Part 3

I ended up taking the kids to Sci-Port, a fun place where kids can play around in the human body, fish for little gold fish in the marine section, and play in space. Anything science they could play with. It was actually really fun.

Afterwards I took them out to get ice cream. Then we got lunch to go at Wendy's. What would be fun about today if we didn't have dessert first?

It was amazing watching the kids so happy. Wesley only whined once, and that was when he found out that we couldn't take the gold fish he caught home. I would've allowed him too, but they said we couldn't.

I thought about stopping in Walmart on the way home to get him one, but decided against it.

He's already so spoiled today. He'll be fine.

I managed to only think about Jade a couple times. I didn't want my thoughts to over rule me when I'm playing with the kids. It was hard, but they come first. Like I've said before.

I parked in the driveway of our house and saw Jade's car parked in the garage. It kind of aggravated me, I told her not to be in the house when we were gone. I was going to call her later.

I turned off the car and went and unbuckled Wesley, watching Haley get out with her frosty from Wendy's and her bag of chicken nuggets. "Wait for me before you go inside, Okay Hay?"

Haley nodded tiredly and I picked up Wesley, placing him on my hip before grabbing the their bags of food and the drink holder.

I walked up to the front door and Haley opened it for me considering my hands were full. "Thank you, baby."

Jade was sitting on the couch, and quickly got up seeing us. "Hey, did you guys have fun?" She asked and lifted her hand to her face.

Was..was she crying?

I eyed her for a moment. She caught my gaze and then looked away wiping away some tears. She then walked over and grabbed Wesley from me. "Here let me help you." She whispered.

"Thank you." I replied and walked into the kitchen, setting down the food. "Um," I started and rose my voice so she could hear me from the other room. "The kids had a blast. I think Haley is worn out. We ended up going to Sci-Port."

I don't know why I was even telling her any of this. I guess it's because I'm the bigger person, like always. I really just wanna know why she is here though, what exactly she is crying about, and how this conversation is going to turn out. 

I could get a couple ideas already of why she is crying, I mean come on. She lost her wife and her kids. I should feel sorry for her, I do. But she put this on herself. It's not like I didn't warn her.

"That sounds fun." I heard Jade's voice near me and looked over to see she had came in the kitchen. 

My eyes studied her for a moment. She still looked sober. I took in the moment. The moment of her appearance and the emotions she had expressed on her face. It's been awhile since she looked like this-not drunk and tripping over her own feet. I noticed Jade starring at me as well, so I looked away and swallowed the lump in my throat.

"Tori.." She whispered. I turned around with a stern face, but before I could say anything she put her hands up in surrender and quickly interrupted. "Hey.. just hear me out." I looked at her for another moment and turned my head to look away. I wanted to keep looking, but I couldn't. It hurt. She seemed to 'come in peace' though. So I let her finish talking. 

I saw out of the side of my eye she put her hands back down. "I made dinner reservations tonight." This caught my attention and I quickly looked back over at her. "So we can talk, and work things out." 

"Oh yeah?" I crossed my arms and leaned against the table.

Jade nodded and tucked her hands in her pockets. "Yeah, you mother is willing to watch them- the kids I mean. Or Cat. I already got it planned out."

I didn't say anything. I didn't know what to say. I think she noticed I wasn't going to respond so she sucked in a breathe and cleared her throat. "Just think about it? It's at 7:30." She looked over at the stove and read the time before backing up. "It's only 5:30. Let me know?" With that, she left.

I didn't want to accept the offer right away. We've tried talking. I want to try again obviously, for our kids and our love life. I want it to be perfect again like it was. I want us, our family again. I've always wanted it back. But then again, we've done this all before, she's tried before. It never works and one of us ends up with a black eye. Either she gives it to me, or she falls and gives herself one.

-

At 6:38 pm, I sat in my room on the bed with my legs crossed, looking down at a photograph of Jade playing the piano. She looked happy, and beautiful. She was happy and beautiful. This was taken right before our honey moon that we blew off after our wedding for like two months. 

I chuckled at myself when thinking of this.

We just couldn't decide where to go. Plus, we were caught up in other things, but eventually Jade made time and then surprised me with tickets to Florida. I've always wanted to go and it was perfect timing. Spring Break.

We had a blast. It was wonderful. If you are wondering, yes, it is exactly like it's portrayed to be.

There was one time Jade and I were dancing to the guys on stage, and she ended up bumping into me too hard so I ended up spilling my beer all over this angry teenage girl. She cursed at me and tried fighting with me, know what Jade did? She took a swig of her own beer and spit it all in her face. Yup. That girl was pissed. It was funny though, you had to of been there.

"Momma?" I looked up from the photo and felt a tear drop from my cheek. Haley was standing at my door. 

"Hey baby, whatcha need?" I asked setting the photo aside. I looked over to the time to see it was 6:52 now.

"Why are you crying?" Haley walked over to me and crawled up onto the bed. 

I smiled at her and wiped away the tears. "Don't worry, I'm okay."

"Is it because of mom?" She whispered.

I looked at my daughter and then glanced at the photo on my bed again. I didn't reply. She already knew the answer, she's a smart kid. I thought of the whole situation again. I know I can't keep trying forever with Jade. At some point you have to stop and accept the fact not everything can be fixed. Some things you love, you just have to let go for the better outcome. That's just life. 

I heard my phone buzz and saw it blinking from across the room. Haley got up and walked over to my dresser where it was plugged in. She looked back at me and then down at the phone. 

I knew who it was. "Be nice." I warned her. "I'm trying to make it better for all of us." 

Haley closed her eyes and opened them with water filling her eyes. Then she answered it. "Hey mom."

-

     I'm here. -Jade 7:21 pm

I ended up telling her to pick me up and we could go. I've made up my mind. I knew what I was going to tell her and what I wanted. It's hard loving someone so much you never want to let them go.

I've felt heartbreak before. It sucks, I know. It's the worst pain. People don't always get over it, but it get's better.

But when you have kids it's different. You have to think of them. They are a huge factor. 

I don't want to let Jade go. I love her. Our kids love her. 

When Haley answered the phone it was hard seeing her cry. Jade said hi and they talked for a bit. Nothing serious, just a how are you. Haley was nice to her also. I think she knows she has to be sometimes, that is her mother. She ended up giving the phone to me and I just said, "I'm ready." Jade know what that meant and hung up.

I'm going to talk to her. We're going to be happy. There's no other choice now.

"Okay Bear, listen to Cat. She's in charge. I love you and I'll be back later on tonight." I said kissing my son's head. 

Cat smiled at me from the couch. She was playing with Haley's hair. "You have fun okay? Everything's going to be alright."

I nodded at her and walked over, leaning down and kissing Haley's cheek. "Thank you, Cat." I told her quietly. 

Cat has matured greatly, actually. It's nice, but she has her moments all the time. That's what makes her, her though. I would never want her to change.

"Okay my babies, have a good night, have fun, call me if you need me. Do not hesitate. I love you!" I opened the door and looked back at them.

"I love you, momma."

"I love you!" 

I laughed lightly and then smiled, blowing a kiss to them, before walking out and shutting the door. I looked over to Jade's car and froze for a moment.

She was looking at me from inside and then got out slowly. 

"Tori."

"Jade."