Chapter 24: One Step Closer

Pauline took a notebook and a pen. She sut on the couch in front of the TV. Is been just three days since she finished with the classes she need to pass. The previous night Jesse left for Utah. The League has just begun. She drove him to the airport and saw him leaving. She knew this day will come but she hoped for the best. He promised he'll call when they land. The flight to Utah was about seven and a half hours with one stop in Chicago to change plane.

It was 10.00 am when she chacked the time in her phone. She took the pen and wrote down some possible names for the babies. She wrote about a dozen but she couldn't pick her favourite. She liked them all. She hoped that Jesse will like some of them too. At least they agreed that both of their kids with be named after their fathers. Pauline didn't mind that. After all she was named after her father's mother.

She was lost in searching names in her mind and she didn't hear the door bell. The bell rung for the first time, at least that was she thought. It took her some time to walk to the door. She opened the door and faced smiling Ava, a woman that she has never seen before and a huge bucket of flowers be hold by a guy.

Pauline was looking at the flowers when they go away. The next things she remembers is hugging very close Mike. "Oh my God!" she keep saying until Mike stopped her. "Okay, Pauline we all get that." Mike said and smiled. "Yeah, sorry. Please come in." Pauline said and closed the door behind her. "Have a seat. Can i get you anything?" she asked. "No, we're all fine." Mike amswered.

"I want you to meet my fiance Alison Baker. Alison this is Pauline Timson." Mike said and both women shaked hands. "Nice to meet you Alison." Pauline said. "The pleasure is all mine. I know a lot about you. You know Mike he never stop talking." Alison said and they all laughed. "You know i'm here too?" Mike responeded and walked next to Pauline.

"Why you didn't tell me you're coming when we talked to the phone yesterday?" she looked at him. "If i had told you it wouldn't have been a suprise." Mike looked at her. "Just look at you!" he looked at her belly. Mike sut down to meet her belly. "Hello, boys. I'm Mike, nice to meet you." He stood up.

"You know you look redicioulus, don't you?" Pauline told him. "I know, but i don't care!" Mike said smiling. "i don't know about you i'm going to sit." the 8,5 month pregnant Ava said and she made her way to the living room. The rest followed.

"So, what are you doing here?" Pauline asked the couple. "I work for the McDonald's. I used to control all the restaurants in Michigan. I got promotion which requars me to control New Jersey and New York's restaurants and i couldn't do that in Michigan. So, we moved in Newark." Alison said. "Congrats!" Pauline said. "Thank you." Alison answered.

"Where is Jesse?" Mike asked. "In Utah. Or on his way to Utah. He left this morning." "Oh yeah. I forgot NFL starts tommorow." "Yeah, it starts!" Pauline said. "Anyway." Pauline looked at Ava. "How are you holding up?" "Me? I'm fine, just a little anxious about the labor but in genelar, good." Ava answeerd and smiled. "Until, my father mouved in!" Ava added a few seconds later and everyone in the room looked at her.

"What do you mean he mouved in?" Pauline asked. "He lives in the house now. He said that now Alex in LA for filming the movie and i'm alone he should come to help me. Especially now that my due date is coming." "Oh, it can't be that bad." "You have no idea." Ava answered and shaked her head. "Do you think my dad will come too?" "I hope he does not." Ava said. "I hope that too."

The next few hours past very quickly. It's been very long that they were all together in the same room. They have so much to talk about. They laughed so hard, they all need it. But beacuse good things can not last forever they have to go.

And then pauline found herslef alone on the big house. She realized how lonely she was feeling. Since Louis died she was never alone. And now three months later she faced the loneliness. She was missing him momments like these. He will walk from the patio and sit next to her on the couch. He will rest his face on her legs. This is how they watched movies together.

