Always Watching You

Zacky grinned as he heard the familiar sounds of the alarms going off. It was a sign that the plan was starting off without a hitch. Suddenly, his cell door opened and he made his exit. Seeing that the prison had turned into an all out riot, Zacky snagged a key card off one of the guards before going to the secure doors and heading for the exit. He grabbed a black hoodie from the employee area and put it on. Once Zacky got close to the last door, he glanced around before pushing it open and walking outside. Leaving the parking lot, Zacky walked about a mile before he caught sight of the car Matt said he would be driving. He ran over and climbed in the backseat, “Man is it good to see you two.” Zacky laughed as he looked at Matt and Johnny.

---

Nova had just finished giving Emmett a bath as she wrapped him in a towel and carried him to his bedroom. Raising her two year old alone hadn’t been easy, but Nova knew it was the best option. She needed to be as far as possible from her real home on the off chance that Brian would manage to get out. It had been almost three years and part of Nova still couldn’t believe that the man she loved and was planning on spending the rest of her life with, turned out to be such a monster. A smile crossed Nova’s face as she listened to Emmett talk, he could say a few words, but it was still quite a bit of baby talk.

@ Bam.Bam

@ foREVerYours.

Joelle smiled as listened to her one and a half year old son, Aaron, coos, as she rocks him to sleep. "Mommy loves you to the moon and back, always." She said softly, placing a kiss on top of his head. Seeing that her son was now fully asleep, she got up from the wooden rocking chair that she was sitting on and gently placed Aaron in his crib. She turned on the baby monitor that was on the night stand and took the other part of the monitor with her as she left the room to go into the kitchen to clean up from dinner. It hasn't been easy raising Aaron alone as a single parent, but it was what Joelle had to do after Zacky was convicted for murdering two people. When he was sent to prison, Joelle packed her things and left their home to move back to her home town in Buffalo, New York to keep herself safe and far away from Zacky if he were ever to leave prison. It was almost six months later that she found out that she was pregnant with Aaron. Joelle initially wanted to terminate the pregnancy, not wanting anything to do with Zacky, but she then saw Aaron's little fingers and toes from the ultrasound and couldn't make herself go through with ending an innocent life. Hearing Aaron's coos from the monitor brought a smile to her face, as she washed the dishes, reminded Joelle that she made the best choice.

---

Brian leaned against the wall looking at at a picture of his girlfriend, Nova, that he took a couple years ago before he was sent to prison for murder. Tracing his fingers on the patter of her hair in the photo, he missed his girlfriend. She had not come visit him once since he has been here. Then again, he hid his gang life from her not wanting her to get involved, but to keep her from leaving him. Funny how that planned ended up working. Sighing, he put the photo away as he waited for the signal. Tonight was the night that he and Zacky will be escaping prison, with the help of Matt and Johnny who were members of the gang, but also very close friends of the two of them.

Seeing the lights shut off and smoke bombs have been dropped, Brian smirked, knowing that the escape plan has been activated. He got up and moved to the bars that kept him separated from the guards, waiting for one to approach his cell. Hearing one approaching, he grabbed the guard and had him pinned against the bars, holding him hostage with a shank he had made pointed directly at his throat. Brian reached into the guard's pocket to grab the keys and key cards, before slicing the guard's throat with the shank. He quickly opened his cell and ran out to escape before the other guards would notice that a man was down. Brian covered his nose and mouth with his shirt, careful to not inhale the smoke as he took the escape route that Matt had told him to take. Getting close to the exit, Brian could hear the riot in the background. He kept running and until he was able to get through the now empty front of the prison with the security key card. Once he was out of the building and outside, there was a black truck waiting for him. Brian jumped inside, smiling when he saw his brothers, including Zacky. "Hit the gas man." Brian said as closed the door behind him. Once the they drove off, Brian didnt even look back at the hell hole that he stayed in for the last 2 and a half years. "Never thought I would say this, but fuck it's nice to see you guys." Brian chuckled.

