A/N: Hi there! This installment of chapters is a little smaller, but I hope you enjoy anyway. Thank you for all the reviews! On with the show!
"Hungry?" Natalie heard upon stepping in the kitchen.
"I could eat – you wanna get take out?"
"I was thinking we could cook – you remember how much fun we used to have when we cooked for mom when she was sick?"
"I do" Natalie said, "what are you thinking of making?"
"Pesto risotto?"
"Sounds great" Natalie said, "Let's get cooking"
"I'll start on the rice if you start chopping" Jess said.
Natalie nodded. The two of them chatted and reminisced and Natalie was genuinely happy to be spending bonding time with her sister. At one point, Jared showed up and despite Natalie's best efforts, Jess insisted on him joining. At one point, Jess disappeared to see if she left the second jug of chicken stock in her car.
"Your sister is something" Jared said, by way of making conversation.
"She is" Natalie said, "she fancies herself a matchmaker apparently"
"I mean, she's right, I'd do anything for you"
"I wouldn't lift my finger for you"
"You did" Jared said, "you could have left me to sleep in my car. You got me a room at a discount. Where you were staying, no less"
"I wasn't going to let you sleep in your car, people get killed that way"
"I'll take it" Jared said, "Today not dying, tomorrow you might actually like me"
"I wouldn't count on it" Natalie said.
That was when Jess came in. "don't take her face as a sign, Jared. She's a tough customer"
"Jess- "
"I'll butt out" she put her hands up in mock defeat. She attended to the rice; chicken stock apparently retrieved from her car.
Jared tuned the radio up, trying to cut the tension. Within a few seconds, Jess broke down in tears. Natalie jumped into action immediately, shepherding her sister to the kitchen table and getting her to sit down.
"Nash and I used to dance to this song" Jess finally managed between sobs.
"Turn the radio off" Natalie barked at Jared.
"It's not just the song" Jess sobbed, "I – I can't believe I didn't- "
'What, Jess, what is it?"
"When I was packing up the vineyard" she sobbed, "I was so worried about the developers kicking me out" she heaved, "I forgot a crate of wine, Nash he was so proud of that batch, he was going to save it for Bree's wedding and I forgot it how could I- "
"We got this" Natalie said, "we can go get it right now"
"I can't go back; I don't want to go without him" Jess cried.
"I can go then" Natalie said.
"You'd do that?"
"What a little light B&E? I got this" Natalie said, grabbing her keys off the counter.
"Jared, would you go with her? I really just need a little bit of time to myself" Jess said.
"sure" Jared said, standing by the door.
"You're sure you want to be alone for that long?" Natalie asked.
"I just need to pull myself back together"
Natalie nodded and rubbed her sister's arm before she headed out. Wordlessly, Jared followed her.
"Why are you so reluctant to leave her alone?" Jared asked.
"She's my sister and she just lost her husband after she just found out she was pregnant. She shouldn't be alone"
"Well," Jared said, "That makes sense"
"So don't hold me up" Natalie said.
"What's the rush?" Viki asked.
"Jess asked us to go the vineyard"
"Together?"
"She wants to be by herself" Natalie shrugged.
"That's the last thing she needs" Viki sighed.
"I thought so too, but she insisted- "
"Listen, honey, I'm going to the nursery, the vineyard is right by there, I'll get the – "
"Crate of wine for Bree's wedding"
"really?"
"Yeah, she said, Nash was real proud and so he saved it-"
Viki took a breath, "I can do it" she said, and she pat her coat pocket, "Oh, I forgot my keys"
"Well, here, take my car" Natalie handed her mom her keys, "we're right here and my car gets better gas mileage anyway"
"Sure" Viki said, "Now you get back in there and make sure Jessie is okay" she paused, "and Jared, don't get in the way"
"Yes ma'am"