Disclaimer: I don't own Primeval or it's characters.

Secrets

Chapter 5 – Birthday Party

Is this really a good idea? What if people assume you're his girlfriend?

Who cares, that's clearly not an issue for him otherwise he wouldn't have invited me. Maybe he wants people to assume I'm his girlfriend.

Okay, now you're reading too much into this.

That may be, but he wouldn't have invited me if he didn't want me there. Besides I've already said I'd go, I can't back out now.

She had been having internal arguments like this ever since Becker had invited her to Lily's birthday party over a week ago. Jess couldn't work out what his motives were. Did he really just want her there so he wasn't dealing with children the whole time? Or was there something more behind his invitation?

Jess hoped there was. She's had feelings for the Captain for a long time now, and the more time they spent together the stronger they got.

She knew she probably should have cut her loses when she found out about Maddie and Lily. She had always known that Becker could be emotionally distant some of—okay most of—the time, and learning that he had this whole life none of them knew about, should have set off warning bells. It was never a good idea to get involved with someone with so much baggage. But finding out about his other life had only increased her opinion of him—she doubted she would have been able to do the job they did and raise two kids single-handedly—and if she was being honest, she loved Lily and Maddie as well.

But did he have to be so damn inconsistent all the time. At work it was business as usual; they hung out, there would be some flirting and teasing, the occasional chocolate bar would find its way to her desk. But then when they were together outside of work it was different; it felt like they were closer, like their interactions had more meaning. They never parted without sharing a quick embrace and she had caught him watching her as she interacted with the girls more than once.

Jess sighed in frustration; she was so confused.

Just as she finished wrapping the present she had bought for Lily her phone rang.

"Jess?" Becker asked the moment she answered the phone.

"Yes, Becker? Really, who did you think it would be? It is my phone you rang."

Jess could practically hear Becker rolling his eyes at her.

"I realise that Jessica."

"Well then, what can I do for you, Hilary?"

"I'm dealing with a bit of an emergency…"

"Oh my God, what's wrong?! Are you and the girls okay?" Jess asked worriedly, cutting Becker off.

"Jess, relax, we're all fine, it's nothing to get worried over. The bakery delivered the wrong cake and now I'm going to have to drive out there and collect the right one. It's a half hour drive each way, so I won't be back in time to pick Lily up from dance, would you mind going to get her?"

"Good God, don't scare me like that! Yes, of course I'll pick her up, just text me the address of her studio."

"Thanks Jess, I don't know what I'd do without you."

Jess smiled at his comment. "I often wonder that myself."

"I'll see you soon."

Seconds after she hung up the phone her mobile chimed, notifying her of a new text message.

The lesson was still in progress when Jess arrived at the studio. Waving to Lily, she went to sit in the waiting area with the parents. Sitting down, she settled in to watch the rest of the lesson.

The instructor was leading them through a series of ballet moves, and it was one of the most adorable things Jess had ever seen. Most of them could barely keep their balance, a couple of the kids even fell over as they went down into their pliés. The only thing cuter than their dancing, was seeing them dressed in their dance clothes, they looked like mini ballerinas.

"I'm Molly." Said the woman sitting by Jess.

"Jess." She replied shaking the hand Molly offered.

"So, who are you here for?"

"Lily Becker."

"Oh, my daughter Annie loves her. They go to the same childcare centre and she was thrilled when she found out they were taking the same dance class."

Jess smiled. "That's so sweet, it's nice that Lily has such a good friend."

"I don't mean to be rude or anything, but, how old are you? I'm sorry that probably sounded really nosy, I shouldn't have said anything."

"Don't worry about it, I'm used to being asked that." Which was true, it was a question she got constantly as she was going up—the result of being so advanced. "I'm 20."

The shocked look that graced Molly's face was almost comical.

"And Captain Becker?" She asked, a frown creasing her brow.

"26."

Where is she going with this?

"My lord that quite an age difference. I mean, I'm sure it doesn't seem as large now, but not long ago you were just a teenager, and he was still in his twenties. I can't believe he would get someone so young into a situation like this. He had seemed like such a gentleman, though I suppose it's good that he's stayed by you. You must have been, what, 16 when you had her. What was a man in his twenties doing in a relationship with someone so young?"

Jess had a hard time not laughing during the other woman's rant, she had clearly got the wrong idea.

