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

The reminder brought a shudder of embarrassment and frustration from Roxy, who stomped behind. [color=teal]"Uh, it's ok,"[/color] Jess tried to reassure her as they both headed down the stairs, even though her words probably wouldn't help. [color=teal]"Like you say, this is all going to take some getting used to."[/color] She wasn't going to judge Roxy for forgetting - it was all too easy to stick to old habits - but the anchor didn't know that. Especially with the way things were going right now.

As soon as she opened the door, those familiar warm brown eyes met hers, shining with joy. [color=aqua]"Oh, Jess, I've missed you so much!"[/color] her mother said, pulling her into a tight hug. Jess returned it, some of her mother's emotions seeping through to her - not like before, nowhere near as strongly, but detectable. Her relief felt like a comforting hearth fire.

[color=teal]"I've missed you too,"[/color] Jess replied, a tremble to her voice. The urge to apologise for all the stress she'd caused came over her, but while the whole mess had been happening, letting her guilt show had just made her family feel even more helpless. [color=teal]"It really has been way too long! But Mom... I'm going to be ok now. Uh..."[/color] Straightening her back, she glanced over at the anchor. [color=teal]"This is Roxy."[/color]

And here was where things would inevitably get awkward. The tinge of unease she picked up on from her mother as she looked at Roxy and surveyed the garage confirmed Jess' suspicion. The empath doubted things really would be ok as she'd said they would.