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cloveroctobers · 2 years ago

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somebody like you — joe x oc x bode leone

A/N: here’s my attempt to write for joe again! It’s the month of fluff so I thought why not? I just want my man to be happy so…but we’re also talking about ME here who loves a little (A-LOT in this case—some difficult topics will be discussed later on throughout this piece) angst on the side. I should seek therapy, ha! Anyways, You’ve been warned?

S/N: if you haven’t seen fire country this is me telling you to watch it. Although I’m using a gif for a different character/show that I haven’t watched…we’re gonna pretend that this works for bode’s character! Max has always been a cutie to me sorry lol. + GIFS BELONG TO THEIR RIGHTFUL OWNERs ALWAYS! + kinda lengthy unintentionally.

・❥・ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ ・❥・ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ ・❥・ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ ・

she doesn’t know what time it is or care.

What she does know is she hates the person calling her right now. She was supposed to be sleeping in—which was always but that’s besides the point! Winters in New England can be brutal and she wasn’t much of a winter girl. Let’s just say she couldn’t wait for spring to arrive so that the view can provide some sort of livelihood around here. Now don’t get her wrong, the snow was pretty to look at and there were some fun activities to get into but after almost breaking her car door due to it being frozen shut? She was done.

After what felt like the twentieth buzzing from her phone, she made a attempt to reach for her bedside table. If her long arms didn’t reach out far enough to grasp her phone, then that was the person on the other line’s problem. Lucky for them she was able to grab it, snatching the device close to her face. With slits in her eyes she rested the phone right by her face on her pillow and slid a finger across the screen.

“What?”

A laugh was breathed into the other line by a familiar voice, “come on! Don’t tell me you’re still in bed.”

“I’ve been trying to call you for over an hour now, wanted to invite you up to mine for breakfast.”

A grunt sounded from her throat, “I thought we had a understanding. You don’t wake me up until after 6pm.”

Joe wasn’t surprised at this response. The pair were complete opposites, whereas he didn’t mind early mornings which allowed him to get things done—especially as a business owner; while she was the creative night owl and thrived when the stars twinkled in the navy sky.

“I made hashbrowns along with other surprises,” Joe persuaded, making her eyes peel open at the thought, “and I’m actually out front.”

Which really means the back entrance, however due to where his ranch was located, it was really the front entrance for him.

Letting out a long sigh, she flopped on her back in thought as she stared up at the ceiling that appeared as if it was experiencing some water damage. She knew if she mentioned this to her dad over her weekly facetime calls with him, she wouldn’t hear the end of it. It also looked as if it was starting to spread but that was another problem for another day. She had to worry about if she wanted to move from this metal-framed plushy bed.

When a growl erupting from her belly, she found her answer.

“Fine, you win this time.” She sat up and stretched with her hands raised high above her head, limbs stiff, “Let yourself in, I’m gonna get myself ready.”

The wind could be heard from the other line as Joe pulled the screen door back, “I always win…but thanks for your permission, your majesty, my arms were starting to get frostbite. And hurry up, some people are starving here.”

“Hurry up, some people are starving here.” She mocked the man as she picked up her phone ready to hang it up, “Kiss my ass, Joseph Narine.”

And was in fact met with the dial tone as Joe held the phone in between his neck and shoulder. He couldn’t help but laugh at his friend’s grumpiness, kicking the back door shut with his leg as he carried the food through the entry way. Joe could still feel the draft of the fifteen degree weather as he stood in the entrance, the wooden stairs peeking out from up head while he turned to the door on the left.

His brown eyes immediately went to the door mat in front of the storm door, chuckling to himself as he read the message that never got old to him which read: protected by fuck around and find out surveillance. The man shook his head as he managed to twist the knob open. A sigh of relief escaped his lips as he felt some warmth inside of the farmhouse brush over his face. Taking a few steps to the oval table covered in plaid tablecloth, he placed the tray of food on one side.

Joe stared over at the various of plants that decorated the two tables right in front of the bay window, out into the snow covered scene out back. Sure she had a nice view but Joe actually preferred the view on the side of the house which held the screened-in porch better, since he could see out towards his own land instead. Smiling to himself, he was brought out of his thoughts as a meow caught his attention.

