Disclaimer : This chapter mentions substance abuse.
The next morning, on the plane :
Jen : But don't you think that's what's best for you right now?
Brad : No.
Jen raises her brow, as he turns his head to look out the window.
Jen : Brad... alcoholism is an illness. You can't fix this by avoiding it, you should know that by now.
Brad : Listen...
He takes a deep breath before turning his stare.
Brad : I'm not going back to Rehab.
Jen : Brad.
Brad : No, hear me out.
Jen crosses her arms while listening.
Brad : I know I let you down and that shouldn't have happened... but I don't wanna do it again by not being there for you through everything that's going on with the baby and all.
Jen : I know... I know you wanna be there for me, but what if you just went for a couple of weeks.
Brad : It doesn't work like that Jen.
Jen : Why not? We could arrange for there to be an exception.
Brad : What's the point? Most people stay in treatment for at least three months, what is two weeks gonna do?
Jen : Maybe three months would do you some good...
Brad : What?
Shaking her head, she clears her throat.
Jen : What happened the other night... I'll never forget it.
Brad : Jen.
Jen : It was like I didn't know you. You treated me like I was... an object or a...
Brad : Jen you don't mean that.
Jen : Yeah, I really do.
Brad : I think you're making a big deal out of this and it's just not necessary...
As he crosses his arms, she raises her voice.
Jen : Not necessary?
Brad : No.
Jen : Well, it was a pretty big deal to me Brad.
He sighs as she turns her stare away from her.
Brad : It seemed like you were pretty comfortable to me, considering you came 2 times.
Jen : Oh my god...
Brad gives her that annoying smile of his, making the blood boil in her veins.
Jen : That's got nothing to do with...
Brad : I'm just saying.
Jen : You know what... you're a dick. Just a dick.
Jen stands up, giving him a death stare before walking off to the bathroom.
At Jen's house, a few hours later :
Brad : C'mon Jen, I didn't mean it...
Jen : That's exactly what you meant.
Jen opens the front door, storming into the house as Brad's carrying all their luggage.
Brad : I didn't think before I spoke!
Jen : Damn right you didn't.
He follows her into the living room, after leaving everything in the hallway.
Jen : I want you to go.
Brad : Go? Now? C'mon, just because of what I said earlier, I mean...
Jen : No... I want you to go to rehab Brad.
Brad : Jen... we've talked about this.
Jen : We're not finished talking about it!
He takes a deep breath as she waves her hands around frantically.
Brad : You know what? I don't understand you Jennifer... you said you wanted us to deal with all of this together, but when I ask you to be there for me you...
Jen : Deal with you losing your children! Not getting wasted every night!
Brad : So instead of helping me through this you'd rather let someone else do it?
Jen : I'm not qualified for this Brad. If you completely go off the rails... I wouldn't know what to do.
Tilting her head, she sighs as she can tell he's hurt.
Jen : Especially now that we've got a baby on the way.
Brad : Jen...
Jen : I can't put my whole life on pause, take time off work, set Maria aside... so that I can stay home 24/7 making sure you're staying sober.
Brad : That's not what I'm asking from you.
Jen : But that's the only way I'd feel like you were safe if you didn't go to rehab.
He throws himself down on the couch, before pulling out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket.
Jen scolds at him, before walking over to the him reaching her hand out.
Jen : Could you give me one of those?
She lights it up, taking a long drag, before sitting down facing him.
A little later :
Courteney : No...
Jen : I don't exactly know when it started, but I'm guessing it was right after...
Courteney : The trial?
Jen : Yeah.
Courteney : When did you find out?
Jen : Yesterday.
Courteney : Really?
Jen sighs as she sits down on her bed.
Courteney : So the trip to Missouri didn't exactly go well?
Jen : No... or I mean it was nice, but some things happened and...
Not feeling like sharing everything with Courteney, as she still respects Brad's wish of wanting to have some privacy, she quickly moves on.
Jen : Anyway, we're back home now and I just...
Courteney : Is he there with you?
Jen : He's down stairs.
Courteney : How is he?
Jen : I don't know... he's so distant. He doesn't seem to want to talk about what he's going through... mentally or emotionally.
Courteney : Well, that's Brad for you.
Jen : I'm trying to talk him into going to rehab again.
Courteney : Really?
Jen : Yeah, but he doesn't wanna go. He doesn't wanna leave now that Maria's pregnant and all...
Laying her head in her hands, she groans.
Jen : Ugh. I just don't know what to do...
Courteney : Maybe you should talk to the person who's dealt with this before...
Jen : What?
Courteney : I know things are complicated right now, but if there's anyone who knows how to help him by now, it's her.
