Trials: Chapter Twenty-One
Flash forward: March 10, 2003…
"I'll get her" he whispered softly, a hand running over her back before he crawled out of bed. "Hannah" he spoke softly as he walked around the end of the bed. He leaned over the bassinet lifting her up gently. "Shh, mommy's trying to sleep" he pat her back softly.
"Is she hungry?" Matt mumbled sleepily.
"I think somebody has a stinky diaper" he chuckled as she fussed in his arms and he started toward the door of their bedroom.
Matt wandered in about twenty minutes later to find him rocking her in the moonlight, singing softly.
"I didn't want to wake you" his voice a soft whisper as he set a partially filled bottle on the table beside him.
"Is she sleeping already?" she asked softly.
"Almost" he whispered as he kept rocking.
She smiled at the picture they made. His eyes closed gently as he hummed to her. Her tiny hands in fists as she yawned softly.
"Chris" she whispered after several minutes had passed.
"Hmm" he mumbled.
She smiled. "Come back to bed" her voice a soft whisper.
His eyes opened slowly to find her standing with Hannah sleeping in her arms, near the door.
He stumbled through the nursery following Matt and Hannah back into their room. His lips brushed softly over Hannah's forehead before he crawled into bed.
Matt slid her arms around him letting her eyes close. His arms wove with hers. "Goodnight" he whispered.
"Night" she murmured softly.
Justin and Shelby's…
"Shelby" he whispered.
"Mm" she murmured.
He smiled at her sleeping form, brushing her hair away from her face. "I'm home" he whispered.
She took his hand in hers and turned on her other side. "Come to bed boo" she murmured sleepily.
He crawled into bed behind her and pulled her close in his arms. He took a deep breath, breathing her in.
"I missed you" she whispered.
"I missed you too" he whispered softly, holding her a little closer.
"The flight?" she asked quietly.
He groaned quietly. "Little girl asked me if you were even a real person" he mumbled.
She smiled.
"And then it was, was it the girl in your video…" he trailed off when she started laughing. "It's not funny Shelby" he pouted.
She smiled warmly, turning in his arms. "Yes it is boo."
He sniffled. "How?"
She eyed him for a moment. "Boo…" she started softly, her fingers tracing his jaw-line.
"I'm getting a cold" he nodded, his voice quiet.
"Boo" she sighed softly. "I leave you a week and you're getting sick?" her voice quiet.
"I don't sleep the same without you" he replied quietly, pulling her close to him again.
"I'll make the special soup tomorrow" she whispered softly, settling herself in his arms.
JC's…
She's pretty enough. He blinked. Who am I kidding? She's got a figure most women would shoot for. A smile formed on his lips as he nodded to what she was saying. I do care about her.
She smiled oblivious to his true absence to their conversation.
She's been here the past few months. She's gone out of her way to be here for me. She is different now. She's grown…I could let myself…
"Josh, are you listening?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.
He nodded slightly. "Of course I am Julie" he replied with a smile.
She eyed him for a moment before sitting upright, from her lounging position. "I should go, it's getting late" she yawned as she reached for a shoe.
"You shouldn't drive, you're exhausted" he replied seriously.
"It's not far, I'll be fine" she replied as she pulled the laces loose.
He swung around, sitting up beside her, putting a hand on her leg. "You don't have to go" his voice quiet. Her eyes fixed on his hand for a moment before she raised them to his. "There's plenty of room here Julie…" he started quietly.
She smiled slightly and pat his hand. "I'll be fine Josh. I'll call you when I get there if that'd make you feel better" she replied before stepping into her shoe.
"Are you sure, because…" he started.
She shook her head slightly. "I'm positive Josh" she interjected quietly as she tied her other shoe.
He drew in a breath, putting a hand over hers as she set one on her knee, drawing her eyes. "There's room here Julie" his voice quiet.
She was quiet for a moment, studying their hands. "Are you sure Josh?" she asked quietly as she raised her eyes to his again.
"I think so" he replied quietly.
She placed a hand gently on his cheek, her lips brushing softly over the other. "I want you to be sure Josh" she whispered before she stood up.
He sighed deeply hearing her car start in his drive. "What was I thinking?" he shook his head slightly.
