabbing his keys. 

You hear the doorbell ring and run to answer it. "Flip, what are you doing here?" You ask smiling while you hug him. You smile seeing April behind him, "Well the boys were still working so I thought I'd run home to see my baby." Flip smiles putting his arm around April. "Well get your butts in here." April runs upstairs to see Allyssa while you get Flip a beer. When you walk back in the living room you smile seeing Flip on the couch, remote in one hand and a notebook in the other. "Well aren't you comfy." You tease handing him his beer. He chuckles, "Yeah, you know you like it." You giggle then grin seeing April coming down the steps with Allyssa. "I couldn't resist Jess." You just laugh, "Go for it." While April is playing with Allyssa, Flip hands you the notebook. "That was fast." You say quietly not knowing if April knows. "Yeah well...I had a few things in my head, but do me a favor, read it later ok?" You can see the nervousness in his eyes and kiss his cheek. "You got it babe." He smiles relaxing again, before jumping as his phone rings. "Dude wanna bang on some drums?" Flip smiles hearing Scott's voice. "Yeah man, I'm on my way." April smiles knowing that voice, "Time to go?" She asks getting up with Allyssa. "Yeah." Flip smiles taking Allyssa and kissing her cheeks, "Bye cutie pie, bye momma." Flip kisses your cheek and April hugs you as they leave. "Bye guys." You smile shutting the door. 

After you lay Allyssa down in her play pen you grab the notebook anxious to see what Flip wrote. You open the cover and smile seeing a note to you. "Jess, remember just between us." You roll your eyes and shake your head knowing that whatever is in that book will be great. You start to read and are shocked at how amazing some of the words are. You get tears in your eyes reading some of his poems and lyrics. You grab your phone when you're done and call Flip. "Hey Jess." You hear Mark answer the phone and look at the number quick before saying hi, "Hey Mark, and might I ask why you're answering Flip's phone?" Mark chuckles, "'Cause he's banging drums and asked me to hold it." You laugh, "Can ya get him, we need to talk." Mark gets a concerned look on his face, "Everything ok?" You smile, "Yeah, we just need to talk about something, nothing bad I promise." Mark smiles, "Alright, I'll get him, hold on." Mark walks over to Flip waving to get his attention. "Dude, Jess is on the phone, she says you two need to talk." Flip tenses a little surprised you read everything already but shakes it off getting up. He takes the phone and heads up to his room. "Hey Jess." You smile hearing his voice again, "Hey...you got something to tell me?" Flip sighs feeling the tension come back again. "What?" Flip tries to act confused, "Knock it off Flipper, talk to me, why the hell aren't you writing with them?" Flip sighs knowing it's not going to work to play it off. "Because I like being the not so popular one, I like being the guy in the back banging on the drums." You roll your eyes, "Flip, you'll still be the guy in the back banging on the drums, but God Scott...some of the stuff you wrote...What are you hiding?" Flip chuckles "You never call me Scott." You smirk, "Well I just did, and don't change the subject." Flip sighs, "Jess...it's hard to talk about." You sigh, "What if I told you what you wrote made me cry?" Flip leans back on the bed, "I don't know if I'd belive you." You smile, "Well it did, and I think you should show it to them." Flip shakes his head, "No, I can't." You sigh, "Yes you can, and I know, that Mark and Scott would love it if you came down there with what you wrote. In fact they would be blown away, please..let me show Scott." Flip shakes his head, "No Jess, and if you do, I don't know if I could trust you again. That stuff is too personal for me." You sigh, "Ok, want me to bring it over?" Flip sighs hearing the disappointment in your voice. "Yeah, please." You hang up not even saying goodbye, Flip looks at the phone and sighs feeling bad, but the stuff in there is just to personal to even show Mark and Scott.

You pull up in front of the house and smile hearing music coming from inside. April had offered to babysit so you could get away for a little while. Scott smiles seeing you walk in the door, "Hey baby, what are you doing here?" You smile, "Just thought I'd come for a little visit, how's it going?" Scott pulls you into the living room and sits you on the couch smiling, Mark plays a little bit of something they just started making you smile. You get an idea in your head biting your lip as you contemplate doing it. While Scott and Mark are in the middle of something you slip Flip's notebook on the table peeking out from under some magazines, in the hope that Scott or Mark will see it. You glance at how it's placed and smile seeing that it looks like you tried to hide it so Flip shouldn't get suspicious. You hug Mark and Scott goodbye before heading back home. 