That evening :
Jen : Brad?
As he's laying on the bed in one of the guest rooms, Brad can hear a voice coming from the other side of the door.
Jen : Are you awake?
Brad : Yeah.
The door slowly opens and in comes Jen, wearing a robe as she's about to go to bed.
Jen : Are you okay?
Brad : Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just... you know.
Jen gives him a half smile as he at her, already regretting her decision of having him sleep in another bed.
Brad : How are you holding up babe?
Jen : Well...
Walking towards the bed, she looks down on it, making it clear to him that she'd much rather be laying next to him.
Jen : Can I...
Brad : Get in.
He lifts up the covers as she climbs into it, before pulling her closer to him.
Jen : I'm just worried about you.
Brad : I know you are, but I'm gonna be fine Jen.
Jen looks up at him, not knowing whether or not what she's about to say is a good idea.
Jen : You know... maybe I could talk to Angelina.
Brad : What?
Brad widens his eyes, confused as to why she'd do that.
Jen : Yeah, I mean she knows this side of you better than me... she was with you at your worst.
Brad : Jen, are you being fucking serious?
He raises his voice, letting go of his grip around her.
Jen : It might not be the worst idea Brad.
Brad : That's exactly what it is Jen!
Jen : I'd like to know how she dealt with it and her opinion on...
Brad : I'll tell you how she dealt with it, she used it as a reason to take my children away from me.
Jen : But... she must have tried from some time, before you...
Brad : For some time, yeah.
Jen : But you didn't get better?
Brad : Well... no.
As she stares at him, he furrows his brow.
Brad : What is this? Are you ganging up on me or something?
Jen : Brad... I'm only trying to understand. I'm trying to help.
Brad : Alright, well understand this. I don't want you to fucking call her!
Jen : Well, you're not exactly giving me many options Brad.
He stares at her while shaking his head, before getting up.
Jen : What are you doing?
Brad : I'm leaving.
Jen : What?
Brad : I can't do this right now... I can't have this conversation with you.
Jen : Brad...
Jen grabs his arm only for him to brush it off.
Brad : At least Angelina wasn't fucking stupid.
He grabs a pair of jeans, before throwing a shirt on as Jen crosses her arms.
Jen : That is so unfair.
Brad : Oh, really?
As he storms out of the bedroom, Jen follows him down the stairs while yelling.
Jen : You know what? Maybe you're right! Maybe Angelina isn't so stupid for wanting full custody... you're definitely not in any state to take care of children right now!
Brad : You're unbelievable.
He grabs his jacket, before putting on his shoes in a hurry as Jen watches him from the staircase.
Jen : Where are you going? Out to get more liquor?
Turning his head, he laughs before answering.
Brad : Oh, you'd like that wouldn't you?
Jen furrows her brow as he lays his hand on the doorknob.
Brad : Maybe one day you'll be able send me off for good.
He rolls his eyes at her, before disappearing out the door, leaving Jen standing half naked, alone in her hallway.
A couple of hours later :
With an old album of Sarah McLachlan playing in the background, Jen is standing in front of her picture wall, staring at a picture of Brad from last summer.
However, in the corner of her eyes another person catches her attention making her go back in time to 2012.
Although she took down most of the pictures of them when they divorced, she didn't get rid of them all.
After all, back then they were still friends.
Jen : Fuck.
As she's a little tipsy from the few glasses of wine she had after Brad left and Justin's pretty much the only one awake right now, she decides to give it a try.
Jen : Oh, what the hell.
It's pretty early in New York, but if she knows Justin right, he's probably just finished his morning workout.
It rings 3 times, before he picks up his phone and a familiar voice can be heard.
Justin : Hello?
Her heart starts racing as she doesn't know what to say.
Jen : Uhm...
Justin : Jen? Are you alright?
Jen : Yeah, I'm...
Justin : It must be like... 4am in LA right now. Why are you awake?
Jen : Well...
Realizing that she hasn't thought this through at all, she moves her hand up to her mouth, biting her nail.
Would it be fair of her to talk to Justin, after what happened a few months ago?
Would it be fair to Brad?
Jen : I just couldn't sleep and I walked past my picture wall... in the hallway and I saw your face in one of the pictures...
Justin : Ok...
Jen : And now I'm here... on the phone with you.
Justin, who's in his kitchen drinking his after- workout shake, sighs.
Justin : Where's Brad?
Jen : Well, he's not home.
Justin : Why?
Jen : He's away... working.
Justin : Jen...
He can tell she's lying as he notices the uncertainty in her voice.
Justin : C'mon.
Jen : What?
Justin : I know you Jen.
