Chapter Text
Present Day
*Dials Ryan’s cell*
“Hey you’ve reached Ryan. I can't answer the phone right now, but if you leave me a message, I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.”
*Dials Ryan’s office*
“Hi, you’ve reached Ryan Wilder, CEO of Wayne Enterprises. I can’t get to the phone right now, but if you need to speak with someone immediately, contact my assistant Leslie. Otherwise, leave your name, number and a brief message and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.”
Sophie paced outside the office door for 15 minutes hoping she wasn’t being stood up, but she knew deep down that Ryan wasn’t going to show again. They hadn’t spoken since the “incident” almost 2 months ago. On what felt like her 100thwalk past the door it finally flew open.
“Sophie, I think we should get started now. If she decides to show up, we’ll go from there.”
Sophie took another look at the front door where the sky turned dark grey, and the rain started to pour down and followed behind the woman before her.
“Okay.”
Sophie plopped down on that couch before her, placed her head in the palms of her hand, and sighed loudly.
“How is a couples therapy session going to work with only half of the couple Kelly?”
“You’ve shown up for every appointment which means to me that you want to be here and that you want this relationship to work. So that’s what we’ll work on,” Kelly responded reassuringly.
“But I need to work through this withher,” Sophie almost cried out. She was really missing Ryan these days.
“Determining why Ryan isn’t here is a problem for another day, okay?”
Sophie took another deep breath and finally looked Kelly in the eye. Her own filled with unshed tears. You could tell she hadn’t been sleeping and the lack of communication with the love of her life was getting to her.
“But I know why she’s not here she’s still pissed at me, and she won’t talk to me. She won’t answer my calls, text, or emails. Hell, I even tried to go see her, but she made sure security didn’t let me in the building. Which is ironic considering I use to be head of security at Wayne.”
“That must be hard to navigate considering everything you two have been through,” Kelly probed.
“Yeah, it is. Do you know how embarrassing it is to have the person you hired to replace you tell you that you’re not allowed into the building? She won’t give me a chance to explain or apologize.”
“And what do you want to apologize for exactly?
“For how I reacted that day. I was riled up and acting out of character and took my emotions out on her. She didn’t deserve it.”
“And what caused this sudden out of character reaction from you Soph?”
“It all started with our trip to Freeland 2 months ago.”
2 Months Ago
Sophie is sitting at the bar in the new penthouse she and Ryan currently live in at Jet Towers throwing back another shot of Jack. Her head is spinning, and Jordan is the only one that knows what’s really behind the change of attitude.
“We haven’t been to Freeland in damn near 20 years Soph. I think it’s safe to go back now.”
“But what if I run into them.”
“Aren’t you and Ryan going for an affordable-housing Gala?”
“Yeah.”
“Why would they be there?”
“I don’t know Jay. Anything could happen.”
“Look, last thing I heard Nanny was a doctor and her larger half was a principal. I think you’re good. But on the off chance they are there maybe that’s the universe’s was of telling you to let that hurt go sis.”
“Nah I’ll never forgive that. She ruined my life,” she stated matter-of-factly.
“She didn’t ruin anything drama Queen.”
Sophie rolled her eyes at her sister’s nonchalant-ness and threw back yet another shot.
“Okay maybe she made it a little bit difficult, but look at you now,” Jordan tried to reason. “You’re happy right?”
“I am, but” Sophie started as she was cut off by Jordan.
“No buts Soph. You’re engaged to the hottest CEO in town, embrace it and move on. Being stuck in that 14-year-olds mind can’t be good for your mental health or your relationship. Trust me.”
“Ugh! You’re right. When did you become so wise little one?”
“I’d sad May 10, 1998, around 11:34 am. It was a warm day; the birds were chirping.”
“You know what, goodbye Jordan.”
“Bye sis, enjoy your trip. And if you feel yourself getting all weird again, just tell Ryan what’s bothering you. That woman loves all of you. She’ll understand.”
Sophie hugged her sister like she was headed off to war again.
“I know sis, thanks. I’ll call you when we get back.”
“You better, and layoff the whiskey Soph.”
“Goodbye Jordan!”
A few hours later found Ryan rushing around the penthouse for last minute additions to her luggage.