"Dude hand me that magazine." Mark says to Scott pointing to the Guitar World magazine on the table, Scott picks it up and sees Flip's notebook underneath it. "What's this man...your's?" Scott asks holding it up. Mark shakes his head moving to sit next to Scott. Scott opens it and instantly recognizes the hand writing, "Dude, this is Flip's..." They start to read, looking at each other from time to time not believing what they're reading. Scott gets up and runs up to Flip's room, "Yo man, open up, we need to talk." Mark walks up behind him, waiting. Flip opens the door and instantly anger fills his face seeing Scott with the notebook. "Where the hell did you get that?" He asks venom in his voice. "Dude we found it hidden under some magazines." Flip thinks for a minute "Was Jess here at all?" Scott nods, "Yeah man she stopped by, why?" Flip just shakes his head grabbing the notebook and slamming the door. Mark and Scott jump wondering what's going on. "Flip man open up." Scott says banging on the door, Flip is pacing around trying to figure out what to do. Mark and Scott look at each other and decide what the hell. They back up and crash into the door together making Flip jump. "What the hell was that for?" He yells seeing the door now in pieces. "Well you wouldn't open the door, so we opened it. Now what the hell is going on?" Scott yells. Flip sighs, "Nothing, just leave me alone alright?" Scott exhales loudly, "No, when I find a notebook full of damn good lyrics out of nowhere from my drummer and best friend, I want answers." Flips sighs "It doesn't matter alright, just go, please." Scott sighs angrily, he sees the notebook on the counter and grabs it while Flip's back is turned. "Alright fine, but you will talk." Mark follows Scott out of the room taking one last glance at Flip. Before heading downstairs. 

"Something's up man." Mark says sitting next to Scott on the couch. Scott looks up at him from the notebook and nods. "Yeah, damn, this stuff is good man, really good.." Flip is sitting on the steps contemplating what he should do. He saw Scott grab the notebook and knows that there will be lots of questions. "If he's been writing all along, why hasn't he showed us anything?" Mark asks confused. "This stuff seems pretty personal..I would guess that's why, I'm thinking the best thing to do is to just leave this somewhere and not bring it up again. He got really pissed...can't say I blame him, I know I would be." Flip sighs hearing the whole thing, "Guys..." He gets up walking down the stairs slowly. "ummm... hey, look..I'm sorry I blew up at you..it's just...you were never supposed to see that." He motions to the book, Scott looks at him carefully. "Can I ask why not?" Flip meets his eyes seeing the genuine curiosity in them. "'Cause...you guys are the writers, not me..I like being the anonymous one." Neither Mark nor Scott know what to say, Flip takes the notebook and heads back upstairs. Scott looks at Mark, "Something's wrong man, think April would talk?" Mark nods motioning for Scott to go. 

Scott pulls up in front of Flip's house and rings the bell. "Hey Scott...what's up?" April smiles opening the door, but her smile quickly fades seeing the look of concern on his face. "Do you know what's wrong?" Scott asks seeing his answer in her eyes. April sighs and sits on the couch, "Yes....I wish he would have told you guys...his mom has cancer." Scott's jaw drops, "What? Why didn't he say anything?" April sighs, "Because he doesn't want to postpone the album, despite what's going on at home he loves what he does. But I know it's eating him up, we talk about it, but he always hangs up when he's about to cry." Scott scoots closer to April seeing a tear roll down her cheek. "Want me to get him home?" April nods sobbing, Scott pulls her into a hug, "Shhh hey, everything will be ok." 
 

 Chapter 55

Scott leaves once April calms down a little and assures him she'll be fine. Scott pulls up into the driveway back at the house. He sighs walking back into the house, not sure what he's going to say to Mark and Flip. Mark looks up as Scott walks in the door and instantly knows something's wrong. "What'd April say?" Mark asks as Scott sits on the couch with a sigh. "Flip's mom has cancer, he didn't say anything because he doesn't want to postpone the album." Mark's jaw drops, "How's April?" He asks concerned. "Worried, we need to get him home." Mark nods both of them getting up, "I'll go talk to him.." Scott sighs walking up the stairs. "Flip...man can I come in, we need to talk." Scott asks peeking his head in seeing Flip laying on the bed staring at the celieng. Flip looks at him nodding, Scott walks over to the window and looks out. "Why didn't you say anything?" Scott asks turning back to Flip, Flip sighs looking away. Scott clenches his fists getting frustrated, "You're going home, the album can wait." Flip glares at him, "No." Scott glares back, "Yes, I don't care what you say Flip, you're going home, you need to." Scott walks out of the room to call April. Flip gets up and follows him angrily. Scott picks up the phone but before he can dial Flip takes it and throws it against a wall. Scott turns to him worry in his eyes, "What the hell is going on Flip?" Flip is about to yell but stops sighing, "I don't know..." Scott sighs finding a phone and calling April, "Hey sweetie...could you come get him, I don't want him to drive...yeah...thank's hun." 

