A/N – Okay, don't shoot! I'm back. And blame my lack of updating on the stupid school system. Whoever invented homework is a very bad person. ARGH!!
Okay, okay, enough of my ranting. Oh, one more quick thing. I was bored in my computer class so I scrolled over all my old reviews and I noticed I haven't heard from some people in a while. I hope you guys are still reading, just lurking somewhere. I hope I didn't disappoint you guys. Reviews are always appreciated. Anywho, here chapter 29. HAPPY READING!!!
Disclaimer – *Moves hands over crystal ball* Is owning CSI NY in my future? *Crystal ball suddenly disappears* I guess not.
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Don arrived back home about ten minutes after dropping Vanessa off at school, a lot on his mind. A part of him wanted to believe that Vanessa was just making it up or trying to mess with him. At the same time, he wasn't really sure. He knew he loved Jess and if she was ready for that next step then he would understand. He just didn't know if he was ready.
Why? He wasn't completely sure. Did he love her? Of course. Did he want to spend the rest of his life with her? Yes to that too. After thinking about all of those things, he forgot why he wasn't ready. Maybe he was.
Walking up to the door, he spotted a familiar brunette coming out.
"Sam?"
Sam looked up at Don, smiling as she made her way over to him to give him a hug.
"What are you doing here?" he asked.
"I was just in the neighborhood." She said simply.
"The neighborhood?" he questioned.
"Look, why I'm here isn't important. What is however, is a certain someone living in your apartment." She commented.
"Sam." He began, a warning tone in his voice.
"Don't worry Donnie. I was nice. She's really cool."
"What about…" he trailed off.
"It's not an issue anymore. Plus I've been sober for two months now." She told him, knowing what he was referring to.
Don smiled at his younger sister. "I'm proud of ya kid."
Sam returned the gesture. She was proud of herself too. It hadn't been easy but she was commented to changing and so far had done a good job of that.
"Thanks. I'm proud of you too. I mean, look at you. Got kids and stuff. Next you know you'll be getting married."
Don chuckled at his sister. "First of all Sam, its kid, not kids. Trust me, Vanessa ain't got no siblings coming anytime soon."
Sam nodded. "Okay, so that part was wrong but I can tell that you and Jess will be saying your vows eventually."
"We'll see." Don said simply
After seeing her off, he made his way back upstairs into the apartment. He opened the front door and could hear Jess's voice from the foyer.
"Look mother, I already told you, we're going to Don's parents...No, I'm not gonna be cooking…Geez, thanks for the vote of confidence."
Don chuckled to himself. When it came to simple meals, Jess did fine, but he knew that she was not one for Christmas dinner type meals.
He made his way into the kitchen, smiling as she noticed him walk in.
She returned the gesture, holding up her forefinger as if to say one minute.
Don nodded, moving towards the refrigerator. He groaned, noting how empty it was.
"Look, mother, I gotta go…Yes, I promise…I will…she's fine…Bye." Jess let out a long sigh.
"That sounded like a fun conversation." Don commented, from behind the refrigerator door.
Jess snorted, leaning against the counter. "Yeah, that's not the word I was going for but I guess it will do."
Don closed the door before walking over to Jess, wrapping his arms around her waist. "You okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine." She answered with a nod, before a low grumbling sound filled the room. "Just a little hungry though."
Don chuckled, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Well, unless you want a ham and ketchup sandwich, I figured we could go out somewhere."
"I second that notion detective."
Don chuckled down at Jess. "You're somethin' else, ya know that."
Jess shrugged. "So, I've been told."
Don grinned down at her, her expression matching his.
"So, besides breakfast, what other plans did you have?" she asked.
"Nothing much. To be honest, I wouldn't mind sittin' in all day." He commented.
Before Jess could answer, there was a loud knock at the door.
Don gave her a curious glance before moving towards the door. He swung it open, surprised to see the person behind it.
"Hey, Bean," Will greeted excitedly.
He didn't wait for Don to respond before he walked into the apartment, nodding approvingly as he looked around.
"Hey Don, who was…Will," Jess exclaimed, surprised to see her brother in her apartment. "What are you doing here?" She asked, after enveloping him in a tight hug.
"I'm you're new neighbor." He told them.
"You moved next door?" Don asked in shock.
"Okay, well, I don't mean new neighbor as in I moved into the building. I mean it more like I now live about ten minutes away from here." He told them.
