Fire and Rain Ch. 06

*Wow! So happy that I returned. Things are about to get crazy so strap up and enjoy the ride!*

Rain sat by the window wrapped in a blanket as she sipped on hot chocolate courtesy of her loving mother. She frowned as she half expected Connor to at least have called her by now. She shook her head. Why was she still thinking of him?

He obviously had no regard for her feelings. She closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose with her free hand. She had been home for 24 hours now and she couldn't stop replaying the office and ballroom events in her mind.

It was like she was stuck in this time warp and each replay was an instant stab to her heart. She couldn't believe that she could feel this low. She hadn't felt this way since her and William ended.

Speaking of William, Rain found it odd that he had been contacting her. She had yet to let Connor know but he had contacted her at least several times. His attempts consisted of a text here and there. He would always tell her he wanted to see her and had vital information to share.

She never replied. During her time of need, she knew he was resourceful in helping Connor and Marcello. She also remembered how he attacked her and was helping Ellen.

Yet Connor had let him go. Connor and Marcello really believed that he was harmless. After everything went down with Ellen, he had tried to kill himself. Connor and Marcello took pity on him and omitted him to a hospital. As far as Jazz knew, he was now during pro bono work for people with mental disabilities.

She still didn't believe he could be trusted. On cue, her phone began to vibrate. She grabbed her phone off the couch hoping it would be Connor but it wasn't. It was an unknown number. She started not to answer it but did anyway because she had a gut feeling who it was.

"Hello?"

"God it's been so long since I've heard your voice Jazz." A smooth baritone came through and she knew immediately who it was.

"William look, I don't know why you've been contacting me but you need to-"

"Jazz listen to me. I'm sorry for everything and I really have changed. I know you don't believe me but I have some information for you. I can't say much over the phone but you need to meet with me as soon as possible. One of my clients who was recently jailed has some disturbing information."

"What information and what client? William if this is some sort of game-"

"Jazz look I have to go but they told me they'll only meet with you. They said even that was risky. I'm not sure what it's about but I'll be contacting you again within a few days with a meeting place. So just come, please Jazz."

"William you're not telling me anything. I can't just-"

"Jazz please! I know I've messed up in the past but I realized that you were the only person who ever really loved me. I owe you this...please just be there."

"William-" Beep, the phone clicked off before she could even respond. She wondered what the hell that was about. Should she tell Connor? Who was she kidding? Connor was probably off somewhere with that blonde.

She found herself losing focus and thinking of him again. She shook her head forcing her mind back to William. There was a sense of urgency in his voice. Still, she wondered what his true motive was.

"Jazz, I think you need to call Connor hunny. All of this just seems too fishy for my liking." Jazz's mother interrupted her thoughts as she came in from the kitchen and wiped flour off her hand with her rag that she slipped back in her robe pocket.

"Mama I told you what I saw didn't I? I know my eyes. You taught me to use them well." Jazz proceeded to roll them and then flinched as her mother swatted at her.

"Don't get sassy with me girl, you may know your eyes but do you know your heart? And I taught you plenty including not to just run away from your problems. After all you and Connor have been through you run out on your marriage at the first sign of trouble." Her mother shook her head in disappointment, and Jazz's mouth gaped open.

"So I'm supposed to let him cheat on me like William-"

"Don't chu dare! You had solid proof William was a low down dog. Everyone could see that. You chose to lock that away from us and stay. Yet, now you run? Not even asking why he would bring you in the first place knowing she would be there? Not even asking why she was at the honorary ball as nothing more than a secretary? Not using your head Jazz or the good sense god gave ya! Whew! I swear you aint no chile of mine sitting up in here acting like dis'"

Her mother shook her head some more as Jazz got up and went up the stairs to her room just like old times. The same quick stride with tears in her eyes as she didn't want to hear what her mother had to say.

There was something deep within her that knew her mother was right. She had ignored some crucial pieces of it all. She had left him. She didn't even think long and hard about what could have really been going on. Hell she could have stayed and listened. She laid down in bed and let the tears fall. It was probably too late. Connor had yet to call and she doubted he was worried about her at all as she cried herself to sleep.

