Family Ties

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Chapter Fourteen: Road Trip


Justin opened Jessi's bedroom door and walked in falling onto the bed next to her. Jessi groaned opening one eye to look at him.
"What do you want Juju?"
Justin rolled to his side looking at her and smiled.
"We're going to Memphis this weekend."
Jessi closed her eyes shaking her head.
"Don't include me. I've got too much work to do. I've been slacking on the fan club again since the miscarriage and i've go to get caught up."
Justin poked Jessi in her side.
"You need a vacation and all the guys are going with us. I'm going to talk to them about my solo album I want to do."
She laughed at his nervousness.
"You know all the guys are going to s beh behind you on this They'll support you in every way."
Justin sat up pulling at the bedspread. "I know. It's just telling them I want to do this. I don't want them to think i'm deserting them."
Jessi sat up stretching. "You're not Justin. Just tell them that you'll be fine. They'll be happy for you."
Justin stood up walking to the door.
"I know. I'm just a little afraid to tell them is all. So we're going to Memphis. Ok."
Jessi nodded. "Ok."
She stood up stepping ito the closet to get her clothes.
"Hey Juju."
Justin stuck his head back in the door. "Yeah sis?"
She walked out of the closet with her clothes.
"We flying?"
Justin stood looking thoughtful for a minute then smiled.
"Nope. Chris has got a Winnebago. We'll take a road trip. I'll go call him now."
Jessi groaned running her fingers thru her hair.
"Great. Just great."


Lance sat on the steps of the porch shaking his head as Joey and Justin argued over shot gun. Chris slapped both of them on the back of the head.
"Joey rides shot gun first. I'll drive for a few hours then Joey can drive while Justin drives shot gun. After a few hours then Justin can take over and drive the rest of the way into Memphis."
Joey and Justin finally grumbled agreeing on the arrangement.
Jessi finished loading the food onto the Winnebago.
"Everything is packed. It's only 12 hours right?"
Chris shook his head. "No. It's about twelve hours if you don't stop. I plan on doing some stopping along the way. I wanna get some sight seeing in."
Lance stood up fro the stops walking toward the group.
"How did a weekend trip turn into a week long vacation?"
Chris grabbed the handle on the side of the Winnebago stepping on to the step.
"You don't have to go Bass. It would make this trip a lot more pleasant."
Lance stepped closer to Chris, his hands on his hips.
"Look........"
Jessi quickly stepped in front of Lance jumping and wrapping her arms and legs around him pressing her lips to his. He wrapped his arms around her kissing her back as Chris continued into the R.V. She pulled away leaning her forehead onto his.
"I will not referee. Ok? I don't want any fighting in front of Kendal. You two have done that enough."
Lance sighed. "Ok. As long as we're on the road, no fighting. But i'm not done with him. We will have our little talk sometime this week. It's been three weeks since he made the scene in the hospital. Agreed?"
Jessi smiled kissing him.
"Agreed."
JC clapped his hands getting everyones attention.
"Come on everybody. It's getting late. We should have been on the road hours ago. Now we are going to his traffic. And Chris driving in traffic is not a good thing."
Chris stuck his head out of the R.V.
"I heard that man. That's why you are not getting to drive."
JC shook his head and Chris jumped out of the R.V. and into the house. Jessi slid from Lances grasp and stood back on the ground. I've got to go find Kendal.
Justin walked past Jessi heading into the house. "She was inside with Dirk last I saw her."
Jessi wrinkled her nose looking at Lance. "You're really going to let her take him."
Lance laughed. "Well yes. They like each other. You got something against my little Dirk?"
Jessi raised her hands in defense laughing. "No. No. Nothing wrong with little Ricky Ticky Tavy. I just didn't think there would be enough room for all of us plus him."
JC walked over standing next to them. "Hey at least he will keep her preoccupied during the trip. She won't get so bored as easily."
Jessi shrugged. "Yeah I guess you're right."
