A few days later, Charlie got ready for her other date with Ted. John and Jaycee had come back the day before. So she was free of babysitting. She took a breath as she headed downstairs.
"You look beautiful," Jaycee said when she saw her.
"Thanks. I'm nervous."
"Don't be," Jaycee replied.
"So you don't have a problem with this? Because your son does."
Jaycee laughed. "I know he does and he is being talked to about it." She replied. "As for me, I just want you happy. And only you know what will do that." Charlie nodded. "Did something happen between you two while we were gone? You and Phil I mean. Other than the obvious date crashing."
She bit her lip and looked at her best friend. "Yes. Something happened."
"You slept with him didn't you?"
"Yeah. And it was...just like it always is. Amazing and magical. But it doesn't change anything. He doesn't want what I want."
"Are you sure he doesn't?" Jaycee asked. "I mean, he could have changed his mind."
"I don't think he has. He doesn't want to marry me. He seems excited about the baby though. He even set up a nursery back at the apartment."
"Well, that's something," Jaycee replied. "John is finally getting excited about this new one even though he is still worried because of the complications with Ethan. Sometimes it just takes them time to get used to it."
Charlie nodded. "I just...thought when we did have a baby, we would be married and he'd be excited about it."
"I know," Jaycee replied. "And I'm sorry it's not working out like that."
Charlie shrugged. "It is what it is and I can't keep dwelling on the past. I have a date with a very attractive man and I need to focus on that."
"You should," Jaycee replied. "I want you to be happy and if that's not with my bone head brother. So be it. You do whats best for you and your baby." There was a knock on the door. Jaycee smiled. "You go and give yourself the once over in the mirror. I'll answer the door and keep Ted entertained until you're ready."
"Thanks," Charlie said as she headed to look in the mirror.
Jaycee headed over and opened the door. "Hey, Ted." She said to him. "Charlie will be just a minute."
Ted nodded. "So how are you feeling?"
"I'm feeling good." She replied. "Smooth sailing so far. No complications." She looked at him. "So, how are you?"
"I'm a little nervous actually."
"You shouldn't be." She replied. "You and Charlie will have a great time."
"I just hope nothing happens to ruin this date."
"I'm sure it won't." She replied. "John and I will make sure Ethan doesn't try to interfere. So you and Charlie just have a good time."
Charlie came in a few minutes later and Ted smiled at her. "You look beautiful."
"Thank you." She said with a smile.
"Go have fun," Jaycee said to her. "Go." Charlie nodded and headed out with Ted for their date.
They made it to the car as Phil pulled up and got out of his. He looked at them as they got into Ted's car and drove away. He sighed and headed in the house.
"Hey, bro, what's up?" Jaycee asked when he walked in.
"I just came by to drop off the setlist for the reunion. I figured you would need it when you made your final plans with the committee."
"Oh thank you." She smiled and took the paper from him. She looked at her brother. "So, how are you?"
"Doing alright. I got the nursery finished and got the house baby proofed."
"Well, that's great." She replied. "It's good you're excited about the baby. They are blessings you know. Even when someone doesn't think so."
"What does E want for his birthday?"
"I'm sure anything you want to get him will be fine. John has finally gotten Ethan into football." She replied. "John's been really focused on Ethan and football. I think he is trying to keep his mind off the new baby and onto Ethan."
"Yeah. I'm working on new stuff for the band."
"That's awesome," Jaycee replied. "I still can't believe the reunion is coming up. I'm not really looking forward to seeing all those girls who hated me. But I am looking forward to seeing how fat they all have gotten. Does that make sense?"
Phil laughed. "Yeah, those stuck up snobby bit..." Ethan walked into the room before he could finish the words. "Hey, E," Phil said to him.
"Hey, Uncle Phil," Ethan said to him as he went to the fridge.
"Healthy snack," Jaycee said to him. Ethan sighed and grabbed a yogurt.
"Oh come on, mom. Let the boy have a cookie or cake." Phil said to her.
"He knows he has to have at least three healthy snacks a week. And he had some cookies yesterday." She replied. "I don't want him loading up on junk food every day." She looked at Phil. "Besides, he will get cake and ice cream at his birthday party in a few days."
"You got the right cake, right mom?" Ethan asked her.
"Yes, I promise I got the exact cake you wanted." She replied.
"I can't believe you're nine already," Phil said to him as he rubbed his head. "Time flies."
"Yeah. I guess it does."
Jaycee smiled. "Did you do your homework?"
"Yes, it's done and you already saw my report card. I've been good."
"I know that." She replied.
"Can I go back and play my game?"
"Yes, go." Jaycee laughed as Ethan ran back upstairs. "John's parents are going to take him while we are at the reunion. I know they said we could bring the kids but I'm worried someone from high school will say something about me or John. And I would prefer if my son didn't hear it."
"Don't worry about those bitches."
"I know I shouldn't but I don't want my son to hear them say mean things about his mom or dad. You know what high school was like and I just don't want to deal with that. Well, I don't want Ethan to hear any of it. So it's better if he has fun with John's parents." Phil nodded. "So how are you really? I mean you had to see Charlie leave. Are you okay with that?"
"I don't know if I'm okay with it. But I guess I have to deal with it."
"It's not easy to do that I'm sure." She said to him. "And I hate to make you feel worse but if you had just married her when you had the chance, none of this would have happened."
"So you believe I was wrong too?" He asked as John walked in. "I love her and I've shared the last ten years of my life with her. Shouldn't that be enough."
"Yeah. It should. I don't know why she wants to get married so much. You guys were happy before all the wedding talk started." John said.
"You guys just don't understand," Jaycee replied to them. "Getting married is making a lifetime commitment to someone. To show the world that you have found that person you want to be with forever. To share a life with. Share children. It proves to you that he wants to share his life with you."
"He has shared his life with her."
"I know that," Jaycee replied with a sigh. "But there is nothing to keep him from just leaving. Not that he necessarily would. But a wedding ceremony and a ring prove that he doesn't have any desire to leave. That he wants to stand up in front of family and friends and tell them that he has found the person he wants forever." She stood up and looked at them both. "It makes a statement. And sometimes we girls need a statement or something that proves you love us. I would think you, John would understand that." She said before turning and walking up the stairs. "And if you don't, you can stay at Phil's until you do."
He sighed as she walked up the stairs. He looked over at Phil. "Thanks for taking me down too."
"Nobody told you to jump in there and open your mouth. You did that all on your own. But it is nice to know that not everyone thinks I'm a monster for not marrying your sister."
John looked at him. "I don't think you're a monster. You and Charlie had a great life together before all of this. And I know you love her." He sighed. "I better go upstairs and deal with my wife."
Phil laughed. "Good luck with that."
"Thanks," John said as he headed upstairs. He hoped Jaycee would accept his apology. He walked up the stairs and found her in the bedroom. "I'm sorry." He said walking in.
She looked at him. "Tell me the reason you're apologizing."
"You were right. All girls need to know their guy is serious. They sometimes need that big gesture."
She looked at him and smiled. "Close enough." She said and walked over to him. She leaned in and kissed him. "You're forgiven."
He smiled back and kissed her. "So, should we make up in the right way?"
"Not with Ethan awake." She replied. "Why don't we head downstairs and we can make up properly tonight." He nodded and they headed back downstairs.
Phil looked up as they came down. "Everything okay?" He asked.
"Everything is good," Jaycee replied.
"Good. Then I'm heading out. I will see you at Ethan's birthday party." Jaycee nodded as he left. She hoped everything would work out for him and Charlie either together or separately.