Chapter 2

Jake arrived at the hospital and asked a passing nurse where he could find Jenny Jagielski. She pointed towards the out patient hall. Walking down the hall he found her room.

"Hey munchkin! How are you feeling?" He scooped up the 5 year old giving her a tight hug.

"I'm ok Daddy! Where is Jessie?"

"Oh she stayed at the house with Uncle Lucas. I wanted to make sure you were ok myself. How about we spend the day together, just us? We could go to the aquarium see the fish. Then we can go out to dinner."

"Is Jessie going to come?"

"Nope just a Daddy and Jenny day," he smiled not picking up on her disappointment.

"Ok."

"That's my girl. Now let me see if I can get you out of here."

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Jake and Jenny pulled into the driveway late that evening. Jess was waiting at the front door. Jenny ran up the steps and hugged Jess.

"Hey Jess! Guess what! Daddy took me to the aquarium then we went out to dinner. I got to watch the dolphins. They splashed us it was great!"

"That is great honey. Why don't you go get ready for bed and one of us will be up to read you a story." She watched the little girl run up the steps. "Thanks for calling Jake. I was worried sick."

"Yeah well she's ok. Just a swollen eye." He reached into the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water.

"How long have we been together Jake?"

He gave her a puzzled look. "You know. Our anniversary was yesterday. Three years."

"And in those three years did you ever think that I didn't care about Jenny?"

"No, I know you love her."

"Ok then why the hell didn't you call me and tell me she was ok. You were gone 8 ½ hours and not once called me to say 'hey we left the hospital we're going out for the day.' I had to call your mother to make sure you got to the hospital safely." Jess was yelling now which was something she usually didn't do. She looked at the floor to calm her self down. "I love that little girl like she was my own. You both are my family. But I need to know that this is it. You never talk about getting married. I bring it up and you avoid it. If that is not where this is heading then I need to know. I want to get married Jake. I'm 28 years old. Most of my friends are married or engaged. I love you and Jenny. I need to know."

Jake looked down at the floor avoiding eye contact. "Jess you know what happened to Jenny's mom, I can't go through something like that again."

"Well Jake I wish you would have told me that a few years ago. Would have saved me a lot of heart ach. I need to leave. I know what I want and now I know it is not what you want. Tell Jenny I love her and I'll give her a call in a few days.

Jake looked at her shocked. "What?! Where are you going? You can't leave."

"I have to, we both want different things. I love you Jake," she walked over and kissed him lightly on his cheek. "I'll have someone come pick up my things. Good bye."

A single tear ran down Jake's cheek. He just screwed up the best thing in his and Jenny's life.

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Jake walked up the stairs to Jenny's room. "Hey munchkin, ready for that story?"

"No offence Daddy but I want Jessie to read it to me. I've been with you all day."

"Well, Jess can't read one to you. She had to leave."

"When will she be back?" Jenny asked confused.

"I don't know, she's gone for now."

"Gone like Mommy is?"

"No munchkin, you'll get to see Jess again."

"Daddy, can I tell you a secret?"

"Sure." He smiled.

"I wanted Jessie to be my mommy."

"I know you did munchkin."