February-

The first month of the year was great. The kids were back in school, work was going great for Jessica, the schedule Danny and Jessica made was going well, Olivia's foot healed well, and Jessica was becoming fit financially stable. Over the month Jessica was in the court room a lot which brought in a lot more money for her. Sadly, she was constantly working. It was what she had to do. Olivia and Sean were doing well in school also. They saw their dad every week.

The kids were at their dads for the weekend. Jessica decided to have Sarah over for dinner.

"Jessie, something is different with you. A good different." Sarah says sipping her wine.

"Really? Haha... I guess I've noticed a change too. I'm taking this new year new me thing seriously. Now that the divorce is final I can officially be happy. I'm just lucky that it didn't end up like other divorces and it didn't get ugly."

"Danny owed you that. But now it's time for you to get out and date!"

"Ahh, I don't know. Danny's the only guy I have ever dated. I forget how to date."

"So, it's good to try things. Remember... New year new you?"

"You got me there. I'll have to think about it."

"It never hurts to try. I bet there are a lot of guys out there that would love to meet you."

**
Monday-

Jessica got off work for a bit to pick up Olivia from school. It was her time to have the kids. Sean wasn't able to pick up Olivia because he was at work.

Jessica waited in the inner loop for Olivia to come out of school. Jessica was looking down at her phone texting people from work. For some reason she had the sudden urge to lift up her head. When she did she saw Olivia walking out of the high school next to a boy. He looked a bit older, but Jessica wasn't happy about it.

Olivia got into the car and watched out the window as the boy walked away.

"Who's that?" Jessica says putting the car in drive.

"Hi mom, it's nice to see you too." Olivia says with a chuckle

Jessica nods and reaches over kissing her. "It's nice to see you too! How was your weekend?"

"Fine I guess." Olivia was still watching the boy.

"Who is that boy that you were walking out with?"

"Some kid in my biology class." She says

"Is there something you aren't telling me?" Jessica says

"No mom... he was just asking me what was for homework. That's all..."

"Remember, no dating."

"Gosh mom, I know." Olivia becomes irritated

"Don't give me attitude. You know the rule."

**

When Jessica and Olivia got home, Olivia went straight up to her room and on the phone. Jessica had to get back to work so she went up to say goodbye to Olivia.

"Hey Livy, I'm going to go back to work. I'll be home around six. Sean should be home from work around five. If you need anything call me." Jessica smiles walking into her room.

"Okay."

"Okay, study. No phone for a bit."

"I have nothing to study. Midterms are over."

"Do something other then sit on the phone, please."

"Can I go hang out with Layla? She wanted to take me to the sushi restaurant by the mall."

"Not tonight, it's a school night..."

"But no one is home! I'm always alone. I get so bored when no one is here. You and Sean are always at work."

Jessica sighs... "Be home by six-thirty. I'm sorry work has been so busy."

"It's fine, I just miss you sometimes."

"I miss you too, sweetheart. I promise when I get home from work we can have a movie night."

"Really? Okay!"

**

Jessica sat at work feeling guilty... work was so busy. She was working so hard not only for herself but for her kids. She was losing time with them. She saw how bored and lonely Olivia was when Jessica wasn't home. Now that the kids went back and fourth she only started to get worried that maybe the kids would want to spend more time with their dad instead of her.

Her co-worker Neil walked in with a pile of paper work. "Hey Jess, Janet wants these files looked over before the hiring tomorrow." He says setting them on her desk.

Jessica grunts then looks at the stack of papers that intimidated her. "By tomorrow?"

"Yea, sorry about that. She wants you to do it."

Jessica looks at the time. It was six.

"But Neil- I have to go home."

"I'm sorry Jess..."

"Ugh! Shit!"

**

6:45pm-

Jessica was still at work caught up with loads of paper work.

Olivia then started to text her.

*where are you? I thought we were going to have movie night?*

*I'm sorry! I totally got caught up with work. I'll try to leave here in fifteen minutes.*

*It's fine. It's getting late. Can I just go over dads tonight?*

Jessica stared at her phone in shock. This was what she was most afraid of. That her children would rather be at their dads.

*Honey, I'll be home soon.*

*Please, I just want to go over.*

*Okay... I'm sorry again, Liv.*

**

Jessica was heart broken. She ended being at work longer that expected. Things were in a way going back to how they were at the end of last year. Jessica was spending lots of time at work. It was causing a strain between her and the kids.

When she got home Sean was home, which was a relief to Jessica. She was already sad that Olivia had left.

Jessica looked through the window in the front of the house and saw that Sean had his arm around a girl. She blinked a few times then walked in.

Sean turned around.

"Sean?" Jessica says setting her things down.

He turns around and so does the girl.

"Hey mom, you remember Marie, right?"

"Ahh, yes. Hello Marie." Jessica smiles

"Hi Mrs. Huston, it's nice to see you."

"Miss. Lange... and it's nice to see you too. I'm sorry to be rude, but I didn't know you were having someone over." She says focusing her eyes on Sean.

"Yea, I texted you."

"Oh, alright. Do you guys want anything to eat?" Jessica smiles walking into the living room.

"We are good, we ordered pizza."

"Well I'm going to go make myself dinner. You two have fun."

Jessica made herself a small dinner then laid out a lot of her paper work. She sat their eating soup and reviewing information for her court hiring tomorrow.

A little later Marie and Sean walk in.

"Bye Miss Lange, thank you for having me."

"No problem, honey. It was nice seeing you." Jessica says setting down her spoon.

"Hey, mom. Are you okay?" Sean says walking back into the kitchen.

Jessica sighs and nods. "I'm okay, it was a long day."

Sean sits down. "What do you think about Marie?"

"She's sweet. Do you like her?"

"Yea, a lot actually. I want to ask her to the sweethearts dance."

"Ahh, I'm happy for you."

"I think Layla drove Olivia over to dads."

Jessica cleared her throat and put all of her paperwork together. "She told me... I guess that's what's wrong."

"That she went to dads?"

"Yes... I feel so horrible for being at work all the time. But I have no choice."

"I understand, mom."

"Olivia doesn't, it breaks my heart."

"Don't let it. She's just being weird lately."

"How so?"

"There was actually something I wanted to tell you."

Jessica became alarmed. She turned her body towards Sean. "What is it? Is everything okay?"

"I'm telling you this because I know you'd want me too. Not to be a tattle tale."

"Okay! What?"

"A few days in a row Olivia's been hanging out in the courtyard with this kid in my grade. And I don't know if they are just friends or what but people are saying stuff."

"What? A boy! She isn't aloud to date!"

"I don't know if they are dating. But remember when you asked me to watch out for her. And you asked me about a boy in my grade?"

"Yes... oh gosh. I told her not to date. What are people saying?"

"I don't know really. But his name is Nathan. He's on the football team, he's kinda an ass."

"Thank you for telling me..." Jessica says

"Do you think that she may be dating him?" Sean says

"I'm not sure, but I'll find out."

"I'll watch out for her."

"Thank you, honey. Go get ready for bed? Okay?"

"Alright, I'll see you in the morning."

Sean walked up stairs. Jessica sat in the kitchen, so frustrated. Olivia knew that dating was off limits. Jessica became worried that maybe Olivia was turning to guys for attention.

**

I'm really excited for the next few chapters!!!!