Chapter Seven

Seth woke up early the next morning after a poor night's sleep. He always fantasized about being part of a couple with Jessica. But he thought telling her he loved her was the end of the story. He never dreamed about day-to-day living after he told her.

He worked hard and was finally out of debt but his finances were still anemic. He was putting more than half his earnings aside now but it wasn't enough, not yet. He couldn't retire and travel the world with her. Even if he sold his practice he could live on the proceeds for six or seven years, and then what? It would be irresponsible to not provide for himself if he lived beyond seventy years old. He checked his retirement account regularly to see if it was growing, to see if he could squeeze out a few more dollars to contribute to it.

He wanted to cry at the thought of Jessica moving on without him. He loved his work and didn't want to give it up, not yet. He couldn't just work the last six months of each year and go gallivanting around the world with her. She knew he loved her! She knew! And she was planning to travel the world, all this time? Did he not mean as much to her?

His doorbell ringing stopped his musing. It wasn't even seven in the morning. Who is coming over now? Surely in an emergency they would go over to the hospital. He put on his robe and went to open the door. It was Jessica.

"Good morning, Seth. You look as bad as I feel." She placed a hand on his chest and pushed him back a step so she could enter. She held up a thermos. "I brought coffee. We need to talk."

He was unable to speak. He hadn't expected her. She trudged upstairs to his poky kitchen and took two mugs down. He sat as she pulled out a chair for him.

"Let me speak first," she said as he opened his mouth to finally speak. "It's a fact that I make more money than you. I've never flaunted it nor would I. I'm not asking you to give up six months of your life and travel with me. I know for a fact that you would thoroughly hate my book tours. Checking in and out of hotels every other day, flying to different cities here in the US and spending twenty-four to thirty-six hours in each city isn't fun or relaxing. I wasn't inviting you to those. But I do travel for publicity, travel that's paid by my publishers, that would also pay your way to accompany me. They arrange and pay for my accommodations and travel. They pay for my meals and if I want to see a particular event, they pay for that as well. I make a lot of money for them, Seth."

"I didn't know that," he stammered. "I never gave it much thought, just figured you were spending the money. I know your books, movies, and tv shows have done really well."

"I'm getting older, Seth." She smiled deprecatingly. "I want to relax a bit more while traveling. I mentioned it to my publisher over a year ago and they've been very good at allowing me an extra day or two between touring just to relax when I need it. I do more tv interviews now and less touring. I go to New York for two or three weeks so we can meet and not have to rush through three or four days of meetings and appointments. When I have a couple of weeks, I can take the time to wake up later, go to the spa, do interviews one day, meetings another. Go to the theater or out to eat. You usually grump when I'm there for more than a few days now. Seth, it's not run, run, run, all day anymore."

"I would like to spend time with you away from Cabot Cove, Jess. I enjoyed spending a week in Hawaii with you. I just don't see how I can give you more than a week here or a week there, not months."

"Seth, I don't plan to be away from Cabot Cove for six months straight." She took a sip of coffee. "If you took your vacation in January, we could go somewhere warm like the Caribbean, then you can return here while I spend some time in New York with my agent and publisher. I would then return to Cabot Cove for a week or so before doing a book tour or something. I would do some travel alone. I just think you can find the time to spend more of your time away from Cabot Cove to be with me. That's if you want, that is."

"I could do long weekends but I have to travel on my own as well. I like to stay up to date and I go to conventions and such."

"And I can arrange some of my travel around those conventions to spend the time with you or maybe that's the time we go our separate ways and meet back here. I just want to know if you're open to trying to work it out?" implored Jessica. "It's not about loving each other, Seth. We know it, I just don't want to have my heart broken nor do I want to break yours."

"I could work fewer hours, not go part time exactly but maybe not work Fridays and make up the time during autumn and winter." Seth was starting to get hopeful.

"I know it's not romantic and basically just practical planning but I need structure and order in my otherwise chaotic life. I want to spend more time with you, I want to lie awake at night talking with you, and I definitely want to make better use of my time in bed with you." Jessica smiled and winked at him.

