What does Aubrey, Jessica, white flags, and pigeon heads have in common? Read this chapter and find out.
Warning. M Rated chapter. NSFW so find a nice quiet place to read.
Jessica's afternoon with Hodgins was routine as she helped pull trace out of a decedent's clothes and belongings that were found underneath a former meth house. Once she got used to the cat urine smell, it went smoothly. Needing more Petri dishes, she walked to the entomologist's supply closet but stopped when she saw his white board calendar. Saturday's date popped out at her.
November 5th...two days from now.
Superman hadn't brought the date up at all since they got back together. Her hints the past several days hadn't gotten any response out of him, but she knew he'd been distracted with the World Series.
Shaking her head, she grabbed what she needed and headed back to her table. After putting on new gloves, she went back to her task. As she worked methodically, she thought about her lunch with Aubrey.
After their meal, they did get to enjoy almost twenty minutes alone in his office with the blinds drawn. What began with kissing ended with her giving Aubrey a blow job behind his desk since he had to work late that evening. She left her boyfriend with a contented smile and got to the lab right at 1:00.
But she was disappointed with his idea of what to do Saturday night. It was a big night...at least she thought so. Aubrey usually had the memory of an elephant, so him not even acknowledging the day surprised her. He was the super romantic out of the two of them. Surely, he didn't forget what November 5th was?
She pondered her dilemma as she worked. Should she remind him and risk his embarrassment or continue to hint around, hoping he'd catch her meaning in time?
As the intern continued to decide, Angela came into the Ookey Room. Seeing her young friend quiet and serious, she looked over at her husband, who was also watching her with concern.
"All day?", she mouthed. At the nodding of her husband's head, the artist made a decision. "Jessica?"
The redhead didn't hear her, her focus on her thoughts and on the pieces of pollen that were stuck to the victim's jeans.
"Earth to Jessica!"
Startled, she looked up and saw her friends watching her. "I'm sorry Angela, did you or Curly say something?"
Their suspicions confirmed, Angela forged ahead. "Is tonight the night Aubrey is working late?"
"Yeah, he's reviewing all the cases of his agents for their job performance reviews so he can start them next week. He said he wanted to have it done so he's free this weekend and so he can spend time working with Booth and Agent Burns on their new orientation proposal."
"How about you come over for dinner tonight, Sweetie?", Angela said. "I'm making pasta for the boys."
"Well, Dr. B said she would take me home since Aubrey was working late…"
Hodgins wheeled to his GCMS. "We can drop you off at your apartment and then you can drive over to the house. Come on, Jessica. Aubrey would want you to have a home cooked meal...and we will have leftovers for him."
The redhead chuckled. "Okay, I'm sold. Thanks."
When the redhead bent back down to finish her work, the couple smiled at each other before Angela went back to her office.
After their dinner of baked ziti, salad, homemade garlic bread, and parfaits for dessert, Angela signaled Hodgins. Understanding, the entomologist took their son into the den to work on their latest experiment as Jessica and Angela began cleaning up the kitchen. After a minute, the artist spoke up as her young friend was dishing up leftovers for Aubrey.
"Sweetie, you're so quiet. What's up?"
The redhead debated for a moment before telling her friend what was on her mind. When she was done, Angela smiled.
"I guess your dilemma confirms that you and Aubrey are back together, right?" When the younger woman only blushed, the pregnant woman chuckled. "Don't worry, Sweetie. Everyone knows."
Jessica grimaced as she finished putting the food in the fridge. "Is everyone mad that we didn't tell them?"
Angela put the dirty dishes in the hot soapy sink water and turned to the redhead. "No. Who cares if they are anyway? I told you this would happen and I'm happy for you."
The two hugged before letting go. "Was it that obvious?"
"Brennan figured it out first when she saw Aubrey leave the lab before Karen's last visit and the way you stuck up for him when she spewed her bullshit. Everyone else suspected it when you two were always together like before the break up. Most of all, you and Aubrey…have that vibe. It was obvious at Beau's game the day after his birthday.", Angela replied. "You guys took the plunge on Aubrey's birthday, didn't you?"
When Jessica blushed again, Angela smiled. "I thought so. Now, about your worry…"
"Am I making a big deal out of nothing?"
The artist treaded carefully. "No, but don't jump to conclusions, either. Remember what happened last time you did that, Jessica?"
