Chapter 1
“I can’t believe that the twins are 7 years old already” Jo where speaking to Rachel. It’s been 7 years since she married Jon and they got twins, Amanda and Ruben. Jo is now 25 and Jon is 30. They’ve been married for 7 years and the twins are celebrating the 7th birthday. “I know… they’re so beautiful both of them” Rachel also got two kids with Jeremy, a year after Jo and Jon got the twins, Rachel and Jeremy got a boy named Christopher, and a year after that a girl named Judy “Thanks Rachel. How are Christopher and Judy doing?” “Oh they’re doing fine. They can’t wait until Ruben and Amanda’s birthday party!” “That’s nice. It’s on Saturday at 05:30 sharp” Jo looked at the invitations she had written “We’ll be there” “Nice. Well I’ll see you in two days then Rachel. Love you” “Love you to, bye” Jo and Rachel hung up their phones.
“Honey I’m home” Now Jon came home from work, he came in the kitchen and gave Jo a kiss. “Where are the twins?” “Oh they’re outside… they saw a new poster at the cinema, they just HAD to se what movie it is” “Those two are some funny kids. Maybe we should send them to a movie, so we can spend some time alone. I mean they can go to the movies tomorrow. I’m sure dad want to see a movie with the, He adores them” Jo kissed Jon “Not a bad idea Jo! Let’s tell them when they come in… first you have to call Dave” Jo did as Jon said.
“Hi mommy” The twins came in and hugged Jo “We’ve missed you” Amanda smiled. The girl is just like Jo as Jo where at that age. Long blonde hair, big blue eyes and a nice smile, also very caring and happy. “I’ve missed you to my little girl” “Mommy, did you know that Harry Potter is going to come on cinema tomorrow?” Ruben, where pretty excitied, the young boy looked like his father, except from the big blue eyes. “Yes I did, so have I decided that you and your sister can go and see it, together with your grandfather” Both kids gave Jo and Jon a hug “Thanks you’re the best parents in the world” they said, and they went up to their rooms with their bags and schoolbooks. “Yes we are the best parents in the world” Jon laughed and blinked to Jo.
“Hi grandpa!” The twins runned down the stairs as Dave opened the door to Jo and Jon’s house. “Hello kids, are you ready for a movie?” “Yes we are, we can’t wait” Ruben answered. Jo and Jon came out and Dave hugged Jo “There’s my little girl” he said when he saw Jo. “Hi dad, well the twins have packet their bags… I’m so happy that they can stay at you and mum’s house, so Jon and I can fix things here at home” Jo blinked at her father. The one thing that they had to fix where the surprise party for the twins 7th birthday. “No problem. We love this kids. See ya tomorrow”. “Bye mum, bye dad love you” The twins nearly runned out the door with their grandpa.
“Oh my God” Jon said “what” “Can’t you hear it?” Jon continued “Hear what” Jo asked “The silence…!” Jon laughed and took his hand around Jo’s waist “I mean, No Britney Spears on Amanda’s radio, and no sound from Ruben’s drum-set…” He smiled “Yeah, you’re right darlin’, it’s actually quiet” Jo looked at Jon “We have the house to ourselves now… can you believe it… we haven’t been alone, just you and I in several months…” “I know, the silence is a beautiful sound” Jon said and kissed Jo. They kissed for a long time, and then the phone rang.
“Hello, it’s Vanessa McLeod here, I’m so sorry to bother you at this time of the day, but we have some problems with one of the school’s computers. Could you please come and have a look?” Vanessa McLeod where a new young teacher. A woman who where 27 years old. Very pretty looking and she where very interested in Jon. She also where the twins English teacher, and Jon’s colleague. “Aren’t there anyone there to help you?” Jon where not happy about the message “No there’s no one here at the moment. So I didn’t know whom to ask beside you” “Alright, I’ll be there in an half an hour” Jon hung up and turned to Jo. “I’m sorry hunny, I have to help Vanessa McLeod with a school computer. I’ll be back in no time” Jon kissed Jo and made a sad face “Ok, if you have to go you have to go” Jo said “I might bake a cake then… I don’t have to do it tomorrow before the party” Jon went and Jo started to bake a cake.
“So what’s the problem” Jon had now arrived the teacher’s office where he had to help Vanessa with the computer. “Oh hi, well it won’t go on the internet, and I have to go there to take out some tasks for my students” Jon sat down in front of the computer and tried to go on internet, but it didn’t work. What he didn’t know where that Vanessa had unplugged the cable that where connected to the Internet, so the computer couldn’t go on Internet. “There’s something wrong with this computer, why don’t we try another one” Jon looked at Vanessa, “Oh well, I didn’t think of that. Let’s try” Jon moved to the next computer, which seemed to have the same problem. “I don’t know what’s wrong” Jon said, “We might have to install everything one more time” Jon started to do that, but even though how much he tried, the computers didn’t work. “Let me try one more time then” Vanessa looked at Jon. Jon where about to get up from the chair, but before he could Vanessa sat down on his lap. She started to click on the Internet icon but as she knew… the computer wouldn’t respond. “I think I have to go home. These computers are useless. I have to go now before it gets really dark outside. Jon where relieved that Vanessa finally got off his lap.
“I can drive you home” Jon couldn’t believe what he just said and he regret that he said it “You can? Vanessa smiled “Well it’s not far from me. And since it’s the same way and you have to walk anyway, I can give you a ride” Jon and Vanessa went to the car. “Thank you for letting me drive with you” Vanessa took her hair out from the tight top she had in her neck. Jon just looked at her. “So how are Ruben and Amanda doing?” “Oh their doing fine. They’re at their grandparent’s house now” Jon answered looking at the road as he was driving. “Is that your parent’s?” “No, Jo’s parents” “Ok” Vanessa just smiled. “Stop here… this is my house” Jon stopped the car and Vanessa pointed at a little yellow house “Is that you and your husbands house?” Jon asked. Then Vanessa laughed “Haha, do you see me with a husband… no I don’t either have a boyfriend” Jon looked at her “Oh sorry” Jon said “No problem, thanks for driving me home… I” Then she got interrupted by Jon’s mobile phone, and she waited while he was answering it “Hello” Then he heard Jo in the other end “Hi, are you home soon? I miss you” She said “I miss you to my love, I’ll be home in ten minutes. I’m just dropping off Vanessa” “Ok” Jo answered “I love you, see you in ten minutes Jo” Jon hung up and looked at Vanessa “Your beloved wife” Vanessa said with a bit of sarcasm in her voice “Yes that was my high beloved wife” Jon said. The he felt a hand on his knee “Well thanks for the ride Jon” Vanessa removed her hand as she was going out of the car.
“Jo are you there?” Jon could smell a wonderful smell of new baked cake, he saw in the fridge and there a beautiful cake where… on the top of it is said “HAPPY 7TH BIRTHDAY, WE LOVE YOU” Jon smiled and he continued looking for Jo. He went in to the living room and there where no Jo there either. “She must have gone to bed,” he thought. He locked the front and back door and he turned the lights off, then he went upstairs. He came up and in to the room, where Jo sat on the bed, but naked.
“Surprise” she said “Jon locked the door behind him “My God I’m surprised” He said as he was watching the naked Jo on the bed, she stood up and came towards him “Soo, Now that you’re home, and the kids are at my parent’s house… I though you could use your magic hands and give me a massage” Jo started to take Jon’s clothes off “I would love that” Jon said and started to help Jo with getting his clothes off. Two seconds later he and Jo where in bed and Jon started to massage Jon. “mmm, you’re so good at this” Jo said. “Thank you… but now I have to stop” “Why?” Jo said with a fake sad voice “Because I want to make love with my beautiful wife” Jon said and he sat on the bed edge. Jo sat up beside him and started to kiss Jon on his shoulder “Do you like this baby” Jo asked and continued kissing his shoulder and neck. “Yes I do” Jon answered and he laid his head on Jo’s shoulder. Then Jo moved her hand to Jon’s knee… Jon got a feeling of a knife through his stomach. He thought of what Vanessa had done to him in the car. He quickly removes Jo’s hand and pushes her back on the bed and climbed on top of her. He kissed her chest “I know you like this Jo-Jo” He said.
Jon woke up in the middle of the night. Jo where sleeping like a baby on his arm. He looked at her and kissed her head. She moved a little and said something that Jon didn’t catch, he just answered “I love you to baby”. He couldn’t help but thinking of Vanessa when he lay there with Jo in his arms. “I can’t believe I’m thinking of that woman at al, here I’m laying in my bed, with my beautiful wife in my arms, which I have two perfect kids with” Jon thought.
