Reflections - Part Three
"I mean do you want kids?" Chaz could literally feel her heart rising in her throat.
"I...well...I've always pictured myself with kids but...Rebecca..."Shawn stuttered.
"I think you'd make a good daddy," Meg said softly through her mouthful of sandwich.
"You think?" Shawn asked, touched by the girl's words.
"Uh-huh. You smell good, you picked me up, and you like peanut butter and cheese sandwiches like me."
A sob escaped from Chaz's throat before she could choke it back. The other three turned towards her.
"Excuse me...I've got..." Chaz said, jumping up so fast her chair fell backwards. The day's events had caught up with her as tears streamed down her face. Without so much as a backward glance, Chaz bolted out through the sliding door and sank into a chaise lounge, sobbing uncontrollably."What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"You have a daughter. It's obvious you were a slut. I mean why else would you have a daughter?"
"She'll probably end up as slutty as her mother."
"What the hell? Rebecca, that's enough," Shawn said, "Let's just go home."
"No I wanna talk to the whore a little bit longer honey," Rebecca said, sweetly.
"Look, I will not have you disrespecting Chaz. This is her uncle's house. What right to do you have to come in here and call her names?"
"She's a slut. She always has been a slut and she always will be a slut. Why else would she have a daughter at such a young age?"
Chaz had had enough. She didn't need this on top of everything else and before she could stop them, the words just came through, " You might wanna ask your husband about that sweetheart."
Shawn's jaw dropped and Chaz wished she could just melt into the floor. All these years, knowing someday she would have to tell Shawn the truth and she just blurts in out. Thoughts collided and fused in Chaz's brain. Guilt. Sympathy. Fear. How would he react? How could he react?
"What?" Shawn's voice sounded choked. His eyes were wide.
"I didn't want to tell you like this...I was just..."
"You're lying," Rebecca screeched, "You're a lying whore."
Rebecca leapt at Chaz fingers bent forming claws. The attack caught Chaz off guard and she was tackled back onto the marble staircase. Rebecca clawed at Chaz's face and eyes. It took Chaz a minute to gather herself but when she did she battled back with a right hook to Rebecca's jaw that knocked her off balance. Seeing the opportunity, Chaz let loose with a couple kicks to the thighs and midsection before rising on trembling legs.
Rebecca lay moaning on the ground holding her stomach. Chaz could feel a lump rising on the back of her head from the stairs and she could feel the scratches on her cheek were bleeding.
"Chaz? Are you okay?" Shawn asked, softly.
"I'm fine. Why don't you get your wife and get her out of her before I beat her ass again."
"Chazity, how can you say that? You just tell me that I've got a daughter and you want me to leave?"
"Shawn...I don't know what I want. I know you will care for Meg in any way you possibly can. I..."
"Shawn, I wanna go hommme," Rebecca moaned, rolling onto her back.
"She wants to go home Shawn."
"Chaz."
"Meg doesn't know who her father is. I don't know how I'm going to tell her but I will tell her that you're him. Then, I hope you'll build a relationship. But right now, you have to tend to your wife."
"Chaz. I want to see my daughter," Shawn's eyes were steely.
"I would never keep you from your daughter. She's sleeping now but..."
"Then I'll wait," he crossed his arms and got the same look on his face Meg did when she had her mind made up.
"But Shawn I want to go home," Rebecca moaned, sitting up.
"Take yourself home. You've kept me away from my friends so many damn times it's gotten old, Rebecca. YOU have gotten old. You are NOT keeping me from my daughter. I refuse to let that happen."
Chaz just stood there. Unsure of what she should do.
"MOMMY!!!" Meg's frightened voice came from the bedroom upstairs.
Both Shawn and Chaz sprinted up the stairs to where Meg was. She was sitting up in the bed, tears streaking her reddened face, clutching Pooh like it was her life line.
"Baby, I'm...We're here. What's wrong?" Chaz asked, as she and Shawn plopped beside Meg on the bed.
"Mommy, your face."
"I know sweetheart. I'm okay. Are you okay?"
"I had a bad dream."
"Do you wanna talk about it?" Shawn asked.
Meg eyed him cautiously. "I was all alone in a big building and I kept yelling and yelling but nobody was there."
