Jesses Little Efforts
The kitchen was quiet in the late afternoon, sunlight slanting through the large windows and warming the marble counters.
Emery stood leaning against the island, a jar of peanut butter open in front of her and a small plate of crisp dill pickles beside it.
She dipped a pickle into the peanut butter, took a bite, and let out a small, contented hum. It was weird: salty, crunchy, creamy, but it was exactly what she had been craving all week.
Ivy walked in and stopped dead in the doorway, eyes widening at the sight.
“Emery… are you seriously eating peanut butter on pickles right now? What is that combination?”
Emery looked up, cheeks slightly flushed, but she didn’t stop chewing. “Don’t judge me. It’s actually really good. The saltiness hits just right.”
Ivy laughed softly and walked closer, leaning on the opposite side of the island. “I’m not judging. I’m… impressed. What other weird cravings have you been having?”
Emery dipped another pickle and took a bite, thinking. “All salty things, honestly. Pickles, olives, salted nuts, even those spicy chips with the sea salt. Sweet things don’t appeal to me much anymore. It’s like my body only wants salt right now.”
Jesse stood at the sink a few feet away, quietly pouring himself a glass of water. He didn’t turn around, but a small, private smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he listened.
Fifteen weeks along, her bump was now clearly visible under the soft fabric of her loose blouse: a gentle, rounded curve that made his chest tighten with a mix of longing and ache. He kept his back to them, pretending to be focused on the water, but every word she said sank deep into him.
Ivy grinned. “Salt fiend. Noted. Next time I go shopping, I’ll stock up on every salty snack I can find.”
Emery laughed quietly, then lifted one foot slightly off the floor, wincing. “Also, my feet are killing me. Look at how swollen they are.” She showed Ivy her ankle, which was noticeably puffy. “I can barely fit into my normal shoes anymore.”
Ivy leaned down to inspect. “Oh wow, yeah. That looks uncomfortable. You should elevate them more.”
Jesse finally turned around, glass in hand. He kept his voice casual, but his eyes softened when they landed on Emery.
“I can take you both out for a bit,” he offered. “Fresh air might help. There’s a nice park nearby with benches. You could rest your feet.”
Ivy lit up instantly. “Yes! I’m in. Emery, come with us. It’ll be good for you to get out of the house for a while.”
Emery hesitated, one hand resting on her bump. “I’m not sure… I’ve been having this weird pain in my abdomen on and off today. It’s probably nothing, but…”
Ivy waved a hand gently. “That’s exactly why you should come. A little walk and fresh air will probably make you feel better. You’ve been cooped up too much. Please?”
Emery looked between them, then gave a small, reluctant nod. “Alright… I’ll come. Just for a little while.”
Jesse’s small smile returned, softer this time. He set his glass down. “Good. I’ll grab my keys.”
As Ivy excitedly started talking about which park to go to, Emery took one last bite of her peanut-butter-covered pickle, the salty-sweet combination strangely comforting. Her hand stayed on her bump, protective and gentle.
Jesse watched her for a moment longer than he should have, the sight of her, fifteen weeks pregnant, eating her weird craving, complaining about swollen feet, filling him with a quiet, aching tenderness he couldn’t voice.
He turned away before she could catch him staring.
For now, a short walk outside was all he could offer.
And he would take it.
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The sleek black SUV was parked in the driveway, engine idling softly. Jesse stood beside the open passenger door, waiting.
Emery stood a few feet away, arms crossed over her chest, the fifteen-week bump now clearly visible beneath her loose blouse. She looked tired, her hand absently resting on her lower back.
Ivy came jogging out of the house, phone in hand, looking apologetic.
“Hey, change of plans,” she said, waving her phone. “My friend just texted... her car broke down on the highway and she needs me to pick her up right now. I can’t go to the park with you guys. Sorry!”
Emery’s shoulders relaxed immediately, relief flashing across her face. “That’s okay. We can do it another time. Or not at all. I’m fine staying home.”
Jesse closed the passenger door with a soft thud. “No, it’s fine. Ivy, you go help your friend. Emery and I can still go. It’ll be good for her to get some fresh air and rest her feet.”
Emery shook her head quickly, already stepping back toward the house. “I’m not sure. I’ve been having that weird pain in my abdomen again. I think I should just stay home and rest.”
Ivy frowned, looking between them. “Emery, come on. A short walk will probably help with the swelling and the pain. Fresh air is good for you and the baby.”
“I appreciate it, but I really don’t feel up to it,” Emery said, voice polite but firm. “You both go ahead. I’ll be fine here.”
Jesse stepped closer, his tone gentle but insistent. “Emery, please. It’s just a short walk in the park. You’ve been inside all day. The doctor said light movement is good. I’ll drive, we’ll find a bench, and you can rest your feet the whole time. I won’t push you to walk far.”
Emery shook her head again, crossing her arms tighter. “I said no, Jesse. I have this pain, and I don’t want to risk it getting worse. I’m staying.”
