Post by RMT-Mod-Kara on Sept 17, 2016 21:57:37 GMT -5
She'd meant to do this sooner. But then Kristen had gotten the phone call about Adam's accident and had rushed off to Daytona, Florida as soon as she possibly could. She'd spent several days with her old high school friend, trying to lift his spirits, fighting with him about not letting him give up and give in to his own self-pity. She couldn't believe he'd asked her to kill him. She couldn't believe he thought she was capable of doing something that awful, that atrocious, that cold-blooded. She'd struggled with him, engaging in a battle of wills that seemed to only continue after she and his sister Lauren had brought him back to Los Angeles--on a plane chartered by her brother Jared, who was Adam's sponsor, no less. Being in an enclosed space, on a plane, with the man who had once tried to kill her was a test of her patience that Kristen was surprised she'd managed to endure. She'd had to focus on Adam and Lauren--all but ignoring Jared's presence--just to get through the airborne trek across the country.
That had been a few days ago. A few days spent with her boys, cuddling them and coddling them like only their mother could as well as checking in on Adam and helping him as much as she could. However, there was still one issue she'd left unattended when she'd had to leave unexpectedly and, as loathe as she was to procrastinate, Kristen decided that enough time had past. After her talk with Tyler and hearing the news about how close Jessica had become with his cousin, Kristen knew that enough time had been wasted.
Coming up with a reason to stop by Jessica's apartment was easy. She showed up at her ex-sister-in-law's door with Eli and Jacob, both laying quietly in their carriers as she approached Jess' door and tapped it with her foot since both of her hands were full.
Jessica heard the knock on her door and picked up the remote from her lap to pause her DVR. She had been in the middle of watching a Nip Tuck rerun. "Hang on!" she called out as she got to her barefeet and padded quickly to the door. Pulling it open, her mouth fell. She had never in a million years would have expected to see Kristen and the babies on the other side. "Kristen!" She widened the door so that she could enter. "Wow, this is a nice surprise. Lemme see those babies!"
"Hey," Kristen said, stepping inside and setting the carriers down on the floor in the living room. When Jessica rushed enthusiastically to see the boys, Kristen couldn't help but notice that she went right for Eli. A protective pang shot right through Kristen and, still managing to maintain a pleasant, friendly smile, had to fight back the urge to slap the girl away.
"Yeah, they're bigger than the last time you probably saw them," she said, kneeling down to pick Jake up out of his carrier while Jessica got Eli. Of course she'd go for Eli first.
Jess couldn't wipe the smile from her face. This was the most pleasant surprise visit ever! "Oh my Gosh, Kris... they are both so darn gorgeous!" They both moved to the couches where Jess sat Indian-style with Eli in her arms. She stared down at his sweet face. "Wowwww....Kris, he looks just like..."
"His uncle?" Kristen interrupted before Jessica could finish and say what everyone said when they saw Eli: He looked just like Colby...his father. "Yeah, that's what everyone says. Eli takes after his mommy's family and Jake....Jake looks just as handsome as his daddy."
Jess nodded as she took in the delicate features of her son....well, Kristen's son. She asked herself everyday how she could give something so precious up, but she knew deep down she did the right thing. Kris and Tyler were obviously doing an amazing job. He looked so peaceful and healthy. "How is everything going?" she asked, glancing at Kristen but only for a moment. She couldn't really take her eyes off of Eli. "Babies nice and healthy, I presume?"
"Yeah, they're good. They're perfect. Tyler took them to their check-up a couple of days ago and the doctor says they're doing wonderfully. They're both healthy and the doctor's happy with how much they're developing," she said. As uncomfortable as she was with sharing any information about Eli with Jessica, it wasn't anything she hadn't told anyone else, even some of the store's regular shoppers, when they'd asked. "Getting them to take a nap at the same time still takes an act of God but, other than that, they're perfect."
"Good..." Jess replied, staring down at Eli in her arms. It was amazing how natural it felt and she wondered if she would feel that way holding any baby, or if it was due to the fact that this was her baby. "I'm glad to hear that. I was gonna pick them up some really cute twinsy outfit but...I didn't know what size they would be in by now."
