Author Notes: I thought that I would try to get one up today. Not sure I like this one either but hope you enjoy. Hoping next week to get something up in a few of my other stories but this one has taken over what little mind I have. Plus the kids are home for Easter break so less time. So please Read and Review. And thanks for the kind reviews and to the people who added it to their favorites or alerts.
Thank you,
Cat Lea Takersdarkone
Nine
After Mark gets Stevie to agree to being helped and then put to bed without fighting him, he steps out of the room after Jesse hugs him so that she can help Stevie change for bed. Stevie looks at Jesse who helps her sit up very carefully and smiles down at her. Jesse sits down on the bed with her for a second and hugs her tightly. Stevie hugs her back and then pulls back with kind of a, I did something that I hope you won't kill me for, look in her eyes. Jesse raises an eyebrow and watches Stevie who looks down not saying anything and playing with her ring on her finger. After a few more moment of silence Jesse puts her hand on Stevie chin and gets her to bring her face up so that she can see into Stevie face. Jesse grins wider because Stevie gets a guilty look in her eyes and is blushing a little bit.
"All right Stevie what did you do that you're feeling guilty about girl friend? And don't give me that nothing because I know you to well enough to know you did something. And your eyes and your blush is giving you away so I gather it has something to do with that big sized Texan who is out in the hall way worried about you?"
Stevie smiles at Jesse and then mutters softly.
"Maybe you do not know me well enough then because I did something I normally would not do at all. But yes it does have to do with that over sized Texan. What I did was invite Tex and the Southern Gentleman to stay here at the house with us."
Jesse looks shocked but grins widely Stevie looks down blushing some more.
"Well now maybe I don't know you as well cause your right Stevie that a first for you. Hell even Johnny was never invited to stay here till he pushed his way in. So for how long did you invite them to stay with us for?"
"I invited them for at the very least a few hours so that they could get some sleep before heading back to Texas. But I also told Mark that if they were interested in sticking around a few days that they could stay here. And that we would even show them around Chicago some as a thank you for all that they did."
"You did that? Well I will be damned Stevie you shocked me girl. Though Stevie I am only shocked in a very good way so good for you."
"Yep I did because I know you didn't have anything major and I wasn't doing anything but finishing a few pieces and a couple of drawings which I could do when we have any down time. Plus the usual making sure all my clients have every thing set for the next weekend. I guess Jesse that I just wanted to get to know Mark better and thought what better way then to ask them to stay and show them a part of Chicago. "
"Really Stevie he has you that interested in him that you would come out of your little shell and venture out some back so of your favorite spots?
"Yes he has me that interested and damned if I know why."
Jesse laughs and hugs Stevie.
"Shit girl the why is he hot as hell and almost as good as the Glen. And truth is I asked Glen the same thing and he said he would check with Mark and I was going to check with you. I guess I don't have to check and either does Glen. I wasn't sure after the trouble if I would get you out of the house for the next few weeks."
"I am willing to leave as long as it with them. So yeah I am willing to go out and maybe even hit some of my favorite Chicago spots. And guess good minds think alike then Jesse because Mark said that they would stick around."
"It good Stevie that you are willing to go back out there like you once did again. I think Stevie meeting the Giant Texan, the Giant Southern Gentleman is a very good thing. And you can always us a protector or two."
"I don't need a protector Jesse but if did he does make a good one."
"You sure you don't need one?"
"No what I need is a friend like him."
This causes Jesse to smile big because Stevie is blushes. Jesse then takes Stevie arm to help her get up. Jesse then walking with her to her bathroom grabbing her one of her baby doll pajama and smirking when Stevie goes to protest.
"Jesse I can't wear that it will show my tattoos and more and Mark plans on sitting with me for a little bit."
"You can wear this Stevie it looks so cute on you. Plus it one I bought you too and I think the Mark will like it a lot. And hell I hear Tex has a whole bunch of tattoos from what Glen says. So I am betting he wouldn't mind checking out some of yours."
"I know that Mark does because he and I told each other that we had some tattoos. I can't wait to see his I have a feeling he has a lot."
"So then wear this baby doll and let him see a few of yours. Oh and which room is he staying in by the way so I know? Will it be the room next to yours or this one because I know you don't want it to be the one downstairs next to your office? That would be to far away in case you need him."
"JESSICA!"
"What I had to at least ask after all he is one hot guy and if you were smart you figure out a way to get him to stay right here in this room. At least that my opinion of where he should stay."
"Damn Jesse, what has gotten into you to cause this kind of mouth and mood girl?"
"Oh I don't know guess maybe I am just opening up to the world again and would like to see you do the same thing Stevie."
"I think maybe it could be the Southern Gentleman out there that has you opening up to the world again. Don't think Mark and I didn't see the truck almost go off the road. TWICE!"