“Good morning my love” Jo where already up and she had made al the things for the twins surprise party finished. Now she stood by the bed where Jon slept and she had made breakfast for him. “Oh Jo-Jo, you didn’t have to do that” Jon said when he saw the tray with food “After the wonderful things you did to me last night, I had to” Jo said smiling. Now Jon felt the guilt hitting him in the stomach. He ate the breakfast and Jo went out. Then his mobile phone rang “Hello it’s Jon” “Hi Jon, it’s Vanessa. I was wondering if we could try to get the computers on school to work today?” Jon held his breath before he answered, “Well it’s my children’s 7th birthday” “Oh ok, well then. I guess I have to wait then” Vanessa pretended to be disappointed “Well… maybe I can be there later, after most of the guests has gone home” “Oh really, can you pick me up then?” “Yes I can, let’s say 9 o’clock then” “Yes, see ya” Vanessa hung up and Jon felt a bit bad.
“Jo I have to speak with you for a moment” Jon dragged Jo in to the kitchen “What is it? Something wrong?” Jon looked at her and he felt a knife in his spine “No hunny, nothing wrong, I just have to go to the school and fix something later today” “What! It’s the twins birthday party, you just can’t go” Jon got a bit annoyed “I have to Jo, if I don’t I loose my job” Jon felt bad lying for Jo, but he had to see Vanessa to see if his feelings for her where just a trick or if it was real “Okay, but I hate it” Jo said and went back in to the living room to set the tables. Jon went after her “Jo it’s not my fault” “Don’t start Jon, you could have said no” As much as Jon did know that he could turn Vanessa down he wanted to go and see her. But he’d never seen Jo this angry before. “Just leave me alone for a minute,” Jo said.
Jo where really pissed off at Jon, but now she had to welcome the guests. The first ones where Rachel, Jeremy, Judy and Christopher “Hello, welcome it’s so nice to see you” “Hi auntie Jo” Judy said and gave Jo a hug, as did Christopher. “You two have grown, you are really handsome Chris, and Judy you are so pretty” “Thanks auntie Jo. Where are Amanda and Ruben?” Christopher asked, “They’re not here yet, they don’t know about this birthday party, it’s a surprise” Rachel said as she where giving her best friend Jo the biggest hug.
Chapter 2
More guests arrived and Jo welcomed them all. A half an hour later Amanda and Ruben turned up. Al the guests hid in the living room while Jo and Jon stood in the door to wish their children a happy birthday. “Happy birthday angels” Jo said as the twins came in. Dave and Babs came with them. “Thank you, do you have any presents for us?” Ruben asked and looked at Amanda, both looked at Jo with big eyes. “Well we do” Jo answered, “But let’s go in to the living room first and you two can tell me about the movie you saw yesterday” “Ok”. Al of them went in to the living room “It’s dark in here” Amanda said “Please turn on the light Ruben” Ruben did as Amanda said and as the light went on all the guest jumped out from behind the sofa “SURPRISE” they shouted. Amanda and Ruben hugged Jo and Jon “Oh my God, we’ve never had a surprise party before… thank you mum and dad,” They said.
The party went on, the twins got lots of nice presents. From Rachel and Jeremy they got carpets with pictures of them with Judy and Christopher. And many other pictures on, pictures from their holidays and pictures with them, Rach and Jez and Jo and Jon. “Thanks auntie Rachel and uncle Jez” They said and hugged them. Then they went out in the garden together with Judy, Christopher and a bunch of other kids.
“I have to go now” Jon tried to kiss Jo goodbye as she was standing with Rachel in the living room, Jo turned away and Jon didn’t get to kiss her. “Go then” She said and continued to talk to Rachel. Jon went off and Rachel looked at Jo “What was that al about?” She asked Jo, “Nothing, he’s just so stupid sometimes,” Jo answered. “I don’t want to talk about it” She said “let’s go and get the cake and serve the guests” Rachel and Jo went in to the kitchen to get the cake. When they came out again all the guests started to sing Happy Birthday and Amanda and Ruben stood on some chairs.
Three hours went fast and most of the guests went home. The only four that was left in the birthday party where Rachel and Jeremy + the kids. They helped Jo to clean of al the mess that most of the kids had made. “Jon’s not home yet… where did he go?” Rachel asked Jo when they got a spare moment in the hallway. “To work, he said he had to. Sometimes the work is more to him than me and the twins” Jo answered Rachel with an angry tone in her voice. “Ok” Rachel said, she didn’t dare to ask more.
Jon and Vanessa
Meanwhile Jon and Vanessa where at Vanessa’s house. “Thanks for the ride again Jon, do you want to come in and have cup of tea?” She asked him “I’m not sure. It’s Amanda and Ruben’s birthday, I think I have missed most of the party so I have to go home” Vanessa looked at him and blinked “Are you sure the kids and wife can’t wait a little bit more? They’ve already waited three hours, a half an hour more doesn’t matter…” She said. “Well, a cup of tea might taste good after all the work” Jon said and went in with her.
“You have a really nice house” Jon and Vanessa just got in and hung their jackets up. “Thank you, well I’m going to put the tea on now. You can just go in to the living room and make yourself at home.” Vanessa went to put the cupper on and Jon went in to Vanessa’s house. Then his mobile rang, “When are you planning to get home?” Jo’s upset voice in the other end made Jon’s heart beat fast “I’m still at work… don’t know when I’ll be home” Jon tried to calm down Jo “Oh so the work takes that much time?” Jo where still mad “Yes it does Hunny” Jo answered “Don’t come and hunny me, I’ve been alone many hours now throwing a birthday party for our children, and you just go to work. I’m glad that Rachel and Jez helped me clean up” “I’m sorry darlin’ I’ll be home soon” “Well, don’t expect me to be up when you come home. And by the way, I’m giving Amanda and Ruben their presents, they have to be in bed soon and you’re not home so…” “But…” Before Jon could answer Jo hung up. Then Jon felt two arms grabbing him by the waist from behind “Trouble at home” Vanessa said “No not really” Jon lied to Vanessa, and then Vanessa started to kiss him in the neck, Jon turned around and met Vanessa’s lips. They kissed for a long time
At Jo and the twins
Back at Jo’s she’d given the twins their presents, and they where ready to open them. Amanda opened her first “I wonder what it’s” she said and started to wrap the paper, and then a beautiful necklace appeared. “Oh my God mum, it’s so pretty! Thank you a million times” The little girl smiled her pretty smile and kissed Jo on the check “You’re welcome sweetie, and look, your name is on it to!” “Oh MY GOD!” Ruben where thrilled when he saw the new watch Jo got for him. “It has my name on it as well! You’re the best mum ever!” Ruben hugged Jo so she could hardly breathe for some seconds. “Oh it’s not only from me, it’s from daddy as well” she said and tried to smile. “Where’s daddy then?” Amanda asked, “He’s at work” “Oh so the work is more important to him than me and Ruben’s birthday?” Ruben said and looked at Jo with his big eyes. “No of course not, you two mean the world to us. But sometimes daddy has to go to meetings so he can keep his job” Even though Jo thought the same as Ruben, she just kept it for herself. “Well kids, it’s bedtime. I hope you two have enjoyed the birthday party” “Yes we have mummy, it’s been the best ever. And it was so nice to see auntie Rachel and uncle Jez again” Ruben said “And to see Judy and Christopher” Amanda smiled and the twins went to bed.
Back at Jon and Vanessa
“Sorry, I think we have gone too far” Jon stopped kissing Vanessa “To far?” Vanessa said and kissed him again “Your wife will never know that we’re kissing” Now Vanessa opened Jon’s zipper in his jeans and her hand went in under the jeans. Jon could feel a passion inside and he couldn’t resist…but he had to “I’m so sorry Vanessa, you’re a beautiful woman and I think I have feelings for you. That’s why we have to end this now, I have a wife and two beautiful kids that I’m prod of” Jon backed off and he locked his zipper. “Ok” Vanessa said, “I’ll walk you out, you probably have to be home to your precious wife and children” Vanessa walked Jon out, while Jon where going out he turned and kissed Vanessa one more time, outside on the stairs “We have to meet again” he said. But before Jon kissed Vanessa, they didn’t notice a car that went by and stopped.
