Hi Readers: My apologies for the struggles once more, but I can only hope that this is the story that I can write. Though, it's going to be with another Jesse this time around; this time, my story is going to be with Jesse Lee Soffer's character Jay Halstead. Him, and his wife Alexandra. Hope you guys like this new business story that I've decided to write for you guys. Let me know what you think.

Remembering Russell Michael Jacobs
Part One: Not a CEO, a Daughter; Not Security, Your Husband

October 17, 2014 – Halstead Home, Naperville, IL
She always dreaded for when this day would come, this day where her father would one day pass away and leave his company to her; the company his father (her grandfather) built over the past half-a-century. Now, if it was her turn to take over and not screw it up. That was why she was nervous today, as she prepared to head to her father's funeral with her mother and husband today; a husband who she's glad her father got to meet, especially since he was the one that hired him to be her head of security. Yes, you heard that right. She married her head of security, which makes her Ms. Halstead; more precisely, her married name is Alexandra Marie Halstead. But, to the outside world, she's known as Alexandra Marie Jacobs; the now-former Deputy Chairwoman and Sr. Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Jacobs. But now, that was no longer her title; rather, she was now the Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer as per her father's will. Per his will, she was now the Chairwoman and CEO of their family company. And that was frightening.

And it was the last thing her head of security husband wanted to think about today as he walked into the bathroom this morning wearing his boxers, only to see his wife standing at the counter in her robe and lingerie with bags under her eyes; bags that he can only assume were from crying last night ahead of today's funeral. Unfortunately, it seems like his wife didn't wake him up when she cried as this was the first time he's seen her today since he just woke up. "Hey, when'd you wake up." Looking up at Jay, Alex went to wipe her eyes to show strength today, which is what she needs to show this Friday, as she prepares to take charge of the company for the first time. "Oh, just now. Morning." Turning around, Alex proceeded to smile at her husband; while also trying to make sure that he couldn't tell that she was just crying. Though, she failed miserably at that, due to the fact that he heard her. "Alex don't even try. I think we both know that I already know you were crying." Taking a breath, Alex agreed with her husband as he said that.

After all, she has been crying; how can she not cry when her father just died of a heart attack? He wasn't supposed to die for at least another 10-15 years, after he meets his grandchildren; the children she and her husband hope to have in the future. She's at least happy over the fact that he got to meet the man she married, the man she loves and who loves her. "Baby, look at me. Have you been crying?" Taking a breath, Alex nodded as she knew that she wasn't going to be able to lie to Jay; he just knows her too well. "Oh, come here you." Alex agreed as she stepped close to Jay, before wrapping her arms around him and holding him close to her; meanwhile, he placed his hand on the back of her head as they both held each other close for a moment here in the washroom. Though, Jay also knew this wasn't where they belonged at the moment. "You want to go lay down in bed for a bit? I can go make us some breakfast in bed, just take it easy right now." Alex shook her head. "No, I was just going to pick something up. I need to go to the office."

Jay shook his head as he heard Alex say that, as that wasn't the truth. Well, at least he was going to make sure it wasn't the truth; as her husband, it's his job to make sure that she does what's best for her. And right now, she doesn't need to go to the office. "Either you can listen to me as your husband, or as the head of security who's in charge of protecting you." Alex agreed with Jay as he said that. "You are not going to the office when your father just died, when it's the day of his funeral; babe, we both know that's the last place you need to be this weekend when it's already full of emotions." Alex sighed, well aware of what her husband was talking about. Because not only are they celebrating three months of marriage in three days, but her birthday is also two days away. "Yeah, talk about a great birthday gift. My dad died and I got a promotion." Jay sighed, as that was the last thing. "I'm expected to lead a company starting today, so I need to…" Placing his hand on Alex's neck, Jay shook his head as he placed his finger on her lips.