Jesse laughs and shrugs.
"Shit was hoping that you two didn't see that. I wonder if Mark is going to say anything to Glen about it."
"I would bet on it and hell you might hear about it too because that is his hot damn truck. And I think he is like me when it comes to our vehicles."
"I had that feeling too Stevie. Oh well can't help that sitting that close to him just makes me want to be kissed by him or him to want to kiss me."
Stevie giggles at this and Jesse joins her.
"Then I think Mark and I will have to make sure you two don't sit that close when Glen is driving. Or for that fact if you are driving too, because you can't afford another ticket Jesse and something tells me you would have the same problem as Glen."
"Hell I know I would have the same problem as him Stevie."
"I knew you would Jesse." What about you sitting next to Mark any want to be touched or I mean kissed some?"
Stevie thinks about it blushing and looks down. This causes Jesse to laugh hug Stevie.
"I think you would love to find out if those face hair tickles."
"Jessica gets your mind out of the gutter girl and please would you help me get the blood out of my hair. I don't want it as a reminder so that Mark will worry more."
"Hey now Stevie my mind is not in the gutter girl just want you to open up and enjoy life before it all passes you by. After all you still have a lot of life in you. Maybe it is time to see the good things out there and have some fun."
"Maybe I am opening up a little bit but Jesse I am not like you honey I don't believe in all this love shit. Though finding a man that is interested in me and not a jerk would be nice. I think Glen might be good for you though Jesse, I think he could give you some of what you are looking for."
"I think you are right and Glen is good for me. But I think you are wrong Stevie because I see what you are afraid of in your eyes. I know you think that they will all be like your two exes' and Johnny but shit Mark not like them just look in his eyes. And maybe just maybe if you let that giant Texan in maybe he would be willing to show you about love."
"Not sure he believes in love either Jesse. He been hurt and he is one of the rich and famous guys. Or at least I think he might be."
"Stevie not all guys rich and famous will be like that fucker. Come on girl look at that giant and tell me he could hit you or beat you."
"I know he couldn't but it still scares me."
"Well then that something we will have to work on. But I think you are already letting him into your heart Stevie even if you don't know that yet. Or are not willing to admit it just yet, because Stevie I see the look in your eyes when you say his name. "
Jesse helps her got the blood out of her hair and to brush it carefully so the cut doesn't show as much. Stevie smiles and nods at Jesse.
"Maybe you are right some but I need to think about this and move slower then you Jesse. Hell he may not even like me in that way and we still need to get to know each other."
"Bullshit! Shit little sister and if you believe that I am so going to show you that you are wrong about Mark because the look in his eye when you passed out said so much. Hell the look in his eye told Glen that he better hand you over."
"Really you saw that in his eyes Jesse?
"I sure did see that Stevie. So girl what are you thinking about him?"
"I don't know what I think right now Jesse other then I really like him already."
"I feel the same way about Glen."
"Just be very careful with the big guy of yours. He has been treated really badly by a dumb ass bitch and is hurting."
"I kind of got that from Glen but figured you would be getting what information you could from Mark. And I know you are feeling confused Stevie but maybe if you let Mark in you might find what you should be looking for after all."
"Hey now you didn't think I was going to let Glen any where nears you without knowing that you would be safe with him. And shit big sister tells me you did not do the exact same thing with Glen about Mark. Or that he did not want to know about me because of Mark wanting to protect Mark?"
"Nope he did the same. So I was up front and honest about you and he was about Mark. Oh and your guy there has three kids. And two fucked up ex-wives and a recent dumb fuck of a girl friend."
"Mark told me some about his life and exes' but he a lot like me there too. Hell even has had two divorces like me. And he not my guy he just a friend. "
"Sure he just friends in less you are both willing to open up. And yeah I know Glen told me about the bitches in his life. He also told me that we all share a little bit of a problem with drugs and booze."
Stevie looks at Jesse and shrugs her shoulders.
"So?"
"So he told you I gather?"
"Yes he did tell me and I told him. You know me Jesse I don't like lying and the drugs and booze are all a part of who I am. I use sometimes and as stupid as I know it is sometimes it helps."
"Stevie you're not using again are you? I mean that not why you passed out on us is it? Because if you are you know you can tell me right? "
"No I am not using right now and haven't in a while again. Though I think if Mark wasn't here tonight would have been a night to think about it again. But yes I have had a few drinks lately but you know how that goes."
"Stevie those assholes are not worth your life. You know that right?"
Stevie looks away and then makes her way out to the bedroom and sits back on the edge of her bed and ignoring what Jesse said. Jesse frowns but knows by the way that Stevie is sitting stiff that she is not going to let her go this way with the conversation so she shakes her head and comes out pulling back the covers some and moving the pillows.
