The day Taker found out about Kali and the baby, he left in a hurry. Judy called Brian, suddenly needing a friendly shoulder to cry on, very badly.
"Brian, can you come over? I need to talk to somebody!" Her voice
chocked with tears.
"Judy, what's wrong?" Brian heard the sadness in her voice, and
silently swore he would personally kick Taker's ass!
"I...I'd rather not talk about it on the phone, but suffice to say, that I've seen the last of Taker." Her hands trembled even as the tears fell.
"I'll be there quick as I can!" Brian said gruffly. Hanging up the phone, he was out the door in a flash. Luckily, he had two days before he had any shows. Damn, that cousin of his!
Brian navigated the snow covered roads carefully, finally gaining
access to the interstate. Thankfully, it was clear of ice for the time being, but the weather forecast was calling for more snow, up to six inches. Less than an hour after she called, Brian was pulling into Judy's driveway.
Judy had taken the time to get dressed, and straighten up her kitchen. Pouring herself a cup of coffee, lighting up a cigarette, Judy stared out the sliding glass doors, staring at her mountains, and for the first time ever, found no solace in them.
Before she was even aware of it, Brian opened the door without
knocking. His huge body seemingly filling up her cabin.
"Babe, tell me what's happened!" He knelt down beside her, as she
turned a tear streaked face in his direction.
She reached out for him, and Brian held her tightly to him, letting her cry it out. Finally, he handed her a napkin to dry her eyes and blow her nose. Taking her cup of cold coffee, he poured it out, then refilled it and poured one for himself. Carrying them back to the table, Brain handed her one then took the chair at the end of the table, the same one Taker had sat in.
Judy told him everything, not leaving out anything, not even the fact her and Taker had slept together. "Then, this morning, after Kane called and told him that he was the baby's father and not Kane, Taker couldn't get out of here quick enough. Brian, this is it! No more!!!!!!!! I don't ever want to see him again! I'm glad Kali is ok, the baby too, but he didn't have to leave like that!" Her misery and dejection touched him deeply. Taker would answer to him about the callous way he'd treated this gentle woman!
As the tears fell again, Brian took her in his arms, giving her what comfort he could. Rubbing her back, Brian murmured gentle words to her as he leaned slightly toward her. Before either one realized what was happening, they were kissing rather passionately. Judy gave herself up to the tenderness, to the hunger that his lips brought forth!
**************
Kane was miserable! Kali had betrayed him. But at least she had come out of the coma alright. Kane didn't know what to do! He loved Kali. God help him, he did! But she had changed. Something had happened to her, to change her.
The big man paced back and forth in the hotel room. As hard as it was, Kane didn't think he would be seeing her again. Not for a while at least! He had to think things through. Taker and him would be talking, that was for damn sure. Maybe he would see Kali again, but not right now, the pain of her betrayal was just to fresh.
***************
Taker took Kali and the baby with him, when they were discharged. He had some vacation time coming and was taking it. Kane hadn't returned or called! Taker didn't like that! They need to talk. And Judy? Taker had completely forgotten about Judy! Damn! He need to call her, and try to work things out with her.
Taker cared a great deal about her, and wanted to make a life with her! He wanted her to be his wife! Question was, would she still want him? Gawd, when he thought about the way he all but ran out of there! What a screwed up mess!
He had made arrangements for Kali and the baby, at the hotel where he was staying. She seemed upset that they had separate rooms.
"Kali, I think this is best! I'll provide for you and my son, but I love Judy and hope to make her my wife!" He said as gently as possible. He felt like a heel, but he loved Judy.
"I see! Ok! How is Judy?" Kali said coolly, looking down at her
clenched fingers. After all she had been through, Taker still wanted Judy! Even though he was the baby's father, and not Kane, Taker still talked about marrying Judy! JUDY!
"She's good!" Was all he would say. Actually, he had no idea how she was! "I've got some things to take care of, so do you need anything before I leave?" he asked as he got to his feet, getting ready to go back to his own room.
