Chapter 24: What got posted?!?

POV: Zac

Word Count: 4113

June 3, 2009 –Wednesday

We’d been home for three days now, three long days. We spent most of the first day unpacking dishes and kitchen items, because it was far easier to cook than to eat out. That poor table was indeed too small for the space though. Deciding where things went was actually pretty easy. We also went to the grocery store because we literally had a few cans of some vegetables and that was it. The air mattress came in handy because I could lay there and watch and input my ideas.

Yesterday we unpacked the bedroom, putting up clothes and hanging them up and just organizing and cleaning things. She liked the double vanity and the tub, the shower was awesome. She hadn’t been pleased with not finding those boy shorts though. My guess was maybe they put in the wrong box and sent away. So, we added those to the list of things we needed to get. Today was shopping for things. We needed a bigger table for starters and she wanted to browse the baby section to get an idea on costs there and our bedroom suite.

But, we slept late because we both needed it but I woke up before she did. I headed downstairs, leaving her to sleep because she did a lot more than I did for the move. I fixed cereal something quick and easy and then began to sort the mail on the counter. The cable was scheduled for Friday, but neither of us minded not having the TV or anything, wouldn’t matter because ours wouldn’t fit on the wall.

Marello was so awesome with the TV and wires, he created a little compartment on the mantel for the wires to be hidden behind, on both sides so I could put the video games systems on one and our DVD and cable stuff on the other side. I however was looking at the big space between her new painting area and the living room, once this kid was moving nothing was there to stop him from going in there. I was dragged from my thoughts by knocking, so I went to the front door.

Andrew and Jack were both there waiting on me, but they didn’t seem so thrilled to be standing there.

“Morning, was there a gathering I wasn’t informed of?”

“No. But have either of you been online or anything?”

“Not since Sunday, the cable company is coming Friday. They have to do a full wiring because the other people didn’t have cable at all. Why?”

They came in and I closed the door, followed them and Andrew was setting up his laptop, didn’t even know he’d had it. He had some hard core data charges for his phone, which included portable net. He did something and then turned the screen around.

“They were posted yesterday.”

I walked over closer because the picture I seen couldn’t be online and I swallowed hard.

“Who posted them?”

“TMZ and MTV picked it up shortly after that. Tell me these aren’t her?”

“Who not her?” Gabby asked.

I tried to hide the screen, unaware she was awake, the downside of a big house was she was now a ninja at sneaking around. But, I couldn’t hide the screen fast enough and I didn’t even need to answer their question, her shocked and horror face said it all.

“Why the fuck are you showing your friends pictures of me and Sierra? She said you could see them, not anyone else!”

“Gabriella, I’m not. These are on a website.”

That did not help at all. “They are where?!?”

“TMZ posted them yesterday and MTV picked it up too.” Andrew said.

When she ran toward the front bedroom I didn’t follow, but we could hear her throwing up.

“They aren’t that bad.” Jack said.

“They are just pictures of my wife naked with some woman who is also naked on top of her. Nothing bad about that Jack. Oh wait, their naked!”

I went to the front bedroom and checked on her, she was just leaned over the toilet and I kneeled beside her.

“Gabby?”

She didn’t answer me and I just rubbed her back, letting her finish dry heaving before she sat up.

“Baby, they are bad but nothing really shows.”

She looked at me. “It doesn’t matter that my pussy isn’t seen Zac! It doesn’t even matter that you can’t really see the nipple either, but then again her fucking mouth is around it or her hand. No one had access to them but you and I. I damn sure didn’t send them.”

“You think I would? Come on Gabby.”

“Sierra wouldn’t post them, I didn’t send them and if you didn’t, then who the hell did? Because I didn’t send them to anyone.”

“Neither did I.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m not dignifying that with an answer. You should know the answer to that question already. I know those pictures and the ones on the disc are both to be kept to ourselves. I’m not an idiot and I wouldn’t e-mail them to anyone, not even myself.”

