A/N: Thanks to the reviewers again, my ideas just keep coming! :D I just realized I messed up the chapters so we'll just keep it as is, cause I counted the prologue as chapter one, but rather than spread confusion, it's gonna stay the way it is. Okay, just so you know, yes, I noticed that.
And, I did not see the shout out on the message board, I did look for it though, but thank you anyway!
Simple…Chapter 4…I Hope So…
"Oh, come on you have an amazing body, why not show it off?" Hannah encouraged as Jackie skimmed through her closet that evening, after she was 'forced' to come to dinner.
Janet and Hannah said it would be a great way to 'cut loose' for just one night, because they both learned later that Jackie being a single mother and all, didn't really have much of a social life…they wanted to cancel dinner and take her to Sully's for a Girls Night Out, but Jackie refused to 'ruin their ritual' so instead she gave in and came to dinner.
"Why should I have to dress-up, Janet, you're married, Hannah you're getting married, I have no one to impress, it's just dinner.
They both looked at the ceiling, not saying a word.
"No! No, no no way! I don't even know the guy!" Jackie was referring to Ikey, who was coming to dinner as well. She learned about him briefly, just that he was best friends with the guys who also included Owen and Phil, who she would meet soon.
"Oh, don't worry about it; he doesn't even know you're gonna be here, he just thinks he's being included in one of Janet's famous meals."
"Stop it Hannah."
"Don't be modest, you know you can cook."
"Yeah, yeah." Janet rolled her eyes.
"How about this?" Hannah revealed a very conservative medium-length purple dress.
"I would feel stupid if I was the only one dressed up, it's just a small dinner at home, there is no need to go overboard."
"You're right." Janet answered.
"I am? I mean, yes, I am, so sorry Hannah, I will be the girl I am and wear my jeans and nice blouse."
"Fine, fine, Ikey's not too keen on the fancy types anyway."
"Ugh! You are not setting me up with Ikey…no, I have other important things to focus on, like Emma, and finding a decent job."
Jackie was a photographer, but she wanted to find a more stable job, she knew she would be in this town a very long time, she already loved it here, Janet was right, you just can't leave once you get to the Ridge.
"But I mean, think about it, Jackie and Ikey, it even sounds cute." Hannah said honestly, proud of herself.
Jackie put her hand up. "You said he doesn't even know I'm coming, I can't just—"
"Just give him a chance, all right, he really is a nice guy." Hannah interrupted.
"Fine," she signed, "Okay, I will."
Later…
"Hey there pretty girl, did I ever tell you that you look so beautiful when you're busy cooking." Eddie whispered lowly as he helped Janet chop up some vegetables.
"Eddie, stop it…this is not our house, get those dirty thoughts out of your mind. I have a dinner to finish."
"What? I can't tell my wife she's beautiful, I didn't even use a dirty word, I can if that's what you want—"
"Eddie, we are not gonna have a 'quickie' in Hannah's house again…twelve times is enough."
"Thirteen." Eddie smiled mischievously. "I hate that you know me so well."
"No you don't." She stated firmly.
"I know." He bent down and kissed her, but they were interrupted by a knock at the door.
Nick went and answered it, Ikey walked in, clean-shaven, and wearing some nice smelling cologne.
"Hey man, you clean up nice."
"You too man, is that a tie?" Ikey pointed, "I can only imagine what's gonna happen when you and Hannah Jane get hitched."
"Shut up."
"Nice of you to be on time for once Ikey." Sam said as he made is way towards the door.
"When did you teach your son to be a smart ass?" Ikey whispered into Nick's ear.
"He is mine after all." Nick smirked, giving Sam a high five. Nick moved into Hannah's house almost two years ago, about six months before they announced their engagement to the public. Nick fit in right away.
"Hey Ike, nice of you to show up, what goes on?"
"Nothin' much Ed, how late am I?"
"Janet's not even done with dinner yet."
"Okay—" he looked in the direction of Jackie, who was laughing pretty hard with Hannah on the couch, a half-full wine glass in hand. "Who's the girl?" He seemed particularly interested.
Eddie waved for him to come over. "Ikey, this is our new friend, Jackie. Jackie, this is my messed up buddy Ikey."
