The day off had been precisely what Jessica needed, it seemed, as for she did not leave the house and did exactly as May had requested. They lazed, watched movies, cooked amazing meals with May acting as head chef and Jessica fumbling around as a sub par sous chef  while they drank mass amounts of wine.

She had been forced to part with Brad shortly after breakfast when he stated he had work and then after was planning on picking up his nephews from a friend who had babysat for them frequently. 

At Mays nosey questioning he explained they were not his kids, and that yes, they were his brothers and that his brother was out of town for a couple days so no they did not live with him permanently. 

He didn't delve into it further, his mood souring, but Jessica understood. It seemed Brets impulsive and runaway nature hadn't left him with age, and Brad was bound by his love for his brother, and the children he harbored under his care.

"It has been a long time," she found herself giggling breathless, leaning her head on Mays shoulder and cradling her wine glass as they watched shirtless vampires on the television," Since we have been able to hang out like this."

"Yeah," May breathed and relaxed into the couch too," With everything in our lives going on it has been crazy."

She became somber and Jessica tensed slightly at the sudden change.

"I really like Alex," she rushed and at Jessica's delayed response she hurried on," I know I know, I just got out of a terrible relationship, and I always am chasing after guys it seems but," she shook her head," I don't know he just 'feels' right."

Jessica thought to admonish her friend; she normally was weary of some of the men May fell for.

But then she thought of Alexs absolutely smitten actions, at the mere mention of May and he was head over heels. 

She normally would find it too sudden, but then thought of her own falling for Brad. 

At even their first meeting, before she had truly known it was him, she had been pulled to him, and had been falling ever since. It may not have been conventional, but it still was the start to what she was hoping was a wonderful long relationship.

"I think you're right," she finally said sitting up and looking to her best friend, "I mention your name and Alex is gushing about you. He always is looking out to see if your around. He is absolutely enamored. I wouldn't have it any other way, than you two end up together."

Mays face flushed from more than just the wine and she giggled," and what about you and Brad?" she sang playfully.

Jessica grinned," Well. We are sure moving faster than I have with anyone else. We just suddenly started dating and its such a rush, but at the same time I'm just so. . .comfortable. I feel every day I am with him I could spend like that the rest of my life."

"Oh Jess!" Jessica found herself enveloped in the larger girls' arms and she returned the hug with enthusiasm, "I am so so happy for you!"

"Yeah," she smiled face hot thinking about Brad, "I am too."

Her phone chimed right at that moment and she looked down to see a message from Brad.

*Long day at work- was too busy. Picked up the boys-Jim that little traitor only asked about you. I didn't even get a hug!*

*Oh the insult* she typed, smirking before responding*tell him next time we can watch Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles*

She returned to May, the movie and the wine, but found herself unable to top checking constantly at her phone waiting for it to light up with another text.

The vampires on screen had began battling werewolves when her phone once again sounded off with a text and she read it smiling.

*You have not even properly met Frankie but he's already deemed you 'cool'. The cartoon has won them over. But now it is a promise. *

She smiled and responded*We will have to do dinner and a movie then. *

*It's a date. *

She huffed smiling and May sent a knowing look cooing over her obviously smitten look.

"Oh hush you," she flapped her hand reading Brads text saying he was wanting to call in which she shot a quick 'anytime' over to him.

"Oh girl," May stretched out, the wine making her lazy and comfortable so her feet where now on the arm rest and her legs laying over Jessica's lap trapping her on the couch," I just have not see you so happy. Least not in a while. I am enjoying my best friend falling in love." She said the last part drawn out and wavery with the help form alcohol and Jessica ended up laughing to the point of her stomach hurting though she thought it truly wasn't 'that 'funny.

Her phone began buzzing rhythmically to notify her of a call and she snatched it up and quickly answering it still breathless from laughter while holding onto Mays legs as the two had become an entangled mess of giggles.

"Hey what took you so long to call?" she giggled.

There was a moment of silence on the other end, and her brows knit together in confusion.

"Hello? Brad?"

"Well I am glad to hear you laughing," Jessica stopped immediately and tensed her hand gripping Mays pajama bottoms.

"what are 'you' calling me for," Jessica hissed as her heart hammered. Mr. Skinner and his band of goons had left her alone so long she had felt he forgotten about her. She had hoped that.

Mr. Skinner seemed to enjoy her response sand continued," Why, just to ensure your health and safety. After all hearing about your traumatic events just last night. I would have thought you were crying."