The next day, March 11, 2003…
"What'd you say?" Justin's eyes grew wider.
JC groaned quietly. "I don't know Justin. Maybe I wasn't thinking…or maybe I was. I don't know" he shook his head quietly.
Shelby studied him carefully. "JC…" she hesitated. "Don't tell her you love her unless you're certain you do. You'll hurt her…" she started quietly.
"I know" he sighed quietly.
"Do you?" Justin asked quietly.
His face contorted as he struggled to find words that fit his feelings. "Not now…but, I think I could again…if I let myself" his voice quiet, a little uncertain.
"Hey, I thought I saw your car" she smiled entering the room. "Good to see you home kid" Nadia smiled.
Justin bolted up with a smile and hugged her. "Good to be home Nadia" he replied warmly as she hugged him back.
"If I'm interrupting I can come back…" she started with a smile.
"No, no. We were stopping by, we knew you had a session" Shelby interjected with a smile. "You and I are still on for tomorrow night right?" she checked with a smile.
Nadia chuckled. "I wouldn't miss it" she smiled.
"We'll see you later" Shelby smiled and pat JC's arm.
Nadia laughed softly hearing Justin question what her and Shelby's plans for the next night were.
JC studied her expression for a moment before a smile spread across his face. "You're in a good mood today" he commented curiously.
She nodded with a smile. "Why wouldn't I be?" she replied with a curious look.
He shrugged. "Just an observation" he replied.
"So what's going on?" she asked as she dropped her bag and windbreaker.
"Nothing…" he started.
She shook her head with a little laugh. "Do you still think you can do that to me?" she asked gently, her head cocking slightly to the right.
"Honestly, it's really nothing Nadia" he replied quietly.
"I see" she replied with a soft smile. "Woman troubles." She nodded to his dumbfounded look. "You don't have to talk about it Josh, but I am here if you want to" her voice soothing as she pulled his blankets back.
"Is this necessary?" he asked quietly.
"I told you, I want there to be a day where you aren't straining. The massage is good Josh, trust me" her voice soothing. "Just lay back and relax."
"But I want to work…" he started.
"With as much stress as you're under Josh, you need a day to relax and not strain anything. Doctors orders" she eyed him until he nodded. She smiled. "Besides not too many people get a massage from me, you're privileged" she teased.
"Well then" he laughed.
*
She rubbed the back of his neck gently and he raised his head groggily. "You're done?" he murmured.
She smiled softly. "How are you feeling Josh?" she asked gently.
His head fell back on his mattress. "Like a dump truck hit me, but in a good way" he mumbled.
She laughed. "How can a dump truck hitting you be good Josh?" she asked as she crouched down to his eye level, her fingers brushing against the back of his neck.
"How can getting a massage tire me out?" he mumbled.
"You aren't tired Josh, just relaxed" she replied softly.
"When do we do this again?" he mumbled.
She laughed softly. "Next week, tomorrow we work. You'll be glad you had the day off today" she smiled.
Chris and Matt's…
Justin was holding Hannah in his arms while they were sitting in the living room. He nodded slightly.
"She's been…better, I just get a feeling about her still" Matt's voice quiet.
Shelby nodded slightly. "She's scheming" her voice quiet, almost certain. "I don't trust her."
"JC seems happy though guys" Chris reminded.
"He's settling Chris" Justin's voice quiet Hannah settled a little more against his chest, his arms carefully tucked around her.
Everyone was quiet for a moment. "We can't open his eyes for him guys. He'll have to come to terms with this himself" Chris' voice quiet.
"He thinks he could love her" Shelby met Chris' eyes.
"He won't really as long as Nadia is around Shelby" Chris' voice telling. "As much as JC is ready to get serious with someone. He'll never commit fully to Julie while Nadia is there, reminding him of what he really wants."
"Has she come around at all?" Justin asked quietly.
"Have you seen them together?" Matt asked with a smile.
"Only for a second" Justin replied as he met Shelby's eyes.
"His eyes lit up as soon as he heard her voice boo" Shelby smiled.
They were quiet a moment. "He'll be careful Shelby. He wouldn't want to hurt Julie" Chris' voice quiet.
