Redemption

Chapter 41: Surprises...

Christian Levi Boone was born on June 21st, 2023. He had a head full of brown hair and was perfect. Jackie had a hard time going into labor, and had to have an emergency c section. Evan was flipping out, but everything ended well. I was announced "godmother" of the newborn. I may or may not have cried.

So there we were: Mr. and Mrs. Evan Boone, a newborn baby, and me, a terrible actress who will take any job thrown my way, living in a tiny apartment in New York City.

Christian had only just turned 2 when Jackie found out she was pregnant again.

"Any more people in this house and I'm going to go crazy!" she muttered as she picked up after Evan and Christian's Lego play time.

I knew the news would come sooner or later.

"Jen, we're moving out." Evan announced at dinner. "We're going to Virginia. It's just getting too crowded."

I swallowed my garlic chicken. "Well, that's good for you guys."

Jackie smiled. "We found a house. We already made an offer. We wanted to let you know, so you can make arrangements."

"I can just stay here, right? I can renew the lease."

They both shook their heads. "We have a better idea, actually." Jackie said. She slid me an envelope. "Now, before you get all squirrelly on me, it's a gift and it's nonrefundable."

I opened it. Jackie continued, "It's an airplane ticket to Los Angeles. We called an agent and we have an apartment ready for you."

I was awestruck. "I can't accept this...this is just way too much. Thank you, but I can't."

Jackie smiled. "You deserve it, really. You can come back and visit any time. I've seen how dedicated you are and how amazingly talented you are and you just have to pursue acting! You leave in 2 weeks."

I laid the envelope down and covered my face. I cried into my hands. This was the sweetest thing anyone could have done for me. I was speechless.

The next day, Jackie had an appointment for an ultrasound. I was in the shower when she knocked on the bathroom door.

"Come in!" I yelled from behind the curtain.

"Hey, Jen! I'm heading out. I'll be back in an hour. Do you want anything for lunch?"

My hands were busy in my hair. "Uhhh...no. I think I'm gonna go over some paperwork in the Coffee Scene."

"Okay. I'll be back later!" she said as she closed the door behind her. I finished conditioning my long brown hair and then proceeded to shave my legs. I had a beautiful sundress I wanted to wear, but my legs looked like a gorilla's. I finished shaving and had just squirted some body wash into my hands when another knock hit the door.

"Jackie? Did you forget your phone? I think it's on the charger." I yelled as I lathered the liquid all over my body.

No response.

"Jackie?" I yelled. "Is that you?"

No response. I frustratingly rinsed off and got out of the shower. The water was still running. I grabbed a towel and covered my front.

"Whoever this is, you better quit playing around!" I said as I opened the door.

"Hello, love." Harry said as my eyes widened.