In the process, he shut his wife up and just got her to concentrate on him. "Listen, I don't want to hear you say that. I don't want to hear you say anything about going to the office right now as we both know that's the last place you need to be. If anything, you need to be in bed. It's only seven in the morning, and the funeral mass is at 11. We have plenty of time to wake up and just take it easy with each other, and you already know that. So, how about you do me a favor and just go lay down in bed? Go back to bed and just take it easy hon." Alex agreed with her husband as he said that, before stepping close to him and wrapping her arms around his back; doing the same, Jay held the woman he loves close to him prior to bending down and kissing her shoulder softly. "Listen, how about you go lay down in bed and just take it easy? I'll go make us some coffee, then we can talk and just take it easy as we hold each other close in bed. How does that sound?" Alex agreed with Jay, well aware that he wasn't going to let her do anything else. "I need that."

Jay agreed with his wife, as he felt the same way. "Uhm, I already let Bella and Max…" Bella and Max being their German Shepherds. "…out and fed them this morning." Jay agreed with Alex once more. "I've been up for an hour and I just…" Jay already knew what Alex was going to say, so he just stepped close to the woman he loves. The woman he knows needs him to be there for her as her husband. "Hey, just take a breath and relax. A, I know you have a lot of your mind right now. But you seriously just need to breathe and concentrate on yourself right now. Let me take care of you and concentrate on you. Now, how about you go sit in bed and just take it easy? I'll go get us some coffee and we can just watch some TV as we talk in bed." Alex agreed with Jay as he said that, as she likes that idea; so much so, that she stepped close to Jay and kissed him while placing her hands on his toned chest. "I love you Jay." Jay agreed with his wife, as he loves her too. "I love you too, now go lay down and just take it easy. I'll get us some coffee." Alex agreed.

She then proceeded to walk away so that she could lay down in bed, while Jay just let out a sigh as he turned to look at his wife; the wife he knew was hurting right now due to the fact that she absolutely adored her father. He knew that her heart had a hole in it right now, and she was having a hard time right now, which is why she wanted to go back to the office so soon. She wanted to go back to the office as she wanted to feel her dad close to her, though that's a place he'll always be he'll be close to her because he's with her every step of the way. He's in her heart and he's her guiding star. He's her inspiration for everything she does, and she always wanted to please him, which is something she always did…and what she found out at the hospital when they were there when he passed away. God, he'll never forget the sound of his wife's howl after the machine stopped. He had to drag her out of the hospital in his arms. And ever since then, she's been a shell of herself. He just hopes she knows that (a) he's here for her, and (b) she can grieve.

He decided to get her some tea rather than some coffee this morning, as that's what his wife really needs right now. She needs some tea so that she can calm down and just take it easy ahead of the long day ahead, the day he knew his wife was dreading, which is precisely why he needs to talk to her right now as she relaxed in bed. But first, he was going to give her tea to her and join her in bed once more. "Hey." Turning her head to look at her husband, Alex took a breath as she could smell the tea. "So much for coffee." Jay agreed with his wife. "I thought you might like some camomile tea instead, might help to calm you down ahead of the long day." Alex agreed with her husband, as she grabbed the tea from him. "Thanks baby." Jay agreed with Alex as she said that, smiling as he gave her tea to her; after which, he looked at her for her to slip over in bed. "It all over the news?" Alex sighed. "I was just about to turn it off. I'm already going to be dealing with it today." Jay agreed with his wife as she said that, well aware that was the case.

After which, he joined her so that he could hold her close, which is precisely what Alex wants him to do this morning. She wants to sit in bed with her husband, as they hold each other close and just take it easy with each other; well, each other and their two dogs Bella and Max, who soon jumped up onto their bed like they always do when their 'parents' are all comfortable in bed with each other. "Hi Bella, hi Max." Laying down together, Bella and Max both got comfortable on Jay and Alex's bed; while Jay closed the covers on top of him and his wife, prior to turning his head and pressing his lips to her forehead. "You text your mom yet this morning?" Sighing as she took a sip of her tea, Alex bit her lip. "I've been debating it. I know that she needs to talk to someone, but you know that she always resented me. Being the only child and the heir to the company, me and my dad always spent a lot of time together. Time she wishes she spent with him. So, things are a bit…" Jay just agreed with his wife, well aware that things are a bit tense with Marie.