"It was only a dream kiddo. And look, you called out for your mommy and you got me too. How lucky can ya get?"
"Thank you." Meg said, wrapping her arms around Chaz's neck and then Shawn's.
"Hey, what are we for if not to make ya feel better?" Shawn asked, softly.
Chaz looked at Shawn and could see tears welling in his eyes. He blinked several times to push them back.
"Are you ready to get up now, love? Or do you want to sleep more?" Chaz asked.
"Sleep more. I'm still sleepy," Meg yawned.
"We'll be downstairs. Just holler if you need us, okay?"
"Okay," Meg snuggled back into the covers and closed her eyes.
Shawn walked out of the room in a daze. That was his daughter. She was...his. A living, breathing reminder of the love he and Chaz had shared. He could feel the tears he'd tried to fight roll down his cheek.
"Shawn. Are you okay?" Chaz murmured.
He shook his head slightly as a sob rocked his body. Instinctively, Chaz wrapped her arms around him, holding him close. So close she could feel his heart pounding and he could feel hers.
Slowly, Chaz brushed Shawn's hair off his face and ran her thumb over his cheek. Then softly, she raised her head and did something she'd dreamed of since the time they'd parted ways: she kissed his lips.
Chaz broke the kiss. How could she be kissing him? He was a married man. She tried to pull away.
"Please, Chaz, let me hold you for just a little while longer. I've missed you so long," Shawn held her waist, burying his face in her hair. She smelled vaguely of vanilla.
"Shawn. I don't want to go through this again. I don't think my heart could handle it."
"I don't want to put you through anything. I just want you," Shawn said into her hair.
"You're married, Shawn."
"I don't want a woman who won't accept my wanting to be with my daughter. I'm not going to stay with her. Will you take me back?"
"Shawn we were never together. It was sex."
"That's all it was to you?"
"No. It's just...I don't really know you. I know your body but I don't know your mind. I don't know your heart."
"You should know my heart. You've been carrying it with you from the moment I laid eyes on you."
"Shawn..."
"Chaz, I'm dead serious. I've never gotten you out of my mind. Even when I was with Rebecca...I was just trying to find something to fill the void. Nothing ever could. Nothing but you."
"Shawn. I don't know what to say. I..."
"I would never pressure you. Remember, Chaz? I would never make you do anything you didn't want to. I just...want to keep me in the running for your heart. Is that okay?"
"I...I'm not making any promises but...I'll keep you in mind."
"That's all I ask." Shawn heaved a sigh and winced as he released Chaz as if it physically hurt him to part from her, "I have to go. Rebecca's probably throwing a hissy fit in my house and I just had the place recarpeted."
He gave her one last look before he walked down the staircase. Chaz smiled slightly, then stopped immediately. Her smiling had reopened the scratches on her cheek so she rushed to the bathroom.
She rinsed off the dried blood and looked at her reflection. The scratches weren't that bad. Just superficial. But the most remarkable thing was, what she saw in her eyes. Something that hadn't been there. Something she thought had died: there was a spark of hope in them.
~~~~~~
Chaz found herself humming softly as she left the bathroom. She was in a good mood now. Shawn knew. He seemed...pleased. That was the most important thing to Chaz. Sure it would be nice...more then nice actually...if they could be together but...
"Chaz?" the excited voice broke into Chaz's thoughts. Turning towards the voice, Chaz saw Stephanie.
"Hey, long time." The two girls hugged.
"Chaz, what happened to your face?"
"Rebecca happened to my face. But I kicked her ass."
"She actually did that?"
"Yep. She jumped at me before I had any time to react."
"What a bitch."
"Yeah. Like she can take me or something. I've been kickin' Shane's ass since I was 2, I'm sure I can take her."
"You've been kicking my ass since you were 2? Please, Chazi. I just didn't want to hurt you," Shane's voice added from behind Chaz.
"Come here. I didn't get a hug from you yet," Chaz smiled.
Shane walked to her and gave her a hug. "So, Rebecca did this huh?"
"Just how long have you been listening to us?" Stephanie asked.
"No, I ran into Shawn on his way out."
"Yeah, Rebecca did this."
"Wanna file charges?" Shane beamed.
"No. I can handle her."
