Chapter 9
It had been seven days since Jackie had turned up on Catherine's doorstep and a lot had happened in that time. Lying back on the pillow hearing Catherine singing in the shower made Jackie laugh. Having spent the last four days barely venturing out of the bedroom they had decided that they should probably do something today, although quite what was still undecided. Jackie closed her eyes, her head mulling over everything that had happened, she started to smile although the few days at the beginning had been hard and rough on her soul, the last four days of passionate reconnection and sex had definitely made up for it. As Jackie's thoughts started to turn naughty, thinking about all the different ways Catherine and herself had pleasured each other, the ringing of Jackie's mobile brought her back to reality. "Hello" Jackie said without even bothering to check the caller ID before she answered it, but when the voice on the other end spoke she wish she had "Hi Jackie its Wade. How's your trip going" He asked 'Shit' thought Jackie, what do I say, it's been great I shacked up with my lesbian lover and want to shout that I love her from the rooftops but instead she just said "Its fine, enjoying the break from LA" "That's what I wanted to talk to you about" Wade replied "I got your message about staying on in Bloomington a bit longer, but it's gonna be difficult, the execs from the film want you to do some promo stuff and publicity and need you back in LA by the 27th" Wade was using her serious tone again which Jackie knew all too well "But Wade that's only five days from now, I really could do with staying here a bit longer than that" Jackie couldn't hide the worry and sadness in her voice. "I'm sorry Jaqs but I can't move it again, the execs are really pushing me to have you there, my hands are tied" Wade replied his serious tone had been replaced by a compassionate one "It's the way it has to be I'm afraid I've chartered a plane back on the 26th, I'll get Jason to pick you up from the airport" and with that Wade hung up. Jackie flopped herself back down on the bed and let out a huge sigh, full of annoyance and despair. "Who was that" said Catherine as she walked back into the bedroom in just a towel her long blond hair all wet and sticking to her shoulders. Jackie couldn't help but think how beautiful she was and how much she loved her, which was why she didn't want to tell her what Wade had just said, but she knew she had to "That was Wade, my agent back in LA" Jackie replied quietly "Oh" Catherine said as she turned away from Jackie so she wouldn't see the disappointment in her face. "What did he want" as soon as Catherine said it she knew it came out the wrong way. Jackie got up from the bed and walked over to wear Catherine was standing, and slid her arms around Catherine's waist from behind "The execs need me back in LA to do some publicity for the film" Jackie replied holding Catherine close, in an effort to make Catherine feel less threatened, which is exactly what she felt by Jackie's Hollywood life, which Jackie came to understand over the last few days was another reason why Catherine had ended it in the first place. "How long before you have to leave" Catherine said unable to hide the shakiness in her voice but feeling comforted by the intimacy of Jackie's embrace. Jackie had started to kiss the back of Catherine's shoulders only briefly pausing to say "four days" before continuing. Catherine turned round without breaking Jackie's embrace her eyes starting to fill with tears "what does this mean" Catherine asked "I mean what does this mean for us" Catherine added to provide clarity. Jackie released Catherine's waist and took hold of her hands. Jackie could see how upset Catherine was and felt crushed she never wanted to hurt her this way again so she looked Catherine straight in eyes and said in a direct unwavering tone "I told you when I got here, I can't leave you again and I meant it, which is why I want you, no need you to come back to LA with me" Catherine wasn't sure what to say, she had let Jackie leave once before and it had tore her apart, could she cope if she let it happen again? Sensing Catherine's hesitation Jackie added "You don't have to decide right away but I'll need an answer by Thursday so I can organise it with Wade for Saturday when I leave" Jackie said managing a weak smile, she had hoped that Catherine would say yes straight away but instead she would have to spend the next 2 days convincing her, which made Jackie feel threatened and nervous. Catherine looked away from Jackie, her eyes looked so defeated Catherine couldn't bear to look at them, she released Jackie's hands and walk over to the wardrobe and proceeded to pull out some clothes "I need time to think, do you mind if I call you later" Catherine said without looking "You mean, you want me to leave" Jackie's voice sounded hurt and wounded as she stared at Catherine's back in a state of shock. Catherine took a moment to compose herself before turning round to look back at Jackie "Yes, just for a while, I need to be alone right now, I'll call you later maybe we could go out for dinner" Catherine said trying to put on her best 'teacher voice' and kept the emotion out of it. Jackie's eyes began to fill with tears; her mind racing 'does this mean no' was all she could think. Jackie was so engrossed in her own thoughts she hadn't realised Catherine was now standing right in front of her, Catherine took a gentle hold of Jackie's chin and raised her gaze form the floor to look her in the eyes "I love you Jackie, I always have and always will, I'm not saying no but I just need time to think it out" Catherine said no longer able to keep the emotion from her voice and then kissed Jackie intimately. Jackie kissed her back harder and tried to pull Catherine down onto the bed with her but Catherine pulled away "Jackie please" Catherine said weakly. Jackie knew she had to do what Catherine asked even though she didn't want too "Ok" Jackie replied "I'll be at the hotel if you need anything" Jackie said in a sombre tone as she stood up and hugged Catherine, pulling away again Jackie added "Call me if you need anything" then kissed Catherine on the cheek and left.