“Hey, Cassius.” Joe greeted the black feline that jumped onto the table. He then picked up the cat with one hand to pet behind his ears, “you know your mom doesn’t like you on the table and I’m guessing she’s been depriving you of food because of her terrible sleeping patterns.”

He glanced over at the pet bowl that rested against the white panel column that divided the kitchen from the living room. “I got you, boy.”

Joe told the black oriental shorthair as he placed him back onto the floor. First Joe moved over to the deep stainless steel kitchen sink to wash his cold hands, then back around to the pantry for Cassius’ food.

“There you go.” He caressed the cat’s back as he heard some creaking from up ahead.

He stood up as she stomped into the kitchen, “whaaat?! She’s alive!”

She took the rope to her fuzzy housecoat to whack at Joe who laughed at her. She then reached around to gently latch onto Cassius’ tail, caressing it as she said, “hey, babe.” Before carrying on her way.

“Tea or coffee?” She asked, although she already knew the answer.

Joe went back to the table to push the poinsettia further down the table as he went to work unloading the breakfast, “uh tea.”

“Grey.” She stated just as he added at the same time, “Earl Grey.”

Giving a thumbs up at the brown skinned man, Joe found himself softly smiling at the woman as he returned back to his own task.

“No work today?” She asked, while preparing the electric kettle.

Joe huffed as he took a seat, deciding to pick with her, “there’s no way I had work today waiting around for you.” Which earned a swift middle finger from the woman, “Nah…todays the day I let my new assistant manager run things for me.”

Her eyes went wide before she clapped it up for her friend, “I’m proud of you! I’m also a little shocked that you’re allowing this.”

“I am too,” Joe furrowed his brows, “but don’t think for a second that my guard is completely down. I’ve got cameras set up that I can tap into at any time from my phone, I also will be checking in with Ginny and Padma and will be there for closing shift just to make sure things are in fact, running smoothly.”

The electric kettle began to whistle just as she slammed the cabinet shut, now holding two mugs. It was her turn to laugh as she set the mugs on the opposite counter, disappearing behind the wall to retrieve the kettle from next to the stove and back to his mug.

“Tell me you’re not a control freak without telling me you’re a control freak,” she responded as she filled the mug with steaming water, “I thought days off are meant to be just that.”

“It’s a partial day off,” joe argued as he bit into a raspberry white chocolate scone, “this is my business we’re talking about here. Sure it’s been two weeks already with them but this is the real test.”

She couldn’t be mad at that, considering hearing how much of a pain in the neck it was for Joe to get the blue farm up and running. However he was headstrong, determined, and persistent and wouldn’t give up on his goals in life.

That was admirable.

“Well have some faith in them,” she suggested grabbing the tea bag next to place into a mesh tea ball strainer, then carefully placed it into the water, “you did hire them with good reason.”

“Yeah, it was in the budget.” Joe stated matter of factly which made her roll her eyes.

Of course this is what he would say. If Joe could do it all on his own, he certainly would. He did it in the beginning when he first started out and would try again if it ever came down to it. Joe can take the weight when he didn’t have to.

Carefully placing the mug in front of him, she attempted to snatch the scone that he was eating but Joe was too quick for her. Her stomach growled almost in anger as she sucked her teeth at the man who raised his hands in surrender.

“The hell was that?”

“It’s called hunger and you come to my house eating in my face without offering me a bite? And I made you tea? How shameful!” She whipped back around, tossing her robe over her pajamas as she grabbed the canister of sugar and back to the fridge for a slice of lemon.

Joe snorted, reaching for the small spoon to place three drops of sugar into his tea and plopped the lemon slice into the beverage, “You’re showing your true hospitality skills so don’t take that out on me. I bought the food!”

“Which you didn’t share!” She yelled back as she filled up her mug with ice.

“There’s a whole tray of food.”

“I wanted your scone.”

“There’s more scones in the container.”

“I wanted yours, Joe!”

“Well, that’s too damn bad!”

