Welcome back to Love and Carbonite. Aubrey is looking forward to going back to work full time, but runs into an unexpected obstacle. Is Karen up to her old tricks? Also, who's wedding bells are going to chime? Read on to find out. If you have time to review, we'd appreciate it.
The next couple of days were quiet for Aubrey as he got himself back into his routine. Since he was feeling healthier, he decided Wednesday afternoon he wanted to work full days for the rest of the week. With both of them working that day, the agent had to wait until dinner to present his plan to Jessica. As far as he could tell, it was sound and made sense. His redhead may be flighty, but she was also smart and rational when she needed to be, and he had no doubt that she'd see things his way..
Sitting down to their meal of Jessica's fried chicken, they first shared their days and discussed their plans for the upcoming holiday weekend. After savoring another bite of his girlfriend's amazing garlic mashed potatoes, he decided it was time to state his case.
"Jess, I know my recheck is Monday, but I've been feeling great the last few days. I think I'm going to work a full day tomorrow—"
"No.", Jessica responded as she ate a piece of chicken.
Pulling out the big guns, Aubrey gave her his most charming smile. "I just said that I feel fine, Jess—"
"No.", the redhead replied before sipping her beer. "Just because that cute smile usually gets my panties off, that doesn't mean you can use it to convince me that you can go back to work full time early."
'Your panties...and the rest of your clothes have stayed on for almost a month.' Aubrey thought. Frustrated at Jessica's obstinacy, he continued to push his side of the argument. "A few days early isn't going to kill me—"
"I said no, Aubrey.", Jessica shot back before picking up her empty plate and heading to the kitchen. "You're not doing full days until Dr. Elias clears you."
"I worked seven hours on Monday—"
"Because Genny's son was sick. That was the only reason to stay longer that day.", Jessica replied as she scraped the small remnants of food from her plate into the garbage. "Danny is doing better on his antibiotics and Genny returned to work today, so you can continue doing half days for the rest of the week."
Aubrey crossed his arms and glared at her. "I'm not a child. You're not my mother."
"No, I'm definitely not your mother. However, if she were here, something tells me she would agree with me…and possibly even kick your ass for being so stupid with your recovery." Jessica leaned her hip on the counter and crossed her arms over her chest. "Now, are you done with your dinner?"
Irritated, Aubrey wiped his mouth with the napkin, tossed it on the table, and grabbed his beer. "Yeah, I'm done."
Jessica watched her boyfriend storm off toward the den and exhaled in frustration before tossing the towel she was holding onto the counter. "Shit!"
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
The next few hours of their evening were quiet as Aubrey cleaned Skinner's litter boxes and watched TV while Jessica worked on her dissertation research at the dining room table. At 10:30, the two went upstairs and got ready for bed while enduring a deafening silence. Getting under the covers, each put their full attention onto their tablets.
Without looking up at her, Aubrey grunted softly. "I work 8:30 – 3:00 tomorrow and Friday, and no work at home."
"We were supposed to meet for lunch tomorrow around 2:00 or when my doctor's appointment was over.", Jessica said as she scrolled down on the Star Wars fanfiction she was reading. "Stay at the Hoover both days until 1:00 and then you can work from home. I can bring lunch home tomorrow."
"Tomorrow you can meet me at work after your appointment and we can walk to the diner for lunch. I can work from home after that.", Aubrey said as he continued to read his law enforcement journal on his tablet. "Friday, I'll go in around 8:00, work until 2:00. Then I'll work from home until we go out for half price appetizers from Founding Fathers."
"That is acceptable.", Jessica said as she put her tablet away and plugged her phone in. Turning, she saw her boyfriend looking at the page on his screen but not scrolling. "I know you're feeling better, Aubrey, but I want to hear you get the all clear, all right? I'm still a little scared about you overdoing it."
Aubrey couldn't stay mad at her after hearing that. Turning, he melted when he saw Jessica's large green eyes look at him with worry. "Jess, I just hate being cooped up doing nothing when I can be useful."
"I know, but it's not just you anymore, Superman.", the redhead said as she took Aubrey's hand.
"Okay, Jess.", Aubrey said. "I'm sure the rest of the week will be pretty uneventful."
"Oh, I hope so.", the redhead replied.
Pulling his girlfriend close to him, he waited until she laid her head onto his chest before shutting the light off.
