A/N: This chapter was inspired by "You And Me" by You+Me (Pink and Dallas Green) and Sleeping At Last's "Turning Page."
Jessilynn saw the subtle changes in Philip as the weeks wore on. He still had an occasional nightmare and there were things he grappled with in his own mind, but he seemed more at ease.
They continued to eat and operate alongside each other in a comfortable companionship, growing closer as the days passed.
"I can't remember the last time I had this much fun," Jessilynn joked as they sifted through supplies at an old hardware store miles from home. She was rifling through the clothes and held up a pair of overalls for him to see.
Philip raised an eyebrow and smirked.
"What do you say? I could pull this off, don't you think?" she said, pressing them to her front as if to model them.
"Sure," he agreed, trying to stay on neutral ground. If he had really said what he was thinking — that she could pose in anything and he'd still want her even with nothing on — she might not take kindly to it.
Jessilynn lowered the overalls and stared at him.
"Something on your mind?" she asked.
"Nope," Philip flippantly replied, flashing one of his brilliant smiles she had come to adore.
"Really?" she questioned, moving closer to him. "Are you certain?"
She was beginning the feel things for him that she shouldn't, and every once a while, she wondered if he wasn't fighting it, too. Like right now.
Daring to step out of her comfort zone, Jessilynn stood in front of him and looked up into his face. He stiffened when she placed her hand on the scruff of his cheek.
"You don't have to hide yourself from me, Philip. I accept you as you are, right here and now," she said. "I know you have demons from your past that haunt you. Don't let them keep you from living in this moment, on this day. We aren't guaranteed tomorrow."
Philip sighed and placed his hand on top of hers.
"You are special kind of lady, Jessilynn. You deserve someone who isn't me. And yet all I can think about is how you were put in my life for a reason, guiding me through this darkness, making me a better man," he said.
"I shouldn't want you like I do," he added.
Jessilynn blushed.
"Then that makes two of us," she replied.
Their reverie was broken when they heard a shelf crash behind them.
They drove home in her father's truck as dusk was falling, sharing looks like teenagers who just discovered the opposite sex.
In the end, Jessilynn had stuffed the overalls in her bag along with assorted other articles of clothing for both her and Philip.
After unloading their stash and eating some deer jerky, Jessilynn shyly glanced at Philip as he sprawled out on the couch for the night. Biting her lip, she finally mustered up the courage to speak.
"Why don't you spend tonight with me in the bed?" she asked, nearly stumbling over her words. "I mean, it is getting colder outside. And body warmth is better than blankets, right?"
Philip felt parts of his body jump at the thought. He knew if he agreed to climb into bed with her, there would be no going back for him.
"Darlin', I'd like nothing better than to spend the night with you," he said, "but I once I'm in it, I won't want to leave it. Are you sure that's what you want?"
Jessilynn's expression, which had initially been crestfallen, as she feared rejection, brightened and she nodded.
"I'm positive," she said, extending her hand to him.
Over dinner 12 weeks later, Jessilynn fidgeted with her napkin before finally looking Philip straight in the eye.
"I'm pregnant," she announced.
Philip set his fork down and leaned back, staring at the ceiling for a moment as if seeking answers while taking a deep breath.
In all honesty, the news hit him in the gut. He hadn't ever expected to be a father again. That God would bless him in this way — giving him a second chance no less — he felt overwhelmed.
Jessilynn had no idea what Philip's reaction would be and was stunned when he came out of his chair and fell to his knees in front of her, burying his face in her abdomen. His tears seeped into her shirt.