Chapter 16: "New Beginnings"
The following morning brought an air of quiet excitement. Jess was up early, sipping coffee at the kitchen island, the light from the rising sun streaming through the windows. It was a new day, and with it came a fresh start. She wasn't usually one for change, but this felt different. Moving in with Don was a big step for her, but it had never felt so right.
Don was already up, rummaging through boxes that had yet to be unpacked. The apartment was a mix of their things now—her books, his gear, and their shared dreams. He glanced over at her, offering a smile that made her heart flutter.
"Everything okay?" Don asked, his voice still thick with sleep.
Jess took a deep breath, letting the warmth of her coffee ground her. "Yeah. Just... thinking about everything. Us. Moving in together. It feels... surreal, but good."
Don walked over, sitting beside her. "I know it's a big step for you. It is for me, too," he said, his tone gentle. Jess wasn't one to commit easily; she had always pushed people away. Until Don. Himself. a player, never in a long-term relationship. "But it's not going to be that different. We basically lived together anyway," he continued, smiling as he thought back to the countless nights they'd spent together. "Just my stuff will be here, too."
Jess smiled, her nerves bubbling up slightly as she took in his words. She stayed silent, just listening to Don.
He reached out and took her hand, squeezing it gently. "And I'm more sure about this than anything, Jess. We've been through a lot already. This? This feels like it's meant to be."
Jess nodded, meeting his gaze. She could feel the weight of their shared history—the late-night talks, the laughter, the arguments—but it was all part of the journey they'd been building together. She wasn't sure what the future held, but with Don by her side, it didn't seem as scary anymore. "You're right," she replied simply.
"So, what's the plan for today?" she asked, eager to shift the focus away from her nerves.
"Mac said he'd load your goodwill boxes into the Avalanche and take them over," Don said with a grin, glancing at the boxes scattered around the living room. Jess had packed up clothes she hadn't worn in ages and things she no longer needed, all to make room for his stuff. They'd decided to get rid of her second bedroom set, the one from college, and use his, which was in better shape for the spare room. The two of them had already painted both rooms, giving them a fresh, new look. Don and Danny had tackled that last weekend. They'd also added a new closet organizer in their room to make space for his clothes.
"Then maybe we can go pick up some stuff for the place—new couch, maybe some plants?" he suggested, his voice casual.
"Plants?" Jess raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth.
"Yeah, plants," Don replied, defending himself with a shrug. "They make a place feel... alive. You don't want this place looking like a crime scene, do you?"
Jess laughed, "I suppose a little greenery wouldn't hurt. As long as you promise not to get any of those creepy-looking succulents that look like they're plotting world domination—and you keep them alive, because I won't."
Don chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Deal."
"And I agree with the couch," Jess replied. Most of her furniture was in good shape. Before the shooting, she had purchased a new coffee table and a new bed. But her couch was falling apart, and his wasn't much better. She'd wanted a new one anyway, but life had put that idea on pause.
What time is the moving crew getting here?" Don asked, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.
"I told them 2:00, so we've got a few hours," Jess replied, glancing at him with a knowing smile. "I want to go for a run and there are a few more things to pack up for Goodwill. You also need to go back to your place and pack up the last of your boxes you've been putting off."
"I have a better idea," Don replied sheepishly, his grin widening.
Before Jess could ask what he meant, he leaned in and placed a tender kiss on her lips. It was soft at first, just a gentle press of his lips to hers, but the warmth of it spread through her, making her forget about the boxes and the errands. His hand moved to rest lightly on her waist, and she responded, deepening the kiss just slightly, the connection between them feeling natural and comforting.
When they finally pulled apart, Jess was breathless, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "I should've known," she teased, her voice soft.
"Yeah, you probably should have," Don said, his eyes sparkling with affection. He rested his forehead against hers for a moment, letting the quiet between them settle in.
"Okay, okay," Jess said, pulling back with a sigh. "We can be productive later. I'm not going to argue with you now."
Jess took his hand, a playful smile curving her lips as she started to lead him toward "their" bedroom. It felt right, that quiet space, a place they were starting to make their own together. But Don had a different idea.
With a mischievous grin, he gently pulled her in the opposite direction, towards the bathroom.
"Don…" Jess raised an eyebrow, surprised but intrigued. "What are you doing?"
He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he led her into the bathroom, shutting the door behind them with a soft click. The space was bathed in soft light, the scent of lavender from the candles she'd lit the night before filling the air. He took a moment, his hands resting gently on her shoulders, his gaze softening.
"Come on" he said, leaning into the shower and turning the water on. "We can use some relaxation"
The warm spray began to fill the stall, a gentle hiss amplifying in the small space. He held a playful glint as he reached behind her, his fingers deftly lifting her PJ top over her head. His fingers moved to her shoulder, gently tracing circles around her scar, and then slowly moved down to her side, lightly touching her other scar. "Just a little… unwinding," he murmured against her lips, his voice a low rumble.
