He groaned and I kissed his forehead. "I'll make you're favorite, you have time." He sighed but nodded, rolling to sit up, the muscles along his bare back shifting as he stretched. I placed my hand on his back, making him turn to me. "Why are you awake? You've gotten to where you sleep a little longer." I shrugged. "I've been awake for over forty-five minutes." He raised a brow as he stood, stretching some more. "You okay?" I wasn't sure. I've been like this before and it was usually a feeling I got right before Aaron would come home. It was a rush to get everything done. "Yeah, I'm great." I said standing from the bed, stretching myself. 

With my eyes closed I never saw him come around the bed, so he startled me when his arms wrapped around me, our bare bodies pressing flush together. "Mm, you know we have a little time." He said before his lips attached to my neck. My breathing quickened, my mind immediately going hazy at the memory of last night. "You can't do quickies, so no." He groaned, his head resting on my shoulder. I let him hold me for another minute before I gently pushed his shoulder. "Go get your shower before you have no time to eat." He huffed but did so anyway, but not before placing a searing kiss to my lips. "You could always join, ya know." I rolled my eyes as I grabbed one of his shirts from the dresser. "Get your shower." I heard him chuckle before the door clicked shut. 

As he got in the shower I rushed downstairs, pulling out everything I needed to make waffles and bacon. I was halfway done when he finally came downstairs, his flight suit tied around his waist. "Why are you already in your flight suit? You usually wear your khakis or jeans." He shrugged. "Mav wanted us to get up in the air as early as possible today, figured not having to change would save time." I nodded as he kissed the back of my head. While I enjoyed my time at home, and with Rooster, I missed flying something terrible. Being in that cockpit was where I was meant to be. Thankfully I've had many distractions to keep me busy while I've been away. "What's going through that pretty head of yours?" Rooster asked, sliding me a cup of coffee. "I miss flying." I blurted out.

He sighed, stepping behind me and wrapping his arms around me. "I know you do, and everyone misses you Mags. Hopefully Cyclone will call you soon, then you can come back and help me kick Hangman's ass in the air." I chuckled at his words, knowing the on going rivalry between Rooster and Hangman would never truly end. "I hope he does too, but for now I have plenty of work to do." His hands ran up my sides as I flipped the last pancake. "Just wait till I get home? That bedframe is solid oak and heavy, I don't want you hurting yourself." I huffed as his lips found my jaw. "Do you doubt me?" I could feel him shake his head. "No, not at all. I just don't want you to get hurt." I chuckled at him. "I've got it Rooster. But if it makes you feel any better, then I'll wait till you get home." He smirked and kissed my head. "It really does make me feel better." 

"Good, now eat." I said handing him the plate of pancakes while I grabbed the bacon. We sat together, having just a quiet breakfast, which was so nice. But the time came for him to leave and I couldn't help the pout that came over me. "I guess I'll just do nothing till you get home." He chuckled, kissing my lips. "Or, you can go to Home Depot or Lowe's when they open and buy the stain you want for the bedframe." I smiled at him. "You got any power tools? I'll need a sander." He shook his head. "None, guess you'll have to buy some." I grinned at him as he reached into his wallet. "Take my card." I shook my head. "Rooster, no." He grabbed my hand, placing his card in my palm and folding my fingers around it. "Yes. I've been saving for this renovation, so take it and use it." I groaned but took it anyway. "Fine." 

He kissed my lips one more time before walking towards the Bronco. "I love you." He called and I waved as Dahlia groaned from her spot beside me in the doorway. "Love you too." I watched as he backed out of the driveway, and took off down the road. As he disappeared I jumped into action, putting away the last of the food and changing into an old t-shirt of mine and some running shorts. I grabbed his house key off the hanger and walked out, Dahlia trying to follow. "Stay here baby, you can't come with me." She pouted and sulked her way back to her bed before flopping down, making me giggle. I rushed over to his house, setting my stuff down and immediately making my way upstairs. I looked around his room, the green carpet spread all the way through the closet and the entirety of the upstairs. I huffed, walking over and stripping his bed of all sheets and pillows.

"Wash these now, they'll be clean when we're done." I said to myself before going downstairs and starting his sheets in the washer. I went back upstairs where I pulled his mattress out of the frame, propping the heavy item against the far wall. I looked down at the frame, seeing it was screwed together. With joinery I would've had to kick it apart, possibly ruining it but I could easily take out the screws and fill the holes. I got to work pulling out the slats that held up the mattress before I went on the hunt for a screwdriver. I looked in the kitchen, the hall closet, the roll top desk in the living room, the laundry room and even his closet in his room. "How does a man not have a screwdriver?" I asked before walking out to go back to my house. Dahlia got excited as I walked in, expecting me to play with her but I was focused on my task at hand. I went into the laundry room, pulling down the tool bag I had before heading for the door again when Dahlia stopped in front of me. 

I sighed as she stared at me with her big eyes, her black fur making them stand out. "Come on." I said turning around and heading for the back door. I opened the folding door, letting her run outside before I opened the gate between our yards. I laughed as she ran around, rushing through the gate. The sun was barely peeking over the coast, a dark orange covering the sky. I went back inside Rooster's house, going upstairs and started taking the bed apart. It was an agonizing process that took a whole two hours for me to finish. Once I did I lifted the pieces, finding they were definitely heavier than they looked. But I did it anyway, slowly taking the pieces downstairs one by one, and took them out back. Dahlia looked at me from her spot in the grass where she was sunbathing. "I got this. I don't need no man's help!" I cheered to myself before going back inside. I looked at the now empty space in the floor, the green carpet lighter where the bed was than the rest of the carpet. 

I looked to the dresser, it was large with an attached mirror. It was nicer than mine, being solid wood it would last longer. That's the thing about the eighties, a lot of stuff was better quality. So I decided to start in the closet. I walked over, it was a walk-in but not that big. Most stuff was on top of the shelves, but a few boxes were in the floor. I grabbed them, moving them up to sit on top of the shelves. One rattled around and I opened it, finding a bunch of VHS tapes without covers on them. I pulled one out, gasping at the title written on it, 'Bradley's first steps'. I moved the box finding an old VCR under it. "Oh my god, this is awesome!" I pulled the box, setting it on top of the dresser, along with the VCR before picking up the box that had been next to it. This one had a bunch of cassettes in it. I looked up, finding a silver boombox on the shelf. I squealed before grabbing it, hauling it downstairs and setting it on the mantle above the fireplace.

I pulled out a cassette, flipping it over and seeing it was Rod Stewart. I chuckled putting it in and hitting play. The upbeat music started and I smiled, turning it up and dancing my way back upstairs. I got everything out of the floor before I grabbed my pliers an started yanking up the carpet. The closet took me another two hours, picking up the staples took the longest. There were so many! Finally when I was done I realized I didn't have a utility knife to cut the carpet. I groaned, looking down at my watch realizing it was nine-thirty. Home Depot was open, and I decided now was as good a time as any to go pick up a few things so I stood, locking up the house. I grabbed Dahlia's leash, putting it on for her to go with me before we loaded up and headed to Home Depot. 

As we arrived I grabbed a buggy, rushing back to grab the stain I needed. I found a black stain that would work well and immediately went to find a sander. I looked around at them, trying to find one that would work well for what I needed. "Need some help?" I turned back to find a guy maybe an inch taller than me, blonde hair and dark brown eyes. "Um, kinda? I'm sanding a bedframe to stain it and I'm not sure which one would work." He flashed me a smile and I sent one back. "Then this one would work best. It's got plenty of power for what you're working on." I nodded tossing the box into the buggy. "I would also start with a higher grit then move down to smooth it out." He said motioning me to follow him. He walked me over to the aisle with the rest of the supplies I would need. "So, why are you sanding a bedframe?" He asked as I tossed a few things of sandpaper into the buggy. 

