Secrets. (A James Franco FanFiction)

Chapter 26

6 years later

Katie's POV

"Mommy! Mommy!!" I heard my daughter's voice ring out.

I opened my eyes to see her smiling face, standing next to my bed.

I smiled, and pulled her into me for a hug.

"Good morning, sweetheart! Did you have a good sleep?"

She nodded excitedly.

I looked at her for a moment, thinking.

I could see so much of her father in her. Her dark hair, dark eyes.

Jessica Ann was the light of my life, and not a day has gone by that I haven't been thankful for her. She was six years old only, and so mature for her age already.

"Mommy, get up, come on!" She spouted off, grabbing my hand.

I laughed, as she tried to pull me out of bed.

"Woah, woah, honey, what's the rush??"

My daughter glared at me.

"You forgot?"

I chuckled, "No I didn't..forget what?"

Jessica let out a groan.

"Mommy!!! You promised we would go to Times Squat today!"

I laughed, running my hand through her hair.

"You mean Times Square?"

She nodded, smiling.

"Yeah."

Oh yeah. I totally forgot. I promised her I would take her down to Times Square today, and look through the stores, specifically toy stores, get some lunch, and see a movie.

I smiled down at Jessica.

"Go get ready!! Come on, now you're taking forever!!" I teased her.

She grinned, rolling her eyes, "Momma!"

With that, she raced out of my room, and I heard her footsteps make their way down to hers.

I walked into the bathroom, and looked at myself in the mirror.

I looked happy, but I knew deep down I wasn't.

I tried to hide it whenever I was around Jessica, to be strong for her.

I know she missed her dad.

I missed him too, but it was for the best.

Liam and I got married after Jessica was born, and things were fantastic. I was the happiest I'd ever been.

Then, the fighting started.

It was a strain on our relationship, and on Jessica.

We didn't want to put her through that, so we just recently divorced last year.

I loved Liam, I did.

He was a great Dad to Jessi, but he wasn't her father.

She didn't know who her birth father was.

And I intended to keep it that way.

~~~

I was finishing up getting dressed when Jessica ran into my room again.

"How do I look, Mommy?"

She had on her favorite pink shirt, with some jeans, and her hair in her signature ponytail.

I giggled, getting down on my knees and kissing her forehead.

"You look perfect, my darling."

I scanned myself.

"How does Mommy look?" I asked her, a smirk on my face.

She grinned wide. "Pretty."

I laughed, hugging her. "That's my girl! You ready to go?!"

She nodded, and I stood back up, grabbing her hand.

"Let's head out!"

~~~

"Momma, look at that doll!!" Jessica exclaimed, pointing to a brown-haired doll on a shelf.

I smiled, picking it up.

"I'm looking at it..she's beautiful, don't you think??"

I replied, looking down at my daughter.

She nodded rapidly, staring at the doll.

"You want it??" I asked.

She smiled the most adorable smile I had ever seen, and nodded.

I handed her the doll, grinning.

"Then she's yours." I said.

She clutched the doll protectively in her hands, looking up at me in adoration.

"Thank you, Mommy!"

I bent down, and kissed her cheek.

"Anything for you, sweetie."

After a few more minutes of looking around the store, we approached the counter, and Jessica placed the doll as best she could on it.

I smiled at the cashier, while she scanned the doll.

I paid, and handed the doll back to Jess.

I grabbed her hand as we made our way out of the toy store.

"So what do you want for lunch?" I asked her as we walked down the city street.

"Um, A Happy Meal!" She replied after a moment.

I smiled down at her, about to respond, when I heard my name.

"Katie?"

At that, I looked up at the person I haven't seen in six years. I almost thought it was a dream, had it not been for my daughter squeezing my hand.

My breath caught in my throat, and I couldn't speak but one word.

"James?!"

~~~

A/N one more chapter to go.