Chapter Sixteen.
Nick.
I carefully maneuvered the roses into the pink box, adjusting them delicately until I was sure they looked exactly like the other ninety nine boxes surrounding me. I stepped back looking at my final bouquet proudly, a smile consuming my face.
"Number one hundred."
"You're finished?" Joe asked his voice eager.
I turned and nodded grinning towards my brother's as we all redirected our eyes to Miley who was concentrating on paperwork in the corner of the room. Joe gave a polite cough trying to get her attention as Miley frowned and turned around looking at us,
"You're all done?" She questioned looking around.
We all nodded in sync as she raised her eyebrows and moved over to our creations. Miley's eyes skimmed around the room like an examiner trying to find any imperfections in our work, I however knew she wouldn't find any because after doing this for over a hundred hours today of all days my brothers and me had made sure there wasn't even one loose petal. It wasn't until this morning that I really began to understand why Miley loved doing this, she'd left the three of us alone today to make all the bouquets with no assistance what so ever and the finished product gave me a sense of accomplishment. I'd turned a simple flower into what I thought was a lovely smelling piece of artwork.
"Not meaning to rush you or anything Miles but..." Joe announced looking at my fiance hopeful,
"But what?" Miley asked picking up a box gazing at it.
"We have an emergency meeting with our dad about the company at nine." Kevin finished.
Miley turned looking at me, "Are you going?" She asked me intrigued,
I gave her a sheepish shrug, "I am, but look if you don't want me too I'd be happy to stay-"
"I have to admit these are all pretty impressive," Miley cut off putting the box back down as she walked over to the corner, unclipping three sheets of paper smiling towards us, "They are almost as good as mine,"
"Almost? You kidding me these are beyond professional standard-"
"Do you want this sheet with my signature on it saying you completed your community service or not Joe?"
Joe laughed awkwardly, "Yes Miss boss lady who is the expert on flowers I do."
Miley nodded and held out the pieces, "Congratulations, you are officially-"
She didn't even finish her sentence before both Joe and Kevin had snatched the papers and were running for the door.
"Bye Miley, thanks Miley, talk to you soon Miley,"
The front door opened and slammed as Miley just rolled her eyes giving a small laugh handing me my sheet,
"And to think I thought they might have almost enjoyed doing this," She murmured staring at me.
"Thanks beautiful, and even if they didn't I did. It made me appreciate how much work you truely do."
I stepped forward towards her putting my hands on her hips, "So what? You didn't think I worked much before you did community service?"
"No!" I groaned, "You know what I mean, it's just a lot of work."
"It is, and so is your job."
"I don't have a job,"
"Yet you're going to the meeting?"
Miley stared at me with raised eyebrows as I sighed, "It's my family and-"
"And I have a feeling your dad wants you back Nick."
"Yeah so do I actually," I murmured staring at her, "But you're more important."
Miley's cheeks reddened as she leaned up pressing her lips against mine, "I know that," She whispered looping her arms around my neck smiling at me, "But at the same time I know this whole no job thing is getting to you, which is why at the expense of being less important to you I really want you to take the job your dad offers you today."
I looked at her bewildered, "What job? Who said anything about-Have you spoken to my dad?"
Miley chuckled kissing my lips, "What? You're allowed to check up on me through my family, why shouldn't I be able to have a little chat with your dad?"
"You spoke to my dad?" I asked.
She nodded, "I did," Miley whispered, "It appears he still doesn't exactly like me, but I think he just likes being protective of you and doesn't like sharing."
It was my turn to laugh, "Your joking right? My dad isn't protective, he doesn't care about me."
Miley moved her fingers up the back of my neck staring into my eyes, "He does Nick, he loves you and he wants you back."
"No," I responded, "No way, I won't risk losing you again."
Miley closed her eyes, "You won't this time, I promise I'm not going anywhere."
"Miley with everything going on at the moment I just want to make sure you're safe-"
"Yeah I got that when you put in the high tech security system the other day at your house and told me I was moving in permanently again." She announced kissing my lips, "I know you're worried about Liam and so am I, but I'm not going to let him ruin our happiness, nor will I let your family intervene again. This time it'll be different because unlike last time we're communicating our feelings, and I'm telling you truthfully I want you to take the job."
I looked at Miley and sighed, "I'll think about it, but-"
"But nothing Nick. Now go, I'll see you tonight right? At the airport..."
I smirked nodding, "France."
"France," She repeated her grin spreading.
"With Luce," I murmured disappointed.
Miley scowled pushing me away, "I'm looking forward to quality time with Lucy, even if you're not."
"I am, I just...it's going to be hard to you know."