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Aubrey arrived at work promptly the next morning at 8:30. Heading to the break room, he topped off his Star Wars travel mug before stealing a chocolate glazed donut. While stirring in the cinnamon and munching on his morning prize, he thought about his argument last night with Jessica.
He knew it was stupid to make such a big deal over his work schedule, and he was glad they'd made up. However, the last few days they'd occasionally snapped at each other for dumb things. Both were under a great deal of stress, but he was hopeful that with the holidays coming up, things would blow over.
Ready to tackle what needed to be done, he walked down to the Major Crimes wing of the 4th floor. Greeting his agents, he saw Bower's empty desk as he made his way through the bullpen. Tuesday morning, the agent had requested today and tomorrow off. He didn't ask for the reason why, but Bower had volunteered it anyway.
"Mitzi and I have special plans."
'I bet they're special alright.' Shuddering as he recalled the conversation he'd overheard in the break room, Aubrey unlocked his office. Setting all his stuff down, he unlocked his computer, read his emails and began his day.
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
Two hours later, Aubrey returned to his office with his favorite quad shot cappuccino with cinnamon and his mid-morning snack from the diner. While eating his egg sandwich and hashbrowns, he went over his notes from his meeting with Genny.
After she'd given him an update on her warrant returns from yesterday, they'd discussed their open cases. When he'd asked about Gerald's case, she'd told him that she didn't have much more to add. Knowing that she needed to be careful in regards to his involvement in the case, he reluctantly left it at that.
Pulling out the administrative items in his IN box, he finished his food and got to work. Now that he ran his own division, he understood why Booth was always eager to teach him things like payroll and audits. He hated it, but unfortunately this crap was part of his job as Special Agent in Charge.
Just when he thought the rest of his morning was going to be boring, he had a surprise visitor at 11:00.
"Hi, Aubrey."
Looking up, he groaned inwardly as he saw Karen standing in the doorway, the remnants of a faded black eye showing underneath her glasses. It also didn't escape his attention the way she was leaning heavily against the door jam and that she had a sling on her right arm. 'Damn, Mitzi really kicked her ass.'
"Can I come in?"
Aubrey nodded affirmatively and the profiler walked in and leaned against the small table in his office. Feeling bad for her, he indicated the chair in front of his desk. "Karen, do you want to sit down?"
"Um, I'm fine standing. It…hurts to sit. Bruised tailbone. Doctor said I should be fine by next week, though."
"I see.", Aubrey said, recalling how easily Mitzi tossed her on the floor like a sack of potatoes. "What can I do for you?"
Karen shifted slightly. "I'm here to offer an apology for my behavior last week. I'm sorry Mitzi and Steve provoked me with their despicable behavior. The Deputy Director and I agreed when we talked that it will never happen again."
'Ah…so Stark ordered her here…no surprise.' Aubrey thought. "Is there anything else?"
"Well…", Karen said softly. "...I would like to continue to work in your division as a profiler….if that's okay with you..."
Aubrey studied the woman in front of him. "Karen, I'm not going to stop you from assisting my agents if you are the best for the job, because I'm a professional. However, any personal business with my agents stays out of the Hoover…because if you cause one more disruption, I will go to Agent Tanner personally to recommend you be banned from any Major Crimes cases without my personal approval. Booth has said he will do the same thing if you pull any of that shit at Homicide."
"Of course, Aubrey…"
"Also, the name calling and the rumors that you've tried to spread about Jessica will stop immediately."
"I haven't—"
"Bullshit, Karen.", Aubrey said sharply. "I've heard people here at the office talking about how supposedly Jessica gave gonorrhea to all the interns at the lab and in the Antiquities Department, as well as a couple of agents here at the Hoover. Then there's the one where she got her internship at the Jeffersonian by sleeping with Hodgins...and Angela. My favorite is the rumor that she forced herself on Steve in the break room one night while I was in the hospital."
Keeping a straight face, Karen held back her glee. "I don't know what-"
"Enough, Karen.", Aubrey growled, barely keeping his anger in check. "There's only one person who would say that shit about Jess, and I'm looking at her. Those rumors are cruel and degrading to Jessica, especially since she has done nothing to you…"
"She stole both you and Steve from me—"
"For the final time, she never stole me from you, because we were never going to be together in the first place. I had just broken up with my girlfriend and not one time did I tell you that I was interested in a romantic relationship with you…you assumed all that without asking how I felt. Now, I've apologized enough for inadvertently leading you on, and it's time for you to get over it. As for Steve, you had to know his reputation around here as a womanizer and a flirt. If it has two legs and a skirt, he's on it like a lion on a pork chop, Karen. I'm sorry if you thought differently about your relationship with him, but it is what it is. Jessica had nothing to do with all that."
