It was her 7th birthday. She sat at the table surrounded by her friends and family. "Make a wish," she turned and looked at the voice. Leo, her dads colleagues son. Ever since her mom passed, Leo and his father Tom were always at the house. Meaning Leo and Jess were constantly together. She smiled at him and closed her eyes. She opened and blew out the candles on her cake. Leo put his hand on top of Jess's under the table and offered her a small smile. He knew what she wished for. It was what she wished for the past 3 years knowing the wish could never come true. She wished for her mom to be back.
It was her 12th birthday. She ran over to the pond in Central Park. Taking in the spring weather in New York. The flowers were blooming and pops of pink were everywhere throughout the park. She sat on the park bench. A smile appeared on her face seeing him walk towards her with lunch in one hand and a flower in the other. He sat down and handed her the rose, "This is for you birthday girl." She put her nose towards the rose and took in a deep breath. She looked up and leaned forward placing a lingering kiss on his cheek. "This already makes this the best start to a birthday. Thank you so much Leo," Jess said as she took a bite into her sandwich.
It was her 14th birthday. She was standing there with a glass champagne in her hand. Eyes scanning the crowd. It was her brother's wedding day. Travis and Marie had asked her if it was ok to have their wedding on her birthday and she said yes. Why not. 14 years old is not that eventful. She felt some walk up next to her. "How much longer do we have to entertain your family before I can steal you away so we can go lay in the back and look up at the stars." She took a sip of her champagne and turned to see the smirk on his face. She whipped her head back and chugged the rest of the glass. She put her glass down and took a step forward. She grabbed onto Leo's face and planted a light kiss on his lips."Babe, you know my family will notice if I go missing," Jess chuckled grabbing his hand toward the dance floor.
It was her 15th birthday. The car stopped and they jerked forward. She turned to her right, "Oops," she laughed. He rolled his eyes. "Babe you can't do that your going to cause an accident," he told her. She dramatically huffed, "Babe we are at my brothers house, there are no other cars but mine. Literally impossible for an accident," she laughed knowing that is not the response he was looking for. She gave him a quick peck, "You love my driving," she said a matter of factly. His face got serious and she was confused. "I love you." She looked stunned and questioned, "What did you say Leo?" "I love you Jessica." Leo sat there nervous not sure how she would react. Without much hesitation, "I love you too Leo. I'm in love with you." They leaned in towards each other lips pressing against the others.
It was her 18th birthday. The distance began to get to Jessica and Leo. Jess was living in England and coming home for a week every month and spending her Summers in the states starting right after she turned 15. They had a really great schedule going and were in love more then ever. Then it all changed. She came home and had found out Leo had been hanging out with Eliza, a girl who hated Jess. She didn't trust him and it showed every time she had come home. Each week had been unbearable as a fight would break out between them all the time. She was ready to forget Eliza completely and tell Leo her plans to move back after the school year. He had asked her to meet him at their bench in the park. She walked up to see him sitting there first which was unusual. He looked uncomfortable. She sat down. He opened his mouth immediately, "What I am about to say is the hardest thing I have ever done. Jessica I can't do this anymore. This isn't working," a tear slid down his face. She pleaded, "I'll be home in 3 months." He shook his head no, "Jess I cant anymore I'm sorry." She nodded her head up and down tears streaming down her face. "I got to go," she got up and ran away from the park.
It was her 19th birthday. The phone rang throughout the house. Jessica heard it stop ringing and assumed Mae had picked up the phone. "Jessica its Claire come down to the phone," Mae yelled. Jessica got up and went down the stairs to the phone. "Hey girl," Jess said cuddled up on the couch. "Jess tell me you're not packing much so we can go shopping like all the time," Claire squealed into the phone. Jess took a hard swallow. She was dreading this moment. Jess took a deep breath, "Claire," she hesitated and sadly said, "I'm not coming home this Summer." She trailed waiting for Claire to respond. "Jess are you really not coming home because of him? Jess he's been asking about you coming home when it was happening. What am I supposed to tell him?" Jess rubbed her temple. "Claire, he hurt me. I just can't face him. I know if I see him, i'll forgive him immediately and I am not ready for that. I know he's been asking. He talks to Joe about me, and if he asks you again you tell him the truth. I am not coming home for the Summer." Claire could hear Jess sniffle knowing this was a hard decision. "I am going to miss you so much you know," Claire said to lighten the mood. Jess responded, "Well I guess you'll just have to come visit."
