Disclaimer : This chapter is strictly fictional and does not reflect nor give the real representation of any real life circumstances. It contains mentions of domestic and substance abuse.
At rehab, 3 weeks after Brad checked in :
Jen : That way, right?
The security man follows Jen down the hallway of the centre, as she's there to visit Brad.
Jen : Honey?
Brad stands up when he sees her turn the corner, before she runs over to him, throwing her arms around his neck.
Brad : You smell good.
He nearly lifts her up from the floor, taking in the scent of her perfume.
Jen : Thanks, so do you..
Jen smiles as she lays a hand on his cheek, to get a proper look at him.
Jen : You look good too.
Brad takes her hand, walking over to the two chairs set out for them in the visitation area.
Jen : Have you been swimming?
Jen points to the pool outside as she sits down.
Brad : No, it's closed off because of Covid.
Jen : Oh.
Brad : I've been reading a lot though.
Jen : Yeah?
Brad : Mhm... how are the dogs by the way?
Jen : Oh, they're great. Chesterfield sort of sits by the door every day, waiting for daddy.
Brad laughs as she tries to imitate him.
Jen : We're both waiting for daddy.
Brad : I'll be back home next week.
Jen : Yeah.
Jen sighs, while looking out the window.
Jen : You are gonna come back right?
Brad : What do you mean?
Jen : Are you gonna come home? To my place?
Brad : Do you not want me to?
Brad furrows his brow as she shakes her head.
Jen : No, I want you to. I just... was wondering if you'd go back to your own place or...
Brad : Why would I do that?
Jen : I don't know... I guess I just thought, since...
Brad : Wait, wait.
Brad moves closer to her as she starts mumbling, taking her hand.
Brad : Why would you say that?
Jen : I don't know, I was wondering... without the booze if you'd want to take a break from...
Jen clears her throat before looking up at him.
Jen : I guess living with me, because it got bad when... you were with me.
Brad : Jen.
Jen : It's okay, it's fine. I just was wondering.
He sighs as she goes on.
Jen : Whatever you want is okay.
Brad : Whatever I want? I wanna be with you... I wanna live with you.
Jen : Ok.
Brad : That's why I'm here.
Jen : I know. I just want you to be happy.
Brad : I'm working on that... that's why I need to stick with you.
Jen nods before grabbing her bag, remembering what she was gonna show him.
Jen : I brought something.
She hands him the photo from Maria's ultrasound, before he puts his glasses on.
Jen : I know I sent them to you, but I thought you might wanna have them.
Brad : Oh, wow. Thank you.
Jen : 12 weeks now.
He looks up at her, tears starting to form in his eyes.
Jen : Only got 6 months left.
Brad shakes his head before pulling her closer, pressing his lips against the side of her head.
Brad : This is... it's just what I needed.
Jen : What?
Brad : To stick out being here... knowing you and the baby is waiting for me, makes it all worth it.
3 days later, on the set of The Morning Show :
Reese : Do you know when you're getting vaccinated yet?
Jen : Well...
Jen clears her throat before taking another bite of her salad.
Jen : No, but they said they should reach people under 60 before May so... hoping it will be soon.
Reese : Mhm.
Reese picks up her phone, checking a dm on Instagram, while the two women are eating lunch.
Jen : I just wish they'd hurry to fuck up.
Reese : Right.
As she goes back to her explore page, a shocking article shows up on her phone, making Reese raise her brow.
Jen : I'm sure they're doing they're best and all, I'm just so...
Reese : Hey, Jen?
Jen : Yeah?
Reese hands her the phone, while biting her lip.
Reese : Have you seen this?
Jen widens her eyes as she sees the headline.
"Angelina Jolie Claims She Has 'Proof' of Alleged Domestic Violence Against Brad Pitt in New Court Documents."
Jen : Uhm...
Reese : It's People Magazine.
Jen : Mhm.
Reese : Do you think there's anything to it?
