Two Years Later

Jessie was running down the hallway of John Andrew's middle school, today was the first day of Christmas Break. She couldn't wait to hop on her bike, her dad was coming home from his two month stint in Grenada and he said that he had a surprise for her. "Jessie Carrera!" This is would happen to her, she thought. She groaned as she turned to see Mr. Hoarden staring at her.

"Sir?" Over the last two years Jessie had gone from a mouthy preteen to a respecting teenager who could curb those random fits of rage. After her first few fights and school and consequential punishments Jessie and Troy decided that martial arts and a sport would be a good idea. Now she was a grown belt in karate and shortstop on the softball team and loving every minute of it.

"Jessie, in my office." She sighed hoping that she wasn't in too much trouble. Mr. Hoarden had grown to be quite observant of Jessie because of her father's seemingly constant travel with the overseas. Sadly, she had gotten used to it just living with her and Uncle Frank during those moments when her dad was gone. As Jessie followed him into his office, she took a deep breath. He peered at her throw his narrow rimmed glasses. "How many times have we had to talk about running in the halls?" Jessie stared at him intently not daring to lower her head.

"Too many, I would suppose." He smiled, she was very well spoken. "I'm sorry, I was running because I was excited to see my dad, he's coming home today." Mr. Hoarden nodded.

"This is the last time that I'll let you get by with that excuse." Jessie nodded. "Now get going, you'll be late." Jessie grabbed her bag and took off.

"Merry Christmas Mr. Hoarden!" she said as she ran down the hallway. He shook his head. It seemed that within seconds she was on her bike pedaling quickly home. Her house was out in the country, but somehow managed to only be a fifteen minute bike ride away. With her conditioning and forbidden shortcuts the fifteen minutes turned into eight minutes. She threw her bike down on the lawn and ran through front door. "Daddy!" She ran into his arms still in fatigues. "How long have you been home?" Troy stepped back and glanced at his beautiful daughter. She was now about 5'5 with long flowing black hair and beautiful brown skin. Her once defining scar was now a faded distant memory. "I missed you." She hugged him like it was the last time she'd ever see him. Troy motioned her into the kitchen.

"I missed you too Bugs." Jessie rolled her eyes at his pet name for her. She grabbed an apple off the counter and chomped into it causing juice to squirt everywhere including Troy's eye.

"Sorry Dad," she said laughing.

"By the way you got here awfully quick, are you taking those shortcuts that I told you not to take?" Jessie tried to stare into her dad's eyes but they quickly moved away signaling her folly. "You know I don't want you riding through those back trails." She nodded.

"I'm sorry Daddy." Troy laughed and rolled his eyes.

"I mean it, Jessie Skye." She smiled.

"So how long are you home for?" Troy smiled, she was changing the subject.

"For good." Jessie's eyes got wide.

"Really?" He nodded and she squealed with joy.

"I thought you'd respond like that." Troy had to admit he loved how his life had changed in the last two years. He was no longer in touch with his family after he told them about Jessie, he'd pretty much been disowned but he didn't care. His buddy Frank was all the support system he needed. Sadly since he hadn't been home in the last few months, he hadn't had time to do any Christmas shopping or even figure out what he wanted. So he used a spy.

"Daddy what's my surprise? Troy smiled at his daughter, boy did she like to get down to it. Troy stared at her intently.

"Where's your report card?" She smiled, one bad report card punishment was enough for a lifetime. Troy had lost his mind over the stupid C's scattered all over it. Parents.

"Here you go, can I know what it is now?" She was bouncing on the counter. Troy smiled broadly.

"My kid's a genius." He paused. "I'm not sure if your surprise is here yet." Jessie got confused, yet?

"Oh but it is," a familiar voice says. Jessie's eyes got wide.

"Randy!" She jumped off the counter and ran into his arms. They hadn't seen each other since the summer when he came to her softball tournament.

"Hey kid," Randy was in awe, in just a few short months she had grown at least two inches and seemed to get more beautiful.

"So what's the surprise, I mean are you staying for dinner or what? I don't get it." Troy and Randy looked at each other.