*

"Connor slow down!" Marcello placed a hand on Connor's shoulder as he drove the rental car from the airport like a bat out of hell. They weren't able to catch a flight till the following day. He could tell that Connor hadn't slept.

Jazz and Marcello stayed with him over Dave's until the next morning when they were set to leave for Georgia. Marcello had woke up at dawn and caught Connor in the room just staring at Donny sleep.

Marcello had never seen Connor like this. They had been through warfare for god sake. Yet, he felt that Jazz leaving him was much worse for his brother in bond.

"Connor!" Marcello called his name as he seemed to accelerate more. Rain pulled Marcello back and placed her hand on Connor's shoulder and closed her eyes.

She leaned forward and whispered something in his ear that Marcello couldn't hear. Marcello watched as Connor slowly relaxed and his foot eased off from the gas. Marcello only raised an eyebrow.

Rain sat back and closed her eyes looking suddenly tense herself. It was almost as if she had stolen Connors emotions. Marcello felt like there were plenty moments that had given Rain some more explaining to do. For now, he would let it be. They had bigger things to take care of now.

"I'm sorry man I just need to get my family back." Connor blew out a breath as he suddenly felt like his head was much clearer now. He glanced in the rearview mirror and watched as Rain was trying to center herself. He knew what she had done. She gave him a weak smile and he nodded to her in appreciation.

He had to get it together. He needed to be protecting her and Jazz not harming them. Once he got things fixed with Jazz it was time to kick things in full gear. If what Jessica was saying was true then they had some big problems headed their way.

*

Jazz's mother pulled the pie from the oven as there was a knock at the door. She pepped out the curtains and then hurriedly open the door and took Connor in her arms.

"It's been took long boy! You didn't even come down with Jazz last year." She pulled him back from her and swatted him with her rag. He playfully blocked her hits and then embraced her as she pretended to resist.

"I was swamped with work Ma. You know I wanted to come." He pleaded for her forgiveness with sad eyes. She laughed at his attempt then her brow creased with worry.

"Don't tell me you've been losing sleep over this girl. Gone over there and sit down while I get you some tea and a piece of pie. We need to talk Mr. O'Malley." Connor hung his head.

"Listen ma-"

"I don't wanna hear it Connor." She shut him down and he hung his head. He wasn't sure how much she knew.

"Is jazz here?" Connor almost forgot that he needed to speak with her. He stood up and then sat back down after she gave him a stern look as she cut the pie.

"She's upstairs probably sleep. You travelled this far a little longer wait won't hurt."

"I hope you're cutting that pie for the both of us." Marcello came right in the door and she put down her knife and ran into his arms.

"Well if it isn't the handsome devil himself! Connor hasn't stopped dragging you into his mess huh?" She questioned as she eyed Connor sternly again. His head seem to hang lower and Marcello chuckled enjoying the scolding.

"It would seem so ma. I have someone I want you to meet." Marcello stepped to the side as Rain had snuck in behind him quietly.

"I'm Rain. It's such a pleasure to meet you." Rain put out her hand and was shocked and then pleased as she was pulled into one of the warmest hugs she had ever received. This woman's aura could fill a stadium.

"Call me mama and aren't you just stunning and such a pretty spirit." Rain stood in awe as she released her from the hug but kept hold of her hands. She seemed to sense something behind Rain's eyes. She had a way of looking into people as if she could see their true nature. Rain knew she didn't possess any power but her senses were close enough.

"Almost as stunning as you and this display you have going on." Rain had never seen so much food. She could tell this woman loved to cook and it all looked so delicious. This was new territory for Rain. Jazz's mother was just that a mother. To everyone she met not just her children.

She had this way of making you feel like you were home. Rain closed her eyes and took in the smells. The smell of home cooked meals. The smells of Jazz's mother radiating from her robe. A mixture of perfume and a slight hint of grease. Yet, it was the perfect combination.

She thought of her own mother and her coldness. She opened her eyes with sadness to find Jazz's mother looking at her once more.

"Are you alright?" Jazz's mother asked.

