Jenna softly touched Nicholas's face, engaging him to look into her eyes. "Thank you." She said as she gazed deep into his eyes.
"Hey, what are fiancé’s for if not to carry their future wife?" Nicholas asked with a soft smile.
"No, not just for that, well, yeah that too, but for everything. For loving me, for caring about me, for loving the kids…for everything. Thank you for being you most of all. And thanks for helping me get through my first car ride without having a nervous breakdown." Jenna said as her eyes started to mist over.
"Well, thank you for not leaving me." Nicholas said as he wiped the tears from her eyes, then leaned in and kissed her softly. "Now, let's get you inside." He smirked, picking her up in one fluid motion, never breaking a sweat.
"You know, you're going to have to let me walk sometime." Jenna pointed out.
"I know, but let me enjoy this while it lasts." He said, walking up to the front door. He gave the door three sharp kicks down in the bottom corner, and like magic the door opened.
Jenna's jaw dropped as she looked into a crowd of people. Hanging over their heads was a banner that said "Welcome Home". Nicholas carried her through the crowd and laid her gently on the couch. One by one, everyone came to greet her, giving her cautious hugs and reprimanding her to never scare them like that again. Friends and co-workers milled about her, talking and laughing, but Jenna felt like something was missing. Where were the kids? Where was Diane? Where was Nathan and Vanessa? The most important people to her, besides Nicholas, weren't there.
After her well-wishers backed off a little, Nicholas went and sat next to Jenna. He could tell that even though she appeared happy on the outside, something wasn't quite right. "What's wrong baby?" He asked.
"Nothing, this is great." Jenna said, a little too flatly.
"But…?"
"But where are the kids, and your mom, and Nathan and Vanessa?"
"Well, see I called everyone on the way down to get the car at the hospital, so not everyone could make it on such short notice." Nicholas explained.
"But, you'd think that they, of all people, would want to be here when I got home." Jenna felt like crying.
"Sweetie, they wanted to be here, but they were busy already." Nicholas said, fighting the urge to smile.
Jenna nodded her head solemnly, and said goodbye to some of her guests. No one was able to stay long, they all just wanted to come over and see how she was. When the last guest left, Jenna was feeling really down. The ringing doorbell didn't even get her attention. "Someone must have forgotten something." Nicholas said as he got up to answer the door with a smile on his face.
Jenna watched him disappear down the hallway, wondering how she was going to get the strength to be cheerful if someone was coming back.
"I was right, someone forgot something." Nicholas yelled from the front door, and before he could finish his sentence, two small blurs came barreling through the living room. "Kids, be careful and don't hurt her." Nicholas yelled after them.
The two kids ran into Jenna's open arms, and she hugged them tight as tears spilled down her face. None of them wanted to break the embrace that they were held in. She just wanted to hold them and never let them go…not realizing that each kid was feeling the same way.
"You know how much it took to keep them from running over here when you guys pulled up?" Nathan said as he entered the living room carrying a big pink cake box.
"Nathan bribed them with $20 each." Vanessa ratted Nathan out. She set the paper plates and plastic silverware on the coffee table that sat in front of the couch. She took the cake box from Nathan and put it on the table, opening the lid to show Jenna her favorite pistachio cake.
"Hey, don't forget the $20 I had to give you not to run out then, too Vanessa." Diane said, bringing up the rear with a jug of milk.
Jenna laughed at the group as they all gathered around her. She was finally home, it finally felt right…and home never felt so sweet. She knew that she was on a long road to recovery, but with the help of her truly wonderful family, Jenna knew everything would be alright.
They spent the night sitting around eating cake, listening to the kids telling stories about thing that happened in school, and talking. As the sky got darker, the kids began to lose steam. Nicholas took that as his cue to put the kids to bed.
Colby leaned over his mom and gave her a big hug. "I missed you and I'm glad you're alright." He told her.
"I missed you too kiddo." Jenna said and ruffled his hair.
"I'll let that slide this time." Colby told her with a smirk on his face, making Jenna laugh at her son's antics.
