The Complicated Love Story: A Jatrina Story

The Promise

(Katrina POV)

I walked around the house looking for more wine for Janet. It had been a few months since we met, but we were closer than ever. I found myself starting to develop feelings, and no matter how hard I tried I couldn't kill them. If anything they came back stronger.

"Here you go Janet," I say as I hand her a glass of wine.

"Thanks Katrina. Man I can't believe we actually got the kids to take a nap. What should we do?"

"I have card game lying around somewhere. Shall I go get it?" I asked.

Janet smiles and nods, and I have to admit my heart did a pitter patter. Janet was so beautiful when she smiled. I rummage through my closet and find a game called For the Girls. It seemed to be a truth or dare styled game, so I took it out to Janet.

"Alright Janet rules are simple. You roll the dice and pick up the card that corresponds with the color. Easy enough right?"

"Yeah! I'll go first!" Janet days enthusiastically. She rolls a pink.

"'What is your sexual preference?' Oh that's easy, male. Your turn Katrina! Ka-Katrina?" Janet says, slightly concerned. I hadn't realized that I fell into a trance when she said that she liked men.

"Da right," I say and roll the dice. I get red. I pick it up and read it. My face goes pale.

"Katrina? What does the car say?" Janet asked as she looks at the card.

Kiss the player to your left.

Janet froze and locked eyes with me. She hesitates before planting a soft kiss on my lips. I kiss her back softly. Finally, we pull away slightly flushed.

"Well, I think that is enough of the game. Uh, wanna just watch a movie?" Janet asked.

"Da what movie you wanna watch?"

"I was thinking How to Train Your Dragon..." Janet says nervously. I laugh and we turn on the movie.

Janet leans into me, snuggling her head into my neck. I look down and smile ever so slightly. Janet has a really big grin on her face as we watch the movie. I subconsciously begin to stroke her hair.

"Katrina?"

"Da?"

"I'm thinking about dating again."

"Oh. That's great!" I say a little too forcefully.

"Thanks! I just thought that, you know, as my best friend, you would be my wingman or something. "

"Da.. okay. Sure. Anything for you Janet," I say, a little sadly. I meant anything. My heart was aching. My stomach turning into nots. My throat is closing.

"Janet lets just finish the movie shall we?"

"Can we watch all three?" Janet asked, looking at me with puppy dog eyes. I smile sadly and nod. She sighs contently and snuggles closer to me.

"Oh uh.. this is okay right?" Janet asked.

"Da.." I said.

Janet looks up at my face and frowns.

"Everything alright?"

"Da, just a sad American movie you know? This boy is a loner!"

Janet laughs softly and snuggles me again.  I close my eyes and savior this moment. We spend the next 2 hours watching the movies when Janet spoke again.

"You smell like roses ," she noted.

"Da?"

"Yeah. It's comforting in a way you know?"

"I suppose..."

"I'm surprised Riley stayed down for a nap this long-"

Janet shouldn't have jinxed it.

"MOM!!!!!"

(Riley POV)

"Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear Riley! Happy birthday to you!" Mom and Dad sang. I was in a baby chair eating cake.

"Come here you little rascal!" Daddy said as he picked me up, gently spun me around, held me close, and kissed my forehead.

Daddy then handed me to mama. Mama gladly held me as Daddy cleaned up my mess.

Mama leaned close to me as she held me. She whispered, "I will always be here for you no matter what, I promise. Happy birthday Riley."

I woke up and quickly ran downstairs to tell mom the dream before I forgot.

"MOM!!!" I yell as I run into the living room. I see mom and Katrina snuggling and watching a movie.

I didn't say anything. I couldn't forget this dream.

"Mom I had the dweam again! It was when daddy was still here! He spun me around, hugged me, and kissed me! Den he gave me to you and you said, 'I will always be here for you no matter what, I promise. Happy birthday Riley. '"

Mom began to cry.

(Janet POV)

I started crying as I picked Riley up and held her close. Katrina had a hand on my back, clearly knowing that this situation was very personal.

I wish I still had that relationship with Roger. He was such a good husband and father at the beginning. I cry harder, holding my daughter as that promise starts to bleed out like an old scar. It was tied to so many things.

"I love you Riley okay?"

"Otay!"

"Great. Can you go wake up the boys? We need to leave soon."

"Otay!"

Riley barreled off to g wake up the twins. Katrina gently hugs me, and I embrace it. I don't know why, but I kept snuggling her. I felt warm and safe around her.

Katrina is such a good friend, I thought.

I smile and find myself falling asleep.

"ya tak sil'no tebya lyublyu," said a Russian accent followed by a kiss on the forehead. I then slip into a deep sleep.

Translation: "I love you so much"