Jen : I... it doesn't matter. He's not home, alright?
Justin : Alright.
Jen sits down on the floor against the wall, wanting to keep Justin on the line just a little longer as he's for some reason the only one she wants to talk to right now.
Jen : So? How have you been?
Justin : Well... if I'm gonna be honest with you...
Jen : Be honest, please.
Justin : I haven't been doing the best. Listen... I really regret what happened, the last time we...
Jen : It's fine.
Justin : No, but it's not Jennifer. I was an idiot. I don't know what I was thinking and it was wrong of me to try to come between the two of you...
Jen : Mhm.
Justin : I know Brad's probably a really great guy... I mean he must be since he's with you.
Jen bites her lip as he goes on.
Justin : It just... it was hard to see the two of you together after everything you've...
Jen : Can we not talk about that right now?
Justin : We can talk about anything you'd like Jen.
Jen : Well, actually... there's something I have to tell you...
Two days later :
Jen : Andrea said she'd definitely be free.
Amanda : Does she not have that circle thing?
Jen : Those are on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Amanda : Oh.
Jen : And of course Courteney and Kristin.... Will, Chris, Jimmy and Jason...
While going through the list of people she's planning on having over for a small party on her birthday, Jen sighs as she gets to her fiancée's name.
Jen : And then Brad...
Jen lays her head in her hands as Amanda takes her hand.
Amanda : Jen... you have to call him.
Jen : I know...
Amanda : And I don't mean just because of this, but you're gonna hear the heartbeat for the first time tomorrow.
As she looks up on Amanda's sympathetic face, she nods.
Amanda : It's a huge moment.
Jen : Well, he's heard it 7 times before.
Amanda : Jen...
Jen : I'm sorry, I'm just so... disappointed in him.
Amanda : I get it, but I mean you have to see it from his point of view.
Jen : What?
Amanda : He just lost his children in a custody battle and now he probably feels like he's about to lose you as well.
As she feels tears building up in her eyes, she gets down from the stool, grabbing her phone.
Jen : I'll call him. I will.
Amanda : Good.
Jen : I mean you're right. It's our baby.
Amanda gives her a half smile as she disappears out of the kitchen and into the living room, finding Brad in her contacts.
Jen : Here we go.
It rings for several seconds, but there's no answer.
Jen : C'mon Brad.
Jen hits the call again, but still no answer.
Jen : He's not answering!
Amanda : Text him!
In the bathroom at his own house, Brad's getting out of the shower in a hurry, after hearing ringing coming from the bedroom.
He grabs a towel, wrapping it around his waist while convincing himself it's his fiancé trying to reach him.
As he reaches his bed, he grabs his phone, seeing he's right.
Jen : Hey.
Brad : Hey.
Jen : I was just about to text you... cause you weren't picking up.
Brad : I was in the shower.
There's a long pause before Jen speaks again, as she doesn't know if she should trust him or not.
Jen : You sound good.
Brad : Yeah?
Jen : You do.
However, as she can easily tell by the sound and tone of his voice that he hasn't been drinking, she does.
Jen : Have you been sober ever since we got home?
Brad : I have.
Jen : You have...
Brad : Jen?
Jen : Mhm.
Brad : We need to talk.
Jen : Yeah.
Taking a deep breath, she goes on.
Jen : Listen... Maria's got a doctor's appointment tomorrow.
Brad : Oh...
Jen : I'd really like it if you came.
Brad : Of course I'll be there Jen.
Jen : Yeah?
Turning to look at Amanda, she gives her a reassuring nod to let her know everything's fine.
Brad : Yes.
Jen : You should probably... stay at your own house for a while though.
Brad : Hm?
Jen : Just for a few days. I think some time to think would be good for the both of us.
Brad : Right.
He clears his throat as it's not what he had hoped to hear.
Jen : Brad?
Brad : Yeah.
Jen : I love you.
Brad : I love you too sweetheart.
The next day :
Maria : Hey!
As Jen walks through the hallway, she sees Maria coming towards her while waving.
Jen : Hey you.
Jen adjusts her mask, before giving her a warm hug, instantly looking down on the not so visible bump.
Jen : How's it going?
Maria : Good, good.
Jen : Have you seen Brad?
Maria : No... is he not with you?
Jen : Uhm... no. He had to fix something so we didn't...
Emmet walks up behind them, interrupting her as he speaks.
Dr. Emmett : There you are, we're ready for you.
Jen : Oh...
Dr. Emmett : Will the father not be joining us today?
Jen : He will... y'all can go ahead. I'm just gonna...
Jen pulls out her phone as Maria and the Doctor head into the room.