"So when do I get to meet your daughter?" Stephanie asked.
"Soon as she gets up from her nap."
"She looks just like her mother," Shane said, wrapping his arm around Chaz's shoulder.
"Yeah. She's got quite a bit of me in her. You can kinda see her father in her too, though."
Shane shrugged. "So, what do you say we do something? I'm bored."
"What do you want to do?" Chaz wondered.
"I want you to come with me."
"What?"
"Not right now. In a little while. After Meg gets up, we can get her and Stephanie acquainted and Steph can watch her. You need a little break."
"Shane, I don't think..."
"I know ya don't think, that's why I'm trying to help you out. I just think that you should get a little R and R this weekend."
"I don't know if Meg would want to be left in a strange house."
"Mommy, I told you it's not a house, it's a castle," Meg said from the doorway of the bedroom.
"Well a strange castle then. You didn't sleep very long. Are you ready to get up or did we keep you up?" Chaz said.
"I heard voices and I wanted to see who's here."
"Well, this is my cousin, Shane and my cousin Stephanie."
"Hello. I'm Meg."
"Hello, Meg. How would you like to spend sometime with Stephanie tonight?" Shane asked.
"Shane. Let the poor girl wake up before you pounce on her," Stephanie muttered.
"What do you mean?" Meg's eyes were puzzled.
"Shane was going to take me out tonight," Chaz said.
"Go, Mommy. You don't ever go out for fun. You just go to work."
"Honey, I can stay here with you."
"No, Mommy. I want you to go. Hey, Stephanie?"
"What?"
"Do you have any good movies?"
"I think we might have an old copy of Bambi."
"See Mommy," Meg said rolling her eyes, "I'll be fine."
Chaz shook her head and laughed. "If you want to stay with Stephanie then I'll go out with Shane."
Shane winked at Meg. He was glad she wasn't a more introverted kid. Otherwise the plans would have been ruined.
"Chazi, Chazi, come on. I don't have all night," Shane said pacing in front of the doorway wondering if he was doing the right thing. He just didn't want to see Chazi get hurt again and with what he was doing there was a possibility that she would.
"I'm hurrying...wait. Why am I hurrying? It's not like you have other plans or something," Chaz said through the door. She took a last look at herself in the mirror. Shane had told her to dress up, that he was taking her some place really nice. Unfortunately, she hadn't packed anything really nice so she had to settle on a charcoal grey sweater with a black stripe across the center of it and a pair of black slacks she hadn't worn in months. Luckily, she hadn't gained any weight or the button would pop.
Crossing the floor and opening the door, Chaz opened her arms for examination. "Well, what do you think?"
"I think...no. Don't you have a dress or something in there?"
"No Shane I wasn't expecting to go any place nice."
"Do you think you'd wear the same size as Stephanie?"
"What? Why do I need to wear a dress?"
"Chazi, trust me on this. You'll look better and feel better in a dress."
"You're still a freak you know that don't you?"
"Yeah, yeah I know. Go see if you can borrow one of her dresses."
"Fine. I'm not going to argue with you. It's too exhausting."
"So I've been told. Scoot."
Chaz threw her hands up in defeat and went into Stephanie's room. Stephanie and Meg were sitting cross-legged on her bed playing with Barbies.
"Hey," Stephanie said, turning red, and trying to hide the doll.
"Don't worry about it, Steph, I'm a mom. Barbies are addictive. Anyway, Shane wants me to wear a dress and I didn't bring any."
"You want to borrow one of mine?"
"You got it."
"Ooh, Mommy, can I pick the dress? It'll be like dressing a big Barbie," Meg grinned.
"If Stephanie doesn't mind me borrowing a dress, then you can pick one out for me."
"No problem. Why does Shane want you to wear a dress?"
"I have no clue. Sometimes I seriously wonder about the sanity of that brother of yours."
"So do I," Stephanie laughed as the three girls walked to Stephanie's closet.
"He talks alot," Meg added.
"That he does," Stephanie said.
"And really fast." Meg smiled.
"Does he remind you of one of those little yippy frou frou dogs that just won't shut up?" Chaz asked.
"Oh, my God, yes. I'm glad you said that. He does," Stephanie giggled.
