Jess and Cece were sitting with Jamie as the kids ran through the house and DeAnn told them about their plan to get married and how it had been delayed because of money but they had grand plans. "That sounds like it'll be beautiful." Jess said with a little smile.
"Ma said you wedding got screwed up." Jamie said looking at Jess. "That must have really sucked. So, when are you going to redo it?"
Jess gave a little smile. "It got a little delayed and we had to move it. Our friend Aly went into labor, so we all ended up at the hospital. Nick actually put everything together for us to get married while we waited for our friend's baby."
"So, you did get married?" Jamie asked.
Jess nodded. "We did, it was a little thing in the hospital hallway, but we had our friends there and we got married which is really the most important thing." She said as Jamie jumped up and hugged her.
"I'm so glad I got a sister!" He smiled happily. "I mean I thought when Ma said things went crazy and you two didn't get to be at your wedding that it didn't happen so you weren't my sister yet but you did marry Nick so… welcome to the family, sister."
Jess smiled brightly. "Thank you." She said as Bobby walked in and sat down on the couch.
"You know I knew when you came with Nicky that you two were… you know…" He said making a gesture as Cece tried to hide her laughter as Jess shook her head, biting her lip.
"When I came here with Nick it was with Schmidt and Winston as well so we could support Nick and be there for everyone when Walt died. Nick and I… we weren't …. Together when that all happened."
"You were something." Bobby said. "It was written all over your faces. I mean didn't you ever wonder why Aunt Bonnie just hated you when you showed up?" He laughed.
Jess looked at him as Cece shook her head. "There was a lot going on. You don't know what was going on beyond that Walt died." Jess said.
Bobby shrugged. "You know Jamie, it's your birthday. We should be celebrating."
Jamie looked at him. "I've got a bunch of friends coming tomorrow." Jamir said. "My birthday's tomorrow anyway."
"You should start it off right with a party and end it with a party. It's the only right way to celebrate anything really." Bobby told him. "I'm gonna get a few friends and we'll get this going."
"Nick will be back with Schmidt and Bonnie any time." Jess said. "The party is tomorrow, I don't think-."
"You sit and enjoy the fun. Doubt Nick really knows how to party." Bobby said as he walked away texting.
"Uh, I don't think this is a good idea." Cece said looking at Jamie.
"Bobby is really excited to celebrate." He shrugged. "It won't hurt for a couple friends." He said as Jess and Cece looked at each other. "So. When am I going to get to be the Uncle?" He asked with a smile as Jess looked back at him.
"Jamie, I'm already pregnant." Jess said pointing to her little baby bump. "We told everyone earlier today, that's why Nick and your mom are going to get special dinner."
"Yeah, but when will I BE an Uncle?" He asked.
Jess looked at him a minute. "The baby's due in about four months." She said trying to keep things simple. Bobby walked back in two men following him.
"It's about to get lit." He grinned as he handed out beer.
"Bobby, I'm pregnant." Jess said as she declined the beer.
"But it's Jamie's birthday." He said like it would make the difference.
"She's got a baby growing, she can't drink, idiot." DeAnn said as Bobby scrunched his face. Suddenly the door opened and several more people walking in cheering that it was time to party.
Jess stood with Cece as they watched as more people seemed to pour into the house. "Jamie, I really don't think this is a good idea." Jess said as Jamie stood up looking at the people filing in.
"Bobby, I thought you said it was going to be a couple people, this is way more. My mom is going to freak." He said yelling at his cousin who was blowing him off. "Bobby, we can't have this many people here and drinking and everything. Nick's not going to like this, he's going to be more mad than Ma will be."
"He needs to loosen up and party some. He used to be cool." Bobby said.
"Yeah, Nick use to be the cool one, always ready to party. Then he went and has to impress some chick." Another man laughed. "I mean look at her, she's even fat!" He laughed as Jess and Cece stared at him in shock.
"I'm sorry, who are you?" Jess asked stepping forward.
