Chapter 3, The table.

Jessi's POV

I enjoyed the night for the most part, it was now time to leave. Roger offered me his arm and I took it without hesitation, we have been playing this game so long, that we are perfectly comfortable with each other. I really wish I could love Roger. I don't know how he puts up with me.

We are now close to Kyle's table. It will only take a few seconds and I don't have to worry about being around him again. I will never have to face the Trager's again. Just my luck, here comes Andy with open arms, she is embracing me and thanking me for saving her life, she had a relapse years after Kyle send her cancer in to remission, he never got proper credit. She tells me she is now the mother of a 2 year old girl.

Before I know what is happening she has pulled me to Kyle's table, after a moment of panic, I feel Roger at my side holding my waist firmly. I am so thankful to have him here with me. I would not want to face them, face him alone. I give Roger a thankful smile that he returns with a smile full of love. I gather all of my courage; after all I am a grown woman and a mother now, not to mention a Nobel Price lauded, and partner in one of the most powerful pharmaceutical companies. I can handle any social situation, actually I have become very good at it.

I look at them with a wide smile, and say, Hello isn't it nice to see you after all this years. Then I continue, congratulations Kyle, I always new you would get a Nobel price one day. Kyle looks at me, with those sad blue eyes that make me want to run to him and hug him, he manages to say Thank you Jessi, but your accomplishments are much more worthy than mine. I smile at that, wow! the way he said Jessi could have melted my heart in the past.

Then I say, but how rude of me, this is Roger, and before I can complete my sentence Roger says. I am her Roger ready to do whatever she wants from me, I hope she will change her mind and give me at least a little piece of her heart. I look at Roger not believing he just had said what he said, he smiles back at me shapelessly and says sorry Jessi I will behave and then laughs. That is Roger full of surprises and humor. Never losing a minute to let me know how much he loves me. I cannot stay upset at him.

I am ready to walk away when Lori asks, those children at your table Jessi are they yours and Roger? I cannot believe she has had the nerve to ask me that question, then again is Lori. I am thinking about my response feeling like telling her is none of her business, I discard that idea right away, that is not how a lady behaves. Roger takes care of the problems and says, unfortunately for me no, but I would be their father in a heartbeat if Jessi would just let me. They are amazing children just like their mother. He concludes with a wide smile while he gets closer to me and rubs my back.

Nicole says, your children are beautiful Jessi you are so lucky, do you mind me asking how old they are?

Like any mother I love talking about my children, even if it is with Nicole, my former foster mother that always opposed my love for Kyle. I say, I am extremely lucky to have them. They give meaning to my life. I named them after my mother and father, Sarah and Brian. Brian Sr. is crazy about them and he is an amazing grandfather. They are 7 years old. I have them in a private Montessori Academy, and they are already doing middle school work, but have friends their age. I don't want them to turn out socially awkward as I used to be.

Roger immediately said, Jessi I don't believe for a moment that you were ever socially awkward; you are the most socially sophisticated person that I know. I reward him with a smile and a kiss on the cheek, as I kissed him I felt a stab in my heart, except it was not mine, it was Kyle's. I was surprised, why would he feel like that? When I looked at him he was beat read, realizing I had felt him through the connection.

I then said, I almost forgot to congratulate you and Stephen for first grandchild? I questioned.

Josh said, yes their one and only grandchild. He was beaming then he added, these two pointing to Kyle and Lori are too busy concentrating on their career, they are not even dating, the way they are going they will get married in the Nursing Home. Lori elbowed Josh and everyone myself and Roger included laughed. Some things I guess never change. I should leave right now, I thought to myself, but I could not get myself to leave without asking this question.

I said, I am sorry to hear that, life is all about balance. What happened to Amanda? I said in a casual tone, almost not expecting an answer.

Kyle looked at me fiercely and said, I broke up with her years ago, what we had was puppy love, and because of that I lost the woman that I truly love, and that I have no chance of getting back. He concluded with the saddest eyes looking right at me. I wondered who this woman could possibly be, and why would Kyle had no chance of getting her back. I sincerely told him, Kyle it is her loss not yours, I am sure your will find someone else. I don't know how I could say that, after 8 years I still have not found anyone that I can love as I love Kyle, but I did find someone that loves me, eventually I guess I will settle for Roger, but not yet, I enjoy the game we are playing. It also makes me feel like there is still hope, even if I know I am lying to myself

I then said, I have to get going but it was nice catching up with you. Before I could walk away Kyle said, Jessi do you think maybe someday we could catch up, over coffee or something. I looked at him wondering why he would want to catch up with me. He had made it abundantly clear, that not even friendship was possible between us, I was about to say no. But Roger did something very out of character and said, Give me your card Kyle, I'll make sure Jessi gives you a call. I looked at Roger with murderous eyes, but he just said, I love how you look when you are mad. Then he pulled me away from Kyle and the Tragers.

Kyle's POV

I have been distracted through the whole reception; all I can hear is the sound of her heart. A heart that does not belong to me. I pick at my food, I am really not hungry. Then all off a sudden there she is, she looks glorious. It is hard to see her with another man at her side, a man that obviously will do anything to have Jessi's heart. I see how comfortable they are with each other. That tells me they have been together for a while.

I wish I could handle the situation as well as Jessi, but I barely manage to babble some words, and I forget to block my pain from her, she must think I am an idiot.

I saw how upset she was at Roger, when he took my card and said, he would have her call me. I cannot blame her. It was amazing to see Roger handling the situation, he knows her well. I was never good at understanding her.

Then I hear Lori saying, that Roger man is sure head over toes for Jessi, the luck that heartless women have, he is quite a catch. I am about to say something in Jessi's defense, but as always I am too late. I hear Andy say, Lori how can you talk like that about Jessi? Why can't you see her as she is? A woman that saved my life and that of countless people, a mother that loves her children, a person of integrity that is willing to take the blame for others if that means their happiness. She said the last part looking right at me. I lowered my eyes and felt myself blush in embarrassment, was it possible that Andy knew the true? I really never lied openly, but I just let people make their assumption and did not have the courage to tell the true. Like any lie it has destroyed me in more ways that I ever thought possible.

Then I hear Nicole saying, Jessi has truly become a great woman. I wonder why I never saw her true potential. She has accomplished so much despite all the adverse circumstances in her life. She is very strong and a true survivor. I cannot take it anymore all these people talking about Jessi, as if any of us truly knew her. I got up and said, I need to get going, do you really think we should be talking about Jessi after 8 years, none of us know who she is or who she was, can we just give her some respect, she was nothing but pleasant and polite to us tonight. I then stormed out to get my car. I heard Declan saying, take it easy man, no one means any harm.