~~~~~~
Looking at his watch, Shawn saw it was nearly 8. Shane had said that he'd have Chaz at his door by 7:30 at the latest. What could be the hold up? The dinner he'd planned was ready. Who knew he would have enough things in his kitchen to whip up a nice, romantic dinner for two?
He checked the table settings one last time and looked at his watch again.
"Damn, Shawn. They'll be here. Shane said that it was all taken care of. Stop worrying," he muttered to himself.
He lit the candles at the glass dining room table and killed the rest of the lights. Straightening his tie, he picked a white string off the sleeve of his suit jacket. He looked good, he smelled good, everything was ready. Now all he needed was Chaz. He checked his watch again just as the doorbell rang.
A smile crossed his face. Everything had to be perfect. He was determined to win Chaz over. With calm composure, Shawn crossed the room and opened the door.
Shawn inhaled sharply. How was it possible for Chaz to get more and more beautiful the more he saw her? She was gorgeous in a long, red dress with a slit clear up her thigh. He thought he'd died and gone to Heaven.
"Shane, I knew you were up to something," she muttered before flashing Shawn a slight smile.
"Hey, I knew that you'd go back home without really talking to him if I didn't help push you in the right direction," Shane winked at his cousin, "I'll let you crazy kids get to your dinner. You've got my cell number in case you need me."
"Yes, Dad," Chaz laughed.
"Hey, I feel better when I know your okay."
"I'm okay," Chaz said.
"I'll take care of her, Shane."
"You better. Do you want me to pick you up or..."
"No, I'll drive her back home," Shawn interrupted.
"Okay. Remember, call if you need me."
Chaz wrapped her arms around Shane's neck. "Thank you," she said in his ear.
"Nothing's too good for my baby cousin."
With that, Shane left the two alone.
"So?"
"So?"
"Are you going to invite me in?"
"Oh, shit. I'm sorry. My mind's on...well it's on how great you look tonight. Come in."
"Thank you. You look nice too," Chaz said. That's the biggest understatement of the millenium, Chaz said to herself. Shawn looked better than any man had a right to.
"I hope you like sex," Shawn said as the two made their way to the table.
"You hope I like sex?"
"Holy...I did not say that...I did. I'm sorry. I meant chicken. I hope you like chicken."
"Oh...I can see where you made the mistake," Chaz giggled.
"I'm sorry. I...it's been a long time...Since we've been together I mean. I'm just all mixed up tonight."
"Yeah it has."
They reached the table and Shawn pulled the chair back for Chaz to sit in. With a smile she did so and he slid her under the table.
"So what are we having for supper?"
"Chicken and rice...or sex and rice...which ever you prefer."
"Oooh I get a choice?" Chaz asked raising her eyebrows suggestively.
"Chaz, I'm gonna ask that you knock that off or I'm liable to come over there and kiss you."
"Just kiss me? That's all?" Chaz asked laughing.
"Is that all you want?"
"I wanna eat supper first?then we'll see." Chaz couldn't believe the words coming out of her mouth. When had she become such a flirt? It was probably the sight of Shawn in a suit. It was doing wacky things to her brain. Or was it just the fact she'd been away from him for so long.
He laughed lightly and went to the kitchen for the food.
"Supper it is. I'm not sure how good it is but I did put forth quite a bit of effort. Keep that in mind if it stinks."
"I'm sure it's not that bad."
"I'm no 5 star chef but I do okay," Shawn said emerging from the kitchen with two plates.
"Smells good," Chaz said as Shawn set the plate in front of her.
"So do you," he murmured, " I've missed you Chaz. I've missed every last thing about you."
"Shawn," Chaz managed before Shawn pressed his lips to hers.
He pulled away. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean..."
Chaz took the plate that was still in his hand and set it on the table next to hers. She slid the chair back and stood, wrapping her arms around him.
"Well, how about if I mean it for the both of us?" Chaz murmured before burying her face in his neck and covering it with kisses and nibbles.
"Chaz. Chaz. Chaz, are you sure you want to do this?" Shawn asked, barely able to keep his mind off his growing erection.
"Shawn, if I didn't want to do this, don't you think I'd have stopped?"
Chaz growled softly and attacked his tie. Removing it swiftly, she moved to his jacket. Shawn's mind was a swirl of desire and love. He moved to unzip her dress and she slapped his hand away.
