Wednesday evening couldn't come quick enough for Jess as she checked, rechecked, and doubled check that to ensure that everything was packed for the three of them. Jason wasn't too worried; he had the most of his items still in his luggage from his short visit to Kansas City. He admitted he went to home to see his father but didn't discuss the business at hand. He was mostly distant except to play with Jack who was more attentive than normal. He was bouncing everywhere in the apartment, not stopping even for a nap. They both prayed that the boy would sleep on the flight to Thailand tomorrow.
Jason did manage to get the boy to sleep around eight before he went over and helped Jess check the lists, one more time, to make sure everything was good.
"Hey, thank you for getting him," she said giving him a quick kiss, her eyes still on the open luggage surround their living room. The biggest one held their clothing and major items needed for Jack, while a smaller carry on, Jason's luggage, held anything that would be dire. Including their backpacks, Jess emptied hers out to hold Jack's item to at least minimize something down. They worked for several hours trying to reorganize to ensure efficiency when Jason held his hands up told her to stop.
"Jess, enough. We got enough and we are actually traveling lighter than normal. Everything will be okay!"
Jess wasn't sure. It was a whole weekend in another country, and they were going with a toddler; a nightmare for any family let alone a young one. She pushed her hair back and sighed, knowing she was over thinking this trip. But internally, she knew another choice had to made and she wasn't even sure she was prepared to jump. Feeling Jason's hand land on her arm, she turned and smiled at his tenderness. However, she saw a small faint red mark on his neck that made her frown because it was apparent what it was. Running her finger across it, he jumped back holding his neck.
"What is that?" she asked quickly.
"I got hit," he answered staring at her. His eyes were moved around so rapidly, it clearly bothered him to tell her the truth. "Horseplay with some friends."
"Horseplaying? More like you went and fucked someone while you visited home," snapped Jess.
Jason's eyes widened as she spoke, his face twisting so aggressively, she was certain he was about to explode. His fists clenched as he held back his apparent anger, but he didn't accuse her nor did he scream at her like before.
"Look, I went home and visited some friends. We were playing football and one of them got my neck with their nails. Everything is fine—"
"Nails can't do that Jason. I'm not stupid. Someone kissed your neck. Was it Betty? Or some other random chick you've been with back home!"
"You want to know? You wanna know if my fingers brushed against her? If my attention has been anywhere other than to you? Is that what you want?"
"I want to know if that bitch is a reason for me to leave!"
Jason and Jess were panting in place as their voices rose in the quick succession. A small bead of sweat dropped from his forehead as Jess turned around and began zipping up everything and pushing pass him for bed. Only this time, his quick reflexes stopped her and held her firm.
"Let me go!" she shouted at him.
"No," he said quietly. His eyes were dark and for once, Jess was paralyzed in place for fear of his next actions. "I went home and visited my father about business matters. I arrived home to find Betty in my apartment drinking wine, her shit in my place without my permission. Yes I admit, I fucked her. Fucked her so goddamn hard that she screamed my name over and over again! I pulled her hair, she scratched at my back and my arms while I took every single drop from her panting body. She devoured my dick in ways you fucking do with Phil! With a man that I fucking hate so goddamn much! That man doesn't deserve you and you don't deserve him. You are fucking selfish to think you can be excused for fucking Phil behind my back time and time again Jessica! You do so every time I leave! You don't think I saw what you did a few days ago. I have cameras everywhere! I know exactly what you did!"
Jess felt her body temperature drop at him calling her out like this. He knew! He knew and he never said a word her mind cowered at his words. Her head dropped as he squeezed her arm for good measure.
"I never thought the girl I met would go behind my back and hurt me this way. I guess you and Betty are exactly the same. Callous bitches you don't give a shit about me."
He threw her down and clenched his fist in fury. "Actually, there is one main thing that is bothering. About you honestly."
"Me? What about?" she asked holding her arm and inspecting it over. "Does it involve Phil?"
