A/N: Ok guys so here's the last chapter. This one is set a year after chapter 12. I wasn't sure how I wanted it all to end and I may have taken a few snippets from the episodes set after First Date for inspiration lol
I still can't believe this story started out as just a one-shot idea, I never thought it would become anything like this so thank you for all your amazing support in keeping me going writing it. It has become a really special story to me now.
1 Year Later.
Nick nervously reached out for his glass of whiskey, hoping the warmth of the alcohol would help calm his nerves. He took a large gulp and nearly drained the glass in one go. Nope he still didn't feel any better. He adjusted the neck of his shirt collar, it felt too tight, he felt so hot, he could tell he was beginning to sweat. Lightly he used his large cotton napkin to dab the tell-tale beads of perspiration forming on his forehead.
Pull yourself together Miller, the angry voice in his head snapped. Nick nodded reassuringly to himself, he could do this, hell he'd been planning it long enough. Why the hell was he so nervous?
Then Nick looked up and saw the answer to his question gliding towards him through the crowded restaurant, Nick felt his heart begin to thump inside his chest. Jess eyes met his as she moved closer towards their table, her face set into a bright beaming smile (as it had been for the past year). She looked completely stunning, she was wearing the pink and red dress she knew Nick loved so much, he had practically ripped if off her the first time he saw her wearing it when she threw CeCe's bachelorette party last year. Her hair was straighter and a little more tame than usual but it still looked good.
It should do, Nick thought to himself, she had spent enough time on it before they came out tonight. Nick grinned as the memory of her mini-panic from earlier that day floated through his mind.
*Flashback*
They were both lounging on the couch lazily, Nick watching the most fascinating documentary on sea-turtles whilst Jess stretched out, resting her feet across his lap as she marked a seemingly never ending pile of her students book reports. She was once again back teaching kids and being awesome at it, just like Nick knew she would be.
Jess tossed her pen down in frustration, "Arghhh! I cannot read anymore, my eyes are starting to actually blur… the words are all fuzzy." She said tugging her glasses off.
Nick gave her feet a gentle squeeze before moving one hand gently further up her the inside of her leg. "Maybe you need to do something to relax…"
Jessica giggled, "Is sex your answer to everything Miller? Seriously this morning I said my back was sore so what did you suggest? Sex."
Nick shrugged, "Any good doctor would say the same. Sex is a great healer."
"I think you'll find that's time Nick." Jess teased.
"Whatever. And be honest Jess, hot shower sex this morning totally made you forget about your back." He said with a grin, leaning down towards her.
Jess laughed and pulled his head closer to hers, "True although I don't think Schmidt will be too pleased you used his brand new loofa."
"I really don't care about Schmidt right now." Nick growled before he smashed his lips to hers.
As always with them things got very hot, very quickly, hands were everywhere, clothes were being practically ripped off.
"Nick…do we have time?" Jess asked as Nick placed hot kisses against her neck.
"Jess we're fine, the reservation's at eight…" He mumbled between kisses.
"What?" Jess said pushing against his Jess. "I thought dinner was at nine?"
Nick shook his head, "No, eight." He went to move his mouth back to her skin but Jess held him back.
"Oh my god I need to start getting ready…" She said jumping up, pushing Nick backwards.
"Jess, you can't be serious, it's like…" he looked down at his watch. "Four thirty!"
"Exactly!" She said. "I'm already running late."
Nick grabbed her arm and pulled her back to him, "Jess we've got ages yet…" he murmured against her ear. "We can be quick…"
"Nick I…" she shook her head. "No, you had hot shower sex this morning mister that will have to do for now."
She hopped up and scrambled all her papers up hurriedly before skipping off in the direction of their, formally just hers, bedroom.
Nick slumped back against the couch, defeated and unsatisfied. The turtle documentary didn't seem quite so fascinating now. Then suddenly Jess popped her head around the bedroom door,
"Well Miller are you coming or what?" she said grinning at him.