"Steve and I were happy until your girlfriend decided she had to have what I already had...again. I know she was checking him out...Steve saw it, too. Obviously she's getting bored with sharing domestic bliss with you."
Aubrey took a patient breath, knowing that losing his temper wouldn't do him any good. "Steve Bower thinks that all women want him. Also, Jessica and I are doing fine. If she was bored, she at least has enough respect to talk to me about it. Anyway, my relationship with Jessica is none of your business and you will not butt in again, understand?"
"But Jessica-"
"Contrary to what you think, Jess wants nothing to do with him except in a professional manner. If you still choose to believe that several people have lied about him and his skirt chasing, go ahead, but Jessica did not flirt or entice him in any way. I'm sorry to destroy your delusions about him, but Steve pretty much admitted to me on Monday that he's been a pig with Jessica and other women. However, he also said that he's all in with Mitzi now, so that ship has sailed, too Karen."
"Jessica just wants what is mine, Aubrey." Karen retorted stubbornly. "She's jealous of what I have…"
Not taking the bait, Aubrey rolled his eyes before he got up and walked carefully toward the profiler, making sure to stand in front of the open door. "This is how it's going to be. No more rumors, Karen…no more snide remarks…no more crude name calling to her face or in this building. Jessica is not a firecrotch, whore, slut, cunt, or any of the other demeaning terms you have called her. You don't like her? Fine, but you will treat her with the respect and professionalism she deserves at the workplace and leave your opinions at home."
"I can think what I want about her."
"You're absolutely right...you can think whatever you want, but you have to keep those thoughts to yourself. You're already on both Dr. B's and Hodgins' shit list for all your previous stunts with Jessica. Now, if you pull any shit with her either here, the lab, or anywhere you two work in a professional capacity, I will do what I can to talk her into filing a harassment report with the FBI. As a lawyer, I can tell you that she could sue you for creating a hostile working environment if she was that vindictive. Be glad she's not."
Karen took a breath, steadying herself to keep from crying at Aubrey's blunt words. "Fine. I don't care what you do anymore, Aubrey. We could've been amazing together, but if you choose instead to waste your life with her, that's up to you. Someday, you're going to realize that what I can offer you is more than she ever will."
"If you think I would ever give up what I have with Jessica to be with you, you're mistaken. This conversation is over."
Karen fought to keep her composure. "I won't be around forever, so hopefully you realize the truth before she dumps your ass again. When that day comes, you'll owe me an apology, but I won't have a bucket of chicken to comfort you again. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a meeting with an agent in International Operations."
Aubrey let the woman slowly make her way to the door. "Oh, and Karen…"
The profiler turned around, smiling slightly, hoping he'd changed his mind about them. "Yes, Aubrey."
"If I find out that you misled Genny about your involvement with Gerald Maxwell...that you were part of his campaign to terrorize Jessica, or if you ever pull another stunt with him that results in Jessica being hurt or worse, I will make it my personal responsibility to make sure you will always have an asterisk by your name in your FBI file...that is, if I don't drum you out of the Bureau myself. Is that clear?"
Karen grimaced when she saw the look in his eyes. "Yes. Fully."
Aubrey made his way back to his desk. "Your apology is accepted. Now, if you don't mind, I have a lot to get done before I meet my girlfriend for lunch this afternoon."
When the profiler walked out the door, the agent visibly relaxed. Hopefully, his message had come through loud and clear.
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
As Karen made her way through the bullpen, she heard the snickers of the other agents behind her. Pushing aside her embarrassment, she kept walking until she was out of the immediate area. As she thought once more of the agent's parting words, her stomach began to knot up as she contemplated Aubrey's words.
He was serious...of that, she had no doubt. Aubrey would ride to the ends of the earth for that little bitch.
Stopping in the break room, she noticed when the conversation ceased between Agent Haggarty and one of the profiler's previous flings, Agent Wilson from Homicide. Seeing an opportunity, she dove in head first.
