Part 4COMING HOME

Three days before the wedding, Jessie arrived at O'Hare Airport. Karen came to picke her up. The mother and daughter hadn't seen each other for a year, and were both ecstatic to see each other again. They hugged each other tight and headed for their car.

When Jessie entered her mother's house for the first time in a year, she was amazed. It was renovated and repainted, and she stood in awe for a while.

"Wow…"

"You liked it?" Karen smiled at her daughter.

"I loved it mom." Jessie said as she looked around.

"Well, good then. You must be really hungry. I prepared something in the dining room for you." Karen led their way and Jessie followed her. She then occupied her seat on the dining table as Karen went to fetch the food from the kitchen.

"Mom, where's Henry?" Jessie inquired about her stepfather.

"He's at the hospital, honey. He's coming home later." Karen came back. Then, she put the tray of food on the table which was already set up. She noticed that Jessie was still looking around in awe.

"Are you sure it's okay for me to say here for a while? I could just stay at the hotel. I don't want to bother you guys or anything." Jessie asked seriously.

"No honey, you'll stay here. This is your house too. And I miss you so much!" Karen couldn't help but hug her daughter again. Jessie smiled.

"I miss you too, mom."

"Go on, eat your food." Karen sat opposite Jessie.

"You don't have to watch me, you know. It's not like I'm going to relapse or anything." She joked, and her mother chuckled. It was only when she started pre-med that she stopped making a big deal with her bout with anorexia. She's okay now and that's what matters, and she's joking about it with her mother. "Zoe's coming home on Thanksgiving. Is Eli coming too?"

"Yes he is, and he's dying to see you. But right now, he's on a tour with his band in Canada and he said he isn't sure if he could make it on Grace's wedding, but he'll try his best." Karen watched Jessie closely. Jessie had put some food on her plate but hadn't even touched it. She was just staring down at it. Then she she heard her sigh. But Karen didn't ask. She waited for her daughter to speak her thoughts.

"Katie's going to be Tad's bestwoman." Jessie let out a short chuckle. She was truly amused when Grace mentioned it to her the last time they talked.

"So I heard." Karen laughed, but still seeing the tension in Jessie's face.

"I couldn't believe it at first, but Grace was dead serious, so I had to." Jessie fell into silence again, oblivious to the fact that her mother was watching her.

"How do you feel about it?" Karen asked softly, not trying to be obvious in prying, knowing how Jessie is when she's pissed. But Jessie didn't get pissed. She just kept avoiding Karen's eyes.

"I don't know mom, she just left and said goodbye, nothing more… She said I wouldn't understand but when I looked into her eyes, it was saying something else. But I guess I'll never know what it is.

That's when Karen and Jessie heard the knocks on the door.

"That must be Grace. She's picking me up for the fitting of my gown." Jessie got up from her chair. "I'll see you later, mom." Then she kissed her mother's cheek.

Jessie was quiet while Grace was driving. Grace wondered but didn't need to ask. She can read her stepsister's face right now. She practically has Katie's name tattooed on her forehead. Instead of forcing Jessie out of her thoughts, Grace remained quiet on the way, though it was irritating her. She's not normally quiet nowadays. But Jessie always has been the quiet one. It's almost like driving to Upton Sinclair again with her cranky stepsister on her right, after one of their routine fights in the morning.

The designer had to make some alterations on Jessie's gown, and she asked for the two to wait for a while. As the two sit side by side on the sofa provided in the waiting area of the designer's rather lavish office, Grace couldn't keep her curiosity anymore.

"What's up?"

"Huh?" Jessie turned to Grace.

"It's like I don't exist here. You're thinking about her, aren't you?" Grace asked in concern.

"I just… I don't know, Grace… I'm… I'm not sure if I'm ready to see her." Jessie looked up to meet Grace's eyes this time. Jessie looked scared and sad, so Grace had to give her a hug.

"I'm not going to back out… I just really need to tell you." Jessie sighed.

"I understand, but Jess… You two need to talk… It's too obvious, it might have been a decade, but she still has this effect on you."

"I don't think it will ever change."

"Exactly. So why don't you just let things be, and if time comes, talk to her." Grace was encouraging Jessie and was secretly hoping that it will work.

"And what am I gonna say to her? Hey Katie, I think I'm in love with you. That's pathetic."

"Maybe you are."

"What, pathetic?" Jessie snarled at Grace. Instead of matching Jessie's irritation, Grace smiled.