@ Bam.Bam

Seeing Brian get in the truck, Zacky grinned as Matt started driving, “Well, that worked out.” Zacky leaned back against the seat, relaxing for a moment, “So, do I even want to know why Joelle didn’t come to see me once?” He questioned Matt and Johnny. Of course he knew Joelle would be angry with him, not just for hiding the fact that he was in a gang, but that he had killed two people.

“About that, shortly after you two got arrested, the girls kind of disappeared for awhile,” Johnny told them. He glanced in the mirror back at them, “Joelle took off first and then a few days later Nova’s phone was disconnected and when we went by the house her stuff was gone.”

Zacky’s head shot up to look at them, “You just let them go off?” Matt shook his head, “No, it took us about a week to find them both. Since then, we’ve kept an eye on them.” He looked at his friends for a moment, “Nova’s living in an apartment in Rochester and Joelle is in Buffalo.”

Listening to Matt and Johnny, Zacky looked over at Brian, “Well, it sounds like we need to make a trip to New York.” He knew Brian wouldn’t argue since Brian would want Nova back just as badly as he wanted Joelle back.

---

Nova put Emmett in his pajamas before picking him up and kissing his head. She walked over to his bed and laid him down, “Goodnight, I love you.” Nova smiled as she watched her son curl up with his blanket, “Night momma.” After turning on his nightlight, Nova slowly left the room. Looking around the apartment, she ran a hand through her hair, not having any idea where to start cleaning. Nova went into the kitchen and started filling the dishwasher. She wasn’t exactly happy that she had moved all the way to Rochester, New York, but it was her best chance at a new life.

The night Brian was arrested still felt fresh in her mind, it had only been three days since she told him she was pregnant. They were sitting at home, on the couch, already going through baby name books and coming up with ideas. It all happened so fast, the knock at the front door, almost instantly followed by the door being kicked in. The officers grabbing Brian and throwing him to the ground and handcuffing him. Nova had been escorted to the station as well as they questioned her. There had been so much evidence laid out in front of her, Nova couldn’t process it. As soon as they said she was free to go, Nova started packing her things.

Once the kitchen was cleaned, Nova made her way to the living room and decided to take a break and watch a little tv before she continued. Life had been peaceful the past few years and Nova knew it was exactly what they needed.

@ foREVerYours.

After she finished cleaning the kitchen a couple hours later, Joelle grabbed a wine glass from the cabinet and the already opened bottle of moscato from the fridge. She poured herself a healthy amount of the sweet white wine before putting the bottle back into the fridge. Heading to the living room, Joelle sat down on the couch and turned on the tv. Being a single mom was difficult for Joelle, but she works hard so that she can provide everything her son needs and keep him safe from all harm, because that was her baby. Sure Aaron has Zacky's DNA in him, but Joelle will never let Zacky have the chance of being in her son's life, now knowing how dangerous he is.

Joelle remembered the night that Zacky was arrested. She was already home, just finished making dinner when Zacky barged into the house with blood splatter all over his shirt and some on his face. When she had tried to ask him what was going on, he shushed her and told her to not open the door for anyone while he went to clean himself up to hide evidence. Of course Joelle wasn't having any of that and demanded he tell her what was going on, but before she could have gotten her answer, the door was kicked down immediately and the police officers stormed in and took down Zacky and cuffed him. Although Joelle had nothing to do with his arrest or was involved in the crime, the police forced her to go to the station with them as well. Joelle was able to prove her innocence, but it was then she found out who Zacky was and what he was arrested for plus the other crimes he had committed. Once she was released, Joelle immediately began packing her bags and found took the next flight to Buffalo, where she stayed at a hotel until she was able to back on her feet.

Ever since that night, Joelle resented Zacky and could never forgive him. She hated that she was ever involved with him, but if she hadn't she wouldn't be a mom to the most precious baby boy.

---

The long ride to New York started out with Matt and Johnny filling in Brian and Zacky about what has been going on with the gang and how they were able to find the girls after they had fled from home. Brian just sat there quiet as he thought about Nova. He was pissed but also crushed that she left him while he was in prison. Sure, he had put her in a dangerous position, but he had always been smart about keeping the gang life and his life with Nova separated. Brian knew he fucked up that night when the police broke into his home, while he and Nova were getting excited about having their first child together.

