4

I woke up to Jessica kissing my cheek and forehead constantly which I found rather cute.

"It's 1:30."

I nodded and got out of bed to stretch out a little.

"How was your nap?"

I turned around and walked to her to give her a hug because I felt like it.

"It was really good. Thank you for letting me use your room."

She kissed my forehead and told me how it wasn't a problem.

"Let's get Alec from school and then I can drop you guys back at the apartment."

"Sounds like a plan. Can I just go to the bathroom?"

"Of course. I'll wait here. Go ahead."

I went and used the bathroom and straightened out my hair before going out and seeing Jessy curled in bed.

"Hey I'm ready."

She turned and smiled before getting up and coming over.

"I'm gonna miss you. And I'm gonna miss kissing you."

"Well I'm gonna miss kissing you alot."

I hugged her and kissed her before literally dragging her downstairs.

"Can we take the Toyota? I don't want to draw unnecessary attention in a fancy car Ms lawyer."

"Sure but I don't just do law you know. I have a few side businesses that are doing really well."

"Well aren't you impressive."

"Very yes. You know one of them is an online magazine company."

"Wait people still read those?"

"Yup. Very much so. And I've been looking for a new manager."

"I don't like where this is going."

"If you give the company 2 weeks notice today, by the following week you'll be a manager."

"Nope. No. No thank you. It should go to someone more deserving."

"The person we were looking at before you was some guy with a bachelor's. You're studying for your masters."

"Okay but-"

"No buts. Say yes. The salary is great. Definitely more than an intern would make at another company."

"You love interrupting me you know."

"I'm sorry but just think about it okay?"

I nodded and watched the gate close behind us as we started off to Alec's school.

"Can I take you guys out for ice cream? Kids love ice cream."

I nodded, not wanting to think about the sugar high I'll have to deal with later.

"So you're awfully quiet."

"Yeah. Dunno why."

"Hey that's okay. Can I have your number?"

I nodded and took her phone to put it in, saving myself and returning her phone to the console.

"Can I hold your hand? Or put my hand on your thigh?"

Keeping her eyes focused on the road she was a little weary as she nodded.

I put my hand on her hand as she drove the automatic car towards the school. The school is in a shoddy area and it's not the best but I was transferring him to another school when I got my new job. If this managing position is anything good I'll be able to get him into a better school. Move into a better apartment. Upgrade my life.

"So tell me about your side businesses? If you want to that is. You don't have to say anything."

"Well I'm part owner in my law firm. I own the majority seats but I do have partners. Then there's the magazine my best friend and I started. She passed a few years back so now it's just mine. But I just collect the paychecks. There is someone running it for me and she's the best boss you could ask for. I own shares in a record label. I basically own alot of shares in major companies and I get paid. And then there's my real estate. I own an apartment building about 5 minutes from my house. It's not as expensive as other apartments in the area but it makes money. And there's the house in Florida I rent out because I never take a holiday. When I made it big enough to be able to open my firm, I lived in a shitty apartment with low rental and I used any excess money to buy shares in companies that looked profitable. You see all these people post about how much the stocks are making them but you don't see the fails. Loosing everything in one go because something happened. But anyway I think that's about it. And I have an non-profit that helps woman. Single mums, abuse victims. Stuff like that. Every year around October we host a gala/fundraiser."

"Holy shit that's alot."

She laughed and squeezed my hand.

"Yeah. It wasn't about money being handed to me. I worked my ass off. Countless nights staring at the computer screen and not getting any sleep only to wake up and go to work the next morning. It was grinding non-stop. When I turned profits with my firm, I immediately helped my sister out. Got her out of the crappy area and paid for her to move up here and to study something. She's now in her final year studying biochemistry. She's really smart. She actually lives with me during holidays, otherwise she stays on campus. I told her to avoid the unnecessary expense and just live at home but she insisted otherwise. It's not like I don't have the money, it was just an excuse to see my little sister. She's coming home this weekend to spend time with me and I can't wait. Also I'm rambling again so I'll stop. I do that alot and I'm sorry."

"You're such an amazing person you know that. What's her name? Your sister?"

She smiled, still focused on the road. We were almost at Alec's school.

"Her names Costia. Costia Chase. She's 25. We were in the same foster house from the time I was 16 until I left the system. When I got my job I found her and she was doing bad. I got my job at 24 when she was 17 and I took her out and fostered her until she was 18. She made the decision to have my surname so we could be 'real siblings' as she called it. About a year ago she got in touch with a blood sibling but I haven't met them yet."

"You just keep proving how amazing you are you know that right. We're here so just stay in the car and I'll go get him and then bring him here for ice cream."

"Okay. Uh I'll just put on music."

I nodded and left the car to go find Alex and Taylor.

I saw them waiting in line to get on the bus.

"Guys!"

They turned to look at me and Alex tugged her hand towards me.

