Lisa Ch. 09a

Nathan nodded. "I'm sorry."

"Sweetie, you don't have to apologize to me, but I bet your brother wouldn't argue if he got an apology."

"Sorry Leo." Nathan said.

"It's okay... this time. But don't do it again." Leo said.

"On another note." Jessica said looking the boys over, "we would like to meet your friends when you make them. Maybe tomorrow when we drop you off at the club?" Jessica asked.

The boys nodded and to the surprise of everyone but Jessica it seemed, they were very excited about the prospect.

"Who's ready to eat?" Leah asked.

If noise level alone was any indication the boys had the adults beat in the starvation department.

The restaurant was a block over so they walked.

When they got to the door Jessica looked up in surprise when Riley and Angus gently disentangled their hands from hers. Riley gave her a sad smile and tilted his head toward Jim who was holding his hand out to her.

"Oh, right." Jessica said taking his hand. Not knowing what to do with her empty other hand she clasped his in both of hers as they went in to the restaurant.

"You think they 'll know what to do with all of us?" Jim whispered in her ear as the boys clamored into the restaurant ahead of them.

"You made a reservation, right?" Jessica asked.

Jim nodded, "Do you think it's going to help?"

"Looks like we have a section to ourselves." Jessica said as the waiter led them to a section of the restaurant where a group of tables sat empty. "They may survive us after all. But, um, maybe we should have talked to the boys about appropriate behavior for a fancy restaurant."

"Leah did. They promised they'd be good." Jim said. "Maybe they need a reminder."

"Let's give it a few minutes. This is all new for them so they're probably excited."

"Okay, you tell me when you think it's time to step in."

"Alright, and thanks." Jessica said when Jim pulled the chair out for her. He sat in the chair to the right of her.

"It's a good thing we made a kids table." Leah said sitting across from Jessica, Corey beside her, Chris on the other side of her. "Or the boys would be all over you."

"They're so cute." Jessica said, "We should take some pictures."

"Got it." Scott said getting up with his cell phone and turning the camera on. He walked around and took pictures of all of them.

Riley sat on Jessica's other side and throughout the meal he'd gently remove his hand from hers, or slide her hand off his arm when Jessica forgot and inadvertently touched him. Jessica tolerated this even though she really didn't like it or see the point in it, but when she kissed Riley without thinking, and he got up and went to sit with the boys, Jessica had had enough. As usual, she wasn't very hungry. But the added stress of having to remember to not be affectionate with everyone but Jim made all desire to eat disappear.

As they waited for dessert to be served and Jim was busy talking to Caleb who sat next to him, Sara slipped into the empty chair where Riley had sat. Josh, Scott, and Angus had joined Riley at the kid table. Sean, Corey and Mark were standing and talking with Rick and Abe so Justine and Amanda shifted into their chairs.

Sara leaned close to Jessica. "Every woman in this place is drooling over the men."

"Well, who can blame them?" Jessica asked.

"Isn't there some etiquette about ogling other women's men?" Justine demanded.

"Sure, when people know that the men belong to someone else." Amanda said in a bitter voice, "But since we're not allowed to show anyone that we're with more than one man, it's hard for other women to know they're off limits."

"Yeah. This sucks." Jessica agreed.

"Well, at least your men have surrounded themselves with children." Justine said, "That should repel at least some women."

"I think they're hiding from me." Jessica said, unable to keep the sadness from her voice.

"Hiding from you?" Leah asked.

Jessica nodded, "I can't get used to not being with them. I'm supposed to be with Jim tonight but I kissed Riley. I think he may be mad at me."

"Sweetie, he's not mad." Leah said, "He's doing his best to protect you. Your men are convinced that you'll be black balled if it's known that you're married to five men."

"But I told them that I don't care. Society can black ball me all they want, I don't want to pretend that we're not together."

"I know you think that Jess, but you've never been black balled before." Justine said. "Look at Beth and what happened to her. She was a stranger in her own home. I don't think she will ever get over that."

"I hadn't thought of that." Jessica said.

"I think the men are right about this." Justine said.

"Maybe when we leave the clan we shouldn't get too close to society." Jessica said. "I'm happy with the way things are now. If we could be ourselves that would be different but since we can't I don't want or need society."

"We could have the best of both worlds. Exist in society to get what we need and then just live our lives the way we want. I think that's a great idea." Leah said.