Marie being his mother-in-law (and the Vice-Chairwoman of the board), Marie Jacobs. "Tense?" Alex sighed, as that was the precise word she was thinking of. "Yeah, that's a nice way of saying it." Jay agreed with his wife as she said that, well aware that things are always tense when they're with each other. "Not my fault that my father doted on me. I mean…" Jay agreed with his wife as she said that, well aware that they need to talk to her mom. "Hey, just take a breath and relax. Today, you need to unite, and this will be a time of healing. You can be there for each other, just like I'm going to be there for you." Alex agreed with her husband, extremely grateful for that. "And that means that you need to be with me for now. Alex, I love you; but we can't have you working yet. You have too much on your mind, and I want you to grieve. I want you to take the time you need to grieve, before you take charge of the company." Alex agreed with Jay as he said that, before cuddling up to him. "Here, let's finish our drinks. Then, I want to talk to you." Alex agreed.

He just finished setting both his coffee cup (after giving Alex the last sip) and her tea cup down on his side table, which meant that it was now time for Jay to lay down in bed and just hold his wife close to him; hold her in his arms and make her feel better. Well, maybe not better due to the fact that this is a hard time for her. But, he at least needs to talk to her about how he knows that she's still hurting really bad. And that's why he wants her to just take it easy and relax right now. Yes, she's the new head of the company; but that doesn't mean that she isn't allowed to be a daughter first. She just lost her dad, and the last thing he wants is to let her go to work. So, they're going to talk about that right now; especially since they were both laying down in bed, holding each other close with their bodies right against one another's. And damn, did Jay love the feeling of his wife's body against his chest, especially as he wrapped his arms around her and just held her close to him; while she wrapped her arms around his back and looked into his eyes.

After which, Alex leaned in and just kissed him softly, which is Jay's favorite thing to do with his wife due to the fact that she's truly the best kisser in the entire world. "God, I love it when you kiss me." Alex agreed with her husband, well aware that he loves it when she kisses him. "I know that, which is why I just kissed you; and because I love you to pieces." Jay agreed with Alex as she said that, well aware that she loves him that much; especially since he loves her just as much (if not more). "I love you to pieces too. But, listen. I want to talk to you about something as husband and wife." Alex agreed with her husband, smiling at him. "Listen, I know you feel pressure to take charge of the company already." Alex agreed with Jay. "But babe, you just lost your dad. Yes, the company needs a leader; and I know he chose you to be his successor. But, do you really need to go back today? Do you really need to go right back? Alex, I love you and I want what's best for you; and we both know that work isn't going to help you when you're hurting."

Alex agreed with her husband as he told her that, well aware that was the case; and she should know due to the fact that he was a soldier. "Babe, you know what happened to me when I started at the company. I was just back from overseas a week earlier, and I wasn't ready. I needed to take time off and was scared I'd be let go because of that. However, I think a certain woman vouched to let her daddy give me a second chance." Alex blushed, as she was that woman. "Yes, I did because I could see you needed time to grieve the losses you dealt with on the battlefield. I know you lost people in your last tour that you were close to." Jay agreed with his wife. "Alex, I just want you to hear me out. If I wasn't ready to do security work right after loosing friends, then do you really think you're okay to take over your dad's office right after he died? And don't say you're not going to take over his big office, because we both know that you're going to move into his office." Alex sighed, as she was planning on doing that. "It has a direct link to the penthouse."