Pauline look at the notebook on the table in front of the couch. She saw the names she had write down. She smiled. She wanted to find her sons the best possible names when she realized is not the names that matters, is everything else but the names. All those things Jesse and her will learn them about everything in the world. She didn't want to loose anything from their livies. She wanted to be there in every step they take, big or small. Hers and Jesse's job have ohter plans. Outside games for both them, she really wanted to know if they will have time for themselfes. She was so silly thinking things like that. They have the whole life ahead of them.

Her phone ringing brought her back to reality. "Hey, did you land?" she asked Jesse right away. "Yeah, just half an hour ago. Hello to you too." "How was your trip?" "Good. I was sleeping the whole time. How did you spend the last five hours?" "You have no idea who came for a visit?" Pauline said. "Am i have any chance to find it?" "I don't know." Pauline answered. "Can you tell me because i will never find it?"

"Ava, Mike and his fiance." Pauline said exitied. "What? I though he lives in Michigan." "Not anymore. His fiance got promotion and they moved to Newark." "That's great!" "You don't any problem with that?" Pauline asked him. "Why should i have?" "beacuse when we were in High School..." Pauline started but Jesse stopped her. "Baby, all these belongs to the past. We were all young back then. We are different now. I'm glad he's your friend, he's a good guy." "Yes, he is." Pauline answered.

"Did you parents call you?" "Not yet. They have about two hours till they land to Greece." Pauline told him. "Lucky them." he said and sighed. "Worried about the game?" "No, not really. I worry more about you, being home alone." he said and walked a few steps away. He didn't want his teammates hear him. "You don't have to worry about me, i'll be fine. Just focus on the game. I checked their stats, they have no hope." Pauline said.

"Since when you check football stats?" "Since my husband plays in the NFL." Pauline answered him in no time. "I like you calling me your husband, even though i am not yet your husband." "Technicly you are." she said.  "I already miss you." Jesse said after a long pause. "I miss you too." Pauline said.

"Jess come we need to check in!" 

Pauline heard Cody's voice. "Go. I'll call you before i go to bed." she told him. "Okay." "Have a nice flight." Pauline answered. "Thank you. Bye." Jesse said and hang up the phone.

Pauline left her phone on the table. She checked the wall watch above the TV screen. It was 5.35 pm. She got up. She walked to the bookcase in the living room. She took the book she was reading. After turning on the AC she sut on the couch and lost herself on reading.

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The next afternoon Pauline sut comfy on the couch in the living room. She flipped the channel in the sports one, where she will watch Jesse's game. A big bowl of cream and cookies ice cream was in front of her. Being late July, eatting ice cream and going swimming were the best things you can do. Pauline didn't mind both of them. She was eatting ice cream during the winter, she was enjoy it more in the summertime.

The game will start in 30 minutes. As the team was get warming up {auline was trying to find Jesse. It was a little hard because they were all wearing this gold hemlets or gold eggs as Pauline was calling them. She still remembers how Jesse reacted when she said that. She started laughing but the sound of the door bell made her stop.

On her way to the door she was trying to figure out who migh be behind the door. Pauline oped the door and faced always smiling Romeo. Her jaw fell. "Romeo what are you doing here?" "I am here to watch Jesse's match with you." he walked in the house. "I brought some ice cream, cream and cookies, i know is your favourite." Romeo added.

He looked back at Pauline who has the one hand on the door and was looking at him like he was a ghost. "Are you going to close the door or...?" he asked her. "Yes, of course." she said puzzled and closed it. As they both walked in the living room. "Oh i brought the very same ice cream." Romeo said.

"It's okay Romy. By the end of the week your ice cream will be long gone." Pauline said and she and Romeo sut on the couch. "I think they'll win." he said and looked at Pauline, who was kind of lost. "Hey Pauline i'm talking to you."

Pauline shaked her head and looked at him. "What?" "Are you alright? Do you need anything?" "No no, i'm fine." Pauline answered and smiled. "You are suprised seeing me here, aren't you?" Romeo asked back. "This boy is smart." she thoguht to herself. "Just a little." "I should have visit you more often." the young man said.

