[center][color=teal][h2]Jessamyn "Jess" Bailey[/h2][/color][/center]

With a slight frown, Jess glanced in Roxy's direction. The anchor stood behind the wall, out of her sight, but right after Jess had spoken, she'd picked up on a twinge of something from the other woman. Something that felt like a weight inside her chest. Something similar to what she experienced when she thought about her dad.

At the dull thunk of what was most likely a knife hitting a target, Jess winced. She could only imagine the look on her mother's face if she saw the knives. [color=teal]"It's all good, she says she'll close the shop,"[/color] Jess told her mother. [color=teal]"Oh, it's been so long!"[/color]

Once the joyful if somewhat tense conversation was over, Jess re-entered the combined living room, kitchen and workout space that made up much of the upstairs. [color=teal]"She'll be over at ten,"[/color] she let Roxy know.

She and her mother had been waiting for this reunion for years, but that didn't stop her from worrying. No matter what a happy event tomorrow would be, it wouldn't be without its difficulties for everyone involved.