Disclaimer: I own nothing. This is just to satisfy the NJ muse for all of us.
(This is part one of two. Next chapter will pick up where this one ends. Also the rating will now be changed to M. Hope that doesn't upset anyone. If so, just skip the opening scene.)
Special Thanks to Liz for the beta, as always.
Jenny awoke and reached for her husband. Finding his side of the bed empty, she threw back the covers and got out of bed. Looking at the clock on her nightstand, she saw that it was a bit past 6:30. She smiled, because this told her exactly where her Handsome was. She picked up the short silk robe that matched her nightie, and put it on, loosely tying the belt as she left the bedroom.
Walking down the stairs she reached the next floor landing. Jenny paused for a moment and listened for her children. She couldn't believe her precious boy turned eight today! The time passed so quickly. Nicky was all boy, and if he was awake he was involved in something. Hearing nothing from the direction of his room, she listened for signs of Ali. The mini sweetheart always slept soundly, usually only awakening when called. Satisfied that two of her three greatest sources of joy continued to slumber peacefully, Jenny continued down to the basement.
Walking into the home gym, her eyes immediately landed on the third. Nate, dressed in a white sleeveless t-shirt and black shorts, was lifting weights on one of the many devices scattered throughout the room. He was deliciously sweaty from the effort he exerted. She knew there would never be a time when she didn't desire Nate Archibald with every fiber of her being.
As she started over to him, she untied and shrugged off her robe. Once next to him, she said, "Good Morning Handsome!"
Surprised, Nate lost count and the weights fell back into place as he stopped abruptly.
"Good Morning, Sweetheart, to what do I owe this pleasure? Finally going to let me be your personal trainer?" He asked, as he grinned.
"I'm not really dressed for a work-out Nate," she said, smiling coyly.
Nate took in her royal blue silk cami as he stood up, "No? Are you sure?" He asked as he walked over and placed his hands around her waist, pulling her to him.
"I think you're dressed, or should I say almost undressed for something..."
They looked deeply into each other's eyes, as their hands began seeking flesh. Jenny removed Nate's shirt and buried her face in his sweat dampened chest, feathering little kisses below his collar bone. She twined the fingers of one hand in the hair at the nape of his neck while the other slid into his shorts, finding him hard and waiting.
"Hmmmm...Hello Mr. Archibald!" She moaned stroking him.
"JEN!" He cried out, pulling her hair and kissing her upturned mouth.
Nate kicked off his shoes and socks, as Jenny had made quick work of his remaining clothing. Reaching under her nightie he found her uncovered and ready. They continued kissing as he yanked her nightgown downward. The flimsy straps broke, causing the garment to land in the pile already at their feet.
As it always had, seeing his wife's beautiful bare form, incited him. Jenny was so wrapped up in the kiss, she was pleasantly surprised when Nate lifted and impaled her, hard, as they continued standing.
"AAAH!" She moaned as their position allowed him to press deeply within her.
"Shhhh...Mrs. Archibald, you don't want to wake the kids." He whispered in her ear laughing.
"Checked...still sl-sl-sleeping..", she moaned.
"Oh, so you did plan this...", he breathed as he teased her with shallow thrusts.
"Let's move to the shower bad girl...", he said, maneuvering them into the gym's bathing area. Turning on the shower and backing her into the tiled wall, he began thrusting deeply.
"NATE!" Jenny moaned loudly as she moved forward to meet every pounding thrust of his hips.
Nate grinned and bit her bottom lip, as he grasped her hips and breathed into her ear, "Such a bad girl...I didn't even finish my work-out...maybe you don't get to finish either Baby..."
"Noooooo..." she pleaded. "Nate, PLEASE! Just let me..."
Suddenly, she was empty! Just as suddenly, he turned her into the tile wall, and thrust back in.
"AH!" She gasped.
Nate pulled her hair to the side and kissed the nape of her neck, "You'll get to come, Sweetheart. When I say you can..."
"I need to..." she keened as she tried to move her hips. He was flush against her back and unmoving, save for a few shallow thrusts.
"Soooo tight and good...Ready my Angel?" He asked as he began to thrust deeper, and moved his hand to her clit.
"YES!"
His thumb brushed over her careening her into orgasmic bliss, Nate following right behind.
He remained within her, flush against her back as they worked to catch their breath, the water continued to cascade over them.
"MOM!" Nicky yelled as he opened the basement door.
Hearing her son's voice startled Jenny, causing her whole body to clench, and Nate to let out a moan. Kissing the back of her neck, Nate reluctantly eased from his wife's still shuddering body.
