The Proposal: Chapter 7

Keesha awoke in her own bed. She wondered how she got there, since the last she remembered she had been on the chair in Jax's chamber, watching Jax and Jules as they slept. Jules in the bed...

And Jax leaning against her shoulder.

Keesha realized that was something she could easily become accustomed to. Yet, now it would never happen.

Now Jax was planning to take Jules to America. And she would have to stay behind.

She sighed and sat up, seeing the handwritten note on a chair. Keesha climbed out of bed, walking towards it. She read outloud. "I have taken Jules. If anyone inquires, please have them told we will return in the early evening. However, Keesha..." her voice trailed. "...do not expect us. J."

Her eyes welled with tears she did not even bother to fight.

He was already gone.

"Jax...there is nothing more to do." Jerry repeated as their carriage continued down the road. "We tried all morning to discover an alternative, yet this is the best one."

"Where are we going?" Jules continued to stare at Jax.

"On a trip," Jax stated seriously. "And that is all that you need to know." he smiled.

Jules grinned at Jax. "Is Keesha coming?"

"No."

"Why?"

"Jules..." Jerry patted Jules' hair. "Leave Jax to himself..."

"Then who will take care of her?"

Jax sighed deeply. "No further questions," he ordered in a soft tone.

"He is not here my lord..." Maggie repeated.

"Then who is here?!"

"Lady Jacks."

"Bring her down!"

"I am sorry, but I have orders not to disturb her."

"From Jasper or the lady herself?" Garcia's voice lowered. "I want to see the woman now!" If she was actually there, then Garcia knew there was nothing to worry over. Jax would not take Jules and leave his new bride to fend for herself. He was too protective of her; that much was clear.

"My lord..."

"I AM NOT LEAVING UNTIL..."

"Might I inquire why you are berating Margeret in such a fashion?"

Garcia looked up as Keesha finished descending the stairs. He arched his eyebrow. "I required your company and she would not give it."

"That is because I asked her not to. I am nursing an aching head this day. Yet, now I am here. Maggie...you may go."

Maggie stared, wondering what to do. Jax's exact words were to *not* under any circumstances, leave Keesha alone with Garcia. Maggie beleived it would be an easy task since she had not seen Keesha all day...she had never left her chamber.

"Maggie...now. I would hate to tell my lord of your disobediance." Keesha wanted to choke on her words-yet she needed to get Maggie away.

"He will be back then?" Garcia continued to look at Keesha.

"Why would he not?"

Maggie nodded, excusing herself and leaving them alone.

"Where did he go?"

"To town."

"I have been in town and have not seen him."

"Well...I doubt it would surprise you to learn that my lord is not very open with me. He comes and goes at will."

"However, he needs to know where you are always."

"Yes."

"He is very protective of those which he owns. Yourself...Jules..."

"Yes," Keesha repeated, managing to keep her voice somewhat chipper. "I am sorry, I would offer you some tea...however he is due back sometime this early evening, and I do not think it is wise for you to be here..."

"Of course." Garcia stepped closer, taking Keesha's hand and kissing it softly. "I am sorry to disturb you. I hope you are well soon."

"Thank you. Shall I tell him you came by?"

"Only if you are scared of what he will do to you if you do not. I am sure you have already learned of your husband's temper."

Keesha was silent.

A moment later Garcia was gone.

She stared at the door.

"My lady..."

"Yes?" Keesha turned, looking at Maggie.

"Will you be taking supper? Because we do have something prepared."

"No. Thank you." she finished with a small smile before heading upstairs.

Keesha sighed, taking down her hair as she walked down the hall. She knew Garcia would come, it was the only reason she had been dressed at all.

She did not want to be dressed, she did not want supper, she did not want anything yet to find a way to be with Jax.

And that was impossible.

"He would come now if he could, but it is impossible."

Jules wiped away his tear, listening.

"But he will come soon."

