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Later that day when she got back to Escala, Christian and Ana called Jess into the living room, sitting on the sofa opposite her.

Jess had very early on expressed –to Carrick and Grace- that as much as she saw Christian now as a parent, Ana was filling that role for her as well. Christian's parents had said this to him and Ana, and they had decided that Ana should also be part of the adoption too.

Christian was glad, silently thinking that if he ever failed Jess or Harry, then Ana would be right behind him.

From the sofa Christian glanced at Jess then at Ana, twisting his thumbs awkwardly 'both of your parents have approved the adoption'. Jess twisted her mouth slightly 'So, they've both signed over their rights?'.

Christian exhaled 'Your father already had, signed them over to your Mother as he's in the military on a different continent. Your mother however, yes, she has signed them over'.

Jess was quiet for a long time before nodding, looking uncomfortable and standing up suddenly 'I have to put Harry to bed and do some homework, I'll see you both at dinner'.

Jess abruptly left the room, heading straight for her sons room.

Christian glanced at Ana 'do you think I should go after her?'.

She shook her head, standing up and kissing him briefly 'I'll go'.

Ana found Jess sitting on the comfy sofa in Harry's large bedroom, sitting with her elbows resting on her knees and her hands under her chin. Ana looked at the redhead girl, who was looking intently at her son, who was already fast asleep. She sat down gently next to her, smiling encouragingly, both their voices quiet so as not to wake Harry.

'What's wrong?'.

'Nothing'.

Ana raised an eyebrow and Jess sighed 'Don't get me wrong, I hate my mum, she's about as bad as a parent can be…but I…I don't know, I'm grateful that if she's handing over her rights it means I can live with you and Christian, it's just' Jess shrugged, searching for words 'how can anyone just give up their child? If anyone asked me to give up Harry I just couldn't do it'.

Ana nodded, knowing what Jess was really trying to say 'why didn't she want me?'.

Feeling an overwhelming feeling of affection for the tormented girl next to her and anger at her biological mother for not caring more about this beautiful, sweet and incredibly loving young girl, Ana put an arm around her shoulders.

Jess lent her head against Ana's shoulder, both of them watching Harry sleep peacefully, as Ana gently rubbed Jess's arm.

Christian came to the doorway looking for the two girls, stopping when he saw them sitting together. He watched for a few minutes, subconsciously thinking how much the three people in that room already looked like a little family.

Six days later, Harry had been dropped off at nursery and Ana and Christian were heading out for the day, finalising paperwork, seeing their lawyers, seeing the social workers and going out for lunch.

Escala was empty apart from Jess and Gail, who headed out to the grocery store with Ryan just before Caleb turned up at the apartment.

Not long later Jess was sitting up on the countertop, eating strawberries from a bowl as Caleb finished putting their lunch away. He looked over and she held out the strawberry, letting him take a bite out of the fruit.

Jess laughed and kissed her boyfriend, a wide smile across her face as he moved closer, hands on her face as he kissed her back.

After a few seconds Caleb pulled back, dropping his hands and shaking his head 'sorry, I know you don't want to do anything'.

He exhaled deeply and looked at Jess, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear and looking into her eyes.

Jess knew, she knew immediately from his expression, the way he looked in her eyes told her that he loved her.

Jess shook her head and gripped the front of Caleb's black top, gently pulling him closer towards her, her voice quiet

'No, I do. I'm ready Caleb'. He looked surprised and slightly wary 'Are you sure? I don't want you to do anything you don't want to do'.

Jess shook her head again, looking intently at Caleb, their faces close 'I trust you, you're not going to hurt me…I know that'. Caleb kissed her deeply, standing flush against her, the kiss deepening as he did.

Five minutes later Jess was lying under the sheets in her bedroom, pulling off Caleb's top as he kissed her jaw, neck and gently at her ear, making her breath heavy and making her arch her back.

Caleb smirked slightly at the reaction he was getting from her, running his hand lightly up her leg, this time not being pushed away. Caleb looked Jess in the eyes 'are you sure this is what you want?' Jess nodded, kissing him deeply.

Christian and Ana were meant to have been back at Escala around 4 O'clock, which was fine for the young couple as it was 2 O'clock when they moved into her bedroom, locking the door behind them.

However, what neither of them knew was that Christian and Ana had decided to skip lunch at a restaurant and come home to see Jess.

The adoption was as good as finalised now, and the social workers and lawyers had said it should probably all be official by the end of the following week, and Ana had brought a red velvet cupcake for Jess from her favourite shop in the City on the way back.

They came out of the lift and looked around for Jess, who they couldn't see.

Taylor and Sawyer had been with the pair of them at the lawyers office and both had a fairly good idea immediately where Jess was when they saw her room was locked and saw Caleb's jacket on the sofa.

They glanced at each other and simultaneously shook their heads, not wanting to be the ones to deal with giving that news to Christian.

It only took him a minute or two to work it out himself however, and Christian turned, turning in the direction of Jess's bedroom, about to storm down the corridor.

Ana pushed in front of Christian, her eyes sharp and her voice commanding. 'Don't you fucking dare go in there Christian'. He was breathing heavily through his nose 'Ana, move out of my way'.

Neither of them even noticed Taylor as Sawyer glance awkwardly at each other in the doorway, not sure if they should hang around to split up the potential world war 3 that seemed to be approaching.

'What are you going to do Christian? Run in there, pull them apart, throw Caleb out and never speak about it to Jess again? Do you really want her to hate you like that? Christian, regardless of the fact she is a mother, she is still a child herself, and she has been robbed of a childhood, just like you were. This is her chance at having a normal, healthy relationship with someone who isn't going to abuse or exploit her for the first time in your life. So don't you dare go storming in there because she is her own person, and she's not just going to be your daughter, she'll be mine too. As her mother, I can tell you right now- she'll hate you for it if you go in there'.

Christian looked at her for a long, silent few minutes before sighing, looking torn 'oh for Christ's sake- why couldn't she have been a boy? This would be much easier'.

Ana rolled her eyes and gently kissed Christian, holding his face gently, voice quiet 'you can not run her life, you don't want her to resent you, and you want her to finally enjoy a childhood don't you?'

Christian nodded with resignation 'Sex, in my apartment. Is that really necassery though?'.

'Christian, she's 17 and Caleb is 18 in a few weeks, you can't exactly expect them to just sit and hold hands or something'.

Christian simply sighed, stalking off in the other direction towards the kitchen, pouring himself a large glass of wine.

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