The Billionaire's Dance(16)

By the time Jessica came back downstairs, dinner was ready and Jacob was  seated in his high chair. He was happily stuffing creamed food into his  own mouth. More food was on him than in him but he enjoyed himself so  it was okay.

"I hope you had a great first day at work," Julia said.

"It was very nice. How did the day go with Jacob?"

"He was his usual happy self. He took only a short nap this afternoon  though, so I think he'll be ready for bed early tonight. He's almost  finished with his supper so I'll take him up for a bath while you eat."  Jessica was happy they'd found Julia. She knew Julia loved Jacob as much  as Alex and she did. She was certainly an invaluable member of their  family now.

"Thank you Julia. I know I don't say it enough but I'm grateful you're a  part of our family. I could've never spent the afternoon away from my  son if I wasn't one hundred percent sure he was in capable hands."  Jessica got up and gave Julia a hug.         

     



 

"The honor's all mine. You have a beautiful family and I'm very happy to  be a part of it," Julia said before heading off to bathe Jacob.

Alex and Jessica finished their supper in an almost uncomfortable  silence. When they were talking about Jacob or making love they were in  perfect harmony. In any other situation the silence was awkward.

"I'll be going to my brother's ranch tomorrow," Alex finally broke the silence.

"That's good. You haven't taken a day off in a while," Jessica replied.

"He has a roundup that needs done and then we're all going to meet for a barbeque afterwards," he continued.

Jessica was nervous. She hadn't been around his family since the  wedding. Joseph and Katherine came over regularly to play with Jacob and  Alex had taken the baby over to his siblings a couple of times but  there hadn't been any family gatherings. She was nervous to face them  all as a group.

It was especially nerve wracking to be around Lucas and Amy. They were  so obviously in love with each other and she herself felt like such a  fraud. Jessica knew each day she spent with Alex she fell a little bit  more in love but she also knew he didn't return the feelings. If they  didn't have Jacob together they wouldn't have a marriage at all.

"I'm not sure if I'll be able to attend tomorrow but if you want to have  your parents stop by and grab Jacob that would be okay," she tried to  say nonchalantly.

Alex stared at her for a few moments before responding. "Look Jessica, I  understand my family can be overwhelming and you're still trying to get  used to everything but they would be hurt if you didn't come. Your  parents will even be there. Can you please just forget about everything  else going on for one day and come enjoy yourself?" he asked, while  never breaking eye contact.

Jessica knew once again she'd been defeated. Her parents would drag her  there anyway if they saw she didn't show up. She could try and fake an  illness but her mother knew her more than anyone. She would take one  look at her and it would be over.

"I just had to work on an article I was writing but I'll do it the next  day," she finally conceded, hoping he bought her story. She didn't want  him to know she was really just a coward.

Alex continued to look at her for a while before he nodded. She knew he  didn't buy her story but thankfully he was man enough to not call her on  her lies.

"I'm going to head up to bed and read for a while," Jessica finally said, having lost all of her appetite.

"I have some work to finish up. I'll join you in a while," Alex replied before getting up and heading out of the room.

Jessica wanted to talk to him about her feelings and try and make the  marriage about more than just their son and sex but she didn't know how  to bridge the gap. She was afraid if she brought anything real up, he  would run from her.





Chapter Six





"Surprised you could climb out of the newlywed bed long enough to join  us," Mark took a shot at his brother, while punching his arm. "Heck we  didn't see Lucas for at least six months," he continued.

"You're lucky you're seeing me now. Amy's about to have the baby," Lucas  said, while looking down at his phone for the hundredth time.

"Trust me; your ringer is working just fine. If anything happens you will be the first one who knows about it," Mark laughed.

"I know. I know. I worry so much about her being so pregnant. I know  she's with mom and dad but man, it's hard to be away from her right  now," he smiled sheepishly.

"Thank the lord I'm still single. You two are just a little too gushy for my tastes," Mark sighed before jumping the fence.

Lucas and Alex were right behind him. "You'll be next you know. We both  thought we would hold out and look at us. Not only are we married but  fathers as well. Your day is coming," Alex grinned at his younger  brother.

"No way man, I'm a confirmed bachelor and that's how I would like to  keep it. I have my hands full with all of these animals. I don't have  any time for women or babies in my life," he added.

Lucas and Alex just looked at each other and smiled. They knew their  younger brother would fall and it would be their pleasure to watch it  happen. "I thought you said there was some work to be done," Alex goaded  him.

"You'll be begging me to stop by the end of the day. I bet you fall over  and embarrass yourself in front of your bride," he said with a hopeful  wink.

"Bring it on little brother," Alex replied, accepting the challenge.         

     



 

If an outsider was looking at the trio of men they'd think they belonged  on a ranch. No one would be able to tell Lucas and Alex both worked in  offices and flew around the world on Jets. Mark, of course was a full  time rancher but it was by choice. He'd decided early on in his life  office work wasn't what he wanted to do.

Their father, Joseph loved his boys intensely and supported their  decisions. When Mark decided to ranch he supported him one hundred  percent.

Lucas, Alex and Mark looked dashing in their worn Stetson hats and boots  and painted on jeans. They rode the horses around like rodeo champions  and literally stopped women in their tracks when they went by.

The brothers spent the afternoon bringing the cattle in and branding  them. Mid afternoon they stopped by the lake for some lunch and basked  in the summer heat.

"Any time you boys are ready to trade in your suits and run the ranch  with me, you know you're welcome," Mark said with a cheeky grin.

"You know I love the land and helping you out here is a little slice of  heaven but it wouldn't take long before the appeal of travel and a nice  clean suit would be calling my name," Alex said.

"You know dad would lasso you up for trying to take me away from the  office. He's retired and doesn't want to go back," Lucas added.

"I'm just saying … " Mark left the sentence unfinished.

Lucas and Alex both sighed in unison.

"Ok last one in has to do the grilling," Mark said while stripping down to his boxers in record time and diving into the lake.

"Ah crap," Alex yelled while trying to yank his boots off. He glanced  over and saw Lucas had the lead. Lucas dived in about two seconds before  he did.

"I think you guys cheated again," Alex laughed. "You know you just want  me grilling because I'm the best one at it. You guys always burn that  beautiful Angus Meat," he added.

"Hey, when you're right, you're right," Mark said before sending a slew of water right into Alex's face.

"Now the war's on," Alex stated before a massive water fight erupted.  When the brothers all got together, it was like they were teenagers once  again. They had a bond stronger than most siblings and all three of  them would take a bullet for one another. They knew they were so close  due to being raised by phenomenal parents.

"Ok, ok, I call a truce," Lucas finally said, while dragging himself out  of the water. Mark and Alex followed. The three of them settled down on  the soft grass and enjoyed the sounds of nature all around them.

"So how are things with your wife and amazing son going?" Lucas asked Alex.

"Things are great. Jacob is growing like a weed. I can't believe how  important he is to me. I can even imagine having about ten more of him  running around," Alex said with true fondness for his son.

"And what about Jessica?" Mark asked.

Alex hesitated for a moment. He didn't really know how to describe his  relationship with his wife. He knew if he told his brothers it was none  of their business they'd back off and leave him alone but it would feel  good to talk about his conflicted emotions.

"Honestly, it's really complicated. We married because basically I  didn't give her any choice. She had my son, which she kept from me," he  said with an edge to his voice. He was still unhappy she hadn't told him  about the pregnancy. "Somewhere along the line though, in the last few  months I've found I'm excited to see her. I look forward to coming home,  knowing she'll be there." He didn't add anything else. He didn't want  to even mention the Love word.