Two weeks later, March 25, 2003…
There was pride in her eyes as he made his way toward her, his hands still gripping the bars for support, but his legs propelled himself forward. She smiled as he raised his eyes to hers. He stopped at the end where she stood.
"You won't even need me soon Josh" she smiled.
He turned around slowly adjusting his grips on the bars. "Of course I will" he replied quietly as he started back toward the other end.
"You're doing so well. I think you could go completely unassisted in June Josh. By June you should be able to go the distance it'd take…" she started.
"Maybe" he interjected as he sat on the bench at the end.
"Are you alright?" she asked as she walked toward him.
"Yeah" he shrugged.
"You didn't pull anything or strain anything?" she asked as she crouched down to his eye level.
"No" he replied with a little shake of his head.
"Do you not believe me?" she asked quietly.
"I didn't say that" he replied quietly.
She drew in a slow calming breath. "Do you not believe in yourself anymore Josh?" she asked quietly.
"Nadia" his voice quiet.
"Hmm?"
"I'm tired" his voice quiet.
"You wanna stop for the day?" she asked gently, not having seen him this way for a long time.
He nodded slightly. "Yeah" his voice quiet.
"Alright" she replied quietly as she straightened herself out as she stood up. He didn't move, instead he merely looked at her. "Are you sure you didn't pull something Josh?" she asked gently as she helped him up and to his chair.
"I'm just tired" he replied quietly as they started down the hall toward his room.
"Were you going to nap or just rest?" she asked gently.
"Could you close the blinds please?" he asked quietly.
She nodded slightly and walked to the windows as he got himself settled in bed. "Are you going to be okay here?" she asked gently.
"Yeah" he replied as he closed his eyes.
She studied him a moment. The way he curled up on his side. The way he gripped the sheet under his chin. "Do you want me to stay Josh?" she asked gently.
He shook his head no but his body curled up a little more. He pulled the blankets a little closer to him. His eyes remained closed.
She hated to see him so withdrawn, after all the time they'd spent together, after everything they'd been through. "Josh…" she started quietly.
"Go" his voice a whisper.
She was quiet for a moment. "You think I'm leaving you?" she asked quietly.
"Go Nadia" his voice barely audible.
"That's months away Josh and…" she started.
He sat up and turned, his legs hanging off the other side of his bed, his back to her. "Do you know how many times I wanted to quit? How many times I wanted to just disappear?" his voice quiet.
"Josh…" she started quietly.
"And the only reason I didn't is because I knew you believed in me" his voice quiet.
"I believe in you because I know you can do it" her voice quiet.
He shook his head slightly. "You don't understand Nadia" his voice a little frustrated.
"I…" she started.
"You don't understand" he interjected. "I waited for you to help me…I wait for you to come, so I can be strong again. I wait for you to come everyday, because if you didn't I don't know if I could keep doing this without your strength to draw from…" he started.
"I'm not…" she started quietly.
"I wait for you to leave" his voice silenced her, "because sometimes it's too much Nadia" his voice barely audible. "And I'm so damn tired of being so weak…" he started.
"You aren't…" she started, her eyes closing to fight back tears.
"I'm tired of being someone you have to help Nadia…but I'm stuck, because I know I still need you to do this…" his voice quiet.
"Do you even know how much stronger you are Josh?" her voice barely audible.
"I don't want anyone else helping me…but I think I'm broken in ways you can't help me" his voice barely audible.
She flicked away a tear as she started around his bed.
"I don't want it to be someone else Nadia" his voice quiet as he peered in her eyes.
"I told you…" she started quietly, her voice weak.
"I know" he interjected quietly. He sighed. "I know Nadia" his voice quiet as he scooted back slightly.
She turned slightly and took a step toward his window. "Do you Josh?" her voice quiet.
"I'm trying…" he started quietly.
"There were times I knew Josh" she interjected quietly. "Times I knew you wanted me to go, needed me to go…but I stayed longer because I needed to be here" her voice nearly a whisper.
"Nadia…" he started.
"Did you think I didn't care?" she interjected quietly.
"I…" he started.
"Do you honestly think I'm so numb to you Josh?" her voice barely audible.