"Oh, they're in six-to-nine month clothes now," Kristen said, shifting Jake in her arms as she eyed Jessica cradling Eli. The more she watched her brother's ex-wife fawning over Eli and practically ignoring Jake, the angrier she got. Could she be any more obvious? Jessica hadn't hounded Tyler at the university library because she wanted to see the boys, she'd hounded Tyler because she wanted to see the boy, Eli. She wanted to see the baby she'd given up.
She cleared her throat and glanced back at Jake, who was staring back at her with his big blue eyes--his daddy's big blue eyes--and brushed a lock of silky brown hair back from his forehead.
"So, Tyler says you met his cousin. Ben?"
"Yea! Isn't that some crazy small world crap?" she said, smiling, "We were at the same laundromat and talking, ya know, and honestly I don't even remember how he brought Tyler up. Gosh, I couldn't believe it." She shifted Eli from one side of her arm to the other since it had gone numb, "Then we found out we lived in the same apartment building. Just weird, ya know? He's really nice. We've hung out a lot... course now that he's suddenly raising a kid on his own, I haven't seen him around much."
"Yeah, I know, right? That's what I said to Tyler when he told me: What a small world. I mean, you think Los Angeles is a big city and there are millions of people around and then you run into someone who knows someone you know and, suddenly, it doesn't seem so big anymore," she said, expertly faking surprise and enthusiasm. It wasn't a coincidence. Small world her ass. Jessica had somehow set it all up. She had to have. Look at her. Kristen wasn't three feet away from her and Jessica--who had claimed over and over again to Tyler that she was dying to see the boys--could barely take her eyes off of Eli. She hadn't even noticed Jake.
"I actually think it's pretty great," she lied through her teeth. "I think hanging around you is just what Ben needs to straighten his life out. And I think it's great that you're able to look past everything he's done and, you know, see the positive. Not a lot of people can do that."
Jess was rocking Eli back to sleep when Kristen's words had her turning her head, "What do you mean? "
"You know, about the...," Kristen started to reply but quieted herself as she faked realization. She knew damn well Jessica had no idea what she was talking about. In fact, she'd been counting on it.
"Oh, my God, you don't know, do you?" she said, looking concerned.
Jess frowned, "I don't know what?"
Kristen sighed and pretended to be conflicted. "It's...it's nothing," she said in a false attempt to wave the subject away and make it disappear. "I'm sure he meant to tell you."
Jess was only human. Of course she wanted to know what the hell Kristen was talking about. "No, no... tell me what exactly?" she asked again.
She sighed again. If this didn't get Jessica out of Ben's life--and, thusly, out of her and Tyler's--nothing would. She just had to hope that her marriage to Kristen's brother had left Jessica with a deep aversion to men with violent pasts. She crossed her toes.
"He's had some trouble with the law. Allison fired him from his grandmother's restaurant for trying to sell drugs," she said, embellishing the accusations against him while she started with the least of Ben's 'crimes.' "And, about a year ago, he beat a man to death outside of a club."
"What?" Jess asked, her tone showing signs of disbelief. "Drugs? Ben doesn't strike me as drug dealer. I mean.. he works two jobs. Don't dealers... have money?" she asked, not sure what to make of what Kristen was telling her. Then the other thing... "And are you talking about when he lost his memory? He'd told me he was attacked..." She didn't know Ben that well but to kill someone?
"No," she said with a shake of her head. "This was before that. Maybe it was two years ago but it wasn't when he lost his memory. He got into a fight with this guy that Grace was dating and...and Ben took it too far. If Tyler's aunt Charlie wasn't such a good lawyer, he'd probably be in prison right now."
Jess's expression changed from disbelief to 'oh my God'. Was Ben actually capable of killing someone? Chills went down her spine. She never thought Colby could ever hurt anyone either and look how he turned out. "I....wow... I don't know what to think. He doesn't seem violent at all. Then again... neither did your brother." She looked down at Eli before standing up with him, "Wanna switch?" she asked, curious to see how much the other baby looked like his parents. "He's sleeping anyway."Even though she was talking about the babies, her mind was remaining on Ben and what she was just told about him. Could it be possible? Why reason would Kristen have to lie?
Switch?
Jessica's request caught Kristen off-guard. She hadn't been expecting that. Not at all. As far as she could tell, Jessica hadn't seemed to have even realized there was more than one baby in the room.
