Chapter Four
"Nick, I can't believe I'm doing this," Jessilyn said, as she stepped onto Nick's boat, which was tied to the dock in the back of his house.
"Just trust me," said Nick, "Nothing's going to happen. It's just a boat on water."
"But I told you I'd never go on a boat," Jessi said, "So why am I doing this?"
"Because I asked you to," said Nick, "And you love me, so you're doing it."
It was about three months after the party at Nick's house. Three months since Nick had found out that he was a father. Nick and Jessi had decided to give their relationship another try and so far it was going really well. Tommy was adjusting to having a father in his life and Nick had taken to fatherhood like a fish to water. (lol)
Nick helped Jessi into the boat and gave her a hug. "See," he said, "You're in and nothing happened."
"It's not while it's stopped that worries me," said Jessi, "It's once it starts going."
Nick laughed. He started the boat and they were off. As the boat glided across the water, Jessilyn held onto the rail that was surrounding the outside.
"Baby," said Nick, laughing a little, "Calm down."
"I am calm," Jessi said, taking a deep breath.
Nick shook his head and gave her a hug.Forty five minutes later, they returned to the dock, all in once piece.
"See," Nick said, as he helped Jessi out of the boat and onto the dock, "You're fine."
"Yeah, yeah," said Jessi.
"And you have to admit," Nick said, "You had fun."
Once Jessi had gotten comfortable, they had had a pretty good time, talking and laughing.
"Yeah, okay," said Jessi.
They walked back to the house after Nick had tied up the boat. Tommy was sitting in the living room watching TV, right where they had left him.
"Is this all you do all day?" Nick asked him.
"No," said Tommy, "I have to go to basketball practice in an hour."
"Oh, that's right," Jessi said, "You want me to take you?"
"That's okay," said Tommy casually, "Dad said he'll take me, right Dad?"
Nick was taken aback for a moment. It was the first time that Tommy had called him "Dad."
"Nick?" Jessi asked.
"Oh, yeah," Nick said, "I'm taking him."
"Okay," said Jessi.
Nick was taking Tommy to practice in his car, so as soon as they left, Jessilyn headed home.
About half an hour after she reached her house and had gone in and started doing laundry, a car drove into the driveway. Jessi stood up and walked to the front door. Three teenaged girls were walking up the driveway from a car.
They tried to turn the doorknob.
"Are you sure this is the right house?" the first girl asked.
"Yes," said a second girl.
"You guys, I don't think we should be doing this," the third girl said.
"You can go wait in the car," said the second girl.
"No," the third girl said.
"Well, then, give me the screwdriver," the first girl told her.
The third girl handed the first one a screwdriver out of her bag. Before they could do anything, Jessilyn pulled the front door open.
"Can I help you?" she asked.
The girls froze. "No," the third girl said quickly, "We must have the wrong house. We're sorry."
They quickly ran back down the driveway and jumped into the car. As soon as they were out of sight, Jessi went back to her laundry.
Half an hour later, she was still doing the laundry when she heard the front door open. Alarmed, Jessi slowly walked down the hall towards the front door. She found Nick standing the in the living room.
"What are you doing here?" she asked.
"Well," said Nick, walking over and wrapping his arms around Jessi, "I figured, Tommy's at practice so you and I can have a little time alone."
"Oh really?" Jessi asked.
"Yeah," said Nick, giving her a kiss.
"I have to finish the laundry," said Jessi.
"That can wait," Nick said.
Jessi laughed as Nick kissed her again.
A few minutes later, she pushed him away. "I don't think we should be doing this."
"Why not?" Nick asked.
"Because," said Jessi, "It just isn't right right now."
"You worry too much," Nick said.
"No, I don't," Jessi said, "I don't think I want to go that far yet."
"Okay," said Nick, "I understand."
"I'm sorry," Jessi said, "I really am."
"I know," Nick said.
"It's just that..." said Jessi, "The last time..."
"It didn't last," said Nick.
"Yeah," Jessi said quietly.
"I understand," said Nick, "But you have to understand that this time I want it to last."
"How can I believe that?" Jessi asked.
"I don't know," said Nick, "But it's the truth." He turned and headed out the door. Jessi didn't know if he wanted her to go after him or if he just wanted to be left alone. All she knew was that she wasn't ready to seal their commitment.
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