Jackie stood up, "Hi," she held out her hand, and he shook it. "I'm curious, do you like the name Ikey?"
He laughed lightly and shrugged, "Eh, I don't mind it, better than David."
"David's not so bad, really."
"Yeah, I guess not."
All of the others looked at each other, except for Janet who was still in the kitchen; did he just say it's not that bad?! They all thought. It was well known in the Ridge that Ikey hated his first name, but the fact that he just agreed, really meant something to all of them.
Janet walked in then, "Dinner's almost ready guys, Eddie are the steaks done?"
"Yeah, I left them outside by the grill; I'll go get 'em." Eddie left the room.
Janet looked around, obviously confused, "Did I miss something?"
"What? Uh, no, we were just talking." Ikey covered, his nervousness obvious to everyone around him.
"Okay then…" Janet walked back into the kitchen hiding her knowing smile to everyone else.
Eddie walked in with the steaks a few moments later. "She seems genuine, I like her."
Janet smiled, "I do too, I have a feeling we'll be good friends." She predicted, "We seem to have a lot in common."
"Good, Hannah seems to like her too."
"Yeah, she does." Janet agreed. "Thank you for fixing her window on such short notice."
"No big deal, that was my fault anyway." Janet nodded. "Ikey seems to like her too." Eddie countered, looking over at him.
"Yeah." Janet flashed a grin.
"I miss your smile; it's been hiding the last few months."
She softened, unable to look at him, "Eddie, not now okay, later…I promise."
But she didn't know, she didn't know he heard everything she said the night before, she didn't have to say anything, he already knew.
Eddie nodded, "Do you need anymore help?"
She shook her head, still not looking at him, she seemed ashamed, and he hated it.
"Hey," he replied concerned, when she looked up, water at the brims of her eyes. "Don't cry, everything is alright." She nodded, trying to wipe her eyes, her mascara streaming.
"I'm sick of crying." She mumbled, getting a paper towel to dab the wet spots.
"I know." He pulled her in, kissing her as light as possible on the forehead, and wrapped himself around her. "I love you Janet, I hate seeing you upset."
Everyone was laughing on the opposite side of the house, but as far as they were concerned, they were the only ones in the room.
Later…Riding Home…
Eddie driving, Janet in the passenger seat, his hand placed on top of hers, rubbing it with his fingers.
"Good night huh?"
"Yeah, it was, Ikey couldn't keep his eyes away from her."
Eddie laughed, "Did she say anything about him after he left?"
"She just said that he is not what she expected."
"Interesting."
"Yep."
Eddie and Janet walked hand and hand toward the door. After getting out of her new Jeep, which she got only a few months ago, after her old one gave out.
Eddie walked in, placing his keys and phone into the familiar dish on the table.
"I'm gonna take a shower," Janet said tiredly, "Wanna join me?"
Eddie looked at her, seemingly interested, "You sure?"
She went over to him, pulling him over to her by the hand, she assisted in pulling his shirt off, he pulled his jeans down, struggling with his belt, she helped him with it. He helped her slide down her dress, revealing her light purple panties and bra.
"Those are new." He commented.
"I got them the last time Hannah and I went to Boston." She admitted. He made the first move, a slow moving kiss on the mouth, his tongue begging for entrance, it didn't take her long to accept, that is when things got heated.
He hoisted her up, she wrapped her legs around him as best she could, his lips never leaving hers, he carried her to the bathroom. They stepped into the tub a moment later, she turned around and he unclasped her bra, she let her panties fall to her ankles, and she kicked them over the tub.
"I miss you pretty girl, god you're so fucking beautiful, I love you, I love you so much, god I need this, please—" He pleaded, feeling every part of her as she came close to him again.
"Turn the water on." She demanded; her breath hot on his. He obeyed.
He kissed her again as the water beat down softly on them both. He bit her lip, he touched every part of her, he held her close, he did everything he could in that small space. She savored his touch, she missed it too. "I'm so sorry baby, we haven't really, I mean we have but, I don't know I just, I miss you too." He seemed pleased to hear this, kissing her harder, holding her tighter, the longing for her all there, right in front of her. "I love you, Batman." Even through it all, he still kept his nickname.
