Healing (Damaged Sequal)

Confessions, Baking, Decision Making, Dinner, and Rules

Jessica's POV:

        I finally woke up in my room. It was the same as I remembered it. Just felt a little too stuffy. But then again my room hasn’t been lived in for two years. I got up and opened my curtains and windows. It was still early in the morning. I grabbed my cleaning supplies and started cleaning my room and bathroom. I dusted with wood polish and Cleaned my mirrors. Replaced my bedding with my original purple bed set. 

        I vacuumed the floor and shampooed my carpet. I went into my bathroom and scrubbed my tub and shower. Cleaned inside and outside the toilet, and cleaned the sink. I vacuumed and shampooed the toilet and shower mat and removed them from the bathroom. I then swept and mopped the floor moving the mats back as I mopped the floor. 

        I waited for the floor to dry before grabbing a towel and took a bath. I made the water so hot that it probably would make my skin red. It's been two years since I was able to really bathe. It felt super nice. I drained the water and refilled the bath once the water was cool. 

        I spent a good two hours in the bath. Then I took a shower getting nice and clean. I wrapped a towel around me and made my way to my closet. I grabbed a pair of my gray training pants and wide strapped tank top. I grabbed underwear and a bra and socks. I got changed and then laid back in bed reading a book until the sun rose. 

        I read for a while and once the sun rose I went down to the kitchen. Luckily they had food stocked before I even came back. Or Damien has been cooking. I started cooking a big breakfast. I’m making scrambled eggs, pancakes, sausage, bacon, toast, waffles, hash browns, homefries, and corn beef hash. Then I set it up buffet style. Set plates, forks and knives. I made coffee the way I usually would. I ground up the beans and then added the ground in the filter. Then I added some cocoa powder into the grounds. Added the water into the reservoir.

        It’s strange how I can just combat and get into the routine of things. It’s the anniversary of when I first came here. I’ve come a long way from the shy little girl I was.I looked at the back door with my cup of coffee smiling to myself about that.

        “What’s that lovely smile?” A voice asked behind me. I turned around biting my lip.

        “Just thinking this is the anniversary of when I first came here. I even woke up at three this morning. It’s been seven years and realizing how far I’ve come makes it all better,” I said to Daniel. He came really close to me. I could feel his breath close to mine. My heart pounded in my chest, but chatter was coming closer to the kitchen. Daniel pulled away and went to grab some food and coffee.

        It’s almost time isn’t it. They will tell me their feelings, but who would I choose? Who would be the one to steal my heart? I’m a little scared about falling in love and giving my heart to someone willingly.

        “What is my dumbass sister thinking about so intently?” Jaime said.

        “It’s closing in on being that time Jaime. I’m scared, because all of them love me, but I don’t know who I would choose.” Her happy face turned into a scowl.

        “Then you know what you do?”

        “What?” I asked afraid of the answer. 

        “Have them all take you on a date,” I knew she would say that.

        “I can’t do that,” I said.

        “Why not?” She whined.

        “It’s not right to play them like that,” I said.

        “What’s not right?” Dad asked walking into the conversation. s**t. He really knows when to jump in when it’s most inconvenient to his daughters.

        “Taking those hunks in the other room on a date to figure out which one she will be with,” Jaime answered. Dad paled. I got concerned. I ran to him giving him a hug but he was frozen. 

        “Adam, you should know by now that this would eventually happen,” Uncle Josh interjected. Dad wrapped his arms protectively around me.

        “Any man who wants my baby girl’s heart has to go through me.”

        “Not how this works dad,” Jaime said. “But whomever she chooses you can have your fatherly moment and question the s**t out of him,” Jaime said again. Dad chuckles as I pull away.

        “She is right about that,” I said. “Hey Uncle Josh, when will we be going to the forbidden forest?” I asked him.

        “When you find your man. The both of you then will enter the forest and figure out what is going on there.” I frowned at that. I wanted to go soon because I wanted to know the mystery. Damnit.

        “Guess I have to wait,” I grumbled while taking a sip of my coffee. I grabbed some food and joined the table. Breakfast was festive, but after the cleanup would be weird. David, Daniel, Jeremy, Charlie, Johnny, Damien, and Elias pulled me outside. We went into the training room. They semicircled me and they all became very serious.

        “We pulled you aside to tell you something,” David said.

        “We never thought this would ever happen to us,” Johnny said.

        “It has caused a rift in some of our relationships with each other,” Damien said.