"I'm the cool guy." He grinned clearly, already drunk. "You lose that boring loser and get with me we'll have fun all night." He laughed as Jess glared at him, ready to tell him where to shove his thoughts when she heard Jamie as he stepped up behind her.
"Hey, George, you can't talk to her like that." He said.
"Oh? Why not?" George asked.
Jamie moved to stand between him and Jess. "Because she's my sister. You can't be talking to my sister that way."
"Sister?" George laughed. "There wasn't no wedding, that aint your sister. It's just a fat chick." Jamie punched George in the face making the large man look at Jamie angrily. "You think you're a big man and special now?" He asked before he hit Jamie, knocking him flat on the ground.
"Jamie!" Jess gasped as she bent to check on him as Cece tried to keep an eye on the others, debating on if she had time to grab her phone before they moved and found out she couldn't. Before she knew it several men were grabbing hold of them and roughly pushing them into the hall closet. "No! No! I can't…. No!" Jess called as they shut the door and they could hear something move to cover the door.
"Jess." Cece said grabbing her arms and holding her. "Jess, it's okay, I'm right here with you, it'll be alright. Nick and Schmidt will be on their way home and they'll get us out in no time. It'll be okay." She said trying to keep her friend calm.
Jamie groaned as he sat up, DeAnn crouched next to him and the group of children crowded to the back of the room. "What just happened?"
"George knocked you flat out." She said. "Jamie there's more of them bikers form George's club showing up."
Jamie looked around. "Get the kids and go to Charmaine's and call Nick. It'll be safe there, I'm going to try to make them leave."
"Jamie, they'll kill you, they're not even listening to Bobby now." DeAnn said worried.
"Just go." He said as he stood up and she grabbed the terrified children, quickly ushering them out of the house as Jamie tried to get to his cousin to make this stop only to get punched in the face again. He sat up on the floor trying to collect himself when the front door opened.
"What the hell is going on?" He heard Nick yell. He looked over and climbed to his feet as bikers started wrestling.
"Nick!" Jamie called as he ran over to his brother and Schmidt as the two looked around.
"Jamie what the hell happened? We went out for like an hour, we get a call from DeAnn there's a biker brawl going on? Where's Jess and Cece?"
Jamie shook his head. "I don't know. George was-."
"You don't know?" He asked angrily as he looked around worried.
"Well, well, well." George said as he walked from the kitchen. "If it isn't the too good for a party little Nicky." He said.
Nick ignored him as he walked over, turning off the music as the others glared at him. "Shut up." He said. "This isn't your house and this isn't a party. Get moving before the cops get here and drag you out." He yelled at the others.
"Threatening us, Nick?" George asked.
"Damn right I am." Nick said looking at him. "Where's my wife and her friend?"
"The fat chick?" He laughed. "You could do so much better, Nicky." George slurred. Nick gave him a look, trying to decide if he should hit the man or not when he heard banging.
"Jess!" He called listening. "Jess!" He called again trying to find the banging. "Jessica!"
He paused; he heard it. "Nick!" He moved down the hall where they had slid the couch. "Nick!" Jess cried.
"Nick, we can't open the door!" Cece called.
"I got it! Give me a minute." Nick called back as he worked to unwedge the couch.
"Nick." He heard Jess cry.
"I'm right here, Jess, I'm working on the door. It's okay." He said trying to keep her calm as he struggled with the couch. Jamie and Schmidt ran over and helped him move the couch so Nick could open the door. As soon as the door was open Cece pulled Jess out into the hall handing her to Nick as she was trying to catch her breath and Cece hugged Schmidt tight.
"Always a mood killer." George said as he walked over. Nick looked at Jess before he pulled back.
"Get her outside and some air." He told Cece who took her friend and pulled her with her. "George if you don't get out of here now, I'll make you."
"Then make me." George laughed as the others cheered.
"If you really-." He stopped mid-sentence as he swung as hard as he could. The large man dropped to the ground and Nick looked around. "Out. Now." He said as the others started to scramble. "Get outside with Jess and the others." He told Jamie.
"I tried to stop Bobby, Nick I really tried to stop them." Jamie said as Nick looked at him.