"If you want to. I'm here." Pauline said. She could see that something was bothering him. But she remain silent. If he wanted to talk all he had to do is start. "I am going to bring something to drink and two bowls to put the ice cream." she said and stood up.

When she returned Romeo was still sitting where she left him. The game had started. "How does it going?" she asked and put on the table the disk. "We win." he answered and took the one of the two bowls. "Who would have thought? Jesse playing for Notre Dame." he said after taking his first bite. "He earn it." Pauline sut next to him. "Yeah sure. He really wanted to play there as far as i remember." he paused. "Will you?" he was now looking at her.

"What do you mean?" she asked him. "I remember the fight you had at his first game. You don't like this team, don't you?" "Romeo it doesn't matter if i like it or not. If Jesse likes there is nothing more to talk about." "Yes, you're right." Romeo answered.

"Have you talked to Jacob?" Pauline asked trying to change the subject. "We don't really talk since he left for Los Angeles." Pauline was keepinga very close eye to 18th year old Romeo. "So, do you know is which College you'll go?" she asked him. "No." he answered and left the half filled bowl on the table. Pauline notised it.

"There are too many and you can't choose?" "There are no Colleges i want to go to." he yelled and looked at her with his eyes filled with anger. "Why everybody is asking me this question?" he got up. "Is it so hard to understand that i do npt want to go on a College?" he said angily. He tunred his back on her. "Everybody were so proud when Jacob  got that scolarship." he said calmy now.

"Dad was so proud of him. His son will study Business and Economics in Los Angeles, California." he looked back at her. "I was proud of him too, i really was. But when he left all we talk about was Jacob. When they finished with the conserts all he was saying is 'Romeo John study hard to reach your brother.' Over and over again." he turned to Pauline. "And i am asking you know. How on Earth should i try?"

"I was never fan of studying, Pauline. I tried but i failed. I send letters to all Universities in the Country who have Architecture departement. And guess how many replied successfully?" he paused for a second. "None."

Pauline was looking at him trying to understand what she should answer. The situation was different and it was the first time that she has to answer. Usually she was in Romeo's shoes. But now she must give him an answer. "Look Romeo." she started and looked at the 18 year old Romeo. "There is no way you will get accepted in any College. Even i got accepted who i was born in an another counrty." she paused. "What i am trying to say is that you should re-send those Colleges an application letter. I can help you with that."

"Really? Will you do that for me?" his blue eyes filled now with hope for a second chance. "Of course and i will help you. We are family remember?" Pauline answered smiling. Romeo hugged her tight. "Thank you." he answered.

A few hours later after Notre Dame's victory Pauline asked Romeo. "Would you like anything to eat?" "No, i am full. Thank you." he replied. "I'll go these to the kitchen." he added only two seconds later and got up. Walking back from the kitchen he asked. "Pauline can i stay here for the night?" "Yes, sure. Just let your parents know." "I don't think they will notice me." Romeo said and sut on the couch. "Don't you ever say that again. You are their son. Of course and they wil worry about you. You are their youngest." Pauline said.

"Can call them and ask them? I don't want to talk to them right now." Pauline sighed. "Okay, i will call them."

Pauline after making the guest room for Romeo she lyied to the bed. She thought she had done the right thing. She was one step closer of becoming a better person and a better future mother. She was somehow proud of herself. She had watched Romeo growing up and becoming this young man he is today. She knew he will make it. She have faith in him.

The next moring when she walked downstairs Romeo was already gone. But he had left a frwaing of him and her together. It was beautiful. She wipped off the tear in her eye when the phone rung. "Good morning Pauline." Jesse said happily. "Good morming to you too." Jesse notised her voice was different. "Are you crying? What happend?" "Nothing. Everything it's under control." Pauline answered. "Are you sure?" "Yes, i'll explain you when you get here. Where are you?" "In the room packing. We leave in an hour." Jesse said.

