Jesse's Fate

Chapter Four: Acceptance

Five years later.

Jesse looked up from his hands slowly meeting Cassie's concerned eyes. He didnt know how long she'd been standing there trying to get his attention but from the look on her face it was longer than he'd hoped. "Good morning." She whispered forcing a smile as she knelt before him and wrapped her arms around his neck - some of the tension leaving her body as he finally reacted and pulled her into his embrace. He didn't wake up screaming anymore thankfully but every now and then she'd find him lost in his own head reliving a past he would never fully be able to escape.

"Mikey's awake." Cassie added as she stood and he cleared his throat, sitting up fully on the couch. Moments later tiny feet hit the ground running and their son came barreling into the living room in a fit of giggles - running straight into Jesse's open arms.

"Hey! Little man! What are you doing up so early?"

Mikey squealed wrapping his arms around his dad's neck as Jesse pulled him in close. "I no sweepy dada." The three year old assured as they turned their attention back to the bedroom and watched as Mikey's five year old brothers emerged rubbing their eyes.

"They sweepy heads." Mikey assured with a giggle as Levi and Carter climbed onto the couch beside them. Jesse didn't know why God had blessed him with three sons but he made sure to thank Him every day. Cassie and their boys were everything to him.

Jesse smiled as Cassie stepped back into the living room and the twins came alive making room so she could sit between them on the small couch before they both nearly climbed into her lap. Carter and Levi weren't as talkative as their little brother - especially at 5am and they both started to doze in Cassie's embrace.

"Why don't we take these two back to bed and let Mama get some rest?" Jesse whispered to Mikey who assured him again that he wasn't sleepy.

"Come on, we can read the train book."

Just like that Mikey was gone - climbing down and taking off back to his room. Cassie looked up from the twins as Jesse stood and pulled Levi to his chest - smiling as he rested his head in the bend of his dads neck and Cassie helped him pick up Carter who did the same on his left side.

"Go lay back down." Jesse assured softly as Cassie nodded and watched him carry their twins to their bedroom - Mikey's giggles filling the house once he had his dad's full attention. They had been blessed with three healthy children despite their troubles when they were younger and their sons filled their hearts with an unmeasurable amount of love and happiness. Even if Jesse still didn't think he deserved it.

X

An hour later Jesse climbed into bed with Cassie burying his face in her hair as he slid his arm around her and pulled her to his chest. The sun was still low in the sky so he could just make out the outline of her body as he took in a deep breath of her hair.

That familiar scent that took him back to his youth in the Arizona desert filled his soul. "How did you get wild man back to sleep?" Cassie whispered as Jesse tightened his arm around her. "We may or may not have to go to the park later." Jesse muttered - his deep voice sending a shiver through her as she laughed softly. "...and get ice cream afterwards."

"...and watch Wreck It Ralph after dinner."

Cassie's soft giggle turned into a laugh as she turned to face Jesse in the bed smiling at him as her eyes adjusted to the dark and his handsome face came into view. She placed her hand on his cheek searching his blue eyes with her hazel hues.

"I love you."

Jesse nodded forcing his own smile as his earlier thoughts creeped back into his subconscious. "I know you don't think you deserve it but we're lucky to have you. You're the best dad and husband anyone could hope for." That said Cassie leaned into him and placed her lips to his leaning back to search his face again.

"If it wasn't for you...." Jesse let his words trail off as he tried to shake the thoughts away. He spent many sleepless nights thinking about his fate if Cassie would have listened to him and stayed away. If she hadn't picked up the phone when Skinny called her after he escaped the compound. He may have made it to Alaska but he wouldn't have lasted long without her.

"You saved me, Cas."

After everything he'd done, been through - that was the only thing he knew to be true.