Jen : Well, I don't know.
She takes a deep breath, before handing the phone back to Reese.
Jen : Shit.
Reese : I mean it could be pure speculation.
Jen : Yeah... yeah it could.
2 days later, on the road :
Jen : I'm on my way home from set.
Jen puts her phone on speaker, while talking on the phone to Amanda.
Amanda : Oh, you're driving?
Jen : Yeah.
Amanda : Alright..
Jen : What's going on?
Amanda : Well, I was actually just calling because I saw... uhm something on the news.
Jen : Amanda.
Jen takes a deep breath as she turns left.
Amanda : Yeah?
Jen : I don't know any more than you do.
Amanda : Really? I thought Brad would know what it was about.
Jen : I don't think he's seen it yet.
Amanda : What?
Jen : Yeah.
Amanda : What about his lawyer, wouldn't they call him if anything was going on?
Jen : I don't know... I don't know Amanda.
Amanda : Oh.
Jen : He's coming home today, so I'm gonna talk to him later.
Amanda : It's really blowing up in the news.
Jen : I bet it is.
Driving through her gate, she sighs.
Jen : But I would like to get some time with him, before I throw it in his face.
Amanda : Right.
Jen parks her car, before looking over her shoulder seeing Brad drive in behind her.
Jen : Oh, I have to go... but I'll call you some other time?
Amanda : Yeah, and send me the sonogram pictures!
Jen : I will, bye.
Amanda : Bye honey.
Jen laughs as she gets out of her car, seeing Brad roll down his window before shouting at her.
Brad : Hey!
With a smile on her face, she walks over to him as he stops the engine.
Jen : Hey handsome.
Brad grabs the roses laying in the passenger seat before opening the car door.
Jen : Welcome home.
Brad : Mhm.
He wraps his arm around her, holding her with a tight grip as she kisses the side of his head.
Brad : It's good to be home.
Jen presses her lips against his, before noticing the bouquet in his hand.
Jen : Did they give you these?
Brad : Oh, no they're for you.
He hands them to her as she raises her brow.
Jen : What? Why?
Brad : Well...
He laughs as she buries her face in them.
Brad : I drove past this flower shop when I was driving home and I remembered how you... one time when you got mad at me... told me you wished I'd buy you flowers more often...
Jen rolls her eyes while laughing as he goes on.
Brad : So I saw these.... and I know your favorite are white roses, so I got them.
Jen : That's so sweet of you.
Brad : Yeah?
Jen : It does sound a bit like you're trying to guilt trip me... but it's still sweet.
Brad : Oh, c'mon.
Inside, 2 hours later :
Jen : They've really missed their daddy.
Brad : I've missed them too.
Jen smiles at the sight of Brad laying on the floor with all the dogs tackling him.
Brad : Chesterfield has gotten so big.
Jen : I know.
He gives Sophie one last pat on the head, before he gets and walks over to Jen who's setting the table.
Brad : And so has Maria.
Jen : Right?
Brad : Our baby's growing fast.
Jen : I know.
Brad wraps his arms around her waist as she's facing the table, whispering in her ear.
Brad : You look really pretty today by the way.
Jen : Really?
Jen blushes as he buries his head in her neck.
Brad : Mhm.
Jen : I'm just wearing jeans and tank top Brad.
Brad : Well...
He laughs before moving his hand down to her butt, giving it a squeeze.
Jen : Oh.
Brad : I wasn't talking about your outfit, I was talking about you.
Jen : Mhm.
Jen smirks as he lets her go, before reaching for the plates.
A few minutes later :
Brad : We sat in groups, smaller ones than usual because of the situation... and we talked and shared stories.
Jen : Is that weird... considering you're you?
Brad : No, they don't really care about who you are or where you come from.
Jen : That must have been a relief.
Brad : It really was.
Noticing his hand's resting on her thigh, Jen presses her lips together as he goes on.
