I turned around and my eyes found Xazix from the doorway. He looked relieved and grateful at the same time, and I knew it had something to do with the way I treated the girl.
I shook my head in the way that says that it was no hardship at all. And, I meant it.
TANNER
The sun had just begun to peek through the window as I woke up early to take care of the baby. Jasamina was still sleeping soundly in her room, and I wanted to give her some much-needed rest. Although I didn't have much experience with babies, I did my best to remember the tips Suzy had given me.
After feeding and changing Jaime's clothes and diapers, I placed him in his stroller and wheeled him to the kitchen. The little one was content, playing with his toys and making happy gurgling noises. As I started to prepare breakfast, my mind began to wander, and I found myself lost in thought again. That seems to happen a lot lately.
Mostly, my thoughts were centered around my impending departure. I had received a call from Xax earlier, and he had confirmed that we'd be leaving tomorrow. Even though I had been expecting it, the news still hit me hard. I didn't want to leave Jasamina and Jaimie. I had grown to love them and the peaceful life we had built together. However, I knew deep down that I couldn't stay forever. I had my own life to live, I have to go to rehab and Jasamina had to learn to stand on her own two feet.
The more I thought about it, the more conflicted I became. I had developed feelings for Jasamina that went beyond friendship. They were feelings that I knew were inappropriate, and I struggled to keep them in check. I couldn't ignore the fact that I desired her, but I knew that acting on those feelings would only complicate things. We needed space from each other - for me to mourn the loss of my family and for her to recover from the abuse she had suffered at the hands of her ex-husband.
As I cooked, my thought drifted to my parents. I have missed them so much. Suddenly, I felt something hit my leg, drawing my attention away from my thoughts. I looked down to see Jaimie's toy at my feet. I picked it up and handed it back to the baby, who smiled widely at me. As I watched him play, I felt a sense of warmth spread through me. I realized that, even though I was leaving, I would always cherish the memories I had made with Jasamina and her beautiful baby.
I have to do everything in my power to help Jasamina. I would help her get a job to be self-sufficient and independent before leaving but still I don't feel like that would be enough. I could open an account for her and send her money every month to help her take care of Jaimie. Yeah, that seems like a great idea. Knowing that I had a plan in place gave me a sense of peace.
As I continued to cook, the aroma of breakfast filled the kitchen. The baby's happy gurgles and coos added to the pleasant atmosphere, and I couldn't help but smile. Even though I was leaving, I knew that I would always cherish this moment - the simple joy of cooking breakfast with a baby in the room.
JASAMINA
As I slowly opened my eyes, I was greeted by the aroma of food wafting through the air. The tantalizing scent of bacon, and pancakes immediately aroused my appetite, and I found myself hungry, with a deep growling in my stomach. I shifted on the bed and checked the time on my phone; the clock read 10 a.m. I felt a pang of guilt for sleeping in so late.
As I got out of bed, I stretched my arms above my head, expecting a jolt of pain from the bruises and cuts I had sustained. To my surprise, I didn't feel any pain. A smile broke out across my face. I took a deep breath, savoring the relief that washed over me as I realized that the pain and suffering of the past few days had finally subsided. I decided to take a quick shower before joining them.
Thirty minutes later, I entered the living room and saw that Tanner had already set the table with an array of breakfast delicacies. My mouth watered as I took in the sight of pancakes, bacon, and eggs, all cooked to perfection. Jaimie was sitting in his stroller, engrossed in playing with his toys. Tanner looked up as I walked in, and a broad smile lit up his face.
"You came out just in time for breakfast," Tanner said, motioning for me to take a seat. We exchanged greetings, and I settled into the chair beside him, feeling grateful for his kindness and hospitality.
As we ate, Tanner suddenly spoke up. "We're going job hunting for you today," he said. "You know I'm leaving tomorrow, and I won't be able to have a peaceful journey if I'm not sure you'll be alright in my absence."
At the mention of his departure, my heart skipped a beat, and a wave of anxiety washed over me. The thought of him leaving was unbearable. The idea of having to find a job on my own only added to my anxiety.