"Um...sure," she said, looking every bit as surprised as she felt as they tried to maneuver Jake into Jessica's arms and Eli into hers.
Jess carefully moved Eli into Kristen's arms as Kris moved Jake into hers. She smiled down at the baby who was more alert and actually looking back at her. Moving back to her spot in the couch, she sat back down, "So, uh... I'm not sure what to say or think about Ben at this point." she resumed their previous conversation, "I mean... it's not like we're dating or anything. He's a neighbor and a friend. That's all."
"I know and I'm sorry," she said with a, fake, apologetic look. "I probably should have just kept my big mouth shut. I just--I thought you knew already. I mean, that's what I thought was so great about this whole thing: that you were able to look past all of that. But, I'm sure he meant to tell you. I'm positive. Ben doesn't keep secrets like that. I mean, look, he told you about the amnesia right way, right?"
Jess was becoming uncomfortable with the topic surrounding Ben. She wouldn't appreciate someone telling him all of her dirty secrets. "No, it's okay. I'm sure over time, he probably would have told me about it." Maybe. "But like I already said, we aren't dating so really, he's not obligated to tell me anything." With a sigh, she added, "Not like he'd wanna date me anyways. Your psychotic brother made sure of that." The mention of Colby was the only thing she could think of to get off the topic of Ben.
Kristen was taken aback by the word 'psychotic' in reference to her brother. If she hadn't been holding Jake, Kristen would have slapped Jessica for that. But, as it were....
"Look, I know Colby and I aren't exactly on speaking terms right now, Jess, but he's still my brother. And I'd appreciate it if you didn't call him names around me," she said. "I'm sure you wouldn't like me calling Jackson 'backstabbing' and 'disloyal' around you," she added, getting her own dig in at Jessica's brother.
Jess exhaled deeply and looked at Kristen with an apologetic expression, "I know... I'm sorry." she replied honestly, "I just... I really wish he wouldn't bother me, ya know? Like... what does it take for someone to realize that it's over? God... I've even been visited by the psychotic fiance." She quickly looked back at Kris, "It's okay if I call her that, right?"
Kristen's brow furrowed in confusion. What in God's name was she talking about?
"Fiance? What fiance?" she said, shifting Eli in her arms. "I didn't realize Colby was getting married again."
"I dunno. Her name's Belle... and man is she bossy!" Jess said, shaking her head, "She came here threatening me, as if I want Colby back or something." She took a moment to smile down at Jake who was making tiny bubbles with his mouth.
"Belle?"
When she said the name back to Jessica, it was full of all the contempt she had in her soul. Kristen loathed Belle Whitney, despised her. Everywhere that sleezy tramp went, she left a trail of men behind her. It wasn't bad enough that she might be having Colby's baby but Colby was going to marry her? She'd been angry at Jessica for calling her brother psycho, but there was definitely something crazy about Colby if he was going to make the city bicycle his wife.
"You have got to be kidding me. Colby asked Belle to marry him?" she said, still stunned.
Jess shrugged, "Beats me. I just know what she told me. And believe me... she made it perfectly clear. I haven't even done anything to her. Colby's the one sending me like, a gazillion roses and shit."
"He sent you roses?" she asked. She'd told Colby to stay away from Jessica, to leave her alone. Clearly, he wasn't listening.
"When? Why?"
"Two weeks ago... I was having a birthday party and he had them sent to my apartment." she explained, "Thing is.... it was like he knew I'd be there with a house full of people, including Ben. Because my birthday wasn't for another week." Shaking her head, she added, "It was ridiculous, the amount of flowers he sent. I'm talking... more than you'd see at a damn funeral...times ten."
Great. That's just what she needed, Colby sending Jessica flowers or, worse, trying to get her back. If he succeeded, it'd be a nightmare. If there was anything worse than Jessica being friends with Tyler's cousin it was the chance that Jessica might get back togethe with Colby. If that happened, Kristen knew damn well there was no way Jessica would keep her mouth shut about Eli. She'd want him back so she and Colby could raise them.
"You want me to talk to him?" she asked. She already planned on doing just that. Colby would listen to her, she'd make him listen to her.