"No! I think I'm ok for now. We need to decide on a name for our son! I thought about Christopher Jason, and calling him C.J." She said, trying to keep him there just a little bit longer.
"That's fine! I like that! C.J. fits him!" Taker's eyes lit up when ever they happened to touch on the tiny baby. "Well, I'll be back shortly and we'll get something to eat, then talk about where you want to live."
Kali had told him about putting her shop up for sale and letting her apartment go. He had called the people involved, explaining the situation, telling them Kali would be in touch with them in a few days.
Taker walked down the hall to his own room. Where the hell was Kane? No doubt he was upset! But still, it seemed odd that he hadn't called of come back to see Kali. Entering his room, he saw the flashing light on the phone, indicating he had some messages.
There were four. One was from Kane, one from the airport, and two from Brian.
"Now what the hell did he want?" Taker wandered, suspecting it had something to do with Judy.
He called the airport, then Kane. That was a tough call! Kane was
definately cool, and obviously angry. They agreed to meet in three days in Nashville. A house show was scheduled there.
"How's Kali?" He asked almost as an after thought.
"She's fine. She has a room down the hall. Her number is 683." Taker told him casually, in case Kane wanted to call her.
"Ok, thanks. I'll see you in Nashville!" Kane said as he hung up the phone.
Taker looked at the phone a long time, even going so far as to fixing himself a drink, before returning Brian's calls.
"You son of a bitch! How could you treat her this way? Man, you and me need to 'talk'!" Brian was pissed!
"I'll see you in two days in Knoxville! We'll talk about this then!" Taker's tone was as cool as Brian's was heated.
This proved to be a very trying and difficult week. Taker hung up the phone. He had one more phone call to make! He paced the floor like a caged lion! This one was going to be the hardest one yet! Taker once again picked up the phone and this time dialed Judy's number. Her answering machine picked up.
"Judy! I don't know what to say, except I'm sorry about the way I left! I'll be in Knoxville in two days. Please, can I see you? Call me when you get this message!" Taker hung up the phone.
Judy drew her knees up to her chest, hugging them to her. Tears
streamed down her face when she heard that husky voice. She would see him ok! She would see him one more time!
Taker had the devil's own time getting away from Kali. She wanted to know where he was going, why she had to stay at the hotel in Nashville, when he would be back, why he couldn't just call Brian......yada yada yada!!! As he pulled into the driveway, he was surprised to see Judy's Jeep there! His heart soared at the prospect of seeing her, and didn't waste any time in knocking on the door!
He fully expected a cool reception from his cousin, but was unprepared to be picking himself up out of the rose bushes planted not ten feet from the door. Crawling out of the thorny bushes, Taker's temper surfaced as he swung at Brian, connecting with that ones jaw! In seconds the two huge men were fighting in earnest! Rolling around on the snow covered ground, they were literally trying to beat the hell out of each other.
Having gone to see who had come, and not finding any one in the living room, but seeing the front door standing wide open, Judy looked outside, and was surprised at what she saw. Not knowing what else to do, she calmly walked over to the hydrant and garden hose. Taking the hose, she turned the water on full force, spraying them down till they stopped fighting. They stood they shivering, yelling for her to turn it off! They were both dripping wet and freezing!
"Just what the hell do you two think you're doing? Y'all get your dumb asses in the house and out of those clothes!" Giving them both a disgusted look, she went back inside.
As the two men entered the house, she handed each one a thick towel to dry off with. As the two men stood there dripping water all over the carpet, Judy looked at them, hands on hips, as though they were two little boys rather than grown men nearly twice her size.
"Now, Brian, show some manners and loan your cousin some dry clothes so I can dry these! Then I want to know just what the hell brought this about! Y'all get back there and get those wet things off, then we'll talk about this shit!" Her look and stern tone left no room to argue!
