I put on a fake smile, as lots of family and friends of Amelia's were piling into the apartment, as Jade and I set out some food we had bought the day before. We had music playing softly as many family members chatted and got to know the other friends, I tried to ignore my thoughts, my worries about the letter I had just received. I stood behind the counter, washing my hands, doing everything I could to avoid the gaze Jay was giving me from across the room as he talked with AJ and Amelia's father. Jade walked up and leaned against the sink next to me "So…" I glanced over to my sister's face as she nudged me with her arm. I turned the faucet off "What?" I asked as I dried my hands with the dish towel. "Did you two….you know?" Jade asked, simply encouraging me to continue with my tale. I rolled my eyes as I answered "No! We didn't have sex!" I whispered back to her, watching her face bust out in laughter. Jade calmed her laughter for a moment as she spoke again "I meant did you two talk? Although I'm sure some hot monkey sex might take the both of you off edge a bit" I sighed as I swatted my sister on the arm, as I walked away from her.
I headed towards to the hallway, as I brushed past where AJ, Jay and Amelia's father were standing, I walked past Jay, when I felt his arm reach out and intertwine with my fingers just a bit, me not fighting it one bit, as I stopped in my tracks, looking into his deep blue eyes, we didn't say anything, but only stared into each other's eyes for a moment, before I shook free from my 'trance' and continued walking down the hallway. Jade following close behind me, I reached my bedroom door, when I heard Jade speak "You two need to start acting like adults or something" as I rolled my eyes and opened my bedroom door, letting Jade and I in. The boys were still fast asleep in my bed, when I showed Jade the letter that I had grabbed off the table, we both stood next to my dresser, as Jade read the letter. "What are you gonna do?" Jade asked seriously, as I rubbed my face with my hands as I responded "I don't know…but I figured you needed to know what's going on" I said as I grabbed the letter and placed it back in my pocket. I moved over to the bed and begin gently waking the boys, who actually awoke quite quickly, they were starving, so I set aside a simple outfit of their AJ styles t-shirts and jeans, as they quickly got dressed. I grabbed them each by the hand, their other little hands holding their action figures, as I asked them "You boys hungry?" they both nodded their heads wildly, as I smiled down at them, smoothing the hair on each of their heads.
Jade and I walked both of the boys out to the reception, and their eyes lit up seeing their grandparents and friends, as they quickly took off to see the people in our apartment. I smiled as I saw Jacob and Jesse immediately run over to AJ and Jay, each one of the men picking up a boy. I could hear Jay teasing the boy's gently about their shirts, saying they needed better Christian Cage t-shirts, only to hear AJ reply "Hey, how can they get any better, they already have the best shirts in the biz right now, man!"
I got both boys fed, and watched as they ran through the apartment, playing with their action figures and other little toys. I leaned against the breakfast bar, grazing on some food, I had set on a plate for myself earlier that day. I couldn't help my gaze, as I stared across the apartment to Jay, who was now leaning against the wall, talking to Jade and some of Amelia's coworkers. Every once in a while his eyes would meet mine, and I could see the smile slowly creeping across his lips, then I would quickly break the eye contact. I didn't know what to do about Jay, he had to hate me by now, I just didn't know why he didn't tell me how much he hated me. Maybe if he finally would admit how much he hated me we could move on, and move on without each other. I was brought out of my thoughts, when AJ plopped down on the stool next to me, as he leaned forward on the counter, getting in my eyeline, blocking Jay from my view.
I couldn't help but smile back at him, as I spoke "Yes?", AJ looked over his shoulder to Jay and then back at me "If you wanna talk to him, why not go over there.." I rolled my eyes as I popped a cracker into my mouth, "Who said I want to talk with him?" I retorted back to AJ. AJ laughed out loud before responding "Look, he still wants you, you still want him I don't see what the problem is" as he pushed himself off of the counter, and walked back to where Jade, Jay and the group of people were standing.
The rest of the reception went off with a hitch, Jacob and Jesse played guitar hero, even talking their grandmother into playing a round with them. I met many of Amelia's co-workers and family and friends. It was finally over with, as Amelia's parents had just left to head back to their hotel, as I closed the door and looked at the apartment, that I would have to clean up. The boys were asleep on the couch, Jade and AJ were sitting on stools next to the breakfast bar, and Jay was sitting at the table. Jay and AJ lifted the boys and carried them back to my bed, as Jade and I began cleaning up the living room, and before we knew it the apartment was clean, and everyone was exhausted. Jay said his goodbyes, as he hopped into his rental car and headed back to the hotel, as I laid down on the couch and fell asleep quickly.
A week later…
I had called every lawyer in town, practically begging them to take my case, but because of my financial situation every lawyer and paralegal in Nevada refused to take my case. I was at my wit's end, and the make things worse I had gotten the letter setting the custody trial's date less than a month away. I had heard through the grapevine that Amelia's ex was doing well financially, he was well esteemed in the community, and to be honest I'm terrified that I will lose custody of these two little boys. I love these little boys like my nephews, and I couldn't live with them living with a monster, that I knew would hurt them.
AJ had flown back to Orlando, but would be flying back this weekend. I sat at the table resting my head in my hands, just thinking of what I was gonna do. Jade had taken the boys with her to work, so I had the house to myself to figure out some sort of plan. I closed the phone book, and pushed it aside roughly, I didn't know what I was gonna do, but I refused to give up. I was brought out of my thoughts when I heard the front door open, I looked up expecting it to be Jade and the boys but instead, in walked Jay with Jacob and Jesse, each boy holding a stuffed animal in their hands. "How did you get the boys?" I asked confused as I walked over to the door, getting the boys out of their jackets, as Jay simply spoke "I had Jade drop them off before she went to work." I was completely confused, and I would definitely talk about this with Jade when she got home that night. "So I took the boys to Circus Circus" Jay explained, when Jacob and Jesse came running up to me, showing me their new stuffed animals. I smiled as I looked at both of the stuffed animals, I spoke "Why don't you boys go put those in my room, you can sleep in my bed tonight with the stuffed animals…" Both boys squealed as I heard their feet patter down the hallway.
I re-took my seat at the table, as Jay stood in the doorway, almost uncomfortably. I swallowed my pride and spoke "You don't have to leave, I'm sure the boys would like you to stay for a while", I watched a smile grow on Jay's lips as he quickly closed the door, took off his jacket and came and took a seat next to me at the table. "So how's it going" Jay asked, his eyes grazing over the paperwork strewn across the table. I sighed as I answered "Not a single lawyer will take my case" I released a deep breath, as I relaxed a bit in the chair. Jay turned to look at me, his blue eyes pouring into mine, when he asked with a serious expression "So what are you gonna do?" I rubbed my eyes with my hands as I spoke "Without a lawyer, I can only defend myself, which basically means I don't have a shot at winning…Their father hired the best attorney in town…" I said, fighting the tears that stung my eyes, as I spoke with a shaky voice "I don't want to lose those boys". I closed my eyes, fighting the tears that wanted to escape when suddenly I felt two familiar and strong arms wrapped around me, as they pulled me closer. I felt my body being pulled closer to his, as he stood up and took me with him, his arms wrapping around me, holding me flush against his hard upper body. I buried my face into his chest, as Jay soothed my hair with his hand, whispering to me smoothly "It's going to be ok".