Jay agreed with his wife. "I know that, because your dad took me up there when I asked for your hand in marriage." Alex smiled as Jay said that. "You know, that meant a lot to me; right?" Jay agreed with his wife. "I was taught to do things the right way, just like it meant the world to me for you to marry me in the church." Alex agreed with Jay, as that was something she was more than okay with them doing. "Babe, that was a gorgeous church we chose. Of course, I was going to marry you there." Jay smiled, agreeing with his wife as he leaned in and kissed her nice and slowly. "Alex, we're going to your father's funeral in that same church not even three months after we got married there. You truly think that you can go back to work today? Monday? Alex, this weekend is already ruined. I had plans to do something romantic for us on Sunday…" Sunday being her birthday. "…but we both know you aren't in the mood to celebrate your birthday, your 30th birthday and you aren't even going to celebrate it." Alex agreed with Jay.

Then again, how can she celebrate when her dad just died. "My dad just died." Jay agreed. "I'm not saying that's a bad thing. But…what I'm just trying to say is that you aren't going to be in a place where you can work effectively. Alex, I know you better than anybody and I know you aren't going to be able to think about anybody but your dad the next time you're at the office. It'll be that way for a while. So, I'd rather you at least take a week, or two weeks to grieve before you go back to work. And I say this as the man who loves you Alex, and your best friend. I know, you say that Nicole…" Nicole being Nicole Watson, a model at the company and Alex's best friend. "…is your best friend, but I know you better. I know you intimately and I know what you need; and right now, you don't need to work when you know you instead need to take it easy and just grieve with me. Plus, it's Friday and everybody closed for the day. The company shut down for the funeral." Alex agreed with her husband, well aware that was the case.

After all, they got the big church in Chicago for that reason; they're doing the funeral at Notre Dame de Chicago. "Babe, I love you. I love you more than anything and I don't want you to work yet. You can work in the future, just not yet. Right now, you need to be here with me, Bella, and Max. We can take it easy and just relax with each other as we hold each other close." Alex agreed with her dreamy husband as he said that, as that really does sound perfect; so, she got close to Jay and wrapped her arms around his neck. Leaning in, she smiled as she took things nice and slow with the man she loves. The man she knows has her best interests at heart, which is why she needs to just take it easy and relax with him right now. "I want you Jay." Jay looked at his wife, surprised when she said that. "You sure?" Alex nodded, as she was positive that she wanted her husband. "Yes." Agreeing with his wife, Jay rolled over on top of her and went to give her the attention she just requested on the morning of her father's funeral. God, that just sounds weird.

Placing his hand on the back of Alex's head as he held her close to him, Jay smiled as he stroked the back of her head and just concentrated on the woman he loves as he kissed her softly. And damn, did Alex just loves the way he's taking things nice and slow with her as it's utterly perfect; this is exactly what she wants from her husband right now, especially right after they made sweet love to each other. Though, it was a bit weird that they did it on the morning of her father's funeral (in Jay's opinion); it also felt right due to the fact that he knew it was what Alex needed right now. She needed him to show her love and compassion in whatever way he can. And that's precisely what he just did when they made love to each other this morning. But now, they were no longer making love to each other; but they were instead just holding and concentrating on each other in bed. "I love you Alex." Alex agreed with Jay. "I love you too and I am so glad that you and I are in this life together." Jay agreed with his wife, as that will always be the case.

He and Alex will always be in this life together, due to the fact that he loves her more than anything; and he wants to be with her for the rest of his life. That's something that Alex never needs to worry about, as him wanting to be with her for the rest of his life is something which is already written in stone. "Babe, today…can we agree that you're nothing more than a daughter, and I'm just your husband who's there to love and support you?" Alex agreed with Jay as he asked her that, as she liked the sound of that. "I think that's what I need to be right now. I need to just be my dad's daughter, and I need you to be my husband." Jay agreed with his wife as she said that, well aware that was the case as he leaned in and kissed her softly. "I love you Alex, and I am so proud of you; but today, you need to take it easy and just concentrate on yourself. Yes, you have thousands of employees around the world; but today is your day to concentrate on yourself as we grieve your father's death. We need to take it easy and just relax." Alex agreed with Jay.

