Post by RMT-Mod-Kara on Sept 17, 2016 21:02:34 GMT -5
School was getting tougher as the weeks rolled by. Jess never thought medical school would be easy but she was still just taking her darn electives. If she were certain about one thing, it was that her classes were only going to get harder from here. Midterms were right around the corner and she was marching her butt to the campus library to do some studying. With a muffin in one hand and a capaccino in the other, she walked across the lawn between the parking lot and the buildings. Her backpack weighed heavily on her shoulders but she was determined to make it there without having to stop. It was hard to find an available table in the library and she really didn't want to have to sit on the floor.
Halfway to the library, she spotted Tyler heading in the same direction. It had been a while since they had spoken so she waved him down, picking up her pace a bit to catch up to him. "Tyler!"
Tyler was almost to the doors of the library to return a book and pick up the journal articles that they'd printed out for him. He hadn't anticipated running into anyone and he definitely hadn't anticipated that the anyone might be Jessica. He turned and smiled at her, but continued to walk. What the hell was she doing here? He mentally kicked himself at such a dumb ass question. She was going to school of course. Why couldn't she have just stayed in Boston and made things easier on everyone? Now here she was buddying up to his cousin, Ben and of course freaking Kristen out. Tyler was determined not to engage her for any length of time.
Inwardly he ached slightly. He missed his friend, Jessica. The one that was married to Kristen's brother. But then things had changed. She'd gotten all upset about a bullet to her brother's knee. He had to roll his eyes at that one. Hell, he took a bullet for Kristen. He'd do it again and again if he had to. He wasn't so easily frightened off.
She slowed down once she caught up to him, then walked alongside him toward the library. "Hey!" she greeted, as she tried to catch her breath. She totally missed the fact that he didn't bother to greet her. "How are you? I haven't talked to you in forever. Everyone doing good?"
Tyler opened the library doors, "Hey, Jessica." He held it for her so she could pass through then he followed her inside. Tyler held the book he was returning in his hand, "Doing great - a little busy but everyone's doing well." He shrugged. He didn't really want to get too far into the whole play by play about how the boys were growing and just now discovering each other. And he definitely didn't want to get into the fact that Kristen was already pregnant again.
Jessica set her drink and muffin down so that she could fish her school id out of her backpack. "That's good!" she replied, "I think about you guys all the time. I'm glad everything is working out." She handed her id over and was granted entrance to the rest of the building. "Funny coincidence... your cousin, Ben? He lives in my building. We've kinda been hangin out."
"Yeah that is some coincidence," Tyler handed the book over to the librarian. "I just need to return that please and there's supposed to be some printed journal articles here for me." He smiled politely and then turned to look at Jessica, not really saying much else. God, he was a complete failure when it came to being a jerk.
"How's school going?"
Jess nodded, completely oblivious to the fact that Tyler was trying to avoid talking to her. "Yea... he's really cool. He helped me paint my apartment and he's kinda turned into my 'go-to-man'." she laughed. "Umm... school is good. I've gotta do some major studying. These classes are a lot harder than I thought."
"It's only going to get harder," he shrugged and signed the form the librarian gave him. Then leaned against the counter waiting for his articles. "But I'm sure you can handle it."
Jess picked up her muffin and took a bite as she waited with Tyler. "Yea... I can tell already." she said with a nod, "But I have faith in myself, ya know? And hey... if you can do it with two babies at home and a wife... then I should be able to without a sweat." she added with a smile.
Did she just insult him? His train of thought was interrupted by the librarian who had to explain something to him about the articles he'd requested. He turned his attention to her confirming that he only needed one copy of each article.
Once he was sure she understood what he needed, he returned his attention to Jessica, "Hm, yeah, probably something like that...." He almost felt like he had to make excuses for the fact that he was successful.
"Come on.. you're able to do this with only a couple hours of sleep!" she continued, smiling, "I admire you for being able to stick to school and still get awesome grades with a family at home. You're gonna be some doctor someday." She wanted so badly to ask about the baby, but she didn't want to push the subject. When the deal went down between them, it was accepted that Jess would be able to keep tabs on the baby now and then. Ever since she came back to Boston, things have felt so different. She had a feeling they were avoiding her and didn't want her to see Eli.