Next was Emma's turn. She wrapped her arms tightly around Jenna's neck and hugged her tight, not wanting to let go. "It's ok, I'm not going anywhere. I'll be here when you wake up." Jenna tried to reassure her.
"Daddy told me that you're getting married. Does that mean I can call you mommy now?" Emma whispered softly in Jenna's ear.
"If that's what you want sweetheart. You don't have to if you don't want to though." Jenna whispered back.
Emma released Jenna from the tight hold she had around her neck and ran up the stairs after her father and Colby. As she got to the top landing she turned around and yelled, "Goodnight Mommy!" She giggled then ran into her room.
Jenna smiled with pride as she watched her, and laughed when Nicholas rushed out of Colby's room with curiosity. He winked at Jenna and finished tucking the kids in. Diane was touched at the special bond that her granddaughter and future daughter-in-law shared, and was pleased that they got along so well.
As Jenna looked back on the night, she couldn't have imagined a better, more perfect homecoming, and she owed it all to Nicholas.
Chapter 31 A Little TLC Goes A Long Way
Jenna shifted on her side, feeling the soft feathery pillow beneath her head give ever so slightly as she moved, the mattress hugging her every curve. The strong, comfortable arms of the man she loved with all her heart tightened around her, reassuring Jenna that he was still there. Somewhere between a dreamy state and being awake, Jenna smiled from the inside- out at the feel of his body next to hers.
It was one of the things she missed most while she was in the hospital, not being able to sleep in the comfort of her bed with her loving fiancé. Her mind pondered that thought for a moment…her fiancé. The one she wanted to spend the rest of her life with, the father of her unborn baby, her lover, best friend, and protector all rolled into one. Jenna no longer thought about what her life was like before Nicholas, it was almost as if she really started living the day they met. And now, they were engaged to be married. She felt like a giddy schoolgirl.
"Isn't it too early for you to be smiling and in such a good mood?" Nicholas whispered as he kissed Jenna's cheek good morning.
"I can't help it. I'm alive, I'm home, and I'm back in your arms. How could I not wake up happy?" Jenna said as she grinned from ear to ear.
"You know what? You're absolutely right. That definitely makes it a perfect day." Nicholas smiled as he cuddled closer to Jenna. "There's only one bad part though."
"What's that?" Jenna asked, almost afraid to hear what he was going to say. She took the bait anyways.
"Well honey, as much as I love you, you kind of stink." Nicholas told her, then pinched his nose closed and fanned his hand in front of his face.
Jenna's eyes widened in shock. "Nicholas! I can't believe you'd say that to me! It's not my fault I haven't been able to shower." She pouted playfully.
"I have the perfect remedy for that. I'm going to draw a bath for us so that I can hose you down. I just hope there won't be too many flies left in the bathwater once I get you out of there." He teased as he made his way out of the warm and comfortable bed.
"And to think, I was thinking such nice thoughts of you this morning you little shit!" Jenna playfully scowled as she threw his pillow at his retreating form. She knew that his teasing was all in fun, but she had to admit, she did stink! And her hair…it was plastered to her
head and felt so greasy. Yes, they cleaned her up while she was in the hospital, but it wasn't as good as a bath or a shower would feel.
A few minutes later, Nicholas came back into the bedroom and scooped Jenna out of bed. He carried her into the bathroom where the tub was filled with water and bubbles, and the air was filled with the scent of plumeria. He carefully set her in the bathtub, then climbed in behind her.
"You know, I can walk from the bed to the bathroom." Jenna told him.
"I know, but it's so much fun carrying you, and thinking that you depend on me. You've always been so independent, it's nice to feel like you need me for something." Nicholas admitted.
"Oh, honey, whether I am independent or not, I will always need you." Jenna said sweetly as she took his hand in hers. "I'm sure there will always be a bug I need killed, or a jar I need opened." She teased. Jenna turned her head so she could get a better look at Nicholas's face. "Seriously though, I do need you in my life, whether I show it every day or not. Yes, I like to be independent, but that doesn't mean you aren't needed. I need you more than I have ever needed anyone in my life, and that kind of scares me. I don't want to end up being a weak woman who relies on her man for everything. I've always had to take care of myself, and I guess I just got used to that. But if you want to pamper me, I think I could get used to that." She finished with a smile.
