Chapter 12 Babysitting/The reception

Kyle's POV

It is a little after 2:00 pm and as I drive back to Jessi's house. I realize how happy I feel. I hope to have many more days like this one. Brian and Sarah are a sleep in their car seats. I tell Jessi, Jessi thanks for a wonderful day, you are so lucky to have Brian and Sarah they are great children.

Jessi looks at me and smiles, she says, you're welcome Kyle. I know I am really lucky to have Brian and Sarah, I don't know if I would have survived without them. I shiver at the thought, and then I say, Jessi I am so sorry, I hope one day I can make it up to you. Jessi tells me, I hope so too Kyle.

I wonder what she means with that last statement, but decide not to ask. We are now pulling in to Jessi's driveway. I help her to carry Sarah to her bed, as I lay her down I kiss her forehead. It just feels so right.

I ask Jessi, at what time do you need me? Jessi looks at me and with an uncertain voice asks, would you be able to start babysitting now. I would like to take a nap and then I need to go to the beauty shop, I also need to take a shower. I look at Jessi's beautiful hazel-green eyes and say, sure I have nothing else to do. She kisses my cheek and tells me, make yourself at home Kyle. Don't let the twins sleep past 3 or they will have a hard time going to bed tonight. Then she shows me a schedule on the refrigerator that gives me an idea of the twins schedule and emergency numbers. Great now I have the home and cell phone of Jessi, a number for Brian and a number for Grace? Maybe is a different Grace I think. It has to be.

I sit down in the living room and pull out my laptop to check on the status of the grants I have applied for. I also start looking for a house in the area that can be used for the urban club. I am planning to attract the women from the gangs first by offering children services and family services, the men will follow.

After a half hour I go to check on Brian first, I find him still sleeping, he just looks so peaceful. I gently shake his shoulder. He opens his eyes and says, I bet mommy told you to wake us up. Then without warning he jumps out of bed and starts running towards his sister's bedroom. As soon as he gets there, he jumps on her bed and tickles her nose with a feather. Sarah wakes up yelling, Brian! Wait until I catch you. Brian has the lead and runs to the backyard he jumps on to the monkey bars, and Sarah jumps after him, just before Sarah catches him he jumps to the swing and this time Sarah jumps right on top of him and knocks him to the ground. I start getting concerned when I see them throwing punches and kicks at each other, that the other rapidly avoids. I say, Sarah, Brian please stop. They don't seem to hear me. I decide to separate them, by stepping in the middle and saying, stop. I don't know what I was thinking I get a kick on my shinbone and a punch on my side. Wow, are these kids strong! I let out an involuntary ouch!

They both are looking at me with worried faces. Sarah says with tears in her eyes, I am sorry, are you okay Kyle? That just melts my heart. I kneel and tell her, I am fine princess I just was not expecting that. Brian says, I am sorry. Then Sarah throws her little arms around my neck in a hug, I pull both her and Brian in to a hug, and then start tickling them. Playing with them is so much fun. An hour later Jessi comes and tells me she is leaving to the beauty shop.

At around 6:00 pm I put a pizza in the oven that Jessi told me was in the freezer, I also make a salad. I am eating dinner with the children when Jessi asks me to answer the doorbell. I find Roger there. I say, Hi Roger come in, Jessi is getting ready. Roger looks at me and asks me, what are you doing here Kyle? I respond, babysitting, the baby sitter canceled at the last-minute and I volunteer. I see Roger said, getting some brownie points. Before I can answer, Jessi walks in, she looks absolutely stunning. She walks towards Roger and kisses his check. He says, you look beautiful Jessi. Jessi then walks to me and tells me, thanks Kyle I appreciate you offering to babysit. Then she kisses my cheek and I whisper, you gorgeous Jessi! In a louder voice I say, have fun. Then Roger and Jessi walk out, I cannot help but to feel jealous, I just want Jessi back so bad.