"What's a great idea?" Jim asked.

"Paying our bill so we can get out of here." Leah said glaring at some women at a nearby table. "Before we have to get nasty."

"They're ogling you guys." Jessica said to Jim when he stared at Leah in surprise.

"Now you know how we feel." Jim said.

"What?" Jessica demanded.

"Every one of you ladies is most definitely here with a man. And yet every man here has been watching you... intently."

"Ahuh."Jessica said.

"You don't believe me!" Jim said in disbelief.

Jessica cuddled up to him. "Can we go on our date now?" she asked, batting her eyelashes at him.

"But you didn't eat."

"She ate some. It's really filling... French food is filling." Leah said when Jessica looked at her plate as if she realized for the first time that she had food in front of her.

"Is that why the servings are non-existent?" Jim asked.

"Eat mine." Jessica said pushing her plate toward him, "I really can't eat another bite. Please Jim, I don't want you to be hungry." She added when he cocked an eyebrow at her.

"Fine." Jim said taking her food, "But tomorrow I'm going to sick Abe and Sean on you."

"We're sicking ourselves on her." Abe said. Jessica looked up to find Abe and Sean looking at her plate and looking less than impressed.

"From now on you eat with us." Sean said pointing two of his fingers at his eyes and then at her over and over. Jessica laughed despite herself.

"Alright, I'll go pay the bill." Jim said shoveling the last bite into his mouth.

"All taken care of." Quinn said.

"Thanks. Let's go then." Jim said taking Jessica's hand.

Jessica couldn't help but notice that Riley, Scott, Josh and Angus stayed with the boys and left ahead of her and Jim.

"What's wrong Jess?" Jim asked when Jessica looked sad. Following her gaze he said, "You have no idea how badly they want to protect you. Distancing themselves from you is the only thing that will work."

"So tomorrow you'll ignore me too?"

"Jess, if it bothers you that much we'll have to come up with some other plan. We want you to have a good time. The last thing we ever wanted to do was upset you."

"No, it's okay Jim, honest." Jessica said feeling like a heel. Jim looked so upset and she saw her men watching her. They'd be upset too. She mentally kicked herself for being so selfish. "I'll just say goodnight to the boys, before we go, okay?"

"We have to go upstairs to change." Jim said, "We're way too dressed up for what I have planned. But I think Rick and Abe are taking the boys out so you should say good bye to them here anyway."

"I was so proud of you tonight boys." Jessica said when the group stopped in front of the hotel, "You were so well behaved."

"Uncle Abe and Rick are taking us to the arcade." Brett said.

"We're on babysitting duty." Rick explained.

"That's nice of you." Jessica said kissing both on the cheek. "It's greatly appreciated."

"No prob. You have fun tonight." Abe said.

Jessica kissed all the boys good night.

They watched Rick, Abe, and the boys go. Then Justine, Chris and Mark went in one direction, Amanda, Quinn, Don and Caleb, in another, Corey and Leah in yet another direction and Sara and Sean another. Soon they were the only ones left.

"Have fun Jess." Angus said caressing her cheek, "We'll be waiting for you, and we'll make up for lost time. Promise."

"Maybe we'll eat in for the rest of the week." Riley said in her ear, his lips lingering on her cheek, moving to her ear, her neck . He'd meant to peck her on the cheek but he couldn't let her go.

"I think we should." Jessica said.

"Then we will." Riley forced himself to straighten, brushed her forehead with his lips and let Scott take his place.

"It kind of sucked tonight, not being together in the restaurant. Didn't it?" Scott asked.

"Yeah, kind of." Jessica agreed.

"Well, we'll think of something to make up for that, okay?" Scott said. "Something really good."

"I can hardly wait." Jessica said and giggled when Scott wiggled his eyebrows at her.

"Have a good time." Josh said. "I want to work on the next comic book. Do you think you'd pose for me later? In the ah, garter belt?"

"Of course. Am I still going to be digitally challenged?" Jessica asked.

"We'll see." Josh said kissing her fully on the lips. "Shit, sorry, I forgot." He added looking around.

"That's okay. Forget some more, I don't mind." Jessica said.

"We're going up to change before we go." Jim said, "Are you guys coming up?|

"Yeah." Angus said, "But maybe we'll go to a separate room from you. I'm not sure she'll make it out again if we don't."