Jessica's face lit up, "Really??" she asked, "God... you have no idea how grateful I'd be. I've moved on with my life and no matter what he says or does... I can never forgive him for shooting Jackson. No flower in the world will make me forget that."
"If that's what you want, of course," she said with a smile. She placed a friendly, reassuring hand on Jessica's knee. Kristen would be more than happy to keep Colby away from Jessica. Ben, too. She offered Eli's biological mother a warm smile that was just as fake as all the others. "I thought you said you and Ben were just friends," she said.
"We are." she replied, "I mean, I guess at first I thought we might be able to be something more... but then after he mentioned that Tyler didn't think it was a good idea.. we both agreed we would just stay friends." She blew out a breath, "But ya know... who wants to be friends with someone who has a stalker ex husband? When you're a guy."
Kristen gave her a phony, sympathetic smile and squeezed her knee in an equally phony show of support. "Maybe he's just not right for you," she suggested. "I mean, you thought Colby was the sweetest man ever created and look how well that turned out. Maybe...maybe Ben isn't everything he seems to be either."
Even though she was hesitant, Jess slowly nodded, "Yea... I guess you're right." A part of her wanted to believe that somehow Kristen had gotten her facts mixed up, that there was no way Ben could have done the things she said. The other part of her was just reminding her that she had shitty taste in men. First was the psycho controlling boyfriend in high school, then she married Colby who turned out to be... well, psycho. It was quite possible that Ben could fall in line with the rest.
She let out a heavy sigh of disappointment. This sucked. Course, she had already decided to stay clear of becoming romantically involved with Ben because of his dating history with Taylor, but now after all this - it seemed it was near impossible to consider the idea.
"So uh, if you could talk to Colby, I would totally love you for it." she added after a while, wanting to change the subject. "I'm just trying to move on and start my life over, ya know?"
"Of course, I will," Kristen said as she adjusted Eli in her arms. She would be more than happy to tell her brother to stay away from his ex-wife. A reunion between Colby and Jessica was even scarier than Jessica getting involved with Tyler's cousin. If they got back together, the odds of Jessica changing her mind mulitplied. She'd probably tell Colby that one of Kristen's sons was theirs and Kristen and Tyler's family would be torn apart. No, Kristen was determined to keep Jessica at a safe distance from Eli. If that meant keeping Colby away from her and Jessica away from Ben then that is what Kristen would do.
"You just keep starting your life over and leave Colby to me, okay?"
"Thanks a lot, Kristen." Jess said, glancing over as she cradled the baby in her arms, "It really means a lot that you care. There aren't many people I can trust."
That had been a few days ago. A few days spent with her boys, cuddling them and coddling them like only their mother could as well as checking in on Adam and helping him as much as she could. However, there was still one issue she'd left unattended when she'd had to leave unexpectedly and, as loathe as she was to procrastinate, Kristen decided that enough time had past. After her talk with Tyler and hearing the news about how close Jessica had become with his cousin, Kristen knew that enough time had been wasted.
Coming up with a reason to stop by Jessica's apartment was easy. She showed up at her ex-sister-in-law's door with Eli and Jacob, both laying quietly in their carriers as she approached Jess' door and tapped it with her foot since both of her hands were full.
Jessica heard the knock on her door and picked up the remote from her lap to pause her DVR. She had been in the middle of watching a Nip Tuck rerun. "Hang on!" she called out as she got to her barefeet and padded quickly to the door. Pulling it open, her mouth fell. She had never in a million years would have expected to see Kristen and the babies on the other side. "Kristen!" She widened the door so that she could enter. "Wow, this is a nice surprise. Lemme see those babies!"
"Hey," Kristen said, stepping inside and setting the carriers down on the floor in the living room. When Jessica rushed enthusiastically to see the boys, Kristen couldn't help but notice that she went right for Eli. A protective pang shot right through Kristen and, still managing to maintain a pleasant, friendly smile, had to fight back the urge to slap the girl away.
"Yeah, they're bigger than the last time you probably saw them," she said, kneeling down to pick Jake up out of his carrier while Jessica got Eli. Of course she'd go for Eli first.
