(Complete) New Year's Day is a time for resolutions. Jack Harris, still mourning the tragic death of his wife, vows to start living again. Maddie Evans dumps her boyfriend and vows no more meaningless sex.
Jack moves to The Point to live in his pa...
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Jack was quiet at dinner. She could tell something was bothering him but waited. When they were cleaning up, she pulled him into an embrace. She felt him cling to her.
"Oh, please." Rory interrupted them and they laughed.
"Are you going out?" Jack asked.
"We're going to the beach."
"Be home on time and... "
"I know just kissing. Same goes for you two."
Rory was playing a game, but it kept her happy. Maddie was too worried about Jack to care if Rory saw them together. He was acting like the Jack she knew back in March. She let him finish in the kitchen, while she started on Emma's bath. She felt like she was her mother. At two, she played control games and if Jack tried to change her she'd say, "No Maddie." Often when Maddie tried to take care of her, she'd ask for Daddy. She sometimes added Rory into the mix and they would tell her no. She fussed, because she wanted Jack to wash her. Jack heard her and came in. He often took over when she wanted him because Emma was his responsibility.
"Hey Em, how about Daddy and Maddie together?"
Emma agreed and Maddie found bathing his child together intimate. The bathroom was small, so they bumped into each other. Before they were through, Jack captured her mouth in a kiss full of desire. When they broke apart, she saw his tears.
Luckily, Emma went to bed quickly. When Jack shut her door, Maddie motioned for him to join her on the beanbag. They easily settled into each other's arms.
"What's wrong? Why are you so sad?"
"It's crazy."
"Just tell me." She stroked his arm as she rested her head on his shoulder.
"I got scared today. I almost had a panic attack."
"What scared you?"
"I went to see Alex and Jen. Jen was leaving for an appointment and I panicked. I calmed down when I realized she meant a work appointment. Just seeing her that pregnant was a trigger."
"It's the memory. It must have rushed back to you." She moved her hand over his heart. She could only imagine what living through that day must have been like.
"But Mads, what if I can't give you what you want?"
She wondered if it was all about making love. "What is it I want?"
"A baby, I don't know if I can live through it again."
"Jack, a baby, we haven't even..."
"I know, but in time."
"I gave up all hope of having a baby when I wasted the last three years with Steve. I'm getting older by the day. Do I want your baby? Maybe, but not enough if it's devastating for you. Why do I always feel like we're getting ahead of ourselves?"
