The Ties that Bind, Part 24

Scene 7
Setting: Hospital room

As Vicky held onto Jake it was as if the turmoil that had been going on had built to an unbearable pressure. She let it all go, she cried for the loss of Michael…. Jake, …..what she did to her family, her boys and finally the loss of what was supposed to be a new beginning for her and Jake. She found she couldn't stop crying, the pain she had caused to the people she loved was too much, so she held on to Jake as if her life depended on it.

As Vicky's tears flowed freely all Jake could think about was the woman in his arms, who seemed broken, so fragile, all he wanted to do was hold her, thinking if he held her long enough all that pain would transfer to him. He thought about the girl he fell in love with on the playground. The woman who stole his heart, the woman who made him a better man just by believing in him, the woman who relied on him as much as he relied on her and the pain they both had caused each other. The last time he heard her cry like this was when she lost Ryan, he tried to remain strong and not show her how he felt but inside he was crying as much as her, so he just held her. No words were spoken, none was needed at the time.

Eventually they both gathered themselves together.  Reluctantly Vicky let go of Jake, reaching for a tissue to wipe her eyes, Jake quickly wiped his eyes. Finally Jake says… you all right?"

"No…she looks into her lap, lifts her eyes to him, red from the tears…… "you?

Just as quiet as her question was to him he replies…"No I'm not either…

They both stop and stare for a moment before Vicky grabs another tissue to blow her nose…"I'm sorry, Jake, it seems I've gotten your shirt all wet"

Not worrying about his shirt or anything else for that matter but Vicky with half a smile he says…"It needed cleaning anyway".. he gets off the bed and walks over to the flowers that are sitting on the counter….."These are from Kris, she sent them last night….."

Vicky: "How did you…"

Jake: "Kris called me ……."

Vicky: "I told her not to call you.."

Jake: "I'm glad she did, I just wish I was here sooner…"

Trying to gather herself together….."Jake, you can go now, I know you don't want to have anything to do with me, I'm going to be alright now.."

Turning around to her, indignant that she could say anything like that at a point like this…. "I'm not going anywhere, you can't get rid of me that easy….we have a lot to talk about, but later…for now I just want to make sure you're all right, are you in any pain?"

Vicky: (sniffling) …Talk? Now you want to talk? I just want to go home, I want to be with the boys….it's alright Jake really it's alright I wont bother you anymore.. you can stay here in New York..

His voice rising "Hold up here a second….Let's get a couple of things straight …WE…and I mean WE…. you and I just lost our baby so I'm not going anywhere AND I'm going to be right here with you until you are better. Now I want you to lay back down while I talk to the doctor to see when you can be released and we can go home."

Vicky: "Home?"

Jake: "Yes, you and I are going home…."(he turns to walk out)

Vicky: "You're coming with me?"

Turning around to face her he quietly says…."Yes I am"


Scene 2
The cottage

Jake called Donna and Etta Mae and told them the news and that him and Vicky were going to be on the next available flight home. Donna is making herself a cup of tea while wiping the tears from her eyes.. Kirkland comes blasting through the front door.

"Nana I'm home…… remember Steven said we could call Mom as soon as I got home?"

Donna gathering herself together …"Oh, yes, Honey… I remember…but you know what, I've got some very very good news?"

Closing the door behind him Steven says..."What's the matter Donna?" (sitting down next to Kirkland)

Donna: "Oh nothing honey, I'm fine, but the good news is that your Mom is coming home and she should be here tonight."

"Yes!" In unison…"what about Jake?"…Kirkland asks….is he coming too?

"yes he is Honey, he's bringing your Mom home"

"Alright!"

Donna: "Well I don't want you guys getting too excited because I don't know if Jake is going to be staying here."

Etta Mae coming through the door…."Well you know what the means guys? If your Mom's coming home then you had better get all that homework done before she gets here…now go on and go upstairs.."


Scene 3 - Hospital

Peeking her head through the door Kris says "Hey you up for a visitor this morning?"

Still wiping her eyes Vicky replies "Kris..yes, yes come in please…"

Kris gives Vicky a hug and sits on the side of the bed… "how you doing this morning Vicky?"

"I'm okay…Thanks for the flowers…you really didn't have to."

"I wish I could do more…Hesitantly asking…"where's Jake?"

Vicky: "He went to talk with the Doctor.."

Kris: "How is he taking all this?"

Vicky: It's all over his face, Kris, the sadness…Oh Kris, he's only here because he feels sorry for me …he's in shock, once he realizes I lost our child he will change his mind.

Kris: He doesn't blame you Vicky.

Vicky: Not yet he doesn't, but he will.

Kris: Vicky, you and I both know that's not true, he loves you. I tried to get him to go home last night and he wouldn't leave your side. He came back, don't you see that?

Vicky: But Kris, he came back for all the wrong reasons. I should have just stayed in Bay City and not chased him here to New York; I need to get home to the boys.

Kris: Not now you don't, you're in no condition to travel.

Walking through the door Jake hears the end of the conversation…."That's right you're not going anywhere young lady……especially not after what I just had to sneak in here… (he opens a bag that has some cheese flips and rootbeer)

Kris: Oh I see breakfast for champions, is it?

Jake: The only kind there is…

Kris's beeper goes off…"I'd better get this….Vicky is there anything you need that I can pick up for you?

Vicky: "Are you sure you have to leave Kris?"…trying to stall for time, she couldn't be alone with Jake, no matter how hard she tried to keep her tears inside whenever Jake was around should couldn't….."You just got here"

"I'm sorry Vick but I'm really needed at the paper"

Interrupting Jake says…"Besides you need your rest before we leave. Let me walk you out Kris.."