"Moving in with my boyfriend, his bedframe just needs an upgrade." He nodded. "So, where's your boyfriend?" I raised a brow. I have a feeling I know where this was going. "Work. He's a naval aviator." He raised his brows, nodding. "Ah, a sailor." I pursed my lips. "A pilot, but yeah." I looked back to the racks of sandpaper, feeling his stare on the side of my face. "So he's gone a lot?" I rolled my eyes but I don't think he noticed. "Only during the day." I saw him bite his lip, looking me over. "What about deployments?" I turned to face him quickly. "Thankfully we've only ever been deployed together since we've been a couple, so it's not a problem." I snapped and his eyes widened. "Wait, you're in the navy too?" I nodded, pushing the buggy away. "Are you a pilot too?" I nodded not looking back at him. "Yep." I said leaving him behind. I walked down the aisle that held curtains. I looked around finding a beautiful two tone grey set that would look beautiful in the living room, and a beautiful curved black curtain rod to hold them.

I grabbed a few last things, which included a few tools for Bradley. I got in line to checkout, standing behind an older gentleman who smiled at me before seeing Dahlia and turning his gaze. "I know who you are." I turned to find the guy from earlier approaching me quickly. I turned back, ignoring him as my heart rate sped up. "You're Caila Motley." I ignored him, keeping my gaze forward. "Hey." His hand landed on my shoulder and I turned, snapping at him and shoving his hand away. "Don't youevertouch me again!" I yelled, catching everyone's attention. His eyes widened as he leaned back. "I just didn't know if you heard me." I scoffed. "I did. I was ignoring you. That also doesn't give you the right to put your hands on me." He seemed taken aback by my words. "You can't do something like what you did and not expect people to recognize you." 

"What I did?" He chuckled. "You're practically a celebrity and cheated on your husband." I rolled my eyes at him hoping and praying that the line would move. "Then you couldn't handle him sleeping with someone else either so you killed that girl and pinned it on him." Immediately tears started down my cheeks, and I turned to him. "She may have slept with my husband, but she didn't deserve what happened to her and I'll be damned if you come up to me and throw it in my face. Sofuck off." I said, attempting to keep my composure. If I fly off the handle it'll make this whole situation worse, so taking the high road and keeping my voice down is the best way to go about this. "I hope you and that boyfriend of yours have the life you deserve." I chuckled. "Thank you." I said back, knowing it got under his skin but Bradley and I both knew we deserved all the good things in life. 

"You're a bitch." I bit my lip to keep my lips from curling upwards. I knew I could be a bitch but he's just mad he didn't upset me as much as he hoped. Which he did, but I wasn't going to let him know that. He stormed away as I was able to check out, the girl ringing me up giving me a sad smile. "Sorry, he's a jerk. We've been trying to get rid of him for awhile." I nodded. "Some people just have to have something to say." She nodded, giving me my total. "Can I split it between these two cards?" She nodded and I paid for half with my card before paying the other half with his. He told me to use the card, but he didn't say I had to use his card for all of it. I thanked the girl before grabbing my bags and hauling ass out of that store. I loaded Dahlia and the bags into the car before getting in myself. As soon as I got into the car the tears started. I knew that people would probably still be talking about the trial, it was literally last week but that was overwhelming. I partly blamed myself for Melissa's death, if I just hadn't said anything to her, then maybe it wouldn't have happened. 

After a few minutes I stopped crying, starting the car and going back home. Once I was home I let Dahlia out to the backyard and unloaded everything I bought. I took everything back over to Bradley's, kicking the boombox back on and going out back. I laid out the tarp I bought and moved one of the panels on it before setting up the sander and getting to work. As soon as I started I realized this was a great way for me to get out my frustrations and as time went on my mood got better, I felt elated for the most part, moving almost inhumanly fast to sand the entire bedframe and stain it. By two p.m. I was done, smiling at my handiwork and leaving it in the sun to dry. I went back inside realizing the tape had finished and took it out, swapping it out for Fleetwood Mac's album 'Tango in the Night'. I danced as the album started, rushing back upstairs and started yanking up the carpet again. 

I sang loudly to the album as I used all my strength to rip up the carpet, happy that I had made some progress. I cut the carpet off as I got to the dresser, I couldn't move it so I decided to work around it. I picked up the pieces of carpet taking them to the landing and dropping it down the the first floor, I wiped my hands as I went to the bedroom doorway pulling on the carpet some more, ripping it up within the hallway. I managed to get the entire hallway before cutting it off. I picked up those pieces and dropped them to the first floor as the front door opened. "Mags?" I smiled seeing Rooster walk through the door. I looked at my watch seeing it said four-thirty. "Hi my love!" I said, rushing down the stairs to hug him. I threw my arms around him as he hugged me with his free arm. "What did you do?" He asked looking to the torn up carpet. "Oh! I got the bed frame apart, bought the stain and a sander and got that finished and then I ripped up basically half of the carpet upstairs! I made so much progress today, and I even found an old boombox and some cassettes! I've been listening to it all day! Oh, but I do need help moving the dresser in your room to finish getting up the carpet and then we can move to the guest room-" "Mags." His voice was firm as I turned to him.

There was no smile on his face, just a blank look that I couldn't read. "What's wrong?" He looked around, his arms out and the bag of Chinese food in his left hand swaying. "What did you do?" He asked again and I furrowed his brows. "I got a jump start. I didn't have anything else to do today and I didn't want to leave the bulk of the work to you, you've been at work all day and-" "Caila." I stopped talking, realizing I was rambling and his use of my first name told me it was best to just stop. "You were supposed to wait for me." He said walking past me, walking into the kitchen to set down the food, seeing the bedframe outside. "What the hell?" I shrunk back into the wall as he looked outside. "I told you that I would help you!" I looked at my feet as he continued to look outside. "You don't get to just come in here and make all these changes!" I furrowed my brows. "I thought you agreed to these changes?" My heart sped up, scared I misinterpreted his words and screwed something up. "I did! But this is my house! I should be here for all these changes, this is why I wanted you to wait!"

My heart was racing at his anger, hating that I set him off. "My parents put their blood, sweat and tears into this house to make it home before my dad died! This is one of the last things I have of both of them!" I felt bad coming in here and doing all this now, the tears rolling down my cheeks solidified that thought. "Also that boombox out there and those tapes, they also belonged to my parent's! Why the hell were you dragging all this stuff out?!" He was yelling at this point and I was pressing my body back into the wall, hoping it would swallow me whole. "You asked me to move in. I was just trying to do the bulk of the work before I came back to base." I muttered and he scoffed turning back towards the counter. "I was trying to do something nice for you. You do so much for me that I wanted to do something just as meaningful for you." 

"Yeah, well you could've done some irreparable damage! At least when I do things for you I don't risk fucking up something that means more than anything to you!" I felt like everything was closing in on me, and I needed to get out. "I'm sorry." I muttered before making sure his key was off my key ring, leaving it on his counter along with his card before walking out. I rushed back over to my house locking the door behind me before sliding down it, sobs racking my body. Why can't I seem to do anything right in my relationship? It seems like every time I turn around I'm doing something to screw it up. I don't know how long I stayed like that but eventually I managed to pick myself up, walking to the back door, calling Dahlia in and closing the door and locking it. More tears streamed down my face as I rushed upstairs and into my room. I crawled over to my side of the bed, laying face down in my pillow just trying to breath deeply and soothe myself. 

After a few minutes I opened my eyes, looking out the window to see Rooster standing in his room, hands in his hair and a stressed look on his face. I looked away hoping he wouldn't notice me but when I looked back he had crouched down, his hands covering his mouth and a gleam in his eyes that told me he had tears building up. He looked over to me and I couldn't stand it, I immediately got up closing my blinds and laying back down. I felt awful. I never considered that it wasn't just his house, but something his parents left him and I went in and just started changing it. I felt like shit leaving him without his bed but I couldn't face him, not tonight. Because I knew I couldn't look at him without breaking down. I hated myself for upsetting him, but it seems like every time I turn around that was what I was doing. Tears streamed down my face as my thoughts ran rampant, eventually landing me in a dreamless sleep. 

