After the ceremony ended and they had taken a few photos of the wedding party, Nick came over and sat down next to Jess in the pew. Jess playfully hit his arm. "Lookin' good up there Miller. You need to find a job where you have to wear a tux every day." She winked at him.
Nick tugged at his collar, loosening the tie just a little. "Not a chance. This is ridiculously uncomfortable."
Jess reached up to help him with the tie and smiled. "Are you done with pictures?"
"Yeah, but Ma wanted to introduce you to a few people, if that's ok."
"Okay. Should we go find her?"
He shook his head. "Nah, she'll come find us." He slapped his hand into her and squeezed. "Seems like a lot of people are shocked that 'ol Nick Miller has such an amazing girlfriend."
She nudged him with her shoulder and laughed. "Nick! What are you telling them? I teach crazy almost-teenagers everyday, I hardly call that amazing."
Nick frowned. "Jessica..." He was interrupted by Bonnie, who had stepped into the pew behind them.
"Hey you two, I want to introduce Jess to a few people." She tapped Jess on the shoulder and motioned for her to stand up. "Come with me, honey" She started to walk out of the pew and waited in the aisle.
Jess nodded and glanced nervously at Nick. He just smiled and kissed her cheek, whispering. "I'll be right behind you, okay." She gave a small nod, before standing up and following Bonnie to the back of the church.
Nick stood up as Schmidt stepped to the end of the pew. "Nicholas Miller in a tux. Such a waste of quality attire."
Nick laughed and punched Schmidt's shoulder. "Shut up, man!"
Schmidt nodded up the aisle. "Girlfriend doing the rounds of introductions I see."
Nick glanced at Bonnie and Jess and smiled. "Guess so. I should probably go with her, before she realizes HOW crazy the Millers really are."
"So, I guess this is really happening then."
Nick grimaced. "Schmidt, what are you talking about?"
"Please Nick, don't pretend to not know what I'm talking about. Your mother," he nodded toward the crowd at the back of the church. "showing Jess off to the relatives? You know this is serious business now, right?"
Nick shook his head. "What's your point Schmidt?"
Schmidt crossed his arms over his chest. "Look Nick, loft dynamic aside, I hope you know what you're doing. You better not mess all this up after bringing her here and parading her around."
"She's my girlfriend Schmidt, and I LIKE all this."
Schmidt held up his right hand and smiled. "Of course you do Nick, who wouldn't? Jess is the most amazing woman to ever give you a second look." His eyes narrowed as he stepped closer. "Just think about what bringing her to a family WEDDING could be putting in her head." He shook his head. "That's all I'm saying."
Nick pondered the words for a second then shrugged. "I don't know Schmidt, maybe I WANT this to spark something in her head."
Schmidt slapped his arm and smiled widely. "Really man?! You serious?"
"Yeah... I mean, maybe. For once, this kind of thing isn't freaking me out Schmidt. I don't know, I kind of like it."
Schmidt smiled smugly. "Good. Then I don't feel bad pointing out to you that I think this is all having that effect on her too."
"Schmidt..." Nick's eyes narrowed.
"Look, I'm not one to get in the middle. The conversations I have in private with the two of you I hold pretty damn sacred...but" Schmidt leaned closer again. "If you WANT this to spark some interest in marrying you someday, I'd say" He overemphasized the last two words in true Schmidt fashion. "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED." He gave a short nod and raised his eyebrows.
Nick nodded slowly, a grin spreading across his face as he watched Jess with his mom.
"I just hope you plan on actually TELLING her all of this, Nick. Don't make her try to guess what you're thinking, because SHE is going to be the one that starts to freak out with all this Miller family attention."
Nick continued to stare straight ahead, Schmidt's words weighing heavy on his mind.
Jess was laughing with Bonnie when she felt Nick's hand on her shoulder. Bonnie smiled at both of them, "Alright, well I'll leave you two alone." She winked and then looked at Jess. "Are you riding with Winnie and Schmidt to the reception?" Jess nodded, as Bonnie reached out to touch her arm. "I'll see you two there then."
Bonnie disappeared through the string of people still left at the church and Nick whispered into Jess' ear.
"You okay? Sorry to leave you alone with all the crazy people."
Jess turned to face him and laughed. "It's fine, Nick. They were all very nice."
"Listen," He started to tighten his tie, as she reached up to help him. "I have to go with Bobby over to the hotel, but I'll see you in a little bit?"
Jess finished smoothing his tie and looked up at him. "Ummhmmm. I'll be fine."
He studied Jess' eyes for a second, wondering if someone had said something to upset her. Her eyes had a sadness in them that he couldn't quite place. "Hey, you sure you're ok?"
She pushed up on her toes to kiss him. "No worries, Miller. Just a lot of people to meet, that's all."
He wasn't convinced, but he didn't want to push the issue. "Sorry, I have to leave again, you're welcome to come over with me though, I don't think Jamie will care."
"It's fine. I feel bad for them anyway." Jess motioned toward Winston and Schmidt by the door. She let out a laugh. "You know, since a minute doesn't go by that Schmidt has to remind me how miserable he is without Cece here."
Nick laughed and nodded his head. "I'll see you over there." He kissed her cheek, and Jess made her way over to Winston and Schmidt.
"You two look bored out of your minds."
They both nodded, Schmidt rollng his eyes. "Stupid small wedding and no plus ones."
Winston slapped his hands together. "Hey, why don't we head to the hotel early and get some drinks."
Jess nodded. "Sounds good to me. You in Schmidt?"
"Let's go."