"She has to sleep eventually Nick."
"Point taken, I'll see you tonight princess be safe please?" I leaned forward kissing her again.
"I'm always safe,"
I gave her one last kiss before reluctantly leaving Miley behind to deal with a full day of work without her sister's assistance once again. I just had to get through this meeting and then my day would be clear of activity, minus having to face Selena and obtaining a most likely over excited Lucy who would want lunch and then I had to pack my clothes and complete the check list that Miley had left for me. Who was I kidding today was going to be hellish busy for both of us, but tonight we were leaving for France and I couldn't wait to get on that plane.
I left the shop pulling out my phone seeing a missed call from a newly familiar number. I quickly pressed redial, feeling uneasy as I climbed into my car looking towards the shop seeing Miley inside carefully arranging buckets of flowers. I wanted to tell her what I was doing, but this new communication thing we had going on still meant that some secrets needed to be kept including this one,
"Hello," A deep male voice murmured quietly,
"It's Nick Jonas-"
"Uhuh I got your message, I think I can help ya out man."
I nodded pulling out my wallet, "How much?" I questioned flicking through my cash,
"Five grand and I promise this Liam character will never see freedom again."
I smiled thankful, "Done deal, I'll leave the cash with dad you'll-"
"I'll contact your father, pleasure doing business Mr. Jonas."
The phone line went dead as I turned gazing over at the shop which held the girl I loved within. I had to keep her safe, it was my duty to do that now.
My dad had made friends in prison, one in particular that had sources in all aspects of the criminal underworld. Dad was the one who suggested the concept to me of contacting this notorious figure, of getting help and honestly at first I thought it was a bad idea but seeing Miley constantly looking over her shoulder the past few weeks changed my mind. Just because she didn't get the legal justice she deserved, didn't mean I was just going to let that bastard get nothing for the crime he committed against her.
Karma was just about to hit Liam heavily, and take him out of Miley's and my life for good.
Miley.
"And, and, and, and, and-" Luce stuttered exploded with excitement, "I got a new dress to wear, and, and, and-"
"And you need to calm down Luce." Nick moaned exhausted.
I ran my hand up his leg rubbing it gently giving him a warning look as I turned back to Lucy, "But daddy I'm going to France! Do you know how jealous all my friends are? This is like so exciting! I mean not the first week, honestly being stuck on a vineyard sounds pretty boring but the second week-"
Nick clamped his hand across Lucy's mouth as I laughed looking at Nick intrigued,
"We're staying in France for two weeks?" I questioned eager to hear more.
Nick glared at Lucy, "Remember what I said about this being a secret Lucy? That means Miley doesn't know."
I watched her shrug apologetic as Nick dropped his hand, "But I'm so excited and-"
"I never would have guessed," Nick responded dismally,
"Look you can see the whole city out of the window!" Luce announced almost bouncing with excitement.
I looked out to find she was quite right, I could literally see all of Los Angeles twinkling below. We'd only taken off a few minutes ago, and to no surprise we were taking the private jet but apart from that I knew little of our trip to France unlike Lucy did clearly. I felt Nick's hand slowly trail up my back as I turned looking at him giving a weak smile,
"You okay?" He mouthed as I nodded leaning back on him.
"Just tired,"
He looked at me with raised eyebrows, "I'm fine Nick, I'm just tired I promise."
"Okay, well how about-"
"Can we watch a movie? Or can we play a game? I'm kind of bored so can we do something?"
We both turned to Luce as Nick sighed, "Lucy, Miley and me are really-"
"I'll watch a movie with you," I responded smiling at Luce, "While daddy goes and gets some sleep."
"Really?" Luce's eyes lit up,
"Yeah sure-"
"Miley," Nick murmured in my ear, "You don't have too,"
"But I want too, then when she falls asleep I'll come be with you and we can talk."
I gave Nick a look as he stared at me for a moment unwilling to give up only to finally sigh, "Fine you win, but..." He leaned forward kissing the side of my lips, "I want you to come get some sleep eventually Miley, please?" I nodded as he kissed me, "I love you, don't let her watch anything bad okay? Try and stick to cartoons?"
"Will do."
Nick shifted away as Lucy instantly climbed closer to me lunging at the t.v before us,
"Be good Lucy," Nick warned.
"I will daddy,"
Nick kissed the top of my head before turning and walking towards the back of the jet leaving me alone with his daughter. I watched confused as Lucy continued to stare watching her dad until he closed the door separating us, instantly she turned back to me sticking her little index finger at me.
"Why haven't you married my dad yet?" Lucy snapped at me,
I looked at her taken back, "Ummm Luce-"
"No excuses, why not Miley?"