“All packed my love?” She called out from the bedroom.
“Yeah, just about. Just need my trainers.”
“Trainers?” Ryan questioned with a raised eyebrow as she turned the corner to the living room.
“You plan on working out on this weekend getaway down south Soph?”
“I uh-” Sophie started but was caught off guard with Ryan wrapping her arms around her waist and showering her with kisses up and down her neck.
“I mean your body is a work of art so if you want to keep working on it, I’m not gone stop you.”
Sophie knew she was giving her that million-dollar smile but didn’t want to turn around. Weak in the knees wouldn’t begin to explain how Ryan got her so she slowly removed her arms and walked to finish closing her luggage.
“As flattering as this is babe, Freeland is almost as dangerous as Gotham. Got to stay on your toes.”
“Are you speaking from experience or from all the articles I saw open on your laptop?”
“Both. I used to spend every summer in Freeland before I started high school. Some days were fine others felt like a war was breaking out. So, I’m just staying prepared.”
“Wow, small world.”
“Huh?”
“I used to spend summers there too. Well, I spent two summers there.”
“You stayed in Freeland?”
“Yeah, Mama Cora was born there, and we spent the summers before and after my senior there. She used to bring me to different community centers and food banks to volunteer at to keep me out of trouble, aka away from Ange.” She remembers with a laugh.
“My mom was born there too. I used to volunteer out there but mostly at VA Hospitals though. Other than that, me and Jay would spend all of our time in the summers at my aunt’s house.”
“Damn. Now I wish I would’ve met your back then. You know pre-crowphie.”
“Nah babe, I was a hot mess.”
“I bet you got the hot part right,” Ryan countered with her signature smirk.
“Okay stop. Let’s go before we’re late.”
“We’re flying on moms Jet babe; we got all the time in the world.”
Although they did manage to find time for fun on their way to the airport, on the jet, and now on the way to the hotel Sophie was stillin her head. She watched familiar sights pass through the window. The stores she went to, the places she visited with her family, the parks she played at. She wanted to close her eyes and stare all at the same time. It brought back a flood of memories, both happy and sad. She felt like a part of her life was passing her by as she looked out the window, and this overwhelmed her with a mix of emotions she couldn’t place. When they finally made it to the hotel, she hadn’t noticed how quiet she got, but her doting fiancé did.
“Hey, you okay? You’re a lot quieter than I like. Whats going on in that beautiful head of yours?”
“Nothing.”
“Nothing? You sure?
“Yeah babe, I’m sure.”
“Soph, you know you can talk to me, right?”
“Yeah, Ry I know. I’m just a little tired.”
Ryan knew she was lying but didn’t want to pry any more than she already did, a shutdown Sophie isn’t something she wanted this weekend.
“Okay well get a quick nap in, the Gala doesn’t start for another few hours.”
“Thanks babe, love you.”
“I love you moore.”
Present Day
“Okay pause. Why didn’t you tell her what was bothering you right then?”
“It didn’t seem like the right time, we needed to get ready for the Gala.”
“No, it seemed like the perfect time actually. She flat out asked you what was wrong, and you lied and said nothing.”
“Kelly.”
“No. Don’t Kelly me Soph. That was your window of opportunity and you failed to take it.”
“I know, I know.”
“Go ahead, continue.”
2 Months Ago: Affordable Housing Gala
The happy couple had finally made it to the Bowman College Ballroom where the Gala was being held.
“I’m glad you got a quick nap in, but you still look stressed babe. Relax and try to have fun tonight. We’re off duty from both of our jobs, let’s enjoy it.”
“I’m going to ignore you saying I look stressed after all I went through to pull this outfit together.”
“You know I think you look gorgeous babe. And I’ll show you just how much once we leave here.” Ryan countered with her signature smirk again.
“Behave. I see the Commissioner I’m going to say hey for a second and be right back. I promise.”
“Don’t make me wait too long Commissioner Moore, you still owe me a dance.”
Ryan made her rounds through the event shaking hands and taking pictures with the other guest. She was being pulled in so many different directions in such a short time that when she finally got a second to herself in the corner, she was startled to hear a familiar voice call her name.
“Ryan Wilder!”
“Yes?”
“Hi, I’m Anissa Pierce.”