"Good morning, Agents. Blustery day, isn't it?"
"Sure is, Dr. Delfs.", Haggarty said before turning to the other agent. "So, I'll text you my address later today."
"Sounds great, Jill. I'll talk to you later."
Haggarty walked back to Major Crimes, leaving Karen alone with the other agent. "So, Shawn...I was thinking that you and I could get together and...renew our acquaintance tonight."
"Sorry, Karen, I have plans with someone else."
Surprised, Karen continued. Agent Wilson was always reliable for a few hours of no strings sex. "Oh, well, I wasn't looking for all night...just a few hours of fun...and maybe we could go to the FBI banquet together next Friday. We could get a hotel room there-"
Wilson quickly stirred his coffee. "Sorry, Karen, I'm going to the banquet with Agent Haggarty. If you'll excuse me...I need to get back to work."
Karen turned red as the agent made tracks back to Homicide. Recovering quickly, she poured her cup of coffee, but stewed over what to do next.
Once again, her love life sucked. No way would she be going to that banquet by herself. She needed to show Aubrey and Steve that she wasn't waiting around for them.
Thinking of her recent ex, yes, Steve Bower had made her look stupid, but his newfound love for his high school sweetheart would blow over. Eventually, he would screw over that Amazon giant like he did to her and come crawling back for the fantastic sex she'd always provided him. Of course, she might give him something before telling him to fuck off, and then she would be vindicated.
Just like when Jessica Warren had finally showed her true colors, she would be vindicated, and everyone would have to apologize to her. If they welcomed her back into their clique at the lab, she might decide to join them...but they would have to beg first. They owed her after taking that intern's side over hers, a professional profiler in the FBI.
Heading out of the break room towards the middle corridor leading to International Operations, Karen thoughts continued.
No matter what she did, that witch always came out on top. Karen had a lock on Aubrey after he and Jessica's insecurities had gotten the best of them, leading to their break up. The rumors she'd started about the agent and herself hooking up at lunch had been working to keep that twit away, too. Of course, the dumb bitch had to go and change her mind, and Aubrey went along with it because he was obviously scared of being with a real woman.
But then she found Steve and things were looking up. Of course, Jessica had to flirt with her new boyfriend once she got bored with the SAC. Steve said she was checking him out and he had no reason to lie. She wasn't angry with him...any 44 year old man would be flattered that a 28 year old college student wanted his attention.
Then he became distant before going to Wisconsin.. and the hang up calls that had to be Jessica stepping up her pursuit. She barely saw him when he returned home...obviously avoiding her to fuck that red headed trollop and others like that CSI slut Candi with an I. Aubrey was unable to see the truth because he was too blinded by 'love' to see that Jessica had been using him.
Jessica had humiliated her more than once. At the lab...Aubrey's birthday party...Thanksgiving at Booth and Brennan's...stealing her spot with the lab group...making her look stupid at the hospital during Aubrey's surgery.
She hated the little cunt...and all she wanted was to make Jessica Warren get out of town so she could stop causing trouble for her. Her plan of getting rid of Jessica by riling up Gerald Maxwell was perfect...but it had backfired on her badly.
She knew he still had the hots for Jessica and wanted to use it to her advantage. The plan was simple: provoke his thin skinned self enough so that he would use his father's influence to get Jessica fired from the lab. The intern would fall off her pedestal, fail to finish her program, and then she would have to leave American University. Once she got kicked out of her program, she would have to find another PhD program somewhere in the country or even Europe, leaving Aubrey and Steve behind. Then Karen would have both guys.
'I don't care what Aubrey says. No way would he leave his job to follow her...he's too ambitious. Steve would be a nice distraction until Aubrey made a true commitment to her.' Karen thought. 'Of course, that dumb asshole Gerald was just supposed to get her fired and kicked out of school.'
She didn't tell that stupid prick Gerald Maxwell to do what he did. If he'd decided that scaring the shit out of Jessica by slashing her tires and breaking into her apartment was the right thing to do, he was the stupid one. If the rumors were true and he'd stolen her lingerie, then he was a stupid perv on top of it.
As she arrived at the bullpen of International Operations, another moment of guilt hit her. Pushing it away, she focused her mind back on her work.
'I did nothing wrong.'
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
At 2:00, Aubrey was tying up loose ends as he waited for Jessica to arrive at his office. Finishing his cup of coffee, he heard his office phone ring. Not recognizing the number, he picked it up on the second ring and answered.