"Mom will be up in a minute Nick!" He called, as he led his sweetheart from the shower. He grabbed two towels and began drying her off.
"Is she okay? I thought she screamed." Nicky called back.
Jenny's whole body flushed and she pressed her face into Nate's chest, as he let out a laugh.
"It's not funny! He might be scarred from hearing us!" She whispered, slapping him on the chest.
"I'm okay Nicky, I was just helping Dad with something. We'll be up in a minute." Jenny called to her son.
"Ok Mom, but you screamed, and you always say to use our indoor voices inside."
At this, Nate could no longer contain himself and fell back against the counter laughing uncontrollably. Jenny reddened further as she grabbed one of the fluffy robes hanging by the towel rack, and threw it on.
"It's NOT FUNNY NATHANIEL ARCHIBALD!" She yelled as she left the bathroom and started up the stairs. At the top she was met with the questioning eyes of her son.
"Good Morning Precious Birthday Boy!" She said, as she pulled him into her arms and held him tight. Nicky might have become sparse when it came to hugging others, but he always had one for his mother. The way he saw it, Aunt Blair and Aunt Serena were good moms in their own way, but no one was a better or Cooler mother than Jennifer Humphrey Archibald, and he dared anyone to say otherwise.
"Thanks Mom!" He said, grinning up at her as they walked into the kitchen.
"So Handsome boy, what do you want for breakfast today? Whatever you want!"
"Blueberry waffles and bacon and the scramble eggs with the chives and that cheese! I can have all of it Mom?" He asked excitedly.
"Of course! It's for my handsome boy on his big day. Eight years old, I almost can't believe it!" Jenny said happily.
"Mom you are the BEST!"
"Why Thank You precious! Go get ready and we'll eat in about an hour."
As Nicky turned to go upstairs, Nate came in from the basement wearing a robe and carrying Jen's silk robe and torn nightgown. Her blush returned as she realized what her husband carried. She turned to the cabinets and busied herself by taking out the waffle iron.
"It's the Birthday Boy!" He called out as he saw his son. Dropping her silkies on the back of a chair, Nate walked over and picked Nicky up, lifting him above his head.
"Happy Birthday Little Man!" He said, as he held a laughing Nicky above him.
"Dad! Put me down, I'm getting too..."
"Nooo...what's that again?" Nate laughed, still holding Nick up.
"I'll only be too old for this when you can't lift me anymore." He laughed just like his father.
"Exactly!"
He continued laughing as Nate placed him back on his feet. The best thing about having the coolest mother ever, was that his dad was just as cool. His Uncle Dan always joked that, "It's good to be Nate!" From what he could see this was true. His dad has his mom for a wife, he was Mayor of New York City, and now he was Governor of the state! He could play any sport imaginable, and always had time for him, his sister and mom. Nate Archibald is an awesome father.
"Dad are we really going to play at your club today?!" He asked excitedly.
"Yep! Go get ready and we'll have breakfast first."
"Awesome! Mom is making everything I want to eat and I get to go to the club!" He said, running from the kitchen.
Once they were alone in the kitchen, Nate turned to look at his wife as she continued gathering the items and ingredients for breakfast.
"Jen?"
When she didn't respond, he tried again. "Sweetheart?"
Again nothing.
"Come on Baby", he pleaded, coming around the kitchen island.
"No Nate. Just let me make breakfast." She said trying to pull away from him.
He wasn't having that, and wrapped his arms tightly around her from behind. "I'm sorry I laughed baby."
"Ok." She said quickly, still trying to tug herself from his arms, but he remained stalwart.
"I wasn't laughing at you, but at the humor of the situation. I'm sorry if you were embarrassed Sweetheart."
"I'm a mom, it's my job to love them and protect their innocence for as long as possible. They'll have to grow up too fast as it is." She said softly, thoughtfully.
"I understand Jenny. You are a fantastic mother! Our children adore you." He assured her.
"But I need you to understand me also. As committed as we are as parents, you're my wife Jenny! That means there will be times I NEED YOU...TO BE INSIDE YOU...and I won't apologize for it or make excuses, and the mom part of you needs to accept that. Mine Always!" He whispered fiercely against her ear tightening his hold, and thrusting his renewed hardness against her.
Jenny grasped his arms as if to steady herself, her core clenching as she trembled from the words he'd just spoken.
"Come on Angel, lets go get ready." He said, kissing below her ear and taking her hand to lead her up the stairs.
