Home is Where the Heart is

by Mack, Christie

  “So where are we going?” she asked as she pulled the door shut behind her.

  “This isn’t Miami. There aren’t a lot of places to choose from, but we do have a quaint little restaurant I think you’re going to love,” Jordan replied.

  “I’m sure I will,” she lied. Brielle much preferred to go out with Jordan in Miami, where there were many more dining choices they could’ve pick from, instead of some little diner in the middle of nowhere. But she was also eager to get to know Jordan in more ways than one, and in order to do so, she needed to step out of her comfort zone, which meant the city life of fine dining, fashion, and glamour was a no-go tonight. She could do it if it meant she was one step closer to getting to really know Jordan.

  “Lead the way,” she said, trying to hide the disappointment she was feeling with a big beaming smile on her face as she followed Jordan down the steps of the motel leading to his rental car.

  Almost an hour-and-a-half after she cancelled her date with Jesse, the doorbell rang, and Cassie wondered who would be at her door. She wasn’t up for company tonight. All she wanted to do was be with her sick little boy whose temperature, despite the cold washcloth and medicine she had given him, was still spiking above the normal body temperature. She really didn’t know what else she could do, and thought maybe a trip to the local hospital was in order tonight if she couldn’t get his fever to come down.

  Cassie opened the door, and there was Nick standing opposite her with a bag of takeout and some extra medicine for Jake. She knew she could always rely on her best friend to be there for her and Jake when they needed him the most.

  “I come bearing gifts,” he said. “I thought you might be hungry. Where is the patient?”

  Cassie let him inside and then closed the door, taking the takeout from Nick and pointing to the living room. “He’s lying on the sofa,” she said. “I’m actually a little worried because I can’t get his temperature to go down.”

  She ran a hand through her long blonde hair as she entered the kitchen to put the takeout on some plates while Nick went into the living room.

  He kneeled down to the floor so he was eye level with Jake.

  “Hey, buddy.”

  “I’m sick.” He wasn’t his usual exuberant self when Nick was around.

  His brown eyes looked glassy, and when Nick placed one hand to his forehead, he was hot to the touch and sweaty. Jake wasn’t well at all, and Nick figured it was better to be safe than sorry if they made a trip to the hospital now, rather than later.

  “My tummy hurts.” Jake placed his hand over the right side of his tummy.

  Cassie returned with their food on plates.

  “He’s not well. He’s complaining that his tummy hurts.” Nick glanced at Cassie with a worried expression on his face.

  Cassie scrunched up her face, and said, “He hasn’t had much of an appetite either, and when I did manage to get him to eat, he threw it back up again.” She touched her son’s forehead again, and then used a thermometer to take his temperature. When she didn’t get the result she was hoping for, she finally said, “I know that I’m probably worrying about nothing, or being an over-the-top mother, but maybe I should take him to the hospital as a precaution. I suppose the nurses can reassure me it’s not anything to stress about.”

  “If taking him to the hospital will make you feel a little better about the situation, then we’ll take him to the hospital.” Now wasn’t really the time to label Cassie as an over-protective parent and probably worrying about something minor. Her motherly instincts had kicked in and Nick knew better than to disagree with his friend about something he knew nothing about.

  Nick nodded his head, jumping into action right away like the friend he was.

  “I’ll drive,” he said, gradually lifting Jake into his strong arms, forgetting that he weighed a lot more than he did as a baby. Right now though, for Nick, how heavy or light he was didn’t matter. All he cared about was getting his godson—the little boy he had come to think of as his non-biological son—some help.

  Soon enough, Cassie, Nick, and Jake were on their way to the hospital, and Cassie was glad her motherly instinct had kicked in, enabling her to make the decision to postpone her date.

  Along the short, fifteen-minute drive it took to get to the hospital, Cassie remembered she wasn’t alone in this journey anymore; there was now someone else who was co-parenting Jake.

  “Jordan. I have to tell Jordan. He should know his son is sick.” Cassie looked over at Jake, who was hunched over to one side of his booster seat in the back of Nick’s car.

  “It’s already been taken care of. I sent him a text before we left the house,” Nick said calmly, in an attempt to keep Cassie’s nerves intact before she combusted. He glanced back at Cassie’s concerned face in the rearview mirror for just a moment, but concentrated on the road in front of him quickly. The last thing they needed right now was a bigger problem in the form of a car accident.

  “They will meet us at the hospital.”

  But at this point, it hadn’t quite dawned on Cassie that Nick had said they were going to meet them at the clinic, meaning both Jordan and Brielle would be there together.

  Jordan and Brielle were across town on their date at a shabby-chic little cafe that even she had to admit was really charming and quaint in a small-town-living kind of way. It was like the kind of place found in a TV show, complete with red and white checkered tablecloths. Brielle now understood why Jordan would make plans to come back here for visits. You didn’t want to leave a place like Yellow Valley.

  “So it’s pretty nice, huh?” Jordan asked, breaking off a bite of his garlic bread and popping it into his mouth. Attempting to make conversation with Brielle was proving to be harder than he realized. When you took sex out of the equation of what they were, then they really didn’t have much at all. Despite their mutual love of the city life in Miami, Brielle was beginning to realize Jordan was still a small town country boy at heart; he merely hid his true persona beneath his sporting lifestyle. “The restaurant,” Jordan elaborated a little more.