He shook he head and turned away to talk to Schmidt and they made it outside as Winston and Aly pulled up. "Nick!" Winston called watching Nick shake his hand.
"They're clearing out." He said. George tried to turn it into a biker club. They knocked Jamie out, threw Jess and Cece into a closet."
"Is Jess okay?" Winston asked worried, knowing how terrified Jess was of small dark spaces.
"Nick!" They heard Cece call. He looked over as she sat on the step holding Jess to her as she was hunched.
"Jess." Nick said walking over as his mother walked up to the house with the last of the troublemakers leaving. "Jess." He said as he bent in front of her. "Hey, Jess, what's going on?" He asked.
"Nick." She said looking at him, her face pale. "I don't…" She shook her head. "I don't feel so good."
"It could be blood pressure." Aly said kneeling beside him. "All the commotion could have spiked her blood pressure."
"You know what, we're going to the hospital." He said reaching out to pick Jess up as she leaned into him. He looked at the others.
"Just go, we'll handle this." Aly said. "Let us know what goes on."
"I'm coming. I can't do anything here." Cece said as she followed Nick to the car.
"Nicky?" His mom asked confused as he carried Jess towards the car.
"I need to get Jess to the hospital, Schmidt, Winston, and Aly are going to handle everything. It'll be okay, Ma, just go with them." He said as he climbed in the car and started for the hospital.
Winston looked at Jamie standing to the side watching everything. "You alright?" Winston asked walking over.
Jamie nodded. "Yeah, I just…. Is Jess okay?"
"It's probably nothing but it's better to get checked out since she's pregnant." Winston said. "DeAnn said George knocked you out for a minute. You need to go to the hospital?"
Jamie shook his head. "No, I'll be fine. Nick knocked George out, he's in the hall and Boby's in the kitchen, he invited these people over. He said it was a couple people to celebrate my birthday and then all these people started coming and then George started saying stuff and…. I tried to stop them. Winston, I told Bobby no, and they came in and I told them to leave and they just…. they laughed at me." He said looking almost sad.
"Alright, just sit here for a minute. Aly and me will talk to Boby and we'll get George out of there." He said walking over where Aly was talking to Bonnie and Schmidt. "Jamie said Bobby invited the people over."
"That boy." Bonnie huffed. "I'll smack him upside his head." She said angrily.
"Mrs. Miller, stay here with the others, Aly and I are going to handle this. Aly's talking to the chief of the local police department, we're going to get a car out here to grab George and Aly and I are going to talk to Bobby."
"Oh, don't arrest him. He's just an idiot." Bonnie said.
"Mrs. Miller." Winston said. "Bobby's always been wild, but this got out of hand the moment they piled in, assaulted Jamie, threw Cece and Jess in a closet and locked them in."
"Not to mention if anything happens to Nick and Jess' baby." Schmidt added as Bonnie looked at him. "Cece had high blood pressure when she was pregnant. They said that if it spiked or was too high it could hurt the baby."
"The things going on can raise the blood pressure." Winston said. "Jess is claustrophobic. She can't be in small dark places like that, she loses it. They could have hurt the baby by doing what they did."
"I know you're not a huge fan of me." Schmidt said. "But I think it would be good to at least try to scare him into getting his head together."
"I've never met him yet." Aly said walking over. "He doesn't know me. I can go in as the detective and tell him what's at stake for all of this. No actual charges will be brought on him right now, but he needs to know how dangerous and important this all is." Bonnie looked at her a moment before she nodded. "Schmidt stay out here, let the cops in when they get here and let us know as soon as you hear anything about Jess." Schmidt nodded as Winston and Aly walked into the house.
Winston walked around the corner and into the kitchen where Bobby was sitting with another beer. "Bobby." He said making the man look at him. "You really think you should be drinking more after everything you just did?"
"I didn't do anything." Bobby said. "I invited a few people to try to show Jamie how to really party and then he went mouthing off and then the girl got in the way… I didn't do anything."
