OR alternate ending???

Chance made it an everyday thing to visit and have dinner with us. Lily and Ness were always happy to see Chance, especially when he brought them snacks. Ever since the greatest event happened in our lives with the wedding of exes, we had turned to each other. Who else would understand this more than the both of us? We both got cheated on by our best friends and partner. We both felt the similar pain of what happened, so naturally, we just confided in each other. Alex was one of the only people that had seen everything that happened, she had gotten an apartment a few doors down. She had reconnected with me after high school and from there on, we stayed in touch and she helped out when she could. 

After dinner, Chance helped with cleaning up and stayed for awhile to hang out. The girls had fell asleep after eight, leaving the apartment quiet for us to relax. Chance would tell me about the drama at his work, all surrounding the very few women mechanics at the shop. Later in the late evening, he had gotten invited out and left after making sure we were okay.

"Are you sure you girls will be okay?" He asked with his eyebrows furrowed in concern.

Nodding I began to gently push him to the door, "We stay here every night by ourselves, I think we'll be fine" 

"You think? That's a very convincing answer, remember when the next door neighbors broke in and almost stole your TV?" He stopped, looking at me, "What if they try to break in again?" 

Rolling my eyes, I sighed at his melodramatic concern for our safety, "Chance, they got evicted"

His shoulders dropped in relief, "Good, but are you sure Lily, Ness, and you, will be okay?" His eyes searched my face.

Nodding curtly, I held his hoodie out to him, "Chance, don't worry about us, we're perfectly fine"

He stared at me, skeptically, "Fine. Call me if anything happens" He began to put his shoes on.

"Yeah I know. Be safe" I called out to him, as he reached for the doorknob. 

Quickly he turned around to me with a glare and his finger on his lips, telling me to be quiet, "You'll wake the girls up" 

I grabbed a random crayon from the carpet that I spotted and threw it at him, laughing, "Leave"

He sarcastically blew a kiss and left, shutting the door quietly.

Let's say the night out with his coworkers didn't end up too well and I got a call from the police station regarding Chance. I had called Alex over, where she was surprisingly glad to watch the girls, and I was shocked that she was up at 2 a.m. 

Arriving at the station, I didn't think that I would have to face them again. That's when my heart got tugged even more. Seeing them and noticing that Madison's hand instinctively went to her stomach that had a slight bulge when her eyes landed on me. A bulge that I knew too well.

Madison was pregnant with Darren's child. I had plenty of mixed emotions. How do you deal with your ex best friend and ex boyfriend having a child together? Darren had a nasty black eye and a bruised jaw. While my guy Chance, had a split lip and a wad of toilet paper stuck up into his nose. It satisfied a small part of me knowing that Darren looked worse than Chance. There was also the melancholy of seeing the two best friends injured because they had fought with each other. We were told was happened and that they were free to go since they both were cooperating with the cops that were sent. We began to leave the station in the crisp night air. The four of us walking to parking lot across the street.

"Darren, are you okay?" Madison fussed over him. I rolled my eyes, walking next to Chance. He slowly looked over to me, seeing the visible anger in his eyes that was still there. The tension was so thick, it was impossible to feel it. Seeing Madison fuss over Darren in front of us, was still a weird site. It still made me feel exactly how I felt that day they came to my apartment months ago apologizing about their engagement. It was nasty feeling I hoped that I wouldn't have to feel again, but I guess I was asking too much for that to happen.

"Why?" I whispered while we walked all began to go our different ways.

He shrugged, "Why not, that dumbass had it coming" he spat while looking over the couple who stopped in their tracks. Darren glared back while Madison was staring at me with annoyance. 

I glared and focused back on Chance, "That might be true, but we're twenty one now, I don't think fighting when we're adults is a good idea" I stated, standing next to Chance who had also stopped dead in his tracks, "You could get arrested or something"

He sighed, "You're right, I'm sorry" he looked up to me, and patted my back. I felt stares, looking up to see that they were looking at us. Madison had her eyebrows furrowed and Darren just looked upset.

All I could think of was, the audacity. I didn't like that I let them off the hook so many times in our teen years. It was ridiculous.