In Rachel and Jeremy's car
“Hey isn’t that Jon’s car” Rachel said while she and Jeremy passed. Jez backed and the parked beside Jon’s car. “Yes it’s, why is he parked here, didn’t he have a school meeting?” Jez turned off the car lights “let’s just wait here and see, Rachel are Judy and Chris sleeping?” Rachel looked at the two children in the backseat, two tired children “Yes they are” Three minutes later Rachel saw Jon “There’s Jon” But one second after Jon had come out Vanessa came behind him, Rachel and Jez could see her clearly from neon light outside her house “Who’s that woman then” “I…” Before Rachel could answer they both saw Jon kiss Vanessa “What the heck was that” Rachel yelled, “I don’t know, but phone Jo” Jez handed Rachel his mobile phone. “I don’t want to hurt Jo” Rachel said and tried to give Jez his phone back. But he refused to take it “Rachel, if you don’t want to hurt Jo you have to tell her this. She’s your best friend, and if you don’t tell her this you can’t face her again” He said. “Alright, I have to tell her” Rachel found Jo’s number on the telephone list on the mobile and called her.
“Hello” she heard Jo’s voice, she could hear that her friend had cried, but she had to tell her what she saw “Hi Jo, it’s me. You’re probably going to be really mad at me for this, but I have to tell you anyway. So please don’t say something before I’m finished OK, or it will be harder to tell you” “Shoot” Jo said in the other end. “Ok, here I’ll go. On our way home now we saw Jon’s car outside a house. We weren’t sure if it was Jon’s car so Jez pulled over and we parked beside the car to see if it was Jon’s, which it was. We thought it was funny that his car was parked outside a house since he was going to a school meeting. So we waited a bit to see if we saw him. Then he walked out from the house, but out behind him came a woman, before Jon went down the stairs from her house he kissed her”. Rachel started to cry “I’m sorry Jo” First she could only hear Jo crying in the other end, but then she started to talk “Are you sure it was Jon? I mean wasn’t it just a guy who looked like him?” “I hate to tell you this but we could see Jon clearly since the lights from the woman’s house where pretty sharp. And it was his car, we saw the registration number” Rachel could hear Jo burst in to tears and she started to cry as well “Listen Jo, do you want me to come over? I’ll ask Jez to drive me back to your house” “No thanks Rachel. I appreciate that you have told me this, and not keeping it from me. I think I have to talk to Jon tonight when he comes home. I won’t mention you and Jez OK!” “Ok Jo, but remember, me and Jez love you and the twins, if there’s anything just call me or him. No need to think about the time, we’ll come and pick you and the twins up, no matter what time. Love you and good luck, Jez wishes the same” “Love you to, and thank you”
Back at Jo and Jon's
Jo where sitting on the coach crying, the twins where a sleep and she was waiting for Jon. Finally she heard his car outside and she could see the car lights go off. Then the door went up. “Sweetie I’m back” Jo felt a stomach ache as she heard the word “Sweetie” “Jo darlin’ are you up? I can see the light are on” Jon hung his jacket up and he sat his suitcase on the hallway floor. Then he went in to the living room where Jo sat in the sofa, tearful “What is it hunny, did anything happen while I was at the meeting?” He had a bad feeling while he lied to her. He sat down beside her and tried to put his arm around her, but Jo moved away “Are you still mad at me?” Jon said in a friendly voice “Give me one reason not to be” Jo said and stared at Jon “Ok, I love you and I never meant to hurt you” Jon said and stroke a tear away from Jo’s check, but Jo quickly removes his hand away from her “Is that what you say to all your woman?” Jon felt like his heart where leaving his soul when he heard Jo say those words. “What do you mean by that” He tried to stay calm but he started to sweat “I mean what I said! I know that you where with another lady this afternoon, and she’s the one you’re coming home from now” Jo started to cry “Why Jon… Am I not good enough for you? Where I only a object who could bring you children and then you could cheat on me?” “No Jo” Jon where a bit angry now “Nothing happened, I just drove Vanessa McLeod home after the meeting” “And then you kissed her on the stairs that lead to her door” Jo continued “Where do that come from?” Jon became angrier “Eye witnesses” Jo answered and stood up “You’re a liar Jon. I hate you” Jo went upstairs and slammed the door.
“Shit I’m busted” Jon thought while he was left alone… “How can I convince Jo that it didn’t mean anything??” Jon went upstairs, but the door to his and Jo’s bedroom where locked.
Chapter 3
“Jo please open the door so we can talk like to normal people” Jon knocked on the door several times, but Jo didn’t open. “Please Jo-Jo, we’re grown-up people let’s talk about this”. “GO AWAY” Jo shouted “And don’t Jo-Jo me your son of a bitch” She cried and shouted to Jon. “No I won’t go away before we can talk about this!” “No, I won’t talk to you know. I’m too angry and I hate you!” “Don’t shout so load Jo, you can wake the twins” Jon heard some noises from Ruben’s bedroom “I don’t care… maybe it’s time for the kids to know what kinda father they have” Now Jo opened the door and faced Jon “You know what, I’ll take the car and I’ll drive over to Rachel’s. I’ll take Amanda and Ruben with me, then you can have the time you want with that lady you’re having an affair with” “Don’t be silly Jo” Jon tried to touch her, but Jo backed “Don’t touch me… you have just touched another woman. But OK, then I’ll take the car now and I’ll be spending the night at Rachel’s. Tomorrow you can explain the twins why I’m not here” Jo went down the stairs and Jon went after her.
“Give me the car keys now” Jo said and looked at Jon, she tried to hide that’s he was crying “No you’re staying here” Jon grabbed Jo’s arm hard “Ouch, you’re hurting me, give me the car keys or I’ll scream so the twins can see that you’re hurting me” Jon let go of Jo and gave her the car keys “Good bye, I’ll call you tomorrow” Jon went out and she started the car. ”Hi Rachel it’s me” Jo called Rachel, she could see Jon in the window, but she didn’t care “Hi darlin’” it was good to hear Rachel’s friendly voice “Can I come over and sleep at your place?” Jo felt that her tears rolled down her check “Sure you can. We’re awake so just come whenever you want to” “I’m in the car now, just drove off” “Ok see you in 20 minutes then”
At Jez and Rachel's house
The 20 minutes car ride seemed like forever, Jo where crying so much that she could hardly see the road. But now she saw Rachel and Jez’s house. She drove up in the driveway and parked the car. She waited some minutes before she knocked on the door. ”Hi hunny, come in, you look like you’ve been crying a lot” Rachel gave Jo a hug and locked the door behind her “I don’t know what to do” Now Jo where sitting in the coach in Rach and Jez’s lovely living room “I don’t want to bother you two but I have no where else to go” Jo cried and Jez gave her a shoulder, he held her tight “Cry as much as you want to Jo we’re here for you as long as you need us” Jeremy stroke her over her back “I’m going to make some tea” Rachel went in to the kitchen.
“Was she prettier and slimmer than me?” Jo asked Jeremy “No Jo she wasn’t, you’re a very beautiful woman, and no she wasn’t slimmer that you. She wasn’t near to compete with you Jo, you have a nice body and she didn’t, well after what I saw and we where pretty close. You and Rachel are the most beautiful girls I know” Jeremy said and he made Jo laugh a bit “Thank you” she said and wiped her tears.
Rachel, Jo and Jeremy sat up for a long time and talked. The hours just went by. “Well I’m tired girls, I think I have to go to sleep now” Jeremy gave both the girls a kiss on their check and went to bed. “I’m actually a little bit tired myself,” Jo said and Rachel agreed. “Let me get some clothes for you, is it Ok that you sleep on the coach?” “Yes, thank you for everything Rachel, thank you for being honest to me. I hope I don’t bother you” “Off course not, you’re my best friend and I love you” Rachel went to get some clothes.
