Title: Waiting on an Angel- Part 3
Author: Jessers
Rating: PG-13 � R
Summary: I hope this makes everyone happy; there is definitely some�action� in this part. HEHE� It�s short, but hopefully the next part will be longer. I
hope everyone likes it and doesn�t think I rushed into anything.
Recap: Abbey woke up from the coma; Nick came over to Jessica�s apartment for dinner; and Nick kissed Jessica, but she stopped him because she�s not ready
for a relationship yet.
Notes: This takes place one month after Part 2.
*****
The past four weeks had been the best of Jessica�s life. Nick came over 3
times a week. They had basically started a routine. On Tuesdays and Fridays he
came over for dinner after work. On Sundays Nick took Jessica and Abbey
wherever they had wanted to go. They went for a picnic in the park and Nick
taught Abbey how to fly a kite. They went to the zoo and ate junk food and ice
cream all day long. They went to Cinergy Field and rooted for the Reds right
behind home plate. (Nick had treated a son of one of the players and was able
to get amazing seats.) And then on the present Sunday they walked all over
downtown Cincinnati and ate lunch outside one of Jessica�s favorite cafes. It was a perfect June afternoon and later when they were walking around an outdoor
photography exhibit, Jessica hadn�t even been afraid to take Nick�s hand in
hers and lace their fingers together. And then they went to the market and
picked up all the supplies to make steak shish kabobs, one of Abbey�s favorite meals. They made dinner together and then after Abbey had gone to bed early because she was so tired from walking around.
The whole month had been incredible, and Jessica felt like she knew Nick as
much as she knew CaCee. It felt like they had been friends for years. He told
her everything, personal things. And she did the same to him. And he never
pushed her once; he never made her uncomfortable and acted like he was upset
with waiting. He never made her feel pressured to do something that she wasn�t
ready to do. The whole month he was a perfect gentleman. Jessica knew that she would never have to change him; she knew that he would stay this perfect for the rest of his life.
And then one night it happened. Nick was helping Jessica dry the dishes
and as he handed her a dry plate, their fingers brushed together and Jessica
felt a surge of energy shoot through her body. She couldn�t take it anymore.
Placing the dish back on the counter, she stopped him from what he was doing and pulled him into a deep, passionate kiss. Nick could feel the wanting in her
kiss and his hands found their way to her hips and he pushed her back into the
counter. Jessica put her arms around his neck and pulled him even closer to her
body. Nick�s arms were wrapping around her back and he couldn�t help but pick
her up under the arms and put her on the counter.
Jessica couldn�t help but giggle as Nick trailed kisses along her jaw and
her neck. She felt like she was in a movie, only� She reached under her and
pulled out a spoon. This made her laugh even harder, but Nick�s lips soon
found their way back to hers and gently silenced her. His hands traveled to her
waist and went to lift up her shirt, but Jessica put a finger to his lips to
stop him. �Not here,� she said breathlessly. �The bedroom.�
Nick nodded and effortlessly scooted her off the counter and headed towards
the bedroom. Their lips didn�t separate but once when Nick tripped over an end table in the family room and Jessica couldn�t help but start laughing and then
tried to quiet herself. The last thing she wanted right now was for Abbey to
wake up.
Nick brought them into Jessica�s room and closed the door as quietly as he
could. By the time they got to the edge of the bed, Jessica was slipping down,
but it didn�t matter to them. They both flopped down on the bed and hands were
traveling all over. As Jessica rolled onto Nick he lifted her shirt over her
head and she did the same to him as they rolled over.
When they had shed everything but their underwear, Nick looked down at
Jessica and said, �Are you sure?�
Jessica scooted out from under him and for a second he thought she was
changing her mind. She knew she was teasing him, but she didn�t care. She got
under the covers and then showed him she was ready by beckoning him over with her index finger. He jumped in next to her and pulled her on top of him. His
hands were traveling all over her back and he couldn�t believe how nervous he
was. He had wanted this since he had met her, but he couldn�t believe they had
jumped into bed this early. It wasn�t like he minded very much right now. But
even though he had imagined this happening on more than one occasion, he never really expected it to happen soon.
