Okay, chappy 2 here and its a long one. See what I do for you guys?
But there's not really much fluff. Well, there kinda is, but there kinda isn't. I'm not making any sense, am I? Ah, oh, well.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Meg Cabot is the loverly writer, not me.
Summary: (Sequel to Don't Dwell in the Past) Rob and Jess are finally together. But just when they think their relationship is getting somewhere, Jess has a vision and it's not too good.
Don't Dwell in the Past
Chapter 21
Rob grabbed my shoulders and made me face him. "What do you mean 'me'?"
I turned my head away from him, but he grabbed my face with his hand and made me face him again. "Tell me, Jess," he demanded.
I looked into his eyes and said, "I . . . I had a vision about me and - and it wasn't good, Rob."
He started staring at me, as if searching for something in my face. "What? What did you see?"
I couldn't say anymore. At that moment, I just broke down and started crying. What I saw . . . it was horrible. One of the worst things I've ever seen in my life. And if I told him . . . I knew he'd be upset too, because he actually cares about me. I know that for a fact.
Rob held me in his arms and rubbed my back. "It's okay," he said, "it'll be okay."
But I knew now, that everything we had would soon disappear. Everything good that has happened to me would vanish. I knew, deep down, that it wouldn't be okay for a while - or possibly ever.
I saw my future. And I didn't like it one bit.
After a few more minutes of me crying, Rob pulled me away from him. "We should go, baby," he said. He stood to get up, pulling me up as well. He put his arm around me and helped me walk, since suddenly I could barely move anything in body. It was like, all of a sudden, I was immobilized. "You are going to explain it to me when we get home, Jess. I know what you saw may be difficult to relive, but I need to know."
We walked over to Autumn and Aaron. "Come on, you guys," Rob said, "we're gonna go home."
They pouted. "Aw, do we have to?" Aaron whined.
Rob put on a serious face for them. I secretly knew that he had a soft spot for them. "Yes, we do. Mommy is . . . sick. She has to go lie down."
The twins looked at me, still with their pout-y faces on. "Okay," they said in unison. Then they got up and walked ahead of us.
Rob held on to me the whole time, making sure I was okay and wouldn't fall over. Simple gestures like that made me love him with every fiber of my being.
We got in the car and Rob drove us back. When we got back, it was around 5:00 pm.
"Rob," I said. We were sitting on the living room couch together watching a movie. Autumn and Aaron were watching television in their room.
He turned his head to me. "Hmm?"
"I think I'm going to go take a nap. I'm really tired," I said. I really was tired, but I also wanted to avoid telling him about my vision. He still hasn't asked me about it. I guess he was giving me some time to recuperate or something.
He nodded. "Good idea," he said and grinned.
Oh. He wasn't thinking along the same lines as me.
"Come on," he said, grabbing my hand and hoisting me off of the couch. "Let's go . . . take a nap."
God, even when they are worried about you, they still think with their dick.
Men.
"Rob, I . . . I really am going to take a nap," I said.
He dropped my hand. "Oh . . . I thought . . ."
I laughed, despite my state of upset-ness. "I know what you thought. Maybe when I'm feeling better, baby."
He smiled. "Whatever. I guess I'll take a nap with you. I'm pretty tired myself."
"Rob . . ." I warned.
He tried putting on a stern face. "I'm serious." He couldn't hold the face any longer and started laughing.
"You are so . . . weird," I said, giggling. Yes, giggling. I started walking towards our bedroom.
"Yes, but you love me," he said, walking and catching up to me.
I looked at him and smiled.
We both walked into the bedroom and he shut the door behind us and locked it.
"Rob . . ."
He turned around. "It's not what you're thinking about," he said. "I need to talk to you."
Oh God . . .
I really don't want to talk about it right now.
"Please, Rob. I - I can't do that right now." I sat down on the edge of the bed and sighed.
Rob kneeled in front of me and took my hands. "I know, Jess. I know. But, baby, if you just tell me, that part'll be over."