Winston looked at him a moment giving a small nod. "Okay. If you want to go that route." He stepped further in letting Aly step in. "This is detective Neilson. She's here to talk to you about what went on and what's going to happen since you invited people in that assaulted Jamie, threw Jess and Cece in the closet and could possibly be causing injury or death to the unborn baby." Bobby looked up as Aly stepped closer to the table and Winston crossed his arms as he watched Aly break the proud man down to tears as he apologized for the danger and harm.
The cops took George out in cuffs and Bonnie walked into her home with the others and looked around with a sigh. "Ma…" Jamie started but stopped as Bobby came from the kitchen followed by Aly and Winston.
"Aunt bonnie." He said looking worried. "I'm sorry for everything. Aunt Bonnie. I never meant for any of this, and I promise that I will do better." He looked at Winston and Aly. "They said I could go to jail for starting this. I didn't know…." He was almost crying.
Bonnie pulled him into a hug. "It's alright, Bobby. You just take a breath. It'll all be alright, but you can't be doing this. Look at my house. It's a mess and now Nicky's at the emergency room with Jess and we have no idea what's going on. I know you're so full of life but there's a time and place for that brightness." She said as she looked at him. "Now. Go get the trash bags and start cleaning up." She said making him nod and get to work.
Schmidt's phone rang. "Cece." He said as he answered and listened. "Yeah, I'll let everyone know." He hung up. "The doctors got her blood pressure down. They said she'll be alright, they're running a couple tests to check on the baby but they think everything will be fine since it was the first time and it wasn't for too long." He explained. "As soon as they finish the tests they'll be released."
Everyone let out a breath they never realized they were holding. "Well let's get everything fixed up for when they get back." Aly said as they got to work.
Hours later Jamie was sitting at the kitchen Table with Schmidt, Winston and Aly when they heard the door open. They ran out as Cece walked in carrying papers and Nick wrapped his arm around Jess who looked exhausted. Cece looked at Jamie standing in the doorway of the kitchen as Nick looked over. "I'll get her upstairs." she told Nick who nodded.
"I'll get her some stuff and be right there." Nick told her watching Cece help Jess up the stairs.
"Everything alright?" Schmidt asked worried watching Cece helping Jess up the stairs.
"Yeah." Nick said running a hand over his head. "Everything is normal but she's got some stuff to keep her relaxed for the night. When we get back she's going to see Sadie to double check everything." He explained.
Schmidt nodded, tapping his friend's arm before he made his way up the stairs. "If you need anything, give a call. I doubt your cousin will be doing anything like that again." Aly said. "I had a little chat with him. Just try to get some rest and relax."
"Thanks Aly." He said. Winston tapped his arm as he and Aly made their way back where Charmaine was watching DanBill and DeAnn and the Kids were staying for the night. Nick walked into the kitchen seeing Jamie sitting back at the table, looking down.
"Nick, I didn't want this. I told Bobby no, but he said it was just a couple people then everyone showed up. They were talking enough Jess and I tried to make them stop…."
"I know." Nick said as he sighed and walked to the freezer tossing his brother a bag of frozen peas. "Use these, trust me it'll help." He told his brother. "Keep it on for twenty minutes then take it off and take some painkillers before the pain gets too bad." Nick explained, handing him the pain medicine bottle and a glass of water.
"Nick." Jamie said softly as Nick started boiling water. "I really did try to stop it."
"I know that Jamie." He said leaning on the counter. "Cece and Jess told me what happened. I really appreciate what you did for Jess. It really does mean a lot."
Jamie looked at him. "She's my sister now. No one talks about my sister."
Nick smirked and gave a little nod. "How's the eye feel?"
"It hurts. He hit me twice in the same spot." He said as Nick nodded. "Is Jess and the baby going to be okay?"
Nick nodded. "They'll both be alright, just has to take it easy." He explained. "You should get some sleep. You've got a big day tomorrow. Winston and Aly will make sure DeAnn and the kids are back early so you better sleep while you can."
"What about you?" He asked watching as Nick moved around the kitchen.