        “I’m sorry we have to put this on you, but we can’t contain this for much longer,” Jeremy said.

        “We have had these feelings for quite a while. You being gone has made it more difficult for us to ignore it and live with each other,” Johnny said.

        “You have charmed us all,” Charlie said.

        “You are just trouble for us all little pup,” Elias said. I knew that they were going to say it and I wanted to run for the hills.

        “I love you,” all of the men said at the same time. I gulped. I never thought they would together openly tell me their feelings. They all looked at me expectantly.

        “Who will you choose?” Damien asked. 

        “I don’t know,” I said in a low tone. They all groaned in frustration. “I love you all, but I can’t tell you who I truly love,” I said.

        “I guess we all have our work cut out for us,” Daniel said.

        “Looks like we’re going to have to woo you little pup,” Elias said.

        “We’re all rivals at this point,” Johnny said. 

        “Why don’t we hug Jessie at the same time?” Daniel suggested and they all agreed. All seven men surrounded me and hugged me all at once. The hairs on the back of my neck and I felt like a frightened cat being cornered. After they let me go I ran into the house, and found dad. The look on my face said it all. He pulled me into a hug and I started to calm down. 

        Finally after calming down we sat down in the living room. Dad was watching something on tv before I came in.

        “So, what happened?” Dad asked bluntly. I cringed never expecting him.

        “They all confessed to me,” I said. Dad raised both eyebrows.

        “All of them? How?” He asked.

        “At the same time together, which freaked me out. What’s worse was they trapped me in a hug. I had to get out of there. I was like a cornered cat. I never expected this. I thought they might do it one at a time at random, but never like this.” I sighed covering my face and bent down my arms hitting my legs. “What am I supposed to do?” I whispered. 

        Dad started to rub my back. My worst fears have happened. I thought maybe I could slowly fall in love with one of them, but I never expected them to be in love with me.  This is so scary because now I have to choose and that’s what scares me the most. I don’t want to make a really bad decision. What if I choose someone and then I don’t really love them? That is the scariest part. 

        “Sweetie, you don’t need to make a decision right now. Take your time. Maybe do what your sister suggested and go on a date with them. Hang out with them one person on a specific day. Take your time making your decision. Think about how you want to go about doing this. Unfortunately it’s all up to you baby girl. It’s unfortunate for me because I like these guys. They should be worried when I threaten to curse them,” he said.

        I can’t believe I will have to make this choice. Now how should I do this.

        I spent the rest of the day baking. I just went to Wal-mart to buy a lot of baking items to make homemade goods. I just need to bake. It helps me think. Once home I’m baking chocolate chip cookies. Then making brownies, chocolate cream pie with graham cracker crust, a cheesecake, and a two tier yellow and chocolate cake with homemade chocolate buttercream.

        I made the buttercream first. It would take the longest time. While that was mixing and cooling down at the same time in one of the three kitchen mixers the guys bought me. I moved to the chocolate chip cookies. Already at least one of the guys came in to check on me. It was Damien and he looked a little conflicted. 

        The cookies were in the oven so I started the brownies. The brownie batter took as much time making as the chocolate chip cookies. I had gotten the cookies out and they were perfect. I finished making the brownie batter. I put it in a pan with parchment paper. Hitting it off of the counter to get out the air bubbles. Then sticking it in the oven for like twenty minutes. I worked on a big chocolate cream pie. I mixed gram crackers and melted butter together and spread it onto the pan and put into the cooler. I mixed the pudding. Homemade of course and whipped it until it became pudding like. I pulled out the pan and put the pudding on it. I then made the whipped cream. I used granulated instead of confectionery. 

        I checked on the buttercream deeming it done. It came out perfect. I put it into a container and left it out so it stays soft for when I frost the cakes.

        Daniel, David and Jeremy have come to see what I’m doing. They were a little concerned about how much sugar I was going to feed them.

        As I was doing the cheesecake, I thought about what I was going to do. I need to lay some rules down if I’m going to do this. They are competing for my heart, but I am the one who is going to be left with the final decision. I have to make this count.

        I finished the cheesecake and moved to make the cake batter. I was making a sponge cake. One cake will be chocolate and the other will be vanilla.

