I got us two subs and sodas from Subway. I got him favourite: 6 inch, Spicy Italian on Italian Herb and cheese with lettuce, onions, tomatoes, olives, and ranch dressing. I tried to mix it up from my usual, Chicken Noodle soup, for a 6 inch, steak, and cheese on wheat bread with lettuce, jalapeños, bbq and ranch dressing. Yummy! I sat on a bench and sipped my soda while I wait for him.

"Baby." My heart dropped. My chest felt so tight it got hard to breathe. No. How are you here? Please, tell me I fell asleep waiting for something and this is just a dream because I know you can't be crazy enough to violate the straining order. I looked over my shoulder at him and a panic stuck me hard. He was dressed in a dark suit with a red tie. He had a bit of a beard now. Aubrey, wake up now! Please!

"Brandon," I said, in a whisper.

"It has been a while." He said, smiling. I clenched my drink so hard it burst open.

"Y-y-yeah," I whispered. "W-W-What are you doing here?"

"I'm here for you." He replied. My legs began to shake. Joel, where are you? I glanced over at VS, hoping he'll come out right now.

"I have a straining order against you." I reminded him.

"I know that rich boy made you get one." He said, cockily his head. "We need to go before he comes back, you don't know how long I've been trying to get you alone but he always has someone watching close by." He said, grabbing my hand and pulling me to my feet. I tried to pull my self out of his grasp but he held on tighter. I hurt my hand in the process but I got free knocking over Joel's drink and the subs fell onto the floor.

"Brandon, don't," I said, in barely a whisper when he reached for me. I took steps back. "It over. We're done and that straining order is proof of that." The look he gave me made a chill run down my spine. I knew that look well, I knew what was coming if I wasn't careful but I'm not going to take any of it. I won't, I have a baby to protect. His jaw clenched. I can see him fighting the urge to do anything rash. Joel, where are you?

"Aubrey. Let's. Go." He ordered. My shoulders hunched over for a mere second. I'm not afraid of you. I lifted my chin, looking him dead in the eye.

"No," I whispered. "No." I repeated, my voice sounded a tad stronger. It was like looking at the devil himself as his anger made his face contort into something grotesque but I wasn't going to back down. You're tormented me enough now leave me the fuck alone. "If you don't leave...I will call the police—it'll be worst if Joel sees you. So go."

"Who the fuck you think you're talking to." He gritted to his teeth, taking a step closer.

"You." I cornered, not an ouch of fear was present in my voice. I felt proud of myself. He grabbed my arm.

"Don't have time for this." He hissed, yanking me when I tried to stand my ground.

"Let me go!" I screamed, trying to yank myself free, I ended up falling to my knees. He pulled me to my feet.

"Walk!" He hissed.

"No—" he slaps me. Pain radiating through my cheek, my vision went grey for a moment. Never again will you hit me. I used my free hand and punched him with everything I got. I got him in the nose. I gasped when someone pulls me back, taking my place. Joel. Joel grabs Brandon, punching him twice.

My heart fell. If I don't stop him now he'll probably kill Brandon. "Joel stop!" I screamed. Joel land another punch before 2 police officers pulled them apart.

"I warned you Price," Joel growled,  as an officer pushes Joel and Brandon against wall, handcuffing them. Joel glared at Brandon. I bet he's wishing he had more time with him. Brandon's face was all bloodied, nose broken and an eye black and blue.

"Are you look, miss?" A female officer asked. She is dark-skinned in her late twenties. I didn't answer. I was in shock. When she touched me I snapped out of it.

"I have a straining order against him!" I blurted. The officer brows furrowed. "My boyfriend was protecting me...I want to press charges." I babbled.

"Which one assaulted you?" She asked. I pointed at Brandon. "Take them away." She told her fellow officers. I began to hyperventilate when I saw them taking Joel.

"No! No—"

"Calm down...what's your name?" She asked.

"Aubrey."

"Aubrey, your boyfriend is still handcuffed to prevent him from trying further assaulting your assailant, ok?" She said in a soothing voice. I let out a sigh of relief. "We need to you to the station to give your statement and we proceed for there, are you ok with that?" I nodded. "Are those your stuff?" She asked, pointing at the shopping bags and food on the floor.

"Yes," I replied, I was going to pick them up when she stops me.

"My men will get them for you, don't worry." She says with an arm around me as she lead me to the exit.

"Ok."

-

Joel and I walked out of the station, Joel a bandage wrapped around his right hand. We had just given our statement and now we finally would leave. Office Kayleigh Shepherd bought me new subs and tea for my upset stomach. We walked to the parking lot where Michael stand beside Joel's Audi. When Michael saw my face, angry marred his face with angry. "Believe me when I say, fucked him up for that." Joel said to Michael. "A petty I didn't get to fucking kill him like I promised." He said, under his breath. When did you promise that?

Michael relaxed a bit. "Let me take you guys home." Michael said, opening the door.