"Aubrey." He listened for a moment before his eyes got large. "You want me to what...why are you asking me...oh...you really have no one else to ask?"
Aubrey listened for a moment while rolling his eyes. "Calm down, alright? I'll ask Jess if she minds coming along, but, no guarantees, Steve. After the crap you pulled, if she says no, that's it, do you understand? Fine, I'll touch base with you when she gets here…yes, I have Mitzi's number on the phone…bye."
Hanging up the phone, he shook his head. "Out of all the things to ask me…that wasn't one I was expecting."
"What are you talking about?"
Looking up from his phone, he saw his girlfriend looking cute in her winter coat as she swept snowflakes out of her hair. She was also wearing his favorite skinny jeans, and he knew if she turned around those jeans would give him a great view of her butt.
The butt he wanted to get his hands on and enjoy with his lips as well. Suddenly feeling more lustful stirrings, he flashed back to lunch with Steve and Karen at the diner last month to calm himself down. He was still scared to watch 'Wizard of Oz'.
"Aubrey…what's up?", Jessica asked as she moved to stand in front of his desk. "You haven't finished your stuff yet? It's snowing like a bitch out there and remember our agreement…we need to go..."
"No…no…nothing that I can't work on from home.", Aubrey said with a chuckle. "Um, Steve Bower just called me with a favor and I told him it was up to you if I said yes."
"Um, all right…why are asking me? He's your agent, Aubrey." Jessica listened to her boyfriend discuss their phone call, her jaw dropping as he got further into the story. When he was done, the redhead nodded. "Wow…didn't expect that."
"Yeah, Agent Baxter from Financial Crimes and Agent Smith from Homicide were going to do the honors, but both are busy with interrogations and Steve can't get another appointment until after New Years."
"I'm not changing my clothes.", Jessica said. "They're paying for parking, too. The garage by there is like $15.00."
"You look fine and we can take my SUV. We can grab some food on the way. I'm really hungry. I haven't eaten since after 10:00."
Jessica exhaled quietly before nodding in agreement. "Oh, why not. If he has someone who is willing to love him like that, I'll help. It might even be fun. Besides, if he screws up with Mitzi, she'll punish him more than anyone could here."
"You got that right.", Aubrey said as he got up. "I'm going to text him back, and then we can leave."
"Sure." Jessica nodded as her boyfriend sent the message and packed up his work laptop. "This ought to be interesting."
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
Thirty minutes later, Aubrey parked his SUV and they got out. Holding hands, they walked to the large marble building through the snow.
"Superman, I still can't believe this is happening."
"Well, it is, Jess.", the agent replied. "Between our talk Monday, Karen's craziness, and with Mitzi…being Mitzi, I seriously think he's really in this for the long haul. There's always somebody for someone."
Jessica wrapped her arm around Aubrey's as they walked towards the main doors of the Moultrie Courthouse. "Well, I have my somebody, Aubrey…"
Aubrey smiled. "And I have my someone, too."
"Are these steps too much for you, Superman?", Jessica asked as they continued to climb. "Are you getting tired?"
"I'm all right, Jess.", Aubrey replied as he opened the door for them. "I promise to take it easy when we get home."
"Okay.", Jessica said as they came in to the wide lobby. "Now where are they?"
Aubrey looked at the listing of rooms. "They said Room JM 690…here."
Taking the elevator, they found their floor and headed to where Bower had directed them. After getting directions from the clerk in the Marriage Bureau, they found Steve and Mitzi standing outside the Marriage Ceremony room.
"Boss, here we are…oh, hey, thanks for doing this for us…"
"Yes, thank you, Agent Aubrey.", Mitzi gushed. "When Steve's two friends were stuck working, I was afraid I would never get to marry my Stevie Bear…"
"Mitzi Muffin, I would wait forever for you…", Steve replied,, his voice all gooey as he gave he a loving look.
Jessica looked up at the tall woman, who didn't look so formidable with her smaller heels. She admired her knee length dress with the bateau neckline and A line cut. "Your dress is lovely, Mitzi."
Smoothing the skirt of her pale pink silk dress, the blonde smiled shyly. "Thank you. It's hard for me to find a nice dress because I'm 6'2". I was starting to panic, but then I found this dress at a little boutique near here. I know I'm a little old to be a blushing bride…but Steve said it doesn't matter how old we are…just that we found each other again…"
Jessica kept her surprise at Bower's romantic words to herself. "That's…very sweet."