The memories of their first meeting flooded her mind instantly. In summer 2012 what started off as a fun fling quickly turned into more and by summer 2013, everything went south. Ryan tried her best to forget that time so when Anissa introduced herself as if they hadn’t met before, she went along with it.
“Hi, nice to meet you Ms. Pierce.”
“You can call me Anissa,” she replied flirtatiously. “I wanted to personally thank you for your donations and contributions to rebuilding Freeland. Most outsiders don’t care about this area.”
“It’s my pleasure, this place meant a lot to my mama so I’m grateful to be able to help.”
“I didn’t know Jada Jet was from Freeland.”
“Oh no sorry. My adoptive mother Cora. She would tell me stories of how this place made her who she was so being able to help some folks rebuild and find a permanent home in her honor is truly a gift.”
It still brought butterflies to Ryan’s stomach to know that the world finally knew her as Jada Jets daughter, but she’ll never forget the mother that chose her, Cora Lewis.
“Well, I’m grateful that both of those women brought you here,” Anissa replied while gently touching her arm. “Not wanting to be forward, but would you like to dance with me Ryan.”
At that moment Sophie was making her way back across the ballroom looking for Ryan when she saw that moment happening. She was never a jealous person when it came to her fiancé, maybe a little possessive though. She was used to women throwing themselves at her back when she worked at the Hold Up, so this was no different. Sophie did what she always did to make her presence as Ryan’s known; she walked up, wrapped her arms around her waist and gave her a gentle kiss on the lips.
“Hey babe, sorry I took so long. Commissioner Barlow is a talker.”
“No worries love,” Ryan replied with a smile and another quick peck to the lips completely forgetting Anissa standing in front of her.
“Sorry, where are my manners. Babe this is.”
Just then Sophie finally looked at the woman standing before them and the anger she would normally feel if she was a jealous woman boiled to the surface.
“Anissa.” Sophie practically snarled.
“Hi Fifi, or do you prefer Little Lynn these days.”
“I prefer Sophie, my damn name – Ani.”
“I take it you two know each other?” A confused Ryan asks.
“Oh, me and Fifi go way back, don’t we.”
“You could say that.” She answered flatly.
Ryan knew her fiancé was getting worked up by the flare of her nostrils, so she grabbed her hand to ground her and bring her back to reality. Anissa rolled her eyes at the couple in front of her.
“Ryan this is my cousin, Ani.”
Ryan looked between the two more nervous than confused now. “Cousin?”
“More like sisters wouldn’t you say Fi?”
“No. I wouldn’t.”
“Different time now I guess.”
“Anissa what do you want?”
“I was actually getting your friend Ryan here to share a dance with me.”
Sophie stepped in between the two of them and slightly looked down at Anissa, as she had a few inches over her.
“Not in this lifetime.”
“Ooh, Little Lynn finally grew a backbone. How refreshing.”
“You know what I’ve been sick of your shit for years. What’s up?”
“Alright,” Ryan stepped in to ease the tension and separate the cousins. “Let’s not do this here, or anywhere. Please?”
“I have more rounds to make tonight before I go, but I’ll tell mom you’re in town. She’ll probably want to see you before you leave.”
“We’re running on a tight schedule but if we can manage it, I’ll stop by the house. Same address?”
“Yep. Family dinner same day and time too.”
“Okay.”
“Okay. Nice to meet you, Ryan.”
As they watched Anissa walk away Ryan was standing there confused at the interaction that had just taken place.”
“What the hell was that Soph?”
“Do we have to stay here much longer; I’m not feeling too hot right now.”
“Umm no, we can go. But can we talk about that?”
“There’s nothing to talk about.”
Present Day
“So that was twice in one day you had the chance to tell Ryan what was bothering you, and you didn’t. What’s your excuse for that time.”
“I’m not giving you excuses.” Said with a slightly raised voice, trying not to yell, and failing.
“Then what are they? Listen, I’ve known you a very long time Moore and with what you’re telling me right now, this is so not like you. You’re a very straight forward person and I’ve only seen you act differently on two occasions. Back at Point Rock with Kate, and now with whatever you’re keeping from Ryan.”
“I just don’t like talking about that time in my life. It’s too much.”