Past Post: To make a bet after an event has started.


Thursday morning, two days until the wedding

Cece wandered out of Schmidt's room in his blue silk kimono, yawning. Walking up behind him while he sat on one of the bar stools at the island counter, she kissed his cheek and rubbed his back.

"Hey babe."

Schmidt reached his arm around her waist and pulled her close. "Morning, my gorgeous goddess. How did you sleep?"

"Mmmmm," She snaked her arms around his neck as he spun toward her on the seat, positioning her between his legs. "Amazing, as usual." She pressed a quick kiss to his lips and pulled back, letting another yawn escape her lips. "But I neeeeed coffee. Like NOW."

Schmidt let out a laugh and hopped off the stool. "Your wish is my command." He pulled a mug off the shelf as he opened the cabinet and filled it with the steaming hot liquid.

Cece sat down on a stool as he slid it across the counter towards her. "God, I am SO tired. These all day shoots are killing me. Remind me to sleep for like, DAYS after the ceremony."

Schmidt came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his chin on her shoulder. "You really think you'll be able to sleep?!"

"Funny, Schmidt." Cece rolled her eyes and brought the steaming cup to her lips. She closed her eyes and took a long, careful sip.

Schmidt took a seat next to her, his hand rubbing her back. "So, I picked up your ring yesterday." He wiggled his eyebrows as she quickly turned her head to look at him.

"Really?!" She placed the mug on the counter and laid her hands over his on the counter. "Tell me what it looks like! Pleaaaaase!?"

Schmidt scoffed. "As. If." He rolled his eyes and gave her another quick kiss. "You can't see it until the ceremony. We had an agreement."

She scrunched her face in disgust, taking another sip of coffee. "Fine." She let out a little laugh, glancing at him sideways. "Not even one little hint?"

He leaned forward, resting a hand on her back. "Well of course it's a very large diamond..."

She swatted at him. "HA HA, very funny..." Cece smiled and patted his cheek as he started to stand up. "I can't wait to see it."

Grinning widely, he smoothed his tie and walked to the sink with his mug. "So, I might be late tonight finishing up at work, then we'll head down for the marriage license tomorrow morning?"

Cece narrowed her eyes as she rested her elbows on the counter and brought the mug to her lips once more. "Is this when I finally, as your wife, get to see that birth certificate and your first name?"

Schmidt leaned back on the sink. "Please. I had the state of California legally change my name to just Schmidt a decade ago. I'm like Cher...or Madonna."

"So, like an old female singer with a questionable sense of fashion..."

"It's very difficult being a style icon, Cece."

Cece slid off the stool and kissed his cheek as she leaned passed him to put her mug in the sink behind him. "You know the rules, buddy." She walked her fingers up his arm, before tapping his nose twice with a flirtatious smile. "No 'I do's' until I see that name..."

Schmidt grabbed her waist and pulled her close, a huge smile across his face. "You drive a hard bargain. Are you sure you don't want to convert? You'd make a excellent Jew."

She rolled her eyes and snaked her arms around his neck, sinking into a passionate kiss.


Nick woke up the next morning feeling Jess' head resting comfortably on his chest. He had gotten back late from a shift at the bar and Jess had already been asleep when he climbed into bed beside her. He hadn't spoken to her since he had stormed out of the loft to help Remy. He smiled as his hand gently stroked the soft hair laying across her back. She began to stir and turned her head, resting her chin on his chest and opening her eyes lazily to look at him.

Nick brought a hand to her cheek and gently ran his thumb under her eye. His voice cracked as he spoke softly, "Morning, beautiful."

She blinked her eyelids heavily several times. "Hey."

He frowned, still playing with her hair. "Sorry about yesterday."

Jess took a deep breath and scooted up just enough to rest her head on his shoulder, pressing her body against his as she threw her arm across his chest in a tight hug. "Me too."

Nick laughed. "Jess, you have nothing to be sorry for. I was being an ass."

She smiled, poking him playfully before hugging him tighter. "Well, I still love you."

They laid in silence for a few moments before Jess propped herself up on her elbow. She entwined her fingers with the hand laying on his chest and looked down at him. "Nick, are we...okay?" She bit her lip and frowned.

"Hey," He gave her hand a quick squeeze before letting go to cup her face in his palm. "I really am sorry."

"I know, but...with this whole wedding and..."

Nick swallowed hard thinking back to his conversation with Winston the night before.

Cece getting married so fast has to be getting in her head a little.

He studied her face carefully, but just as he was about to say something, Jess spoke.

"You aren't feeling any pressure, right?" Nick stared blankly at her and shook his head slowly. "I mean, I know you're not ready to talk about all of that." She smiled and rubbed his chest.

Nick blinked hard. "Jess, I actually wanted to..."

She continued, lost in her own thoughts. "I can't even imagine how crazy it's probably going to get in the next couple of days, especially once we get to Vegas..."

"But Jess, I..."

Jess leaned over and kissed his lips passionately. His hands tangled in her hair as she melted against him. When she pulled back, she was smiling and brushed her hand across his forehead and over his cheek. "Let's just enjoy our anniversary. Okay?" She stared excitedly at him as she bit her lip, her deep blue eyes so mesmerizing in the morning light. He hoped he could always see her this happy and he'd do anything for the look she was giving him in that moment.

Nick nodded and took a deep breath, his lips trying to form a smile. He choked on his words and tugged gently on one of the curls wrapped around his fingers. "Whatever you want, Jess."

Jess smiled. "Good." She leaned over for another quick kiss, before collapsing her head back onto his chest, happily wrapping her arm tightly across his waist.

Nick stared at the ceiling as he nervously ran his tongue along the inside of his mouth. Taking a deep breath, he pulled Jess closer and kissed the top of her head.

Insecurity setting in, he started to think that maybe he would take a few more days to think about a proposal.