Living in Shadows

Jessica Matthews Thirty-Eight  Veterinarian Mom of beautiful 3 year old Lizzie "The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”

[jessie-m]

kip--weaver​:

Kip smiled as he looked down as Echo stood to greet the vet. “Hi, this is Echo and I’m Kip. The baby is Gideon, though he can’t quite hold a conversation just yet.” He said as he shook her hand. “I just adopted him and they told me he’s about 2 years old and he is in training to become my service dog.” Kip said, watching the golden retriever for just a moment before looking back towards her. “He just needs an overall check up from what they told me.”

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“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Jessie smiled before bending down to tickle the baby on the tummy. “It’s very nice to meet you, Gideon” Turning back her attention to the dog, Jessie pet his head gently as Kip gave her a run down. “Alright, that sounds like a plan. He seems like a very good boy.” She opened the door and called her tech in to help with the exam. Once they had lifted the golden onto the exam table, Jessie did a general check up on the animal. “How much longer is he in training for?” She asked curiously, checking the range of motion of each of his legs.

[jessie-m]

charles-kayson​:

“I love your work stories, animals are so much more interesting than up and coming boxers.  I don’t want t feed into the stereotype that we’re all idiots, but it’s hard to find a conversationalist anywhere in my part of the gym, myself included.”  He relaxed into his passenger seat, he felt bad that he wasn’t going to be the best date tonight, but now that he had let his guard down he realized just how unwell he was feeling.  It wasn’t unexpected, a broken face bone, some painkillers and the fact that he hadn’t eaten all day were the perfect storm for a headache and an upset stomach, he pushed through it though, as he’d been missing Jessie and was looking forward to have some adult interaction with an adult who wasn’t trying to punch him.

Charlie smiled and squeezed her hand back, he was happy with her, even if he felt guilty for moving on after losing Ellie, but he knew she would want him to. “Yeah, I’ve looked the same his entire life, I think it’s just a little much for him.  He’s a sweetheart, but he gets overwhelmed so easily these days…I’m sure I’m babying him, but it’s hard not to.”  He was quiet for a moment and then smiled, “She’s just testing you, I remember when Dean was that age…the kid was on my last nerve for weeks at a time.  It’s tough , but if you stand your ground and be consistent and and you’ll be fine.”  He leaned over and gently kissed her cheek, trying not to wince as the sore side of his face touched hers, “I have complete faith in you.  You’re doing  an amazing job and giving Lizzie and amazing life, don’t sell yourself short.”

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Jessie laughed, relaxing into the seat of the car as they continued their journey to the restaurant. “I don’t know. I think you’re a pretty good conversationalist.” She teased him, but it was one of the things she loved about Charlie. He didn’t say much but when he did it mattered. And he always, always put in effort with her. “But if you’re that interested, I can take you to the clinic one day-and you can be my unofficial assistant.” Glancing at him from the corner of her eyes, Jessie could see how uncomfortable Charlie truly was. He put on a good show, but Jessie knew he was hurting. A broken face bone couldn’t be comfortable - he had to be in tremendous pain. But she knew better than to nag him when he had made up his mind, so instead, Jessie simply reached over and placed a comforting hand on his knee, giving it a squeeze. 

She took a moment to relish this - thankful for Charlie, even if her heart still ached over Mark at times. Jessie was just thankful that Charlie understood because he was in the same boat as her. “Trust me, I get it. But he will get used to it - the shock will wear off after a couple of days when he realizes it’s still you.” She assured him - his kids had already gone through so much change, it didn’t surprise her that any change would set them off. Taking a turn onto the highway, Jessie listened quietly and sighed, only smiling when he had leaned over to kiss her cheek. “You’re so sweet.” She whispered, glancing at him quickly. “When I pictured having kids, I thought Mark would be around and we’d figure it out together. I didn’t think any of this would happen.” Her heart often hurt for Lizzie. Jessie was an adult - she could deal with the harshness of life but Lizzie was just a baby. She had lost both parents in one fell swoop and she had been passed onto Jessie. Jessie hadn’t hesitated in taking the little girl as her own, but she was always worried. “I guess I just always compare what I can give her compared to the life her parents would have. I don’t want to let them down or her but you’re right.” Jessie took a deep breath, centering herself again. “She’s happy. She’s healthy. We’re doing okay.” Squeezing his hand again, Jessie smiled at him. “What would I do without you?” It didn’t take much longer for them to arrive to the restaurant and once she parked the car, Jessie turned in her seat to face him. “Last chance to back out - take out in the car is always an option, Frankenstein.” She brought his hand up to her lips and softly kissed his knuckles. 

