"Uncle Winston!" Josie yelled as she ran across the restaurant to the table where Winston, Aly, Cece, and Schmidt sat.
"She's too old to run like that" Royce whispered into Jess's ear.
"She's only five." Jess snapped back. "Aly! Winston! Marriage looks great on you!" She leaned in hugging the couple.
Winston fluttered his eyelashes. "The Caribbean was great. I mean look at this tan!"
Aly laughed. "I hear congratulations are in order for you two as well?"
Jess smiled and held out her hand. Royce chuckled. "yup! Finally tied her down!"
"Oh my God." Aly gasped.
Royce frowned. "It was a joke. . . I know that Jess is an independent. . "
"Is that. . . . Nick?" Winston muttered, his mouth opened wide in disbelief.
Jess turned around just in time to see Nick walking toward them, looking devilishly handsome in black suit pants, and a crisp black dress shirt.
"I hope you don't mind, I invited him out with us tonight." Schmidt stammered. "He's really trying to make amends."
Royce linked his fingers with Jess's. He leaned in close, whispering softly in Jess's ear. "Nick. . . . . as in Josie's. . . "
Jess gripped his hand tighter. "Yes. Shhhh. I'll explain later."
Nick approached the table. "Long time no see?" He said, as he fidgeted with the silver watch that adorned his wrist.
Winston cleared his throat. "Nicholas Miller."
"I know Winston. I really am sorry, for everything."
"You got a lot of nerve coming around here." His voice was loud, booming throughout the restaurant, causing patrons to stare.
Nick's eyes widened, embarrassed at Winston's outburst. "Can we talk, outside or something?"
Winston's voice grew louder. "Can we talk about how you abandoned your family? How you abandoned Jess?"
Josie looked up at Jess. "Mommy? Why does Uncle Winston not like Nick?" Her tiny words, slicing through the tension.
"Winston!" Jess hissed. "That's enough." She pulled him away from the table.
"I'm sorry Jess, but just the sight of him. . . he. . . "
"I know." She sighed. "but he's trying."
"He's trying? Oh, Jess honey, he's already got you back under his spell?" Winston's face was hot with anger.
Jess frowned. "It's not that."
"Do you not remember what it was like when he left? Because let me tell you, it was awful. The spark was gone out of those big blue eyes. You were a shell of a person. I didn't think you were ever going to be ok. You scared me Jess."
Jess sighed. "I've got to forgive him Winston. If not for myself, for Josie. I don't know why he left, but he's back. He's back, and honestly, he's trying. I don't want him to leave again. As much as it hurts to see him, it hurts more when he's gone. I. . . I finally feel whole again."
Winston hugged Jess. "I'm sorry."
Jess hugged him tight. "It's ok. Schmidt punched him."
Winston laughed. "Why didn't I think of that. "
He walked back to the table, and put his hand on Josie's shoulder. "I'm sorry Josie."
He glanced over at Jess. "I'm okay." she mouthed.
Winston swallowed hard, putting away his pride. He pulled out the chair next to his. "So, I hear Pepperwood finally made it to the best sellers?"
…
"Josie, you need to finish your pizza." Royce said, counting out the cash for their part of the bill. "Can't believe you ordered pizza at such a fine restaurant."
Josie's face scrunched up. "It's just the crust."
Royce rolled his eyes. "You're not going to finish your food, and then go home and want those sugary fruit snacks."
"I don't like the pizza bones either." Nick said, leaning towards Josie.
Josie giggled. "Pizza bones?"
Nick arranged the crust on her plate, to resemble a whole pizza. "See? It looks like the pizza's skeleton. Pizza bones."
Royce sighed. "Don't teach her to play with her food."
Nick began to say something, but bit his tongue. He was Josie's father, biologically, but this was the man that Jess had chosen to be Josie's dad.
Jess's eyes locked with Nick's. Her heart beat erratically, a spark of energy coursing through her body. "Sorry." Nick mumbled.
Jess scooted out her chair. "We should be getting home. It's almost Josie's bed time."
"see you later." Nick replied, a familiar ache creeping into his chest.
"Bye!" Jess called, as she linked hands with Royce and walked out, Josie next to her.
Nick's eyes were fixed on Jess, taking in the familiar silhouette of her body. Sure, she's filled out a little more, but it only made her better. the thin material of her dress curved more at her hips, and all-night Nick had imagined his hands grasping them tight, and pulling her close to him. Her hair was in a high ponytail, showcasing the creamy white skin at the base of her neck. She had always loved when he kissed her neck, and just the thought sent shivers down his spine.
"Hello. . . Earth to Nick. " Winston said, snapping his fingers.
Nick broke away from the sight of Jess leaving, and turned back to the conversation. "Sorry. What?"
"First things first, Forget it. I mean it. Leave her alone, she's happy now." Winston quipped.
Nick was taken aback by Winston's words. "I. . . I didn't plan. . . "
"I saw the way you looked at her, It's the same way she looked at you."
Nick's heart fluttered at the mention of Jess still having feelings for him. "I promise you, I'm not here to mess with her. She's moved on, I need to accept that."
Winston nodded. "Exactly. I forgive you, and I'm all for second chances, but you don't get a second chance with Jess. "
"I won't hurt her. . . . again."
Winston smiled. "as long as we're on the same page."
Nick stood up. "I should probably go home on that note."
"Where is home now?" Schmidt asked.
"I'm at the Westin right now. They've let me pay by the week." Nick replied.
"That's absurd. The Westin is four stars at best. We have an extra room at the loft." Schmidt said.
Cece choked on her sip of wine, surprised at Schmidt's generosity.
Nick shook his head. "I'm alright. Clean sheets and continental breakfast."
Schmidt tossed his napkin aside. "Nonsense. Come stay with us. We don't mind."
Cece nodded. "you're more than welcome."
Nick smiled, "Yeah? I'd like that."
…
The car ride home was silent and cold. As soon as Josie was tucked into bed, all that words Royce had been holding back, came flooding out. "When were you going to tell me that HE was back in town?"
Jess sighed. She slipped on her pajama top. "I was going to tell you. I just needed to find a good time."
"Is there ever a good time to tell your fiancé that the long-lost father of your child is back in town?"
"There's nothing there, Royce. No need to get upset." Jess snapped.
Royce rolled his eyes. "Him being back is trouble Jessica, and you know it. You still talk about him in your sleep! If he's in your dreams, what will it mean now that he's here in the flesh?"
Jess wrapped her arms around Royce's neck. "He hurt me Royce. When I talk about him in my sleep, those aren't dreams, those are nightmares. I promise you, it's nothing."
Royce slipped his arms around Jess's tiny waist. "I'm just overprotective I guess. You and Josie are the best things to ever happen to me. I don't want to lose you."
Jess stood up on her tippy toes and kissed him. "I'm holding on too tight to you for that to happen."
"Let's go to bed." Royce said, kissing her softly.
Jess crawled into bed, and kissed Royce. "Goodnight babe."
"Goodnight." He said and turned out the light. Jess turned over, dread filling her body. It was no surprise she mentioned Nick in her sleep, because she dreamed of him quite often. Dreams of Nick, his arms around her waist, his lips on her neck. Dreams so vivid, she could feel the prickly hairs of his beard, rough against her neck, the beat of his heart against hers. She knew he was trouble. She curled up next to Royce, and laid there, fighting off thoughts of Nick, until sleep overcame her.