"Stevie got me this bouquet, too." Mitzi said as she held up a small bouquet of pale pink roses and lavender irises. "These are my favorite flowers."
Jessica was still trying to wrap her head around the difference between Agent Bower, the pig who hit on her, and the romantic Agent Bower being described by the woman standing next to her. "It's very beautiful."
The blonde looked over to where Bower and Aubrey were talking. "So…are you and that adorable Agent Aubrey talking marriage?"
"Ohhhh…um…wow…well, we've been occupied with him recovering from being shot…wow…". Jessica stumbled over her words as she glanced toward Aubrey. Before she could respond further, someone peeked out from the ceremony room.
"Bower and Nilsson."
"This is it!", Mitzi giggled. "Thanks for standing up for me, Jessica. I haven't had much time to meet new friends yet in DC."
"Sure…", Jessica said with a smile as they followed Aubrey and Bower in the room.
After dealing with a few formalities, the ceremony began and Jessica had a flood of thoughts in her mind.
'Would I like to marry Superman? I think so someday...but marriage is a lifetime commitment…would I always love him? That's what he deserves…not a woman who always puts herself first…could I commit to 30, 40, 50 years with Aubrey?'
Looking at her boyfriend, she blushed when she saw that his attention was not on the couple in front of them, but solely on her. Her best friend looked at her like she was the most beautiful thing in the room, even though her attire consisted of an oversized MSU sweatshirt, skinny jeans, and boots. The redhead felt her heart go aflutter at the love in his eyes.
Jessica and Aubrey were distracted from their looks and thoughts by the judge performing the ceremony. "You may kiss the bride."
Both watched as Steve and Mitzi kissed for the first time as husband and wife…or more like sucked face. The couple and the judge were too stunned to stop watching as the bride and groom made out in the ceremony room. It continued until the judge cleared this throat.
"I have another couple I have to marry. Congratulations."
Breaking up reluctantly, Mitzi and Steve turned to Aubrey and Jessica. "It's time to celebrate. Want to have an early dinner with us? We have reservations at 5:00 at Le Diplomate. Our treat.", Mitzi asked while giggling.
"Sure…sounds fun.", Jessica replied. "We just need to go home and change. Aubrey and I will meet you there..."
"Alright…", Bower said before turning to his new wife. "Come on, my cute little cheese nip. I got us the Federal suite at the Hays-Adams, so we can start our honeymoon before dinner. I can't wait to rip your panties off with my teeth!"
"Sounds good, Stevie Bear.", Mitzi said with another giggle, oblivious to the shock of the other couple. They had only taken a few steps when the blonde turned around and tossed her bouquet at Jessica, who caught it with a look of surprise. "Looks like you're getting married next. See you in a little while...hopefully we're not late..."
As she held the flowers in her hand, she flashed back to Cam and Arastoo's wedding. Aubrey intoxicated…her shock at catching the bouquet…then looking up to see her boyfriend two fisting liquor as he saw her with the flowers. Holding her emotions in check, she was startled when she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"Jess…you're a million miles away. What's going on in that beautiful brain of yours?"
"Nothing…just thinking about what I'm going to wear to dinner. Come on, Aubrey…let's get going. If we're going to make it home in time to change and make it back before 5:00 with this weather, we don't have time to lollygaggle."
The agent immediately sensed something was not right. "Jessica, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, Aubrey. Now come on. It's rude to be late."
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
Arriving back at the house, Aubrey and Jessica entered in silence. He watched as she carelessly tossed the bouquet on the end table by the door and walked upstairs. The agent's eyes followed her, puzzled about her mood's 180 turn after the wedding. Turning to look at the flowers, a light bulb suddenly went off. Hanging his head in shame, he took a deep breath before walking up the stairs. Reaching the bedroom door, he knocked first before slowly pushing the door open.
"Come in."
Aubrey opened the door only to find Jessica, wearing only underwear, taking a polyester mint green dress A-line dress and a skirt bordered with black cats and stars out of the closet, along with a black cardigan sweater. He enjoyed how the sea blue color of her bra and panties suited her pale complexion, but his lustful thoughts were superseded with worry.