        After the cakes went into the oven I made dinner. I was making my favorite food. Spaghetti and meatballs. I took the hamburger and mixed in two packs of lipton Onion soup mix, salt and pepper, and a couple of eggs. I made meatballs. I had to make a lot of them and fried them on the stovetop. I think I made a couple hundred before boiling the water to cook the angel hair noodles. I use prego sauce so I put the meatballs in a big pot and added four big jars of sauce. 

        I made the garlic bread while waiting for the water and the sauce was heating up on low with the cover on to keep it warm. I stuck that in the convection oven because I’m using the confection oven. I put the angel hair pasta in and let it cook and stir it a bit turning the heat on medium. I took out the cakes, because they were done and they are cooling in the pans on the counter. I stirred the noodles again and then made a big bowl of salad.

        I wouldn’t be able to put together and frost the cake until after dinner and my talk with the guys. 

        I set the table and started getting the food set up on the table. I drained the noodles and set them in two serving bowls onto the table. I did the same for the sauce and meatballs and the salad.

        I set them on the table and set dressings and drink jugs on the table. I also took out a bottle of wine for the adults. I had bought a couple of special wines from this witch community. I had stuck them in the enchanted bag. I tried some and Jaime and I liked the wine that they have. 

        The wine has no magically properties, but tastes better than any normal wine. I can always order from them anyway. 

        I pulled the cork out and set the wine on the table. I poured myself a glass and sat down.

        Throughout the whole time in the kitchen the guys had checked in to see what I was doing. They know when I’m baking that I’m thinking because of how much stuff I had baked. I’ve done it before so they know why I was baking.

         They shouldn’t feel bad for telling me their feelings for me, but it’s just because I couldn’t handle it. I wasn’t prepared for that and I wasn’t quite ready for the confession. I don’t blame them. They have probably been holding back their feelings for me for a while now.

        Everyone started pouring into the dining room. I took a sip of wine and then set my glass down. Dad sat to my left and Anthony to my right.  Jaime sat in front of me and Damon to her right, and Evan to her left. Dad must have told them. But the look on the guys faces made me rethink the situation. Thank you god.

        Wine was poured and conversation took place.

        “I can’t believe you actually managed to sneak this wine home.” Jaime said.

        “I hid the bottles in the enchanted bag,” I said before sipping more wine.

        “You must’ve went to the town of Sira. They make the best wine ever,” I smiled.

        “Yeah, well they gave me a number so I can order more. Jaime and I literally got drunk off of this stuff. It was that good that we went through three or four bottles? I can’t entirely remember. Do you Jay?” I asked.

        “I can’t really remember either,” she said.

        “Speaking of getting drunk. Remember the last night I had tequila?” She paled. She totally remembers.   “Now would be a great time to tell me what happened,” I said leaning onto the table looking at her with a mischievous smile.

        “I don’t want to talk about that,” she said looking away. 

        “Jaime, that was years ago and now I would like to know,” I said in a warning tone.

        “More like you won’t believe me,” she said. 

        “Try me,” I said.

        “You hugged a black bear thinking it was giant teddy bear,” she said. I burst out laughing.

        “Hey, I thought you were going to die,” she said. “It’s a miracle you stayed away from its claws. The bear was angry you were holding onto. I managed to get you away from the bear. I clearly remember this and we are super lucky we survived that,” she said. Everyone was listening in on the story.

        “How long ago did this happen?” Dad asked. Jaime and I looked at each other. Me secretly telling her to lie. “Stop giving Jaime the lie eyes,” I was shocked.

        “Twelve,” I said. It was absolutely silent. Nobody said a single word.

        “How the hell did you two get into alcohol at such a young age?” Dad asked.

        “Lily’s liquor locker,” I said.

        “Hey you were the one to suggest it,” Jaime accuses.

        “I know, I’m the bad influence on this one, but you were the bad girl,” I said.

        “Wow, this is quite shocking,” Jeremy said.

        “I agree, never knew could have single bad bone in her body,” Elias said. “Kind of hot,” he muffled into his cup.

        “I agree,” David said. I was sipping some water and ended up almost doing a spit take. Jaime and I just looked at each other. My eyes were wide open to know that David actually said that. Holy s**t. Jaime looked at me with an eyebrow quirked up.

        I just couldn’t believe those words. I’m so used to the kind and caring guys, but I think now their true selves will make an appearance.

        “I think she’s much more of a badass now than she used to be,” Jaime said sending me an evil smile. That b***h said that on purpose. 

        “How is that?” Daniel asked.

        “She took on two level 100 demons and is sitting here with us right now,” she winked at me.

