Jacob

"Hi, baby!!!!" Zoe screams as she jumps into my open arms.

"Hi, my love." I say giving her a deep passionate kiss, "God I missed you."  I step back looking at her. She's dressed to kill. "Sweetheart, you know I love how you dress, but the stilettos might be difficult to walk in."

Zoe giggles, "I figured they might. I didn't bring too many clothes. I figured I would buy some outfits that the common folks wear here in these towns."

I smile at Zoe, trying so hard to fit in, "Well sweets, in this neck of the woods you can talk normally. Not too many folks talk all country anymore. There is cable and internet out here."

Zoe smiles shyly, "Sorry. I'm just nervous. Usually, I meet city people. I know how to win them over. But out here..."

I kiss Zoe's forehead and give her a big squeeze for support, "out here just be yourself. My Mama will love you."

"I hope so because I can't wait to tell her how much I love her son." 

I smile at my beautiful fiancé. I hope Katie doesn't fuck this up with her aggressive personality or try anything to ruin my relationship with Zoe. As for Rachel. She will be herself. Rachel is harmless and after last night I believe we are on the same page now.

"Can you grab my bags? I'm exhausted from my flight. I had to sit beside a little girl. Her Mama took advantage of sleeping while the little girl was talking up a storm with me."

Grabbing her bags, we walk, "Cute." I smile.

"Cute?!?" Zoe jumps, "Maybe if you're her mom. But Miss Sleeping Beauty got a good couple of hours of sleep while I was entertaining her daughter. She should pay me for babysitting.

"Come on it wasn't that bad." I smile

Zoe darts her eyes at me, " her name is Cassie. Short for Cassandra. She is 5 years old. Her favourite food is spaghetti and ice cream... together. She likes to watch TV and sometimes when her 'mama' is sleeping at night she gets up and watches TV. Her 'papa' left her and her mama and sometimes she sees him. He drives big trucks apparently and She goes to school. She loves school except for this boy, Cyrus, who always pulls her hair —"

"Okay. Okay," I laugh, "She was your flight entertainment."

Zoe shivers, "I'm glad you think it's funny. Try having those wild animals around day and night. Our kid won't be like that. He..."

"Or she," I add.

Zoe looks at me, "I feel it's going to be a he. Will be better behaved. And who lets their kids talk to strangers."

"But you're a beautiful stranger. I would talk to you." I tease.

Zoe playfully hits my shoulder, "Seriously. What has this world come to. Children talking to strangers. Single moms are too tired to care for their kids, and dads are leaving their families. It's all backwards."

I give a tight smile. I better say something about Matty and Rachel. Prepare Zoe for more company in the house, "hey Zoe, there's one more thing —,"

"OH!" Zoe reacts as she grabs my arm tight, "A cowboy!!!" 

I look up to see two men sitting outside a bar, having drinks. One of them is dressed with a big bucket, cowboy boots and a black hat.

"Can I take a photo with him?" 

I look at the man trying to find an easy way to tell Zoe no.  " you know honey. The people out here don't see the boots and hat as a costume. It's their regular clothes. So it might insult them if you ask any of the people out here to take a photo with them because of their outfits."

Zoe looks at me with astonishment, "Really. I think it's a great look."

I smile at Zoe's naive eagerness to get settled into Small-town life, "it's just clothes for them. Come on, let's go. I'll buy you a cowgirl outfit.

*****

"Wow. You see nothing but fields." Zoe says looking out the open window. She's attempting to hold her hair as some strains flap around with the wind.

"Yeah and guess what. More fields are coming." I tease.

Zoe rubs her hand over my thigh, "so there's no one around?"

"Nope," I answer, keeping my eyes on the road.

"Soooo," Zoe starts as she rubs over my crotch, "No one will see what I'm doing right now."

I jolt a little in my seat as I try to steady Black Beauty on the road.

Zoe gets close to me and starts kissing my neck, "why don't you stop on the side of the road." She whispers, as her soft lips feather against my skin.

My jeans aren't fitting me anymore as the excitement builds up in my pants, "Baby we are tight for time. But tonight we can —," then I feel Zoe tugging on the zipper of my jeans. I look down, "what are you doing?"

"What I missed doing for a few days," Zoe answers. Blowing air over my underwear. Zoe then pulls out my hardness from the side of my underwear and went to work on me. God. I missed this. The feeling of Zoe's lips wrapping around me as her tongue works her magic.

"Zoe," I stutter, focusing on keeping my eyes open on the road, "Go gently. I'm dri- driving." 

Zoe giggles, "You missed me that much?"  She whispers as she tucks me in my jeans and zips me up. She sits herself back up, looking at me as she licks her lips, smiling.

I smile, shaking my head, " You're a very very bad girl." 

Zoe laughs, "I hope so or else life will be boring."

I grab Zoe's hand and kiss it, "I love you."

"I know you do. I love you too."

I turn down Mama's road. I make my way into the driveway.

"Oh my gosh!" Zoe bosts, "What an adorable home. Is this where you grew up?" 

"Yeah. This was my beginning."

"The house looks fantastic! Did you upgrade?"

" No actually, a friend of the family helped Mama with the updates."

"Wow. And an in-ground pool. Out here. That must have been pricey."

