Author's Note: Hello, everyone that is reading this story! This month I decided to write a chapter story, and I haven't written a chapter story in about a year, so I'm really excited about this! It's an Alternate Universe fic, but it still involves our favorite couple, Jim and Pam. I hope you enjoy!
Many thanks to mrsmichaelscott for being my beta. She's fantastic!
The bus is an interesting place. There are interesting people on the bus, but not the type of interesting you'd expect.
Okay, I'll say it… There are weird people on the bus.
Especially with a five year old. I constantly have to hold her hand and say, "Alexis Jackson-Beesly, you be careful!" Even as an adult, I feel scared to make any contact with some of these people, and I'm even more concerned for my daughter, who doesn't have an ounce of fear in her body.
Oh, my daughter. She really is fearless. Slightly tall for her age, with skin and eyes like mine, but with blonde hair like her father. She is extremely intelligent, and, from what I've seen from other kids her age, very well behaved. She also has a kind heart. She isn't selfish; she loves to share, and she is very helpful. She's also very mature, and she handles herself better than other kids her age.
"Mommy," she pulls me out of my thoughts. "I'm seeing Daddy this weekend, yes?" I nod. This weekend it's his weekend.
Carl Jackson. Why I'd ever marry guy named Carl, I'll never understand. He was wonderful at the beginning, though; sweet, caring, and quite good looking. After a brief courting period (5 months and looking back that is really fast!) we were married, and two months after that, surprise! I was pregnant and a few months later Alexis was here.
The first two years were great. He was very helpful, got up when she cried, changed her diapers… But I knew he was different. Changed. Which is understandable, we were pretty young when Alexis came along. I never expected him to say that he wanted a divorce, though. The divorce was finalized just after Alexis' third birthday, and we got shared custody. He gets two weekends out of every month with her. Alexis and I live in an apartment in the middle of Scranton for the past two-and-a-half years. Since Carl was my ride to work, I've had to catch the bus ever since we filed for divorce.
Which brings me here, on this musty, old bus, coming home from work.
I work for a midsized paper company called Dunder-Mifflin, and I'm a salesman. I would have never thought I'd be a salesman, I'd never thought I'd be working for a paper company. I love art, and I always thought I'd work with something that relates to it. I do paint as a hobby, though, and it makes me happy.
"Mommy, it's time to get off," I quickly ring the bell to signal our stop. We have to work quickly, or the doors will shut on us, and I know this way too well because I always happen to get stuck between them at least once every week.
A tall, good looking man with an abundance of brown hair is in front of us. He's wearing a dark blue sweater with khaki pants, and has a brown messenger bag slung over his shoulder. He steps out and holds the door for Alexis and me. I thank him, and he gives me a warm smile in return, and Alexis and I head down the street toward the apartment while he goes in the opposite direction.
I know, it's short. But it's only the beginning! I hope you stick around to read this story. Reviews would be amazing!