Catch and Release

Lonely

"Jessie wash your hands while Mommy makes your plate." Athena said.

"Okay Mommy. Jesse you staying for dinner, right?" The boy looked at Jesse waiting for her answer.

"Yup, little man. I'm just going to help your Mommy. Okay?"

The boy nodded his head, hugged Jesse and ran to wash his hands. "No running!" Athena called after him. "Thank you." She added shyly.

"No need for thanks. He's a great kid. You raised him well."

"I try."

A silence filled the room. Jesse wanted to ask more but also did not want to ruin her chance at more time with them. 'Just do it!' She thought.

"Is his dad around?"

Athena stilled her movements. "No. I used a donor."

"Oh. Sorry if I overstepped."

"You always did Jesse. That's one reason I was drawn to you." Athena let out a breathless laugh.
"I have changed. I tend to think now." There was a long pause before Jesse could ask more, the sound of tiny socked feet hitting the floor filled the air.
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"Mommy, can Jesse read me my story tonight?"

"I don't know sweetie." She turned to Jesse. "Would you like to read him his story tonight?"

Jesse sat, finger to her chin as if she was thinking about it. She looked over to the boy, his eyes wide with anticipation. "I'd love to."

"Yes!" Jessie cheered. "Mommy I'll go get my book."

"After his bath, he'll be ready for bed. It'll be 15 minutes. You don't have to stay."

"Thena, are you trying to get rid of me?"

"No! No,not at all. It's just most women don't even give me a second thought when they find out about him."

"I'm not most women."

"I know that."

"Mommy! Hurry up!"

Athena looked at Jesse apologetically

Jesse followed Athena as they headed to the boy's room. "Here Jesse. Mommy reads this one all the time. She does funny voices too."

Jesse smiled, settling down beside the boy. "Well, I can try. I'm sure mommy is much better than me."

Jesse began reading the book 'James and the Giant Peach'. Athena sat at the foot of the bed listening as Jesse did the different voices of the characters. Half way through Jessie was fast asleep.
************
"You named him after me." It wasn't a question. Jesse knew from the moment she met him. If she didn't know better she'd think she was his mother. He walked like her, talked like her and looked like her. Hell, he even sucked his thumb like she did until high school.

"I'm sorry. When you left I was fine for a while. Six years ago I found a donor and 9months later I had him. He's been y life since."

"I'm sorry. Truly."

"You don't have to keep saying that J. I know. We were young."

Jesse walked closer to her. "I'd like to make up for it. If you let me."

"I don't know. It's not just me anymore Jesse. I have Jay. He comes first. "

"I get that. I'm not asking for a relationship right away."

"What about your job?"

"I'm out not. I'm a police officer. It's a better for me. Please Athena."

"Jesse-"

"How about this? I take Jay and you out. There's this place, Cloud 9, let me take you and him. We have a good time. It's not a date per se but a way to reconnect with Jay there too."

"Jesse a five year old is not some toy. He's a lot-"

"Listen to me. I get it, your a package deal. I want to know all of you. Even if I have to ask you daily."

"Fine. Saturday at 1. We can meet you there."

A smirk graced Jesse's face. "Oh no Ms. Papadopoulos. I will be picking you both up. Saturday at 1."

Jesse started to the door. "Goodnight Jesse. Thanks for staying."

Athena smiled as Jesse leaned in for a kiss to her cheek. She felt the rise of heat. "Thank you for giving me another chance."
**************
Jesse made it back to her apartment. It was odd coming back to the cold home. Jesse missed the warmth that Athena and Jay brought to her life.

She changed her clothes and got into bed. The heat of the night was nothing compared to the coolness of the empty bed. 'Time Jesse. She needs time. Until then prove to her you are all in.'
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Ok so this is short. But not by much. My beta and I have been so busy. The picture is representing the face of any of you. Lol the song is my favorite currently. Anyway hope you enjoy!
PS: I will be updating The Mechanic Saturday.

Much Love
-M