"How did you start fighting?" I asked, still looking at them before breaking our staring contest.

Chance chuckled, looking over to Darren, "You don't need to know what that scum said" 

Chance looked back to me and in a low voice, began talking to me, "I overheard him say something that didn't sit right with me"

"What was it?" I began to feel anxious. Chance began to shift his weight on his feet.

"I'm not telling you" He chuckled with no trace of humor, instead it was of despair and hurt. He sluggishly began waking to my car. 

I rolled my eyes, "Chance, my heart has literally been ripped out, stomped on, thrown in a blender, burned, and thrown out into space, I think I cant handle what happened" I walked along side him.

He stayed silent, "No"

I scoffed, "What do you mean no?" I exclaimed.

"I said no" his voice was stern and cold. He was tense and I began to feel the anger roll off of him. I cast my gaze to Madison and Darren who were slowly walking to their car, Madison obviously being the angrier one.

I grabbed his wrist, making him stop, "Chance please" I begged, he glanced over at me, sighing.

He licked his lips, "He was telling everyone he was having a baby" 

I laughed in disbelief, "That's it?" A little odd that that wouldn't have sat right with him. It did feel weird that he was having another kid when he barely took care of the ones he has now. Occasionally he would transfer money into my account to "help" 

He glanced at them again, this time Darren met his gaze, "No" Chance answered, he turned back to me, his eyes showing me his hurt he was feeling, "His first child" My hand dropped from Chance's wrist.

I froze, my stomach dropped and whatever feelings I had left for the couple standing a few parking spots away from us, disappeared with my rationality. His first child? His first baby? Madison looked over, she held an angry gaze and softened when she saw me staring. I stormed over to them and slapped Darren as hard as I could. Chance wrapped his arms around me and began to walk me away. My eyes began to fill with tears.

"First baby?" I croaked out, Lily and Vanessa didn't deserve to be disregarded like this, "Are you serious?" I raised my voice. Both shocked, Darren cupped his cheek in disbelief.

Madison looking between us, Darren not even looking at me. His gaze casted to the ground. I wiped my tears away.

"Mase, breathe" Chance's voice was in my ear, as he created distance between us and them.

"Maisie, he didn't mean it like that" Madison defended him.

I laughed, "What did he mean by that Madison?" I broke from Chance's grip.

Darren instinctively stepped in front of her making me chuckle. Chance began to tug me away with his grip around my wrist. I snapped my wrist from him, annoyed. Everything in my body tingling with anger. Not only had Darren and Madison literally broke my heart, they did it multiple times and I was too dumb to acknowledge it. Madison is shitty. Darren is shitty. 

"You never chose me" I could hear my voice waver, her eyes beginning to water and her eyes filled with hatred, "And I chose you every single time"

"That isn't true" Madison's voice broke, "You just like to pick out the parts that make you seem like you've never done anything wrong" 

"Okay," I chuckled, "Keep telling yourself that"

"Maisie, let's go" Chance tugged at my arm, making Madison take in the small interaction. Darren had glared at Chance as well.

Madison laughed, "I'm surprised. I never thought you would go for Chance" her arms crossed over her chest, "I'm happy, maybe you finally found your person" her tone of voice lightened to a saddened, genuine one.

"Maybe" I answered, still feeling that pain of connection I still had with my former best friend. I hated the fact that over the years of hurt and anger I had towards her, that I would still have love. I absolutely hated that thought.

No matter what, I will always miss her and love her, even when I wish I didn't. I wish I could forget all the memories we had together, I wish this pain would be over already.

"Are you happy?" His voice had the impact of making my stomach drop now. That one voice that use to be my everything is now the voice that makes me want to dropkick him out of existence.

Looking over to him, it was comical for me to see him beaten up, "Are you in any position to ask that?" I seethed, glaring at him.

"It's a question"

I rolled my eyes, "Obviously, but why do you need to know?"

Darren stepped forward, causing Chance to stand next to me in solidarity or maybe for protection, "Fuck off Darren" Chance sighed with tiredness and annoyance in his tone.

