Chapter 16

He took a step closer and wrapped his arms around both of them. "You told me that you wanted to be a mother Jessy." AJ put a finder under Danika's chin and tenderly asked her, "Danika I know kids are supposed to dislike or resent teachers but do you think that maybe you could come to look on the two of us as parents?"

"What?! Really?! You guys would do that?! But you hardly know me and you are just getting married! How…how can you want me around?!" it was really hard for Danika to talk through the tears that she couldn't control.

While this was going on Jessy was staring at AJ in shock. If she hadn't already loved this man unconditionally this insanely generous act. She whispered to him, "AJ do you mean this?"

"I do my love, and Danika yes we really do mean it. But the question is, is this something that you would want?"

"Ummmm yeah….waot dpes this mean that I will get to go to the wedding?!" The tears had miraculously disappeared and a smile lit the girls face.

"Of course you will be at the wedding," Jessy told her.

"For the next few weeks you will stay at Jessy's house. I doubt the sustem would allow you to be at my place until we get married. But after the wedding we will all be moving into my place where you will have your own room so you'll have to let us know how you want it decorated."

"I still can't beleive all this," Danika sighed.

"For now gather your things and come home with me. Have you eaten dinner Danika?"

"Ummm no I just have a big lunch at school so it will get me through till breakfast."

Danika grabbed her books and stuffed some clothes into a bag as AJ asked her, "What do you do for food on the weekends Danika?"

"What do you do on the weekend Danika?"

"I ummm study and do my homework," she answered.

"I mean about food? What do you eat on the weekends?"

"Sometimes I keep an apple or orange from the food tray during the week and sometimes if I have a buck or two I'll get a burger and fries from McDonalds."

"Well that is about to change Danika and tonight you can dive into the left overs from our dinner tonight and if you are still hungry I have some lazagna from Calistos."

They got to Jessy's place and she showed Danika to the guest room where she could put her things while AJ heated up the food. When Danika was eating AJ asked her, "Danika do you need any help with your homework?"

Between bites that had been moving very quickly she paused for a mometn to say, "I think I'm okay Coach AJ."

"I'd have to agree with that," Jessy added. "Her grades have always been excelent."

"Thanks Ms Roth!"

"For now you can call me Jessy here at home. But at school it will have to stay Ms Roth."

"Maybe one day soon if we can make it happen it could be Mom and Dad," AJ offered.

Danika jumped up from her chair and hugged AJ and then Jessy, the tears were flowing again as she said, "Oh that would be so great!"

When Danika finished eating Jessy offered something she felt the young girl might like after living in her car for months, "Danika if you'd like to take a shower there is a bathroom right across from your bedroom and there are clean towels in the cabinet."

"Ooooo that sound good…but does there happen to be a tub in there too?"

"There is," Jessy answered with a grin.

"Then could I take a bath instead? Mom and me were living in the car for a year and a half before she died so I haven't had a bath in over two years!"

"You can take a bath anytime that you want Danika. Please think of this as your home," Jessy told her.

"Thank you so much…mom!" Danika gave Jessy another hug and dashed off to the bathroom.

"I doubt will see her for a while," AJ chuckled.

To be continued…..