Which made the pair snicker at the joke while she prepared herself some ice coffee. Which never made sense to Joe, if it was freezing outside you should have warm items not cold! It was a whole debate between the two and he didn’t hide the judgmental look he shot the woman’s way as she finally plopped down in the chair beside him.

She rested her head in the palm of her hand as she sipped at the straw inside of her mug, watching Joe watch her.

“You went out last night?”

“You know I did.” She popped her tongue, before setting her bagel mug back down.

Joe inhaled at that.

She had a history of being a party girl once before back in college she told him when they became friends. She seemed to have it together after college was over with internships and working more minimum wage jobs, until she landed a job with a great company out here as a model builder. She shit-talked the job just like many people did their own but found joy in creating miniature houses and crochet objects to sell on her Etsy account.

“I hope you’re taking care of yourself, Darcy.”

She snorted at the man’s concern as she plucked up the said hash brown and held it up in the air then sunk her teeth into it, “Okay dad, I don’t need a lecture from you either.”

This was true since her dad sat her down earlier that year to steer her in the right path. He even encouraged her to get back into therapy, which was funny since he was ignorant towards the whole thing until he got with his new psychologist girlfriend. She was always in Darcy’s dad’s ear about something and she didn’t particular care for her either.

As petty as this was going to sound, at her big age, she’ll never be Darcy’s mother.

It felt too fast for Darcy’s dad to move on from the passing of her mother, in her opinion. Yet he didn’t want to hear that and kept the topic mainly on his daughter and her issues.

“I know,” Joe was gentle with his approach, “I just want to make sure you’re doing okay, that’s all.”

“I promise you I’m not throwing my life away,” she reassured her dark haired friend, “As a thirty year old, I should be wrapping it up and brainstorming about a 401k right?”

“I didn’t say all that,” Joe tilted his head to the side with a small smile, “anyone can still have fun at this age, we’re still young and cool as shit but i just hope you’re not into…anything else.”

“Don’t worry bud,” she said after chewing her potato, “none of that hardcore shit is ever entering this glorious body again. Sticking to the tequila and the occasional shrooms.”

Joe nodded as he blew at his tea, “…anything else for the pelvic pain?”

“Let’s talk about something else!”

Joe knew that was the limit as he sipped at his tea. He paused as he thought this over, “Georgia’s going to trial in a couple of months.”

Darcy hummed at this, unsure what to say. She knew how Joe felt about the southern peach and how he was still in denial about her being able to kill someone—let alone Cynthia’s decaying (at the time) husband. However she knew only bits and pieces of what Joe knew about her background and how she shifted Wellsbury the moment she rolled into town.

“And you’re gonna be there?”

“She’s my friend, I should be there.”

“Are you though,” Darcy asked with slits in her eyes, “you don’t really know what anybody’s capable of and then your whole thing with Cynthia…” she found herself gagging at the image of that happening and still struggled to swallow that down.

Joe frowned at this. It was a difficult decision considering he didn’t know where he really stood and Cynthia…it was either never the right time to discuss it or she was too busy to be bothered—all things considered of course.

Joe announced, “If you were accused of a crime, I would be there for you.”

“Duh,” Darcy clicked her tongue, “you might even be the person I call to help me bury the body…but our relationship is not the same as those two.”

Joe sighed, “you’re impossible!”

“I’m realistic.” She beamed as she finally bit into a scone, “don’t let your crush on Georgia and your past relations with the red head cloud your judgment. You don’t need to be involved in their nonsense.”

Exhaling Joe glanced off to the left out the window, in thought for some time, leaving the two to quietly eat their brunch.

“Hey, if you don’t know this already. I love you for your generous heart but those two and their problems don’t have to become yours unless you let it. Some may call it selfish but I call it smart, you have to protect yourself first and always especially if you let emotions get in the way. And if you don’t, I’ll kick your ass.”

Joe listened carefully to what she was saying but couldn’t help but to take it with a grain of salt. He knew Darcy meant well and if he let his big sister in on his business, she would probably tell him the same exact thing. They were alike in a lot of ways…don’t tell them he thought this! Darcy was in protect mode as Joe was in concern mode and that’s simply because they let each other in.

