Chapter 15
Alexander
The mountain roads had worked their magic on Jessica, and the twins. Alexander couldn’t help but look over at Jessica. Even sleeping she is absolutely stunning. He glanced back at the children as they slept in their car seats. This is his family. This is the way it is meant to be. As he pulled into the cabin driveway, he wished he had more time with them. The day had gone by too quickly.
“Jessica, we’re here.” He whispered to her, lightly nudging her shoulder.
“Hmm?” She woke up, and yawned.
“I’ll help you with the children.” Alexander said opening his door. Silently he prayed she would fall back asleep so he could have the chance to carry her inside too. Luck isn’t on his side though because she got out and stretched before opening the back car door.
“Home?” Michael asked the moment Alexander started picking him up.
“Yeah buddy. We’re home.” He told his son.
Jessica had better luck with Madison. It amazed him how easy it was for her to pick Madison up without waking her. Must be a mother’s touch. Walking up to the door, Alexander flipped through the keys on the keychain but didn’t see one that looked like the cabin keys the resort uses. He turned around to ask Jessica for the key but she already had it out.
“Here let me.” He offered holding out his hand for the key.
Jessica didn’t seem to mind as she gave him the key. He unlocked the door and held it open for Jessica. She nodded her thanks as she went in. After shutting the door behind him, Alexander followed Jessica through the living room and down the hall. He isn’t sure he should since Michael is awake, but he isn’t ready to leave Jessica’s side either. Alexander put his finger in front of his mouth, telling Michael to be very quiet. In response Michael copied him, and a ‘shh’ to go with it.
Jessica placed Madison in one of the twin beds. Covering Madison up, Jessica bent down giving her a kiss on the forehead. Madison didn’t wake up she only snuggled into her bed. Alexander just stood watching as Jessica walked to the dresser pulling out some clothes. She motioned for him to walk out with her, so he followed.
“Okay big boy, it’s time to get ready for bed.” Jessica held out her hands for Michael.
“No!” Michael shook his head and reached for his pajamas. “I do it.”
“I big boy,” He told Alexander.
“Show me how big then.” Alexander put Michael down.
Jessica gave him his clothes, and he ran to the bathroom across the hall. Alexander smiled at the thought of Michael trying to impress him. Michael came out in less than two minutes. Although his pajama pants are on backwards, he is completely dressed.
“Big boy!” Michael exclaimed raising his hands above his head in victory.
“You are a big boy.” Alexander agreed. “You must be five years old already.”
Michael smiled, and shook his head. He counted on his little fingers, then held up three.
“Well it’s time for my big boy to go to bed.” Jessica told him opening the bedroom door.
“Night.” Michael said with a pouty face.
Alexander is surprised when Michael didn’t fuss. He slowly walked to his bed, and climbed in. Alexander followed Jessica into the room. She gave Michael a kiss, and covered him up. Turning on the monitor that’s on the dresser, she waved Alexander to come out. They went to the living room. Alexander didn’t want to leave but he knew Jessica probably wants him to go.
“Do you want a cup of coffee? Or a soda?” Jessica asks as she headed for the kitchen.
“Coffee will be fine.” Alexander tried not to sound too excited at the chance to stay.
“I will brew a pot. Make yourself at home, this won’t take long.”
Alexander took a seat on the couch and waited. Looking around the room he wondered what her place back home looked like. Are there pictures of Michael and Madison hanging everywhere? Toys scattered all over the floors? He was imagining a life with Jessica and the twins when Jessica came back into the room, snapping him back to reality.
“Coffee will be done in a few.” Jessica sat in the recliner rather than on the couch with him. Alexander tried to hide his disappointment.
“When are you going to tell the children about me?” Alexander decided to get the ball rolling.
“In the morning, I just didn’t want to overwhelm them today.” Jessica glanced at the baby monitor sitting on the coffee table. Was she hoping for an interruption?
“I can understand that. Have they asked about their dad?”
“No, I think they are a little young to understand. Although after tomorrow I’m sure that will change.” Jessica looked up at him. “They really like you.”
“I hope so. I wish I was there from the beginning. I’ve missed so much already and there’s no way to get that back.” He didn’t want to sound angry but he was.
“I can’t change that.” Jessica got up and started for the kitchen. “Coffee is done. Come get a cup.”
After fixing their coffees they came back to the living room. Jessica set her coffee down and walked down the hall. Alexander sat back on the couch, taking a few sips of his coffee. Jessica came back in moments later with a book.
“I figured you would mention something about missing things so I brought a photo album to show you what you did miss.” Jessica sat down beside him, and handed him the photo album. “I have duplicates of these so you can keep this book for yourself.
“Thank you, it’s very thoughtful of you.” Alexander opened the photo album, and began looking through the pictures.
They spent a good thirty minutes looking at the pictures. Jessica would explain what was going on the day of the pictures. From the looks of it she probably had a camera in her hands every day. The only thing missing is a picture with their daddy. He won’t be missing any more. One way or another he will be there for his children. They need their father to teach them the shifter ways.
Another hour was spent just getting to know Jessica, and the life she has back home. Other than work and the twins, it doesn’t seem like she has much of a life. This is good; he can work with that. He has some thinking to do but he will find a way.