Seth cleared his throat. "Jess, we should make it official. I mean, if we're together…"

"Seth, I love you. I want to be with you, in bed and out, but I don't see myself rushing to the justice of the peace tomorrow. I know you don't want to be part of a scandal but we're adults." Jessica looked him in the eye. "No one, and I do mean no one, is going to dictate the terms of our relationship but us."

"Jess…" He moved forward in his chair.

Jessica held up a finger for silence. "Let me finish, Seth." She refilled her cup and his. "If you don't want to have sex without a marriage license, then we won't have sex until we obtain one. I will not, however, get married just to have sex."

Seth sat back in his chair again. She was correct. You don't marry just because you want to have sex and to be frank, it's no one's business what they were or weren't doing. "But you're willing to discuss marriage?"

"I am open to marrying again, Seth. I just want to do it when the time is right for us, besides, to be blunt, I'm pretty certain we'll be in bed together before we marry." She knew her cheeks were red but she also knew she was correct.

Seth cleared his throat again. "Well, if you won't wait then there's not much chance of me holding out," he agreed.

They spent another hour talking things through and gaining greater understanding about the changes and challenges in their lives. He knew her life was challenging at times but she was telling him she would not travel unless absolutely necessary from July through December and that was a huge concession. He admitted he enjoyed some of her research, especially the poisons that she studied. He could help her there and she often asked him medical questions when writing. He could sightsee while she was hunkered down in some library but he wouldn't mind visiting some of the sights with her. He could actually do his continuing education credits during the fall when she could go with him. Most of them were for three day weekends anyway.

She went home so he could shower and dress then he promised to pick her up and take her for a drive up the coast. It was too early for the color changes that were always spectacular during fall but it was still warm enough to enjoy the sunshine.

They were an hour from home when Jessica expressed a desire for lunch.

"Seth dear, now that we've worked on the mundane practical matters, it's time to work on romancing each other."

"Uh, you mean.." Seth stuttered.

"I mean, holding hands while we walk, spending time together, going on dates, it's where I thought we were headed when we first started rehearsing the play," she admitted.

A month later they strolled down Main street hand in hand. Gossip surrounding them was surprisingly mild. Of course, everyone exclaimed they knew they were together for years and were probably just tired of people asking when they were going to get together. They neither confirmed or denied the speculations. October was mild that year and they were headed to the apple orchards to pick apples for pies.

Seth decided to throw caution to the wind and try out for the Christmas play. He opted for a small part just in case the flu season was busy but with a partner now, there was a good chance he would be able to participate. Jessica declined to audition although the new director, Morris Wright, assured her she could have a small role without trying out. He had seen a video of her role in the former play. She was happy to just listen to Seth discussing the play and how rehearsals were going.

They saw each other most days, she spent hers writing and he worked. When he went to rehearsal she either continued writing or did some researching. He still cooked dinner for her several times a week when time permitted. He also went home every night. While their kisses were becoming more passionate they hadn't crossed the line into a sexual relationship. Jessica was being considerate of his unease and not rushing things. That was going to change however.

Seth's diet had become a lifestyle change. He had dropped weight and while he wasn't aiming for a muscular build, he had reduced the girth around his waist and needed new clothes. Jessica took him to New York and bought him several suits and two tuxedos. He was confident enough to allow it without too much posturing. She told him it was a birthday present since he was going to be accompanying her in a few months. He had added several slacks, shirts, and ties to the ensemble. He stood like a mannequin while she spoke with the tailor about styles. He harrumphed when she teased him about his oversized boxers and his eyebrows rose when she added some outlandish patterned boxers and even boxer briefs to the growing pile of clothes.

She brought most of the clothing to her house and put them in the guest room closet. She told him it made packing easier. It was why she kept her clothes in New York and didn't bring them to Cabot Cove. Thanksgiving was a splendid day. She had invited Mort Metzger and his wife, the Appletree sisters, Morris Wright and his wife, Mayor Sam Booth, and Jeanine Logan, head librarian to the meal with an open offer to several other friends to stop by for drinks and dessert that evening.