The redhead grimaced. "How can I forget? I almost lost Aubrey for good."
"Now, in the scheme of things how important is it for him to remember this particular anniversary? You know Aubrey will feel guilty if you remind him of it now."
The redhead considered Angela's point for a minute. He had so much on his plate at work between cases, running an important division at the FBI, and working with Booth and Charlie Burns to develop a different system for the orientation of new agents. It was a big deal to her, but Angela was right about her boyfriend feeling extremely guilty that he'd forgotten the date.
"You're right. We'll still be together Saturday. That's more important. After all, it's not like we have to have something to celebrate. We'll have fun, no matter what."
"Good girl. Now help me dry these dishes.", Angela said as she handed the younger woman the towel.
Over 36 hours later, Jessica arrived at the lab for her weekend shift. Greeting the security guard that watched over the facility, she put her stuff in her locker and went out on the floor. Heading to one of the computers on the platform, she checked her work email. After reading through items including one from Dr. B regarding the semester deadline for practical hours and one from Curly reminding employees of the lab to limit use of cellphones on the lab floor, she found her assignment and got to work.
Two hours later, Jessica was in the Bone Room with one of the sets of remains that arrived yesterday from Turkey. On her phone, Amazon Prime was playing her work mix on shuffle.
The theory was that the remains were Ottoman but it would take forensic identification to confirm that as Antiquities examined the artifacts found with the remains. Remembering what Dr. B always taught her, she started her exam with no expectations, just listened to what the bones were telling her. She worked methodically with attention to detail, but her thoughts wandered.
Today was the first anniversary of her first date with James Aubrey. Usually she wasn't that sentimental, but her boyfriend seemed to bring it out in her. All week, she tried giving hints in the hope that he'd remembered, but he was immersed in the World Series. However, she tried dropping hints again when she brought him Angela's leftovers for lunch yesterday morning, but his mind was focused on work.
She tried again last night when they went to Founding Fathers for appetizers, but once again, the hints went over his usually intelligent head. Her final attempt was this morning at her apartment when he got in the shower with her at 6:30. Unfortunately, it was for naught as instead of a romantic evening, Aubrey proposed a movie after dinner at the diner...then he made her almost late for work as his fingers made her morning shower a memorable one.
Maybe she was being too sappy, but that date was a big deal for her. Sure she had gone on them with other guys in the past. However, those guys weren't James Robert Aubrey. She and the agent had pussyfooted around each other for months before they'd even hung out together for the first time.
The Rick O'Malley case was a turning point for them. She remembered the background check Aubrey was ordered to run on her by Caroline Julian and his subsequent visit to the lab to discuss it with her, bringing her favorite catnip tea. She knew it had shocked him when he saw some of the stuff she'd done in the past. His subtle disapproval cut more deeply that she ever thought possible. To his credit, Superman knew he'd screwed up immediately, but his apologies were too late. Unable to face him, she sent him back to the FBI and ignored his phone calls all the rest of that afternoon.
Just when she thought she had lost someone who meant a great deal to her, an FBI courier delivered a gift bag to her with a white flag sticking out. In it was a small stuffed bird and a note attached around its neck. She smiled as she remembered the note:
I can't eat crow but if you're interested in trying pigeon, I will eat a whole one for you.
JA
She couldn't stay mad at him after that. Chuckling, Jessica remembered what she emailed to him after the delivery.
I can let you slide on the crow, but you're eating the whole pigeon. Maybe…just maybe, I will let you buy me dinner later.
JW
Their date that night was a success as their deep friendship eliminated any awkwardness that most first dates had. Of course, when he walked her to her door, he didn't kiss her. On most dates that would be strange, but she found it sweet coming from Aubrey. They had more dates interspersed with movie nights and other fun stuff over the next few months.
Then came their first attempt at a kiss. It was funny now, but at the time it was a little discouraging that when they both finally got their courage up, it was an utter failure. First Aubrey got his nose bloodied, then the call on a body dump, then the coup de grâce...being splashed by dirty rain water.
But Aubrey made up for it when they finally got around to that first kiss. Oh, did he ever…
While their first time together ended badly, there were good times. It was those good times she would focus on as they learned from their mistakes. They couldn't fail this time...because she refused to let it happen.