"I'm okay I just...it's been a tough road so far and I'm afraid of what's to come to be honest." Rain didn't know if she was making sense but the way this woman looked into her made her want to tell her everything.

"Hunny whatever it is weighing on your heart you have to let it go. A lot of the time we blame others for holding us back when it's really ourselves. I can't remember who said it but they said our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate but our greatest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. Don't be afraid of your power." She spoke into Rain's heart and she nodded as a tear rolled down her cheek.

She closed her eyes again as mama wiped it away with her thumb.

"Thank you. You are so wise." Jazz grabbed her hands and kissed the top of them. For the first time she had someone calm her spirit.

"Hunny just like these hips it comes with age and it only made me better. You better ask somebody!" She bumped Jazz's hip and they both laughed.

"Can we get this pie going now?" Marcello hated to break up the moment but that pie was calling his name. He once again made a mental note on Rain.

"Boy hush! Rain why don't you take a couple pieces upstairs while I talk to these two. Wake her up and let her know her husband downstairs to take her up out this house. After I get done with him of course."

"Yes mama." Rain said as she stuck her tongue out at Marcello as he groaned as she cut Rain her pieces first. She started her hike up the stairs after she was pointed in the right direction.

*

"Where's papa?" Connor questioned as they dug into their slices of pie.

"He's visiting his younger brother in Atlanta but let's get down to business. What the hell is this I hear about Jazz catching you with some blonde in your lap and then against the wall at some party? You got some explaining to do."


"Ma that woman has been stealing from my company with I think I know who. She set me up. She came into my office and came on to me. Jazz was doing a surprise visit and she admitted she saw Jazz coming that day. She jumped in my lap as soon as she heard the door and then she followed us into the party pretending to be media personnel, which was a lie. I caught her taking photos of us and with these ID's." Connor took them and slid them to mama.

"Boy shut your mouth! And what's this?" She noticed a small sheet of paper in the crease of the wallet. She pulled it out and opened it and then covered her mouth.

"What mama?" Marcello put down his fork and grabbed the piece of paper. His eyes darkened as it was an old newspaper article about the death of his family and the fatal car crash.

"Why would she have this?" Connor took it from Marcello and folded it back up. "Don't worry we're going to figure it out. Are you okay?" Connor looked as Marcello sat deep in thought about what the possible connection could be. The car accident was years ago, but he still lived with the shame.

"I'm okay. I'm just wondering the same things you are. We have to track her down."

"I had her arrested that night for sneaking into the event as well as a few personal items she had stolen from some party goers. As soon as we get Jazz, we're paying her a little visit." Connor grimaced. He needed some more answers.

"Lord I got a bad feeling about this. It's feeling like Deja vu." Mama shook her head as Connor grabbed her hands.

"Except this time we're finishing it mama. Don't worry this is the end."

"Of who?" She asked as tears rolled down her eyes and she began to pray as the boys comforted her. She just didn't get a good feeling about this.

*

Jazz finished polishing off her pie as she listened to Rain relay the story. Jazz shook with fear as she heard Ellen's name. She began to fill Rain in on the details and Rain herself started to feel sick about her making a return.

Jazz couldn't believe that this whole time Jessica was connected to Ellen. All this time she had been being played and deceived by what she foolishly thought. She began to realize that she had unfairly jumped to conclusions and damn near ruined her marriage in the process.

Jazz was grateful that Connor was here to talk to her. She couldn't lie it made her feel some type of way as Rain described how he had rushed out here to retrieve her. Jazz felt her stomach sink. This was the first real test of their marriage and she had failed miserably.

She was beginning to realize that she was still holding on to a lot of past pain from the previous marriage. She started to think that meeting with William would be a chance to get information and closure.

"Now we have to be on the lookout for double trouble." Rain voiced her concerned as she thought about what they were potentially about to go up against.

"Don't worry Connor and Marcello will do all they can to protect us and we'll do all we can to help." Rain nodded as her and Jazz embraced. Rain released Jazz and then cleared her throat as Connor walked in the room.