"Yeah," he shyly said crossing his arms. "It does. Mostly about your relationship with him. I need to know what that is exactly. I know he is your friend, a very close friend. I feel that if we are going to be a couple and the amazing parents, we know we are and will be, there needs to be an understanding for us."
As she looked at him there was always a sense of darkness to him and only recently had she took fallen into the words of either of them. Sadly though, she knew she too had darkness. It was darkness that kept her from expressing her true feelings. Placing her hand over her heart, she looked at Jason and summed the courage to tell him truthfully. All the world was silent between them and their thoughts raced waiting and finding words to say.
"Jess, please listen to me," his voice chocked out. "I know I made myself distant and I want this—" his finger pointing between them, "—to work for us. I need to be in your life. If not for Jack but you too. Okay, you've done nothing wrong. It was me that was distant… But please know I would never have done what you did!"
His voice rose with each sentence as his fists clenched nearly white.
"I just want to know that we are number one, not someone or something else," he said as he let his arms down finally. They were red against his pale skin having been pushed so close together.
"Jess, please," he urged reaching out for her. She turned to face him but she couldn't response. She looked into his eyes and knew he meant well, but something had changed. It was something that truly scared her but this was something that could not be fixed easily.
"Just stop," she began. "Sometimes you forget that people came before you and yes, we are a couple. A pair of parents to a wonderful little boy but we are still people from our own pasts. I just can't tell you what my feelings are when I don't know what they are anymore. I simply do not know!"
"And I am suppose to believe that one man changed your life that much?" he questioned.
"You have to," she muttered back. "Don't you say that about others too? Darcy and Jack for example."
"And they have but those people are in my life and have meaning."
"Jason," her eyes narrowed at him. "Phil has meaning in my life and I am not going to go around and around with you about him over and over again. You both need to understand that there are parts of me that you must share. I followed him to hell and back and he has protected me several times before. We can't let go of someone who has always been there. I've known you less than three years and I've known Phil my entire life. You expect me to drop everything because we have a son. I followed my heart and I searched for what we were exactly. I debated between both of you before knowing what way I was going to take. But in the end, I returned to the arms I knew best even if they weren't the ones I needed or wanted."
Jason crossed his arm defiantly as Jess spoke her words, he trying not to interrupt her.
"But I want nothing of him, because I feel like a lost little girl who can't make choices anymore. I have ruined his marriage because I tried to be with him. I can't do that anymore! Okay, I feel horrible! I was young; just as you were young when you made your choices
"My choices? You mean Darcy?" he snapped off knowing what she meant.
"Yes Jason," she said pointing a finger into his chest. "You made the choice to have sex with Betty and knock her up resulting in Darcy. Just like with me and Jack."
"That man is trying to break up my family…" argued Jason staring down her still form.
"That man will have learn the family I have isn't with him!"
Jason approached her knowing he was crossing a boundary she was putting up. She was crying in the situation they found themselves. Her hands were in her face as she tried to hide the tears she was shedding. It was harder than he realized to walk away. Unless Betty, Jess didn't share anything like a child with Phil. Jason was obligated to care for his daughter, but here, he clashed on everything spoken.
"Phil acts like Jack is his and forgets that he isn't his father! I swear sometimes—" he muttered. "—he has always wanted a child with you and it kills me knowing those feelings were returned."
Jess heard the fears and nodded. Long ago she probably would have wanted that too. But here she was with Jason and Jack.
"I can't just go back to that time. Okay? There are too many things now I can't let go of."