  Brielle didn’t think it could count too much as a restaurant if you didn’t have to line up at the door, and there definitely wasn’t a line waiting to dine here. It was just one of the things Brielle missed about living in Miami.

  But Brielle couldn’t very well say she didn’t like the place. She couldn’t be rude. So instead, she said the only thing she could think of. “Yes, it’s charming. I’ve never experienced anything like this before. I can see why you like it here so much. The town, the people—it’s all so pleasant, and very sweet.”

  Well, it wasn’t a total lie, but living in such a small town sounded kind of tiring and boring to her. She much preferred life in the fast lane, but she supposed she could get used to it if necessary.

  “My friends and I used to come here all the time when I was a teenager, mostly when my high school football team won games. I think you’ll probably find a bunch of group photos of the team and me on the walls.”

  “Does that include Cassie too?” Brielle hadn’t meant to blurt it out, but it just happened. The words were out now; she couldn’t take them back, no matter how much she wanted to.

  Jordan was taken aback. Could she actually be jealous of Cassie?

  “I guess. We were kind of a big deal back then. We were crowned King and Queen at our senior prom, and voted most popular and likable couple in our yearbook.”

  Yawnfest, Brielle thought. She hadn’t meant to ask about Cassie, but she hadn’t wanted to know all about their history either. They were obviously your emblematic high school sweethearts; she could see that. People still probably thought Jordan and Cassie would reunite and be the kind of family they should’ve been with their picture-perfect little boy.

  Brielle didn’t have much else to say after that. What did you say in response to the man you’re interested in telling you how he and his ex-girlfriend were kind of a big deal in town? She was lost for words and couldn’t tu
rn it into something else.

  Luckily, their conversation was silenced when Jordan’s phone made a loud sound indicating he had received a text message. He wasn’t going to check his phone out of politeness toward their date, but when Brielle insisted he check his messages and Jordan bowed his head slightly to read his phone, she suddenly felt like pressure was taken off her shoulders. Tonight didn’t have to live up to anything spectacular; she didn’t have high expectations that their date would develop into an actual relationship. She hoped it would eventually happen, but she figured she could take it one day at a time if there was a chance the two of them could become an actual couple. Brielle just assumed that it might be a little harder than she originally anticipated if Jordan still had feelings for his ex-girlfriend.

  She watched the way his eyes lit up when he was telling her about him and Cassie back in high school. It was so obvious he still cared about Cassie, even though she guessed he would probably deny it if she asked him.

  A part of her wanted him to care about her as much as he obviously did about Cassie, but Brielle was beginning to think it was wishful thinking. She didn’t think she could actually get him to like her as much as she liked him, not if he was still in love with someone else. She couldn’t compete with another woman he shared history with, and she wasn’t about to try now.

  Brielle studied Jordan’s face, his smile fading into a straight line. Worry lines were forming on his forehead.

  Something was wrong.

  “What’s the matter?” she asked him, inquisitiveness filling her voice.

  He suddenly looked up half-bemused, as if for a second he forgot where he was and whom he was with.

  “That was a message from Nick.”

  Brielle nodded her head. She had briefly met Nick when he arrived back home to his apartment while she was making plans with Jordan for their date. He seemed nice during the little while they spoke together.

  “He said...” Jordan began stuttering over his words. She wished she could just push them out of him and make him realize all she wanted was to be there for him. Was that too much to ask?

  “He said what?” She could see panic filling his eyes.

  “They’re taking Jake—my son—to the hospital. He’s got a really bad fever or something. He told me I could meet them there. I have to go now.”

  “Oh, of course. Your son needs you."

  Brielle took control, which was something she was very good at when she needed to be. She supposed it had something to do with her job as an event planner. She tried to follow other people, but no matter how hard she tried, she never succeeded, and always ended playing leader instead. So much for a romantic date, but you couldn’t control when someone was going to get sick; it just happened.

  The check was paid for almost immediately after Jordan sent a quick text back saying they would be there as soon as possible, and they were back in the car and on their way to the hospital together. Jordan had offered to swing by the motel beforehand to drop Brielle off, but she had insisted it would be easier if they went straight there. She said she didn’t mind waiting around, hoping his son would be okay. Besides, Brielle knew it would give her a chance to see with her own eyes just how much Jordan and Cassie really meant to each other.

  Meanwhile at the hospital, soon after they had arrived, Jake was whisked away by a couple of nurses and a doctor so they could run some tests and get to the bottom of what was wrong with Cassie’s little boy.

  Nick was being the supportive friend that he was, consoling a distressed Cassie, telling her everything would be okay with Jake, because he was the strongest five-year-old he knew.

  Jordan appeared in the corridor a few minutes later with the same frenzied countenance as Cassie showed on her face.

  The two parents embraced in a long-lasting hug as if they were the only people in the room. Nick looked past his friends to a silent Brielle, but she didn’t look all that surprised to see the former lovers’ passionate greeting.

