"Now guys, I feel its my duty to warn you..." Winston began looking uneasy as they climbed from the taxi into the driveway of a lovely home.
"Of What?" Cece wondered as they busied themselves with the removal and sorting of luggage. As she spoke Nick came bustling down the driveway towards them with a nervous face.
"Winston...?"
"Yeah man, I already warned them" he answered Nick's unfinished request.
"Of what exactly this time?" Schmidt quipped as he thrust a bill at the irritated cab driver.
"Just remember guys, they are grieving" Nick answered as way of an explanation, he grabbed Jess' luggage from her and guided her up the driveway his hand in the small of her back.
"Again, of what?" Cece asked Schmidt as he scooped up her handbag.
Looking at her, all he managed to do was shake his head. Taking a deep breath he pulled her in through the doorway after him.
Pandemonium. Pandemonium and chaos.
The only way to describe what they were seeing - a house seemingly filled with Miller's of all ages - arguing, cleaning, singing, shouting, crying. Utter chaos.
Looking like he wished he was ANYWHERE but his family livingroom Nick began..
"Everyone, this is my friends Jess and Cece" he pointed at the two young women "You all remember Schmidt and Winston of course" he finished as 3 people descended on them eagerly.
"Hi beautiful" spoke an attractive young man bearing a familial resemblance to Nick, although to which of the women he was addressing exactly remained to be seen.
Schmidt quickly snaked an arm around Cece, "Bobby" he said gruffly.
"Jess, Cece this is my cousin Bobby from Boston" Nick indicated to the man in question and then turning pointed to an attractive young couple - the man bearing an eerie resemblance to Nick.
"This is my brother Jamie and my sister in law Trina"
"Hi, so nice to meet you"
Jamie turned to place an arm around his brother, something unspoken passed between them.
Sensing the shift in mood Trina stepped forward and spoke.
"I was just about to clean the kitchen before the caterer comes in with the equipment for tomorrow - perhaps you gals wouldn't mind giving me a hand?"
"Of course, we would be happy too" piped up Jess with a smile thrilled to be able to do something useful grabbing Cece from Schmidt's embrace she dragged her towards the kitchen.
Bobby watched them go with a leer, turning to Nick he smirked. "Nice"
Growling he stepped passed his idiot of a cousin, where the hell was the aspirin when you needed it?
As she stepped into the kitchen Jess was greeted with a bone crushing hug from a plump middle aged woman wearing a floral dress that could only be described as a curtain in a past life.
"You must be Jessica! I am Nick's aunt Ruth, or Ruthie as everyone calls me. I am so happy to meet you I know that Nick talks about you all the time - although I wish I didn't meet you this way" she finished with a stifled sob.
Jess patted her back awkwardly "Me too" she gasped as her ability to breath was restricted.
As Ruth released her Jess indicated Cece to her right "This is my best friend Cece" not giving Ruth the opportunity to hug her the way she hugged Jess - Cece thrust out her hand with a big smile effectively cutting Ruth off at the pass.
"I am so sorry for your loss"
"Thank you dear" she shook hands warmly. Looking past Cece, she spotted Schmidt and Winston luring in the hall.
"BOYS" she exclaimed arms upward in a large V as she bee lined towards them. Fake smiles plasted to their faces and terror in their eyes they cried "Aunt Ruthie" as she captured them in a single crushing embrace.
Trina looked apologetic as she said "Walt was her brother" as if that would explain Jess' current bruising to her ribs.
I was just previewing some music as well, she mentioned as they cleaned. As she did so Roy Orbison filled the air (A/N Love this song - it's so perfect for them! Unfortunately I don't own anything :()
Every time I look into your lovely eyes,
I see a love that money just can't buy.
One look from you, I drift away.
I pray that you are here to stay.
Anything you want, you got it.
Anything you need, you got it.
Anything at all, you got it.
Baby!
Every time I hold you I begin to understand,
Everything about you tells me I'm your man.
I live my life to be with you.
No one can do the things you do.
Anything you want, you got it.
Anything you need, you got it.
Anything at all, you got it.
Baby!
Anything you want
Anything you need
Anything at all
I'm glad to give my love to you.
I know you feel the way I do.
Anything you want, you got it.
Anything you need, you got it.
Anything at all, you got it.
Baby!
Anything you want, you got it
Anything you need, you got it
Anything at all, you got it
Baby
Anything at all
Baby
You got it
Nick walked into the kitchen, catching Jess' attention. She stepped close as he leaned down to speak softly in her ear hand on her shoulder.
She nodded at whatever it was he was saying - giving him a squeeze and a soft smile. He said something else which caused her to laugh and lean into him as he grinned back at her. It was at that precise moment that his mother came into the kitchen.
At the sight before her, she narrowed her eyes and spoke.
"This really isn't the time to be laughing and I highly doubt that Roy Orbison is appropriate at a time like this!, Nicholas if your finished with your "friend" I need you to take a look at a few things for me" she finished her distain for Jess growing . She paused waiting impatiently for her son.
"Your right mom, it isn't the time. Excuse me Jess" he smiled in an attempt to soften the blow as he squeeze her a final time before following his mother out the door.
A/N Sooo? What do you think. Next up dinner in which declarations made and Nick suddenly develops a fondness for long walks.!
