Bad Desire: New Beginnings - Fast Forward

Part 5 - puzzle pieces of life

As the whole extended family gathered around the dinning table that night, Juliet appreciated every single person in this room. Making time for each other was never easy with everyone getting on with their own lives however, they made it happen and that was what mattered.

"Hey, hey, Tyler!" Ellie reached out to prevent her son from digging his hand into the dessert Juliet had just placed on the table. "You have to wait until it's your turn."

Although Tyler did do as he was told and retrieve his hand back, the temptation was still clear across his face. The sight of chocolate caused an uncontrollable desperation in the little boy to take the whole cake for himself.

"Go on, take it Tyler! Eat it all!" Hunter encouraged with a devious expression on his face, while his brother was sending him daggers.

"Stop it!" James warned while trying to hold back from smiling, so his son didn't think he was in agreement. 

Hunter found so much joy in playing along with Tyler's mischievous ways however, James and Ellie were not so appreciative of it. Hunter was usually the one getting the two year old into even more trouble, as seeing his grown up uncle act that way made him think it was okay.

"Cake please!" Tyler called out as he began reaching for the dessert once again.

Juliet and Jess were watching on in amusement as these moments brought back so many memories of Ellie and James being the exact same way. It was still crazy to watch their own children become parents. It made them feel as though they were no longer needed in the same way, and even if that wasn't fully true, it was still just as emotional.

The whole experience came with such mixed feelings. As while they were saddened by the fact their children were all grown up, they also loved every second getting to watch their grandchildren grow up too.

"Has Matt spoken to Jay recently?" Jess suddenly turned to Juliet, whose eyes darted from their children, over to her.

"Yeah, he was supposed to be meeting him tonight but plans changed. Why?" Juliet replied with caution, not knowing what was about to follow.

There was something about the way Jess was shifting uncomfortably in her seat and playing with the cutlery on the table, that made her look slightly on edge.

"So he hasn't mentioned Vegas yet then?"

"Vegas? What about Vegas?"

Now tapping her nails against the table, Jess made sure that Jack wasn't listening before she continued. She wasn't intending to keep secrets from him but she also didn't see the point in sharing something that wasn't going to happen anyway.

"He's planning a trip to Vegas... with the whole gang." Jess began and Juliet's reaction proved she hadn't fully understood.

"Oh God, he's going back there?" She laughed, thinking back to the last big trip they had all taken there; even right back to her very short time of calling it her home.

Although she had hated every second while being there, now looking back, she couldn't deny what an experience it had been.

"Yeah and he asked me if I wanted to go too." Jess finished what she had started with a smile that expressed how insane she thought it was.

Juliet was immediately taken back by what she had just heard but very soon couldn't help but laugh. They all knew Jay liked to take his chances and push limits however, it was quite amazing what he had confidence in achieving. 

He wouldn't have asked Jess if he didn't have some confidence that she would say yes. Therefore, he had obviously convinced himself that even if it took a lot of persuading, it was going to happen.