When her thoughts drifted back to the here and now, she decided that it was okay that Aubrey didn't remember what November 5th was. He loved her enough to wait for her...to weather through a difficult break up...to be more than just a boyfriend and a great lover.
To be her best friend.
Resolved in her decision, Jessica had just gone back to her exam when her phone buzzed. Reading the message, she smiled.
Mom & I r going 2 RD. Want some luncH?
She chuckled as she recognized the capitalized letter at the end as typical Michael Vincent. She considered what she had before deciding the diner sounded great. Texting back her order, she set the phone down before getting new gloves and going back to work.
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
Thirty minutes later, Angela and Michael Vincent came into the lab with two bags. Giving one to Jessica, the young man turned to his mother. "Mom, I have to pee."
"Crap...the bathrooms in the hall are still under construction, as is Brennan's."
"The intern locker room ones are open.", Jessica said before pointing down the hall past the Bone Room. "When you get to the end of that long hall take a right and you'll see it at the end of that hall. It's a bit of a hike though."
"Thanks, Jessica."
The boy began to run but was stopped by his mother. "Michael Vincent-walk, or I'm never feeding you again!"
The two women laughed as he slowed down before disappearing around the corner. Walking up the stairs, the two women talked.
"I can't wait for all this construction to be completed.", Angela said. "January can't come fast enough."
"Me, too. I would like to not walk half a mile to pee.", Jessica replied with a laugh.
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
After Angela and her son left, Jessica went back to work. A few minutes later, she realized that she could make tonight special for Aubrey by cooking him a surprise dinner at her apartment. He had been requesting her lasagna for the last week, and she had plenty of homemade noodles prepped. She also had picked up Parmesan, Asiago, and Romano cheeses when she went grocery shopping yesterday afternoon.
Afterwards, they could stay in and watch a movie on her Blu Ray before she showed him her last new set from Victoria's Secret. She knew her Superman well enough that if he had to choose between seeing the latest blockbuster and seeing her naked, she would win every time.
Her plans made, she ripped off her gloves and sent a message to Aubrey to let him know to come over around 6:00. When done, she double checked the recipe she had saved to her Google Drive. Knowing what she needed, she made a quick grocery list of what to pick up on the way home. After completing her task, she put on new gloves and finished her exam with zeal.
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
At 2:40, she put the binder in Dr. B's office before emailing a copy of her report to her mentor. When she put everything to rights, she went into the locker room. Turning the corner towards where her assigned locker was, she was surprised to see a gift bag sitting on the bench she defiled with Aubrey last weekend. As she got closer, she saw an object sticking out of it and immediately realized what it was.
A white flag.
Hurrying over, she looked inside and saw a small stuffed bird with a note around its neck. Pulling it out, she saw its big blue eyes and melted. Opening the note she read it and felt tears well up.
I know burgers and Doctor Strange were on the agenda tonight, but is it okay to eat pigeon and discuss how a mace can beat a flamethrower instead?
JA
PS: Still no crow available.
'Superman remembered.' Jessica thought blissfully before realizing what he was up to and chuckled. 'Payback for his birthday…'
Getting her phone out, she sent a text message to her favorite FBI agent.
Alt suggestion acceptable if u eat entire pigeon & wear shirt I like. But still not trying pigeon head. JW
As she put her lab coat away and got her stuff around, she heard a buzz. Picking it up, she chuckled as she read.
Pick u up 6:30. Wear purple dress please. :)
Smiling, Jessica put her phone down, grabbed her stuff, and hurried out the door.
Aubrey had a large grin on his face as he drove over to pick up Jessica. Knowing her, she thought he had forgotten about today. On the contrary, this was a day he had been planning for months. When they broke up, he was heartbroken that his plans today would never come to fruition, but he was glad they worked things out.
He remembered how badly he wanted to kiss Jessica when he walked her to her apartment door, but he chickened out. With anyone else, it had never been an issue. A kiss with things to come later, no kiss with a mutual understanding of no chemistry, or the rare kiss followed by a night of sex with no strings attached.
Jessica was different though. He felt like such a dork for being afraid to kiss her, but he didn't want to screw things up with her, either. He knew even then that what they had was special. Yes, he was a major dork for waiting almost six months and her almost being hit by a car to go for it...but he did.