Jess shivered slightly under his touch, the sensation both surprising and exhilarating. She leaned into him, her hands finding their way to the back of his neck, her fingers tangling in the soft hair at his nape. "You're incorrigible," she whispered, her breath warm against his ear.
He chuckled, a low, throaty sound that vibrated against her. "Only for you." He carefully moved his hands from her scars to the waistband of her PJs and, with a slow, deliberate motion, lowered them. "Let's leave the world outside for a while, shall we?"
Jess nodded, stepping into the shower. Don quickly removed his PJ pants and joined her.
The steam began to cloud the mirror, blurring their reflections into a hazy, intimate tableau. The sound of the running water filled the small room, creating a private world of their own. Jess's heart pounded in her chest, a mixture of anticipation and pure, unadulterated joy. She met his gaze, her own eyes mirroring the playful warmth in his.
"Just… relaxation," she repeated, a soft smile playing on her lips.
He nodded, his eyes never leaving hers. "Just relaxation." He pulled her closer, the warmth of the water enveloping them both as they stood, intertwined, in the gentle cascade. The world outside faded away, leaving only the soft sound of the water and the quiet rhythm of their breaths. He gently cupped her face in his hands, his thumbs tracing the soft curve of her cheeks. He leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, then her nose, and finally, her lips. The kiss was slow, tender, a silent promise of shared warmth and quiet intimacy.
"Ok, that's the last of the boxes," Mac said, wiping his brow. He and Stella had just returned from Goodwill. Lindsay and Jess were in the spare room, wrestling with the bedroom set that had come from Don's. Don and Danny were still at Don's old place, handling the final dump run.
"Finally!" Stella exclaimed, stretching her arms above her head. "I swear, those boxes were plotting against us." She glanced toward the closed door of the spare room, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "How are they faring in there?"
Jess walked out of the room, Lindsay following. Her feet were asleep from sitting on the floor putting the bed set together. "Done," Jess said, feeling a sense of accomplishment.
"Thank God," Lindsay said with a grin, wiping her hands on her jeans as she stepped out of the room, giving Jess a playful nudge. "I think I've earned a nap after all that."
Jess laughed, stretching her arms above her head as the tension from hours of moving started to melt away. "I think we all have. But, yeah, it looks like we're done with the big stuff. Now, just a few more details to finish up, and we're set."
"Thank goodness," Mac said, flashing a smile. "I think I need a beer after all this. No more moving boxes for me today."
"Let's just hope Don doesn't bring back another truckload of stuff," Stella joked, rolling her eyes. "I never realized how big of a pack rat he was."
Jess smiled, feeling the weight of the past few days lift off her shoulders. They had worked so hard to get everything together, and it no longer looked like just her place, but their place—and that made her smile.
"Well, at least it's all getting organized," she said, glancing around at the room. The bed was made, the dresser was in place, and the rest of the space was slowly coming together. The boxes were all unpacked, and the clutter was starting to settle into its rightful place.
"I'll say, this place is looking good," Stella added, surveying the apartment. "You've got this cozy vibe going on."
Just then, Don and Danny walked through the front door, the last of the boxes in tow. Don's face lit up when he saw Jess standing there.
"All done?" he asked, raising an eyebrow as he walked in with the boxes.
"We're almost there," Jess said, walking over to meet him. "Just a few things to touch up. And then... finally, we can relax."
Don set the boxes down with a satisfied sigh. "This is the last of my stuff. We finished with the dump, and my old place is empty. I'll go back later to return the key and do a last look."
Jess looked around the room once more. It was all coming together. The chaos, the packing, the unpacking—it was all part of this new beginning they were building. Together.
"Yeah," she said, her voice soft, "it's looking good."
She glanced up at Don, who was watching her with that familiar, comforting gaze. And for the first time in a long while, she truly felt like she could exhale and let herself enjoy the moment.
"So," Don said with a grin, "what do you think? We're almost settled, right?"
"Almost," Jess replied with a playful smile. "But I think the hardest part is over."
"Oh, I'll be right back," Don smirked. "I left something in the truck."
Danny looked at Jess, a knowing look in his eyes. "You're gonna kill him," he warned, knowing about the joke gifts Don had gotten.
Don returned moments later, carrying a Rangers mug and a "creepy-looking succulent plant."
"Housewarming gifts," he said, grinning widely.
Jess rolled her eyes. He always loved to tease her, and their banter was one of the things she loved most about him. "Fine, but if that plant takes over the world, I'm blaming you. And thats your coffee mug."
Their friends chuckled and said their goodbyes. Danny and Lindsay had to pick up Lucy from his mom's, and Stella and Mac needed to go into work for a few hours, all promising to meet later at Sully's for a beer. Leaving Don and Jess to enjoy the first few moments in their place.
Jess smiled at Don, her gaze softening. "Thanks."
They stood together, looking around the space they were slowly turning into a home. For the first time, the apartment felt completely theirs. And as they shared a quiet, peaceful moment amidst the chaos, Jess realized this was exactly where she was meant to be.