#*week two

I’m sad to say that Andrew actually was right about something: I do have a child. And yes, I kept that from you all on purpose. I’d opened up and shared that information with a few of you, but it was meant to be information that I shared with you guys when I felt ready, and when I thought you were ready, too. I understand if you take this personally, or are upset by my withholding of that information. I understand if that in itself is enough to cause you to leave me.

But I want you to understand why I didn’t tell you right away. As you might imagine, this isn’t the first time I’ve tried dating since my daughter Beatrice was born six years ago. Every time I shared that information with someone from the very start, they left me. Every time. I didn’t want to risk that happening again, which may have been a misguided, terrible decision - I guess we’ll find out when I see how many of you show up for the rose ceremony this weekend. I wanted you to get to know me as Jude the Chef, or Jude the Bachelor - not Jude the dad. He would come later.

I’m not looking for a babysitter, as Andrew implied. Bee is an incredibly self-sufficient six year old, to start. But it’s important to me that you all know why I’m here. I want Bee to have the life she deserves. A life with two parents, a life where everyone in the family can pursue their dreams and encourage her to do the same. I’m not looking for someone to take my place as parent, to take the “stress” off. Bee and I just want someone to complete our family. She restored my faith in love, and now she’s encouraging me to go find someone for my happily ever after (her words). We want someone to share our crazy, busy, amazing life with.

With that being said, I have absolutely no ill will towards you if you decide that having a child isn’t in your future. I only ask that if you want to leave, you talk to me first. Say goodbye, at least. I care about all of you so much, and I’d like a proper goodbye if you’ll grant me that. If not - I understand. However, if you can see yourself even just considering a future with a child in it, stay with me in this crazy journey for just a little longer. Think about it. See where we go. Whatever you decide, I will respect you and your decision.

                                                Love,

Never in a million years would Jude have been able to think of the date he has planned for Bella all on his own. It was a special offer, some sort of publicity thing for a movie, but Jude was excited about it anyway after he’d found out how much Bella would enjoy and appreciate it. He was nervous about being in a film but he knew that it would be okay - especially with Bella there to put a smile on his face.

Jude didn’t know much at all about Tyson, so planning the date was a bit of a challenge. The producers gave him a few hints here and there but nothing concrete, not like some of the others. So he’d decided to wing it and be a little spontaneous, and so the first thing they’d be doing is meeting early in the morning to take a private plane to San Francisco.

It was interesting to Jude, how different all of the contestants were. The date recommendations the producers had for him for each person varied so much. Jude was most shocked by the suggestion for his date with Andrew. It was lush and lavish in a way nothing else was, not even the fanciest of dates he’d been on or had planned so far. It wasn’t exactly the type of thing he was used to, but knowing that Andrew would enjoy it made Jude feel better.

After chatting with the producers, Jude was a little surprised by the suggestions they gave him for a date with Lena. He hadn’t really realized that she was so outdoorsy, but he loved that, and hoped that this date wouldn’t disappoint. He had everything planned out - there’d be a picnic basket waiting for them at their destination, so he wouldn’t have to carry it, and the surprise at the end was going to blow Lena away, he was sure of it. It was a little bit of an unconventional date, as far as anything he’d ever done as a date, but it sounded fun - especially with Lena.

Jude loved the challenge of planning dates for people that were still relatively new to him. With Marissa, he’d been looking for little clues about what she loved most during the pool party and when she’d talked about Disney and told him about her Broadway life, he knew that they’d have to visit a theatre for something. He’d talked to the crew, as he did before every date, and had everything all sorted out for his date with Marissa. 

==> Stop

Stop right now.

==> Stop

...Young lady, are you listening to me?

==>

...ARADIA.

This time you manage to push yourself back away from the computer, breaking its spell upon you, and you immediately wish you hadn't. You sit a few feet away from the desk and just stare at the screen. From this distance you can still see the cursor blinking over the text box.

What were you doing?

You couldn't provide an answer.

Your head fell so you could stare at your hands where they lay in your lap. You felt it coming on but couldn't do much about it; they looked distant, unfamiliar. Lifelines and luck lines crossing to and fro. They didn't have the callouses of an adventurer or strifer or much of a proper troll at all. You knew they had to be your hands, but maybe it would've been nice to blame them for the last few days. Perigrees even.

You'd gone too far with this whole charade. The online social life and sneaking out. It was wrong, and you knew it. And now.. now you were even entertaining thoughts like..

You needed something to get your mind off of it, and immediately. You knew the most logical answer. The chair screeched as you got up suddenly and shoved it back under the desk, turning on your heel to go find the nearest carapacian. A short conversation and the little white pawn scampered off, leaving you to clean yourself up and go sit in the waiting room. She didn't leave you waiting long. She returned with two of the Midnight Crew's mooks, who completely dwarfed her and you both. You simply smiled genteelly in greeting-- like they weren't the mob members who were assigned to keep you from escaping-- and only pausing a moment to tap a message into your handheld before rising to follow them. One of them only bothered to speak once you'd reached the car:

"Where to?"

The corner of your mouth lifted in a lopsided look. You knew the name and reputation of your renter this time.

"Orphaner Dualscar's residence."

You recognized those looks the mooks gave you. They didn't ask any more questions on the ride through Midnight City, nor when they dropped you off in front of his hive.