Part VIII: Love Soothes

Jessie tried to concentrate that morning. Her heart felt heavy on the thought that Katie would never come back to see her again.

Every person in the hospital had a copy of the latest Boston Herald. They knew it was a one time deal for the great Katie Singer. She would never go back to see Jessie again. That's her style, or at least they thought so.

After her rounds, Jessie spent the day in her office; reading charts, taking phone calls. She barely ate lunch. Her mind always drifted to the night she spent with Katie. She wished the night didn't end. She felt she lost a piece of her. But Jessie didn't cry. She practically forced herself not to.

Suddenly she heard people running about outside her office door. Jessie shrugged it off.

"Probably another celebrity baby… or an emergency…" Jessie said to herself staring outside her office window.

Then, there was a knock in her door.

"Come in." Jessie said casually.

"Hi… I would have called but I thought I'd rather surprise you." It was Katie.

And in her hand was a fresh bouquet of gardenias. Apparently, the flower shop still didn't have white roses, which was weird.

"What are you doing here? I thought you'd…" Jessie sat there stunned.

"Well you thought wrong… May I come in?" Katie smiled, she was still standing on the door way.

There are those who were trying to get a glimpse of her and perhaps listen to the conversation. Privacy is always an option.

"Sure…" Jessie slowly stood up she took the flowers and rested them on her side table.

Katie slowly closed the door. She felt Jessie's apprehension.

"I'm sorry I didn't call last night. I was so tired I fell asleep without changing." Katie smiled, hoping Jessie would smile too.

But she didn't.

"Oh." Was the only word that came out of Jessie's mouth.

The room was silent. But outside people were frantic. Katie Singer just visited a previous date. Katie Singer doesn't talk to nor visit her previous dates. This was news.

"Why did you come here?" Jessie asked again looking at Katie with sad eyes.

"I wanted to see you again… Remember what I said last night?" Katie walked closer to where Jessie was.

She took Jessie's cold hands and placed them on her chest. Katie leaned closer.

Jessie just stared at Katie's neck. She couldn't comprehend what was happening. This wasn't supposed to happen. This is not THE Katie Singer she read about.

"I would want to… everyday…" Katie gently kissed Jessie.

They both closed their eyes as the kiss grew passionate. Jessie's hands traveled from Katie's chest to her neck, pulling Katie close. Katie on the other hand slid her hands to Jessie's hips and held her closer. They slowly pulled apart opening their eyes just to stare at each other. They were both smiling now.

"Hey Jess why are there people…"

Suddenly someone barged in without knocking. It was James, one of the doctors in Jessie's department. Jessie and Katie still held each other, still looking only at each other.

"Katie Singer?" James said with disbelief.

"Yes. I am." Katie slowly turned her eyes to James. But she still held on to Jessie.

Jessie turned her gaze too. She removed her hands from Katie's neck. But she held on to Katie's arms.

"Why are you here?" James asked.

"I'm here to take Jessie home. Is that a problem?" Katie didn't know how to contain herself.

James' tone reflected that Katie shouldn't be there. Katie managed to keep her temper at bay. This is not what Jessie needed.

"No. Not at all. I'll leave you two alone. See yah Jess." James left the room.

"I'm sorry." Katie turned and looked at Jessie.

"For what?" Jessie asked.

"For that…" Katie brought her gaze to the now closed door.

"It's ok. He's a friend…" Jessie smiled and rested her head on Katie's shoulder.

"Take me home?" Jessie looked up to meet Katie's green eyes.

"I'd be honored." Katie leaned and gave Jessie a quick kiss.

Outside, Dr. James Carter was still digesting the sight he saw earlier.

"She was not supposed to be there. Jessie is supposed to be devastated!" He thought angrily.

He intended to be Jessie's knight and shining armor. Of course he didn't expect someone to be there first.

"Damn you Katie Singer. I've waited so long for Jessie Sammler. I will not let you take her away just like that." And with that in mind he walked on.

"Mom! Zoe!" Graced screamed as she opened the apartment door. Lily, Karen, and the rest of the Manning and Sammler family came to visit. Some newspaper gave way to the sudden visit.

"Eli I'll help you with that." Karen said as Eli tried to add more to what he was already cooking. It won't be enough for everybody now.

"So how's Jessie?" Rick asked as he plopped down the couch.

"She's fine Rick. She'll deal with it." Grace sat down on the chair.

"Why did she have to go out with this Katie Singer? Didn't she know her shenanigans?" Lily added.

"Mom…" Grace rolled her eyes.

"But she seemed lucky you know. Nobody who went out with Katie Singer ended up on the front page and with a kiss. I don't think there were photos taken with Katie Singer kissing one of her dates." Zoe said while looking at the front page photo.

Of course every one who was by an earshot were stunned when they heard it. But then, Jessie just needed her family in case things didn't go well.

"Would you like to come in?" Jessie asked as she held on to Katie's hand.

"I don't see why not." Katie smiled.

"Grace I'm home!" Jessie was barely into the apartment when Karen hugged her.

"Mom!" Jessie was surprised.

But Karen stood still when she saw someone holding her daughter's left hand; Katie Singer.

"Hi." Katie said as she slowly entered the room.

It seemed a bit crowded, but there was silence.

"Um… Guys this is Katie Singer. Katie meet my family." Jessie broke the silence letting Katie step a bit forward.

Katie just smiled. She didn't know what to say.

Jessie introduced each person present that day, her parents, Rick and Karen, her step mom Lily, and stepsister Zoe. They told stories about Evanston, how Jessie grew up. Sometimes it made Jessie blush but she didn't mind. She wanted to share every little thing she was to Katie.

The whole Sammler and Manning family ate dinner with THE Katie Singer. But throughout the conversations and the story telling, the family was now spending time with Katie. They enjoyed her company. They didn't want her to leave, suddenly her phone rang. She would have just let the call pass but when she saw the caller id, she had to take it.

"Excuse me. I'll have to get this." Katie walked into the living room.

Katherine dear, where are you? It's a bit late.

Katie glanced at her watched. It read 8:30. She silently cursed herself.

"I'm sorry mom. I lost track of time. I'll be there in 10 minutes. Bye Mom." With that she hanged up.

Katie went back to the dining room. She had to properly say her farewell to new found friends.

"I'm sorry I have to leave. I forgot I'm having dinner with my family. My brothers are in town." Katie said apologetically.

"I'll take you to your car." Jessie replied.

"Take care Katie." Grace and Zoe said in unison.

"Drive safely." Karen said as she watched her baby girl disappear with her new friend.

Jessie opened the door. Katie walked slowly and stopped at the door way.

"I'll see you tomorrow?" Katie asked.

"Only if you want to…" Jessie smiled.

"I do." Katie replied then gave Jessie a chaste kiss on the cheek.

"I'll call you. And this time I will." Katie rode her car and was off.