What a kiss that was. It had definitely been worth the wait because it led to two hours of making out at her apartment like a couple of teenagers, but he didn't care. They stumbled along the way last August but they were getting back on track.
Of course, he had different plans for tonight than a year ago. Unlike last year, he wouldn't be sleeping with a cat. No...his planned bed companion for the evening was much warmer...and much more attractive.
He needed to thank his co-conspirators Angela and Michael Vincent for their help keeping Jessica distracted today. It was the artist's idea to bring her lunch while her son let him in the locker room undetected from another hallway since the main one was blocked off for construction.
Arriving at his destination, he parked and got out. Going up to the third floor, he had a spring in his step. Knocking on her apartment door, he waited patiently. When it opened, he was bowled away as he saw she was wearing the purple splash dress. She even wore the same heels as before. Her hair was shorter but she'd left it down and curled it.
Jessica Warren was beautiful...and all his.
The redhead went back into the apartment but stopped when she realized she wasn't being followed. Turning around, she saw Aubrey watching her. Looking around and on her, she looked at him in confusion.
"Superman, what's wrong? Is there something on my dress?"
Aubrey shook his head to bring himself back to earth. "N-no"
"Then why are you staring at me?", Jessica asked nervously.
Coming into the apartment, he shut the door before walking up to her. Taking her hand, he kissed the inside of her palm, making her instantly shudder. "Sorry...I...you're beautiful, Jessica."
"Thank you.", Jessica said before admiring Aubrey's attire. "You wore that shirt. It brings out your eyes, you know."
"You've mentioned that once or twice.", the agent said, fighting the urge to take her into the bedroom.
"Answer a question for me. How did you get that stuff in the locker room? There's construction at the main entr…" Jessica trailed off as realization hit her. "Michael Vincent let you in, didn't he? Wait...that means Angela was in on this too."
"Yeah, she was. I've been planning this for a while. When you told me you were working this weekend, she came up with the lunch idea. So I bought all your lunches and took mine home so I could watch Blood and Sand on TCM today."
"Wow…"
"Also, she got Oliver to cover for you tomorrow if you cover for him Tuesday...don't ask me how, though, and Dr. B okayed it. That way we can...sleep in tomorrow."
"Man…", Jessica said. "I talked to her Thursday and she didn't say anything. She is good..."
"She told me yesterday.", Aubrey replied before taking both her hands in his. "You think I would forget a day like this?"
The anthropologist turned red. "I didn't think so, but you never mentioned it, and I didn't want to embarrass you if you forgot."
"Hey, I'm not the only sneaky one in this relationship."
Jessica kissed Aubrey and giggled softly. "Still smarting about your birthday, aren't you?"
"Yeah, but I got the best birthday gift ever and the best souvenir.", Aubrey said with a dimpled smile.
Jessica turned red while shaking her head. "You're seriously keeping those panties, Aubrey?"
"Damn right I am. All guys dream about doing that at some point. It's awesome, because you lean towards lace, which makes it easy, and I've done it more than once. I'm the man."
"Yeah...yeah...yeah.", Jessica said with mock sarcasm as she grabbed her sweater and purse. "Come on, Mister Man. I'm assuming we have reservations..."
Aubrey followed his girlfriend to the door and opened it for her to go. "Excuse me...that's Mister Special Agent in Charge Man, young lady."
"...and we need to discuss how you're going to eventually replace my underwear.", Jessica chimed in as she went through.
"Hey, I like that you wore the same sweater and have the same purse.", Aubrey said as he was shutting the door.
"Quit changing the subject, Superman."
Almost ninety minutes later, the couple were enjoying their meal and discussing an important topic.
"Superman, a flamethrower kicks major ass."
Aubrey finished off his beer before setting it down. "Jess...yeah, a flamethrower burns shit-"
"Uh, more like cook it to nothing, Aubrey.", the redhead said before sipping her wine.
"Whatever, but with a mace you need precision and talent. You also have to get up in that person's face and it's pretty cool when those spikes go into someone's head."
"Says you. I still say flamethrower."
Aubrey shook his head. "Youth…"
Jessica tossed her kebob stick at her boyfriend. "Shut up, Aubrey. You're only four years, five months, and fourteen days older than me. This from the guy who plays Kro Nos on his XBox when he's not watching Star Wars."
"And who is playing Kro Nos the Snow Giant by my side when she's not trying to make out with me?"
