Your Heaven's Trying Everything To Keep Me Out

["Chazz" Yokai]

Chazz smiled, glad for the reassurance from Maddie, but just in case, he added, "Well, just double check for me later, alright? I uh... I'm definitely not ready for a kid. Let's leave it at that."

He paused, considering her second question. What did he want to do today? Well, that was so much easier to answer in his mind than out loud. What he wanted to do was... pretty much nothing. He didn't exactly have that option though. The shop had to be attended to, and even if no customers came, there were plenty of dogs who needed to be fed, groomed, walked....

"Uughh, I have to open the store soon," he groaned. "I need another employee around here. I kinda wish that guy that tried to rob your house took me up on that offer. This whole place is too much to run by myself."

Though, his mind reminded him. You get all the money that comes in since you're the only employee. And you need it if you're gonna keep yourself in an apartment this winter. He sighed, rubbing his upper arms with his hands. It wasn't exactly the right weather for him to be walking around shirtless.

[Maddie Leighton]

She kept her cheek pressed against his shoulder.

"If that guy had taken you up on your offer, he might've hurt me or one of us for that matter. He was still a criminal." Maddie said softly and then brightly looked at him.

"Hey how about I work with you? We could be together but still keep the store going" She said excitedly.

But then her smile faded.

"Oh blast. I gotta work today myself. I gotta work the afternoon shift with the ambulance. I get off work around 7. How about I meet you for dinner?" She said brightly to him.

She pressed her forehead against his.
"Trust me. I'd know if I was pregnant" she winked at him coyly.

"I gotta get to my house a second to change. I'll be right back. I can walk you to the store. The hospital is on the same route" Maddie said softly.

She leaned in to kiss him lovingly before she headed out of the apartment.

Once she reached her house, she quickly showered and then she pulled on her navy slacks, navy shirt. It was her EMT uniform. On both shirt sleeves were the EMT patch and the ambulance service logo. She had a small gold badge on the left breast pocket. Around her neck she had slung her stethescope. She placed the matching navy cap on her head and pulled her hair into a ponytail. She headed back to Chazz's apartment and grinned at him.

"You're still half naked boy, get your booty in your drawers" she said grinning at him.

The hospital was only a few blocks away from his shop. She was the chief EMT. Her black shoes were well polished and her belt was tight. Her hazel eyes danced with mischief.

"I could technically play doctor with you" she joked

pic of uniform: CLICK ME

["Chazz" Yokai]

"Yeah, I guess," Chazz replied. Maddie was probably right... criminals were criminals... but Chazz was one as well, or at least, he used to be. So did that make him the same way as that robber? It agitated him a little bit, especially coming from Maddie's mouth, and it made him doubly as sure that he couldn't let her find out about his past. He'd been offered a second chance at a life thanks to her kindness, and he was going to take it for all he could.

Let's just hope she doesn't find out, he sighed mentally. I don't know how I'd ever be able to justify myself for all the things I did when I was younger. He gave a rather absent smile to Maddie when she said she would get ready for work and then come back, so in the meantime, Chazz studied the designs he'd created on his own body. One in particular reminded him of his past experience: a snarling wolf, blood dripping from its teeth. He was slightly disgusted with himself for ever thinking it was a good idea to stain his body with this design in particular, considering his job now. But back then, he had thought of wolves as lesser animals, and as beings of death.

Funnily enough it was being in prison that changed my opinion on the creatures, he thought. But he wished he could have it removed now, because it was so wrong to portray the message of this creature in such a way. Now he knew that. Back then he didn't give a fuck. Actually, back then he didn't give a fuck about anything let alone one insignificant life form on this planet.

But his thoughts were cut off as Maddie came back, telling him to get dressed. Chazz blinked, and then laughed, realizing he hadn't even moved. He quickly grabbed a pair of jeans and a black collared shirt, and was relieved when he finally didn't have to look at the pictures of his past life again.

"I'll walk you to work, then I have to come back to open up," he offered. And so they left, arm in arm like the day before, but this time Chazz wasn't turning red with shock and embarrassment. He was just content to be out and about with Maddie right now before they had to leave each other for the day.

"I could technically play doctor with you," she joked as they came to the entrance of the hospital. Chazz laughed nervously in response, putting his hands up by his head as a sign of surrender, "I think I'll pass on that notion. Not a big fan of being prodded with needles!"

A passerby laughed at that comment, and Chazz, realizing he sounded like a complete child sweatdropped. He turned to see that it was a teenager, and muttered, "Wow, what an ass. Glad I'm not that age anymore. Though... then again, that is when we met. I guess some good things happen."

