(SEVERAL YEARS LATER)
*Present Time*
Jazmin- Mom!! Where are Toby's chew toys!?
Rose- *Whispers...Quick go hide them.
Aquamarine- Hehe Okay gramma..
Jazmin- Mom! I've been calling you..Didn't you hear me?
Rose- Sorry honey I was grabbing the last box of your belongings.
Jazmin- I cant find Toby's chew toys...If I don't take them with me..he'll chew on my new sofa..You know how much of a playful puppy he is..
Rose- Hmm...Have you asked a special little someone?
Jazmin- Huh?...Ooh no....Aqua!! Where are you!?
Rose- Whatever you do don't look under the bed!
Aquamarine- Gramma is mommy gone?
Rose- She's looking for you upstairs...Quick go hide inside the car..I'll distract her..
Aquamarine- *Giggles....Okay!
I looked all over the rooms and there was no sign of that little playful monkey. A brief sweet smile crossed my face as I looked outside the bedroom window. Aquamarine's jet black hair swiftly swayed behind the grey truck I drove. I took a deep breath as I leaned back against the wall while taking a gaze towards the house next door. The house that use to belong to the person that I had fallen in love with deeply. Very long years had passed. My little girl had turned seven. Jake had gotten her a puppy named Toby. The excitement on her face as she unwrapped the gift box was so delightful to watch. Jake had taken me by surprise with his kind gesture.
The last time I had seen him was the night we both shared. Although nothing happened between us. Having him hold me through the night was enough for the memory to vividly last all these years. I chose to push him out of my life after James left town. I didn't want any reminder of him. I needed to put distance between both brothers in order to move on with my life. I wasn't home when Jake came to drop off the gift to Aquamarine. I was told from my mother that he had changed. He looked a lot more manly and seemed to be doing well. I was happy for him. It warmed my heart to know even though we weren't in touch with one another. He still kept my daughters birthday in mind after all these years. He had left a note for me the day he came by.
(Jazmin it's been a while..I'm back in town to stay..I hope you accept an invitation to dinner with me soon..By the way your daughter seems to get lovelier by the day..Please accept the small gift I left her..It's with much love..Hope to hear from you soon -Jake)
I have thought about reaching back to him. Yet there is always something holding me back. Nervousness..Doubtfulness..Fear. It was overwhelming to just think Jake was back in town to stay. Nevertheless to consider going on a date with him after so long. That jittery feeling in my stomach I knew so well from long ago arose once again. Just the thought of being anywhere close to him stroke me with curiosity and uneasiness. As I walked out of the room I came upon a small picture laying on the floor. I smiled while I held it in my hands. It was a picture of Miles with his soldier uniform on. He had signed up for the Marines after his mother passed away.
He felt guilt for leaving her alone and choosing to stay with me. Shortly after her burial he ended the relationship with me and then he left. Couple months later after the breakup. I received a postcard of his whereabouts. Ever since then on every birthday of Aquamarine he'll send her a picture. Whether he's on uniform or out in an adventure he always stays in touch with her. Sadly I can't say the same about us. We stopped talking completely after he left. He avoids hearing my voice at all costs. He managed to send a paid cellphone to Aquamarine so he could directly stay in touch with her. It saddens me that things between us ended the way they did.
Though my heart is full of joy knowing that no matter what he remained the same towards my daughter. He also never gave his last name to her after all. After a lot of deep thinking I ended up changing my mind. I didn't want Aquamarine to grow up confused as to why we weren't together and thinking her father had left her. Every time she asks me about her dad. I simply answer that he is one of the stars that shine bright in the sky. So every night before she sleeps. She gazes towards the midnight shining blue sky. She blows silent kisses and whispers 'Goodnight Daddy'. I know some day I will have to tell her the truth. Till then I will watch my little girl grow and enjoy every minute of every day I have with her.
Rose- Honey..Is everything okay?
Jazmin- Yeah Mom...I was just looking at the last picture Miles send to my little princess..
Rose- He sure has turned into a fine young man hasn't he?..
Jazmin- *Smiles...I have to admit he looks very handsome with his soldier uniform on..
Rose- And without it I bet..
Jazmin- Oh gosh mom!..
Rose- Hey only because I'm married to your father doesn't mean I'm blind...*Chuckles....What I'm trying to say is he looks a lot more muscular then I remember him...I'm sure he remembers you every day hunny..
Jazmin- *Clears Throat....I should get going..It's getting late..
Rose- Will you be fine moving into your new home alone?
Jazmin- Yes Mom...You worry too much..
Rose- Well since both your father and I can't go...I arranged for a special someone to help you..
Jazmin- You did what??
Aquamarine- Mommy!!..Mommy!!!
Jazmin- *Startled...Aquamarine!!
I ran so fast that I stumbled on a chew toy laying in front of the door step. I felt my body lightly fly unto the pavement floor. Suddenly a pair of strong arms caught me. I looked up to see the person I thought I wouldn't see any time soon. His golden brown hair was nicely comed to the side. His pearly white teeth brightly showed in that big smile he gave me. I felt lost in those familiar light blue eyes.
Aquamarine- Mommy are you okay??
Jake- Still clumsy I see..
Jazmin- Jake...I...
Jake- Surprised? *Chuckles
Jazmin- Definitely...It's nice to see you again..Just wished it would've been different..
Jake- *Laughs...I think this way is perfect..
Jazmin- *Clears Throat...So what brings you here?
Jake- Well I was asked to do a special favor...
Jazmin- (Mom!)....Oh really?..I wonder who asked you...