The redhead picked up her wine. "Be nice, Superman or else you don't get to see what else I wore tonight."
"Oh I'm going to see your lingerie, Jessica.", Aubrey said with a cocky grin. "This night will not be like a year earlier, with me chickening out on kissing you and going home frustrated."
"Pretty sure of yourself there, Special Agent.", Jessica retorted as she sipped her Chardonnay.
"I am.", Aubrey said as he pulled out his VISA card from his wallet. "Those panties are so coming off tonight."
Jessica accidentally snorted wine up her nose which made Aubrey laugh. They continued to snicker but calmed down as their Es Campur arrived at the table.
An hour later, the couple arrived back at Jessica's apartment. Aubrey pulled into the small lot behind the Korean grocery store and parked. Getting out, he rushed to open Jessica's door before she could.
"Thank you, Aubrey.", Jessica said before climbing out holding her purse and sweater.
"I need to thank Mr. Cho again for letting me park here when I spend the night. Parking in DC sucks."
"Well, I think the advice you gave his grandson last month to straighten his shit up is a big part of that. Since then he's been diligently working at the store."
"I'm glad.", Aubrey said as he opened the back door for Jessica.
The couple walked up the three sets of stairs, the air crackling with anticipation as Aubrey was fascinated by the way Jessica's dress swayed with her hips. When they got to her landing, it took all he had not to push his girlfriend up against the wall as the partial erection he had for the last few hours started to make itself more prominent. Getting to the door, Jessica was about to unlock it when she turned around.
"Did you feed Skinner enough food for tomorrow?"
Aubrey smiled. "I did. My cat is well taken care of, Jessica."
The tumbler clicked and Jessica opened the door. "Good."
The couple entered the apartment, the only light coming from the stove in Jessica's small kitchen as Aubrey shut the door and locked it. As the redhead was putting her purse and sweater down, the agent came up behind her and began nibbling on her neck and earlobe. One arm pulled her close to him while the other gently cupped her breast and caressed it, making her moan.
"The things I wanted to do to you a year ago, Jessica.", Aubrey whispered in her ear.
"Well...what are you waiting for?", Jessica said softly as he grasped her breast tighter, making her wet.
"Well, the first thing was getting you to walk me into your bedroom."
Wordlessly, Jessica turned around, took Aubrey's hand and led him down the hallway to her bedroom, turning on the light on the way. When they were there, she turned to her boyfriend.
"So, what was next?"
"Next, I turned you around...", Aubrey said while completing the motion and finding the zipper on her back. "...and I opened your dress…"
With shaking hands, he pulled the zipper down all the way before pulling the dress apart. "...before pushing it to the floor."
His long fingers did just that, leaving him to gawk as the light from the hallway shone in on her purple lace hipster panties and bra set. As his hands brushed her posterior, he almost came as he realized how thin the material was and how the see through lace accentuated her lovely posterior.
He couldn't control his hands as one came around to her breast and squeezed firmly. The other hand traveled around the front of her. With a light touch, his fingertips moved down past her pubic bone and between her legs, causing the redhead to moan. Suddenly, he stopped, frustrating Jessica.
"Aubrey...what the…" He turned her around and she saw his eyes were pure black.
"You look so gorgeous."
Jessica almost came at the sheer love and desire that come out of his voice. Shaking, she took off his jacket and threw it on the floor before she began unbuttoning his shirt.
"Is this what I did next or was there something else?", she asked.
When his shirt was opened, he let go so Jessica could remove it. When it was off, Aubrey's hands came around and cupped her rear end. "I've had many different ideas on what happened after this. What do you think happened next?"
The redhead smiled as she unzipped his pants and pushed them down. When he stepped out of them, with a smile she slowly pushed her hand into his boxer shorts. When she found her prize, she stroked with a gentle touch, driving the agent insane.
"Jessica, I want to make love to you right now.", Aubrey moaned, his composure gone.
He backed her onto her bed and she pulled him on top of her. Taking control, Aubrey's hand traveled all over Jessica's body as his lips moved over her purple encased mounds. Pulling the cups of her bra down, he took her left breast into his mouth and sucked. When done, he did the same with her right one. Feeling the anthropologist's hands through his hair and on his neck, he tasted her cherry vanilla skin while making a trail south. As he got to the top of her panties, he ran his tongue across her skin, feeling the heat from her body.
