CHAPTER THIRTEEN
—
tw: just a heads up, this chapter is a little angsty and there are some sentitive subjects
—
After lunch, it was Jake's turn to watch the kids. He had no idea what he would do with them for the rest of the day. It was just a few hours, but Jake knew nothing about children. He figured he could entertain Alex with snacks, as apparently she had a sweet tooth just like he did, but he would have to come up with something to keep Ben entertained.
"Maybe you could watch a movie," Amy suggested. She and Jake were talking while Sophia set up the couch into a bed for them, and Alex played a video game in Jake's phone while Ben watched. "He likes Tom Hanks."
"Seriously? Isn't that too mature for him?"
"Have you met my son?" Amy chuckled.
Jake smile. "Ah, yes. He's a mini version of you. What else is there? Can I read poetry to him? Give him a math textbook?"
Amy rolled her eyes with a smile, although then she went serious. "If he gets restless or anything, you can call me."
"I can be responsible, Santiago."
"Can you? Terry says he once had you babysit Cagney and Lacey and you almost set the kitchen on fire while trying to cook them dinner."
"Exactly, I was trying to cook them dinner. It's the intention that counts."
"Jake," Amy tilted her head. "I'm serious. Since I won't be doing anything tonight..."
"You won't? Why don't you try to have some fun?" Jake said, shrugging. "You and Charles are friends, you don't have to pretend to be dating because you'll be alone."
"We aren't technically pretending either. Do you think Sophia suspects?"
"A little, yeah, but she doesn't care. Just... please try to have fun. I don't want you sulking all night. Why don't you work the case with Charles? You love doing detective stuff."
Amy smiled weakly. "Yeah. I guess I'll try to have fun."
"Come on... why are you such a killjoy?"
Amy opened her mouth to reply, but then closed it. Jake pinched his lips together, shoulders dropping. "Is this still about Tony?"
"Teddy," she corrected, sighing. "And yes. I don't know why... but I'm still thinking about it. You would think I'd forgotten at this point. You know, after everything that's happened. But every time I think of the kids, I think of how they could have finally had a good father figure."
A weird feeling settled on Jake's stomach again. How could she not see she was much better? That she could keep her children happy anyway? She didn't need Teddy. Or anyone else, for that matter. But instead of saying that, Jake exhaled deeply, and then offered her his pinky finger.
"I promise you something," he said. "I promise I'll give the kids the best night of their life, alright? They're going to have a lot of fun. I'll manage. Buuut you have to promise me that you will try to have fun too. Charles might be weird but he can be fun. Promise?"
Amy's smile became wider, and she laced her finger with his. "Promise."
——
Jake followed Amy's advice and they watched a movie. Although Ben still didn't seem so happy because it didn't have Tom Hanks in it, and Jake had to explain they would have to watch whatever was on tv.