May was sitting up with her now, stark still and tense as Jessica was as Jessica cradled the phone with a tight grip to her face.

"What do you know about 'that' "she hissed.

"It is not difficult to obtain information, especially the information about public offenses. Mr. Albert should have conducted himself better." Mr. Skinner tisked a few times and Jessica found herself growling.

Standing up unsteadily with anger overtaking her she growled out, "And of what does it matter to you?!?"

"Oh I, as a concerned employer, always follow up with any mischief my employees get to- both on and off shift.." Mr skinner said conversationally," and that being it happened to you, I was doubly concerned seeing as how if your health or safety where jeopardized. . ."

He trailed off and Jessica's stomach clenched," Are you 'threatening' me?!?"

"Oh no no no," he tutted with a small chuckle," I just felt I should extend my hand letting you know how I and the rest of this company will 'always' be here to support you in any time of need. Especially when someone attacks a poor single woman who lives on her own so far from town and help. Anything could happen"

Jessica couldn't respond and so Mr. Skinner continued" well I best be going. I hope you have the best of evenings. And if you ever feel the need to sell- you know who to call. I am not far." The line went dead, and Jessica found herself gripping the phone between shaking hands.

"Who was that? "May whispered suddenly sober.

Jessica frowned, "Who else. Mr. Skinner. He was giving me well wishes and open with the offer for the land. Only question. How the hell did he know about last night?"

"He knew," she hissed, and Jessica blinked at the un-characteristic malic in her voice, "He knew AND he brought it up!?!? We need to report this!"

"It's not that easy," Jessica bit her lip," I can file a complaint, but nothing will be done about it. They have nothing on Mr. Skinner or any of those goons. They all have squeaky clean records. Brad told me none of them have any offenses, and all the business they own are legit."

"You STILL need to tell Brad-this is harassment, "she hissed shaking, "I am just. So. So mad! To do such a horrible thing and then bring it up."

She looked almost as if she wanted to cry so Jessica put a hand on her shoulder trying to give a smile," Hey. Hey its okay. I am fine. I promise."

"I know you are," May wiped her eyes and her nose," but also I know you're not. I know what happened was horrible, and scary and yes it could have been worse but god girl it was someone we 'knew'!"

Jessica leaned back frowning eyes looking to the empty wine bottle before sighing, "Yes. It was frightening. I – I couldn't believe George would ever do that. Yes in the past he has been hot headed, and yes he had been close but I never imagined capable of something like that. And what was worst, was that I almost felt he was like 'me'. I saw something of myself in him. So," she sighed rubbing her sore neck remembering Georges angry grip," I promise, though, yes I am upset but I am fine."

May looked to her calmer now," Oh Jess I still am just in disbelief. You know Alex and I are here for you as well."

"Speaking about you and Alex," Jessica smirked quirking an eyebrow," Since you 2 are so close; are you sure you aren't about to move in together or something? I mean the man lives in my glorified shed for goodness sake- and I know you have taken him to all those apartments in town."

May had the decency to flush at that but smiled all the same into her wine glass sipping at it," I know it is fast. But it works, ya know? And sometimes that is just the way it rolls out. You meet someone, and they actually are 'the one' and it is just wonderful," she sighted sinking into the couch and smiling," Yes we have talked about moving in with one another. Nothing solid, but I think it will happen eventually if not now. So why not now?"

Jessica was unable to respond as her phone began to chime notifying her of another call. The women shared a look before she looked to see that it was Brad calling this time.

"Took you long enough," her smile was in her voice she knew, but May was giving her a stern look. She waved the girl off mouthing that she would say something later. The larger girl crossed her arms in disapproval while Brad laughed on the other end.

"Sorry, boys wanted to go to Wendy's and, honestly, I wasn't too opposed seeing as how it was a long day," a slight pause and then he continued a bit more attentively," Actually, also, I was hoping to come see you. The boys are going to their dad, he is done with whatever work he is trying to do and is staying at my place. So I just wanted to make sure, well I understand if I am intruding but I just wanted to see you."

Jessica smiled and shook her head before remembering Brad couldn't see her," No I want to see you," she breathed raking a hand through her messy hair before glancing to may, who gave a thumbs up and pointed to her phone where there was a clear stream of texts between her and Alex planning dinner," May and Alex where just getting ready to go have dinner anyways. I think I would enjoy the company. I warn you though," she chuckled a little, "I maaaaay be a bit tipsy still. We did make our way through several bottles of wine today."

