"Have you lost your mind?" Jake was furious. He was practically kicking her door open. Jake's divorce had just been finalized, and he was trying to get Jane to reconsider his proposal. Jake was set on getting back together. He had tried his best to be the perfect father to their children. He had sold his mid life crisis in a shape of a car and got an appropriate one for his age. He was working hard to get his life back on track, so when the kids accidentally mentioned that Jane was going to Europe for six weeks, he panicked. Jake has worked so hard to be the guy that Jane deserved. However, this trip of hers would ruin his progress with her.
Jane rolled her eyes and swung the door open. "There's nothing you can do to make me change my mind Jake." Jane replied rather sternly. She was neatly folding her last item of clothing and placing it on top of her other things. "I'm going to Europe whether or not you like it." Jane was calm. Her ex husband had no right to tell her what to do, and she was sure that he knew that. However, he was still clinging on to the possibility of them getting back together. "What about the kids?" Jake turned red. He was getting desperate. "What about them?" Jane replied. She tried her best to remain passive with Jake. She zipped up her luggage as he rambled on. "What if that thing in Gabby's apartment happens again? Or what if Luke finally decides to introduce us to his girlfriend? Or what if Lauren"
"Enough Jake." She cut him off. Jane placed her hands on her waist and stood her ground. She was losing her patience. "Gabby knows what to do when her sink gets clogged again. If she can't fix it, she'll call Harley or maybe a plumber. Luke has already introduced me to Erika via FaceTime. They had assured me that they would be flying here as soon as I get back. Lastly, Lauren has Harley. Jake, our children are grown up. They have their own lives. We try to see them as often as we can, but we both know that that only happens once a month or maybe more if we're lucky. We have raised them well enough to know that they can handle themselves." Jane turned around to place her luggage on the on her porch.
"Come on Jane. What about all the progress we have made over the past few months? Doesn't that mean anything?" Jake asked. They haven't talked about this since the kids had found out about their fling. Jane sighed. She really did love Jake. They were together for a long time. He was also the father of her children. There will always be a place in her heart for Jake, but she wasn't in love with him anymore. She was far past that phase of her life. She had moved on.
"I'm really sorry Jake, but it will never happen." Jane saw the pain in his eyes. A part of her wanted to take back what she had said just because she remembered the sweet young man he once was. However, she knew that she had to do this. It is what's best for their family. "Our time has passed. I am going on this trip, not because I want to be away from you, but because I deserve this. I have taken care of our children for the past 3 decades. I have also started my own business, and it's doing quite well. Jake, I have been taking care of everybody for such a long time. I deserve time to be alone. I deserve to treat myself, to explore the world and be carefree. I won't even be gone for that long. It will just be for six weeks. I will have a laptop and my phone with me all through out. I will not be unreachable. The bakery would be in good hands. Lauren even volunteered to check on it once in a while. My girl friends have a key. They would be looking after the plants and the house. The kids also promised to call me at least once a week. It will be fine. You don't have to worry about me." Jane explained. Jake stood in silence. He didn't know what to say. She was right. Jane Louise Adler had always put other people before herself. She had always been so sweet and gentle with everyone. Jake knew that she was right, so even if was killing him, he had to admit that he had already blew his chance.
"Well have a safe trip Janey. You've always loved Paris. I bet you can't wait to see the Eiffel Tower again. You've always loved it there." Jake offered an apologetic smile. Jane nodded. It was meant to signal that she had forgiven his outburst. "I'm really sorry Jane. Let me make it up to you. I could drive you to the airport." Jake offered. "Oh no. That won't be necessary. I was planning to call a cab. I didn't want to bother anyone since it's such a long drive to LAX." She giggled. "I was thinking of just flying to Los Angeles, then I realized that I was traumatized by connecting flights because of that trip we took to Hawaii when I was pregnant with Luke. Do you remember that?" She asked. "I remember." He nodded. Nostalgia suddenly hitting them both. How different would their lives be if they hadn't fallen out of love? "Anyway please Janey. I insist. Let me drive you to Los Angeles. This doesn't have to be a big deal. You don't even have to talk to me. You can pretend that you're just in a cab. You can even sit in the back seat if you want." Jake insisted. He felt so guilty barging into her home. This was a small thing he could do to make up for it. Jane smiled. "It would be easier that way." She started to reconsider his offer. "Are you sure you're okay with driving for nearly two and a half hours?" Jane asked. Jake nodded without hesitation.
"Let's go then." And they went off. Not knowing what was in store for Jane Adler.
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Votes and comments are very much appreciated...especially since I have no idea where I'm going with this story.