April pulls up and sees Flip sitting on the steps smoking. He grabs his bag and throws it in the backseat. April takes his hand as he gets in and squeezes it. Flip squeezes back, taking one last look at the house before they pull away thankful or Mark and Scott. Scott watches out the window as the car pulls away, worry evident on his face. 
 

 Chapter 56

April makes Flip go see his mom and talk with her. She stays home deciding he needs to talk to her alone. It's getting late and Flip isn't home yet, April is just starting to get worried when she see's him pulling up in the drive way. She watches as he gets out and sits on the steps lighting up a ciggaret. April steps out quietly and kneels behind him, wrapping her arms around his neck. Instantly his head falls foreword as the tears stream down his cheeks. April moves in front of him and holds him close. Flip wraps his arms around her holding her tightly. April squeezes him tightly letting him know she's there and she loves him. Finally after about five minutes his grip loosens and he sniffles pulling his head up. April takes his face in her hands and kisses him softly. "Let's go inside baby." He nods getting up.


Flip heads up the stairs to change while April heads to the kitchen to make him some thing to eat. Flip comes down stairs in a pair of sweat pants and a t-shirt and smiles seeing April siting on the couch waiting for him with a bowl of popcorn. He sits down wrapping a blanket around them both and taking the bowl from April so she can snuggle up to him. April smiles scooting closer to her husband. "What are we watching baby?" April smiles, "Your favorite." Flip grins grabbing a handful of popcorn. "You always know how to cheer me up." April smiles throwing a piece of popcorn at him. Flip laughs throwing one back. 

April glances over about half way through the movie and smiles seeing Flip asleep. She turns off the tv curling up closer to him and falling asleep herself. 

Flip wakes up in the middle of the night and stretches to get the kinks out. He feels someone next to him and smiles feeling April shift in his arms. Flip gently gets up before picking April up to take her to bed. April stirs feeling Flip lift her off the couch. "Hey you're up, you looked so cute I didn't want to wake you." April giggles sleepily. Flip groans, "Why do I have to be cute, ugg." April laughs curling up in Flip's arms some more. Flip lays her on the bed before crawling under the covers next to her. "God I'm exhausted." He sighs flopping on his pillow. "I know you are baby, just rest for a few days. I think Scott and Mark were going to stop by tomorrow and see how you're doing." Flip sighs, "I should have told them...I feel bad that I didn't.." April moves closer, "Hun, they understand, they just want to know that you're ok. You know they love you baby." Flip sighs, "I know, but I feel like I should have told them, they are my family and they deserve to know." April sighs, "Hun, they do know, so stop, please. They just want to know you're ok, and you are. That's the end of it, I know you feel bad but you know they would make you stop." Flip chuckles, "Yeah..you're right baby, I'm sorry, I just hate seeing that look on Scott's face." April smiles softly, "I know you do, he was really worried. That should be a good sign though, you know he isn't going to screw you over." Flip can't help but laugh, "No he won't, thank you baby." April leans up and kisses him softly, "You're welcome now lets go to sleep." Flip pulls her closer smelling her hair and squeezing her tightly. "I love you so much April." "I love you too Scott." He smiles before closing his eyes and falling asleep.



 Chapter 57

Scott and Mark ring the doorbell the next day, both a little apprehensive as to how they will be greeted. April opens the door with a smile, "Hey guys come on it, he's downstairs banging away." They both give her a look, she smiles shutting the door, "He's fine, just had the urge." They chuckle glad that their friend is ok. They head down the stairs instantly recognizing the beat to Don't Stop Dancing and smile at each other. They peek in and see Flip banging away, his shirt drenched in sweat but a smile on his face. They clap as the song ends making Flip jump and fall off his stool. Scott and Mark crack up laughing as Flip rolls his eyes at them, "Yeah yeah sure laugh at the poor drummer." Flip gets up grabbing a towel and wiping his face. Flip runs upstairs to take a shower quick while Mark and Scott get comfy on the couch. April brings them out a couple beers. "How did last night go?" Scott asks curiously, "Ok, he went over to his parents and talked to his mom. He came home around 5 and we cried together, then we cuddled on the couch and fell asleep watching a movie." Scott smiles, "So everything's ok....on the talking front that is." April nods smiling softly, Flip walks down the stairs a few minutes later in baggy jeans and a t-shirt with a towel around his neck. "Hey drummer boy, how ya doin?" Scott teases. Flip flicks him off making Scott laugh, "Fine, ass hole, so what are you two dorks up too?" Scott grins happy to see Flip back to his normal self. "Nothing, just thought we'd stop by and bug you." Flip laughs, "That works, so what we gonna do?" Flip thinks a minute "Swim?" Mark and Scott grin, "Sounds good." 