"Not until I say, Mr. Hickenbottom," Chaz said grinning.
The two walked toward Shawn's bedroom, Chaz working all the while to remove his clothing. By the time they reached the room in the back of the house, Shawn had lost his tie, jacket, shirt and belt and Chaz was working diligently at his pants. She managed to unbutton and unzip them in one swift movement.
"Chaz. Chaz. Chaz," Shawn murmured, stopping when the backs of his knees hit the mattress.
"What?" Chaz asked, pushing him lightly. He fell back onto the bed with a startled look in his eyes. Chaz laughed lightly and straddled his hips.
"You don't know how much I've missed you, baby," he moaned as she kissed his chest.
Chaz sat up and ran her hand between his legs, feeling his erection through his silk boxers.
"An awful lot by the feel of things," Chaz laughed and Shawn's eyes darkened with desire.
"I wanna see you, Chaz, please," Shawn moaned, reaching for the back of her dress.
Chaz nodded and Shawn worked to undo her dress while she continued kissing and licking his chest. Chaz's mind went blank as Shawn's warm hands touched the soft skin of her back. She had wanted this ever since they had parted. Longed for it. Dreamed of it. And now it was happening.
Shawn ran his fingers up to Chaz's bra strap and worked to get it unfastened. Chaz moaned into Shawn's chest. Giving one last kiss, she sat up, allowing him to pull her dress down and removed her bra.
"Oh, good, God," Shawn growled reaching up and grabbing one of Chaz's breasts.
Chaz moaned loudly and leaned down to kiss his lips. Her mouth covered his and his tongue slowly darted in and out of her mouth.
"You shouldn't have worn so much over here," Shawn murmured, tugging roughly on her dress, until the fabric gave way and the material ripped loudly.
"Oops," Shawn said, sheepishly. Chaz laughed uncontrollably
"Damn it, Chaz. This is supposed to be romantic."
"Shawn, since when have we done things the way it's supposed to go?"
Shawn shrugged and Chaz helped him remove her dress and panties and he helped her with his pants and boxers. Chaz positioned herself over Shawn's thick erection and lowering her hips to Shawn with a sigh. Keeping her eyes on Shawn's face she began to work, up and down. Faster and faster. Until both climaxed simultaneously.
Chaz rolled off of Shawn and smiled.
"You are an amazing woman, Chaz. You really are."
"Oh, I know. But, now I'm a hungry amazing woman."
Chaz stood and slid into Shawn's dress shirt. He pushed himself up on one elbow and watched her. She was everything he'd remembered and so much more. He knew what he was going to do and he was going to do it tomorrow.
Chaz padded into the dining room and picked off some chicken off the plate. The phone rang, startling Chaz. Shaking her head, she decided to take the whole plate into the bedroom and finish it there.
"Oh, shit. Oh shit. Chaz, get dressed!" Shawn shouted from the bedroom.
Chaz's blood ran cold. What could be so urgent.
"Shawn, what's wrong?"
"Baby, we have to go to the hospital."
Chapter 9
"Who is it? Shawn, who is it?" Chaz asked, close to tears all ready as she ran to the bedroom clutching the plate.
"Baby, please just..."
"Oh, God, it's Meg. Tell me it isn't Meg," Chaz said, hysterically.
"Chaz,.." Shawn's eyes were wide and she saw his Adam's apple bob as he swallowed.
"It was Meg. Oh God. Shawn. My baby," Chaz dropped the plate and collapsed onto the floor.
"Chaz, we gotta get to the hospital. You need to be with her." Shawn rushed to her side and half lifted her to her feet, "Sweetheart, you need to work with me. My back isn't what it used to be."
Chaz stood, her eyes glazed over. How could this be happening? How could everything change so fast? She could see Shawn's face right in front of her face, eyes soft and touched with tears.
"Chazity. Chazity. Stay with me, please," Shawn murmured brushing back a strand of Chaz's hair.
Chaz blinked a couple times and nodded. " I wanna see my baby."
"We're going, Chaz. Do you want to put your dress back on?"
"No, it's ripped."
"Okay, I've got some jeans you can borrow but you'll be swimming in them."
