Jason walked into his house. It was pretty quiet. However, before he could go and locate Vicky and Angel, Willa appeared
. “Mr. Rutherford you had a visitor today”. Jason had a one track mind and right now that was getting to Vicky and Angel everything else was a distraction. “Where’s Vicky and Angel?” he asked as if Willa hadn’t said anything. “I believe they are in the room we made up for Angel sir”. Great, Vicky was trying to get her used to her new room. Willa cleared her throat loudly to get Jason’s attention. She did it in that pay attention to me way she had since he was a little boy. He finally focused on her and realized something was off. “Ms. Reed stopped by to pick up some of her things from ‘the bedroom’”. Jason lifted an eyebrow “She doesn’t have anything in ‘the bedroom’ or anywhere else in this house. We packed all of her things and shipped them to her weeks ago”. “Be that as it may sir, I’m sure it was something Ms. Vicky would not have wanted to know”. Understanding finally registered. Damn and double damn. He thanked Willa and took the stairs two at a time. When he made it to Angel’s room he knocked on the door. There was no answer. This was the second time Vicky had him knocking on doors for access to her without getting any response and it was pretty frustrating. Not to mention it was his house. He shouldn’t have to knock on the door anyway. He knocked one last time a little firmer before announcing he was coming inside. Angel looked up at him and smiled. She then ran towards him with her arms stretched wide for a hug. He picked her up, hugged and kissed her but his eyes never left Vicky’s. “Hi. What are you two doing in here?” Vicky shrugged “This is a beautiful room you had made up for Angel why wouldn’t we want to come in here?” Jason put Angel down and she went running over to play with all the cool toys Jason had bought for her. Once Angel was out of earshot Vicky hissed at him trying desperately not to raise her voice so Angel would not overhear them “How could you bring me here to sleep in the same bed that you shared with your girlfriend or should I say your ex-
fiance
?” Jason ran his hands through his hair and in an equally angry whisper “What are you talking about? I’ve never had a fiancé. It’s true Bridget and I dated but she was never my fiancé. Look, at the time we met on the elevators I was just trying to figure out my life. My relationship with Bridget was technically over. Everything between us happened very fast. I wasn’t planning on falling in love with you, it just happened.” “Really?….you didn’t plan on falling in love with me? Well, it’s nice to know that you can fall in and out of love so easily, Jason. So, today you love me. What about tomorrow? I won’t have you playing with not just my feelings but Angel’s too. I refuse to be a rebound.” Jason had left the house for all of two hours and in that span of that time all hell had broken loose. “What the hell are you talking about? Rebound? Fiancé? You’re not a rebound and I just said I’ve never had a fiancé. I’m not going to feel guilty because I had a life when I met you. I wasn’t celibate. But, I also wasn’t seeing Bridget while I was seeing you. I broke it off with her for good the night I flew back into town after we met”. Vicky had never seen Jason so angry “What the hell is this anyway? You didn’t even give me a chance to explain. It’s like you are expecting me to mess up. Every five minutes you’re angry at me.” Vicky yelled at him right back “Maybe that’s because it seems like every five minutes you’ve lied to me about SOMETHING!” Angel stopped playing and looked over at them both. She had this innocent ‘what’s wrong’ look on her face. Jason just stared at Vicky and shook his head “So, will I have to pay for that the rest of my life for not telling you who I really was? So now you’ll automatically assume the worst? You just won’t trust anything that I’ve got to say because of it?” They both stared at each other for a moment before he walked out of the room. After he left, Vicky went over to comfort Angel. She tried to put on a happy smile for her but she was so many emotions all mixed up but mostly insecure and afraid. Vicky knew she had to get a handle on her feelings. She never wanted to be one of those insecure and needy women so why was she acting like it? Maybe she was expecting Jason to let her down like every other man who had been in her life. Her baggage wasn’t Jason fault and he shouldn’t be punished for it. She wanted to trust him. She needed to trust him and Vicky needed to apologize.