Jessica was amazed at how quickly everything was happening. But then again,
Jack had been the first person she made love to, and it was on their wedding
night. And after Abbey was born, the sex had become fewer and farther in
between. It wasn�t as if they didn�t want to anymore, it was just so much
energy for Jessica to take care of Abbey all day and by the time Jack had come
home from a full day of work, it was the last thing they wanted to do. But even
on the occasions that they did make love; it didn�t make Jessica feel special.
The pure feeling of love and utter devotion that she had felt on her wedding
night never returned.
So it was easy for her to understand why she had jumped right into bed with
Nick; because in a way they hadn�t really. They had spent the past month truly
getting to know each other. He had stayed late on the nights he came for dinner
and they just sat and talked to each other. He made her feel special, no matter
what they were doing. They could be stranded in the middle of the Sahara
Desert, going days without food or water, and he would still find some way to
make her smile and laugh and hope for survival. He had a way of making her see
the good things in life, or making a horrible situation better just by being
there. He always knew what to say and he always made her feel like a princess.
And as he was smiling down at her right now, she knew that the reason they had
jumped into bed was because they were two mature adults who would be able to handle this responsibly afterwards. And she knew in her heart, and her head,
that Nick was going to stick around after. That this time, she wouldn�t be left alone and sad. Nick will stay and make her the happiest woman in the whole world, just like he was doing right now. He was surrounding her and he smelled so good it was intoxicating her. She was under his spell and it was likely she would do anything he asked her to. Rob a bank? Sure, which one? How much do you need? Jessica laughed without realizing it.
�What�s so funny?� Nick was looking down at her smiling.
Jessica shook her head. �Nothing, just thinking to myself.� She gently
rolled him onto his side and wrapped one of her legs over his. She began
kissing along his neck and his chest as he pulled her tighter towards him. He
couldn�t take it anymore and he rolled onto his back, pulling her with him and
forcing her to be even closer to him. Jessica�s legs were straddling his and
there was only one way they could get any closer. �Nick,� she whispered. �I
can�t take it anymore.�
Nick nodded his understanding. �Are you sure you�re ready.�
�Nick, please!� she intensely whispered into his ear. She placed her mouth
on his and let their tongues dance while he finally made them one. Jessica let
a moan of pleasure pass from her mouth to his and Nick echoed one back.
Jessica let herself be taken over by their body�s rhythm together and then
sometime later, it felt like years to her, they released all their feelings
together and Jessica felt the warmth spread throughout her whole body. She
collapsed on Nick and they lay there for a few moments catching their breath.
Jessica propped herself up and kissed him passionately. �That was�amazing.�
She rolled onto her side and let Nick spoon up behind her.
He placed a kiss behind her neck and wrapped his arms around her. �I agree.
I think I saw fireworks.�
Jessica laughed. �Oh, so I was that amazing?�
Nick kissed her shoulder and then her neck. �Oh, you don�t even know.�
�You weren�t so bad yourself.� She turned over so she was facing him. She
took his hand in hers and laced them together, cradling them to her chest. �You
must have had lots of experience in seduction, Mr. Lachey. I don�t know what
came over me.�
�You don�t regret it, do you?�
�Oh god no! It�s just been awhile since I�ve done that and I mean I just
never thought I would this soon into a relationship. But then again that was
before I was married. And man, I�ve missed it. And if it would have been that
amazing during my marriage, I think I would have missed it a hell of a lot
more.�
�Jessica, can I ask you something?�
�Anything.�
�Why did you ever get married?�
Jessica smiled. �I was thinking about that the first time you came over for
dinner. When we first met in college, I had been through a few serious
relationships and I was tired of waiting for Mr. Right. I�m a really impatient
person, let me tell you. So I met Jack and I knew he wasn�t perfect, but I
figured that I could change him a little or at least learn to put up with his
imperfections. But that became harder for me to do as time went by. He stayed
the same- immature and irresponsible.�
�So why did you two stay married for so long?�
�I was thinking about that too the other night. I really wanted Abbey to
have two parents. I just never imagined he would walk out on us, I figured he
would always be there. I don�t know, I�ve tried to explain it all to myself
more than once, but I don�t even understand it all. So, does that make any
sense at all?�
�A little bit.� He paused as Jessica yawned. �Are you tired?� he asked
her.