"Well, first off, I was finishing university when most people my age were finishing high school, so I've always been in relationships—both platonic and romantic ones—with people older than me, they're closer to my intellect level. Also, I think you may have the wrong idea. I'm not Lily's mother, I'm not even in a relationship with Becker. He and I work together. We're friends, I just help him out."

"Oh. My. God. I am so sorry; I shouldn't have assumed you were. It's just I've only ever seen the Captain pick her up, and Lily looked so happy to see you, so I just…completely put my foot in my mouth."

"Don't even worry about it, you should hear some of the things I've said to people."

Molly smiled at her. "Thanks for being so calm about it, most of the time people get particularly mad at me."

The lesson ended then and the kids came into the waiting area, saving Jess from answering.

"Jessie!" Lily cried as she ran over.

"Hey sweetie," Jess leant down to hug the younger girl. "Hurry up and get your stuff together, we need to get home and start setting everything up."

"Okay." Lily turned to the little girl standing beside her. "See you waiter Annie, 'member to dress like a princess."

Lily went to gather her bag, leaving Jess with Molly and her daughter.

"Mummy, we gotta go. I have to get ready for the party." Annie whined, tugging on her mother's arm.

"I guess that's my que to leave. Will you be at Lily's party Jess?"

"I will."

"Well, we'll see you later than. And sorry again for before."

"Really Molly, don't worry about it."

Jess had found the exchange to be quite amusing. There she had been earlier, worried about people mistaking her for Becker's girlfriend, she hadn't even thought about being confused for the girls' mother. Though she supposed that was less likely to happen at the party with Maddie around. No one would think she'd be old enough to have a nine-year-old daughter.

Using the emergency key Becker had given her, Jess let them into the house. They quickly put Lily's dance equipment away and then set about getting the house ready for the party.

Lily had decided on a princess theme for her birthday party. They decorated the living room—which was where the party was taking place—with pink, purple, and white streamers and balloons. They also had foil balloons and banners that read Happy 4th Birthday. They covered the tables that would hold the food and presents with Disney princess table cloths. Putting matching paper plates and cups on the food table. Instead of party hats they had paper tiaras for the guests to wear.

"Jessie, are you gonna wear a princess hat?" Lily asked as she took the tiaras out of the packaging.

"Of course, I can't very well go to a princess party without one can I?"

Jess leant down so Lily could place one of the crowns on her head.

The room now set up, Jess went with Lily to help her get into her party dress. The birthday girl had decided to dress as her favourite Disney princess, Princess Belle. She wore a costume version of the yellow dress the princess wore when she danced with the Beast and Jess helped her style her hair so it looked like it did in the movie.

With both the house and the two of them ready, Jess went over to her bag and pulled out the present she had bought for Lily.

"This is for you Lil; I hope you like it."

Lily sat down on the floor and opened the present, her face lighting up when she saw the Princess Belle doll.

"Thank you Jessie!" She exclaimed, throwing herself at the woman.

Becker and Maddie got home then and Lily ran over to them.

"Daddy! Daddy! Look what Jessie got me."

"That's great sweet heart, why don't you go put her in your room so she's safe during the party."

"Okay Daddy."

Lily went to put her new doll in her room, Maddie following her.

While the girls went to finish getting ready Jess picked up the cake Maddie had left on one of the tables and took it into the kitchen. Taking it out of the large bakery box, she put it in the fridge so it would stay fresh.

She hadn't heard Becker come up behind her, so when she turned around and saw him standing there, she jumped.

"Thanks again Jess."

Becker leant in quickly and kissed her on her cheek, right near the corner of her mouth. Jess froze, not sure of how to react to what had just happened.

See, this is why I'm constantly questioning his motives! He's all over the place.

Becker seemed to realise what he had done then, and Jess saw a faint blush covering his face before he turned and fled the room. Neither of them had noticed that Maddie walked in at the very moment that Becker kissed her, only to turn around and leave again.

The party was loud; Jess had never been around so many children at once—her brother always did separate parties for her niece and nephew's birthdays: one for their friends and one for the family. She could understand why Becker said he would need help staying sane. Everywhere she looked there were kids running around dressed as princes and princesses.