        “Two?” Damien looked quite shocked. 

        “It’s not really a good thing. Demons have been summoned killing witches as they come across them. I did what I had to to protect those witches,” I said with an angry look in my eyes.

        “It must be a powerful witch or warlock,” dad said.

        “Throughout our trip we have been slashing through demons because someone wants to kill just witches. Whoever is doing this I want to find,” my eyes burning with a fire that cannot be squelched easily.

        “We’ve made sure to leave a number with those villages. They can call us when they are being attacked,” Jaime said.

        “It must’ve been tough,” Charlie said.

        “I remember the first attack. It was how I was able to use my elements on my Seacreel blades. That day we buried people. It was awful,” I said.

        “Death seems to follow you,” Johnny said. Sounds poetic coming from him.

        “No, whoever is doing this is doing it for a purpose. Unfortunately I can’t figure out that purpose,” I said. Death isn’t following me. Just some really shitty luck at times.

        “Enough about that though,” I said. Jaime and I mostly talked about the stupid s**t we’d do when we were drunk. It got everyone in a good mood. Some of the guys were shocked to know I’m a cuddler when I get really drunk.

        When dinner was over, everyone cleaned up while I just sat there. The wine bottle was empty, but it was a good dinner. 

        “Daniel, David, Jeremy, Charlie, Johnny, Damien, and Elias, after you are done cleaning up I need you guys back at this table,” I said. I cleaned the dining table and chairs. I did the floor and sat at the end of the table far from the doors. 

        I sat for a little bit, before the guys came back into the room and sat down. To my right was David, Daniel, Johnny and Charlie. To my left was Jeremy, Damien and Elias. Here we go. This will be my plan to handle this situation we are in.

        All eyes were on me and I felt so self conscious. I just wanted them to look away, but I had to get used to the fact that people will be looking at me.

        “I have been doing a lot of thinking about who I should choose.” 

        “Who are you going to choose?” Jeremy asked.

        “The thing is we have been living together and I know little about you all, except Damien.” Everyone’s eyes went to Damien at that moment.

        “Don’t give him that look. He was around me when I was pregnant. We have talked a lot. I know a little about every bodies personalities and all I know is that you guys are kind and caring. When it comes to training and sparring David and Daniel take it seriously. You guys fight like your lives depend on it.”

        “We also realize how little we know about you. Those stories shared during dinner caught us by surprise,” Johnny said. Everyone nodded their head. 

        “This is why we have to fix that. You guys may love me, and I do love you guys, but I don’t know who I truly am in love with. This may be a fight between you all, but to me it’s a lifetime decision. It’s something I have been truly afraid of since Uncle Josh told me.” I stopped for a moment to collect my thoughts.

        “I need to know that, whoever I choose is the right decision. You guys remember how I was when I first came here. I would always say I wouldn’t date until college, but I didn’t even date in college.” It’s true I never had a boyfriend in college. Though I had multiple offers, but they all looked at me like a piece of meat. I was turning down guys left and right. Not only guys, but girls were hitting on me too. I was so shocked that girls would want to get in my pants. I swear there were a lot of jerks in college.

         I just focused on my grades. I have a bachelor's degree in English. I even wrote a book or two in college. I based both of them off of my life. One was about a girl who lost all of her family to different kinds of tragedy. She sees them everywhere because she feels guilty still being alive until she meets someone who was able to help her get through her pain and suffering and guilt.

        The other is about a woman who was pregnant and lost her child during birth. She grieved so long until she was met with her high school ex boyfriend. They reconnect and he helps her through her grief. He gets her pregnant and they have a baby boy. They get married at the beginning of her pregnancy.

        These two books were inspired by my life. Sorry for getting off track back to the point.

        These men want nothing more than to give me love. But do they really love me like that. Who truly loves me with all their heart.

        “I think it would be a good idea for us to not only reconnect, but to also find that connection. So I am coming up with the only solution I can. No dates until after a month. One day each week I will be hanging out with one of you.” I pulled a hat from under the table on my lap, and set it on the table. “I know it’s a little childish, but it’s the only solution I could come up with. There’s seven of you and seven days in a week. Tomorrow is Monday so we’ll start there. In here are days of the week. You know how this goes. I’ll pass the hat to someone you pick one out. Don’t look at it until everyone has a slip of paper.” I handed Daniel the hat. He picked one and handed it to David and so one and so forth.