I originally wasn't sure how long I was out for but I woke up to Dahlia pawing at me. I rolled over, seeing the clock said six-thirty and I jumped up. "I'm sorry Dahls! I fell asleep!" Her tail wagged quickly when she realized I was up to feed her, half an hour late but better late than never. As I stood though, I heard knocking on my front door. I peeked my head out of the bedroom door, seeing no one through the window by the door but the knocking continued. I slowly started down the stairs as Dahlia zoomed past me not at all concerned whose at the door, which tells me I shouldn't worry. If it was a stranger she would be barking and growling. I went to look through the peep hole I heard his voice, broken like he had been crying. "Mags, please." Tears immediately sprung to my eyes, my chest getting tight. "Mags, if you can hear me, please. You need to know how sorry I am, I never should've snapped at you. I never want to hurt you and I did. Please, I don't know how to function right now." 

I leaned my head on the door, my hand resting next to my head. "I guess you're not listening or you're ignoring me, either way you have to know how sorry I am." I wanted to open the door, but I knew I shouldn't. Not because he should suffer, not at all, but because I know I'll cry and fall right back into his arms and forgive him. I needed to be in a position to have a real conversation with him about this. To be able to tell him my feelings and explain everything to him without blubbering my way through it. "I still love you, Mags.Youmean more to me than anything else, pretty girl." A sob hit me as he walked away, his figure passing the window by the door. I hated this, I hate how I put myself in this position. Suddenly my phone buzzed with a text. I looked at it and saw it was a text from Rooster. 

I left your dinner on the front porch. Please get it before it gets cold. 💕

This man was so mad at me and still brought my food over to me, even though I wouldn't open the door for him. I gave it another minute to be sure he wouldn't be waiting on me, I opened the door, grabbing the bag and retreating to my kitchen. I opened the bag to find sesame chicken, rice and three egg rolls, what shocked me was how hot the food was. At the bottom of the bag was a note, pulling it out, I teared up again as I read it. 'The house feels so empty without you and I hate how I hurt you. I appreciate what you did and I'm sorry I didn't tell you that. I love you, Magnolia. - Rooster' I set the note down and pulled out my phone shooting him a text.

Thank you for supper ❤️

It was short and sweet, I wanted to talk to him but I knew I couldn't tonight. I fixed Dahlia's food before fixing mine and sitting in the couch, turning on the tv to a rerun of Criminal Minds. My phone buzzed and I wanted to wait to look at it but I couldn't.

Can you call me so we can talk?

I shook my head, knowing I just couldn't do it.

Not tonight, love you.

I knew I still needed to tell him that I loved him, because one of us may not wake up in the morning or he could have a training accident and I wasn't going to let our last words be part of an argument. 

I love you too, pretty girl❤️ 

I smiled and set my phone down, knowing that even if he was angry earlier that he still loved me. I ate my food, feeling a little better than I did earlier, but still upset with myself. After awhile it got late and I decided to go to bed, changing and crawling into the queen size bed. I still had this energy running through me, which made it hard to fall asleep and without Bradley it just made it harder. Dahlia laid next to me, taking up the other half of the bed as she stretched her long legs. I continuously looked to the clock watching time tick by and finally as seven a.m. rolled around I realized I wasn't sleeping, so I got up to take a hot shower. 

I stood under the steaming water, hoping it would relax me enough for a nap. I had been up for over twenty-four hours at this point and I wasn't tired one bit. As I got out of the shower I put on one of Rooster's shirts and grabbed my phone, going down stairs to curl up for a nap. Dahlia laid in her bed across from me after I fed her, giving me a confused look. Usually I would've gotten up, Bradley would've been here, but for this morning it was just me and her, just like it used to be. Bradley had text me this morning, just a simple I love you. I replied back with my own but nothing more, I needed to talk to him but what do I say? 'You agreed so I did what you asked and tried to take the work load off of you.' 

I just wanted to do something for him and I fucked that up. What was I to do or say? I was at a true loss here. I laid on the couch for a few hours, not sleeping before deciding to call my mom. The phone rang a few times before she answered. "Hi, sweetie." My eyes watered, hearing her voice brought me comfort. "Mama?" "What's wrong?" My bottom lip wobbled at her words before my tears slipped out. "Mama, I screwed up." She let out a concerned sigh. "What happened?" I bit my lip, choking back a sob. "Bradley and I agreed to move into his house together and he wanted to do some upgrades. We agreed to stain the bedframe and rip up the carpet to start so while he went to work yesterday, I was in a great mood and had all this energy so I went ahead and started." She hummed in acknowledgment at my words. "I ripped up most all of the carpet upstairs, all that was left was the landing and the guest room. But he was so upset when he came home. He told me to wait for him to help that morning but I've had all this time off and all this energy I wanted to do the work so he didn't have to worry about it as much. I just wanted to do something nice for him and he got mad! Am I wrong?" 

It was quiet for a moment before she spoke up. "You're talking awfully fast, Caila." I groaned rubbing my face before standing up, pacing in front of the coffee table. "Mom, please-" "Are you having a manic episode?" I furrowed my brows, scoffing at her words. "What? Why would you ask that, I've never had a manic episode." "You're pretty okay considering what you just told me, any other time you would be a sobbing mess but now you just sound irritated." I scoffed and rolled my eyes, going into the kitchen to pour myself some more coffee. "Yeah, because you just asked me if I'm having a manic episode. I'm fine." I said as I slammed the coffee pot into the sink. "Caila, I'm worried-" "I'm fucking fine mother!" I groaned before ending the call. 

"How dare she ask me if I'm having a manic episode." I muttered as I marched upstairs, changing into some workout clothes. I had to clear my head and a run around the neighborhood would do just that. I hooked up Dahlia, deciding it would do her some good to run with me, before heading out. It was eleven-thirty by this point and I was glad it was October so it wasn't scorching outside. I ran and ran as far as I could until I noticed Dahlia panting. I stopped, huffing before sitting under a tree in a patch of grass, facing the beach. "Come on, lay down." I said motioning Dahlia to follow. She did so, huffing and puffing as she did. I pet her gently as we sat there, giving us both time to to catch our breaths and cool down. I was so upset when I left I forgot her collapsible bowl and a water bottle. 

I now felt worse, knowing I didn't have what Dahlia needed. Why can't I seem to do anything right? I keep screwing everything up. We sat there for awhile just enjoying the breeze that blew by before my phone buzzed. Bradley's picture flashed across my phone and I stared at it, letting it go to voicemail before I saw the time on my phone. One p.m. so I stood, Dahlia following before we started a slow leisurely walk back to the house. I feel so out of sorts, I know something isn't right with me but for the life of me I can't figure out what is wrong. All this energy isn't normal for me, not sleeping isn't either. 

The walk home was quiet, Dahlia immediately emptying her water bowl as soon as I dropped her leash. I looked around the house it was clean, almost nothing out of place, I could try to sleep but I know it wouldn't work so instead I opted to meal prep for the next week. I spent the next few hours cooking chicken, all kinds of vegetables and some rice. I always felt better knowing I didn't have to do much cooking for the next week but it also kept me from eating junk food. My house smelled amazing and made me realize I hadn't eaten all day, I looked at the time seeing I had about thirty minutes before Rooster got home and inevitably would come over and knock on my door. I just wanted to be alone, I love him but I needed to be away from him. He says he's not mad, but people just say things, right? I shook my head, clearing the negative thoughts before feeding Dahlia early and going upstairs to change. I slipped on some jeans, a t-shirt, and my boots before grabbing my purse and keys. I decided to drive into downtown San Diego, the breeze blew through the jeep telling me of my departure from Fighter Town U.S.A. 

