Fire and Rain Ch. 05

I am so sorry as always. I had some pretty rough reviews so I almost decided not to continue the story. However, I wanted to know how this would play out. Some people don't like the drama...but the plot thickens and I couldn't help it...enjoy...or don't...Fire and Rain chapter 5! Ps. There are some loose ends I needed to tie so that's why we'll see some old characters soon.

*****

Jazz walked down the avenue with Rain her partner in crime. Both of them were dressed fashionably. Their shades covered observant eyes. Jazz held Donny expertly in one arm. The plan was to do some shopping for the fancy banquet. The banquet was an opportunity for both women to gain some truth.

The banquet was a event meant to honor those in service. Jazz, even though she was mad at Connor and they hadn't spoke, was proud of Connor. Despite their differences, she would be a good wife and continue to support him until they had a chance to talk.

She was nervous and anxious to hear what he had to say for himself. For days all she could replay is that blonde in his lap. She knew she was tormenting herself, but she couldn't help it. She loved Connor, and the nights he slept at his father's house she had missed him.

Rain had her worries as well. She was afraid that once she told Marcello that he would become angry with her. She didn't want him to think that she was a liar. Regardless, she knew the truth is what he deserved. She was finally coming to terms with the fact that she loved him. She could only hope that he would welcome her in and not turn her away as that was what she most feared.

"Mommy!" Donny took both of their attention as he tugged on Jazz's shirt. She could tell he was getting cranky because he was hungry. The poor baby Jazz thought. They had been looking for dresses all day to no avail.

She sighed at him. He had his daddies face and his translucent jade green eyes. Donny always looked as if he was up to something. Connor and Donny both had a mischievous glare. Yet with the golden locks they manage to look like angels. She knew better.

"Don't worry, we'll get some food soon. " She promised. She watched him smile with joy and then frown as Jazz caught the attention of other men. She was starting to think him getting aggressive when strange men appeared was Connors doing.

She just wanted him to have her love for piano. Each chance she got she would sit with him at the piano and let him strike the keys playfully. The sounds mixed with his laughter was the most beautiful music to her ears.

"You hungry handsome?" Rain cooed over him as well. She looked at how beautiful they looked together as mother and son. Rain had never thought about having a family of her own.

She was afraid. Her worst fear was turning out to be just like her mother. She looked in the mirror daily wishing that she wouldn't see any trace of that woman. How could she be a mother to a child? She never had a mother herself. She jolted in surprise when Donny jumped in her arms and started to run his hands through her hair.

"Oh, you want to go with Auntie Rain huh? Good my arms are tired." Jazz laughed as worry creased Rains brows.

"Sitting with a baby is one thing, walking with one is another." Rain said and Jazz laughed.

"He looks quite comfortable. Look at that maternal instinct taking over. Is there something I should know?" Jazz quirked her eyebrows up and it was Rains turn to laugh.

"No! Absolutely not. I have no plans on being with child." Jazz smirked as she spoke her peace and at the same time snuggled Donny closer. Jazz was surprised when he looked so calm and at peace with her. He was damn near falling sleep.

"I don't know Rain. Say what you want but Donny is looking mighty cozy over there."

"Mm, well look on then cause I am Auntie Rain as you say but I am no mother." She sighed. A little nudge inside her wanted to be but the fear kept her from wishing and wanting.

"Don't worry I know how to get him up. How about food and then we go see Granpa Dave!"

"Granpa! Granpa!" He started bouncing in Rain's arms. He loved Mommy and Daddy but he needed grandfather time as well.

"Your going to stay the night with Granpa again!" She promised and watched him light up. He loved David. They had a sweet bond. "See I told ya!" She nudged Rain. "Now that's power." She whispered to Rain and she laughed.

She was always reminded why she loved being with Jazz. Jazz was her silver lining through all the craziness. Rain had finally found a place where she belonged. She trusted and felt safe with Jazz and a part of her knew she could trust the rest of them too.

She had never known anything like the friendship and love she had surrounding her. Oddly her powers and senses had grown stronger because of it.

"Mm, more like bribery." Rain teased.

"Oh my god! Rain look!" Jazz went to the window and gazed in immediate adoration at the dresses on the show case. There were two dresses the same design. One long sleeve that would cover the right arm but the left was completely exposed. In the reflection it showed in the back was a dip that hung low.