JC folded his arms across his chest his brow furrowed. "Hey, any of you know what this whole trip is about? What is Justin up to that he needs to talk to all of us about?"
Joey stepped out of the R.V. eating a twinkie.
"Don't know. But at least we're getting a free trip out of it."
Jessi walked over to Joey hitting him on the back of the head.
"Damn Joey. The snacks are for latter if anyone gets hungry and there is nowhere to stop. You don't have to eat everything before we pull out of the drive."
He placed his fingers on her chest playfully shoving her. "I was hungry. Kelly didn't feed me today. I am a growing boy. I need my twinkies."
JC stepped onto the R.V. looking over his shoulder. "Somehow I doubt you left the house with out making Kelly feed you first Joey."
He laughed stepping out of eyesight. Joey pouted following him inside.
Chris walked out of the house with Kendal on his shoulders trotting thru the yard. He trotted over to Lance shoving Dirks cage at him.
"Here is your nasty little rodent. You better keep the damn thing away from me and in it's cage."
Lance grabbed on to the cage and watched as Chris ducked into the R.V. with Kenal. He turned to Jessi, his jaw clenched. Justin stepped up behind him placing his hand on his shoulder.
"Look I'm begging the two of you to put everything aside right now and please let us enjoy this trip. Once we get to Memphis I will stick the two of you in the woods behind the house and you can duke it out."
Jessi laughed and Lance quickly turned his head looking at her. She covered her mouth suddenly halting her laughter.
"Sorry."
Lanhookhook his head placing his hand on the small of her back. "Don't laugh. I'm going to kill him."
He gently pushed her toward the R.V. and Justin sighed looking up.
"God help me."
He closed his eyes taking a deep breath and stepped into the R.v. closing the door behind him.


Jessi laid Kendals sleeping body on the bed in the back of the R.V. and closed the sliding panel as she stepped out. Lance was laying on the h beh behind the passenger seat and JC was oe coe couch across from him watching t.v. Joey was driving with Justin shot gun as Chris sat in the floor between them arguing over what town they wanted to stop at to sightsee. Jessi stretched and walked over laying down on top of Lance. She rested her head on his shoulder sliding her hands underneath his back. JC looked over to the two of them smiling.
"So what did your doctor ever say when you went for your check up?"
Jessi sighed snuggling into Lance.
"He said I was doing really good. I never should have gotten pregnant on the depo shot I was taking. That and stress could have had a lot to do with the miscarriage. They're trying me on something else now. Lance is just pretty damn fertile if you ask me."
JC and Lance both laughed and Chris quickly looked over his shoulder at Jessi.
Jessi felt Lance tense underneath her and raised her head following his gaze to Chris. She sighed and moved off of him sitting at the end of the couch.
"What is your problem?" asked Lance who was obviously irritated by the look he was receiving.
Chris stood up folded his arms across his chest. "I just want to know one damn thing. If Jessi is so certain this baby was yours then when did you two start fucking around? Exactly how long has this shit been going on and I want some answers now."
Lance began to rise as Justin jumped in between them. "Relax you two."
Not caring that Justin was there Lance snapped. "All you need to know is that you had broken up, the rest in nof yof your business."
Chris reached around Justin poking his finger into Lances chest. "It is my fucking business. She was my damn girlfriend and you swindled your way into bed with her. All you are trying to do is prove to me you could get her back. You are using her you asshole."
"Listen you jealous shit, I was man enough to respect your relationship when you two were together. I didn't like it but I respected it. Can't you be man enough Kirkpatrick?"
Chris stepped closer shovingtin.tin. "HA. Respect my ass. You gave me and Jessi hell all the time and made her miserable. I know how to be a man which is why I was the one raising your daughter in the first place. Come on Bass. Why don't you just tell Jessi what you told me in Hawaii. What were those words again? IF I wanted her I could have her. Like I said, stop trying to prove your point and leave her alone."