        Finally everyone has the paper and I have my hat back. They all opened their slips of paper. I had my calendar open. 

        Monday goes to Elias.

        Tuesday goes to David.

        Wednesday goes Charlie.

        Thursday goes to Jeremy.

        Friday goes to Johnny.

        Saturday’s goes to Daniel.

        Sunday goes to Damien.

        “If you need to switch with someone one week due to getting a job or personal reasons come see me. I will work around this. Now onto the rules”

        Rule number 1: during the first month there will be no dates. We are just hanging out. 

        Rule number 2: No kissing of any kind. Hugs and hand holding are fine. Kissing is of limits until I say so. When kissing is allowed you are not allowed to tell each other. Anyone who breaks this rule will have to skip a couple of their days with me. That means two to three weeks depending on how many you tell.

        Rule number 3: No fighting or arguing with each other over me. Sparring to keep in shape or having any argument that has nothing to do with me is acceptable. 

        Rule number 4: No s****l touching at all. Mostly this rule only applies to Elias, but it can apply to anyone that has that thought. Sensual touching is allowed, but anything to do with grabbing and smacking of any kind is prohibited until my say so. 

        Rule number 5: Flirting is allowed. As long as no inappropriate touching is allowed. No inappropriate flirting. 

        I have been writing all the rules down. Then when I have them sign their names at the bottom I’ll make copies for them later.

        Rule number 6: When you are hanging out with me it will just be me and that person. If you need to say something personal to the person that is hanging with me and vice versa that will be allowed. As long as you say what you say and then leave. 

        Rule number 7: You can hang out with me as long as you want. You can plan something to do for the day or I can choose. That also applies to a date. But the date will only last till midnight. It’s the twenty-first century so I can go on a date and plan the date if I want to. When dates are allowed however, no one else is allowed to interrupt the date unless it is an emergency. An emergency can consist of family emergency, council meetings and/or council members coming here, an attack on us, or if someone is gravely ill or injured. So it’s okay to leave your phone on for those reasons.

        Rule number 8: You can temporarily change our hang out days. Only reason to change your day is if you have a Hunting job, Family emergency, council meetings, and if you have a regular job and you have to go in for any reason that can also be a good reason. If it is personal you don’t need to tell me. I will take that as a good reason as well.

        If for any reason more rules can be added. If you also think of any good rules we can add it. All these rules apply to me as well.

        “You all will need to sign this. I am signing my name as well. All these rules not only apply to you, but to me as well.” I signed my name and passed it around. Everyone seemed to have no problems with this. “I will make copies so you can have one as well. I know it’s like a contract, but it’s the only way I could think of doing it this way. Everyone is dismissed once they sign. Except for Damien and Johnny.” They looked at me shocked. I asked them to stay for a personal reason. 

        “This is a personal matter. If you could follow me,” I said. I walked up to my room and they both followed. It was silent and awkward to be honest. “Stay here,” I said as I went in and grabbed both my manuscripts. 

        “In college I had been working on a couple of stories. I wanted to know if you both would read them and give me your input. If you need to mark inside the manuscript that’s okay with me. When you are finished let me know and we can go over it if I need to make any changes or any feedback. You both can read one and then switch, but I’m giving this to you to read specifically because I feel you can help me.” I handed the pregnancy story to Damien and the guilty girl to Johnny. “Also if you could help me with the title I would be most grateful.” 

        They looked at my story in their hands. It was quiet for a minute before anything was said.

        “We’ll do our best,” Johnny said.

        “I am honored you would actually ask us,” Damien said.

        “I trust you with this and plus you both are avid readers, we’ve read many books together. Your opinions matter to me when it comes to stuff like this. I thank you guys for taking the time to read it. You are also the first ones to read these. Nobody has ever set their eyes on these. Well other than me, but you both matter in my life. Happy reading,” I said walking back to the kitchen to finish the cake. 

        As soon as I made it to the kitchen I washed my hands. I cut the top off each cake making a smooth and level top. Then I cut the cakes in half and spread a thin layer of chocolate buttercream and a thin layer of raspberry jam in between both cakes. Then I frosted the cakes and then glued them together using a board under the smaller tier of the cake. I piped a shell border and added some buttercream roses. 

        I put the cake in the cooler and then cleaned up my mess. Once done I went upstairs to my room and relaxed for a bit. I spent some time doing whatever because starting tomorrow would be the start of reconnecting. I went to sleep later thinking about how this will all play out.