The dress curved at the waist leaving the whole back bare and exposed. One dress was gold and shiny. Jazz knew it would be the best color against her caramel skin and the other a sparkling white which she felt would be perfect for Rain.

"We have to have- no scratch that we HAVE to have those dresses!" Rain exclaimed she was as glued to window as Jazz was as she hefted Donny tighter on her hips. Food would have to wait.

They hauled into the store and when they tried on the dresses it molded to both of them like second skin, and when the women in the store including the sales clerk burn holes into their bare backs they slapped hands and told her to ring them up. They bought matching pumps for their dresses as well. They purchased some white and gold open toe shoes that went perfectly with each gown.

"Think Marcello will be happy?" Rain smirked a bag in one hand and Donny in the other.

"Happy aint' the word baby." Rain smiled seductively and they both slapped hands again and snapped.

After completing their shopping rendezvous they finally got down to the grub. Donny ate like it was his last meal and was extra messy. Too tired to scold Jazz let him be.

"You know shopping should be a sport." Rain sunk in her chair as Jazz did after finishing off their double cheese burgers and chili cheese fries.

"Yes it should, but it helps keep the weight down. I keep forgetting I'm not eating for two anymore." Jazz moaned holding her stomach.

"Please! Donny's is almost two years old now give it up" Rain snorted teasingly.

"Whatever, why don't you make yourself useful and learn how to heal cellulite. Maybe then I might consider keeping you around." Jazz stuck out her tongue at what was becoming her newest best friend.

"If I saw any I would. Your too hard on yourself. You've been able to snap right back." Rain eyed her with jealous loving eyes. She would hope to look half as good as Jazz did after a baby.

"Okay, I snapped back like jello with a little jiggle." Jazz snorted.

"Nobody's complaining." Rain poked her hating how down she was as of late.

"I hated that my mind went to that place, but I started to think that maybe that was the reason Connor-"

"Jazz you can't really believe that. You are beautiful and I'm sure there is an explanation for all of this. Connors energy with you is so...pure. I'm telling you I picked up nothing." Rain grabbed Jazz's hand to offer support.

"I don't know either. I mean regardless of our work and Donny we still manage to keep a healthy sex life. We make time to go on dates and we talk about everything. I didn't think we had any serious issues. I thought we were happy." She teared up. She was emotional like that as of late.

"Jazz talk to him first. Then we will go from there. I'm here for you and Donny every step of the way."

"I'm glad you're here. If it is what I think it is then you'll be healing my broken heart next." Rain sighed and wrapped her arms around Jazz. She was hoping that her instincts were right and it was just a misunderstanding.

*

"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU!" Marcelo scolded him as they were leaving the building and shutting down the office for the day. Most of the employees would be at the banquette. Connor wanted to give back so he hired mostly veterans.

Connor decided it would be good to shut down early for the day to give everyone time to get ready. Marcelo was there to pick him up. He forgot how nervous he was after Connor told him what happened the other day. He thought he was going through hell.

Rain had barely been speaking to him and was sleeping at Jazz's place until she "left." He was surprised when she told him she would be at the banquet. Then Jazz got on the phone and informed him she would be his date even though he was being a "dick."

He didn't know what had been going on with Jazz and Rain but they had become like glue. He couldn't lie that he was happy that she was sticking around. He knew they needed to talk. He finally needed to get the truth from her.

"She just hopped in my lap! I panicked and then Jazz walks in. She turns white as a sheet. She's looking at me as if she didn't even know me. I tried to explain and then Donny walks in all smiles. We didn't want to fight in front of him. She took off with him and hasn't really spoken to me since. I've been sleeping over at Dad's place."

Connor wanted to punch something. He had Jessica fired the moment Jazz left. He wanted to kill her or least ring her skinny neck. He was in deep shit because of her.

"I told you man. I told you to fire her but do you listen, no. You're lucky she didn't throw your shit in the fireplace and attach an explosive to the car. If I didn't know your innocence I would help her." Marcelo felt bad for Jazz. She was a good woman and loved Connor. She didn't deserve this. He loved his friend but he should have handled it better.