"How am I supposed to know Nadia" his voice a whisper.
Tears slid down her cheeks. "My eyes don't lie Josh, no matter the words coming from my mouth" her voice a whisper.
"Then look at me" his voice quiet.
She shook her head slightly. "Not while I'm not the only one you're looking at Josh" her voice quiet.
His brow furrowed a moment. "Julie?" he questioned.
"Unless there's someone else" she replied quietly.
"That was cold" he stiffened.
She shrugged slightly. "Perhaps" she replied distantly.
"You said no Nadia. You told me straight out, months ago, no" his voice quiet. She only nodded to acknowledge she was listening. "I was happy with her once…" he started.
"So you're using her?" her voice a little colder.
"No" he shook his head. He muttered under his breath frustratedly. "Nadia, I already said…" he started.
"I heard what you said Josh" her voice quiet.
"Then what do you want from me?" he asked frustratedly as he slid off the bed so he was standing.
She shook her head slightly.
"Nadia, Julie is around because she decided to be around…" he started quietly.
"She loves you" Nadia interjected quietly, a certainty in her voice that was undeniable even to him.
"I was happy with her once…I think I could be again…but…" he started.
"I don't understand you Josh" her voice a whisper, struggling to remain steady.
"But she's not the one I'd choose Nadia" his voice quiet.
"She thinks she already has you back Josh" Nadia's voice quiet.
"She doesn't" he replied quietly.
"I don't…" she started.
"Nadia what all do you need me to say to you?" he interjected a little frustrated.
She shook her head slightly. "You're leading her on" her voice quiet.
He was quiet a long time. "Do you think I haven't thought the same thing Nadia?" he asked quietly. She shrugged slightly. "I've been trying to convince myself I could be happy with Julie, the way I was before. That I could love her, and really fall for her this time…" he started.
She took a slight step toward the window.
"And every time I think I have myself convinced of it, I see you" his voice quiet.
She froze mid-step.
"And I'm back at square one Nadia. Because there's something about you that draws me to you in a way Julie never has before and never could" his voice quiet.
She shook her head slightly.
"No?" his brow furrowed. "You're telling me no…" he started.
She shook her head slightly.
"I'm really about to lose it here Nadia" he tugged at his hair. "I'm not understanding…" he started.
"You're saying you think you love me?" her voice barely audible.
Justin and Shelby's...
"Nadia told me last night she thinks by mid-June" she smiled.
"Does JC know yet?" Justin asked with a smile.
"She's telling him today" Shelby replied with a smile.
"June, is that when you want it?" he asked softly.
"We can plan it for later boo" she replied softly. "I don't want to add pressure."
"If Nadia said June then she really thinks May" Justin replied knowingly.
She nodded slightly, quiet for a moment. "Are you sure you want me to come with you to this?" she asked cautiously.
"I would like you to come. But you don't have to Shelby" he replied quietly, sincerely.
"I'll come if you want me too" she replied softly.
He laughed. "Shelby, do you want to come?" he asked gently.
She nodded slightly. "I just don't want there to be a riot because of it boo" she replied quietly.
"Nobody will riot" he smiled.
"Alright, I should get ready then…and don't say I didn't warn you if something breaks out" she laughed as she pulled herself away from him.
"It's Mtv Shelby, they're used to things breaking out" he laughed.
Chris and Matt's…
"Chris!" Matt called.
"What, what's wrong?" he skidded to a stop and his jaw hit the floor.
"I don't know what he did to get her on stage with him…" Matt trailed off.
"Oh good lord" Chris let out on a breath. "It probably wasn't him."
"She looks good though" Matt smiled.
"They both do…when they're together" Chris replied with a smile.
JC's…
He was quiet a moment. "It isn't something I'm still thinking about Nadia. The jury's been out and ruled on it already" his voice quiet.
"You can't…" she started quietly.
"Why not Nadia? Do you think you're unlovable?" his voice quiet. "Is it impossible to believe that someone cares about you? I care about you…" he started.
"Do you know why I was here Josh?" she interjected quietly.
"Why…when?"
"I was here that day, because I couldn't be anywhere else. I had to be near you. I knew you were worried…but I couldn't tell you either. I was so confused. Greg laughed, because he knew…" she started.