"We'll be in a minute," Joel said. Michael glanced between us before taking the bags, putting them in the trunk then hopped into the driver's seat. Joel pushes the side of the car. I jumped. He groaned in pain but it was sharp and brief. "He's lucky, I didn't kill him. I swear to God I would have killed that son of a bitch." He turned to me. "Let me see your hand." He demanded.

I hide my hand behind my back, he stared at me with those wild eyes. He looked scary I don't like seeing him like this. It reminds me of the way Brandon looked at me. I backed up until my back hit the car on the opposite side triggering the alarm. "Ah, fuck...babe." He sighed. He towered over me and hugged me. I buried my face in his shirt, hugging him back. "I'm sorry...I scared you, baby." He cupped my face. He wiped the dried tears off my cheeks. "Please, let me see your wrist." I showed him. It was bruised badly. His jaw clenched painfully tight.

"Joel," I warned.

"I'm trying to calm down, believe me." He gritted through his teeth. I sighed.

"Can you take me home, please," he looked at me impassively, "I want to be alone for a while."

"You want to be alone?" He asked, sadly. His tone made the tears fall and before I knew it, I was sobbing. "Please don't cry." He says, hugging me.

"I'm sorry—"

"None of this is your fault." He assured stroking my hair. "Can I get you some groceries behind we take you home?" I nodded.

-

Joel helps me pack the groceries into the fridge before turning to me. He wore a sad expression. I hugged him. "Can I?" He asked, cupping my face. I looked up at him, nodding. He kisses me. Before I knew it, I was on the bed and he's taking off my clothes. He stops and lays beside me with a sigh.

"What's wrong?" I asked laying my head on his chest.

"You're cheek, every time I see it...I-I get so angry...I can't function." He replied through gritted teeth. "I such have made you come with me—maybe none of—"

"Joel, don't blame yourself," I told him. "He was waiting for the opportunity to strike, whether you made me go in with you or not he would have tried what he did today, any place and time he could." Joel finally looks at me and cups my cheek.

"I'm proud of you for fighting back—you don't even know." He says. I smiled, sadly. I'm proud of me too. I crawled on top of him, he wraps his arms around me. I laid on his chest as he stroked my hair. "Do you still want to be alone?" The whole reason I wanted to be alone was because of Joel's sudden surge of anger...it scared me.

"No."

"Ok." He says, getting up. He taking out his phone and began texting. When he got a replied, puts his phone on the bedside table then stripped out of his clothes before laying down beside me. I turned my back to him letting him spoon me, he interlaced our fingers and kisses my shoulder.

"What about the kids?"

"I asked mom to keep them for the night and I'll pick them up in the morning." He replies.

"Oh."

"Yeah," he says, kissing my shoulder again. "Sleep baby....you've had a rough day."

"Thank you for everything, you've done for me, Joel," I said with my eyes closed. He pulls me closer

"You're my everything." He whispers, drifting off. And you are mine.

-

I jumped out of my sleep as a sharp pain ripped through me. Its pitch black. The pain got so intense I hunched over trying my best not to make a sound and wake Joel. A squeal managed to escape waking him. "Aubrey are you ok?" He asked groggily.

I let out a harsh breath. He turns on the lamp with a concerned look on his face. "I-I'm-I'm fine...go back to sleep." I stuttered.

"Aubrey don't lie to me, clearly something's wrong."

"I think...I just need to go to the bathroom, can you take me there please?" I asked. He got up and walked over to me. He slowly helps me to my feet. Something warm ran down my leg. I looked down and saw....I-I...I saw...blood. My vision went black for a moment. No! No! No! Please don't be what I think it is.

"Oh, My God...Aubrey, you're bleeding," Joel said in disbelief. I looked at him, sadly but his attention was on the bed. I followed his gaze and my heart broke into a million pieces. My feet collapsed for under me. Joel caught me in time. I began to cry uncontrollably.

"No! No! No!" I screamed crawling at my leg." Stop! Please!"

"We need to get you to a hospital," Joel said his voice cracking.

-

The ride to the hospital was the longest and most excruciating one  I've ever experienced. All I could do was pray that there's nothing wrong with my baby, I don't think I could bear it. I know, I'm not far along enough to care so much but I do. I want this baby, I want to watch him grow up and conquer all his major and minor milestones. With or without Joel, I wanted this baby in my life. Joel and I are in the hospital waiting on the doctor,  Joel sat beside me trying to be as comforting as he could. When the doctor came in and just by one look...I knew I lost my baby.

It was like the earth was crashing down on my shoulders. I turned away from him, bawling. The doctor left and Joel climbs into bed with me. He stroked my hair and sang to me. I continued bawling like it would take the pain away or bring my baby back.

-

Three Weeks Later.

I stared at myself in the mirror, I smiled when Joel hugs me from behind. He kissed my cheek. "You ready to go?" He asked.