He moved slowly, kissing her hard as he ran his hands through her wet, curly, hair. She responded fast, digging her nails into his back, kissing him hard as well, they were both bound to have swollen lips in the morning.
He stopped and looked at her, making sure she was okay, she looked emotionally worn to him, but before he could speak she grabbed a hold of him, pushing herself as hard as she could against his hard body. "Don't stop, please Eddie, keep going…I need you to keep going." And that was all he needed to hear.
They completely did it, every touch, every moan, everything right there; they both got their satisfaction. Afterwards, lathering each other with soap and washing each others' hair.
"It's been a long time since we had sex standing." Janet recalled, "I'm so sorry Eddie, that I've been…broken these past few months…" Janet apologized, as they both lay in bed, still naked.
"You've kept it together, for the most part, I understand what you're going through Janet, you have to be able to tell me things, I know, you do, but today, when you fell apart, I just, you need to tell me when you're hurting…" He looked at her, all serious, and her heart sank, "and I promise you, I'll do the same."
"It seems like people always want what they can't have, and I guess that's just how it is with us. I just—"
"Want it to happen." He looked down at her, giving her a knowing look. "It's okay Janet…it's okay." He caressed her face as thetears began to fall; she smoothed her hands over her belly, holding on to the moment.
"Oh Eddie, you heard me," she processed it, "oh god, I just, I needed to get it out, even if I thought you weren't listening."
"It's okay pretty girl, you should know I'm always listening." He wiped his own eyes, noticing they were becoming damp.
"I know, you're really good at that…I'm sorry, I just feel so helpless right now, but like I said I know you're here with me, now and always."
"I'm glad, I'll always be strong for you, even though I know sometimes I don't have to be."
She sat up, kissing his chest, then lay back down, starting to play with his chest hair.
Long after she fell asleep, Eddie lay tangled in the blankets with Janet as close as possible. He rubbed small circles on her back and tried his best to fall asleep, but he just couldn't. He loved holding her while she slept, her breathing even, totally at peace.
"That was amazing pretty girl, thank you." He whispered, but she stirred, gripping him tighter.
Janet and Jackie made what could be called a 'fast friendship', it had been two weeks since the dinner party and they became inseparable. Shortly after annual dinner, Jackie met Owen, Phil and Pizza Girl. Jackie wondered again what it was with Knight's Ridge and their odd nicknames. Pizza Girl and Jackie seemed to get along really well, and without Jackie or Janet knowing all the guys discussed how hot she was, hot being Owen's favorite word. Eddie just sat back and laughed at his dorky friends.
Hannah usually followed suit, but on this particular weekend she went with Sam and Nick to go visit her parents.
"Really, Janet, you don't have to do this—"
"Jackie stop being difficult, I'm gonna watch Emma, that's it."
"You haven't even asked Eddie yet, it wouldn't be right to just spring her on him."
"Have you seen him with her, he's so careful, and she's always giggling whenever he's in the room."
"True, but I just don't want to you know…" she started, "Get in the way."
"How would you be in the way? It's just one night. You have a job interview, this is important."
"Yeah, okay…if you're sure." Jackie gave in, taking a handful of cheese puffs, "I can't believe how good these are."
"I can't believe you've never had them before."
Just then, Emma started wailing from next door in Janet's room, where they set up her playpen and she fell asleep. Jackie moved to get up, but Janet stopped her. "Stay put, I'll get her." But before Jackie could protest, Janet was already walking towards the bedroom.
She lifted the baby up, snuggling her close. "Hey there girl, you hungry?"
The toddler smiled, "Mama?"
Janet walked into the living room, Jackie still on the couch, watching the TV intently. "There she is." Janet said in her best baby voice, walking towards Jackie.
"Hey there, beautiful. Did you sleep good?" Emma nodded in response, holding her arms out to Jackie. Jackie took her, and set her on her lap. She went to the baby bag on her lap, pulling out a toy. "Here ya go." She handed her the toy, and Emma got up and went to sit on the floor to play.
"I'm gonna get her some juice." Janet walked to the fridge and got out some apple juice and poured it into a sippy cup.
Janet squat down and handed her the juice. "Apple, your favorite."
"Apple!" Emma gladly accepted.
