Alright! It's important that you read these notes before we start.

This story's first chapter is something of a test-run for me. You're more than likely going to need some knowledge of my Huniepop series of stories to fully appreciate it. It features a younger Jessie just turned twenty. With her for the ride is another protagonist. Not the one you're all quite used to.

Anyway! Have a read and let me know what you think! This is a mega-prequel if there ever was one.

Two Hearts

"Today marks the fifth year since the passing of treasured musical icon, Angela Winters, after her very public battle against frail health and cardiomyopathy. Miss Winters was loved dearly by all within the classical music sphere and had a large, adoring fanbase. A charity fundraiser has been launched by the University of Glenberry with proceeds being donated to the US Heart Foundation."

Twenty-Four. Was that an age for one of the country's most radiant and talented young women to die? If there was any sort of proof that higher powers didn't give a solitary damn then this was it. Angela was kind and beautiful beyond compare. She treated her fans and followers with the same love and kindness she gave her family - only to be taken away far too soon.

To one such man, the pain of such loss cut far too deep.

His smile had never been as bright since that day. His masculine features were creased with far too many a restless night. And his golden hair - day by day - turned silver with grief. But if there was one reason for James Winters to carry on, to never succumb to the pain he felt, it was a power of a promise.

As his dearest baby sister lay there in that hospital bed, pale-faced and pure as a snow angel, amidst an ungodly cardiac episode, she used what finite strength she had left, brushed aside her wavy blond strands, and leaned close.

The beeping of the monitors had returned anew, a chorus too deeply embedded to ever push aside.

"James," Angela rasped, the elder sibling reaching out to hold the dainty flower who he'd always grown up protecting. "Look after granny. And please... make sure my little boy knows nothing but love."

There was a haunting tranquility in the way she asked. Almost as though she was at peace. It was agonizing. Just a few months prior she'd been on a stage at the esteemed Town Hall venue in New York, giving the final performance of her Scarlet Wishes tour.

"I promise, Angie. With God as witness. I'll make sure Mikey knows that his mother is brightest star in the sky."

James broke, he sobbed, his entire world crumbling around him. But even as the the monitors flatlined, even as Angela gave her last fragile gasp, she was smiling.

"I love you, brother..."

Even as she flatlined, that look of bliss never once left her face.

Every year it was the same. The news reported on it. There were tribute performances and charity projects. But sadly, nothing could bring her back. James sighed sadly, hiding his emerald eyes from the mirror's all-seeing eye. He had to get out of here, away from the televisions and the radio coverage.

He was quick to slide on a fresh black tee-shirt and give the off switch of the bedside boombox a slap. With Marie working a night shift over at Glenberry General he had time to get out and clear his head. Thankfully mother had taken Lillian and Mikey for the night, giving him one less thing to worry about.

"There's always the option of waiting for Marie to get home."

On second thoughts, James folded his arms around his muscular chest, giving a shake of the head.

"Perhaps not. Marie's past sympathy at this point."

Till death do us part, to have and to hold. Vows that sometimes ring hollow in my ears.

At first Marie had been beyond understanding, yes. Now? She'd gotten to the point of elongated sighs and distant hugs that provided little in the way of comfort. "She's gone, James. It's been a long time," she'd often say. "You need to focus on what's in front of you."

Maybe she was right. Then again, maybe she wasn't.

James turned his back on the bedroom, sidestepping Lilli's empty crib. The house was blackened at this hour, empty, only given life by the patter of raindrops against the windowpanes. There was only one place to go at a time like this. Only one friend with the heart and sentiment to listen. As unconventional a friend she was, she always kept her door open.

Another day and another pointless job interview. What was the point of it all? She was beginning to wonder. Flipping burgers didn't bring in the money to look after a little girl. And it wasn't like mom was much help apart from babysitting now and again. She hadn't cared all too much when Tiffany was first born and she was only the slightest hint more interested now.

"That's Jessie Maye. How do you spell it? Hon, it's not hard. M-a-y-e. Maye. I called Mister Frankman's office the other week about a secretary position. I was hoping you could help considering I've not heard anything."

