Mending the Soul (22 page)

"Mom, we wanted to apologize for the way everything came out today.  I think Emma is just so excited at the prospect of maybe having Jenna as her mother, or mother figure, that she just blurted it out and expected everyone else to be happy too.  She's too young to realize that not everyone will be as happy about it as her."  Nicholas began.  "We wanted to sit you down and tell you ourselves that Jenna and I are together now, but I guess that didn't get to happen.  We should have told you yesterday when we told the kids."

"How long has this been going on?  I thought you were just friends?"  Mrs. Tiller asked.

"Well, we were, up until about two months ago.  Even during our friendship, we felt something for each other beyond a platonic way, it just took us a while to do something about it.  Things have been kind of up and down in our relationship, not really knowing where it was headed, but I think we've worked all that out now."  Jenna told her.  "We just wanted to wait to tell everyone until we were sure that what we had was real and not just a passing fling.  Neither one of us wanted to get the kids hopes up if it wasn't going to last."

"I understand and respect that, but how can you be sure this will last.  Nicholas, this is the first relationship that you've been in since Leslie died.  How do you know it's not some sort of rebound relationship?"  Mrs. Tiller asked.

"Mom, all I know is that I love Jenna.  For the longest time, I walked around in a daze, not caring about anything but Emma.  Now, I feel like I can see light again.  My heart doesn't hurt anymore, and I don't feel empty inside.  Jenna did that for me.  She helped me feel again.  She helped me live again.  She helped me love again."  Nicholas reached over and grabbed Jenna's hand.  "Trust me, the same thoughts went through my head so many times.  Was I using her to get over Leslie?  Was I going to hurt her in the end?  Would this last?  But the thing is Mom, that we have made it through so much in the short time that we've been together and if what we had wasn't real, then neither one of us would have fought to make it work.  I love Jenna more than I though was humanly possible, and sometimes I wonder if I was just using Leslie, waiting for Jenna to come into my life.  She's everything to me Mom.  When I felt dead, she came along and mended my soul.  She makes me happy and alive, and that's really all that should matter to you."  Nicolas looked over to Jenna who had tears falling down her eyes and lifted the hand he was holding and kissed it softly.  Jenna smiled through her tears, wanting nothing more than to jump into his lap and hug and kiss him like there was no tomorrow.

Mrs. Tiller cleared her throat, bringing the attention of Jenna and Nicholas back to her.  She wiped the tears from her eyes as well.  "Well, looks like I owe both of you an apology.  Do you feel the same way about my son?"  She asked Jenna.

"Yes Mrs. Tiller, I do.  I love him body and soul.  He means everything to me and I couldn't imagine my life without him."  Jenna told her.

"Please dear, I think you should start calling me Diane now.  I mean, you are practically family now, and I can tell that one day you will be."  She said with a smile.  "I'm sorry for being so over-protective, but I just don't want Nicholas to be hurt again, not to mention Emma."

"Well, I would never hurt either of them on purpose.  I love both of them."  Jenna told her.

"Ok, now that that's settled, we need to have a little discussion about Leslie's mom.  The woman drove me insane today, ranting and raving about you moving on.  She has this crazy notion that she wants to get full custody of Emma."  Nicholas's mom said as she poured herself another glass of wine.

"What!?"  Nicholas and Jenna both shouted at the same time.  "She can't do that!  What would make her think anyone would give her custody of my daughter?"  Nicholas demanded.

"Well, she said that since you are involved in a new relationship, Emma is being neglected.  She said that she would be able to raise her better than you would since she is retired."  Diane explained.

"That's ridiculous!  Emma is never neglected!  I am a good father and Jenna is good to Emma too.  She won't win.  I'll fight this to my death.  No one is taking my baby from me."  Nicholas was outraged.

"Well son, I agree.  I believe that you are a good father, and I've seen how Jenna is with Emma.  Linda is just upset right now, I'm sure this whole thing will blow over soon enough."  Diane said.

Jenna didn't know what to say.  Nicholas was faced with the possibility of losing his daughter, all because he was with her.  "Nicholas, I'm sorry, but I'll leave you before I let her take Emma away from you."  She said as the tears formed in her eyes again.