He smiled, "So, seven for dinner? I'll stop by your place and we can go walk to one of the spots I like, if you don't mind."

[Maddie Leighton]

Maddie had to laugh.

"Trust me. This doctor doesn't use needles" She said coyly smirking.

Maddie thought about it and said to him softly.

"Then again maybe that man just needed money for his family. There's nothing wrong with that then. Perhaps if we ever bump into him again we'll offer him a job. Deal?" She said to him softly.

It was true. Anyone who did that for their family, deserved to have some benefit of the doubt.

She grinned and winked.

"Sure. What would you like me to make?" she asked him curiously. "I can make sure about anything"

She playfully poked him in the ribs. A gentle breeze caugt her dark brown hair blowing it softly over her left shoulder. She was only worried about her safety and Chazz's. It was just her nature to be protective over those she loved. She gently reached over and touched the side of his face.

"After dinner we can snuggle and actually sit and watch that movie we were supposed to the other day" She grinned at him lowering her hand.

She loved spending time with him. She leaned in and softly pressed her lips against his, taking his face in her hands. After a few minutes she pulled back and pressed her forehead against his.

"I love you very much Chazz" she said warmly and quietly to him. "If you need to get me at any time, call the dispatcher ok?" she said to him.

She began walking toward the hospital entrance. She glanced back at him and waved and winked at him good-naturedly. She knew she was going to have some possibly hard calls today, but she was ready

["Chazz" Yokai]

"Jayla, get the windows for me?" Chazz called as he once again shuffled everything around to close up the shop. Things were ridiculously busy today, but the good news was that the mother and her child did come back to adopt the Dachshund, and Chazz signed them up for a discount on training at the main store in the City. The looks on their faces had been so happy, and that in itself had made his day worthwhile....

But the rush... oh god the rush. Chazz was about ready to collapse on his bed by the time everything had been taken care of and all the cash accounted for in the register, "It's half passed six," he sighed. "Not really a lot of time to rest. Though..." he trailed off, glancing around the room. So much needed to be done and he had pretty much no time to do it. He had to clean his room, clean himself (which would have been the smart thing to do), but nope, instead, Chazz went over to his acoustic guitar, deciding that a quick jam would set his mind at ease before going to see Maddie.

Little did he know that he'd get carried away, because the next moment he looked at the clock, it was 7:30. Eyes widening, Chazz put back his instrument, and rushed out the door, not even bothering to grab a coat as he ordered Jayla to guard the shop till he got back later, "Ah, crap," he scolded himself as he took off at a run. It wasn't terribly far to Maddie's house, but he already felt like an idiot for being late. So much for trying to keep things going well.

He finally made it to the front of her house, completely out of breath, sweat dripping down his face, and his hair a bigger mess than usual. Really, he looked like a total mess, but Chazz didn't really have time to stop to think about it. Maddie's footsteps were coming closer to the door, and he knew he had to think fast.

But... he wasn't quite fast enough, and ended up just falling backwards when his girlfriend came to answer the door, landing on the cement. Thankfully, years of being thrown around in prison taught him how to handle falls. Instinctively, his hands found their way to the back of his head before he hit the ground, making impact minimal.

"Ow," he grumbled. He sat up almost immediately though, blinking up at Maddie with a bewildered expression. "Yeah, I could say you knocked me off my feet, but I think I ended up doing that to myself. Ahh."

He paused, "Sorry I'm late.... Forgive me?"

[Maddie Leighton]

Maddie had to laugh. She reached down and grabbed his hand to help him up.

"I think you need some Prozac" she joked. She waved her hand dismissively when he said he was a little late. "Of course. Actually dinner's just about ready"

She pulled him to his feet and into the house. She had made spaghetti and meatballs with her homemade sauce.

She led Chazz into the kitchen. The new puppy spied him and happily bounded over to him. She looked up at Chazz.

"It's a family secret" she winked at him. "My mom taught me how to make it"

She studied him closely. He looked a mess. She chuckled.

"Chazz you look like you've been rolling around in the Sahara desert! Go take a shower. I have some old clothes from my Dad's here"

Her voice faltered slightly on those words but she wiped her hands on a dish towel and led Chazz to one of the back bedrooms. She grabbed a pair of jeans and a black teeshirt with a wolf on it. She handed it to him.

"Here" she said softly. "While you're showering, I'll dish out dinner ok?"

She headed back into the kitchen and grabbed two plates. She dished out the food and sat down at the table. Maddie sprinkled some cheese onto it and waited for Chazz to come to the table.