Jess couldn't wipe the smile from her face. This was the most pleasant surprise visit ever! "Oh my Gosh, Kris... they are both so darn gorgeous!" They both moved to the couches where Jess sat Indian-style with Eli in her arms. She stared down at his sweet face. "Wowwww....Kris, he looks just like..."
"His uncle?" Kristen interrupted before Jessica could finish and say what everyone said when they saw Eli: He looked just like Colby...his father. "Yeah, that's what everyone says. Eli takes after his mommy's family and Jake....Jake looks just as handsome as his daddy."
Jess nodded as she took in the delicate features of her son....well, Kristen's son. She asked herself everyday how she could give something so precious up, but she knew deep down she did the right thing. Kris and Tyler were obviously doing an amazing job. He looked so peaceful and healthy. "How is everything going?" she asked, glancing at Kristen but only for a moment. She couldn't really take her eyes off of Eli. "Babies nice and healthy, I presume?"
"Yeah, they're good. They're perfect. Tyler took them to their check-up a couple of days ago and the doctor says they're doing wonderfully. They're both healthy and the doctor's happy with how much they're developing," she said. As uncomfortable as she was with sharing any information about Eli with Jessica, it wasn't anything she hadn't told anyone else, even some of the store's regular shoppers, when they'd asked. "Getting them to take a nap at the same time still takes an act of God but, other than that, they're perfect."
"Good..." Jess replied, staring down at Eli in her arms. It was amazing how natural it felt and she wondered if she would feel that way holding any baby, or if it was due to the fact that this was her baby. "I'm glad to hear that. I was gonna pick them up some really cute twinsy outfit but...I didn't know what size they would be in by now."
"Oh, they're in six-to-nine month clothes now," Kristen said, shifting Jake in her arms as she eyed Jessica cradling Eli. The more she watched her brother's ex-wife fawning over Eli and practically ignoring Jake, the angrier she got. Could she be any more obvious? Jessica hadn't hounded Tyler at the university library because she wanted to see the boys, she'd hounded Tyler because she wanted to see the boy, Eli. She wanted to see the baby she'd given up.
She cleared her throat and glanced back at Jake, who was staring back at her with his big blue eyes--his daddy's big blue eyes--and brushed a lock of silky brown hair back from his forehead.
"So, Tyler says you met his cousin. Ben?"
"Yea! Isn't that some crazy small world crap?" she said, smiling, "We were at the same laundromat and talking, ya know, and honestly I don't even remember how he brought Tyler up. Gosh, I couldn't believe it." She shifted Eli from one side of her arm to the other since it had gone numb, "Then we found out we lived in the same apartment building. Just weird, ya know? He's really nice. We've hung out a lot... course now that he's suddenly raising a kid on his own, I haven't seen him around much."
"Yeah, I know, right? That's what I said to Tyler when he told me: What a small world. I mean, you think Los Angeles is a big city and there are millions of people around and then you run into someone who knows someone you know and, suddenly, it doesn't seem so big anymore," she said, expertly faking surprise and enthusiasm. It wasn't a coincidence. Small world her ass. Jessica had somehow set it all up. She had to have. Look at her. Kristen wasn't three feet away from her and Jessica--who had claimed over and over again to Tyler that she was dying to see the boys--could barely take her eyes off of Eli. She hadn't even noticed Jake.
"I actually think it's pretty great," she lied through her teeth. "I think hanging around you is just what Ben needs to straighten his life out. And I think it's great that you're able to look past everything he's done and, you know, see the positive. Not a lot of people can do that."
Jess was rocking Eli back to sleep when Kristen's words had her turning her head, "What do you mean? "
"You know, about the...," Kristen started to reply but quieted herself as she faked realization. She knew damn well Jessica had no idea what she was talking about. In fact, she'd been counting on it.
"Oh, my God, you don't know, do you?" she said, looking concerned.
Jess frowned, "I don't know what?"
Kristen sighed and pretended to be conflicted. "It's...it's nothing," she said in a false attempt to wave the subject away and make it disappear. "I'm sure he meant to tell you."
Jess was only human. Of course she wanted to know what the hell Kristen was talking about. "No, no... tell me what exactly?" she asked again.
She sighed again. If this didn't get Jessica out of Ben's life--and, thusly, out of her and Tyler's--nothing would. She just had to hope that her marriage to Kristen's brother had left Jessica with a deep aversion to men with violent pasts. She crossed her toes.
