1 month later
Jenny was sitting in her office, gazing over the fabrics. Fashion week was over and her new collection had received a lot of attention. Tons of orders had come in, and now she needed three new designs for a private order. Life had been quite hectic lately, and the morning sickness didn't make it any better. So far she had managed to avoid that anyone would notice, except from Joanna. Her assistant was a mother herself, and as she always had been an attentive woman, she noticed the change in Jenny's behavior. She kept it from the rest of the staff as Jenny wished. Joanna sat across from her and looked at a few fabrics herself.
"This color is awful. You get eye cancer just by looking at it. What did they think to send this over to us? Unbelievable", she muttered and tossed the piece of fabric aside. The samples had come in a few hours prior and now the two women were examining the pieces to see which they could use for the designs. "You found anything yet that you like?"
Jenny gazed up and shook her head in denial. "Nothing that springs into my eyes or that I would even wear myself. We have two more boxes, or? If this is all, it would be a disaster", Jenny stated and pointed at all the fabrics in front of her.
Joanna agreed silently. "Yeah, there are gladly two more boxes. I'll get them in. You want anything? Juice, water?", she asked her young boss.
Jenny smiled over to her. "Nah, thanks, I'm fine."
"You have another doctor's appointment this week?", Joanna questioned bluntly, knowing that pregnancies in the first trimester could be difficult.
Jenny still smiled and gazed up from her phone. "Next week. Nate will join me. But so far everything is going smoothly, except for this damn morning sickness. I can't wait until it's over. Nate was so sweet to make breakfast for me this morning and not even an hour later I vomit it into the toilet. God I hate that", she explained her frustration over her current state.
Joanna smiled in understanding. "Just hang in there. It gets better, and as soon as the baby is there and looking into your eyes, you'll forget about all the pain you went through to get it. At least until they start talking and disagreeing with you", she responded and rolled her eyes by the thought of her daughter.
Jenny laughed out a little. "Is she that bad now?"
"You have no idea. Only six weeks a teenager and she thinks she knows everything better. Gladly you're still one of her icons, so whenever she disagrees I only say that you would do it my way and she gives in", Joanna smiled brightly.
Jenny thought back of the first time she had met Joanna's daughter. The young girl had all been dressed up in her designs and barely brought out a word when she greeted her. Jenny chuckled lightly. "Well, good to know that it works for you and that I'm of use. I just hope I'll be a good mother. Honestly, I'm a little scared. It's so much responsibility to raise a child."
Joanna smiled at her genuinely. "Don't worry, in the beginning no one is perfect. Yes, it's scary but everyone grows into it at some certain point. And you shouldn't forget you're not alone. You have Nate by your side and your family and friends", she reassured her.
"You're right. It's still some time to go and attend courses. Nate got home last night with a tiny romper suit. It is so cute. And you should have seen his face when he showed me – so full of joy", Jenny told her, remembering his face when he handed it over to her. They had spent the entire evening talking about what they would need for the baby room in their new home.
"Hey Jo, before I forget… I wanted to ask you a favor", she started and gazed at her assistant. Joanna looked at her curiously, expecting her to go on. "As you know, we are looking for a new place and I think I found the right one. Would you help me to decorate it so I can surprise Nate?"
The elder woman raised an eyebrow. Thinking what Jenny had told her earlier that month. "Maybe I'm mistaken, but didn't you say that you two want to look for a new place? You both wanted to decide where to live in future and now you do it alone", Joanna asked skeptical.
Jenny chuckled slightly again. She got up from her chair and walked over to one of the dummies standing in her office. "It's not like that. The house actually is already Archibald property", Jenny clarified the situation.
"Uhm, I don't think I can follow. It belongs to Nate and he doesn't live there?"
"Nope, it's not Nate's house, but his parents. They owe a town house here, but live most of the time in the Hamptons. They barely come to town, probably every two months. Anyways… I recently met with Anne, Nate's mother. And we talked and somehow the theme came up about us searching for a house and then she suggested that we could take over the town house. At first I wasn't in to that idea, but during the last few days… it grew on me. It's Nate's home and I know how much this house means to him. So why not? We can redecorate it, make it become our home. So, would you help me?", Jenny explained her plan and gazed at her assistant.