[jessie-m]

ahlai-stevenson​:

“It’s so hard doing it on your own, isn’t it?  I’m sure you’re doing the best possible thing for Lizzie, you clearly love each other so much, you’ll b fine.  Just be there for her and and I’m sure things will work out for you guys, and you know Kami and I are always here to help, if you need us.”  Ahlai blushed, “I haven’t dated since i was a teenager, Bodhi and I never actually dated, I was seeing someone else and Bodhi asked me to move to Australia with him and I just took off.  Theo seems great, but I’m worried about scaring him off, I’ve lived an…unusual life and it’s hard to talk about without making people uncomfortable and he might just walk out on me and I wouldn’t blame him.”  She sighed and shook her head, trying not to think about it.  “I’m really glad you found someone, I’ll have to go spy on him the next time I go to the gym, I’ve been seriously slacking lately.  It’s hard with both boys and my leg being practically useless, but I can probably find something I can still do, even if it’s just to take a peak at your man.”

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Jessie sighed and nodded in agreement - it was incredibly hard to do it on your own. Especially, when she had never planned for this. Jessie hadn’t planned for kids yet, especially after her fiance died. If she was honest, most days she didn’t know what she was doing but she was trying her best. Lizzie was a happy and healthy little girl and that was all Jessie cared about. She wanted her daughter be happy. “Thank you - you guys have been amazing with helping me navigate all this. I don’t know what I would do without you guys.” It was this support group that kept her going. The saying was true - it does take a village. 

“You have to give him the benfit of the doubt - opening up takes time. Don’t rush it or put pressure into it. Things will hapen organically. Give yourself a chance too.” The chance of dating going awry was always nerve wrecking but that was part of the risk. “Don’t forget Ahlai, that you’re pretty damn amazing and Theo would be luckily to be with you. I can’t wait to meet him and give him my offical seal of approval.” She joked, her eyes momentarily leaving her freind to watch the kids and make sure they were still okay. “I’m hoping it continues to work out. I really like him but you know how life is and we have the kids so it just adds another layer to it. But for the first time since Mark, I feel hopeful.” She had loved her ex-fiance and it had taken her a long time to surpass the hurt of his passing. “You should definitely come! The gym has an excellent child care center and we always find something that you can do. Even if it’s staring at my alarmingly hot boyfriend work out.” She giggled, picking up her glass of lemonade to take a sip.

[kip--weaver]

Kip had made the mistake of getting himself a dog while he had a 5 month old baby to take care of and a restaurant. He didn’t know why he had done it but he was already in love with the dog who was gentle with Gideon. He needed to take the dog to the vet for a check up since he had just adopted him. They had advised him to just get a general check up so here he was, baby in stroller and dog on leash as he waited in the room for the veterinarian to come inside. He smiled as his son was asleep in the stroller so he focused on giving the dog attention, petting him and giving him some scratches behind his ear. “Good boy.” He said as the door opened.

@jessie-m​

[jessie-m]

It had been a busy day for Jessie. Jumping around from some of her farm clients to the clinic to check on some patients. As she approached the room of her next patient, Jessie recognized that this was a new dog. Knocking on the door, she entered the room and immodestly bent down to greet the dog. “Hi, Dr. Matthews. Who is this handsome boy?” She asked, laughing as the dog gave her some kisses before she stood up and offered her hand to the owner.

[jessie-m]

ahlai-stevenson​:

“I’m glad we had a chance to do this, when we were living in Australia they would either spend their time surfing with their father or playing with all the other kids on the beach, but since we’ve been here they haven’t had much time to be with kids their own age.  I feel bad, but it’s so hard to get around with this brace on, we don’t get out much, they look like they’re having a blast.” She watched them play for a moment and then smiled, “Actually…I have a blind date on Saturday.  A friend from physical therapy set me up with a social worker friend of theirs named Theo.  I don’t know anything else about him, but I’m going to give this a try and we’ll see how it goes.  How’s that guy you’re seeing? I’ve never met him, but I’ve heard he’s dreamy.” 