Nick jumped up and ran towards their room, like a kid who had just been told he could have desert after all.
*End Flashback
Nick smiled not only at the memory of their heated sex that afternoon but at the fact that it had happened in the room they both now shared, in their room. They had made the choice to share a room a couple of months ago, although it was really just a formality, they had only probably spent a handful of nights apart since that night on the roof Nick was still overjoyed when Jess asked if he wanted to cohabitate with her, officially.
Nick's mind was brought back to the present as he felt soft delicate fingers dance lightly across the hand line of his broad shoulders, cut so perfectly in his fitted suit. Jess fingers then brushed against the back of his neck before they gently traced across his beard clad face as she moved passed him.
Jess resumed her seat opposite Nick and grinned.
"What is it with you and this thing?" he asked as he rubbed his hands against the dark brown hair which adorned his face. Jess seemed to take any opportunity to touch it.
"I like it. I've always liked it when you grow a beard, it makes you look like a sexy bear…grrrr." She said looking at him darkly and doing her best generic animal growl, hand claws and all.
"Really Jess?" he scowled but could not help but smirk at her increased playfulness which he presumed was down to the entire bottle of pink wine she had drunk this evening. "Well I guess a bears better than a turtle."
Jess grinned, "Oh no Nick, you're still a turtle face, but now you're a fluffy turtle face."
Nick felt his face fall into that very expression at her words. "Don't call me fluffy Jess. Ever."
Jess eyed him mischievously, "Hit a soft spot have I Miller?" she said unable to stop herself laughing at her own bad pun.
Nick rolled his eyes at her, "Hilarious Jessica. You know it's a good thing I love you."
Jess's blue eyes sparkled at his confession, as they did every single time Nick said those three words to her. She still got butterflies, every single time. Jess had been right, as usual, the words had come sooner rather than later. It had happened about three weeks following their night on the rooftop, at CeCe's wedding, or more accurately lack thereof.
*Flashback*
The build-up to the wedding had been intense and stressful to say the least, and as the big day finally arrived things only seemed to go from bad to worse. Jess in her role as Maid of Honour had to deal with CeCe's last minute jitters, the return of Shivrang's ex-girlfriend Elaine as well as Schmidt and Winston's ridiculous, elaborate and downright dangerous attempts to derail the entire ceremony. On top of all of that Jess had to deal with her father's unexpected arrival and instant intense disapproval of her and Nick's relationship.
It had all just been too much for Jess to take and unfortunately she ended up taking it all out on the one person who didn't deserve it, Nick. In fact Nick had been doing his best to help Jess all day, to be there for her but unfortunately he was more like a fish out of water. Nick Miller wasn't really good at being a boyfriend…or whatever he was to Jess, in the weeks since the rooftop hostage situation they had still yet to fully have the 'labels' conversation. But Nick wanted to try to be better for Jess and he wanted to prove her dad wrong. He had taken every snarky comment, swallowed every angry swipe because he knew it wasn't really about him. She just needed someone to vent at and to be honest Nick didn't mind being her punching bag if he got to be around her all day.
So when Schmidt and Winston had let him in on their ridiculously stupid badger plan Nick had jumped in to save the day and the wedding. Unfortunately it had all come crashing down around him, literally as he fell through the ceiling and right into the middle of the ceremony, leading to all hell breaking loose. Nick's accidental act of destruction caused something inside Jess to snap and she had dragged Nick out into the hallway furiously.
Their argument erupted like an explosion, neither of them held back, screaming and yelling all the hurtful things they knew the other feared so much. They didn't care that they were in one of the fanciest hotels in L.A. or that their friends, Jess dad and two hundred of CeCe's relatives were listening in the other room.
This was just how it was between them, like they were the only two people in the word. Whether they were screaming each other's name in a fierce argument or screaming them in bed or even just walking down the street together, they got completely lost in one another.
She yelled at him, he yelled at her.