“Then how did TMZ get them?”

“I don’t know, but we can find out.”

She got up, washed off her face and hands and came with me. The guys were still standing there, the sight still open.

“Do you two mind? That is my wife.”

“Not her we’re looking at.” Jack said.

“Sierra is taken and a lesbian, she won’t give a shit what you can do.”

“Sierra? This is Sierra?” Jack asked.

“Yeah.”

“Wait, back the hell up. You talking the same girl that was with us Sunday moving?” Jack asked.

“Same one.”

“Shit! I’ll never see her the same again.”

I called TMZ and after some major run around they finally gave me the name.

“Simon sent them to TMZ.”

“How did he even get them?” Gabby asked.

“Are you sure he didn’t have them before?”

“Well…not really. I didn’t think he had any of the ones he burned but he did.”

“They said he called them and said he had pictures of you and Sierra, they’ve apparently been trying to prove you two dated or something.”

She rolled her eyes and fixed herself oatmeal.

“So, before we came and dropped a bombshell on you two, what was the plan?” Andrew asked.

She leaned against the counter. “Table because that poor thing.”

“I know, that’s the saddest little dining room table I’ve ever seen. Considering you can get 10 more around it.” Jack said.

“Bedroom set, we’re putting ours in the purple room.”

They both turned. “You two aren’t planning to move all that are you?”

“Well, the new set would be delivered and set up.”

“Bullshit, they’ll charge you ten times what it should.” Andrew said.

“We don’t have a choice dude, I can’t haul them up-stairs and she can’t either.”

“We will.” Jack said.

“This your subtle way to say you’re both bored?” Gabby asked.

“Maybe…” Jack said.

“Haven’t we like, used you two enough? Really, you moved everything for us.” She said.

“What are friends for?” Andrew asked.

“Hey, I’m not turning the help down. But, I need to change before we do anything. My gown isn’t quite appropriate for outside and well, I don’t guess I need to give TMZ anymore ammo. I need to tell Sierra too.”

“Good luck with her.” Jack said.

Gabby finished her oatmeal, tossed the bowl in the sink and just smiled. “She won’t be bad, I know all the sweet little spots to calm her right down.”

She then walked out of the room and left the three of us a bit stunned.

“Remind me again, what does she see in you and exactly how did you deal with being around her for so long without just pushing her against a wall?” Andrew asked.

“I can’t answer the first one…”

“It was the ass! Not to mention the drums!” She yelled down.

“Do you have supersonic hearing?” He called back.

All we heard was giggling and I laid my head on the counter, couple more weeks.

“Well, she answered the first part…” Jack said.

“I didn’t have a choice but to deal, actually..I did put her against a wall of the bus. She fixed the wiring under the platform and ripped her shirt. I tried and she said no.”

“Least she doesn’t say no now.” Andrew said.

“Actually she does, flatly told me no Monday. Fuck Simon and his gun.”

They both laughed but she came downstairs in a long summer dress, it came nearly to her ankles, extremely loose at the bottom, little tight up top and had small sleeves, it was a lime color.

“Where the hell did that come from?”

“It was packed in one of the boxes… Not sure where it came from but it’s comfortable and I can wear flip flops.”

“Did you have to use any sweet spots?” Andrew asked.

She laughed. “Only two, please don’t kill me and sure I’ll make Zac send you the peacock pictures.”

“Peacock pictures? How did she know about them?”

“I was an idiot and mentioned them.”

“Aren’t you afraid of peacocks?” Jack asked.

“Little sneaky fuckers…”

“She couldn’t find anything else.” I said.

They both crossed their arms and looked at me but I held my hands up and made my exit to change. I could hear them calling out that I’d eventually be worn down. Not a chance in hell I was sharing those, but as I got dressed I remembered a few I took where she was covered and what the hell. I actually had it on my phone too, so I sent her a message first, because we had agreed not to share any. I just got an evil grin in return. So when I got back downstairs I pulled it up.