"Nadia…" he started.
"He always knew me. He knew I'd never be in love with him…" she trailed off.
"New Year's?" his voice a whisper.
She merely nodded. "You thought I was hung over Josh. It was easier to just…play with that then try to explain something I wasn't fully understanding myself. I only knew I had to be here" her voice barely audible.
His fingers inches from her shoulder as he reached out for her.
"I cared about you from day one Josh…but to love you…" she started, her voice a whisper.
As far as he reached forward, she was just out of his grasp. "You don't?" his voice a whisper as his arm fell.
"It's so easy to care about you Josh" her voice a whisper. "I can't let myself love you…even if I knew how, I can't."
"Why?" he choked out.
"For the same reason I've already given you" she replied in a whisper.
"Then I'll fire you" he replied whispered weakly.
"When you're so close?" her voice a whisper.
"You could Nadia…" he started.
"Josh…" she started.
"I can't believe that you'd let our working relationship come between what we could have" his voice a whisper.
She was quiet a long time. He barely heard her when she spoke. "I don't know how to love you Josh" her voice a whisper.
"Me?" his voice a whisper.
She turned around slowly. "Anyone" her voice a whisper.
"You said…" he started quietly, gently.
"I'm 26 years old for god's sake, and I'm not understanding the way I feel, the things I'm thinking…" she trailed off.
"Nadia, it's not so confusing when you look at it the right way" his voice gentle.
She met his eyes slowly. "I don't know how Josh" her voice a breath of a whisper.
His lungs deflated a breath of heavy realization. He lingered in her eyes for a moment. "Just reach out and take a step Nadia" his voice a whisper.
Words she'd spoken to him countless times, working with him on starting to walk, were spoken. Such seemingly simple instructions applied to something so much more complicated.
"I can't go back" her voice a whisper as she remained still.
He drew in a breath. "I understand this is a little confusing to you Nadia…if you take this step" he paused for a moment. "If you take this step all it's acknowledging is that there is more between us…It's not a commitment. It's not a promise. It's just a step" his voice a whisper, holding her eyes.
She was quiet a moment before she drew in a breath and swallowed. Slowly her hands slid into his as she inched forward. "I can't lie to you" her voice a whisper to his chest.
He rested his head atop hers, his arms wrapping around her. "Thank you for trusting me" his voice a whisper.
"It scares me to death Josh" her voice a whisper.
"Trusting me?" he asked quietly.
"Needing you" she breathed out.
"If I live my life in fear only to find you by my side, then I know I've never really been alone and the fear I've known was all of my own" his voice a whisper.
"What if I love you…and you change your mind?" her voice a mere breath of a whisper.
"Oh Nadia" his voice a whisper, he lowered his head, their foreheads resting against each other's. "You have no idea how out of control my mind is with you" his voice a breath of a whisper.
"Be careful with me Josh…as strong as I am, I'm twice as fragile" her voice a whisper.
"I'd never dream of hurting you…" he started.
"You won't believe it" Joey burst into the room going directly to the television flipping it on. "Shelby's on TRL with Justin…" he turned with a bright smile.
Both of them sat up with completely confused expressions. "What Joe?" JC yawned.
"Sorry" his smile became more sheepish. "I didn't realize you were sleeping."
She yawned heavily. "What?" her eyes opened on Joey.
He chuckled. "Shelby's on TV with Justin" he smiled and pointed behind him.
"Move Joe, we can't see" JC waved him to the side.
Nadia rubbed the sleep from her eyes. "What time is it?" she mumbled.
"TRL's half over" Joey replied as he turned the volume up.
"I didn't mean to fall asleep" she mumbled as she shook her head.
JC looked at her profile for a moment. "Thanks for making sure I was alright" his voice quiet, almost uncertain.
She nodded slightly. "I know it was Paige's day off. I didn't want you here all alone when you weren't feeling well" she replied quietly.
"Justin gave me his cold" he shrugged slightly with a little sniffle.
"Hey Josh, I brought you some chicken soup…" she eyed Nadia curiously for a moment before continuing into his room.
He slid out of bed, standing. "Thanks Julie" he smiled warmly. "You didn't have to. I really appreciate it."