She yelled he was a reckless and stupid idiot who never thought things through.
He yelled she never appreciated it when people tried to help her.
She yelled he was an angry fool who only every made things worse.
He yelled she was an annoying little know it all who wanted everything her own way.
She yelled he was a mess.
Nick's eyes narrowed at her final words, the yelling stopped immediately. He edged closer to her in the vast hallway.
"That's what it's always gunna come down to isn't it?" he said lowly.
"Nick…" she said, exhausted and stressed, she didn't have the energy to go through this all again right now.
"No Jess, look me in the eye and tell me there isn't a part of you that thinks this is all a mistake? That I'm too much of a mess?" he asked, his eyes glaring at her, challenging her.
Jess looked up into his desperate face and her heart screamed at him; no, he was wrong, this wasn't a mistake. That maybe yes sometimes he was a mess but he was her mess and she loved him. But she didn't, she was so tired and angry right now that she didn't say anything at all.
Nick gave her a small nod of understanding and walked away.
How Jess got through the rest of the wedding she would never know, she must have gone into Maid of Honour autopilot mode. Not that it mattered anyway; the wedding fell apart there and then. Shivrang left CeCe at the altar, reuniting with his true love Elaine. CeCe turned to Schmidt for comfort only to find he too had returned to his former college girlfriend, Elizabeth. Leaving CeCe alone and broken hearted on what was meant to be the happiest day of her life. Jess spent the hours following the failed nuptials desperately trying to comfort her best friend, deal with cancelling all the remaining wedding formalities and trying to stop a blood feud erupting between CeCe and Shivrang's families. The whole time Jess searched the crowd for Nick but there was no sign of him, he was gone.
Later, after she had packed CeCe off home with her mother to comfort her, Jess stood alone outside the hotel, basking in the cold night air as she waited for the valet to bring her car around. She looked at the crumpled baled ticket in her hands, tears brimming in her eyes as she thought about Nick, how she had been the one to push him away, to ruin this. Maybe she really was the bigger mess after all.
"Hey." A cool voice called from behind her.
Jess turned to see Nick walking down the hotel steps, jacket clutched in hand, tie loose, shirt sleeves rolled up. His face was unmoving; his dark eyes gave nothing away.
Jess let out a small sniff unable to hide her hurt, "I thought you left."
"I did." He said stepping down from the last step onto the sidewalk, standing firm in front of her. "But I came back."
"Why?" she asked, doing her best to choke back her tears.
"Because I love you." Nick said simply.
Jess felt her chest instantly tighten, her breath hitch in her throat, her heart hammer inside. She opened up her mouth to speak but was interrupted by a cheery voice beside them.
"Your keys Miss." The valet guys said politely, holding the keys out to Jess.
Jess just stared back at him as though he had spoken to her in another language. The valet continued to hold the keys out to her but still Jess didn't react. Nick gave the poor guy an apologetic smile, exchanging the keys for a folded up note from his pocket. The valet accepted gratefully and wished them both a goodnight as he opened the car door for Jess.
Not speaking or looking at Jess, Nick started the car and headed for home. They drove in silence for a while before Jess was finally able to come to.
"I'm sorry." She whispered turning to face him, her bright blue eyes shining even in the darkness of the front seat.
"I know." Nick said not taking his eyes off the road, hands gripped at the steering wheel and his jaw was clenched tight.
Jess took a small breath, her eyes still focused entirely on him. "I love you."
"I know." Nick replied once more, still not looking at her he slowly moved one hand from the steering wheel and reached out for hers.
*End Flashback*
It wasn't some big romantic declaration or perfect magical planned moment because life wasn't like that. Life was hard and messy and complicated and exciting and amazing and everything else all at once. And so were they.
That night after the wedding seemed to set the tone of their entire relationship. They never did have the 'labels' talk or define what they were, they both sucked at those talks anyway. They just took it, day by day, dealing with things as they came. One day, not long after the failed wedding they were out at a restaurant when Nick bumped into an old college buddy, automatically introducing Jess as his girlfriend. Jess did the same when Nick met her new colleagues at an office party. There was no need to think about what it meant, it was simple, it was easy, they were just Nick and Jess.
