Page 20 of Joining Little Jessica

Forrest gave her a soft smile, though there was a hint of sadness in his eyes. “We’ll take it day by day, babygirl. We won’t bring up the future again unless you want to.”

Jessica exhaled slowly, a mix of relief and guilt washing over her. They were letting her off the hook, but she knew deep downthe conversation wasn’t over—it was just postponed. Still, for now, she could breathe a little easier.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

Rowan leaned forward brushing a hand over her cheek. “We’re not going anywhere, little one. At least not for the next few weeks. Let’s just enjoy it, okay?”

She nodded, though a small part of her still ached at the thought of how temporary it all felt. They were already on their fourth day there. But for now, she would take what she could get—time with them without the looming shadow of what came next. Maybe that would be enough.

Sebastian glanced at Jessica, his sharp gaze softening now that the tension had subsided. He gave her a small smile, the corner of his mouth twitching as he leaned back in his chair. “So, what would you like to do for the rest of the day, sweetheart?”

Jessica blinked, surprised by the sudden shift in focus. The question caught her off guard, and for a moment, she hesitated. It was easier to focus on activities than on weighty topics they’d just tackled, but the lingering emotions still clung to her.

“I’m not sure,” she replied, her voice small, as she toyed with the edge of her napkin. “What do you guys feel like doing?”

Sebastian shook his head with a slight chuckle. “No, no, no, naughty girl. We asked you first. Today is about what you want.”

Jessica chewed her bottom lip thoughtfully. The last few days had been filled with emotional intensity and some much-needed bonding. Maybe something a little more relaxed would be nice. Followed by some more fun in the bedroom to round off the day. “Um, maybe something outside? It’s a nice, cloudless day. A walk, or maybe just... hanging out somewhere?”

Rowan’s grin widened. “A walk sounds good. You can show us around the Ranch. We haven’t explored much of the property yet.”

Forrest’s calm voice chimed in, his tone thoughtful. “And we might ask about a picnic, bring some snacks with us. A flask with some hot chocolate, perhaps?”

Jessica felt a flicker of excitement at the idea. A peaceful walk, followed by hot chocolate, with her three Daddies? Epic! “That sounds really nice,” she admitted, her voice more confident now. “I’d like that.”

Rowan reached across the table, playfully tapping her hand. “Good choice. I’ll get those snacks and hot chocolate from the kitchen.”

Jessica’s mind wandered for a moment, then she thought of something else. “What about the rest of the week? There are some more events happening, right? It’s why they closed the school for the festivities.”

Sebastian leaned back in his chair, looking thoughtful. “Yeah. There were a few things on the itinerary we received when checking in. There’s a bonfire tomorrow night. And then they’re having a huge party for New Year’s Eve.”

“Oh, no. Will we have to dance at this party?” Rowan groaned. “I don’t know if the world’s ready to see my dancing skills.”

Forrest chuckled, “Oh, we’re definitely making you dance, Rowan. No backing out of this.”

Rowan threw his hands up in defeat, but there was a glint of amusement in his eyes. “Fine, fine. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Jessica laughed softly, the tension from earlier finally fading as she relaxed into the playful banter. “I think I’m looking forward to the party now.”

Sebastian glanced at her, his expression turning a bit more serious. “The party will be a bit more formal. You’ll need something nice to wear.”

Jessica felt her cheeks flush slightly. “I don’t exactly have anything fancy in my wardrobe.”

Rowan winked at her. “Don’t worry, princess. We’ll take care of that. We’ll make sure you look stunning.”

Jessica’s heart fluttered at the thought of them taking care of her like that. She felt the warm protective energy from them, and it eased some of her lingering insecurities. “Okay”, she said softly, her smile widening. “That sounds really nice.”

Forrest leaned forward, his eyes filled with quiet affection. “It’s going to be a great time, Jessica. And remember, we’re here for you, no matter what. We’ll take it one day at a time.”

She nodded, feeling the sincerity in his words. “One day at a time,” she echoed.

Rowan stood up and stretched. “Alright, let’s get this picnic going!”

The group rose from the table, the mood lighter now, as they prepared for their afternoon together. Though the future remained unspoken for now, the present was filled with warmth, laughter and the promise of more moments to cherish.

CHAPTER 13

The sun hung high in the sky as Jessica led the men along the winding paths of the Ranch, her laughter ringing out like music in the crisp air. Each step seemed to lighten the burdens they had shared at breakfast and then the discussion at lunchtime, the tension from their earlier conversation fading with every joke and playful nudge. Rowan walked beside her, his energy contagious as he pointed out the different flora along the trail.

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