"So then darling bratty little sister of mine, of the guest bedrooms where do think I should put Mark and Glen?."
"You mean you're not going to share your room with Glen?"
Jesse comes over and hugs Stevie and laughs.
"Now who got their mind in the gutter?"
"Well I had to ask didn't I?"
"You are a brat Stevie."
"Hell Jesse I am a bitch not a brat."
"No actually I think you're a bit of both. Now maybe I will see if Glen is willing to share my room instead of the guest room."
"Girl do you even know what the word slow means or does Glen?"
"I don't know it this time Stevie cause for once I want to be happy. I want what I can feel is just around the next corner. So nope SLOW is no longer in my vocabulary. And I don't think it should be in yours either."
"Just be careful please Jesse?"
"I will Stevie but I just got this feeling I need to go for it."
"Then do it Jesse and know I am always here for you."
"Hell girl the one thing I am sure of is that you will always be there for me same as I will be for you.
The girls hug and then Jesse help Stevie get into bed and pulls the covers up to Stevie waist while she is sitting leaning on the pillow.
"So anything I have to worry about in Glens past?"
"Nope nothing major but we will talk more about them tomorrow when we have a few minutes and some sleep."
"That sounds good and I don't think you have anything major to worry about with Tex either Stevie. Just remember that if he hurts you I will hurt him and that a promise."
"Jesse I don't need protecting I can do that myself. But the same goes for Glen. "
Jesse laughs and nods.
"I know you will too Stevie. But same goes for Mark. Now just to make you happy I will for tonight be a good girl and offer Glen the room next to mine. And I will put Mark in the room next to yours."
"Thank you."
"You are welcome. Though Stevie I am betting he tries and sleep right here in that chair of yours. He was worried and I think he is very much becoming your protector. And girl if he is there is not a damn thing you are going to do to stop it."
"He can't sleep in the chair it not that comfortable though it great for reading. But not for some one his size he will wake up all cramped up."
"Well then be nice and offer to share that big bed of yours. After all it big enough for both of you and you know it. Plus you are going to have to be woken up in a few hours."
"I will just set my alarm."
"Sure and Tex is going to let you get away with that one. I do not think so but you try it on him and see what he says. And then when he sleeps in the chair you offer him to share your bed."
"Jesse!"
Stevie blushes and looks at her bed and shakes her head back and forth a little but stops reaching up to grip it a little. This makes Jesse come over and sit down on the edge of the bed. A very worried look in her eyes as Stevie leans back and closes her eyes for a second.
"Stevie are you all right?"
At first she doesn't answer which makes Jesse get up and turns to head for the door. Stevie finally opens her eyes and whisper.
"Sorry Jesse just shouldn't have done that it made it worst. But I am fine but would you help me sit back up some so you can go let those guys in."
"All right but after I do help going to take Glen down to the truck and get their bags. Then I will show him the room next to mine and we will put Mark bag in the room next to yours. But while I do this you best just sit and talk to Mark."
"Yes Mom. Any thing else you want me to do?"
"Yeah kiss him but I know you won't so just be good and sit there and talk. I will grab you something for the headache from the medicine cabinet down stairs. And then will bring it up so you can get some sleep oh but if he wants to sleep in this room then I am telling him to go for it."
"Jesse he should sleep in a bed especially with all he did for us."
"That right but I will leave that up to you but I am not telling him he can't sleep in here if that is what he wants too. And if you do then I will have to stay too, which I might any way."
"Jesse you do not need to stay in my room. Hell no one does I will be fine."
"Not fighting with you it him or it him and me and most likely Glen too."
"We will see about that. And shit I think you are a brat."
"Yep I am that and a bitch. Hell Stevie where do you think you are learning too be one from. I am such a damn good teacher that you almost are as bratty and bitchy as me. But Stevie you will never ever win against me. So now if you are set I will let Mark and Glen in to check on you. Then Glen and I will get the bags and Mark can sit with you. And you will be a good girl Stevie and sit."
"Fine bossy I will do what you ask but only because my head is killing me. But I am not going to let anyone stay in my room tonight."
"We will see Stevie but I wouldn't bet on it."
"I guess we will Jesse."
"All right now I better go let them in before Mark starts pounding on the door which I am surprised he hasn't done yet."
"I know and you know the same right back at you kid. I am very surprised too that he isn't already pounding. Kind of want to see him too Oh and Jesse thanks for every thing you know how much I appreciate every thing right."
Jesse smiles over and gives Stevie a wink then walks over and kisses her on the head hugging her quickly. She then walks over to the door and smiling opens it up to see that Mark and Glen are both leaning on the wall across from Stevie room. The look in Mark eyes says he is worried and wants back in the room. She moves to the side so that they can come in.