New Beginnings

IV

Jessica's POV

After getting settled in to Maeve's house, I still had a few things to unpack. Thankfully, my boss completely understood my situation and gave me a few weeks off.
While unpacking a few more boxes, I heard a knock at the door. I felt myself panicking a bit, as I still wasn't over the ordeal that happened with Aaron, but I slowly calmed myself down and answered.

"Hey, Nick," I said, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. I guess it showed on my face, because Nick quickly responded saying, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm still a little on edge with the whole Aaron situation.
"Well, don't worry. You have both Maeve and me right here by your side." Suddenly, he wrapped his arms around me in a comforting hug. I sunk into it, holding back, at first, for a second because it was pretty unexpected and caught me off guard.
Pulling away, he walked over to the boxes I had set down in the kitchen and began helping me unpack.
"So, when do you go back?"
"Tomorrow, but I'm still nervous about it. I'm only working nights now just in case he walks by every now and then."
"Yeah, that's pretty smart. How are you holding up, by the way? You looked pretty upset when you answered the door."
Running my fingers through my hair, wiping some of it out of my face in the process, I said, "Yeah, I just feel on edge thinking he's going to somehow figure out where I am."
"He won't, this house is pretty out of the way so I don't think many people will know where to look."
"Yeah, I guess. It's just..." I paused, biting my lip as I wasn't sure I wanted to go into my past with Nick just yet.
" 'It's just' what?"
"I don't really know, honestly."
"Hey, look at me." In one swift motion, he was standing in front of me. His hands on my shoulders, his eyes connected with mine. "He won't find you. He won't ever get close to you again; not on my watch. Do you hear me?"
Silence took over, and I found myself staring into his eyes for what felt like forever. He gently brushed his hand against my arm, causing chills to run through me. "He'll never lay a hand on you again."
Suddenly, I found myself pulling away from his touch as Maeve walked inside. Nick hesitantly pulled away but went back to helping me put away my dishes.
"Hey, babes, how you holding up?"
"I'm alright, considering the circumstances."
Giving me a sad look, Maeve walked over and hugged me tightly. I wrapped my arms around her in return instantly.
"I promise, everything is going to be alright."
"I know, just, you know how hard this is for me."
"I know, chic, but with Nick and me here to help, everything will slowly fall back into place."
With that being said, we continued unpacking.

                                      *******

Waking up the next morning, the light shown through the curtains of my new bedroom. It felt weird living in such a big house by myself, but I guess it's good to know Maeve will be staying over a couple times during the week to keep me company.
Getting up, I begin to head to the kitchen to make some breakfast when I smell food already having been cooked seeping through the house. Walking in, I see Nick putting some eggs, bacon and pancakes on the table. Finally taking notice of me, a smile spreads across his face. "Look who's finally awake. I thought you'd might want a low key morning so I figured I'd make you some breakfast for when you wake up."
"Well, that's very sweet of you, Nick. But, you really didn't need to."
"Nonsense, come on, sit down. I just finished up."
Reluctantly, I walked over, sat down and grabbed a plate.
Nick and I sat for what seemed like hours of just eating, talking and laughing. It felt good to do this after the nightmarish week I had living in fear of Aaron.
"How did you get in, by the way?"
"Maeve gave me the key. I told her I wanted to do something for you today and she handed it to me immediately and told me your favorites."
Shaking my head and laughing, I replied. "Yup, that definitely sounds like something Maeve would do."
"I've noticed," he said, letting out a small chuckle of his own. I found myself gazing at him again and I couldn't decipher what it was about him that made me feel so comfortable. I was a little bit wary, to put it lightly, about him being so nice to me. It's sad that I can't enjoy moments like these without thinking someone might turn against me. But that's just my life, I guess.
I think he caught on to me because he looked over at me as well, our eyes locking on to each other. Those chocolate brown eyes got me every time. However, I quickly looked away, feeling nervous and awkward for having been staring at him for so long.
"Ay, don't worry, I know I'm a great view to look at. But if you want a photo just ask," he joked.
Shaking my head at him, I laughed. "Ever the modest, aren't you, Nick."
"Oh, always."
Laughing, I got up to help with the dishes.
"Ah, ah, ah, I don't think so," Nick said as he grabbed the plates from my hands. "I'll take care of this, you just sit down and relax.
"But you cooked the meal! The least I could do is help clean the dishes."
"Nope!" He exclaimed.
While he wasn't looking, I ran up and grabbed a dish to clean.
"Jess! What did I say?"
Quickly backing away, I held the plate behind my back.
"Nope. I'm helping."
"Not on my watch, you're not. Give me the plate, Jess!" He said, laughing.
As he went to reach behind me, I turned and bolted out of the kitchen and into the living room where he grabbed a hold of me and we went tumbling to the ground. I landed on my back and he on top of me. Looking at each other, we busted out laughing.
However, that moment happened again where we ended up locking eyes but we were closer now.
I felt my heart pounding inside of me. It felt like a magnetic pull luring our faces closer to each other's when suddenly Maeve walked in just as we were mere inches from each other's faces. We bolted off the ground, Nick quickly grabbing the plate as well.
"What the bloody hell is all of this racket?" Maeve questioned as she walked inside.
"I tripped with my plate and fell. Nick was just helping me get back up."
Raising her eyebrow at me, Nick followed suit in what I said.
"Yeah, thankfully she didn't hurt herself as the plate didn't break."
Awkwardness filled the room and suddenly Nick spoke up again. "I'll be in the kitchen, cleaning the dishes."
And off he went, without another word.
"You want to explain what I just saw?" Maeve looked at me, eyebrow still raised but a slight smile overtaking her face.
"It's as I said-"
"Yeah, the part where you tripped and fell? I don't buy that. Seeing as you guys were both on the ground about to kiss," she whispered loudly.
"We were not," I chastised, but I wasn't sure of what happened, to be completely honest.
"Mmhmm, okay, I'll believe that when hell freezes over."
Rolling my eyes, I begin to walk away. "I'm gonna go get dressed now. I'll be back out in a bit for our little shopping trip."
Laughing, I hear her shout out to me. "You're not getting away from this conversation, Jess!"
"Whatever you say, Maeve!" I shout back from upstairs, shutting my bedroom door behind me.