"Do you want me to come to the aiport?" "No, we arive at 11.30 pm. It's too late for women like you." "Women like me?" "I mean prengant." Jesse answered. "You saved it." she said and laughed. "We'll talk later, okay babe?" Pauline said and walked to the kitchen. "Okay, take care." "You too. I love you." "I love you too." Pauline answered and hung up. 

Chapter 23: And The Servants To Paint The Sky Blue

Pauline woke up when she heard a weird noice coming from her stomack. It's been more than ten hours she didn't eat and she was hungry. She checked the clock on her nightstand and it was past noon.She pulled the covers and got up. After using the bathroom she walked out of the bedroom and there she found Jacob and Romeo.

Pauline was more suprised than the boys. "Boys wgat are you doing here? Why are you in school?" she paused to breath. "And what is that you're carrying? Where is Jesse?" "Easy!" Jacob stopped her. "We were in the town when we saw Jesse buying the colours and we're here to help him paint the kids rooms. Jesse is downstairs with dad." Jacob filled her in. "Okay, thanks for the usdate!" Pauline said as the boys walked away.

A little suprised Pauline walked down the stairs and found Jesse and Jon sitting on the couchwith a lot of magazines in front of them. "Good morning!" she said and both looked back. "Good morning Pauline!" Jon answered and smiled. "Morning babe." Jesse said and kissed her cheek. "I brought some donats for breakfast." "Great!" Pauline answered and shit next to Jesse on the couch.

"I saw Jacob and Romeo upstairs. Why you didn't wake me up?" "I woke up early. My dad here wanted to take care of some staff and he called me." Jesse looked at his father who was lost in a magazine. "You know it's been a while since we had some father-son time." Jon answered. "So, what are all those magazines for?" Pauline asked. She could see that Jesse was pissed.  She tried to change the sunject before it get worse.

"For the boys's room. The guy who delivered the cribs gave us these too." Jesse informed her as he pointed the two large boxes on the other side of the living room. "Great. I'm going to eat my donats and i'll be right back." Pauline said and got up from the couch.

Walking in the kitchen she found the donats that Jesse bought and a glass of milk. She couldn't have a better breakfast than this. Pauline sut on the chair and took the first bite and then the phone tung. Seconds later she heard Jesse picking it up and coming in the kitchen. "It's for you." he said and left.

"Hello?" she said. "Hello mrs Timson. I'm calling from New York Athletics University Volleyball departement. Mr Christopher Bledsoe wants to talk to you personally in his ofice this afternoon." the man said. Pauline froze. Her breath caught in her throat as her heart start racing in her chest. "Mrs Timson?" the man asked after the long term Pauline's pause. "Yes. What time?" "At 18.00 will be great." "Do you know what is this about?" "I'm sorry but i don't." "Okay thank you." Pauline said and hung up.

A little lost returned to the living room. Both Jon and Jesse saw her a little shaken. "Who was on the phone?" Jesse asked her. "New York University. Mr Bledsoe wantes to talk to me." she said and left the phone on the table. "I'm fucked." she said and sut heivy on the couch. "Why?" Jon asked. "Because i haven't been there since February and i didn't play at any game and i screwed up the whole team." Pauline answered and covered her head with her hands. Jesse hugged her as he said "Is not that bad." "No Jesse it is. And it will get worse. They might fired me! How we will managed it with only you getting paid? My due date is getting closer and we didn;t find names yet. The room is not ready. Shall i move on?" "Pauline breath!" Jesse said and looked at her. "We will find a way i promise." he said and kissed her foarhead.

"Try to stay calm and take it easy. Go finish your breakfast and we'll talk about it later, okay?" he said. "Okay." she answered as he helped her get up. She was only four months away and her belly was getting bigger and bigger.

Jon was waiting for Pauline to go in the kitchen. "That was beautiful Jess." Jon said and looked at his son. "From now on your livies won't be the same. These two little boys will complete you as a human, Jess." "How much change are we talking about?" Jesse asked scared. "Jess, in a few months you'll be a father. Do you know how much you have to sacrefise? Not only you, Pauline too. Everybody can have childern but the diference is who can raise them right." his 60 years old father told him.

