"I'm glad you could make it," Kate smiled when she opened the door to find Jack.
"You look good," Jack said before he could stop himself. She wore tight, curve hugging jeans and a plain white tank top.
"You've seen me in jeans before," she reminded him.
"Not ones that fit you properly," he teased.
Aaron came running out but hid behind Kate's leg when he saw Jack.
"Hey Buddy, this is Jack. Can you say hi to him?"
"Hi Jack."
"Hey little man. It's good to meet you."
"Why don't you go show Jack the house?" She asked. It was hard enough on her to see Jack but seeing him with Aaron was torture. That's all she had wanted for so long and now that she'd accepted it was over, he was becoming the man she'd dreamed of. It was bittersweet but she was glad if she couldn't have it, at least Aaron could, if Jack stayed in the picture.
Jack was in awe at the house. Of course, Kate had invested her settlement money towards a nice home for Aaron and herself. But the inside of the house was beautiful, filled with photos, Aaron's artwork in frames and on the fridge. He never wanted to leave this house. And he wanted to be in this family. He didn't just want Kate, he wanted to be there for Aaron from the moment he saw the child.
Jack stayed for hours, playing with Aaron. They played with toys in his room, they played outside, they drew with sidewalk chalk out front. Kate was caught between wanting to give them space and watching them intently, secretly imagining this was her life, the picture she had in her head. She had to try to remember that Jack was here for Aaron, not her. She had told him how she felt, she'd asked him to be with her. He said no, he'd rejected her. She hoped if she reminded herself of that enough, she'd stay strong.
"He really likes Alice in Wonderland," Jack said softly when he returned from Aaron's room. "He's out like a light."
"You wore him out," she smiled, crossing her arms. "He had such a good day, Jack."
"I had an even better time." He watched Kate, studying her body language intensely. "Kate, this weekend is the memorial—"
"Yeah, I know." She looked down sadly, remembering friends she'd lost.
"I was thinking maybe we could go together," he finally asked.
"I actually have a date…"
"Same date or different date?"
"Different date," she exhaled.
"You seem to have a lot of dates but no second dates…"
"It would appear so," she said glumly.
"Why?" Jack pushed. When Kate didn't speak, he moved closer. "Why, Kate?"
"The idea of introducing Aaron to a bunch of men for no reason just doesn't sit well with me."
"You let me come around Aaron," Jack pointed out.
"Don't make me regret it." She raised an eyebrow at him.
Jack closed the gap between them. "I don't plan on it," he said, his voice silky and seductive. Kate could feel her body responding to his words and his tone. She wanted him desperately the way she had on the island. She'd spent the majority of her days ogling what she could see and her nights fantasizing about all the things she couldn't see.
Kate reminded herself again that Jack had rejected her. They had been equals on the island but in the real world, Kate wasn't the type of woman that a doctor would marry.
Jack didn't want her, she thought. He'd answered her point blank.
"Umm… I guess I should walk you out." She worried if she didn't get rid of him soon she'd fall in love with him all over again.
When they got to the car, Jack gave Kate a hug. He felt her body tense up the minute he touched her but once he started speaking, he could feel her body relaxing. She felt so small in his arms that he never wanted to let her go. It reminded him of just how fragile Kate was under her tough exterior. It also made him realize how he instinctively wanted to protect her. He didn't want to leave, he wanted to snatch her up and never let her go.
It wasn't until after Jack drove off that Kate realized he hadn't made any plans to return. She worried about how Aaron would take losing Jack after bonding so instantly with him. She decided to give him until the memorial to bring it up.