His eyes were only focused on Jazz and her's went to his and then back to the bed. Rain picked up the plate and two forks and excused herself from the room silently.

Jazz swallowed imaginary spit as Connor closed and locked the door.

"I'm assuming Rain explained everything?" He questioned and Jazz nodded. He then threw the wallet on the bed and let her search through it. Every piece of evidence she sifted through matched Rain's story to a tee. She was shamed again.

She put everything back in its placed and sighed. It was official. She now knew that her husband wasn't cheating on her. While she was relieved she realized how much her accusations and actions must have hurt him.

"Connor I'm sorry for not trusting you. I just couldn't stop thinking about what I saw. I didn't even listen to what you had to say. I had already made up my mind that you were deceiving me. I was wrong and I shouldn't have left you but I didn't know how to handle the thought of you being with someone else." Jazz felt herself getting emotional once more.

"What was I supposed to do without you Jazz? Your crucial mistake was realizing that living with you gone was not an option. It hasn't been an option since the day I almost lost you." Jazz looked into his watery eyes with her own.

"I need you too baby. These days without you have been nothing short of hell. I've missed you no matter what my mouth said. They were just words underneath the fear that I was losing you...that we were losing you to someone else. I started to think it was me...that maybe I was too boring or you were losing interest in me."

"There is nothing more important to me than you and Donny. I would never let you guys go and you have to know that Jazz. I know things have happened in the past but this is different. I'm different, you're different, and we are a family. We need to be in this together. And you are beautiful baby. I could never lose interest in you. Your smart, gorgeous, caring, and you've carried and taken care of me and our son."

"Can we make this right?" Jazz looked up at him with pleading eyes. Connor met her in between her legs and kneeled down to his knees. He was absolutely gorgeous to her. His jade green eyes were filled with sincerity and she rubbed his new manly stubble that connected along his jawline to his chin and around his mouth.

"I want you home." He grabbed the back of her neck and their lips met. Jazz moaned as his tongue found its way to hers and they began their dance. She allowed him to guide her back onto the bed as he came up from his knees and climbed over her. She showed no resistance as he removed her t-shirt from over her head.

"I want to be home with you too baby."

"Let me show you what you've been missing." Connor whispered over her skin and then groaned in appreciation when he found she wore no bra. She arched her back as his hands caressed her caramel globes. He took one dark nipple into his mouth as he massage the other through two finger tips. He mushed both breast together and started licking and sucking them with passion.

It had been too long since she felt his lips and tongue on her body. His hands so big and strong felt as if he was touching her for the first time in years. She was enjoying every bit of it. She scooted up as he began his journey down her stomach and to her pussy.

She watched anxiously as he pulled her shorts and panties off in one sweep. She threw her head back as he started circling his tongue around her clit. She instantly became wet as he sucked and licked on her clit and began fucking her with two fingers.

"Oh shit Connor, baby right there!" Jazz cried as he was licking every inch of her pussy and clit area. He was slurping and smacking as if it was his last meal.

"You taste so fucking good." He groaned and she pushed his head even further into her. It only motivated him more. He went even deeper. He pushed his tongue into her and rubbed her clit with his thumb.

"Don't stop baby, mmm." Jazz started shaking as he pulled his mouth away and started pushing his fingers in and out of her at a fast pace.

"Cum for daddy." He commanded before he spread her legs even further apart and held her down by her waist as he devoured her intensely. The sound of his slurping alone was driving her up a wall. She gripped his shoulders as she felt her orgasm washing over her and into his mouth. He licked up every drop and stood up licking his lips with a smile. He was only getting started with her as she laid on the bed out of breath from his thrashing.

Connor started unbuckling his pants and Jazz caught her breath and started to help as he worked on his shirt. She admired her husband's broad shoulders and strong arms. She couldn't wait to get her hands on his dick. He pulled it out and slapped it on her tongue. The weight of it alone felt so good.

He was already hard but she wanted him wet and to return the favor. She took him into her mouth expertly. She knew just how he liked it. She swallowed him whole and played with his balls as he grabbed the back of her head. She swirled her tongue around him as she worked her way back up to the tip and then back down.