As they went down the hall to change, she went into the kitchen and made some hot chocolate, adding a good portion of whiskey to each cup. That should help take the chill out of their bones. She was annoyed with both of them! Why were they fighting like children?
When they re-joined her, both were wearing a rather sheepish
expression. As she looked from one to the other, she just shook her head as she handed them each a cup.
"Now! Would you mind telling me just what the hell that was all about?" She asked angrily as they all sat down. Her blue eyes shot sparks of blue fire at both of them.
The men looked at each other, both still very much angry with the
other, but neither one saying a word. They had no intention of letting her know that she was the reason they were fighting. They both remained silent, and obediently drank their chocolate.
Sighing, Judy knew they weren't going to tell her. Standing up, she said, "I'm going to put those wet clothes in the dryer. When I come back, I want some answers. So, you two decide on what you're going to say, because I want to hear some reason why y'all are acting like children!" Then left them alone!
"I warned you not to hurt her!" Brian said angrily.
"Brian, I didn't intend to hurt her! But when Kane called and said the baby was mine and that Kali was out of the coma, well to say the least, I was shocked. Then Kane disappears, leaving Kali alone. I feel responsible for her and my son. But I love Judy, and have told Kali that I want to marry her, if she'll have me!" Taker said emotionally.
"Why did you just rush out after Kane called? You should have sat down and talked to her about it! You should have discussed all of this with her! Have you asked her to marry you?" Brain asked, waiting with bated breath for his answer.
Taker dropped his head, ashamed. "No, I haven't! You're right, I acted rashly!"
"Well, I'm telling you, I love her, and I won't let her be hurt by you or anyone else!" Brian said softly, his eyes deadly serious.
Taker was shocked! He knew Brian cared for her, but not how much!
"Fair enough! But the decision is hers! Not yours, not mine! And I need to talk to her!"
Taker started to get up and go find her, but sat back down when he saw her standing in the doorway, apparently having over-heard at least part of their conversation. The look on her face was one of disbelief! Her eyes locked with his. Brian quietly left the room, giving them the privacy they needed.
"Judy, I'm sorry!" Taker couldn't think of any thing else to say! He was thoroughly ashamed of the way he left her. "Please, just let me say that Kane's call was a shock to say the least! But it's you I love, and if you'll have me, I want to marry you!" The sincerity was so obvious Judy knew he was speaking from his heart.
"What about Kali and your son?" She asked quietly. "Where do they fit in?"
"I won't turn my back on my child. I'll provide for him and Kali, but it's you I want to be my wife!" Taker said huskily, his heart in his eyes.
With a heartfelt sigh, Judy walked over to him. Placing a hand on his side, she pulled him down to her with her other hand, and kissed him on the cheek.
Meeting his green eyed gaze, she said sadly, "I love you Taker! I truly do! You stole my heart that night at the bar and grill. But I can't marry you! I respect you for what you're doing for Kali and the baby, but I won't accept second place. You never should have left me and went to her. We wouldn't be having this conversation if you'd stayed away from her. This is killing me to say, but I don't want to see you any more! I can't, Taker, I can't!"
Tears fell as she kissed him one last time, then left the house. Both men watched as she got in her Jeep and left. Each one handled her decision in their own way....one hopeful, one heartbroken.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Chapter Twenty-Four~~~Kaliegh
Three days later in Nashville, Taker called Kane from his hotel room and asked if they could meet in the bar downstairs. Taker had a feeling that the confrontation he was about to have with Kane wouldn't be anymore pleasant than the run-in he had with Brian a few days ago. And Taker didn't even want to think about what had happened with Judy. He had fucked up, and fucked up good at that.
Kane had already had a couple of drinks by time Taker arrived at the bar, and as Taker expected, Kane was none too happy to see him. "We might as well save our breath and take this outside because that's where it's going to end up anyway." Kane said as he stood with his hands on his hips, glaring down at Taker.