  He too had already assumed the spark between Jordan and Cassie would be reignited once again. They always did make a wonderful couple, so he naturally thought of them as a picture perfect family together with Jake. It wouldn’t be right if he didn’t root for his best friends to get back together.

  Jordan and Cassie briefly pulled away from each other, and he tucked a strand of loose hair behind her ear.

  “Did they say what was wrong with him?” he asked her.

  Cassie breathed a worried sigh. “They said it looks like he could have appendicitis, but they’re running some tests to make sure he’s okay.” Her voice was soft and shaky.

  “He has to be okay; I can’t lose him. He’s my baby,” she sobbed into Jordan’s shirt as he pulled her into him again. He didn’t care she was making it wet with tears. He was here for her, and that’s all that really mattered right now. He would hold her for as long as she needed to be held.

  Jake’s pediatrician finally made an appearance, standing behind and clearing his voice in an attempt to be noticed.

  Jordan and Cassie turn around to face him, along with Nick, who was now standing alongside his friends. His black-rimmed glasses sat on the bridge of his nose as looked down at the clipboard he held in his hands.

  “Ms. Larson?” the doctor directed toward Cassie.

  She nodded her head, pointing toward Jordan as well. “It’s okay. Jordan is Jake’s father.”

  “How is our son?” Jordan asked the doctor, desperate for some good news.

  “He’s in a lot of pain, but he’s stable. The nurses are with him now.” His speech was straight and adamant.

  “What’s wrong with him?” Jordan asked.

  “It’s as we suspected earlier. Your son has appendicitis, but we caught it in time so we can do surgery and he will make a full recovery without any further damage.” His fingers drummed against the clipboard he was carrying.

  Cassie’s heart slowed down to a more regular pace knowing Jake was going to be okay. At least his illness wasn’t life threatening.

  “When can we see him?” Cassie asked, desperate to see her boy.

  “You may see him now while the nurses prep him for surgery. I’ll take you to see him, but it might be wise if just Mom and Dad go in for now.” His eyes darted from Cassie and Jordan to Nick and Brielle.

  Nick nodded, tucking one hand into his front jeans pocket. He was fine with that. He was just glad his godson was going to be okay and would make a complete recovery once surgery was done to remove his appendix.

  When Jordan and Cassie followed the doctor into the room to visit their son, leaving Nick and her out in the waiting area together, Brielle finally spoke for the first time since arriving at the hospital.

  “They look good together.”

  Nick turned to her with wide eyes, startled by her comment. All he managed to say was, “Yeah, they do.”

  Nick could see that Brielle was starting to realize she and Jordan didn’t stand a chance at a happily ever after since Cassie was always going to be in his life.

  The moment she stepped foot into the hospital room where her little boy was lying helplessly, Cassie couldn’t help but shed a tear or two as she shook a little. She knew that with surgery he would be fine, but it didn’t make the situation any less nauseating and panic inducing. For any mother to see her child suffer through as much pain as she saw Jake go through tonight, it was unbearable, and she didn’t wish it on anyone in the world. Cassie was thankful to have Jordan supporting her for the first time through this ordeal; any other time, she would have been doing it alone as a single parent. Even with Nick’s help, there was nothing like having Jake’s dad here.

  Jordan continued to show his endless support toward the mother of his child as his hand cupped hers solicitously, their fingers intertwining together so naturally as if they were meant to be together.

  As big as Jake was, compared to the size of the bed he was lying in, he looked so small wearing a hospital gown and a cap to cover his hair.


  At the sight of both of his parents, Jake’s brown eyes lit up brightly.

  “Mommy! Daddy!” His little voice sounded weaker than usual.

  Cassie moved to the side of the bed, taking Jake’s hand in her own as Jordan stood next to her, his arm around her waist. It was almost as if they were a family of three all along, without their complicated history standing in the way of their togetherness.

  For a few minutes, it was just the three of them in the room together. No one said one word. It was silent as Jordan and Cassie simply took in the reassuring, precious time with their ill son, praying he would get through this and go back to being the same kid that loved his baseball and ice cream.

  A nurse reappeared in the doorway.

  “I’m sorry to do this, but you need to go now. We’re ready for surgery.”

  Jordan showed her an affable smile, while Cassie leaned down to place a comforting kiss on top of her son’s head.

  “Mommy and Daddy love you very much. We’ll be right outside waiting for you with Nick,” she whispered to him.

  Jordan ruffled his son’s hair gently, and they watched the nurses wheel Jake out of the room toward the elevator, which would take them to the operating room.

  Cassie allowed Jordan to hold on to her for the extra support she knew she needed right now to keep from slipping to the cold vinyl floor and curl into a ball where she would lay weeping.

  A couple of minutes later, they walked out of the room together and back to where Nick and Brielle were waiting for them. This time, Gabby was also there, and they gave each other a hug. For Cassie, it was nice to know she had the support of so many people in her life, despite her parents’ absence for so many years.

  It felt so good to see her best friend tonight when she needed her the most. Cassie knew she would have had to cut her date short to do so, which was strange for Gabby since her dates were never cut short for anything. They usually continued on into the next morning, if they went well enough to do so.