"You moved to the city?" Jess asked in disbelief.
"No, I mean I live ten minutes away but in a whole different city," he commented sarcastically, earning him a smack on the shoulder from Jess.
"When did you move?" Don asked.
"A couple of days ago." Will said with a shrug, moving to the living room and taking a seat on the sofa.
"What did Mom say?" Jess inquired as she and Don followed.
"I'll let you know."
Jess' jaw nearly hit the floor. "You didn't tell her. She's going to kill you." She practically yelled.
"Well I guess it's good that my sister and her boyfriend are both detectives. If I turn up dead, you guys already gotta suspect," he joked.
Don chuckled, as Jess looked in disbelief at her brother. "I can't believe you."
"Well, best believe it sista. You get to see me everyday. Whoa." Will teased her, propping his feet up on the coffee table.
Jess couldn't help but laugh at her brother antics. Will could definitely be annoying at times, but she did love that he was now closer.
"So wait," Don started. "Why exactly did you move?"
"My job had this offer to be project manager at one of the sites here in the city. It's gonna take a couple of years to work on so the move was pretty much permanent. I love Jersey but I figured a change would be fun."
Will worked as an architect with a local firm back in Jersey. Even though he would never admit to, Will was very smart. Math was always a strongpoint for him. He could do calculations in his head faster than Jess ever could do, even with a calculator.
"That's great Will." Jess congratulated.
Will shrugged, settling more into the couch. "I know." He said simply.
Jess rolled her eyes at her brother. "Just so you know when Mom finds out, you're on your own buddy."
"That's okay. Once she sees the cruise tickets I got her and Dad for Christmas, she'll forget."
For second time, Jess's jaw nearly hit the floor. "You got them a cruise?"
"Yup. Once again, the award for best gift goes to yours truly." He boasted.
"Great. That's gonna make my new DVD player look like crap." She complained with a groan.
"Jess, when will you ever learn that you just can't compete with the Will? He's too amazing." Will told her.
"Would you please stop talking about yourself in third person? You know I hate that." Jess asked in annoyance.
"This is why I do it."
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Vanessa walked out of the school building, heading towards her father's car that sat next to the curb.
"Hola, father." She greeted as she climbed into the car.
"Brushing up on your Spanish there, Ness?" he asked, as he pulled away and merged into the traffic.
"A girl's gotta have her hidden talents." She joked.
Don chuckled, making a left. "So, I figured we could stop to pick up something for dinner, since we don't have any food in the apartment.'
"I thought you and Jess were gonna go grocery shopping today. Oh, wait. Let me guess. You guys got sidetracked with all that gross kissing stuff."
"For you information Ms. Smarty Pants, Will moved to New York so we spent the day helping him move into his apartment."
"Why did he move to New York?"
"He got a job offer in the city." Don told her.
"Is that it?" she questioned.
"Yeah, why?"
"I have a feeling there more to his story," she stated.
"And why do think that?" Don asked, amused.
"It's just a hunch. He's got another motive for moving here." She informed him.
"Too many mystery novels, Ness." He told her, as he pulled up in front of there building.
As they got out of the car, Don offered to take her backpack for her, but she declined. "Don't worry about. I don't want you to hurt your back or anything."
"Why would I hurt my back?"
"Because you're getting old." She answered as they made there way up the steps.
Don pretended to be hurt as they walked down to their door. "What makes you think that?"
Vanessa shrugged. "Because you're forgetting things already," she stated, fighting back a grin.
"And what exactly have I forgotten." He asked, opening the front door.
"That we were supposed to pick up dinner since there isn't anymore food in the house."
She laughed out loud as Don shoulders dropped and he turned around to head back out.
"Old man." She joked before heading into the apartment to tell Jess about everything.
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Don left the apartment and drove down the street, heading towards their favorite take out spot. He was about to turn right when a certain store caught his attention.
In a spur of the moment decision, he changed the direction of the car.
He pulled up into the only available space that was happened to be directly in front of the store.
He sat in the car for a moment, trying to mentally prepare himself. He sighed one last time before getting out of the car and making his way into the store.
"Can I help you?" the woman at the counter asked.
Don hesitated for a moment trying to find the right words.
Finally gaining enough courage, he spoke to the awaiting saleswoman.
"I'm looking for an engagement ring."