As Jess sat across the table staring at Nick his words rang in her ears, Its' a good thing I love you. She let out a low laugh, "Yeah it does come in handy."
Nick rolled his eyes. "So what took so long anyways? I thought maybe you'd done a dine'n'dash, try to stiff me with the check."
Nick laughed, so did Jess, money was still a sensitive subject between them so they found the best way to deal with it was just to laugh about it. In reality they split most things, taking it in turns but Nick had established early on, no matter what the cost, he paid for dinner. He didn't care how much Jess argued he was just old fashioned that way.
"Dash? In these shoes? You must be joking, I can barely stand up." She said half joking, half serious. She had borrowed some killer heels from CeCe, very sexy, very hot, very painful. "No seriously I nearly got lost in that bathroom back there, its ginormous! It's like twice the size of our place. Have you been?"
Nick shook his head, a small smile forming at the way she said 'our place'.
"Oh Nick you have to go, it's amazing! Seriously it's the best place you'll ever pee." She said genuinely excited.
"No Jess, I'm good." He said.
"No, go now, pee!" she squealed.
Nick shook his head in genuine disgust at her, "Jess please don't tell me to go pee. This is getting weird even for you."
Jess gave him a nonchalant shrug as if there was absolutely nothing wrong with what she had just said. "Well you and Little Nick are missing out on a real treat in there…"
"Jess what have I said about calling my penis Little Nick?" Nick growled. "You never put the words little in the same sentence when talking about a guy's junk."
Jess rolled her eyes, "But Little Nick goes with Little Jess. It's not about size; well I mean obviously it is, he's…" Jess said pointing through the table to where Nick sat. "…only Little Nick because you're Big Nick or well Normal Sized Nick. I mean the man has to be bigger than the penis otherwise how would you…"
"Jessica! I never thought I would say this but will you please start talking about the bathrooms again?" Nick said desperately, running a hand across his forehead.
Jess smiled brightly at his suggestion, "Well it's all marble and gold and they have these real comfy couches in there. Ooooh and they have these fancy little soaps and gels and moisturiser thingy's which are complimentary…they told me I had nice eyes!" she said unable to stop herself.
Nick glared at her. "Jess."
Jess was still laughing at her own joke as she bent down and picked up her clutch purse, "Check it out." She said lowering her voice slightly as she opened the purse, which was crammed with tiny white and gold filled bottles and different shaped bars of soaps.
"Jess!" Nick hissed.
Jess closed her purse with a small giggle, "I know right, score!"
"Jessica Day you are a soap thief." Nick said in disbelief, usually he was the one to grab as many freebies as he could not Jess. Maybe he was a bad influence on her?
Jess shook her head, "Durrr dummy they're complimentary remember? As in here…help yourself."
"Complimentary means take one Jess not create a freaking mini-Walgreen's in your damn purse." Nick said.
But Jess merely gave him another shrug in response, "Whatever Nick. At least we have Schmidt's Hanukah gift taken care of now."
Despite her crazy antics Nick could not help but laugh at her. His heart leapt at her mention of them as a 'we' and that she saw them together so far ahead. Nick felt his confidence grow, instinctively he gave his inside jacket pocket a little pat of reassurance. He could do this.
The waitress appeared with the desert menu but they both decided they were too full, instead Nick ordered another round of drinks, a whiskey for him and a rose for Jess.
"More pink wine?" Jess asked raising an eyebrow at him as the waitress trotted away. "Why Mr. Miller if I didn't know better I may think you were trying to get me drunk and take advantage of me." She said in her old 1940's movie star voice, leaning closer on the table, batting her eyelashes furiously at him.
Nick grinned at her blatant flirtation, "I don't know what would give you that impression Miss. Day."
