Time With Jared

[Amorentia]

"Eyes on your own papers - minds in your own heads..." After taking the Potions Maisse gave me, and taking my second nap, I was already feeling better. The twins laid on the floor doing their homework, and trying to do each other's at the same time. Though I am always impressed at the connection they share, being a good Mom I used my wand I shot a barrier between them so they could stop feeding each other answers. Bliss was fresh out of a bath while I gave her a baby massage before getting her dressed.  "When they grow up they are going to be unstopable together. Aren't they Miss Bliss?"

"Hey Peni," Jared came in to set by me on the bed while making goofy faces at Bliss. "Just wanted to come see how you are feeling?"

"I'm feeling better already." I laughed when Bliss giggled at Jared, before giving the twins a look to tell them even though Uncle Jared was here, they still had to get back to work. "Those potions seem to be doing something. I'm just still so tired."

"You look better" He winked.  "I was worried about you."

With a smile I hugged him, so glad to see him when I could sit up and not just laying on the bathroom floor. "I was worried about me. This is going to be a lot harder than I expected."

"You always try to do to much Pen, let us help. We are here to help." Jared told me adding, "Not just here to look good."

Laughing, I knew he was right. I'd heard it from everyone from Marcus to Maisse. Hating to ask for help was going to have to give to the greater need I was going to have carrying the Quads.  "I know. I'm trying. You know how stubborn I am. but I am so thankful for you and everyone. I don't do this otherwise. Gotten on the Peni babysitting roster yet? Grandma has me scheduled to call Bingo for the Elders Day begining of next week. I wonder how many times I-69 magically appears?"

This was something I wasn't supposed to know about. My Mother spearheaded the "Keep Peni Out of Trouble" program. The thought was that if I don't have anything to do while I am supposed to be taking it easy, I will find trouble to get into. Everyone was signing up for different days to occupy me with low stress, safe activities to keep my occupied. A part of me wanted to feel upset for not being trusted to take care of myself. The greater part of me felt so thankful for extra time with the people I love, and so very greatful that they love me so much. 

The sweetheart he is, Jared offered to help with the kids anytime adding, "Leave it to you to rig Bingo!"

What fun was calling Bingo if you can't call I-69 to the room as often as possible? Then I asked him about Serena and Ollie. The look on his face when I asked told me something was wrong.

"Well, its not S and Ollie anymore." Jared informed me. "It has been crazy there. I stayed away for a little while and went to the rez, but I couldn't stay away from them. She is doing the single mom thing, we are just friends" I knew that had to be rough. He continued with a frown. "Oh, and Dan from NYC is in town. Jenny's brother, you know him right?"

Suddenly I felt so out of the loop and like a horrible friend to both of them. My mind has been consumed with Blaise, Marcus, vacation and being sick.  When I asked for more information, Jared continued.

"It wasn't my place to say anything. She was holding out for them to make up and be a family, and I thought they would. But, he told her he hated her and didn't want to be with her anymore. It got real bad Pen."

"No!" I could hardly believe what he was saying. "Whoa... what exactly happened?"

Jared told me about Serena's affair with Cedric's brother Will, and how he was okay with it, but Oliver left. How slowly Oliver stopped coming to see the baby.

"He stopped coming around and I went back to her. I couldn't let her be miserable like that. Now she has Dan and I there to help her not feel alone."

Putting my hand on his arm, I gave him my support seeing the hurt in his eyes beatiful brown eyes.

"I have mixed feelings, some days I am okay with it and others I just want to phase and take off and go away for awhile."

Putting my head on his shoulder, I can understand that feeling. I asked him some more questions, listening while he answered.

"He came over drunk and Dan and I sent her off with Landon. Poor baby, his empathy was on overload and he was crying so hard he couldn't breathe. After she left Oliver and I has a little situation. I ended up knocking him out cold."

Laughing, I was glad he laid Oliver out. If I would have been there, I would have done the same thing! Then I asked him if S and the baby were okay.

"I had Jalil find her and stay with her when we sent her away. And when she came home she seemed to just accept that Oliver and her were over. It's weird. She loves him even after he was such a jerk. I just don't get it. She told me she loved me but she can only give me her friendship right now. I am willing to take what I can get I guess."

The heartbreak was evident in his eyes. Putting my hand on his face I told him, "That's S. She loves everybody and it takes like an act of God to make her stop. I'm sorry you're hurt. It's been complicated. But she is so lucky to have you there for her and the baby. I wish I could have been there too. What are you going to do?"

"Prove to her I want to be there." Jared said plainly. "I told her I love her, what else can I do except show her I am not going anywhere."

"Do you remember how I told you to be careful because she's Ollie's wife first, right? We'll Dan was there before Ollie. Dan has been there almost from the begining. I'm not trying to say this to hurt you, but I want you to know the full scope of the situation."

"Yeah, Dan looks at her and I see it." Jared confided. "I know they were this power couple and they had an epic love. But I love her and I deserve a chance. I walked away from Amy, my imprinted, when I saw Serena. I fell in love with her the minute I saw her. I belong in her life, I just need to figure out where."

Sighing, I put my arm around him. "I understand. Marcus and I aren't each other's first loves or Imprinted anything, but we make it work. I hope you can find that place in your life where you fit and you both are satisfied with that, you know? If not, you know we're always here for you." Then I thought for a second, saying to cheer him up while I gave him a suggestive look, "Damn... so not more snogging Ollie memories. That sucks! Maybe you and Dan could get a little........"

When he laughed, I was glad. "Dan and I get along really well. I wanted to hate him, but he is a good guy. He was there for her when I couldn't be. That says alot about him in my book."