Joanna nodded in agreement. "Sure I'll help you. And that plan sounds wonderful. I'm sure Nate will be more than happy to start his family in the house he grew up in."
Jenny smiled widely. "Yeah, that was also my thought. I already have the first task for you then. Nate loves my bed in the loft. I can't bring it over into the house without his knowledge. Do you think you could contact that guy who made it for me? I don't have his data", she asked.
"You mean Ashton. Sure, I can give him a call. So you want a whole new bed then?"
"Yeah, same style. We'll keep the loft and therefore the bed stays there. So I need a new one."
Joanna snickered over that comment. "Of course, Nate can't go without a play field. I'll call Ashton right after this meeting."
"Perfect! I'll let Anne know that we'll take the house and that she can start shifting the furniture she wants to keep for herself. I just hope that she won't say a word to Nate."
XoXoXo
It was massively annoying. Nate got into his office rooms, his employees were busy doing their jobs. He had his arms full with papers. The appointment he just came from went well. Nevertheless it bothered him that he wasn't as prepared as he used to be. Carol was still in hospital. She had broken her leg while being in her winter holidays. Normally it wouldn't be a big deal, but Nate had to admit that she clearly was his right hand by now. She always prepared all his papers to the top. Shannon did a great job too, but she wasn't Carol. Her abilities were definitely others.
He marched in and walked towards his private office. Shannon had placed her notebook now on Carol's desk, so she could deny visitors without appointments the entrance to Nate's office.
"Hey Shannon, I'm back. Please don't let anyone in, I have to go over these papers and need some alone time to do so", Nate informed her about his upcoming work.
She gazed up to him and smiled weakly. "Sure thing, Nate. But before you head in, could you sign a couple of papers for me? Some orders need to get out for office material, and we have a few offers for advertisement ready", she addressed him and pointed to a map filled with papers for him to sign.
He sighed and laid his own papers down. Grabbing a pen and started to sign while reading each document shortly over. "Anything else while I was gone?"
"Just the usual buzz. No one called in for you specifically. Oh, we got some more background infos on the story about town hall. Our new intern brought them into your office. She is organizing them", she informed him.
Nate looked up, raised eyebrow. "New intern? When did we hire her?"
"While you were on holidays. You gave the task to Carol, remember? She had a bunch in selection and gave them over to me to pick one as she would assist mainly in my field. I found one and we signed her contract while you were in Norway", Shannon explained.
Nate only nodded and finished the signing, taking his papers back up. "Good then. If anything urgent pops up, just come in."
He walked over to the door and went in, stopping in his tracks when he saw the young brunette leaning over his meeting table, sorting papers. She looked familiar but with her back turned to him he couldn't place her.
"Hello, I'm Nathaniel Archibald", he announced his presence by introducing himself.
The young woman jerked a little when he spoke up and turned around with a wide smile on her face. "I'm pretty aware of that", she responded bluntly.
Nate's eyes grew wide. From all women in New York he clearly didn't expect her to be the new intern.
"Sage", he let out surprised and groaned inwardly that she even had the guts to apply for an internship.
"Hey Nate, good to see you again. You look stunning", she purred sweetly.
He still couldn't believe she was standing in his office, now even working for him. This couldn't be true.
"What the hell are you doing here?", he asked harsh, not keen on doing any small talk with her.
She batted her eyelashes innocently. "What do you think, sweetie? I'm working", she giggled.
She must be fucking kidding me. Sweetie, what the hell? Nate walked over to his desk and tossed the papers onto it. "Why on earth did you apply here? There are dozens of magazines in New York. Why mine?", he kept questioning, still with a rough and angry voice.
Sage followed him to his desk, sitting down on one of the chairs in front. Causing her already short skirt to glide up even more, revealing half of her thighs.
