The next morning Jacqueline is up at six thirty and has breakfast ready for James and Conner before she wakes them up. While the boys eat she showers quickly and dresses in a pair of faded jeans and a nice blue satin shirt.
Once ready she takes care of the dishes and ushers the boys to get ready to go to her mom's house. She's out the door at seven forty five, nervous to be having breakfast with Jane's friends and Richard.
Richard and Jacqueline have been friends since before Richard was on the board of Safford. They have known each other forever. Richard is one friend she has confided in about her feelings for Jane. He also knows about her home life with Ian.
Not many people know that Jacqueline married Ian because it was easier than admitting the truth. He was her best friend at one point and it was easier to say yes to him then having to come out in the world at that time.
Jacqueline doesn't regret her decision, she got her boys out of it. James and Conner are both her world. Who knew that the few times she and Ian did sleep together was enough for her to be granted the best gifts the world could have ever given her.
Arriving at her mother's, she walks the boys to the door -her mother waiting on the porch for them. "Thank you mom, for taking them for the day again."
"I love having them. I was going to take them to the museum today, if they are up for it." She nods to the boys.
Both squealing in happiness. " Yes, thank you grandma!".
Jacqueline laughs "Sounds like you're good then." Hugging Conner first before tugging James in for one too. "Love you both." Conner just hums.
"Love you mom. Tell Jane I'm thinking of her please." James whispers in her ear.
Smiling "I will hunny. Thank you."
Heading back to the car she texts Jane she's on her way.
At Jane's they were up at seven Kat showering first. When Jane was in the shower Kat started on breakfast. Making French Toast, Scrambled Eggs and some fresh fruit of strawberries and blueberries.
Coming out of the shower she hears that Sutton and Richard have arrived. Getting dressed in a white dress with blue flowers on it. She's putting her makeup on when Sutton walks in with Jane's phone.
"Hey tiny Jane. Jacqueline texted. Damn you look good. Dressing up for her Majesty?" She laughs up.
Jane shakes her head. "You talked to Kat I see." Taking her phone from Sutton. " Jacqueline should be here in a few minutes." She says walking past Sutton out into the living room.
"Hey Richard. Oh Kat this looks wonderful babe." Jane coos thanking her before there's a knock at the door. "That's Jacqueline."
Walking to the door opening it to greet the woman that is never far from her mind, Jane's jaw drops from Jacqueline's outfit. As does Jacqueline's from Jane's dress she has on.
"Let her in Tiny Jane!" Kat yells from the couch knocking the ladies out of their staring.
Blushing terribly "Please come in. You're gorgeous Jacq." Jane finally gets out letting the woman through the door.
"You are too darling." Not hiding her eyes checking her out up and down. "It smells great in here. Hi Richard, Kat and Sutton." Jacqueline says coming into the living room.
"Jacqueline" Richard says.
"Hey" both Kat and Sutton say at the same time.
Jane goes to the kitchen, her hand grazing Jacqueline's back as she goes. "Kat made French Toast, Scrambled Eggs, she also put out some Strawberries and Blueberries. To drink I believe we have Orange Juice, Coffee, Apple Juice or if you are feeling adventurous we also could have Mimosas." Jane let's the editor know.
Laughing "A mimosa would be amazing right now but I'm gonna go with Coffee." Jacqueline walks over to the counter sitting down on the stool.
Richard and Sutton sit at the table with Kat after getting their plates as Jane grabs a plate for Jacqueline and herself after getting Jacqueline her coffee.
Sitting next to Jacqueline at the counter Jane can't help but to glance at her after every few bites. Noticing the glances Jacqueline puts her fork down. " What is it darling?" She asks, laying her hand on Jane's thigh.
Freezing at the touch, Jacqueline goes to remove her hand, before she's able to though Jane grabs the hand in hers squeezing it. "Sorry, I wasn't expecting that." Jane glances down for a second before looking at Jacqueline. "I just can't believe you're in my home and this is real. Not to mention you are absolutely breathtaking in that blouse."
