| JESSIE: "Sorry Jakey, didn't know I was doing it.." I apologized. "It's alright sis, just save your energy..so you can rub it in Eric smug, stupid face. I wish I had smashed the hell out of him when I had the chance." he said angrily. "Jake.." I said, and stopped. I had no idea what to say. I felt exactly the same way. He hugged me again, then smiled down at me. "I love you too, sis... now please FOCUS..I know you can.." he said. "You got it bro...that Lizzie Borden better hang on to her ass.." I laughed, watching her stiff, lifeless although perfect routine. I was up after her, so I began to stretch and took off my sweats. "Kick her ass.." Watts grinned, and gave me a high five. "Can I take you literally?" I joked and put my leg up on a chairback and bent my head to my knee. "Why not?" she giggled as I repeated the move with my other leg. "You're up girlfriend..." Lacey smiled and took my things. I checked my all black sequined costume, then checked my ponytail with the matching sequined hairtie, pulled my fingerless gloves tighter and stretched my arms. I took a couple of quick hops and deep breaths, then ran onstage as my name was announced, and proceeded to lose myself as the first measures of the live version of "Look at You" came blaring out of the sound system. I let Taylor's voice take over my mind as my body instinctively did what it was trained to do. Then the music changed, and I was following the beat of "You Never Know" still instinctively twisting and turning and pushing my body as hard as it would go. I ended that portion of the medley with a double front flip and when I came up to face the crowd, he was there, in the center row, smiling into my eyes. |
| I pushed myself harder as the music changed again, to the live version of "Speechless" ending in split with a nod of my head as Taylor's voice screamed "OWW!!" I smiled to the crowd and waved as I picked myself off the floor and ran off stage, but not before finding his face and meeting his eyes one last time before I disappeared behind the wall. Jake was ready and waiting with a towel and Lacey handed me a water bottle. "I told you they'd be here.." Jake said, nodding toward the crowd. All I could do was smile brightly at him, I was still out of breath. My scores were actually good for this round, I was ahead of everyone, except Watts, who was up next. I high fived her and told her, "Go get 'em..he'll be putty I tell ya.." Her name was announced and she ran onstage, pushing herself as hard as I did, to the OFFSPRING medley we worked out for her. She was rockin' and she had Zac's jaw on the floor. i giggled as I peeked around the corner and saw him, my eyes met Tay's again and I could see he was struggling to keep from laughing, his eyes danced mischeviously and he raised an eyebrow at me. I blew him a kiss and then one to Walker, who had caught the whole exchange. He chuckled as Tay turned in his seat to look at him and then back to me. "You're missin' it.." I mouthed and ducked behind the curtain again. Watts finished with a double back flip onto her butt, one knee up, the other leg straight out, her chin resting on her hand. She jumped up, smoother her satin army green costume down and smiled and waved as she ran offstage, then stuck her head back out to wink at Zac. He grinned foolishly, but the look I saw on Keith's face scared me. "Jake..we need to talk.." I said nodding slightly toward Keith. Jake leaned toward me and whispered, "Dave and I already know, he'll be replaced as soon as we get home Jess." "Okay." I breated a sigh of relief. "Okay Wattley..time for the meat market spot...Lace you can go sit with your husband, he prbabaly misses you like crazy.." I told her. |
| JESSIE: "You sure Jess?" she looked torn, and I giggled. "Yes silly..go..and give the goober a hug for me." "Kay Jess, thanks." she kissed my cheek and ran off as Watts and I went to get into the dental floss known as a competition swimsuit. We did our walk and wave across the stage, and noticed both Tay and Zac's eyes were a little glazed. I tried to maintain my smile and not to giggle as I finished my walk, Watts right behind me. As I turned, I caught her glance, and noticed she was trying not to laugh as well, which made it that much harder for me. We stood side by side, waving and smiling and walked back across the stage. The scores came in and once again Liz, Watts and I were top three. Liz in third, amazing to me because I thought Lindsay Vaughn did much better, Watts would need to watch out for her next year. I was surprised that Watts came in second, I thought she did amazingly well. I hugged her and giggled when I saw our family and crew of body guards on their feet, whistling and applauding wildly. She turned and waved, blowing a kiss straight at Zac, who smiled broadly. "So, once again..First Place, and the title of Ms. Fitness America goes to Jessie Lee.." I smiled and waved to the crowd, taking my boquet of flowers and letting Tanya put the banner over my head and across my chest. I turned again and bowed slightly, to the thunderous applause ans saw my Taylor, on his feet screaming and applauding wildly, Daddy, Ike, Lacey and Zac right next to him and tears sprang to my eyes. I looked back at Jake and blew him a kiss, then hugged Wattley. My head was swimming and I suddenly felt weak. Watts held me up, without letting the cameras know. As soon as we went to station break I slumped down to the floor, and rested my head on my knees. |
| I heard Tay yell my name, and I tried to get up, but he was at my side in an instant. "Jessie? What happened? Are you alright? The baby.." he said without taking a breath. I put my hand on his cheek, "I'm okay, just a little overwhelmed. Help me up.." I said and took his hand. "Maybe you should.." he started and I cut him off. "No Tay, I still have to talk to ESPN...I have to.." I said. jake handed me a protien shake and I guzzled it and a bottle of water. "Jess?" Tay was obviously shaken. "Taylor, I'm fine. Jake will stay with me while I do the ESPN thing okay?" I said. "Daddy..tell him.." I pleaded with Walker. "She knows what she is doing son, come on and sit. Let her get it done and then she's through for the year..RIGHT JESS?" he said. "Definately, I need to rest.." I said. "Okay.." he reluctantly agreed. "Jake, Eric cannot know about tha disgusting display of weakness. PLEASE try to keep it out of the papers." I said. "You got it sis..Dave?" Jake looked at him. "I'm on it Jake.." he disappeared for a moment. "Okay we're back in five..four..three..." the producer called and we all took our places in front of the camera. Jake stood with me as I thanked everyone, him and Taylor most of all, then family and my two best friends, and also I remembered Abbey, I would have kicked myself if I had forgotten her. "You cannot do this without TREMENDOUS support from friends and family." I continued. "And I wound up with the absolute best in that department. I love you guys, and especially you Tay.." I looked past the camera and right at him. "So now what, Jessie? What are your plans for the next year?" Tanya asked. "I'm gonna take a break, do all the public speaking I can..there's the trial, which I CANNOT talk about now..and I'm getting married two weeks from today. What happens after that, I won't know until it happens." I smiled and shrugged my shoulders. "Congratulations times two then Jessie, we hope to see you back here soon.." |