[cherry•chapstick]

bleh

[cherry•chapstick]

life is a maze and love is a riddle
Chapter One

“Tell me why I'm doing this again?”

“Because you have to.”

“He's not going to ask.”

“He might.”

Courtney shot the brunette a look before entering the jewelry shop. She still didn't understand why they were doing this. “This is stupid. It's not going to happen Apple.”

Apple rolled her eyes and pushed the blond further into the store. “I like that one,” she commented on a rather nice, simple princess diamond. The blond simply nodded and pulled away from Apple.

Chace was never going to ask, they weren't ready for that. In his mind anyway. They'd been together for two years and counting, it felt like way more then that though. She ran her fingers over the glass case, stopping mid stride at a ring she thought was the one. But Chace was never going to ask, so there was no one, right?

With a sigh she gazed at the ring? “Do you like that one?” a voice asked from behind her.

Gasping, Courtney turned around. And there, standing before her was the most gorgeous, sand colored hair, blue eyed man. “Yeah, I mean, I guess. If you're into wedding rings and such,” she answered nonchalantly. To be honest, she was kind of peeved at the man. Turning around, she looked around for Apple. “Where's Apple?” she asked the man.

“I think she said she had to go pick up Keegan from daycare.”

That would figure. Apple would leave her with the man to go pick up her baby. What a traitor. “What are you doing here?”

“Apple said you were pissed and she said I needed to come watch you.”

“I'm not a baby,” the blond said, pouting. Why did everyone think she needed to be watched after. She wasn't, like she stated, a baby. “I don't need to be babysat Chace.”

He shook his head and laughed slightly, tucking a few fly away hairs behind Courtney's ear. “I know that. But, see, I had the day off so I figured you and I could spend some time together.”

Courtney bit her lip as she thought this over. Her blue eyes gazed back at the display case holding the rings. “Yeah, I guess we could do that. But you're driving.” She said before turning from him and walking toward the doors leading out into the world beyond the stupid jewelry store. She was still a little peeved Apple had dragged her into this place. It only reminded her of where here current relationship was going.

A few minutes later, Chace exited to find a grumpy Courtney leading up against the passenger door of his car. “Ready?”

“Yeah. I've kind of been that way.” Chace caught the double meaning to her words, but chose, for the time being, to ignore them.

With that, he opened her door and let her slide in before going over to the driver's side and sliding into his seat as well. “Hey,” Chace said softly, turning to face the blond.

“Yeah?”

“I love you.”

With a small sigh, she offered Chace a smile. “I love you too.”

X O X O X

Apple pushed the little dark haired boy on the swing. He ordered her to push him higher, and she couldn't deny him that. It was their tradition, every Monday afternoon she took the afternoon off from her job and took her son to the park. Since she had had the boy, they had done that.

Eventually, he tired of this and asked to be put down. Apple of course obliged and watched as his little legs carried him toward the slides and monkey bars. She watched carefully, knowing he'd try out the bars though she had repeatedly told him not to even bother with them.

Her dark eyes watched as her son ran around with the other kids. Apple had never had much luck with relationships. She picked the dicks, rather then the romantics. It was her luck, she guessed. But, the one good thing about them was the fact that she had Keegan, and that was all she needed. And you know, yeah, she'd like to have her dream guy come along. But for now she was happy with Keegan, Courtney, Chace, Joy, and Jared. They were her little family, and they were all she needed at the moment.

“Mama, I'm hungry. Can we go home?” Keegan said some time later as he curled up in Apple's lap.

Apple nodded and ran her fingers through his long hair. “Yeah. Want to go by Aunt Joy and Uncle Jared's first?”

“Yeah.”

Keegan nodded as he slid down off of Apple's lap and held is hand up. She stood up and took his little hand. The pair walked down the road like this for a little while before Keegan complained of being tired. Apple, being completely wrapped around his finger, picked him up and held onto him as she walked.

Pretty soon the pair were standing in front of Jared and Joy's house. Keegan knocked his little fist against the door and they waited for the door to open. As soon as it was opened, Keegan had thrown himself in his Uncle Jared's arms.

“Hey Jare,” Apple said.

“Hey,” he smiled at Apple before letting her into the house. “Joy's in the kitchen.”

“Thanks.”

“How's it going buddy?” Jared asked as he carried Keegan into the room Joy and himself had set up for the nights when the little boy stayed the night. She could hear her son going on about their Monday at the park, and how they had built a sand castle.

Apple chuckled as she found her way to the kitchen and smiled. Joy stood, apron around her waist, chopping up carrots at the island while Jensen stood across from her, arms crossed against his chest as he leaned against the counter. “Hey,” she said as she nodded toward both.

“Hey, App,” Joy greeted, giving her friend a smile. The most Jensen could give was a small smile in greeting. Apple didn't think anything of this, he tended to be a bit distant when she was around. “I was about to start chopping lettuce, if you want to help out.”

