PASSING DAYS

One day, Jess looked at the calendar in her mom's kitchen, and realized she had four days until she had to get back on that plane. Suddenly, she felt rather depressed. Jess felt as if it was only yesterday that she landed at Heathrow. Yet at the same time, she was amazed at all the things that had happened over her vacation. Hopefully, the second semester would go quickly, so she could enjoy her three months of summer holiday.

Jess sat down and had a cup of tea. She was supposed to be spending the night at Pinky's house. However, that was just a cover. She really was going to be with Joe. Surprisingly, it had been Pinky that had suggested this ruse to Jess. With everything in place, all she had to do was pack her bag. Pinky was going to pick her up in about an hour. As she sat there, going over the thoughts running through her head, the phone rang. Since she was the only one home, it was left to her to answer it.

"Hello?"

"Ahh…Jess. Just the person I wanted to talk to."

"Joe." said a somewhat startled Jess.

"I've called to see if you want to go out tonight. I managed to get the night off. I could pick you up at 6, as I'm done here at 5. What do you say?"

"Oh, I wish I could Joe. I'm spending the night with my sister tonight." Jess said. She felt bad for lying to Joe, but she didn't want to ruin her supply.

"Oh, okay. I guess I'll do some living in my living room then." Joe sounded terribly heartbroken. He had gotten used to having Jess around him.

"I'm really sorry Joe…how 'bout I have Pinky bring me over tomorrow morning?"

"I guess I can survive without you for that long."

"I should hope so."

"Jess…have a good time tonight. Although, I'm sure you would have more fun with me."

"Joe, you're terrible you know. Joe, I have to go…Pinky will be here in a bit, and I need to throw a bag together."

"I know…love you Jess."

"I love you too…see you soon Joe."

Jess hung up the phone. She laughed at herself, because Joe had no idea just how soon he'd see her. She had wasted enough time, and Pinky would be here very soon. She ran upstairs, through together her overnight bag and changed her outfit. If Joe was serious about taking her out tonight, she needed to wear something besides the ratty outfit she was currently wearing. But now, she wasn't sure what to pack, because she didn't know what "out" meant. To solve that, she packed the outfit she had bought in Hamburg last summer. And if they were doing casual, when then her jeans and sweater would be fine.

At precisely 3:30, she heard Pinky's car horn. She grabbed her stuff, and out the door she went. They had told their parents that they were going out for dinner and a movie…that way they wouldn't try to call and talk to Jess.

"Jess…if mom calls the house looking for you, I'll tell her you're either asleep or you ran to the market or something. I'll call your cell, and you can call them, okay?"

"Okay. Thanks so much for covering for me."

"No problem…I've been in your situation before, so I know what it's like."

When they pulled up to the pub, Pinky had some words of advice.

"Enjoy yourself Jess."

"I will…and thanks once again for covering for me."

Jess hugged her sister, and then grabbed her bag from the back seat. All that was left to do, was go inside. Things looked surprisingly busy inside considering how early it was…at least this way, she could sneak into the pub without Joe seeing her, and surprise him. When she walked in, she didn't see Joe, however she did see Andrew. He saw her, but she put her finger to her lips so he didn't call out to her.

"Where is he?" she whispered to Andrew.

"He's in the back room getting some supplies. Just sit here, and he'll be out shortly. Do you want me to tell him you're here?"

"No…I just want to surprise him."

"Can I get you anything to drink?"

"Yeah…get me a pint of Guinness."

"I see he's got you hooked on that Irish travesty." Andrew teased. "I think it runs through their veins I think only he and the Irishmen that occasionally come in here drink it. Here you go."

"Thanks."

Jess quietly sat at the bar sipping at her pint. She watched the comings and goings of the customers. Eventually she saw Joe come out from the back room. He didn't see her, as she was sitting in the corner. Joe clearly had his mind on something, because he never saw her in her quiet corner. Jess was enjoying watching Joe work, especially how he interacted with his customers. Jess continued to sip at her pint, and was beginning to like the taste.