"No one is going anywhere!"  Nicholas yelled, a little too loud.  Seeing Jenna flinch at his booming voice, he softened.  "I'm not going to lose either one of you.  She is delusional if she thinks that my daughter would be better off with her than with her own father.  I'm contacting my lawyer tomorrow morning, just to be on the safe side."

"That's a good idea Nicholas.  I don't know if she is going to make good on her threat, but I just wanted to let you know ahead of time if she does so that you aren't blindsided."  Diane said.  "Well, now that I've gotten rid of Linda and the three of us have had our little talk, I think I am going to call it a night."  She said as she rose out of her seat.

"Thanks for coming back and giving us a chance to explain Mrs. Tiller…I mean Diane."  Jenna said as the three of them walked to Diane's car.

"Well, I'm just sorry that things didn't go too well earlier today.  If I had known, I wouldn't have brought Linda and none of this would be happening."  Diane told Nicholas and Jenna.

"It's ok mom.  It's not your fault.  We really do appreciate you coming back though."  Nicholas told her and hugged her before she got in her car.  "I love you.  I'll see you soon, ok?"

"I love you too Nicholas.  Now, can I have a minute alone with Jenna?"  Diane asked her son.

Nicholas looked at Jenna and saw her eyes cloud with nervousness.  "Sure, I'll be in the back waiting."  Nicholas said.  He kissed Jenna's cheek and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze before walking to the back yard.

"Don't look so nervous dear, I think you'll like what I have to say."  Diane said with a smile when she saw Jenna's nervousness.  "My son was right about a few things.  He has been walking around in a daze ever since Leslie died, as if he was just going through the motions of life.  Ever since he met you, he has that sparkle back in his eye, and I can't thank you enough for that.  You've given my son his life back, and I guess I didn't really see it until now.  Thank you for everything you've done for this family.  I'm glad that Nicholas and Emma have you in their life."  Diane smiled at Jenna's stunned expression.  "Now, don't worry about Linda because Emma isn't going anywhere.  Nicholas can handle that old bag of wind, and if not, his lawyer sure can.  Now, go enjoy the rest of your night with my son."

Jenna smiled at Diane.  "Thank you Diane, I can't tell you how much it means to have your support."

Diane reached over and hugged Jenna tight.  "And I can't tell you how much it means to see my son smile again."  Diane backed away and dried her eyes of the tears that threatened to fall.  She gave Jenna a big smile, got in her car and drove away.

"She's right you know."  A gravelly voice said from behind her.

Jenna spun around to see Nicholas walking towards her.  "You scared the shit out of me!"

"Sorry.  I thought you knew I didn't actually go to the back yard.  I had to be close by in case I needed to rush in and defend you."  Nicholas said with a smile.  "But it looks like I didn't need to."  Nicholas gathered Jenna in his arms.

"So, what was she right about?"  Jenna asked as she looked up into the eyes of the man she loves.

"You have given me my life back and you do make me smile.  Not to mention the fact that I can handle that 'old bag of wind' as she nicely called Linda.  There is nothing for you to worry about, ok?"  Nicholas bent his head down and captured Jenna's lips with his own.

"I love you.  I'm sorry if our relationship is making trouble for you."  Jenna said with her eyes full of sorrow.

"Nope, none of that talk.  I love you too and I'm sorry for nothing about our relationship…well, except for the parts where I screwed up.  Ok, I'm not sorry that we have a relationship.  Better?"  Nicholas said.

Jenna chuckled.  "Yeah, ok."

"Well, we better head in now.  We both have to work in the morning and I think that calls for a good night's rest."  Nicholas said, the voice of reason.

"Trying to get rid of me already?"  Jenna teased.

"Oh, that's right!  I forgot that we have to sleep in separate houses tonight.  Damn!"  He said regretfully.  "Hey, I have an idea…Move in with me."

Jenna's eyes widened.  "What did you just say?"

"Damn?"  He asked playfully.  Jenna shook her head no.  "Move in with me?"

"I thought that was what you said, but I wasn't sure.  Are you insane?"  Jenna asked.