"Yes…", Jessica moaned.
Ready for more, he slowly pulled her panties down and tossed them aside on the bed. Trailing kisses up her leg, he felt Jessica's legs widen. As his hands moved up to play with her breasts, he licked the inside of each thigh sensually before plunging in. The louder she groaned, the further he tasted. Aubrey made a point of going to the spots where Jessica was most sensitive, causing her to shudder. When she grabbed his hair and her heel began pushing into his back he pressed further until she screamed his name.
Not letting her rest, Aubrey quickly pulled his boxers off before moving up and plunging inside Jessica's heat. He felt his lover's hands caress his back before grabbing onto his ass as his hand moved her leg up onto his waist. When she began to shudder again, he burrowed his head into her neck as he pushed hard into her, desperate to make her release so he could have his. When her walls clenched around his, he exploded with his seed shooting into her.
Collapsing onto Jessica, Aubrey tried to catch his breath as she did the same. When his senses cleared, he realized something.
"Sorry I left your bra on, Jess.", the agent said. "I was really horny."
The redhead chuckled before removing the garment and tossing it on the dresser. "That's okay. I'm just impressed my panties survived this time."
Aubrey cracked up laughing, shaking as his head landed into her neck, followed by Jessica. When they recovered, Jessica put her arms around her Superman as they laid together. Grabbing her comforter and sheet, he covered them both against the chill of the room.
"We're doing this every year, Superman."
"Most definitely, Jessica.", Aubrey said as he held her close. "Now take a nap because we need to rest up before Round Two."
"Sounds good."
They continued to cuddle together until they fell asleep in each other's arms.
The next morning, Jessica, clad only in Aubrey's shirt, was mixing ingredients together for breakfast when she felt a pair of arms wrap around her waist. Smiling, she leaned back and enjoyed her boyfriend's attentions as he nibbled on her ear.
"Good morning, Superman."
"Good morning, Jessica." The agent moved his soft kisses and nibbles down her neck before he saw what was on her counter. "You're making your cinnamon pancakes! Awesome!"
"Yes, I am. They're a thank you for our dinner and...other activities last night."
"You're welcome, but you don't have to thank me with a meal…hearing you scream my name multiple times last night is thanks enough, Jess.", Aubrey said before squeezing her close.
"Ooohhh…", Jessica said with a jerk forward. "Someone got into the horny dust this morning…"
"He didn't need to get into the horny dust.", Aubrey said as his hand moved down her torso. "He woke up like this…"
"Wha—ohhhh…", the redhead moaned when her boyfriend's hand went under her lone piece of clothing.
"Christ, you have no panties on, Jess…forget the pancakes…I just want to fuck you right now…"
Turning her around, Aubrey waited for Jessica to wrap her arms around his neck before lifting her up on the counter. She had barely got his boxer shorts down when the agent entered her quickly to their mutual delight. The redhead's hands moved down to his behind as she pushed him in further, giving him further encouragement. When he felt her body tremble and heard her yell his name, he came hard in her. After he was emptied, they held each other for a moment as they came down from their high.
"Wow…that was hot, Aubrey. I love it when you get all primal…", Jessica said before looking at the clock on the microwave. "…and before 9:00 on a Sunday."
"I'm an…FBI agent, Jess. Always on duty for when I'm needed, and ready for anything.", Aubrey replied as he pulled up his boxer shorts before they both laughed.
"I should get cleaned up a bit so I can make breakfast.", Jessica said before a knock was heard.
"Are you expecting anyone?", Aubrey inquired as he looked towards the door.
"No…and I'm soooo not dressed.", Jessica said before a second knock was heard. "Just a moment."
"Okay, get cleaned up…I'll throw on my jeans and get the door."
Jessica raced into the bathroom as Aubrey quickly grabbed his pants from last night off her bedroom floor. Putting them on, he headed towards her door. Hearing another knock, he got annoyed.
"Keep you damn shorts on, I'm coming.", Aubrey bellowed before looking into the Judas Hole. Surprised at who he saw, he opened the door to a woman with a tear stained face. "Daisy? What happened?"
"Beau and I had a fight…", Daisy trailed off until she saw Jessica standing there with her robe on. Pushing Aubrey out of the way, she ran into her friend and hugged her. "Jessica…it was awful…"
Catching Jessica's face, Aubrey went towards the bedroom. "I'll get dressed and start breakfast."
