~ Playing House ~

-The Following Week-

With everything finally sewn up as far as where he will reside for work, Pauly can relax and put his focus on home. Well, what will be his home for the time being.

She doesn't know it but Pauly is making his way to Jersey to be with Deena for a while hopefully. He decided to gas up the Caddy and drive the distance to Jersey and he is just now arriving in New Egypt. He spoke with Deena's Mom at least and she is okay with Pauly staying at the house. Deena has her own space in the downstairs wreck room, big enough to be a mini apartment so it should be of no problem. In fact, she sounded relieved in a way.

-11:00pm-

Deena's Mother looks out the window and sees the dark Cadillac DTS pulling up to her house. She waits and opens up the door quietly waving Pauly in.

In a hushed tone, "Hi. Come on in."

Pauly steps in. "How are you doing Mrs. Cortese?"

Joann, "I'm great."

Pauly smiling, "That's good. Hey listen I really appreciate you welcoming me into your home."

She replies, "Don't worry about it hon'."

Pauly looks around and responds.

"I wish I could have talked to Mr. Cortese."

Joann, "Well especially don't worry about him. I'll handle him. You just get yourself settled in. Deena's downstairs."

Pauly, "Is she sleepin?"

She responds, "No, I don't think so. Even if she is, I know she'll wake up when she sees you. I didn't know what she was going to do since Nicole had to leave early. Poor thing, this has been rough on all of us."

Pauly, "I know. Snooks, I mean, Nicole called me and filled me in on some of it when I talked to her yesterday."

Joann, "Well that's good. (waving him on) Go relax now. Driving four hours straight by yourself? I'm sure you're tired."

Pauly responds, "Naw, I'm good. It really took no time at all. I decided it'd be a good idea to drive so that I'd have a definite way to get around when I want. I don't want to cause any problems for anybody."

Joann, "Anything you two need is really no problem at all Pauly. Are you hungry at all? I left some food out on the stove just in case."

Pauly shakes his head no and thanks her anyway. He soon makes his way downstairs with his bags.

Coming down he sees an empty room and figures out the way to the downstairs bedroom.

Inside the room, Deena just put her hair up in a ponytail and changed into a shorter-sleeved maternity night slip because the room felt like it was ten thousand degrees. After finally getting into a comfortable position, Deena is dosing while watching a movie.

She ends up jerking awake at the sound of a voice inside her room now.

"Mom, I'm home. Where can I put my bags?"

Deena looks over, "Pauly? What the hell…?

Pauly moves his luggage to the side and responds, "Hey-hey, is that the language you're teachin the Kid already?"

Deena smiles, "I'm sorry. I just didn't think you were comin until probably next month."

Pauly takes his jacket off and walks over to the bed now.

Pauly with a questionable look, "Next month? I told you no later than the end of January or did you forget?"

Deena, "I don't remember that."

Pauly, "Oh wait, that's probably what I meant to say before you hung up on me."

Pauly leans down to hug her.

Deena reaches out to receive his hug, "I'm sorry."

Pauly wraps her as tight as he is able to.

Deena takes his scent in, "Sorry…(content) Mmmm."

Without a thought, Pauly kisses Deena on the cheek sweetly. Then he steps back.

Pauly smiling wide, "Wow…Look at you!"

Deena slightly blushing, "Oh God…"

Pauly rolls his sleeves up and pulls the covers back to take it in and Deena eye rolls.

"What, am I a disgusting beach whale?"

Pauly, "You're big yes, but not disgusting."

Deena bluntly, "Thanks."

Pauly laughs a little and leaves her alone. He kicks off his shoes and neatly places them in the corner by his bags. Deena suggested that he get comfortable.

Deena, "My mom can bring you some sheets down for the pull out in the other room if you want?"

Pauly blinks, "If that's what you want."

Deena pauses, "…Well no. I just…thought that's what you wanted."

Pauly smiles, "If that's not what you want just say so."