The brown skinned man puffed out a breath as Darcy was eating, lightly swinging her crossed feet back and forth while she watched Cassius run off into the living room. Her attention then went back to staring out the large window, which gave the wide view of land and hills covered in thick snow.

“Oh!” A thought suddenly occurred after awhile, “I think I drunkly made you something last night.

“Really?” Joe quirked up his brows in wonder.

She shoved the rest of the scone into her mouth as she scrapped the chair back, “mhm. It’s somewhere down here, I just hope Cassius didn’t chew it up.”

“He wouldn’t dare!”

“He’s only on his best behavior when you’re around so maybe,” Darcy shrugged her shoulders as she walked around the chair to enter the living room.

Joe took the time to look around the kitchen as he continued his breakfast. It’s not like he hasn’t been over plenty of times before, it was almost as if this house was just as much his since he had a key himself. He couldn’t help but to wonder what this house would look in the next five years—he even thought about how his ranch would look also! Would they still be neighbors from a distance? Joe didn’t ever see himself living out in California where his parents and sister resided. He was too attached to Wellsbury and always felt at home.

“Here you go!” Darcy called out, tossing this thick but soft object at Joe who scrambled to catch it, “I was going to name it for you and everything but I can’t do all the work for you.”

Joe analyzed the green object with beady eyes and a small pink v-lined smile, “is this a pear?”

“Yup! Don’t ask me how long it took me to make because I hardly remember anything when I got back here. Just that I was hungry and made that for you. And since I can’t give you any pears from my pear tree right now, that’s the best that I’ve got.” Darcy informed Joe who found himself smiling at it.

He’s seen a few of Darcy’s crochet items on Etsy and even purchased a few to send to his niece and her friends out in California. Now he was getting his very own and knew that it was meaningful.

“Well…you could also share your pear jam that you have sitting on your shelf back there.” Joe teased.

“You needy, ungrateful, asshole,” she spewed back making Joe laugh.

“No, seriously. All jokes aside, this is really awesome and I appreciate you thinking of me, even if when you’re shit-faced.”

“Oh, don’t flatter yourself, Narine.”

“Someone’s got to.” Joe winked at Darcy who rolled her eyes.

Darcy glanced at the sage pear and asked, “do you really like it? Or you just like it to not hurt my feelings?”

“Shut up, you know I do. If you wanted, I would buy all of the crochet things you make, since the dollhouses are more expensive and might be a little suspect when I have the guys over—but that just means it came from you! And I know you make these crafts with such care and I like supporting you. Whatever you need. I just think you’re pretty neat, that’s all.” Joe rambled and Darcy found herself sitting up straight as she listened to him.

He was rambling. It was something that he did when he let his nerves get the best of him?

“You think I’m pretty and neat or just pretty neat?” Darcy challenged.

Joe felt his eyes widen, “Geez. Who’s flattering themselves now?”

She smiled a real soft smile at him that made Joe feel something inside. Something he felt once before, except this warm feeling began to spread from not only his chest then to his cheeks but all over.

What was happening?

His hand soon found her clothed wrist before slipping his hand to lock with her’s. This was new. Darcy watched this interaction, squeezing her own hand back against Joe’s. The image was nice to examine, how his hand fit like the perfect puzzle piece against her own. It took some time for her eyes to meet his, she ended up taking a sharp breath, thanks to the intensity that was in his coffee bean eyes just now.

“Is it crazy to love you?” Joe suddenly said; that Darcy had to mash on her ear to make sure she heard him correctly.

She laughed it off, “no, just look at me. I’ve got all the best qualities but to be in love with me? Maybe. If that’s what you’re saying.” She quickly added.

It was Joe’s turn to squeeze her hand, “maybe everything we went through with everyone else, is the reason why we should be together.”

He was leaning towards her now, his hand still in her’s while he crossed over with the other to cup her warm face, “can I love you?”