The questions were leading themselves to Rachel. I wasn't sure how to introduce her yet. A friend? The girl my Mama and sister adopted, unofficially? The girl who had a crush on me as a kid?"

"Wow. This is a wonderful getaway location. A bed and breakfast out in the country. A —,"

"Zoe. It's my Mama's house. Let's not turn it into anything else other than that."  I said feeling an overwhelming knot on my stomach.

"Sorry hon. You're right." She kisses me, "Let's go inside." Zoe glees jumping out of the truck.

I grab her bags. Katie's car is here, which causes me grief. I hope she behaves. The good thing is that Rachel's car is not here so I can divide this introduction in half.

"Hey Mama, we're here!!" I shout as I hold the door for Zoe. Zoe's smiling ear to ear, looking around the front hallway with awe.

"Hi, my little brother!!" Katie greets walking quickly, giving me a hug and kisses on both cheeks. Gilbert follows quietly behind Katie "You must be Zoe?" Katie says with an overly enthusiastic voice with an equally enthusiastic smile.

"Yes!" Zoe answers, hugging Katie, "You must be Katie and Gilbert. I've heard so much about both of you."

I feel Katie's eyes staring at me as she grins from ear to ear, "Hopefully nice things. I'm hoping to get to know you since my brother likes to keep things to himself." Katie says elbowing me playfully hard on my ribs.

"All good sissy. Don't worry."  I answer. I see my Mama rolling in from her room, " Ah Zoe. This is my Mama. Jane Elizabeth Bridgestone."

Zoe's smiles at Mama as she gives her hand to Mama, "It's so nice to finally meet you, Ms. Bridgestone."

Mama gently shakes Zoe's hand, and giggles, "Oh dear. Zoe you can call me Mama Jane."  Zoe smiles,  "And aren't you a stunning young lady? How was your flight?"

"Oh. It was wonderful. Got some work done and squeezed into a meeting. Didn't want to have work for the next few days."

I wrap my arm around Zoe's waist, relief flowing through my body. Just one more person. The door opens behind me, crashing into Zoe's luggage. The chattering storm of small children fills the space in the house. I turn around as they become silent and see the four children and Rachel staring at us. But Rachel's expression catches my attention as she looks at Zoe up and down in sadness. What is she thinking? 

"Wow, there's so many of you. Hello!" Zoe says breaking my focus on Rachel.

"Ah yes. Zoe. These are my sister and Gilbert's crew. Declan, Charlotte and Gavin."

The three kids smile shyly. "I like your shoes!" Charlotte says.

"Oh thank you, sweetheart. And who's this little boy." Zoe asks. I catch her glancing at Rachel.

"Yeah. This is Matty and his Mama, Rachel." 

Rachel smiles and extends her hand to Zoe, "Hi. You must be Zoe."

Zoe smiles at Rachel, "Yes. Nice to meet you."

I jump in, "Yeah, Rachel is a long-time family friend. She helps Mama and takes care of her house since Mama can't for now."  My palms are sweaty as I try to sound casual.

"Hey Rachel, I'll help you with dinner." Katie quickly offers.

"Oh. I can help too." Zoe volunteers.

"No. Don't be silly," Katie says, making her way to Rachel grabbing the grocery bags out of her hands, " we got this. You and Jacob can chat with Mama Jane and get acquainted."

Rachel and Katie make their way to the kitchen. Gilbert gathers the kids for homework and me, Zoe and Mama make our way out to the porch.

"Mama Jane, you have a wonderful property. How big is it?" Zoe asks as she sits on the porch swing. I lock the wheels on Mama's wheelchair, giving Zoe an eye to stop the questions. It sounds more like a business deal than a future daughter-in-law.

Zoe makes a face back at me but quickly fixes her as Mama looks at her, "I'm not sure anymore dear. It's been in my husband's family for years. It was bigger but the family eventually sold parts of it. Jacob's father was left with what we have and it was more than enough for him. He and I used to climb that big oak tree when we were kids."

Zoe looks at Mama, "You knew your husband when you were children?"

Mama smiles at Zoe, "Yes. We met when he was 13 and I was 11. Our mamas often volunteered at the church and we kids would hang out outside the church playing. Unless of course, we had chores to do." Mama smiles, "Jacob's father and I started dating when we finished high school and life began."

"And you never had second thoughts?"  Zoe asks in awe.

"Zoe?" I said, feeling embarrassed by Zoe's questions.

"It's okay Jacob. Sometimes I laugh at how simple and slow life was then. Today people date quickly and get married faster. In my younger years, life wasn't so fast. There was time for everything to grow, including love. You know, I didn't like Jacob's papa at first. He was stubborn. He was smart in school but terrible with crowds."

"What happened?" Zoe asks studying everything Mama said.

Mama smiles looking at me, " Time. Time is what happens. Time to get to know each other. Time to find the balance between each other's flaws and strengths. Time to build patience for one another. Time to create memories together. Eventually, it all turns into love."

"Wow." Zoe says falling back on the porch swing, "Mama Jane that's beautiful."

Mama pats her legs, "it's the truth. There's no secret to great relationships. It's being An active participant and commenting on your promise.

Zoe grabs my arms and leans her head onto my shoulder, "That's what we have. A partnership and balance." 

I smile at Zoe, "and fight at night about who sleeps on the left side of the bed."  Mama and Zoe laugh at my joke.