The Race

10 Weeks & 0 Days: Part 1

Jared's POV

"You're going to get my mom and sister, right?" Jess asked for about the hundredth time.

"Unless I get in a car accident there," I joked.

Jess's eyes got big.

"I'm kidding!" I chuckled.

Jess gave me a weak punch in the arm. "That's not funny!" She exclaimed.

"Yes, I'm getting your mother and sister and I'm not to say anything about the baby or the cancer in the car." I recited.

"Good. Now you better leave! Love you!" Jess pecked me on the lips and I went out the door.

No sooner did I get in my car when my phone started to ring. It was Jess.

"Yes, I'm going to get your mom and sister." I said into the phone before she had the chance to say anything.

"No, not that!" Jess exclaimed.

"Then what?" I asked, pulling out of the driveway.

"Remember when you used to call me when we had to drive separate cars or you were in the car alone because you missed my hand holding yours?" Jess asked.

I knew she was stalling, but I did remember.

"I remember." I smiled into the phone.

"We should start doing that again. Or you should. It was cute." Jess giggled.

"I will." I promised. "Just for you."

"Good. Where you now?"

"On the highway, about 20 more minutes until LAX." I concurred.

"Oh. Okay." Jess said simply.

"What's wrong?" I asked, I knew something was wrong ever since I woke up that morning.

"I'm scared. I haven't seen my mom in a long time nor talked to her. I'm surprised she even wants to see me. I've talked to my sister but not for a long time. She wasn't exactly on my side when I was arguing with mom. And what if they're mad at me? I haven't exactly told them about you, our baby, it, or anything! They didn't even know I was living in LA! My brother must have told them. I'm still really scared. But I shouldn't be scared. I should be brave and not scared. Right babe?" Jess rambled.

"Right!" I said loudly into the phone, unintentionally.

"You don't have to yell," Jess chuckled.

"It's going to be okay." I assured her. She was so nervous and scared.

"I know. You'll be there with me." Jess whispered into the phone.

"Anything for you, princess." I smiled.

"Alright, I love you. I'm going to go take a shower and try to settle my nerves. I've almost dropped my phone about 50 times while talking to you." Jess said, trying to make light of the situation.

"I love you. Forever and always." We said our goodbyes and I hung up.

Shortly after, I arrived at the airport.

I waited by the gates with a sign that had "Abby & Kathy" written on it, Kathy being my mother in-law's name.

When I saw a girl that resembled Jess, I waved my hand. They noticed me and came over with their bags.

"You didn't tell me that Amber had a driver!" Kathy exclaimed.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Parker. I'm actually her husband. My name is Jared." I stuck out my hand.

"You need to cut your hair and shave that bird's nest of a beard!" Mrs. Parker scoffed.

I took my hand back, slightly offended.

"Where did you park the car?" Abby asked.

"Over there." I pointed toward my black car in the front row.

Abby and Kathy walked to car as I carried their luggage.

I popped the trunk and stuffed their bags into it and got into the car, slamming the door shut.

"How long have you been married?" Mrs. Parker asked.

"A little over a year." I smiled.

"Have you been married before?" She quizzed.

"I was engaged, but never married. That was over 10 years ago." I answered honestly.

"Hmph." She scoffed.

"I really do love your daughter. She's the best thing that's ever happened to me. Better than my success. Jess is my princess." I gave a small smile.

"What success?" She asked rudely.

"Well, I'm an actor and I'm the lead singer and cofounder of the band Thirty Seconds to Mars. They're very popular." I said modestly.

"Never heard of them." She stated and crossed her arms. "Amber never liked rockstars when growing up. I'm surprised she is married to someone like you."

"Mom!" Abby exclaimed.

I was taken back by her response.

"Her name is Jess. Not Amber anymore." I corrected.

"That's not what I named her." Kathy shot back.

"That is what she would like to be called. Just recently she legally changed her name to Jessica, or Jess." I gritted my teeth.

Mrs. Parker made a scoffing noise and didn't reply.

"So Abby, how are you?" I asked, trying to change the subject.

"I'm doing well." She smiled.

"What do you do for a living?" I asked.

"I'm a real estate agent. Is Jess still teaching?" She asked.

"Not at the moment. But she does want to get back into teaching soon." I replied and pulled into the driveway.

"Here we are!" I said and got out of the car. I then got their bags from the trunk.

"Where's Amber?" Jess's mom asked.

"Jess, is in the house. You can go in." I corrected her.

And after that, the weekend turned to a living hell.