So many things have been running through my mind and there was so much things that I had wanted to say to him, I wanted to hurt them as bad as they hurt me. I was having an inner war with myself, do I walk away or do I say what I truly want to say? I have been the bigger person so much, that in this situation, my mind and heart wanted to finally release everything I felt. I wanted them to feel everything they made me feel. From a young age, I had always forgiven them and gave them chances. It was almost as if I had given them too much trust with my heart in their hands. Only for them to ruin me. 

I would say that they taught me lessons that I needed to learn, but that isn't it. They taught me nothing but to have trust issues and made my insecurity a big flaw within myself. Vanessa and Lily were my light in those times. They loved me through everything and I loved them with my everything. Even when they reminded me of Darren, back then, I had reassurance that a part of Darren loved me, even if was through my girls.

I was completely wrong thinking that, now I feel crazy that I thought that. My babies had become my world and I am forever thankful every time I see them. Seeing them, filled me with love and happiness through everything.

"Are.... Vanessa and Lily not good enough for you?" I could feel my heart breaking by the words coming out of my mouth.

"I love them" his voice quivered.

Feeling the stinging in my eyes and the trembling of my chin, the pressure of my sinuses, I knew I would be crying in front of them. Every time, it was guaranteed I would cry. It was like an unspoken promise the universe had made for us. 

"Stop" I whispered, Chance had grabbed my hand, in an attempt to comfort me.

"I wish I tried harder"

"Vanessa and Lily... they don't deserve this and you don't deserve them" I began to cry, "You do nothing for us besides breaking our hearts" I stared at him, his eyes watering.

"They are amazing, they are so smart" I began, feeling my tears rolling down my cheeks, "They are so caring and compassionate. Vanessa loves singing and Lily loves helping me cook" Madison and Darren, stood there with their tears falling.

"But you wouldn't know that" I stated, my voice trembling, "They ask where their dad is" I sobbed, feeling hurt for my baby girls.

Darren stared at me, looking so sad, "You know, I hate you" I squeaked out before crying again, his face fell in guilt and his eyes looking at the ground, "Because you have broken their hearts long before they'll know"

"And I will never forgive you for that" 

Madison had been staring at me, and before I knew it, I was wrapped in her arms. Her belly had gotten in the way, making me feel nostalgic of everything. My body automatically relaxed into her. We cried together, then I gently pushed her away from me. 

"I will never forgive you either" I stated, making her look away as she cried more.

"I always wished we would all work out, but that will never happen. I was too naïve and forgiving for thinking that one day, we'll move past this" I sniffled, "But, I was just setting myself up, like the fool I was"

Maisie and Darren stood apart from each other, crying, "I hope to never see either of you, again. I deserved better back then, and deserve better now. I will not fall to my knees for either of you like I always did, I won't let my soul get beaten like that ever again" taking a deep, shaky breath, I could feel more tears coming, "You both were so cruel to me, I didn't deserve that after all the love and trust I had put into both of you"

"Maisie-" Darren's voice was weak and sounded broken.

"I'm not finished" my voice cracked and a sob escaped, "Don't you get it? You fucking hurt me! I won't let myself believe that you're sorry, and even if you are, can you blame me for not believing it?"

My phone began ringing, Alex had texted me, telling me that the girl woke up. I looked over to Chance and showed him my phone. He nodded and held his hand out, I placed my keys in them. Leaving me alone with Madison and Darren.

"I wish I could make you both feel what I felt, so bad," I wiped my eyes, feeling exhausted now, "But now, I hope you realize you don't treat someone you love, like this." Walking away, I didn't feel that same hurt I felt months ago and even years ago. 

Getting in the passenger seat, I had started crying again. For Vanessa and Lily, for Chance and for me. Why did I love Madison and Darren so much? Why did it take me this long to stand up for myself? Besides that pain, I had finally felt free. I was no longer connected with them. I finally had said goodbye to them.

I said goodbye to that part of my life. 

Driving back home, Chance didn't say anything. I was glad for that. I felt so messy, with the hundreds of thoughts and emotions jumbled up. It was a weird feeling. Madison and Darren were no longer allowed to be a part of my life, it was amazing. But also, Vanessa and Lily was who I was worried for.

