Chapter 11

Jackie glanced over at the alarm clock next to the bed it had just gone 7.30 am, it was still far too early to go over to Catherine's. After a sleepless night and eager clock watching, Jackie was tired and frustrated but rather than turning over yet again she decided to get up, so that's what she did. Jackie spent the next two hours pacing around the hotel room or watching TV. As she was channel hopping she found an interview she had done a few weeks before on one of the film channels, talking about the new Neptune film. Staring at herself on the television had always werided her out but today was different, seeing how happy she was talking about the film, made her realise just how much she loved acting and although part of her could give it all up for Catherine, she also knew that another part of her would end up eventually hating Catherine for giving causing her to give up the career she loved. Jackie shut off the TV it was nearly 10 am now and she was leaving for Catherine's now whether Catherine was ready for her or not. Jackie could only hope that Catherine wouldn't make her choose between her career and Catherine herself but you could never tell what Catherine's going to say or do and that unpredictability was one of the things that Jackie loved about her, Jackie grabbed the car keys and headed out the door.

As Jackie pulled up outside Catherine's townhouse panic had set in, the butterflies resuming their place in her stomach. Jackie climbed out of the car glancing out at the upstairs windows, Catherine's bedroom window still had the curtains drawn maybe she isn't up yet, Jackie wondered as she walked up to the front door and gave it a knock. No answer, so she knocked again, still no answer. Jackie knew that she should probably turn round and get back in the car and come back later but she couldn't wait any longer. The last twenty four hours had nearly driven her insane, so she was waking Catherine up if she wasn't already. Jackie walked back down the front steps and walked round the back to the side door in the laundry room, luckily Catherine had forgotten to lock it. Jackie opened the door quietly, Ethan was standing on the other side, growling quietly at this would be intruder, Jackie opened the door further so he could see her properly and as soon as he did the growling stopped and he wagged his tail so hard, he would of taken off had it been a propeller. "Hey boy" Jackie said closing the door and bending down to rub behind his ears "Where's mummy huh?" standing back up. Jackie listened wondering if Catherine had woken up but there was still no sound or movement from upstairs, so she started to make her way up to Catherine's bedroom stopping briefly in the kitchen to put the coffee machine on.

Catherine stirred she could hear Ethan growling downstairs but just rolled over thinking he's probably getting himself worked up because there's a bird or a rabbit in the garden or something. Catherine glanced over at the wall clock it had just gone 10.30 am, she should really think about getting up but she was so comfy. She stretched out, kicking out the ruffles in the duvet, Jackie's pillow was still lying within arm's reach as she had spent most of the night hugging it, inhaling the scent of Jackie's perfume, and it was probably why she had slept so well. She reached for it again; the perfume had started to fade which filled Catherine up with sadness, but hugged it tightly none the less and closed her eyes. 'Get your butt out of bed and call her' Catherine's mind screamed at her, but just as she was about to give in and finally get out of bed the bedroom door opened to reveal Jackie standing in the doorway. "I'm sorry" Jackie said staring at Catherine longingly "I couldn't wait any longer" Jackie added casting her gaze from Catherine down to the floor. The scared, nervous expression Jackie was wearing reminded Catherine of the first time they made love, so scared, insecure and well and truly out of her comfort zone. "It's ok, come here" Catherine said gently patting the bed next to her gently. Jackie did as she was told and sat down next to Catherine on the bed and braced herself for Catherine's rejection. Catherine brushed a few stray strands of hair out of Jackie's face, she loved Jackie so much she always had and now she was back here in Bloomington willing to throw everything and herself on the line for Catherine, Catherine loved her even more. The only thing left to do was for Catherine to tell her how she felt but that wasn't something that came very easily to her. Staring into Catherine's eyes Jackie could see her inner turmoil seeping though all Jackie wanted since she came back was to save the woman she loved but now couldn't help but wonder if she had just made things worst. "Look, Catherine maybe I was wrong to come back here" "No wait" Catherine interjected placing her index finger over Jackie's lips briefly before turning round to face Jackie properly. Taking Jackie's hands in her own Catherine spoke softly "When I first met you, I had no idea how special you are, I saw this young attractive girl just starting out as a woman and you were irresistible" Catherine said with a smirk which made Jackie blush "And then when you left, you took more away with you than I expected, well more of me than I thought possible" Catherine looked away from Jackie's loving gaze before continuing "Then you came back with your declaration of love, it completely threw me for a loop, especially as I had spent so long trying desperately to forget you and repair the damage you caused" Jackie shifted slightly Catherine's speech was making her uncomfortable like she was being set up for the a negative answer to her question about moving to LA. Catherine sensed the change in Jackie's comfort level and suddenly realised that Jackie was sitting next to her convincing herself that Catherine's answer was going to be a No so Catherine lifted her eyes from the duvet and raised Jackie's now defeated face so she could look into those blue eyes of hers before continuing "But what happened before doesn't matter anymore because in all honesty I don't think I could handle losing you again, so my answer is yes I will come to LA with you at least for a while" Catherine finished speaking and looked for Jackie's reaction which was obviously a good one from the way Jackie was now grinning from ear to ear. A huge sense of relief washed over Jackie her grin showing the world how happy Catherine had just made her. Jackie leaned in and kissed Catherine deeply only pulling away when the lack of oxygen became an issue "You won't regret this I promise" Jackie's voice sounded giddy and full of hope and promise "I hope so Jackie, I really do" Catherine replied before capturing Jackie's lips with her own and pulling the blonde down on top of her.

THE END