This girl on the other end of the phone was fast getting beyond the joke too. Jessie swallowed a sigh, it darn well didn't stop her from rolling her eyes. Finger wrapped tight around the cord, she waited for something, anything.

"I'm sorry Miss Maye. Somebody should've gotten back to you by now. Mister Frankman has already accepted someone for the position. But we thank you for your time and effort. You're more than welcome to apply again soon. There may be something for you in the summer.

"Yeah, yeah." Jessie waved off the offer, chewing harder against her bubble-gum. It was either that or hissing through her teeth like an alley cat. "Thanks anyway. I'm afraid that's no good for me right now."

The phone went down, third time today. And Jessie scribbled another name off the list on the fridge. She stepped away from it all before she burst. Boy, a smoke was tempting. Or two. Heck. The whole carton!

"That's the last one," she sighed, "At this rate I'll have to ask mom for another loan. Shit."

Her hand crept nearer and nearer to the lighter. No matter how many times this year she'd been telling herself to cut back. Doctor's orders and all. "Maybe just one."

The ding of the doorbell saved the day, bringing Jessie away from her urges. And not a second too soon!

"Tiffy?" She peered around the kitchen door, catching sight of her pigtailed angel humming along to some catchy tune on the kids network. The young lady had her days and nights muddled up again. "Tiffany. Come on over here for a sec, sweetie."

"Yep!" Tiffany hopped up from the couch in their dinky lounge, hopping around her toys and rushing over with her arms wide, brighter than sunshine. "The doorbell's ring-a-ringing, mommy. Can I go see? Pwease?"

There was no resisting those wide, wonderful eyes or the warmth of her smile. The world was such a different place in a kid's eyes. They were lucky. "Pwetty pwease?"

Tiffany excitedly brushed down her jammies to look as neat and tidy as she could for their would-be visitor.

"Of course you can," Jessie ruffled the girl's hair. "You be sure to give your brightest smile and be extra nice, okay? I'll be right behind you."

"Yay! Coooooming!" Without another word Tiffany shot across the lounge like a sunbeam, leaving her mother to catch up, moving aside all of her dolls and playthings as she went. Just who was calling at this hour? Ten at night, if the clock above the television was right.

Before Jessie was even halfway through her hurried tidy she heard the door swing open. "Hewwo ther- UNCLE JAMES! Mommy! Mommy!"

Must've been the first time in days that Jessie felt her heart flutter a tad. Not too much, but just enough to pull her up from the gloom of job hunting. A hurried hand through the hair later and she up on her feet, knowing damn well she didn't look great in this tank top and denim shorts but not much caring. Some good company. Silver linings, right?

"Hey there kiddo. Up we go, alright? Three... two... one."

"Wheee," Tiffany cheered as she was escorted, atop the silver-haired man's shoulders, into the living room. "You're soooo tall! Like a giant in my story book! Look mommy! I'm so high up!"

There were plenty of ways to think of a guy like James Winters. Dependable. Reliable. Honest. Attractive. You didn't meet many guys like him around. Even fewer would've stopped and offered their spare tire after you broke down at the roadside. But that was him to a tee. One in a million. Didn't matter to Jess one bit he was in his mid-thirties. They were buds.

"Rolling by late tonight, aren't we?" She greeted him, her cheeks heating up. "Need company, big guy? Marie working all night, again?"

"Got it in one." James answered, sitting Tiffany back down on the couch. "I thought I'd swing by. Pay you and my favorite little lady a visit. Got a bottle of wine in the car if you're interested?"

Wine and good company? Jessie counted her lucky stars. Gave him a wink all the same though. "Ohhh I'm veery interested. But I'll have you know sir that I'm not twenty-one until June. Might have to look the other way while I drink..."

"Consider it done," James' mood dropped the faintest bit. Not so much the way he was talking. The look in his eyes. Looked like it was time to fetch the good glasses for that bottle of wine. "Let me go grab my coat off the back seat, too. I won't be a moment."

"Go ahead," she winked, "Let me put missy here back to bed and I'll be right with you."

"Awwww, but mommy!" Tiffany pouted, hands held in her lap sadly. "No fair! I wanted to play!"

