Sorry, soooooooorry! I know it's late, but it's still Friday, as promised. I'm back and here you have a new chap. Before you complain, let me tell you I'm entitled to be cheesy sometimes, haha! Enjoy...
P.S. Foxy4ever, thanks dear, I did have a nice trip ;)
Chapter 47
It was already dawn when Jack opened his eyes. During their sleep they had switched positions and now Brooke was lying on him, her legs entangled with his, both completely dressed, but with no shoes. He felt relieved when he saw her. At last, the heavy bricks he'd been carrying weighed no more on his back.
With all delicacy he moved to carry her to her bedroom. Holding her in his arms, he wandered the apartment until he found it. He placed her softly on the bed and kissed her. Then he felt thirsty and left the room to seek for the kitchen. As he walked through the apartment, he realized it was totally her style. It was cozy and transparent.
He looked at the pictures around the place. Some of them showed beautiful portraits of Brooke, probably of her model days. Others were more causal, showing her with her friends. He could recognize Ilana in a lot of them. Others made him laugh, since Brooke was making funny faces. Patrick was in some others, and that made him feel somehow concerned. And in the others, he could tell, Brooke was with her parents and brother. Terry definitely resembled Mr. Julian, but Brooke was an interesting mix of both her dad and her mom.
– Snooping around, huh? –Brooke said from the corridor, leaning on the wall, with a smug smile on her lips.
He turned around and saw her still in the red dress, barefoot, her messy hair resting on her shoulders. With the intensity of their encounter and their conversation last night, he totally forgot. He stared at her intently, his eyes glinting.
– What? –asked Brooke, puzzled by the look in his eyes.
He approached her and held her in his arms, cornering her against the wall. Then he gave her a vehement kiss. – You're not that tall…
Brooke threw a short laugh. – It's the heels…
– And you look so much better than I thought in this dress… –he said, kissing her neck afterwards. – All I could think about was taking it off…
She pushed him a little to make him stop and seek for his eyes. – What are you talking about? –she asked with eyes wide open.
– You look hot in red… –he affirmed, kissing her lips passionately.
But she broke the kiss. – Are you saying you got me this dress? –she asked surprised.
– Yeah. I guess you liked it…
– But wait, how did you know…? –she asked looking at herself.
– Baby, I think I know you quite well… –he stated, caressing her hips and looking at her with lust.
– Jack, I'm serious…
– Okay, I got some help…
Brooke smiled and rolled her eyes. – Ilana. She told you my size.
– No. She just told me you had dropped some pounds.
Brooke couldn't believe it. She gave him a questioning look, waiting for an explanation.
– Um… Back home, I was on the street and I saw the dress in a shop window. All I could think about was you in it. That's when I decided I was coming to look for you. So I called Ilana and asked her, but she said she doesn't know your size anymore, because you lost weight. I just took my chance, I guess. I went in and knew it was perfect for you. I thought I'd be a nice birthday present…
– How you got in here?
– Ilana did that.
– But why a dress?
– To be honest with you… because I wanted you to wear it and then get to take it off… –he admitted frankly, kissing her neck. Then he felt her trembling. – Hey… what's wrong? –he asked softly, cupping her face.
– Jack… you're really my prince charming … –she affirmed with happy tears in her eyes.
He didn't understand what she meant, but at that moment Brooke realized they were meant for each other. He'd just fitted her perfectly in a beautiful dress, turning her into a real life Cinderella.
She kissed him eagerly and dragged him into the bedroom. Then she sat him on the bed and spread her legs around him. She unbuttoned his shirt impatient, whilst his hands ventured under the dress, caressing her thighs. He broke the kiss and looked deeply at her body. Then he undid the dress with surgical precision, revealing her bra. He went from zero to ten in a second flat, and immediately took it off, releasing her breasts. Afterwards he rolled over and laid her on the bed, and almost ripped off her panties, while she eagerly tried to undo his belt and zipper.
– I missed you so much. –she moaned in his ear when he finally merged in her.
– I missed you too… –he affirmed to her lips.
They loved each other with sweet devotion, with the joy and hope of those who finally find water in the middle of the desert, or those who see the daylight after a long, dark stormy night.
They stayed in the bed for hours, making up for the time they were separated, which had felt like ages for both. Jack missed talking with her, so he talked and talked nonstop. He also played with her hair, watched her sleep, drew circles all over her skin and kept repeating to her ears that he loved her and needed her.
