Chris found Karen in her dressing room holding a cup of tea.
"Hey" he said entering her room "I think we need to talk"
"Listen Chris I know you and Jayne are close you always been. I just never thought it would get in the way of us, but it is, isn't it?"
"I didn't mean it to"
Karen smiled "I know. I've always looked at the two of you and thought I understood, but there is just so much more than any one could understand. You two grew up together, shared everything together for such a long time"
Chris sat down next to Karen "It was never like that."
"It might not have been, but it is now. Jayne's a beautiful woman"
"So are you"
Karen smiled "thank you, but I see how you look at her and it's not how you look at me"
Chris put his arm around Karen "I do love you."
"I know you do, but not as much as you love her."
"We could make this work, if you wanted to"
"I don't think that's a good idea, do you?"
"That's ok, I'll stay here in town" Jayne said to Phil "I'll pick the kids up from school tomorrow."
Chris approached Jayne and she hung up the phone "everything alright?"
Jayne tried to smile "yes, no, can I stay over again tonight?"
"Of course you can, you never need to ask"
"Thanks Chris, but what about Karen?"
"We'll talk about it all later, ok?"
Jayne nodded "we better get back to the ice"
The rest of the day went quickly and was very productive.
The drive from the studio to Chris flat that night was very quite, both Chris and Jayne lost in there own thoughts.
"You want to order in again tonight?" Chris asked as he opened the door to the flat "Or shall we try the cooking thing?"
"Don't feel much like cooking, do you mind if we order in again?"
"Sure"
Jayne once again took her things through to the spare room, before joining Chris in the living room.
"Fancy a drink?" he asked
"have you got any wine?"
"Sure, rough day?"
Jayne tried to smile at him "something like that"
"You know you can talk to me"
"I know. Mind if I take a shower?"
"Sure. I'll order dinner, what do you want?"
"Surprise me" Jayne said before heading for the bathroom.
Right Chris thought, Jayne clearly needs cheering up and she wants to be surprised, I can do that.
Chris phoned the local Italian restaurant, placed a food and wine order then set about making the place look special. He found a table cloth for his small dining table, placed a couple of candles in the middle and set the table with plates and cutlery. He quickly flicked through is iPod for his classical music playlist and set it play softly in the background.
"What's all this?" Jayne said reappearing from the bathroom in a towel.
"You said surprise you"
Jayne smiled one of her million watt smiled at him "it beautiful, Chris, thank you" she said placing a soft kiss on his cheek
"anytime" Chris said as there eyes locked. Jayne really was one of, if not the, most beautiful person he had ever met, inside and out.
"I should get dressed" Jayne said forcing herself to break eye contact. She could get lost in Chris eyes forever; they were the most amazing colour.
Jayne shut the bedroom door, and sighed heavily, what was she doing? She was still a married woman, even if things were complicated at home and this was one of her best friends, who just so happened to be dating her other best friend.
Now was not really the time to get all morale, especially after what had happened the previous night. Jayne smiled to herself. Chris had made it quite obvious he wanted to be with her, and judging by his actions this evening, he really did mean it. And if she was being completely honest with herself she wanted to be with him as well. A plan formed in Jaynes head, if he wanted to be all romantic and loveable so could she.
Jayne was slightly more prepared for this night than she had been last night. During the day she had rushed to the shops to stock up on a few things, amongst them was a brand new pair of silk pyjamas. They were a little big for her but a beautiful shade of Ocean Blue, and they were half price. After putting underwear on she put on the short sleeved blue top, leaving the top two buttons undone, she adjusted it so it rested on her shoulders and fasted the belt from her jeans around her waist.
While Jayne was getting ready Chris opened a bottle of wine he had found in the fridge and placed it on the table. He was glad Jayne appreciated the effort that he had gone to, he was always happy when Jayne was happy.
"Wow you look incredible" Chris said as Jayne joined him at the table.
"It's just my pyjamas" she said innocently.
"Some pyjamas" Chris replied unable to take his eyes of here.
KNOCK KNOCK
"That'll be the food then" Chris said still not breaking eye contact.
"You better get it, I'm not dressed"
Chris answered the door as Jayne poured the wine.
Dinner was more relaxed than the previous night. The conversation was easy and relaxed. They talked about how the days training had gone and planned a few things for there next training session.
"I'm sorry I ruined your night with Karen" Jayne said.
"That's ok" Chris said "besides, we're not together anymore"
"I'm sorry Chris"
"That's ok, I should have seen it coming. Especially after last night." Chris reached over the table and took Jaynes hand in his "no one compares to you"
Jaynes smiled at him, but gently pulled her hand away.
"Jayne?" Chris was worried he had upset her "talk to me"
"It's complicated"
"Isn't it always?"
Jayne smiled a sad sort of smile "things aren't that good at home"
"I'm sorry, you two always looked to so happy"
"It's easy to fool others when you've been fooling yourself for years" Jaynes eyes began to fill with tears.
Chris hated seeing her like this. He rose from his chair and pulled Jayne onto a hug. They left the table and sat on the sofa.
Jayne took a large gulp of wine "it's all the little things really"
"But it's the little things that make a difference"
Jayne nodded "he never brings me tea in bed anymore, he leaves dirty dishes in the sink instead of putting them in the dishwasher and he almost forgot our wedding anniversary last year"
"That's not something small Jayne, that massive. I'd never forget"
"I sound so pathetic, don't I?"