"Next time sweetie," Jessie kneeled down, comforting her sad sunflower with a hug before she wilted too much. "If Uncle James comes over earlier you two can play in the yard as much as you like."

"Pwomise, mommy?"

"I promise."

Halfway through their bottle of Al-Surfonso and Jessie felt her feelings welling up to overflowing A full ashtray. And half a carton of cigarettes left to go as well. So much for cutting back. She poured James a fresh glass and sighed, setting the bottle out of her eyeline so she could admire him in the fullest of the light.

"Forth application this week and nothing back. Mom's still on my case too. 'Your father and myself don't have the means to take care of the young lady all week long. Hire childcare'. I love her, but sometimes James? She can be a real witch. I know she sneers at me even though she was no better. Woman was a hippy... a hippy back before I was born."

"Oh Jessie," James moved to the next chair over so he could place a hand on her shoulder. A much needed hand. Having him close like this? It took the sting away just enough. "You shouldn't talk about your family like that... True you can't choose them. But you'd beside yourself if anything happened."

Sometimes, when she got into a darker place, Jessie seriously wondered. She breathed out, letting out all of the negativity, taking James' hand and holding it for a second. Small comforts were the best. Physical comforts.

"I'll make things work. I always do... even if it means a double shift. Now let's talk about you. You've been gloomy ever since you sat down there. Hurts me seeing you like this sweetie. It's not a good time of year for you, I know... How's Marie been with you over it?"

"Don't even go there. I'm strongly starting to wonder if she resents me... Someone has to look after the poor kid. He's getting old enough to start asking questions. 'Hey... Uncle James. Sammy at school asked why I don't have a mommy.' I tried to talk to Marie about it and it devolved into an argument. It sometimes feels as though you're the only one who listens."

Jessie held his hand tighter. In some ways they were so different. James' family were quite well off. He'd had nothing but support in looking after his kids, but that wife of his? She was missing a few things when it came to understanding.

"I'm always here to lend an ear if you want. It's hard on the both of us. Me with Tiffany and you trying to run your music shop."

"I'd say it's less about the store." James gave a groan. "Woman's a darn hypocrite Jessie. She makes an issue of me looking after Mikey so much. Says that Lillian should be my priority, but she was the one who hired a damn nanny to take care of her so she could go back to work. Then there's this bitter streak... It all started because I've been taking Mikey to violin classes after school."

There was nothing wrong with a man wanting to give one of his kids the best start he could. No mother-figure in her right mind would've tried to stop that.

Jessie shuffled closer, red-faced but sincere. Some women out there didn't know a good thing when they had it!

"Don't let her get to you... It's a parents' job to do the best they can for their kid. That's why I keep on no matter how hard it gets for me. Because Tiffany relies on me. I'm going to give her the best... even if I feel lonely sometimes."

"You and Tiffany aren't alone," James assured her, like he always did. Somehow finding it to smile even through everything he felt. Jessie wished she could do that, but it was getting so much harder with everything life threw at her. How did this man, a total stranger until a chance meeting, understand her where her mother, her own damn mother couldn't?

"I'm always a call away if you need someone. And I'll bring Mikey over again next time if you'd like? That way Tiffany will have a playmate. I'd be good for when she starts kindergarten next year."

Shit, if only Marie knew what she was letting slip through her fingers. It's not fair, her treating you like this. I'd give you so much more.

Jessie closed her eyes, head resting against James' shoulder. If she was going to ask one question in the world, with wine as fuel for her courage, she'd do it right now.

"Are you happy with her, James?"

A question that this wonderful man was taking far too long to answer. A question that brought him to look into the red of his drink for answers. Then take back a mouthful. And another, until the glass was dry.

"I love her... but..."

James gave a drawn-out exhale. "You can love somebody and still not feel too happy. Strange as that sounds. Marie and I? We've clashed a lot since I lost Angie. It's getting worse... and once I even saw her looking at Mike with that same look she gave me."

Then why settle for someone that's hurting you? Be selfish...

Two or three times now this same thing had happened. And two or three times too many.

"I'm sick of seeing you look so miserable," Jessie admitted, not caring for the personal space bubble she usually kept. She'd watched. She'd waited. From the day James Winters had pulled over at the side of the road for her, she'd been grateful. Gratitude that grew over time into so much more.