After helping the kids take their showers and get their PJ's on I read them a bed time story, then I tuck them in bed. I return to check on them a few times, I marvel at their innocence and beauty. I study their features and definitely find a lot of Jessi in them. There are the features of someone else of course, they seem strangely familiar.

Jessi's POV

As I am taking my shower I think about the day. It was a lot of fun to go with Kyle to the beach. I am happy that he and the children are getting along well, and that he seems to be caring towards them. I almost feel guilty for not telling him the truth about the children. I am glad he volunteered to babysit, to me it proves that he really cares about my happiness.

After doing my make-up and getting my dress on I walk downstairs. I find Roger and Kyle talking. I feel a bit guilty about having both waiting for me. However I have not promised either one anything. Technically we are just friends.

As I walk out holding on to Rogers arm, I can feel Kyle's jealousy. He does not bother to block it from me. He is just letting me read all of his feelings as they come. I like what he is feeling for the children, also the way he loves me. But I have learned feelings are not enough, actions are much more important.

At the Latnok banquet I dance some with Roger. He tells me a new children's movie is coming out and maybe we could take the children to watch it next Saturday, I agree. Then comes the part when I am supposed to give a speech after Brian as the Chairman of Latnok proudly introduces me not that I need any introductions here I am among friends and colleagues. But Latnok is very traditional and we follow the protocol.

Grace approaches me, after hugging me and congratulating me, she asks if she still will be able to take Brian and Sarah to Chuck E. Cheeses for dinner tomorrow, I tell her of course Grace they are looking forward to it. Thanks Jessi. I will be there at 3:00, Grace tells me. Grace and I had our difficulties, however I know she had nothing to do with the death of my mother, it was Cassidy acting on his own. Actually Grace wanted for me to leave with Sarah. She thought of that way we both would be out-of-the-way, and she could get her way with Kyle. She told me that herself and I know she was telling the true, other sources also confirmed it. She also asked me for forgiveness for all the grief she caused me, and for the pain she caused my mother. She took responsibility for her actions and did not try to blame someone else. She did that a few weeks after the twins were born. She begged me for the opportunity to be part of their life, saying she loved them and she was their grandmother. I let her in to our lives slowly. How could I not? I am a mother and cannot even imaging the pain she went through having one of her son's kill the other and then having her surviving son reject her completely. She has proven to be a good grandmother. It took me a while to trust her with the children, but she has earned my trust. She is also acting completely different towards me. She helped Brian get me in to the Latnok board, and has been very supportive. She adores Brian and Sarah and they love her. She has always protected them from members that would like to have them tested more often, and actually has been key in throwing some of them out of Latnok.

Roger drops me off at 3:00 am. He walks me to the door and kisses my check. I give him a friendly hug and say see you on Monday. He responds, I will be there Jessi. I am always here for you.

I enter the house and find Kyle a sleep on a couch with his laptop on his lap. I look at him and study him. He is still wearing his shorts and T-shirt. His skin is tanned. His muscles are well-defined. His face however seems troubled even in his sleep. I can only imagine the experiences that have given him that expression. I wish I could erase it from his face. I sit near him and gently kiss his lips. He responds still a sleep and wraps his arms around me. I love the feeling of his strong arms hugging me.

The next thing I know is that I wake up at 10:00 am in my bed, a few minutes later Kyle and the kids come in to the room with breakfast for me. Surprise! Sarah and Briand say. Kyle smiles at me he has a shadow of a beard that makes him look stunning. He bends down and kisses my check then he says, you fell asleep on the couch with me. When I woke up I brought you to your bed and decided to stay so you could sleep in. I smile and say, thank you Kyle, and you remembered I like waffles with strawberries. Of course I do Jessi, how could I not? He tells me with a hint of sadness.

Brian says, mommy is granny Gracie taking us to Chuck E. Cheeses? Yes Brian, she will be here at 3:00 now why don't you go and play with your sister, I say hoping Kyle won't ask questions. He does not, I hope that he did not notice.