Taker definitely did not want to get in a fight with Kane. He was still good and sore from Brian's recent ass kicking. "Kane, maybe we should talk about this some other time. Maybe sometime when you haven't had anything to drink." Taker said, trying to reason with the big man standing in front of him.
"Taker, I swear I'm going to put my fist in your face and my foot in your ass!" Kane's huge hands were clenched into tight fists and his face was red with pent up anger.
"I seriously do not understand why you're so angry with me, Kane. It's not my fault, or anyone's fault that I turned out to be CJ's father. And as long as we're on that subject, why in the hell haven't you talked to Kali lately? You sure have a funny way of showing your love for her." Taker said in a rather sarcastic tone. Now he was getting pissed.
At the mention of Kali's name, all the fight went out of Kane. He would deal with Taker another day. "I do love her, Taker. I love her so much it hurts, but I don't think I can ever see her again. The pain she has put in my heart…..I just don't know if I can forgive that." Kane said as he sat down and ordered a round for Taker and himself. "Something happened along the way to change her. Kali used to be sweet, gentle, and caring. She would go out of her way to make sure others were happy. Now it seems like she goes out of her way to make everyone miserable. No doubt what her parents did to her had a huge affect on her life, but it seems like there's more to the story than what we know. I don't understand her, I really don't. I wish I knew what happened to make so bitter. I wish I could help her somehow. I love her so much…." Kane hung his head as tears threatened to fall. He sat that way for a few moments and then got up and left.
Taker walked down the long hallway to Kali's room. He wanted to see CJ and talk to her about Kane. After knocking on the door for several minutes, Taker gave up and went back to his room. Picking up the phone, he called the front desk to see if Kali had left a message for him or anything. When the woman told him that she had checked out just a few moments ago, Taker was shocked. Cussing loudly as he left his room, Taker went down to his car, and headed for the airport, hoping to catch her and found out where the hell she was going.
***********************
While Taker and Kane talked, Kali sat in her hotel room thinking about things. As she looked down at her precious son, she suddenly realized that this wasn't the kind of life she wanted for him. He deserved so much more than what she was giving him right now. He needed a stable life, not living in one hotel room after another while his mother chased after a man who didn't even love her. And that was the truth of it, Taker did not love her…he never did, and he never would. Right then, Kali decided she was going back to Reno. She was determined to give CJ the life he deserved. He was her first priority from now on.
Picking up the phone, she called the airport and was very fortunate to snag a flight to Reno that left in two hours. Next she called Taker to let him know that she and CJ were going back to Reno. When he didn't answer the phone in his room, she tried his cell phone, not getting an answer there either. Finally she called a cab and was on her way to the airport thirty minutes later.
***********************
Taker spotted Kali and CJ almost immediately after he walked into the airport. She was a ways ahead of him, but with his long legs and quick stride, he caught up to her in no time. Grabbing hold of her arm, he spun her around rather roughly. "Where in the hell do you think you're going?" He questioned her, his green eyes were filled with anger.
Kali took no time in losing her temper with him. Who the hell did he think he was anyway? She could go any place she damn well pleased. "I am going back to Reno! What the hell do you care anyway." Kali shot back at him, her eyes and voice were absolutely frigid.
Taker stood there for a few moments, not knowing what to say. Finally he spoke again. This time his voice was quiet with a hint of concern. "Are you sure you'll be able to take care of CJ and yourself? You haven't been out of the hospital that long."
"Cut the shit, Taker! You can't wait to be rid of me and you know it! Well, rest assured, I will not burden you any further." Kali fairly yelled at him, not caring about the people who walked by them, staring at them arguing.
"CJ is my son too, Kali. You can't keep him away from me." Taker immediately knew he had said the wrong thing, and when he tried to apologize, he was cut of sharply.
"Fuck you, Taker! I may not be a saint like your precious little Judy, but you know I would not do something like that. Christ! I can't believe you said that. You really are a jerk! You have my number, anytime you want to see CJ, just call!" Then with that said, Kali turned without a second thought or backward glance, and walked away from him.