Joey's eyes widened slightly as Nadia slipped silently out of the room. "Hey Julie" he greeted her more politely than sincerely.
"Hi Joe, how've you been lately?" she asked with a smile.
"Alright ya know, keeping busy" he replied with a polite smile. "Anyway, I just came by to make sure you didn't miss the whole thing. If you need anything later, call and let me know man" Joey started for the door.
"Thanks Joe" JC replied. "Nadia…" he started as he turned. "Where'd she go?" he asked as he turned back.
Julie shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know Josh. She was right here a second ago."
Nadia's…
She paced around her house restlessly, going from room to room, opening and closing drawers and cupboards.
"I just don't like her" she sighed. "Not that I have reason not to…but I just don't…" she trailed off realizing she was speaking aloud to no one.
You're being completely irrational Nadia. She shook her head and slammed her office door shut as she moved on to her bedroom.
She sighed and flopped back on her bed. She comes in the room and demands all his attention. God forbid he be talking to someone else…no wonder Shelby and Matt don't like her. No wonder Paige leaves the room when she's around…
"And my sessions are getting shifted around because of her" she shook her head slightly. "I think it's a little more important than…" she trailed off.
JC's…
"Is something wrong Josh?" Julie asked gently.
"I was watching that" he replied quietly.
"I'm sorry, I didn't think it really mattered. You've seen Justin interviewed hundreds of times…" she started.
"It's alright" he replied. Not with Shelby though. Are you so threatened…but then again, after…
"You aren't listening Josh" her voice quiet.
"I'm sorry Julie, I'm just not feeling all here at the moment" he replied with a little shrug, his voice was a little nasally and he sniffed occasionally, but it hadn't gotten completely out of hand yet.
"Is there anything I can do…" she started gently.
"No, I just need to rest" he replied quietly.
"Did you want some of the soup now?" she asked gently.
"In a little while" he replied giving a nod of thanks.
"I'll put it in the fridge then" she smiled.
"Alright, thanks" he replied and looked around for the phone as soon as she started out of the room. He pressed the button and laid back down waiting. "Nadia, how come you left?" he asked quietly.
"Julie looked like she had everything in control Josh" she replied quietly.
"But you didn't even say anything" it came out more whiney than he'd intended with his cold.
"Sorry Josh, I didn't really think about it…" she started.
"Josh, where's the phone I need to…oh sorry" Julie shrugged.
"So you aren't coming back over?" JC asked quietly.
"Do you need me to?" she asked quietly.
He rubbed his forehead for a moment. "Can I come over?" he asked quietly.
"Yeah, you know you can. Is Joey still there?" Nadia asked, curiosity in her voice.
"Would you mind terribly…" he started.
"Josh, I can take you to Joey's…" Julie started.
"I'll be there in fifteen minutes Josh" she replied quietly before the phone went dead.
He hung up. "I'm going to Nadia's Julie" he explained quietly. He saw the look in her eyes and the way her body seemed to stiffen. "She's a doctor and she…" he started.
"If it was a bad time Josh, that's all you had to say" Julie interjected as she gathered her things.
"Julie, it's not that I don't want your company…" he started. But you're smothering me.
When Nadia arrived he was alone. "Sorry about just disappearing on you. I just figured…" she started quietly.
"She gave me a headache" Josh mumbled rubbing his temples.
Nadia chuckled softly. "Sorry Josh."
"Sure you are" he smiled slightly.
She shrugged slightly. "Did you want to stay here then or do you still…" she started.
"Your place is quieter. Here everyone can just come in at any time, as was demonstrated twice today" he shrugged.
"Change the locks Josh" Nadia teased as she glanced about his room.
He laughed as he settled into his chair. "Yeah, then I would never quit hearing the damn bell" he laughed. "It's in the closet on the hook" he replied to her wandering eyes.
"Thanks" she replied.
He gathered up his box of tissue and a few other things he wanted with him and handed each thing to her behind his back as she took them gently from his hands and placed them in his bag.
"Ready?" she asked curiously as he glanced around.
"Yeah" he nodded.
"What about the soup?" she asked cautiously, having taken note of no bowl.