"Shame." She said pouting her dark red lips. "I quite like the idea of being taken advantage of." Her voice low and husky.
Nick suddenly felt something press against his leg, gently stroking him before slowly moving upwards towards his thighs.
Nick closed his eyes tightly, "Behave Jessica."
Jess looked at him, a devilish twinkle in her eyes, a direct consequence from all the pink wine. Maybe Nick should have ordered her a coke, he needed her lucid and coherent tonight.
Jess moved her foot up slightly higher, "Shhh Nick I'm trying to seduce you over here."
"You don't have to try very hard Jess." He near snarled as her foot brushed over his crotch, her toes stretching out across his hardening length. Nick couldn't help but bang his fist down lightly on the table, their water glasses shook at his action. "Jess…stop."
"Why?" she said tauntingly as she moved her toes expertly around him.
"Because if you don't I'm gonna throw you down on this table right here." He said in a low growl.
Jess raised one eyebrow at him, "I don't have a problem with that."
"But the restaurant might, this is a pretty fancy place after all." Nick said.
Suddenly the waitress appeared with their drinks. Jess leapt back in her seat like a naughty school girl caught playing with a toy she wasn't allowed. The waitress set their drinks down and Nick thanked her genuinely, noting he needed to give her a big tip before they left.
Nick took a swig of his whiskey whilst he tried to regain some of his composure.
Jess giggled, "I still can't believe you picked this place of all places for tonight Nick."
She said pointing to the high class and fancy restaurant in which they currently sat and had also a little over a year ago shared the worst first date (or dates to be exact) in history.
Nick gave a small shrug, "I dunno I guess I thought it kinda made sense…show's how far we've come."
Jess face broke into the biggest smile at his words, he was right they had come a hell of a long way in a year and that should be celebrated.
Jess picked up her pink wine, "A toast, to us."
Nick tapped his glass gently against hers and they both drank.
Jess let out another small chuckle, "Me and you, a whole year…who'da thunk it eh Miller?"
Nick set his glass back on the table and looked up at Jess sincerely, "I did."
Jess beamed at him, setting her own glass down as she reached out across the table for his hand.
Nick took a deep breath, "Look Jess I wanna say something ok?"
Jess gave a small nod, tilting her head ever so slightly to one side, in full Jess listening mode.
"This past year, with you, has been the best of my life…I couldn't imagine my life without you…"
"Nick…" she said softly, rubbing his hand with hers.
"I'm so in love with ya Jess, its ridiculous…and I want you to know that you are a…" Nick began to recite the speech he had been practicing over and over in his head for weeks now when his eye caught sight of the last person in the world Nick Miller wanted to be here right now; Russell had just walked in.
"…Son of a Bitch." Nick muttered.
Jess looked at Nick confused, that wasn't exactly what she had expected him to say. "Sorry Nick, I'm a what?"
"You have got to be kidding me!" Nick snarled tugging his hand from Jess's. "Does he have some kinda tracking device or something?"
Jess looked at him even more baffled by his sudden weird switch in behaviour. "Nick I have clearly missed something here? Is everything ok?"
Nick scrunched his face up, taking a long swig of his drink. "Oh yes Jessica everything's great, everything's fan-freaking-tastic!"
"Nick what's going on? Talk to me." She pleadingly, the worry evident in her voice.
Nick knew there was no point trying to hide it, the night was ruined now. "Russell's here."
Jess immediately ducked down at his words, her head flipping violently from side to side, "What? Really? Where?"
"Jess would ya calm down and sit up. He's over there." Nick said pointing towards the hostess station.
Jess shot a quick look to her ex-boyfriend, praying Nick was mistaken but there was no doubt that was Russell alright.
"Oh come on!" she said in despair.
"I know right?" Nick nodded in agreement. He hated the universe right now.
Jess looked back to Nick, "Look he hasn't seen us, so let's just pay the bill, no draw any attention to ourselves and slip out quietly ok?"
