Between You & Me: 2

The woman stood from her table, looking as her spitting younger image walked in the door.

Keesha walked over to the maitre'd. "Excuse me..." she glanced around and noticed the woman standing. "Never mind," she whispered.

The woman moved away from the table, virtually running over to Keesha.

Keesha took a step back as she stared. Her hands started to shake slightly.

She wished Jax was here...

"You look just like me," her birth mother smiled.

Keesha blinked, staring.

"Let me speak to Daddy!" Jalyn called.

"What is she doing up?" Jax asked Jerry.

"She heard the phone ring and came running...here..."

"Hi Daddy!"

"Hi Angel." Jax smiled. "Are you being good for Uncle Jerry?"

"Yes...I miss you." She blinked her bright blue eyes.

"I miss you too. But we'll be back tomorrow night. Now give me Uncle Jerry and go to bed..."

"Can I speak to Mommy?"

"Um...she's not here...but she sends her love."

"Oh." Jalyn sighed sadly. "Okay. Bye Daddy...I love you..."

"I love you too...."

"Aw..." Jerry laughed. "You missed her, she just ran back into her room."

"How's Jordan?"

"Sound asleep. Get back to your wife. Bye."

Jax listened to the dial tone for a moment. Finally he hung up the phone, sighing as he looked over to the empty side of the bed.

"I really have to go. My husband's waiting for me." Keesha stood.

"Yes, I understand." Her mother, Lark, continued to stare at the small family picture Keesha had in her wallet. "When do I get to see him?"

"I...don't know."

"You don't..."

"Look, it was really nice meeting you, and you seem like a very nice person...."

"But?"

"But. I don't even know you...I'm 29 years old, and this is the first time we've even met. I have a lot going on and I'm not sure..."

"If your life can include me now. I understand."

Keesha looked at Lark, feeling guilty. "I have two children and I'm trying to get a promotion and Momma's coming to move in soon..." she tried to explain. Realizing what she had just called Tiffany in front of Lark, Keesha grew flustered. "Sorry."

"No. Tiffany is your mom, I understand that. But...here's my number. You can call me anytime. I don't want anything Keesha. I just want to be a part of your life."

Keesha sighed. That sounded like nothing-but she didn't even know this woman. She didn't know if she ever wanted to know this woman. Seeing her was one thing....God they looked alike...."I really have to go."

"Did I make it..."

Jax turned away from the window. He looked over at Keesha. Glancing at the clock he nodded. "Exactly two hours."

"See. I told you." She came over to him. "You're all dressed...where are we going?"

"Well I figured in case you had to run out of here in a hurry if I was prepared, perhaps I could go."

"I met my mom."

"You..." Jax blinked and his eyes grew. "Your..."

"Birth mother. Just met her. That's where I went...I'm sorry if you felt left out..." She moved away, going over to the bed. "I just wanted to see her."

"I understand. So..." he prodded carefully.

"So what? We look alike...it's kind of eerie actually. I always thought I looked like Daddy but...anyway, her name is Lark and she gave me her phone number. Of which I have no intentions of calling."

"Why?"

"Because I have enough problems dealing with the mother I have, I don't need another one," Keesha teased. She leaned down in the bed, looking up at the ceiling. "Okay...next question."

"I don't have any other questions." Jax walked over, reclining on the bed next to her.

"What about why not?"

"Why would I ask that...you don't want to call her, I respect that. I respect any decision you make on this matter."

Keesha tilted her head, looking at Jax. "I love you."

"I love you more." He grinned, closing his eyes.

"Most," she smiled, reaching out and tilting his face to hers. She kissed him slowly. "Thank you."

A few days later. Jax and Keesha have returned from their trip.

Jax looked in the rear view mirror before changing lanes. "Yeah...Jordan is with the nanny and I'm on my way to get Jalyn from day care. Keesha will get home about an hour after we do,and then I'll head back to the office and meet you..." he spoke quickly into his car speaker phone.

Jerry laughed. "You've become a regular Mr. Mom."

"Whatever. You have children and see how much free time you have..." Jax screeched his car to a halt.

"Jax..."

Jax's eyes flashed and he swiftly opened the door. "I have to go." Jax hopped out of his car, engine still running, and ran across the street to the pre-school.

"Daddy!" Jalyn squealed as Jax lifted her quickly into his arms.

"Who are you?" he spoke coldly to the woman on the bench near the sandbox.

"You must be Jax. The picture doesn't do you justice."

"What..." Jax blinked. She looked just like..."You're..." Jax put Jalyn down. "Honey, why don't you go play on the swings for a minute."

"Kay!" Jalyn ran off.

"You're Keesha's mother."

"Jalyn looks just like you." Lark smiled.

"Why are you here?"

"I wasn't talking to her. I would never encourage my grandchild to talk to a stranger. I was just watching her play. I just wanted to see her."

Jax's eyes grew slightly warmer. "Sorry...I saw you watching her...and..."

"Right. You can't be too careful. It's my fault." Lark held out her hand. "Nice to meet you."

Jax smiled, but shook her hand warily, remembering what Keesha had said. "Nice to meet you...we have to be going."

"Of course. And really, I am sorry. It won't happen again."

Jax nodded and then turned his attention to the playground. Jalyn saw him and hopped off the swing, running over.

Lark watched as Jax and Jalyn walked hand in hand over to the crosswalk.

Lark wished she hadn't waited so long to see her, but Keesha had been to pick Jalyn up all week-and Lark wanted to see Jax for herself. Now she had established contact with both Keesha's daughter and her husband.

Soon she would take herself to sneak a peak at Jordan, and before Keesha knew it, Lark would be a part of her life.

"Who's that?" Jalyn asked as Jax strapped her into the car seat.

"No one really. But if you see her again, you stay away from her, okay?"

"Stay away from all strangers." Jalyn smiled.

"Right." He bent down, kissing the top of her raven hair.

Lark noticed Jax staring at her as he closed the car door.

Without a smile he walked over to the driver's side, getting in and pulling off.

"Then again..." Lark mumbled. She had a feeling Jax might be a problem.

But Lark was excellent at handling problems.