Jessica took Jim's hand, and she took Riley's hand as they headed into the hotel.

"Jess..." Riley said already trying to pry her hand free.

"Riley, are you doing this because you are uncomfortable with our relationship in public, or because you think you're protecting me?" Jessica asked stopping and staring up at him, refusing to let him pry his hand free. Granted he didn't try very hard.

"Jess..." he said again, shaking his head.

"Because I know it's not nice being black balled. Justine was right, Beth had a hard time... sorry." Jessica added when Angus blanched. She let go of Jim's hand and slid into Angus' arms, "But I don't care. I really don't. I love you all and I don't care who knows or what they think about it."

"Okay, okay." Scott said smiling like the happiest man in the world. "We won't pretend. But given that this is our honeymoon why don't we at least try to be subtle about it?"

"And after this, who the hell cares. If you really don't care then neither do we." Josh said.

"Perfect." Jessica said incredibly relieved. Keeping her arm around Angus she took Jim's hand. "Let's go change."

Upstairs Jim and Jessica changed in their main room while the men hung out in the next room.

"Wear something comfortable. Jeans and runners are about right." Jim said.

Jessica changed into jeans, t-shirt and sweatshirt, and put her hair into a ponytail.

They went next door to say goodbye to the other men.

"We won't stay out too late." Jim said.

"Take your time." Riley said, "She who never sleeps won't be in a rush to go to bed later anyway." He said, chuckling when Jessica pretended to glare at him. "Whenever you get back will be early enough to get everything out of our system. And I do mean everything."

Jessica shivered with anticipation as she kissed each of them goodbye .

"This way." Jim said out on the street again. "You're really happy about not pretending anymore aren't you?" Jim asked when she skipped along beside him.

"Yes, yes, yes!" Jessica said and threw herself against him as they walked. "You look pretty happy too." Jessica observed.

"Better believe it." Jim said pulling her in for a kiss. "I love things the way they are. I don't want a thing to change... except the part about getting out of the clan."

"I love you." Jessica said kissing Jim and sighing with pleasure when Jim stopped and pulled her in for a real kiss. The kiss was long and deep and they were both breathless when they finally came up for air. Clinging to one another, their lips brushing, Jessica slid her hand under Jim's shirt and laid it flat over his heart.

"I love you too." Jim said, "So much. I know it was an awful day for you, but the day you came into my life was my best day ever. I wish we'd met under different conditions, and I wish more than anything I could give you your family back... but despite all of that you're the best thing that could've happened to me."

"I can't imagine a life without you Jim. Like you said, there were a lot of bad things about that day... many things I wish could change, but meeting you isn't one of them. I can't wait to grow old with you."

"Till death do us part Jess. We have some time before we get old but if we stand here much longer we may get too old for what I have planned." Jim said unable to resist kissing her again.

"Did you plan a lot more of this?" Jessica asked trying to catch her breath when their lips finally parted. "I hope..."

Jim chuckled, "But of course. Tonight has three parts to it. We're starting with the romantic part. Come on."

He took Jessica's hand and led her to a very tall building with a huge saucer like portion on top.

"This isn't a structure that actually exists in France." Jim said once a waiter had shown them to a private enclave with a love seat, an ornate little table filled with food, and a huge window through which they could see the Eiffle tower, the Seine, everything. "They built it especially for the resort. This whole floor turns, so we'll get to see all of France in the next hour, from above."

"It's so beautiful!" Jessica said going to the window, towing Jim with her by her hand.

"And when we're ready we just press that button..." Jim said pointing to a button on the wall, "and we'll get a guided tour of France . They provide information about all the features we see. It takes over an hour since they have all of France crammed into the resort but don't have to stay for the whole thing if you don't want to."

"I do." Jessica said sliding into Jim's arms, "We're not in a hurry, right? Unless we have to be somewhere for a particular time for the next part of the night..."

"No, we can get to all following parts at whatever time we want." Jim said and pulled Jessica in for a kiss. "Should we sit?" Jim added when the kiss ended, indicating the sofa with his head.

Jim guided Jessica to the sofa and pulled her onto his lap.

"And we have food and wine for the evening too. And before you make the face that you always make when food is involved, you don't have to eat all of it. But enough to make up for the fact that you didn't eat at dinner. I didn't make a big deal about it then because I knew you'd have food later but you have to eat tonight. Okay?"