"Ok." Nick nodded. "Good plan."
Jess turned her head to try and subtly gesture for their waitresses' attention but she seemed to be far too bust flirting with one of the bartenders. Who was Jess to judge, bartenders were hot. Then Jess felt the table move suddenly, immediately she spun back around to see Nick was no on his feet, waving his arms wildly.
"Hey Russell! Russell, over here!" he yelled loudly across the crowded restaurant.
Jess glared up at him, "Nick what the hell are you doing?"
"I don't know." He mouthed down at her before he resumed beckoning Russell over to them.
Nick sat back down in his chair as he watched Russell and his date, another young pretty but forgettable face, approached their table.
"What the hell have I done?" he asked in shock.
Jess just glared at him across the table shaking her head.
Finally Russell reached the edge of their table.
"Russell heyyyyyyyyy." Nick said as though the man just appeared from nowhere.
"Well isn't this interesting…" Russell said in a slightly patronising tone. "De ja vu anyone?" he added with a forced laugh.
Nick roared so loudly in his laughter that people around them were beginning to stare.
"So are you two…for real…" Russell said gesturing between Nick and Jess.
Nick nodded his head violently, "Yep, yep, yep you betcha bottom dollar sir. We're together, we're a couple, we're the couple…"
This is like a nightmare, Jess thought, kill me now.
"Yep…Nick and Jess, Jess and Nick, Miller and Day…" Nick rambled. "She's my girlfriend, my lady… the ol' ball and chain, am I right Russ?"
Russell nodded; Jess noticed that his date was slowly backing up, looking extremely uncomfortable and a little frightened of Nick. Jess couldn't blame her; he was acting like a total lunatic.
"That's great, I'm really happy for you guys." Russell said, though this words didn't seem to convey the same sentiment. "How long?"
"A year." Jess answered simply.
"Wow." Russell said, genuinely taken aback. "That long huh?"
"Yes that long." Jess snapped, scowling up at him. Why wouldn't he just go away and leave them alone?
Russell ignored the evident hostility in Jess's voice. "I'm so sorry where are my manners, this is Kimberley, my date…" he said pointing to her. "Kimberley, this is Nick and Jess, my…old friends."
"Well she's a real looker Rusty, you certainly do like 'em young, you dirty old dog." Nick said giving Russell an extremely uncomfortable wink.
There was an awkward pause following Nick's latest inappropriate comment and Jess prayed Russell and his dull date would just take this as their cue and leave.
But Nick wasn't done quite yet. "Hey I've got a great idea, we should double date!"
"Dear god." Jess said to herself.
Russell shook his head; Kimberley looked absolutely terrified at the idea. "Nick I don't think…"
Nick waved his hand dismissively at him, "C'mon it's a fantastic idea but hey now, no swapsies!" Nick said with another wink.
"I err…" Russell stammered clearly in a state of shock.
"Not that Jess and I do that of course; swinging I mean." Nick said. Why was he still talking Jess thought? "That was just a joke; we're not into anything too weird sex wise…"
"Nick!" Jess yelled in horror. This couldn't be happening right now, he couldn't actually be saying these things?
Russell shot a look over his shoulder, already beginning to back away, "Right well ok, I think our table's ready…"
But Nick was still babbling away, "I mean we do stuff I can tell ya…we have crazy hot sex all the time…"
"Yes well, good." Russell stammered grabbing Kimberley's hand, "It was really nice to…and…well…bye."
Russell and Kimberley turned to flee and Jess prayed this was the end of her humiliation. But it seemed Nick had one more trick up his sleeve.
"…in fact we had crazy hot sex today, twice!" he yelled at Russell across the crowded restaurant, holding up two fingers proudly, every single head now fixated on their table. "…and once was in the shower! How do you like that huh?"
But Russell and Kimberley were completely out of view now, Nick's insane ramblings driven them from the restaurant entirely.