Shawn and Chaz dressed quickly and drove in Shawn's Mercedes to the hospital. Trying desperately to keep herself as calm as possible, Chaz rushed into the emergency room lobby. Stephanie was seated in one of the plastic chairs sobbing. Shane was next to her trying to console her. Vince stood at the front desk talking heatedly with a pretty nurse.
"Oh my God, Chaz. I'm so sorry. Please don't hate me. I'm sorry," Stephanie sobbed running to Chaz and hugged her tightly. Chaz returned the hug.
"What happened? Tell me what happened?"
"I wasn't watching her. It was all my fault. I'm sorry, Chaz. I'm so sorry."
"What happened?" Shawn asked, softly.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Vince bellowed.
"Dad, this isn't the place," Shane hissed.
"She wanted pizza so I ordered pizza," Stephanie hiccuped, "We were upstairs. Playing dress-up. And the doorbell rang and she took off. I tried to stop her but she was wearing one of my long dresses and her foot got caught in the hem and...And she fell all the way down the stairs...and she was bleeding...."
Chaz could feel her heart skip a beat. Her poor baby. "I want to see her."
"The doctors aren't letting anyone in right now," Shane said softly, stepping closer to Chaz.
"I'm sorry, Chaz. I feel so guilty." Stephanie said.
"Steph, she does that all the time, runs to get the door and the telephone. It just happened that you were the one watching her." Chaz said, softly.
A gray haired man in a white lab coat walked up to Vince. "Which one of you is Megan Walker's mother?"
"I am." Chaz said, stepping towards the doctor.
"Ms. Walker, your daughter suffered a compound fracture and one simple break. What we are most concerned with how ever was the blow she suffered to the head."
"Oh my God," Chaz murmured, clapping her hand over her mouth. Shawn stepped behind her and touched her waist lightly. Chaz leaned toward the touch and grasped one of Shawn's hands tightly.
"When the paramedics arrived, she was unconscious. Her vitals were all over the place and we attempted to revive her..."
"Attempted? What the hell does that mean?" Shawn asked, loudly.
"And who are you?" the doctor asked.
"I'm..."
"He's a business associate," Vince interrupted.
"Damn it, I'm her father, Vince!" Shawn bellowed.
"You're her what?" Vince roared, a vein bulging in the middle of his forehead.
"Dad, this isn't the time or place for you to be yelling so with all due respect, shut the hell up," Shane hissed. Vince's eyes widened but he snapped his mouth shut.
"Please go on, Doc," Shawn said, quietly, wishing he hadn't blurted out the fact that he was Meg's father.
"Megan suffered a brain hemorrhage as a result of the fall. We operated to alleviate the hemorrhaging," the doctor continued.
Chaz whimpered softly and Shawn held her hand tighter and pulled her closer to him. He didn't want her to collapse like she had in his bedroom.
"How is she? Can Chaz see her?" Shane asked.
"She's resting right now. The operation went smoothly but we're going to hold her for observation over the next week," the doctor said.
"Is she going to be all right?" Chaz asked softly, clinging to Shawn.
"Ms. Walker, I think that things do look promising."
"Can we see her Doc?" Shawn asked.
"Only for a moment. She's resting as I said and I would like her to rest for the night." Chaz and Shawn nodded solemnly.
"Just immediate family now," the doctor said sternly. "You two come with me. Not too long now."
Chaz followed the doctor, clutching Shawn as if her life depended on it. Tears blurred her vision and her stomach swirled. I'm going to be sick, she thought right here in the middle of the hallway. But somehow she managed to force the feeling back as they entered Meg's darkened hospital room.
"My poor baby," Chaz murmured. Meg lay in the hospital bed, her fiery hair spread over the pillow surrounding her face, which in contrast looked so very pale. "She looks so tiny, Shawn."
Chaz's body was rocked by another sob. Shawn held her close, arms circling her.
"She's gonna be fine. The doctor said that it looks promising. She's a tough little girl. She has not one but two tough parents, I'm sure she's gonna make it through this just fine." Shawn said into her hair. He wished with everything in him that he could make this right. He felt so powerless. The only thing he knew to do was hold Chaz and keep telling her everything would turn out all right. Why couldn't things work out for them? Why did everything have to be so damn difficult? Was it so wrong for them to be together and happy? Did the fates or God or whatever find it so hard to accept them together? And why did it have to be Meg, Shawn wondered. Why couldn't it have been him? Chaz obviously lived and died for her child. Where as he wasn't as integral a part of her life...at least not yet.
