Forever Chance

by CJ Murphy

  Brandi pulled on a charm attached to a bracelet on her wrist. “Chance is her hero in every sense of the word. If I’ve heard it once, I’ve heard it a thousand times. Her goal in life is to make them proud, to be like Chance, and have a love that lasts as long as Maggie and Dee’s.”

  “That admiration goes both ways. Chance knows how hard Kendra’s life was before she came to live with the Fitzsimmons. The sun rises and sets in Kendra for all of them. I always wanted a little sister. From what I see, I’m pretty lucky to have two.”

  Brandi wrinkled her forehead in confusion. “Two?”

  Jax nodded. “Unless I miss my guess, you don’t have any plans of going anywhere, anytime soon. When the Fitzsimmons girls love someone, they love with their whole being. That’s rare, Brandi, and something you don’t throw away. I never meant to, but that’s what I did. I wanted to be away from my mother so badly, I walked away from Chance and ended up in a relationship that made me question if true love existed.”

  As Jax said those words, her mother pushed through the door. “It’s about time I get to visit you without interference. I need to speak to my daughter alone. Leave please.”

  “Mother, you’ve been told not to come back.”

  Kendra walked in with a carryout tray of drinks. “When my sister gets back, you’re likely to find yourself enjoying the Garrett County lockup. You aren’t wanted here. If you decide that’s not something you can do on your own, I can find security. They will help you find the exit sign.”

  Jacqueline St. Claire stepped closer to Jax’s bed and set down her handbag. “No Fitzsimmons will ever tell me what to do, even an adopted one. Like all the rest, you’re just another piece of trash.”

  Jax shot up in bed, grabbed her mother’s purse, and launched it across the room. “That’s enough! Nurse! Nurse!” Jax screamed for help, and her mother moved closer to her, attempting to put her hand over Jax’s mouth as she fought. “Get your hands off me! How dare you!”

  Kendra grabbed Jax’s mother and spun her around, pulling one arm up behind her back and pushing her into the wall. “Brandi, get security! Now!”

  “No need, Kendra. All the security she’ll ever need is present. Blijven, Zeus.”

  Everyone turned at the low growl emanating from the Belgian Malinois along with the show of teeth he was exhibiting. Chance stood with her hand on her service weapon, and two security guards stepped in with her.

  “Chance!” Tears ran down Jax’s face. “Thank, God.”

  Indignation thick in her voice, Jacqueline confronted Chance. “If he bites me, I’ll sue you.”

  Chance stepped closer and took over the hold from Kendra. “If he bites you, it will be because he’s been ordered to. That only happens if someone fails to comply. My suggestion is you do exactly what these security officers tell you to.” Chance leaned in but didn’t drop her voice. “And if you ever put a hand on Jax again, it won’t be Zeus you have to worry about. Now, I suggest you follow orders and get out. Don’t turn around, and don’t ever come near her again. Am I making myself clear?”

  “This isn’t over!”

  Chance laughed. “Oh, it is. If we have to put a restraining order on you, we will.”

  Jax watched it all play out in front of her. The exertion of throwing her mother’s purse and struggling to get free of the hand over her mouth had left her in nearly blinding pain. “Chance please, make her go away. Make her go away. I don’t ever want to see her as long as I live. I’ll do whatever I have to, sign any papers, testify in court, but please get her away from me!”

  At that moment, Jax’s father pushed through the melee to Jax’s side. “Jibber Jack, I’m here. It’s okay. Calm down. It’s going to be okay.”

  “Daddy please!”

  Jacqueline walked near the window and began picking up the items from the purse Jax had thrown. “Your father has no say in whether I see you or not. He is not my keeper, nor a person who orders me around. I will not leave, and I will not be thrown out of here.”

  Jax watched as her father walked to her mother. He towered over her. He bent and began picking up the strewn items. He handed them to Jacqueline. Jax had never seen her father’s head so red. She detected a tremble in his hands. She actually worried for her mother’s safety. “Daddy, come over here. I need you.”