"Yours is the best. That simple. I needed an internship for college and the description sounded good so I applied. Where is the problem?", she replied still sweet and friendly. She gazed him over and stayed locked with his eyes.
"You're kidding, right? Where the problem is? You're my ex and you're the last person I want to work with", he stated shortly and took a few fast steps back out of his office.
"Shannon, that contract for the intern. Does it contain a probation time?", he asked demanding. Praying for that it did and he could get rid of Sage right away.
Shannon looked up confused. "Sorry, not that I know. It's running for one year, so we thought a probation time wasn't necessary. Is anything wrong, Nate?"
He sighed heavily. "Pretty much everything. She is a blast from my past and Jenny won't like to see her here, neither do I. Did Carol see her application?"
Shannon thought his question over for a bit and then shook her head. "I don't know. It was in the pile with all other applications, so probably yes. But I can't tell if she looked closely at them. Why?"
Nate sighed once more. "She knows Sage. And she would have known not to hire her. Didn't she read the contract when signing it?"
"Well, I urgently needed help during those weeks. So I told Carol I found someone and that the contract was ready to sign, and she did. I'm sorry Nate, I didn't know…", Shannon started but stopped, not knowing what exactly to say.
Nate gazed down at his employee who looked pretty compunctious over her decision to hire Sage without any further clarifying. "I'm really sorry, Nate", she replied.
"It's fine, Shannon. You obviously didn't meet her while we were still dating", he only stated, sighing once more over the fact that his ex was sitting in his office.
Shannon smiled weakly. "I don't belong to the gossiping folks. I knew that you had seen someone before Jenny, but I didn't really care about who it was. Shall I tell her that it doesn't work for me and we have to part ways?", she offered her boss.
Nate shook his head. That would not be the best way to deal with it. "No, to fire her because she is my ex, not smart. In the worst case she grabs a lawyer and sues me. No, I'll find a way to deal with her", Nate replied frustrated. How the hell do I explain that to Jenny in her state? "How come I didn't see her before if she is already an entire month here?"
Shannon shrugged over his question. "Don't know. She ran quite a lot of errands for me and the team. But she was also a lot here at the office. Maybe you just missed each other during that time", she mused.
Nate nodded in thoughts. "Yeah, maybe we did", he muttered, not believing for a second that it was that way. This couldn't be a coincidence.
He walked back into his office. Sage was still sitting in the chair in front of his desk. She turned towards him and smiled innocently. "Cleared everything?", she asked right out.
Nate only rolled his eyes in response and made his way over to his desk, sitting down behind it. "Let's be clear about this, the only reason you got hired was because I was out of town and Shannon didn't know we were dating once. If she had, you wouldn't sit here now", he said annoyed.
"So to get that straight: you can stay, but you will only do your job. No flirting or anything related to that. I don't want to see you in this office at all. Understood?" He glared sternly at her, still very uncomfortable with the fact that she was even there.
Sage kept her smile, although she felt slightly pissed. "Believe it or not, Nate, but I only started here because this was the best internship on the market. My prof keeps talking about the Spectator and you in his class. And most of my students wish to be like you. I want to be the best at Columbia, and to be the best means to work for the best. That's all. It has nothing to do with you", Sage explained her view. Although she would have loved to kiss him right away. He still had that certain something.
Nate snorted. "I'd love to believe that. But I know you and that means I can never really believe your words", he gave back dryly, remembering her schemes and lies all too well. Especially the humiliation of Serena and Dan at Cotillion over two years ago.
"Now that comes from…", she started but was cut off by Shannon who came in to announce a phone call.
"Sorry to interrupt Nate, but the jeweler is on the line. It's about the chain you ordered for Jenny", she announced and waited for his response.
"Oh yeah, sure. Put him through, we're done here anyways." He glanced one more time firmly at Sage and directed his attention towards his papers.
