JENNA

 

FIVE YEARS LATER

 

Pushing the button on my minivan key fob, I grab my three-year-old by the hand and latch my arm around the handle of the baby carrier. Walking into the daycare I’m greeted by my friend Sarah who took my three-year-old son, Jacob, by the hand and led him right into the playgroup. I never got a goodbye hug – that’s how much he loves being here. “I won’t be but an hour,” I state as I check on my baby girl, Savannah, sleeping in the baby carrier. “That’s fine,” Sarah hugs me, “How’s my little angel?” she stares into the car seat as I brag about how great my children are.

Lucky to have been blessed with two little angels, only two years after Bennett and I got married, I say my goodbyes as I head to the pediatrician for Savannah’s three-month checkup.

Perfect five years lie behind us. As I’m driving to the doctor’s appointment I reminisce all the good that has happened. My magazine has taken off and it’s run so smoothly with the staff I had hired, there’s no need for me to show up very often. Bennett’s career has taken us by surprise when he was made Chief a few months ago. He’s proud of his team and everyone is satisfied with his leadership. I’m beyond proud of my husband.

Cassie has finally found the one for her. She’s been dating a guy for the past three years now. Neither of them is serious about marriage just yet, which I agree with. They’re too busy traveling the world, enjoying their life, before settling down. I envy them, but only on days it gets stressful with the kids, which isn’t all that often.

After the wedding, I never saw Noah again. I’m not sure where in life he’s at, I’m not sure if he’s happy somewhere, sad, or even still alive. Not another thought was shared on his behalf since that day. I don’t wish him ill will, but I also do not want to ever cross his path again.

 

After Savannah’s checkup, she’s my healthy fourteen-pound baby; I go back to the daycare to pick up Jacob. The only time I ever drop him off is when I have appointments and don’t have anyone else to watch him. It’s usually not more than hour. He enjoys the time to play with some of his friends, especially Sarah’s daughter Melina.

“How was the appointment?” Sarah greets me as I walk in with Savannah in my arms.

“She’s healthy as can be,” I cuddle my brown haired, brown eyed, smiling little angel.

“Perfect. So, I met a guy,” she strikes up a conversation.

“Oh really?” we sit at a table in the corner watching the kids play as she pulls Savannah from my arms to cuddle her.

“He’s handsome. He’s my age. He loves kids, but doesn’t have any of his own, he’s a gentleman, a cop, and totally hot,” she’s beaming.

“How many times have you two gone out?”

“Enough to have wild sex,” she smirks.

Sarah is a single mom and hasn’t had much luck with men since Melina’s daddy passed away right after she was born.

“Dang, when do I get to meet this lucky guy?”

“Actually, we’d like to take you and Bennett out tomorrow night, I was telling him about Melina and Jacob being such great friends and how much I adored your little girl. I kinda brag about my friends,” she jokes.

“I’ll ask Cassie if she can watch the kids,” I actually look forward to a night out.

“Awesome.”

 

Back home I’m met by Bennett cooking us a fantastic lunch. Jacob runs straight to his daddy’s legs latching on talking about how his morning went with his best friend Melina. I breastfeed Savannah as I tell Bennett all about the dinner we’re invited to with Sarah and her date, whose name I never even caught. “Sounds good,” he whispers as he kisses my forehead while smiling at our baby girl.