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"Paisley, wake up, baby."
Smiling, she tugged him into her arms. "I was having the best dream."
He kissed her forehead. "I know."
"We were laying on a beach and being just as lazy as we could be. There was just the two of us and the waves kept coming closer and closer."
"I've never seen the ocean." He admitted, wishing they could be there right now.
"Then we will, and I didn't know that about you so that is your secret for today."
"It's not exactly morning yet." He knew the moment she felt his unease.
She sat up, slowly as she searched through his emotions. "Did something happen? Who...? is it Seth? I'll go to him."
She was only mildly worried, and he knew that he couldn't leave her that way. She's had a few days to get stronger but now it was time for her emotions to be back into her own hands.
"Look at me, hon. Before I tell you, I have to fix you. I never meant for it to last this long. It was just nice to see you happy again."
"I am happy. Whatever is wrong, we'll fix it. Everything will be...."
He watched the change come over her in small doses. First the worry. Then the guilt. Then even more guilt because she'd been offered this reprieve. "Is he okay? Jay, please tell me he's okay."
"He was drinking. Jackson tried to stop him, but he got in his car and drove away. That was hours ago, and no one has seen him since."
She jumped up and reached for her shoes. "Can you find him?"
"I've never tried to find someone other than you, so I don't know. I'll try. I left a note for your mom. Do you know any place he might go?"
"Maybe. I can't believe he's drinking and driving! That's not him. He would never do that. I should have____."
"If you're going to blame someone blame me."
After grabbing her phone, she met him at her door. "Blame you for taking care of me? No." She gave him a quick kiss. "I love you and I'm okay. Scared, worried but okay. We are okay but Jay this is something I need to do on my own. Give me the keys to the dorkmobile."
"Not going to happen."
"Jay, you know it has to be me. When you are around, he gets worse. Not better and if he's drinking, then it will be even worse than usual. I won't have you two fighting, not when he's not himself and needs me. I'll keep tabs with you, and I'll be safe, I promise."
"Paisley."
"Punk and Rosemary are arriving today, and you need to be here to greet them. You know he's nervous about how your parents will react. Plus, you already know I'm not going to change my mind so why bother? I need to get to him quick and it needs to be me."
Growling he held out the truck keys. "Paisley, if you're not safe I swear____."
"I will be."
"I hate this."
"I know. I love you."
"I love you too. I'll let you know if I find him."
