Jessie couldn't help but smile when she read the letter left for her on the dressing table. Meet me by the pool. Just like old times. She placed the note back on the table and threw her various satchels on the bed. She then gllided towards the pool trying to look as unstressed as possible. She smiled when she arrived. The poolside was darkened, and a candle left on the plastic table flickered, giving out a feeble light. A single rose lay by the candle. Happy Birthday Honey And with a sudden flash of lights, and a chorus of 'SURPRISE!!' s, Jessie's 24th birthday party commenced. Jessie gave everybody the best fake smile she could offer. Work left her tired and stressed, and it seemed that in order to keep everybody else happy, she had to keep a fake mask of happiness on her face. '' André! This is fantastic! Thank you SO much sweetie!'' With that, she wrapped her arms around her husband, who she'd been married to for 4 years now. She ruffled his unruly dark hair and gave him a peck on the cheek. MERELY a peck... she and André just hadn't been getting along too well recently... She smiled and picked up their four year old boy, Giacomo. He grinned, his dimples boring dark holes in his cheeks. He smothered her in little-boy kissies. ''Happy B'thday Mom'' Jessie giggled and jiggled him up and down for a while before turning to Sara, her three year old daughter; who had been standing beside her quietly all along. Jessie's eyes shined when she looked at her. Her daddy had dressed her up all fancy for the night, with ribbons, lace and barrettes. She stroked her daughter's hair with tears forming in her eyes. Dammit! She hated it when this happened. Sara, only three months ago, was diagnosed with cancer. The doctors had reassured them that there was a chance of escaping it; but the emotional damage to Jessie was irreparable. Her little angel might die... she wouldn't let herself think positively, for she feared an even greater anguish if she lost her Sara. She scooped up Sara in the other arm without tumbling over from their combined weights. Sara looked at her quietly, almost timidly, while chewing on her collar. Jessie allowed one tear to fall. Almost immediately, that tear was brushed off her cheek. ''It isn't the best time to cry Jess'' Jessie sighed... one voice in the entire party that made her feel good. ''Jonathan'' She smiled graciously and set both her children down. Sara hugged Jonathan's leg. Jonathan coddled Sara a bit and then turned back to Jessie. ''God help me if André sees me here...'' ''Oh, come ON, he doesn't hate you THAT much'' ''Yeah, I guess getting somebody's wife to sleep with you and have an affair outside your marriage, and having a kid; which may disrupt the entire family doesn't count that much, does it?'' ''How many times do I have to tell you? Technically, it isn't an affair'' ''Just my luck that it WAS an affair on my part'' ''Who told you to marry her?'' ''Oh... there's a good one: quote: '' ''Can I help it if you misunderstood?'' ''Wha-'' ''What a surprise'' André's cool voice interrupted their friendly banter. ''Jonathan..... recounting history?'' Jonathon met André's steely gaze. ''Just mine.... and Jessie's and Sara's'' Jessie observed the green flash in André's eyes. One of the things he hated most was the fact that Sara wasn't of his own blood. But that didn't stop him from regarding Sara as one of his own. His voice was cold and hard. ''I told you before, and I'm telling you again...Stay AWAY from Sara. And Jessie'' he added, putting a protective arm around his wife. Jessie shrugged the hand off. She turned around to glare at André. ''Jonny's the father of one of my children, and he may do as he pleases''