Was Darcy dreaming right now? What the hell was going on? This was just supposed to be breakfast and now it led to this? Was Joe okay? Was she okay?! She was sure she was holding her breath but she’d be lying if she said her heart wasn’t pounding in her chest right now. It’s not like she didn’t ever think of the possibility and made up a secret contract if they weren’t married by thirty-five…you get it but was this out of convenience for him? Or could they truly be something great? At this time? There was so much to discuss but his breath was brushing against her Cupid’s bow and the weight of his forehead felt comforting against her own.

Her eyes were locked on Joe’s as he kept glancing from her’s to her lips. All she had to do was seal the kiss and Joe was the one waiting for her answer. He didn’t want to continue pushing boundaries—if he was but he always led with his heart.

Her lips were parted and just as she was about to brush her lips against his, a pounding at the front door caused them both to jump away.

Joe cleared his throat, rubbing at his mouth as Darcy fought to slow her breathing. The knocking and the doorbell kept going, almost rapidly as Darcy seemed to be in a dazed state.

“Can you get that?”

“It’s your house.” Joe held his hands out in confusion but the glare she sent his way, made him sigh, placing the crochet pear on the table as he began making his way through the living room.

He passed through the living room and down the narrow hallway to the front door. Unlocking it, Joe pulled the door open, a little annoyed to reveal a man standing with his back to the screen door.

Once he turned around, Joe couldn’t believe who he was seeing right now. He heard all about him and seen pictures but what was he doing here?

“Uh, hey. Is Darcy around?”

Joe awkwardly stretched out a smile and held up a finger behind the screen door and slowly went to close the door, “just a second.”

He sped-walked down the hallway back to Darcy who still sat frozen, hands clutching her iced coffee now in thought.

“Darcy…you’ve got company.”

“Who is it?” She kept her eyes trained out the window.

“It’s Bode.”

“Yeah, right.” She snorted.

However when she received no response from the man, her head snapped up to meet his gaze.

“You’re not joking?”

“Nope. He’s here, probably freezing out there too.”

“Joe!” She scrapped her chair back, “what the hell is he doing here?”

“I don’t know!” He yelled with raised shoulders,” Maybe you should find out.”

“Why?”

“To get closure.”

“I should get my bow and arrow.” She decided, “and shoot him in the ass, all the way back to California.”

Joe gripped Darcy’s shoulders to keep her from heading the opposite way and through the doors to get the said item from the screened in porch. He turned her back around, still gripping her shoulders and tried to be encouraging, “it doesn’t need to go there.”

Darcy raised a challenging brow.

Joe corrected himself, “I stand by what I said. Just hear him out so that you can both move on.”

“So we can get together?”

Joe paused, “…if that’s what you want?”

“Well, what do you want?”

“I want you to be happy!” Joe exasperated, “and it would be fantastic if that ends up being with me but—I think you need to get through that chapter first.”

“It was kinda closed when he basically told me he was done with my ass after I screwed him in that place.” Darcy muttered, letting Joe let out a low whistle.

He knew how much that stung.

“Just...go with the flow. And if things go south and you need a tag team? I’ll be here.” Joe cracked his knuckles.

Darcy snorted at Joe’s attempt to be threatening, “you’re too cute, Joey.”

Joe was bashful with a shrug of his shoulders as the door bell and knocks sounded again.

“Always so impatient,” Darcy scoffed, “wish me luck.”

“You’ll be okay.” Joe gave her shoulders a squeeze and a gentle rub, “and I’ll be here finishing this delicious breakfast all by myself.”

Darcy groaned as she stomped out of the kitchen and headed to the door. Joe watched with a small smile on his face, rubbing at his beard before he moved to take a seat back at the head of the table. Shortly after, Cassius reappeared to sit in Darcy’s seat instead.

“Thanks for the company, Cassius. I think I’ll need it.” He commented as the cat meowed at him.

Darcy took three deep breaths and glanced down at her outfit. She was still in her damn pajamas—which didn’t equal to her being at her baddest but whatever! This wasn’t about showing off, they had bigger issues to face and she didn’t exactly know what he was here for.

Taking a few more seconds to herself, she opened the door to see Bode there in the flesh blowing heat into the palms of his hands. His curly hair was longer now and lost its pattern…and she hated it. The crinkles were evident by his eyes, most likely due to the stress of losing his baby sister, having a falling out with his dad, and landing his ass in jail most likely resulted in that. He appeared still tired behind his blue-green eyes, otherwise than that he still looked the same.