We arrived at my apartment, and rushed inside, were Alex was frantically trying to calm down the girls. She seen us and relaxed. The girls came rushing to Chance and I, hugging our legs. Chance helped me with laying them back down, trying to lull them to sleep again. It wasn't too long before they stopped fighting their sleep and finally fell asleep.

Chance came with me to my room, where we were both laying on my bed. I was beyond exhausted, but I also didn't want to be a bad host and fall asleep before Chance.

"I'm glad you finally realized you deserve better" he spoke, while yawning.

I closed my eyes and chuckled, "You deserve better too and I hope you realized that before"

"I did," He sighed quietly, "I never thought you felt that way about them"

Smiling, I suddenly filled with guilt, "I didn't either," I sat up with Chance following my actions, "I wouldn't say I completely hate them, but I don't want to ever see them again. Then again, if they were on their deathbeds, I would probably show up" I stated

"You know, Madison and I promised each other that if we ever separated, we gave each other permission to TP each other's houses" I chuckled, "Have times changed" I sighed. Feeling that weird emptiness in my heart that Madison filled. She was part of my life for son long, it felt very weird to have her not be for the past year and so on.

"Darren and I never had that type of promise, we just thought we'd always be bros" Chance quietly explained, "Not going to lie, this kind of sucks" He laughed, but not a humorous or an empty kind, the kind where you hide your hurt over something.

"We can be stupid and take our friends back" I joked, making him smile. 

"This must suck a lot for you" Chance laid on his said, propping himself up with his elbow on the bed, "But it's for the better and for what it's worth, you finally let them know how you feel"

"I don't really think they care enough to think about for more than an hour" 

"But, you feel better right?"

Laying back down, I stared at my ceiling. Did I feel better? I definitely didn't feel that same connection with them, but there was one.

Vanessa and Lily.

"I don't know, I can't get my mind away from what this will mean for Ness and Lily" I sighed, covering my eyes with my arm draped across my face, "Having no dad sucks, and the fact that he doesn't even acknowledge them as his kids anymore is a dick move" I groaned in frustration. Darren was and still is a piece of shit. At one time, I respected his decision to choose to not be a father when we were teens, and that was one of the dumbest choices I ever made. Why did I even think that was a little bit okay?

"Vanessa and Lily deserve someone to be their dad, someone who loves them. Even if they aren't their biological father. They don't deserve to be in this fallout" I could feel the disappointed they feel later on when they're older, "Who would go above and beyond to make them feel loved"

"It's impossible not to love them" Chance chuckled.

Chance and I stayed quiet for a bit. I was pondering ever moment that led to how we were now.

"Why was my teenage years so fucked?" I whispered to myself, "I'm so happy that I have Vanessa and Lily, I wouldn't trade them for anything. But, why did I have to go through so much pain just to have more pain?" I asked to no one in particular.

Feeling the hand resting on my head, I jerked my arm away from my face and looked to see Chance staring at me with sadness in his eyes. He stroked my hair, "We shouldn't focus too much on the past, it'll suck up any happiness you come across" he gently spoke, this time, his eyes weren't distant and he wasn't joking. Something I realized from spending so much time with him, was that it was rare when he was serious and sincere with his own emotions. Maybe we were all like that, but Chance was always in a joking mood. It was almost like his default, but when he was being serious like this, I knew something was up.

I ruffled his hair, "That's true. From now on, we'll move on from them and everything they destroyed in us" I sighed, he stopped stroking my hair, "My heart is tired from thinking too much of the past" 

"We've missed too many good things in front of us" Chance said while positioning himself on his back, out shoulders touching now.

I could feel the change within his tone, "Meaning?"

He chuckled, his smile staying on his face while staring at the ceiling, "We can finally start new beginnings" 

I smiled, adverting my gaze at the ceiling, "Slowly, we can finally focus on the future now"

"You can be Lily and Vanessa's dad" I tried my best to sound serious, and I seen Chance's head whip to look at me. His eyes wide.