"Well Bugs, I was thinking that since I'm going to be home for a while, you should get to spend your first week of break doing something you really want." Jessie looked at him. "You're going with Randy on tour."

"Really Daddy?" Troy nodded and she hugged him and then looked at Randy. "Watch out sucka, I'm gunnin' for you." They all laughed. "Are you staying for dinner?" Randy glanced at Troy who nodded.

"Well I guess so." Jessie's eyes beamed. He'd missed that. He just hoped that she would be ready for his news when they got back to St. Louis.

"What are we having Daddy?" Troy smiled and looked at his fatigues.

"Well, I'm starving and not in the mood to cook, so I guess Outback it is." Jessie screamed, that was her favorite restaurant.

"Can Uncle Frank come?"

"I'm sure if you go and call him he might be able to make it." Jessie clapped and ran upstairs to make the phone call. Randy looked at Troy.

"You've done a really great job with her. She's a great kid." Troy nodded, he wouldn't call them friends but they had a mutual respect.

"Thanks, I really appreciate that. She's my whole world." Randy nodded as Jessie ran back into the room.

"Daddy, Uncle Frank says he can't make it, but that he'll take me out when I get back."

"Ok, Sweetie I'm going to go change and then we can hit the road." She nodded and turned to Randy.

"I've missed you. How are you doing?" Randy smiled and pulled her close.

"I've been great, but I've missed you a lot kid." He couldn't believe how much she had grown. "How are you? Any boyfriends?" Jessie eyed him.

"I wish, daddy says not until I'm sixteen." Randy smiled.

"More like when I die." Jessie laughed and hugged him, she really had missed him.

Dinner went off without a hitch and now she was laying in her bed waiting for Troy. He walked in like clockwork and sat down. "Boy it's good to be home." He wrapped his arms around her.

"It's good to have you home." They laid there for a few minutes listening to the sounds of the night. "Daddy, I'm worried that Randy has changed." Troy's eyes narrowed.

"What do you mean, did he say something?" She shook her head.

"No, but it's been over a year since we've spent a lot of time together, people change." Troy nodded.

"Maybe, but his love for you is still the same." Jessie smiled.

"You always know just what to say, to make me smile." Troy smiled, she truly had captured his heart. He kissed her forehead.

"Sleep well Bugs."

"Night Daddy. I'm glad you're home."

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Jessie was setting the table for dinner at Randy's house for dinner with his family. They hadn't seen Jessie in over a year and were quite anxious to see her. She was wearing a red turtleneck and her favorite blue jeans. Being with Randy was amazing for the last two days, but they had yet to do anything alone. Each time they went out it was either with John and Jeff or another one of his friends. Randy walked into the room wearing a long sleeved button down shirt and black jeans. "Hey Randy, um when are going to just hang out like you and me?" Randy cringed, he was trying to avoid being alone with her until after he told her the news.

"Um," he rubbed the back of his neck. "I have something to tell you." Jessie looked up at Randy curiously when his phone rang and he stepped out of the room. Sensing something going wrong, Jessie snuck around the corner to listen to his conversation. "No, I haven't told her yet." Tell me what, she thought. "Alright, I'll see you soon, bye." Jessie ran back to her place setting the table tried to figure out what to do about this. Just as Jessie finished the Ortons burst through the door.

"Hey all." Jessie was immediately bombarded by hugs and kisses. "Sweetie, it's been so long." Jessie loved these people. In that year that she was with Randy they had become like family to her.

"It's great seeing you guys again too. I have so much to tell you guys." Randy came in and smiled.

"Hey guys," he said hugging all of them. "Let's go eat, I'm starving." As they walked into the dining room Jessie noticed Randy's rubbing his index finger and thumb together rapidly, signaling his nervousness. What's he nervous about? She shrugged it off and took her place at the table.

"So Jessie how's school?" Mrs. Orton asked eating the salad in front of her. Jessie nodded.

"It's really good actually, I'm on the honor roll." Randy smiled and wrapped his arm around her as he brought out the spaghetti.