Jess was sobbing against his arms, as he held her trying to comfort her despite being the reason, they both were at fault in their cheating. He still enjoyed his time with Betty but her once, against her several with times with Phil didn't matter. They had to move forward and do so fast. He walked her to bed, laid her down and returned to the bathroom to brush his teeth, feeling completely ashamed of himself. The conversation shouldn't have gone this way he thought vigorously scrubbing his mouth till it bleed. Tasting the blood, he spat it out and knew he was pushing beyond any challenge he ever faced. He had taken down other criminals for their money, hell even killed people over money or property, but he couldn't stand there and admit that maybe for once the best thing in his life was Jess and the lies he had taken to get to this very moment would kill him inside. He lied about her to others to make her be saint, and he lied to his family about what kind of person she was. She was just a callous as he in her personal pursues. But she had always been true to him about everything.
Everything except Phil. Cupping his face with a cloth, he returned to bed finding Jess still awake. Turning to face her in the middle of the bed, he saw she was still crying.
"Tomorrow, when we go to this wedding for Stu, let me show you how I love you," he begged against her cheek. Nodding, he held her hand as they fell fitfully asleep knowing the next few days would determine the course of their lives.
*dot*
Early the next morning, they with Jack in tow found everyone in the main lobby waiting for them, including Phil. With swagger they walked going through a long wait at security. Reaching closer to the front, an agent saw Tracy and Jess and rushed them forward.
"Yes, but my husband is over there too! I need his help with my stuff!" pressed Tracy, turning to Jess and Jack. "She's my sister in law and nephew. Yes! His father is over with my husband! Please we need them!"
Jess nodded and looked back as Jason and Doug shared a look of concern, but they weren't in a position to move as she and Tracy were forced to. After a moment of pleading Tracy was able to get Doug and Jason up with them. Jess was quietly distraught by the TSA officer holding her wrong during her check. Even Tracy had to present papers that she was fit for travel because of her pregnancy. Alan had been behind Doug a bit, smoking a pipe which Jess was sure was illegal but she didn't question it. Getting past TSA, Stu let out a sigh of happiness as he spotted Lauren's brother.
"Hey what's up," he said excited to see his future brother-in-law.
"Hey," let out Teddy shyly. His eyes momentarily stopped on Jess before settling back on Stu.
"How you doing," he asked patting his arm.
"Who's this guy Stu?" asked Alan beside Doug.
"This is Teddy, Lauren's little brother. Stanford pre-med. This is Phil, Alan and Doug, my friends, and my assistant Jessica and her son Jack," Stu introduced to Teddy. Jess waved just as Jack tried to run off.
"Nice to meet you," Teddy said finally.
"Wow Stanford! How old you are?" asked Phil to the left of Stu.
"He's seventeen. Kinda of a genius," smirked Stu as Teddy looked onward with more shyness.
"Actually, I'm sixteen and I'm not a genius. My dad just had me take the entrance exams early."
"Because you're a genius," Stu smirked wider.
"Stu leave him alone. You're freaking him out by all the gloating," Jess said trying to wrestle with Jack. The boy was trying to get away but he was only hungry. Jason took Jack to get some snacks for them. As they walked away, Teddy for second time paused on her.
"So, what you are doctor?" she heard Alan ask of Teddy.
"No not yet. I'm pre-med," answered Teddy again.
"Ever heard of that guy named Doogie Howser? He turned out to be gay." Everyone there around Alan just looked at him with shock. Jess shook her head and mumbled under her breath and walked away to find Jason.
"Alan!"
"It's true I read it in Teen People," Alan justified before Jess got out of earshot.
Walking to the bathroom, she adjusted herself in the stall because the TSA agent had handled her poorly and her bra was pushed up too high. As she hurried around the other flyers, she washed her hands, taking a quick notice of the women staring back at her. Adjusting her jacket against her torso, she pulled her hair into a high messy bun, and went to find the group.
It was crazy to think that after two years how different her life had become. She looked and felt more grown up than she had in Vegas but here the cards were drawn differently. There in several areas at the terminal gate was the entire group. Jason had Jack next to Tracy and Doug, and there wasn't an open seat near them. Stu was with Alan on the opposite side, leaving Phil by the wall closely to them alone. Taking her bag from Jason, she went to sit beside Phil, so not hold up the middle.