She had seen his tatoos, but then again really didn't care much. Hell when he was ready he would tell her. She wasn't going to push, but wanted him to know that no matter what, she was NOT going to leave him for any reason at all. She took a sip of wine patiently waiting

["Chazz" Yokai]

"Yeah, I've seen enough happy pills in my life. Maybe that's why I'm so crazy now. Haha," he joked back. Though it was true. Chazz had been on some intense meds once upon a time, to cope with life after all of his crazy mistakes. He honestly didn't remember too much of those days though, as the drugs had truly made him... out of it... But he probably couldn't have been more out of it then he was right now, falling over backwards and all. How pathetic!

He smiled as he walked in, and crouched down to greet Tiger when the puppy came bounding up to him, "Hey little dude. For being home only one day, you sure seem happy already! Of course, who wouldn't be happy with Maddie around, right?" The puppy yipped on cue after that, and Chazz laughed, "I swear I didn't train him to do that."

"Chazz you look like you've been rolling around in the Sahara desert! Go take a shower. I have some old clothes from my Dad's here" Chazz looked up at Maddie after that, hearing the waver in her words. His eyes were sympathetic, and when he followed Maddie to retrieve the clothing and take a shower he said, "Thank you Maddie. I wear these clothes with honor."

It didn't take Chazz terribly long to shower. He was hungry, and wanted to dig into the dinner as soon as he could. When he came out, he was still pulling the shirt over his head, and his hair was pretty much still a complete mess since he had nothing to style it with, but he supposed it didn't matter. He wasn't out trying to impress Maddie at this point. He was pretty sure she wasn't going to judge him after all that had happened in the last few days.

"Alright, it smells amazing," he said as he sat down. "Ah, if I wasn't so late I would have bought some wine or something. Oh well..." He dug in after that, shoveling the pasta in his mouth as if it was the first thing he'd eaten in days. Well, it was certainly the best thing he'd eaten in a while, but as far back as he could remember, his manners had been horrible. Grow up without a mother in the house and things like that happen.

Chazz slurped a noodle, and the end of it popped against his nose, leaving a small bit of sauce in its wake. He looked absolutely idiotic, though he was totally ignorant about it. For all the things he'd experienced, one thing he knew he would never outgrow was a childish demeanor. It was just too much fun.

"This is amazing. Kudos to your mom for the recipe..." he trailed off. "Think she'd give it to me? Or am I not charming enough to get away with it?"

[Maddie Leighton]

Maddie burst out laughing. Chazz had a droplet of sauce on his nose. She reached over and playfully swiped it off.

"I think she might make an exception" she said grinning at him. "And thanks."

She blushed slightly with pleasure at his compliment. She finished her dinner and stood up to place the dishes in the sink.

She turned to him.

"I'm glad you enjoyed the dinner. I'm not exactly a master chef mind you, but I do alright" She grinned at him. "If you want to finish your dinner in the living room we can move there. It's more comfortable"

She said softly.

He could finish his dinner in the living room while she popped in the movie. She paused by him and watched him. She knew he'd wear them with honor. She gently touched the shirt.

"I'd gotten him this for Christmas last year. He maybe wore it once, then I found it in the attic storage. He never wore it again. I figured once I found a boyfriend I'd give it to him. Perhaps he'd appreciate it more." A bit of bitterness snaked into her tone and she sighed.

"I'm sorry I probably sound like a horrible person" She said quietly as she leaned against the table with her hip. She studied her finger nails. She knew that Chazz would never judge her so she wasn't too worried about it. Still no matter how much she hated him, she didn't entirely enjoy talking bad about him either. No matter how horrible he treated her. Even so, he was a jerk to her and nothing would ever change that no matter what. She raised her eyes to Chazz's.

"Maybe I could get you some of that prozac huh?" she said lightly, trying to lighten the mood.

["Chazz" Yokai]

Chazz finished his dinner quickly, realizing that Maddie wanted to move into the living room. He slurped down the rest of the pasta, wiped his face off with the back of his hand, and grinned, following her without any arguments. When she brought up her late father, Chazz's eyes softened, "You know, I'm sure I could have changed his mind about you Maddie. If I can love a skinwalker, your father could. It just takes the right convincing you know. I'm sure he's watching us now and realizing that he was wrong to hurt you."

He walked over to her after that, giving Maddie a quick peck on the lips... however, what she said next about the Prozac made him blink, "You think I'm that crazy Maddie? Well I guess I can't say no to a doctor's diagnosis." Chazz grinned after that, "Though last time I tried an anti-depressant I couldn't stop eating. If you thought one plate of spaghetti was filling, it'd take three servings to keep me down in my uh... glory days?"

Glory days is a severe over-exaggeration, Chazz reminded himself. These are your good days now, not then.

