"Rachel!" Jesse called with excitement from the foyer of his home.
"Coming!" an ecstatic female voice echoed back down the stairs. Jesse smiled fondly and turned to the man behind him.
"The dining room is right down that hallway, past the kitchen. If you could just set everything up in there when you're done that would be great."
With a nod and a quick "Of course, Mr. St. James" the chef Jesse had hastily hired headed off in the direction he had been pointed.
Jesse waited for Rachel to meet him, and stood in the entryway with his eyes focused on the elaborate chandelier hanging proudly from the tall ceiling. He found himself so focused on it that he didn't even notice when Rachel appeared beside him until he felt her nudge his shoulder.
"Whatcha looking at?" Rachel asked playfully.
"Nothing," Jesse shrugged with equal playfulness, and he turned to her with what Rachel was sure was the most genuinely large grin he had ever given her – or anyone for that matter.
"I am so proud of you!" he suddenly proclaimed. His arms swept her into a tight hug, and his breath came lightly on her hair. Rachel's mouth spread into a grin of her own as he reciprocated with a grasp just as strong.
When they had finally (reluctantly) let go, Jesse's grin didn't drop.
"How did you find out so quickly?" he asked in amazement. "Even I have to wait a few days before I found out if I booked a role or even a callback."
"Leave it to you to make an egotistical comment when we're supposed to be focusing on me!" Rachel laughed.
"Sorry," Jesse said with a laugh of his own. "But, seriously, this is impressive. They must have really liked you – loved you even. Which I guess isn't so hard to believe. I mean, I knew you were perfect for the role, but I have some background. I've known you for months they could have only seen you for a few hours!"
"Like I didn't have you completely enamored after a few hours."
"As a celebrity, I'm going to use the ever-faithful reply, no comment."
Rachel just rolled her eyes.
"Do you want to hear my story, or not?"
"No, no. I definitely want to hear it," Jesse replied as he lead her to the living room couch. When they had settled (with Rachel's feet resting in Jesse's lap) Rachel began to tell her tale, and Jesse began to listen to the most horrific audition process he had ever heard.
When Rachel had finally finished telling her story, Jesse just stared at her in shock.
"Nope," he finally said.
"What?"
"Nope, sorry."
"Jesse, What are you –"
"Not buying it, nope."
"What do you mean you're not buying it? That's what happened!"
"No way. I do not believe, nor will I ever, that you not only slapped the director but also had a pianist mishap and a laughing response to your serious monologue and still got the part. Sorry, Rach, you're not fooling me on this one."
"I'm not trying to fool you!" Rachel huffed in a way that was unintentionally adorable. "That's what happened. I swear."
Jesse just stared at her for a moment, taking in everything that she had said. None of her story made sense, there was just no fathomable way that an audition that when that wrong could turn out so right. But, then he remembered who it was that had been auditioning, not just what all had occurred, and suddenly it hit him.
Of course Rachel had slapped the director. That's exactly what she would do if the scene called for it. And, of course, a wrongly played song wouldn't phase her or their opinion of her voice. She was incredible, with or without the proper accompaniment. And, yeah, maybe she did get a few laughs at which she thought was a serious scene, but who wouldn't laugh the first time they saw that much emotion come out of such a tiny girl. He had, the first time they had run lines together. And, come to think of it, that scene was kind of funny anyway.
"So you just slapped him?" Jesse asked with amusement, and suddenly both of them were drowning in laughter that wasn't interrupted until a voice came from the living room entrance.
"I hope I'm not interrupting, Mr. St. James, but dinner is ready whenever you would like to begin."
Jesse smiled at the chef and hopped off the couch, offering his arm to Rachel who took it questioningly.
"Thank you, Mario," Jesse nodded.
"Anytime you need," Mario smiled. "And, if this is all you'll be requiring, I'll just leave you to your meal."
"That sounds great," Jesse approved. "Have a nice night."
"You as well, and you too, miss," Mario added as he glanced at Rachel. "I can show myself out, enjoy your meal."
Jesse offered a final thank you as Mario exited the St. James manor.
"Um, Jesse," Rachel finally voiced her curiosity. "Who exactly was that?"
"Mario," Jesse answered easily.
"Yeah, I got that much."
"Tonight, Ms. Berry, is a very special night," Jesse continued. He began to lead Rachel to the dining room with her hand grasped in his.
"Oh, really," Rachel remarked with a raised brow.
"Really," Jesse nodded. "You see, one of my best friends just found out that she is going to be the star of a highly anticipated new television series."
"Wow," Rachel gasped. "She must be talented."
"Excruciatingly so."
With those words, they had entered the dining room where the table had a spread of what was sure to be the most appetizing food Rachel had ever seen. Just the sight of it had her stomach kicking her to remind her that she hadn't eaten since breakfast. She gave Jesse an impressed smile, and squeezed his hand tightly in gratitued.
"She must really mean something to you if you're willing to have this kind of extravagant meal set up in her honor."
"I'd do anything for her," Jesse said seriously. Both of them turned to look at each other, and Rachel felt her cheeks go red for the hundredth time that evening. Before things could take a turn for awkward, Jesse continued to speak. "Don't worry, most of it is vegan-friendly. Only some of it is for my own personal enjoyment. If you want you can go ahead and serve yourself."
"Thank you," Rachel smiled.
When they had both prepared their plates, they sat opposite each other at the table. They continued to converse about Rachel's audition, and how she thought the show was going to go. She talked about how excited she was to be working with such and easy-going director. And finally, the topic of her moving to California was breeched.
"I turn eighteen next month," Rachel commented. "So, technically, I can live out here on my own as soon as that happens. Which actually works out really well because we don't start filming until two months from now which would give me some time to settle in."
"So you don't think you're dads will be making the move with you?" Jesse asked with a little bit of surprise. He knew how much Mr. and Mr. Berry adored their only child.
"I'm sure they'll try to consider it," Rachel remarked with a fond smile. "But, I can't ask them to do that. They've both got careers and friends in Lima. I wouldn't want them to sacrifice any of that because of me."
"Well, you're not going to live out here alone," Jesse remarked in a tone that showed he thought that would be obvious.
"Why not?" Rachel inquired. "You live alone."
"Yeah," Jesse agreed. "But in the safest, most highly secure community this place has to offer. Not to mention security, and a gate."
"Jesse, I think I'm mature enough to live on my own."
"I'm not questioning your maturity. I'm questioning the morals of your future neighbors."
"Just because I can't afford to live in a place like this doesn't mean I wouldn't be safe somewhere else."
"That's not the point I'm trying to make. I'm only saying that you might not be comfortable staying by yourself in a new city surrounded by complete strangers."
"I honestly believe –"
"Move in with me."
And Ch. 16 has made its appearance!
So so sorry it took so long!
I hope everyone had an amazing Christmas (or a Happy Holiday!)
I swear we're making some progress on the Rachel/Jesse front! In fact, one of my New Year's Resolutions is "Get Jesse and Rachel together!" So now it has to happen.