"Leave her alone?" Lance cried. "You want me to leave her alone? We had a child together and you moved in as soon as I messed up. If you were a real man you would have stepped back and let me raise my daughter. Do you think I enjoyed having to run things by you? Do you actually think I chose to stay away? You made it impossible for me to be there and you know it! You are the reason that I wasn't there for my daughter, you were to busy moving in on what I had because you couldn't get it for yourself."
Lance moved forward to Chris and just as Justin and JC went to break them up Joey hit the brakes and screamed.
"What the hell are you two doing? Sit down and shut the fuck up or your hitting the pavement. Got it?"
His eyes showed no humor, he had definitely had enough bullshit.
Jessi stood from the couch with tears rolling down her cheeks. "I cannot believe the two of you. You are both killing me. Either get this shit straightened out and call a truce between the two of you or Kendal and I will stay in Memphis and neither one of you will see me again."
She ran into the bathroom slamming the door behind her. She slid down the door pulling her knees up to her chest as she cried.
Justin shoved Lance and Chris. "If my sister leaves because the two of you, you are both dead. Do you understand me? Get yourselves straightened out."
Lance turned looking at Chris. "Look what you've done now."
Chris shook his head in disbelief. "You don't get it do you Lance? You are the whole reason her and I didn't work out. You are doing nothing but hurting her."
Lance shook his head. "I know this is hard for you to believe but Jessi and i love each other. So you don't need to keep giving us grief every second. Why can't you just accept that she wants to be with me? The three of us belong together and I'm sorry that hurts you. Everyone else can see it so maybe you should open your eyes and realise it."
Chris sighed slipping his hands into his pockets. "Look. I love Jessi no matter what , and the last thing I want to see is her hurting. If you hurt her in anyway I will kill you. And I promise you when you mess up again I will be right there to take her back. I don't want Jessi leaving. So if having to let you have her, for now, is what is going to keep her here then go. But I swear to God Bass, don't harm one hair on her head."
"Easy Chris, hurting her is the last thing on my mind." Lance sighed. "I want her and Kendal to be happy and I will do anything to make that happen.........anything. So, stay out of it and Jessi and I will be fine."
Chris pursed his lips. "I'll keep my distance, but i'll always be watching you Bass. I've given you my warning and you just keep that in your mind."
Justin sighed falling back onto the couch as Chris sat down in the passenger seat. Lance took a deep breath and walked to the bathroom door lightly knocking.
Jessi sighed as she heard the footsteps approaching, the knock on the door was just proof that she couldn't escape.
"What?" She called from behind the door that were giving her some privacy from the men that were sure to drive her crazy.
Lance leaned his head against the door.
"Baby please open up. I want to talk to you."
Jessi leaned her head back closing her eyes.
"Go away Lance. I can't take this anymore."
JC tapped Lance on the shoulder.
"Let me talk to her. OK?"
Lance nodded walking back to the couch.
JC jiggled the handle. "Jess, honey open the door. It's Josh."
Jessi stood up from the floor. "Not you too. I've had enough of you men."
Just then the door opened an inch and she peeto mto make sure that he was alone. Satisfied that he was, she let him in and quickly closed the door behind him.
He pulled her to him hugging her. "You ok?"
She leaned her forehead against his chest.
"Why is this happening to me? They are killing me Josh."
He sighed gently pushing her back away from him.
"Chris and Lance have somewhat called a truce. Lance really loves you. What did I tell you Jess when we talked awhile back? You have to listen to your heart. If you really love Lance then get out there and be with him. Once Chris sees he can't take the two of you apart he'll move on."
Jessi pouted. "I hope he realises it before he ruins things for us. Did you know that Lance was so bothered by Chris? Is that really the reason that he stayed away? All those times I prayed that he would be there for us he wanted to be there. This is just way too much to deal with right now."