"Yours is better" he gave a hopeful smile.
She laughed softly shaking her head slightly. "We'll see Josh, we'll see" she replied a she slung the bag over her shoulder and started out the door with him behind her.
Nadia's…
He settled himself on her futon comfortably with the pillows she'd put out for him. "Thanks for letting me come over. Sometimes being there is too much a zoo" he smiled.
"I know Josh" she chuckled and handed him the tissue he was reaching for, to which he put on the table next to him. It was as though their motions were preplanned and routine, though they weren't. She stood after the bag was empty. "I'll see what I can do about feeding you" she chuckled as she walked through her living room to the kitchen.
"It's nice and quiet here" he sighed contentedly.
"I like it" she replied as she scanned her cupboard. "You're lucky Josh, I have one last jar" she called softly before taking a pan.
"Thanks Nadia" he replied, his eyes closing gently.
It wasn't so much that brand of soup or even the particular kind she had, it was that she always added things to it. Chicken noodle, and then she added veggies and more pasta to it, even spices to make it more flavorful. She had it simmering when she went to check on him.
She shook her head slightly to find him sleeping soundly. "What am I going to do with you?" she sighed softly.
"Nadia" he mumbled sleepily.
"It's okay Josh, rest" she replied softly as she tucked him in a little better. His fingers curled around the blankets. She went back to the kitchen and put the soup on low heat and grabbed her phone to call Greg.
"Hello?"
"Hello?" she eyed it after having pressed a speed dial number.
"Hello?"
"Joey?" she questioned as she put it to her ear.
"Yeah, is JC there?" he asked curiously.
"Yeah, I picked him up. He's sleeping though. Do you want me to wake him?" she asked, her tone telling of the need for emergence if he wanted her to wake the other man.
"No, no, that's fine. I just was wondering where he went to in such a hurry. I forgot something so I'm at his place" he hesitated for a moment. "Julie's not here, she left pretty quick then" his voice curious.
She shrugged. "I don't know Joey. He just asked me to come get him so I did…she puts me off so I left" she replied.
"What do you mean?" he asked curiously.
"The few times I've been around her, nothing I say seems to be right. She thinks she knows everything about him and I'm not about to argue with the woman" she replied with a shrug.
"You don't like her" Joey commented.
"I don't know her well enough to dislike her Joey. But on the other hand, I wouldn't choose to spend time with her from what I do know" she replied with a little shrug.
Joey laughed. "That about sums her up Nadia. I knew I liked you for a good reason. Tell JC I borrowed his black button shirt and I'll bring it back…clean" he added.
She laughed. "I will Joey. Have fun tonight."
He laughed. "I plan to. Night Nadia" he replied.
"Night Joey" she replied before hanging up.
"Nadia" he groaned.
She made her way across the room. "What is it Josh?" she asked gently.
"I'm sorry but, do you have any aspirins or something?" he mumbled rubbing his temples.
"Just a minute, I'll see what I have" she replied gently.
"Thank you" he mumbled.
She made her way back to the kitchen, setting the stovetop timer for the soup and glancing through the cupboard she kept medicines in. "Is it your head specifically?" she asked.
"Yeah" he groaned.
She laughed softly and took the bottle of Excedrin from the cupboard and got a glass of water as well.
She put the glass on the table after he took the pills, his head all but falling back with a groan. She stifled her laugh when she saw the pained expression on his face. "What can I do Josh?" she asked gently.
He looked at her pleadingly. She nodded and situated herself before her fingers brushed through his hair. He sighed quietly as she began massaging his scalp gently. "Thank you" he mumbled.
She knew he was asleep and carefully pulled herself away before the timer could sound. She poured the soup into a bowl, covering it before putting it in her icebox for later. She turned back to find him in a fit, tossing and turning.
She sat on the edge of the futon putting a hand on his back. "It's okay Josh" her voice soothing.
"Nadia?" he mumbled.
"It's okay Josh" she replied softly, rubbing his back.
He pulled her arm around him as he turned on his side.
Sure, I'll lay down awhile Josh. No problem. She shook her head slightly as she curled up behind him, her arms slipping around his waist.
He settled himself against her and sighed.
Chapter Twenty-Two