I drove, getting a brilliant idea as I passed a theater that was playing 'Halloween', deciding that stopping to see my favorite horror movie would be a great way to pass the time. As I was in line for tickets my phone buzzed, I expected Rooster to be calling but instead it was my dad. I stared at the screen for a moment before declining the call, of all the people I didn't want to talk to right now, he was high up on my list. I was still upset with him for pulling me from that mission. Me being pulled could've been the sole reason Maverick and Rooster almost didn't come home, and I don't think I could live in a world without Rooster. My emotions started running high as those thoughts raced through my mind, so I opted to sit in the back corner, away from people. 

I had never been more grateful to sit in a mostly crowded theater, watching a horror movie. If the movie wasn't distracting me, people's screams and yells were, making me giggle. Once it was done I decided to swing by a local Mexican restaurant and pick up some tacos for dinner, opting to sit in the jeep and eat them in the parking lot and just scroll through my socials. I took my time, not in any rush to get back home so I drove around San Diego just taking in the sights before my phone started ringing off the hook.

Rooster, Hangman, Phoenix, and even Mav had called me but I couldn't be bothered to answer so I just cut my phone off, spending another two hours just driving around before heading back to North Island. I was going to go straight home but I saw the Hard Deck coming into view and decided to stop, I knew Penny worked on Wednesdays and maybe she'd understand what I was going through. I pulled in not seeing any familiar vehicles, I was grateful for that, not wanting to run into anyone except Penny. I got out and slowly walked in, the bar was fairly busy but it wasn't crazy. I saw Penny frantically flitting around behind the bar, looking worried. I walked over to the bar, waiting for her to get a second. She rushed by me before turning back around, her eyes going wide. "Oh thank god!" She said rushing out from behind the bar, crushing me into a hug. 

"PETE!" I turned seeing she caught Maverick's attention. He let out a sigh when he saw me, saying something into his phone before coming over hugging Penny and I both. "What the hell is going on with you?!" Penny yelled at me, making me sink back into the barstool. "I just needed some space." She scoffed, her hands going into her hair. "Well telling someone where you went would be great! You're dad called Maverick after you yelled at your mom, then your mom called Rooster, then Rooster called Mav! We've had people out looking for you for hours!" I felt bad worrying everyone, it wasn't what I intended. "Penny, I really need to talk to you. Just us, please." Mav looked concerned but nodded to herm and walked behind the bar as Penny tossed her arm over my shoulder leading me out to the sandy parking lot. 

As she let go, I started pacing in front of her pulling on my thumbs. "Magnolia, you said you wanted to talk." I nodded, taking a deep breath to calm my nerves. "I feel like I'm losing my mind Penny. I have had this insane amount of energy, and my moods are all over the place. I was in a great mood yesterday, aside from being harassed at the home depot, but then after I pissed off Rooster I was sad and  now I've been irritated and pissed all day!" She nodded as I continued to pace in front of her. I looked at my watch seeing it said eight-thirty at night. "And it doesn't help I've been awake for just over forty hours. I stared at my window last night just thinking about what he was doing last night. Then my mom asked me if I was having a manic episode which, how dare she! I AM NOT MANIC!" I realized I screamed the last bit and Penny seemed startled. "I'm sorry." I said as I pinched the bridge of my nose.

"I shouldn't have yelled like that, I just-" "Caila, honey." Penny said as she grabbed my arms gently. "I think you need help." I shook my head as tears started to fall. "MAGS!" My shoulders fell as I heard his voice. I was so caught up in my own problems I completely missed the Bronco pulling in. "I'm not crazy, Penny. I'm not." I said as my voice cracked, Rooster running over. "No, Caila I don't think you're crazy, I just think you're under a lot of stress and have had a long year. I just think you need to see someone." I scoffed. "And let them do what?! Penny no matter what I do, it will probably cost me my career!" Rooster's hand grabbed gently grabbed mine. "But Mags, if you feel like this in the air-" "I've never felt like this in the air! Only when Aaron was coming home and I would panic!" Everyone froze at my words. 

"I feel like I'm losing my mind and I just want to be alone until I figure out what's wrong with me." I muttered as Rooster pulled me into his chest, rubbing my back as I cried. "When did you stop seeing Dr. Kleninger?" I pushed back from him, rolling my eyes in irritation. "Just before we left for the mission." His eyes widened as I wiped my face. "You didn't see your therapist throughout the entire time you've been on leave or during your trial?" I shook my head as Rooster groaned. "Oh, stop! My therapy appointments had little to do with you, so stop acting like it's a huge inconvenience!" His jaw dropped at my words. 

"Mags, I agree with Penny. Maybe you should see someone." I scoffed, starting towards my jeep. "I'm just worried about you Mags!" I stopped, turning back to him. "You don't have to feel bad just because you yelled at me, I get it, I screwed up! But I don't need you worrying about me! I did just fine on my own for a whole year before you came back into my life!" I yelled before fumbling my way into the jeep. "Don't come knocking on my door Bradshaw!" I said before tearing out of the parking lot, more tears streaming down my face once again.

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Taglist:

As I got out I looked at myself in the mirror for the first time in days. I was paler and the dark circles under my bloodshot eyes were prominent. I had to get some sleep, I was bordering on dangerous if I didn't. I decided to crawl back in bed with Dahlia and hope for sleep, so as I curled against her warm body I tossed my arm over my eyes and laid still. I know I hurt Bradley last night, I hated that I did it but I was so angry in the moment. I feel like I'm going crazy and I just feel like everyone was calling me crazy last night. I've been through hell, but surely that didn't push me over the edge, right? 

I don't know how long I laid there but I finally moved when my phone rang. As I moved my arm, I saw the sun peeking through the curtains and I groaned as it made my head pound more. I leaned over, grabbing my phone and seeing a local number pop up. I immediately sat up, groaning in pain as I did and answered the call. "Hello?" I croaked. I probably sounded sick or something. "Lieutenant Motley. It's Admiral Simpson, how are you? You don't sound so good." I cleared my throat before answering, not wanting to sound worse than I am. "I just have a migraine. How can I help you Admiral?" I bit my lip, anticipating the news. "As of Monday your paperwork to be reinstated will be completed. I was just wondering if you were ready to come back?" I nodded to myself, excitement growing. "Absolutely. I am more than ready." 

"Good, we'll see you at 0600 on Monday morning." I kicked my legs in excitement. "Thank you, Admiral." We exchanged our goodbyes before I threw myself back on the bed, squealing in excitement. Suddenly I felt something wet, sitting up I looked down seeing mother nature made her appearance, a whole week late. "SON OF A BITCH!" I yelled out in anger, my excitement dying as I realized I now had to clean. I got up, ripping the sheets off the bed forcing Dahlia to get up before I dragged them downstairs and tossed them in the washer. The phone call was a distraction and as that faded I felt the pounding in my head again so I took another dose of meds, not caring how long it had been since my last dose. I went back upstairs getting back in the shower and scrubbing my body clean once again before putting on fresh clothes, basically one of Rooster's UVA shirts and underwear, pants or shorts are just too tight right now. 

I went back downstairs with my dirty clothes, putting the sheets in the dryer and the clothes in the washer before grabbing a water and tossing myself down onto the couch. I once again just laid there, sleep never coming like I hoped. Tear spilled down my cheeks in frustration. All I wanted was to sleep for days and I couldn't even sleep for five minutes and with a migraine coming on it just made me feel worse. I cried, hard. Hoping that would tire me out but it didn't, it only made me sick. I rushed into the downstairs bathroom, throwing up what little I had in my system. I cried as I leaned against the wall, just wanting things to go back to normal. When I was sure I wouldn't puke again I managed to crawl back into the living room, grabbing my phone and making my way upstairs. I went back into the bathroom, opening the drawer that I keep my feminine products and only finding one tampon left. "Fuck." 

