We are picking up right where we left off... So what will Street do now?
There it is, the confirmation. And it still comes as a shock. Chris's words come back to his mind "You have nothing to be afraid of" he scoffs at the recollection and stands up. He needs to get out of the apartment before he says something stupid and hurtful. He grabs his jacket and heads for the door. Ignoring Molly's sobbing in the background. Knowing and suspecting are two vastly different things, and this still is a gut punch.
Downstairs and outside, he takes a deep breath before collapsing onto a nearby park bench.
What is he supposed to do now?
Why would no one tell him? Why hadn't he asked sooner? Why hadn't Molly contacted him? By her own admission, she could've done so anytime. His memories run wild. And he settles on one last sentence Chris had told him about: Molly's ex had moved on.
Jim had no idea how long he had been sitting on that bench with swirling thoughts. He just couldn't bring himself to move. After a while, he felt someone observing him and approach. He closes his eyes to try and ignore the feeling, but he can't help it. He knows who is now standing a few feet from him.
He can practically see her, even without looking up.
„How did you find me?" he asks and can't help the pain.
„Chris saw you sitting here and thought we should, I should maybe try talking to you."
Jim hears the deep and shaky breath, and he knows, still without looking that Molly probably already has tears in her eyes. But right now, he can't bring himself to care.
„I know I am about the last person you want to see right now, and you don't have to. Me, finally, telling you the truth is not a magic band-aid to fix everything. But you were so nice to me, your gift is Josie's favorite stuffed animal and ..." her voice breaks and for once he lifts his eyes, but only sees her shaking back.
„Please, don't take it out on Josie. Not even Chris. She only found out while was in the hospital. I had written a letter, which was never intended to be read..." again the pregnant pause and contrary to Molly's wish Jim can feel anger rise at his friend. She had dragged him to that hospital multiple times and he never could figure out why. But now it made all the sense in the world. He felt cheated and for right now didn't see a way out of this situation.
He nearly misses the next statement.
„You can talk to Chris and set up a possibility to see Josie at your convenience." Molly is surprised she managed to say that with an even voice. Inside her heart is breaking just thinking about that moment she witnessed a while back and how she had reacted. After taking a breath and getting zero reaction from the man she is trying to talk to. „If you really don't want to see any of us right now, I can bring her to my dad, and you can pick her up with him."
Molly knows that was mean, but it gets her at least a reaction.
Jim turns to face her an incredulous expression on his face. Somewhere between shock and fear. „He knows?"
„According to Chris, he figured it out. And this would be easy to accomplish but I can bring her to you too."
There is a longer pause and Molly knows that she has to let him think. If Chris hadn't insisted, she go now she would've waited until Jim called her or came back. It's the one annoying character trait she thought he hadn't completely lost, but maybe in regard to her. Her memory reminds her he left Pittsburgh without a word.
„On the off chance your father has not guessed right, I'd prefer you by my side when I have to face him."
Drifts to her ears and Molly nods her head.
„Molly can you just, I don't understand why you didn't tell me. I would've ..."
She steps closer to him and her fingers lightly touch his forearm.
"What would you have done? Insisted on me moving? And if I had refused?" Molly looks him straight in the eyes and she knows what he'd have done. She can see it in his eyes.
"I would've been by your side."
"And risk your job, your career. I didn't, I don't want that. I don't want to ever be the reason you don't do your job. You are important here. I couldn't do that to you."
She pulls her hand back when her head finally registers it is still laying on his arm. "You have a purpose and you worked too hard to lose your spot. And I really want Josie to know that she can achieve anything she sets her mind to. Just like her father found his purpose and destiny. You will be an amazing example for her."
They share a small look and when Jim scoots over on the bench Molly finally dares to sit down. Although making sure there is as much space between them as possible.
"Can we please go back to me seeing my daughter? Why does every option you propose not include you?" Jim asks in a low but firm voice and Molly is surprised. "I thought you would want to spend some time with her alone. Without me being in the way and a distraction for Josie."
After a little while of shared silence, Molly gets up to go back inside. "I guess you can decide what you want to do and tell Chris. We'll figure it out. You'll manage."
Three days without a word between them directly have passed and Molly had resigned herself to that fact. She knew he needed time to process. Her inner voice is always trying to cheer her up. Pointing out the good things but it didn't always work and so when Chris had informed her that Jim would come over this afternoon, early evening to spend time with Josie Molly had decided that going for a workout then was a good idea. She really didn't want to see Chris and Jim with Josie. It would hurt too much.
She has already changed into leggings and an oversized T when she walks out into the living room pulling her hair into a messy bun. With a couple of passing glances, Molly makes sure everything is ready and organized and she is just about to grab her gym bag and keys when Chris walks out of her room, dressed to the nines.
"You look incredible." Molly manages confused. Chris had told her multiple times she wasn't interested in Jim as more than a friend, that there was no lingering attraction, but this outfit told a different story.
"And you look like a workout. Well, I am off to see Kira remember? Have fun." Chris replies with a wink and moves to open the door to a stunned Jim Street.
Molly stands frozen in the middle of the living room. Yes, Chris had mentioned that she was friendly with Kira again and that they had sort of reconnected, but this was still a little unplanned. "What the hell just happened?" falls from her lips before she can catch herself. Thank God Josie is still so small and doesn't repeat the words just yet.
The little girl still is happily playing in her pen and probably not even registering the awkward moment between the two adults left in the room.
"Where is she off to?" comes the slightly confused question from Jim and Molly can't deny it hurts just a little more. "Kira, apparently," she replies, rolls her shoulders, and gets back to getting ready to leave. After their last conversation, she really doesn't want to be alone with him unprepared.
"Bottles are in the fridge, I'll be out of your hair in a sec." she continues and walks in the direction of the door. "You should tell her how you feel, or she is in a new relationship," Molly adds for good measure when she notices Jim's confused expression.
When she reaches for the door, she can feel a hand grabbing her other wrist and with a slight tug on her arm, she is being spun around to face Jim.
Molly stares down at his hand. "What now?"
"You just said... why do say that and then leave? Can't you just stay and let me talk to you?" Jim is still confused. His brain has registered that he probably needs to spell out what he wants but he can't figure out why Molly tries to leave. The only thing he can see right now is, she is angry, scared, and annoyed.
"Why, why would you need to talk to me now? Chris just left; you should talk to her."
And somehow the probably millionth little hint hits Jim over the head.
"Wait. Stop. Do you think I... No." he shakes his head and tugs on Molly's arm to look her straight in the eyes.
"I don't want to be with Chris. She is my friend and has been there for me ever since we met, but don't you see Molly? I want you to be my family."