Brad : But I mean I've been over this before, so this time it was really just about getting well. I didn't have any worries.
Jen : Right.
Brad : Except for you though. You were my one worry.
Jen : What?
Jen laughs as he strokes her leg softly.
Brad : Yeah, not being able to see you was a little difficult sometimes.
Jen : Really?
Brad : I mean I know we were good with calling and texting and all that, but I can't tell you how good it feels to be able to... you know actually hold you.
Jen : Honey...
Brad : I mean being away for as long as I was just made me realize exactly how lucky I am to have you.
Jen lays her hand on top of his, taking a deep breath.
Jen : I'm just as lucky to have you.
He smiles, before clearing his throat.
Brad : I just wanted you to know that.
Brad picks up his fork again, taking a bite of the steak Jen has prepared.
Brad : By the way... this is amazing.
Jen laughs as he speaks with his mouth full.
Jen : Brad?
Brad : Yeah?
Jen : I'm glad you like it, but I think dinner's over.
Brad : Oh?
He furrows his brows as she bites her lip, not quite understanding what's happening.
Jen : It might be time to move on to dessert?
Brad : Oh, ok.
Jen : Mhm.
Jen slowly lets her foot run up his leg as he clears his throat.
Brad : What did you...
He smirks at her, as she tilts her head.
Brad : Oh.
Jen : Yeah?
Brad nods excitedly as she leaves the table and starts walking towards the hallway.
Jen : Are you coming honey?
Brad : You bet.
He chases after her, pulling her close as she laughs, before they head up the stairs to the bedroom.
The next day :
Jen : Honey?
Jen walks out on the patio, seeing Brad sit in his usual chair with a coffee in his hand.
Brad : Good morning.
He smiles at her as she walks over to him, only wearing her robe.
Jen : To you too.
Jen sits down on his lap, wrapping her arm around his neck as he looks up at her.
Brad : Did you sleep well?
Jen : Well... when we actually decided to go to sleep, yes.
He laughs as he's reminded of last night's activities.
Brad : It was a good night though.
Jen : Oh, that's for sure.
Jen reaches for his mug, taking a sip of it as he smirks.
Jen : Maybe it's a sign you should go away more often...
Brad : Oh, really?
He laughs as she gets up and sits down on the chair facing him.
Jen : No, I'm just kidding.
Brad : So... how have you been these last few weeks?
Jen : Good, I've been good. For the most part.
Brad : Anything new going on?
Jen : Hm?
Brad : Anything new happening that I should know of?
Jen presses her lips together as she's reminded of the article Reese showed her.
Jen : Well...
As well as all the dozen more articles she found when she googled the same thing later that day.
Jen : There's one thing.
Brad : Mhm.
Jen : I don't know if you've seen it, but...
Brad : Where?
Jen : On the news.
Brad shakes his head as Jen swallows.
Brad : No, they encourage us to tune out the rest of the world while we're...
Jen : Right.
Brad : What is it?
Jen : I saw this article the other day concerning you... and Angelina.
Brad : What?
He laughs as she pulls her phone out, thinking it will be yet another crappy tabloid story.
Jen : It said something about how Angelina apparently, in court documents... is stating that she'll, uhm...
Jen takes a deep breath.
Brad : Just spit it out Jen.
Jen : That she'll get the kids to testify. In court.
Brad : What?!
Jen : I don't know how much of this is true Brad, I really don't.
Brad : Testify against what?
Jen : I... I'm guessing the same as last time.
Brad : Right.
Jen nods as she looks down on her screen.
Jen : Yeah, it's domestic violence.
Brad : Let me see that.
Brad snatches the phone out of her hand, reading the article from People Magazine.
Jen : We don't know if this is true Brad.
Brad : Oh, we know.
He throws the phone on the table, before laying his head in his hands.
Brad : We know.
Jen : But I don't understand... I thought you were working things out.
Brad : Well, what can I say... Angie still wants sole custody.