Jessie hummed, stretching as she relaxed into her seat. “I know what you mean. Lizzie doesn’t get to spend time with many kids unless they're yours or Kami’s. And I’m trying to give her the best life especially after losing her mom and dad. I knew I was her godmother but I never pictured this. Losing my fiancé  was hard enough and losing my best friend right after...I was a mess when Lizzie came into my life. Sometimes I wonder if I’m the best choice to raise her. I love her so much. That’s why I adopted her but I… I don’t know.” Sighing, Jessie watched her daughter run around and laugh, a smile growing on her face until it turned to a grin. “Oh yes! Get it, girl.” Jessie laughed, clapping her hands. “I'm a hundred percent behind this. It’s gonna be fun!” Blind dates at least always ended with an entertaining story. “Ugh, Charlie is stupid dreaming. Sometimes when we work out at the same time, I gawk the entire time. But things are going well. We’ve both lost our significant others and are single parents so that common ground definitely helps us.”

[jessie-m]

lukexxking​:

Luke couldn’t help but smile as they sat there doing their normal check ups. “I did, I did kiss her.” He said with a grin. “I mean, it was after a kind of intense moment.” He said honestly. “A glass got dropped after I got angry at one of my customers and then I just….kissed her. It felt right but uh, yeah she does. There is just stuff that complicates it just a bit.” He said and rubbed the back of his head. “I don’t know if I should say though. It’s not my business to say.” He said softly, concern still running through his veins. “I really think I’m in love Jess.” He said. “I mean, you know how long it’s been since I could say that and how hard it is to say that after Erin.”

Jessie leaned against the stall door of the next horse she was supposed to check, gently petting the mare when she approached. It was hard to wipe the grin from her face as her friend gushed and told her the story. She hadn’t seen Luke like this in a long time. It overjoyed her to know that this woman felt the same way. Even with their age difference. “I know. I haven’t seen you like this since you were with her. I’m happy for you, Luke. You deserve to find love and happiness again.” Pausing for a moment, she reached for the mares halter and slipped it on before allowing her out of the stall and hooking her halter up to the grooming post. A hand ran along her long back, assessing the horse as she went. “You don’t have to tell me, if you can’t, but just...be careful, Luke. Complicated isn’t necessarily good and I don’t want to see you hurt.” She nudged Luke lightly as she neared him, offering a small smile. “So tell me more about her. She watched the kids a couple of times but I don’t really know much about her.”

[jessie-m]

charles-kayson​:

Charlie smiled, “I’ve had some pretty impressive black eyes over the years, but this might be the best one I’ve ever had, and it’s not all that bad right now, I’m fine.”  He grinned again, “A pitbull? That’s an impressive story, much more interesting than getting sucker punched by an overly-excited boxing student.  I’m just lucky I haven’t broken my face before this, and it honestly could have been a lot worse.” 

“I’m sure,” he told her, but couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief as the peas touched his face, it felt so nice.  “Alright, I can’t argue with that,” he said, handing her his keys.  “I promise, it doesn’t feel great, but they give me some decent pain meds and they’re taking the edge off enough that I can function, it’s alright.”  He laughed, “Dean thinks it makes me look tough, Forrest has cried every time he sees me, but it doesn’t take too long to calm down, it’s going to be an interesting week or so until this thing goes down.” 

“Lucky might not be the right word.” Jessie chuckled as they unlocked the car door. “But yes a pitbull, I was doing an exam and I must have ticked him off because he kicked me right in the nose and eye with his back leg. Try exposing that to the emergency room staff.” It was still a story that many of her own staff laughed and teased her about. 

Jessie started Charlie’s car, backing out of her driveway and heading towards the restaurant. Once she was on the main road, Jess reached over and found Charlie’s free hand and laced their fingers as she drove. “Oh poor Forrest. It’s a little scary for adults, I can’t imagine for a kid.” She let go of his hand, running it briefly over his hair before finding his hand again. “Lizzie has officially entered her terror threes stage. She gave me such a hard time today.” Jessie sighed, glancing over at Charlie for a second. “I don’t know how you do it with two kids.”

[jessie-m]

charles-kayson​:

Charlie laughed and then winced just a little as she touched him, it wasn’t all that painful, but the area was pretty tender, “I’m a bit of a failed experiment, unfortunately.  It’s alright though, it looks a lot worse than it feels, I’ve had worse in the ring and the doctor says the bone should heal pretty quickly since it was just a small fortune. 

He gently touched the area himself, he needed to come up with a story that was believable and didn’t have anything to do with street-fighting.  It wasn’t that he was hiding it from her, exactly, he just never talked about it with anyone and he didn’t want to worry, but he needed the extra money the fights brought in, especially since he was one of the best fighters on the circuit.  “I just had some strong and enthusiastic newcomers at the gym this week, one of them got a little too carried away and really got the drop on me.  We can still go out though, unless you think I’m too mangled to be seen right now, I know it looks pretty bad.” 