"What kind of friend are you?" Connor's jaw tensed as he thought of the look on Jazz's face. "I hurt her. I know I should have paid more attention. What if she leaves me? What if she-" He pressed a hand to his chest and rubbed. The thought of her leaving him and taking Donny made his heart ache.

He was starting to get a burning sensation in his chest and it made his throat dry with a bitter taste in his mouth.

"Tonight, you can make it right tonight." Marcelo put a supportive hand on Connor's shoulder. "I can talk to her too. She has to know that you would never do something like this to her."

"I'm not so sure man. It didn't look good. If I saw her in the same predicament-"

"Everyone in the room would be dead including her and then you would blow the building to pieces." At least that's how he felt when he thought of Rain being with another man. He was starting to realize he didn't want to lose her.

"Yeah your right. I need to make this right. I miss her man." Connors head began to pound and he rubbed his temples. He was in a heap of trouble and didn't know what to do. What could he say to make her believe him? How could she believe he would do something like that to her? Didn't she know he would go through hell and back before he dared do something that would cost him his family?

The thought that she might not believe him turned from sadness to anger. Why did this happen to him? How could he be so stupid?

"You will make things right. You can't lose your family over some evil bimbo. Even though, I tired to tell you-"

"I know! Damn Marcelo I know. I'm beating myself up mentally."

"Yeah, well you need to prepare for a physical ass whooping. Jazz just might whack you a good time." Connor tore through him with a dark gaze

"I don't need your antics right now-"

"I know. I'm sorry. I'm just as mad as you but in the end you have to take responsibility that it is your fault." Connor looked ready to fight so Marcelo added on "Kind a sorta"

"How? When I can't even talk to her. She's replaced me with your house keeper!"

"Housekeeper? Don't get crazy with your mouth because-"

" Wait, shit I'm sorry. I'm losing my mind! I can't imagine my life without Jazz, but I'm afraid she won't believe me."

"Like I said," Marcelo continued calmer now, "its kinda sorta your fault. You're not dumb Connor. You should be able to sense when a woman has a keen interest in you. You handled it horribly. Accept it. You were prey she was a predator."

"I guess your right. She said how beautiful Jazz was and Donny. She asked about them. She-"

"was playing you. She wanted you and she didn't give a damn about your wife and Donny. She disrespected Jazz. She intruded onto territory that she had no right to intrude on. If you would have listened to your instincts, which once made you a killing machine, I would imagine it would have served you well enough."

"True." Connor admitted.

"Damn right. She would have never breach the perimeter and you could have rolled off the chair and kicked her chest in." Marcelo snorted and Connor now rubbed the tension that had now found its way to his neck.

"Your right. I was stupid and I have to deal with what I created." He agreed as they got into the limo that would be taking them to the affair. They were going to Connor's house first where his limo was waiting. He was an honorary guest so him and Jazz got special treatment.

"See that's the first step. The plan is to tell Jazz it is your fault."

"I thought I was trying to convince her not to kick my ass out?"

"Yes but making excuses isn't going to help the situation."

"I didn't think she was going to walk in the office."

"Okay we definitely don't want to say that." Marcelo warned.

"What if I tell her that it would be stupid to cheat with someone not better looking than her?" Connor rationalized and Marcelo slapped a big hand on his face almost covering it entirely.

"Should I help you pack?"

"Okay! Damn I'm rusty. My mind is like egg yolk right now. I'm scared shitless. What if she doesn't come?"

"Oh she will, because funding for her program is involved."

"What about me?"

"Right now you don't mean shit" Marcelo couldn't hide his snicker. "Okay, okay I quit. There is nothing funny about this." The amusement didn't leave his eyes

"I'm through with you."

"She'll be calm and composed tonight. I would try to talk to her at home or in the limo ride."

"Will she ride with me oh great one and mighty know it all" Connor exaggerated.

"Yeah she will. She's your wife. She's a great wife and even in her anger she'll stand by you. That's how Jazz is."

"You just think you have it all figured out. You could be wrong." Connor sneered as they pulled up to the house and hopped out.

"Wanna bet."

*

"ARE YOU SURE ABOUT THIS?" Rain probed as she finished putting Jazz's lightly coiled curls in and they bounded at her shoulders in a light brown and dark brown silky combination.