"No. You don't. If it matters to you then it matters to me" Chris held her tight to his chest, he placed a soft kiss on her head "I'm here for you Jayne, always"
"I know and I appreciate it more than I could ever say"
Jayne could feel the alcohol taking over her brain "take me to bed Chris"
"You sure?"
Jayne turned to face him "I've never been more sure of anything."
Chris stood and silently offered Jayne his hand
For the second morning in a row Jayne wake in the arms of her soul mate. Someone who knew her better than she knew herself, or that what it felt like at times.
"Morning beautiful" Chris whispered.
"Morning"
"I was wondering when you would wake up"
"Oh"
"I didn't want your tea to go cold"
Jayne slowly opened her eyes; sitting on the night stand was a steaming mug of tea.
"When?" Jayne began to ask. She had not felt the bed move nor had she heard any noises from the kitchen.
"You were too busy snoring"
"I do not snore!"
"Yeah, you do. It's very cute" Chris said teasing her.
Quicker than Chris thought possible Jayne rolled over and began tickling Chris ribs, one of the only places he was ticklish.
"This means war!" Chris said and began to tickle Jayne back.
They giggled like teenagers and let there worries fade away to another place.
"I…cant…breath" Jayne said between laughs "need…air"
"You started it" Chris said once again wrapping his arms around Jayne tiny frame.
"What do you want to do today?" Chris asked
"Stay here?" Jayne replied nestling into Chris embrace.
"Sounds like a plan"
"I told Phil I'd pick the kids up from school, but that's not until 3 o'clock"
"I've got to do some food shopping, but apart from that I am all yours"
"I'll have to think of something to do with you then"
"I have a few ideas" he whispered in her ear.
It was almost 11am when Jayne and Chris finally made it out of bed.
"I think that's the longest I've stayed in bed for a very long time" Jayne said.
"Me to. Don't like sitting still doing nothing."
"We weren't exactly doing nothing" Jayne smiled.
"Oh that was definitely something" Chris said wrapping his arms around Jayne "how about we grab a shower and go somewhere for breakfast?"
"Don't you mean lunch?" Jayne.
"Brunch?"
"Ok. Shower and brunch it is then." Jayne said kissing Chris quickly "I'm first" she said rushing towards the bathroom.
Chris let her go, for now. He did a quick tidy up of last nights dinner things before making his way to the bathroom. He knew once the shower was running it was hard to hear anything. He quietly opened the door, shed what little clothes he had on and joined Jayne in the shower.
"And what do you think you're doing?" she asked.
"Can't let you have al the hot water."
"While you're here…" Jayne said seductively.
Chris raised an eyebrow "really?"
"You can wash my back" she said handing him the soap and turning her back to him.
Chris did as Jayne asked. How could he not? Jayne meant everything to him and he would do anything to make her happy. Chris kissed her shoulders "all clean" he said "does that mean we can get dirty again?"
Jayne leant back into Chris embrace "I wish it did. But I have to leave soon to get the kids"
"Will you be back tonight?"
"I don't think I can"
"Oh"
Jayne turned to face him, I would love to stay here, with you, but I need to see my children"
Chris held her tight "I understand"
"Waters turning cold"
"I never noticed"
"You didn't?"
"no" he said smiling "must be because you're so hot"
Jayne laughed "that is just too cheesy, even for you"
They both got out the shower and dressed quickly. They didn't have much time before Jayne had to leave.
Chris knew the perfect place to take Jayne for breakfast "It's a twently minuet drive" Chris explained, "but its just of the A3 so it on your way"
"I trust you" Jayne said
"Ok, follow me in your car?"
"don't go to fast"
"Never" he said giving Jayne a quick kiss
As Jayne followed Chris down the motorway she wondered were he was taking her. She didn't know this part of the country that well, but she did know Chris and she did trust him. Jayne had not felt this happy in a long time. Things at home hadn't been right for a while she was just scared to admit it. When she was with Chris everything felt so right, so perfect. Its not that Chris was perfect, no one was. But, she had known his so long that she loved every part of him, even that competitive, perfectionist part.
Chris couldn't seem to wipe the smile from his face. Every now and again he would check his rear view mirror, just to make sure Jayne was still there, and he would smile. He had spent the last couple of night with the one person that had been there by his side through everything. She had been by his side through the struggle on competition, through the many broken bones and through two failed marriages.
As they parked in the car park of Wisley Gardens they both smiled at each other. It was a beautiful day, the sun was shinning and they were with each other. Life didn't really get much better.
"How did you find this place?" Jaynes asked.
"I drove passed the sign a couple of times and wondered what it was" he explained "once I saw it I knew you'd like it here"
They walked hand in hand through the Conifer Lawn and Wild Gardens to the Glasshouse Café.
"It's beautiful here"
"Yes it is" Chris said looking at Jayne, and not the flowers"
"Flattery will get you everywhere"
"That's what I'm hoping" he said with a twinkle in his eye
As it was mid week, when most people were at work Jayne and Chris were one of only three couple in the café. They could talk and be them self's without anyone bothering them.
As the time drew near to one o'clock the mood changed.
"I have to go soon" Jayne said
"I know"
"I'll phone tonight, if I can"
"You better" Chris said smiling a sad sort of smile "I'll miss you"
"You'll see me tomorrow"
"Its not the same as having you there when I wake up"
"I know. I'll miss you to"
Chris paid the bill and walked Jayne back to her car "you know were I am if you need me"
"I'll be alright" Jayne said "Phil and I have needed to have this talk for a while"
Chris gave Jayne a kiss on the cheek before he opened her door for her "see you tomorrow"
Jayne waved as she backed away from Chris and began the journey home.