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

Taken aback by Roxy's relief, Jess reminded herself that the anchor clearly had an issue with people, and had to have her reasons. That didn't stop the reaction from stinging.

[color=aqua]"We'll go when you're ready,"[/color] her mother offered, the lines that grief had etched into her face seeming a little deeper. Even though something had broken inside her long ago, though, the family rock held herself together, standing strong.

Jess bit her lip. This would be difficult for everyone. Herself, her mom, even Roxy, who hadn't known the man but would still have to endure a car journey to a gloomy place, and hadn't reacted well to the visit so far anyway. Still, she wasn't going to draw out the wait.

[color=teal]"I'll... just get something first."[/color] Jess shuffled to the spare room, searching through her belongings until she found the item she was looking for. A small wooden carving of a bird, much cruder than the ones her father used to make, but the most acceptable one she'd managed. He'd used to try to teach her, and later on, when she'd been stuck in the cabin, she'd attempted to build on the knowledge he'd left her. She'd never reach his level of creativity - she'd always been more academically-minded like her mother - but she'd put as much effort as she could into making this for him, to leave on his grave when she'd finally get the chance.

Another reason things had to turn out ok, she thought as she re-entered the main room. She had to make it so that her mom's words were true - so that, if things had been different and he'd lived to see this, her dad would be happy.