An hour later, Vicky had made up her mind. She picked Angel up and left the room in search of Jason. She couldn’t be mad at him for living his life. On her way to
his study Vicky ran into Fred. She wanted to talk to Jason preferably alone. So, she asked Fred if he could take Angel outside to play. Fred seemed more than happy to take her outside. When she arrived at his office the door was closed. They should probably institute a no-closed-door policy from here on out. But for now, it was her turn to knock. He must really be angry at her because there was no answer. So, she knocked again. No response. Vicky slowly opened the door and went inside anyway. Jason was sitting at his desk with his back to her looking out of the window. Vicky closed the door behind her and took a deep breath. She knew that he knew she was there. “Jason, I’m sorry.” she started to chew on the bottom of her lip and ring her hands together. He didn’t move “…I guess it’s my turn to explain. Jason, everyone that I’ve ever loved has hurt me and abandoned me in some way. I guess I’m afraid at some point you’re going to realize I’m not worth it and leave me too.” Finally, Jason turned his chair around to face her “Come here” Vicky slowly walked over to him. He reached out and pulled her down into his lap then caressed her face “I’m not going anywhere. In case you haven’t figured it out yet I love you too. If it takes me a couple of lifetimes to convince you then I’m prepared to do just that. I love this house but if you’re not comfortable here..we can start looking for a new home. Whatever it is you need to feel comfortable, I’ll do it. I should have told you about Bridget. I didn’t because it’s over”. Vicky put her arms around his neck and kissed him hoping he could feel all the love she had in her heart for him. Just like that he forgave her. Vicky didn’t care if they stayed like this forever. Jason’s cell phone started to ring. He was going to ignore it but it kept ringing. Finally, Vicky broke the kiss “It’s obvious someone really needs to talk to you”. All Jason wanted to do was show Vicky how much he loved her without any interruptions. He reluctantly took the call. While Jason was in conversation, Vicky turned around in his arms and looked at his computer monitor. For a moment, Vicky’s heart skipped a beat. Right there on the computer were beautiful bedroom sets. He took her words to heart. Jason was shopping for new bedroom furniture. “I don’t know mom..I haven’t asked her yet. Today might not be such a good day. No, I haven’t taken her to the club yet…”. Vicky heard her name and that caught her attention. She mouthed the words ‘what?’ “Hold on mom let me ask her” Jason put the phone to his chest “My mom & dad wanted to come over for dinner but would like to meet at the club instead around five tonight. I’d love for them to meet you”. Vicky’s eyes widened and Jason rushed on “..but only when you’re ready”. Jason had been so patient that she didn’t want to disappoint him in any way “that would be fine I guess”. The smile he gave her made everything worth it. He kissed her again before telling his parents dinner was a go. After he hung up the phone, the two of them just sat there for a few minutes with his arms wrapped around her waist. He loved to breathe in the scent of her. That was when he realized for the first time since they arrived at his home they were alone. “Vicky where is Angel?” Jason’s khaki’s were getting pretty tight. He nuzzled her neck, Vicky sighed, “She’s out playing with Fred”. Jason felt so good. He nuzzled her neck some more “Mmmm..do you think I’ve got a little time to play…with you? God, Vicky I want to make love to you so badly”. Reluctantly, Vicky pulled away from Jason and stood up. “I want you too but I’ve only got two hours to get Angel and me ready to meet your parents. I’ve got to clean her up, do her hair, and do my hair. I have no idea what to wear. And Jason….I hope they like me”.