"Hey mind if I sit?" Teddy asked Stu and Alan of the empty seat between them.
"Wolf pack only. Find another chair," replied Alan sharply looking down at his hands.
"There's no wolf pack Alan," Stu said quickly leaning over his seat.
"It's fine I can find ano—" he began but Stu stopped him. None of them seemed to see that Jess had returned. Phil looked up as she sat down next to him with a smile.
"Teddy, don't be ridiculous. You're sitting here," said Stu taking Alan's bag and moving it out of the seat for Teddy to sit.
"Careful that's a Louis … that is a Louis Vuitton!" snapped Alan suddenly. Jess smiled seeing that Jack was busy with his aunt as she read a book. A moment later though, he looked up spotting her and jumped down, flopping on the ground and ran over to her, a small bag of cookies in his hands.
"Mama!" he called his hair flying behind him. Those around them cooed and opened the path for him.
"Jack!" urged Jason standing to retrieve the boy, but he was blocked by several suitcases. He managed to run through the tiny maze and found Jess before jumping into her lap with giggles. After a moment, Phil's phone went off and by the tone of the call, it was something serious. He threw his phone into his carryon bag and turned slightly toward her. The smile on his face told her what that meant.
"I'm no longer a married man," he whispered quietly against her ear. A blush crept across her face as Jack pulled on his shirt to get his attention too. "Okay, okay! Jack, you need to settle down."
Somehow the boy understood and promptly sat on his lap beginning to rub his eyes. Standing a moment, Jess went to retrieve the small headphones to block out the noise and his blanket. It was rather cold in the airport. He sat there in silence, Jess used his chest as a pillow, and Jack was curled into a ball in his lap.
This was exactly how it should be. Them with him; not that boy thought Phil with a smirk aimed at Jason who was still across the terminal.
*dot*
Stu had lied! Sixteen-hour flight her ass. Jack was crying as his sleep schedule was off as they arrived at the BKK airport at 11AM local time Friday. The boy was fighting with Jess and Jason as they tried to get him into his car seat, giving them both death glares to them. Thankfully, he seemed to calm down once he had his tiger. Arriving to the resort, Stu promptly jumped out and everyone piled out, dragging their things behind them. Lauren was dressed in a thin dress and came running over as they walked up. Jess took a moment to admire the beauty around her.
"This is so absolutely beautiful. Thank you so much," Stu said to his future father-in-law. The man seemed not very happy. His eyes would pass over Jess who was waiting patiently to ask Lauren a question with a tired Jack in her arms.
"Of course," muttered Lauren's dad. He didn't seem too impressed with Jess either. From the moment of them landing, he had sneered hellos at them.
"You know between Teddy and me you must be pretty excited. Two doctors in the family," smiled Stu trying to get a smile form him.
"You must realize in that in my country we don't see dentists to be real doctors."
"Daddy," Lauren said sweetly but it did no good. Lauren's dad then took aim at Jess.
"And you are not very favorable in the eyes of a man by following in such a foolish profession. You are too loose," he spoke up like he knew everything about women. Jess was very tight lipped about her private life. Thankfully Phil and Jason were nowhere to hear this man's words...
"Daddy, Jess works very hard at what she does. She is ambitious," offered Lauren to her father and she gave Jess a smile. That just blew her away but Jess was so happy that Lauren had eased the mood.
"We shall see. I must speak to Teddy about his performance at tonight's dinner."
With her father gone and her question asked about Jack's suit for the wedding missing, Jess went out to observe the setting sun. Jason was standing there by the wall, his arms crossed and a smile on his face.
"Look at him," said Jason pointing at Stu and Lauren. "Isn't he lucky?"
"Be nice! He's under lots of stress," smiled Jess pushing his arm a bit.
"I know, but I mean he's not a real doctor," teased Jason taking a drink from his glass. "That old man is a fucking ass."
"He was pretty mean."