I looked at him and shook my head. "I know, but it's so hard. I - I can't." I turned my head away from, tears starting to leak out of my eyes.
He slid his hand to my cheek and turned my head toward him. "Baby, please . . ."
I nodded my head. "Okay," I croaked out, "okay."
"But before you do that, I have to ask you something . . ." Then he pulled something out of his pocket. I looked at it and then back at him.
Wait a minute . . .
"Jess, I know it's only been, what, a year? To me it seems like we've been together since we met six years ago." He gulped and took a deep breath. "I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Jess. You are an amazing woman and I can't imagine my life without you." Then he opened up the little velvet box in his hand, revealing a beautiful ring. "Jess," he said, still holding my hands, "will you make me the happiest man in the world?"
I looked at him, tears still in my eyes.
Man, this guy has impeccable timing, I'm telling you.
I nodded. "Yes," I managed to say. "Of course I will!"
I gulped back the tears that were threatening to escape.
He slipped the ring on my finger and whispered, "Thank you."
I smiled, letting the tears escape. Rob stood up and sat down next to me, hugging me. He buried his head in my hair, whispering, "I love you, Jess."
"I love you too," I said.
I was so happy about this. But . . . this could just make everything worse.
A lot worse.
We sat there for a few more minutes, embracing each other. Until Rob pulled away, that is.
"Jess, you - you really have made me the happiest man alive. Now I just - please tell me what you saw. If it makes you that upset, it has to be bad." He moved me so we were both sitting in the middle of the bed.
"I . . ." I looked at him, guilt written all over my face. "Yes, it is bad."
He took my hands in his. It wasn't until then that I really recognized the ring that was on my finger. "Baby . . ."
"Rob, what I saw . . . it was horrible beyond words . . ." I gulped and took a deep breath. "I saw me and you and - and our kids . . . we were shopping somewhere. We had just come out of a shop and - and . . ." I stopped. I really couldn't go on.
Rob pulled me into another hug. "Come on, baby, just be strong for me this once. Please . . ."
I nodded. I was on the verge of crying. "And I . . . there was a sniper somewhere and I was . . . shot . . . in the heart. And you - you leaned over me, trying to save me, and they got you too . . ." I took another deep breath, trying to get my breathing steady. It didn't help much. "And then they came over and took our kids and . . ." I was sobbing now. I couldn't even speak anymore.
Rob rubbed my back and kissed my hair. "Jess . . . I swear I'll protect you. I won't let anything happen to you or our kids. Ever. I love you, baby."
I couldn't do anything but sit there and cry in his arms. I hoped he was right.
- § -
I woke up with the sun shining in my eyes.
Ugh. I slept through the night.
I told Rob I had an assignment to work on and lest I fall asleep, he should wake me up. Damnit.
Krantz wanted the assignment completed and on his desk by Monday morning.
Today is Sunday.
Shit!
I rolled over and out of the sun. The alarm clock read 8:37.
I grudgingly got up and went into the empty room that I made into an office. I turned on my laptop and checked my e-mail.
Jess,
Guess what?
OMG! You know that new guy, Dan? Yeah, he asked me out! God, he's so cute! When you come to work on Monday, I'll formally introduce you.
Oh, shit, Jess, I'm so happy! You know how Steph finally got a guy and everything. Well, she'll kill me if she found out that I told you, but John proposed! Can you believe it? Commitment! And not to mention, you and your lover will probably get hitched sooner or later. I mean, the guy has it bad for you, Jess. He'd do anything. He'd go as far as to be your personal sex slave. Not that that's a bad thing or anything...
Sorry, got side-tracked.
But I just feel so out of place. That you guys are finally settling down and everything and I'm still in the dating world . . .
I guess I feel inferior or something. I dunno.
Call me or e-mail me back when you get this.
Love,
Kara
I kind of snorted when I read that. Wow, what a coincidence. I mean, we both got engaged at practically the same time. Weird.
I decided not to call her until later, since she'd probably be sleeping still.
I clicked out of the browser and opened up my assignment document. I just can't wait until I get this over with . . .