Nicholas pulled Jenna back to him and hugged her tight. He softly began washing her body, being extra careful around her cuts and bruises. Next he grabbed a cup from beside to the tub and filled it with water. When Jenna tipped her head back, Nicholas slowly poured the water over her forehead, so that the water would run backwards into her hair. After it became soaking wet, Nicholas poured some shampoo in his hands and massaged it through her hair. His fingertips ran along her scalp, sending a tingling feeling throughout her body. She was so relaxed, that by the time she was all clean, she was almost asleep again.
Nicholas let Jenna stand on her own, but held her hand tightly. He didn't want her slipping in the tub, and hurting herself more. He helped her out and grabbed a big fluffy towel to dry her off. He wrapped the towel around her naked body, then pulled her close to him. His lips softly caressed her neck, sending shivers all the way to her toes. Nicholas was getting turned on, even though he knew that there was no nookie to be had for a while. He forced himself to stop with the kisses because if he hadn't, he'd want to go much further than that. Instead, he inhaled deeply through his nose, trying to get the romantic thoughts out of his head. "Yup, you smell much better." He told Jenna as he tried to calm his body down.
Jenna went to the bench in the bathroom, sat down next to the clothes Nicholas had laid out for her, and began getting dressed. She put on some loose cotton short that fit perfectly around her protruding stomach, enjoying the fact that they didn't dig into her skin because they were too tight. Next she reached for her Yankees jersey. As she spun it around to put it on, her brows furrowed together.
"This isn't my jersey." Jenna said, looking to Nicholas for an explanation.
"Well, I noticed the last time you wore yours that it was getting a little too tight around the stomach, so I had Mike get you a new one. Actually, he got you three, all in different sizes so that you won't grow out of them." Nicholas laughed nervously. He knew how sensitive Jenna was about getting bigger.
A wry smile spread across her face as she looked at the back of the jersey. "And I'm guessing they all say Mussina too?"
"Of course! Do you think his ego could take it if he had to give you another Giambi jersey? I think it killed him the first time he saw you in a jersey that didn't have his name on it." Nicholas laughed, thinking of his friend and remembering that day that he had introduced him and Jenna. Jenna looked like she was in heaven, and so did Mike, but for two entirely different reasons. Jenna just loved the fact that she was meeting a Yankee, but Mike loved the fact that he was meeting the beautiful Jenna. Nicholas was counting his blessings that Jenna hadn't left him right then and there…Mike would have taken her in a heartbeat. He smiled, thinking back to that day…and that night, the first time they explored their passions beyond kissing. "Come on, let's get you downstairs to the couch so that I can get the kids ready for school." He said, breaking from his trip down memory lane.
*****
Nicholas drove the kids to school, then headed back to the house. When he walked back through the doors, he was on his cell phone, talking business with someone. After a little bit of arguing, and even more negotiating, Nicholas hung up the phone satisfied.
"Honey, if you have to, go to work. You don't need to stay here and babysit me." Jenna told him, feeling bad that he was missing so much work because of her.
"Well, that's what I wanted to talk to you about. Do you mind if I infiltrate your office for a while, just until you get back on your feet?" Nicholas asked.
"What's mine is yours, but really, if you have to work out of your office, I can handle myself."
Nicholas shook his head. "You can't get rid of me that easily." He bent over the couch and placed a soft kiss on Jenna's lips. "Oh, there's one more thing I forgot to tell you…" He began but was interrupted by the doorbell.
Nicholas opened the door to find a woman with her purse clenched between her teeth, and two big boxes in her arms.
"No thanks, we don't want any." He said with a smirk and began to shut the door.
The eyes of the woman narrowed to slits, as her lips curled into a snarl. She was yelling at him, but all he heard was, "Mphnmp ror hss!"
"I'm sorry, I don't speak your language." He said, trying to hold in a laugh. In the end, he felt guilty, so he took the boxes out of the woman's arms.