"No, in love." Jessie just looked at Grace in disbelief. She has had those strong feelings for Katie for years. It could have been love, she knows it, but was too afraid and was too confused. Even until now. What's love for a 17-year old anyway? She's never experienced of felt anything like it before, and the feelings that she has for Katie was so new to her, and it could have been just plain attraction. Afterall, Katie was no doubt the most gorgeous girl in school. And this feeling, that she didn't even consider as love changed her life forever. It made her realize and see things that she hadn't seen in herself before. And it was all because of one person named Katie Singer who's nothing to her now but a beautiful name. And the thing is, even after ten years of not having anything to do with her, Jessie's feelings never wavered, even though how much she tried to forget it. Or her. And that's as scary as it is. She just can't forget Katie Singer. And she knew that seeing her again after those years will make it more painful for her, when Katie has to go back to London again, and herself, to LA, and disappear from each other's lives again.

"Jess, you two need to talk." Grace nudged her out of her reverie.

"I don't know what to say to her."

"Just say what it is that's in your heart. I honestly don't know what will happen, but… Yo have to get it out of your chest. Whatever happens happens. Then after that, you can get on with your life."

"I'm not even sure if she wants to talk to me… I hurt her Grace, really bad. I knew it back then and I didn't do anything. I didn't even say sorry." Jessie was on the verge of crying now. Before her tears could fall, Grace handed her a piece of tissue and Jessie gladly accepted it.

Rick, Lily, and especially Joshua were more than happy to see Jessie the next morning.

"Well, it's good to have to back, honey." Rick hugged Jessie, and Lily followed. The last and the longest hug went to no other than Joshua.

"I'm so happy to be here again." Jessie grinned at them. "God, I miss this house."

"Rick told me you'll be staying here tonight. I took the liberty to clean your attic room." Lily smiled at her. Jessie had come to like Lily since her senior year. She's kind of cool for a stepmother.

"Wow, thanks. I haven't been living here for a long time. I wondered why you guys hadn't converted it to a home gym or something. I mean, I live in California now." Jessie was really touched to realize that her parents kept both her bedrooms in both their houses.

"We love keeping it, Jessie, don't worry." Rick smiled, and grabbed a piece of bagel on the breakfast table.

"So, Josh, got any crushes?" She winked at her youngest brother. Rick and Lily smiled at each other.

"With who?" Joshua frowned.

"I'm asking you." Jessie grinned, as she took a bite of her bagel.

"Girls are so annoying, Jessie, they have funny laughs and they squint their eyes so often." Joshua frowned even more. Jessie, Rick, and Lily laughed.

The back door opened and Grace and Tad came in, holding hands.

"Good morning everyone!" Tad exclaimed. He's such in a good mood.

"Oh, hi Tad." Lily smiled at him, so did Rick, Joshua and his eye fell on… Jessie? When his eyes fell on Jessie, his eyes widened, including his smile.

"Jessie! You're here!" Tad walked over and gave her a hug. He hugged her so tight, Grace laughed, and Jessie winced in pain.

"Aww, Tad, you're going to crush me!" Jessie complained, but didn't really do anything to push him away. When Tad let her go, he stepped back, and looked at her.

"Wow, Jessie, you looked great." Tad flashed his winning smile. Now, this would have angered Grace in highschool, but now, she found it too amusing.

"Euuw, Grace, your fiance's hitting on me, do something!" Jessie joked.

"No I wasn't! I would have said HOT if I was!" Tad scampered back to Grace's side. "I haven't seen you in years and you sort of changed." Tad suddenly walked back to join Grace as he answered defensively.

"Look at you Tad, you have really changed. Boy, Grace, he's really whipped." This time, Tad, Grace, Rick and Lily and Jessie were laughing so hard. When Tad was finally able to calm down, he spoke.

"Well, I have to go. I'll be back to pick up Grace later."

"Don't you want to help us finish these bagels?" Rick asked.

"Thanks, but, uh, I have to go pick up Katie from the airport." Tad replied slowly, knowing the effect it would create in the family. Lily and Rick exchanged looks, then turned their eyes on Jessie. Grace's eyes wre already focused on Jessie. Joshua looked bored, and after seeing everybody's face, Tad turned to look at Jessie.

"What?" Jessie was the defensive one this time. She could feel everybody's eyes on her, and her face was burning really hot. Grace hit him with her elbow.