"Yeah, she's a genius." Jessie smiled. This scene brought back so many good memories for her and she couldn't help but feel the love radiating through the room. She had gone from a lonely orphan to a beautiful daddy's girl with more family than she knew what to do with. This was home. There was a knock at the door and Randy got up to answer it. Randy came back with a very lovely brunette on his arm. "Hey guys, Vikki's here." They all got up and hugged.

"Hey Vikki," were heard from all over the room. Jessie looked around wondering how everyone else knew her and she didn't. Maybe it's just a family friend, she thought. Randy took a deep breath and used his free arm to motion toward Jessie.

"Jessie girl, this is Vikki my fiancé." Jessie's face noticeably dropped with surprise. How could he do this and not tell her? Now she was angry, but she kept a smile plastered on her face.

"Congratulations Randy when's the wedding?" Randy fidgeted with his hands. How would he tell her this? Vikki's brown hair swayed as she spit out the date.

"December 30." Jessie's jaw fell, he was getting married in three weeks! She felt like she would throw up. The first person to ever show her love, wasn't the least bit concerned about her or her feelings. Slowly Jessie took to staring at her spaghetti zoning the whole world out.

It seemed like eternity had passed when the Ortons were ready to leave. Jessie was still reeling from Randy's bombshell. The whole night was seemingly a blur for her. She had engaged in the conversation enough to stop the barrage questions about what was wrong with her. Once everyone except Vikki had left Jessie walked up to her room, that Randy had set up for her three years ago. He saw no need to change it since Jessie would stay with him sometimes when visiting. Quietly she closed the door and sat on the bed. She knew this would happen, he would forget her. Sure it was fun when they did see each other, but it was never the same. Talking once or twice a week on the phone for a few minutes doesn't keep a person in the realm of importance. She sighed, she had her daddy. I guess Randy needs someone too. Problem is why couldn't he tell me? Jessie groaned and punched the wall. Why was life so complicated?

Vikki walked in slowly and sat on the bed glancing around the room. Jessie hadn't really talked to her during dinner, she didn't know what to say. Even though Jessie hated her, she had to admit that Vikki was beautiful. Jessie didn't move from her position near the window and stared at Vikki. "Hi," Jessie said weakly.

"Hi little girl." Jessie fumed at the way she said it, little girl, like she was some doll or something. "You know Randy talks about you all the time," she said moving closer to Jessie. Jessie was surprised that he talked about her but didn't say anything. "Yes, he talks about you often. I asked him who's room this was and he said his kid sister." That made Jessie smile, maybe there was hope yet. "Look, I don't want to crush your world or anything, but Randy and I are going to have babies, so w we'll need this room." Jessie stared. What was this chick trying to do?

"I don't see why, this house has five bedrooms. I still can visit my brother." Vikki shook her head.

"You're not understanding me. Our children will be first priority so you'll be old news. He won't need you anymore." Jessie shook my head while Vikki smiled. "Don't you see already, he didn't tell you about me or the wedding because he forgot about you. He didn't even remember you were coming until your dad called and asked if he could make a surprise visit." She got up to exit the room. "You're old news little girl." The door closed and Jessie sunk into the floor. This couldn't be happening, she thought. She felt hot tears rising into her eyes, but pushed them back out of anger. How could she have been so stupid, of course she'd be replaced. Soon a fit of rage overtook her and she began throwing all of her clothes in the drawers out and basically trashing the place. Loud growls and grunts began emerging from her mouth as she flipped over the chest with all of her video game attachments. Randy came bursting into the room and took in the carnage. He was flabbergasted. Jessie had never acted this way before. Moving like a gazelle he grabbed her into his arms and held her.

"Jessie, calm down," he said firmly. She shook her head and began flailing frantically causing Randy to tighten the hold.

"Let me go," she said with snakelike venom. It shocked Randy to hear his sweet sister speaking with such a dangerous tone.

"Not until you calm down and talk to me." Jessie screamed.

"Talk to you? Talk? Are you serious? We don't talk!" The words were ear piercing now. Randy held onto her for a few more minutes until he was absolutely sure that she was calm. Then he set her on the bed and sat next to her.

"Ok, say your peace." Jessie glared at him out of the corner of her eye then looked out the window. Randy groaned she was making more out of this than she needed to. "Jessie, please talk to me," he pleaded.