With her hands now free, she took the purse out of her mouth. "You're lucky you're my boss or I would seriously kick your ass. Now let's get moving. We've got a lot of work to do." Zoey said as she shoved by the man who now stood holding the boxes as he laughed at her. "Are you sure this is ok with Jenna? I mean she just got out of the hospital and all."
The two of them walked into the living room where Jenna was laying on the couch, watching some corny daytime TV. "Um, Jenna, this is what I forgot to tell you. Not only will I be working out of your office here, but Zoey will too. Do you mind? There's just a few things that we can't let go, especially not since I haven't been to work in over a week."
Jenna looked up from the couch to see Zoey standing there next to Nicholas. "No, um, that's fine I guess." She said as she rolled over to put her back to her fiancé and his assistant. Unconsciously, she began rubbing her belly, as if to tell the baby everything was going to be alright. Sure, she trusted Nicholas, but she just couldn't help feeling some resentment towards Zoey. She wondered if Zoey really did have a thing for Nicholas.
"Hey, why don't you take those boxes to the office and I'll be there in a minute." Zoey said, motioning that she wanted to talk to Jenna.
"Ok, I'll be right back." He said as he looked between the two women with worried eyes.
After he had left the room, Zoey circled the couch and went to sit in the chair that was facing Jenna. She leaned forward with her elbows on her knees and took a deep breath. She wasn't quite sure what she wanted to say, or how she wanted to say it, but she knew that there were words that needed to be said.
"I know you're probably upset with me, but you have to trust me…I have no romantic interest in Nicholas." Zoey said.
"I'm sorry if I'm a little untrusting, but I've heard that one before, plenty of times." Jenna said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"We truly were trying to plan a shower for you Jenna." Zoey pleaded.
"I have no doubt about that Zoey, but why did you need to talk to him for so long? Why did you feel the need to plan it? You barely know me, and you're doing something that should be reserved for one of my best friends? It just seems like there is a little more to it, like you are trying to get a little closer to Nicholas, get on his good side." She said, voicing her suspicions.
"Jenna, if I really w
anted Nicholas, I would have tried to get him a long time ago. That ship has sailed, and there was no one on the boat." She paused. "I know that it seems weird that I wanted to throw a shower for you, but when you hear why, you'll understand. Just give me a chance to explain."
"I'm listening. It's not like I can exactly get up and leave." She said, reminding Zoey just how bad the accident was, and that she was the reason that Jenna left so hurt and angry that day.
Zoey nodded slowly, then began softly. "I know what it's like not to have family. My parents died at a young age, and I was an only child. I guess I always hoped that if I had a baby, someone would do something like this for me. You see, I look at Nicholas not only as a boss, but also as family. He's like a brother to me. When I watched everything he went through with Leslie, it nearly killed me. Not only was he not happy with her before they got pregnant, but then when she died, he just turned off emotionally. Now I see the light back in his eyes, the fire that was gone for so long. And I just can't help but want to be close to the person who did that for him. I guess in a way, I look up to you…so many people have tried to get Nicholas to live again, and the only one who achieved that was you. You did something really special, and I just wanted to give something special back to you." Tears slowly began to fill Zoey's eyes. She didn't realize how emotional she would get by telling Jenna her feelings.
Jenna too was getting misty eyed. "I'm nothing special Zoey. Look at what an idiot I was when I accused you of wanting Nicholas."
Zoey laughed. "Hey, if I had someone like him, I'd want him all to myself too." She wiped the tears from her cheeks. "So, am I forgiven?"
"Only if I am." Jenna said.
The two girls laughed and hugged, completely unaware of the man watching them. He felt the pride in his heart as he watched the two women work through their differences. He never realized the depth that either woman cared about him, but the scene that played before him made him understand just how special he was to each of them…only for different reasons. He just hoped that they realized how much he cared for them too. Zoey was not only a great assistant, but also a true friend. Jenna was…well, Jenna was Jenna, and there could never be anyone to replace her or even come close to replacing her…not in Nicholas's eyes or his heart.
Mending the Soul Page 25