Before noon they were starving, and that was the only reason they left the bed. Brooke showed him the apartment and then cooked pasta for him. Later on she showed him more pictures, the ones taken by Marty included. She cuddled up to him on the couch and wished they could stay like that forever. They lost notion of time until the phone rang. Brooke didn't want to answer, but Jack insisted that she had to, so reluctantly she picked up.
– Hello?
– So, are you finally living happily ever after? – Ilana asked playfully from the other side of the line.
– Hey! –Brooke replied high pitched and happy. – Uh, yeah, I guess you can say that… –she stated, giggling.
– Well, Hallelujah! Because, sweetie, I was like this close to needing medication with all this drama…
– Oh, you're so mean… –Brooke affirmed mischievously.
– Am I? Anyway, since Prince Charming is at last in town, you have two choices: dinner tonight or brunch tomorrow, and he's buying, so…
– Ilana! –Brooke said jaw-dropped, stunned.
– Honey, you so don't get to say "no"! Just ask him if you don't believe me. The girls are waiting, so, you let me know, okay? Bye! –and Ilana hung up.
– What did she say? –Jack asked amused, seeing Brooke's puzzled face.
– She said we're meeting either tonight or tomorrow for brunch, no refuses allowed.
Jack threw a short laugh. – Fine.
– Jack, what's this all about?
– What? –he asked nonchalant.
– You, Ilana, the whole mystery?
– There's no mystery, she's just my partner in crime, that's all.
– And the crime would be…?
– Getting you back, of course…
– Oh… so, what do you prefer, dinner or brunch?
– Well, that depends.
She raised an eyebrow. – On what?
– On when we're seeing your parents.
Brooke opened her eyes wide. She had totally forgotten about her parents. During that month she had managed to keep her family out. She never mentioned she had broken up with Jack, because she wanted to be back on track when she told them, so that they had nothing to worry about. She nodded. – Right…
Then she called her mom. Jack watched her while she waited for her to pick up. She was biting her lip, nervous. He couldn't help but smile. There were some things in which Brooke was somehow childish, like dealing with her parents, but that only made her more adorable. – Mom? Hey…
– Hi dear, how you're doing? Your birthday dinner was good?
– Yeah, it was great. Uh, I wanted to tell you that Jack's here, so, maybe you want to meet him, if you have time, you know...
Vivian rolled her eyes. – Of course we want to meet him, Brooke, haven't we begged you to bring him? You should have told me he was coming though. I'll barely have time to…
– Mom, please don't make a big deal. This is not a feast. –she pleaded. – Just something very, very casual, just us?
– Fine, tomorrow at 7:00.
– Okay, I'll see you then… –she hung up and then looked at Jack. – Well, I guess we're having dinner with Ilana tonight.
– Great. –he replied.
Then Brooke called Ilana to let her know.
When the night came, they went to the same restaurant Brooke and her friends always went to, the one she had been at the night before. Out in the New York streets, Jack remembered about his college days and his life there. It had been a long time since he last visited the city, so he found it really vibrating and exciting.
Once at the restaurant, Melissa and her boyfriend, Claudia and her husband, and Ilana and Lance were waiting for them, expectant. She introduced everybody and they had a very nice, amusing dinner. All her friends liked Jack, and he liked them back. Things couldn't be more perfect, she thought.
At some moment, Ilana stood up to go to the ladies' room. As if they had planned on it, Brooke followed her immediately, as well as Claudia and Missy. In front of the mirror, fixing their hair and make-up, the girls got started.
– Oh Brooke, he's so hot! No wonder why you were, like, dying for him! –Claudia assured.
– And he's like so cool and confident, I can't believe he's almost 40, I was kind of waiting for a Mr. Boring. –Melissa stated.
– You make such a wonderful couple sweetie! –Claudia affirmed thrilled.
– Thank you guys! So you really like him? –Brooke questioned excited.
– Of course we like him! How couldn't we? –Melissa replied.
– God! Now I'm really going to puke! You're so cheesy, it makes me sick. –Ilana said rolling eyes.
– God, you're such a party pooper! –Claudia snapped to Ilana.
– I'm not, I just hate when you talk like the fucking Stepford Wives. –Brooke laughed and then Ilana announced. – Okay guys, let's go back, we don't want to keep our men waiting. –she ordered, ushering Missy and Claudia to the exit.
Both girls left the bathroom but before Ilana could get out, Brooke grabbed her arm and made her stay. – Okay missy, you're not going anywhere until you tell me everything.
– Tell you what?