Sage got up, quite unsatisfied. She had hoped that her first meeting with Nate would be different, but she was obviously wrong. He wasn't happy at all to see her. When she had started he was on holidays with that blonde bitch. How can he still be with her? Gross. And even getting her jewelry… he will soon realize who he really belongs to. And that is not her!
She made her way back out of his office and closed the door. Starting towards her own desk when Shannon stepped in her way. Crossing her arms over her chest and looking grimly at her.
"So, when exactly were you planning on telling me that you used to date Nate?", she asked demanding, gazing her straight in the eyes.
Sage sighed and rolled inwardly her eyes. "It's my past Shannon, and none of your business. I'm here to learn about the job."
Shannon gazed her over. Taking for the first time the entire appearance of the young girl in. Sage wore a short skirt and a matching tank top, which looked quite stylish. She was beautiful, indeed, but something about her didn't address Shannon all the sudden. Maybe she hadn't noticed it before, but now knowing who she was.
"Just to get that straight, Nate and Jenny are engaged. They are happy, and you better don't try to change that. I normally don't interfere with the live of my boss, but I really like Nate. He is a great guy, and deserves to be happy. Don't mess with him or you'll get to know me", Shannon responded sharply. "I hope for yourself that you really just came here because of the job."
Sage felt like vomiting. Engaged? What a sick joke. He can't be serious. She only smiled warmly at Shannon, placing a fake friendly exposure. "It's over two years ago that we dated. I did move on. After all I'm at college and have a huge collection of guys to my feet. Trust me, Nate is the last guy on earth that I want", she remarked.
Shannon eyed her skeptically, cocking an eyebrow. "I hope so. Just so you know, the second I see you making a move on him, is the second you're fired!"
Sage couldn't believe the elder woman. How cute was this? There she stood and tried to defend Nate's relationship. How pathetic. Who did she think she is?
"Heard you loud and clear. But there is no reason to worry. I don't care about him anymore. He can marry whoever he wants", she shot back. And that will be me!
XoXoXo
"B, could you for once try to find something for Jenny instead of yourself? We're looking for a present for her engagement, not yours", Serena chuckled and gazed at her best friend, who was holding a crystal glass bowl in her hands.
Blair looked offended over to her. Placing the bowl back onto the rack where she got it from. "Excuse me? Everyone would die for such a beautiful bowl", she snapped. "And why do we have to buy something anyway? They are already engaged, and we already celebrated it. And why wasn't I allowed to bring Henry?"
She missed her baby boy, who was back home with Chuck. Having some father-son time. Although the young boy probably won't remember when he gets older. Serena giggled and walked further into the hardware department.
"It's a nice gesture between friends, B. And as you know, they will move to a new place, so they clearly can need something for their household. So be sweet and nice, and keep looking for something for them. You know that neither Jenny nor Nate like the extravagant. And as much as I love Henry, he is too young for a shopping trip. Sooner or later he would cry and you would take him home to please him", she countered.
Blair puffed some air out of her lounges and groaned. "Fine, then we get them a present. But it would have been easier if they had made a list what they still need and want. I really don't shop trash on regular basis, actually not at all, S", she responded dull. "And my son wouldn't cry. He loves shopping just as much as I do."
Serena rolled her eyes and kept smiling and looking at all the shown items in the racks. "Whatever B, if you don't want to shop a gift for them why did you come when I asked you? I didn't force you to come here, and I doubt that Henry even knows what shopping is", she remarked.
Blair had spotted a nice porcelain service and walked closer. "I never said that I don't want to get them something. I just pointed out that it's a bit late. And you are aware of the fact that I don't need a specific reason to go shopping. I just do it. And surely Henry knows it. At least he knows when mommy goes shopping, he also gets something sweet and cute", she answered and turned her gaze back over to Serena. "And I just had a brilliant idea. How about lingerie? It's something they can both have good use off."
"Are you serious?", Serena asked incredulous.