Eventually Joe asked Andrew to fetch something from the store room.

"Sure thing Joe." responded Andrew. "However, you best check on the lass sitting at the end of the bar. She might need another pint."

"Sure thing." responded Joe. He started to turn around. "What can I get you miss?" Joe suddenly was grounded to his spot behind the bar.

"A kiss would be nice." smiled Jess. "Well, that's once you pick your jaw up off the floor."

"J-jess." stammered Joe. "What are you doing here? I thought you were going to be with your sister tonight."

"Well, you're not the only one that can have surprises. Pinky is covering for me. My parents think she and I are going out for dinner and a movie and then having a sleepover. So, are we going out?"

"Pinky is covering for you…d-does this mean I have you until tomorrow?"

Jess nodded. Joe quickly got himself out from behind the bar. He picked Jess up off her bar stool and swung her around. And being that he didn't care what his patrons thought, he kissed her too. Eventually, he put her down.

"Where's your stuff?" Joe asked. When Jess pointed to her bag, he grabbed it and Jess, and pushed her behind the bar, and up the staircase to his apartment. Before he went up the stairs behind Jess, he called back to Andrew. "Andrew…can you still manage the pub tonight?"

"No problem boss…you have a good time." Andrew responded with a knowing wink.

"Thanks…I owe you big time." And with that Joe climbed the narrow staircase two steps at a time. He couldn't spend any more time away from Jess. When he burst through the door of his apartment, he called out for Jess even though he didn't need to. She was standing in the middle of his living room, facing the door waiting for him. He leaned on his door, afraid to move for fear that this was a dream.

"Tell me I'm not dreaming love."

"Joe…"

The sound of her voice drew him away from his spot at the door. He couldn't believe his luck. Joe was really upset that she was going to her sister's house tonight, because she was leaving again very soon. Her being there, had to be a gift from God. And the fact that she didn't have to leave him until tomorrow, made it even better.

"So…you said you wanted to go out tonight. What did you have in mind?"

"Well, maybe I'll keep you all to myself tonight." Joe said with some emotion in his voice. "Seriously though, I was thinking a nice dinner out and dancing."

"You? Dance?"

"Well, I like dancing with you…very much so. What did you bring clothing wise?"

"I didn't know what you meant by "out" when you called, so I packed casually and dressy. And by dressy, I mean the outfit I wore in Hamburg."

The mention of Hamburg sparked a vivid memory in Joe. And it was a memory he'd like to relive, although without the interruption.

"Dressy…however it is way too early to go out now. So, you have a choice…we can stay up here, or we can go downstairs. It's up to you."

"Hmm…both hold some promise. Let's go downstairs. I was enjoying a pint while I was waiting for you to notice me, and if you have a sandwich or something, I'd really like that."

Joe seemed a bit disappointed with that answer. Jess noticed.

"Don't worry…remember…I don't have to go home tonight." Jess said with a wink.

"I believe you're right love."

He kissed her, and ushered her back down to the pub. Andrew was surprised to see them when they reemerged after a relatively short amount of time. Joe knew exactly what his friend was thinking.

"She's developed a taste for the best beer in the world." Joe said to Andrew.

"You've brainwashed her already. How you crazy Irish fools drink that stuff they way you do, I'll never understand. I don't think she's English at all…and think she's fooling us all, and underneath it all she's an Irish lass."

"Obviously, you've never been with an Irish woman…they're full of fire." Joe teased his friend. "However, you're such a Brit, that you'll never find out. And this one, Irish, British, Indian, whatever you want to call her…well she's all mine."