I stared at her surprised as she put her hands on her hips, "Miley why is this taking so long?" She proclaimed frustrated as I just stared at her wide eyed, "Why don't you just marry him? You love my dad so what's the problem?" I looked at the little girl before unable to respond, because I suppose there wasn't really an excuse I could simply explain to her.
"Your daddy and me are just waiting for the right time, when everything is not too complicated-"
"Like France?" She cut me off pursing her lips, just like Selena always did.
"But France is for us to have a break and-"
"Why don't you get married in France then?"
Lucy stared at me as I shrugged, "Well we haven't planned anything, plus none of the family are here and-"
"So what?" Lucy questioned a smile spreading across her young face, "Why don't you elope?"
"How do you even know what that means?"
Lucy's eyes suddenly looked distant as she bit her lip, I knew this look too, Lucy looked exactly like Nick did when he was lying.
"Lucy did your dad ask you to do this?" I asked intrigued.
She instantly looked at me mocking a shocked reaction, "No! No of course not."
"Lucy..."
"What?" She responded innocently, "He didn't,"
"Are you sure because-"
"Let's watch this movie!" She announced falling beside me.
I just looked at her unconvinced, "Lucy did-"
"Stop talking I want to watch the movie Miley."
I stared at Lucy completely confused, but it was very clear that she wasn't the one who created this eloping idea, it was Nick. I turned looking towards the back of the plane bitting my lip, he wanted to get married in France? I mean I knew why, it was the city of love after all but eloping? I mean it sounded great but what would happen when we got home? I turned my attention back to the T.V trying to concentrate on the movie but I found myself become jittery at the concept, Nick wanted to get married to me in France? I kind of loved the sound of that.
Half way through the movie Lucy cuddled into my shoulder, no more than ten minutes later she was completely out. I sighed in relief and easily manovered the sleeping girl across both seats deciding I'd had a Luce overload for today and needed a break. I pushed a pillow under her head and then draped a blanket over Lucy's body before heading off towards the back of the plane.
I was happy to see Nick asleep as I kicked off my shoes and climbed into the small bed which I was sure was only designed for one not two.
Nick instantly rolled over opening his eyes, "Hey," He murmured groggy, "Movie finished?"
"Lucy fell alseep,"
"Good," Nick whispered.
He wrapped his arms around my waist pulling me closer as I cuddled up against him. Nick moved his head down and without a word gave me a look indicating what he wanted. I frowned unconvinced by what he was suggesting as he leaned forward kissing my lips, sucking on the bottom one as I goraned, he knew how much that turned me on.
"I thought we were waiting until France." I whispered.
"But doesn't joining the mile high club sound enticing?"
I ran my fingers through his hair and nodded, "It does, but-"
"There is always a but with you."
I frowned biting my lip, "Fine, no buts, let's do this." I murmured.
"You sure?"
I nodded in agreement as Nick smirked and leaned forward kissing me, his body moving onto mine. His lips kissed my desperately, as suddenly I froze up. It took a second for Nick to realize as he broke the one sided kiss looking at me confused,
"Miley? Are you okay?" He whispered concerned.
"You want to elope?" I felt myself blurt out.
Nick instantly sighed almost in relief, "I thought you were worried about my new job or Li..." Nick trailed off shaking his head, "Never mind, elope? What? Where did-"
"Lucy."
He sighed shaking his head kissing my nose, "So much for politely asking her to drop some hints," He murmured apologetic.
"She pretty much condemned me for not marrying you sooner," I whispered.
Nick instantly groaned shaking his head, "I just wanted to float the idea, I didn't want you to feel like-"
"Why didn't you just ask me yourself?" I questioned.
Nick looked down at me uneasy, "I should of, I just was hoping my little snitch would find out more than I could I guess?"
I leaned up kissing his lips smiling, "I like it,"
"Like what?"
"The idea of eloping in France." I whispered seriously staring at my fiance.
Nick looked at me surprised, "You do?"
I nodded honestly, "I just don't like the idea of the aftermath when we get home Nick."
Nick smirked, "Who cares? They'll just cause more drama anyway," He responded and I nodded in agreement,
"You're right, plus this wedding thing isn't about them-"
"It's about us, and what we want."
"They'll be mad."
"They'll get over it."
I smiled and wrapped my arms around his neck drawing him closer, "Okay then let's elope."
A/N: Hey guys thanks for the reviews :) Happy Thanksgiving for the people in America :) I've decided to update this story plus my other two today due to the fact I leave for China tomorrow and won't be back for two ish weeks, so don't panic I shall return (I hope)