Jessica didn't hear her boyfriend speak after the door opened, so she turned to him. "Aubrey, why did you knock? It's your bedroom."
"I know…but I got the feeling I may be persona non grata with you at the moment."
Jessica exhaled slowly. She didn't want to make what she was feeling a big thing with a life of its own. Trying to move past it, she took the dress off the hanger. "Aubrey…that's silly. Now if you don't want to change, what you're wearing is fine, but I would take the tie off."
Aubrey looked at her before saying the only thing he could say. "I'm sorry, Jess."
Trying to move past what had happened, Jessica pulled her dress over her head and zipped up the front. "I hope this dress was okay. We didn't have time to run to my apartment."
"Your dress is fine, Jess.", Aubrey said before taking a step closer. "Did you hear what I said? I'm sorry."
"For what, Aubrey?", Jessica replied, wanting her boyfriend to drop the subject.
"You know what for.", Aubrey replied quietly. "Don't play games with me…"
Jessica looped the dress's black ribbon belt around her waist while avoiding eye contact with him. "It's okay, I'll get over it. Now I don't want to make it a big deal-"
"Too late, Jessica. I'm making it a big deal.", the agent said, biting his lip before walking over and taking her hand. "If I could go back and do it again, I wouldn't have gotten so damn drunk at Cam and Arastoo's wedding, and then I wouldn't have slammed those drinks after you caught the bouquet. That's what has you upset, isn't it? Mitzi tossed you the bouquet and you remembered all that shit from last August."
Taking a breath, Jessica wiped away the tear that had formed on her eyelashes. "I know you're sorry, and I forgave you for all of that a long time ago. I guess…I didn't want to think about it. I would've been over my mood in a little while."
"Jess, it's okay—"
"No, it's not.", Jessica said before letting go of Aubrey's hand and walking to the bathroom. "It's a stupid thing to be upset over."
Aubrey followed her into the bathroom and watched his girlfriend plug in her curling irons. "It's not stupid, Jessica. Not when it has you upset."
Jessica looked down into the sink. "I'm upset because something that made me feel bad...something that I got over months ago...crept up on me at a stupid moment. I'm even more upset because it makes me angry that the whole catching the bouquet thing made me upset again."
"Are we…am I...pushing you?" Aubrey didn't want to voice it out loud, but he knew he had to. "Are you feeling rushed because we've been talking about our future a lot lately?"
"Superman, I'm not going to break up with you again. I'm not going to let some stupid thing or my fears push me into doing something stupid again." Walking over to her boyfriend, she caressed his face. "No, you're not rushing me, and I would tell you if you were. Marriage is a big, big step that I'm not ready for right now. Are you?"
Aubrey shook his head in the negative. "No…I'm not."
"Am I going too slow for you?", Jessica asked.
Aubrey shook his head again. "No.", He said quietly, shrugging as a little smile teased at his lips. "I like where we're at. I figure that we'll get there when we get there."
Jessica smiled as she knew exactly what her boyfriend was referring to. "Yes, we will. I love you, James Aubrey."
"I love you, too, Jessica Warren.", he whispered as they embraced. Unconsciously, his hand moved down to her rear end and he gave her a little pat.
"Superman, don't do that. I'm trying to be good, and you playing with my butt is not helping.", Jessica snickered.
Reluctantly, Aubrey let go. "I'm sorry, Jess. I think the no sex restriction that Dr. Elias put me on while I'm recovering is why we've both been so edgy. I don't know about you, but I'm dying here."
The redhead smiled. "I'm suffering too, Superman, but it's only hopefully four more days, okay? December 26th will be here before we know it."
'But I still can't get any Christmas nookie.' Aubrey sighed to himself. "Okay."
Jessica saw his little boy pout and couldn't help but laugh. "I will tell you that I have something planned to break our forced abstinence...a little late Christmas present for you."
The lanky man's face lit up. "You do?"
"Yes, I do...and I think you'll love it.", Jessica responded with a smile before grabbing one of her curling irons. "Now hurry up and get ready to go. Steve Bower is treating us to a fancy dinner. I'm sure you don't want to miss that."
"Nope." Aubrey smiled as he began removing his tie. "I'll be ready to go shortly."
Jessica watched his walk out of the room and her thought from earlier popped up again. 'Could I commit to 30, 40, 50 years with Aubrey? Yeah…I definitely could…'
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