Unexpected Love (Jo's Story)

by Nikki Williams

  “Ok, Ryan is upstairs, I think in my room, and Michael should be downstairs hooking up the washer.” Both girls turn and run. One goes upstairs one down. God I love those girls.

  Chapter Two

  “Lucas made all this?” Ryan asks as he shovels some more chicken cordon bleu into his mouth.

  “Yes he did,” my mom says proudly. “I don’t know where he gets it from because lord knows I can’t cook,” she laughs. We are all sitting in the back yard at the newly built picnic table that my grandpa made for me. The girls both finish their chicken and are playing on their swing set. They look happy; I hope this gets easier for them. I think they are old enough to understand everything. The last two years have been very difficult for them. Lizzy has taken it especially hard. She used to go with her dad every weekend to the fire station to help wash the trucks and now she doesn’t even like to drive past. “So, what do you have left to do?” My mom’s voice interrupts my thoughts.

  “I think just unpacking the little stuff,” I look at Michael and Ryan. “They got all the big stuff put together and arranged the three bedrooms for me. I just have to get the kitchen table in from the garage and the kitchen is put together. Michael just has to get the entertainment center finished and they are done.”

  “Well that’s good, I'm glad you guys got so much done this morning.” Mom laughs. “What time did you start?”

  “Ryan and I were here at 7:00 and Michael and Annie got here about 9:00. He had to work this morning.” I smile at Michael. I don’t know how Annie got so lucky with him. He truly is a great guy. He would do anything for Annie, and her friends for that matter. I don’t even know how many times he has come to my rescue for stupid stuff the last two years. He even took the girls one night so that Annie and I could go see a musical. I remember walking into the house and seeing him passed out on the couch with Lizzy on one side and Abby on the other. Annie and I both laughed when we saw that. The girls love him to death and they need that solid man figure in their lives right now. Annie and Michael are going to make great parents someday.

  “Well I'm glad you could all help my baby,” she smiles at them then looks over at me. “You are a lucky girl to have such good friends,” she puts her hand on mine.

  “I know,” I smile. It’s true. I have really learned who my true friends are over the last two years. There are a few I lost and was sad to let go, but there where those that I was not surprised about also. The thought of a couple people still makes me mad. I look out at the girls trying to make my mind go someplace else.

  “So, are you coming to our place to pick the girls up on Sunday?” Mom asks me.

  “I don’t know, do you want me to?”

  “If you want to, John is going to be planted on the couch starting probably 11:00. The scrimmage starts at noon I believe and I know he is going to want to watch it. Maybe we could do lunch?”

  “That sounds good to me,” I smile. That makes me think about Jake. Holy man, I am still in a whirlwind thinking about the fact that he is coming to my house.

  “We get a sneak peek at how crappy the team is going to be again this year,” Ryan pipes in.

  I roll my eyes, “what makes you think they are going to suck?”

  “Well, they didn’t pick up any tight ends, which isn’t essential, but I really think they need to get their defense some help. We need them to get something done because we all know the quarterback can’t do shit,” he says.

  Annie laughs, “He isn’t that bad. He made some damn good big plays last year.”

  “Yeah, a couple plays are not going to get you through a season. He needs to have continual good plays.”

  “He isn’t that bad,” Michael looks at me and smiles. God those two are terrible.

  “Well he sure isn’t that good,” Ryan snorts.

  “Hey, he is cute,” I pipe in.

  “I'm not sure how that is going to get us wins,” Ryan looks at me.

  “I didn’t say it would, I was just stating a fact is all.” I take a drink of my soda.

  “Ok, come on, give me my last two days of sanity with no football please,” my mom laughs. “I will hear about nothing but that for the next six months and I would like two more days of no football if I can get it.” She stands up and starts cleaning off the table. I stand up and help. I follow her into the kitchen and throw away the empty bags and dishes. “So how are you holding up?” She looks at me.

