The Unforgotten Night

Chapter 4

The ride home was silent. Marissa had gotten a few calls from work stating that her work assignment had been moved to next Monday. She just laughed and smiled when her friend Cathy called her and told her. Once at her new home, which was a two story house that had five bedrooms, four full bathrooms and two half bathrooms. She smiled at how she had managed to be successful in life. She had started out as a thug who was poorer than a desert and now she was a beautiful single mom, with a successful job, home, and future. She got out and unbuckled her daughter. Jennifer had just started walking and was very eager to try it out. Marissa smiled as she followed her one year old to the front door.

"Ma…ma." She said smiling as she jumped up and down. Marissa smiled and hugged her.

"Yay! Awesome job sweetie. Mommy is so, so proud of you." Marissa said. Jennifer smiled proudly. As the entered the house the same figure at the hospital was hiding in the bushes. He was still frowning at the girl he had been watching for a year. He glanced at the little girl and almost let out a yell. He looked in shock as he saw the very image of him smiling.

"I-it…it can't be." He said in shock. He had seen this little girl ever since her birth, but he had never noticed the similarities between them. Shock turned into anger. The figure growled and snuck his way to the window. He opened and silently snuck in. It was still grey outside and he was in shock at how well his love was doing. But he quickly remembered the task at hand. He heard the sound of his love's voice.

"Jenny, you hungry?" Marissa asked. Jennifer nodded and climbed into her chair. She held her doll in her hand. Marissa smiled and made two peanut butter and Jelly sandwiches. Marissa looked at the clock. 7:30, she had spent six hours at her appointment. She had her appointment start at 1 p.m. and she was supposed to leave at 8:30 pm. She smiled and sat down next to her daughter and they both began to eat. After wards Jennifer began to nod off and Marissa knew it was bed time. She cleaned off Jennifer and took her to her room. Jennifer slept in Marissa's room since Marissa was still afraid to let her sleep alone. Meanwhile Jeff was making his way downstairs to Marissa's room. He was still puzzled about the little girl. Was she really his? If so how come Marissa never told him? All these thoughts buzzed around his head and made her upset and somewhat sad. He had finally made it downstairs and into Marissa's room. Marissa was in the bathroom and Jennifer was fast asleep. Jeff saw the crib and slowly made his way towards it. He felt his stomach do flip flops and he felt himself get excited. Upon approaching the crib his smile grew bigger. There in the crib was Jennifer. Her light brown hair cascading around her, her eyelids fluttering signaling she was dreaming. Her tiny hands were sticking out from under her cherry red blanket. But what caught Jeff's eyes was the little doll that looked like him. Jeff was shocked as he saw the little girl's arm holding the doll closely to her heart. Jeff smiled and was about to touch her hand when the bathroom suddenly swung open. Jeff jumped back with surprise and turned to see a shocked Marissa. She was standing there her mouth gaped opened. Her fair tan skin was pale and her eyes were wide with fear and guilt. She had her pajamas on and she looked from Jeff to the crib, then back to Jeff. She just stood there frozen stiff. Until she let out a blood curdling scream. Jennifer had woken up startled and started crying.

Jeff covered his ears and shushed her. Marissa stopped and ran to the crib. She pushed Jeff away and picked up a crying Jennifer. She then ran out before Jeff could grab her and ran to the kitchen. She picked up a knife and held Jennifer close to her. Jennifer was still crying but she settled down shortly and only had silent tears falling. Marissa started sobbing has she held the knife. Jeff had gotten up with a groan and followed Marissa.

Marissa's POV

He's here! Oh gosh he's finally found me! I thought. I was trying to stop myself from crying but it was no use. He had found us. He had come back. But why?! I ducked behind the counter and held Jenny close to me. He wasn't going to touch her. He wasn't going to kill her. I was about to peek when a voice next me scared me.

"So, who are you hiding from?" Jeff asked. I yelped and immediately ran to the other side of the counter holding Jenny tightly and pointing the knife towards him. Jeff stood back hands up in surrender. "Whoa, calm down Marissa. It's just me." He said. I glared at him.

"What do you want?" I asked with venom in my voice. He rolled his eyes.

"Great to be back hun." He said jokingly. I continued to glare.