Friendship. Compassion. Desire. And as far as Marie was concerned, even though she'd only met her once?

"You're too good for her... Why not look at what's right in front of you for a change?"

A pop of Jessie's blouse buttons to seal the deal. She gave her most alluring growl, slinking closer like a cat on the prowl.

"We shouldn't," James protested, even as his eyes wandered to places she wanted them to be, "Jessie... you've been good to me but what about my kids?"

She'd never suggested leaving them in a million years. Closing the last of the gap between them, the single mother went on the attack. Brusing her lips against his ear, she purred softly. Oh he'd not get away... not if she could help it.

"Stick by them... keep being the nice guy. But for once, don't you want to feel loved? Bet it'd be nice to let all of those doubts go. I have issues... but I never doubt the girl I am... the things I want. What do you want, James?"

James' fingers squeezed tight around her back. "I've always been the sentimental one in my relationship. I want somebody to understand how I feel. Been with Marie since graduating college. Eleven years and sometimes? It doesn't feel like she knows me anymore."

"But I know you," Jessie whispered, her heart aching for him. "Been a year since the day my old four-door popped its tire and I've learned there's still some nice guys around. Guy's that'll spoil a girl. Take her for lunch. Loan her money for the rent... and even after all that, you never open up about everything that's breaking you inside. Baby... you're a real man."

"Thanks, Jessie..."

He was more than welcome. More welcome than any of the other guys who'd come through her door since the day she got her own place. Got away from her judgemental, largely uncaring mom.

"My pleasure. So..." Jessie edged back, placing a kiss upon his cheek. "If you're ever feeling down, in need of a little passion... even if you only want to feel good for the night... you call my number. Head right on by. There's a place here for you, James. And Tiffany just thinks the world of you."

That'll be enough for the night, she eased off with a wink of allure. James had as much on the-

Lips.

Strong.

Passionate.

Warm.

But no sooner had they touched before drawing back again. Not that they didn't steal her breath away. Fuck...

Now Jessie was hungry for it, steaming under the cheap knock off's she was squeezed into.

She tried to speak, but a finger met her lips.

"Don't. No need. You're a good woman Jessica. But I'll be on my way."

James edged back sharply, his chair scratching against the kitchen hardwood. He grabbed for his coat, that nice looking denim piece he always wore, and slipped his arms on through. "See you soon. Give Tiffany a hug for me, if you please."

After that he practically breezed through the living room, almost at the into the hallway by the time Jessie could kick her brain into action. She stumbed around Tiffany's toys and after Winters.

She caught him by the arm, just as he brought the door to her tiny corner of the world wide open.

"Don't g-"

"Mommy," But a droopy-eyed Tiffany at the top of the stairs, hugging her favorite teddy with his missing button eye was enough to make her let go.

Mother duty called, and in a split second James made his escape out of the door. "I'll be right up, sweetie. I'm just saying goodnight to Uncle James."

"Ooookay... but I had a bad dweam mommy. There's a monster under by bed."

A faint smile from the man that got away, before he gave her a quick hold of the hand. "Call me if you have an emergency. My new cellphone's fixed."

Back to his fancy off-road he went. One step at a time. Jessie bit back the urge to call out something passionate, but was still dying on the inside to say something... anything!

"With pleasure," was the best that she could muster. She needed him, wanted him. Pulling back the urge to shout plenty more lonesomes word at the top of her lungs, Jessie brought the door shut. Her stomach took a sharp dip as the car engine hummed to life by the sidewalk.

"Mommy," Tiffany shuffled to the buttom of the staircase on her behind, holding Mister Bear tight in both hands. "Are you sad mommy? Your eyes are all wet..."

"No sweetie," Jessie wiped away the tears, "Mommy's just fine."

To be continued...

There you have it, folks. The start of something I like to think will set some of the building blocks for later story elements. Did you like it so far? Is there anything you'd be interested in seeing in future? As always, feel free to share your thoughts!

As always, keep on supporting Huniepop and Huniecam Studio. I'll see you in the next chapter!