"He's had some trouble with the law. Allison fired him from his grandmother's restaurant for trying to sell drugs," she said, embellishing the accusations against him while she started with the least of Ben's 'crimes.' "And, about a year ago, he beat a man to death outside of a club."
"What?" Jess asked, her tone showing signs of disbelief. "Drugs? Ben doesn't strike me as drug dealer. I mean.. he works two jobs. Don't dealers... have money?" she asked, not sure what to make of what Kristen was telling her. Then the other thing... "And are you talking about when he lost his memory? He'd told me he was attacked..." She didn't know Ben that well but to kill someone?
"No," she said with a shake of her head. "This was before that. Maybe it was two years ago but it wasn't when he lost his memory. He got into a fight with this guy that Grace was dating and...and Ben took it too far. If Tyler's aunt Charlie wasn't such a good lawyer, he'd probably be in prison right now."
Jess's expression changed from disbelief to 'oh my God'. Was Ben actually capable of killing someone? Chills went down her spine. She never thought Colby could ever hurt anyone either and look how he turned out. "I....wow... I don't know what to think. He doesn't seem violent at all. Then again... neither did your brother." She looked down at Eli before standing up with him, "Wanna switch?" she asked, curious to see how much the other baby looked like his parents. "He's sleeping anyway."Even though she was talking about the babies, her mind was remaining on Ben and what she was just told about him. Could it be possible? Why reason would Kristen have to lie?
Switch?
Jessica's request caught Kristen off-guard. She hadn't been expecting that. Not at all. As far as she could tell, Jessica hadn't seemed to have even realized there was more than one baby in the room.
"Um...sure," she said, looking every bit as surprised as she felt as they tried to maneuver Jake into Jessica's arms and Eli into hers.
Jess carefully moved Eli into Kristen's arms as Kris moved Jake into hers. She smiled down at the baby who was more alert and actually looking back at her. Moving back to her spot in the couch, she sat back down, "So, uh... I'm not sure what to say or think about Ben at this point." she resumed their previous conversation, "I mean... it's not like we're dating or anything. He's a neighbor and a friend. That's all."
"I know and I'm sorry," she said with a, fake, apologetic look. "I probably should have just kept my big mouth shut. I just--I thought you knew already. I mean, that's what I thought was so great about this whole thing: that you were able to look past all of that. But, I'm sure he meant to tell you. I'm positive. Ben doesn't keep secrets like that. I mean, look, he told you about the amnesia right way, right?"
Jess was becoming uncomfortable with the topic surrounding Ben. She wouldn't appreciate someone telling him all of her dirty secrets. "No, it's okay. I'm sure over time, he probably would have told me about it." Maybe. "But like I already said, we aren't dating so really, he's not obligated to tell me anything." With a sigh, she added, "Not like he'd wanna date me anyways. Your psychotic brother made sure of that." The mention of Colby was the only thing she could think of to get off the topic of Ben.
Kristen was taken aback by the word 'psychotic' in reference to her brother. If she hadn't been holding Jake, Kristen would have slapped Jessica for that. But, as it were....
"Look, I know Colby and I aren't exactly on speaking terms right now, Jess, but he's still my brother. And I'd appreciate it if you didn't call him names around me," she said. "I'm sure you wouldn't like me calling Jackson 'backstabbing' and 'disloyal' around you," she added, getting her own dig in at Jessica's brother.
Jess exhaled deeply and looked at Kristen with an apologetic expression, "I know... I'm sorry." she replied honestly, "I just... I really wish he wouldn't bother me, ya know? Like... what does it take for someone to realize that it's over? God... I've even been visited by the psychotic fiance." She quickly looked back at Kris, "It's okay if I call her that, right?"
Kristen's brow furrowed in confusion. What in God's name was she talking about?
"Fiance? What fiance?" she said, shifting Eli in her arms. "I didn't realize Colby was getting married again."
"I dunno. Her name's Belle... and man is she bossy!" Jess said, shaking her head, "She came here threatening me, as if I want Colby back or something." She took a moment to smile down at Jake who was making tiny bubbles with his mouth.
"Belle?"