It was then Brian sat up in his seat, he wondered about his child. He didn't know if he has a son or a daughter, or if gave up their kid or had a miscarriage or even worse, an abortion. "The last time I saw Nova, she had told me that she was pregnant." Brian paused as he broke his silence since the drive started. "Did she successfully have my kid or..." He didn't finish his sentence, not wanting to think the worst. Brian was so excited to be father when Nova broke the news and he just hoped that he could get the chance to be the father his child needed.

Matt briefly looked up at the rearview to make eye contact with Brian. He nodded and a small smile appeared on his lips. "Congrats man, you're a father to a healthy, two year old baby boy. His name is Emmett. Johnny has a picture of him for you." Matt told him. Johnny took out the picture from his wallet and handed it to Brian, which he took it. He looked at the photo instantly seeing himself in the picture of the little boy. He saw the Nova in his son, but Emmett had mainly his feature. "Don't worry, little man. Daddy's on his way to come see you." Brian said softly before tucking the photo into the pocket of his jacket.

@ Bam.Bam

Brian had caught Zacky’s attention when he mentioned Nova being pregnant. Hearing Matt tell Brian that he had a son, Zacky grinned, “Congrats man.” He patted Brian’s shoulder. The time they spending in the truck was all starting to blur together. It felt like they had been in the truck forever as Matt continued to drive through the night.

Zacky glanced out the window as Matt finally pulled over and switched spots with Johnny, “We’ve got another day at least.” Johnny told them as he started driving again. “Have you been keeping a close eye on the girls?” Zacky asked.

Matt shrugged slightly, “We watched them pretty closely until they were settled and then we backed off a little bit. We do check in every now and then, we didn’t want them knowing we were watching so we keep tabs on their bills, use our resources to make sure their addresses are the same and all that. Keep an eye on them without risking being seen.” Zacky nodded, “Makes sense, if they found out they’d probably run again.”

---

Nova watched a couple episodes of some home renovation show before she got up and went to the kitchen to get herself a drink. She had figured she would end up sleeping in the living room again. The past few nights, Nova had been having trouble sleeping. As she came back into the living room, she grabbed a blanket and curled up on the couch as another show came on.

It was turning into a recurring nightmare, remembering that Brian was arrested for murder. As much as she hated it, Nova was being kept up at the thought of all the horrible things he had done while they were together. Knowing that Brian was capable of murder, it made her wonder what else he could do.

@ foREVerYours.

A day and a half later, they made it to New York and made their first stop to Rochester to get Nova and Emmett before heading over to Buffalo to get Joelle. They were now pulling up to the apartment building that Nova lived in. Although it was dark outside, Matt parked the truck where they could be unseen just in case Nova or her neighbors were peaking. Brian pulled up his hood of his jacket and got out of the truck to examine the outside of Nova's apartment building. He was pissed that she was living some run down city apartment building, instead of their brand new 5-bedroom and 3-bathroom house back in sunny California. Rochester wasn't a poor city, there were plenty of nice houses and apartment buildings in the area. So he didn't understand why she chose this run down apartment complex. He looked at Matt, "What is her apartment number?" He asked and once Matt told him, Brian went inside the building to find her apartment. Once arriving to the fifth floor, Brian walked past three doors before approaching apartment 504. Brian smirked, he couldn't wait to he see his girlfriend for the first time in almost three years, but also meeting his son for the very first time. He pressed the button to speak through the intercom in her apartment. "Wake up sweetheart, I'm back."

---

Joelle had woken up after hearing loud music playing from the TV. She hadn't realized she fell asleep, but she was thankful that she did after finishing the little bit of wine she poured for herself. She knew that she was exhausted, but what single mother isn't exhausted. Turning down the TV then grabbing the empty wine glass from the coffee table, Joelle got up and head towards the kitchen to the glass in the sink. She then checked the baby monitor, smiling to herself when she saw that Aaron was still sleeping peacefully. Joelle checked the time and saw that it was nearing 2 am. Although she had the next two days off from work, she knew she needed to get some sleep since Aaron likes to wake up early. Turning off the lights in the kitchen and grabbing the baby monitor, Joelle double checked the locks on the front door before heading to her bedroom to finally go to bed.