  “Better than expected,” I answer honestly. “I thought this would be a lot harder, but I think I was ready for this. I think I needed to get out of the house and get back on track with my life.”

  “I told you,” she laughs at me. “I knew that being there was making you hold on to a lot of things that you needed to let go of. Don’t get me wrong Jo, I know you love Jarrod, but I think it is time to move forward.”

  “That seems to be the census with everyone. Annie told me the same thing last night, and this morning.” I smile at her.

  “That is because we have seen you grieve for two years now. It’s better for you this way. Now you can start over with the girls and be done with hurting all the time.”

  I sigh, “I hope so. I tell you what; the things that have happened already since I moved out of the house last night have me in shock right now.”

  “What does that mean?”

  Oh crap, “nothing really, just got hit on a lot last night,” I try to play it cool.

  “Oh really,” she raises her eyebrows at me. “Anyone cute?”

  I have to hold back a laugh, “yeah not too bad.” Not too bad?? He is a millionaire and gorgeous.

  “Well that’s good. Maybe you need to go out on a date,” she smiles at me. She has no idea! “Well I think I will round the girls up and head out, it’s already 3:00 and I have to go drop off some paperwork at the post office for your brother.” She heads back to the sliding door and calls for the girls to give kisses because it was time to go. I watch the girls circle around the table and give everyone a kiss and then they come to the door.

  “Bye mommy,” Abby gives me a hug and a kiss.

  “Good-bye sweetheart, you be good for Gramma ok?”

  “I will,” she gives me that big heart melting smile. Lizzy walks up to me when Abby goes by Gramma.

  “Everything ok?” I ask her as she slumps to give me a hug.

  “I miss daddy,” she buries her face in my shoulder. That statement tugs at my heart. I hear it more than I can handle sometimes, but today it is a full out heart breaking sentence.

  “I know baby, I do too. But you know what?” I pull her up so she can see me. “We will be fine, I promise. And daddy is always here for us whenever we need him you remember that ok?”

  She nods her head at me and gives me a hug. I squeeze her tight holding back the tears that I feel forming in my eyes. My mom walks over and takes her hand and tells her and Abby to go get in the truck. “You ok?” She looks at me.

  “Yes,” I force a smile.

  “It will get easier. For you and them,” she hugs me. “I love you. Stay strong baby, you will be fine.”

  “I'm trying,” I watch the girls climb in the truck through the window. “I hate that this is so hard for them.”

  “They will be fine, they are stronger then you think. Especially Lizzy. This is a big change for all of you but you will get it figured out.”

  “I hope so,” I take a deep breath. She turns and heads for the door and smiles at me before she closes it and heads to the truck. I turn and look back out the sliding door and see Ryan, Michael, and Annie sitting there laughing. I will be fine; I have great friends and family. I have made it this far, no giving up now. I walk back out there and sit next to Ryan.

  “You ok?” He puts his arm around my shoulders and pulls me into a hug.

  “Yeah, just a little heart jerk from my monster,” I smile at them. “Lizzy misses her daddy,” I say when Annie gives me a questioning look. Her face drops as soon as I say it.

  “Oh man, that poor kiddo,” R
yan rubs my arm. “They have handled this like champs; hopefully they can keep on going like that.”

  “I think it is just the realization that we are out of the house. She knew why we were moving and that it is meant to help us, but I think it is coming into view for her that we will no longer be where mommy and daddy where together with them as a family.” I put my face in my hands and try hard to force the tears back again.

  “Jo, you can’t be a rock all the time, we all know this is killing you,” Annie sits down next to me. “You have been to hell and back with this situation. You know we all support you and will help you in whatever way we can.”

  “I know,” I take a deep breath. “I just hope it gets easier like my mom said.”

  “Well, we are here for you to help in any way that we can,” Annie smiles at me.

  “Thank you,” I smile back. “Ok, enough chit chat. There is stuff to get done,” I get up and walk toward the house. I hear them laugh behind me and get up to follow. When I look at the clock again it is 4:45 and I see Michael packing up his tools after he is done fighting with the entertainment center. “Get it all under control?” I laugh.