Once I was finished in the bathroom and washed my hands I went and laid on the bed dialing Phoenix's number. "Hey, Magnolia. You okay?" I shook my head. "I'm out of tampons. Would you be the love of my life and grab me a box when you leave base?" She hummed. "Absolutely. Anything else?" I thought for a minute, a sharp pain passing through my lower abdomen. "A heating pad. I haven't been able to find mine since the move." I said rolling onto my stomach to ease the ache. "I can do that. Can you wait till we finish at four?" I nodded. "Yeah, I can. Door's unlocked. Thank you, Phoenix." I could practically hear her smile on the other side of the line. "You're welcome, Magnolia." With that I hung up, hoping that if anything the pain from my oncoming migraine would knock me unconscious. 

~~~

"Bradshaw!" Phoenix yelled at him, catching his attention as he climbed out of the cockpit of his jet. "I'm not up for a lecture, Phoenix." He said meeting her halfway across the hangar. "I just want to know why my best friend is ignoring me? You never gave Hangman and I an explanation last night when you said she was gone." He huffed, pushing past her but she stopped him by grabbing the helmet he had in his hand. "You don't get this back until I get an explanation." He glared at her, not up for her antics today. "I fucked up." Phoenix raised a brow at the vagueness he offered her. "Explain." She said and he sighed, moving his sunglasses from the bridge of his nose, up to his hair. 

"You know I asked her to move in, right?" She nodded, spinning the helmet in her hands. "I had been planning to renovate and we agreed to do it together before she officially moved in. I told her to wait for me to get home before she started, I told her it was because I didn't want her to hurt herself but really I wanted to be there when we started. We were tearing out all the things my parents did to that house, it was harder than I thought to start this process but when I got home..." He paused, catching his breath as sadness swelled in his chest. "Dammit, Phoenix. She had already taken the bedframe apart and ripped up over half of the carpet upstairs. Hell, she had even sanded the entire bedframe and stained it black." Phoenix raised a brow. "I'm confused. Did you not want those things done?"

Of course she was confused. Rooster meant everything to Magnolia, she wouldn't just go making changes unless she was sure he was on board. But from what Rooster had told her, she had been acting weird the last few days. "I did, I did. I just, it was overwhelming to walk in and see the house upside down. My parents boombox and a box of cassette tapes had been set on the mantle because she was listening to them. She found them in the closet along with some home videos my parents made." He had tears in his eyes as he spoke. "So what's the problem?" Phoenix asked trying to understand what drove them apart so suddenly. 

"I yelled at her. I told her she didn't get to come in and make changes, I told her it was my house and she could've caused some real damage and fuck up something." Phoenix's face fell, realizing Rooster did more than just hurt her feelings. He basically told her she was a fuck up, and that she couldn't do things right. Just like Aaron basically had for their entire relationship. "I also told her the house meant more to me than anything else." He said, running his hands over his face. There it was. He categorized her second, which probably hurt more than anything else he said. "I tried apologizing to her that night, I stood in front of her door for a whole hour just knocking and talking. I think she was there but I couldn't be sure, so I just left the food I brought home in front of her door. She opened the door and took it pretty quick and she sent me a thank you text but she wouldn't actually talk to me."

Phoenix just crossed her arms over her chest, looking at him as he beat himself up mentally and emotionally. "I can't function Phoenix. She became part of my every day life so fast, I woke up this morning still expecting her and Dahlia to be in the bed and neither of them were. Then her mom called me in a panic saying Mags yelled and cussed at her." Phoenix furrowed her brows. That was very strange behavior for Magnolia. She's always so kind with her mother, they may yell but she always makes it a point to never cuss at her mom and vice versa. "She was rambling on about how she thought she was having a manic episode." Phoenix felt like she stepped into another dimension. This wasn't the Magnolia she knew.

"Manic? Magnolia suffered from depression in her marriage but I've never heard of her having any form of mania. I think that usually comes with bipolar one." Rooster's eyebrows shot up. "That's why she was going on about not being crazy last night." He said, realizing why she was going on about it. "What?" "Last night, when I got to the hard deck. She was talking to Penny and she thought Mags should talk to someone. Then Mags said she hadn't been speaking to her therapist since before the uranium mission." Phoenix's eyebrows shot up. "No, she was supposed to be in therapy for a whole three years." Rooster looked to her confused. "It was something the doctor suggested after the accident. Her marriage is a lot of baggage to unpack so when she started seeing her therapist she recommended three years as a baseline to unpack everything." 

Rooster groaned, falling into a chair that sat next to him. "She thought we were calling her crazy and she kept going on about how she wasn't. We just wanted her to get help but she was flying off the handle." Phoenix was growing worried for her best friend, her unusual behavior setting off all the alarm bells in her head. "Did she say anything about hurting herself?" Rooster shook his head and glared at Phoenix. "I wouldn't have given her the option of being alone if she did. She just said she wanted to be alone and that I 'Shouldn't come knocking on her door.' as she put it." Phoenix nodded, sitting in the chair next to him. "I need to talk to her, apologize and help her but I have to have a reason to see her first. She won't answer the door otherwise." Phoenix hummed when suddenly her phone rang, and the name on the screen made her gasp. "It's her." She said standing and answering, Rooster basically pressed against her to listen to the conversation. 

The entire time, she was shoving Rooster off trying to get him to give her space. Until finally she hung up, Rooster looking at her with raised brows. "You have your in." She said as she put her phone in one of her pockets. "Her period hit. She needs tampons and a new heating pad." Rooster nodded enthusiastically, willing to do anything for her. "I told her I would get it after work. Do not screw this up because if you do then she'll hate us both." He nodded, pulling Phoenix into a hug. "Oh my god, thank you Phoenix." She smiled and hugged her back. "Go the extra mile and get her favorite dish from that Italian place she loves, she loves carbs on her period." Rooster nodded and turned away before she stopped him again. "I don't think her behavior is being caused by mother nature dropping in. I still think there's something else there." He nodded, his grim features matching her. "Me too."

With that he went about his day, ready to just be done with the day. He just wanted to go home and take care of his girl, after days apart he just wanted to be in her presence. He got what she needed from the drugstore, along with a KitKat bar before heading off to the Italian restaurant and getting the food before going and getting her a simple bouquet of roses from the florist. He sped home, hoping to see her as soon as possible. His smile made his face ache as he grabbed everything making his way to her door. He debated on knocking but if she felt bad then maybe she left it unlocked, she told him she tends to do that so people can come in if they need, not that he agrees that it's safe. 

He slowly opened the door to the spotless house, looking around for her hoping he would see her before she had the chance to run him out. "Mags." He called out gently, trying not to be too loud in case she was asleep. He set the food and flowers on the coffee table, taking the bag with the tampons and heating pad upstairs with him. He peeked into her room, expecting to see her in bed but nothing, he even looked in her bathroom. His concern started growing when he didn't see her anywhere upstairs. As he came back down stairs he noticed Dahlia jumping up and down. "Hey, big girl." He said attempting to pet her but all she did was throw her head around and make her way towards the kitchen. 

He followed her, confused as to why she wouldn't let him pet her. He followed her into the kitchen, his heart stopping at the sight before him. It was only Magnolia's bare legs from her mid-thighs down but from what he could see it seemed she was face down on the floor. His body immediately reacted, sliding on his knees till he was next to her body. "Magnolia!" He called frantically, checking for a pulse and finding one but it was faint. He looked around finding a bunch of pills in the floor and a spot that looked like she vomited up stomach acid. "No. No. No. Magnolia! Please! You gotta wake up for me!" He panicked, pulling her into his arms as he leaned against her cabinets. 

He pulled out his phone, fumbling it into the floor multiple times before he finally picked it up and dialed 911. "911, what's your emergency?" He cleared his throat trying to make sure the operator could hear him clearly. "I'm at 423 Oceanside Lane in Miramar, I found my girlfriend unconscious and I think she took a bunch of her migraine pills." Saying the words out loud made him feel sick and partly responsible. "Okay sir, what's your girlfriends name?" He choked on a sob as her head rolled back in his arms, her face showing nothing but peace. "Caila Motley. Lieutenant Caila Motley." The operator hummed in acknowledgement. "Okay and do you know the exact name of the pills she took and how high the dosage was?" 

