I hear the lock go and nothing can prepare me for the sight that is before me.
"Shit Jen." Her hair is in tatters and her mascara is all down her face from crying. She looks a right bloody mess. As if seeing me sets her off again and I pull her into my arms trying to reassure her that everything will be okay.
“Shhh, it's okay I'm here now." I soothe. I walk forwards with her still in my arms and lead her into the living room. I've never seen her look so broken and it tears me up inside.
“Jess I don't know what to do. How did I let it all get out of control?"
“How about I make us a brew and you can start from the beginning? I'm not going anywhere in a hurry."
She doesn't answer me so I make my way to the kitchen. If this is down to Luke I'm going to fucking rip his balls off. I know she falls quickly, but to see her like this is unusual. It feels like it takes forever for the kettle to boil so while I wait I pull out my phone and message George.
I'm at Jens. What the hell has happened? She's a fucking mess and why did no one tell me about this?"
To say I'm pissed off is an understatement. Am I that much of a shit friend that no one has bothered to call me to tell me what's been happening? I thought George would have called me to tell me, seeing that he's obviously been in the know for some time.
I place Jen's mug in front of her as I sit on the couch beside her. She looks like a little child again, wrapped up in her blanket with tears streaming down her face.
“Why didn't you call me? I would have been back here in an instant." Stroking her hair, I wish I could make whatever was causing her pain to go away.
“Exactly. That's why I didn't call you. As much as I'd like you to, you wouldn't have been able to change anything anyway."
“Maybe not, but I would have been here for you and that's what's important. Is it Luke?" I ask unable to keep the question that has been dancing on my tongue back. The only answers I get are sniffles. "What's he done? Do I need to go all Jen on his arse, because I will do. I might not be a pro like you, but I'll bloody give it my best shot."
“He's not done anything wrong. Well not really. If I hadn't have been so stupid then none of this would have happened. What am I going to do Jess?"
“I'm not sure unless you tell me, love. If he's not upset you then what's gotten you in this state and don't say you're just hormonal because that's utter bullocks."
“Don't hate me, please." My heads mashed and I don't have a clue what she's saying. She is talking in bloody riddles. "
“ could never hate you. Sure you get on my tits like I don't know what, but I could never, ever hate you." I continue to stroke her hair, anything to make her feel a little bit better. "Where’s Luke now?"
“I don't know. I can't face him, every time he calls or try's to come around I feel physically sick. I can't even bring myself to message him back. Fucking hell, he probably thinks I'm such a bitch."
“But why? I don't get it. If he's not done anything wrong, then why would you ignore him?"
“I'm pregnant Jess."
I instantly burst out laughing and I can't help it. "Piss off Jen. Now isn't the time for pissing around." I wait for a smile to creep across her face to let me know she's trying to make light of a bad situation, but it doesn't come. Instead, she sits and looks at me with those puppy dog eyes and her bottom lip trembling as she tries to stop herself from crying again.
“You're being serious aren't you? How do you know? Are you late?"
“I've done ten tests, Jess and every single one of them is fucking positive."
“Shit. Have you been to the doctors?"
“I've not left the house since I found out. George got suspicious and called round and kind of put two and two together."
“And does Luke know?"
“Of course doesn't. What do you take me for? Me being so bloody careless has ruined everything for the both of us."
“You don't know that. Wait, does that test tell you how far you are?"
“No but I can only be about four weeks, max. I haven't slept with anyone else for months."
“I'm not saying that, you dopey cow. I'm just wondering how we're going to get you through this?"
“What do you mean?"
“Well first things first. You're not staying here on your own tonight. You go and get a bath, you smell pretty bad." I shrug, "When you get out, I'll make you something to eat and then tomorrow you'll be going to the doctors with me. They’ll need to check you over and stuff."
Jess
"I can't believe you brought me here so that I’m surrounded by sick people. What if I catch something in my condition? How selfish are you? You’re supposed to be my friend."
“Oh don't be such a wingebag. If you get ill then you'll just have to deal with it like everyone else does."
“You can be such a heartless cow at times you know." She says as she jabs me playfully in the ribs. It's good to see that she's got a bit of her personality back at least. "Thank you."
“What for?"
“For being here. It means a lot."
“Don't be daft, where else would I be you silly mare?" Honestly at times I wonder how she functions on her own. She’s like a walking hazard.
"Miss Davies." After an hour long wait, we're finally called into the doctor’s office and she instantly turns a delightful shade of green. If it wasn’t such a sensitive issue for her, I’d whip out my phone and take a picture for the Jess and Jen adventure album."What brings you to us today Miss Davies?" The doctor smiles encouragingly at her and I give her arm a light squeeze in encouragement.
“Um... I believe that I may be pregnant."
“Well congratulations. I take it that you have already done a test?" Jen doesn't say anything; she just nods her head in the doctor’s direction, most likely desperate to get this over with.
“Okay well first things, first. Please could you fill this for me and come back in once you have done it." Jen's handed a piss pot and she doesn't look happy about it in the slightest.
