Houston, We Have a Problem
"Oh shut up!" Jennifer laughed as she eased her car into the driveway and killed the engine of the car. "You do NOT need three different kinds of razor blades, Sweetie." Marrying Dave was the greatest thing she could ever imagine. Working for him was turning into a task all unto itself.
"Jen, the women's ones work better for my legs," Dave reasoned, well-aware of how that statement sounded.
But Jennifer was preoccupied with the vehicle in the driveway. "Do we know anyone who drives a Lexus?" She tiled her head to side and considered the white SUV. It was slightly familiar, but she couldn't place it.
"John has a white one," Dave answered. "Why?"
Her heart shot into her throat, but Jennifer shook her head. "No reason. I gotta go. I'll call you later," she mumbled, snapping the phone shut and rushing toward the front door.
Inside the house, her sister was baby-sitting Keegan. And she could only imagine what else was happening. Throwing the front door open, Jennifer tried to collect the rush of angry emotions bubbling up in her. Her eyes met her sister's instantly.
Jill Houston smiled sweetly and nodded to the floor, where three rambunctious children were using John as their own personal jungle gym. "Hey, little sister," Jill greeted Jennifer and then tilted her head. "Bad day?"
With her hands on Jill's shoulder, Jennifer walked toward the kitchen and dropped her purse, along with three plastic shopping bags, onto the floor. "What the fuck is he doing here, Jill?"
Glancing over her sister's shoulder, Jill shrugged. "I don't know. He just said "hi" and asked if Keegan was home."
Jennifer's mind was racing. "I can't believe I let you watch my child!" When Jill raised an eyebrow, Jennifer threw her hands up. "A strange 30-year-old man comes to the door and asks to play with my daughter and you don't see that as a little bit strange? Not even a teensy bit?"
As had been her custom their entire life, Jill rolled her eyes at her baby sister. "Not when he is her father," she reasoned. "And he's only twenty eight," she added.
"Oh, so he told you now, too?" The smart-ass attitude her sister was sporting did not amuse Jennifer. "Not that he's twenty-eight, Dumb Ass," she cut off Jill's retort before her sister could say it.
She didn't care if John and Trish baby sat Keegan, but Ashley said he had already told Randy the truth, and she could tell he was just itching to let the secret out. The less time he spent with Keegan, the better off they would all be.
"Um, no," Jill replied, her voice even and calm. "You did. Way back when you were pregnant. I'm the one who told you to tell him in the first place, remember?" The recollection swept over Jennifer as she shut her gaping mouth. "That's right. Older, wiser, voice of reason right here," Jill reminded.
Leaning against the counter, Jennifer tried to settle the feeling in her gut. John was great with the kids, especially Keegan. "You should take the boys home," she said finally.
Nodding, Jill patted Jennifer's back. "Can I give you some more sisterly advice first?"
"Not if it has anything to do with telling Dave the truth," Jennifer answered. The look in Jill's eyes said that Jennifer was being ridiculous, but she didn't care. She couldn't tell him. Ever. "I mean it, Jill. I don't want to hear it."
If there was one thing Jill knew about her sister, it was that arguing would do no good. So she shrugged and called for the boys to get their shoes on. "Just because you don't want to hear it, doesn't make it any less true," she whispered as Jennifer hugged her good-bye.
"Mommy, look what John taught me!" Keegan shouted as she scrambled over the back of the couch.
Jennifer caught her as she teetered on the edge of the sofa, glaring at John before she looked down at her daughter. "Did he teach you how to crack your head open? Cause that's what you're about to do."
Keegan rolled her eyes. "Your so over-protective, Mommy," she pouted.
"Uh huh," Jennifer agreed, lifting Keegan off the couch and kissing her head before resting her daughter on her hip. "Why don't you go pack your suitcase, okay, Peanut? I need to talk to John."
"But he came to play with me," Keegan whined.
Jennifer shot her a no-nonsense "Mom" look and sat her daughter back on the floor. "Keegan Grace, don't talk back to me," she warned. "Go pack your bag. We're spending the night at Dave's tonight."
Keegan stomped off down the hall with another pout and Jennifer turned her attention to the man on her couch. "What the hell are you doing here, John?"
She didn't seem angry, just concerned. And he couldn't say he blamed her. "I don't know," he admitted, standing from the couch and stuffing his hands in his pockets. "Trish had some stuff to do, and I was sitting at the house alone. I didn't have anything else to do, so I stopped by to see if you would let me take Keegan to the park. You weren't here," he explained.
Watching his demeanor settled Jennifer down a little bit. "You and Trish are baby-sitting her tomorrow night," she reminded.
John sighed and nodded. "I know." He did know all the reasons he shouldn't be there. But he couldn't get past the one reason he couldn't stay away - he was head over heels in love with his daughter. "I have spent the last five years trying to pretend that she is not real. I didn't want anyone to know about her. I've done everything I can to put her existence out of my mind."
Jennifer watched as John looked down the hall, his eyes watering as he fought to keep his lower lip from trembling. "John," she whispered, taking a step closer and touching his elbow gently.
"I thought it wouldn't be a big deal, ya know? I mean, I thought she'd just be like any other kid." He sniffled, blinked, and then reached beside him for a picture on the end table. Keegan smiled back at him, wrapped tightly in Dave's arms. "But she's not. I can try all I want, but I just can't deny her. She's utterly and completely undeniable," he whispered, running his thumb over the picture.
In that moment, Jennifer's heart broke. She had been so concerned about saving her own ass - not hurting Dave with the truth - not confusing Keegan with the facts of her life - that she had completely forgotten John's part in the equation. She had underestimated the power Keegan had to draw people in, to make them want to be close to her.
"I wish things were different," Jennifer's voice broke as she rubbed her hand up John's arm.
But John smiled and shook his head. "No, you don't," he called her bluff, taking her hand in his. "And you shouldn't. Your life is sweet like chocolate right now, baby. For everyone involved." Blinking his eyes, he chuckled through his tears and wiped his eye with the thumb of his free hand. "Don't worry about me. I'm tough. I can deal."
Jennifer wasn't sure if he was trying to convince her or himself. But she offered him a brilliant smile and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling his head onto her shoulder. "Thank you," she whispered.
John just tightened his arms around her waist and hugged her back. But before he could respond, or pull back, the front door opened. John looked up and Jennifer turned to see Dave standing in the doorway, looking a little surprised.
He tilted his head suspiciously. "What's going on in here?"