Jess Marais’ family joy
The former couple put their rocky past behind them for the sake of Scout
Holding their daughter’s hand and beaming, alongside their new partners, Jessica Marais and James Stewart proved to be stronger than ever in their efforts to co-parent six-year-old Scout at her birthday celebrations last week.
The pair were joined by Jess’ rumoured fiance Jake Holly, while Sarah Roberts accompanied boyfriend and Home And Away co-star James for Scout’s special day.
Unsurprisingly, the heartwarming picture – which James posted on Instagram – received plenty of praise online, with fans commending James and Jess for their “awesome parenting”.
This isn’t the first time the former couple – who called off their engagement in 2015 after five rocky years together – have indicated they’ve moved on and drawn a line under their bitter break-up.
In April, the duo, joined by their little girl, , were pictured introducing their respective other halves to each other at Coogee Beach. . Just months before, they reunited for Scout’s ’s first day at school, posing together for a picture on Instagram.
But given their tumultuous past, no one – not least James and Jess – would have predicted the pair would come to a point where they’re now incredibly friendly and happy to spend time together with their new partners by their side.
CO-PARENTING TEAM
In 2015, a rep for the duo released a statement confirming their decision to part ways. “Jessica Marais and James Stewart have amicably separated. Their main focus at this time is the co-parenting of their daughter,” said a spokesperson.
But friends claimed James’ hard partying was the tipping point for Jess, after a jealousy-fuelled relationship and “an irreconcilable incident involving James’ twin brother Nick”. ”.
It was also claimed James was “threatened” ” by Jess’ success on the small screen.
Then, at Scout’s fourth birthday party, the exes were spotted in what appeared to a heated dispute, with Love Child actress Jess, 33, seemingly wiping tears from her eyes. A few months later, things took a turn for the worse when James, 42, made the ultimate e dig at Jess by claiming she was too busy to look after her daughter. “I’m the full-time carer for r Scout as Jess is busy working g and travelling a lot,” he told Sunday Life magazine at the time time. Woman’s Day was later told Jess was “completely hurt” by the comments. But now, the Aussie pair have chosen to embrace their modern family agreement and concentrate on their number-one priority, their beautiful daughter Scout. And those close to the former couple say their respective newfound loves have definitely helped heal the wounds of the past.
MOVING ON
Friends even think Jake could be The One for Jess, after she was spotted wearing a gold band on her wedding finger in February. “They are head over heels in love with each other, quite frankly,” one friend told Woman’s Day.
“Jake’s been spending a lot of time with her, and staying at her place lots of nights. He brings out the best in her – her strong, healthy values,” adds our source.
Jess and James have chosen to focus on their number-one priority