"Yes, they don't want bachelor parties, but at least we should give them a night to remember. We could plan a romantic and naughty night out for them. Come on, we have to do something. Yes, the first try didn't work out for Jenny, but this is Nate now waiting for her at the altar. We can't do nothing. I'm pretty sure that Chuck has something in mind too", Blair thought about her husband, very certain that he wouldn't let a chance slip to party wild and crazy with his best friend since childhood days.
Serena contemplated the idea. Jenny and Nate had said that they don't want any bachelor parties, but they could throw a huge party for both of them. It wouldn't be exactly a bachelor party for each of them.
"You know what, maybe that's not such a bad idea. And as you like to get it a little naughty, probably out of selfish reasons, how about a party in "Sinners and Saints"-style? Just without the public drama and all", Serena pondered.
Blair send her a mischievous smile. "I like the way you're thinking here, S. Let's talk to our men and get them on board."
"You better ask Chuck about helping, I'm not so sure that Dan will be keen about planning a naughty night for Nate and his sister", Serena chuckled over the fact that Dan still had his problems with Jenny's sex life.
Blair rolled her eyes and put a silver platter back. "He really should grow up. What does he think they do all night? Play hide and seek?", she asked slightly aggravated. She never understood why Dan was still so overprotective when it came to Jenny. Nate was the best that could happen to her. And finally they would get married.
Serena followed her friend towards the next floor. "They might do, with some extra rules", she laughed out. "Where are you going, B? I thought we would get them a present."
Blair turned around and smiled wickedly. Reaching for her friends arm and pulling her with her. "Oh we do, but as we just clarified, we don't need any hardware for them. So, we'll heat down to the lingerie now. Find something nice for Jenny and something very hot for me. It's been quite a while…", she let the last words hang.
Serena gazed at her amused and smirked. "Henry keeps you guys quite busy, huh? No scratching at nights?", she teased the brunette.
Blair glared at her, puffing her into the side. They had reached the area where lingerie was waiting to be tried and bought.
"Ha ha, not everyone can have a fulfilled sex life like Jenny and Nate have it. It's still going, but not as regular as it used to be, or as spontaneous. True, Henry has changed our lives – in a very positive way. We're still adjusting, and that also counts for our sexual needs", Blair explained and gazed over a few silk robes.
Serena examined a couple of bras in the meantime. She smiled genuinely at her and tossed then a sexy, lace body over to Blair. "You'll figure it out. No one said life stays the same with a baby on board. Pretty sure in no time you'll end up ravishing each other on daily basis again", she grinned widely and grabbed a string tong from the table. "Ooh, this is definitely Chuck's taste – a piece of nothing."
XoXoXo
Nate walked into their loft later that evening. He had quite a lot to edit that night and as much as he had tried to get home early, it didn't work out. To make it worse, Sage had been around all the time. She didn't enter his office, just as he had wished. But each time he would go to talk to one of his workers, she showed up with all kind of questions for them, causing a massive headache to Nate.
He slammed his bag next to the dining table and tossed his jacket on one of the chairs. Walking straight to the fridge to grab a beer and downing it halfway on his way to the couch. Jenny was nowhere in sight. He sighed and closed his eyes, massaging his temples with his fingers when he heard footsteps on the upper floor.
"Nate? You home?", Jenny's voice filled the silence. Just the sound of her voice made him feel better already. She always managed to send him on ease.
"Yeah, just got in. Down in the living room", he called up to her, remaining in his spot. He had kicked of his shoes and laid his feet on the table. Resting as good as he could.
Her footsteps were now on the stairs, he could hear her come down and opened his eyes to see her emerge the room. A wide smile on her face.
"Hey baby, good that you're back. I missed you", she said sweetly and made her way over to him. She sat down on his lap while straddling him. She kissed him softly. "You look tired. Everything alright?", she asked concerned.
He placed his bottle on the table and leaned in to her. His hands surrounding her upper body, caressing her back.
"Nah, it was just a long day", he answered silently, not knowing if he should tell her about Sage. They would get married, so probably he should. But how would she react to those news? Especially that he didn't fire her right away.
"It's just this story about town hall we're working on. It's huge, like really huge… we have to go over tons of facts. One wrong line and it could blow into our faces", he informed her.