Jesse looked down. "What if i'm not ready to be a father? My carrier is just getting better. The league is starting and i'll be travelling in all over the country while Pauline will be here. I don't want that." Jesse said looking at his father. "I'm sure you don't but you have to." Jon paused. "Jesse i know i wasn't the best dad. I have missed so many birthdays. school plays, games that i can count because of my job. But when i was home i was home. So, when this will happen make sure be at home, okay?" Jon finished.

He doesn't talk many times about being a father but when he does is unforgetable. "I know i didn't say this one before but i'm sorry Jess." "Sorry for what?" For not being home in half of your birthdays, at the promp and in your gratuation." Jon said as his tears were about to roll on his cheeks. Jesse in all his life he had never seen his father like this before. he will never show how he was really feelling. He was keeping it to himself and only to him. Jesse knew things had changed since they stopped touring but he thought, hoped and believed he will be better.

"Oh dad!" Jesse finaly spoke and hugged his father. "You'll have all the time you want to replace all the time you and i lost." "It won't be enough Jess, i'm not gonna live forever. Afterall i've missed so many many school plays and you can't go back to school." Jon answered when they broke the hug. "I won't dad. But your grandchildren will. You can go to theirs and i will be there too." his son said and smiled.

"Okay, i'm crying like a little girl here. Let's go some men staff. I'm going upstairs to see what these little monsters are doing." Jon said with his normal voice now. "Okay, i'll be there in a few." Jesse answered and saw his father walking up the staircase.

Smiling to himself Jesse got up and walked to the kitchen. "And this man is your grand-father. Well, the one of the two. We'll talk about grandpa Costas an another time." Pauline said looking at her belly. Jesse was standing in front of her with his arms crossed. "Are you telling them his whole biography?" "No, just the basic. They'll descover the rest with their own." Pauline answered as Jesse pured himself a glass of water.

He seems upset and Pauline notised it. "Everything okay?" she asked. Jesse finished shis water and put it back in the sink. "Yeah, everything is fine.We'll be upstairs painting." "Okay, i'll start cooking lunch. Do you know if they'll stay?" Pauline asked and got up. "I don't know. I'll ask them and i'll tell you." Jesse answered and smiled.

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Hours later Pauline was waiting outside of Mr Bredsoe's office. She was watching people passing her by and all she could do was pounding her foot. She had many years to feel this nervousness. Now, she had to face the conciquences of her own actions which she had no idea what the cost will be.

Finally, Mr Bredsoe's door office opened and pauline got up to greet him. "Mrs Timson! I'm so happy to see you. Please come in." Mr Bredsoe said with a big smile on his face. Pauline crossed the large office. "Please have a seat." he said as he sut.

"First of all, i want to congratulate you for your upcoming wedding and the birth of oyur childern." "Thank you Mr Bredsoe." Pauline answered and smiled. "Now, let's get to the point. he paused and looked at Pauline who has no idea what to exept from him.

"You're a good player. Probably one of the best i've ever seen. We need those players in order to achive more and more every year." Mr Broedsoe started and Pauline tried to hide her blush. How can't you not blush when the principal of New York University Athletics says those kind of words?

But he got serious the second after he finished the setence. "In the middle of March you just disapear. Your long term shouting down phone couldn't tell us where you were. Mrs Timson you staied in Greece for 48 days and then you flew back homewithout answering any phone calls. We lost the championship that you all girls fight to get in." Mr Bredsoe stopped to sit a little closer to the desk.

"You're a good player nobody can't doupt that. But there are lost of things next to your name Mrs Timson. And because of that i want to tell you one good and one bad thing. Which one do you want to hear first?" he asked.

her heart was racing and her mind was travelling with 100km per second. She was lost right in front of him and she couldn't give him an answer. "The bad news please?" Pauline asked while she was looking at him. He took a breathe. "Well, Mrs Timson there are four more classes you need to pass before you get your Master in coaching. Meanwhile you're..... fired." Mr Bredsoe answered.