It was a sleepless night for Jo. All she could think about was Amanda and Ruben, but she was glad the kids had mobile phones so she could call the whenever she wanted. “Oh my two little babies,” She said and then she fell a sleep. She slept for some hours before she got waken by Judy. She had come down in the living room to watch some TV before Christopher and her parents woke up. She didn’t see Jo so she sat down on her, and then she screamed “Auntie Jo! What are you doing here?” A big smile appeared on the little 5 year old girl and she hugged Jo “Hi sweetie, I just spent the night here” She sat up so Judy could have some space in the coach as well “Can I sit under your carpet, it’s cold here” Judy lifted the carpet a bit “Sure you can, Jo took her arm around Judy and they both sat under the carpet and watched TV”
“Are Amanda and Ruben at home? And where’s uncle Jon?” Jo felt a lump in her throat but she managed to answer Judy with out crying “They’re all at home. It’s just auntie Jo that are a little bit tired so she decided to come over here and sleep” It wasn’t the whole truth but a little bit. She couldn’t tell the little sweet girl what her uncle had done anyway. “Judy, go and get some clothes on and we’ll drive to the shop and buy some breakfast” The little girl jumped up from the coach and went upstairs. Jo went in to the bathroom on the 1st floor and putted on the clothes Rachel lent her. Then she heard some footsteps from the stairs “I’m finished auntie Jo, let’s go”
The two girls arrived to the shop and went in. “What are we buying?” Judy asked and grabbed Jo’s hand “I don’t know hunny, any suggestions?” “We can make sausages, eggs and bacon. And maybe potatoes on the side” The little girl licked her mouth and looked at Jo “Ok then, but then you have to help me when we get back” “Really! I’m aloud to help you in the kitchen? Thanks auntie Jo” Judy went along with Jo and she where very proud.
Well back home at the Stevens Edwards house, Judy and Jo started to make breakfast. The other usually slept for a long time Judy told Jo that when she came down that morning. “Judy hand me the eggs please” Judy pickets up the eggs and gave them to Jo “Are Amanda and Ruben coming over as well?” Judy asked Jo “No not today Judy little, but soon I think” “Ok. I had so much fun last night at the birthday party. Me and Amanda are really close… isn’t that good auntie Jo?” “Yes it is. Amanda’s very close to you too, it’s kinda funny you know, ‘cos me and your mum are best friends!” Jo nearly laughed.
After the two girls had made breakfast they heard footsteps in the living room and some in the stairs. “Mum and dad are coming now” Judy said and opened the kitchen door and her parents appeared “Morning my little angel” Rachel said and gave Judy a kiss on her forehead “Morning mum and dad! Auntie Jo and me made breakfast” She pointed at the kitchen table that where all set with food and plates “I see, you’re so nice” Rachel hugged Jo and whispered, “thanks” in her ear. “Well let’s eat then” Now Christopher also came in and Jez where extremely hungry. “Please sit down” Jo said and sat the pan and fried potatoes on the table.
After breakfast Christopher and Judy went up to the living room in the 2nd floor to play playstation. That gave Rachel, Jez and Jo time to talk. ”So what are you going to do Jo?” Jez looked at her while the three of them where sitting around the table “I don’t know… I love Jon so much and I really want to forgive him… but what if he does it again?” Jo took a deep breath, “We have no guarantee, but if you think you can trust him again, that give it a shot. Maybe he regrets this” Rachel bit herself in the lip “Call him Jo, give him one chance, if he blew it this time, leave him!” “You think so” Rachel and Jeremy nodded
At Jo and Jon's house
Jon ran in to the living room when he heard the phone ring… but Amanda grabbed the phone and answered before Jon got there “Hello It’s Amanda O’Meara Lee speaking” Jon reached for the phone, then he saw a huge smile on his daughters face “Hi mum! Where are you? I miss you, dad didn’t make as good breakfast as you, and he’s all grumpy today. Rueben went to his mate Liam one hour ago, their going to play hide and seek and won’t have me with them” “I’m at Auntie Rachel’s house right now, something came up and I had to help her. I’ll talk to Ruben when I come home sweetie, and I’ll make a good dinner to make up for the breakfast. But let me speak to your dad please… Love you hunny” “Bye mum and I love you to” Amanda gave Jon the phone and ran upstairs.
“Hello” Jon sat down in the coach and moved his feet on the table “What is it” he asked “Did the kiss with that lady mean anything to you?” Jo asked him directly “No it didn’t” Jon said. He wasn’t sure if it meant anything either. “Do you love me?” Jo said and Jon could hear her cry “Yes Jo, I love you, what I did was a mistake and it won’t happen again. I don’t have feelings for Vanessa and I don’t know why I kissed her. Please come home Jo, I miss you, the twins miss you, even though you’ve been gone for under one day” Jon really loved Jo… but what where this feelings he had when he saw Vanessa? He didn’t know… but all he wanted was Jo back home “Can I come home today and be sure that this don’t happen again?” Jo asked, “Yes you can. I give you my word”
Later that day Jo came home. The twins meet her outside “mummy” Ruben shouted, “You’re back!” The boy threw himself around Jo’s neck “Hi baby, I’ve missed you to” She said and carried the boy in to the house while Amanda carried Jo’s bag with her clothes in “Mum, why are you wearing auntie Rachel’s shirt and jeans?” Amanda asked… she knew it was Rachel’s clothes ‘cos she had seen her with the clothes many times. “I didn’t have the time to bring my own clothes before I left” she said to her little girl.
“Mummy, me and Amanda are going over to Nick and Juliette to play in the tree house. Is that OK?” Jon looked at Jo and he answered the twin’s question “Yes you can, but be careful, and be home before bedtime” “Thanks dad” the twins said and got out the door. ”I’m sorry Jo” Jon said and stroke his wife over her hair “Are you really?” Jo said and tears rolled from her eyes “Yes I’m. I can’t believe that I kissed another woman when I have you, the most beautiful and intelligent wife!” He moved one of his hands inside Jo’s bra to touch her boobs and one arm around Jo and kissed away her tears. But when he tried to kiss her mouth Jo pulled back “I’m sorry” she said “This is hard” “ I know… and it’s my fault” Jon said and he got closer to Jo and his arm held her harder “But we have to work with it” he said and started to kiss her neck and down to her shoulders “Jon, please… as much as I want to kiss you and hold you it’s hard for me” Jon stopped and looked at her “Try Jo, for both of us” Jo loved Jon’s kisses, soft kisses, and she loved the way he touches her good with his strong arms. “Ok she said” She couldn’t refuse when Jon touches her boobs and his kiss on her neck.
Now Jo kissed Jon and she felt the strong feeling of love that she always gets when she kisses Jon, but still she thought of him kissing that Vanessa, the twin’s teacher. Now they where lying on the coach with their clothes on, just touching, hugging and kissing. They didn’t notice that Amanda came in to the living room to get her Barbie doll that where on the table next to the coach. The little girl watched her parents and said “Mummy and daddy, are you two making another baby?” Jo and Jon got up fast and they felt embarressed “No honey… we’re just kissing” Jon said to her in a calm voice “Oh, but why where you on top of mummy then?” She asked. “Because we sat when we started to kiss and we fell over,” Jon answered. “Ok, well I’m going out to the others again” Amanda just looked at her parents some seconds before she went out again.
Chapter 4
“We have decided to try to work with our relationship even though it’s hard” Jo where talking to Rachel on the phone. “Ok, I think you’re brave Jo. But you and Jon are meant to be, and I’m sure he didn’t mean anything when he kissed that lady… by the way, do you know who it was?” Rachel asked Jo in a sensitive way, afraid of hurting her. It became silence, but then Jo talked “Yes I know who it is… it’s Amanda and Ruben’s teacher, Vanessa McLeod” Then Jo became silent again “Ok…” Rachel said and she switched subject “Hey, wanna go and see a movie this weekend, just you and me?” “Yeah I’d love to” Rachel’s idea cheered Jo up “What movie then?” “I don’t know… a girl movie, so Jez won’t beg me to come along” Rachel laughed “Hm… a girl movie, maybe we can watch Dirty Dancing, they’re showing it in the old cinema downtown. I haven’t seen that one in ages!” “Me neither, nice one Jo, let’s call it a date then. We’ll meet at the old cinema Sunday at 5:30 so I have time to cook dinner for Jez and the kids before I go. Otherwise they’ll probably starve to death!”