After finding one of his t-shirts in a laundry basket, Aubrey went into the small kitchen and turned on his girlfriend's griddle. As it heated up, he finish stirring the pancake batter, frustrated that his plans for today seemed to be in peril. When ready, he poured the batter onto the pan and cooked the flapjacks to a golden brown. A few minutes later, Jessica came into the area and pulled out three dishes.
"Daisy is going to have breakfast with us.", she whispered. "I'm sorry…"
Resigned to having his romantic morning gone, Aubrey nodded in response. "No problem..."
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
Forty minutes later, the three sat down to breakfast…but not together. Jessica and Daisy sat in the living room while Aubrey was banished to the center island. As the agent ate his pancakes, he listened to Daisy speak.
"After I poured him a cup of coffee, he asked me when I was changing my name to Pixler. Once again, I reminded him that I had already made the change to Daisy Wicks-Pixler at the DMV last week."
"You're just now changing it?", Jessica asked, surprised. "I thought you would have done it by now."
"I'm a busy person, Jessica, at the NFL. Besides, it wasn't the most important thing in the world to me."
"Okay…"
"He wasn't happy because he thinks I should be Daisy Pixler, but I stood my ground on that. Then he asked once again about changing Lance's name. He wants my baby to be Lance Pixler, not Wick-Sweets. I've already told him no on that. He's Lance's stepfather, not his father. Lancelot was robbed of seeing our baby grow up but his son deserves to carry his name. I won't take that away from him…I don't want that connection erased."
"What did Beau say?"
"He got upset, saying that since I'm not changing our last names, I wasn't invested in making us a strong family unit, which brought up me having another baby. Beau wants us to try for a baby now, but I'm not ready for that. He wants like a houseful of kids, but I can't manage that and a full time career at the same time."
"Didn't you guys settle this before you got married?", Aubrey asked.
"Yes, Aubrey...at least I thought so.", Daisy said before sipping coffee. "I told him that I wanted more kids eventually and he was okay with that. Then he asked when I would be home this week. When I told him I was keeping my regular hours, he flipped out."
'I may regret asking this, but here goes…", Aubrey thought. "Why?"
"It's his bye week. He said he's going to be swamped with studying plays and visiting the stadium to work with the defensive coordinator. However, he thinks I should drop by to see the team with Lance. Even more, instead of taking him to the daycare, I should leave work by noon every day to come home so we can spend time together and have family dinners, although we already do at least three times a week. Beau needs to quit expecting Little Miss Happy Homemaker out of me."
"Well—", Jessica said before hearing a knock at the door. Looking down at herself in her robe, she glanced at her boyfriend. "Aubrey…"
"Sure.", the agent said before going to the door. Seeing who it was, he opened it. "Hey, come in."
"Thanks, man.", Beau said as he carried Lance. "Is Daisy here?"
Aubrey stepped aside and pointed to the living room. Beau walked in and saw his wife, who was blinking back her tears.
"Baby, I'm so sorry. I hate it when we fight…"
Daisy got up and walked to her husband. "Me, too. Hey, let's stop fighting about all this and take Lance to feed the ducks."
"Yeah, it's nice out. We can grab some bread on the way.", Beau said before bending down to kiss his wife before looking at the little boy. "Wanna go to the park, buddy?
The couple and the toddler walked to the door. "Thanks again, Jessica for listening.", Daisy said.
"S-sure, Daisy.", Jessica stammered, still in shock at what she was seeing.
"Good bye.", Beau said, hesitating before he closed the door. "Oh, why don't you guys come over for dinner Saturday? We haven't had company over in a while, and Daisy can make a great dinner."
"Um…okay.", Aubrey said before turning to his girlfriend. "Jess?"
"Sure. Should be fun.", the redhead said quietly.
"Great. See you then.", Beau said before closing the door.
Jessica remained silent as Aubrey just stared in disbelief. "Jess, do they always…"
"…ignore the fight to keep the peace…yeah…", Jessica said. "Daisy said things are a little rough with Beau at work…but they'll work it out."
"Yeah…just newlywed growing pains…", Aubrey said unconvincingly, already dreading the dinner.
Jessica nodded as she grimaced slightly. "Right…."