Jess covered her face with her hands in despair; she could feel every set of eyes in the restaurant fixated on their table. She was absolutely mortified.
Nick felt as though he had just had some sort of out of body experience and felt the sudden realisation of what he had just done. Of the horrific scene he had just played out.
He looked up at Jess apologetically, "Jess I…"
Jess tore her hands from her face and raised one hand to him, "Don't. Don't you say another word Miller. Let's just pay the check and get the hell out of here."
Once they were out in the cold night air the full gravity of Nick's crazy and humiliating behaviour finally began to sink in. He doubted they would be going back there any time soon. This was not how he had wanted tonight to go but in typical Nick Miller style he had managed to turn what could have been a perfect night into an absolute disaster.
Jess had not uttered a word since they left the restaurant; she had barely even looked at him. Nick knew she was crazy mad at him right now and there was no way to salvage their night. With a resigned sigh Nick reached into his jacket pocket for his cell phone, his fingers brushing against the small box inside. It suddenly felt so heavy.
"Jess I'll call a cab, we can go home, go to bed and just forget this whole night ever happened ok?" Nick doubted very much he'd be welcome in the cohabitating room tonight.
He began to press the keys on his phone when Jess reached out and snatched it from his grasp.
"Seriously Nick , that's it? You're not even going to explain what the hell happened back there? Why you just humiliated me in front of all those people?" she yelled.
Nick rubbed his hands down his face, "Honestly Jess I think I may have just experienced a nervous breakdown."
"Don't try and think you can joke you're way out of this Miller." She said pointing at him. "I'm really mad at you."
"I'm not Jess, I think I genuinely lost my mind for a second back there…" he said thinking. "But I am really sorry I embarrassed you, I never wanted to upset you, I just…"
"Why Nick? Because of Russell?" she asked.
Nick shook his head, "I don't wanna talk about it."
"Well I do Nick and I think after your little stunt in there the least you owe me is an explanation." She said firmly.
Nick rubbed his forehead, "It's just why, why tonight? There are a thousand and one other fancyman restaurants in this city, why does he have to be at the same one as us, on the same night…again!" Nick yelled desperately before he sunk to the floor, sitting down on the curb.
Jess sighed and sat down beside him, wow this really was de ja vu. "I don't know Nick…"
"It was just all too much Jess, as soon as I saw him walk in it just felt like before…" Nick said, rubbing his hands together, "…and I just fell apart. And now the whole night's ruined, I ruined it!"
Jess gave him a little nudge in the ribs, "C'mon Nick nothings ruined, tonight was great…"
"But I wanted it to be perfect Jess!" Nick snapped.
"Why Nick? What the hell is so special about tonight?" Jess asked. "One year anniversary big whoop, they are plenty of more important things…"
Nick shook his head, "But tonight was supposed to be…I mean I planned everything…"
"What do you mean everything? What else did you plan Nick?" She asked, her curiosity consuming her.
"Forget it Jess, it doesn't matter now."
"It matters to me Miller. Tell me." She demanded.
"Jess, no, stop." Nick snapped back.
"Nick…tell me!" she yelled.
"Fine, fine, I'll tell ya but it doesn't matter now." Nick growled.
"Whatever." Jess replied.
Nick took a deep breath, "Well I wanted to bring you back her first…" he said pointing to the restaurant behind them. "…to show you, like I said, how far we've come. I wanted ya to have the real fancy night you didn't get last time round."
"Check." She said giving him a soft smile.
"Then after I was going to take you dancing at the Plaza…" he said.
Jess couldn't help but interrupt, "Dancing? I though Nick Miller didn't dance?" she teased leaning closer to him.
Nick smiled at her, "Tonight was going to be a one night only kinda deal."
Jess giggled, "I would have liked to have seen that."
"Then after we woulda took a long walk home, maybe go to the beach or something I dunno…" he mumbled. "Then I woulda brought you home, back up to the roof…"
Jess felt her heart begin to pound. "W-why?"