NJ*NJ*NJ*NJ
Nate and Jenny discussed the day's activities as they got dressed. He reclined on their bed in Nike sweatpants and t-shirt as she went over the final touches for Nicky's surprise party that evening.
"So you guys will get dressed at Blair and Chuck's. The outfits are already there. Don't tire him out too much..."
"Jen, he'll be fine. And he'll never suspect a thing." Nate said, interrupting her Blair-like micromanaging.
"It's not every day our son turns eight. I just want him to have a birthday to remember." She said.
Before Nate could answer, they heard the kids on the next floor.
"The Only Sunshine is awake...finally!" Nicky laughed as he teased his little sister.
"Leave me alone Nick! Don't pull my hair! Stop trying to tickle me Nicky!" Alice yelled as she climbed the stairs to their parents room.
Nate jumped up from the bed and opened the double doors, standing in the doorway as Ali made her way to the landing, her brother pestering her every step. Once she was on the floor, Alice quickly ran to her Daddy and leaned into his side.
"Nicholas!" Nate called out, as he hugged his daughter to him and ran his hand over her sleep tousled hair.
His son stood still as he stopped on the landing a few feet away from his father and sister. Dad just said his full name. That meant all the fun of torturing his little sister had to stop, for now.
"Yeah Dad?"
"What have I told you?"
"Don't bother Ali." He mumbled looking down.
"Then you might want to do as you're told." Nate suggested looking at his contrite boy, as he walked past him into the bedroom.
Turning his attention to the doll at his side, Nate reached down and picked up his mini sweetheart, and hugged her to him.
"Good Morning Daddy's Sunshine!" He smiled, kissing her forehead.
"Good Morning Daddy!" Ali smiled in return.
Nate walked back into the bedroom and sat back on the bed next to his now reclining son. Alice crawled from his arms and off the bed, heading for her mommy, who sat at her vanity brushing out her hair.
"Good Morning Mommy!" She said once she was next to Jenny.
Jenny turned and picked up her baby. Cuddling Ali in her arms, she kissed her little cheeks and said, "Good Morning My Angel! Did you have sweet dreams?"
Each night Nate tucked her in, he wished his daughter to have sweet dreams and each morning Jenny asked if they were. Ali loved this.
"Yes! There were kitties Mommy!" Alice shared.
Nate and Jenny shared a look across the room. Lately all of their daughter's dreams were filled with kittens. Dan and Serena's daughter Audie had gotten a kitten three months ago. Ali never asked for a kitten outright, but her dreams and conversations were peppered with felines. Jenny was seriously allergic to cats, and judging from Alice's reaction upon contact with Whiskers, it was hereditary. Nate was heartbroken that his Sunshine would be unable to have something she so obviously wished for.
"There were!? That must have been some dream." Jenny told her, tickling her tummy and making her giggle.
"How come Mom can tickle Ali, and not me?!" Nicky exclaimed.
Nate turned his head and gave his son the look. Nicky knew his antics had just been completely shut down.
"Okay Nate could you help Ali get ready? I'm going to go make breakfast. Her outfit for this morning is hanging in her dressing area."
"Of course! Come on Angel, lets see what fashionable ensemble Mommy has you in today." Nate said, picking up his mini sweetheart and kissing her cheeks.
"I brushed my teeth Daddy." Ali said, smiling to show him.
"Wow, I'm blinded by those bright..." He was saying as they left the room heading downstairs.
"See you downstairs Mom." Nicky said jumping off his parents bed and running from the room.
NJ*NJ*NJ*NJ
Arriving at the New York Athletic Club, Nate and Nicky entered and went to the front desk. The requisite effusive greetings commenced as the staff rushed to assure the Governor that everything had been prepared as he had requested. He thanked them for their assistance. Five minutes later, the remaining members of their party arrived.
"Dan, it's a little late to bemoan the exclusivity of an establishment you're a part of!" Chuck was saying to his brother-in-law.
"I'm just weighing the pros and cons of such elite membership. You've always had these privileges, you've never been on the outside." Dan responded.
Nate shook his head at his brothers, they would never change. Truthfully, he wouldn't have them any other way.
He decided to intervene before this particular recurring discussion could escalate.
"Chuck! Dan! Thanks for coming out to celebrate with us."
Pulled from their back and forth, Dan and Chuck turned to greet their friend.
"Governor Archibald! Only for you and my nephew would I be at the club this early on a Saturday." Chuck said as he shook Nate's hand and slapped him on the back.
"Governor! That never gets old! How are you Nate?" Dan said smiling and giving him a one armed hug, that he returned.
"I'm good! How have you both been?"
