The Billionaire's Dance(15)

Jessica decided if her marriage ended up not working she was going to  keep Julia with her. She was enjoying the help and could see Julia loved  children.

As Jessica sat in the garden, she tried to figure out how she really  felt about her husband. They did enjoy each other's company, she was  definitely attracted to him and they shared a child together. He was  unlike any man she'd ever known before. She would have to do some real  soul searching, because she was terrified to let her guard down and let  him in.

Jessica didn't know how long she sat in the garden daydreaming but soon  Julia was walking towards her with a fussy Jacob in her arms. "Your  son's ready for his lunch," Julia said with a smile.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't realize how long I'd been sitting out here,"  Jessica quickly said. She immediately got up and headed towards Julia  and her son.         

     



 

"You deserve some time to yourself. Don't feel guilty for enjoying a few  moments of peace in an otherwise hectic day," Julia chastised her  gently. "Your son can wait long enough for you to clean up," she added.

Jessica looked down at her hands and noticed they were covered with  dirt. She looked up and smiled sheepishly. "I guess I should wash my  hands before taking him," she replied. She bent down and kissed Jacob's  soft head before they headed inside.

Jessica cleaned up and took Jacob. It was really nice to have Julia's  help but holding her son was the most relaxing thing in the world to  her.

"Tell me about your last family," Jessica asked once her son was settled down and eating.

"They're a wonderful family. I worked for them for twenty years. I was  there for the births of the youngest two children and their oldest child  Justin was only a year old. Their mom was a lot like you. She wanted to  do everything on her own but found having some help gave her the extra  energy to be a great mother," Julia replied.

"It's really nice to have someone around. I've always thought doing  things on my own was the only way to do something but my mother's told  me many times it's okay to ask for help," Jessica said.

"I couldn't imagine my life any other way. I wasn't blessed to have a  family of my own. I do appreciate you sharing the joy of being there for  Jacob with me," she said with sincerity.

Jessica knew they were going to have a great relationship. "We're really glad you've come into our lives," she said.

They both chatted while Jacob ate, then Jessica excused herself and took  him to bed. She was comfortable enough in her home to take another nap,  knowing everything would be okay. She felt at peace in her home.



The next couple of months flew by in a blur. With Julia there to help  Jessica she was able to focus on her writing and felt like she was  accomplishing something. She still spent most of her time home but when  she ran errands or worked on her book she didn't feel like Jacob was  being neglected.

Her nights were regularly filled with passion. She and Alex didn't spend  much time together during the days, with him gone for work. But when  they climbed into bed together it was like they were there for the first  time, every time. It was magical and she knew if it were to end  suddenly her world would be destroyed. She was too dependent on Alex's  attention.

Jessica started to become restless around the big house. There didn't  seem to be a lot for her to do. When she received a call from an old  college friend, informing her about a part-time job at the local  newspaper for a writer she jumped at the chance. She'd already been  weaning Jacob and it would be great to get out of the house.

She was so afraid of losing her sense of self and she could work  part-time without guilt. Her child was in more than capable hands and  the staff ran the house. It would be good for her to do something simply  about her.





"Now Jessica, I want to remind you this isn't exciting news. It will be  covering city meetings and school events but it's still an important  part of the paper." Jessica was in Marcia's office, her editor,  discussing her new job details.

"I understand Marcia. I'm not out to change the world. It'll be nice to  be writing and get out of the house," Jessica reassured her new boss.

"Good. I'm glad we're on the same page. Your first assignment is at the  city hall. They have a meeting this afternoon at two. Do a short article  on the topics of discussion and of any issues that arise."

"I'll be there. Thank you for this opportunity Marcia. I really appreciate it."

"I have to admit I was a little surprised you wanted to work a job like  this. You have a very impressive resume and could work for any major  publication you wanted," Marcia stated.

"I'm a full time mother now and the kind of careers I'm qualified for  require sixty plus hours a week. I'm not willing to be away from my son  too much. I plan on eventually writing novels but would like to stay out  in the workforce as well." Many people assumed just because Jessica had  access to money beyond what most people ever dreamed of having she'd be  a spoiled heiress. It never took her long to prove herself though and  she knew she would gain the respect of her co-workers at the paper.

"Well, we're happy to have you join our team. The article is due by noon  tomorrow. I'll see you then." Marcia went back to work and Jessica  headed outside to her car. She had about an hour to kill before the city  hall meeting so she headed to the mall for a smoothie and some light  shopping.         

     



 

The meeting was a bore, as she knew it would be. It was difficult but  she managed to place a good spin on the article and her editor was more  than happy with her work. She found it amusing she was taking so much  pride in her small job but she felt useful and good about herself. It  was the first time in a while she felt needed.

She drove home, still feeling great. When she stepped through the doors,  she could smell the wonderful aroma of dinner cooking and hear Jacob  giggling somewhere. She followed the sound.

She stepped into the den and found Alex on his back, with Jacob  balancing on his knees like he was flying through the air. He let out  another giggle. Jacob spotted his mom and started wiggling to be let  down.

Alex looked up to see what caught his son's attention, then gave Jessica  one of his killer smiles. Setting Jacob on the floor, the baby crawled  as fast as his chubby legs would allow to his mother.

Jessica scooped him up in her arms. "How's my handsome young man?" she  spoke to her son, as she nuzzled his neck, causing more giggles.

"He's doing great. How was your first day at work?" Alex seemed genuinely interested, which surprised Jessica.

"It was actually great. I know it's not a big time paper and my name  isn't going to go up in lights or anything but I like the people down  there and it's nice to be working again," Jessica said, almost  defensively.

"Hey, I'm not judging you," Alex said, while holding his hands out.  "Seriously, I really want to know how your day went and what you did,"  he finished.

Jessica eyed him suspiciously for a few moments and then decided to tell him about her article and the people she'd met.

"I need to go in tomorrow for a couple of hours and then I thought I  would go to the salon. I haven't had my hair or nails done since before  Jacob was born and it would feel heavenly," she said with a little guilt  for leaving her son while she pampered herself.

"You deserve to take some time for yourself. You have nothing to feel  guilty about. Jacob is fine. He knows you love him and he won't be  scarred for life because his mother got her nails done. Stop being so  hard on yourself," he stated, as if he could read her mind.

"I know you're right but I promised myself I wouldn't be one of those  mothers who left her child in someone else's care while she ran all over  the place. It feels wrong, especially with him still being a baby." She  headed over to the bar and poured herself a half glass of wine.

Jacob was happily playing with some of his toys on the floor. Jessica and Alex sat on the couch and watched him amuse himself.

"You're a great mother. If you take care of your own need as well as  his, you'll always be a great mother. Women who sacrifice everything for  their husbands or children end up resentful. You don't want that to  happen do you?"

Jessica looked at Alex, slightly puzzled. This was one of the most real  conversations they'd ever had. It was nice to come home and voice her  concerns with the man she loved. Her world stopped as she realized she  really did love Alex. She'd tried to avoid it but she loved her time  with him. She loved how he was with their son and she loved what he  stood for.

She was so afraid her face would somehow show her newfound feelings so  she stood up, under the pretense of checking a toy Jacob was playing  with. She composed her features, then turned back towards Alex.

"Thanks Alex. I needed to hear that. I'll take a little me time and not  feel guilty about it. I'm going to wash up and change for dinner." She  didn't give him time to answer her. She quickly slipped from the room  and headed to her shower, where she could wash her worries away.