Ivy tried again, her voice softer and more pleading. “Emery, you’ve been so strong through everything. But you’re carrying a baby. You need to take care of yourself. A little fresh air and a change of scenery will do you good. Please? For the baby?”
“Ivy… I don’t know,” Emery said, biting her lip. “I really don’t feel like it today.”
Jesse didn’t let up. He moved a little closer, his voice low and earnest. “Look, I know you’re uncomfortable with me right now.
I get it. But this isn’t about me. It’s about you and the baby.
You’ve been dealing with nausea, swollen feet, and that weird pain.
Just thirty minutes outside. Sit on a bench, breathe some fresh air.
I’ll stay ten feet away if you want. I just… I want you to feel a little better.”
Emery looked down at her bump, then at Ivy’s hopeful face, then back at Jesse. She let out a frustrated breath.
“I don’t want to go with you,” she said, her tone turning rude and sharp. “You’re the reason I’m in this mess. Every time I look at you, I remember what you took from me. So no. I’m not going anywhere with you.”
The words hit Jesse hard. His face paled, the small hopeful smile fading completely. He looked away, swallowing thickly, the pain clear in his eyes.
Ivy winced but tried one last time, her voice gentle. “Emery… please. It doesn’t have to be about him. It can just be about you getting some air. I promise I’ll make it up to you later.”
Emery hesitated, her shoulders slumping. She looked exhausted, torn between her stubborn refusal and the genuine concern on both their faces. After a long, heavy silence, she finally gave in with a defeated sigh.
“Fine,” she muttered. “But only for a little while. And if the pain gets worse, we come straight back. No arguments.”
Ivy grinned triumphantly. “Yes! That’s my girl. You two go. I’ll handle my friend and catch up with you later if I can.”
She disappeared before Emery could change her mind again.
Jesse opened the passenger door for her without a word, his movements careful and quiet. The hurt from her earlier words still lingered in his eyes, but he said nothing about it.
Emery climbed in, one hand resting on her bump.
The drive to the park was quiet, the air thick with everything neither of them was ready to say.
Jesse kept his promise. He stayed respectful, kept the conversation light when he spoke, and made sure she had a comfortable bench the moment they arrived.
But the sting of her earlier rejection still hung between them like a shadow.
×××××××
The park was peaceful in the late afternoon, sunlight filtering through the trees onto the winding paths and wooden benches.
Jesse had chosen a quiet spot near a small pond, making sure Emery had a comfortable seat with her back supported. She sat down with a sigh of relief.
She had gotten exhausted very quickly. The short walk from the car to the bench had left her breathing a little heavier than usual, her swollen feet throbbing. Jesse noticed immediately and didn’t push her to walk further.
He sat on the other end of the bench, leaving respectful space between them. For a long moment, the only sound was the gentle rustle of leaves and the distant quack of ducks on the pond.
Jesse finally spoke, his voice low and careful.
“Emery… I know there’s been so much tension between us for so many days now. I don’t expect you to forgive me. I just… I want you to know I’m sorry. For everything. For the way I handled us. For the silence. For not being the man you deserved.”
Before Emery could respond, a familiar voice cut through the quiet.
“Jesse!”
Francesca appeared on the path, walking toward them with confident strides, her designer heels clicking on the pavement. She wore a stylish summer dress that showed off her figure, a bright smile on her face.
“There you are,” she said, stopping in front of the bench.
Her eyes flicked to Emery for a brief, dismissive second before locking back on Jesse.
“I’ve been looking for you. Tonight we have a date, remember?
Your mother arranged it. You bailed on the last one at the last minute. I won’t let you bail tonight.”
Jesse’s jaw tightened. He stood up slowly, voice firm but controlled. “Francesca, I already told you, I’m not going on a date with you. Not tonight. Not ever.”
Francesca’s smile didn’t waver. She stepped closer, lowering her voice into something silky and threatening.
“Oh, but you will. If you don’t come, I’ll tell your mother everything.
How you keep refusing me. She won’t be happy, Jesse.
And neither will the board. You’ve already bailed once. I won’t let you do it again.”
Jesse’s eyes darkened with frustration. “I don’t care what you tell her. I’m not interested. Leave me alone.”
Francesca laughed softly, but there was steel beneath it. “You don’t have a choice. Your family needs this alliance. And I need you to play your part. Tonight. Eight o’clock. Don’t make me come find you again.”
She gave Emery one last condescending glance, then turned on her heel and walked away, hips swaying with deliberate confidence.
The tension on the bench was thicker than before.
Emery stared at the ground, her hand resting on her bump. She didn’t say anything, but the ache in her chest was unmistakable.
Jesse sat back down, exhaling heavily, the peaceful moment completely shattered.
“I’m sorry you had to hear that,” he said quietly, voice heavy with regret.
Emery didn’t reply. She simply closed her eyes for a moment, the exhaustion from the walk and the emotional weight of the day pressing down on her.
The park suddenly felt a lot less peaceful.
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