Chapter 54

So Jess and I were now on our way to look at this “amazing house” she wanted us to look at. I haven’t even seen pictures but I could already tell Jess had her heart set on this place. I knew in the back of my mind we’ll probably end up moving out here and I had absolutely no problem with it. Just from what I’ve seen of the places all around us on our way out, I could already tell that this property would be amazing.

“Okay, wait. That was the turn,” Jess said as I passed by our turn yet again. Did I ever mention that she really sucks at giving directions?

“You’re lucky I love you because you absolutely suck at being a useful passenger,” I stated as I found a spot to turn.

“I know I’m lucky,” she said, leaning over to kiss my cheek. I shook my head at her but couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face. I did eventually find the right road and to my surprise and absolute delight it was a little dirt road with trees on both sides. When Jess pointed out where the driveway was I noticed that it was just barely visible through the trees which was a good thing. When I pulled in, the trees eventually thinned out to the point where it was just a large open field. A very large open field with a very nice house on it.

“Oh my god,” I whispered to myself.

“Isn’t it perfect?” Jess squealed. I had to admit, I already loved it and we haven’t even been inside the house yet.

“Are we allowed to just say the hell with it and buy it sight unseen?” I joked.

“I’d say yes but we do have to go through the formalities no matter how much we love it.”

The realtor was already there waiting for us so I parked next to their car and got out, hurrying to the other side to help Jess out. She was already a lot stronger today, just barely able to limp around with my support. It was slow going but I stayed right by her side the whole way just as I have been.

We were greeted by the realtor at the top of the steps, a younger woman possibly in her late twenties. She was quite friendly and offered to show us around the house. The porch itself was immaculate. It was one of those wrap around porches that I loved and I could already picture Jess and I spending our evenings out here. We were led through the front door and immediately greeted by a spacious living room with cream carpeting. The whole room was incredibly clean and bright looking and the windows just aided in lighting up the whole room.

We were taken straight up the stairs from there, Jess of course taking a long time to climb them but we got there eventually. There was a long hallway with three doors on either side and a window at each end. Can we talk about the fact that this house is a five bedroom? One master bedroom and four small ones. I think Jess planned this all out quite nicely.

The master bedroom, by the way, was incredible. The room itself was huge but it also had an en suite bathroom along with a huge closet. Perfect for Jess’s uncontrollable OCD. When we were taken downstairs to see the kitchen I’m fairly sure Jess almost fainted right then and there. Besides the fact that it was fucking huge but it was flawless in design. Granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, the works. There was also a super nice dining room connected to it along with two sliding glass doors that led out to a patio. When we took a look outside toward the back, I felt my heart race a little at the sight.

Way in the back, behind some fenced in areas was a barn. I wanted to squeal right then and there but I maintained it for the time being. Jess knew exactly what I was thinking though as I felt her tighten her grip around my waist as we looked outside.

“We need this place, Jess,” I said quietly.

“I know. It’s perfect isn’t it?” she said as she leaned her head against my shoulder. “You think we should tell her we’ll make an offer on it today?”

“I don’t think I’d ever want to live anywhere else.”

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So it’s been two weeks since Jess and I closed on our new house. These past two weeks have been absolutely amazing to say the least. Jess is walking on her own again. She still has a slight limp and she gets a lot of pain in her back and leg from time to time, but so far it’s been manageable. The only time she ever really needs my help is when she needs to go up and down stairs and so far that’s become minimal. I’ve learned that the extremely long drive back and forth to work has been bearable, especially since I knew Jess was safe back at home. Best of all, we haven’t gotten any more threats since that night.

Jess’s book was being released in two weeks so she’s been busy on the phone with her manager the last few days. I think she was feeling a bit stressed about it even though she hasn’t admitted anything like that. That’s why I was currently on my way home with groceries so that I could make us a nice dinner and have a nice night in. She could never deny that I was the best girlfriend.

I pulled into the driveway and drove up to the house to see Jess sitting outside on the porch swing. With the bags under my arm, I walked up the steps and walked into the house after telling her I’d be right back out. I put the food away as quickly as I could and ran upstairs to change before walking back out on the porch.

“How was your day?” I asked as I sat down beside her.

“Boring. I missed you,” she pouted before kissing me softly.

“Maybe you need a dog or something to keep you company,” I smirked, as I pulled her into me and hugged her tightly.

“Well, maybe I need a baby,” she mumbled into my chest.

“Subtle,” I chuckled. “Has my girl been feeling the need to nest lately?”

“It’s not funny,” she said, hiding her face even further into my neck. I could imagine the blush that was rising in her cheeks at the moment.

“You’re cute,” I said playfully. “Maybe in a few months after we’ve settled in. We’re not even married yet, after all,” I pointed out.