Keesha finished changing and started to go to her chamber, yet her mind switched and she went into Jax's instead.

It, like the rest of the manor, was too quiet.

She hated it here.

She was completely alone, missing someone who she wished she never had the chance to miss at all.

She walked over, sitting on Jax's bed, and taking a pillow, wrapping her arms around it.

He could not even say goodbye? She closed her eyes, sighing deeply, wondering where he could be.

"Why are you in here?"

Keesha looked up, turning towards the voice. "Jax?"

"I would really like to be alone," he said simply, closing the door.

"Where's Jules?"

"With Jerry."

"You left Jules with Jerry?"

"Jerry will take care of him until I can." He sat down next to her, loosening his collar.

"I thought you had left...your letter said not to expect..."

"Oh yes...I suppose I should have said him-I was not thinking clearly. I really would like to be alone," he repeated, looking at the floor.

"Of course." Keesha stood from his bed, handing him his pillow. Once again, she did not understand what was happening, however it was clear now was not the time to inquire.

"I was able to spend all day with himm" Jax offered quietly. He glanced into her eyes and Keesha's heart shattered at the sadness within his. "That is why it took so long to come home...Maggie says you did not eat all day...." His voice trailed as he attempted to change the subject, all of a sudden feeling very vulnerable as she stared at him.

"Jax...why are you here? You need to be with Jules."

"I could not very well leave you to fend Garcia alone." he cleared his throat, standing. "He was here...Maggie stayed as I required?"

"You did not come here for me." Keesha was shocked. She shook her head. "You need to be with Jules...you need to go..."

"I will go, when it is safe to take you with me. When we were wed I promised to protect you and that is what I will do. In any event, it is not safe for Jules for us to be together now. He needs to be away from all of this madness...he needs to be safe, where he cannot be found. With me here, I will know already what Garcia is doing and I can be ahead. Garcia will only look for so long-soon he will grow weary. And then we will go."

"Where?"

"I will not say. The less you know, the better for you. Now. May I please be alone. I do not see why you are in here to begin with." Jax sat down on his bed again.

He needed her gone so that he would not ask her to stay.

"You have your own bed. Is it not comfortable?"

"I was missing you." she whispered.

Jax blinked at her simple admission. Yet before he could answer she added,

"Jax...I am sorry."

"Do not be. It is not your fault. Nothing else could be done."

"You could have gone to America."

"No, I could not. Not without you."

"Then I am even more sorry than before..." This was all her fault.

She was leaving here. If she left, then Jax would have no reason to stay. And he could be with Jules.

"I am going." Jax watched as she walked to the door.

"To your room..."

"Of course..."

"Odd." Jax walked over, standing behind her. "I have the distinct feeling..." he touched her hair and she closed her eyes. "...that you are planning to go afar." he whispered.

"Of course not."

"Look at me."

Keesha took a small breath, turning around and looking at Jax.

"I will not have you telling me lies." He drew his fingers from her hair. "And I will not have you leaving me. I know what I am doing, and I need you to trust that. And if you try and leave, I will be forced to find you...and I will not rest until that is done. You are my wife...and I will not have you leaving."

"I am your wife in name Jax. You need to be with Jules."

"I will be with Jules. We both will. When it is time. As for being my wife merely in name..." he smiled softly. "If you keep telling me things such that I was being missed...I will be forced to change that as well."

"You are speaking in riddles." Keesha sighed.

"Leave me. Go next door. Go to sleep. And I will see you in the morning."

"Yes Jax," she relented.

"Keesha?"

"Yes Jax?"

"You will be there for me to see in the morning. Am I being clear?"

"Yes, Jax. I still do not understand, however, I will stay if that is what you wish."

"What is there to understand." Jax opened the adjoining door, holding it for Keesha. She walked inside. "You were missed today as well."

His quiet words reached her ears and Keesha turned around, just as Jax shut the door, leaving her in the bath alone.