“Darcy. Are you gonna let me in? It’s freezing out here and I’m definitely not used to this type of weather.” Was the first thing he said to her.

She titled her head to the side, hand still on the door, “what are you doing up here? Shouldn’t you be fighting fires or whatever it is you got yourself wrapped into?”

“I can explain all of that if you just—can we talk inside, please?”

Darcy swallowed, giving the man a hard stare before she unlocked the door and stepped to the side to let him in. He stalked in, standing in the official entryway and peered around.

“I see you’ve done well for yourself.” His low voice boomed off the walls.

Darcy almost slammed the door shut, locking it behind them as she turned to face the taller man. Crossing her arms, she eyed his boots covered in snow, “shoes off in my house. The snow messes with the wood.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Bode muttered as she carried on down the hall.

Bode figured it out for himself to place the shoes by the empty space underneath the mirror on the wall. He didn’t see any other shoes in the entry way, only a bookcase to the right, and a grandfather clock to the left. There was also a bedroom to the left with a daybed and to the right, he spotted another bedroom with a full-sized bed and wallpaper. No signs of any baby furniture, Bode noted to himself as he briefly glanced at the steps.

Perhaps there was something upstairs?

He took his time walking down the hallway, the wood creaked at his steps which let Darcy know he was heading her way. The living room was bright and open with a mixture of white and light gray paneling, along with a large painted white built-in entertainment center. There was a flatscreen on the wall that Bode admired before he turned back to Darcy who was watching him in curiosity.

One leg was crossed over the other as she sat in a green chair, waiting on him. She had a finger pressed into her temple as she pointed with the other, “you can take your jacket and drape it over the chair if you want.”

“Thanks.” Bode answered while he moved by the fireplace and plopped down on the brown bubble leather couch.

He wasn’t sure how long he would be here but he also had some respect. The man decided on unzipping his jacket and pulled his beanie from his head, scooping some hair behind a ear while spreading his arms along the length of the couch.

Darcy’s eyes were hot on Bode’s as he met her stare and held it. However his held amusement in them that she just wanted to smack right off. His intention wasn’t to be smug sitting here right now, not after how they ended but it was a little humorous that she still had so much fire in her—always.

“I’m not here to attack you—

Bode started just as Joe called out, “Tea, coffee, or water?”

Bode was confused as he leaned forward, then remembered that there was a man that previously opened the door. “That depends…are you the new boyfriend and plan on poisoning me?”

“Only if she sends the signal.” He vaguely called back.

Bode laughed at this.

“Um, I think I’m good for right now. Thanks man.”

“Sure.” Joe went quiet, now messing around with his phone.

Darcy sighed, beginning to roll her neck around, “Bode…why are you here so unannounced?”

“I’m pretty sure you have me blocked so…there really wasn’t any other way.”

“Couldn’t use your mom’s phone to reach out first?”

“I think she’s blocked too…which actually hurt her feelings by the way.”

Darcy began chewing on her bottom lip. She didn’t particularly feel a way towards the woman, she was a mother after all but she also didn’t appreciate being bombarded by Sharon Leone either.

Bode deeply inhaled, “look…I just want to apologize for everything. I don’t like the way things ended between us and it wasn’t anything you should take personal…I was just dealing with—jail. The weight of it all and everything else surrounding it. Unfortunately you became part of that and you didn’t deserve any of that.”

It was Darcy’s turn to exhale at that. Slowly she nodded her head, “but I had to take it personal because I opened myself up to you when I shouldn’t have. We should have strictly stayed friends, especially since you just ended things with Cara.”

“That wasn’t that fresh.” Bode muttered, “We were together in high school up until I first started using. I always felt like she was more into me than I was into her…which is shitty to say but the truth. We later had a slip up when I moved out of edgewater but we never got back together. When I looked at you, I didn’t see temporary. I don’t know what I saw.”

“Oh, how special do I feel.” The words were dry, coming from Darcy’s lips.