“Why can’t I ever run into the good ones first?” Jack asked.

“Hey, I got the friend.” Andrew said.

Gabby giggled. “Least she won’t spill all my secrets, pretty sure you’ve both asked him a dozen times.”

“Three dozens, maybe more.” I said.

“So, where we shopping?”

“Abby know you’re here?”

He nodded. “Yep.”

Our first stop was the Wal-mart and she still managed to get the prices she wanted too by diverting us through there, even though there was no reason why we needed to. We were here to get the organizing things she wanted and as we stood around waiting for her to choose Jack looked at me.

“Do you ever go crazy when she takes this long?”

“Nope.”

“Careful Jack, I have the power to order the heaviest set they have.”

Andrew just giggled. “Bro, you got to work on your women skills.”

“Not my fault you two are man whores, well, now you’re not kind of.”

“Kind of?” She asked.

“They’re personal escorts now.”

She placed a few items in the buggy and smiled at me. “Way I see you all three are. Onward.”

Legit, we were being escorts today for sure. When she’d found what she needed or wanted or even couldn’t leave without, we went to the furniture store. If they thought that Wally world was bad, they had no idea since neither of us agreed on anything. But having them here was a good thing, they were able to provide a third opinion and even point out things we hadn’t seen. It took an hour to pick out the table but it was going to be the perfect size. It could sit 8 people with the leaf attached, six without it and it was a light wooden color, almost matching the honey oak we had in the kitchen. The seats were fabric in a tan color. I liked that they all looked the same and that it had rounded ends. With the table picked we moved to the bedrooms and there were a dozen different options.

She turned down the super ornate set and the ones with a billion decorative details, saying she wanted simple. Somewhere along the umpteenth set Jack just flopped down on a bed and she turned to probably giggle but then stopped.

“That’s it.”

“What? What did I do?” Jack asked.

“That’s the set, it’s a dark wood color, has plenty of drawer space and look sheets can go at the foot of the bed in the drawers. It’s not super huge either.”

“Isn’t it super dark though?”

“Not with light sheets and stuff.”

“Look Zac, places for handcuffs too!” Andrew said.

I was pretty sure my face turned red. “If this is what you think will work, let’s do it. But, we don’t really need the mirror, the bathroom has plenty.”

“Agreed, the TV can go there.”

Speaking of those! I went and picked one out to come with us today and they got the items ready. Andrew and Jack looked at the boxes confused.

“What? You think they came pre-assembled?” I asked.

“Son of a bitch. We can come over tomorrow for that.”

“Yeah, will give us tonight to clear the drawers out.”

We headed home after they loaded the truck down and we parked to the side so they could back up, she went to unlock the door.

“ZAC!”

I nearly tripped over my own feet because her calling my name sounded like she’d fallen or something. But she was standing on the porch staring at the door. I speed walked to her and sitting on the porch was a wooden crate, it had been painted white with red hearts. Sitting on top was a crystal teddy bear holding a vase with a red poinsettia. There was a large note card this time, readable from the edge of the porch.

If you’re asking If I need you..

The answer is forever.

If you’re asking if I’ll leave you..

The answer is never.

If you’re asking what I value..

The answer is you.

If you’re asking if I love you,

The answer is I do.

Across the very bottom was a note for her to enjoy the crate to store her favorite things. I resisted the urge to break everything sitting there and instead settled for calling Mabis. I wouldn’t let her touch anything. When Andrew and Jack arrived I had them just park to the side.

“What is it?” Jack asked.

“The person sending her figurines left another one.”

“Can’t you move it?” He asked.

“He left it sitting there, without a box and this large note card.”

They both walked around and looked, but neither touched before they returned.

“You should have Lucas come over and install cameras, it’s his specialty after all.”

“It is?” Gabby asked.

