CHAPTER 28

~ Reconsideration ~

-Two Weeks Later-

It is now July in the house and that means the Sitch and Pauly's b-days have passed. There was no huge party this time, just an enjoyable night at Karma. At a later point they may have a bigger celebration though. There was the usual comradery between the girls and guys but the guys, MVP minus Mike, did their thing.

Lately Mike has had no room to breathe because since making things official with Paula, there have been spies set up all over the place to block him from being Mike. He expresses with the guys as to how much more he is willing to take. It is not looking good for Paula and Mike.

Nicole has gained a friend to hang with now that Jenni and Roger have made up and she is partying again. Deena has been staying with Nicole at her place, which has temporarily diffused the situation between she and Pauly.

However, Nicole is now eight months and she wants Jionni around more with her nearing her due date. Deena staying there and using Nicole's place as an escape for her and Chris is not going to work out anymore. She has to go back to the Shore House and she doesn't know how to tell her, so she seeks advice from Jenni and Sammi.

Deena is off dancing with Chris while Jenni, Nicole, and Sammi sit in the lounge outside.

Nicole, "So…Jionni is probably going to move in pretty soon."

Jenni, "What does that mean for Deena?"

Nicole, "That's what I need talk to her about. She's got to live with you guys again; I just don't know how to break it to her. It breaks my heart, she's so happy with Chris. If she can't see him, I don't know what will happen to my Meatball."

Sam, "I need to talk to her anyway. I know I'm not one to talk, but things didn't get better between Ron and I until I learned how to be away from him. She doesn't get how to do that yet and I understand."

Nicole, "Yeah but she can't be around Pauly. That is an old Ron and Sam situation right now…never thought I'd be sayin that."

Jenni, "Well you know I called it in Italy. I told her that she shouldn't sleep with Pauly, that it would change their relationship."

Nicole, "It was a drunken night."

Jenni smiling at Nicole, "Like the one you and Jionni had that you refuse to admit to? Same result."

Nicole laughs and continues.

"I'm serious. I don't know what to do."

Sam, "There is nothing you can do except be honest. This doesn't come from an angry place of you kicking her out. Everything you're doing now is the best thing for Lorenzo."

Nicole, "I just don't want her fighting anymore."

Jenni thinks out loud, "It's like they fuel each other now. Deena is amped up after every single fight, balling her eyes out. Do you think they actually have feelings for each other now?"

Nicole, "It's hard to tell."

Sam, "Well when Ron and I used to fight like that it almost became addictive, like we couldn't go without it and didn't know what to do if we weren't fighting."

Jenni, "Yeah but we always said that was just not healthy."

Sam, "We also know now, that it was because we just couldn't see us being with other people."

Nicole, "I think Pauleena has a lot to do with it. They know they just can't not speak to each other or deal with each other. It is on another level from friendship now or hooking up."

Nicole continues.

"I know if Jionni and I were to break up, I couldn't just walk away from him so easily. He's the baby daddy."

The girls contemplate and then tell Nicole that she just needs to speak the truth to Deena and let her pick up her own pieces. Her main concern right now is her unborn child. Jenni and Sammi will look out for Deena the best they can.

-A Few Days Later-

After another night of partying the housemates come back home and everyone goes inside except Chris and Deena. They stay outside. Just the day before, Nicole let Deena know that Jionni would be staying with her for the time being and that she would have to go back to the Shore House.

It is understandable but it doesn't set right with Deena now that she is forced to be away from Chris. It is not right but it will keep the peace. Deena falls into Chris' arms and wipes away a tear.

"I don't want you to go."

Chris, "It's alright Dee'."

Deena, "No it's not…(sniffling)…You should be able to be here. I don't know why everyone is against me."

Chris, "No one is against you. Nicole never kicked you out. She just needs to be with her fiancé now."

Deena, "…and I need to be with you."

Chris, "We see each other just about every day…and I go out with you to the clubs and dinner. Don't we have a good time?"

Chris tries to get her to smile but Deena is inconsolable.

Deena, "Don't leave. Come in and snuggle."

Chris, "Dee'…I have to get up early tomorrow. You know any other time I would in a heartbeat."

Deena lets the tears run down, "I can't be alone with him…"

Chris frowns up, "What are you talkin about? Who?"

Deena doesn't really answer and Chris figures it out.

Chris, "Pauly?"

Deena gets a sob caught in her throat. Chris shakes his head.

"Babe, come on. I know what you said has been happening but it can't be all that bad, just avoid him. Jenni and Sammi are here. Stay with them."

Deena, "Chris…please?"

Chris has never seen Deena this way. He is starting to think there is something more going on.

Chris, "Do you want me to talk to him?"

Deena, "No. (shaking her head) You know what, you're right. I'll be okay."

Chris, "Are you sure?"

Deena, "Yeah. I'll just stay around Sam and Jenni."

Chris looks at her and nods. They soon say their goodbyes and then Deena heads into the house.

Inside, Jenni is talking to Vinny about nothing in particular when they hear the door close. They look briefly to Deena and are about to say something when they notice the tears on her face.

Jenni takes that as her cue and she gets up, following Deena to their room. Shortly after that, Pauly comes downstairs. Vinny is by himself so Pauly grabs a water bottle and takes a seat next to him.

"Where's Jenni?"

Vinny, "She went to stop the waterworks that just came through the door."

Pauly looks at him in question.

Vinny responds, "Deena. She came in crying for like the millionth time."

Pauly grunts and takes a sip of water before responding.

Pauly, "I'd be crying too if I had to date Chris."

Vinny shakes his head, "Are you ever going to stop torturing this girl?"

Pauly, "I'm not doin shit to her. She's makin herself look stupid, cryin ova a guy every five seconds just because she can't be with him? It's stage five, if you know what I mean."

Vinny, "So can I ask you something?"

Pauly nods yes. Vinny continues.

"Do you love Deena?"

Pauly scoffs, "She's my daughter's Mother. If you're asking me if I love her for that reason, then yeah."

Vinny, "You know what I mean…"

Pauly does he just doesn't answer. Vinny tries another angle.

"Alright. If Chris was not in the picture would you see yourself being with Deena?"

Pauly, "What are you getting at Vin'? You know I don't do this emotional shit."

Vinny, "It's very simple. You have feelings for Deena more than you expected to ever have with anyone. I know you two have a Kid but this has been building for a long time now…admit it."

Pauly, "I'm not admitting anything. What do I look like chasing after someone like that?"

Vinny, "Like what? Deena has been Deena since day one…You're both a mess and you've fallen in love with that. It makes it easier to deal with not being perfect because you know you can't be the perfect boyfriend and she knows it too but I feel she's okay with it."

Vinny continues.

"You talk about lovin the single life but I know apart of you wants to settle Pauly. You are whether you want to admit it or not, the oldest one in the house. You love her for more than just what you say you do. Unfortunately it's come too late."

Pauly listens.

Vinny, "You let things get too messy now. Now, she's confused because she thinks she loves this other guy. (Shaking his head) She doesn't, it's infatuation and an unhealthy one that won't last…but you two are stuck with each other regardless if you get along or not. You're not gonna be replaced Pauly, so go along with it and just get to know Chris."

Pauly, "Maybe…"

It is all he says but Vinny knows he has gotten through to him.

A/N: Mindful Monday. There's a lot on my mind today... and apparently on Pauly's now (leave it to Vin' to do that). What are your thoughts for today? Feel free to share :-)