JC brushed a hair from Jessi's face. "Jess Lance has hurt for so long wanting to be with you and Kendal. Don't turn your back on him now. I really think that would hurt him more that you could ever imagine. We are all at fault for shoving Lance away from you because we never knew how he felt. you need to have a heart to heart with him Jess. He loves you."
Jessi nodded. "You're right, I just wish it didn't have to be so damn difficult. Can you send Lance in here?" She smiled wandering what she would do without her best friend.
JC kissed her forehead. "Yeah. Be good to him Jess. I mean it. you need to see the pain that is in his eyes. Remember. Listen to your heart."
He smiled and slipped out of the bathroom. Lance got the nod from J.C. and headed over to the door. Leaning his head against it he asked "Is it safe to come in?"
Jessi took a deep breath. "Yes. Come in." She moved to the opposite side of the bathroom giving him space to get in.
"Hi, are you ok?" when she nodded he immediately began speaking "Baby, I am so sorry. That was a terrible thing for us to do." he moved closer "We weren't being fair and it will not happen again, I promise."
Jessi leaned against the wall looking at him.
"Lance there is so much about you that I didn't know. I don't understand why you never found a way to tell me any of this. You know I would have listened."
Lance sat down in the floor taking Jessi's hand and pulling her down between his legs. She leaned back against his chest and he wrapped his arms around her.
"I want to tell you some things and I want you to listen to me. Ok."
Jessi nodded turning her head to see him better.
"I've already told you I freaked out when you told me you were pregnant. My mom and dad were so disappointed in me and the guys threatened me to keep my distance from you and not to upset you in any way. Your mother was the only one I had to turn to. Justin was the worst, he really threatened me. But over time things got better between me and him. Your dad gave me a two hour lecture on how I had just ruined your life. I couldn't tell you how I felt because of them. I thought for sure that even if I tried they had you so convinced I was an asshole that you never would have listened. I loved you more than life itself. Jessi, that first night we were together, that was not just a one night stand for me. You and I had been close and I couldn't believe that I was getting to share something so special with you that night. But it's like after the fact everything went bad and I couldn't stop it before it was completely out of control. I have loved you forever Jessica. You and Kendal are my world and I don't want to lose you for any reason. I will do everything in my power to make both of you as happy as possible."
Jessi looked into his eyes taking a deep breath. "Lance I love you and I have for a long time. It took Chris pointing that out to me for me to really realise it. I can't handle you and Chris doing all this fighting. I already told you i'm not your play toy. It was hard for me to believe when I heard you say in there that Chris was the one that had kept you away. I had no idea the guys had done that to you. God Lance, if you had just said something."
Lance cupped her face in his hands. "I couldn't stand seeing you and Chris together. I wanted you so bad, and the two of you actually looked happy. That is why I kept asking Justin if you and Chris were happy together. And that's why I came back home Christmas when Kendal was sick. It was my chance to be with you and her and be a family. I asked you then if there was any way that we would have a chance. You told me no. You loved Chris. It killed me Jess. That's when it was easier for me to be an ass to both of you than it was to have to watch the two of you together. Every time I saw you in his arms I wanted it to be me you were with. Not him."
Jessi turned straddling him as she sat in his lap and leaned her lips close to his.
"I love you and I promise never to let anyone come between us again. I want you to promise me the same thing. From now on talk to me."
Lance nodded closing his eyes. "God I promise you I will Jessi. Just don't ever leave me."
She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his kissing him gently. He ran his hands up her back pulling her tighter against him and tilting his head deepening the kiss.
The kiss ended and Jessi smiled looking his his eyes.
"I guess we better get back out there."
Lance wrinkled his nose frowning. "Do we have to?"
Jessi nodded kissing him again.
"Yeah, besides I'd like to lay back on that couch again with you before Kendal wakes up."
She stood up and grabbed his hands pulling him from the floor. As she placed a kiss on the tip of his nose she told him the words that he loved hearing only this time he knew she really meant it "I love you Lance."