  Jacqueline turned to Jax, fire glinting from her eyes. “You are a grown woman. Calling him your daddy is so juvenile.”

  Jax’s father stepped between her mother’s line of sight and her bed. “In all my life, I’ve never known a woman so hell-bent on the destruction of her family. I am her daddy and always will be. Why are you so determined to cause our family the amount of pain you have? Do you know why Jennings and Lynn decided to hike that trail? Lynn was going to take the kids and leave Jennings because of your interference. Our son thought that some time away from you would help them find each other again. That’s what he confided in me. They were on that trail because of you! I lost my son and daughter-in-law because of you. I’ll be damned if I’m going to lose my daughter.”

  Mike St. Claire clenched his fists, then wiped a hand down his face before pointing to the door. “I want you to get the hell out of here. Get in the car out front and drive your ass back to Richmond. When you get there, find yourself a good lawyer. You’re going to need one to handle your side of our affairs. This is the last time I will let you speak to my daughter this way. Consider yourself on notice, Jacqueline. I’m done. My attorney will send the papers as soon as you advise the name of your lawyer. Don’t try to use Sam, he’s already drawing up my side of the decree.”

  Jax winced through her pain. Listening to her father dress her mother down would have been music to her ears years ago. This pronouncement rang with a pang of regret for years that could never be retrieved. The words about Jennings and Lynn hurt more than anything her mother had ever done to her.

  Jax cleared her throat. “I’m going to make myself perfectly clear to you. I want you out of here.”

  One of the security guards waved an arm toward the door. “Please don’t make me physically remove you. I’d appreciate it if you’d vacate the area.”

  Physically hurting and emotionally exhausted, Jax pressed her head back into her pillow. She put a hand over her eyes, as the pounding in her head grew sharper. She felt warm breath near her ear.

  “You okay? I’m getting them out of here, now.”

  Jax opened her eyes and looked into the gunmetal-blue eyes she trusted more than any other. Chance, the woman she was choosing a life with, was all she’d ever need. “Please.”

  “Enough. Everyone out!” Chance stepped toward the group in the small room and opened her arms wide as she walked forward. “No arguments. Out!”

  Jacqueline St. Claire huffed indignantly and walked out the door. For the first time in the last fifteen minutes, Jax breathed easy. Her leg ached, and all she wanted to do was go home so she could be wrapped up in Chance’s arms. The lasts few days had been a complete nightmare. I always liked rollercoasters, but this is one I want to get off.

  Chance was back at her side, protectively leaning in and holding her hand. “It’s going to be okay. I promise you. She won’t get back in here. My hope is they are going to release you. That’s why I was held up. I called and talked to Kristi, who’s offered to come and check in on you if Dr. Mason agrees to let you go home. There is too much access to you here, and you’re certainly not resting.”

  Jax pulled on the back of Chance’s neck until their lips were a breath apart. “Have I told you how much I love you? Take me home.”

  Chapter Twenty-two

  CHANCE PEERED AROUND THE bedroom door to see Jax. Good, she’s sleeping. She’d been home for two days, and Kristi was due to check on her around two in the afternoon. Chance was trying to juggle work with caring for Jax. She was grateful to her mothers, and to Kendra and Brandi, who’d stayed with her while Chance went and took care of some things at the office she couldn’t put off. Mike was still in town and
had taken his turns sitting with Jax. Fortunately, Jacqueline had returned to her home in Virginia.

  Chance was more than grateful that she hadn’t seen Jacqueline since the last scene at the hospital, and she hadn’t heard from Lacey at all. She knew Mike and Jacqueline’s impending divorce was on Jax’s mind, though Chance wasn’t sure she was upset by it. On her way to the kitchen, she let Zeus out the back door into the yard. They really needed a run, but the thought of leaving Jax held no appeal. She was scheduled to work the midnight shift with Khodi. Thankfully, next weekend was Daniel’s graduation from the academy. With Khodi on board and Daniel working the court duty, she would be back up to full staff. At least until Daniel left for his K9 training. She planned to step back into her administrative duties that would allow her to be home more. Her phone buzzed, and the display screen let her know it was Sarah calling.

