Once they had slept off, she left them. She was sad. She began to cry hard. It had started as a quiet sob, but then it became so loud she couldn't control it anymore. She went to the kitchen to ease her pent up emotions.
Edwin had noticed from the corner of his eyes, her expression as she watched them. He saw her leave hurriedly. He panicked a little. Did he do something wrong again? Getting up, he followed her, only to hear her unsuppressed sobs, filling the quiet night. Edwin slowed his steps as he went to meet her.
Jessica felt there was nothing to hide anymore. Her kids already loved him, and seeing how much they needed him in their lives made her feel guilty for hiding them from him. Had she been denying them of their father's love all the while? How did they feel seeing her own father shower love on her? Was that why Abby acted jealous?
Jessica couldn't help all the guilt that weighed over her. With each sob she released, she felt even more choked up.
Edwin wrapped his hand around her shoulder softly. As if he was afraid of riling her up the more. Jessica leaned into his embrace. It was a very slight movement, but Edwin noticed it.
"Stop crying, darling." He said softly.
"I'm a bad mother." She croaked. "I couldn't make them happy. I thought I was enough for them, I was being selfish with their emotions."
"You're a wonderful mother, Jessica. You don't know how much these kids hold you high. They value you so much, you were all they talked about today." Edwin said.
"Don't think you're not good enough for them. You are enough for them."
"I couldn't satisfy them! I tried to stop them from knowing you. I thought I was doing them good, I never knew I was denying them their fatherly love."
Edwin rubbed her shoulder lightly. "It's not your fault, Jessica. It's mine. I was a jerk and I hurt you. If I hadn't said any of those things I said that night, our kids wouldn't have had to live away from us being together. If there's anyone to blame, it's me."
Jessica looked up at him through her tear stained eyes. Edwin held reassurance in his eyes. She placed her head back on his chest where it was before. Slowly, her arms held him too.
They were in their position until she was calm. He led her to the couch and helped her to sit. He took out his handkerchief and wiped her face clean.
Getting up, he went back to the kitchen to grab her a glass of water. Jessica drank the water and she felt a bit relieved. Edwin squatted before her.
"Jessica, I never apologized fully for what I did. I'm very sorry. I never meant to hurt you, and I swear you were worth more than just that moment to me. I have never gone through a day since you left without thinking of you."
"I wish I had done things differently. But as it turned out to be like this, I still want to make amends, Jessica."
"I want us to come back together again. I want you back in my life. Not just for the sake of the children, but because I still love you."
"I still want you to be with me, I can't stay away from you, Jessica. I love you."
Jessica could see the sincerity in his eyes. Her eyes caught the reflection of the ring that was still on his finger.
"What about Hannah Reid? Are you engaged to her?" Jessica reminded him. "What are you going to do with her?"
Edwin thought about it. "Give me time to sort things out then. Just promise me you won't run away again, and you won't keep the kids away from me."
Jessica nodded. Edwin stood up. He rubbed the back of her palm with his thumb.
"Bye Jessica." He said, and left. Getting into his car, he called Roy.
Roy was in his house with Angela. They were cuddling together, enjoying their time alone. Angela had left not long after the kids had left, to meet Roy.
They were watching a movie together, snuggled up against each other. They were just content with being in each other's arms. Angela was feeling very comfortable being around Roy. She never had this happy feeling with Chris without him having to do anything at all.
"Babe." She called.
"Yes, angel."
"I think your phone is ringing."
"Let it be," Roy answered. Angela chuckled.
"It could be important, babe. Answer your phone. Besides, if you don't, the caller might keep calling and then we wouldn't enjoy the movie at all."
Roy groaned and stood up from the bed. She rolled over to grab his phone from the side cabinet. It was Edwin calling.
"Hello?"
"Roy, man. What the hell did you keep your phone with?"
"Tone it down, my girl is here," Roy answered.
"Oh. Your mystery girlfriend." Edwin teased. "You haven't brought her to the guys to meet."
"Soon," Roy answered.
"Anyway, I called for a different reason."
"Ohh. What's the matter?"
"Well, I took the kids to meet my mum today. She loves them. I told her I wanted to marry their mum, Jessica."
"So?"
"I'm still engaged to Hannah Reid, remember?" Edwin reminded him.
"Ooh. So you want to break off the engagement? Is Jessica in support of this? I mean has she accepted you back?"
"Yeah. I told her to give me time to handle the Reid family."
"Alright man. When you've come up with a plan, let me know. As of now, I just want to enjoy quality time with my woman." Roy said, making a loud smooching sound as he kissed Angela on the cheek. Edwin gagged at him.
"Shameless man." He cussed. Roy laughed at him in return.