Second Chance Secrets

Chapter Fourteen

"Jessica, can you pass me the Johnson's file, and have you finished the report for CFE. I need it before you go," Mr. James called out to Jess. 

Jess was a bit surprised because she had been busy daydreaming instead of working, finishing the very same report her boss had been asking about. Her mind had wondered to the wonderful weekend she had had with Sam and Emily. She had no idea a man could be so in love with a child he had just met. Yes the child was his, hence there would be a bond, but still.

Jess took the file Mr. James wanted to him and went back to her work before her mind took off to that place again. She had found herself more than once thinking about Sam lately. Her thoughts weren't always platonic or about their daughter. Most times it was about that night before and what it would be like to have that again. She had found out that there was no change in her attraction for Sam. She wasn't sure though how to deal with it. She wasn't even sure if she wanted to.

Sam had left that morning with a promise to be back by the end of the week. He had some business to attend to that he couldn't put off for longer than he had. She was sure if he could have found a way around it all he would have. In the meantime she was left missing him a little and thinking about him a lot. Jessica had no idea how to deal with this problem, because these feelings, she felt, were definitely a problem.

As Jess finished the report for her boss, she started making plans in her head for the weekend. She knew Sam had some plans of his own but it wouldn't hurt to come up with a few. And while she was planning, maybe she could figure out a way to ask Sam to join her for a cup of coffee or maybe dinner if she was lucky. 

Jess had never asked anyone out before so she was a bit insecure. Fact was, she was so out of the dating game she had no idea how to get back in. In the two years since her daughter had been born, she had not gone out with anyone. She had preferred to spend all her free time with her daughter. Every day spent with Emily was a joy and provided new experiences for her to cherish. Making memories she hoped to never forget or have to call up on as comfort.

Jess walked into the house to the sound of her family's chatter.  It was Thursday and she was a bit late in getting home. She was supposed to take Emily to the park. It was their weekly ritual. Emily loved the park. She especially loved the slides and the swings. Jess usually had a hard time getting her to leave. Now, with her being late, it was going to be even harder getting her to leave as she would be spending less time doing what she loved. 

As Jess walked into the kitchen she was greeted with the wonderful aromas of her mother's cooking. Her sister was sitting at the table fixing a salad. She hugged her mother while taking a peek into at what was cooking. "Good evening, Mom. Dinner smells delicious as always." 

"Chicken and dumplings," her mother replied. "But don't sniff too much. Most of the taste is in the smell."

Jess laughed as did her sister. "Okay mom. I'll go see Em instead. Is she sleeping or watching tv?"

"Actually," Suzie said with a smile. "We have a surprise visitor. They're in the living room."

Jess walked to the living room with a dazed smile on her face. She had an idea who it was. She want disappointed when she walked in and saw Sam sitting on the sofa with Emily on his lap. She had no idea what they were whispering to each other as Shrek played on the television. All she knew was that she was extremely pleased with the sight. Even more so with the look on Sam's face as he looked up and saw her.