"You really believe she's gonna be okay?" Chaz asked, looking straight into Shawn's eyes, hope and fear swam in their brown depths.
"Chaz, I do. I do believe she'll be okay. She's got a lot of living left to do," Shawn said, touching her cheek lightly with his index finger.
"I don't know what I would have done if you weren't here," Chaz said, burying her face in Shawn's chest and breathing him in. He was here. He was real. And he was helping her through what had to be the roughest time of her 24 years.
"Where else would I be, Angel Face. I'm where I need to be. I'm where I belong," Shawn said, stroking her hair and watching as their daughter slept on, oblivious to the fact that her mother and her father were in the room with her, just praying things would work out.
Chaz and Shawn stood silent in Meg's room for several more minutes until the doctor returned and told them they had to leave but that they could come back tomorrow during visiting hours. The couple walked, holding each other, to the lobby where the others were waiting.
"How is she?" Stephanie asked, leaping to her feet as soon as she saw them.
"She's sleeping, Steph. The doctor said that," Shane said softly, "How are you holding up, Chazi?"
"I don't know. I'm in a daze right now," Chaz replied with a wan smile.
"That's all right, Chazity. We'll get you back to the house and you can relax," Vince said.
"Dad, maybe she wants to go with Shawn," Shane said.
"Well, I think she should come home with us," Vince said.
"Guys, I'm right here. I don't want to listen to you two arguing right now. I just want to sleep." Chaz piped in.
"I can drive you back to Vince's place if you'd like," Shawn offered gently.
"Shawn..." Vince started.
"Let Chazi decide," Shane muttered.
"I need to go back to Shawn's place and get Steph's dress. So I'm going to ride with him," Chaz said.
"Okay," Shane started before anyone could get a word in edge wise, "that's settled. Shawn is taking her by his place and then back to the house."
Chaz nodded and walked with her head against Shawn's chest back to the car. It seemed as long as Shawn was there, she could face the situation.
Shawn drove in silence toward his house, looking every so often over Chaz. She still managed to look beautiful in the direst of situations. He chastised himself for thinking something like that given the situation.
As he pulled into the driveway, he spotted a familiar car, a bright blue Supra.
"Oh, shit. Like I need this too," Shawn muttered parking the car.
"Need what? Who's car..." Chaz stopped when her question was answered.
Rebecca emerged from Shawn's front door, carrying two large suitcases. Her eyes narrowed when she saw Shawn's car pulling into the driveway. She set the suitcases down and put her hands on her hips.
Chaz shook her head. She really didn't want to deal with Rebecca right now, but she'd be damned if she was going to let her run her life. Chaz had a dress to get and she was determined to do just that.
"Chaz, you don't have to get out of car if you don't want to. I can deal with...her and get Stephanie's dress," Shawn offered.
"You're sweet but I'm not going to let her stop me from doing a damn thing."
"Okay. Whatever you wish."
Chaz opened the door, and taking a deep breath, she stepped out of the car. The night air was cool but Rebecca's stare was colder.
"Nice to see you again, slut," Rebecca spat.
"Don't start with me. I'm really not in the mood," Chaz snapped.
"But you were in the mood to tramp around with my husband."
"Husband? Please, Rebecca, you really can't call what we had a marriage."
"I do believe that we still have the marriage, Shawn. And we will have it as long as I want us to. I may not live in the same house...I won't do that, but I will make your life as miserable as possible."
Chaz couldn't believe the way Rebecca was. It was clear to see why Shawn had been so responsive to her. Nobody that cold could have been any good in bed.
"You are such a bitch," Shawn said, exasperated.
"Ohh, Shawny, I'm not that bad. At least I don't whore around like some people I know," Rebecca made it a point to glare at Chaz, "I swear that daughter of yours is going to end up just as trampy as her mother."
Chaz snapped. She charged Rebecca and wrapped her fingers around her neck. Her eyes wild, her breath coming in gasps.