@ foREVerYours.

@ Bam.Bam
Zacky raised an eyebrow as they stopped outside of Nova’s apartment building and Brian got out. He watched Brian eye the building before going inside. Zacky leaned back into the seat, hoping it wouldn’t take too long before they could get to Joelle. He didn’t expect it to go well, but he was going to bring her home.

---

Nova’s eyes opened quickly as she sat up on the couch. Her eyes immediately went to the door, “There’s no way...” She said softly to herself as she stood up and slowly walked over to the door. Taking a breath as she looked through the peep hole, Nova quickly backed away from the door. Seeing Brian standing there terrified her to no end. Nova was panicking now, she didn’t know what to do, it was like she was frozen in fear.

@ foREVerYours.

"Open up the door sweetheart, I know you're there. It's rude to keep your guest waiting." Brian taunted, a smirk pulling at his lips. However, Nova still didnt open the door for him. "Alright, no more games. If you dont open the door in the next 30 seconds, I will not hesitate to bust down this door." He threatened. Surely enough Nova quickly opened the door, revealing herself. Brian eyed up and down her body, admiring her beauty. "Damn I missed you, gorgeous" He said as he moved closer to her once he walked inside her apartment. He backed her up against the wall and grabbed her chin so that he could place a kiss against her full lips. Feeling greedy, he kissed her a couple more times until he heard a whimper coming from one of the rooms. "My son. He needs me." Brian said with a smile and pulled away from Nova slightly. "Take me to meet my son." He demanded.

---

[I figured, I would wait to write my part until when Zacky comes to get her.]

@ Bam.Bam

Nova hesitated only a moment before she opened the door. Before she had a chance to say anything, Brian had her backed against the wall and kissed her. Nova tried to push Brian away until she heard Emmett in his room. She didn’t bother asking how Brian knew about Emmett, figuring that it must have been Matt or Johnny that had been keeping an eye on her and told Brian. Feeling defeated, Nova walked down the hallway and opened the door to Emmett’s room, “He’s still sleeping, but there he is.”

---

[Okay]

@ foREVerYours.

Brian walked into the room and towards the baby bed, seeing his son sleeping peacefully. "My son. He looks a lot like me." He said softly. Ignoring Nova telling him to not wake up Emmett, Brian picked up the sleeping baby boy and held him, letting rest his head rest on his shoulder. "Pack your bags. You and Emmett are coming back home. " he demanded as he walked out of the room and sat down on the couch in the living room.

@ Bam.Bam

Nova rolled her eyes before following Brian to the living room, “I’m not just going to uproot his life and go back to a California.” She looked at him, “Do I even want to know how you got out? There’s no way they let you out.” She crossed her arms over her chest, “That’s not home to me anymore, and it’s never been home to Emmett, this is the home he knows.” Nova watched as Brian held Emmett.

@ foREVerYours.

"Does it matter how I got out? What's more important is that I'm out and I'm here to bring my woman and my son back home." Brian said and then looked down at his son, admiring how adorable he is while seeing both his and Nova's features in him. He was honestly mad at himself that he missed the first two years of his son's life, but he made himself promise to be active in his son's life. Brian faced Nova, "I'm am not going to raise my son in this rubbish place, when we have a beautiful, modern home in Cali. So again, pack yours and Emmett's shit."

@ Bam.Bam

“Actually, it does matter, considering I know what you did to be put in prison,” Nova said, watching him. Seeing Brian holding Emmett actually made her nervous. Before he was arrested, Nova never would have questioned Brian, but now that she really knew what he was capable of, every move scared her a little. Nova turned and walked back to Emmett’s room, grabbing his diaper bag and a few other bags as she began to pack them. Listening for Brian to make any sound, Nova pulled her phone out and stared at it as she considered calling the police. She had dialed the number and was trying to convince herself to hit the call button. Before she had the chance to call, Nova heard Brian’s footsteps coming down the hall. Nova quickly locked her phone and put it away as she continued packing.