"I heard what he said," he smirked. "Very rude. But my father has similar views about women. I hope you never met him." Their conversation died out as they took a soft stroll through the resort after learning that Tracy had stolen Jack for a nap, which they both needed. In their walk, Jason held his hands in his pockets, and Jess crossed hers behind her. They came across the pool and went to change for a swim.
Stu was walking around after the sun went down to gather everyone for dinner. On the stage, Teddy was playing the cello and it just wonderful. He played with such grace and part of Jess was mesmerized about it. Applause rang out as Teddy finished and he went to take his seat. Every one heard the familiar sound of a fork tapping a glass and everyone looked at Lauren and Teddy's father. Even little Jack clapped as Teddy went to sit.
"Thank you, Teddy. Your hands of a brilliant musician and one day a great surgeon. I admit it, when I first met Stu, I was not quite sold. He seemed unattractive. He lacked intelligence and imagination. He was missing the spark you look for in a man. But then I look into Stu's eyes and he reminded me of my sweet brother."
Jess managed to keep herself from laughing because she knew exactly what dough was. At the beginning, she was certain that Stu thought this was all nice, but then his smiled turned into a frown and the world came crashing down in the most brutal way.
"The world needs dough just as the world needs people like Stu. To my sweet daughter and Stu," he concluded.
"And now I believe that Teddy has something to say," he added as Teddy went to stand. Alan stood up too and told Teddy to sit back down. He appeared confused as did those around Alan.
"Alan," Jess whispered but he ignored her. His attention was to Lauren's father.
"That was great speech Sir. I like the comparison of Stu and rice. I've also prepared a few words. Hey, everybody, here's some fun facts. The population of Thailand is sixty-three million people. It is twice the size of Wyoming. Its chief exports are textiles, footwear and rice. Each year, approximately thirteen thousand people are killed in car accidents in Thailand. The climate in Thailand..." he read from his cue cards.
"Alan? Uh...Alan, do you wanna skip to the last card there, buddy?" offered Doug. Jess was sure that no one really cared about the geological facts about their country. "Okay," he mumbled ruffling through many cards. "Sorry. None of you know Stu like I do. Not you! Not you! Not you! Not you! Not nobody knows Stu like I do!"
"Except maybe Jess," Jason butted in looking at her firmly with a smile.
"Don't bring me in this!" she hissed at him offering a smile to everyone else. Lauren's family gave her a quizzing look like she was Stu's mistress or something. Jack let out a loud giggle and thankfully the boy broke the tension in the room.
"Maybe Jess," agreed Alan, "But no one else! I can't even tell you what we've been through, cause we made a pact more important than blood. What I can tell you is this; this is not Stu's first marriage. There was a whore in Las Vegas a couple of years..."
"ALAN!" whispered Jess franticly, stepping around Jack's highchair, and pulling on his arm. "Times up. Times up. Seat down!" she begged him and uncontrollably he nodded.
Phil clapped loudly sending everyone into a round of applause. Alan and Jess sat back down and everyone began eating. There was tension between Jess and Jason as they ate. The whole time, he was doing something under the table which Phil could not see. His face burned at what might be taking place just a few feet from him.
*dot*
After dinner before anyone else got up, Jess left and went to put Jack to bed. The poor boy had barely eaten any of his food and was fighting. Thankfully Tracy had taken to seeing to him and was able to get him ready for bed easier than she could.
"Thanks!" she said as Tracy took Jack to her room. "I will be back around 10 or 11."
"Have fun dear!" she said as Jess closed the door. Smiling, she returned to her room and went to change into something more comfortable. Picking out a ruffled cotton skirt that fell to her mid-thigh, a loose olive-green spaghetti top, which she covered with a pale white see through coverup. She had a pair of dark brown cowboy boots which she slid up her leg after pulling on black socks. Taking the elevator down, she found Jason sitting in the main lobby reading a book.
"Hey," he said sitting the book down and taking her appearance in. "You look nice."