Joe grabbed a pint for each of them, and got them a quiet table in the corner. Jess was glowing. Joe wasn't sure if it was the stout of the promises that the evening held. Either way, Joe didn't care. Which ever one it was, simply made her more beautiful. Joe got a sandwich for each of them back from the small pub kitchen, and they sat there…eating, drinking, talking. After they finished their sandwiches, they took each other on in cards. It got to be a rather riotous bunch of games, and the other customers were placing bets on who would win. Those who bet on Jess made out well…beginner's luck never fails.

"Come on Jess…let's get out of here."

Jess gladly went with Joe. They had spent several hours in the pub. By the time they got upstairs, it was 7pm. Joe called and made reservations at a swanky place in London. Joe grabbed his suit out of his closet, and took it into the bathroom to change. He left his bedroom for Jess to use. It surprisingly didn't take Jess long to change. When was just putting on some earrings, she heard a knock at the door.

"Jess…are you dressed? I need to get a tie."

"Yes…come on in."

"Wow, Jess…I must say, you do clean up rather well."

"So do you…do I pass muster?" Jess turned around for Joe's inspection.

"Not only do you pass, but if I hadn't already made a reservation, I don't think we'd be leaving. Come, love…let's go."

They grabbed their coats, and down the stairs they went. Joe wanted to make sure Andrew had everything he needed for the night. The pub regulars were all surprised to see the elegantly dressed couple. A few teased Joe that they were a bit overdressed for their current location. Other congratulated their favorite barkeep for managing to snag a good looking woman like Jess. Jess blushed at the compliments…especially, when they told her to be with them, and not a crazy Irishman like Joe. Joe jokingly hurled some choice colorful words at his favorite patrons…and they were out the door.

The drive into London went quickly. Joe parked his car, and grabbed Jess' hand for the short walk to the restaurant front door. They were in a trendy, and expensive restaurant in SoHo…Jess thought to herself, that she wouldn't be surprised if they someone famous while they were eating. Their server, brought them each a glass of white wine. The restaurant was busy, so service was a little bit slow…but they didn't mind. They were in no real hurry, and simply enjoyed each other's company and the overall atmosphere. When their food did come, they were laughing about the confused faces at the New Year's Eve party after her father announced their engagement.

They ate slowly, because they had so much to say to each other. Deep down, they knew they needed to take advantage of every moment they had together. They knew their time together was extremely limited. Neither of them talked about it, but they thought about it constantly. When they finished their meal, they ordered some coffee.

"Oh…I'm stuffed." said Jess. "I couldn't eat another bite. Thanks for bringing me here…I like this place."

"You're welcome." smiled Joe. "Uh, Jess…how set are you on going dancing?"

"Not really…what about you? Do you other ideas?"

"Jess, we have so little time together left, that I'd rather spend it with just you…and not in a noisy club. I'd just assume go back to my place."

"Sounds good to me…besides, I'm not a very good dancer anyway."

"I don't know about that…I like how you dance with me."

"Gee, Joe…you do know how to make a girl feel good."

"I try." Joe pulled out his wallet, put enough money with the bill to cover their meal and tip. "Come, let's get out of here love."

"Gladly."

Joe seemed to drive quickly back to Hounslow. But then, lots of conversation can make a drive go even quicker.

"Joe…what do you want to do when we get back to your place?"

"Well, we can watch a movie, sit around and talk, or go to sleep."

"Sleep? It's not that late."

"Well, there's sleep and there's sleep." Joe said lasciviously with a wink.

Jess playfully hit Joe's arm. "You're absolutely incorrigible, you know that."

"Ow…and yes, I know. It's a true trait of O'Sullivan men…just ask my mom sometime."

"I'll make sure I do…I really hope she can come to visit this summer."

"Speaking of this summer, what do you plan on doing…as far as training and such?"

"I don't know quite yet. Jules and I have to talk to our coach about what we can and cannot do as far as NCAA rules. I know we can't play with a pro team, so the Harriers are out. If anything if it's okay as far as the rules go, we might just come down and do the conditioning training with the Harriers…well, if that's okay with you."