Jason, Vicky, & Angel arrived at the club about fifteen minutes early. Jason recognized
a couple of people on their way to be seated at his usual table. His parent’s hadn’t arrived yet. Angel sat playing with the frills on her dress “J’son..J’son..look at pretty dress”. She was so proud of her dress and looked beautiful wearing it. Jason didn’t think you could tame Angel’s curls even if you tried. Vicky just put a pink bow headband in her hair. She wore a pink dress with matching tights and shoes. His heart couldn’t have swelled with more pride than if Angel were truly his own daughter. “I think the dress is very pretty Angel but only because you are wearing it”. Angel’s face beamed with happiness. Vicky looked lovely too. As a matter of fact Jason thought she was a vision in a midnight blue dress that looked incredible clinging in a tasteful way to her curves. She’d taken her time and done her makeup. She’d even taken her hair down from her usual pony tail and wore it swept up with a few curls hanging low. Jason couldn’t wait to take her home. He’d been as patient as any man could be with such a temptation sitting in front of him. Tonight he was going to make love to her. “Hey Jason, I thought that was you”. One of the people Jason had hoped to avoid came over to his table. Jason stood up to shake hands with Edward Thornton. He was a friend from college, a really good friend of Bridget, and one of the partners at Bridget’s family’s law firm. “Ed it’s good to see you. Let me introduce you to Vicky and her daughter Angel. Vicky this is Edward an old buddy of mine from college and business associate”. Ed smiled politely to Vicky and Angel while everyone exchanged pleasantries. “Can I talk to you for a moment about the Hartwell deal?” “Ed, now is not a good time we’re meeting my parents for dinner”. Ed raised his eyebrows and looked over to Vicky for help “This will only take a minute I promise”. Vicky smiled “Of course it’s fine with me. I’ll just take Angel to the little girl’s room while we are waiting”. Angel and Vicky left for the ladies room. “I’m glad I ran into you here. It will save me a drive out to your home. I talked to Bridget today. She asked if I would come over to check on you. She said something about you were having a hard time getting over the break-up with her and had started dating the help. Was that her?” Jason was pissed. “Edward, you might want to be careful, Vicky is not the ‘help’ she is my girlfriend”. Edward could see that Jason was getting irritated and was relieved to see Jason’s parents had arrived. “Jason, sorry we are late. Your mother spent forever trying to find the perfect outfit. Edward, how are you my boy?” Miriam chimed in “Hello Edward. Oh John, I’m sure I was well worth the wait. Where is Vicky?” Edward chimed in “You know Lilly and I just sat down for dinner we should join you. I’m sure she’d love to meet Vicky”. Jason had wanted a nice quiet dinner with Vicky and his parent’s. “Ed…I don’t think that is a….” Edward cut him off before Jason could finish. “Come on Jason don’t hide her to yourself she seems lovely”. Edward slapped Jason on the back and walked off to go get Lilly before Jason could utter a word. Lilly also happened to be Bridget’s best friend. Jason didn’t have a good feeling about this. He had wanted an intimate dinner with just his parents. By the time Vicky and Angel returned to their table everyone including Lilly had been seated. “There they are what took you guys so long?” Jason stood up and walked over to where they were standing. When his parents turned around the looks on their faces were priceless. Vicky walked over to their table holding one of Angel’s hands and Jason took hold of Angel’s other hand. He was very proud of them. They looked great. “Mom and dad, Lilly, I’d like to introduce you to Vicky & Angel Martin. These are my parents John and Miriam Rutherford and Lilly is Edward’s date”. Vicky extended her hand to Jason’s mom and dad then to Lilly. Miriam and John shook Vicky’s hand and Lilly appeared surprised to see her. “It’s very nice to meet you all”. Miriam couldn’t stop looking at Angel. She was beautiful and for anyone who didn’t know better could easily pass for Jason’s daughter. After everyone was seated and had placed their orders Miriam asked Vicky & Jason how they met. Jason held and squeezed Vicky’s hand to reassure her “It’s really a funny story actually. We met the day of the budget meeting in the elevators.” Lilly interrupted, “So, Victoria Martin is it? What do you do for CkR International?” Vicky was taking a sip of her drink and stopped mid-air. She cleared her throat “I work in the Customer Service department I’ve been there for a little more than a year”. John steepled his hands together “Which VP do you report to?” Vicky looked down