  “Hey, what’s up?”

  “Kristi and I are on our way over. Can we pick anything up for you? She’s bringing a lasagna with her, so we’ve got dinner covered for later.”

  Chance smiled. She really did have the best friends in the world. “No, that’s perfect. She’s resting right now. I’ll be glad to have Kristi take a look at her injuries and reassure me we did the right thing bringing her home.”

  “On our way. See you in twenty minutes.”

  Chance juggled the phone, cursing herself that she hadn’t put it on speaker, as she made lunch for Jax and herself. “We’ll be here.” She hung up and continued making the turkey sandwich and stirring the chicken soup her mother had made the day before. It wasn’t that Chance couldn’t cook, she just preferred to do her cooking on the grill. She placed everything on a tray and carried it upstairs to Jax. When she pushed open the door with her foot, she was grateful to see two bright eyes looking back at her. “Hungry?”

  Jax adjusted her position. “Starving actually. Tell me that’s Maggie’s soup?”

  “It is, and half a sandwich. That way, you can take your pain medicine.”

  Jax sighed. “I really want to stop taking it altogether. It makes me feel like I have oatmeal between my ears.”

  Chance nearly dropped the tray chuckling. “Don’t make me laugh or you’ll be wearing the soup instead of eating it.”

  After arranging everything for Jax, she grabbed her own portion, and the two of them dug in. Chance swallowed a bite. “Sarah and Kristi are on their way.”

  “Good. I need a good progress report from her if I’m going to Daniel’s graduation.”

  This was a discussion they’d had more than once over the last few days. “Jax, we’ve talked about this. You don’t have to go.”

  “I know I don’t have to. I want to.” Jax sipped soup from the oversized mug.

  “I’m worried about a trip that long, then coming back after. If you go, will you agree to stay overnight in Charleston and start home the next day? The graduation will wear you out after that drive.”

  Jax nodded. “That I’ll agree to. I’m not delusional enough to believe it won’t exhaust me, but it’s important.”

  Chance couldn’t stop the smirk that made its way across her face. “And you have no plans of letting Faith have an opportunity to be alone with me.”

  Jax grinned over the rim of the soup bowl. “Nope.”

  “And this is why I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  They finished lunch, and Chance took the dishes to the kitchen. Zeus barked, drawing Chance’s attention to the door as she wiped her hands on a dishcloth. Sarah and Kristi stepped out of the vehicle. Chance came down the steps and took the large pan from Kristi.

  “Let me help you.”

  Kristi leaned in and kissed Chance’s cheek. “You just want to make sure you get the biggest piece.”

  Chance tilted her head toward the house. “Not going to lie, that’s probably true. She’s awake.”

  Kristi patted her on the back. “I’ll go check on her.”

  Sarah stood at Chance’s side. “How are you doing with all this?”

  “Scared shitless.”

  Sarah patted Chance’s back. “I figured.”

  “We’ve spent a lifetime apart. Almost losing Jax was worse than being shot at. It got even more complicated when her mother piled on with some shitty things, including calling her ex-wife. I swear, Sarah, you know I’m a patient person. I’ve made it part of how I respond as an officer, but that woman brought me right to the edge. I can’t understand wanting to hurt someone like she does.”

  “I can. Look at my parents. For that matter, look at Faith.”

  They made it inside, where Chance put away the food as Sarah let Zeus back in the house. Chance gestured to the library, where they sat down.

  Chance put her face in her hands and took a deep breath. “Speaking of Faith, she wants to have lunch.”

  “You’re kidding.”

  Chance held up her right hand as if she were swearing an oath.

  “Some days I wish she’d move away.” Sarah paused and shook her head. “I’m a terrible sister.”