"It's Sum-something. Suma-" "Sumatriptan?" He nodded. "That's it and it's fifty milligrams a pill." He jostled Magnolia slightly, hoping she would wake up. "Okay and does she have a heart beat?" He set the phone down, finding the faint heartbeat in her neck before grabbing the phone again. "Yeah, it's faint but it's there." "Good, I have an ambulance en route. Do you want me to stay on the line?" He shook his head. If these were his last moments with her then he wanted it to just be him and her, he had things to say, things he needed her to hear. "No, thank you." They hung up and he tossed his phone to the floor immediately making sure Magnolia was wrapped up in both of his arms. 

"I'm sorry, Mags. I never should've said those things to you. It's just a house but you, you mean everything to me pretty girl. I never thought of living in a world without you, but I now realize I can't do it." This tears were a constant stream on his cheeks, his own words making him realize how dire this situation truly is. "I was considering proposing you know? My mom's sister still has a house in Virginia that has some of my stuff still in it. When she came home from Paris I wanted to go and get my mom's wedding ring. You'd love it. It's gold with a beautiful pear shaped diamond in it. Nothing could match your beauty though." He grabbed her left hand, bring her fingers up for a kiss. "It'd look perfect on your hand, where it belongs." He looked back at her blank face as more tears slipped out, a few falling onto her face which he wiped away. "I should've been here, I should've tried harder. I love you, pretty girl. Even if you hate me, I will always love you." He whispered as he shifted her body, checking her pulse again, a sigh of relief escaping as he felt the faint beating. 

He buried his face in her hair, placing a kiss to it as he heard the sirens making Dahlia rise from her guarding position next to Rooster. "Down, Dahls." The black Great Dane listened, taking her place next to Rooster her ears still up and pointed at the front door. "They're here to help you, honey. We're gonna get you help and everything is gonna be okay." He heard the door open and a voice call out. "Miramar EMS!" He leaned over to be visible from the front door. "We're in here." 

Medics and an officer rushed in, back to the kitchen where Rooster still held her limp body. "She still has a heart beat." He said and they nodded, rolling her out of his arms and onto her back on the floor. "What's her name?" One medic asked as the officer pulled Bradley to the side. "Caila Motley." Rooster watched them work, taking her vitals and such when suddenly one pulled out smelling salts. "Hey, that's not protocol." His partner called out as he opened the smelling salts, waving them under Magnolia's nose. "I don't think she OD'd." The other said when suddenly she started coughing.

Rooster's hands fell to his knees, holding himself up as he sobbed. "You woke me up." She cried out, tears streaming down her face. "Miss Motley, can you tell us where you are?" She continued to cry as Rooster pushed away from the officer, going to her. Falling on his knees next to her, taking her face in his hand. "Bradley?" He nodded, brushing some loose hairs back into her short ponytail. "It's me, pretty girl. Can you tell the medics where you are?" Her eyes flitted around before she looked to the medics. "My kitchen." She said as she started crying again. "Why are you so upset, ma'am?" One asked as she continued to cry. "You woke me up!" She sounded so pitiful, the sound almost making Rooster's heart break in two. "Why is that such a bad thing?" The other asked and she shot up into a sitting position. "I haven't slept in over sixty fucking hours! That's why!" Rooster grabbed her, holding her to his chest as he tried to calm her. 

"Were you purposefully sleeping on the floor, miss Motley?" The officer asked confused and she scoffed. "Of course not." The medics motioned for her to stand, Bradley helping her into a chair. "Then why were you in the floor?" Rooster asked and she looked down at her hands that were resting on top of the island. "I passed out." Rooster's face paled at her words. "Do you know how that happened?" She nodded, her eyes welling with tears. "I have a migraine. I went to take one of my pills for it when I thought I saw someone walking by the doorway there." She said pointing to the kitchen doorway. Rooster's blood ran cold, the door had been unlocked and anyone could've walked in off the street. His hands gripped the back of the chair, his knuckles turning white at the thought of someone else being in here with her while she was alone. 

"It startled me and I dropped the bottle and the pills went everywhere. I bent down too fast and got sick, the room was spinning and I still felt sick so I decided to lay on the ground to calm myself and wound up falling asleep, finally." The medics nodded. "Do you mind if I take a look around? Just to be safe." Magnolia sighed, rubbing her forehead but nodded anyway. "Be my guest. I'm sure it was a hallucination though." The officer nodded, walking away as the medics decided to check her for a concussion. Once they were done they packed up. "Everything seems fine. But I would recommend going to the doctor about the not sleeping and your moods." She rolled her eyes but nodded anyway. 

"I'll walk you guys out." Rooster said before following the medics to the front door. "Thank you guys, seriously." They nodded, shaking his hand as the officer joined them. "Looks all clear to me." He thanked him as one of the medics spoke up. "It really seems like she may be having a manic episode. I would take her to the doctor first thing tomorrow morning." He sighed but nodded. They left and he shut the door. How was he supposed to get her to the doctor? She'll surely refuse to go and he can't trick her, she'd never trust him again. He turned and grabbed the food before he walked back into the kitchen, seeing her with her head on the counter. "Huh, you're still here." She quipped and he couldn't help the small smile that grew on his face. "I'm not going anywhere." 

He looked down at the floor, seeing the pills were still there. "I'll clean this up and then we'll get you a shower and you can eat the food I brought." He said reaching to brush some hair from her face when she leaned away, making his heart crack slightly. "It's my house, I'll clean it up." She muttered but as she went to stand from the chair he blocked her, causing her to fall back into the seat. "Okay, stop. What I said was harsh and I'm sorry. I never should've said any of those things to you." She hung her head, fiddling with her fingers. "I was wrong. It's not my house, it's ours now. It was the second we discussed you moving in. But you can't keep shutting me out, Mags. I'm not going to let you." She picked her head up, avoiding his gaze as ore tears streamed down her face. 

"I'm so sorry for hurting you. I should've told you from the beginning but I wasn't worried about you hurting yourself." Her head snapped to him, her brows furrowed in anger or confusion. "It was hard to think about the house changing and I wanted to be there when we started. I still hadn't come to terms with the renovation, so when I walked in it was just all so overwhelming but it's no excuse for what I said." She stared into his eyes as he spoke, looking for any possible lies. "Why didn't you tell me the truth?" He shrugged. "I was worried you'd think I was weak for wanting to hold onto something like that." Her eyes immediately softened, one of her hands coming up to rest on his cheek. "Oh, Roo, no. They were your parents, there's nothing wrong with wanting to hold onto those memories." 

Tears flowed down his cheeks once again at the feeling of her soft hands on his face. They were much smaller than his but cradled his face well. He leaned into her touch as she placed a soft kiss to his chin. "I'm sorry, Roo. I've been such a bitch these past two days and-" "No you haven't." She scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Yes I have. I just feel like I'm losing my mind here. I have all this energy, my moods are all over the place and I literally haven't slept in almost sixty-two hours. Something's wrong with me Rooster and I feel like I'm slipping." He pursed his lips, nodding as his forehead rested on hers. "We're going to get you some help, Mags. I promise." She took a shaky breath, scared at the simple thought of walking into a doctor's office. 

"Bradley, what if they diagnose me with something that pulls me from flying? I don't know how to do anything else. I would lose everything." A sob racked her body as he pulled her into his chest, placing a soft kiss to her forehead as she cried. "Hey, hey. No you won't, the team will always be here. I will always be here. We will figure something out, you won't be alone in this." She sobbed some more as he rocked her body back and forth until she finally calmed down. "Now, I'm going to clean this up. You're going to shower and then I'm going to feed you." She hiccupped, sitting up so she wasn't leaning against him anymore. "I need a few things that Phoenix was bringing." He scratched the back of his neck, scrunching his face at her. "That's why I'm here."

She stared at him in confusion for a minute. "I knew you wouldn't talk to me without a reason so she told me to get the stuff you needed and bring it here." His hands came up to cradle her face when he thought about her lying on the floor, his heart breaking all over again. "So many things ran through my mind when I saw you on the floor. But when I saw all those pills, I really thought I had lost you." She shook her head. "I'd never do that. I'm sorry that I scared you." He shook his head. "Don't apologize, honey." They held each other for a few more minutes before they pulled away. "Alright, go get your shower. I'll clean up and reheat the food I brought." She nodded, standing and slowly making her way upstairs. Rooster quickly picked up the pills, tossing them in the trash before cleaning the floor. 