Jenny smiled at him, cupping his face with her hands, stroking it softly. She gazed straight into his pierce blue eyes. "I'm sure you'll do a great job on it, as you always do. It sounds serious. What is it about?", she replied tenderly.
Nate brushed his lips over hers shortly, returning her smile. "I'd love to tell you, but until now… I can't. When the final text is ready, you'll be the first to read the article – promise", he answered her and kissed her again.
"I know it will be worth the wait and until then...", she said seductively and started to unbutton his shirt, leaning forward to kiss each spot of skin that got revealed due to her actions.
Nate closed his eyes and groaned over the sensation that her lip contact evoked in him. She truly knew how to ease him. He let his hands slide down her back and grabbed her firm butt, squeezing him shortly. Jenny moaned in response, continuing her action to undress him.
"You like what I do..."
"You can bet your cute little ass on that, baby", Nate responded and enjoyed her ministrations.
Jenny had opened his shirt and her hands glided beneath the fabric to slide it from his shoulders, exposing his chest. Nate came a bit closer and kissed her, but Jenny pulled back. Smiling wickedly at him.
"Fine, you're in control", he smirked.
She batted her eyelashes and leaned in for a searing, passionate kiss. After breaking their contact she gazed at him innocently.
"You won't regret it. You know what they say about pregnant women, or?"
"That they have this certain glow?", he chuckled slightly.
She shook her head in denial. "No, I meant that they are quite horny", she clarified.
Nate looked at her a little puzzled. "Are you sure? I thought the most women barely want sex during their pregnancy."
Jenny sighed in frustration and rolled her eyes. "Fine, then I'm obviously some sort of alien, 'cos I want my man right now very badly."
"Is that so? And what if I'm not in the mood", he teased her.
"Just shut up and let me fuck you. We both know all to well that you want it", she replied exasperated.
He chuckled again. "You know me all too well, Miss Humphrey", he said sweetly and pulled her close to kiss her fiercely.
Nate's tongue licked over her lips, asking for entrance and she obeyed. He started to explore her mouth like so many times before. And still each time he kissed her it felt like the first time, pure sensations running through his body.
He tighten the grip on her and brought her closer to him. Jenny's arms flew instinctively around his torso, sliding up into his hair and ruffling through it. She loved the feeling when her fingers ran through it.
Their kisses were deep and demanding, both fighting for control and neither one of them wanted to give in. They only broke apart for needed oxygen.
Nate's fingers ran under her shirt, caressing the bare skin beneath. Jenny moaned in pleasure. He led his hands rise up her body, taking the fabric with him and Jenny lifted her arms so he could get rid of her shirt.
He placed soft kisses beneath her ear and down her neck to her collarbone. Jenny enjoyed his movements. In return she traced her hands over his bare back and let her fingers dig into his flesh while pushing her pelvis more into his lap. Nate groaned against her skin.
He pulled back and gazed at her. His eyes had darkened and were filled with lust, desire and love. His hands glided up to her shoulders, and held her at arm length. Jenny looked at him bewildered.
"You always know how to make me feel better when I need a cheer up. And I don't mean this actions now, also when you just snuggle into me and lean against me, just watching TV or so. I don't know, just to have you with me, by my side – it let's me forget about all the shit out there. I love you, Jenny. And I can't wait 'til you're finally my wife", he said sincere and leaned forward to capture her mouth and continue their previous activities.
Jenny smiled against his lips and mumbled a response that sounded like 'me too', but Nate was already busy unclasping her bra that he barely paid attention to it. When he finally got rid of it, he immediately attacked her breasts. God, how I love her!
He started to kiss her right nipple, while pinching her left. Jenny moaned in joy and threw her head back. Her golden blonde hair hanging like a curtain down her back. She held on to his shoulders so she wouldn't loose her balance.
Nate continued his ministrations, increasing Jenny's urge to feel him within her. Her mind was already blurry from his kisses, bites and nipping, but she finally remembered that she wanted to give him a good time.