�A little bit.� She echoed. �Yeah, I really am.�
�Okay, I am too.� Nick rolled onto his back, gently pulling Jessica down
with him. She snuggled into the warmth of his chest and the blankets. It
didn�t take her long at all to fall asleep.
*****
Jessica woke up the next morning to an empty bed. At first it just felt
like any other morning, but then all the memories of the last night came
flooding back to her. Suddenly, all the thoughts she had thought last night
became reversed. What had they just done? They weren�t ready yet, they had
only known each other about a month and a half. And why did she let herself
believe that Nick is different? He�s a guy, and guys only have one thing on
their mind. Honestly, who would want to stick around a 26 year old divorcee
with a six year old that�s dying of cancer? That�s way too much baggage for
someone who has never been married and should be out having the time of his
life. Jessica wouldn�t be surprised if he never called her again. He got what
he wanted, he didn�t need anything else. Why had she been so stupid to let him
in? She was cursed and she always lost those around her. Why had she thought,
even for a few moments, that this would be any different? She got
caught up in the passion of the moment and now she felt as though she would
regret last night for a long time.
Sitting up, she did her best to flatten out her hair and noticed a note
lying on the pillow next to her.
Dear Jess-
I got paged into work, I�m so sorry I couldn�t be there when you woke
up.
I�ll call you when I get off, maybe the three of us can pick up some dinner
tonight.
Last night was amazing� I can�t find the words. Anyways�I will talk to you
later.
Love Nicholas
Jessica rubbed her eyes, hoping that when she opened them the letter would
be gone, but sure enough it was still there. She picked up the note and tossed
it into the top drawer of her nightstand. Grabbing her robe from the bathroom,
she headed towards Abbey�s room. Peeking into the room, she noticed that Abbey was still sound asleep and according to the clock on her dresser, it was nine o�clock. She used to be up early in the morning, even before Jessica would, but lately she sometimes slept till eleven like a teenager. As quietly as she
could, she shut the door and walked to the kitchen. She made herself a cup of
coffee and then headed towards the family room to watch some TV. After channel surfing for a few minutes, she settled on the Today Show. She did her best to concentrate on the show, but her mind kept wandering to Nick. Finally, Abbey woke up and Jessica was able to concentrate on her and not anything else.
When they had finished eating breakfast, Jessica suggested that they go see
The Polar Express and then go shopping. Abbey agreed and ran into her bedroom to get dressed. While Jessica took her shower, Abbey watched Sponge Bob Square Pants and then they headed off to the movie.
On the way back from the movie and the mall, they drove through the
McDonalds for dinner and Jessica let Abbey eat in the car after a few minutes of
begging. When they got home, Jessica and Abbey curled up on the couch to watch The Lizzie McGuire movie.
The phone rang twice while they were watching the movie. By the time they
went to bed later that night, there were four messages on the answering machine.
Jessica didn�t listen to one�
*****
Jessica hadn�t talked to Nick in a week. The day after the trip to the
mall, she had called him to say that she wasn�t feeling well and would call him
when she felt better.
�Well, how about I bring over some chicken noodle soup and make sure you�re
okay. I am a doctor, you know,� he offered.
�No, it�s okay. Abbey and I are just going to spend some time watching
movies and doing some things around the house together.�
�Well, maybe I should come pick Abbey up so you can get some rest. And
anyway, Abbey�s immune system is weak so maybe she should get out for a while.�
Jessica totally forgot about that, she should have known that Nick would
say that. �No, she wouldn�t want to leave me. She likes to play doctor and
nurse me back to health.�
�Okay, well if you�re sure.�
Jessica could hear the hurt in his voice. �I�ll call you when I�m feeling
better, okay?�
�Call me if you need anything, anything at all.�
�I will.�
And that was that. He had called once, but Jessica didn�t pick up the
phone. Abbey was very upset that he hadn�t been by, but Jessica kept telling
her he was busy with work. She was lying to two people and she felt like crap.
Jessica looked to the other end of the couch where Abbey was sleeping. They
had sat down for lunch in front of the TV and as soon as Abbey had finished
eating she had fallen asleep. Jessica gently picked her up and brought her to
her bed so she could get a decent nap.
