Ann and Jazz quickly packed their bags as Joe talked with Sophie in the living room. She heard them laugh constantly, making Ann smile to her herself. Even though her mom's adoration for Joe made her sometimes want to puke, she liked that they got so along.
Once they were done, they all drove to Joe's place, discussing dinner options. Joe said that he'll hire the chef for the whole week, but Sophie insisted she'll be making the food. She said that that's the least she could do as a thank you.
They drove into Joe's mansion, that Ann was already so familiar with. The enormous space scared her a little, but she felt safe there. The house was more secluded from others, giving them as much privacy as they needed.
They said their goodbyes to Logan, as Joe took out everyone's bags from the trunk. Ann came up to him and tried to help him, but he slapped her hands as she did so. She rolled her eyes at him and waited until he was done.
He left the bags outside and opened the doors for them. The familiar scent of the house hit her nostrils and she smiled to herself. She looked around in awe. It was always so clean and neat, almost like he just moved in there.
„Come on, I'll show you the rooms. You can pick which one you want." He waved his hand at them, guiding them upstairs.
They walked past the bathroom, bringing back all the memories to Ann. She smiled to herself, as it still made her stomach turn, just thinking about it. They made it into a long corridor and Joe pointed at the doors.
„Feel free to explore." He smiled at them. „Meanwhile, I'll bring the bags."
They started to open up every room one at a time. All the bedrooms were designed in similar style. Simple, modern, mostly with white color and wooden elements. They were not overly decorated, yet felt welcoming and cozy.
Sophie and Jazz moved to the next one, when Ann decided to explore the ones on the other side of the corridor. When she opened the first door, her mouth dropped almost to the floor. This one was different than the others.
It had a massive bed standing by the wall, with multiple cushions in white and brown neatly settled at the top of it. In front of it there was a lounge area with a couch, armchairs and a small coffee table between them. On the wall next to the lounge there was a fireplace with piles of wood next to it. The wall opposite to the bed was all glass, as she noticed there was also a small balcony outside.
She decided to walk out, enjoying the warm wind that blew on her hair. She leaned against the railing and enjoyed the view that was mainly trees, that were scattered around the property, probably for more privacy. It also overlooked the backyard of the mansion. She smiled seeing the pool, that brought some more memories back to her.
„You like it?." Joe asked, standing in the balcony door with a smirk.
„Joe, it's stunning." She said turning around to him. „It's your bedroom?"
He nodded with a smile. „But I don't mind moving in another room for the week."
„No, please don't do that." She shook her head, knowing that he already did too much for her.
„How are you feeling?" He walked up to her and leaned his back against the railing.
„A bit tired today. But the nausea stopped, fortunately."
„That's good." He smiled at her. „Okay, if you insist on not taking this room, at least take the one next to it. It's almost as good, I'll show you."
He too her hand and guided her to the guest room next to the main bedroom. To her surprise, there was a door in between the rooms. This room was similar to the main room, but a little smaller. The bed was massive as well, but the lounge consisted only of a couch and a coffee table. The balcony in that room was connected with Joe's, overlooking the same view.
„Take this one. That way I can have you close." She looked up at him at his words. „I won't be able to sleep, unless I know you're okay."
„Joe." She rolled her eyes at how overprotective he was. „You don't have to be a nanny for me."
„Not a nanny. Just a father of your child." He smiled at her. He tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear, as Ann looked away, avoiding his eye contact.
„Oh man, you got the best room!" Jazz screamed, while coming in. „And you got a freaking balcony?" She squealed, going out on it. Ann chuckled, going after her outside.
„Come on, change and let's go to the pool." Ann smiled, leaning a hand on her friend's shoulder.
„You don't have to tell me twice!" She said, running out of the room.
She laughed to herself and turned to see Joe staring at his phone with a frown. She carefully came up to him, trying not to scare him.
„Is everything okay?" She asked quietly. He snapped out of his thoughts, giving Ann a weak smile.
„Yeah." He said, plastering his eyes on the phone again.
She frowned, but decided not to drag the topic. She walked up to her bag, that Joe had already brought up and searched for her swimsuit.
„Is it okay if we go in the pool?" She said, uncertain is she should ask about it.
„No, go ahead." He smiled at her, typing away on his phone. „I'll just make a quick phone call and join you." He said, before exciting to his bedroom.
He seemed weird, but she just shrugged it off and went into her en suite to change into her white bikini. She grabbed her sunglasses on the way and ran down, where Jazz was already waiting. Sophie was getting herself comfortable in the kitchen, preparing some snacks for them.
Ann and Jazz held hands and jumped in the pool while squealing. They laughed hysterically, splashing water at each other. They chilled in the pool for a while, before settling in on the sun beds. The weather that day was amazing, the sun immediately drying out their bodies.