"Okay thanks Jake"…hugging Vicky and whispering in her ear…."Let him take care you of Vicky he loves your more than you know"

Stepping outside Jake says …"Kris, I cant thank you enough for being there for Vicky and all you've done for her, I wish……I wish you would think about coming to Bay City and visit."

"Well Jake I just might take you up on that.."


Scene 4
The Cottage:

Etta Mae and Donna are working to make the house ready for Vicky's return, Donna told Etta Mae about Vicky.

Etta Mae: How did Jake sound on the phone Donna?

Donna: you know him, he's putting up a brave front but you could tell in his voice. I just hope he stays to help Victoria, you know he's the only one that can.

Etta Mae: He'll stay, he loves her to much to let anything happen to her.

Donna: I hope you're right..


There wasn't much conversation on the plane between Jake and Vicky; both were lost in their own thoughts. Jake trying to figure out how he could take back all the things that went wrong, how could he try and fix this, make her realize that it wasn't her fault, but rather his. Vicky thinking about Jake and the child they would have had, a child he would have loved and cherished. Thinking that this would be the nail in the coffin on their relationship, knowing for sure this was going to drive Jake away for good once he dropped her off at the cottage, blaming herself for losing the baby. Neither of them knowing the right words to say to each other.

Arriving in front of the cottage, Jake rushing around to the passenger side to lift Vicky into his arms..

Vicky: Jake please, I'm fine I can walk in by myself..

Jake: I know you can walk, but let me do this.. The doctor only released you if I promised him I would take care of you and that's what I intend on doing, now just put those arms around my shoulders and let me carry you in.

He lifts her up and holds her close as he begins to carry her in through the door of the cottage. They go through the door as Donna and Etta Mae are coming out of the kitchen..

Donna: "Oh Victoria, my darling come here…. Jake put her down on the couch."

Giving Donna a look…"Yes Donna……that's what I intend to do" Gently he lays her on the couch and stands up…"You alright ?"

Vicky: "Yes I'm fine Jake, thanks…"

Pushing Jake out of the way Donna says "Come here darling" sitting on the edge of the couch and proceeds to hug Vicky.

Turning to Etta Mae Jake gives her a hug …."Thanks for coming Etta Mae…where are the boys?"

Etta Mae: They're upstairs waiting for you two..

Jake: I'm going to go up and talk to them before they come and see their mother, do they know what's going on?

Etta Mae: No Jake, we thought you and Vicky would want to handle that. Vicky? Can I get you something, more tea?

Vicky: Huh? (coming out of her trance) No, no I'm fine Etta Mae.. thanks for being here…

While Jake went to talk to the boys, Donna and Etta Mae tried to make Vicky more comfortable on the couch. Donna is hovering over Vicky…

Donna: Are you sure your alright Darling?

YES, I said I was fine.. snapped Vicky.

Etta Mae: Donna…maybe its time for us to go..

Donna: I'm not leaving my little girl when she needs me so much now..

Vicky: I'm sorry I snapped Donna, I'm just tired, I think Etta Mae's right you two go on I'll be fine…where are the boys?

Etta Mae: Jake went to talk with them..

Vicky: Oh … are they alright?

Donna: Yes they're fine, do you want them to come stay with me for a few days..

Vicky: No, no that's fine, I need to spend some time with my boys.

"MOM" … we hear Steven and Kirkland excitedly say as they come running down the stairs to see Vicky.

"Easy boys, easy" Etta Mae says as they come to give Vicky a hug..

"Hey guys, I've missed you so much"  returning their hugs..

"Hmmm ….Mom your choking me," Kirkland says.

Releasing her hold on them she gives them each a peck on the check…"I'm sorry Honey, I've just missed you so much. Come here and sit next to me."

Jake standing at the top of the stairs, looking on at this scene taking place below him "At least you've got your two boys Vick…they'll help you get through this, the best medicine you could ask for."

Noticing Jake has come down the stairs, Etta Mae gently grabs Jake's hand and leads him to the front porch. Once on the porch she turns to Jake…."Did you tell the boys, Jake….. how'd they take it?"

Jake: "Yeah I told them that they needed to be there for their mother", Kirkland was great, but I don't think he really understands, Steven didn't say much to me, I think he's holding a grudge.

Etta Mae: He'll be fine, and you Jake, how are you?

Jake: Me? Fine..just fine..

Etta Mae: Don't be pulling all that macho grap on me Jake, I know you're not fine, you're hurting too.

With a little chuckle he says… Let's just say I'm taking it a moment at a time, a moment at a time..



Scene 5
The cottage

After seeing Etta Mae off and assuring her that he was alright Jake steped back into the cottage to find that Donna took Vicky upstairs to make her more comfortable. Not knowing what to do with himself he heads to the kitchen to see if there was anything he could do to keep himself from thinking about the incidents that have happened over the last 24 hours. Seeing that there wasn't any dishes to do, he checked the firewood supply, it seemed okay, he thought he might go out and chop some more wood, so he heads out.

Coming down the stairs is Steven..

Jake: Hey little man I thought you were doing your homework..

Steven: Oh you're still here..

Jake: What?

Steven: I thought you'd run off again after you dropped Mom off?

Jake: I told you I'm staying..

Steven: "Yeah but for how long?"  Turning around he runs back upstairs..he was mad, mad at Jake for leaving.. mad at him for not seeing that he wanted him to come back home when he asked, he wanted Jake to feel as bad as he did. He didn't hear Jake call after him, he didn't want him to see that he had tears in his eyes too.