"That would be fine with me. I wonder if you could play, as long as you don't get paid. You should ask them that. Because, I know I would definitely appreciate yours and Jules' talent up front. Losing you two is going to be hard."

"I will. I'd rather play than just train. But also, wouldn't our relationship cause some tension? I really don't want to cause any trouble on the team. And I really don't like when you yell at me."

"Yell at you…I would never yell at you."

Jess raised her eyebrows in response to that. Because they both well knew it had happened in the past.

"Okay…yes I've yelled at you. But Jess…I would be yelling at you as a coach to a player…not at Jess the woman I love. There is a difference."

"I don't know if I'd be able to separate the two. Let me think about it. And chances are, I won't be allowed to play for the Harriers."

"Hey, we're here. Come…and let's go up the outside stairs, because I would just assume Andrew and our customers not see us come back so early. Shhh….go up the stairs as quietly as you can."

When they got upstairs, they were quick to enter, and lock the door behind them. First thing Jess did, was take off her heels. Nothing could ever get her used to wearing those…she'd much rather wear sneakers. Her next step was to manage herself into Joe's arms. And considering the way Joe was looking at her, that wasn't a difficult task to accomplish. However, since they had all night, they wanted to slow things down.

"Ahhh…Jess. I need to get out of this suit. I'll be right back." Joe kissed her quickly on her cheek. "Don't go anywhere."

When he returned to the living room, he was in running pants and a t-shirt. "Much more comfortable…go change, love. You'll feel better. Hurry, though."

Jess took heed of Joe's words. While she enjoyed the way Joe looked at her in this outfit, it wasn't her. She came out wearing shorts and a tank and she pulled her hair back. When she went back out to the living room to join Joe, she was paid yet more compliments.

"Now here's the Jess I know and love…I almost think you look better in athletic clothing than all dressed up." Joe said he pulled Jess onto his lap.

"Thanks…it's probably because I'm more comfortable and at ease dressed like this. However, I'm more comfortable in what I wore tonight than I am in a sari."

"Really? Why is that?"

"I don't know really…I guess it's because of all the layers of fabric, and I'm not too keen on showing off my stomach."

"Hmmm….you can show your stomach to me anytime."

"Oh…is that all?" Jess said with a wink.

"Well, I like all of you…but I'll take what I can get." Joe sprawled out on the couch, taking Jess with him so that she was laying on top of him. "Now this is nice, isn't it?"

"Yes, yes it is…so, now what do you have planned?" Jess asked, even though she was pretty sure of the answer.

"Hmmm…maybe something like this." Joe then took advantage of Jess' position to give her the kiss he'd been wanting to give her all night. Jess responded in kind. Before they knew it they were in Joe's bed…and without a care in the world. When they finally slept…they slept until morning and in each others arms.

They had had such a wonderful time together, that when morning did dawn, it came to soon for either of them. Neither of them wanted to move, but just to remain as they were…however that was not an option.

"Come on love…it's time to get up." Joe said as she stroked Jess' bare skin.

"Noooo…I don't want to."

"I don't either…however, I believe I am responsible in getting you back to your parents' house later in the day. And I'd like to have your father believe that I am to be trusted with his youngest daughter. I somehow don't believe he'd approve of your current location and state of undress."

"Oh, Joe…I almost don't want to go back to America. These next four months are going to drag by, especially since I won't be playing football."

"Well, concentrate on your studies, and that should make the time fly by. Besides love, it's going to be just as hard for me being separated from you."

"At least you have football to start working on. Summer can't come soon enough."

"I know…we'll manage to survive somehow. Okay…up…NOW."

"I get first dibs on the shower."

"Are you sure about that?"

"Hey…that's not nice…I should get to go first just because you love me and because you're a gentleman."

"I don't know about that…"

Jess responded to that by hitting him with a pillow…and in doing so, she delayed either of them taking a shower.