at her plate. She shouldn’t be embarrassed about her job but she was very embarrassed. It was obvious that everyone at the table had a higher education and were people of means. Vicky took a deep breath and looked Mr. Rutherford into his eyes before answering “I don’t report to a VP Mr. Rutherford. I am a customer service representative”. John always came across so hard even though he was an old softy. However, Miriam needed to step in as she could see Vicky was getting uncomfortable which meant Jason would soon follow. “I admire a career woman. However, I never worked. It must be tough working and taking care of Angel” Vicky nodded in agreement. “Vicky is an incredible mother and a great employee. I’d hate to lose her but I do hope I can convince her to maybe give it all up and move here with me to Atlanta”. They made eye contact. Jason supported and encouraged her with his eyes. Vicky felt she could be strong with Jason by her side. Miriam noticed the exchange between the two. “I’m sure your parents would really be upset if you moved all the way from Minnesota to Atlanta. However, I have to admit the weather is much better here”. Vicky chose not to tell Miriam that she was basically an orphan. She didn’t want people to feel sorry for her. But, if Jason asked her she would never go back to Minnesota. While everyone chatted during dinner Vicky noticed that Jason’s father never said another word. Throughout dinner Jason helped to feed Angel. Then, he reached over to hand Angel her sippy cup. Miriam could see that Jason was really in love. She also tried to make up for her husband’s silence. Vicky had resorted to one word answers herself. Vicky couldn’t wait for dinner to be over. This was a disaster. At the end of dinner John needed a cigar. “Jason why don’t you, Ed and I go on to the terrace for a cigar and let the ladies talk”. Jason looked over to Vicky to see if she’d be alright without him “You’ll be ok?” She nodded, “I’ll be fine please go with your dad”. Jason bent over and kissed her “We’ll be right back”. Ed rolled his eyes “oh come on Jason. She’ll be here when we get back and we’ll only be gone a minute”. The men walked away to the club terrace. Lilly announced she needed to make a trip to the ladies room. Once they were alone Miriam thought maybe she could get Vicky to open up a little more. “Angel is a beautiful child. How old is she again?” Vicky smiled “She is three.” “Would you and Jason like to have more children together?” Vicky’s smile faltered “Do you think….Jason is not…Angel is not Jason’s daughter.” “Oh honey I know that. If she were, wild horses wouldn’t have been able
to keep Jason away from her. But, it’s obvious Angel has charmed him too. Can I be perfectly honest with you?” Vicky nodded. “Today was the first time that Jason has mentioned you to us. And he’s never mentioned your beautiful daughter. So, if it seems like we’re asking a lot of questions it’s because we’re very curious about the woman who seems to have captured our son’s heart. Vicky we are not bad people and John is not a bad guy but we’ve had to be cautious over the years. John is just very protective of Jason. However, Jason has proven to be a pretty good judge of character, so if he trusts you then so do I. John on the other hand, it takes him a little longer to warm up. Jason is so much like John that it’s scary. They fight all the time but they love each other very much. However, know this Jason is his own man. If you are Jason’s choice, then that’s all there is to it.” Vicky was grateful for her honesty. “Miriam, I do love Jason. I just hope I can make him happy. Every day I ask myself how I ended up such a lucky woman. When we first met I didn’t even know who he was I thought he was a sales man” Vicky giggled. “I believed that up until just a short time ago. Obviously, we don’t travel in the same circles so no-one I knew would have told me his real identity. And, as angry as I was that he kept his true identity hidden from me for a little while I’m glad he did it. I think we got to know each other pretty well during that time. I have to admit I am overwhelmed by all of this though and not just the money. I come from really humble beginnings and a completely different culture. I must admit it’s been interesting watching the dynamics play out between you guys”. Miriam turned to Vicky at the table “I think you will be good for Jason. I’ve never seen him like this with anyone. All I ask is that you take good care of his heart.” Vicky’s throat became a little thick and all she could do was nod. Miriam reached out and squeezed Vicky’s hand silently giving her her approval. “Now that’s that. Jason and John have had all the alone time they need. Anything longer than 15 minutes doesn’t tend to end well. Let’s go join them shall we?”