When she said the name back to Jessica, it was full of all the contempt she had in her soul. Kristen loathed Belle Whitney, despised her. Everywhere that sleezy tramp went, she left a trail of men behind her. It wasn't bad enough that she might be having Colby's baby but Colby was going to marry her? She'd been angry at Jessica for calling her brother psycho, but there was definitely something crazy about Colby if he was going to make the city bicycle his wife.
"You have got to be kidding me. Colby asked Belle to marry him?" she said, still stunned.
Jess shrugged, "Beats me. I just know what she told me. And believe me... she made it perfectly clear. I haven't even done anything to her. Colby's the one sending me like, a gazillion roses and shit."
"He sent you roses?" she asked. She'd told Colby to stay away from Jessica, to leave her alone. Clearly, he wasn't listening.
"When? Why?"
"Two weeks ago... I was having a birthday party and he had them sent to my apartment." she explained, "Thing is.... it was like he knew I'd be there with a house full of people, including Ben. Because my birthday wasn't for another week." Shaking her head, she added, "It was ridiculous, the amount of flowers he sent. I'm talking... more than you'd see at a damn funeral...times ten."
Great. That's just what she needed, Colby sending Jessica flowers or, worse, trying to get her back. If he succeeded, it'd be a nightmare. If there was anything worse than Jessica being friends with Tyler's cousin it was the chance that Jessica might get back togethe with Colby. If that happened, Kristen knew damn well there was no way Jessica would keep her mouth shut about Eli. She'd want him back so she and Colby could raise them.
"You want me to talk to him?" she asked. She already planned on doing just that. Colby would listen to her, she'd make him listen to her.
Jessica's face lit up, "Really??" she asked, "God... you have no idea how grateful I'd be. I've moved on with my life and no matter what he says or does... I can never forgive him for shooting Jackson. No flower in the world will make me forget that."
"If that's what you want, of course," she said with a smile. She placed a friendly, reassuring hand on Jessica's knee. Kristen would be more than happy to keep Colby away from Jessica. Ben, too. She offered Eli's biological mother a warm smile that was just as fake as all the others. "I thought you said you and Ben were just friends," she said.
"We are." she replied, "I mean, I guess at first I thought we might be able to be something more... but then after he mentioned that Tyler didn't think it was a good idea.. we both agreed we would just stay friends." She blew out a breath, "But ya know... who wants to be friends with someone who has a stalker ex husband? When you're a guy."
Kristen gave her a phony, sympathetic smile and squeezed her knee in an equally phony show of support. "Maybe he's just not right for you," she suggested. "I mean, you thought Colby was the sweetest man ever created and look how well that turned out. Maybe...maybe Ben isn't everything he seems to be either."
Even though she was hesitant, Jess slowly nodded, "Yea... I guess you're right." A part of her wanted to believe that somehow Kristen had gotten her facts mixed up, that there was no way Ben could have done the things she said. The other part of her was just reminding her that she had shitty taste in men. First was the psycho controlling boyfriend in high school, then she married Colby who turned out to be... well, psycho. It was quite possible that Ben could fall in line with the rest.
She let out a heavy sigh of disappointment. This sucked. Course, she had already decided to stay clear of becoming romantically involved with Ben because of his dating history with Taylor, but now after all this - it seemed it was near impossible to consider the idea.
"So uh, if you could talk to Colby, I would totally love you for it." she added after a while, wanting to change the subject. "I'm just trying to move on and start my life over, ya know?"
"Of course, I will," Kristen said as she adjusted Eli in her arms. She would be more than happy to tell her brother to stay away from his ex-wife. A reunion between Colby and Jessica was even scarier than Jessica getting involved with Tyler's cousin. If they got back together, the odds of Jessica changing her mind mulitplied. She'd probably tell Colby that one of Kristen's sons was theirs and Kristen and Tyler's family would be torn apart. No, Kristen was determined to keep Jessica at a safe distance from Eli. If that meant keeping Colby away from her and Jessica away from Ben then that is what Kristen would do.
"You just keep starting your life over and leave Colby to me, okay?"
"Thanks a lot, Kristen." Jess said, glancing over as she cradled the baby in her arms, "It really means a lot that you care. There aren't many people I can trust."
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