Fancy's Not My Name

Not Goodbye, See You Later

Before Dottie left Jake's house she broke the news to Jake's family. Anna was devastated and their parents were upset. But once the whole situation was explained, they supported her decision just as Jake had.

They'd made plans to spend the week together after the weekend—Jake had to work both days—so she called and made plans to spend the weekend with Harriett. She hadn't specified why she wanted to stay, but Harriett hadn't complained. Mr. Hunslow told Jake to take his car to drop Dottie back at the house. Dottie figured that with her new life, she would have to get used to being in cars.

"So how did it go, the adoption process?" Jake asked as he started the car. He drove out into the street and they slowly began their journey.

"It wasn't that hard, really. Reginald's lawyer came down to organize all the papers, then the next day we had a meeting with some people from Child Services." Jake glanced at her when her voice got quiet.

"Did something happen?" He asked.

"No. It's just that, the lady who came, she was the one who took Tommy." She admitted sadly.

Jake's hands tightened on the wheel, but he told her to continue.

"I guess a detailed description of their Estate, and why I was brought to the house was given. I stopped paying attention for that part, so I'm not entirely sure. Then they asked me to tell them honestly if I wanted to live with them, and if it was all satisfactory, the adoption would go through." Dottie finished.

Jake chuckled when Dottie said she'd zoned out. It was things like that that reminded him of their age difference. Three years wasn't much, but still. With everything that's happened to her in her life, how fast she had to mature and be able to support people on her own, Jake often forgot that she was only seventeen.

Idle chat passed between them as they drove through the city. Jake asked her teasing questions about living the high life, and was relieved when she'd gotten frustrated with him. She still saw herself as that struggling little girl from a backstreet diner. It meant that even though she technically had money now, she hadn't changed a bit. He was hoping being in Georgia wouldn't ruin that.

She sighed when Jake pulled up in front of the house. Jake laughed and turned the car off before stepping out and walking around to her side. He opened the door for her and offered his hand to help her out.

She shoved him playfully and he walked her up to the door. She was surprised—though not entirely so—when the front door was yanked open to reveal the girls and a sheepish Albert.

"I tried to stop them." He said.

"Dottie when you said tall I didn't think you meant this!" Lori cried.

Jake chuckled and Dottie buried her head in her hands. His hand found her waist and Albert offered for him to step inside.

"The Master is in his study. He'll probably just assume it's Dottie returning." Albert said.

Jake nodded once and pushed Dottie to move forward. She was embarrassed to see her friends still gaping at the broad blonde behind her. He didn't seem to mind the attention though.

Dottie reluctantly introduced everyone, including Albert although they'd technically already met. Jake had adopted a subtly possessive air when he understood how close the butler had become with his girlfriend. Dottie calmed him down by telling him that Albert was already in love with someone back home. Jake's muscles relaxed, but Albert was as coiled as a compressed spring when all five of the servant girls's heads snapped in his direction.

With the attention diverted from them, Dottie led Jake to the side of the room, away from the group of excited girls.

"You've got some interesting friends there, Dot." He commented.