Jessie clicked her tongue against her teeth, her head shaking slightly. She know how much a black eye hurt, being no stranger to them, but this was just a new level of gnarly. The wince telling that it probably hurt more than he let on. “Dangers of the job, I suppose. You look worse than that one time I got kicked right in the face by a pitbull. Sucker gave me a nasty black eye.” It had been a hell of story to tell the ER staff; she still remembered how the nurse had giggled at her. 

‘Okay, if your sure...but hold on.” Jessie help up a finger at Charlie, before darting back inside the house. She re-appeared a few seconds later with a bag of frozen peas in her hand. “I’m driving and you are going to be holding these to your eye.”  With a final wave at Dani, Jessie wrapped her arm around Charlies, squeezing his arm comfortingly. As they walked down the steps, Jessie glanced over at the man beside her. “Are you sure, Charlie? I don’t mind but gosh, I’m in pain just looking at you.” She shook her head, reaching up to touch her own eye. “I bet it was fun explaining this to the boys.”

[jessie-m]

"Okay, woah wait.” Jessie jumped in front of Luke, blocking his view from where Dani stood a few away in the stables with the horses. “You kissed her?” Jessie adjusted her bag on her shoulder while glancing behind to see Dani. Luke had talked about her often, so much that Jessie felt she knew her and she knew her friend had been falling for this girl. Probably long before Luke even realized it but she hadn’t expected it to progress like this. She was happy for her friend but still shocked. “Luke!” The vet raised her hands up in surrender, trying to show that she wasn’t judging him but she was shocked. “I mean I’m happy for you but how did it happen? Was she happy? Does she feel the same way?”  @lukexxking​

[jessie-m]

Jessie plopped down next to Ahlai, handing her friend a glass of wine. The kids were playing in the backyard of Jessie’s home. Her dog chasing after them. Lizzie was doing well keeping up with the boys and she laughed as she watched them play. “Thank you for coming by, I needed this and I think Lizzie missed your boys. It was rare and warm winter day and Jessie was going to do everything she could to soak it up while it lasted. Taking a sip of her while, Jessie turned to look at Ahlai. “So, what have you been up to? Any big plans this weekend?” @ahlai-stevenson​

[charles-kayson]

Between their jobs and children, it was sometimes hard for Charlie and Jessie to find time to go on traditional dates, but they had one planned for that night and he was determined to make it a good night, no matter what.  Unfortunately for him, the universe was throwing him curveballs that day, and while he was determined to pick her up and time and make it fun for them.  The night before, he’d been out late at one of his street fights and got the nastiest black eye he’d ever had, he hoped it would be better in a day or so, but by the time he had to leave for the night his eye was still dark purple and swollen shut, it looked pretty horrible and it was very sore, but he didn’t’ want to miss this date just because of a black eye and a slightly fractured orbital bone, if his doctor was to be believed. 

He got out of the car and texted Jessie from the doorstep, “Hey I’m here, but full disclosure, my face is pretty mangled and I didn’t want to scare you, so when you open the door, it’s not Frankenstein, it’s me,” and with that, he rang her doorbell. 

@jessie-m​​

[jessie-m]

“Okay, so you should have everything and she should be fairly quiet for the rest of the night. My number and emergency numbers are on the fridge.” Jessie listed off as she grabbed her purse and finally looked up at Dani, her new blessing in form of a babysitter. Ever since they met on one of their routine vet visits at Luke’s farm, Jessie had taken Dani under her wing and the sweet girl in turn, had been helping her take care of Lizzie. It was only because of her that she was able to go on this overdue date with Charlie. Dating was hard. Add in demanding careers and children, sometimes it felt damn near impossible. 

Giving a quick hug to Dani and placing a series of kisses on her daughter that earned her some giggles, Jessie finished grabbing her things. At the ping of her phone, a frown knitted at her eyebrows as she read the text message. “What did you get into now?” The brunette muttered under her breath with mild amusement as she opened the door. The mirth fell away fairly quickly the second her eyes landed on the nasty black eye on Charlie’s face. “Frankie….” She said softly, jumping on his earlier Frankenstein joke. Her fingers gingerly trailed along the side of his face, taking in the extent of the damage. If she dared to hazard a guess, she’d bet he fractured something. “Whoever put you together, didn’t do such a good job.” She joked lightly, sighing as she cupped his cheek. “Are you okay? We don’t have to go out; that looks like it really hurts. What happened?”

[shorthairheaven]

Chyler Leigh