It didn't take long for Jess to jump out of bed the next morning and look for the sari CeCe had picked out for her. She loved the colour, a pale blue that was bright and airy, and it was long and layered making her feeling beautiful when she moved. If she felt like this with this sari, she'd love to know how CeCe was feeling in hers. Jess had promised to let CeCe get ready with her family so she didn't need to worry about helping her get ready. She had CeCe's two presents, one a special gift from her and the other was a presents from Nick, Winston and herself combined. Of course she'd brought it and wrapped it but they guys had been very happy with what she'd purchased. Schmidt had promised to get her something by himself, which had worried Jess but she felt like she didn't care today. Today was CeCe's special day and she was going to be there for her in whatever she could, even if that meant keeping Schmidt from ruining it. Although Jess had to admit that Schmidt seemed much nicer and happier since he'd started dating Elizabeth. He cared a little less about what he ate and he seemed much buzzier because of it. He didn't stop working out or cleaning up Jess felt he was a little more relaxed about them than he had been before.
Jess glanced out the window, and the sun beamed back. It was a beautiful day and Jess had to be glad of the weather. Except when she went out at night, she hadn't worn her winter clothes since getting back from Chicago. That had been a sad weekend for her but interesting in the way Nick's family was involved. She enjoyed the presence of his brothers and cousins but his mother was something else. She was strong and confident and Jess admired that about her but it didn't mean she was any less terrified of her. Jess had been convinced she would be so angry at Jess for dressing up like Elvis but it was more for Nick, so he knew he'd planned the funeral just right, no matter what bumps they'd hit on the way. Jess had been so touched at Nick's eulogy; it had been everything she'd never be able to say about him as she hadn't known him. It was what made it special and sweet. She had a sneaky suspicion it was exactly what his family had needed.
"Jess?" she heard her father bellow from outside of Nick's door. Jess had been so excited she'd forgotten she had slept in his bed. It was a lot more comfortable than it looked and she'd had a good night sleep overall when she stopped being excited at Nick asking her to be his 'date' to the wedding.
"Coming!" she called back and although she didn't hear or see it, she knew her dad would have huffed and shrugged a little. It was what her dad always did. She stuck her head out the door after finishing her hair and was glad she had already put her make up on. Nick was in the kitchen already in a suit and he looked…good. Really good. Her dad was also wearing a suit, but his was tweed brown and somehow managed to look very colourful. It must have been the pattern. Nick noticed her and stared smiling while Jess gave her dad a hug to hide her reddening face.
"Jess, you look more beautiful than you did the day I brought you home." Jess blushed even more, but wasn't bothered if her dad saw her.
"Thank you."
"I'm trying to reach Nick how to make a good set of eggs. I saw the disaster he called breakfast yesterday, and if he's living with you, then I don't want him feeding you that muck." Nick shrugged a little and held up the pan of eggs. In doing so, he spilt a little yolk onto his sleeve and Jess ran forward to mop it up as she normally would of. She grabbed some tissue and began dapping at it. It would show up loads against his black suit.
"Thanks Jess." Nick muttered, and then turned his head away from Bob, barely uttering: "That dress really brings out your eyes. Beautiful…." He raised his voice to a normally loud level and announced to Bob. "I think the eggs are done Bob. Let's eat!"
After dishing up eggs and sitting down Nick turned to Jess. "Are we all sharing the same car? Cause we could take mine?"
"I'm not getting into that thing." Bob interjected.
"Dad. Enough. Nick we can take my car if you like?" and Nick nodded. They all ate in silence for the next minute or so.
"Are Winston and Schmidt coming with us?" Jess offered as a conversation.
"Don't think so." Nick looked like he might say something else, but didn't. Jess was disappointed as they went back to the silence once more until Bob decided he had something to contribute.
"So Nick, tell me more about your idea of going back to Law school."
"What?" Nick and Jess both blurted at the same time. Jess was astonished. Had Nick been planning on going back? Why had he not told her?
"Nick?" Jess asked, although there were a billion better questions she could have asked.
"No, Jess, I didn't say I wanted to go back. I was just thinking about doing something with my life, and I guess I've always regretted not finishing Law school. I could do my last year or so then graduate if I work hard enough. Then I can choose whether or not to do anything with it." Nick shrugged, trying to seem casual. "I've thought about other things too."
"Like?" Jess was hurt. He hadn't told her any of this. Last she knew, he wanted to finish his book and be a famous writer.
"Well… I could get a business loan. Start a bar. There's lots of business out there for it, and I have plenty of experience. But nothings decided. I'm not talking tomorrow or anything."
"Oh." That was all Jess could muster up. The ideas he was having… how long had he felt this way? Was he trying to think of something to do with his life, and that was why he had looked so hurt and Bob's comments about Nick yesterday. Did Nick think being a bartender wasn't good enough?
"That's fantastic!" Bob claimed and Jess slowly nodded. Nick looked at her like he was worried and Jess had to look down.
"Bob, don't you need to go get your suitcase to put it in the car?" Nick suggested. "You're leaving pretty early after the wedding aren't you?
"Are you?" Jess asked.
"The next flight leaves about an hour after the ceremony, so I'll have to leave pretty quickly. Next flight isn't till tomorrow afternoon."
"You can stay if you want to." She offered.
"It's no trouble. Besides, I didn't bring enough clothes to stay enough night." And he walked down the hall to get the suitcase. Nick was staring at Jess expecting her to say something.
"They were good eggs." She muttered then starting clearing up. Nick grabbed her wrist lightly and even the small touch made her catch her breath a little.
"I was going to tell you when I was decided. I only told him because he was so convinced I was I'm nothing more than a rubbish bartender. Which I'm not at the moment. These are just ideas, okay?"
"You're more than a rubbish bartender! Why can't you see that?"
"Because I know I'm not, and I know you do too." Jess opened her mouth slightly to protest but Nick simply kissed her on the cheek. Bob came stomping down the corridor with his suitcase in hand. Nick let her wrist go and moved away from her.
"Ready to go?" he chirped and Jess felt the day was a little worse now.