“Yet,” I heard Jess say under her breath. She stood up then and grabbed both my hands, pulling me up with her. “Let’s go for a walk.”

I honestly loved that fact that Jess and I could now go on walks together without having to worry about other people. There was just us and no one else, and that’s often how I liked it. I held onto her hand tightly, often swinging our joined hands between us. Days like this were my favorite and Jess and I really seemed to have a lot of good days lately.

When we did head back to the house I decided to go ahead and start dinner. I’d told Jess that she wasn’t allowed in the kitchen until I was finished so she’d gone off somewhere, I assume in the living room to watch TV. Not only had I bought food earlier, but I also happened to pick up a bunch of other things to make dinner a bit more romantic than usual. Rose petals, candles, wine, you know the cliché things.

Once I did have everything in the oven and cooking, I went ahead and decorated the dining room table. I pretty much threw the rose petals all over the table at random and set the candles all around them. I set that table perfectly to be honest.

Eventually, the food was done and just as I pulled everything out of the oven I heard Jess calling my name in a sing-song voice from the living room. I ignored her at first since I was almost done but she just kept getting louder and more insistent. Finally I just yelled back.

“Jess, I’m almost done!”

“It’ll only take a second!” she insisted.

I sighed and walked out into the living room. At first I didn’t see any sign of Jess. I paced the room a bit calling out her name but never got an answer. Just as I was about to turn around to go back into the kitchen, Jess suddenly came out from nowhere and basically tackled me, sending us both toppling over onto the floor.

“What the hell, Jess?” I exclaimed as I was pinned down onto the floor by her. She was laughing uncontrollably above me as she fully laid down on top off me.

“You were taking too long.”

“You’re such a child,” I laughed as I wrapped my arms around her, hugging her closer. “You’re lucky you didn’t hurt yourself.”

As Jess tried to pick herself up again she accidentally bumped the coffee table next to us, sending the glass of water that was apparently right on the edge straight for my face, effectively soaking me. I gasped as the ice water made contact with my skin, soaking my face and the entire front of my shirt. There was only silence for a few moments before Jess’s uncontrollable laughter filled the air once again.

“You know I can’t let you get away with that one right?” I said, giving her an unimpressed look.

Before I could even bat an eye, Jess was off of me and out the door in a second. Her slight limp at a run meant that she couldn’t get far though. I legged it outside just in time to see her head around the side of the house. I headed in the opposite direction where the hose was hooked to the house. Turning the water on, I quietly edged over to the corner of the house to see Jess crouched behind there, looking in the other direction. I couldn’t help but smile to myself as I crept closer and closer. Once I was within ten feet of her, she seemed to finally hear me and turn around. She squealed as I let the cold water loose, soaking her completely.

“Okay, okay! Elena, I give,” she screamed through her constant laughter. I shut the water off then and smiled triumphantly. “That was fucking cold,” she complained, wrapping her arms around herself as she stood there shivering.

“I’m sorry,” I said, laughing as I walked over and pulled her into me in an attempt to warm her up.

“You’re not sorry.”

“I am a little bit,” I chuckled.  Jess pulled away from me then and I assumed we were going to walk back into the house but I couldn’t be more wrong. She made a dive for the hose and before I knew it I was being soaked by the freezing water. I couldn’t help the scream that escaped me as I took off back around the house and onto the porch. I suppose I deserved that. Jess came walking around the house a few moments later with a very pleased grin on her face.

“I think we should call it a truce,” I said to her as I met her at the top of the steps.

“As long as you admit that I win,” she said playfully before connecting her lips to mine. My arms slid around her waist as I smiled into the kiss, effectively breaking it.

“Fine, you win. Just kiss me again,” I laughed as I closed the distance between us again. Our lips moved in sync as my fingers moved up and down her sides. Her wet shirt clung to her skin causing the heat from her skin to be easily felt and I pulled her even closer to me if that was possible. I felt Jess’s tongue on my lips, asking for entrance which I gave to her without hesitation. My stomach was doing the usual crazy flips as soon as our tongues touched and I felt my breath hitch as Jess’s fingers brushed my inner thigh.

Somehow we’d ended up in the house and upstairs in the bedroom, our clothes strewn carelessly on the way up. Meanwhile, Jess was over top of me, straddling me at the waist. I was lost in absolute ecstasy as her lips traveled from my jawline to my throat.

“Jess, wait,” I said, tightening my hold on her slightly.

“Hmm?” she hummed as she moved back up, her lips working their way around my jaw again.

“What about dinner?” She raised herself up so quickly I almost laughed at the glare she was shooting me.

“Are you fucking kidding right now?” Jess said, sounding both annoyed and breathless. I nearly went along with it but I thought that would be a step too far.

“Yeah I’m joking,” I giggled, raising up to kiss her again. Needless to say, our dinner was long forgotten that evening.