How was he supposed to be cruel or dismissive? He was just as concerned as Kristen that Jessica would change her mind about the adoption, but damnit Jessica wasn't just some girl off the streets who made the decision to give her baby up for adoption because she didn't want the responsibility. She had done so because she feared for the life of her baby. Perhaps her fear was legitimate - Tyler didn't really think that Colby would have harmed Jessica or their baby. But he did feel if Colby had wanted Jessica's brother, Jackson, dead, then it would have been done already.
Tyler had experience with the Lefabres - he'd even taken a bullet fired by Vanessa. Maybe he was cut from a different cloth than Jessica or maybe the way he felt about Kristen was was stronger than the way Jessica ever felt about Colby. Seeing and hearing how Kristen talked about the way her brother was reacting to the situation he was in now with Belle was all the evidence Tyler needed to know that in whatever twisted way Colby HAD done what was best for Jessica and Jackson in how he had handled the situation that drove them both to Boston.
"Thank you, Jessica, I appreciate that but you know what it all boils down to is that no matter how hard it gets...how tired I am at the end of the day, I do what I do for my family," he smiled. He wasn't trying to slam her, he liked her. He'd always liked Jessica, but one could tell by looking at her that there was no way she would ever be able to handle the complexity of the Lefabre family - not that Tyler really spent that much time thinking about it. It tended to give him a tension headache.
Jess nodded in agreement. She knew what it was like to do what you had to for your family. Hell, she gave her son away in order to protect him and guarantee him a better life. Colby was dangerous and she didn't want him having a potentially hazardous influence on her child. Giving Eli to Kristen and Tyler was the best thing she could do.
"Yea... I know all about sacrifice, remember?" she asked kindly, tilting her head to the side, "Speaking of... you don't happen to have a picture on you....?"
Did he have a picture? Was that a rhetorical question? Of course he had a picture. "Jessica, do you really think thats for the best?" He was afraid that if she saw him, the baby boy he'd grown into with little hamhock thighs. Just the thought of that sweet little baby made Tyler smile.
"Look, Jessica, I'm not trying to be cruel...but I don't know that it's such a good idea..." he took a deep breath. "Do you really want to do that to yourself?"
Jess looked at Tyler as he clearly objected to her seeing a picture of her biological son. She frowned, "What are you talking about? Tyler... part of the agreement wasn't completely shutting me out. We agreed to keep it open between us. Is there something you and Kristen wanna tell me?"
"Jessica, I know. I'm not trying to be mean or to shut you out. I'm trying to keep you from being hurt..." He tensed his jaw, turned and gathered the articles that were finally finished and then headed for the door. His reasons were many. First of all, Eli was a Lefabre, through and through. There was little doubt that the father was Colby. If Jessica had ever loved Colby, Tyler thought perhaps she would feel the pain of love lost. He didn't want her to feel that. Of course, it might also help her forget about the baby she'd given up if she knew he looked like his father.
"You know what? You're right." He opened his wallet determined to show her the son she gave up because she was too afraid of his father. He pulled out a couple of photos, one of the boys a few months younger and one of Eli that was taken within in the last week or so.
Jess was about to protest his comment about her getting hurt but then he pulled out some photos and handed them to her. All attention was on the pictures in her hand. She looked down at them, going over each one more than once, studying every curve of her baby boy's face. A smile finally managed to form on her face, "My God....Tyler, it's crazy how much he looks..." She didn't need to finish her sentence. Tyler knew who Eli looked like. "Good to see you feed him well." she chuckled, referring to the chubbiness in the baby's face. "Jacob is beautiful too, Tyler." she said, handing the photos back to him. "Thank you."
Nodding, Tyler acknowledged her gratitude. He didn't need to confirm for her who Eli looked like. They both knew. He was full on Lefabre. "They don't let us miss a meal," he smiled softly. "Thank you."
He motioned to the door, "I should probably get going. I have a few things to do before I get to call it a day."
Jess nodded with a sigh, "Yea.. right." she said, offering a smile, "Sorry for holding you up. Will you uh... tell Kristen to call me?" she asked, figuring it was a waste of time but there was always a chance. She couldn't dodge her forever. "Just wanna, you know...."
