“Hey,” a voice snaps. Jess and Jimmy look over. To Jess’s surprise, the person saving her is Jack. “Jimmy, go play with someone your own size.”
“But-” Jimmy starts. Jack glares at him. “…Okay.” Jimmy walks away, sulking. Jack takes Jess’s hand.
“Come on, Jessie.” Unwilling to go back to the area where Jimmy might be waiting for her, Jess follows without resistance. Jack leads Jess up to the head table. His new wife, Rachel, smiles at Jess.
“Want to sit on my lap?” she asks kindly. Jess nods. Jack sets her on Rachel’s lap.
“I got you a snack,” Jack says, sitting next to Rachel. Jess looks at him doubtfully. “Look, I think it’s time we buried the hatchet. You finally got me back for good. We should start acting our age.” After a moment, Jess nods. She’s not completely sure she believes him, but she’s willing to pretend. Jack smiles.
“I can feed her,” Rachel says. She squeezes Jess in a tight hug. “I love spending time with little kids. I know you’re not really a toddler, Jess, but you’re just as cute as one.” Jess beams at her. Jack hands Rachel the pudding cup he’d procured from somewhere. Rachel began to spoonfeed Jess.
If Jess had been thinking, she might have been more careful about eating something from her brother. After all, Jack had messed with her food before. It wouldn’t be a stretch to assume he’d do it again, particularly after she stole the show at his wedding and humiliated him.