“Jon, I’m going with Rachel to the cinema Sunday, can you be here with Amanda and Ruben then? They haven’t seen you now properly in a week” Jo went upstairs where Jon where cleaning the bedroom, after the chat with Rachel. “Yes you can. And I have seen the children in a week” “Yes in school when you pass them and they pretend that they don’t know you ‘cos you’re a teacher” Jo laughed but Jon just looked at her with a grumpy face “Yeah, yeah!” He said and went downstairs. Jo just stood in their bedroom and saw at their wedding picture. “We where so happy that day, what happened?” She asked herself. Then she heard someone behind her crying, she turned around and there Ruben stood “What is it hunny?” Jo asked and went down on her knees in front of her son “I fell down from the tree when I was climbing down from the tree house and now my hand wrist is hurting. Look I’m bleeding and I think I have got some dirt in it, it’s something white here to” Ruben lifted his hand wrist and Jo couldn’t believe her eyes “Oh my God” she said and lifted Ruben up and carried him in to the upper bathroom “JON COME HERE QUICKLY” She shouted, then Ruben dried his eyes “Why did you do that?” Jo said, “Daddy can’t see me cry. I’m a boy, and boys don’t cry” He said, “Please don’t tell him I cried” Jo smiled and she understood the little boy. He was trying to be brave, but she knew he was hurting. Out from his hand wrist a bone where drilled trough the skin and pointed outside it. Jo knew that the hand wrist where broken.
“What is it?” Jon came as quick as he could “I think Ruben has broken his hand wrist” She pointed and the bone that where sticking out of it “We have to get him to a hospital or something” Jon said and picked up Ruben and al three of them went in to the car “I’ll call Nick and Juliette’s mother and ask if they can keep an eye on Amanda”
In The Hospital
Well at the hospital Ruben got into surgery. Jo and Jon sat in the waiting room and Jo where crying. “Don’t cry, he will be alright” Jon said and held Jo’s hand “Please Jon, don’t say anything. I’m a bit fed up now, sorry” she said and stood up. “What fed up?” Jon asked “It’s just so many things happening… cheating on me and now Ruben in hospital” “You forgave me the cheating part” Jon said and smiled. “I haven’t forgiven you, I said we have to try again. But I still think about you kissing that Vanessa and it makes me sick” “Even when we where kissing at home?” “Yes even then. I can’t resist your kisses Jon. I love you and every time I kiss you I love you even more. But it’s different now. I only think about you and Vanessa” Jon just looked at her as she was a stranger “But that with Vanessa didn’t mean anything” he said “Why did you do it then? And why do you get so rude with me when I have decided to go to the cinema with Rachel?” “I’m not rude… just don’t think that it’s the perfect timing to go on a Sunday… I said yes you could, didn’t I?” “Yes you did, but in a rude tone. But I’m going… and you’re looking after the children” “Ok Fine” Jon said “Fine” Jo answered.
“Mrs and Mr Lee, your son is Ok now, he’s arm are in a bandage but we will be fine in 6 to 8 weeks. He has to be in bed in 1 week so the bone will recover a bit before he starts with his daily life again” The doctor gave Jo a piece of paper and he smiled. “You can see him now” Jo and Jon went in to see Ruben. The little boy looked at the with tired eyes. “Hi sweetie” Jo stroke Ruben over his hair “Are you Ok though guy?” She asked and smiled “Yes but it hurts” He answered. “Where’s Amanda?” “Amanda is with Juliette and Nick” Jon said and grabbed Jo around her waist “But me and mum are here to look after you” he said. Jo couldn’t go away from Jon. She didn’t dare to have an argument with him in front of Ruben. “Thank you” Ruben said. “You have to stay here until tomorrow, the doctors have to change the bandage and check the bone before you can come home” Jo sat down on the chair beside Ruben’s hospital bed “So you can’t go to school tomorrow or in a week” Jon sat down in Ruben’s bed and looked at his arm “But after a week you can go” He said. “Do you need me to stay with you tonight?” Jo asked Ruben “No, I’m a big boy, I can manage to sleep here myself” He said. The little boy where fringed to look like a wimp. “Ok, just remember there’s plenty of doctors here and they’ll help you if there’s any problems” “I know”
Back at Jo and Jon’s house
“Is Ruben alright?” Amanda sat in the coach with Juliette when Jo and Jon came back. “Yes he’s fine. He has to stay at the hospital tonight” “Oh okay. Well Juliette and me just waited here” “That’s Ok. But it’s late now and it’s school night. I can walk you home Juliette” Jo smiled “Yes my mum said I had to come home when you came anyway” Juliette gave Amanda a hug and went with Jo.
At Juliette’s house
“Thank you for staying with Amanda” Jo said to Juliette as she was following her to her house. “No problem, she’s my best friend” Jo smiled to Juliette “Yeah, you and Nick can come over before school tomorrow and you can drive with Jon. “Oh that would be great, then we can sleep ten minutes longer.” Now Jo and Juliette where with Juliette’s house. Her mum met them in the doorway. “Hello, is Ruben alright?” “Well he’s staying in the hospital tonight. The bone in his hand wrist has to be under observation the first night” “Oh, that’s horrible. I’ve told Richard to build a safer ladder to the tree house. I feel a but guilty” Juliette’s mother looked worried “Don’t feel guilty, it’s just kids and a broken arm or two are a part of being one. He has to stay home from school this first week. But Nick and Juliette can come over tomorrow before school and drive with Jon to school” “That’s nice of you. When are they suppose to come over then?” “At 7:30 tomorrow morning” “Ok, thanks once again” Then Jo left and went back home.
At Jo and Jon’s
“Hi Amanda, aren’t you in your pyjamas?” Amanda where the first one Jo saw when she came back to the house “No, I don’t want to go to bed yet” “You have to Amanda, and I’m not telling you to be rude. It’s school tomorrow and you don’t want to fall in sleep in class do you?” “No, then our teacher will be angry. She’s not nice to students that sleep in her class” Amanda looked down “I guess she isn’t” Jo said in a low voice. Then she picked up Amanda and carried her to her bedroom. “You have to go to sleep Princess” Jo dropped Amanda on the bed “But mum, before I go to bed, can you please tell me the story how you and dad met?” Jo looked at Amanda, the little girl looked at her with the biggest smiling eyes. “Ok, but first you have to put on your pyjamas”
After telling Amanda how she and Jon met, the little girl decided to be nice and go to sleep. Jo kissed her goodnight and went out of her room. Out in the hallway and in front of her own bedroom door she heard Jon speaking… “Yeah I’ll see ya tomorrow. I’ll be at the faculty office at the same time I’m there every morning. But we have to end what we’re doing. I’m not in love with you…” Jon spoke in a low voice and he didn’t hear Jo sneaking pas the door. She smiled a bit, but she was wondering if Jon told the truth or not.
“Hi darlin’, is Amanda a sleep?” Jon came down the stairs “yes she is. Finally” Jo said and lay down on the coach to watch TV. “You’re probably getting mad now, but I have to tell you this” Jon sat down on the table in front of the coach “I spoke to Vanessa in the phone, and I told her that we had to end whatever we where doing” He said and looked at Jo who smiled “Are you sure?” Jo asked, “Yes I’m sure. I love you and no other” Jo grabbed Jon by his shirt and he fell over her on the coach. They laughed and Jon turned off the TV “I love you to Jon Lee” Jo said and kissed him “But if I ever hear that you are fooling around with another woman, it’s over” “I understand. I was stupid and I regret it. I don’t know what happened, I was stressed and it was too much work and it just happened” “Next time, please tell me when you’re stressed then Jon. I can’t know when you are if you don’t say anything” “I know” Then Jo and Jon fell a sleep on the coach
The next morning they woke up by the alarm clock on Jon’s mobile phone “OH MY GOD” Jo said and woke Jon “We fell a sleep here… I have to wake Amanda” Jo ran upstairs to wake her daughter and Jon went in to the bathroom to get ready. They all had breakfast together before the doorbell rang. “I’ll se who it is” Amanda said and opened “It’s Nick and Juliette” She shouted. “Hi Amanda, we’re riding with you today” Nick said, “Cool. DADDY!!”
Jon and the children went in the car and Jo stood and waved to them. Now she was finally alone to relax after a stressful weekend. She saw the car disappearing out from the driveway and she went back in the house to sleep.
At School
“Ms McLeod can I please go to the toilet” Amanda had Vanessa in the three first classes, now it was English and Amanda where just dying to go to the toilet “Sure you can Amanda” Vanessa answered and smiled. Amanda went out from the classroom and ran to the toilet. On her way she met Jon on his way to year 12 to give them a lesson in math. “Hi dad” She said and waved “Hi Amanda” Jon answered and went in to his classroom. The only thing about school Amanda didn’t like was that the toilet where in the other end of the school and she had to run trough year 12th hallway.
Three minutes later Jon left his classroom and towards to Amanda’s classroom. He knocked on the door and opened “Hi kids” he said “Can I borrow your teacher for a moment?” The pupils in Amanda’s class smiled and answered, “YES” at the same time. Vanessa told the class to do some questions in their books. Then she went out to Jon.