The guys head out to the pool while April makes some lunch. When she's finished she puts the plates in the fridge and heads out to swim with them. "Hey mind if I join ya?" Flip grins, "No way mama, get in here." Scott and Mark make whip noises as she climbs in, "Oh that's nice." April teases sticking her tongue out. Flip laughs pulling her to him and kissing her quickly. "Ewwwww gross, get a room!" Scott teases swimming away. April laughs swimming after him, she catches up to him and Mark helps her dunk him under. Scott pops up sputtering and laughing. "Hey man, don't help her!" He laughs splashing Mark. April giggles swimming over to Scott again, "Uh hu, stay away woman, you're mean." April giggles grabbing his arm kissing him on the cheek, "There, that better?" Scott smiles, "Yeah I think so, but only if you dunk your hubby too." April grins swimming over to Flip. "HEY!" Flip yells swimming away, with April right behind him. She catches up to him and jumps on his back pushing him down fast. Flip pops up sputtering with a mock angry look on his face. "That's it woman!" He grabs April and throws her up in the air grinning as she splashes down into the water. April wipes the water from her face laughing. "Ok I deserved that, now we're even ok?" She asks looking around at them. They nod grinning. 

After everyone has been sufficiently waterlogged they all get out to eat lunch. April pulls the sandwiches out of the fridge and sets them out on the patio. "Eat up boys." They all dig in as she sits down laughing, "Hungry I take it?" They all nod as she takes a sandwich and bites into it shaking her head. 


Chapter 58

After a few hours of fun and filling up on food Scott and Mark head out feeling better about Flip. He agree's to one more day off before starting up the album again. He's feeling better and is ready to start working again. April is happy that he's talking to her now and doesn't hide hid feelings anymore. 

Scott walks into the house smiling when he finds you asleep in the nursery in the rocking chair. He peeks in Jagger's room and see's him playing on the floor. "Hey bud, havin' fun?" Jagger grins seeing Scott in the doorway. "Yeah, mommy's sleeping." Scott sits next to him, "Yeah I saw her. So what have you been doing all day?" He asks helping Jagger with some legos. "Nothing." Scott chuckles, "Nothing hu? How long has mommy been asleep?" Jagger shrugs, "Awhile, I don't know, I can't tell time silly." Scott chuckles ruffling Jagger's hair. "I know, I'll be back in a bit." He walks back into the nursery and kisses you softly on the lips. You stir a little but don't wake up making him chuckle. "My sexy mama, come on wake up baby." He whisper's kissing a litle harder. You smile opening your eyes slowly. "Well hello there." Scott smiles back, "How's my sexy mama?" You sit up and laugh as Scott sits on your lap. "Good, even better now that you're here." He kisses you softly then yawns. You giggle, "What so now you're the tired one?" He chuckles nodding. "Go take a nap." He shakes his head, "Naa, I'm fine, besides I wanna play with my daughter." You grin watching Scott pick Allyssa up out of her crib and head to her play pen. "Come on baby girl, daddy wants to play with his gorgeous daughter." He leans against the wall with his knees up and Allyssa on the floor in between them. She is on her back giggling and cooing up at him with a smile. "Hey baby girl," he smiles tickling her tummy and letting her play with his fingers. She grabs onto his index fingers and starts to pull herself up, Scott grins watching her pull herself up into a sitting position. "That's my girl, so big and strong." She giggles and bounces up and down making Scott chuckle.

You kiss him on the cheek before heading downstairs to the kitchen to make something to eat. 


 Chapter 59

Scott comes down the stairs a few minutes later making faces at Allyssa while she giggles up at him. You finish making your sandwich and go sit by them in the living room. Jagger comes running down a few minutes later and you can't help but smile. Scott is sitting on the floor Jagger next to him, both of them making faces at Allyssa and tickling her. After awhile Allyssa starts to cry and squirm, Scott picks her up and bring her over to you, "I think someone's hungry mama." You smile taking her, "Come here baby." You coo gently, adjusting her in your ams to feed her. Jagger grabs Scott and pulls him off to play making you laugh. Scott just shrugs chuckling as Jagger pulls him away. 