"Why are you here? After a year of pain how dare you come back and ruin my life!" I said to him. He gave me a death glare.

"Ruin your life? How did I ruin your life?!" He said to me. I remained silent keeping my glare up.

"What do you want Jeff?" I asked. He smiled.

"Ah, so you remember you I am." He said in a mocking tone. I silenced him with my glare.

"Just answer me." I said through gritted teeth. He was about to when Jenny spoke up looking at me through teary eyes.

"Ma…ma?" She said her voice wavering. I looked down at her and smiled.

"Shh, it's ok sweetie. Mommy's here." I said gently rocking her. Jeff watched us. Remaining silent as he examined my daughter. Jennifer smiled weakly at me then turned to Jeff. She pointed at him then said.

"Ma…ma?" I looked at Jeff. I knew she was asking me who he was. I turned my back to Jeff and walked towards the couch. I rocked Jennifer gently again. I had hope that Jeff would stay in the kitchen, but instead he followed and sat next to me. I could feel myself tense and my heart rate increased. Jenny must have sensed it because she looked at Jeff and smiled.

"Da…da?" She asked. I froze. My eyes filled with tears. I couldn't deny it anymore. I just couldn't. I mean her dad is here. Next to me. I loved him, and still do. But then I remembered how he wasn't there. How he never came back. What he did was proof enough that it was a one night stand only. My heart said otherwise. I mean here he was a year later. Looking at his baby girl. But I shook my head.

"No…no sweetie…he isn't." I said. Jennifer's smile faded away and she turned away from Jeff. I got up and walked slowly to my room. I could feel Jeff's shocked gaze follow me as I entered my room. I laid Jennifer down in the crib and watched her fall asleep. This time, there was no smile on her bright face. I put my hand over my mouth and held back a sobbed. Now I had to face Jeff…

Jeff's POV

The moment those words left Marissa lips my whole world came crashing down. I had spent a year watching her. Inspecting her. And when I noticed she was gaining wait, I began to wonder. At first I thought it was her ex-boyfriend's child…but when she was kicked out and had all her stuff in that old motel room, I began to wonder. And when I saw the little girl…I saw me. She looked just like me. All the way from her looks to her pretty smile. And now I am sitting here. On this couch waiting for Marissa to come back out of the room. I felt an extremely terrible pain. I could see my little girl's face smile at me and ask if I was her dad. I wanted to respond but when I heard the words: "he isn't" I felt myself or at least a part of me…die. I waited for a few minutes before I saw Marissa standing across from me. I looked at her. My eyes held sadness. I pretty sure they did. Then, Marissa spoke.

"Jeff…what are you doing here?" She asked. Her voice held pain and sorrow. I looked down at the carpet.

"I came to see you." I said looking at her. She wiped away her tears.

"But why? Why now? You had all of last year but you decide to come back a year later. Why?" She asked. I didn't answer. How could I? She was looking at me with such pain and suffering. Had I really caused her that much pain? She continued to speak, "I-I wanted to see you again…I wanted you to see her when she was first born." She said. I got up and slowly walked to her. She flinched when I was going to hug her. "Don't touch me." She said backing away. I ignored her and pulled into a tight hug. I felt tears leaking from my eyes. She squirmed and tried to get away. But I held her there.

"I'm sorry." I whispered. She froze.

"What?" She asked. I felt her hiccup as she held back a sob. I continued to hug.

"I'm sorry." I said again. But she managed to break free from the hug. She then turned away from me. I felt my heart ache.

"I waited for you…but you never came. I'm sorry Jeff. But you can't ever see Jennifer again. She's not your daughter anymore." She said. I felt my anger surface.

"Marissa, you know just as well as I do, that she is. What are you going to tell her when she asks about me huh?" I said. She let out a strangled sob.

"I-I'll tell when I get there." She said. The she ran into her room and locked it. I closed my hands into a tight fist and cursed. I reached into my hoodie jacket and pulled out my knife. I smiled evilly and stalked out of the house.

"Time for a little killing spree." I said smiling. Then I made a dash for the nearest home.

Ooooh! A lovely reunion don't cha think? Hehe yeah. Poor Jeff. Poor Marissa. Poor Jennifer…this is why you have to be safe when getting drunk and going out with strangers. Oh well. Choi my friends! Until next time!