Ann looked up at the mansion, only to see Joe standing on his balcony, talking away on his phone. She pulled up her sunglasses and waved at him. He plastered on a smile and waved back, before disappearing inside.
„Who wants some fruit?" Said Sophie, bringing a big bowl consisting of chopped pineapple, watermelon and mango.
„Yummy." Ann smiled, grabbing a piece.
As she did, she saw that Joe was finally joining them. He walked slowly towards the pool, before pulling up his shirt and diving in it. He jumped out of it, shaking his head, causing the cold water from his curls to splash on Ann and Jazz.
„Joe!" Ann squealed.
He just smiled, brushing his hand through the mess of his hair. He pulled himself out of the pool and walked towards the sun bed next to Ann, grabbing the towel that was laying on top of it and brushed it through his curls.
Ann did all she could not to stare at his body, which wasn't easy as it was literally right in her face. He stole the bowl of fruit from her hands and laid on the sun bed. She didn't even argue with him, seeing that he wasn't really in the mood for it. Instead she put a hand on his wet shoulder, catching his attention.
„You okay?" She said quietly.
„Want something to drink?" He ignored her question.
„I'm fine." She answered, a little concerned about him.
He got up and walked to the outside bar, grabbing a bottle of tequila, before pouring himself a shot. He downed it so fast that she didn't even notice when.
„The bar is open." He screamed, getting attention of the girls. „I'm open to requests."
„I thought you could only drink tequila at your place." Ann raised an eyebrow at him, remembering his words from the last time she was here. „You've changed." She teased him, making him smile a little.
„Mimosas it is, then!" He said, turning around and grabbing a few bottles from the shelves.
Ann stood up, deciding to help him. She walked over to the bar and watched him from the side.
„Don't worry, I'm making you a non alcoholic one." He said, giving her a little wink.
His phone vibrated in his pocket. He put down the glass he was holding and took it out, taking a look at the screen. Ann took a glance as well seeing ‚Soph' on the screen. He sighed, before declining the call. He got back to the drinks, leaving the phone on the counter next to him. But it kept going off, her name constantly appearing on the screen as he continued to decline it.
„Maybe it's something important?" She said quietly.
„Yeah, right." He scoffed.
"Did something happen?"
"Ann, stop asking so many questions!" He raised his voice, hitting his palm on the counter, making Ann jump.
„Sorry..." She whispered, looking down. His reaction took her by surprise. She decided not to drag the conversation.
„Ann, wait..." She heard him sigh after her, as she went back inside the house.
But she didn't turn around, knowing that he needed to calm down first. She went upstairs into her room and threw herself on the bed. She felt tears starting to build in her eyes. She wasn't even that upset, but the pregnancy made her feel all kind of emotions. A few minutes passed, before she heard a knock on her doors.
„Come in." She sniffed, sitting up.
Joe quickly rushed in the room, closing the door behind him. He started to walk up to her with a concerned face. Ann couldn't help but smile, feeling a relief washing over her. She stood up and met him halfway in a hug.
„I'm so sorry." He whispered into her hair, gently stroking it with his hand.
„I'm sorry too." She whispered back, pulling him closer.
„I shouldn't have yelled at you like that." She felt him shake his head. She shushed him, caressing his back. „You shouldn't be put in any more stress that you already have and I was so selfish."
„Joe." She couldn't help but chuckle at him. „It's okay."
He pulled apart and caressed her cheek, scanning her face, before guiding her to the side of her bed. They sat down and he took in Ann's hands.
„You don't have to tell me if you don't want to." She gave him a reassuring smile.
„No, it's just... It's stupid." He sighed. „It's Sophie." Ann nodded, giving him the space to continue. „Yesterday when I told her I'm staying in LA, she didn't take it well. Especially, because she suggested she can fly as well and I made some stupid excuse as to why she can't. And today she was seen at a club partying, drinking and dancing with different men."
„As a... revenge?" Ann frowned.
„Yeah, I guess so." He scoffed. „She's a very controlling person. When something slips out of her control, she does shit like this."
„How are you feeling?" Ann said, squeezing his hands that were still holding hers.
„I'm pissed, obviously. I never did anything to hurt her. And she's out here thinking that I'm sneaking around, cheating on her or something."
Ann stayed silent for a while, before pulling her hands out of his. She felt a weird feeling in her stomach at his words. This was something she was worried about the most. Getting close to him, when he was with her. Even though they didn't do anything, she felt like a cheater. Even having the thoughts about him that she had. He looked up at her confused.
„You know we need to have the conversation at some time." Ann started, looking down at the floor. „About the baby, about Sophie... About us." She looked up at him, watching him scan her face.
„Then let's talk."