Chapter 32 Starting Over

Jackie's POV

I feel very tired and worn out and we have just finished the questions and we still need to call my mother. I grab the sheet of paper that has the questions and I look over to Catherine,

"Are you ready for Wednesday? Tomorrow we said we'd go to my apartment and grab what is left."

I sigh and I feel like a weight is lifted off my shoulders now that we got those out of the way. I feel like some paps are going to ask questions that will definitely throw us through a loop.

Catherine gives me a soft smile and I can tell she's getting nervous. It's amazing to see how much I remember about her and how much I'm actually learning.

"Porcupine, I'm nervous I'm not gonna lie but I believe we will get through this together. Let's call your mother and then finish what we started earlier."

"Just so your aware my mothers name is Lillian. Not sure if I told you that or not."

I grab my cellphone and look through my contacts and call my mother. I can feel my heart racing and I'm nervous only because she never fully supports me unless it benefits her. And I'm worried that she'll trash Catherine.

I click on her name and press dial, put it on speakerphone and grab Catherine's hand.

She sends me her smile that's reserved just for me. I take a deep breathe and hear her answer "Jacqueline, is that you? I haven't heard from you in months. Is everything all right?"

"Hi mom, Everything is good. I wanted to call and give you a heads up about somethings. I just need you to listen to me first then you can talk. Okay?"

"Okay, honey."

I feel Catherine squeeze my hand for encouragement and I lean down and kiss it.

"Okay so let's start with the movie industry. I have decided to leave the movie industry for good. I thought it was what I wanted but it's not. I was running and I thought being back in the movie business would help ease my pain. But it didn't. I, ugh, met someone when I went away for college and I was running from how that made me feel. I made some really stupid mistakes but now it's not really a mistake it's a blessing because it brought me back to her."

We can hear my mother take in a breathe. And I know she has something to say but I continue anyway.

"You're um, going to be a grandmother. My mistake was that I went to a college party with a guy I knew from school and one thing led to another and I found out I'm pregnant with twins. So congratulations. Also I'm moving back to Bloomington to be with Catherine. You remember her don't you mom? You saw her pick me up on Thanksgiving? I know you're probably disappointed and ashamed of me. God knows I didn't and couldn't do anything right by you growing up. I was a pawn to you and I guess that's what hurt the most because I should have been able to call you and have a heart to heart with you. Instead I spent my teenage years being farther and farther away from you."

I took a breather and waited. Catherine had my hands in her hand and she wiped away the tear that fell from my eye. And mouthed I love you and I'm so proud of you to me. I smile at her and kissed her quietly.

Lillian speaks up "Can I say something now?"

"Sure" I say

"Jackie, honey, I'm so sorry. I never meant for you to feel that I didn't want to be around. I know I told you before, but I truly didn't want to be a helicopter parent. You had so much going on and I thought that you couldn't possibly need me if you had Mark. And that was my mistake. I shouldn't have left you all by yourself especially after Mark died. I'd really love to start over with you. I missed so much of your life and I don't want to miss out on anymore or my grandchildren. I am surprised though to say the least. I heard about some of the rumors about you because whether or not we didn't talk didn't mean I didn't follow your career. You are my daughter and I love you so much. I just wanted you to do what made you happy, and I thought being on Neptune did that for you. Was I wrong?"

"No, mom you weren't wrong. Being on the show made me so happy. But after Mark died it just felt different and I know I asked to be written off by that time, then you gave Wade my number and it all started down hill from there. I was content at school. Sure it was hard for me because everyone wouldn't stop staring because I was different from them. But then I found my place. I knew what I wanted to do and where I wanted to go."

"Is that where you met her? Catherine? At school? I saw something about her being your teacher is that true?" She asks me.

"Yes mom I met Catherine at school. Saw her the first day I went to enroll. She took my breathe away. But then I didn't see her for a while. Then she had to substitute for my class one day and then I saw her at a mixer for psychology. That was going to be one of my majors not sure If I told you that or not. She mentored me and helped me. She was never my teacher except that one day which doesn't really count. After that I confided in her and talked to her. And then I messed up and we fought and stopped talking. I saw her the day before I left Bloomington and my heart knew I was making the biggest mistake but we had already started shooting Neptune.

I couldn't sleep one night and I called her and took her by surprise and she actually answered the phone and we talked and I surprised her by flying out earlier than I said I would. I wanted to tell her I was pregnant and quitting the industry in person. The babies had other ideas and wanted to make their presence known. But we talked through all that and I love her, I'm in love with her." I said with all the air leaving my lungs. I looked over at Catherine and winked at her.

My mother stated, "So are you in LA right now? Can I officially meet Catherine?"

"Yes we are in LA right now we're grabbing all of my things from my apartment tomorrow and then putting them in my Jeep and driving back to Bloomington, we are having a press conference on Wednesday and then after that we're coming back to the hotel and grabbing what we didn't pack and driving home. We're going to stop in between because I really can't be driving all that way and I don't want Catherine to drive all the way by herself."

My mother said "I understand, that would be a lot of driving for you both. Do you think I can see you before you leave? Maybe dinner tomorrow at our house? Just you me and Catherine.