Jen : Right.
Brad : And she won't give up until she gets what she wants.
He shrugs his shoulders before going on.
Brad : At this point maybe I should just let her have it.
Jen : Brad.
Brad : I mean, maybe it's the right thing to do.
Jen : No. You can't just give up.
Brad : Well.
Jen : Think about the kids... the kids love you.
He lifts his stare, shaking his head as he sighs.
Brad : It's just... Maddox.
Jen : Brad.
Brad : I've caused that kid too much pain over the years.
Jen : Hey.
Jen lays a hand on his arm as his lip starts trembling.
Jen : Brad, that was a long time ago.
Brad : That doesn't matter.
He stands up, taking a deep breath before going in.
Brad : He's obviously still dealing with it.
Jen : Brad I think you need to call Angelina, you need to ask her about this before you do anything else.
Brad : Mhm.
Jen : I mean it might not even be true. You never know with the media nowadays.
Brad : I know, but...
Jen : No, this isn't the time to be selfish.
Brad : What?
Jen : I know you're trying to avoid having to talk to her, but this is important.
Brad : Right... you're probably right.
A few hours later, in the living room :
Jen : So she said she's considering it...
Jen shrugs her shoulders as Brad's walking back and forth.
Jen : That doesn't mean she'll actually go through with it.
Brad : You don't know her like I do Jen.
Jen : No, I know...
Brad sighs as she nods.
Brad : Besides, this will be up to Maddox to decide.
Jen : Do you really think he'd do that?
Brad : I don't know... I don't know Jen.
He throws himself down on the couch, taking his hat off.
Brad : I wasn't very nice to him when I was at my worst.
Jen : No?
5 years ago, on Brad and Angelina's private jet :
Angelina : Would you calm down?
Brad : No.
Angelina : Brad... the twins are sleeping.
Brad : I can't believe you.
Angelina sighs as she takes a sip of her wine.
Brad : You complain about me not being there enough for them and then once I'm here... you don't want me to spend time with them?
Angelina : I don't wanna do this here Brad.
Brad : We're doing it here.
He scolds at her as she shakes her head.
Angelina : You're drunk Brad.
Brad : I'm not fucking drunk.
Angelina : You are.
Maddox : Guys, we're kind of trying to sleep in there.
Maddox suddenly comes out of the other room, yawning.
Angelina : I know honey, we'll keep it down.
Maddox : Dad? Will you keep it down?
Brad : Yes, I'll fucking keep it down.
Maddox : Alright...
Angelina : Brad.
Brad : Hm?
Angelina : This is exactly what I'm talking about.
Brad : What?!
Angelina : You raise your voice at them... they get scared Brad.
Brad : Maddox?
Maddox : Yeah?
Angelina : I mean look at him.
Brad : Are you scared of me?
Maddox : Uhm...
In Jen's living room :
He shakes his head, wanting to forget about it.
Brad : I never, I never laid a hand on him.
Jen : You didn't?
Brad : I didn't.
Jen sighs as he nods.
Jen : Right.
He groans as Jen nods.
Brad : This can't be the reputation I'll have.
Jen : Brad...
Brad : I mean we're bringing another baby into this world Jen.
Jen takes his hand, sighing.
Jen : We'll be just fine.
Brad : You know the media will probably do what they can to paint me as an unfit father.
Jen : Fuck the media.
Brad : Mhm.
Jen : They don't know what they're talking about. They don't even know half the story.
Brad : Apparently they do.
Jen : No, no they don't.
Brad : I just don't want our child to grow up thinking badly of me.
Jen : It won't. I know you wouldn't let that happen.
He looks down as she goes on.
Jen : I know you're a good father Brad... you might not be perfect, but who the hell is?
Brad : Yeah.
Jen : I know my own mother wasn't, neither my dad, but I still loved them.
Jen looks into his eyes, taking a deep breath.
Jen : And so do your kids.