Bode continued, “I’m not trying to do the whole comparison thing but I just want you to know that i shouldn’t have treated you as a one-two night only and then ghost you. I’m sorry about all of it and for saying that’s all you could be to me. I’m sure you’ll make someone very happy if it’s not—sorry man, I didn’t catch your name?”

“It’s joe!” He answered with a mouth full of food.

Darcy stared up at the ceiling in annoyance.

“Joe,” Bode smiled a bit, “and I’m not expecting any forgiveness just yet…just some understanding and for you to tell me anything that you need…or feel.”

Darcy picked up on Bode’s words and knew that he knew something. He was officially a free man and seemed level-headed but Darcy knew that was probably only a matter of time.

“I thought about all the things I would say to you but I didn’t get the chance because once you finished what you had to say, time was up. I wrote you a letter, kept it for months, then I burned it. I wanted to sleep around to get over you but that wouldn’t give me satisfaction. And months later when I’m back here in the MA…I have your mom knocking on my door just like you.” Darcy lightly shook her head at the memory and now Sharon tried to persuade her.

Bode propped his elbows on his knees then. He licked at his bottom lip, “where are they, Darce? Where’s our baby?”

Joe flinched in the kitchen.

Darcy wasn’t sure what noise came out of her throat just then but she felt like she was suffocating. She already knew that Sharon knew since she came to plead her son’s case, thanks to her dad being good friends with her and knew Bode’s dad, Vince avoided the topic all together. So the secret was out of the bag and Bode knew…but how much?

“Bode,” she started, “do you think a baby is going to fix this?”

“No…but I deserve to be in our child’s life.”

“I would have never—I wouldn’t no matter how big of a paper cut you left on me.” Darcy was strong with her words and he knew she meant them.

“Then why did you never tell me?”

“You hated me.”

“I never hated you,” Bode denied, “I hated my situation. I’m telling you my actions never had anything to do with you. Never.” He placed his hand on his chest.

She remembered the rough but passionate love-making, how he never wanted to look her in the eyes while he welcomed her in between his thighs. The first time she didn’t think much of it but the second she had to question it. That argument was short lived since the guards were escorting them away from each other. It continued on the phone but never finished, on her end, since everything was always timed.

He didn’t make her feel wanted.

She wasn’t sure why she was seeking that from him in the first place.

“…there is no baby.”

“What?” Bode whispered, “my mom told me. I-I saw the sonogram your dad had. The screenshot of your growing belly he had as his screensaver. What are you talking about?”

Darcy hugged herself then, feeling her insides ache. “She didn’t make it. I was eight months, six when your mom stopped by. Your mom wanted to adopt her because i wasn’t ready to be a single mom or rather a mom period. That’s why she came out here on her own. The baby was stillborn and I had to deliver her…the whole thing was brutal and traumatic…I wasn’t ever expecting you to come here.”

“…so you just assumed it would be better if I never knew at all.” Bode caressed his beard with his knee beginning to bounce in agitation.

That’s when he took the suede stool in front of him, lifting it up and over at the fireplace. Joe was on his feet in a instant as Bode began pacing the living room floor now. Darcy remained seated, holding her hand out to halt Joe from approaching him.

Bode rubbed at his mouth, “did you name her at least? Or think about how our daughter would have been better motivation to continue to get my act together? Or were you only thinking about yourself like you always do?”

“You think I’m selfish? I was dealing with this shit all on my own! You were risking your life everyday with those fires. You don’t know what that felt like feeling a life that you created growing inside of you, day by day, just to be ripped away like it never happened!” Her face was hot as she spoke her words, “To release death into the world instead of life! You don’t know! You don’t ever let anybody in, so why would you place that pressure on a growing child? to be better when you should want that for yourself! It’s not always about you either, Bode! I mean my god!”

Bode swallowed then, hearing the pain that was in Darcy’s throat. He knew that it must have been devastating and he would have done his best to be there or at least have his mother—

“I’ll fix the fireplace.” Bode glanced at crack, “but I just wish you would have told me.”

“What difference would it make? You didn’t love me. And she’s gone, we wouldn’t be a family and I didn’t want to be a mom.”