“But I've already done a test."
“Of course, but policy states you have to do another one for your medical records and it will also allow me to check everything is how it should be."
She gets up on a huff and makes her way to the ladies while muttering something that sounds like “this is so fucking embarrassing.” One of these days she'll do as she's told without moaning about it. When she returns she sheepishly hands the doctor her sample for her to test.
“Thank you.” She says and after a few moments she looks at Jen. “Okay, well Miss Davies it would seem that you're not pregnant."
“That can't be possible, I did ten tests and they all came back positive."
“Could I ask which tests you used?”
“Erm, I don't remember the brand but I picked them up from the quid shop."
“Not all of those brands are accurate. Also it would seem that there have been quite a few recalls on some tests recently, as they have been giving out false readings. It would seem that you were unlucky to pick up some from the bad batch."
“I wouldn't call it unlucky. Shitting hell, I've spent a week in torture. I can't look after myself, let alone a baby." She squeals.
“Jen!" I hiss, trying to remind her where we are. Fortunately the doctor seems to understand her predicament.
“If you haven't had a period in the next two weeks or so, then I'd like you to come back to see me so that we can run some more tests. I'd just like to make sure everything is working how it should be. Oh and you have also missed your routine smear. As soon as we have this issue resolved I'd like you to book into have that done too."
"I can't tell you how shitting happy I am right now Jess. I literally feel like I could piss rainbows." I look at my best friend and feel a sudden wave of relief wash over me.
“Me too. You wouldn't be able to cope with a baby, Jen. You're far too high maintenance yourself. So are you going to call Luke now?"
“I guess I better do
soon. What am I going to say to him? He's going to think I'm such a bitch for ignoring him."
“The fact that he kept trying to contact you shows he's still in to you. Just tell him you were I'll with the flu or something."
“And this is why I love you. You always know what to do."
“I have my moments, love. Maybe it's about time you got yourself on the pill so we don't have another repeat of the past twenty four hours. What do you say?"
"My two favourite ladies. What can I get for you?"
“The usual and something greasy for this deprived one." I say signaling to Jen who graces him with a beaming smile.
“It's good to see you back to your usual self."
“Well this one dragged me to the doctors this morning and it's was only a bloody false alarm, wasn’t it? How about we celebrate? I can feel nine months’ worth of shots in my foreseeable future."
“I'll bring them over so we can get planning."
Max
I've been sat outside Jess’ house for an hour and her fucking phone is switched off. AGAIN. I've tried Stanton's and the place is closed for the day. What the fuck is going on. I'll give her another half an hour and then I'll head to Luke's if she doesn't show. I didn't think to call her to let her know I was flying out and I don't know if she's spoken to Liss. All I want to do is see her beautiful face and then curl up into her body as I sleep for a week. Fucking jet lag. How she's even up and about I'll never know. Maybe I should have called at Jens. Why didn't I think of calling there sooner? Of course that's where she'll be. Those two are inseparable. I stick my car into drive and make my way down the street eager to see her. I'm still fucking pissed that she went when I told her not to, but that's Jess, always ready to do the opposite of what I fucking ask of her.
I'm only parked up for about ten minutes when I see her bouncy honey waves coming towards the house. Fuck how I've missed her. She's fucking perfect. I decide against calling out to her to see if she notices me. Instead it's Jen that comes barreling over towards the car.
“Hey muscles. I didn't expect to see you here, that’s for sure."
“Yeah? I'm full of surprises, me." I say smiling at her.
“Max?" Jess chimes in. Shock registers all over her face followed by disbelief that I'm actually here. "What are you doing here?" She asks.
“I came to help out at Stanton's and to personally show you what happens when you fuck off without telling me, angel." She leans in towards the car window.
“Oh, kinky. I like this one, Jess. Do whatever you have to do to keep him, because I'm telling you, if I get my hands on him I ain't ever giving him back."
“Piss off." She says jokingly but if push came to shove I can see it in her eyes that she'd be pissed as hell. "When did you get here? Why didn't you call?"
“A few hours back." I could say so much more seeing as she did the same, but for now I leave it as I get out of the car. Without a moment’s notice I pull her into me and press my lips to hers. "Don't you dare fucking leave me again, lady."
“I didn't leave you. I was always coming back?" Part of me always hoped that would be the answer, but it still feels fucking good to hear it come from those beautiful lips.
“I’d fly anywhere to be with you."
“Come on you two, you'll get arrested with that show of PDA."
I stay at Jen's for a while with Jess firmly positioned in between my legs on the sofa. She's been away from me for far too long and I don't plan on letting go of her anytime soon, unless I have too.
“Where's Luke? I thought he'd be here. You two were pretty much inseparable last time I saw you both."
“Erm, yeah I've had a bit of man flu and wanted to protect the balls that he doesn't have. I'm kind like that you see. He'll probably be around later.” She shrugs. “Oh, you’re a sneaky one muscles. You haven't even told him you're here yet, have you?"
