March 4th, 2015

Jessica and her husband Hank have been married for 20 years.

The two have two boys together.  Bradly, who is 22, and Conner who is 19.

When Jessica was only 18 years old, she ran away from home to be with a man she met though mutual friends.  The man was 28 years old at the time, but Jessica was in love!  Meaning she was not going to let her parents tell her what to do.  She was going to do the opposite of whatever they advised her.

After finding herself pregnant, Jessica was terrified to tell her parents.  So she didn't.

She would call her mother every once in a while, but she never mentioned the baby.
It wasn't until her older sister saw her out one day. Jessica was well into her seventh month of pregnancy, so it was very obvious.

Jessica begged her sister not to say a word, but of course she didn't listen.  She felt her parents needed to know.

They were angry, Yes.  But they wanted to be in Jessica and this baby's life.
Hank's, not so much.  They still don't agree on the age gap, and don't believe he will be there for Jessica once this baby is born.

When Bradly was born on February 2nd 1993, Hank surprised them and stepped up.  Jessica's parents decided to put their feelings aside, and welcome him into their family.

Two years later on March 4th, Hank and Jessica said I do.  Jessica was just one month away from giving birth to their second baby.  Conner was born on April 3rd 1995.

It hasn't been easy.  Hank and Jessica do have their problems, but not once have they ever brought their boys into it.

Today is Hank and Jessica's 20th wedding anniversary.
Both boys are away at school.  Bradley in California, and Conner is in New York.

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"Hey.." Jessica says, walking down in her white robe.

"Hey.  Happy anniversary."

"Thanks, you too."

"Are you still mad?"

"I just want to know who that was you were talking to yesterday.
  I'm a big girl, I can handle it.  Just tell me."

"You really want to know?"

"Yes, yes I do! That's why I asked you all night until you fell asleep!  Now just Tell Me!" Jessica shouts.

Hank gives her a look as he walks towards his briefcase.
Jessica's heart was pounding, she knew he was about to admit to cheating.

Hank then took out two tickets and threw them at Jessica.

"It was a travel agent!  I wanted to surprise you for our anniversary with a trip to Paris!"

Jessica bent over and picked up the tickets.  She then looked up with tears in her eyes.
"Paris?"

"We didn't get a honeymoon twenty years ago.  I wanted to do something nice for you.  Why do you always think I'm cheating?"

Jessica scoffed and rolled her eyes.

"That was a long time ago, Jessica."

"You fucked my best friend, Hank!"

"I was drunk!"

"Oh and that makes it okay?"

"Do you want to go to Paris or not, Jessica?"

"Oh I'm going!  You owe me this!"

"... Well.. You're welcome!"

Jessica looks down and mumbles. "Thanks.."

***
Thank you, miss_jessica_lange_ for the inspiration for this book. ♥️