Deena flushes a little and responds after some thought.

Deena, "I don't."

Pauly, "Okay then. Don't say what you don't mean then. I'm gonna go get ready for bed."

Deena smiles to herself.

After a little while, Pauly comes out in a tank top and his sweat pants. Deena tries her best to contain herself.

Pauly, "You want this light out or no?"

Deena, "You can leave it on. I'm gonna have to get up to use the bathroom in a minute."

Pauly nods and gets in the bed with Deena. Deena looks downcast. Her hormones are raging right now. It's like her body senses what she needs right now. Whether she admits it or not, Pauly makes her complete at this time.

Pauly lays on his side, "What are you watchin?"

Deena snaps out of it, "I have no idea. Just something I found scrolling through the free movies. I'm about to turn it off to tell you the truth."

Pauly nods and continues.

"So Snooks says that she and Jenni are doin their own show? That's crazy."

Deena, "Yeah. I wish I could do it with them. I know it'll be so much fun."

Pauly, "Don't worry. You'll be glad to have this time off when we get back to the Shore House."

Deena laughs a little, "I'm sure. It's gonna be insane this year, what, with everything that has happened."

Pauly nods. Deena continues.

Deena, "So when does your show air?"

Pauly, "The end of March. I can't wait. It was an awesome journey. People are really gonna see the real Pauly, you know?"

Deena, "Yeah. I'm glad it was successful."

Deena doesn't want to start anything by asking if Pauly has decided to stay in Vegas or not so she just keeps quiet.

They eventually get into other conversation until Deena gets even drowsier.

Pauly nudges her, "You goin to sleep?"

Deena mumbles, "No…(clearing her throat) I actually have to get up."

Pauly, "You need help?"

Deena moving, "Nope (struggling), you know what, yeah."

Pauly gets out the bed and goes over to her side. He reaches out and Deena instructs him.

"Just support my lower back and under my arm. Okay?"

Pauly, "I got you."

Pauly handles Deena like a pro and she is on her feet now.

He responds, "You good?"

Deena, "Yeah. I'll be back."

Pauly watches Deena waddle off to the bathroom. He can't believe it, even seeing her.

When she comes back in, Pauly is sitting down but smiling now.

Deena looks over at him, "Would you get that smirk off your face."

Pauly, "What smirk? I'm smiling."

Deena responds, "Just help me back in bed."

Pauly does so and then he gets in himself after cutting the light off for Deena.

Deena is drawn to Pauly but she doesn't want to force anything so she stays on her side of the bed. Well, he takes care of that.

"Why are you all the way over there? Did I use too much body wash?"

Absolutely not, he smells intoxicating. Deena is just trying not to jump him right now. She eventually gives in and surprisingly or not, Pauly cuddles with her.

Pauly, "Why are you so distant? I told you I'd be here."

Deena, "It's not just you, I've been a bitch to Nicole too. Probably the real reason she left early."

Pauly responds, "Aw. Don't say that. You know Snooks loves you."

Just then, Pauly feels something bump him.

Pauly, "What was that?"

Deena smiles in the glow of the TV, "…Someone saying hi."

It doesn't register at first and then Pauly laughs a little.

Pauly, "Are you kidding me?"

Deena takes his hand.

Deena, placing it on her belly, "Here…"

Pauly waits and then he feels it.

Laughing a little, "This happens like this all the time?"

Deena, "Now pretty much, yeah. My moving must have wakened him or her up. Either that or your voice."

Pauly shaking his head, "No Way…Wow…"

Pauly places both hands on Deena's stomach and that starts a whole game between the baby and Father.

Pauly, "Oh man, I can't wait til' this all happens."

Deena looks at him, "Says you…you're not pushin anything out."

Pauly, "…but I'll be there. Nothing's keepin me from it."

Deena is silently relieved. With Nicole leaving, she has felt so alone…and thinking back to what Nicole said, no matter the outcome, this just feels right.

A/N: ...*Author smiles*...