"I'm taking some tea and snacks up to Jess and we're going to get some sleep too. We can deal with whatever comes tomorrow." Jamie nodded as he stood. "And Jamie." He said making his brother look at him. "I'm serious, thanks for taking care of Jess." Jamie paused and gave a nod before heading to bed. Nick finished the tea and went up to find Schmidt sitting in a chair while Cece sat on the bed with Jess' head in her lap as she dosed.
"She's still in and out." Cece said as Nick nodded, setting the tea on the nightstand helping to lift Jess enough for Cece to stand up. The two friends said their goodnights and wandered to the room down the hall where they were staying while out for Jamie's birthday.
The next morning Nick found Jess still sleeping beside him. He watched her a moment before he kissed her head and made his way downstairs where his mother was sitting at the table having coffee. "You're up early." She said with a little smile.
"It's a habit now." Nick said. "Jess is usually up early for work, so I'm used to getting up earlier now." He shrugged as he poured a cup of coffee for himself.
"How is she?" Bonnie asked looking at Nick as he sat at the table across from him.
"She's tired." He said. "She had a panic attack."
Bonnie gave a little nod. "You know your brother didn't do this."
Nick gave a nod, looking at his cup. "I know. Cece and Jess told me what happened when we were at the hospital." He shifted in his seat. "He actually stepped up." He said a little smile tugging at his lips. "They told me he even tried to protect Jess when George started." He paused as the two sat in silence. "Ma, I'm sorry this all happened. I know Bobby's an idiot, but I didn't think he'd be that stupid to crash your house with bikers especially with Jess and Cece here."
Bonnie shook her head. "It's not the first time."
Nick looked at her. "What? He did this before?"
Bonnie shrugged. "Well, he asked to have a little party and it ended up more than a few people. He was cleaning up for days after. I thought I had scared him enough to not do it again." She shook her head.
"Well, I can guarantee he's not going to be doing it again. Aly and Winston said they terrified him pretty good this time. He's lucky nothing major really happened."
Bonnie nodded again. "I know." She looked at Nick. "Are you okay?" She asked looking at him as he stared at his coffee again.
He gave a nod looking up. "I'm fine. I'll get Aly and Winston to leave some numbers and all for you to get a hold of their friends at the police department in case you need anything."
"Oh Nicky, you worry too much." She said waving him off.
"Ma, things aren't the same out there. And now with how Bobby has been acting…. it doesn't hurt to have things in place just in case." He explained. "I'll check the locks before we leave, and I'll give Jamie the information too incase he needs to get a hold of someone."
Bonnie looked at him and couldn't help but smile at him. "You know." She said making him stop and look at her again. "You're going to be a really great father." Nick looked at her. "If you take care of that girl and your baby half as well as you've taken care of all of us all these years…." She shook her head as Nick gave an appreciative smile and nodded.
They looked over as Jess walked into the room. "Feeling better?" Nick asked as she sat at the table beside him.
She nodded. "Much better." She told him. "Still a little sleepy but much better than I was last night. Once I wake up a bit, we can start getting everything ready." She said.
"No, dear, you need to relax." Bonnie said. "You just take it easy for today, we'll handle everything."
"I can still help." Jess said.
Nick looked at her and shook his head looking at his mother. "Jess it's going to listen, she's going to help anyway." He smirked as Jess looked at him and he smiled at her. "Once her mind's made up that's it."
Bonnie let out a breath looking at her daughter in law. "Well just don't overdo it." She said as Jess nodded with a little smile.
"You hungry?" Nick asked as he stood up watching Jess nod before he went to start making breakfast.
Nick stood with his arm around Jess as they watched guests arriving for Jamie's thirtieth birthday. "Nick, Jess." They turned, seeing Jamie walking over, his left eye black and blue and swollen. "Are you oaky?" he asked Jess.
Jess nodded. "I'm better. Thank you." She said. "For everything." Jamie nodded, shifting nervously. "How's your eye, it looks painful."
"It really hurts." Jamie said. "But it'll be okay." He smiled optimistically.