They had set up activities in the living room and backyard to keep the children entertained. Earlier they had played pass the parcel, which had taken a while to explain to some of the kids. That had been followed with a game of musical statues and 'What's the time Mr Wolf?' Then they had gone outside to take turns trying to break open the castle piñata.

Now they were back inside, having something to eat, and the chaos had truly begun. They ran around, plates and glasses full. Jess winced every time it looked like a drink would spill, or a plate of food would topple onto the ground.

Becker's sister, Melissa, had arrived just before the kids began to, and asides from the pointed look she had shot Becker, she hadn't said anything about Jess' presence. Though if the look was anything to go by, Jess wouldn't be surprised if she later heard that Becker had received an interrogation from his younger sister.

Melissa had been taking photos throughout the party and was currently taking one of the birthday girl, her sister, and their father.

"Now one with Jessie in it." Lily exclaimed the moment Melissa had taken the photo.

"That's okay sweetie, I don't need to be in one."

"Come on Jess, I never thought you'd be one to shy away from having your picture taken." Becker teased.

"I'm not, but you don't really need a photo with me in it, do you?"

"Of course we do. Lily wants one and so do I. Now come over here and have your photo taken."

Jess went to join them on the couch, lifting Lily onto her lap. Again Melissa didn't say anything about Jess being included, but she wasn't quite able to hide her smirk as she took the picture.

Long after the guests had left Jess was still at Becker's, when she had seen the size of the mess left behind she felt like she couldn't leave. Melissa had stayed for a while, but had to get back to uni for a study group. Though Jess suspected it was more of a date then a study group, since it wasn't starting until eight and she was strategically dodging all of Becker's questions.

Jess and Maddie were in the kitchen washing dishes, while Becker was trying to get Lily to go to bed.

"Jess, can I ask you something?" Maddie asked as they worked.

"Go for it kiddo."

"Are you and Dad dating?"

Jess froze in the middle of rising off a plate.

"Why would you think that?"

"He hugs you all the time."

"Yes, but that doesn't mean anything, friends hug each other all the time. I have a friend, Connor, he hugs me all the time and he's married. It doesn't mean he loves me, just that we're good friends."

"Okay, but I've seen Dad kiss you."

"He's was tired and forgot we're just friends." Jess told her, assuming that Maddie was referring to the day they went to the zoo—when Becker was leaving for work—not knowing that she had seen what happened earlier that day.

"It's okay if you are Jess. I like you, and Dad deserves to be happy."

Jess was speechless. She couldn't believe how mature this nine-year-old girl was. Jess was sure that if her parents separated, she would have trouble seeing her father with someone else. But here Maddie was, just wanting her Dad to be happy.

"I'll tell you what. If Becker and I do ever start dating, I promise you'll be the first person I tell."

"Okay."

Becker came in then, looking frustrated.

"What's wrong?"

"Lily refuses to go to bed, she thinks you're going to leave without saying goodbye. Jess would you mind going to say good night to her?"

"Not at all, I should probably be going now anyway."

"I didn't mean to imply that you should go."

"I know Becker, but it's getting late."

"Oh, right."

For a moment it sounded like Becker was disappointed to see her go. But for all she knew Jess could be reading into it too much, again.

Though even Maddie thought there was something going on between us, maybe I'm not imagining things.

Jess followed Becker through to the bedrooms and said good night to Lily, who insisted they read her a bed time story. Becker—who, by this point, was willing to do anything to get his daughter to go to bed—agreed. He and Jess sat on Lily's bed, on either side of her, and Becker began to read.

By the time the story was finished, Lily was snuggled up against Jess, fast asleep. Quietly, they tucked Lily under the covers, exited the bedroom, and made their way back through the house.

"I really should be going." Jess said pausing by the front door.

"Okay, I'll walk you to your car."

They walked to Jess' car in silence, both lost in their own thoughts. As Becker hugged her goodbye, Jess wondered—not for the first time—if there was some deeper meaning behind the gesture. She hadn't been lying to Maddie when she told her that giving one and other hugs was a normal thing for friends to do, but while Jess and Becker had been friends for a long time, it hadn't become a normal thing for them to do until recently. Plus, the embraces she shared with Becker generally lasted a lot longer than the ones she did with Conner.

These thoughts occupied Jess' mind for the entire drive home, and then well into the night. It wasn't until sleep claimed her that she finally got some peace.