“Missed me” She said when she came out “That’s not why I’m here” Jon said and tried to be serious “It’s about Ruben. He has to stay away from school this week ‘cos be broke his arm yesterday” “Ok. I’ll tell the class that and I’ll write a note to the other teachers. Do you want me to send his homework with your beautiful daughter?” Amanda said and stroke Jon over his bum “Yes if you could do that it would be nice” Jon said and started to sweat “You’re sweating Mr Lee, am I making you nervous?” Vanessa asked, “No you’re not” Jon answered. Vanessa started to stroke his bum again and Jon removed her hair away from her face. He couldn’t resist this woman, even though he loved Jo.
They stood out in the hallway and made out. What they didn’t notice where Amanda coming back from the toilet. She stopped and looked at her father and her teacher. She hid behind a corner where she could watch them. “Oh my GOD” She whispered. “What shall I do?” She asked her self… Some minutes later Jon and Vanessa stopped snogging and Amanda heard Jon tell her to call him later on. Vanessa went in the classroom again and Jon where on his way towards Amanda. Amanda ran towards the toilet again… so it would look like she came from the toilet when she passed her dad.
“Hi dad” Amanda said and stopped, “I don’t feel very well, can you call mum so she can pick me up?” Amanda held her hand over her stomach. She wasn’t lying at all, ‘cos after seeing her dad with another woman she felt sick. “I’ll call her straight away” Jon dialled Jo’s number. “Hi Jo, Amanda’s not feeling very well. She was wondering if you could pick her up?” “Okay, I’ll just take the cabriolet since you have the other car” Jo answered in the other end. “It’s Ok. She will be in her classroom, so pick her up there” “Ok” Jon hung up and walked Amanda back to her classroom.
Chapter 5
Amanda sat on her desk waiting for Jo to come and pick her up. After she returned to the classroom she couldn’t face Vanessa, whenever Vanessa tried to make eye contact with her Amanda moved her eyes away from her. Suddenly there was a knock on the door. Jo came in. “Hi, I’m here to get Amanda” Jo saw her daughter’s smile as she came towards her. Jo looked at Vanessa without saying a world. Vanessa just smiled as nothing had happened.
In Jo’s car
“Are you better now honey?” Jo smiled at Amanda and she putted on Amanda’s favourite song on the car radio, Blue with “If You Come Back”. “Yes I feel a bit better now that I’m with you mummy” Amanda answered. “Ah, thanks hunny!” Jo stroke her daughter over her hair.
They where nearly back when Jo decided to drop by the store to buy her and Amanda some sweets. “Amanda, do you want some sweets?” Jo parked the car and turned off the radio. “No thanks mum, I have a stomach ache remember?” She said “Well I’m not telling anyone that you are eating sweets anyway” Jo said and smiled. “Okay then… but to tell you the truth I have a stomach ache for a reason” Amanda said and both of them got out of the car in to the store.
Back Home
The girls ate all their sweets when they got back home. “Amanda, you told me that you had stomach ache for a reason… what reason?” Amanda looked down and got quiet “Nothing mum, it’s just something…” Amanda muttered, “No tell me Amy, are you getting bullied by your classmates? Is the thing with Ruben bothering you?” Jo kept asking her out “No it’s not any of those things. If I tell you, you will be mad at me” Amanda caught Jo’s eyes and then she started to cry. Jo got up from her chair and got down on her knees beside Amanda. “What hunny, did you do anything wrong?” “No not me, I didn’t do anything” Amanda cried “Did Ruben do anything wrong?” “No not Ruben either… Please don’t get mad at me for telling this” Amanda grabbed Jo’s hand “I promise” Jo said and looked Amanda straight in the eyes.
It took about 10 minutes before Amanda started to talk. “Well, I’m going to tell you all from the start OK!” “Ok, go on”. “Well in the class I realised that I had to go the toilet and I asked Ms McLeod if I could and she said yes. In the middle of the hallway, you know… where the big students are… well I ran in to dad there and he said hi. I ran to the toilet and I used some time because the lock on the door didn’t go up when I was finished so I had to force the lock open. On my way back I see two people outside my classroom snogging. When I got a little nearer I saw that is was Ms McLeod and….” Amanda started crying again “and who?” Jo asked, even though she thought she knew who the other person where “and DADDY!” Amanda threw herself around Jo’s neck and cried, “I hate him mummy, I hate him!” she said many times. “Are you sure it was daddy?” Jo asked praying that Amanda had got it wrong “yes mummy, I’m sure… he wore the blue white shirt and the blue jeans to school and he had his blue jacket on” Jo knew it was Jon and she started to cry “He promised me…” she whispered to herself “I’m sorry mum” Amanda where still holding on to Jo “Don’t be sorry hunny, you told me the truth thank you!” Jo said.
Now it was two hours since Amanda told Jo the news. Jo had sent her to bed because of her stomachache, and Jo now called Rachel. “Hi Rach” Jo said when she heard Rachel’s voice in the other end. “What’s wrong?” Rachel asked immediately when she heard Jo’s low voice. “He’s done it again” “Who?” Rachel sounded a bit lost “Jon, he kissed that Vanessa chick again… the schoolteacher of my children… he kissed her in school today” Jo couldn’t hold her tears back now “how do you know?” Rachel said surprised “Amanda saw them. I had to pick her up from school today, because she got sick from the sight of her dad kissing another woman” “Oh my GOD” Rachel said and started to cry to “I’m so sorry Jo… I shouldn’t have asked you to give him another chance!” “It’s not your fault Rachel… It’s me… he doesn’t like me anymore… I have nothing left to live for. My only love, my true love that I’ve been married to for 7 years has cheated on me… I wish I could just die” “Don’t say that” Rachel tried to calm Jo down “It’s true Rachel… I haven’t been a good wife or a mother… maybe I should just leave and never come back” Jo’s pillow where wet and her tears kept on coming “Jo… calm down… where’s Amanda and Ruben now?” Rachel asked… now she seriously got worried “Amy is here with me, she’s sleeping and Ruben is in Hospital remember” “Ok hold on to the phone I’ll put Jez on and I’ll be over at your place as fast as I can” “I’m such a failure” Jo said “Shut up Jo… don’t do anything stupid now… Jez will check on that you’re on the phone”
One hour later
Rachel parked her car and ran in to Jo’s house… she didn’t see Jo in the first floor so she ran upstairs where she found Jo on her bed with the phone in her hand. “Poor darlin’” Rachel said and she got Jo in her arms. “Just cry Jo-Jo I’m here with you…just cry” Rachel sat on Jo’s bed and Jo laid with her head on Rachel’s lap. “I don’t want to live anymore” Jo cried “Stop it Jo, you have plenty of things to love for… think about Ruben and Amanda, they love you, Jez, Chris, Judy and me loves you” “I know…! But Jon doesn’t love me… he’s the man I’m married to and he doesn’t love me!” Rachel’s lap where wet with tears from Jo. “I know I know, but Jo you deserve better than him. You know, once a cheater always a cheater. But listen now, when are you picking up Ruben?” “In one hour or so” Jo answered, “Ok, let me drive you to the hospital to pick him up, Amanda and him can stay at me and Jez’s place until things are sorted out” Rachel stroke Jo over her back “Thank you Rachel” Jo said and wiped her tears. “But they can stay at my mum and dads house, but I have to tell them first” Now Jo sat up and held Rachel’s hand “You just let Amanda and Ruben stay at our place until you have told your mum about this. Now you leave a note for Jon, pack some of Ruben and Amanda’s clothes and favourite things in a bag. Then pack your things and go to your mum’s house, I’ll drive you, and then I’ll take Amy and R with me…OK?” “Ok”
Jo woke Amanda and they started to pack some things. Rachel helped them and she tried as good as she could to keep Jo’s mood up, for Amanda’s sake. Jo told Amanda why they where packing and the little girl understood. ”I’m finished packing mummy, for how long am I staying at auntie Rachel’s house?” She asked, “I don’t know hunny, I don’t know. But be sure not to tell Ruben about this, just tell him that daddy and me have to go on a trip because of daddy’s work. Ok?” “Yes mummy, I'm not telling!"
Rachel helped Jo and Amanda carry their things out in her car. And then they drove away to the hospital to get Ruben.