Pauline froze. She shallowed hard. At first she thought her ears were playing tricks but Mr Bredsoe's face couldn't lie. She looked down to herself for a moment. That was a consiquence it didn't crossed her mind but she should had guess it. What she did was tattaly unprofesional and without thinking. And these she goes facing the consiquences.

"But the good news Mrs Timson are that you are nominated fro MVP of the year." Mr Bredsoe caught her out of guard. He gave her the letter which confirmes it. Pauline rolled her eye as she read it.

"As i said before you're a good player and you're getting better everyday all you need to do is grow up." Mr Bresoe begun. "I'm sorry to put it in that way is just an advise from an older one. You have your whole life ahead of you. In a few months you will be a mother which is better than any of these." "It's alright Mr Bredsoe you don't have to apologise to me, this part is mine." she paused.

"I just wanted you to know that i didn't leave the country because i didn't have anything else to do. I know i acted like a fool and all i ever wanted is to be a part of this team. I know you just fired me and i don't blame you, i will probably had done the very same thing. All i ask is a second chance." he said and looked him in the eyes.

"I don't know Mr Timson. We could have won the championship if you were here. And now with your pregnancy you're one year off." Mr Bredsoe answered. He didn't see this one coming and still he cou;dn't do anything. "I have to talk with the coach about this. but you have to wait. Just pass those classes and we'll see." "Okay, Mr Bredsoe. I should get going." Pauline said and stood up as Mr Bredsoe did the same.

"I wish you the best for the birth and good luck." Mr Bredsoe shaked hands with Pauline and saw her leaving his office.

About one hour later Pauline walked in the house. She left her jacketand the bag on the couch and walked up the stairs. Passing by the closed doors she found Jesse on the nersary room. he has the back on her and he couldn't see her. He was down on hi knees.His shirt was tight and she could see every muscle as he was moving his arms. Not to mention how she loved his back. In front of him every single piece of the one crib. He had make some progress in fixing it but he was in the first steps. He read the instraction out loud. "Yes, i know that this is going between them you bastard!" he sighed and threw the paper.

"Jesus man! How can i fix this fucking crib? jake said it will be easy.Damn!!" Jesse said totally disappointed. "Need a hand there babe?" Pauline said from behind as she was trying to hide her laughter. Jesse stood up. he laughed too after watching her laugh. he rested his hands on his hips. "A helping hand will awesome right now." he laughed. "How it go?" he asked when he got closer.

"Well, four classes i need to pass in order to get my Master in coaching. We're about 36,000 US dollars richer because they fired me. And i'm nominated in MVP of the year." Pauline finished. She could see the suprise in Jesse's face. "What?!" je said. "Yeah, i didn't see this one coming too. But what can i do? In just one more thing in my to do list." Pauline said. "I'm sorry to hear that i know how badly you wanted to be in this team. But if you're the MVP of the year many teams will want you right?" Jesse said with his thinking face. "Maybe. I need to get my Master before the ceremony." "And when is that?" "17th October New York. PLus, my due date is somehwere close to this date. yeah, everything is fabulus.!"

"Don't say that Pauline. We're fine. We have been through worse when we were younger." he took her face in his hands and looked deep in her brown eyes.  "I want you to pass those classes. Is a pieve of cake for you. You were a better student that me when we were in High School. Show the world who you are. You have the chance to be MVP of the year, do you know how many people want this? Everybody wants a blaze of glory and that sometimes change them but you're not like that. You're strang, talented, protective and yet beautiful. And i know that i didn't say this the past few days... i love you." he said and kissed her with everything he has because she was everything he ever wanted."I love you too Jesse. You're more romantic than i thought you were." Pauline said and smiled.