As the friends greeted each other, their sons did same.
"Happy Birthday Archibald!" Henry said, holding out his fist as was their ritual.
"Thanks Bass!" Nicky laughed, as he bumped his fist against his cousin's.
"Nicky it's your birthday! Happy! Happy!" His little cousin Chris said excitedly.
"Thanks Chris!" Nicky said ruffling his cousin's golden hair.
"How have you guys been?" He asked. Nicky missed seeing his cousins almost every day, like they did before moving to Albany, and was anxious to catch up with them. Henry was older and symbolized cool teenager. Chris was younger and looked up to him. He was also super intelligent and fun loving like his mom.
"Daddy and Uncle Chuck argued all the way here, as usual. It was funny" Chris grinned.
"Uncle Dan is always gonna fight for the underdog, and Dad is always gonna say...You're not the underdog anymore Humphrey! Move on!" Henry laughed.
Their laughter drew their fathers' attention.
"Hey what are you guys so amused about?" Dan asked.
"Nothing!" They all said laughing.
"Nick! How does eight feel?!" His Uncle Dan asked as he gave him the standard Humphrey hug.
"The jury is still out, it's only been a few hours Uncle Dan." He said grinning.
Dan laughed, Nicky was truly Jenny's son, complete with smart aleck comments.
"Don't monopolize the boy, Humphrey! Nicholas, how's life in Albany?" His Uncle Chuck asked shaking his hand and gazing at him with an awareness only the two of them shared. To the others it would appear that his uncle was only asking after him as a usual courtesy. Nicky knew differently. Prior to the Archibalds moving upstate, Chuck had found him in his father's office, very distraught about the impending changes. His uncle helped him see that his father becoming governor was for the good of many, but it never took away from his family, because his dad made sure it didn't. He also assured him, that although he would surely miss his life in the city, he was embarking on one of many adventures that awaited him in his lifetime. Uncle Chuck told him to embrace life and every opportunity, it was okay to miss the familiar but he shouldn't let it stop him from enjoying what's ahead. The talk had really made him feel better.
"It's an adventure Uncle Chuck." He said smiling and reassuring Chuck that all was indeed well with his beloved nephew.
"Uncle Natie!" Chris exclaimed throwing himself at Nate, who caught him, and immediately tossed him into the air catching him as he came down.
Chris laughed and quickly pecked his uncle on the cheek saying, "Mommy told me to give that to you with her love!"
"Thanks Chris!" Nate laughed, knowing the little boy had followed Serena's instructions to the letter.
Dan took his son from Nate, tickling him and making him giggle.
"Look at you little boy, giving out kisses and love. Am I going to have to reign you in?" He joked jiggling Chris around.
"Uncle Natie, what's it like being the Gubernator?" Henry asked with a smirk exactly like his dad.
"Come here, Comedian." Nate said pulling Hen into a hug. He was practically a man now, almost as tall as Chuck. He was just as happy a teenager as he had been at four. Nate credited his sister and brother with that. Each of the Bass children were joyful and lighthearted, it made him smile whenever he saw them.
After the greetings were complete, Dan asked, "What's the game plan?"
"Well Nick wants to play basketball, so we have a court reserved for as long as we want it. Afterward we can play it by ear." Nate said, exchanging a quick look with his brothers who knew what the later plans were.
"Alright! Let's play ball!" Nicky said excitedly as they were shown the way by one of the club managers.
NJ*NJ*NJ*NJ
Jenny had planned everything for the party to the letter, so she would basically be killing time between the morning and four o'clock when she would have to be at the club to supervise set-up. Knowing this, she, Blair, and Serena decided it would be fun to take the girls on a mini outing for manicures and pedicures. It was very warm for May, so Jenny wore a pair of mid-thigh length black shorts and a patterned trapeze top she had sewn earlier in the week. A pair of flat Gucci sandals and clutch completed her look. Although, she no longer worked for EWD her desire to create, design, and sew never left her. She had even made a cute little trapeze dress for the mini sweetheart from the same fabric as her top. Her angel was always fashionably adorable, and Jenny loved designing outfits for her, as well as her nieces.
"Mommy are they here yet?" Alice said softly as she came downstairs and into the family room where her mom was.
"Not yet Angel, but soon. Okay?" Jenny answered, pulling Ali onto the extra wide chaise lounge that she was reclining on and hugging her.
"Okay. What color polish are you gonna get? Daddy said I don't need any make-up because I'm already beautiful, but I want some polish like you Mommy. Will Daddy be mad?" She asked biting her bottom lip.