After a long lazy afternoon of playing and having fun Jagger is worn out. You help him get ready for bed while Scott relaxes on the couch. Jagger curls up in bed teeth brushed and all ready for bed. You smile as he reaches up for his hug, "Goodnight sweetie." You smile kissing his forehead and hugging him goodnight. "Where's daddy?" He asks looking around, "He'll be up in a minute sweetie, I'll get him. Goodnight pumpkin, sweet dreams." You kiss him again brushing his hair out of his face. "Goodnight mommy." He curls up waiting for Scott, you smile back at him as you turn on his nightlight. You walk down the stairs and giggle seeing Scott asleep on the couch. "Baby..wake up, Jagger's waiting." Scott opens his eyes and chuckles sleepily, "All right, I'll go tuck him in, then I think I need to go to bed." He laughs looking at his watch, "I never thought I'd see the day I'd go to bed at Jagger's bed time." You laugh, "Go sleepy head, he's waiting." 

Scott opens Jagger's door quietly and smiles seeing Jagger curled up waiting for him, "Hey bud, ready for bed?" Jagger nods as Scott sits on his bed, "Well come here." Scott smiles leaning down to hug him and kiss him goodnight. "Sleep good baby." He fixes Jagger's blankets and gets up kissing him one last time. "I love you Jag." Jagger turns to him, "I love you too daddy." Scott smiles shutting the door quietly behind him and heading for bed. He smiles seeing you sitting up waiting for him, "You don't have to go to bed baby, I'm just really tired." You shake your head. "I want to be by you." He smiles, stripping off his clothes, he collapses on the bed in just his boxers and sighs. "Man he wore me out." He chuckles crawling under the covers, you laugh at him. "But you had fun though?" Scott chuckles, "Oh yeah, of course I did." He curls up next to you and sighs sleepily. "Go to sleep baby, you're tired." He smiles up at you, "You too then." You laugh, "Oh fine, you win." He grins kissing you as you lay down next to him. "Better?" He nods pulling you closer. "Much.." 

You wake up a few hours later when you hear the door open and sniffles, you look up and see Jagger in the doorway crying. "Jag, sweetie what's wrong?" He walks over to your side of the bed, lip quivering. "I...I had a bad dream, I'm scared!" He whispers starting to cry again, Scott woke up when he heard Jagger start to cry. "Hey bud, come here." You help Jagger crawl up in your bed and over to Scott, "Hey shhhh it's ok, it was just a bad dream, shhhh do you want to sleep with us hun?" Jagger nods sniffling, "Ok bud, come on lets go back to sleep." Scott holds Jagger rocking him a little longer until he falls asleep. You lay back down and watch him, you can't help the smile on your face. Scott looks over at you, "What?" He whispers, "Nothing." You smile helping him get Jagger and himself settled. "Goodnight baby." Scott whispers, "Goodnight my love." You whisper back before drifting off to sleep again. 

 

 Chapter 60

You wake up to an empty bed the next morning. You look over to Scott's side of the bed and see a note. "Hey hun, Mark called, we have to start recording again. I said goodbye to Jag and Allyssa this morning. Call me when you wake up. I love you." You smile grabbing the phone. "Hey baby." Scott smiles answering his phone. You smile laying down again "Hey you, how's recording going?" Scott sighs a happy sigh, "Good, just tiring. I wish I was home or you were here." You smile, "That makes two of us." You tell him smiling. He grins getting an idea, you hear him moving around and a door shutting. "What are you wearing?" You laugh, "Scott what are you doing?" He gets quieter, "Well, what are you wearing?" You shake your head, "The same thing I was wearing last night crazy boy." He chuckles, "Take it off then." You set the phone down and take off Scott's shirt and your panties. "Now what Mr. Stapp." He grins "Touch yourself, baby." You grin, "Only if you do to." He moans, "Anything you say hun." He growls unzipping his pants. You smile hearing his breathing increase. Then hear pounding on the door, "Stapp come on we gotta keep working." You hear him growl then sigh. "I have to go baby, I'm sorry." You laugh, "It's ok hun, just come home soon." He smiles, "I will baby, I'll talk to you soon. Tell Allyssa and Jag I love them." You smile, "I will, I love you Scott." He smiles, "I love you too sweetie" 

You hang up the phone and get dressed. Jagger is up and getting himself dressed, "Hey baby, daddy says he loves you." Jagger smiles, "He said he had to go back to work this morning. He left early mommy." You smile, "I know he left me a note. But he told me to tell you he loves you." Jagger smiles, "I know." You smile, "He knows you know too hun, but he's going to tell you over and over again." Jagger giggles, "Yep, and I'm glad." You smile pulling him on your lap, "He loves to hear it too baby. Now what should we do today hu?" Jagger gins, "Let's make cookies!" You smile "I like that idea, lets get your sister." 

