The Perfect Family

Chapter 20: Emilie

I can't believe that Jack suggested we spend our morning at Target. I haven't been there since the incident with Maddox, something Jack is well aware of. I guess he thinks it will be good for me to see that there is nothing to be afraid of.

"Are you sure you're okay to do this?" Jack asks as we slowly make our way to the entrance.

"Of course. There's no sense in us driving all the way back now" I respond.

"I'm proud of you" Jack says as he kisses my cheek, takes my hand and we finally enter the building.

~X~

As we enter Target everything is all to familiar. I stare at the number of aisles and pray to God that we do not pass the toy section. Julia notices that I am a little spaced out.

"Mama, are you okay?" she asks.

"What? Oh, I'm fine, baby. Just a little tired" I lie. As we continue to walk, Kyson begins to fuss.

"I think someone needs some alone time with his mother. Why don't you go deal with him and I'll watch the twins and Maddox?" Jack suggests.

"Okay. Are you sure you have everything under control, though?" I ask hesitantly.

"Of course. Don't worry, we'll be fine" Jack assures me as I take off to the nearest washroom with Kyson.

~X~

As we exit the stall, I am given an expected surprise.

"Emilie?" an unfamiliar voice says as a tall, dirty blonde haired figure comes up behind me.

"Yes?" I respond, holding Kyson's head close to my chest. 

"Hey, its me. Ben Johnson?" the man says. As he says his name, a series of flashbacks play in my head. One particular memory comes to mind: prom. As I look at him now, he seems to have really cleaned up his act.

"Wow, Ben. How are you?" I ask.

"I'm doing well actually. How about you?" Ben responds.

"Jack and I actually got married and this is our youngest son, Kyson" I say as Kyson lifts his head and yawns.

"He looks so much like you. If he's anything like Jack, he'll be quite the lady killer when he grows up" Ben observes.

"Thanks, and who is this little princess?" I say as I take notice of the blue eyed baby girl with chocolate brown hair styled in pigtails.

"This is my daughter, Piper. Say hi, baby" Ben says as he kisses his daughter's cheek.

"Wow, she's so beautiful" I respond as I glance at my phone and notice that Jack has been wondering why I am taking so long.

"Thanks. So, is Jack here? I would love to catch up with him" Ben asks.

"Oh yeah, he's actually looking for us. Is your wife around?" I reply.

"No, she's at home. Mind if I come along and say hi?" Ben asks.

"Sure. I don't see why not. Come on" I answer as we begin to wander around.

~X~

"There you are! What took you so long?" Jack says as he hugs me out and breathes a sigh of great relief.

"I ran into someone familiar" I answer as I gesture to my right side.

"Hey, giant slayer. What's up?" Ben says as he comes up behind me with his daughter in his arms. 

"Ben Johnson, is it really you?" Jack gasps.

"Let me check. Yeah, it is" Ben jokes.

"What have you been up to?" Jack asks.

"Well, I'm a film director and I'm married" Ben responds.

"This is his daughter, Piper" I add as the young girl grabs onto my index finger for just a second.

"You sure do clean up good" Jack says.

"Well times have changed since high school. But I see some things don't. I always knew you two were meant for each other" Ben replies.

"Oh, these are our other kids. Julia, Lucy, and Maddox" I say. "Kids, this is Mama and Papa's friend, Ben".

"Hi"  the twins say and Maddox's lip begins to quiver at the sight of someone so unfamiliar.

"It's okay, Maddox. Ben won't hurt you" I say as I squat to make eye contact with the anxious toddler.

"Sorry, Ben. Maddox just doesn't do well with strangers, it takes him a while to adapt" Jack says as he scoops Maddox up into his arms.

"That's alright. Piper is the same way. Listen, it was good catching up. Maybe we could get together some time and I could introduce you guys to my wife" Ben says as he checks his phone and realizes that it is nearly time for him and Piper to get home.

"Sure" Jack says.

"That would be great. Just let us know what works best" I add.

"Thanks. I sure will. Say bye bye, Piper" Ben says as he walks away with his daughter.

~X~ 

"Wow, Ben Johnson has a kid. Didn't see that coming" Jack says as we make our way to the car with the boys down for their nap early and the girls on the iPad.

"Jack, high school was a really long time ago and I'm sure he regretted what he did way before today" I reply.

"I know. Its good to see he's made a name for himself" Jack responds as we both get into the car and drive off.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Later that night, as the last of the kids goes down for bed, Jack finds me browsing through the iPad, takes it from me and puts it on the bedside table.

"What?" I smile.

"So, how do you feel?" he asks.

"About what?" I respond, even though deep down I know what he is talking about.

"You know" Jack winks.

"Oh, that" I say as I bite my lip and look down at the comforter.

"Do you feel better about it now?" Jack asks.

"I guess. It happens, right?" I respond.

"Of course. It was in no way possible your fault. You shouldn't blame yourself for something so small. Plus, it already happened, so unless technology is way ahead of us and we can purchase a time machine, there's nothing we can do to do it over" Jack says as he leans over to kiss my cheek.

"Thanks. I just really needed to hear that" I say as I kiss him in return.

"Anything for you. Good night" Jack responds.

"Good night" I reply as I turn the light out.