The s*x Addicts Widow

The Children are Home

Victoria

Well f**k me. I have never in a million years I thought I'd see Jude again. Never ever. I mean I'd be lying if I said I didn't hope to run into him again. This town isn't that big, you would have thought I'd see his at the grocery store, or he'd come into my restaurant, or even at the kids schools but no, I never saw him. He did disappear. just like Kade said. He never said anything, I knew the fact that I had gotten pregnant bothered him. He knew all the bullshit that happened in my marriage. I'm sure he was mad, which I could understand, we were close, closer than we probably should have been. Jude was my person, he understood me better than anyone, even better that Luke, who'd i been with since I was in high school. Jude knew everything, every dirty secret I had. Then he was gone. He blocked my calls and text, he deleted his soical media. He was gone, only to show up now with Kade. I just never thought I would talk or see him again, much less, be making him dinner!

“Hey” Judes voice suddenly comes from behind me, making me jump.

“Jude! You scared the crap out of me!” I shriek, grabbing my chest before my heart explodes.

He chuckles, “Sorry. You always were jumpy."

He looks down at me and I am lost in those crystal blue eyes. Memories flood my mind of our days together all those years ago. I wanted to ask about his ex-wife but didn't feel it was my place. She never liked me, I wouldn't be surprised if she was the reason he disappeared from my life. He gave up a lot to be with her. I can't help but wonder what happened.

He raised his eyebrow, a smirk spreading across his face. Dammit I've been staring too long.

“How about that water?” he says, a smirk creeping on his face.

I force myself to look at anything else besides the man in front of me.

"oh yeah! Of course!" I say stepping around him to grab a glass from the cabinet. I then head to the fridge to fill it with ice and water and hand it to him.

"Thanks" he says before chugging most of it.

“Victoria?’ he whispers.

I look up at his face, focusing on his forehead, avoiding direct eye contact.

“I just want to apologize for disappearing on you. I know that doesn't change anything. And for what it's worth I'm glad I found you again. I'd really like to be your friend again, if you'll let me.”

Shocked, I can't help but look him in the eyes,”Umm, ye-yeah. Don-dont umm worry about it. I understand why. We both had jealous significant others.” I finally stammered out.

He smiles and holds his arms out for a hug. I hesitate briefly but step into his embrace. Feeling his arms wrap around me feels like returning home, Judes hugs used to be what held me together back then, and being back in his embrace feels so good. God how I've missed his hugs.

Someone clears their throat behind us, we turn to see Kade standing there, a small smile on his face, jars of my homemade sauce in his hands.

“Well since we're one big happy family again, I just thought you should know Luke just pulled up. “ He says, placing the jars on the counter.

Oh s**t! The kids!

"Oh, thank you!” I say stepping out of Judes hug, turning to give Kade a hug too.

I head back to the flat top and start layering my lasagna in the crockpot. From the corner of my eye I catch them sharing a look, having a silent conversation with their eyes.

"Could you grab the cheese from the fridge?"

"Yup! " Kade responds from behind me.

I hear the fridge open, "Jesus woman! How many different kinds of cheese do you need!?"

"Don't be dramatic!" I laugh out "Just grab the mozzarella and Parmesan."

"Annnnnd which ones are those?" he laughs back at me.

"Oh Lord Kade! I know you can read!"

Jude chuckles and walks over to the fridge to help Kade.

Soon Kade is standing next to me holding two blocks of cheese.

"I knew you could do it!" I tease as I take them from him. I pull the electric shredder fromt the wall and start shoving the cheese as it shreds it.

I must say! Storinh all the appliances in the wall was the best idea! Everything is handy and I don't have to dig anything out. It's great! I highly recommend of you ever have the opportunity totally do it!

I can hear the garage door start opening and I know my children have arrived. let the chaos rain down.

Bang! The door to the garge burst open and there's stomping of many feet running up the sta. Abby and Oliver bust I to the kitchen, shoving each other trying to be first.

"Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!" Abby yells as she runs into my side

Abby is my youngest at six years old. She's adorable. Her strawberry blonde hair barley touches her shoulders. She has Luke's green eyes, so full of curiosity. Abby is currently missing her front teeth too!

Oliver is nine years old. He's tall and skinny for his age. He likes to keep his brown hair short. He also has his daddy's eyes. Oliver is my shy book worm.

"My babies!" How were your days?" I ask pulling them in for a bear hug.

"Fine." Oliver says as he walks out of the kitchen without acknowledging Kade or Jude.

"Mommy! I got slime from the school store." Abby yells as she's jumping up and down.

"Great." I hate slime. Whoever invented that stuff should fall in a hole.

"Mommy, whose that?" she ask noticing Jude for the first time.

"Oh, sweety. This is Jude. Mommy use to work with him along time ago. He works with Kade now." I explain.

"Ok! Hi!" she says before running off. Jude waves as she runs by.

Just then the garage door opens again and entered two of my older children. Luke Jr. and Callie.

Luke is a spitting image of his daddy. He's sixteen now and sometimes it's a time warp. Hes a carbon copy. It's like I wasn't even there. Unlike Luke tho, Luke Jr. is into sports and he's got amazing grades.

Callie is my carbon copy. She's fourteen and slowing finding her own way. Shes got the same crazy curly frizzy hair I did. Callie however is lucky enough to have me to show her how to control and style it. Her eyes are also the same deep brown as mine.

Nikki is at swim practice. So she won't be here till later. She's fifteen. She keeps her strawberry blonde hair short because of swimming, and she has my deep brown eyes. She's almost as tall as Luke Jr. which is saying something because he's six foot.

"Hi, mom" Callie says walking into the kitchen. she pauses for a second when she sees Jude but recovers quickly and gives me a hug.

"Hey baby! How was school?" I ask her resting my check on her head.

"Eh, it always sucks, but I got an A on the Anatomy test." she says, letting her arms drop and giving me a little shrug.

"That does suck." I tease her with a smile.

"Mom." Callie whines as she walks out of the kitchen.

"Luke! How was tryouts?" I ask turning to my oldest. Luke is into all sports. Today we're tryouts for varsity basketball. He also plays soccer and football. he dabbled in baseball and hockey when he was younger but there's only so many sports you can do at one time and he had to make a choice. Believe me it wasn't easy for him to choose and even though he chose not to play hockey and baseball, he still goes to the rink on a regular basis, just to skate and shoot the puck. On the weekends he takes Callie to the batting cages with him too. He could easily make any team he tries out for.

"Mom" he sighs heavily and looks to the floor.

Oh no!