It was six weeks ago. Jess opened the door and felt the chill air hit her in the face. She was leaving the hospital for the day seeing as her dad was doing good. She walked towards their favorite butcher. She wanted to pick up a few things. She opened the door and walked in feeling the heat defrost her cold nose. She walked towards the counter. "Jess?" She froze. It took every part of her to turn towards the voice. Her heart ached. He looked good. The same, but more handsome. He grew a beard. His face scruffier then before. He was dressed extremely well. She had heard he had a really great job. She finally was able to open her mouth. "Leo?"
"Jess, Jess, JESS!"
Jess snapped out of it hearing Polly call her name. "Jess where was your head at," she questioned. Jess didn't know what was going on. Ever since Joe told her a few days ago that Leo would be coming to the wedding, she couldn't stop thinking about her past. She was hiding. Hiding something from Michael. He didn't know about Leo and he didn't know anything about their run in when she had been in New York when her dad was getting treated for his heart attack."I'm sorry what were you saying Polly?" Jess apologized. Polly spoke, "As I said, your brothers and cousins coordinated with your friends from the states who are here and your friends here to all meet at the pub tonight. Tommy is closing it down just for you and Michael." Jess went straight to her closet going through the rack. "I need to find something for tonight Polly. Can you call Michael and ask him what he plans on wearing? I want to make sure we coordinate." Polly chucked, Jessica loved matching with Michael and it drove Polly nuts that her son would go along with her nonsense.
She heard Polly close the door. Her mind drifted. Was Leo here already with rest of their friends? What is he even thinking knowing he's coming to her wedding? Would he bring up the last time they saw each other? She didn't know what to do she. She felt like she was suffocating with her feelings and not knowing what to do. A knock was at the door, Polly walked in, "I did better then call my son." In walked in Michael. Her heart started to calm down. Michael calmed her down. "Lets find you a matching outfit babe," he said and walked towards his girlfriend and her closet.
The pub was full with all of Michael and Jessica's friends. Jessica and Claire had been attached at the hip. They spoke every week, but since working with the Shelbys, her trips home became limited and she had not seen Claire in a while. They had already planned a sleepover at her fathers to catch up on what was going on. "Do you know if he's here yet," Jessica sipped her drink and turned towards Claire. They had been sitting at a high top table near the wall. Jess needed a break. She managed to speak to every single person there and thank them for being there. Claire scanned the room. "When Billy and I spoke about it, he didn't know when he would be getting off of work to come." Billy was Claire's boyfriend and Leo's best friend. When Jessica and Leo broke up it had been really awkward for Billy. Not only was he Leo's best friend, but he had been one of Jess's best friends as well. Claire obviously took Jess's side leaving Billy to take Leo's so he didn't have to deal with the breakup alone.
Jess nodded her head pretending to be satisfied with her answer. She wanted a warning. She wanted to be prepared. But she couldn't. She had no answers to any of her questions. She started to feel a tight knot in her stomach. Looking down at her drink she got up. "I need another drink I'll be back." She walked through the crowd towards the bar. She grabbed the bar steadying herself and regaining her composure. Get it together Jessica, she chastised herself. Closing her eyes she took a deep breath. "And for the bride to be right here, give her a vodka on the rocks." Her eyes shot open. She turned to look next to her. Stuttering to find her voice, "Leo." She went to open her mouth to speak more and was cut off. "Hey babe are you going to introduce me to your friend?" Michael came up. In front of her, Leo and to the right of her, Michael. Fuck.