"How about that movie? What did we try to start the other day?"

[Maddie Leighton]

Maddie laughed and gently kissed him back. They headed to the couch and Maddie bent down to check the DVD player.

"Yep its' still in there from the other day" she grinned and hit 'play.

Once the movie started she flopped down on the couch next to Chazz and curled up beside him. She curled into a fetal position and let her head rest on his thigh. She snuggled into him and watched the movie.

"Yes. I guess you're right about Dad" she said quietly. "And no I don't think you're crazy...I think you're a nutball...but you're my nutball"

She said affectionately turning over onto her back to playfully poke him in the ribs. She turned back onto her side and faced the TV. Tiger curled up with them, watching the television as well. She snuggled more.

She loved teasing Chazz. He was so fun. He had a good sense of humor himself so she didn't mind nor care.

"How about next week we go see my mom? Would you want to meet her?" Maddie asked watching the movie unfold on the TV screen. She wondered if he would be nervous about meeting her mother. He'd met her once before, but that was only as her best friend. Now it was a completely different scanario. He was her boyfriend. A different playing field.

She snaked an arm under his thigh, getting more comfortable. She watched the TV in happiness. She was glad he enjoyed dinner.

"You can spend the night if you want. I've got plenty of room" she offered him softly. A million things were probably going through his head after that statement, but whatever it was she'd go along with it

["Chazz" Yokai]

"Should I be insulted or happy?" Chazz joked when she poked him in the ribs. He too settled into the couch, the days events taking their toll on his body. He was already falling asleep... how embarrassing. He absentmindedly pet Tiger as the movie went on, that is, until Maddie mentioned meeting her mother.

"Hm... yeah, I wouldn't mind seeing your mother again. It would be good to give my condolences to her I think," he said thoughtfully. "I just have to take care of the animals in the morning, but then I'm happy to take the afternoon off. I'll call my boss before bed, alright?" He met Maddie's gaze, "Though I feel a little bad. I left Jayla in charge of the pet shop. I hope she doesn't get upset if I spend time here. You know she hardly goes a night without using me as a pillow."

***

Chazz awoke early the next morning, still on the couch, his limbs sprawled out in all directions. Apparently, at some point during the movie he'd faded out, "Nngh," he muttered as he sat himself up. He was still groggy, and slightly confused as to where he was until he realized Maddie was still asleep on him. "Ahh," he sighed. It still slightly amazed him that this was real and not a dream.

He let himself just sit there for a while, trying to comprehend all the events of the passed few days, though recalling some of them made Chazz feel like -- he couldn't even complete the thought without laughing at himself. Better get your mind out of the gutter Chazz, you're gonna go meet her mother today, he thought.

Gently, he prodded Maddie awake, "Morning!"

[Maddie Leighton]

Maddie groggily opened her eyes. She yawned and stretched. She realized she was still curled up on the couch with her head resting on Chazz's thigh. She blinked and felt him prod her.

She woke up grinning.

"Hey. Morning sleepy head" She said stretching her arms above her head. She sat up. She checked the time.

"Well let's get ready shall we?" Maddie said brightly. "I still have clothes from my Dad here if you want to wear those instead of going all the way home to change"

She said softly. "Come on."

She led him into the bedroom again and pulled out a pair of slacks and a red shirt. She handed them to him.

"Go Shower. When you come out I'll shower and get dressed myself" she said brightly.

She sat back down on the couch and turned on the TV, watching for any news that might come on. Nothing spectacular or nothing that wasn't new to them the day before.

She hated seeing news about murders or accidents. It was so distressing and she hated that the world had this kind of things going on inside it. There was plenty of better things that could go on without terror and fear. But unfortunately that was what happened. There was no controlling it. She looked up at Chazz lovingly.

"I think Mom's going to eat you up" she said lightly winking at him and grinning.
Her mother already loved him. Hopefully that would stand up with her when Maddie told her they were now dating. True, she hadn't seen her mother for a while and now after her father passed away, things were probably going to be very different

["Chazz" Yokai]

Chazz walked out, feeling a little odd about being dressed in slacks and a red collared shit... but still having the ridiculously spiky, messy hair he always had. It seemed almost... to counter the good impression he knew he was going to have to make. Well, that, and the tattoos showing on the parts of his bare skin. He didn't really remember Maddie's mom too well. Last time he'd gone over to her mother's was when he had a senior project and asked Maddie for help... and what, that was... five or so years ago? More possibly?

Oh boy, he thought. I hope I'm not a nervous wreck. That wouldn't leave a good impression. "Ready to go when you are," he announced. Chazz glanced over at the news, wondering what was so interesting. It seemed there was a murder of some kind in the county, and that the man responsible had been arrested.

