I was stuck with this chapter but your reviews pulled me through it so thank you so much! Hope you enjoy :)
Jack and Nikki strolled through the illuminated streets, their hands still joined. It was odd, they had known each other for years - although at times it felt like a lifetime and they had been through so much together. Yet, at this present moment in time they were struggling to find things to talk about. Not that the silence bothered them as such, they were used to each other's silence; it was no longer awkward. But both were slightly amused by the lack of conversation.
Jack opened his mouth to speak, obviously finding a good enough topic to bring up, "We've never really spoken about what happened in Mexico…" Well, that was not what Nikki was expecting.
"What's to say? It's been nearly three years now Jack. I would've thought we'd moved on from all that," she stopped in her tracks, pulling Jack to face her.
"We have, but I never got to tell you how it was for me. How I felt. The things I never got round to telling you and by the time I worked up the courage to say something, it was too late, life got in the way," Jack breathed.
Nikki sighed, feeling as though everything just clicked into place. The penny had dropped. She had been so wrapped up in her own worries and troubles, she acknowledged Jack's problems but never truly gave him the chance to speak. She could kick herself for being so selfish. Sure, she hadn't realised it at the time and she had her own thing going on but Jack was her best friend, she was meant to be aware of these things. She was meant to offer him a shoulder as much as he gave her one. She squeezed his hand - a reassurance, encouraging him to continue with what he wanted to say.
"I don't want to scare you off and I know this is way too soon but what I told you in the hospital all those weeks ago, I meant it," a nervous smile flashed across his face and he was sure that she could probably hear his heart racing. "It's what I wanted to tell you the other day, when we were in the basement."
She nodded, quickly realising what he was getting at. She'd be lying if she said she hadn't thought about what happened in the hospital, replaying it over and over again in her head. At the time, she just assumed that he meant it for his Dad, he was drugged up and confused after all. But the small part of her couldn't help but imagine, almost hope, that it was meant for her as well. And now here she was, so many weeks later and her suspicions were being confirmed. And she also now finally found out what he wanted to tell her and if she was being honest, she wasn't surprised.
Stepping forward, Nikki dropped his hand. She reached up on her tippy toes and looped her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. She smiled as she felt his arms encircle her waist, holding her close and lifting her from the ground slightly. She felt his warm breath on her neck as he tucked his head under her ear. They remained like that for a few moments, just simply enjoying each other's company and the feeling of their bodies pressed against each other.
Nikki pulled back from him, her feet returning to the floor. Her hands resting on his biceps. She looked up at him, his eyes searching hers. She found herself flicking between his eyes and his lips. A small grin on her face as she realised he was doing the same. Her hand travelled from his arm to the back of his neck. Encouraging him and he was quick to respond. He was soon leaning down, his lips connecting with hers. At first a peck. This is new territory for both of them. The first step to a change in their relationship.
Jack wanted to be sure, he knew what he wanted but he couldn't be totally sure of Nikki. She had said yes to him of course, but he needed to know if she was in this for real, for definite. He didn't have much time to think about it before her lips were crashing into his. It took him a fraction of a second to realise what was going on before his arms were wrapping around her tighter, pulling her closer. He ran his tongue along her bottom lip, asking for permission which was granted as the kiss deepened.
Nikki pulled away, her face mirroring his as a smirk etched across Jack's face. "You would not believe how long I've wanted to do that," he chuckled.
"Jack," she poked him in the chest, pushing herself back from him. She shivered from the loss of contact between the two of them, although his hand was yet to leave the small of her back. "Do you reckon that pub's got a roaring fire? I'm freezing." She pointed to the entrance of the small pub behind Jack.
They stayed at the pub for the remainder of the night, even fitting in a game of pool to which they shared a giggle as Jack was adamant that that was their actual first date all those years ago. But he soon went quiet again when Nikki asked him what number of dates they were on now then if that was the case. Their night ended with Nikki winning, although Jack would argue he let her win. They had made their way back to Jack's car before eventually dropping Nikki back home. Sticking to his gentleman ways, he helped her out of the car and walked her to her door.
"I've had a wonderful night Nikki, thank you," he spoke, standing on her doorstep.
"Me too, what's next?" She cringed, quickly realising that she was coming on a bit too strong. "Is that a bit eager?"
Jack laughed, "No, it's nice to know that I haven't left you wanting to run for the hills. Actually," he stopped. "It's my Da's birthday tomorrow and a few of his mates are having a get together at the pub and I was wondering, do you want to come along? You don't have to if you think it's too soon for all that. But, you've met my Da before so it's not as if you haven't met him -"
"Jack," she interrupted, taking hold of his hand in hers. "I'd love to."
The grin spread across Jack's face, "Good. Good. Right well I best be off before I bore you to death." Nikki chuckled, picking up on the growing sense of awkwardness between the pair. Both thinking the exact thing, where do we go from here? Jack turned to leave but quickly faced Nikki once again when she called her name. She ran her finger along the lapels of his shirt, gently tugging him back to her. He picked up on her intentions, leaning in, he kissed her gently. He pulled back, smiling at her.