It had been wonderful having Seth helping in the kitchen. His turkey was a beautiful presentation and delicious as well. She did many of the side dishes with the guests adding dishes as well. More guests arrived after dinner for dessert and several pies were consumed. It was nearly ten when the last guest left and the kitchen was spotless again.

"Wonderful day, Jess." Seth kissed her lips lightly before folding the dish towel on the counter.

Jessica had gone upstairs while he was washing dishes and changed into a more comfortable pair of pants and a sweatshirt. She took his hand and led him to the sofa where they sat relaxing.

"Do you want a game of chess?" he asked.

She shook her head slightly. "I just want to bask in the ambience of a great accomplishment. Do you realize this is the first Thanksgiving that has gone off without a hitch? Nothing burned or overcooked. Nothing undercooked. No one cut themselves or slipped and fell. We've had some exciting meals here over the years but spending time with friends over a wonderful meal has me feeling very thankful.

Seth pulled her into a hug. "I'm thankful for you, Jess. I know it's only been three months or so but I don't think I've ever been happier with you."

"You're about to be even happier, dear." Before he could ask what she meant, she was kissing him. She started slowly, kissing him softly while moving her hands across his chest. He joined in cherishing her for a few minutes but squeaked in surprise as she moved onto his lap and deepened the kiss.

"Let's go upstairs," she whispered in his ear. She leaned back and looked into his eyes dispelling any questions he might have had. She stood and began walking towards the stairs with him trailing behind her turning off the light. He was beside her when she reached her bedroom however and they undressed slowly, speaking occasionally while watching each other. Once finished she moved into his arms and kissed him.

"I love you, Jess," he murmured in her ear. They stood pressed together, kissing, speaking, before moving to the bed. Jessica felt bold. She was determined to show Seth how much she wanted him and had no doubts about his love for her.

Seth had dreamt about this moment. He wasn't expecting it to happen tonight. He knew she was taking it slow, making it easy on him, for them. Feeling her pressed against him, he wondered why he was so hesitant before now. She felt wonderful. She was warm and her skin was so soft. Lying beside her, he spent several moments just looking at her and touching her. Kisses and caresses followed and her moans turned him on until he was struggling to hold back. He was no longer a young man. He wasn't going to make love for hours and then have an encore performance in the morning. He was going to make this moment count.

Jessica was filled with desire. She didn't know how many lovers he had before but he certainly knew how to please her, knew how to touch her, knew what she needed. He was moving over her now, positioning himself and she ached to feel him filling her. The aftereffects of her first orgasm had her languidly watching him, opening herself wider, accepting him. His thrusts deepening inside as she felt another wave beginning to wash over her. She felt his release as the intensity overwhelmed her and spasms shook her body. He was kissing her until her movements slowed and he moved away to hold her in his arms.

It had been a long day and it took only a few minutes before they succumbed to sleep. His hand moved to pull her closer even while they slept.

Jessica opened her eyes to find Seth staring at her. "Good morning," she murmured as she snuggled in his arms.

"Thank you, Jess. Last night…it was wonderful. I love you."

She smiled while caressing his cheek. She moved her head to glance at her clock on the table on the other side of Seth. "It's after eight."

"Hungry?" asked Seth.

"Is food my only option?" she asked. She trailed her hand across his chest.

Seth stopped her hand. "Yes, my dear. For now."

Jessica sat up and stretched. "I'm going to shower."

"Can I watch?" asked Seth waggling his eyebrows.

Jessica laughed delightedly. She rose from the bed, still naked, and padded to the bathroom. She knew he was watching her. She was sudsing up when the bathroom door opened and he entered. He leaned against the sink watching her.

It was unnerving at first but then she had an idea. She began soaping her body again using long, measured strokes. She cupped her breasts, moaning as she squeezed them. Playing with her nipples she closed her eyes as her breath began to hitch. She heard his approach and in the blink of an eye, he joined her in the shower.

"I think that's my job," he whispered in her ear. Despite what he said a few minutes ago, his body responded with an eagerness that surprised him. It was a satisfied pair that eventually left the shower. The future was looking bright.

An epilogue to follow…