Nodding slightly, Tyler adjusted his backpack on his shoulder and glanced at the door, "I'll give her the message." He would tell Kristen about their conversation and the fact that Jessica had asked to see the photo. And yes, he'd even tell Kristen that Jessica wanted her to call. But none of that meant that Kristen would call Jessica. If she did, Tyler was concerned that it wouldn't be a pleasant exchange.
"See ya around, Jessica," he pulled the door open and waved then he disappeared through the doors that led back outside.
Halfway to the library, she spotted Tyler heading in the same direction. It had been a while since they had spoken so she waved him down, picking up her pace a bit to catch up to him. "Tyler!"
Tyler was almost to the doors of the library to return a book and pick up the journal articles that they'd printed out for him. He hadn't anticipated running into anyone and he definitely hadn't anticipated that the anyone might be Jessica. He turned and smiled at her, but continued to walk. What the hell was she doing here? He mentally kicked himself at such a dumb ass question. She was going to school of course. Why couldn't she have just stayed in Boston and made things easier on everyone? Now here she was buddying up to his cousin, Ben and of course freaking Kristen out. Tyler was determined not to engage her for any length of time.
Inwardly he ached slightly. He missed his friend, Jessica. The one that was married to Kristen's brother. But then things had changed. She'd gotten all upset about a bullet to her brother's knee. He had to roll his eyes at that one. Hell, he took a bullet for Kristen. He'd do it again and again if he had to. He wasn't so easily frightened off.
She slowed down once she caught up to him, then walked alongside him toward the library. "Hey!" she greeted, as she tried to catch her breath. She totally missed the fact that he didn't bother to greet her. "How are you? I haven't talked to you in forever. Everyone doing good?"
Tyler opened the library doors, "Hey, Jessica." He held it for her so she could pass through then he followed her inside. Tyler held the book he was returning in his hand, "Doing great - a little busy but everyone's doing well." He shrugged. He didn't really want to get too far into the whole play by play about how the boys were growing and just now discovering each other. And he definitely didn't want to get into the fact that Kristen was already pregnant again.
Jessica set her drink and muffin down so that she could fish her school id out of her backpack. "That's good!" she replied, "I think about you guys all the time. I'm glad everything is working out." She handed her id over and was granted entrance to the rest of the building. "Funny coincidence... your cousin, Ben? He lives in my building. We've kinda been hangin out."
"Yeah that is some coincidence," Tyler handed the book over to the librarian. "I just need to return that please and there's supposed to be some printed journal articles here for me." He smiled politely and then turned to look at Jessica, not really saying much else. God, he was a complete failure when it came to being a jerk.
"How's school going?"
Jess nodded, completely oblivious to the fact that Tyler was trying to avoid talking to her. "Yea... he's really cool. He helped me paint my apartment and he's kinda turned into my 'go-to-man'." she laughed. "Umm... school is good. I've gotta do some major studying. These classes are a lot harder than I thought."
"It's only going to get harder," he shrugged and signed the form the librarian gave him. Then leaned against the counter waiting for his articles. "But I'm sure you can handle it."
Jess picked up her muffin and took a bite as she waited with Tyler. "Yea... I can tell already." she said with a nod, "But I have faith in myself, ya know? And hey... if you can do it with two babies at home and a wife... then I should be able to without a sweat." she added with a smile.
Did she just insult him? His train of thought was interrupted by the librarian who had to explain something to him about the articles he'd requested. He turned his attention to her confirming that he only needed one copy of each article.
Once he was sure she understood what he needed, he returned his attention to Jessica, "Hm, yeah, probably something like that...." He almost felt like he had to make excuses for the fact that he was successful.
"Come on.. you're able to do this with only a couple hours of sleep!" she continued, smiling, "I admire you for being able to stick to school and still get awesome grades with a family at home. You're gonna be some doctor someday." She wanted so badly to ask about the baby, but she didn't want to push the subject. When the deal went down between them, it was accepted that Jess would be able to keep tabs on the baby now and then. Ever since she came back to Boston, things have felt so different. She had a feeling they were avoiding her and didn't want her to see Eli.
How was he supposed to be cruel or dismissive? He was just as concerned as Kristen that Jessica would change her mind about the adoption, but damnit Jessica wasn't just some girl off the streets who made the decision to give her baby up for adoption because she didn't want the responsibility. She had done so because she feared for the life of her baby. Perhaps her fear was legitimate - Tyler didn't really think that Colby would have harmed Jessica or their baby. But he did feel if Colby had wanted Jessica's brother, Jackson, dead, then it would have been done already.