"I got nothin' to say," she said bitterly. Randy rolled his eyes, she was the same spoiled brat who ran away from her problems. Randy grabbed her chin with his hand and made her look at him.

"Well you better say somethin', why does this room look like this?" Jessie glanced at the carnage and shrugged.

"It's your house." Randy pinched the bridge of his nose and groaned. She was so difficult.

"Fine, you don't want to talk? You're grounded. Clean this mess up," he said as he walked out. Jessie shook her head. The nerve of him. Ground her? We'll see about that. Slowly she picked up her cell phone out of her pocket and pressed two. She let it ring.

"Hey Bugs, what's up?" Jessie smiled at her dad's voice.

"Nothing, I just wanted to call you." Her voice broke as she spoke. Silently she cursed herself. She knew that he could hear the pain in her voice, in their three years together she had never been able to hide that.

"I don't believe you. Tell me what's wrong." Jessie took a deep breath and the tears started spilling out. She told Troy the whole story and listened to his tone change. "Sweetie, I'm sorry that happened." Jessie was still crying.

"Can you please come and get me? I don't want to be here anymore." Troy groaned, his heart was breaking, he was going to kill Randy.

"Yes Sweetie, I'll fly out tonight and be there sometime in the morning." Jessie sighed with relief.

"Daddy?"

"Yes Baby?"

"Can you not tell anyone about this? I don't want everyone to know." Troy sighed and agreed. "Night Daddy."

"Night baby." Troy hung up the phone and grabbed his duffel threw two pairs of clothes in there and sped off to the airport.

It was three in the morning and Randy lay in bed staring aimlessly at the ceiling. Jessie hadn't spoken a word to him since he left her in the room. He had tried to apologize or get her to talk by sitting outside her door for half an hour, but she wouldn't let him in. It hurt him to know that something was bothering her and he couldn't help. He grunted and rubbed his eyes, he was tired. "Baby are you gonna stay up all night?" He glanced over at his fiancé and sighed.

"I don't know, I'm worried about Jessie. She's never acted like this before." Vikki's eyes narrowed, she knew this little girl would cause problems.

"Look baby," she said softly into his ear. "You're gonna have to cut the ties eventually, she's someone else's child. You can't love her if she doesn't want to be loved." Randy rolled over and stared at her. Was this chick serious?

"Turn my back on my sister? You're kidding me right?" Vikki sensed his frustration and tried to relent.

"No not turn your back on, let go. She'll be happier with her dad being around all the time now, she won't need you." Randy stared at her, maybe she was right.

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At 930 the next morning Randy, heard the doorbell. He groaned and rolled over. Putting a pair of shorts on as he made his way down the stairs. "Troy? What are you doing here?" Honestly, Randy wasn't too happy with Troy thinking it was ok for him to stop by his house anytime just because Jessie was his daughter. Troy pushed Randy aside.

"Move, my kid needs me." Randy was taken aback and then angry.

"What do you mean?" Troy rolled his eyes, this guy was clueless. Randy stood his ground and wouldn't let Troy pass. "She's with me this week, I have three more days." Troy rolled his eyes and called for Jessie then he turned to Randy.

"You stupid bastard, she called me last night in tears asking to come home, because of what you did to her." Randy shook his head, what was he talking about? Just then Jessie came downstairs with her duffel bag in hand. She saw Troy and ran into his arms.

"Daddy! I missed you so much." Troy looked into her eyes and saw that she had been crying all night, he pulled her close and she buried her head into his chest.

"You ready?" She nodded. "Go and take your stuff out to the rental, I just want to talk to Randy for a second." Jessie's eyebrows furrowed, but then obeyed. She was almost out the door when Randy called her name.

"Jessie?" She didn't even turn around. Randy shook his head and then looked at Troy just in time to see a fist flying at his face. He hit the ground.

"I told you never to hurt her." Troy turned and walked out the front door leaving Randy there clutching his jaw in disbelief.

Dedicated to Sonib89 (totally changed my perspective) and xxxRKOEnigmaxxx (dope reviews.)