Jess’ phone chimes to life beside us, and she quickly reaches to grab it before it rings off. "Like I said, I'm full of surprises.”
“Hi. Yeah, no it's fine honestly. What? Really? At least it's a start." Jess says with a glum luck on her face. "Did they give you a name of the client that been affected? Okay... Yep, that's one of the biggies."
She turns to look at me as she ends the call, desperate to tell me something.
“I knew it was a hacking, I just bloody knew it. It's one of our biggest clients too, Limitless."
“Limitless isn't just the biggest client, Jess. That’s mine and Mal's company files with every aspect of personal information on there. It's the company that's been targeted, not a client."
“Are you sure? It can't be. Tim said that the client knew and they were threatening legal action. It just doesn't make sense."
“You've fucking got that right, angel. Listen I'm gonna head to Stanton's to see if I can get to the bottom of this, but I'll see you back at yours later, okay?"
“Hmm mmm." She nods as I lean in for a kiss and she hands me the keys. Something dodgy is going down and I'm going to find out exactly what it is.
The office is eerily quiet as I open the door. Why the fuck is Stanton's closed? Surely there's more staff than Jess as Tim?
“Hey, yeah it's Max." I say answering the phone. "I need your help on something. One of my servers has been hacked and I need to know who's responsible. I'd like to think it's not an inside job, but I need to be sure. Get me the dates, location and all that shit and call me back as soon as you have it. Make it fucking quick."
I won't stand for anyone trying to fuck up my family business. Mal's worked too hard to build this up to where it is today, and I won't allow anyone to destroy it. I take a quick look over the accounts while I wait on Heath getting back to me. Everything else seems to be fine; it's just the limitless file. Not only does it have the business details on there and upcoming proposals that me and Mal have put together, but all staff details and pay role information. If this gets into the wrong hands, we're in big shit.
Jess
"Why does he have to be so goddamn hot, woman? I hope you realise how lucky you are."
“Oh yes, yes I do." I smile knowing that yes, I really am.
“You've got Luke, he's pretty hot too, you know."
“Yeah, that's if he doesn't think I'm some super psycho bitch after the way I have been acting towards him."
“Come on Jen. This is you that we're taking about. Of course he knows you're psycho. It's one of your many charms."
“Oh piss off, you bitch. I had a bloody good reason for my actions and you know it." She laughs.
“Well to be fair, if you would have used something then you wouldn't have found yourself in that situation would you?" A cushion is suddenly hurled at me from her direction.
“Quit being a fucking bitch. I've learnt my lesson okay?"
“Oh yeah, I meant to ask earlier, have you seen or heard from Amelia since I've been away?" Her absence is still playing on my mind.
“Not that I can remember, why?"
“It's just that she's been AWOL from work quite a lot and no one can get hold of her. She's basically just going about doing what she wants from what Tim's said."
“Maybe she just needs sometime out, or something. She wasn't well just before you left was she?"
A knock sounds at the door and Jen turns to look at me with utter panic in her eyes. "Oh god, that's going to be Luke. Shit Jess, what do I say?"
“Just be yourself and you'll be fine."
“Shit, shit, shit. I can't do this."
“You can, and you bloody well will. Just think of the conversation that you would have been having if there was a mini diva growing inside of you." She shudders at my words and I can't help but laugh. "My point exactly now quit being so soft."
When it becomes apparent that she's going nowhere fast, and the knocks continue to get louder and louder, I pull myself up from the sofa on a dramatic sigh and look at her. "Grow yourself a fucking pair Davies." I mutter as I walk towards the front door.
I stand in shock at the person stood before me on the opposite side of the threshold. Anger, sadness and panic all set in and my hands start to shake.
“What are you doing here?" I ask.
“Is that really all you have to say to me after all this time?"
“What do you expect me to say?" I ask and my words come out on a choke as I fight back the tears that threaten to fall.
“Jess, who is it?" Jens voice flows through from the living area.
“How did you know where I was?" I ask, completely ignoring Jen’s question.
“Josh. Who do you think? I'm glad he finally saw sense before you darkened his soul too, with your selfish ways."
I can't believe I'm hearing the words that are coming out of her mouth. It's one thing to have to listen to them over the phone, but dealing with them face to face is something else entirely.
"I'm not surprised he finally left you. It's about time he made something of himself, instead of you holding him back while you pretend to be something that you're not."
“I don't need to listen to your bullshit, mother. Maybe once you've sobered up a little I might be prepared to talk to you civilly. Can't you see that you need help?"
“It's a pleasure as always Diana." Jen says with venom in her voice as she sneaks up behind me. She must have heard the commotion from the living area and came to investigate. "You've caused enough damage in the past and I won't stand here and let you tear chunks out of Jess again, just so you can feel better about yourself. If you want to talk to Jess properly then you'll do it with a clear head. If you're not prepared to do that, then you can turn back around and walk back to wherever it was that you've come from."
“I'm surprised to see that you’re still standing by Jess's side. Most people would have given up on her by now. Surely there are better people you can spend your time with Jennifer?"
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