Rose- *Coughs....Um okay well you kids take care now...Hunny your father and I will drive by your new house later okay?...
Aquamarine- Kisses Gramma!
Rose- Of course!..How can I not give my favorite little mermaid a kiss?
Jake- *Whispers...Mermaid?
Jazmin- ...Turns out she has a thing for the Ocean..and mermaids...
Jake- *Thoughtful...I see...
Aquamarine- Mommy could I go with uncle Jake?
Jazmin- Um..He probably has things to do sweetie..
Jake- Nonsense...I came to help the Queen and her little princess move into their new castle...I'm free all afternoon..
Aquamarine- *Giggles...My uncle Miles calls me Princess Aqua..
Jake- *Confused....Uncle? That's no way to address your Dad princess..
Aquamarine- Silly ducky Miles isn't my Daddy Uncle Jake..
Jazmin- *Clears Throat...Um okay tell you what..You could show uncle Jake around the new house once we get there but you gotta go sit inside mommy's car now..
Aquamarine- Okay Mommy..
Jake- Um..
Jazmin- So just follow me from behind...The house isn't too far from this block..
Before I could let him ask anything I got inside the car. I couldn't believe that just happened. Aquamarine grew up calling Miles uncle because that's what him and I agreed too. Never did I stop to think about the outcome these lies would bring me. It's only a matter of time before Jake finds out the truth. A million thoughts ran through my mind. If he was going to find out. I needed to make sure he wasn't in contact with his brother. Incase he was I couldn't risk him knowing. If I had to push him out of my life again then I would do it. Anything to prevent the truth from coming out. I couldn't afford James coming back and taking revenge. If I ever were to lose my babygirl I would surely die.
Jake- Hey this is a nice house..
Jazmin- It's perfect for Aquamarine and I..
Jake- And Miles I suppose?
Jazmin- Yes...Of course...(I can't have him find out about our breakup..He needs to think I'm still with Miles so he won't intervine)
Jake- So I've been meaning to ask...How is everything between you both?
Jazmin- Peachy...Why?
Jake- Just..Wondering why he isn't here..
Jazmin- He..Um...Had to work..
Jake- Oh..Well I'm glad I could help..
Jazmin- How have things been with you?
Jake- Great Actually..I graduated from medical school and well you're officially looking at Redwood-Ville's new doctor..
Jazmin- Oh my gosh Jake!! I'm soo proud of you!!!
I jumped over to him and hugged him tightly. I was beyond excited for him. He had officially completed his goal. He had always mentioned he wanted to be a doctor once we got older. The only person that was able to stop his dream from becoming a reality has been rotting in prison all these years. Nothing had stopped him from achieving his dreams. I felt better within myself for not being a reason for that dream not to become reality. If I had confessed my feelings for him back then, I'm sure he would've stayed. Yeah maybe we could've lived a happy life. Though he would've had a big responsibility to take up on. I know Jake would've sacrificed his dream for Aquamarine and I. That wouldn't have been fair for him.
I noticed he hugged me a bit tighter. I quickly backed away. We both gave each other a sincere sweet smile. Gosh I've missed him so much. He indeed looked really handsome. My mother was right. He had gotten a lot more manly. His chiseled chin only made him look even more attractive. I gazed down to his sweet soft lips. He gave me a thoughtful stare. He then smiled at me once again showing off his pearly white teeth.
Aquamarine- Are you both going to kiss?
Jazmin- Aqua!..Don't say that..
Aquamarine- Sorry Mommy...It's just that my teacher has said when two people look at each other the way you were looking at uncle Jake..It's because they like each other..
Jazmin- Well..I do like your uncle Jake..Very much...He is after all a good friend..(I looked over to Jake and gave him a sweet smile)
Aquamarine- Mommy...It's okay to like him...I like him too...He gives me things I like..Like Toby!
Jake- Speaking off..Where is he?
Aquamarine- Gramps has him...He promised to bring me ice-cream if I let him take him to the doctors..
Jake- Oh is he sick?
Aquamarine- No he just needs to get shots so he could stay healthy..
Jake- You're a very smart girl you know that?
Aquamarine- I know..
Jake- *Laughs...You sure remind me of your mother a lot...
Jazmin- She's a real character..
Aquamarine- Mommy can uncle Jake sleepover??
Jazmin- Aqua!..No..
Aquamarine- But Why?...
Jake- I don't mind..
Jazmin- It's not right Jake...
Jake- Of course...I apologize..
Jazmin- Um I'll actually continue the rest alone thanks a lot for your help though..I really appreciate it..
Jake- No need to thank me..It was a pleasure to catch up on some things and see you both again..
Aquamarine- Do you really have to go Uncle Jake??
Jake- I do my little Ocean princess..But don't worry...I'll swing by tomorrow to see you again..Maybe if Mommy is up for it we can take Toby out for a stroll in the park?
Aquamarine- Yes!! please mommy!??
Jazmin- Okay Okay...Just help mommy fix your toys and we'll go out with uncle Jake tomorrow..
Aquamarine- Yay!!!
Jake- See you tomorrow then?
Jazmin- *Smiles...I'll be waiting for you.
Jake- By the way..I love hearing her call me uncle..Even though I'm not blood related...It still makes me feel like I'm part of her family..
Jazmin- *Gulps....Um yeah...She sure loves you as family...
We hugged and then I saw him drive off. I took in a deep breath as the scene we both shared replayed in my mind. I always wondered what I'd feel if I ever saw him again. Well it's pretty evidential that what I felt for him once long ago..is still alive in me.