Jenny pulled back and stopped him from kissing her further. Now it was his turn to gaze at her flabbergasted. She smiled at him wickedly and moved down to the floor, beneath his legs.
"Remember? I'm in control", she said seductively.
Her hands slid up his legs and started to unbutton his trousers. Nate smiled and watched her while leaning back into the cushions. I so fucking love her. This will be amazing. Jenny got him out of his pants and boxers, with a little help by Nate who moved up so she could remove them.
He sat naked in front her now, gazing straight into her shiny blue eyes. Anticipation was glimmering in his. He wanted her so badly. Jenny moved forward and her hands were once more gliding over his legs, scratching the insides of his thighs. A dark and deep groan escaped his lips.
Jenny smiled inwardly, knowing all to well which buttons she had to push to please her man. Time to send him to heaven, and afterward me.
2 weeks later
Nate sat in the town car, Jenny next to him. Cuddled up into his side, stroking with her hand over his chest. They had just been to dinner with his parents, who came to town for one night. His mother wanted to see a play at the opera and insisted that they would meet for dinner before. Gladly his parents adored Jenny, and they always liked to spent time with her. He could still remember how his mom shrieked on the phone when he told her that he had proposed and Jenny said yes. Nate was sure that his mom had never been happier than in that moment. Probably she had the entire wedding ceremony already planned out. But if she did, she didn't give it away tonight. They had only spoken about current topics. Now they were on their way back home.
Jenny's phone rang shortly, announcing a new message. She sat up and pulled it out, glancing at the text and smiled secretively. She reached inside her jacket and searched for her scarf. When she got a hold of him, she pulled him out and started to fold him into a long line. She then turned to him.
"Sorry sweetie, but our next destination is a secret", she said happily and moved forward to blindfold his eyes.
He looked at her in astonishment. "Wait, what? Why?", he asked flabbergasted, not willing to let himself get tied blind.
She giggled lightly. Gazing him straight into the eyes. "You trust me?"
"Of course, you know that."
"Then do now. I want to show you something. And I don't want you to see it straight away. Please Nate", she pouted, biting her lower lip in the way he loved it.
He sighed and gave him. "You owe me later", he replied seductively.
Jenny smiled even wider. "I doubt it, but I'm willing to please you anyways."
She placed the scarf over his eyes and tied him at the back of his head. "You see anything?"
"Nope."
"Perfect! Andrew, please to the known address", she addressed the driver to change their destination.
"Sure, Miss Humphrey. On our way", he obeyed right away.
Nate was curious what this was all about. The last time she had 'kidnapped' him, they ended up in a sweet, little hotel in Vermont where they stayed the entire weekend and just loved each other. He had high hopes it would be anything like that again.
"So, where are you taking me?", he tried once more.
Jenny only giggled in return. "Patience is not your biggest strength, is it? You'll see when we are there. And I'm sure, you'll love it", she answered him.
She was totally excited and anxious now for him to see her surprise. Hopefully he would like it. After a short ride the car came to a stop and Jenny opened the door to get out.
"We're there. Step carefully out, and no worries, there is a ground beneath the car", she snickered.
Nate shook his head and sighed. He placed one feet out of the car before he let the other follow. Jenny had taken his hand and helped him out. He could hear the nearby traffic, so they were still in the city.
"Just a few steps and then some stairs", she informed him when she started to move forward, dragging him with her. Nate moved forward, not able to see anything through the scarf. Inwardly he started to hate the person who had invented scarfs in the first place. He only liked them during their many games of love making.
After they had climbed up the stairs, they stopped shortly. He could hear keys and a lock being opened. Where the hell are we, and what is she doing?
"Come in", he heard her voice and she took his hand again to lead him in to wherever.
After three more steps they stopped again and he could hear a door being closed. Jenny walked up to him and untied the scarf, taking it from his eyes. She smiled widely at him.
"Welcome!", she only stated and looked at him expectantly.
