Only minutes later Leslie’s eyes fluttered open.
“J-JC,” Her voice came out in a hoarse whisper.
“Leslie,” He tried to talk louder, but it ended up in a whisper like hers. “You’re awake. Thank God, you’re awake.”
”Josh, I remember.”
“Remember what?”
“That night in Vegas. The night we got married.”
“The night we conceived our child.”
“You know? How?”
“The doctor told me that the baby wasn't injured in the accident.”
“We can’t get an annulment now.”
“I know.”
“So are we going to get a divorce?”
“Don’t you think it would be better for the baby and our careers if we stayed together? I mean the media would tear this apart.”
“Yeah. I guess it would be best.”
“We should probably move in together, too. I mean, if we’re married, it wouldn’t be right if we lived in different houses. Plus, I have to be there for the baby.”
“You don’t have to do anything, JC.”
“I want to be there for the baby.”
He’s only doing this for the baby. He doesn’t really love me, like he said he did that night. I’m such a fool. Why did I believe him? She though as a few tears ran down her face.
As gentle as a summer’s breeze JC brushed away the tears with the back of his hand, and then kissed her forehead just as softly. “It’ll be alright, Lez. Don’t cry. Everything will be okay.”
“Leslie?” Nicole’s familiar voice called from the door. “Leslie, you’re awake!”
“Yeah.”
“You have no idea how scared I was!” Nicole hugged her best friend tight.
“Um…JC is gonna be moving into my penthouse soon.”
“Oh! That’s great! I’m happy for you two…Wait. Why?”
“He’s going to help me with the baby.”
“Oh. Whoa! Wait a second. What baby?”
“Mine and JC’s.”
“Right… First marriage… Now you’re having a kid! Remind me never to take you two to Vegas again.”
“Believe me… We will.”
“Lance is trying to convince me to move in with him.”
“You should. You guys have been together for over a year now and you love each other. So what are you waiting for? It’s not like you’re married. You can always move out.” Leslie voiced her opinion while JC sat quietly.
“You have some good points. I’ll go tell him the good news. You should go in a coma more often.”
“Lance, I’ve made my decision.”
“Really? What is it? Please, please say it’s yes.”
Nicole nodded with a grin just before Lance picked her up and spun her around, kissing her happily as he did so.
Three days later Leslie was released from the hospital and the same day JC moved into her penthouse. Around the same time frame Lance and Nicole bought and moved into a condo together.
3 Months Later
Leslie and the baby were doing o.k. Except for the fact that JC was doing everything for her. He got a book about having a baby and was following it strictly. He wouldn’t let her eat anything the book said not to, which included basically everything that Leslie was craving. She wasn’t “allowed” to lift a finger either. JC did all of the chores… He even cooked. He wouldn’t even let her open a door without assistance. Leslie was, understandably, beginning to get fed up with him and his book.
“God JC! I think I can open a door!” Leslie hollered.
“I don’t want you to put strain on yourself though.” He protested.
“Strain me? STRAIN ME! Dammit JC, I think I can handle a door! So BACK OFF!”
“It’s okay. I understand. The book said you would experience mood swings, such as the one you are currently going through.”
“Fuck the book.” Leslie stated slowly.
“Let it all out, Lez. I’m here for you.”
She pushed JC, causing him to fall on his backside, and then continued to walk into the doctor’s office, after opening the door herself.
Occasionally Nicole would sneak her junk food to satisfy some of her cravings. But if JC ever found out he would have a coronary.
While Leslie was having her problems with JC; Nicole was having her own share with Lance. For the past few weeks Lance’s temper was getting shorter and shorter. She tried to make him happy, but it seemed to her that pleasing him just could no longer be done by her. Lance was now asking for something she just wasn’t ready for, and when she said no, he got all the more mad.
“Lance, I’ve told you time and time again. I’m just not ready to go that far yet.” Nicole stated truthfully.
“Nicole, baby, we’ve been together for over a year now. How can you say you’re not ready? How much more time can you need? Leslie and JC had sex… So why can’t we?”
“Lance, they were drunk and now she’s pregnant! I’m too young to be pregnant. So therefore I don’t know when I’ll be ready. It just doesn’t feel right yet.”
“You’re just nervous.” He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her body to his. “Don’t be. I can make it feel right… If you let me.”
“No Lance. I said no and I meant no.”
“If you loved me you would do this.”
“No. If you loved me you wouldn’t be asking me to do something I’m not ready to do.”
“Are you talking back to me?”
“No Lance. Of course not.” Nicole cowered back out of his arms, and continued to back away from him.
“Oh? I think you did. First, my own girlfriend won’t do what I ask her to and now she’s talking back to me. I wouldn’t recommend making me any more mad then I already am, Nicole.” He said, his tone evil.
“I’m sorry Lance, but I didn’t talk back to you.” She said quietly, yet firmly, holding her ground. Nicole’s back connected with a wall and she couldn’t move.
“Are you calling me a liar? I don’t like being called a liar.”
“No Lance, no. I’m not calling you a liar. You’re not a liar. You’re very honest.”
“I think little naive Nicole needs to learn a little lesson about respect.”
Nicole was no very frightened. Before, when Lance was angry he’d only threaten to hurt her. Now, he looked like he actually was going to get physical.
“I’m only doing this for your own good.” He stroked her cheek gently from his position in front of her.
“Please, Lance.” She pleaded with him. “Don’t.”