@ foREVerYours.

Brian held Emmett, rocking him gently while admiring over his son. He was so happy to have child by the woman he loved so much, but was still sad he missed the first two years old his life. "It's alright, Daddy is going to be here from now on." He cooed as he saw his son's eyes began to flutter open. He walked down the hall and watched Nova throw things into the bag. "That should be enough for now. I'll have the movers come get the rest of the stuff tomorrow. The guys are waiting for us."

@ Bam.Bam

Nova sighed, grabbing Emmett’s favorite blanket and wrapping it around him. She carried the bags out to the living room, watching as Brian followed her with Emmett. “Here, he’s going to need this,” Nova handed Brian the small stuffed dog that Emmett had been attached to lately. Throwing on a sweatshirt and pulling her hair up in a messy bun, Nova walked to the door, “I’m ready, I guess.”

@ foREVerYours.

Brian nodded and handed Emmett to her so he could take her bags. They walked out of the apartment building to the parking lot where they saw Matt sitting by the hood of the black truck, smoking a cigarette. Johnny was sitting in the passenger side, sleeping. "You get in first, while I put the bags away." He said to her before walking to the back of the truck. With Matt's help, they quickly put the bags in truck, making sure they left room for Joelle's belongings when they get her. Closing the door in the back, Brian sat in the middle row of the truck with Nova and Emmett, watching his son sleep as he held his plush touch closer to him. "Things are going to be better this time, I promise." Brian told Nova as Matt took off to head to Buffalo.

@ Bam.Bam

Nova carried Emmett down to the truck, “You brought everyone, huh?” Nova commented, seeing Matt, Johnny, and Zacky as she climbed into the truck and buckled Emmett into his car seat. “Things were perfectly fine until you got arrested,” Nova said as she looked out the window. Letting her head rest against the glass, she sighed knowing it was going to be a long ride. Everything outside turned into a blur as they drove, Nova’s head shot up when she saw that they were driving into Buffalo. She hadn’t talked to Joelle in a little over a year, but she knew they had to be going to get her next.

---

Zacky tried to relax in the back seat as Matt drove, knowing he was on his way to see Joelle was making his nerves go crazy. Before he realized it, Matt had parked across the street from Joelle’s apartment. Zacky climbed out of the truck and looked the area over, he understood Joelle wanting to get away from him, but that didn’t mean he was okay with it. After he got her apartment number, Zacky walked into the building, climbing the stairs until he reached the third floor. He walked to her door and knocked, loud enough that she shouldn’t have any problem hearing him.

@ foREVerYours.

Joelle was startled awake when she heard loud knocks rapped at her front door. Sighing, she rubbed her eyes and then looked at the clock where she saw the red light read 3:15 am, glare back at her. "Who the fuck is knocking on my door this late at night." She mumbled to herself as she got out of the bed and put her robe on and quickly checked the baby monitor to make sure that Aaron wasn't awake. She sighed in relief seeing that her son was still asleep before leaving her room. As seconds kept passing through, the knocks on her door were becoming more frequent and louder, sounding impatient. "All right, I'm coming!" She said loud enough for the person on the opposite side of the door to hear, but quiet enough to not wake up her son. Joelle quickly unlocked the top lock before opening the door. A scream immediately left her mouth when she saw it was Zacky behind the door, instead of being in prison like he was supposed to be. Joelle tried slamming the door shut and lock it, but she wasn't fast enough as Zacky kicked the door open, almost taking it off the hinge. "Go away Zacky, you're note supposed to be here." She cried as she tried to back away from him.

---

Part of the ride to Buffalo to Joelle's place was spent Brian trying to keep his cool while Nova was kept making comments about how much she hates him for thirty minutes, but then she ended up falling asleep, probably got tired of hearing her own voice. Now that they were in Buffalo waiting for Zacky to return to the truck with Joelle. Brian looked over to his son who had just woken up and was looking around his new surrounding. Brian smiled at the little boy and gave him his favorite plush dog toy. "Hey there son, I'm your daddy." He said softly, not wanting to scare his kid.