  It was sad for Chance to hear Sarah talk about her sister that way, even though Faith had always been less than supportive of Sarah’s career and partner choices. “No, you aren’t. It breaks my heart for you and Kristi. Those years I was with Faith, I tried to be the voice of reason. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but she’s one of the most stubborn people I’ve ever met.” Chance was glad she could make Sarah break out into a full-blown laugh.

  “Ya think? She’s really my only family. That’s why it hurts so damn much that she can’t just be proud of the life I’ve made for my wife and child. It hasn’t been easy; you know that. The thing is, I wouldn’t change one single second of it. Faith has the education, the looks, and the money, but I have true love and a son who’s going to work for my best friend. A best friend who’s always been more of a sister to me.”

  Chance knew that the Ryker family had always had high expectations for both their daughters. Sarah’s parents had basically disowned her when she came out. Dating men through medical school gave Faith a few years reprieve. When she started dating women exclusively, their parents had washed their hands of both of them.

  “I’ve always considered you like a sister, too. Hell, you spent as much time at my house as you did your own. moms-squared adopted you a long time ago. You know they consider Daniel like a grandchild.”

  Sarah dropped her eyes. “I don’t know how I’d have gotten through high school and college without your family. I know I didn’t become a doctor, but I take care of my fair share of patients to make sure they get to those highly trained doctors.”

  Chance turned and looked Sarah directly in the eyes. “Sarah, don’t let Faith into your head like that. You make a difference in this community every day. You’ve raised an incredible kid who will soon be protecting this community from harm. You have a great deal to be proud about and nothing to feel like a failure over.”

  Sarah nodded slowly. “He is something. Hard to believe next weekend he’ll graduate from the academy. I can’t tell you how much it relieves my mind to know he’ll be under your watchful eye.”

  “Daniel is a special young man, and he’s got a long career in front of him. God help us when Kendra graduates from college. Our worry factor will be times two then. For now, how about we go check on our girls?” Chance wrapped an arm around Sarah’s shoulders as they headed upstairs.

  ***

  “Well, what’s the verdict?” Jax shifted in the bed as much as she could without causing herself pain.

  Kristi pulled the blood pressure cuff off Jax’s arm. “All your vitals are good. You seem to be managing your pain level, and the incision looks good. I’ll call Dr. Mason and give a full report. Are you sure you want to make that ride to Charleston?”

  Jax brushed her hair back behind her ears. “If he thinks it will be a problem, then we’ll figure out what we need to do to mitigate it. I’m going, one way or another.”

  Kristi put a hand ove
r her mouth, stifling a chuckle. “With Faith going, I had money on you dragging yourself there if you had to.”

  “These last few months, she’s been so persistent. Poor Theresa, my heart breaks for her.”

  “I’ve known Theresa for years, and I don’t know that I’ve ever seen anything that could make her pull back from her kids at school. I’ve tried to talk to her. There just doesn’t seem to be a good ending to this.”

  Jax adjusted a pillow behind her back. “And if it’s not Chance’s ex, it’s mine. I still can’t believe my mother called her.”

  “Your mom is something else. She hates the Fitzsimmons family so badly, she’s willing to hurt you to get back at them for some perceived wrong. Bizarre.”

  “That’s one way to describe her. Dad says he’s going forward with the divorce no matter what. It’s certainly not what I was expecting. They’ve been together a very long time. He always bent to whatever she wanted. That included never standing up to her for me, until now.”

  “We think differently the older we get. Some things become more important when we realize we’re closer to the end of our life than the beginning.”

  Jax squeezed Kristi’s hand. “Very true. So, I have a favor to ask. I know Sarah will be standing with Chance, will you stand with me?”

  “Do you know how many times I’ve been on a horse in the last few years? I can count them on one hand.” She laughed and nodded. “For you, anything.” Kristi vowed.

  Two new voices floated a conversation to the doorway. Sarah and Chance stood side by side, both with smirks on their faces.

  “How’s the patient?” Chance leaned on the door frame.

  Jax pointed to Kristi. “I’ve been told by my highly qualified nurse that I’m doing well.”

  Chance moved farther into the room and came to sit on the wide footboard of their bed. “Is that so?”