"Yeah hold on," I answered applying some lipgloss. I checked my appearance. The days after my miscarriage were brutal, I spend days blaming myself and ended up falling into a deep depressive state. I hate that I couldn't do anything to stop even though it was completely out my of control.

Joel give me his two minutes worth of space before he went off. Mans was fed up let me tell you that. Joel stayed silent for a surprise week before pulling me out of bed and told me I need to talk to someone and stop mopping and that his balls were drying. I swear that man is a real piece of work talking about his dry balls because he hasn't had sex in a week, the following week....he um....he blue balls. Yeah. It that was a sight...a funny one. I know, I shouldn't laugh but his face was priceless. Anyway, talking to Kimberly helped, she told me about her two miscarriages before looking into surrogacy. Beth got jealous and joined in on my outings with Kimmy.

Joel and I started having sex...um...Monday? Yeah, Monday because I started taking the pill on Sunday and today is Friday. "A whole century later," Joel says, impatiently. I glared at him.

"I'm done!"

"Then let's go!" He exclaims, taking my hand. I rolled my eyes. Tonight the 4 of us are going clubbing. I looked up at Joel, his new and first tattoo sat behind his right ear, the date we lost the baby. 22 October. I blinked away the tears and let out a shaky breath.

-

We at a Jamaican club in Brooklyn called Rum Head. We; Beth, Eli, Joelle and I sat in the VIP table chugging down shots...well just Beth and I, anyway. Joel and Eli are driving so they're sticking to one beer for the night. The club is pretty upscale with a white and gold theme to it, the neon sign behind the DJ's head glowed the club's name in Rastafarian colours. My vision wavered a bit as the alcohol and music knocked me into a trace. "Beth, I'm ready to dance!" I yelled over the music. Beth was ready dancing in her seat. I thought I couldn't hold my liquor but Beth is way worst.

"I have ever been waiting for you to say that all night! Let's go!" Beth yells, back. I turned to Joel, who's staring at me with an absentminded smile. I leaned into his ear.

"Are you coming with us!"

"Not yet but soon! Have fun, hun!" He replies.

"Ok!" I said before pecking his lips before taking Beth's hand. We walked down the stairs and onto the crowded dance floor. I screamed when Turn Me On by Kevin Little came on.

"Aw yeah!" Beth and I sang and we danced. "For the longest, while we jamming in the party pushing hard on me, giving me everything!" I went behind Beth and we grinder on each other. I looked u at the balcony and saw Joel and Eli watching us and talking. Joel's wearing a white shirt and jeans vs Eli with a green flannel and distressed jeans. Joel met my gaze and smiles, I smiled back. I laughed when Eli had to turn Joel's head away for him to pay attention.

Beth and I danced to two more songs before I went to the bar for drinks. I climbed onto the stool. The bartender is a lady with bleached locs. After 5 minutes of sitting here, she nods at me. "Can I have a Bob Marley and a small bottle of Classic Appleton?" I asked. She nods.

"What are you doing here all by yourself?" A voice said into my ear and I moved away and looked at him. He's a tiny man in his late forties sporting a botched tan. He's as tall as me.

"What makes you think I'm alone?" I asked, glancing at him.

"Well for starters you're at the bar all by yourself and you seem lonely." He replies, brushing his hand against mine. I moved by hand away.

"Let me stop you right there," I said, turning to him, "not because I'm sitting here means that I'm alone or do I want to be hit on and if you look up there—" I said, looking up at a very pissed off Joel being held back by Eli, and pointing at him, "you'll see my 6 foot 6 boyfriend, who knows martial arts and is very protective."

The man made a face like he didn't believe me. "If that were true then why isn't he buying your drinks."

"I don't need a man to buy me drinks, I'm fully capable of buying my own," I stated.

"Oh," he said, biting his lip. I frowned at him. Dude, leave me alone. "You're an independent one, I like that."  I shot him an amused look. You're handsome and all but I'm taken and you're so not my type.

"Hm," I mumbled turning my attention back to the bartender. I glanced at the man when I realize he'd gone silent, I caught him staring at my exposed legs. Pig! I shot an angry look his way and pulled my dress down. "You could have told me my dress rode up!" I hissed.

"Why? It was a magnificent sight—"

"Excuse me?" Joel said. I turned in my seat to look at him. Oh, my man is going to kick your ass. Joel shot daggers at the man. I pulled Joel into me and wrapped my arms around him, smirking at the man. "Move!" Joel hissed. The man quickly scurried away and Joel takes his seat. Joel shook his head before looking at me.

"Here you go." The bartender said. I grinned. Bob Marley is an alcoholic, Rastafarian coloured drink with a ton of rum. I was about to pay but Joel stops me hands the bartender a $50.

"Keep the change."

"Thanks." She said.

"I got that for you," I told him as I handed him the Appleton. Joel takes it with a smile.

"Thanks." He said, getting up and taking my drink. I jumped down and fixed my dress. He handed me back my drink and we went back to the VIP section.