Jacqueline smiles squeezing Jane's hand back. " Thank you. You're not so bad yourself in that dress. And this is real darling."
Kat not being able to help herself "Jacqueline did you know that Jane is like a koala when she sleeps?" She giggles out.
Jane blushes so bad, pulling her hand from Jacqueline's.
"She just wraps her body and locks it around you." Kat continues snickering.
Jacqueline pulls Jane to her, wrapping her arms around her. "Darling, it's okay she's just trying to get a rise out of us." Kisses the top of her head. "Kat that's enough." She pointedly stares at the girl, making sure she knows she's serious.
" Sorry tiny Jane." Kat apologizes.
Sutton and Richard are just sitting back trying not to laugh at how red Jane blushed.
"I hate you guys." Jane says embarrassed. Pulling away from Jacqueline smiling slightly at the editor. Taking her hand in hers squeezing the hand in gratitude.
"So Jacqueline" Richard started but was cut off by Jacqueline's glare as if she knew what he was going to say.
Sutton just laughs before going back to her food.
Glancing at the clock seeing the time Jane sighs. "We should probably get going."
Jacqueline who just finished her food smiles at Jane. Squeezing the fingers still in hers "Okay. Thank you for breakfast Kat. It was really good."
"You're welcome Jacqueline." Kat replies as she stands up to clear the plates. "You guys go ahead and go I'll take care of all this."
"Thanks babe." Jane says as she gets her sweater as she and Jacqueline get ready to leave the house.
"Richard, Sutton it was good seeing you again." Jacqueline tells the married couple.
"Thank you Jacqueline." Sutton says as Richard nods his head at her.
"See you later guys." Jane let's them know, ushering Jacqueline out the door.
Once in the car Jacqueline let's her driver know the destination. She turns to Jane grabbing her hand. "I missed you Jane." She lets out softly.
"I missed you too Jacq." Jane squeezes the fingers in hers. "I'm sorry about Kat."
"Jane it's fine. Promise. I liked the image of you around me even in just sleep." She winks at her.
Jane laughs.
"I wanted to tell you, James and I talked last night, about you."
"You did? What about?" Jane asks, her nerves getting the best of her.
Jacqueline scouts next to Jane, taking her face in her hands. "I was honest with him. He asked if I was with you yesterday. I told him I was. He said - and I quote - 'she's cool mom.'" she laughs softly. "He told me that you make me happy. He noticed when I had you at the house. He said he hasn't seen me smile like that in a very long time." She smiles as tears appear in the corners of her eyes.
Jane sees the tears and brings her hands up to Jacqueline's face wiping them away. Nodding her head for her to continue.
Jacqueline's thumb caressing Jane's cheek. "I told him I was coming with you today and he showed such concern for you darling, it warmed my heart." She pulls back, getting nervous herself about telling James something personal; she wasn't sure it was her place now that she's facing Jane.
Jane sensed the change. "What babe. Why the nerves?"
Looking down. "So I kinda told James about your surgery and about your mother. He asked why you needed surgery after I told him about coming to your pre-op with you today. I'm sorry, I hope I didn't over share."
Understandingly Jane pulls Jacqueline back to her, foreheads touching. " It's okay Jacq. I'm glad you're honest with him. He should know if you're going to be, if you want to be here for me through this. It's hard talking about my mother still. But babe you are the one that helped me except this. I didn't want to face it til you pushed me to. You are why I'm doing this."
Jacqueline pulls back tears running down her face, to look at this beautiful soul in front of her. Not sure why she's been holding back -Jacqueline glances at the younger girls lips - before anything happens though the car is stopped and her driver, Steve announces they have arrived.
Signing from the interruption Jacqueline wipes her eyes " Let's go sweetheart."
" Jacq…" Jane whispers softly wiping her own eyes.
Letting the moment pass, Jane and Jacqueline help each other out of the car. Jane is still holding Jacqueline's hand in hers, as they walk inside for her appointment.