"Yes, I'm his wife so I'll be by his side tonight. I'll be fine." Jazz said brushing down Rain's hair as it hung in the lower part of her bare back in a sinful black mane. She had put subtle crimps at the top and it waved down beautifully like a waterfall.

They both did each others makeup with a light hand. Jazz's accented on her lush mouth painted a sultry coffee brown with a layer of strawberry gloss. Her hazel doe eyes spoke for themselves and not much gold eye shadow was added to them.

For the deep brown golden rim eyes Rain possessed Jazz used earth tones and went light on the eye liner at the bottom of her eyes. They extended their full lashes and added a small amount of foundation. They both stepped into their shoes and surveyed themselves.

"Well, well, we don't look half bad." Rain Squealed. She loved the way it hugged her body. The dress accentuated her full breast and comfortably squeezed her curvy hips. She enjoyed the small slit that elongated her legs.

The dress was white and shimmered with sparkles and just as Jazz thought it played well against her golden skin and her high cheekbones. Jazz played the blush to a tee to compliment them.

"No we don't and you look gorgeous and breathtaking. Damn you get all the boobs and hips."

"You got all the ass and legs plus a small waist." Rain teased and they laughed. She couldn't deny that her ass looked great in the dress. It snagged it just right. It look firm and edible. She loved the dip in the back baring her smooth caramel skin.

The gold shimmered and made her feel like a beautiful mermaid as it fell to her ankle but provided a small slit. Her shapely thigh was exposed. She felt good all over and then sad. If it were another day she would have not had to catch herself as she was excited to show Connor the dress.

Now as she looked at her blushed plum cheeks and bouncing curls she sighed.

"You don't believe Connor would cheat on you." Her and Rain were linked and she sensed her emotional stress.

" I don't know what to believe Rain. I just don't know. If he is I'll have to leave. I couldn't forgive him, I just couldn't." She started to cry but held back tears. "I'm a wreck." She said clenching her fist. Rain held her close and comforted her.

"Jazz I'm still not convinced that it's all what you think." Rain's eyes pleaded with Jazz. She was rooting for Connor to step up and explain himself. Rain could sense Jazz's resolute attitude. She was so close to being done.

"Why is everyone on his side? What about what I saw?" Jazz's eyes narrowed and tilted her chin up stubbornness.

"I know Jazz but you never had a chance to talk to him and-"

"Please Rain, I think after tonight I need time to clear my head." Jazz shook her head not knowing how she was going to make it through tonight. It had been a while since her and Connor had been in close proximity. She could almost picture his translucent green eyes. They always looked at her with longing when she picked and dropped Donnny off at Davids.

She would always leave before he could speak to her. She knew he was giving her the space she wanted. A small part of her wished he wouldn't. A small part of her wanted him to run after her and explain. She wanted to hear something from him even if she thought they were lies.

"What are you gonna do?" Rain grabbed her arm as worry creased her neatly done brows.

"I'm leaving tonight-" She said before Rain could interject "I'm just going to my parents house down south for a few days. I'm taking Donny with me. We could both use it."

"Okay well you'll tell Connor tonight." Rain looked at Jazz and then frowned seeing the wheels turning. "Jazz you can't just leave with his son and-"

"I know! I'll tell him once we get there. I don't want him to leave work and try to follow us."

"And you really think Connor will let you leave with things between you like this?" Rain's eyes lit with amusement that Jazz didn't like.

"He doesn't own me." Jazz snapped her manicured fingers causing a bigger grin to spread across Rain's face. They both knew Connor wouldn't let it go that easy.

"You know what I won't say anything but just talk to him first." Rain said as she knew Jazz's mind was made up. She thought maybe this was a good thing. She thought that it could be the spark to finally light a fire under Connor to make things right.

"Thank you." Jazz breathed a sigh of relief that Rain would hold her plans. "Lets go." They both let out a breath and started walking down the spiral stairs of the house. Both of the men were talking and they went completely and utterly silent when they saw their women.

*

Marcello thought that after a near death experience that there was nothing else that could take his breath away, but Rain had proved him wrong. The dress clung to her in a way that should be a sin. Her body looked like cool glass of milk.