"Thank you," she said hoping they could discuss what he had talked about during dinner. They had spent a large part of it muttering under their breath about the whole time at the airport waiting to leave. Jason had expressed how he didn't like her and Jack sleeping on Phil. Trying to pass it off, Jess had ignored his whinnying but during dinner he kept bringing it up as Phil's eyes remained locked on her through the entire time.
Trying to pass it off, Jess had ignored his prudish attitude and let it go when dealing with Jack. Right now, she wanted to ignore him completely and enjoy the night. She had heard that Doug, Stu, and Phil, with Alan and Teddy were heading to the beach for a beer bonfire, and really wanted to go with them. Stepping outside, she heard his footsteps follow a good distance.
"What are you doing?" she demanded turning around and stopping him swiftly.
"Taking in the view. Both are very lovely," he said with a chuckle, his arms crossed.
"You're such a liar. Just leave me alone. I promise I won't go running to Phil."
Jason let out a mumbled laugh before he grabbed for her arm. Pushing his away, she quickened her steps only for him to continue following. He caught her by the shoulders and turned her to him in a quick motion. He hugged her and they shared a brief kiss before Jess threw him off. The brisk wind was colder than she expected, and it caused her to shiver. Her eyes were filled with tears, but not of joyfulness this time.
A profound and solemn quietness came over them, as Jess turned her head and let out a whimper. Jason pushed his weight onto her making her begin to fall backwards. Catching her before she struck the ground, he felt the same dizzying high, an almost cold sense of sorrow under hidden her blue eyes. There was no response from her as she sat up again. No emotion of love or joy. He felt a roar in his stomach and the rush of blood to his body that only meant one thing.
Breathy, and a little panicked, he asked her, "This isn't like you? Jess, I –"
"Isn't me?" she snapped turning around pushing his chest forcing some distance between them. "Isn't me? You did this to me! The difference between what you feel and what Phil feels is so damn different. What makes you think us –" she threw her finger between them tersely "— would even be a thing if you hadn't moved out to California?"
"I've given a lot of up for you!" he shouted feeling insulted at the implied words. "Don't you dare say that you love him because you don't!"
"Well, if you hadn't come along then we could've been a family! A real one with real things! Instead, the moment you walked in, you took everything from him! You took everything from him! Including Jack!"
"Jack isn't his fucking son! HE IS MINE!" he roared at the top of his lungs. Just as the words left his mouth, Jess covered hers as shock and rage masked their faces.
"Fuck you Jason. Just fuck off! Why does this happen to me!? I want happiness and Phil gives that to me! Okay! I will always love him too! Only his love is different than yours! You're my son's father, you are –"
"SO THIS IS JUST FOR JACK THEN!?" His screamed out throwing his arms down.
"FUCK YOU!" Jess shrieked and turned sharply into a run along the beach. Jason watched as she did so, not aware she had taken off. With every step, she went further away. Kicking the dirt violently around him, Jason wiped his face not realizing it was wet from his own tears. He was trying to make her understand where he stood, but in doing so and seeing how she reacted, there was even more trembling emotions to be let go of.
By Jess's posture alone, Jason could tell internally she was fighting so hard to not beat herself up about everything. This was not a secret he could, or would, keep anymore. He was done hiding the truth. He could hear her crying still. For a moment the silent air was cold and harsh as he tightened his arms around his middle. Her agitated face scarred in his mind, and he realized she never wanted a fight to happen. She only wanted to enjoy Stu's wedding without any drama on his or Phil's part.
"Fuck," he moaned as he walked back toward the resort.
*dot*
Jess ran down the beach until she no longer could. Her boots were not meant for running in, but a taller figure had stopped to observe her. The man was holding cases of beer and trying to figure out who she was too. He walked closer and grabbed for her as she fell forward in tears. Holding her face, she cried out as he tried to center her to him. Here, she saw it was Phil holding her, worry riddling his face.
