Love Metamorphosis

Chapter 28

                  

A sense of satisfaction passed over her as Jemma hung up the phone, and she settled back into the couch. It was Saturday so she wouldn't be seeing Lucy, but her mother had called to say that her daughter had slept the whole night without waking from a night terror. Jemma had heard her tears of appreciation and it had filled her with a sense of pride.

Going back to her Yoga mat she continued her routine, having stopped to take the phone call. She had been getting back into the routine of Yoga, breakfast, and work. On the weekend she always did Yoga two hours later at 8:00 am. Candice would be waking up at 10:00 am, having gone to bed close to 2:00 am, like she did every day.

She would be leaving shortly to arbitrate a new CEO's salary and perks as well as his duties and responsibilities. After the success with Lincoln Cole, Candice had taken a small break from traveling and taken a local, pro bono case; something she did from time to time. With that wrapping up she was ready to enjoy the Californian summer, Jemma had been laughing as she had eagerly packing her bags three days early.

Mary had called to say that Adele's custody case was going to be in New York on Monday, and that both her parents had been buried. Eric would be getting into town later that evening and Jemma's mind had hardly strayed from him. In one hand she felt like she was betraying Jeff and on the other she felt like she was grasping for happiness.

She thought of poor little Adele as well, and it made Jemma's particular tragedy seem less significant compared to her suffering. She wanted to be there to help Eric, but she wasn't sure how they would be together. She wanted them to at least go back to the way they had been before, but she feared that may not be possible.

The day passed in the same fashion, she went to lunch with her father and told him about Eric's custody hearing. Ezera told her how hard it had been for him to be a single parent and warned Jemma that she may have to stay in New York to help her friend through this transition. She had already been aware of the possibility, even more so considering her career but her father didn't know what had happened in the hotel room. No one knew. Not even Candice.

She wasn't even sure what had actually happened in the hotel room. Having overanalyzed it she could remember with clarity his restraint. She wondered if she had been so blind to his affections until that moment when he had touched her face. It was obvious that he cared for her greatly, but she had not thought it had been so closely coupled with desire. Jemma had felt the heat pass between them, what emotion had been caught in his throat?

Searching the airport for any sign of them she tried not to think about it anymore, but the more she tried not to think of it the more it crept in. She felt overdressed in a polka dot summer dress, with all its frills and the big bow she had tied to the back. It was one she had bought on a whim with Candice before her trip to see her brother. Now she wished Candice hadn't convinced her to wear it.

She smiled at the thought of Oliver. Her brother had proposed to Andrea early, because he had not been able to contain his excitement. She had readily accepted and they planned to marry the following March; after they had decided that May was much too warm for a wedding. Andrea had asked her to be a bridesmaid and Jemma had gladly agreed, knowing her brother was proud his plan had worked. Without actually seeing it to confirm she imagined he was likely patting himself on his back while Andrea was speaking with her.

All thoughts stopped when she saw him. Eric wore a simple white t-shirt and a pair of white washed jeans. He never looked more handsome then he did talking to Adele, pulling a single carry-on along with him in his 'commoner' clothes. Her breath caught in her throat as she waved to him, she knew that she was already half in love with him at that moment.

Adele broke free and ran to Jemma holding her little arms open wide. Jemma bent down and opened her arms as she greeted her, "Hello beautiful."

Her little arms wrapped around Jemma's neck and she hugged her close, swinging her back and forth a little. Adele was giggling like the happiest child in the world, as Eric finally caught up with her. He looked relieved to see her, and she gave him a normal smile as though to reassure him that everything was fine.

"Did you like the plane ride?" Jemma asked, setting her back down.

"I never been on one before, my daddy was scared of them," Adele explained, "I don't know why, they aren't any different than cars."

Jemma stood up. "Well did they feed you or should I take you out to lunch?" Jemma asked.

"They have icky food, even Uncle Eric didn't like it," Adele said, taking Jemma's hand. "I like the sandwiches you got me better."

"I thought you might," Jemma said with a laugh, "I packed a few in a lunchbox for us to share."

"Juice too?" Adele asked, tugging on her arm.

"You like apple juice, don't you?" Jemma asked as they reached the car.

"Apple juice!" She all but squealed as Eric took her little backpack off of her shoulders.

Jemma opened up the trunk of her father's Beemer and pulled out a little cold pack that she had packed their lunch in. Eric put his luggage and Adele's backpack into the trunk as Jemma buckled Adele into the back seat. Handing the lunch box over to Eric she got into the driver's seat and waited for him to buckle up. Jemma took a breath before she started the car, she was aware of him more now than she ever had been and she was afraid he knew it.