Nate gazed around, trying to understand where they were and what this was about. It wasn't a hotel, that was for sure. They stood in a living room, with a very modern style.
"And…?", Jenny asked curious.
Nate turned his gaze back to her. Her face was filled with excitement, curiosity and a little fear, if he wasn't all too wrong. "I don't know. What is this?", he asked confused.
Jenny stepped over to him. "Our new home, if you want", she replied.
He was totally taken aback by that info. They had agreed to look for houses together, and now she had found one alone. "Our new home?", he repeated toneless, a little hurt. "I don't understand. I thought we wanted to search together. To find our home."
Jenny still smiled, she knew he would react this way. "Take a closer look, babe. Is there nothing that may look familiar to you?", she questioned instead of answering him.
Nate gazed around the room once more. The furniture looked all new, same for the carpet and curtains. Nothing seemed known to him, except… well except for the shape of the room. With different furniture and colors… no, this can't be, or? His eyes widened a little.
"Jenny, where are we?"
Her smile turned into a full grin. "I already said so, in our new home if you want it too."
"Is this… is this my parent's house?", he asked unsure, still not certain if this was the house he grew up in. It looked too different.
Jenny nodded in response and took his hands in hers, intertwining their fingers.
"I know we wanted to search together for a new house", she started to explain why they were here, "but then your mom brought up the idea of using this house instead. At first I wasn't into it that much, but then I started thinking… this place always meant so much to you. You grew up here. It's your home, even if you didn't live here lately. But neither do your parents. Mostly it stood empty, waiting for someone to come around. Anyways… I think it's a great idea to live here and let our children grow up where you already turned into that marvelous person that you are."
She gazed up into his eyes which were filled with so much love and desire. Nate had listened to her and was totally amazed. He hadn't thought about the Archibald home as theirs, but now… He let go of her hands and wrapped his arms around her body instead, pulling her as close as possible.
"Do you have any clue on how amazing you are? And how much I love you? I can't believe that you planned all this behind my back, and that we can move in already", he said, still baffled by the entire situation.
Jenny smiled up at him. "Not all. Your dad's working room is still undone. I thought it could become your home office… and if you want to change anything, we can. It doesn't have to stay this way. It's our home now, we can decorate it however we want to", she assured him.
Nate leaned forward and rested his forehead against hers. "You're incredible, amazing, unbelievable, wonderful, breathtaking…", after each word he placed a soft kiss on her lips.
"So, you were saying 'children' earlier – as in plural", he stated matter-of-fact.
She blushed slightly and gazed back at him. Nodding her head as silent agreement. "One is always a bit lonely, don't you think?"
"Damn right. Do I assume that the bed room is ready as well?", he smirked.
Jenny's lips brushed his slightly. "Just the way you like it. Ashton did another of his custom made beds for us", she informed him.
Nate grinned all over his face. "Time to inaugurate our new home then", he responded huskily, and grabbed Jenny by the waist to lift her up and throw her over his shoulder.
So, I have to say that I probably started 4 times writing this chapter, and somehow I'm still not that pleased with it. Don't know if it's the hot summer weather, just my mood or the lack of muse that makes me so undecided... Well, I hope you liked this chapter anyways.
As well I'm also sorry for not updating on regular basis as I used to do - work has me a little burned out, summer keeps me away from my laptop :) And even so I do know where I want to take this story, I somehow lost the muse to write the next chapters down. Hopefully I'll find my inspiration again when I'm heading for the everlasting city of Rome next weekend. So sorry in advance if you have to wait a little longer for the next update, I will try my best to make it worth it then :)
Thanks once more to everyone who is following. It means so much that you like my work. I'm not a writer at all, but when it comes to Nate & Jenny - I can't help it. They had so much potential and the writers just blew it. Have a wonderful weekend folks! Hope to hear from some of you what you think and until the next time :) Enjoy your summers!
PS: totally forgot in all those previous chapters - of course I don't own anything about the Gossip Girl world esp the characters (although I wouldn't mind to get Chace ;) )