What's Next?

Closer to Free

Rory kissed her two year olds before dropping them off at pre-school. "Bye-Bye girls." She said and exited the room quickly, hoping they wouldn't cry for very long.

"I don't cry anymore at pre-school." Haeven said. "I'm a big girl now."

Rory smiled down at her as they walked back to the car. "You're right, sweets." She said.

Rory drove and dropped her off at her pre-school then headed to work. On the way there, she got a phone call. "Hello?"

"Hey, baby. Are you doing okay?" Jess asked.

"I'm alright, just dropped the girls off."

"Okay, just checking up. I'm heading to work in a bit."

Rory told him she was thankful that he was such a good husband and hung up the phone. Life was starting to get back to normal.

*****

After work, they all gathered around the television to watch a movie. Things had been so hectic lately, so Rory and Jess wanted time with their family. By the end of the movie, only Jess was awake. He carried his daughters to their beds and then went to Rory.

"Wake up sleepy head." He said to her.

Rory moaned and turned around.

Jess smirked. "Are you gonna make me carry you upstairs?"

Rory moved slightly.

"Okay, Princess Anne." Jess picks Rory up and carries her upstairs to their bedroom and wraps her in the sheets. "You're not a light as you used to be." Jess joked, knowing she was as light as could be.

"Hey!" Rory shot up.

"I knew you were awake!" Jess said, facetiously.

Rory giggled. "I love being carried."

"I can tell. But, do you love being..." Jess paused. "Tickled?" He began ticking her.

Rory shrieked. "Jess! Hey, stop that!" She was giggling and then went for Jess's weak spot.

Jess flipped as Rory tickled his feet.

"No fair." Jess said.

Rory stopped and they stared each other in the eyes for a moment.

Jess kissed her passionately.

Rory was enticed and kissed him back. "I'll turn off the lights."

*****

Jess was typing up things for work when Adley ran up, demanding to be held.

"Daddy hold!" She said, her little arms stretching up to him.

"Baby, I'm busy right now. Daddy needs to get this paper done." Jess sighed and took off his newly prescribed reading glasses that he dreaded anyone see him in.

"Daddy hold!" The little girl demanded again, this time louder than the previous.

Jess tried to shush her because it was nearly 1:00 am and he didn't want Rosalyn or Rory to wake up. "Sweetie, daddy is working. How did you get out of your crib anyway?"

"I climb." She said, matter-a-factly.

"Let's get you back to bed."

Of course, Jess's efforts were met with disposition. "No sleep, no tired." The two year old wailed.

Jess gave in and picked up his child. "Alright. How about Daddy reads you a story?"

Adley clapped that she had finally gotten her way. "Yay!"

Jess read the story and sure enough, after the fourth page of "Goodnight Moon", Adley was fast asleep in Jess's lap.

"What's going on?" Rory came to the room.

Adley awoke from her short-lived nap. "Mommy hold!" She reached for Rory.

"Wow, thanks Rory." Jess said, clearly aggravated. "She was almost asleep."

Rory furrowed her brow. "Jess, I was worried when I realized that you weren't in bed. I heard some whimpering on the baby monitors."

"Just go to bed, I'll put her to sleep." Jess said.

"Jess, it's okay I've got-" Rory started before Jess cut her off.

"Haven't you done enough? I said go to bed." Jess said this with such anger in his voice that he wished he hadn't been so mad.

"You don't talk to me like that." Rory scolded. "I am not someone that you can just tell what to do."

"Mommy daddy fight." Adley said.

"Oh, sweets." Rory picked her daughter up. "See what you've done." She looked Jess dead in the eye. She walked away and rocked Adley to sleep. Then, Rory made her way to the bedroom.

Jess sat alone in this thoughts, angry that he'd lost his temper with Rory. He was frustrated and overly tired. Realize that his actions had proved him to be a pretty shitty husband, Jess went to the bedroom. He half-expected Rory to already be sleeping.

"Ready to apologize?" Rory whispered.

Jess turned on the lamp beside the bed and noticed a few tear streaks that stained her cheeks. He felt like a complete ass. Had I really made her cry again? "Rory..."

Rory leaned up against him. "I know you're struggling through this pain too." She said, rubbing his hand. "I'm sorry if I haven't been considerate of your feelings."

Jess felt even worse that Rory was apologizing. "You did nothing wrong, it was all me that was inconsiderate." Jess hugged her close.

Rory understood that they would have to work together to get over this challenge and to learn to find happiness again.