Finding his name in her contacts, she's about to press call when she sees him coming rushing towards her, with a stressed look on his face.
Brad : Jen!
Jen : There you are.
Brad : I was stuck in traffic.
Jen : Why didn't you call?
He stands facing her, as he lays a reassuring hand on her arm while trying to catch his breath.
Brad : I should have called yeah.
Jen stares into his eyes, relieved to see him in a better state than when he left three days ago.
He wraps his arm around her, pulling her close as she takes a deep breath.
Brad : Alright.
They part soon after, neither of them knowing how to behave or what to say to each other.
Jen : Let's...
Brad : Yeah.
Brad follows her down the hall, as she opens the door to where Maria and the Doctor are waiting for them.
Dr. Emmett : Great!
Brad : Sorry, I'm late.
Dr. Emmett : It's totally fine. You can sit down here... while you were gone Jen I was just telling Maria what to expect the next upcoming weeks.
Jen : Right.
Dr. Emmett : I'll give you a run through of that later, since I'm guessing you're more interested in hearing the heartbeat?
Brad nods as the Doctor gets the machine ready.
Jen : Are you comfortable?
Maria : Would you judge me if I said I was?
Jen laughs while Dr. Emmett rubs out the gel on Maria's stomach, before grabbing the transducer.
Dr. Emmett : So you're about 6 weeks along Maria...
Maria : Yes.
Dr. Emmett : The fetus will be about the size of a peanut.
Jen : Ok.
Dr. Emmett : It will show up right there, on the screen... it might be a little hard to see, but you should be...
Jen turns to Brad, grabbing his hand as she takes a deep breath.
Dr. Emmett : There it is.
He points at the screen, as Jen leans in closer still not letting go of Brad's hand.
Jen : Wait...
Brad wraps his arm around her waist, whispering in her ear.
Brad : Do you see that oval looking thing?
Jen : Mhm.
Jen nods as he explains it to her.
Brad : And inside of it... that tiny...
Jen : There?
He strokes her back as she points at the right place, before Jen leans back covering her mouth with her hands.
Brad : Yeah... that's it. That's our baby.
Dr. Emmett : Let's see if we can try and find the heartbeat.
Taking Maria's hand, Jen smiles at her while fighting back tears.
Dr. Emmett : I think we...
Suddenly, the sound of a rapid rhythm can be heard echoing in the room, as the Doctor presses down on Maria's skin.
Dr. Emmett : We found it.
Jen : Oh my god.
Not able to hold back anymore, Jen lets the tears fall from her eyes as she turns to look at Brad who's welling up himself.
About an hour later :
Jen : I can't believe it.
Brad : I know.
Jen : I just don't wanna get too excited yet, I mean it's not even been 12 weeks.
Brad : Jen... you have to stop worrying.
He removes a stray of hair from her face, as they're standing leaned against the wall.
Jen : Yeah... you're right.
Jen looks down on her watch, checking the time before clearing her throat.
Jen : I guess I better call my driver.
Brad : Nonsense.
Jen : Hm?
Brad : C'mon. I'm driving you home.
Laughing, she nods before taking his hand in hers.
Jen : You know what... why don't you come back home?
There's no point in acting like strangers.
Brad : Really?
Jen : Yes... I mean it's getting kind of lonely.
Brad : Yeah?
Jen : Besides I believe you when you say you've gotten your shit back together.
Jen takes a deep breath as she lays her hand on his cheek, before leaning in for a much needed kiss.
The same night :
With her head resting on Brad's chest, Jen's still lying awake thinking about the last few days.
And whether or not she made the right decision of letting the rehab thing go.
Jen : Brad?
Maybe it's wishful thinking, but in this moment it feels like she has.
While whispering, she looks up at him as she realizes he's fallen asleep.
However, down by the foot of the bed Chesterfield has still got his eyes open, staring at her.
Jen : Are you as happy about daddy being home as me?
Jen's about to reach her hand out to him, before she suddenly notices her phone lighting up.
Justin
How'd the appointment go today? Were you able to hear it?
Sighting, she swallows before she starts typing.
Jen
It went great. We...
Brad : Hey.
Jen gasps as he suddenly speaks.
Jen : Jesus.
Brad : What are you doing?
Jen : Oh, nothing...
Turning off her phone in a hurry, she lays it face down on the nightstand before turning around.
Brad : Why are you still awake?
Jen : I couldn't sleep...
He gives her a half smile, before pulling her closer again.
Brad : Come here.
Brad tightens his grip around her, before planting a kiss on the side of her head.
Meanwhile Jen can't help but to feel guilty about hiding the fact that she's talking to Justin again.