"Oh, good, you're up," Rob said, coming into the office. He sat down on the bed. Yes, we had a bed in there, just in case someone decided to come and stay with us. And since that doesn't happen often, we - uh . . . use it for other purposes.
Ahem.
"Hey," I said, spinning the chair around to face him. "What's up?"
He shrugged. "Just wanted to see what you were up so early for," he replied, smirking.
I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, well, someone forgot to wake me up last night," I retorted.
"You looked so tired. I just thought you should sleep." He nodded toward the computer. "I finished your assignment for you, by the way. You have too much on your plate all ready."
I sighed a big sigh of relief. "Thank you," I breathed.
He smiled. "No problem." He stood up and walked over to me. And just like that, he bent down and kissed me. I kissed him back with so much passion, that I thought he might break.
I needed this.
I mean, it did the job of taking my mind off of other things. Such as in the vision variety.
Yes, that.
He gently pulled me off the chair and went over to the door and shut it. Then he brought us back to the bed.
And then we - uhhhh . . . used it.
- § -
I hopped off the bed and hastily threw my clothes on.
Rob just stayed on the bed. Completely naked. Not even with a sheet draped over him.
Ugh, I hate how confident he is. It's sickening sometimes.
"Why are you in a rush?" he asked. He reached out and grabbed my arm, pulling me back on top of him. "It's Sunday and we have all morning."
"Rob, the twins are probably up by now—"
He cut me off with a kiss. When he pulled away, he said, "I highly doubt it." He glanced at the clock on the wall. "It's only 10. And I let them stay up late last night, watching a movie. So they're probably still sound asleep, which means we can do anything we want to . . ."
I pushed myself off of him and sat on the edge of the bed. "Rob, we already did do something. I think that's enough for this morning. Besides, I have to call Kara."
"Oh, come on, baby," he said, pulling me back on top of him again. "I'm sure whatever you have to call her for can wait for a little longer."
"Rob—" and just then the phone rang.
I smirked at him. "One moment." I got up and grabbed the receiver from the cordless in the office. I looked at the caller ID. Kara.
"Hey," I answered.
"Hey! Did you get my e-mail?" she asked eagerly.
I laughed. "Yeah, I did. And Rob and I have some news too—"
"Oh, my God! You're pregnant again!" she squealed.
I looked down at my stomach. "Uhm . . . no. Kara, that's not it."
If I had been talking to her, face to face, her face probably would have fallen - not literally of course.
"What? What is it?"
I looked at Rob. "Get dressed," I said to him. He rolled his eyes and slowly started putting his clothes on. I couldn't help but watch him.
"Kara, why don't you and Dan come to my place and we can talk. There are some things I'd like to tell you," I said. And before she could protest, I hung up.
Rob laughed. "Hanging up on her? That's not very nice . . ." he drawled.
I quickly came over and got on top of him. "I'm sorry, I'm a naughty girl."
He grinned. "Oh? And what can you do?"
I smirked. "A lot. But . . ." I looked toward the door. "We should probably take a shower."
His grin got bigger. "I like the way you think."
- § -
"Jess?"
"Oh, shit," I mumbled. Rob and I had just gotten out of the shower and we weren't quite . . . ready yet.
Rob laughed. "I'm sure she'll understand."
I glared at him. "You are an ass sometimes."
He shrugged. "I try."
I pushed him. "Try getting dressed."
He laughed. "Why don't you get dressed and I'll take my time."
"Be out in a minute!" I yelled, to let Kara know that I was actually here. I went over to my dresser and grabbed some clothes and undergarments. "Like I said, Rob, you are an ass sometimes."
He shook his head. He grabbed some clothes too and put them on. Since he's a guy and all, it doesn't take him long at all to get ready. "Rob, can you just go out there and tell them I'll be a minute?"
"Sure," he said and walked out.
It took me another five minutes or so to get ready. My hair was still pretty wet but whatever. It would have to do. At least I had make up on.
