Five Years Later
Jessica tapped the send button. She watched as the message marked delivered. She turned to see her kids sleeping on the bed. She smiled. She would have forgotten about Edwin had the children not resembled him even a tiny little bit. But no, they looked too much like him. Especially Gabriel. He was a carbon copy of Edwin. And every time she looked at him, she saw Edwin in him. Sometimes it made her happy, sometimes it brought an unforgettable pain in her heart.
Gary sent a reply already. She opened the message.
While she was reading it, her phone began to ring. Quickly, she answered the call.
"Say it," Jessica spoke hurriedly. "Tell me. And don't lie to me, Gary."
"Jessica. I can't say for sure what happened. But from what I can see here, it is someone who caused this. Someone did this to your father." Gary explained lightly.
"Gary," Jessica called softly. "Someone did this? Why would anyone want to harm my father? He was very peaceful!"
"Well.." Gary began. "If we do not find the person or persons behind this, we cannot also know why they did this."
Jessica sighed. The pain she felt when she found out about the business being crashed was starting to surface again, and it was more aggressive.
"Gary," Jessica called softly. "Do not lie to me, please. Do not withhold any information from me." She begged. "Tell me everything you have found."
"I would never lie to you, Jess. I don't know who ruined your father's company. I don't know who brought him down." Gary said with all seriousness he could muster. "If I did, I would tell you. All I have found here now is that there is someone truly behind it. It's a plot that has been on for a long time."
"Why?" Jessica asked impatiently. "Who would dare do this to us?"
Gary hesitated a bit. "I'm not very certain of who it was, or why they did it. But I have a link that can get us there."
Jessica's heart was practically racing. "Well, come over, let's finish it up."
Gary cleared his throat. It was almost midnight. "Jessica, I know how much this means to you. I also do know that you are not in your right state of mind right now. But for the sake of the kids, I want you to take deep breaths and be calm. Okay?"
"I'm calm, Gary. Are you coming or not?" Jessica asked.
"Er, no. I'm not coming. Not now, no."
"Why?"
"It's almost midnight, Jessica. Let me continue the search okay? I will be over, first thing tomorrow morning." He promised. "Now, I don't want you to stay up, thinking about this. Go to sleep okay? You're too beautiful to worry about anything at all."
Jessica felt a warm tingling around her cheeks. She tapped them. "Oh, Gary. I don't know what I would do without you! Thank you so much!"
"It's alright. Go to sleep now, dear. I will figure this out for you." He urged. Jessica sighed happily. She was grateful for Gary's presence in her life. He did a lot for her and the children.
Jessica turned to find Abby standing before her, rubbing her sleepy eyes.
"Abigail!" She called in shock. "You aren't asleep. Why aren't you asleep?"
"Gabby keeps pushing me, mom. He won't let me sleep right." Abby complained softly. "Was that uncle Gary? Can I say hi?"
"No Abby. You have to sleep. You have school tomorrow! Now, come let's get you back to bed." She said, lifting the girl and placing her back in bed.
"Gabriel, make space for your sister, will you?" Jessica spoke softly. Gabby rolled a little. She placed Abby down and watched them until they were fast asleep again.
"You will meet your family soon," Jessica whispered. She got up and left to find Angie.
"Angie. You won't believe it."
"What's up, baby girl?" Angie chirped happily. Angie had moved on very well.
"Gary called." Jessica began.
"Uhh. Loverboy. That man is so hooked over you, girl." Angie teased. Jessica glared at her playfully.
"I'm being serious, Angie!"
"Okay, okay. What did he have to say again tonight?"
"He said he has found out the truth about my parents' bankruptcy," Jessica said slowly. Angie's smile disappeared totally. She knew how much this piece of news meant to Jessica. If Gary found out who was behind it then a confrontation was coming up soon.
"Well?" Angie urged. "Who did it?"
"He didn't figure that out yet. He just called to inform me that he had found out what occurred. It was a plot. Dad, he was set up by some people!"
Angie hugged Jessica. "Babe. I'm sorry that this has to come up now. I know how much you have tried to move on."
Jessica sniffed. "I don't understand why anyone would want to destroy my father. We were the most peaceful family then. We didn't disturb anybody at all! Why would anyone bother so much about us to go as far as ruining the entire family, leaving us with nothing?!"
Angie held her hand, caressing her softly. "Jess, listen to me. People are just plain wicked. There is no reason why they do the evil they do. But the bad thing is, if karma takes a long time to pay them back, we can as well take laws into our hands."
Jessica smiled weakly. "He says he will try and figure it out tonight and will be here first thing tomorrow. I don't know, could you help me drop the kids off at school? I don't think I will be in the right state of mind to do anything."
"Silly you." Angie scolded, shaking her head. "Of course, I will. Do you even have to ask? Ugh! Now go rest your pretty momma head. I bet Abby will be waiting for you to cuddle her."
"Yeah yeah. Thanks a lot, Angie. You're the best of the best.." she cheered.
"One more to go," Angie whispered.
"Of the best," Jessica added with a small laugh.
"There. Now, goodnight bestie."
"Night babe."
Jessica returned to her room and lay with her kids. They liked being on either side of her, so she always slept in their midst.