Tyler had experience with the Lefabres - he'd even taken a bullet fired by Vanessa. Maybe he was cut from a different cloth than Jessica or maybe the way he felt about Kristen was was stronger than the way Jessica ever felt about Colby. Seeing and hearing how Kristen talked about the way her brother was reacting to the situation he was in now with Belle was all the evidence Tyler needed to know that in whatever twisted way Colby HAD done what was best for Jessica and Jackson in how he had handled the situation that drove them both to Boston.
"Thank you, Jessica, I appreciate that but you know what it all boils down to is that no matter how hard it gets...how tired I am at the end of the day, I do what I do for my family," he smiled. He wasn't trying to slam her, he liked her. He'd always liked Jessica, but one could tell by looking at her that there was no way she would ever be able to handle the complexity of the Lefabre family - not that Tyler really spent that much time thinking about it. It tended to give him a tension headache.
Jess nodded in agreement. She knew what it was like to do what you had to for your family. Hell, she gave her son away in order to protect him and guarantee him a better life. Colby was dangerous and she didn't want him having a potentially hazardous influence on her child. Giving Eli to Kristen and Tyler was the best thing she could do.
"Yea... I know all about sacrifice, remember?" she asked kindly, tilting her head to the side, "Speaking of... you don't happen to have a picture on you....?"
Did he have a picture? Was that a rhetorical question? Of course he had a picture. "Jessica, do you really think thats for the best?" He was afraid that if she saw him, the baby boy he'd grown into with little hamhock thighs. Just the thought of that sweet little baby made Tyler smile.
"Look, Jessica, I'm not trying to be cruel...but I don't know that it's such a good idea..." he took a deep breath. "Do you really want to do that to yourself?"
Jess looked at Tyler as he clearly objected to her seeing a picture of her biological son. She frowned, "What are you talking about? Tyler... part of the agreement wasn't completely shutting me out. We agreed to keep it open between us. Is there something you and Kristen wanna tell me?"
"Jessica, I know. I'm not trying to be mean or to shut you out. I'm trying to keep you from being hurt..." He tensed his jaw, turned and gathered the articles that were finally finished and then headed for the door. His reasons were many. First of all, Eli was a Lefabre, through and through. There was little doubt that the father was Colby. If Jessica had ever loved Colby, Tyler thought perhaps she would feel the pain of love lost. He didn't want her to feel that. Of course, it might also help her forget about the baby she'd given up if she knew he looked like his father.
"You know what? You're right." He opened his wallet determined to show her the son she gave up because she was too afraid of his father. He pulled out a couple of photos, one of the boys a few months younger and one of Eli that was taken within in the last week or so.
Jess was about to protest his comment about her getting hurt but then he pulled out some photos and handed them to her. All attention was on the pictures in her hand. She looked down at them, going over each one more than once, studying every curve of her baby boy's face. A smile finally managed to form on her face, "My God....Tyler, it's crazy how much he looks..." She didn't need to finish her sentence. Tyler knew who Eli looked like. "Good to see you feed him well." she chuckled, referring to the chubbiness in the baby's face. "Jacob is beautiful too, Tyler." she said, handing the photos back to him. "Thank you."
Nodding, Tyler acknowledged her gratitude. He didn't need to confirm for her who Eli looked like. They both knew. He was full on Lefabre. "They don't let us miss a meal," he smiled softly. "Thank you."
He motioned to the door, "I should probably get going. I have a few things to do before I get to call it a day."
Jess nodded with a sigh, "Yea.. right." she said, offering a smile, "Sorry for holding you up. Will you uh... tell Kristen to call me?" she asked, figuring it was a waste of time but there was always a chance. She couldn't dodge her forever. "Just wanna, you know...."
Nodding slightly, Tyler adjusted his backpack on his shoulder and glanced at the door, "I'll give her the message." He would tell Kristen about their conversation and the fact that Jessica had asked to see the photo. And yes, he'd even tell Kristen that Jessica wanted her to call. But none of that meant that Kristen would call Jessica. If she did, Tyler was concerned that it wouldn't be a pleasant exchange.
"See ya around, Jessica," he pulled the door open and waved then he disappeared through the doors that led back outside.