“Oh yeah, sure. Thanks for letting us come for dinner. I know Kiwi loves being with you guys,” Apple said as she grabbed a nice and moved the lettuce closer to her.

Joy smiled and nodded. “Yeah, no problem. We love having you guys. Oh, and Chace called and said he and Court would be missing out on dinner. Said he had something planned.”

Apple shrugged, acting as if she knew nothing. “Huh. Wonder what's going on with those two.”

Jensen and Joy gave Apple a look, she smiled innocently at them. “Come on, we know you know,” the other brunette haired woman said.

“I know, but I can't tell. Chace made me swear.”

X O X O X

Courtney and Chace walked in between the trees in the park right in the middle of Teagan. For this time of not, it was oddly deserted. Neither of them minded. The two of them rarely had time to spend together, when it was just the two of them. Either they were both at work, or just when they were getting home, one was called back to the office, and the other was getting called in by a patient.

“This is nice,” Courtney commented as she rested her head on Chace's shoulder.

“Yeah.” The peace was comforting. “Hey, I had a question.” At this, Chace had stopped walking.

“Go on,” she pressed, curious as to what could have been going on.

Chace sighed as he ran his fingers through his hair. “I was thinking about this whole relationship.”

Courtney did not like the way this was going. Was there something going on she didn't know about? “Okay,” she said slowly.

“You know I don't like the whole institution of marriage. I just don't think we should have to get married just to prove we're in love,” he started. And Courtney wished he could get to the point. Chace sighed softly and kissed Courtney's forehead. What the hell was going on? Her blue eyes watched as Chace put his hand into the pocket of coat and pulled out a small blue box. “But I figured it's about time I compromise and think about you and your view on everything.”

“Are you asking me to marry you?” she asked, in shock.

“Not necessarily. It's a promise ring. It's a promise, that maybe someday, we can get married.”

Courtney didn't know how she felt about this. But as she let Chace slip the diamond ring onto her finger she decided to figure it out later. The point was, this was something, and they were getting somewhere. “How did you know I wanted this one?” she asked, slightly shocked it was the same ring she had been staring at.

“Apple helped me out. She told me the ones you had thought about, and then I caught you basically drooling over this one.” At this, he received a nice slap to the arm. “Ow.”

“I was not drooling ass.”

“I dunno. I think you were.” With that, Chace took off in a run, running from more slaps Courtney was sure to dish out to him.

X O X O X

After the dishes had been cleaned and put up, Apple picked up a sleeping Keegan and took him to the room that was his when he stared with Jared and Joy. She slipped her son under the covers and kissed the top of his head lightly. “Night Kiwi,” she said softly.

As Apple turned around, she let out a nearly audible gasp. “What are you doing?”

“I was going to tell you Jared and Joy decided to turn in early,” Jensen said quietly, not wanting to wake the sleeping boy. To be honest, he'd been standing down the hallway, watching as Apple tucked her son in. Every time she and Keegan were around, he found himself getting nervous, and he wasn't even sure why. But at the same time, he found himself fascinated by the sight they created.

“Oh, right, thanks.” Apple smiled and moved around Jensen.

Jensen stood there for a second longer, watching Keegan sleep. He felt something stir within himself, but like most the feelings the boy and Apple caused, he didn't know what it was. He turned from the door and followed Apple to the kitchen. “What are you doing?” he asked, leaning up against the frame of the door.

“Getting a glass of wine. You want one?” she asked as she filled up her glass.

“Nah. I think I'm good with my beer.” Jensen lifted up his bottle of beer he had placed on the dining room table. He offered her a smile before moving to the couch, flipping on the television.

“Anything good on?”

“Basketball.”

“That works for me.” Apple sat down on the couch, tucking her legs up underneath her. She sipped on her wine as she absently watched the players dribble the ball up and down the court.

Jensen turned his attention to Apple, watching as she sipped on her wine and watched the game. “Do you have any idea what's going on?”

“Not a clue. But it's fun to pretend like I do.” This earned a laugh out of Jensen and Apple found she rather liked this.

This was how the rest of the night went, well, until Apple had finished off her wine and Jensen had finished off his beer. Both Apple and Jensen offered awkward smiles and good nights before each went their separate ways.

X O X O X

Courtney sat up in the bed she shared with Chace, staring at the diamond ring sitting heavily on her left hand ring finger. It was a promise ring. Not an engagement. A promise ring? What were they? Sixteen? With a sigh, Courtney laid back down. Was this really what she wanted? To be dating a guy for two years and be promised to for who knew how long.

She wanted to be married. She wanted to have a family. She wanted a son or a daughter. Did she and Chace even want the same things anymore? To be fair, she knew she was getting into a relationship with a guy she knew wasn't interested in married, that he didn't believe in it's institution. But she thought maybe, just maybe, he would change for her. Had she been wrong?

Whatever. She was tired. And maybe this would all straighten out in her head in the morning. Or after, you know, she talked to Apple. With a soft sigh, she turned onto her side, away from Chace and tried to fall asleep.

( the show - lenka )