House of Cox - 4 pm - Thursday

[bestdamdoctor]

I rest my head forward against the tiles below the showerhead as I close my eyes.

This has got to be the stupidest thing you've ever done in your life. But fuck if it wasn't amazing last night...

A wave of guilt washes over me. If Barbie told her... That's not how--that's not how it should've happened... Fuck. Fuckfuckfuck. How the hell did

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[coxianrival]

I sigh as I open the door and throw the keys down onto the table. The whole day was nothing but stress. Not even just everything that had taken place last night, but the rest of the day dealing with Ted and Kelso. I had a lot of time to think about what I was going to do about this...mess. I'd go straight to the kids, but I've made it a point not to let them see their mother, or smell her, after a night of drinking

[coxianrival]

I look up into his face and swallow down the lump in my throat. I can see it clearly, even though I don't want to. Just because I do get him. I do get the fact that he wants this chance.

How weird would it be if I stepped back and let him have it?

Totally.

"I swear on my brother's grave, Per, if you let anyone know I'm backing down from wanting to be your wife again and letting you try to be happy, I'll find the dullest, dirtiest knife that I can find, and I'm going to slice your throat open with it."

I look down. God, it hurts. I lean forward and push myself into his arms. I don't care if he's late for his shift, I just want him to hold me.

[bestdamdoctor]

I chuckle just softly at her threat, nodding at her, as she moves forward into my arms. I wrap them around her, resting my head down against her hair. "I swear, Jordan. I swear. Not a soul." I rub lightly at her back in a circle. Hold her a long moment. Shit, it hurts to see her like this. I drop my voice to whisper to her, "I'm sorry I fucked this up so badly..."

[coxianrival]

It happened. Jordan Sullivan got off her high horse and blamed herself for once. She wouldn't tell him, that, though. Maybe if she had worked a little harder at the relationship...no, no.

"I just assumed," she sniffled, curling her hands up against his chest and resting her head against his shoulder. "That we were bullet proof. I didn't even think for a second that something like this could seperate us. I didn't...think." She was going to get his shoulder wet from her damned leaky eyes.

[bestdamdoctor]

I slide my hand up to her shoulder, squeezing it firmly. "Life sure does like to screw with you, just when you've thought you'd figured it all out, doesn't it?" I take another deep breath, turning my head to press a kiss to her hair. "You going to be all right...?"

[coxianrival]

How do I answer a question like that? Am I going to be alright? Maybe. I could see as far into the future as he could right now, so who knew?

"I have to be," I say, looking up at him and moving my hand to wipe my face, trying to look at least a little decent. I hope he knows what I mean. "Which means, we're going to have to talk, Per. About the kids..." Something I had on my mind all fucking day until I couldn't tell what I was upset more about.

No, that's a lie. My worries have constantly been about them since I found out. But, since I had the time to think, I came up with the best decision I could possibly think of.

"I think they should stay here, at least until I can find a place. Somewhere close. Jennifer needs you. Jack won't even go to bed unless I assure him you're coming to tuck him in whenever you get back..."

[bestdamdoctor]

I nod as she speaks, as she meets my gaze again, trying to compose herself. She is a damn amazing mother...

"You can have a place as close as you want. And I intend to do everything I can to make this as easy as it can be for them. I swear it." I swallow and look away from her eyes. "I need them... close. Too."

[coxianrival]

Fuck all if for a second he believes that I would take his babies from him. I throw my arms around his shoulders suddenly, and press my lips to his forehead, leaving them there while I talk to him.

"Thank you," I tell him. I was actually scared that I'd hardly see them. I don't know why. Perry has a heart of solid gold, and I don't ever believe he'd do it to me either. Just a mother's fear, supposedly. I run my fingers through his curls and slowly stand up, offering him my hand and a watery smile.

"Come on, you loser. Sitting in the middle of the hallway like that. You look like a street person who hasn't taken his medication since 71."

[bestdamdoctor]

A weight slides off me at her thank you. The kids. They'll stay close. Here. I won't lose them in all this... Not that I truly thought I would but... I take a deep breath as she slowly pulls away and stands.

Then I raise my eyebrows up at her snark down at me. At least she can still joke with me... "But this floor is mighty comfortable." I grunt as I take her hand and haul myself back up onto my feet.

[coxianrival]

"Come on," I say, my voice a little scratchy. "I've got to get the baby blanket from the office." I hit the button for the elevator. In the meantime, though, I lean my head against his shoulder and loop my arm through his. I don't give a rats ass if from this moment on he's not mine, but I staked my clame in Perry Cox many years ago, and I'll be damned if I was going to give him up as my best friend.