"Cause I wanted to be somewhere special when I gave you this." Nick said quietly as he reached inside his jacket pocket.
Jess felt her heart now hammering inside her chest, her mouth was dry, her head was spinning, she was so grateful she was sitting down right now. She felt excited, nervous, overwhelmed and blissfully happy all at once. Then she suddenly felt very confused as she looked down and saw Nick had handed her a piece of old, worn, folded up card.
Jess eyed it dubiously for a second, praying her face hid her disappointment at what she thought Nick was actually going to give her. Then Jess had a sudden moment of realisation of what she held in her hands, it was Nick's valet ticket. Since that night on the roof they hadn't spoken about the cards once, Jess never asked Nick what he wrote, she knew when he wanted her to know she would know and apparently that time was right now.
"Open it." Nick said softly.
Hands shaking Jess unfolded the card and finally ready the words she had wondered about for so long. Written in Nick's near eligible hand writing it seemed to be a list of all the different things Nick thought he and Jess were last year. Although Jess noted the first few points were crossed out and only the words at the bottom remained untouched.
Friends who could maybe be more?
Complicated, confusing, infuriating, maddening
Boyfriend WITH the rewards
A big mess
Pretty sure she could be the One.
Jess stared down in awe in his words, ignoring the crossed out scribbles above knowing they didn't matter now. Her eyes were fixed on the two words at the bottom of the card; the One.
Jess turned back to Nick and saw he was now also clutching something else in his hands, a small black square box. Jess gripped tightly at the card in her hands which held his beautiful words.
Nick turned his body to hers, "I had this planned out totally different, I wanted it to be perfect and special but sometimes things don't always go the way you plan… and I kinda like that…" he paused beaming at her. "Hey Jess, could ya do me a favour? Stand up would ya?"
Jess looked at him tears already falling from her eyes, "Nick I…"
"Please Jess at least let me do this part right." He said softly.
Jess nodded and let a small nervous laugh escape her lips as she slowly rose to her feet. She felt so light headed, like she was floating. She looked down at Nick, who had moved slightly so he was now before her, on one knee.
"Jessica, you are a beautiful woman and my life has not been the same since I met ya…" he said his eyes never leaving hers. "And it would mean the world to me if you would be my wife."
As he said his final words Nick opened the small box and revealed the most beautiful ring Jess had ever seen. A platinum band with a simple, brilliant square-emerald cut diamond sat atop it. Jess had never seen a ring like it, it looked old, like something from the 1920's, it was so delicate and simple yet so elegant and beautiful. It was the perfect ring for Jess.
Jess leapt into his arms flinging herself at Nick, "Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!" she said kissing him, kissing his lips, his face, his eyes, any part of him she could find.
"Whoa easy Jess." Nick said as he tried to steady her as she sat on his lap, it was quite hard to maintain his balance on one knee. "So I'm sorry I didn't quite catch that, did you say…"
Jess hit him playfully in the chest, "Shut up Miller before I change my mind."
Nick grinned up at her, "Well I better get this ring on your finger quick then huh?"
Jess nodded and gleefully watched as Nick removed the ring from the soft velvet cushioning of the box and gently placed it on her finger. It was a perfect fit. Jess stared down at her hand, utterly mesmerised, tears falling softly down her face. "It's so beautiful Nick…"
Nick nuzzled his head in her hair, "I know this probably wasn't how you imagined it when you were a little girl. Getting proposed to in the street but…"
Jess shut up him up immediately by smothering his mouth with hers, pouring every overwhelmed emotion into her kiss. Nick kissed her back hungrily, immediately understanding what she was trying to say but couldn't find the words.
It hadn't been perfect or glamorous or some epic performance but it had been real and honest and them. And that would last forever.
.End.
Ah I'm actually quite sad it's finished, I really loved writing this story.
I'm working on a few ideas for some longer stories to hopefully take up the agonizing wait over the summer so hopefully I'll get something up soon if people are up for some summer reading!