  He snorts,” yes, and I have decided that you are never allowed to move again. And if you do, we are throwing that thing to the curb and buying you a new one. It is a pain in the ass to put together!”

  I laugh, “I remember Jarrod saying the same thing when he first put it together at the house.”

  “I tell you what, this thing is lucky I didn’t just throw it out the front door,” he closes his tool box.

  “Oh I'm sure it wasn’t that bad,” Annie comes down from upstairs in the bathroom. “All your towels and stuff are put away.”

  “Not that bad?” Michael looks at her.

  “Don’t over exaggerate sweetie,” she smiles.

  He shakes his head and takes his tool box out to the truck. She watches him go to the back of the truck. “He has been a little cranky the last few days. I'm not sure what is going on with him. Maybe he is PMSing.” She laughs.

  I just shake my head at her. “He is probably stressed because you are stressed. He knows you are under a lot of pressure to get your masters done especially with school starting in two weeks. He is just being a normal husband.”

  “Well it is getting on my nerves,” she laughs.

  “Oh Annie, shut up,” I slap her arm.

  “Hey Jo, did you need help with anything else?” Ryan comes in from the garage where he was putting the shelf for storage up.

  “No, I think you guys all did enough for me today,” I look at him. “Besides don’t you have to get home to Hailey?”

  He looks at his watch, “yeah she should be leaving the hospital here in about five minutes,” he smiles.

  “Well go then,” I laugh. “I am sure you want to spend the extra time with her. I mean you do have to go back to work on Monday.”

  He looks at me, “yeah unlike my partner who decided to take two weeks off.” He teases me.

  “Hey, I deserve my two weeks, leave me alone!”

  “I know,” he gives me a hug. “Well I am outta here, you need anything give me a call.”

  “I will,” I smile.

  He turns and heads for the door. “Oh yeah, try to behave yourself with your time off. I know how much of a troublemaker you are.” I just shake my head at him and he laughs and heads out the door. I see him stop and say bye to Michael.

  “I suppose we should probably get going too so you can get ready for your date,” a big grin rolls across Annie’s face.

  I roll my eyes, “he is only coming to help me unpack, why should I get all dolled up?”

  “Oh whatever, you know you aren’t going to unpack. The only thing you have left to do is yours and the girl’s rooms.”

  She was right, I got everything in the kitchen done and she did the bathroom. “I have the stuff in here to do.” I look around. I have a lot of pictures to hang and movies to unpack.

  “Yeah, you’re not going to do anything.”

  “Annie, are you ready?” Michael pokes his head in the door. “My dad just called and he was hoping we could make it for dinner.”

  “Oh, yeah that’s fine,” she quick gives me a hug. “Be good and call me in the morning I want details,” she laughs as she heads for the door. “Don’t do anything that I wouldn’t.” She shuts that door and I hear her giggle. I walk over and lock the door behind her and then walk to the service door and make sure that the garage door is shut. When I close the service door I turn and look around. I cannot believe that after six years of being in the house I'm now living in a duplex again. Downsizing just doesn’t seem that great. Although I must admit this place is bigger than I had originally thought. I haven’t had to get rid of anything yet. But I haven’t unpacked the girls’ rooms yet either. But on the bright side they do have a play room for most of their toys, and we have a finished basement so that makes it easier. Maybe someday I will put a family room or something down there.

  I look at my phone, 5:30. I have an hour. First thing, shower. I go upstairs to my room and look around. This place is a disaster. I dig through the baskets that I threw all my clothes in when I packed from Noni’s house. I find a cute top and a nice pair of jeans. I don’t think that I really need to impress, he thinks that he is coming to help me unpack. As I walk in the bathroom I realize that I am super nervous. Holy man, what was I thinking? I should have just thrown that paper away. I am way out of my league here.