"Come with me." She said as she turned back to the house. Jamie looked at Nick who waved to him to follow her. "Sit here." She said making him sit at the kitchen table as Nick leaned in the doorway watching Jess as she gave him an ice pack to put on his eye and handed him ibuprofen. "The ice will help with the pain and swelling, and ibuprofen will as well. Use the ice as often as you can to help it heal. It's probably going to take a few days for that to really go down, but this should make it better for today. Just be careful how much you drink, it's not good to take pain medicine and drink. I know it kind of ruins the whole big bash but at least your eye will feel better." She explained as she moved around the kitchen handing him everything he needed.
Jamie nodded, listening to her as he did what she instructed. He took the glass of water from her and looked up at her. "You know you're a really good mom." He said making Jess pause before she smiled at him. She started to cry as Jamie looked worried, looking to Nick for help. "I… I didn't mean…."
"She's fine." Nick said with a smirk as he walked over to her as she leaned into him. "It's okay." He said rubbing her arms until she calmed to a sniffle, wiping the tears away.
"I'm sorry." She said to the confused Jamie.
"Go enjoy your birthday, just take it easy." Nick told his brother who nodded, thanking them, and going back to the party. "You got to stop doing that, you're freaking people out."
"I know. I just…" She trailed off as the tears started to build again.
"What are you crying about now?" He asked.
She sniffled, determined to stop the tears. "Nothing…" She tried to get out.
Nick shook his head before he pulled her into a hug until she stopped crying then the two went to join the party as it got to full swing. Nick watched his brother as the guests greeted him and joined in the festivities, everyone wishing him a happy birthday. It was the first time he really saw Jamie as something more than just his baby brother. He was now an adult, one that took care of his family. Bobby wished Jamie a happy Birthday and quickly made his way to the side, trying to keep his head down. Nick watched him a moment, the big tough cousin that was always so quick to start a brawl was sitting scolded to the side behaving himself before his eyes grew wide. Nick followed his gaze and saw Winston and Aly walking through the back door to join everyone.
Winston smiled as they stopped and greeted Nick and Jess. "How are you doing?" Aly asked Jess.
"A lot better now. I'm so sorry for the mess last night and making you guys all worry." She told her friend.
Aly shook her head. "It wasn't your fault. All that matters is you and the little one are alright." She said giving Jess a hug before Winston hugged her.
"Looks like Bobby thinks you're back for him." Nick said looking at his terrified cousin. "What did you do to him? I've never seen him so afraid." He smirked.
Aly smiled and looked over as Bobby looked away. "I just told him what could happen to him. He could be arrested for damage to property, for inciting fights, for endangering others, assault, and if things went really bad, which thank God they didn't, murder." She said with a shrug. Not like the charges would really stick, he'd probably just get something for setting it up at most, but he doesn't need to know that." She smiled.
"We'll leave who to call in case there's any more trouble that goes on here." Winston said as Nick gave a little nod. "Guess we should go wish him a happy birthday." Aly gave a little nod before they walked out to talk to Jamie.
Bobby made his way over to Nick and Jess watching Aly the whole time. "What's she doing here? She's not here for me right?"
Nick looked at him. "I don't know, what'd you do?" Nick asked as Bobby shook his head.
Jess took pity on the man. "No, she's not here for you. Aly is Winston's wife. They're both detectives back in LA, they're here for Jamie's birthday." She explained, watching as Bobby let out a breath.
"That doesn't mean you're off the hook." Nick said looking at his cousin. "You can't be acting like that anymore. We're not kids anymore, now there's kids relying on us. You stay here with Ma and Jamie and his family; you need to think about those kids before you go doing stupid things." He lectured.
"When did you get so boring?" Bobby said.
"When I realized there was so much more than just me out here." he said as Bobby looked at him and Jess a moment before nodding and walking off. "Sometimes I miss being stupid." He said as Jess gave a little laugh.
"Don't worry, you're still stupid." She teased, making him look at her as she smiled brightly at him. Nick shook his head kissing her before the two joined the party, this time as the adults at the birthday party.