Pray For Me

No Communications

One week later

"Jude, don't you think it's time to call Lana?"

"Why would I? She's made no effort to reach out or apologize." Jude says, turning back to the changing table and snapping Octavia's onesie.

Timothy sighs and leans against the crib.

"Don't take that tone with me, Timothy Howard."

He chuckles and sips his coffee, shaking his head at her.

"Did the paper come today?"

"Yes, why?"

"I need to look for job listings."

"Jude..."

"Don't Timothy. I need to go back to work soon. I didn't want to work as a secretary my whole life anyways. I'm 27 now, Timothy."

"Don't remind me," He chuckles, running a hand through his hair. Since before Octavia was born, he had been sprouting grey hair near his temples and ears.

"It looks good on you, babe," Jude smiles, cupping his face as she walks by with the baby.

"Thanks. The paper is on the table."

After Timothy leaves for work, Jude feeds Octavia and looks through the job listings in the paper. The one that catches her eye is for the position of cashier and barista at the local cafe downtown.

"What do you say about a little trip after breakfast, huh, love bug?"

Jude quickly showers and gets ready while Octavia takes her first morning nap. After the baby's diaper has been changed, Jude grabs her purse, throws a few extra diapers into it, and grabs the car keys off the table in the entrance hall.

"Hello," Jude smiles.

"Hey there, can I help you?"

Jude pulls the clipping out of her coat pocket and slides it across the counter.

"I was wondering if I could apply for this position."

"Oh, sure! Let me go get my manager and we can start your interview right now!"

"Great, thank you," Jude smiles, taking a seat at a table close to the bar. Octavia babbles to her mother, and they have a 'conversation' while Jude waits for the manager.

"Hello," He smiles, wiping his hands on his jeans before shaking her hand.

"Nice to meet you! I'm Jude."

"I'm Michael. Who is this little one?"

"My daughter, Octavia," Jude smiles, bouncing the baby in her arms.

"What a beautiful name! So, here I have an application you can fill out now if you'd like. What made you want to work here?"

"Well, it's nearly time for me to return to work, and I simply wasn't happy at my old job. I did some secretarial work for my friend, Lana Winters, but I'm ready for a change of scenery. I think it would be great experience working with customers and finding a balance between work and socializing."

"Wow, Jude! Well, let me tell you, just in the short time I've known you, I think you'd make a great addition to our staff. If you fill out that application, I can call you with the news tomorrow!"

"Thank you so much, Michael," Jude smiles, taking a pen from her purse and beginning to fill out the application.

"I'm home, love. How'd your interview go?"

"Really great! I think I got it."

Timothy smiles and wraps his arms around Jude's waist.

"That's amazing, honey. Mmhm, what are you making? It smells... nostalgic."

"Coq au Vin, to celebrate."

Timothy smiles and kisses her sweetly before heading upstairs to change into a more comfortable outfit. While Jude waits for the food to finish cooking, she feeds Octavia and bounces her foot to the music coming from the record player.

"This is the song I taught Kit to dance to," Jude smiles, closing her eyes and patting Octavia's butt. "I'll teach you to dance just as soon as you can walk. Oh, we'll have so many dance parties, my little love."

Timothy watches from the doorway, smiling. Jude is a great mother. He'd never thought he'd be able to achieve true happiness with Jude, but here he is nearly two years later.

"It's, ready," Jude smiles, turning off the timer on her watch as she walks past him into the kitchen. He takes the baby from her and helps set the table.

"I love you," She smiles, kissing his cheek before sitting across from him with the baby in her arms.

"I love you more."