Chapter 51
Jessica woke the next morning fully aware of what she had to do next. Needing more time to think things through, when Shane had come home last night she pretended to be fast asleep. Then, after waiting a few minutes she got but up and quietly paced the room figuring the best way to get her hands on his keys.
She thought of what he had said to her before locking the door, 'They won't get us'. She had to assume that that meant the police were getting closer. Hopefully Jeff had recovered and was able to tell them everything he knew and the cops were able to get some lead as to where they are. Although help may be on the way, she couldn't chance it and wait to be rescued. She had to take matters in her own hands. Her plan was risky, and if it backfired she could be putting herself in even more danger. But staying with Shane was definitely not an option.
After she got dressed she headed down stairs. Shane was still asleep on the couch. She quickly searched the room to see if he had casually left the keys somewhere, but there was no such luck. They have to be on him, she thought to herself, quietly creeping over to him. She slowly reached towards his pant pocket but he suddenly stirred. Jessica held her breath as he turned back over and continued to sleep. This wasn't going to work. If he woke up while she was reaching into his pocket, the gig would be up and there would be no way of escaping. She decided to stick with her original plan and she went into the kitchen to prepare breakfast and start sweetening him up to get him out of the house again.
"Wow." She said when she got there and saw the hideous red dress that Shane had picked up for her. "I'm going to look like a bad dressed hooker." She held it up to her and then threw it back over the chair shaking her head. Jessica returned to the task at hand, making breakfast for her and Shane. If she wanted her plan to work, she was going to need Shane to pick up a few things, so Jessica had to continue with her act of them as the perfect family.
She prepared a full breakfast and as she looked at the set table, she was reminded of the breakfast she had made for Jeff and Matt that morning at her house. She had been so happy at that moment and felt in control of her life. It was amazing how things could change in just a few short weeks. She took a few deep breaths before going into the living room.
Jessica watched him sleep for a minute, wondering how this all could happen. When exactly was it when Shane had stopped seeing her as just a member of the family and started looking at her as something more? And why didn't she ever realize it? If she had then it never would have escalated to all of this.
"No, no guilt." She whispered to herself. She had to remain strong. The Shane she thought she knew was long gone. He wasn't her friend, he was the enemy. But as much as she wanted to believe it, it still hurt knowing that another part of her family was gone.
"Hey what's going on?" Shane asked quietly and she realized he was awake. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. I just wasn't sure if I should wake you. You looked so peaceful." She said as sweetly as she could, reaching for his hand. "I have a surprise."
"Really what is it?" He jumped upped fully awake and laughed as she pulled him towards the table. Shane was amazed by the full breakfast she had prepared for him. "You remembered all my favorites!"
"Of course I did. Now eat." She pushed him down in the chair and took a seat at the other end of the table.
"Why'd you do all this?" He asked her suspiciously.
"I wanted to make it up to you. I know our first few breakfasts haven't been what you had planned, so I thought this one should be. Dig in." Jessica flashed him the biggest smile she possibly could before filling her plate with food. She wasn't a big breakfast eater but the more she ate the less she would have to talk and it almost pained her to continue to act this sweet to him. She looked over and realized he still hadn't taken anything. "Is everything alright? Did I miss something?"
"No, this is great."
"Then what's wrong?"
"It's just; I've been waiting for this for a long time. This was how I always dreamed it; I just want to savor it." He told her and Jessica could have sworn his eyes welled up.
"Okay," She started not sure what to say. "Well, don't wait too long; your food will get cold. Besides, there will be many more mornings like this."
"Yes, there definitely will be." He said taking a few pancakes. Thankfully, Shane carried the conversation throughout the meal, all Jess had to do was smile and chew.
"That was great." He told her after they had finished. "I'll clean up." He picked up the plates and brought them into the kitchen. Jessica jumped at he smashed the plates into the sink.
"What is it?" She asked trying to think what she could have done.
"You saw it!" He exclaimed coming back out. This is it, she thought. He must have realized she had searched the house, or maybe she hadn't put everything back like she thought. She stared at him cautiously. "You saw the dress and I wanted it to be a surprise." She let out a sigh of relief as Shane cursed himself.
"Hey, don't do that." She walked over to him. "I love it."
"You do? I knew you would. I tried to pick something you would buy." He said.
"Absolutely. I can't wait to wear it." She leaned in and gave him a quick peck on the cheek before going to sit on the couch.
"Have you finished planning our night yet?" He asked her.
"I have and you're going to love it."
"So what are we going to do?"
"Well, if I tell you then it won't be a surprise."
"Can't I even get a hint?" He sat down next to her.
"Well I can tell you that you are going to have the best dinner you have ever had."
"Really?"
"Yea. But only…" She let her voice trail as she looked away.
"But only what?"
"Well," She turned to him and tried to look as sad as possible, "I know what I want to make and I know you'll love it. We just don't have all the ingredients for it. You took a huge risk going to get that dress for me." She paused, waiting for him to pick up on what she wanted.
"You want me to go out again?"
"I know, we shouldn't push it and I'm sure I could come up with something else." She stopped again for dramatic effect placing her hand on his leg. "It just would have been perfect."
"It's okay. I had to run an errand today anyway so I can stop and pick up a few things if you want me to." He smiled at her.
"You mean it? Oh Shane that's great. Thank you." She reached over and hugged him.
"Hey, I always said I'd do anything for you." Jessica was sure he meant it as a compliment but she felt a shiver go through her spine. She forced herself to relax.
"Tomorrow will be great." She said pulling away.
"Wait, tomorrow? Why not tonight?"
"You want it to be perfect right? I mean we don't even have all the ingredients yet and a meal like this is going to take time to prepare. Besides I need some time to get myself ready."
"You?"
"Yea. Take a nice bath, wash my hair, you know make myself presentable."
"You're beautiful the way you are." He said stroking her cheek.
"You have to say that but I want to feel special and right now I just feel dirty." She told him. She could tell he was hesitant so she went in for the kill. Pressing her body against him, she kissed him.
"All right." He relented when she finally pulled her lips away. "I'm going to wash up. Why don't you give me a list of stuff you need and while I'm out I'll also pick up a few things to help you get ready."
"Thank you." She smiled sweetly at him. "You won't regret it." She watched him walk away then went upstairs and got the list she had prepared last night. By the time Shane had come out of the bathroom, she was back on the couch waiting for him.
"Here you go." She handed him the list and waited while he read it.
"You need champagne and vodka?" He asked her.
"Well sure. I need the vodka for cooking."
"And the champagne?" He interrupted her.
"That's for toasting our new start. We got to do that. It would be bad luck if we didn't."
"Well, we certainly don't need any bad luck." He grinned at her.
"Thank you again." She told him.
"It's not a problem. Now remember, I have to make a couple of stops also, so I may be awhile. Will you be okay?"
"I'll be fine. Just make sure you're careful." She warned him and gave him another hug.
"I will be." He grabbed his coat and went for the door. He turned around one last time and smiled at her before he walked out.
"Oh thank god." Jessica said dropping the phony grin from her face. She had been smiling so hard it hurt. She watched his car pull away and waved from the window in case he was watching. Once she was sure he was gone she went back off to continue to prepare for her freedom.