Jackie laughed as Janet sat back down on the couch. Jackie handed her the bag of cheese puffs. "You should have some, before I eat them all."
"No thanks."
Jackie speculated, but took another one out of the bag. "You okay?"
Janet nodded, "Yeah, I just you know…" she looked over at Emma, all happy drinking her juice. "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure, anything."
"What did it feel like? I've asked Hannah, but it was so long ago with Sam, she doesn't remember…"
"Being pregnant?" Janet nodded. "Oh, Janet, it's not what you expect it to be…I always thought it was a beautiful thing, and it really is…when you get there," she looked at Janet, her voice sounded firm, "and you will, I know you will…it's just amazing, I mean it was a bit weird at first, but honestly I didn't know I was pregnant until I was three months, so I missed out on the beginning, I didn't really have morning sickness, so I didn't really notice until I was late, so busy with the divorce that the thought didn't even cross my mind. But once I knew, I was really scared, but mostly happy, because I wanted it for so long. It's different for everyone, but I'm positive you'll love it."
"I hope so."
"Plus you have the support. Eddie is crazy about you."
Janet smiled shyly, "He is isn't he? He's so sure about this, that it's going to happen, and I really don't want to disappoint him."
"It's not like you can control this, it will happen when it's supposed to, it will."
"I hope you're right."
"He looks at you like you're the most important thing in the world," she signed. "You're lucky to have that."
"I know," Janet sighed, "You know it's not too late for you to have that." Janet gave her a priceless I-know-what-you're-thinking-so-don't-even-try-to-hide-it look.
"Please, he's totally not a kid person."
"Hey, I didn't even bring up Ikey…"
"Shut up."
"All I'm saying is, well…"
"What?"
"Well…Eddie told me yesterday that he left you a few messages on your machine, and he can't stop talking about you."
Jackie blushed. "So, I'm playing hard to get…no big deal."
Janet laughed, "You know, he really is a good guy."
"I'm sure he is, but…"
"You're scared."
"That obvious, I'm just not ready, I mean, I dated after Nate, one guy, Eric, and he was great, we had fun, and things moved way too fast, and more of a friends-first kinda girl, you know?" Janet understood. "But he didn't want that…it didn't end well, and Emma was attached to him, and I just can't do that again, I have her to think about, she comes first."
"Absolutely. But he's not asking for a life-long relationship, just coffee, a chance to get to know you…"
"Okay, but I mean, I don't know."
"Give it a shot, the worst that could happen is you gain a friend, you can never have too many friends right?"
"Right…I guess not."
Janet smiled satisfied with herself.
"Well, my job interview is in a few hours, at six actually, the only time they could fit me in, go figure, late in the evening, so I should run home and get a change of clothes for Emma, and change into one of my suits or something, I don't know, god, um—"
Janet was beginning to realize that Jackie ranted when she was trying to get a point across, or when she was nervous. "Jackie, calm down. Sit down." She listened. "Breathe. I have a spare change of clothes for Emma here, remember last week she spilled spaghetti sauce on it, yeah, I got the stain out, so you don't need to go home and get clothes.
"Oh, okay…but I still have to—"
"You have time, go home, take a nice bath, put on your suit, and go to your interview with a smile…don't be nervous, I mean I know you want this job, believe me, it took me a long time to leave Sully's, to go back to college, to finish college, and to land my teaching job. You already are done with all of the hard stuff, you just need to find a place…you can do this too."
"How do you know?"
"I may not have known you for very long, but you're very headstrong, you do what you have to for the sake of your daughter and yourself, you do things you set your mind to. Some things you just know. Okay?"
"Right, okay." She breathed for what seemed like the first time, "thanks."
"Anytime, now if you really think you need to go now, go ahead, I've got Emma covered."
"Are you sure?" Janet glared at her.
"Ugh, okay…I'll be back to get her after. Thanks Janet, I owe you one." She walked to Emma, giving her kiss on the cheek. "Be good, okay," the toddler nodded. And with one last look at Janet, she was out the door.
A/N: So I was gonna make this longer, because I just couldn't stop writing, but next update will be coming soon, and if you guys are already sick of Jackie, sorry about that, I meant to include other things in the chapter…so how'd I do?