“Networking, he does mostly home networking and security work. I’m sure he’ll put in a few at least outside.”

It took me just a few times of calling before he agreed and said he’d be over as soon as he was done. Detective Mabis came with techs to collect the items.

“Have you learned anything about them?”

“They were mailed just outside town, we are looking at Simon because while he keeps telling you he’s not sending them his print was found on the first note. The last three have been wiped clean and the paper doesn’t even show signs of being handles. He must have put gloves on.”

They were gone before Lucas arrived and he set out a case.

“My favorite, they’re indoor outdoor cameras, they’ll be perfect.”

“How many would you recommend?” I asked.

“Four corners, front and back door and even the garage door. It’s super easy to get garage door codes.”

“Would you have to tear apart the outside?” She asked.

“No.”

“Do it.” I said.

Andrew and Jack just unloaded the boxes into the garage for now and said they’d be back tomorrow. She started dinner and I helped Lucas when I could.

“Why the need?”

“Simon, he left another fucking bear. I tell you man, I wanted to destroy it all and then take it to his house and just throw it in his fucking face.”

“Why?”

“They are upsetting her, we thought maybe a fan thanking her, but this is beyond that. The detectives can’t seem to get any leads and this fucker leaves it open on the porch. No, if that asshole returns here I want to know and I will press charges.”

“Understandable. How is she?”

“Upset, the bastard sent TMZ pictures of her and Sierra from a long time ago. Started the day bad and come home to his sick jokes? I don’t know what else to do, I can’t do much if he comes around now.”

“Want me to stay tonight? Just in case?”

“Where you going to sleep Lucas? The floor? Our new bedroom set is in the garage. We don’t even have extra mattresses.”

“I’ve slept on your couch before. Won’t kill me to do it again, well, unless Simon shows up.”

“Not funny.”

“Sorry. I don’t mind staying, I mean he’s obviously upsetting you both. Again, you can’t really do much right now, if he does come then he could kill you both. Then I have no famous friends.”

“You don’t mind?” I asked.

“No. I have a overnight bag in the car in case I get stuck away from home on jobs. No big deal. Feed me, let me shower, and I’ll be good.”

“She’s covering dinner.”

He didn’t comment on that as I hadn’t been to kind the last time he had. When he finished up he came inside, she was talking to what sounded like Abby but hung-up after we were inside. He went over quickly how to use the program and what to do. We then got dinner and she stuck to standing, making me sit.

“I like that dress, where did you find it?”

“No idea, just kind of appeared.”

“It’s cute, fits good too. Kind of slims you some.”

She just nodded but I knew her mind was far from caring what the dress did to her figure. Sierra called before she was done and she took her phone to the front bedroom and closed the door.

“That was…kind of rude.” He said.

“Sierra was in the pictures, they are just trying to figure out what to say. Sierra wants to just post something confirming it was them because really their faces are seen. But letting people know that was the past.”

“You ever wish it wasn’t?”

“No. Sierra is dating someone and I married her. Why would I wish for them to be together?”

“I mean like…in front of you. Come on, do you not want to see that?”

“I want too, yes. But, we need time to build our own foundation before we explore that. I’m sure that Sierra and even her girlfriend would be more than willing anytime I ask.”

“Why not make that sooner?”

“I’d rather wait a few years.”

Not to mention I can’t have sex right now and she’s not going to want some orgy while pregnant. He dropped the subject when she came back in and dropped the bowl into the sink.

“Before I put this up anyone else want anything?”

Neither of us did so she put the leftover’s up and then kissed my cheek.

“I’m going to go clear the dresser out right quick. I’ll probably go to bed after that. Enjoy your company but no more activity, you’ve done enough for today.”

“Don’t want me to help?”

“Na. You two don’t get to have a lot of guy time. Enjoy it. I’ll see you later Lucas.”

“I’ll see you in the morning.”

“You aren’t leaving?”

