Cora Helms

100 Baby Challenge

Chapter 18

Part Two

Cora arrived at Jared's party and noticed the house was full.  He must have invited everyone on the block.

She went straight upstairs to find Jared, but was shocked when she saw Thornton there. 

She didn't even know Jared and Thornton were friends. 

Thornton was pleased to see her and smiled at her.  He thought she looked amazing.

Great, Cora thought.  How was she going to woo Jared with Thornton there. 

She had been hoping to get Jared aside and put on her charms, but with Thornton there that was now out of the question.  Maybe, she could at least talk to Jared and build up their friendship.

She walked back to the staircase and looked around the room.  There weren't a lot of people upstairs which meant they all had to be downstairs including Jared.

Conner was sitting at a desk reading and Thornton was on the sofa watching TV.  She noticed Thornton kept looking back at her.  He was expecting her to set down with him.

But she had other plans, she started down the stairs when she noticed Gobias Koffi coming up the stairs with a smile on his face.

Gobias Koffi stopped in front of her and told her she looked very beautiful this evening. 

Cora flushed.  Her first compliment and it was by the middle age guy. 

Yumi Sekemoto had walked up the stairs behind him and stopped when she heard Gobias give Cora the Compliment.  She muttered something about old men, then walked off. 

Cora thanked him and started to head off, when he started talking to her. 

Cora didn't want to be rude and listen for a little while, but she really wanted to talk to Jared. 

Plus, Thornton kept looking over to her.   She could tell he was getting upset about her not coming to talk to him. 

Maybe, she was being rude to Thornton, but after all wasn't he rude the other night when he had slept in another bed.

She figured she would never ask him to spend the night again, since it was like his third night doing that. 

Cora listen to Gobias trying to think of a way to get away from him without being rude. 

After all, it was Jared's party and she hadn't even seen him yet.

Just at that moment, Jared walked up the stairs. 

He looked at Cora, then Gobias and said, "Gobias, give the rest of us guys a chance with Cora."

Cora was thankful to Jared for saving her from Gobias.  Gobias was a nice man and sweet, but she wasn't here for him.

Gobias blushed, then said good evening to Cora and walked off.

Jared stood in front of Cora, smiling and said, "You look great."

"Thanks," Cora blushed.   At that moment, she was taken with Jared. 

Jared said, "I'm glad you could come."

"I am too.  You look great and it's a great party," she said.

"I've been thinking about you.   I had fun the other night.  Who knew pillow fighting could be so much fun."

Cora blushed.  She also had fun.  She had a great time with Jared. 

She turned to see Thornton getting up from the sofa and heading their way.   She was sure he had heard their conversation.  She knew it must have hurt Thornton's feelings, but she didn't know what to say to him. 

However, this wasn't the time or place to tell Thornton the truth.

She turned away.  She couldn't face Thornton at that moment.  It was just too painful.

Jared did turn to look at Thornton.  He knew Cora had some children with him, but they had all this time to be together and weren't.   He knew Thornton had commitment issues.  Thornton had his chance, now it was time to let someone else step in.

Thornton thought about saying something, but didn't.  After all, what kind of guest would he be to start a fight with the host.  Plus, he knew Jared, but it wasn't like they were the best of friends. 

He also knew Cora was free.  He never could commit to her, even the one time she told him she loved him, he never said it back.

He just went on downstairs.  He couldn't stand to watch Cora flirt with another guy or another guy flirt with her.  Even though, he couldn't commit to Cora, he did have some feeling for her. 

Jared watched Thornton disappear downstairs and then asked Cora, "So, what is the deal with you and Thornton.  You're not together with him are you?"

Cora replied, "No, as everyone knows we do have some kids together, but we are not actually together."

"Good," Jared replied, and smiled at her.

Cora smiled back.  Yes, good indeed. 

Meanwhile, Thornton went downstairs and found a woman in one of the bedrooms.  He didn't know her name, but started talking to her anyway.

After some time, he decided to make his move.  He was feeling a little jilted by Cora when she ignored him, then the fact that Jared was complimenting her right in front of him didn't help at all.

He was pleased to have the woman flirt back with him. 

However, she mentioned that she was married.  Thornton didn't seem taken aback by this information at all and continued to flirt with her.  

Cora didn't know what was going on downstairs, the only person she cared about in this moment was Jared and trying to make a good impression on him.  She wanted him to like her.

Finally, it was late and the party was over.  Cora thanked Jared for a great party and left hoping that she made a friend with him. 

She arrived home and went to checked on the kids. 

Arye told her he was tired and went straight to bed. 

She thanked him for babysitting.

She went to work on taken care of the toddlers, then cleaning up a puddle.  She was afraid to ask what it was.

She took some time to play with the toddlers. 

They were such cute kids. 

She put them to bed, then had some toast and jam.  She was straving and as usual no one ever served food at their parties.  If she ever had a party she would make sure her guests would eat. 

She finished eating and realized how tired she was.  It had been a very long day indeed. 

She worried though, even as she went to bed, if everything would work out alright.  She hoped it would and she hoped she could get Jared over in the next day or two.   She needed to get on with Baby # 6.

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So far

Births

# 1  -   Arye  -  teen

# 2  -  Bethany - child

# 3  -  Brie Anna - child - twin to Bethany

# 4  -  Crista - toddler

# 5  -  Caleb - toddler