"Come on let's go. You too Taylor."

The both nodded and I held Alec who held Taylor as we made it to the fortuner. Inside Jessica was singing to Taylor swift.

"Heyyyy guyssss! How was school?"

"It was good thanks. Alec had a good day right bud?"

He nodded eagerly and it was so cute.

"School was good. I made a new friend."

"That's really cool bud. So I asked your mom if we could go get ice cream! How does that sound?"

"It sounds yummy! Can Tay come?"

I looked at Taylor who nodded and that caused a scream from my sweet boy. He loves ice cream.

"Okay then let's go."

Taylor and Alec started talking about games while I turned to hold Jessica again.

"Tell me more about this managing position?"

She nodded and I could tell she was excited, which made me smile.

"It's 4 days a week, whichever you prefer. And only one day in the week do you have to go to the office. You have the option to work from home on a laptop provided by the company. You'll be overseeing about 15 people everyday but that's it. Just overseeing people and your salary will be about $55,000 per annum. If we carry on and become more serious as a couple, it won't affect yout job at all. Like I said I just collect the paychecks now."

"No interview or anything?"

"Nope. If you say yes I'll make a call and you can start whenever you can."

I nodded and turned to look at my boy. He was my first priority. This job would mean better everything for him.

"I don't have internet at home."

"Well we can talk about that some other time. For now though, ice cream."

She parked the car and we all got out, Alec gravitating towards me while I waited for Jessica to hold her hand.

"What are you guys getting?"

"I usually get the liquorice or chocolate. Alec loves bubblegum and Taylor got strawberry last time. You?"

"Chocolate."

"Is everyone okay with that order?"

We all nodded and Alec ran in with Jessica to order while Taylor and I sat outside.

"How's everything at home Tay?"

Taylor is 15 and she's in foster care. Her foster parents aren't the best. I would know since I live next door. She's an amazing kid and I help where I can. If I was in a better financial position I would have fostered her myself but I can't unfortunately. She's such an amazing kid and I know her foster parents abuse her but I can't do anything because of how fucked up the system is.

"It's the same. I just wish you could be my mum you know. You're so much better than them and you do more for me than they do."

"I'm getting a new job. That wish might be a reality soon."

I absolutely adore Taylor and she thinks of Alec as a little brother.

"That would be amazing."

"It would."

I brought her into a side big and kissed her head.

"I love you Tay. If you need anything please don't hesitate to come to me Yea?"

"I won't. I love you too ma."

I smiled. Once eveything gets sorted I'm going to get Tay into my home. I'll be able to give her a good life.

"What's up with you and Jessica? I saw the lovey dovey eyes and the hand holding."

"It's nothing. Yet. I like her alot but I don't want to drag her into my messy life but she's adamant about wanting me despite my problems. She knows Alec is my first priority. She's so great with him. I mean look at that."

"She seems wonderful. I'm really happy for you Andy."

"She might be my person kid. I mean we've only known each other a day but there's this spark there that I have never gotten with anyone else. And it's so electrifying. It makes me alive and today for the first time in a long time I was happy with her."

"Well I'm happy for you but if she hurts you, she'll have to deal with me."

Our moment was cut short by Jess and Alec coming back.

"We've got strawberry for the pretty young lady."

Alec handed Taylor a strawberry ice cream in a cup.

"And chocolate for the gorgeous woman sitting with me."

I smiled and leaned in to peck her lips but she pulled away and eyed the kids.

I rolled my eyes, slightly hurt at the rejection and ate my ice cream.

She sat next to me while the kids sat opposite us, immersed in a conversation.

I slightly smiled at this, still butt-hurt over the rejection.

I felt her hand on my thigh as she leaned in to whisper in my ear.

"I'm sorry baby."

I rolled my eyes and focused on my half finished ice cream that was so good I considered forgiving her.

She pouted out and leaned in to my neck, giving me soft kisses that made me want to let out moans.

Oh so she can do that but she can't kiss me.

"I'm sorry Andy. Can I get a kiss please?"

"Depends. Are you going to pull away?"

"No."

I smiled a little and pecked her lips.

"Thank you for the ice cream babe."

"You're welcome angel."

She kissed my cheek and ate her chocolate ice cream.

"So Taylor, tell me about you."

"Well I'm 15. I'm in foster care and I'm a nerd."

"I was in foster care too. My parents died right before I started high-school and I was put in the system. It was awful."

"It's pretty bad. I don't mind talking but I don't want to do it infront of Alec."

I got up and took Alex with me to get a water from the store.

"Ms Jess asked if I was okay with you and her becoming girlfriends."

I widened my eyes at this and turned to look at Jess at the tables.

"She did?"

"Uh huh. I said it would be okay if you didn't get hurt."

"Well bud in relationships, people get hurt but that's part of it."

"Do you think she'll leave like Sam?"

"No baby I don't think that she will."

"Come on let's go back."