"Aww!" Tad screamed. Grace didn't mean to hit him that hard, and she chuckled. Rick and Lily's eyes are focused at him in concern now.

"Don't you have some place to go?" Grace furrowed her eyebrows on Tad. Getting the message, he turned to leave.

"Right, I'm running late. Got to go. I don't want to experience the wrath of Katie Singer the day before my wedding day, so… Later." Tad kissed Grace on the lips and walked out of the back door. Grace decided not to walk him to his car. He's gonna be back later anyway.

Everybody was still quiet even after Tad had left. Then, Joshua, his curiosity getting to him, finally asked.

"Jessie, who's Katie?" Joshua looked at her expectantly. Jessie and Grace exchanged looks, but didn't answer.

At O'Hare… Tad was anxiously watching the people who just boarded off the plane where Katie was supposed to be. The crowd was staring to clear and he was fidgeting. Katie was still nowhere in sight.

"Damn, Katie, you better be here." Tad spoke dangerously as the thought of his bestfriend not showing up on his wedding hit him. Then, there was that voice from behind him.

"That's not how you're supposed to welcome your bestfriend back." Katie said playfully. Tad turned around and saw Katie grinning at him. He noticed how she had changed over the years. Katie Singer had grown even prettier.

"Katie! Where have you been?!" Tad asked as he hugged her.

"The plane. You didn't think I came here flying like Wonder Woman, did you?" Katie frowned at him.

"I mean, what took you so long?"

"I waited for the people to clear. I don't really want to join the commotion. And, I want to see how you'd react." She grinned.

"Not very funny, Katie." He picked up her bags.

"You thought I stood you up?" She followed him.

"Yeah, well, I thought you'd be taking that easy way out."

"What if I didn't come?" She asked him curiously, as if she didn't know the answer.

"I told you Katie, if you didn't, I'll never talk to you again." He answered seriously.

"That's a harsh punishment… And, like you can do that." She mocked him. They have practically known each other since they were in diapers.

"Of course I can, I took some pages from your book." They were walking side by side now.

"Huh?" Katie wasn't sure what he meant.

"Don't act like you have no idea. YOU just walk out of someone's life despite of how much she matters to you. And you've done it with absolute grace, I might add. You can be smooth most of the time, Singer, I just hope your heart could do that too." Tad didn't realize that Katie had stopped walking with him. She stood behind him, watching him. When Tad finally realize Katie was not with him, he stopped, and turned to face Katie.

"Katie." Tad called, but Katie didn't respond. She stood staring in space.

"Katie!" Startled, Katie looked up at Tad. "Do you want to get coffee?" He asked, Katie nodded. And when they reached Tad's car, they headed to the nearest Starbucks.

Both Tad and Katie ordered their favorite Caramel Macchiatos as they sat silently opposite each other. Katie had been quiet since they left the airport. Tad sighed.

"Look, I'm sorry." He said sincerely.

"Tad, it's not like it didn't hurt me when I walked out of her life." She looked up at him, the sadness, obvious in her eyes.

"I think you're just both being stupid." Tad leaned closer and whispered it to Katie. And it earned him a glare from his oh-so-gorgeous bestfriend.

"Oh, thanks, that helps." Katie turned all sarcastic now.

"And you're still hurting."

"Am I that transparent?" Katie looked away from him now. Katie could always put an act but her green eyes would always give her away. Tad knew her too well.

"You guys are so in love with each other, and I can't help but wonder why you couldn't just hook up. What's with all the drama?"

"I'm in love with her, she's not."

"You didn't even talk to Jessie to find out."

"Look, I've humiliated myself enough by giving her that stupid letter and she didn't even say anything about it. In fact, she stopped talking to me, for the rest of the school year! Damn it Tad, why are we even talking about Jessie?" Both of them refrained from talking when their coffees were served. After a while, Tad spoke again.

"You're going to see her at the rehearsal dinner tonight, so… You better prepare yourself."

"I just wished I didn't come here. It's too hard." Katie stared at her coffee. "Don't get me wrong… You mean a lot to me, Tad, I just… It would still be painful, you know, seeing her again, and not being able to hold her hand, or touch her, or kiss her… Well, anyway, I'm used to feeling that pain, so, I guess I'll be okay. I've been dealing with that pain for years, so what difference does it make, right?"

"Katie, thanks for doing this for me." He looked sincerely at Katie.

"You're my bestfriend, you'll always be." She forced a smile.

"I know." He smiled back, silently hoping that making Katie come home isn't a mistake.