Coming of Age

Trying Hard

(The next morning)

"Yaaaawwwwnnn...how did I sleep so good?" Jade mumbles as she gets up from the sofa bed, walking towards the kitchen.
"Hmmm...candy crunch cereal or toast with an egg? Ugggh!!"
"Morning. How's you sleep? Jade? Are you ok?" Roy comes into the kitchen to find Jade anxiously leaning against the countertop.
"I'm...fine...just contractions."
"Is there something I can do?"
"No. It'll pass. Just don't let my toast burn."
"Ok...here. Maybe if you sit down?"
"Mmmgh...yeah...maybe." Jade carefully sits down.
"Did that help?"
"A little. It's trying to pass."
"Man Jade. How often do you deal with that?"
"Not too often. But its enough."
"Well I'm glad you're doing ok. How was the sofa bed last night?"
"It was surprisingly comfortable. Thanks."
"Sure. Hey, did you want to shower? It might help you feel better."
"No. I should probably go. Thanks anyways, Roy. Oh wait. I forgot about your shirt." Jade says, looking down at her pajamas.
"It's fine, Jade. Keep it."
"You sure?"
"Yeah."
"Well, thanks again for letting me use it last night."
"No problem. Besides, no one is comfortable sleeping in jeans."
"Yeah. Well...Bye Roy." Jade grins.
"Don't be a stranger. Alright?"
"I won't...." Jade looks at Roy almost hopeful.
"I'll walk you out."
"Be careful."
"You too."

(Soon they both walk out of the apartment.)

"Stay safe, Jade." Roy leans against the doorway.
"Roy..." Jade gazes, slowly nearing Roy's lips.

Without a second thought, Roy grabs ahold of Jade's neck and waist, pulling her against him as they begin kissing each other passionately for a long moment.

"Be ready at nine o'clock tonight." Roy interrupts.
"For what?" Jade smiles.
"That's my little secret."

(Later that day, Jade arrives at the Crock's apartment.)

"Anyone home?" Jade hollers as she shuts the door.
"You've been messing around again, haven't you." Lawrence walks up to her.
"Hi to you too." Jade glares.
"Where were you?"
"Calm down, Lawrence. She was at a friends house." Paula walks over.
"Mmhmm. Suuurre."
"Was there something you wanted?" Jade angrily crosses her arms.
"Ra is getting impatient."
"Well tell Ra that he'll have to deal with it. I can't do anything about this until my baby is born, so tell him to back off."
"Are you sure you want me to tell him that?" Lawrence smirks.
"Sigh....just tell him two more months."
"That's what I thought." 
"Lawrence, stop picking on her. Come on. Lunch is ready."
"Woman, I just ate breakfast."
"Don't woman me, man. If you're not hungry, just say that and I'll wrap it up for later.
"Whatever." Lawrence grumbles as he relaxes on his recliner.
"Why do you put up with him?" Jade asks after walking into the kitchen, watching her mom wrap up Lawrence lunch.
"When you love someone, you learn to accept their difficulties. And sometimes, that means you let them hurt you over and over again because life without them seems more unbearable than the struggles they bring. That's when you know you've got it bad."
"You mean love?"
"Yes."
"Sigh...mom...I stayed at Roy's last night."
"I know."
"You did? How?"
"I'm your mother, Jade. I've been watching you as the months go by, struggling with what Roy did to you. You may be like your father, but you're like me too."
"In what way?"
"You love a man who will end up causing you more pain and heartache than you realize, but somehow, you'll always let yourself forgive him despite what he's done."
"I hope you're wrong, mom."
"Me too, sweetie."

(That night at nine o'clock outside Jade's apartment.)

"Ready?" Roy pulls up on his motorcycle.
"Yeah. But for what?"
"Hop on and you'll find out."
"You know I hate surprises."
"I know, but you'll love this one."

(After driving for about twenty minutes, Roy pulls up to a huge mansion along the coast.)

"What is this place?"
"One of Oliver's fifty houses."
"I would hardly call this a house, Roy. Why are we here? I thought you ditched Oliver."
"I did. Let's just say I'm borrowing this place for the night. He won't even notice."
"Seriously Roy."
"Come on. It'll be fun."
"Sigh...I'll check it out, but after that, you're taking me home."
"If you insist."

(As Roy and Jade walk through the mansion, Jade comes across the pool room.)

"Nice. This place is insane."
"Here. I bought you a swimsuit." Roy tosses Jade a green and black striped maternity two piece.
"Roy. You've got to be kidding me."
"At least try it on. I want to see if my guess on your size was accurate or not."
"There is no way I'm trying this on."
"Come on."
"Forget it."
"Fine. But I'm still swimming."
"Go for it." Jade says before getting interrupted by Roy cannonballing into the pool, drenching her in water.
"Roy!!!!"
"Well I guess this means you have to get in." Roy snickers.
"I'm gonna kill you!"
"Come at me, baby."
"Ugh! Forget it! I'll only get more wet." Jade begins to walk away.

Quickly Roy climbs out of the pool and picks Jade up bride style, dragging her back into the water towards the deep end.

"No! Roy!!! Ugh! It's freezing!" Jade yells as she clings to Roy's neck.
"Oh I'm sorry. Did you want me to put you down?"
"No! Not now!"
"I can't hear you." Roy teases.
"Roy! No!" Jade exclaims before getting plunged under the water, completely soaking her entire body.
"There. Now doesn't that feel better?"
"You jerk!" Jade splashes him with water.
"You're cute when you're soaking wet."
"Don't try and flirt with me." Jade glares as she gets out of the pool.
"Alright. Here. Let me help." Roy follows, grabbing a towel and covering Jade with it.
"Thanks."
"I suppose it's the least I could do." Roy smiles, slowly leaning towards Jade's lips.
"Roy, I want to, but It will only escalate."
"Does that matter?"
"Yes. I...I meant what I said earlier."
"I know you did, Jade. But just because you're not ready doesn't mean we can't have a little fun together."
"Define fun."
"Come on, Jade. Don't act so innocent. You're carrying my kid. I just want to have some fun with my girl."
"You mean the one that moved in with you and got herself in this mess?" Jade grimaces.
"Jade, don't act like some reformed princess who's trying to better herself after messing up."
"You're pathetic, Roy. I would've thought you'd be proud of me."
"I'm proud you want to do good for the baby, but relax a little like you used to."
"I'm not gonna do that, Roy. You had your fun and you threw it away. Deal with it." Jade throws her towel on the floor and begins to walk away.
"Where are you going?"
"Home."
"Really Jade? This is ridiculous! You're never going to forget about that, are you?" Roy follows after.
"I'm not about to make the same mistakes twice! Stop following me!"
"No! I'm never gonna stop following you and I'm never gonna stop trying. I don't care if you're an assassin, if you get married, or if you turn into some psychopath! I'm never gonna stop wanting you."
"What you want isn't what I am."
"You're wrong, Jade. I won't deny I miss the old days, but now I just want you despite what that means."
"Is that true?"
"Yes."
"Then prove it." Jade growls before slamming the door shut.
"Uggghh!!!" Roy yells, hitting his hand against the door.