Sitting back down in the family room, she realized that she had never felt
this alone, not even when Jack had left. Reaching for the phone, she dialed
CaCee�s phone number. She hadn�t seen CaCee that much in the past month. CaCee had been very busy and Jessica had been spending so much time with Nick and Abbey.
�Hello?� CaCee answered.
�Hey, babe, it�s Jessica.�
�Hey you, what�s up?�
�I was just wondering if you wanted to come over for dinner tonight?�
�Oh, Jessica, I would love to. Tonight is like the only free night I have
this week! Do you want me to bring anything?�
�Uh, I was just thinking about getting some pizza delivered, nothing fancy.�
�That sounds great. What time do you want me to come over?�
�How about now? Abbey�s taking a nap and I really just need to talk to you.
I�ve missed you.�
�I�ve missed you too. Uh, give me like five minutes to get ready and I�ll
be over?�
�That sounds great, I�ll see you soon.�
Jessica hung up the phone, slightly happier now that she would have a
visitor. The twenty minutes she had to wait for CaCee to get to the apartment
seemed to be about twenty hours. But finally the doorbell rang and Jessica jumped up to answer it.
As soon as Jessica saw her best friends familiar face, something came over
her and she couldn�t help but start crying. �Oh, god, Jess. What�s happened?�
CaCee walked into the apartment, shut the door behind her and pulled her best
friend into her arms.
�CaCee, I�m so confused right now and I just really needed to see you and
talk to you.�
�Okay, well why don�t we sit down and you can get everything off of your
chest.�
Jessica nodded and followed CaCee to the couch. �Thank you for being so
understanding, CaCee. I haven�t seen you in awhile and I�m just so happy you�re
here. I�m so sorry that I haven�t called.�
�It�s okay, Jess. I�ve been busy too. Is that what�s wrong? Or is it
Nick?�
Jessica had told CaCee that she had started spending more time with Nick
lately, and how they were getting very close. �It�s Nick� No, I guess it�s
me� Oh, I don�t even know.�
�I�m going to go get something to eat, this could be a long conversation,�
CaCee said jokingly, starting to stand up.
Jessica grabbed CaCee�s arm and gently pulled her back down next to her.
�No, CaCee, it�s me. I know it�s me.�
�Well, what happened? Two weeks ago when I talked to you, you were so
excited about were the relationship was heading. What�s changed?�
�We slept together.�
�What! You slut!�
�CaCee!� Jessica laughed. CaCee always knew how to make her laugh. �It
wasn�t like that at all.�
�So then what�s wrong?�
�I don�t know, it really scared me and I�ve been avoiding his calls. I told
him I was sick and that I couldn�t see him until I got better. I just didn�t
know what to do.�
�Well, let me tell you that you are doing to exact opposite of what you
should be doing.�
�CaCee, I don�t think I can lose anyone else.�
�Well, that�s exactly what�s going to happen if you let things continue like
this.�
�CaCee, I�m stopping it now before it gets too serious. That way neither of
us will get hurt.�
�Jess, you guys are already serious! Or haven�t you noticed?�
�CaCee, look at my track record. Jack left, Abbey will someday be gone, and
then soon enough��
�You will realize that you just let the best thing to happen to you in years
go.� CaCee said cutting her off. �Jessica, Nick is special. He would stick
around if you let him.�
�I know.�
�Then what are you doing here crying with your best friend, when you should
be out telling him how you feel.�
�I don�t think I�m ready yet, CaCee. I just need a little while to think
everything through.�
�Jess, you�ve had a week. If you don�t act soon, you really are going to
lose Nick and someday you�ll regret it. He�s a great guy, I just don�t get why
you don�t see that.�
�I do see that, I really do. I just need some time, before I jump back into
a relationship.�
�Well, I guess I can�t say anything else then. It�s up to you now. I just
hope you do the right thing.�
�Oh, CaCee, I hate when you guilt trip me. I just need some time, isn�t
that okay?�
CaCee pulled her friend into a hug. �I just don�t want you to look back in
a few years and realize that you left behind your soul mate.�
*****
Sorry this part is so short, the next should be longer. I hope you all enjoyed
and I look forward to lots of feedback!!!