Authors: Jennifer Labelle
Alex rubbed it in and Jenna couldn’t take anymore. Rolling her eyes, she watched herself walk away.
She woke up feeling weird, wondering what all that was about. It was pitch black in the room, and she tried hard to fall back to sleep but couldn’t. Dreams, she thought, weird dreams. Then Brady came to mind. Why wasn’t he in any of them anymore? It was silly, but she missed those fantasies desperately. They filled a void in a time of loneliness, and also gave her some good ammunition when she pleasured herself.
Turning on the lamp, she got up to get a book to read. There was nothing more relaxing, and she laughed picking up a sappy romance one. It was a weird coincidence after thinking about Brady only a minute ago, her love life, or lack thereof. She smiled, wondering if this might bring him back to her somehow. With the lack of romance in her life, reading about it couldn’t hurt. She missed the intimacy, someone to go to bed with, to cuddle up to, and even just to talk to.
Sighing heavily she crawled back into bed, moving what used to be Tyler’s pillow to her side. Holding it made her wonder when she was going to find love again.
She read the first five chapters and sighed when the good parts were coming. Enough was enough. Lying back down, she cuddled against the pillow beside her and eventually drifted back to sleep, and still no sign of Brady.
In the morning, Sam stopped by for coffee. “So I had another dream last night.” Jenna began. “It looks like Tyler’s going to have a girl this time,” she said and then she laughed. “Alex likes the name Skyler.”
Sam rolled her eyes calling Tyler a dick. She was more upset than Jenna had been when she was told. It was pretty comical, but Sam always knew how to make her laugh without trying.
With a smile, Jenna continued, “By the way, you were quite annoying so whatever it is that you have planned, I’d prefer you wait until you’re actually ready to give it to me rather than handing me an envelope filled with blank paper.”
“
What are you talking about?”
“
I’m not sure actually. In the dream, you said Happy Birthday and handed me an envelope with blank papers in it. Only it was Jayden’s birthday, not mine, and then you said you didn’t want to ruin the surprise right away but looked forward to my reaction and that it was something I’ve always wanted. It was all quite annoying.” She shrugged her shoulders and watched Sam’s reaction closely.
“So where there anymore fantasies about Brady?” she teased, taking the subject off herself.
“No,” Jenna admitted with disappointment. “He hasn’t come to me in months, but my vibrator is working overtime.” She chuckled and then shrugged.
Sam gave her a wide smile. “Well, one of these days I may have to introduce you to him. How about it? You, me, and Ireland?”
“As if, I sincerely doubt I’m going to ever get out of this place to vacation. Ireland is tempting, Sam, but I’d hate to think of poor Jayden stuck with Alex for a few weeks.” Jenna shuddered at the thought. “The poor baby.”
The thought of taking a vacation sounded appealing. It had been ages, since she’d had one, but the prospect was highly unlikely, and she figured Sam was only kidding anyway.
* * * *
The holiday’s passed, and it was time to tell Jayden the important news about becoming a big brother, no matter how uncomfortable the subject was. Tyler had come by so they could do it together.
“
You’re not going away again are you?” Jayden looked as if he was about to hyperventilate.
“
No, Jayden. You’re dad is having a baby with Alex this time, not me. I’m not going anywhere.”
Explaining things to Jayden seemed to calm him a little afterwards, but then he looked confused. “You could do that?” he asked Tyler.
He’d asked so innocently that they both laughed. Tyler had been pretty quiet up until that point. He almost fell off the couch he laughed so hard. That was it for Jayden. Shrugging his shoulders, Jayden rushed off again to go play.
“You see. I knew he’d be fine.” Jenna rubbed it in. Tyler had been overly stressed out about breaking the news to Jayden, and other than getting worked up in the beginning, he took it well. His ‘You can do that?’ was priceless.
Jenna sighed, it seemed the only one who took it hard at first was her, and she needed a subject change. “By the way, I had another vision, and it was about your baby.”
“The visions, right.” He laughed, looking at her like she was a nut so Jenna challenged him.
“
Test me then, if you’re in such disbelief.”
He sighed, getting comfortable. “All right, Jenna, I’ll humor you. Let’s have it. You’ve had a vision…” He paused, waiting for her to continue.
She smiled, excited with the anticipation of freaking him out, knowing that she’d prove herself. “It’s a girl this time,” she told him. “And Alex likes the name Skyler because it’s similar to yours.”
He laughed at her, but Jenna shrugged it off, not really caring whether he believed her or not. He’d soon find out, and then she’d be the one left laughing. It couldn’t get much better than freaking out your ex-husband. They were slowly improving on their civility towards each other, meaning Jenna had lightened up a little more around him. They were slowly making their way back to friendship status. She just had to keep things strictly platonic from now on.
* * * *
Three months later she stood in her kitchen. Tyler and Alex had just arrived, and the others were due at any minute. Tyler didn’t usually like having Jenna and Alex in the same room so it was a shock to see her in the living room once more. Alex was sporting a little baby bulge, and Jenna needed some air. She had to get over it. She knew she did. Seeing a pregnant Alex was just something she hadn’t mentally prepared herself for. It brought back all the betrayal, like an instant replay, and visualizing Alex naked again certainly wasn’t a highlight of the day. She escaped to the kitchen.
“
Get a grip,” she muttered talking to herself. This was her son’s birthday. If anything she could pull it together for him.