Kara looked at me when I walked in the room and then looked at Rob then back at me. And she completely started to crack up to the point where she nearly fell off the couch.
I looked at Rob with a questioning look. He just shrugged and told me to come sit by him. I eagerly did so and he put his arm around me when I sat down.
Dan was looking at Kara with a weird look. Maybe regretting ever coming with her.
Once Kara calmed down, we started to talk.
"So, Steph is really engaged?" I asked, trying to start a conversation.
Kara nodded, still a little jittery from laughing so much. "Yeah. She told me the other night, after her and James - uh —"
I laughed. "I get it." Then I looked at Rob and he nodded. "Rob and I . . . well, we have some news too, like I told you on the phone." And before she could say what I think she was going to say, I said, "And no, I am NOT pregnant."
She sighed. "Good. I didn't know if you were lying to me on the phone or not. So . . . what is this news you have for me?" she asked absentmindedly.
I grinned and looked at Rob. "We're getting hitched!" I exclaimed in a very southern accent.
After I moved to New York, I guess I kind of lost my Indiana accent. It's for the better too. Rob still had his a little, but its not all that noticeable.
Rob shook his head. He'll never understand women.
"CONGRATULATIONS!" Kara screeched and came over to give me a hug.
Kara turned to Rob. "You know, when I first saw you walk through those doors over a year ago, I knew you were the one for her," she said all seriously. "Be good to her."
Rob smirked. "Oh, I'll be very good to her."
I turned to Rob and punched him. "Keep it in your pants."
Kara and Dan laughed and exchanged glances. Probably thinking about what they're going to do tonight.
I know what I'm doing tonight . . .
Okay . . . I'm sorry, that was so inappropriate.
"Dan," I said, "what department are you in?"
"Forensics," he replied.
"Oh, so you wouldn't know about the whole psychic department . . . ?"
"Um . . . probably not."
I laughed. "All right. Well, whatever." Then I turned to Kara. "K, I have to talk to you about something . . . alone."
Her eyes widened. "A vision?"
I nodded and walked out of the room. I was relieved when she followed me into the kitchen.
"Jess, what is it?" she asked softly, so as to not upset me.
I closed my eyes for a second and took a deep breath. Then I told her everything that I told Rob, but I didn't cry. I am so proud that I didn't cry. I really am.
"Oh, Jess," she said, giving me a hug. "It'll be okay. We'll tell Krantz and we'll figure it out, sweetie . . ."
It's weird, that actually comforted me and made me feel better.
Huh.
"Thanks," I mumbled.
Then we walked back in the living room to see Rob and Dan talking about something.
"Hey," Rob said, smiling at me.
I smiled back to him and came to sit next to him. He immediately put his arm around me, like it was an instinct or something. I felt safe in his arms. Safe and secure.
I heard one of the bedroom doors open.
The twins are up.
Autumn came walking in the living room. "'Morning sleepyhead," I said, patting the space next to me.
She came and sat next to me. "What time is it?"
I glanced at Rob's watch. "Noon."
She looked confused. "I slept that long?" I nodded and she shook it off.
"Blame your father for letting you sleep that long."
She shrugged. "Can I have some breakfast?"
"Sure. Just grab something from the cabinet. Nothing fancy this morning, honey." I mussed her hair. "Hey, is your brother up?"
"Yeah, he's in the bathroom."
Then she walked into the kitchen to get some food.
Dan looked perplexed. "You have kids?"
I laughed. "Yeah. I had twins when I was 19. I didn't exactly make a mistake, I was just irresponsible."
I looked at Rob and smiled. He smiled back at me and kissed my temple.
Dan still looked confused. "Are you their real father, or do you just pretend you are?"
"Real," Rob said, "and I am so happy for that, too."
Okay, I really didn't care if I had guests over or that my kids were in the next room.
I pulled Rob down and kissed him right on the lips. He kissed back, of course.
But - uh . . . I think we grossed Kara and Dan out.
Whatcha think? Good?
If so, review please. And even if you don't, then please still review for me.
Nicole.