Chapter Twenty-Two

Nick - "That was so awesome. I mean I'm sorry your brother died in it. But that was so cool."

Jess - "It was good. Stephen plays a great villain."

Kurt - "We're going to go find Stephen we'll met you kids at the car."

Jess - "Okay dad. Are you ready to part-ta."

Nick - "Yeah. Hey Jess. I just wanted to thank you again for letting me come. I didn't get to go to a graduation or a prom or anything and thats kind of what this feels like. Thanks."

Jess - "Not a problem. We should probably start making our way out otherwise the party will be over by the time we get there."

Nick - "Now we can't have that." He stands up and offers his hand to help her up. The way to the car is quicker cause somehow a lot of girls found out that Nick was inside and were waiting to ambush him when he came out. "Damn they're getting good."

Jess - "What do you mean?"

Nick - "Tracking me down, look they even have signs."

Jess - "And you love it don't you."

Nick - "Well I am a guy." Just then Kurt and Goldie get back to the car.

Goldie - "Is all of this for you?"

Nick - "I guess." He smiles and sticks his head out the sunroof and waves as we pull away.

Kurt - "Now I remember why I hate musicians."

Jess - "Daddy you promised to be nice."

Nick - "I'm sorry Mr. Connery. I'll behave the rest of the night."

Well Nick did honestly mean to behave the rest of the night. Once they got to the party it didn't take long for what he said to Kurt to be forgotten. They had a DJ and Nick got busy dancing with another group of kids around his age. All Kurt could see was that he ditched Jess. She tried to point out to him that if her ankle wasn't broken that she would be out there dancing too.

When they went to leave they asked her if she wanted to come with but Jess said she would just wait for Nick. He came back to the table after they had left.

Nick - "Hey where's your mom and pops?"

Jess - "They went back to Stephen's."

Nick - "Already."

Jess - "It's almost two. We've been here for over three hours and you might have spent a total of 15 minutes with me."

Nick - "I'm sorry Jess." He sits down. "Do you need anything?"

Jess - "No I'm fine. Are you having fun?"

Nick - "Yeah, I'm having a blast. I met a girl."

Jess - "Really where is she?"

Nick - "Right there, by the fountain." He points to a tall girl with short black hair.

Jess - "She's cute. What's her name?"

Nick - "Stacy. She's here with some old guy, but its just a friend thing."

Jess - "You better be careful. People in Hollywood aren't the same as everywhere else." She realizes she lost him, he's staring at the girl. "Nick." She snap her fingers to get his attention.

Nick - "What?"

Jess - "It's time to go home. Get her phone number and call her later."

Nick - "Okay. I'm sorry I've been a lousy date."

Jess - "It's okay. You where actually the best pseudo prom date I ever had."

Nick - "Thanks, I think. Umm, Never mind I'll be right back."

He goes and says good bye to the girl that he had met and then they leave. On the way home in the cab he is acting nervous.

Jess - "Okay what's up?"

Nick - "Nothing."

Jess - "Nick you're acting like you're ready to jump out of the cab."

Nick - "Well I've been meaning to talk to you about something. And before you think it, Brian didn't put me up to anything."

Jess - "Oh lordie. Nick, you are my friend okay. I love you like a brother. So I'm telling you as your older sister, mind your own business."

Nick - "But you guys would be so great together."

Jess - "Drop it."

Nick - "Fine." He starts to pout.

She grabs his chin and turn his face to hers. "Stop pouting it will give you wrinkles." She lets go. "Besides if I were to date Brian. I wouldn't be able to take you to these things and make everyone think we're dating."

Nick - "You know you're going to be all over the papers like Loren."

Jess - "I know. That's okay. I'm sure people at work will make fun of me for awhile but it'll die down." She rests her head on his shoulder. "I'm so tired."

Nick - "Me too." He chuckles a little.

Jess - "What's so funny?"

Nick - "I was just thinking that you are the only girl friend I have. But that's probably because most other girls I see I'm too busy trying to figure out if the like me or the backstreet boy."

Jess - "Well I like the punk who pulled me in the ocean. He's a lot of fun. Even if he does suck at Mario Cart."

Nick - "Oh that's it wait until we get back to the house."

When Jess got back to New York there was a desperate message on her machine from Loren. Jess called her back and she said she'd be right over.

Jess answered the door and Loren and Tristen came in all bundled up.

Jess - "Is it suppose to snow?"

Loren - "There's a 60 percent chance of flurries. Tristan honey, why don't you sit and color while mommy and Jessie talk."

Tristan - "Okay mommy."

Jess - "So what's up?"

Loren - "I had the most interesting trip."

Jess - "So you went and met his family. Want some tea?"

Loren - "Please." Jess starts the water.

Jess - "So how was it?"

Loren - "Good. They are all really nice people and they just love Tristan. He had so many kids to play with."

Jess - "And you?"

Loren - "I've never had so much trouble understanding people. Kevin's mom and brothers were fine but his one grandmother I just couldn't understand. And forget remembering all the names." Jess hands her her tea and Tristan a cup of cocoa.

Tristan - "Thanks Cuz." Jess looks at him funny.

Jess - "What did you call me?"

Tristan - "Cuz. We're cousins like Kevin and Cousin Brian."

Jess looks at Loren trying not to laugh.

Loren - "That's something they taught him. Everyone down there was a cousin."

Tristan - "And if you can't remember their name you just call them Cuz. Atleast that's what cousin Brian told me to do." Loren is all out laughing.

Loren - "He got along very well with his Cousin Brian."

Jess - "That's too funny. So did you have the talk you wanted to have with Kevin."

Loren - "Yes I did."

Jess - "And?"

Loren - "We made up some rules. Some very simple rules."

Jess - "Such as?"

Loren - "Such as, not calling more then three times a week unless it is an emergency. No surprise visits, no extravengent gifts, you know stuff like that. But most importantly, no big commitment. If there is some one else you just go ahead and do that."

Jess - "And you think you're going to be able to do this."

Loren - "Absolutely." She looks Jess in the eye. "No I miss him already."

Jess - "Well suck it up this was your idea."

Loren - "I know. But what if I was wrong. Especially about the whole you can date other people thing. What if he finds someone else."

Jess - "Loren he took you home to meet his family. That's a big thing I don't think he is going to be out looking for dates."

Loren - "I know. I want to call him. But I've already called him once this week and then I would only be able to call him one more time before next Saturday."

Jess - "Just don't cave. You can do this."

Loren - "You're right. The time will be good to see if we are supposed to be together. You know the whole absence makes the heart grow founder thing."

Jess - "Right."

Loren - "I also met Brians girlfriend Christine."

Jess - "What did you think?"

Loren - "She's like a coffee table book. Pretty pictures to look at but not a lot of substance."

Jess - "Loren! That is so mean."

Loren - "I'm not saying she's stupid but she's just not that interesting to talk to after the first ten minutes. You would have no problem getting rid of her."

Jess - "Well thank you that's good to know."

Loren - "He asked about you."

Jess - "And you told him?"

Loren - "Nothing. I just said that you are stubborn, and not to push you."

Jess - "Thank you. Why is everyone suddenly obsessed with me getting a boyfriend."

Loren - "Cause you haven't been on a date since 1996."

Jess - "It hasn't been that long."

Loren - "You haven't been out since I set you up with Marc, Valentines day 1996."

Jess - "Oh god I haven't. Well that will be my New Years resolution okay. I'll start dating more."

Loren - "That won't be hard you only have to go out once."

Jess - "Very funny."