At the hospital
“Hey hunny, did you have a nice time here?” as soon as Jo got in Ruben’s room she hugged him and kissed him “Yes mummy I had a great time. I even got a new friend, her name is Tamara and she’s from Scotland. I got her e-mail address” Ruben where pretty excited, Jo could see his eyes where smiling “A so you got yourself a girlfriend!” Jo teased him and Ruben started to laugh “No she’s just a friend, and she’s very pretty, just like you mum” He said.
Jo talked to the doctors while Rachel and Amanda where in Ruben’s room. They told him that he’s going to stay at Rachel’s house for a while and he accepted. Jo got some descriptions from the doctor and some medication to keep Ruben’s pain down.
Then the three girls and one boy got in Rachel’s car and drove away from the hospital. Jo felt very relieved but she was thinking about the note she left Jon on the kitchen table.
The note Hi Jon. I’ve taken the kids with me for a while to get some time alone. I heard about what happened to you and Ms McLeod at school today and I can’t believe that. You told me you loved me, so why did you go and kiss another woman? Well don’t answer that, I have heard the one bad excuse before.
I have my mobile phone with me, but don’t expect me to answer it today. You have hurt Amanda and me so much now so leave us alone for a while. I haven’t told Ruben yet because the news will not help him recover from the fall.
Don’t bother contacting us; if we need your explanation we call you.
Jo
At Rachel and Jez’s house
“Hey uncle Jez” Amanda ran out of the car and in his arms. Jez picked her up and gave her a kiss on the check. “Hello angel!” he said. They all went in to the house and they got Ruben to bed. He was a bit tired after the medication he got at the hospital.
“I have to go to my mum’s house. I have to tell them the whole story” Jo kissed Amanda on the check. “Ok then. Don’t worry about the twins. I think it’s nice to have them here” Rachel said and hugged Jo.
In Jo’s car
“Hi mum, I’m coming over. I’ve got something to tell you” Jo called Babs from the car and Babs sounded very surprised “This late? Ok I’m up so come over love” Jo hung up and she started to cry. Her eyes where so wet that she could hardly see the road. But she didn’t care. Fifteen minutes later she parked her car at her parents house.
In Babs and Dave’s house
Jo knocked on the door and went in the house. Her eyes where still wt with tears and Babs noticed. “What happened love?” she asked and took Jo’s coat. “Sit down and I’ll tell you” They all sat down and Jo told them the story. Babs and Dave got shocked. They felt sorry for their daughter and agreed with her to divorce Jon. “Now darlin’ go to bed and you can stay here as long as you want to. We’ll talk more tomorrow” “Thanks mum and dad” Jo said and went to her old room.
The room where all the same as it had been since she moved out. All the posters and teddy bears where in the same places as she had left them. She lay down on her bed between her two best old teddy bears Donald Duck and Gus Gorilla, and she fell asleep.
The next morning when she woke up she checked her mobile phone. 5 unanswered calls from Jon. She threw the mobile down on the floor and started to cry. “Why me!” she asked herself “why me, why did he call me. I said on the note NOT to contact me!” she looked at her teddy bears hoping for an answer. But they just lay beside her with smiles on their faces. “Why me” she said once again before she fell asleep one more time. She slept for some hours more, but the Babs came in with the phone in her hands. “It’s Ruben” she said and handed the phone over to Jo “Hello sweetie” she said “Hi mum, I didn’t get to say goodbye to you yesterday. I just want to say I love you. I hope to see you soon!” “Hope to see you to. Love you, tell Amanda that I love her too” After they hung up Jo started to cry and now in her mums arms.
Chapter 6
After a long night of crying and thinking Jo finally got some sleep. Babs locked the door in her room carefully and went down-stairs to Dave. “Poor girl” she said and sat down beside Dave. “Yes, she’s really going trough some hard times now. She’s been SO happy for the past 7 years and now all is just going straight to hell” he said. “I know. Our little girl who got so grown- up in a short time. Now she needs us more than anything”
At Rachel and Jeremy’s house the next morning
Rachel where knocking on Judy’s door where her and Amanda where a sleep. It was school day for Amanda and Rachel where going to drive her. “Good morning Amanda” Rachel got all the way beside her bed and whispered in her ear so Judy wouldn’t wake. Amanda slowly opened her eyes and looked at Rachel, “Mornin’ auntie Rach” she said in a low and unhappy voice. “Please come to the kitchen when you’re finished dressed Ok” Rachel said and went out again. Amanda woke and went in to the bathroom to get dressed.
“Auntie Rachel, I don’t wanna got o school today. I don’t want to face out bitchy teacher and I don’t want to look at my dad,” she said as she was coming down the stairs to the kitchen. Rachel where surprised that Amanda called someone a bitch, but she didn’t comment it. “Can I please phone mum and ask her?” Rachel nodded and Amanda dialled Jo’s number.
At Jo
Jo woke up by the phone ringing and she quickly grabs it. In a way hoping it was Jon. ”Hi mummy” She heard Amanda’s voice in the other end “Hi princess, what is it?” Jo sat up in bed half a sleep “I don’t want to go to school” “Sorry sweetie but I think you have to. You have to learn something and bring back Ruben’s homework” Jo said. “No! You can’t make me. I don’t want to meet Vanessa and dad, please don’t make me” Amanda started to cry and Jo tried to keep her tears back “Ok, sorry I forgot, I’m tired. You can stay home. I love you” “Thank you mummy. I love you to. I think auntie Rachel wants to speak with you” “Ok then. I’ll call you later”
“Hi Darlin’ how are ya?” When Jo heard Rachel’s friendly voice she smiled “I’m OK, well not completely Ok but I’m coping” she answered, “I’ll bet you’re going to be fine soon. Amanda and Ruben are fine. Ruben had some pain in his arm last night and I had to comfort him when he cried. Jeremy was in with him as well. Both of them fell a sleep in Ruben’s bed. They where so cute” Rachel said. “I wish they where here with me” Jo said “But I need the time now. I’m so sorry that I’m pushing things on you Rachel. I own you big time, you’ve always been there for me!” “Like you haven’t been there for me? Jo who got me on the right track when it comes to school? Who supported me when my mum and dad splitted up? You! And who’s always been there for me trough all messed up relationships and boyfriends I’ve had trough the years? YOU! And now it’s my turn to help you as well. If it hadn’t been for you I would never been married to Jez today and I would never have two beautiful children as Judy and Christopher” “Thanks Rachel, you’re a friend in need” “ A friend in need is a friend in deed right” Rachel answered and laughed a little. “Thanks Rach, you go my mood up from like 0 to 9 and a half” Jo said and started to laugh as well. “I think I have to rest a bit more, I’ll call later,” Jo said “Sure. I’ll take Amanda back to bed so I can get a little more rest as well. Jez has a day off so I’ll bet the house will be silent today” “Silent when everyone is home” Jo asked, “Yes… Because then Jez will rent a movie and we’ll watch that. Haha!” “Haha, well talk to you later then. Bye love”
Jo turned her mobile phone off and she lie down and fell a sleep again. Then she had, as strange dream of her being pregnant again with Jon and it was a baby girl. They named her Cassandra and then suddenly in her dream Vanessa turns up and she’s taking the twins and the new baby girl away from her. Jo wakes up and screams and Babs come running up the stairs and in to her room.
“What is it Jo?” she asked when she came in the room. “I had the strangest dream. It was a nightmare” Jo answered and started to cry. Babs sat down beside her on the bed and Jo told her about the dream. Babs calmed Jo down and Jo felt a sleep again.
At Jon
Jon where pretty shocked after what happened. And now he’s angry with Jo. He’s trying to reach the twins on their mobile phones but they don’t answer. He calls Vanessa to talk to her. ”Hello it’s Jon here, something has happened” His hand shook when he was talking “What then” Vanessa answered in the other end “we’re caught red handed” “what do you mean caught?” Vanessa answered surprised “You know when we kissed outside your classroom?” “Yes” “Well, what we didn’t think off was Amanda… she’d probably came from the toilet and saw us, and she’s probably told Jo about it” Jon said “Oh NO!” “It’s true I think. Now Jo has taken the twins and I have no idea where they are. I’ve tried to call them and they don’t answer. And I’ve tried to call our friends Rachel and Jeremy but they don’t answer either” Jon told Vanessa. “My GOD, I didn’t know about those consequences really. I’m sorry Jon, but I can’t help my feelings for you. I love you” Vanessa said, “I love you too, and I love Jo and my kids. I just want to see my kids again. But really I don’t know if I love Jo anymore after she’s taken the kids” Jon where extremely angry now “Hold on Jon, I’ll come over to you” “Ok” Jon hung up and sat down in the coach, now he was really angry at Jo… then he read the letter Jo had wrote to him one more time.
