"I agree, it seems like just yesterday I was bringing him home from the hospital. He will be off to college before I have a chance to blink," she said with some panic.
"It doesn't happen quite that quickly but it sure seems like it. I'm grateful my boys decided to live close to home. When Mark graduated and moved out a piece of my heart broke. Letting go of any of your children is hard but the youngest one is the final piece and it feels like a piece of you leaves with them. I'm also grateful they're finally marrying and giving me grandkids. It helps ease the heartache a little," she added.
Jessica looked guiltily down at her feet for a moment. She knew her father and Alex's parents were hoping to have many more grandkids but Jessica was so afraid to even bring it up with Alex. She was afraid he would say no and she would have to finally accept they couldn't stay together.
"Three grandkids in just under three years is pretty good," Jessica said instead.
"Yes, they really are a blessing. Joseph has been mumbling now about Mark settling down. I've told him time and again to leave the boy alone. He'll have kids when he's ready for it but you know Joseph, he's stubborn. He thinks he fools me but I've been married to the man for far too many years for him to get away with much," she said with a wink.
"He's definitely stubborn. His sons and grandsons have inherited that trait," Jessica said with a fond smile.
"I'm going to steal that new grandson of mine before Joseph gets his hands on him," Katherine said. She kissed Jessica's cheek and then headed over to Amy, who had just walked around the corner.
Amy walked over to Jessica, now that her arms were empty. "I barely get to see my kids when we are around this group," Amy complained but the twinkle in her eyes took away any bite in the words.
"I know how you feel," Jessica agreed with her sister-in-law.
"I really couldn't imagine being a part of one of those families who never speak to one another. It breaks my heart now to think about that," Amy said with true knowledge.
Jessica knew Amy had grown up with an addicted mother until the day she went into the foster care system. She'd worked her way through college and then met Lucas while working for the Anderson Corporation.
Having a close family was something Jessica had always taken for granted, whereas Amy had never known such a loving group of people. Jessica reached over and gave Amy a big hug. "I'm so glad you are my sister Amy. I'm glad you were able to find the family you were meant to have," Jessica said.
Amy had to wipe away a few tears, "now look what you made me do," she said with a sniffle. "I'm so glad to have you, too," she added.
"What's wrong Amy," Lucas came running up, as if he had radar built in. He was gathering Amy in his arms while scoping the yard to make sure his children and the rest of the family were all okay. He couldn't seem to find any danger and that led to his brow furrowing even more.
"Everything is just perfect, that's why I'm crying," she said with a sniffle.
Lucas looked at her like she'd lost her mind for a moment and that set both women off in a round of giggles. "Lucas, you have to understand we cry when we are happy and sad. It's just one of those mysterious things about women," Jessica finally managed to get out between giggles.
"Is everything okay," Alex asked as he looked from his brother to the two laughing women. Lucas gave him a look that seemed to say, you figure them out, which sent the girls off on another round of laughter. They were both holding their stomachs and tears were streaming down their faces they were laughing so hard.
"You've got to stop talking or I'm going to get a major cramp," Amy finally managed to get out between bits of laughter.
"Agreed," Jessica said.
Both guys threw up their hands and by mutual consent edged away from the girls. "We better go finish the grilling," Lucas said.
"Yeah, I'll help you," Alex eagerly took the cue and they fled.
After a few minutes Jessica and Amy were able to quit laughing. "I love doing that to him," Amy said mischievously.
"That was quite fun," Jessica agreed.
"Let's go get something to drink. All this laughter is great but man my stomach hurts now," Amy said. "Plus I have got to get off these feet; I swear they are still swollen and acting like I'm pregnant."
"I could use a drink myself. I've been fighting the flu and having a hard time keeping things down, so don't bring the baby to close to me. I would never forgive myself if I got my nephew sick," Jessica said.
The girls joined the rest of the party, stealing two very comfortable chairs for themselves. The food was excellent and Jessica was relaxed and calm.
"It's time to sing happy birthday," Alex shouted above the voices as he came walking out of the house with a large chocolate cake and a single candle burning in the center.
Jacob blew out his candle with the help of his father and then clapped his hands with everyone else. Everybody roared with laughter when Jacob stuck his little hand into the cake and smeared it all over himself, saying yummy over and over again.
Jessica's eyes filled with tears as she watched Alex stick his face into the cake with their son. She loved how much they were bonded. "Daddy likes cake too," Jacob squealed and then giggled.
"So does grandpa," Joseph said and took a big handful for himself.
"I think I'll pass on the cake," Jessica said with affection, while staring at her chocolate covered men.
"I will second that," Amy added.
"You don't know what you're missing," Alex said. Before she could stop him, Alex took a chocolate smeared finger and rubbed it down her nose. She stood there in shock for a moment and then fast as lightening scooped up a small piece of the cake and chucked it at her husband.
She saw the light of mischief come into his eyes and decided it was a great time to retreat. She took off running but Alex caught her in no time. He gently tackled her to the ground and rubbed his chocolate covered face against hers.
Jessica was laughing so hard she could barely speak. "Okay, okay I call truce," she finally managed to get out.
"There are no truces in a food war," he said and rubbed against her some more. Suddenly he seemed to realize he was stretched out on top of her. He had her hands pinned above her head and she was completely at his mercy.
Alex forgot their yard was filled with people. No one else seemed visible to him except his beautiful, chocolate covered wife. He bent his head down and instead of rubbing more chocolate on her, his lips met hers and he kissed her with an intenseness that wiped away all laughter.
Alex released her hands and they immediately wrapped around his neck so she could pull him tighter to her body.
"Um guys, I hate to interrupt you twice in one evening but this is a G-rated party," came the laughing voice of Mark once again.
Alex pulled apart from her reluctantly and growled at his brother. Jessica looked at her husband in shock. She then looked around her in embarrassment and was extremely grateful no one was paying the least bit of attention to them.
Alex finally got up and pulled Jessica to her feet. "This party can end anytime now," he said, with promise of completion to come. "As a matter of fact, no one would probably even notice if we disappeared for a little while," he offered her.
She was getting ready to agree with him and sneak off upstairs when Joseph walked up to them.
"Now that Jacob is a year old, when are you planning on giving him a sibling?" Joseph asked Alex. "You know a boy needs to have some younger sibling to harass," he added and looked pointedly at Mark.
Jessica was the only one who noticed the shutters lock into place on her husband's face. Her heart broke a little bit more. He'd gone from passionate lover, to closed off in about two seconds.
"Dad, you already have three grandkids, quit being so greedy," Alex finally managed to say in a stilted voice.
"Now son, you're not getting any younger. You better get working on things," Joseph continued, not noticing the sudden tension in his son. He winked at Alex and Jessica both, which made her blush again.
"Yeah, yeah, just enjoy the cake," Alex said and then quickly changed the subject. Jessica had her answer she hadn't wanted to face. Her husband definitely didn't plan on having more children with her. How could a night so full of promise just a moment ago have suddenly gone so dark?
The party went on even after Jacob finally succumbed to his exhaustion and went to bed. Jessica loved to watch the brothers laugh together and act like they were teenagers. She was putting on a fake mask the rest of the night though, because all she really wanted to do was crawl in bed and have herself a really good cry. She and Amy sat back and visited while the rest of the guests slowly started to depart.