| JESSIE: I dialed Taylor's cell number, but all I got was his voicemail. I sighed heavily and left him a message. "Hi Baby. Just calling to let you know I'm safe and sound at the hotel. Dave gets a raise, right?" I chuckled. "Anyway, I miss you baby. Gonna take a nap now. I can't wait to hold you. See you soon." I hung up and dailed Jake. "Hello?" he answered. "Hi Jakey. I'm at the hotel." I said. "Hey sis. How was your flight?" he asked. "Good, except for I think I got airsick. My stomach's being a pain again all of a sudden.." I complained. "EAT dammit. You still haven't gained enough weight. Your hormones are still all screwed. I swear if mom wasn't already gone, I'd have to KILL her myself. Didn't you and Gram ever talk about this kind of stuff?" he whined. "NO JACOB. Duh..why would we? Do you ever remember me DATING anyone when you came back to school?" I asked sharply. "Okay. Fine. Good point. But she still should have told you something.." he sighed. "Yeah well, she was THERE. And she was still my best friend.." I said. "I know Jess. I'm sorry. But damn girl, you HAVE to eat more. I'm sure Dr. West is all over you about it too." he said. "I'm sorry for snapping, Jakey. I guess I'm just tired. The last couple of weeks kicked my ass. And yes Dr. West already lectured me, so get off my case. Good thing we got all those shoots done early, though." I giggled. "I think my tummy grew more while I was on the plane. My pants feel tight." "Just wait.." he chuckled. "Yeah I know.." I smiled. "Jakey, how's Abbey?" I asked. "Fine, Jess. We're going to Diana and Walker's cabin for the week. I promise to let you know more when we get back, okay miss busybody?" he teased. "Okay Jakey. You guys will love that cabin.." I smiled, remembering the few times Tay and I stayed there. "The grocery store delivers." I giggled. "Pervert.." Jake teased. "Whatever. I'll call you next week then. Give Abbey a hug for me." I said. "I will Jess. Say hey to Tay for me. And try to let the man sleep a few nights, he does have a rather strenuous job." he joked. "Pervert." I giggled. "Whatever. Love you sis." he chuckled. "Love you too, dork. See you in a few weeks. Bye." I said. "Jess?" he paused. "What?" I waited. "EAT DAMMIT." he told me. "Okay..Jeez! If you'd hang up the damn phone I could order ROOM SERVICE." I giggled. "Kay. Bye sis." he chuckled again. "Later bro." I smiled and hung the phone up. I ordered up something to eat and took a shower, getting myself into my bathrobe before my food was delivered. Once it arrived I realized I was starving. I watched a movie and devoured my dinner, but the butterflies in my stomach were insistent. "Listen you.." I patted my pouched-out stomach, "you have to let me eat. Your father and your Uncle Jake will have a cow if I start hurling again. Behave yourself." I said, smiling when my stomach seemed to settle. "That's better. Let's take a nap, kiddo. I'm beat." I patted my stomach again and laid down on the bed, turning on the CD player. I had started playing they guys' CD as much as I could, since Taylor wasn't around for baby to hear him talk and I wanted this baby to recognize it's father's voice. I laid my head on the pillow and fell instantly into a deep sleep. |
| JESSIE: I woke to the sound of loud screaming outside the hotel and my heart pounded as I sat straight up. I peeked out the window and saw the busses pulling around to let everybody into the hotel. I quickly got up and slipped on my short, navy blue slipdress and the matching jacket and ran a brush through my hair, knowing it would take a few minutes for them to get inside through the crowd. I put on my silver locket, brushed my teeth, splashed my face and then put on a little bit of lipgloss. I giggled to myself as I turned sideways, looking in the full-length mirror. I ran my hand over my barely sticking out tummy and felt those butterflies again. "I'm excited too sweetie.." I patted my tummy, "but please don't make me get sick all over your Daddy. I missed him." My tummy seemed to settle and I took another quick check in the mirror. I brushed the lock of hair out of my eyes, smoothed my dress down, yanked the door to our room open and ran smack into Dave. "Oh sorry.." I grinned up at him. "It's okay, Jess." he chuckled. "I heard the screaming and figured they were on their way in. I'll walk you down." he smiled. "Kay.." I breathed and ran my hand through my hair. Dave chuckled again and shook his head. The elevator ride seemed to be agonizingly longer than usual, but Dave tried to keep me settled by whining about the money he lost betting on football. I giggled as I listened to him gripe, then admonished him to quit gambling all the good money my husband paid him to keep an eye on me. "Anything for you, Jess. I'll cool it." he smiled as the doors finally opened into the hotel lobby. My eyes immediately went to the front desk and I saw my father-in-law, and Ike, but I didn't see Tay or Zac anywhere. My eyes met Walker's and his face broke into a wide smile. "Well, there she is.." he held his arms out as I approached him, and I returned his smile. "Hi Daddy.." I hugged him hard and he looked intently at my stomach. "Hi Mommy.." he grinned. "How are you feeling?" he asked and kissed my cheek. "We're good." I giggled looking down at my slightly swollen belly. "Hey Jess." Ike grinned as I kissed his cheek. I turned around to see Zac striding toward me a huge smile on his face. "JESS!! HEY!!" he hollered and picked me up, then swung me as he hugged me. "Hello to you, you big dork." I giggled. "Put me down you're gonna make me hurl." I said as I kissed his cheek. "Sorry." he grinned. "Are you really feeling alright?" he asked. "I'm just fine. But I'd be better if you'd quit holding out on me and tell me where my husband is." I stated with my hand on my hip. |