"I'll see you tomorrow," she spoke softly, her cheeks a light shade of pink.
"See you tomorrow," Jack grinned.
The next day came along quickly and after a busy day at work, Jack and Nikki were soon arriving at the pub ready for Conor's birthday and a much needed drink. Nikki held onto Jack's hand as they walked through the entrance. The pub was bustling with people and from what Nikki could make out the majority of them were Irish, this was going to be a fun evening. Jack pulled her through the small crowd, quickly reaching Conor who was sat by the bar, a drink in his hand.
"Happy Birthday Da," Jack grinned, passing over a bag over to his father. "It's from the both of us." Jack dropped Nikki's hand to pull his dad into a hug.
Nikki held her hand out to shake Conors but he was quickly engulfing her in his arms, "Come on, you're practically family at this point. Don't waste our time with a handshake," he spoke abruptly surprising Nikki by his bluntness. "We've been through a lot this past few months and from what I hear it won't be long until you're my daughter in law."
Her face turned a bright shade of red, she felt Jack snake his arm around the back of her, caressing her waist with his thumb. "Da!" he protested. "How much have you had to drink already?"
"Only two," Conor slurred slightly.
"Right and I just saw a pig fly," Jack rolled his eyes.
"Speaking of drinks, I think it's my turn to buy. What do you want?" Nikki asked, turning to face Jack, a hand resting on his chest.
"Surprise me."
"Find a table and I'll bring them over," she smiled, leaning up to him, pecking him on the lips before slipping away from him to order their drinks from the bartender.
"I think you need to sit down, you're an old man now," Jack joked as his father was swaying almost.
Conor pointed a finger at him, "Less of the cheek son, you're still young enough to go over my knee," he said with a straight face and Jack instantly knew it wasn't worth an answer back so instead he just walked towards the nearest empty table, Conor close behind him.
As they sat down, Jack looked out and watched Nikki as she leaned against the bar playing with her hair. She was nervous he could tell, she always fiddled with her hair when she was in a place she wasn't quite sure of. He'd picked up on a few of her mannerisms over the past few years like how whenever she was concentrating, she usually had a pen in her mouth. He'd learnt the hard way to never lend her a pen, he ended up buying her two packs of pens just so she'd stop pinching his.
He hadn't realised how obvious his staring was until Conor followed his gaze and sighed, not totally surprised at where his eyes landed. "She's just like her, you know," he spoke, pulling Jack from his thoughts.
"What?" He didn't manage to catch what his dad had said, too lost in a day dream.
"Nikki," Conor started. "She's just like your mother. From the time I've spent with her and how you talk about her, she sounds just as passionate and stubborn as she was. Wouldn't want to know what your arguments are like though. Unfortunately you inherited that from her in that department." Jack watched as he dug around in his pocket, pulling out a ring, his eyes widening. "I'm not saying get down on one knee right now but when the time comes and it will because from what I can gather you two are made for each other, I want you to have this," he handed Jack the small ring, a small diamond decorating the top of it. "It was the ring I gave your Maw when I asked her to marry me, she would've wanted you to have it."
Jack was speechless, he couldn't quite believe what he was hearing, "You've definitely had too much to drink," he chuckled but still took the ring from his dad's fingers, putting in his own pocket. "But you do realise that me and Nikki, we're not even official yet. We've only been on one date and that was yesterday."
Conor nodded, "When you know son, you know. And I know that you and Nikki," he paused. "That's love, and trust me you'll want to hold on to that, for dear life. Because, you never know what's round that corner. Ask her when you're ready but never let go of her."
"I mean, I don't know what to say," Jack stumbled over his words, he wasn't used to his dad speaking to him this much, he was never that close to him. It made him emotional and he could feel the lump forming in his throat.
"Best to say nothing," Conor winked, finishing off his drink before standing up as Nikki joined them once again, two drinks in her hands. "I'll leave you both to it."
"Hope I didn't scare him off," Nikki joked, taking a sip from her glass of wine.
"No," Jack breathed, stretching his arm out and placing it on the back of Nikki's chair. He ran his finger up and down the glass in front of him, letting out a nervous breath. "I wanted to ask you something."
"Okay…" Nikki eyed him suspiciously.
"I know this is going to make me sound like such a teenager but how would you feel about us being...official?" He bared his teeth, feeling his heart racing. "I mean you can say no of course if you want to take it slow, there's no rush but I just feel that considering we've known each other for so long, I don't want to waste anymore time."
"Jack," the tone of her voice made his stomach drop. "Can you do me a favour?"
"What?"
"Stop being so negative. One day you will realise how madly in love with you I am and you can stop doubting yourself at every given moment," she smiled, Jack's face mirroring hers. "Yes, by the way." Jack leaned in, his lips brushing hers softly. He pulled away, not wanting them to be on full display in front of the pub but Nikki enticed him, stealing another kiss. He stopped as he felt her hand land on his thigh.
"If you carry on like that, I will not be able to stop my actions," Jack chuckled, whispering in her ear.