"He keeps — asking — about you – and — I…" but no words could escape clearly. "I—I just want happiness!" she screamed hitting Phil's chest. As she tried to hit his chest, he grabbed for her hands and planted his lips on hers, refusing to let go.
"Phil—" she tried but he wouldn't let up. He pressed his lips harder, and this made her soften under his hands. Rubbing her back, he let up only after she stopped shaking. Wiping her eyes dry, he smiled at her and gave her a big hug.
"Why are you out here alone?" he asked quietly taking her hand and leading her to the shore.
"Jason," she answered quietly squeezing his hands firmly. "We got into a fight."
Phil's heart burned at the mention of that bastard's name. "About me I take it."
They stopped, still holding hands, simply letting the wind surround them in the quietness. No one was around them, and no one could see them in the darkness. Looking at the woman he loved so much, he pulled himself back, knowing in her upset state she wouldn't think clearly, and he needed to know that their actions were based on rational reasons. Sitting the beers down, he opened his hands and tried to calm her down.
"Everyone knows what we did—" started Jess, but he stopped her again.
"Let's just talk this out." Phil looked away knowing it hurt soo much to say such a thing. It pained him deeply knowing she might not choose him again. He divorced his wife for her. He did so much for her only for it to backfire. But she didn't want to talk, she grabbed for his shirt and pulled him against her body. He could feel the tears against his nose as she cried against him. He kissed her hard and danced his tongue with hers. For a moment, the low embers sparked once more between them.
As Jess opened her eyes, Phil was breathing heavily and was tracing his finger down her spine.
"I will always love you Jess."
With that, he stepped back and picked up the beers, and walked toward a bonfire. Jess called to him and he stopped opening his hand, motioning her to grab it.
"Come on," he asked quietly. As they walked a good five minutes, her head bumped into his shoulder a few times before he handed her one case of beer to sit down.
"Okay here we go," he called to his friends happy for once.
"Alright," exclaimed Doug taking his beer.
"American beer. Sealed bottles," offered Phil confidently to Stu.
"Thank you!" said Stu happily observing his.
"I'm not really old enough to drink," stated Teddy but Phil just pushed it in his hand.
"Yeah it's illegal. Be a shame if someone reported you," frowned Alan giving Teddy all sorts of hateful looks.
"No one is reporting anybody. It's fine Teddy. Here! Have a little fun," he said handing the beer opener to him.
"Careful," barked Alan as Phil almost sits on marshmallows.
"What is this? Roasted marshmallows? Nice touch," said Phil.
"That was Alan's idea," confirmed Doug with a smile. See Alan could be nice once and a while.
"Good thinking Alan," he said before throwing them aside and sitting down. "Oh, I found Jess."
"Hi," she whispered standing next to Phil's seated figure.
"What's wrong sis?" asked Doug offered her a seat, which she took beside Phil.
"Fucking asshole," her told in between three breaths. Phil patted her back as she looked down at her feet. He kept tracing her spine as the others spoke around them. She rested her head on her arms as they conversated around her.
"I gotta hand it to you Stu. This place is paradise," he smiled wrapping his arm around her shoulder.
"Not bad right," asked Stu holding his beer happily. It was the most content he had been in a real long time.
"I can't believe I'm saying this, but I am actually jealous of you. Lauren is an angel," stated Phil.
"Yeah, she really is amazing," agreed Doug.
"You guys are sweet!"
"— Not big breasts on her but still solid rack for an Asian. Sorry Teddy but it's true," said Phil just moments next.
"That's okay," said Teddy clearly nervous. Jess sat up hitting his chest lightly and smiled seeing he was joking.
"That is just wildly inappropriate and yet I am really glad you are here. All you guys. Even you Alan. Means a lot that you made it," said Stu looking around at his friends.
"Great, now can we have our one fucking beer then?" asked Phil holding his up. "To Lauren and Stu. You did it buddy!"
*dot*