Brad barked out a laugh which made the ends of Jessica's mouth quirk up into a grin.

"I will be there in less than an hour, then," Brad said.

They exchanged a few more words before ending the conversation, Jessica turned to Mays eye roll just in time.

"You are stubborn I know," May said finger up in admonishment, "But you 'should' really tell Brad about this. And maybe that lady cop tomorrow, about that dude and his company calling you."

Jessica nodded her head letting out a woosh of air,"I was planning on telling that 'lady cop' Jennifer tomorrow. I wont ignore it. But, I just want to avoid it all today. I need tonight to not be anything bad."

May nodded in understanding before stating she needed to go shower and sober up before Alex came back in, grabbing the empty bottle and bringing it and their glasses to the kitchen.

Being alone for a moment for the first time since all the insane events the past few weeks occurred allowed Jessica to ponder how much had happened in such a little amount of time. 

Had it only been a few months since she and Brad had reacquainted themselves that night she had been pulled over for speeding? Her cheeks heated up from more than just the alcohol at the thought that her and Brad had been dating for about a month now, even if unofficially for part of it. 

She had never been one to move onward so fast, but she knew that in her heart, it was not a bad thing and she could trust Brad. And in the end, pace wasn't everything-after all slow and steady never worked out in past relationships so hopefully fast and burning wouldn't scorch her in the end.

Standing she decided it was time to meet things head on and stop denying her feelings, or worrying about the what if scenarios that could turn it all sour. The farm was doing well, Brad was in her life, and together they would force whatever ill will people had against them away.

She was lucky to have such good friends, May for being loyal and helping her in every way possible-so long as it didn't deal with manure- and Alex for taking charge of the farm duties while she took time to recover and have down time- the animals and crops didn't care for a person's day to day life and they still needed walking, milking, rotating, water- she shook her head. Today was not the day to worry about the farm.

Today was a relaxation day, she had told herself firmly that it would continue to be that.

Brad arrived later with a delicious smell coming from several bags he carried. May had ushered him in while Jessica gripped some of the bags, for fear of them ripping.

"Chinese?" he shrugged and they nodded enthusiastically. Not long after Alex came in, stomping his much boots out before shedding them and his hat at the door.

"Well if this isn't a party now," his face was split into a full grin and he nodded to Brad who returned it with one of his own over his soup.

"hurry up get changed into some clothes that don't smell like a barn and grab some," May smacked the pillow nest beside her as Brad and Jessica were sprawled out on the couch," We were just about to watch a scary movie."

"I don't understand the appeal," Jessica said shaking her head, chop sticks pushing around some chicken," but May has always been infatuated with them."

May smacked her friends thigh, which she sat closest to," I love ghosts! Oh what I wouldn't give to see a real ghost!"

"Which is funny," Alex said after drying his hands on a towel in the kitchen," seeing as how you are afraid of the dark."

"Just because their scary doesn't mean I don't wanna see one!" May hollered after him as he went to go change but his laughter echoed down the hall.

Soon he was sitting on the pile of cushions pillows and blankets on the floor and they were all chattering as the title screen rolled through the same clip over and over again several times until they were all settled and ready to start the film.

It didn't take long for May to jump into Alex's arms and Jessica to roll her eyes. She stopped watching the film, it was actually fairly good and she wondered if her vote for a Disney movie or something just as light afterwards would be supported, when she caught sight of Brad.

His eyes were on his phone, mouth a tight line.

She tapped her foot on his thigh, and he looked up to her, a bit startled.

Leaning over she murmured," Everything okay?"

He paused, eyes flicking to the phone once more before returning to her own.

"Just, some stuff came up. But- we can worry about it tomorrow," he pocketed the phone after he typed up a quick response in what must have been a message that caused his changed demeanor," Sorry. Tonight should be about having fun."

She watched him carefully before nodding," Tomorrow, then, right?"

"Yes."

They finished the movie, and both Jessica and May were more than a bit amused when Alex urged the next one to be a comedy- he had obviously been a bit more disturbed than he had let on.

The night lead on far past the setting of the sun and they had ventured out to the porch to sit and stare at the stars. Some of the ducks conversed in hushed tones in the distance, and the crickets sang about the surety of rain.

Jessica hoped for many more nights like this, with the stars in a moonless sky, and storm clouds on the horizon, the cooling warmth of late summer in the air while surrounded by those she loved on her beloved farm.