"Dan's a great guy. And they have so much history." I told my Pack brother. "But I still think she's missing out. She has no idea what it's like to have one of us heart and soul."

"Pen, can I ask you something.? I hate to pour salt in a wound, but how come you had such a hard time walking away from Blaise? I was able to just leave Amy with no second thought. I talked to her recently when I was in LaPush and she and I are more like brother and sister, not in love like we used to be. I never missed her, I missed our friendship but I never felt lost like you did." Knowing he touched a sore spot, Jared played with Bliss's hair and tickles her under the chin to give me a second. 

"With Blaise he's my soulmate and my Imprinted. So he's like, a part of me." Thinking of him coming last night, my eyes teared up. Out of frustration, I rolled my eyes to continue, " But you're bound to what Amy needs from you. You're feelings will tell you that. Maybe that's all she needs from you is a sister. All that other 'I love you' was just her prideful thinking you Imprinting on her thinks she owns you... cause you know Amy as well as I go and that's the kind of person she is. But if she doesn't NEED that you're not bound to it.. Maybe S is your soulmate, like Neville for Sarah." 

"Dan's dad and Serena's mom keep saying that Dan is her soul mate." Jared explained, "I know they don't think I can hear them talking but I can. S thinks Ollie is her soul mate. But, I don't believe that. You don't tell your soulmate  you hate them."

Thinking to myself, I was trying to figure out if I could every really tell Blaise I hated him. "Unless he just said it out of spite, you know? Being hurt? Cause if Blaise tried to hurt Marcus I could hear myself telling him that. But...... I couldn't completely mean it. I don't know. Who says you need a reason other than because you choose to be bound to her. Marcus and I have no connection other than the fact that we love each other and choose to be together. That can be enough."

"I will do what I can to be there for her, because I do love her with my whole heart. I will help her find happiness and see that she doesn't need Oliver in her life. If she is worried for Landon, I will step up and help raise him. I've been doing that since before he was born. I just want her to stop being sick all the time, and to stop crying when she thinks we don't know. She puts on such a brave face for everyone but she is so broken inside."

Pride filled my heart for Jared. He had such a great head of his shoulders. About Serena putting on her brave face I told him about women in general, "We all are, J. Welcome to the world of women." Then I told Jared I needed to see my Serena, it's been too long and we both have been through so much.

"I can bring her over, I know she would love to see you. She asks about you all the time. I can tell her you know about Oliver. That has been weighing heavy on her. She doesn't want to tell people that she cheated. She feels like it is her fault he left."

Laughing I told him, "Stuff happens. She should know I am the last person who would judge her. Oh, get her to sign up with you on the babysitting roster. We can make a whole day of it! I love her and miss her. I love you, too. You know that, right? I got you're back. Even if I'm just limping along." 

Hugging me he said, "I know you do, and besides you limping is the only way I can catch you!" We both laughed. "So what kind of punishment do they have you on thses days? Are we going to be able to go out and get in trouble or are you grounded?"

As he nudged me I told him,. "I'm defintely restricted. Especially till all of these potions from the healer kick in. But you know me, we can still always find something to get into." I gave him a wicked grin. "Did Double J tell you about his plan? About his old neighborhood?" This was my way of telling Jalil and Jared apart - Jared was J and Jalil (Jalil Jamison) double J.

"Yes he told me about it, I think its a great idea!"

"He doesn't want my money though." I told him. "Cause of how much I already have committed. He's still looking for someone to donate for the cause. Once I get on my feet I'm going to start making some calls to see what I can do to help. He met with the Council to ask for advice on what we do to keep crime down on the Rez. But it's not like we can patrol his old Neighborhood in Houston for him."

Jared looked at me with a smile, "Would he be willing to ask someone he knows?"

"I think so." I told him. "He doesn't have a lot of pride in this area. It's something he feels he has to do. Why?"

With a "duh" look he offered, "Serena? She has the money and she is always trying to help anyone. I just think she is a logical choice."

"S!" You're so right. And I have one of these stupid cell thingy-ma-giggers..." I picked up my cell to text her. Jared pulled out his top-of-the-line cell phone that screamed Serena's taste offering to text her himself. "Did you're suger mama hook you up? Tell her I love her and set up when you are coming over!"

Jared laughed while texting,  "She wanted me to keep in touch with her when I was back home. Okay I sent it!" Then he stuck his tongue out at me. "Don't be jealous I have a better phone!"

"Nothing wrong with having someone to bankroll the outfit." I winked. Blaise set me up for life. "Just make sure if she drops you, you get a severence package."

"You are funny Pen!" Jared said with a roll of his eyes, "I am glad to see you are getting your sense of humor back!"

Calling out to the twins I said, "That's how we roll, right boys?" Tapping Jared's arm I whispered, "Watch this."

Deni threw up his hands making a W and a P with his fingers saying in the best deep voice his 7 yo vocal chords could muster to do what his Uncle Double J taught him, "Wolf Pack!"

Laughing I told Jared, "Thanks to Jalil we now have our own gang sign."

Jared laughed before helping the boys with their homework as I feed my sleepy Blissful. Then Serena called him back. "S says as soon as you are up for company she'd love to come see you! Oh and she loves you, Bliss, Nevi, Deni, and Jaki, and even me." He smile as he ducked the pillow I threw at him. Jared was always great fun to have around.

Peni written by Amorentia. Jared written my Cierrasmom1700.

Read more about Serena and Jared HERE

[Amorentia]

Aug. 25, 2009 at 8:52 PM

Read Jared's POV Here: http://www.cafemom.com/journals/read.php?post_id=1518011&posted=1

(Original Poster)