20 minutes later it knocked on the door, Jon went out to open. ”Hello Jon” Vanessa’s big smile met Jon and he kissed her “if this is the welcome I get when I’m seeing you I’ll better come around more often,” Vanessa said. “That won’t be so bad at all” Jon locked the door and the two of them went in to the living room to talk. They talked for hours. Mostly about how to get the twins from Jo.
“A trial” Vanessa said, “if you fight Jo in court you can get shared custody” “Wow Vanessa, tale it slow. I mean they’ve been gone for one almost two days. I attend to talk to Jo sooner or later,” Jon said with an angry tone in his voice. “Well I’m here for you Jon”
Three months later
Jo has now officially moved out from Jon’s house, and the twins as well. Ruben has recovered from the broken arm and living with Jo and Amanda in Babs and Dave’s house and sometimes with Rachel and Jez. One day when Jo is in the mailbox to get her mail she finds a letter from the London Court house addressed to her.
Ms Joanne V. O’Meara-Lee
We’re calling you to court on the behind of Jonathan Lee. The case is shared custody for your two kids Amanda O’Meara-Lee and Ruben O’Meara Lee. Please meet up in court 11th of October with your lawyer.
London Courthouse
Judge Isobel Hammock
“NO!” Jo screamed and runned back to the house and showed the letter to her father “Look dad, Jon wants to fight me in court, he wants shared custody for the twins. I have to get a lawyer” Jo’s face turned red with anger “first he cheats on me and now he wants the twins… dirt bag!” “Don’t worry Jo, I know a good lawyer you can use. Her name is Phoebe Price” Dave read the letter Jo had “She’s the best. I’ll call her now” Dave picked up the phone and called Phoebe.
“She’ll take the case,” Dave said after a long chat with the lawyer. “YES!” Jo hugged her dad “Thank you” “No problem girly, no one is forcing my grandkids to things they don’t want to do” Dave said.
Later that day at the dinner table Jo told the twins about the trial. They where shocked and Amanda started to cry. She ran to her room and Babs followed her. Jo sat with the dinner table together with Dave and Ruben, the three of the didn’t say a word to each other. Jo could see that Ruben where hurt, but she didn’t want to bother him.
At The London Courthouse
4 days later Jo sat in the courthouse waiting for her lawyer. Her hands where sweating and her heart where beating. Then she saw Jon and his lawyer, she felt tears coming and she turned away. Then she felt someones hand on her shoulder. “Joanne O’Meara Lee?” It was her lawyer Phoebe, a tall slim woman. Jo turned around and wiped her tears, she stood up and shook Phoebe’s hand “Yes Joanne that’s me” she said and smiled. “Well let’s go in and win” she took Jo by the arm and they both went in to the courtroom. When they came in Phoebe said hello to Jon’s lawyer and talked to her for a while. Jo sat down behind the table that where set for her and her lawyer.
“Jo” she turned around and there was Jon “This wasn’t they way I wanted it to be” he continued, “I wanted us to raise the kids together” “yeah and how’s that possible?” Jo interrupted “I wasn’t the one having an affair with another person. I don’t have anything to talk to you about. This hurt me way to much because I still have feelings for you… please go” She said and she managed to keep her tears back. “I can’t go before we get this sorted out” Jon said, then they got interrupted “JON! Come one then” It was Vanessa she left Jo a quick look before she called Jon again. Jon made a sign to her that he was coming and he was about to walk… then Jo said “You even dragged her down here with you! Thank you so much Jon, how can we raise our kids together when you have teacher bitch Barbie with you?” “Sorry” Jon said and went over to Vanessa.
Chapter 7
The trial went on for several hours and Jo thought it was painful to see Jon again. “Why me?” she thought. Then the time came… Jon where giving his explanation on what was going on. Jo didn’t hear anything… she just hid her face in her hands and cried. Shut everything out. Jon walked down to sit with his lawyer again. Phoebe stroke Jo over her back and Jo looked up. “It’s your turn to speak now” she said and smiled “Just take a deep breath and calm down”. Jo started to talk… Jon’s lawyer weren’t the nicest one to ask questions and Jo cried for a long time before she started to talk again.
Three Hours Later
Jo and her lawyer sat on the courthouse café and ate lunch. “So, what do you think of this Jo?” Phoebe asked, “I think it’s terrible. I mean, I have to fight for two kids that I have carried around for 9 months and raised for 7 years. It’s not fair” Jo answered. “If I don’t get the responsibility for them after this, I’ll kill myself” “Don’t think like that Jo. We’re gonna fight until you get them OK.!” Phoebe gave Jo a clap on her shoulder and smile “I’m not a lawyer who likes to loose Jo, and I’m going to do anything for you to get your twins” Hours later Jo and Phoebe went smiling out from the courthouse. They won custody over the twins. Jon got to see them every other weekend and one day a week if the twins agreed. Jo where very happy, now she finally could move on.
Six Months Later
“Mom, please let the have those Cheerio’s” Ruben looked at Jo and begged. “Ok just lay them in the basket then” Jo where stressed, she was shopping for her mum and she had to take Ruben with her to help. “Ruben can you please go and find some cookies?” “Okay mum, but can I pick up some chocolate Aswell?” “No Ruben you can’t, you have just gotten some Cheerio’s and it’s just a week day” “All right then, I love you anyway” Ruben said and went of to get the cookies for Babs. Jo where going for the fruit section and she couldn’t find them bananas, it was in a huge box under 3 huge boxes. She tried to move the three boxes on top, but they where to heavy, then she heard a voice behind her. “Need some help with that?” She turned around and there she saw her childhood boyfriend “STEPHEN! O My GOD!” She gave him a hug and he laughed, “Jo, I didn’t see that it was you! How are you?” He smiled at Jo and she smiled back “I’m good now, but I’ve been through a lot the past years” Jo said and gave Stephen a hug. “Let me buy you dinner out sometime. I mean we have a lot to catch up, we haven’t seen each other since we where, 13?” “I know, I can’t believe that I ran into you of all people. So Stephen, are you married? Do you have any kids?” as Jo where asking Ruben came back with Babs cookies, he looked at the young man standing with his mum and talked. “Well I have no wife, no girlfriend and defiantly no kids. But I can see that this one is yours!?” Stephen looked at Ruben “Yes he’s one of two” Jo said and put her hand on Ruben’s head “I have twins, but the other one is home” she said. “Oh two boys then?” Stephen asked and looked at Ruben “No I have a twin sister, her name is Amanda. I’m Ruben by the way” Ruben shock hands with Stephen “A polite little boy you have there. He can’t have that from you” Stephen laughed “Well he’s got it from my sister really” Jo answered. “Let me have your number and I’ll call you when I have a spare time” Jo said before she and Stephen went separate ways. In Jo’s car on the way home. “Mum, who was that guy in the store? The Stephen guy? And why did you ask for his number?” Ruben took a bite of an apple he got from the store “Well it’s my childhood sweetheart. He was my neighbour but he moved to go to private school when he was 13 years old, and we never spoke again” Jo had a smile on her face and Ruben noticed “Are you falling in love with him again mum?” “I have no idea Ruben, to be honest, I’m still in love with your dad” The smile on Jo’s face disappeared and she stroke Ruben on his check. “Don’t be mum, me and Amanda want you to be happy, and I liked Stephen. I don’t like Vanessa” Ruben said and then the silence where over them the rest of the way home.
At Home
Jo and Ruben went in and sat the bags with food on the kitchen. Ruben soon ran up to Amanda and his room to tell her about Stephen. Jo where in the kitchen and sorted out the things they bought. “You know what Amanda, Mum met a guy in the store today” Ruben didn’t have the time to close the door before he told her “Really, was he nice” Amanda asked “Yes, his name was Stephen and he was mum’s sweetheart when they where younger. Maybe they’ll get together, well mum asked for his number” “Nice one, mum deserves it. They can go this weekend, then we have to go to dad and Vanessa’s house” Amanda grinned “I can’t believe that I’m going to see my old room again, I think I will hate it, maybe Vanessa has done something new with it aswell” “Don’t bother. Let’s make a lot of trouble when we’re there so they’ll never want us over again” “It’s a deal” Amanda and Ruben smiled at each other.
The End