He frowned. It was stories like these that tended to get to him, because Chazz was so torn on the issue. Murder was wrong, period... but what if that guy had been given a second chance? He would have turned out different... Chazz had changed so much after all, but only after he'd gotten his permanent record completely damaged.

"Hey, you go on and get ready. I'm going to call a friend to go feed the dogs, okay?" Getting off of work didn't end up being as easy as Chazz thought. While Maddie showered, he got in contact with his boss, explaining that he was burnt out and could not keep the shop today. Of course, the jerk let him go eventually, but not before scolding him like he was a twelve year old boy.

"Look, maybe if you gave me an extra employee or two I wouldn't be running around like a fucking monkey all the time!" he'd ended up yelling before hanging up. Hopefully, his boss got the hint this time. He needed help. At last, Maddie came out of the shower, and Chazz grinned broadly at her.

***

It didn't take terribly long to get to her mother's house, but Chazz felt as though every second as they waited for the door to get answered was a second closer to something terrible happening. A cold sweat was already starting to plague him as he gripped a bouquet of flowers which he insisted he pick up for Maddie's mother as a gift....

Here goes nothing, he thought desperately as the door clicked open. At first, he was ignored as mother and daughter shared a warm embrace... but when it was his turn to be recognized, he held out one hand, "H-hey miss Leighton. I know I've met you once before, but in case you don't remember... I'm Chazz. Your daughter and I went to the same college."

[Maddie Leighton]

Maddie hugged her mother tightly. Chazz extended his hand out to her and her mother shook it. She offered him a strained smile.

"Hey mom" Maddie said softly as her mother ushered them into the house. Her mother was slightly ignoring Chazz, which was highly unusual. Maddie looked at Chazz, throwing him a confused and apologetic look at the same time.

"Mom what's going on? Why are you being rude to Chazz?" Maddie asked folding her arms over her chest.
Her mother looked at her.
"I'm sorry honey. I'm just not myself lately" her mother said . "Please sit down"

Maddie sensed there was something else going on with her. She watched her mother with an arched eyebrow as she sat down beside Chazz. Her mother's eyes landed on Chazz next.
"So how are you Chazz?" her mother asked him in a conversational tone.
Her eyes roamed over his clothing. "I see my daughter lent you my husbands things"

Maddie's nose picked up the scent of alcohol on her. She'd been drinking. Most likely vodka or wine.
"Eh why not? Adam's not around anymore to need them. Might as well go to someone who could use them"

Maddie figeted on the couch. "Mom? Chazz and I have something to tell you. We're seeing each other now...as in boyfriend and girlfriend" Maddie explained, studying her mother for her reaction.

Her mother always had liked Chazz, so she didn't think there would be any problem with her accepting him as a boyfriend to Maddie. Perhaps the reason for her mother drinking was the father's death, but again Maddie sensed there was something else that her mother wasn't saying just yet.

["Chazz" Yokai]

Raibaru Chazz Yokai``

THERE'S A NATURAL MYSTIC
^{flowing through the air.}``

Chazz sighed mentally as Maddie fidgeted beside him. At least he hadn't needed to talk yet, but he could feel the disdain rolling off of his girlfriend's mother in waves, "Miss Leighton, I brought you a gift. I know this is a hard time for you, so my condolences to Adam." He brought forward the flowers he was holding, but Maddie's mother did nothing but stare at him.

"Miss Leighton?" he tried again, taking a concerned glance back at his girlfriend. He was honestly worried. Her mother seemed... well, out of it. Though on the other hand, he couldn't blame her, right? But then something quite unexpected happened. Before Chazz had a moment to move out of the way, he felt a sharp stinging on his face, and the clear sound of a hand hitting skin. "AH!" he exclaimed, stepping backwards.

Her mother looked furious, and Chazz just stared wide-eyed. He'd seen that glare from others that knew him... that really knew him anyway. And it was at that point that the young man knew... Maddie's mother knew about his track record. How? He didn't know, and he didn't care enough to find out, but he knew that he was as good as doomed now. "I guess I deserved that," he muttered almost silently.

"Damn right you did!" her mother responded furiously. "Maddie, you're not allowed to date this... criminal!"

Chazz felt both stabbed and angry by that comment. By the truth of it all, and by the insult at the same time. He shot a fiery glare at Maddie's mother, but didn't say anything to deny her words. Not even a simple "I've changed," could leave his mouth now. He was just torn between doing two things... running, and standing his ground.

He couldn't even look at Maddie right now.