What If? II

"You know, I really couldnt stand her." she chuckled a little.

"Yeah, I noticed and she noticed." he chuckled.

She laughed a little. "I didn't know it was that noticeable but I'm not sorry."

"I figured that much." he snorted.

"When do you have to leave?" she asked.

"Tonight." he told her. "I told them I'd be over there by at least eight."

"I guess you should be getting ready to go then."

He nodded. "I mean I'll still stop by to see you and the kids." he told her.

"Well... John kinda... asked us to go on the road with him." she scratched the back of her neck. "And I told him yes."

"...oh." he said with a bit of a nod. "How serious are you guys?" he asked her.

"I won't lie, it's pretty serious." she told him.

"And you're sure you want to be with me? If it's serious Lace and if you're happy, then I don't want to ruin whatever it is you guys have."

"You're not ruining anything." Lacy told him. "I'm happy with him, but I'm not as happy with him as much as I was with you. Even with our differences we had towards the end of the marriage, I just..." she sighed. "I just miss you."

He nodded. "I just want to make sure. I don't want you to change your mind."

"I"m not going to change my mind." She shook her head.

"Alright." he nodded. "Just making sure."

She kissed his chest. "Get ready to leave."

"Will do." he told her as he pulled away from her to put on his clothes.

Lacy sat up and waited for him to finish dressing, holding the covers up to her.

He finished getting dressed and then kissed her on the forehead. "I guess I'll talk to you soon?"

"You bet."

--

So, two weeks had passed and Punk was due back to her house... his family was slowing regrouping after Mary's death. Lacy hadn't broken up with John yet. Just as she was about to, he had to go and be the nicest guy ever, and just.. damn him.

"You do know," John started as he wrapped his arms around her in their hotel room, "That it's our six month anniversary?"

"I... do." Lacy chuckled a little. How could she forget. This was the first time she'd let him get close to her since she'd come with him. She promised Phil she'd break up with him and she certainly couldn't let him touch her. "John, I've gotta tell you something."

"Before you do, I got you something." He said as he pulled a box out of his pocket and handed it to her.

Lacy looked up at him and took it, confused.

"Open it," he urged her.

She opened it to see this necklace. She gasped. "John... it's beautiful."

"Well, I saw it and thought of you. I know you said you weren't really into anniversaries and things like that, but I wanted to get you something special." he kissed her forehead.

"I...I can't take this," she said guiltily.

"Why not? I want you to have it." He told her. "Don't worry about cost or anything like that. You're worth it to me. You're special, Lace."

"John..." she shook her head, and he silenced her with a small kiss.

"Here, let me put it on you." John said and took the box from her, taking out the necklace and looped it around her neck, securing it. He looked at their reflection in the mirror. "Gorgeous." he turned her to him and kissed her.

"John-" Lacy tried to pull away, but he kept her close. Eventually she sighed and gave up the fight, melting into his embrace and letting him pull her towards the bed...


So she didn't break up with him. She couldn't, after that. She'd feel like a bitch. Sitting in her bed at home and waiting for Phil to come back, she felt awful. She took off the necklace that John gave her and put it on the bedside table (without thinking), hearing the doorbell ring. She went downstairs to go answer the door, seeing Phil. She smiled a little. "Hey."

"Hey." Punk said as Lacy opened the door and greeted him. Over the past couple of weeks, he was still wrapping his head around his Mom's death and recovering from the loss. It still did hurt him and he was still saddened, but he was getting better. "...that upset to see me?" he chuckled a bit.

"I'm never upset to see you." she laughed a little and kissed his cheek, pulling him inside. "Can I get you anything?"

"Nah I'm good." he said. "So how was the trip?" he asked.

"Um, pretty good." She said. "It was good to see everyone again."