“
Might as well get used to it, whether you like it or not Alex is going to be a part of the family.” Shaking her head because she was talking to herself, she busied herself with preparing food and refreshments.
Sam walked in to keep her company. “Are you okay?”
Jenna nodded. “Yep, just finishing up before the house is packed with family and friends.”
“So that’s why you’re hiding in here. I thought maybe it was because of Ms. She Devil in there. You know I used to think that she was a bitch among other things, but now I’m thinking she’s more like a cow. Let’s hope that she get’s huge stretch marks, spider veins, and a long and painful labor and delivery.” Wiggling her hands like she was casting some sort of spell, she made Jenna laugh.
“
You’re a wicked woman, Sam. Remind me to stay on your good side. Now behave and help me take this stuff to the living room.”
Jenna had bowls of chips and cheesies, a veggie platter with dip, nachos, pizza, and mini submarines. She’d expected a good turn out and thought it was better to have over planned than to come up short on anything. “Let’s hope that everyone is hungry.”
“Wait,” Sam said. “Before you mingle, I was hoping that we could talk about something first.”
Jenna stopped and wondered what couldn’t wait until later. “Sure, Sam, what’s up?”
“Well, you kind of ruined the surprise a couple months ago, but I want to tell you about it now so that you can make the proper arrangements. I also wanted to brighten your day. You could use it.” She looked towards the living room. “So I’ve been thinking about you and Brady, and it’s time that you finally moved on, so here.” She reached out to place a white envelope in the palm of Jenna’s hand. “Happy Birthday is what I apparently say, right? It’s a little early but…” Sam shrugged.
Jenna laughed, remembering the dream. “Let me guess. Is it empty? Or I know it must be blank paper.”
“
Just open it.”
So she did anxiously. “What’s this?” Taking a closer look, Jenna felt like she was going to tear up right then and there. “A travel brochure, Sam? To Ireland, are you kidding me?”
“
I made arrangements to go this summer, so there is plenty of time to make arrangements for Jayden. He goes to your parents around that time every year, and I thought it’d be perfect timing.” Sam gave her a hug, looking anxious and yet excited at the same time.
Smiling wide, Jenna was still in disbelief and actually had the butterflies in the stomach type of excitement at the possibility.
Right away Sam had interpreted her silence as a negative and began her argument. “Jenna, I’ve already made all the arrangements, so I’m not letting you back out. We’ll have so much fun, and I’ll even introduce you to Brady.” She smiled, “Your fantasy may become a reality, you never know. Just take a chance and do something for yourself for a change.”
“
I’m quiet because I’m touched not because I don’t want to go. A little nervous, I’ll admit. I mean, I haven’t vacationed in forever, and well, meeting your sexy cousin does sound tempting.” She laughed, “The prospect is very exciting, Sam. How could I refuse such a generous gift?”
Sam screeched in delight, while Jenna laughed at her enthusiasm. “A vacation, some fun, and meeting Brady,” she said, with the initial shock that the trip was actually going to happen wearing off. “Wow.” She’d always wanted to travel, and Sam just gave her the opportunity. What could it hurt? It was going to be an experience of a lifetime.
“I wondered what was keeping you.” Tyler cleared his throat, not taking his eyes off Jenna. “Need any help?”
Jenna eyed Sam and wondered how much Tyler had heard. She quickly put the brochure into the cupboard and grabbed a few trays to carry out. “Sure, you can help with these.” She nodded in the direction of the remaining things and headed away. “Sounds like everyone is finally here, are you coming?”
She left feeling Tyler’s eyes on her, and why she was nervous about what he’d heard she wasn’t sure. Knowing Tyler, he wouldn’t like it though. Travelling, mysterious men, and possibly moving on was not subjects of conversation she wanted to have with her ex.
His eyes had stayed on her for most of the afternoon. Almost every time she turned around, he was there, watching. Something was definitely bothering him, and she knew she’d eventually find out how much he’d heard. Sidetracked in thought and the surrounding commotion, Jenna hadn’t noticed Alex’s approach.
“
It’s a girl. Did Tyler tell you?”
“Um, congratulations and no, I haven’t had much of an opportunity to speak with Tyler today. A girl, that’s just amazing.” Jenna repeated, trying not to laugh. “Do you have any names picked out?”
“I was thinking either Alexis or Skyler, since they’re both similar to Tyler and mine.”
“Skyler is a very beautiful name. I mean they both are.” She began to giggle, unable to contain it any longer. Ooh, she had to see Tyler now that it was confirmed, because it was time for an ‘I told you so.’ This was going to be good. “If you’ll excuse me.”
Tyler was across the room, talking with Jenna’s parents. With a smile plastered on her face, there was nothing that was going to get in the way of her upcoming gloating session.
“
Tyler, can I see you for a minute?” Before he could answer, she tugged him away. “If you’ll please excuse us.”
The house was packed so she led him to the basement, thinking that nobody would look for them there. Finally alone, she grabbed his hand and laughed again. “So I’ve heard the good news. Are you freaked out because I’ve finally made you believe in my visions?”
“
Jenna, who’s Brady?”
Jenna sat down on the couch with a thump. “He’s Sam’s distant cousin, why?”
He sighed heavily and joined her on the couch. “And you and Sam are planning to go visit him.”
Jenna nodded. “Most likely. We’re planning a trip to Ireland and he happens to live there.”