Bode was frowning now, “mom said you were pretty far along when she saw you last. There’s a cut off time if you didn’t want her—

“I know. I was going to give her to a family that could support her better. Love her better.”

“What makes you think I wouldn’t love my daughter?”

“I don’t know what you’re capable of Bode.”

“Wow,” He was in shock, “at least I know how you really feel.”

“I mean, how do you think it would work?”

“I don’t know but I would at least try! Which is something you didn’t want to do or want to give me the chance to do. And I have rights!”

“Those rights wouldn’t help you as soon as the court saw you have a record.”

Joe sharply inhaled at that and even dropped his head hearing this.

That was a harsh thing to say and she knew it.

They all did.

“I don’t mean to sound like a bitch but that’s just how the screwed up system works. I had the best interest for the baby, for her, if she made it.” Darcy began to zone off but that was short-lived.

“I don’t know if I believe that.” Bode muttered, “it honestly feels like you took what little time we had away. I was in the dark. Once my year was up I could have tried to get custody, or at least my parents or shit, even your dad could have raised her! so you didn’t have to be bothered. I’m on the right path now and that says more than what you’re doing.”

“Excuse me?” Darcy sat up now.

Bose folded his arms together, leaning on one leg more than the other as he pressed a finger to his cheek, “Your dad’s girlfriend told me that you’re going out more, blacking out…which sounded odd to me since, hypothetically, if you just gave birth not too long ago and easily gave our girl away…what were you celebrating exactly?”

“Fuck her and fuck you.” Darcy bit.

“It’s a valid thought.”

“It’s bullshit.”

“Is it?”

“Yeah because if you really think the decision to give up a child—my child,” Darcy felt her throat tightened as she pointed at her chest, “would be easy then you don’t know me at all. And to think we called each other friends once upon a time.”

“Well I guess we’ll never know, will we?” His stare was hard on Darcy’s who clenched her eyes at this time.

It sure felt like he was blaming her for the death of their child, although there was medically nothing that could have prevented this tragedy.

“I don’t ever want to see you. Just disappear again, you’re good at doing that.”

“Whoa, hey.” Joe intervened, “I think there’s a lot going on right now and the both of you should stop this and try having this conversation again, once you’ve both calmed down.”

Bode scoffed out a laugh, “that’s the problem with her man, she didn’t want to try. She wanted to get even. I deserved to know.”

Joe knew the last part of the sentence to be true but it wasn’t his place to speak on.

“You’re the one who shut me out back then! Why would I use our baby to get you to talk to me?” Darcy was on her feet now.

“Don’t you get it? None of that matters! I’ve lost enough in my life and my daughter is just another thing to add to the list! But you couldn’t give me that because you’re too pissed about old shit!. When you knew, it shouldn’t have been about us anymore. Are you listening?!” Bode couldn’t help but to let the emotions raise his tone.

“Get out.” Darcy felt her eyes burning.

Bode just stared at her.

She screamed, almost murder, “GET. OUUUT!”

He raised his hands and slowly stepped back and away from the woman. Bode leaned over the couch and snatched up his hat that he clenched tightly in his hands.

“…can you at least tell me if you named her?” Bode repeated while stood sideways in Darcy’s view, keeping his gaze straight.

Darcy sniffed and puffed out, “Cherie Leone. She had your dark blonde hair and your nose; she was a beautiful baby.”

“Hm. despite what you think, I would have given her the world.” Bode felt himself getting choked up too, a balled up fist went to his mouth before he sniffed and turned to exit the house.

Joe stepped after him, unsure what to say but knew that must have been hard to finally hear the truth. However his friend was behind him and as he turned to her, he had to quickly catch her by the waist as her legs gave out from underneath her.

The pair sat in each other’s arms with Joe caressing Darcy’s face as she sobbed. Darcy sobbed so violently that she was struggling to catch her breath, which worried Joe.

“What do you need me to do?” He was trying not to panic.

Darcy sat on her knees, pressing her forehead into Joe’s chest, one hand caressing her back while the other applied pressure in the crook of her neck.

This was what she needed.

Somebody like Joe.

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