"Why does it make me insane that I want to live with you?  Do you know how much I hate the thought of us going to separate houses tonight?  Do you know what I would give to hold you close to me every single night and wake up with you in my arms every single morning?"  Nicholas asked.

"I understand that and I feel the same way too, but isn't this a little bit quick?  Not to mention the fact that you live in the house that you shared with your first wife?  That's a little weird for me."  Jenna told him.

"Then we'll live in your house.  Please?  Just think about it?"  Nicholas begged.

"Fine, I'll think about it."  Jenna relented.

"Well, at least I know you'll dream about me tonight."  Nicholas joked.

"Yeah, if I get to sleep at all now!"  Jenna chuckled.  "We better go.  I'll talk to you tomorrow, ok?  Give me a call after you talk to your lawyer."

"I will.  I love you."  Nicholas said.

"I love you too."  Jenna went to walk away but Nicholas grabbed her hand and pulled her back to him.

"Don't think you're getting away without this!"  Nicholas said and kissed her deeply.  His hands ran up and down her arms lightly as his tongue explored her mouth.  "Good night."  He whispered when the kiss ended.

"Good night."  Jenna whispered back with a smile.  'What a kiss!'  She thought.  'But what a day too!'

Jenna awoke the next morning, still tired and groggy from tossing and turning all night.  Not only was she worried about the possibility of Nicholas losing Emma, but she was also considering the prospect of them living together.  She knew that this wasn't a decision that she could make at the drop of a hat, and she needed to talk to someone about it.

After she showered and got dressed, Jenna made her way into work, leaving Colby with his regular babysitter, for the last time before school started again the next day.  As she pulled into the parking lot, she breathed a sigh of relief that Vanessa was already at work.

Jenna parked her car and hurried into the building.  Instead of making her way to her own office, Jenna went directly to Vanessa's.  When she peered inside, she saw Vanessa's head bent down, already pouring over the papers in front of her in deep concentration.

"Looks like you got a head start this morning."  Jenna said, making her presence known.

Vanessa jumped as Jenna's voice startled her.  "Damn it!  What are you trying to do, give me a freaking heart attack!?"  Vanessa scolded.  "You should know not to sneak up on people like that!"

Jenna laughed.  "Sorry, I thought you might have heard me walk up or something.  What are you working on?"

"Just the Anderson file.  I had an idea in the middle of the night and wanted to come in early to get a jump on it."  Vanessa said, sitting back in her chair.  "So, what brings you to my office so early in the morning?  It must be pretty important if you came directly here, without stopping at your office to drop your stuff off."

"Ah, you know me too well."  Jenna smiled.  "You missed some major developments leaving the barbeque so early yesterday.  First of all, Nicholas's mom came back after everyone left.  We had a long talk, and she's cool with me and Nicholas being together."

"Good.  It always helps to have his mother supportive of the relationship…not that I would really know since I've never had to meet anyone's parents before…but I can sense that getting the mother's approval is most important."  Vanessa told her.

"It's true.  For some reason, the girl always feels like she needs to win over her man's mom.  The dad isn't so important, but he's usually a lot easier anyway.  The mom is the scary, but very important one."  Jenna said.  "So anyways, after we talked to her for a little while about our relationship, she drops a nice bomb on us.  She said that she had spent most of the day trying to calm Leslie's mom down, and that Linda may try to sue Nicholas for full custody of Emma.  She thinks that with Nicholas and I together, that we wouldn't be giving Emma the care that she needs.  In other words, she's just upset that Nicholas is moving on with his life and she's trying to punish him for it."

"Wow, that's one cold bitch!"  Vanessa was shocked.  "How could anyone do that?  I couldn't see taking a kid away from its only parent, especially when the parent is as good to their child as Nicholas is to Emma.  She really is out for blood, huh?"

"Yeah, Nicholas is contacting his lawyer today, just in case she does follow through with the threat.  I told him that I would leave him before I let anyone take Emma away from him, and it got him a little upset.  He said that no one was going anywhere.  I just don't want to come between him and his daughter.  I don't know what I would do if he lost Emma because of our relationship."  Jenna said sadly.