– Everything! I want to know how it all happened. When did Jack call you, how, why, what he told you, how he got me the dress, did he sent it here? When you got it in my place…
– Man! You ask too many questions… –she said annoyed. – Just give it a rest, have fun, enjoy the ride… –But Brooke gave her a "Don't fuck with me" look. – Fine… well, I was as surprised as you, believe me. I never thought that, from all people on the planet, he'd ask me for help. But two days ago, after I left your office at night, my phone rang, and it was him. Don't ask me how he got it, 'cause I don't know… –she snapped when Brooke was about to interrupt. – Anyway, he was like all jittery and the first thing he said was "Hi Ilana, I'm Jack, please don't hang up". –Brooke burst out laughing when she heard Ilana could really imitate Jack's voice. – And I was like "what the fuck?!" So he tells me he's in a store and that he's buying you a present, but he doesn't know your size. And I was so shocked, I didn't know what to say and I just told him I had no idea, because you'd lost weight. I didn't even tell him the size you used to be, because, really Brookie, for a second I thought the man was on dope or something. So, he sighed and told me he was buying it anyway, and asked me not to tell you, and he hung up. I was frozen, and I didn't know what to do. I told Lance about it. We agreed that I wasn't telling you anything, because I didn't know what the hell was going on. Then, about an hour later, he called me back. –Brooke's eyes went wider in expectation. – And he told me that he loved you and that he wanted to see you and talk to you to fix things, so he asked me how he could make it happen.
– And what did you say? –Brooke asked thrilled.
– First of all, I asked him to tell him what freaking present he'd got. He told me it was a dress, and it totally hit me Brooke. I figured it all out. I told him to send it to my place like immediately, and told him about your birthday dinner and the time you'd be back home. He's a smart guy sweetie, he totally got me. The package got here yesterday at first hour, so I just sneaked at your place at lunch time and left it on your bed. And here we are…
Brooke was almost in tears after she heard the story. – So that's why you were so weird, huh?
– Yup. –she said proud.
– Uh-huh… and why did you help him?
– Because you both deserve to be happy sweetie. I always knew he loves you, I never doubted it. Time proved me right. And, what the hell, I like the bastard, I can't help it. He amazes me. That dress Brooke, it's perfect. He's so right for you… –Ilana declared tenderly.
Brooke threw herself in her best friend's arms. – Thank you Ilana. He's my Prince Charming, but you're my fairy godmother, and you have no idea of how happy I am. I owe you forever. –she said.
– Oh no baby, he is the one who owes me. He just sold me his soul and he doesn't even know it, isn't that sweet? –she said impishly, putting her hand on her heart.
– Oh God, you're such a bitch.
– I know, and I love it. So, let's get out of here, okay?
– Fine…
When they got back to the table, Jack was having a great laugh with the other guys. Brooke was delighted with his smiled. He looked happy and comfortable.
Then the dinner was over, and they went to Brooke's. Once the door closed behind them, they just couldn't take their hands off each other. They made sweet love and then fell asleep.
The next day, they got up and took a shower. Jack wanted to see the city, so they left to have brunch out. He totally rediscovered New York and he felt young again. Then they went back to the apartment to get ready for dinner at the Julians'. Brooke was nervous, but tried not to show it. Yet Jack knew her perfectly and realized she was tense. They'd like me, I swear, he told her blinking an eye, with a smug smile. She giggled. After all, how could anybody not like him?, she thought.
At her parents', her mom cooked a fancy dinner, and her aunts and Terry were also there. They all felt relieved when they saw that Jack had actually showed. He was everything Jack had told them about. He answered all the questions everybody asked. He even apologized for not being at Mr. Julian's birthday party and for not meeting them before.
He declared to their faces that he was "absolutely in love with Brooke" and that he would try to come to the city more often, so she wouldn't have to travel every Friday. He was open when talking about his kids and his life in L.A. Brooke's parents, polite as they were, didn't ask unnecessary questions. When the night was over, they were totally pleased and gave Brooke approving looks. Then Jack promised Terry that he'd get to meet Charlie Pace, his brother-in-law, anytime soon. Terry just couldn't believe it.
Back in the apartment, they were lying on the bed, nude, after making love again. Brooke sighed. She had to ask. – So… when you're going back home?
– You want me to leave already?
– Of course not. But I guess the kids miss you…
– Yeah, I miss them too.
– So, what's next? –she asked nostalgic.
He rolled on top of her and kissed her passionately. – You're coming with me. We're leaving tomorrow.