~~~

The shower felt nice, more relaxing than anything else the last few days. I ran my hands through my hair, rinsing the shampoo out as the bathroom door opened. "Mags?" I hummed in response, his voice bringing me comfort. "Mind if I join? I'm still sweaty from training." I smiled at his question. "Yeah." I said almost too quietly. I heard him strip and I faced the shower head as he got in. I felt him carefully place a kiss on my shoulder as I washed my face, his hands gently landing on my waist. "This okay?" I nodded before turning to face him. "Why did you come back?" I asked, sliding my hands up his chest until they rested on his shoulders. 

He pulled me closer till our bodies were touching, his lips landing on my forehead. "Why wouldn't I?" He asked before grabbing my conditioner. "I was awful to you. That first night I just needed to be alone but the next day I was so angry with you and this morning too. I wouldn't blame you if you never wanted to see me again." He chuckled, his hands cradling my face. "Honey, I'm here for the long haul. I'm not going anywhere." I leaned my head on his chest as I cried. "I'm sorry, Bradley." He kissed my head, rocking me back and forth. "I'll always forgive you, pretty girl. Now come on, let's finish in here. I think I just came up with another surprise for you." I wiped the tears from my face as he started running the conditioner through my short hair. 

"You don't have to do anything for me Bradley, you've done so much today." He shook his head. "No, you're gonna love it." He said pecking my cheek. We finished our shower and I put on another one of his shirts before going downstairs. I walked in to see him put the pasta in a skillet to reheat it. "Uh uh, go sit." I furrowed my brows. "I'm not doing anything." He shook his head. "But I know you will. Now, that's heating up but you are going to park your pretty self on the couch." He said wrapping his arms around my waist, picking me up and carrying me to the couch. "Dahlia!" He called, patting the couch, encouraging her to jump onto the couch and lay her head in my lap. 

"Stay here, pretty girl." He took off our my front door, leaving it open and I looked to Dahlia with furrowed brows. "What just happened, Dahlia?" I asked her confused, she just groaned and laid across my lap. After a minute he came back in with the box of home movies and the VCR. "What are you doing?" I asked, giggling as he juggled the box. "My parents aren't here, so I'm going to do the next best thing to introduce you to my parents." He said tossing me a wink before he sat on the floor in front of the tv. "Need some help?" He shook his head. "Nope." I watched as he hooked everything up, and pulled out a tape. 

"Let me get dinner and we'll play this." I nodded as he disappeared into the kitchen, leaving me to my thoughts. I still felt awful but to have a man like Bradley who decided to stick around through my craziness? If that's not god's work I don't know what is. After a few minutes he came back in, two plates in hand as well as a migraine pill and some water. "Dahlia, off." She slinked off the couch, meandering over to her bed, basically throwing herself into it. "I have never met a dog with more personality." Rooster said as he handed me my plate and meds. "She gets it from her mama." I said grinning at him. I took my meds as he sat down, pulling my feet over, tucking my toes under his thighs. He knows how cold I get and my toes always stay cold, so I'm always tucked into him in some way. 

"Now, let me show you this." He said turning on the VCR and starting the tape. "Oh, finally!" A blonde woman yelled into the camera. She had light blue eyes and short blonde hair, her voice was loud which made me smile. "NICK!" She yelled, turning the camera around. "Honey. You'll wake him up." I immediately choked on my food as I heard his voice. Rooster paused the tv and patted my back. "Honey, hey. You okay?" I took a deep breath as I cleared my throat. "We have to get there before they do. Increase speed." "We got you, Mav. Don't wait for me." "Sir, Daggers, two and four are behind schedule." I don't think I have felt religious or prayed in years, but in that moment I didn't know what else to do, so I simply bowed my head. I listened and said a silent prayer in my head, but four little words made me perk up. "Talk to me, dad." 'It'll be okay, Caila.' I shook my head. I didn't recognize the voice, it wasn't booming and thunderous as most people claim God to be. It sounded caring, strong, comforting. "Come on, kid. Don't think, just do."

"Mags." He called and I looked to him. "You'll think I'm genuinely crazy if I tell you." He shook his head, pulling me closer to kiss my forehead. "I'll never think you're crazy, just tell me." He said as he took my hand in his. "On the mission when you got behind schedule, I didn't know what else to do so I started praying." He nodded as he listened intently. "When I did, you said, 'Talk to me, dad.' and I heard this... voice. It said 'It'll be okay, Caila.' and I thought it was maybe a voice I created in my head, or god but that's highly doubtful." He nodded, squeezing my hand. I stared at the tv, a tall man with blonde a hair and brown eyes stood with the tiniest baby in his arms. "I think it was your dad." I said falling back into the couch. "You think my dad told you it would all be okay?" I nodded. "It sounds ridiculous. You know, just pretend I didn't say that." 

I felt ridiculous telling my boyfriend his dad that's been dead since 1986, spoke to me through some supernatural form of communication. "Mags, my dad is dead, he has been for a long time." I nodded. "I know and now I feel like shit for bringing it up." He set his plate down on the coffee table, pulling me into him. "No, don't feel bad. It doesn't seem so ridiculous." I furrowed my brows at him. "Once in a while when I'm struggling I think I hear my mom. But she hasn't been gone as long as dad." I stared down at my plate. "I don't think your crazy." I shrugged. "I do. This is the first time I've ever seen a video of your dad or heard his voice. How do you explain it?" He shrugged, pursing his lips. 

"Maybe he was just telling you it was going to be okay. It did turn out okay, didn't it?" I stared at him, surprised he wasn't upset with me. "After I felt like I was dying, I guess it did." He chuckled and played the video. "He spent almost ten months with me, if he's not used to my loud voice now then he never will be." We laughed at his mother's words. She moved closer, zooming in on the babies face. "Hi Bradley." My bottom lip jutted out as I looked at baby Bradley. "Oh my god you were adorable." He chuckled as we continued to watch his parents dote on him. We watched a few more videos, his first steps, his first words, his first birthday. Then he took our dishes to the kitchen while I picked out another tape. I grabbed an unmarked one and put it in and pressed play. 

It was a video of Nick and Carol, smiling into the camera. "Hi baby! So, it's your wedding day. We wanted to make this video for you now, to remind you how much we love you and we have a few words for you and whatever woman decided to marry our amazing boy!" I immediately turned it off and pulled it out, not wanting to spoil it. If we ever got married, I wanted this video to be a surprise for both of us. I grabbed a random one and popped it in as he came back, a pint of mint chocolate chip ice cream in hand and two spoons. I smiled at him, rushing over and sitting next to him. "What'd you put in?" I shrugged, realizing I really didn't pay attention. "I really don't know, I just grabbed one." I said as I grabbed the pint from him. He hit play, before pulling my legs over his, gently rubbing my calves. 

Cheering started on the tv, a video showing Bradley standing on home plate at a high school baseball field. "Oh shit, this is my senior year, we made it all the way to the championships." I watched, Carol's cheering drowning out every other voice around her making me giggle. "I can see why our parent's got along, our mom's voice sat on the same decibel." He laughed loudly at my words. I watched as the Bradley on the tv swung the bat, connecting with the ball and the cheers turned to screaming. "GO BABY! GO! GO! GO!" Carol's voice screamed out as Bradley took off in a sprint. He cleared every base, diving chest first onto home plate. More cheers erupted and the camera shook as everyone around Carol jostled around. The team lifted Bradley up, carrying him across the field, making us laugh. 