"Okay." Jessica. "Can we push the button now?"

"Go for it."

Jessica pressed the button, raced back to the sofa, slipped off her shoes, tucked her feet under her, and snuggled under Jim's arm.

For the next hour they listened to the history of France and its historic icons.

Jim tried to keep feeding a slow but steady stream of food to Jessica as they listened but Jessica was mesmerized by the information and view. Jim wondered how much of that was the reason that she was chewing so slowly and how much was the fact that she clearly didn't want to eat but he couldn't bring himself to push her. Just watching her, the way she looked when she was so thoroughly involved with something, was mesmerizing for him. But despite the slow progress, Jim was surprised to find that he'd fed her quite a lot of food.

When the recorded tour ended Jessica turned to Jim and found him still watching her.

"That was great. So much information. It kind of makes you want to go to France for real, doesn't it? Are you okay?" Jessica asked when Jim just stared at her.

"I love you." Jim said playing with her hair. "And I've been holding this same grape for the past twenty minutes."

"Oh, sorry." Jessica said opening her mouth. Jim fed her the grape and watched her take small, slow tentative chews.

Jim shook his head. "I think they taste good." He said popping a grape in his mouth. "But the most interesting thing..." he said holding a finger to Jessica's lips when she was about to say something, "is that even though you ate slow, you ate a lot. I managed to get more into you tonight then we have all week. I bet if we distracted you somehow and just kept feeding you food, you'd eat what you're supposed to. I wonder what Abe and Sean would do with that idea."

By the expression on her face, Jessica knew exactly what they'd do. "And I guess you should tell them..." she said not looking at all happy about it.

Jim did his lopsided grin and stroked her cheek. "In your rules of telling or tattling," he began his eyes sparkling with amusement, "this case would fall under the telling category."

But when Jessica said, "I'm not in danger." Jim's face transformed from amused to concerned.

"That is arguable. You were skinny to begin with Jess, now you're moving to skeletal. We can see the bones in your chest. You look like you're going to disappear."

"I won't disappear." Jessica said getting on her knees and pushing Jim back she leaned against him, looking down at his face, caressing it. "I'm still strong."

"Oh, I know." Jim said in a tone so guttural it left little doubt how he knew. A charge rippled through them both . Jessica pressed against him, lowering her lips to his. Hungry, urgent kisses escalated to demanding, X rated kisses involving tongues and tonsils. If it weren't for the waiter walking in, muttering 'Excuse me' and stumbling out, they would have been naked in the next few seconds.

"Shit." Jim hissed as they clung to one another, panting. "We'd better get out of here. Sex comes later, right?" he asked. Jessica wanted the sex now as it was clear Jim did, but through the haze of lust Jessica realized that they'd both regret not completing their evening first.

"Right." She agreed but couldn't bring herself to do what she knew would make it easier for both her and Jim to calm down. Rather than move away from him, give him space, Jessica pressed even harder against him. "Isn't it weird that it took so long for us to have sex? We didn't need it then but now I just can't stop wanting it."

Jim nodded, his eyes glued to hers. "When we have sex we're as physically close as we could possibly be. I love that. We always had the emotional closeness but sex just makes it tangible. And, ah, we can go back to the hotel you know."

"I know. And I really want to, but I also really want us to finish our night out. I think we may regret it if we don't. Not immediately..." she said with a giggle when Jim looked at her like she was crazy, "but eventually. We don't often come to places like this."

"You're right... you're right." Jim said obviously trying to convince himself.

"And it would probably help if I got off of you, but I can't seem to." Jessica said pressing even harder against him.

Jim nodded his head, took Jessica by the arms and gently but firmly pushed her off of him. Once Jessica was on her feet she seemed able to think more clearly and she took a couple of big steps back.

"I need to go to the bathroom... take the edge off." Jim said standing and looking like he was torn between grabbing her or running out the door. "Do you want to go first?" he asked looking her up and down, his face twisted with discomfort. He looked like he was sucking on a lemon. Jessica wondered if she looked the same.

Jessica shook her head. "A public washroom won't work for me. I'll have to go with mind over matter."

"Oh, right." Jim said, and the realization made his face twist even more. He turned for the door.