If Nate could wrap his little girl in cotton and keep from getting hurt and growing up on him, he'd do it in a flash, Jenny thought. He was so protective of his baby girl. She was too, only more realistic.
"Sunshine, Daddy will not be mad if you have your nails painted. He just said that because he wants you to be his little girl for as long as possible. He doesn't want you growing up too fast on him." Jenny said smiling.
"I'll always be Daddy's little girl. I have to tell him later, maybe he doesn't know." Ali said with her little brow furrowed. Jenny smiled as she thought how her daughter planned to set her husband straight.
Just then the doorbell rang. Alice popped up and ran for the entryway, as her mom followed behind. She turned the locks and pulled open the door, finding her aunt and cousins on the other side.
"Auntie Serena!" She called seeing her golden haired, funloving aunt first.
"Sunshine! There's my Sweetie!" Her aunt exclaimed, lifting her up off her bouncing feet.
"How's my girl?!"
"I'm good!" Ali responded, throwing her arms around her aunt's neck.
"Oh Ali, you're getting so big, and beautiful as always!" Serena said hugging her tight.
"Aunt J!" Three voices, called as three little girls ran to her.
"My Beauties!" Jenny exclaimed hugging all three. Autumn, Katharyn, and Audrey begin chattering and firing questions at her immediately.
"Mom says this dress is too old for me. Can you convince her it's not?"
"I need to show you this sketch I did. Do you think we'll have time?"
"Did you get the email I sent you this morning? I have to talk to you!"
Jenny simply smiled and catalogued which niece need what in her mental planner for later. "We'll sort everything out later girls."
The girls breathed sighs of relief, because they knew Aunt J would make time for them, she never broke a promise, if she could help it.
"Where's Bl-?" She began to ask, but was interrupted before she could finish the thought.
One of the guards brought in several garment bags and a Vuitton suitcase, and Jenny directed him to put them in the closet off the stairs.
"Thanks for helping me with the bags S! You're always so courteous." Blair said sarcastically as she came into the entryway.
"Auntie Blair!" Ali cried waving to her.
"Come here my Darling!" Blair said reaching for Alice, her annoyance with her best friend temporarily forgotten. "Look at you! So beautiful, and your hair is longer! I love it!"
"Daddy brushed it this morning." Ali said softly, smiling.
"Awww!" Blair and Serena sighed.
Alice giggled as Blair kissed her cheek and put her down. She walked over to her cousins slowly. They were all two, almost three, years older than her. Sometimes she felt too young around them, almost like a baby, not that they treated her that way. It just seemed they were always talking about activities she wasn't involved in.
"Ali!" Autumn called grabbing her in a tight hug, that the twins quickly joined in.
"Your dress matches Aunt J's top! So Cute!" Katharyn and Audrey said simultaneously.
"Mommy made them." Alice told them.
"Aunt J is beyond cool!" Audie said.
"Jenny! We've missed you guys so much!" Serena said squeezing her sister-in-law in a hug.
"We missed you too!" Jenny responded.
"I don't think your level of missing her even touches mine, S!" Blair said, grasping Jenny as Serena let her go. "Her absence is not only felt in our everyday lives, but in the atelier each minute."
Jenny had wrestled long and hard with her decision to leave EWD, but accepted that it just wouldn't be plausible with her living in Albany, being the governor's wife.
"Thanks for that B! How is everything at EWD? Spring Fashion Week was Outstanding!"
"Everything is fine. We're not going to focus on that today. It's Nicky's birthday. Our time together is about our family." Blair said smiling at her friend.
"They're growing up on me so fast!" Jenny said.
"I'll never forget the day you realized you were pregnant." Blair laughed reminiscing.
"I was so scared and worried about Nate's reaction. You talked me down." Jenny laughed.
"Oh this is going to be so much fun! Nicky doesn't suspect a thing?" Serena asked.
"No. He was so excited about going to the club, and the breakfast I made him, he hasn't considered anything else. So the party will be a total surprise. Let's go have a bit of beauty and pampering first. Come on girls!" She said, gesturing her daughter, nieces and sisters out the door to the waiting limo.
More to come...
AN: I changed some things to comply with Dr. Holland's Clair de Lune. Blair now has twin girls. Hope that doesn't annoy anyone. However, this story is meant as a companion/sequel to CdL, which will finish in the near future. I hope this gives you a much wanted glimpse into Nate and Jenny's future. I have all sorts of stories to tell for these two...
Thank you so much to all who read, follow, favorite, review, or simply glance at this story! It is most appreciated!