| "Jess, one of the things that I love about you is that you stay in control most of the time. You were so amazing with Lacey and Zac..but I don't want you trying to keep your feelings from me. I know this is hard. It's killing me. I miss you so much it hurts. Please, Jess. Just talk to me. I know how you feel but I need to hear you say it. You don't have to be so stubborn and act so damn tough all the time." He almost sounded angry. "Baby, oh my god.." I sighed again. "It's not that I don't miss you, or that I think about you constantly, I just have never been one to give way to tears so easily. And I've been doing that so much lately that it kind of scares me. Taylor I love you. I can't say it or show you enough. I can't sleep, I'd probably forget to eat if my brother didn't act like a damn babysitter all the time. All I can think of is how I want you next to me, holding me, kissing me, loving me." I said my voice getting softer with each phrase. I finally just let the tears come. "Jessie..." he said softly. "I will be with you soon. And I'm not waiting much longer after Ike and Lacey's wedding to marry you. I need you with me. I NEED you." I wiped my eyes again. "Taylor?" "What baby?" "You have to promise me something, now." I told him. "Anything, Jess." "I promised never to leave you. You have to promise to never leave me. Not ever." I sniffed. "I never will Jessie. I promise." he said. |
| "Tay?" "Hmm..?" "Thank you. I am holding you to that, forever." I said. "Forever baby. Now you should get some sleep, okay?" "I won't sleep, Tay. I can't... not when I ache to hold you so much." "I want to hold you too, Jess. So much. But please, try to sleep. You sound so tired. I will call you first thing in the morning, baby. I love you. Dream about me, because I will be dreaming about you. Only one more day Jess." he said. "I love you too, Taylor Hanson. I can't wait to see you." I said. "Me either, Jessie. Good night, baby." "Nite, Tay." I said and filpped the phone shut. I turned on my side and hugged my pillows to me as more tears slipped down my cheeks. It was a long time before I slept. |
| Six AM came way too early. I woke to the sound of my cell phone ringing, and of course it was Tay. We sai our goodmornings and chatted a litle bit about our goings on for the next couple of days. "Jess?" "Yeah baby?" "Try to have fun today..it IS supposed to be fun. Tell me all about it later, I'll call you tonight." "Okay, I'll try. But I'm too tired to think about it now, Tay. I didn't sleep much, and I haven't even had any coffe yet. Jake must be up though, 'cause I smell it." I giggled. "I didn't sleep well, either Jess. Soon, though...I miss you baby." "I miss you too.." "Talk to you soon. I love you." "I love you." I emerged from my room to find Jake pouring coffee and setting out food. It all smelled good, but I really wanted to guzzle the whole pot of coffe, to make sure I could function. "Rise and shine sister o' mine.." Jake teased, "Time to get your purtty picture taken..." "God, Jake! How can you be so cheerful this early?" I groaned and took a sip of my coffee. "Because unlike some people, I actually sleep. C'mon, Jess. We gotta get moving...go throw somthing on and I will get you a cup for the road." |
| "Kay, Jakey.." I said and took the cup he poured me and half of a bagel and went to pull myself somewhat together. I got that done and Jake and I went to the gym. They had set up hair and makeup in the locker room, since it was Sunday and slow. Jake and I were introduced to everyone and I sat down in the chair and let them go to work. The interviewer asked the questions while I was being made up and the rest of the day was spent with me posing to demonstrate certain exercises, both correctly and incorrrectly, to help beginners learn proper form. This was done a few times, as I had to do it all over again in three different outfits, total. By the end of the whole thing I was beat. We finished up and the Jake and I had a late lunch and ran a few errands. He brought me back to the hotel, but it was still early so I decided to take a swim to relax. I sat in the hot tub for a while and then headed up to my room. I ordered myself something to eat, knowing Jake was picking up Abbey soon. I was so glad about that. I took a shower and threw on my robe, by then my food had arrived. As I was sitting down to eat, Jake emerged from his room looking extremely delicious. Abbey wouldn't be able to resist my handsome brother. He was wearing khaki pants, a white t-shirt and a black over shirt with black shoes and belt. He wore his blond hair short and kind of spiky, but it suited his muscular body. Jake was large and broad, but he wasn't over-developed. He looked just strong enough even in his clothes that no one, unless they were three sheets to the wind, bothered to start any shit with him. His brown eyes sparkled as they caught mine and recognized my approval of his appearance. "You think so?" He grinned. "She will be thoroughly impressed and unable to keep her hand soff you, brother dear. So be nice.." I teased. "Thanks, Jess. You sure you'll be alright?" "JA-COB! I am not your small, retarded sister! I am your younger, very much able to keep herself occupied for however long she chooses! Dammit! You and Taylor are starting to treat me like a baby and it's getting on my nerves. Yes, I miss him. And yes, he will surely call. But I am holed up safe and sound on an upper floor in this big ass hotel room, and all I want to do is sit on my tired ass until I fall asleep. GO! See Abbey. Worry about yourself for a change.." I grouched. "Jess..calm down. I am going. TAYLOR and I are just worried that Eric is lurking around where we can't see him. Jessie, he'll go at you right in front of Tay and me knowing that the three of us together would probably kill him. What do you think he'd try if he knew you were alone?" |
| "Jess..you dumbass..we love you. Do you have any idea how hard it was for us to watch you pass out from a torn hamstring? How do you think we'd feel if you were REALLY hurt? HUH? OR DEAD? And don't put that thought out of your mind when it comes to Eric either, because I KNOW he's capable..I saw what happened, I saw him threaten you backstage and Taylor did too..THINK ABOUT THAT...how would he feel if suddenly you weren't here? Jess, quit being so damn stubborn. And please do me a favor and stay in tonight? Please?" he said adamantly. I felt instantly guilty. |