"Is Daddy coming home with us?"

The question, so innocently posed by Bonnie Louise as they ate lunch, summed up Jessica's dilemma in a nutshell. She could not go on as she had this last week, vacillating between two men who wanted to share her life. And Bonnie's.

Jessica had given the little girl as truthful an answer as she could. "Mommy doesn't know." And she didn't.

Maybe if she hadn't shared that unexpected kiss with Duncan, her choice would have been clearer. After all, Jessica had used the months of hurt and humiliation over his desertion to fuel her resistance to him. She had gathered up the memories of Duncan's painful words and with them formed a shield around her heart. She had bundled up the images of him with Shannon, and used them to convince herself she did not love the Scotsman anymore.

The kiss they shared had merely served to show her that underneath all the pain there was still longing. And desire.

But did she want to work so hard for what should have been so simple? Did she want to subject herself to an extended period of learning to trust Duncan again? Could she learn to trust him again? Did she want to?

Especially since Stefan Cassadine stood patiently waiting her decision. Life with Stefan would not be simple. Jessica knew that much instinctively. But with him there was no messy past to get beyond. No shared history of hurting and/or being hurt by one another.

He loved young Bonnie Louise. And he loved her mother's strength.

No matter how many times Duncan had explained that his words had only been an excuse to leave, Jessica knew that she would never be able to forget them. They had cut to the heart of who she was - a strong, self-sufficient woman who had carved out a life in Oakdale for herself and her child. A life she would have to give up if she chose to be with Stefan Cassadine.

Could she leave behind the friends and family she had in Oakdale? Give up her practice with Tom Hughes? Leave the security of his friendship and support behind?

Jessica's glance fell upon Bonnie's face. Silently her trusting little daughter stared up at her as though she understood the weight of the decision her mother would soon have to make.

And just like that, it was all clear.

"Come on, sweetheart," Jessica smiled at Bonnie and extended a hand.

The beautiful little girl hopped out of her seat and skipped to where her mother stood. "Where are we going?"

"We're going to follow our hearts." Jessica knew that the little girl did not understand. It didn't matter that she did.

Jessica picked up one of the two electronic door keys which lay side by side on the table. She gripped it tightly in her hand and led Bonnie out the door. Bonnie must have sensed her mother's unusual mood, for the little girl clung to Jessica's hand as they traveled down the brightly-lit hallway and into the elevator.

"There's no going back," Jessica muttered as she felt the elevator jolt into motion.

The sliding doors opened onto a hallway identical to theirs. After a quick glance to determine their direction, Jessica turned to her left and began walking down the row of numbered doors. Abruptly she came to a stop.

Jessica gave a quick smile of reassurance to Bonnie, then took a deep breath and slid the flat card within the lock. With a quiet whoosh , the door opened to reveal the room's occupant.

"Here we are."

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