  I am sitting on the living room floor going through movies and trying to sort them out in some sort of way that makes sense when I hear a knock at the door. My heart literally jumps to my throat. Holy crap, he is here. The most eligible bachelor in the state, and not to mention the best looking man I have ever seen is now knocking on my door for our date! I walk over and unlock the door and pull it open. I have to keep my jaw under control as it wants to drop clear to the floor. I thought he looked good last night? He is wearing a dark pair of blue jeans, a black button shirt with the top two buttons open to show off a little of his chest. His eyes are a blue that I have never seen before in my life, it is almost like a sea blue. And to top it off his hair even looks good.

  “Hi,” he smiles.

  Holy crap, that smile! “Hi,” I manage to squeak back.

  “Beer and pizza, as promised,” he holds his hands out to show what he brought. I take the case of beer from him and back up to let him in. He walks into the house and waits for me to head to the kitchen and follows. “Looks like you got a lot done.” He says looking around at all the empty boxes.

  “Yeah, my friends helped me out a lot. My two guy friends did all the big stuff and Annie and I put most everything away. Only thing really left is my room and the girls’ rooms. So I guess that gets you out of unpacking,” I smile.

  “Awe, you don’t want my helping you unpack your room? Think I might learn too much about you,” he teases. He sets the pizza down on the table and pulls out a stool to sit on.

  “No, I just thought it might be a better date if we did something a little more fun,” I put the beer in the fridge and grab us each one before I close the door. I set one in front of him then pull out the stool next to him. “This smells amazing,” I grab a piece of pizza.

  “My favorite place in town. It’s called Walley’s. It’s not too far from my place and as far as I am concerned the have the best pizza around.”

  “Eat a lot of pizza?” I tease him.

  “Yeah, I'm not much of a cooker. Of course not that I have a lot of time to cook anyway.” He takes a bite of his pizza. “So, do you cook?”

  “I love cooking. I never used to until my brother opened his own restaurant but now that he does I like to try. I think mostly to prove to my mom he didn’t get all the talent.” I laugh. I don’t tell him I am terrible at it though.

  “What restaurant?”

  “It’s called A.L.E. House.”

  “Where did he come up with that?”

  “He used Abby, Lizzy, a
nd his initials.”

  “That’s awesome. I think I have heard of that place. It hasn’t been open very long has it?”

  “No, only about six months. He was on track to open it sooner but then a bunch of personal stuff happened and he had to postpone the opening by about four months.” I take a long swig of beer. Maybe this will calm me down a little. Even sitting here having a conversation with him I am still a bundle of nerves.

  “You ok?” He flashes that amazing smile at me again.

  I shake my head and laugh, “Yeah I am fine.”

  “You seem a little nervous?” He sets his beer back down that he just took a drink of.

  “Gee I wonder why that might be. You think it might have something to do with the fact that you are sitting here at my table right now?”

  “I don’t see the big deal,” he takes a bite of pizza. “I'm just a normal guy on a date with a normal girl.”

  I snort, “Normal girl sure, I will give you that, but you are not a normal guy. You are probably one of the most famous men in Baltimore and you are sitting here having pizza and drinking beer with me, at my house.”

  “You are overthinking this way too much Jo. I try to have a normal life the best that I can with the title that I have. I'm not the type of guy that flashes off what I have and the fact that I am a professional football player. That is just a job to me.”

  I look at him. “Seriously? How is it that every woman in Maryland and probably all surrounding states wants to be with you, yet here you are, single, and eating pizza with a single mom of two?”

  He just smiles at me, “I'm picky.” He takes his last bite of pizza and reaches for another one.

  “Well you can’t be that picky if you chose me out of all the women in the bar last night.”

  He takes a drink of his beer and then sets it back down and just stares at me. “You are very critical of yourself.”

  “Yeah, bad habit I guess,” I take a drink of beer. I can feel his eyes burning into the side of my face but I don’t look at him. I take the last drink of my beer and take it to the sink to rinse the bottle out.