The video shut off and cut back on as Carol walked towards Bradley in the dugout. "You're daddy would be so proud." She said as she pulled him into a hug. "I know, mom." I got a good look at his face, smiling  at the sight. He was adorable with his flushed cheeks, and baby face. I looked to him, admiring the difference. "What?" I smiled at him. "You looked so cute, all baby faced!" I said pinching his cheek. He pushed my hand away, smiling at me. "Imagine if we met in high school." I laughed loudly as he stared at me. "What?" I looked to him, his confused face making him look adorable. "Did you forget we have a nine year age gap?" HIs eyebrows shot up as if he remembered. "Oh shit, so you were in like the third grade when I was a high school senior." 

"This just took a weird turn." He said, looking to me. "We're both adults now and I'll be thirty next year... I'll be thirty next year!" I yelled out, realizing I was almost thirty. He laughed at me eating more ice cream. "You're getting old." I glared at him. "Sir, that means you will be one year shy of forty next year." His face fell and he capped the ice cream, launching himself across the couch and tackling me, tickling my sides. "Tired yet?" He asked when he stopped, still laying on me. I shook my head, my mood souring. "No." He sat up, pulling me with him so he was laying on his back and I was on his chest. "What if I don't sleep tonight?" I asked as he ran his fingers through my still damp hair. "Then I guess I'll tire you out." I raised a brow at him. "You realize I-" "We'll lay down a towel, it'll be okay." 

We spent the next few hours cuddling on the couch, his hands running up and down my back, trying to soothe me to sleep but it didn't work. I didn't feel like I was bursting at the seams with energy but I still wasn't sleepy. "Come on, let's get you in the bed." He said standing and pulling me with him. He held my hand all the way upstairs, where I brushed my teeth before laying in the bed. He was sitting up in the bed, not under the covers and just watching me. "Are you not laying down?" I asked and he raised a brow at me. "Do you want me to stay?" I nodded. "I think you not being here is part of the reason I haven't been sleeping. So yes, I want you to stay." He smiled at me before getting up and going to brush his teeth. 

The room was dark, usually that wouldn't bother me, as I prefer to sleep in the pitch black but tonight it did bother me. I heard something move over towards my closet, my eyes darting over to that corner. It was noise traveling from the bathroom it had to be, there was no other explanation for it. I kept my eyes on the corner, not able to look away. I continued to stare when I thought I saw a hand come out from under the closet door. I jumped over, turning on the lamp just as Bradley came out of the bathroom. "You okay?" He asked. I stared at the closet, waiting for something else to happen. 

He turned to where I was staring, before going over and throwing the door open. He flipped on the light finding nothing. "Did you see something?" He asked coming out, turning off the light and closing the door. I took a deep breath, fiddling with my fingers as I stared at the quilt on my bed. "Hey." I felt him crawl on the bed, taking a seat next to me as he turned my face to look at him. "You're not crazy. You said earlier you haven't slept in over sixty hours, that messes with your mind. If we can get you some sleep, you'll get better." I shook my head. "I'm not tired. How am I not tired? I shouldn't even be able to stand on my own." He shook his head as I started getting stressed. "Mags. Do you want me to take you to a hospital or something?" I shook my head as he brushed some hair from my face. "No, I really won't sleep there." 

"What do you want me to do?" He asked as his hand rested on my thigh. "Hold me?" He nodded, turning off the lamp and climbing in bed behind me. "You'll be okay, Mags. I've got you." He whispered as his arms wrapped around me, pulling me back into his chest. "I love you, pretty girl." He said before placing a soft kiss to the back of my neck. "I love you too, Roo." I replied as more tears streamed down my face. I laid there with my eyes closed, listening to his breathing, trying to focus on it and match it. I tried that for a while and it didn't work. I finally opened my eyes and wished I hadn't, I saw a shadow in the corner. I watched as it grew taller and taller, I knew I was hallucinating and decided to roll over and bury my face in Rooster's chest. Thankful he was there with me tonight, to help keep me sane. 

His hands shifted, one on my back the other running through my hair. I laid there breathing in his scent, it calming me down. My foot itched and I used my other foot to scratch it, not wanting to shift away from Rooster for fear I'd see something. It itched again and I was getting frustrated, scratching it. I laid there a while longer until something that felt like a hand touched my calf, making me jolt. "Hey. Shh, I got you." Rooster's sleepy voice spoke out, his arms pulling me closer. I curled my legs up, sticking my feet between his legs to keep them warm. I laid there and suddenly my body felt heavier and I was slipping in and out of consciousness. I tried to keep my breathing steady, not wanting to get excited about the oncoming drowsiness. 

"Magnolia." I buried my face in Rooster's chest, hoping he would stop saying my name. "Magnolia." It was a little louder now, so I hummed in response hoping he would stop and let me slip back into a peaceful state. "Magnolia." My head snapped up, ready to rip him a new one for keeping me awake when I heard soft snores escaping his lips. Please be sleep talking, please be sleep talking. I silently prayed, hoping he was just calling out for me in his sleep. I stared at his lips carefully, watching for any movement. "Magnolia." It was the same volume as the last one and I clenched my eyes shut, Rooster's lips never moved, in fact a louder snore escaped him as my name was called. "Nope. uh-uh." I muttered as I ever so carefully got out of bed, quietly going downstairs and into the kitchen. I pulled out the jar of Russian tea I kept, and putting some water on to boil. 

Dahlia wandered in, looking up at me in confusion. "What is wrong with me?" I asked her, she simply groaned and wandered back into the living room. I listened as her nails clicked on the hardwood until finally she groaned, telling me she laid down in her bed. I made my tea when the water was hot, sipping on it as I stood there under the light from the stove. I looked around, on high alert for anything that moved and finally something did, a shadow in the kitchen doorway. Just like the one that scared me shitless earlier. I stared in fear, as it slowly walked across the doorway, disappearing on the other side. "Mags." I heard a whisper and a sob racked my body. "Leave me alone." I muttered, setting my mug down on the counter as I covered my eyes with my free hand. I heard footsteps coming closer and I shoved myself back into the counter. "Mags." It was more clear this time and I cried, pleading with my mind to stop. It was all hallucinations, visual and auditory. 

"Mags." A had landed on my arm and I let out a scream as I jumped. "Mags, it's me." Rooster said as he grabbed my arms, keeping me from hitting him. "Mags, we have to get you some help." I nodded as he pulled me into him. "I thought you were a hallucination." He sighed and rubbed my back, rocking our bodies. "No, I'm really here, honey. What made you get up?" I sighed. "I thought I saw something in the corner. I told myself it was a hallucination and rolled over so I was facing you, then it felt like someone laid their hand on my leg which made me jump, and then something that sounded like you said my name when I was almost asleep. I thought you were sleep talking but you weren't, so I got up and came down here." He sighed, pulling me closer to him, tucking my head under his chin. "I didn't wake you, did I?" He quickly shook his head. "No, not at all. I guess I could just tell you weren't in the bed and your spot was cold. I got worried so I came looking for you. I thought you might've left or something." I shook my head. 

"No, I'm here." He sighed, pressing his lips to my forehead. "I'm taking the day off tomorrow, and I'm taking you to the doctor." I shook my head. "You don't have to, Bradley. I can take myself."  He shook his head. "Mm, no you can't. You shouldn't be driving so I will take you first thing in the morning." I sighed, knowing I wouldn't win and not having the energy to argue. "Thank you, Roo. I appreciate it." He nodded, kissing my head. "I'll always be here, Mags." Suddenly he picked me up bridal style. "Now, come on. Let's see if we can't get you to sleep." He took me back upstairs, laying me in the bed before crawling in and pulling my head into his chest. While I still didn't sleep, I kept my ear to his chest, his heartbeat drowning out all other noises and allowing me to at least lie next to him in peace.

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