“No. I think it’ll be safer if I stayed for tonight. Incase Simon shows up again. Zac’s not in any real shape to protect you.”

I felt her hand tighten some. “I’m sure he’d do whatever he could. Thank you though. I’ll bring down some blankets, I assume you’re taking the couch?”

“Yep.”

She did bring down blankets, but then she went up-stairs. I stayed with Lucas until about ten and then headed to bed, he needed to be up early so he needed sleep. I went to the bathroom to get ready for bed and I found the dress in the trash can and not in the hamper. That was odd. When I laid down she sighed.

“You’re baby is using my bladder as a pillow, not cool.”

“Our baby, sorry. Did you not like the dress?”

“I asked Sierra and Abby about it, they don’t remember me ever owning anything in that color. I asked Abby because she was in the closet when I packed up the stuff and she said there was no dress. I don’t know where it came from Zac.”

“Are you sure you didn’t buy it?”

“Positive. I do like the color but really, I haven’t bought a dress in months and the last few were summer dresses, something short. I mean if you think we bought it sometime I’ll keep it but it doesn’t even smell right.”

I sat up some. “Smell?”

“It smells like grass or some outdoor grassy scent. It’s not your scent and it’s not anything I use. I checked our laundry stuff, nothing smells like that. I don’t like that I can’t find underwear I know damn well I bought and I find a dress I know damn well I didn’t buy.”

“Do you think Simon broke in?”

She sat up. “Sierra swore to god that he never saw them. He knows about Sierra but I can’t remember telling him there were pictures. He damn near beat my ass for the pictures with Tera, why the hell would I tell him about hers?”

“Wait, he hit you because you took those?”

“He used his belt because it’s what whores do, they take pictures of themselves having sex. They let others do it. I swear to god Zac, I don’t remember Simon ever seeing those. He never saw Tera’s.”

“Because Newton had them?”

“Right. When I left him I didn’t take anything with me beyond one bag and I had a few clothes, not a lot of money, and the albums I had with me. He sent the rest to me after he got home. He did not send me his pictures. I didn’t get them until I saw him in 07.”

“So, what do you think?”

“Sierra’s pictures were on my laptop, I checked. All of the ones TMZ has came from the ones saved. Because you said in case Taylor or Isaac ever saw them I wasn’t fully seen. I saved four and four were published. So either Simon has found a way to hack my computer, he’s broken in and gotten them, or someone sent them when we moved.”

“Which we had friends around and they wouldn’t do that. Jack and Andrew didn’t even know about them and Lucas didn’t either.”

“Pretty sure he’s gone to the sight since you came up. Simon did have a thing for my underwear and green is a color he likes. I mean, he could have broken in after we left. Switched some stuff and found them.”

“I know he’s upsetting you, but you can’t let that bother you. We have cameras now that he doesn’t know about, he’ll be an idiot and then we can nail his ass to the wall.”

She slid down and I noticed she had on shorts and a shirt, not her gown.

“No clean gown?”

“I figured if he was staying I’d wear this. Speaking of, where did you put my Bambi pajamas?”

I laughed and cringed. “There in the closet in the winter box.”

“I didn’t see them in the dresser.”

“I didn’t donate them but I came damn close.”

“They’ll be comfortable when it starts to cool off.”

I turned to my side since she was laying on her back currently and with these pj’s I can definitely tell the little bump there, which is where my hand settled. I couldn’t feel anything at all, but didn’t expect too.

“You can wear them all you want, long as you’re comfortable.”

“Comfort is a growing problem here, I can’t lay this way too long, doctor said not too.”

She flipped to her left side and that was fine too, I just put my hand over her waist.

“They’ll get him soon and then you and the baby will be fine.”

“I hope so.”

I fell asleep before she did but I know she got a few times, bathroom and sometime during the night I heard our bedroom door close and lock, I was going to ask but she was back beside me and I just forgot and curled back up.

 

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