You are dancing around the kitchen singing along to the radio, making Jagger giggle while he plays with Allyssa. You don't hear Scott come in or see him in the doorway until Jagger runs over to get a hug. You laugh and turn red, covering your face with your hand. Scott laughs coming over to you, "Hey dancing queen." You laugh hugging him, "What are you doing home so soon?" He grins, "Guess." You gasp and hug him tight. "You're kidding!" He shakes his head a smile on his face, "I can't belive you're done, that's great baby." He hugs you spinning you around. "Yep, all done, just have to have John play around with it and then we're all set. Now how about them cookies?" You laugh and kiss him. 

You all sit around eating cookies and drinking milk until the kids get tired. You put them to bed and smile seeing Scott sitting on the couch relaxing. You straddle his lap making him smile, "Well hello there." He smiles looking up at you. "Hi yourself." You smile leaning down to kiss him. You whisper giggling into his ear, "Let's make out." He chuckles pulling you close and laying down with you on top of him. You feel like teenagers again and giggle and laugh while you kiss and fondle each other. "Fuck making out, lets go to bed." Scott whispers in your ear. You moan, "Yes sir." He chuckles picking you up and carrying you to the bedroom. Before you know what's going on, your naked and Scott is hovering over you. "Oh God Scott...please." He grins giving into your request. You grip his shoulders as he pounds into you over and over again. Scott moans feeling you tighten around him, "God baby, you feel so good." You arch your back and cry out as you feel both of you start to orgasm. You collapse on the bed Scott falling on top of you breathing fast and heavy. He leans up and kisses you softly, "God I missed that." He chuckles, you laugh as he pulls you to lay on his chest. "I missed this" You tell him quietly curling into him. He smiles, "Me too baby. This would be my favorite part...falling asleep with you in my arms." You can't help but smile at him, "I love you Jess." You smile hugging him tight, "I love you too Scott." 

 


Chapter 61

One year later...

The album is finished and Creed has been on tour for the past 7 months. You decided to stay home with the kids since Jagger would be starting school soon. Scott didn't like it and warned you, if anything happened he would hire a touror and you would be coming with him. Scott has been coming home every few weeks. Jagger and Allyssa miss him like crazy but he calls every night. Flips mom is doing great, she had surgery and went through chemo. The cancer is now in remission and she is back to her fun loving self, releaving all of you.

Allyssa is getting so big, she has started walking, although wobbly. She has a very loving big brother helping her out. You can't help but grin knowing that when she gets older Jagger is going to be the protective big brother and beat up any guy that hurts his little sister. You are off in dream land while making supper so you never hear the door open or Scott walk in. 

You jump feeling an arm come around your waist and then smile smelling Scott's colonge. "Well hello there my sexy mama." You smile turning around in his arms, "And hello to you too big daddy." He grins before kissing you so passionatly you're afraid you'll melt. Jagger walks in and yells happily "DADDY!" Scott bends down picking him up, "Hey buddy, I missed you." You smile seeing Allyssa waddle in behind Jagger pulling on Scott's jeans. He chuckles bending down to pick her up. "And I missed you too my princess." "Me missed you daddy." She says kissing him making him grin. "Come on, lets let mama finish making nummy food while we play, sound good?" Both little angels nod hugging their dad. You smile turning back to the food.

After supper and putting the kids to bed. Scott grabs you around the waist and pulls you upstairs to the bedroom. He pulls something out of his bag and grins handing it to you. It's a black velvert box. You look at him with a smirk and a raised eyebrow. "And just what have you done hmm?" He just stands there smiling. You open it and smile, it's an id bracelet with two mini ones attached with silver chains. One for Jagger and one for Allyssa. "Look at the back." He almost laughingly says, you turn it over and giggle. "Love you my sexy mama. Real original babe." You tease kissing him. He just shrugs pulling you tight and falling on the bed. 

The End