After all, that's precisely what they need to do: they need to take it easy and just relax; just, maybe not in bed all day. "By the way, I forgot to mention something to you." Jay agreed. "You know the eulogy I'm giving at the funeral?" Jay nodded. "I read it, it's going to be beautiful. If you need me to go up with you, I will." Alex smiled. "Well, I just wanted you to know that I already told Fr. Matthews that I want to be introduced by my married name." Jay was surprised when he heard Alex say that, as he wasn't expecting that. "What?" Alex smiled as Jay said that. "I think it's time I start using that name, along with Jacobs. That way, people don't accuse me of cheating on my husband when I kiss my handsome head of security." Jay smiled as he heard Alex say that, before placing his hand on the back of her head and kissing her softly. "I love you." Alex agreed with Jay. "I love you too Jay. Just know that the company isn't changing to Halstead yet. At least, not anytime soon." Jay agreed. "Didn't expect it too." Alex smiled. "Maybe when we have kids."

Jay smiled. "In the future." Alex agreed. "I mean it though. I want our kids to take over the company someday, which means that it needs to change to Halstead." Jay smiled as he heard Alex say that, as he was honored that Alex was willing to do that. "I'm honored Alex, I truly am. But right now, you need to take a breath and just relax. We need to take a breath and relax. So, how about I go run us a shower? Then, you can come in and join me. We can take our time and just concentrate on each other today." Alex agreed with Jay as she leaned in and kissed him again. "I love the sound of that. Now, go start the shower please." Jay agreed with his wife as she said that, smiling as he rolled over in bed before getting up and going to grab his bathrobe. Putting it on, he smiled as he turned around and looked at his wife; the woman he loves and is very proud to call his Ms. Halstead. So, he leaned over her and placed his hand on the side of her face; prior to kissing her and just taking things nice and slow with his wife. "I love you Alex, forever."

Alex agreed, as she loves her husband too. "I love you too Jay. Now, go start the shower for us." Jay agreed with Alex, kissing her one last time before walking away so that he can go start the shower for them. Meanwhile, Alex rolled over onto her back due to the fact that she's very happy to be Jay's wife; the man of her dreams and the man who just knows that she needs right now.

Alex's Thoughts: As I lay here in bed ahead of going to join Jay in the shower, I couldn't help but smile as I thought about how truly glad I am to have Jay as my husband. He's the best man in the entire world and I am so proud of the fact that I have the honor of calling Jay my husband. He truly knows what's best for me, including me just being a daughter today, because that's really all I need to be today. I don't need to be the new face of the company, nor does Jay need to be my security. Today, all I need to be is a daughter and he just needs to be my husband; something which I am so happy about due to the fact that he's the best. He turns me on so much and I am just so damn proud to know that I get to call that man my husband for the rest of my life. He's an incredible man and nobody will ever know that other than me. The way he treats and loves me is just unimaginable until you can see it for yourself. Hell, he even made me smile ahead of my dad's funeral. Though, I don't need to smile all the time. Just maybe in private.

God, the memories I've made with my dad are amazing; and I can already see me making a bunch of memories with Jay. I just wishes that I would've gotten a chance to make memories with both of the men in my life. Oh god, because of my dad dying…I'm never going to get a chance to make a memory with both of them ever again; especially when we have children.

Tearing up after thinking about how all of her future memories with her and Jay's children will only be with Jay being the only man in her life, Alex curled up into a ball in bed and balled her eyes out due to the fact that it sounded horrible. Especially since she had the chance to marry Jay a while ago, then they could've had children. But now, because of her wanting to wait longer, her father will never get a chance to be the one thing he always wanted to be in life: a grandfather to her and Jay's children.