Getting There

Chapter 10

Chapter 10

It's been three days since the ambush at the restaurant, and for those three days. Jack and Leah spent those days hunting down the perfect place for them to move into, and the nights were spent with Jack continuing to make up for lost time. Valerie invited the two of them to have dinner with her and Adam at their place. There was only a month and a half till the wedding, and Valerie wanted to get to know the woman who snagged her brother's heart; better. Leah and Jack sat across from Adam as Val put the food on the table.

"There let's eat." Val proclaimed as she sat down the pitcher of iced tea and took her sit next to her fiancé.

"Val is this mom's Shepard's pie?"

"It is I have been practicing." She beamed as she served the dish.

"Way to dig into those Irish roots." He took a bite. "I have to say Val this is dangerously close to being better than mom's."

"Thanks Jack." Everyone begin to eat in silence, Adam's eyes never left his plate, and he began to sip from his iced tea when Valerie decided to speak.

"So Leah did you guys find an apartment yet?" Adam choked on his drink.

"You're moving? Since when?" He glared questioning Leah. Valerie face went red and her hand covered her mouth.

"I'm sorry; I didn't know you haven't told him yet." Val sent and apologizing looks at the couple across from her. Jack shoved another spoonful of food in mouth and averted his eyes elsewhere.

Leah cleared her throat, "Since three days ago, Jack suggested this new stage in our relationship and I agreed. I didn't want to say anything until we found a place."

"Really?" Adam knew she was lying to him. Since the incident at the hotel, and near destruction of their friendship he became even more protective over her. She became this precious jewel to him that her didn't want to see tarnish.

"Yes, really." She refused to let him break her. She knew if she had told him earlier her would lecture her. Adam nodded his head, and pushed back on his chair.

"Can I talk to you for a minute?" Leah fought the urge to roll her eyes. She took a deep breath, excuses herself and followed him out the door. Jack glanced over at Valerie, and shrugged his shoulders.

"Jack can I ask you a question?" Jack nodded sitting his fork down on his plate and giving his little sister his full attention.

"Do you think there was once something between those two, I mean I know he cares for her deeply, but sometimes I get this feeling, that there was something more with them." Her glance dropped down to her lap.

"You know I once thought the same thing. I never asked her about it. I figured she is with me and what would knowing really change. I still love her and she still loves me, we are together. I rather not know to be honest. I don't want to see them and think of them in any other light besides just friends."

"You're right." She agreed, "I think I'm just letting my nervous get the best of me. The past is the past, he and I are together. I just need to understand I'm not going to be the only female, besides his mother that he cares for."

Jack smiled, "Good. Now telling me about how you got this recipe out of mom."

"Adam if you asked me out here to talk me out of moving in with Jack- "Leah words were cut short as Adam arms wrapped around her tightly. He hid his face into her shoulder. He sighed, "I'm falling apart." Leah heart went heavy hearing the sadness in his voice. She pulled from with him her eyes closed to take a moment to herself.

"What wrong Adam?" She finally opened her eyes to see his fingers run through his hair.

"It feels like so much is changing too fast. I can barely catch my breath. Leah I can swear, You are my comfort zone. So many things are becoming different and I think the pressure of everything is beginning to get to me again. I don't know how to cope with it. Val, the wedding, you and the things that's has been happening to our friendship. I don't think I could do this. I don't think I could get married. There is so much I still haven't done. I'm freaking out."

Leah grabbed her friend's face in her hands, "Adam, look at me. Do you love her?"

"Yes, I'm pretty sure that I do. I just have been having second thoughts on everything." She released his face and he shoved his hands in his pocket and started to pace.

"It is natural for you to doubt things when the wedding is close. There is nothing to fear Adam. You two love each other."

He stopped and nodded, "Your right, I'm just paranoid. I feel like I'm going insane sometime. I haven't even touched my guitar. I have been a bit antsy. I am sorry for what just happened I really am, I just needed something familiar to me right now. Why didn't you tell me about this moving in with Jack?"

"Because I knew you wouldn't like it but-"

"No, Leah you don't have to say anything. You are a grown woman. I can't expect you to remain in the same spot as things are changing for me. I just need to work on my possessive behavior and aggression issues."

Leah chuckled behind her hand, "Possessive behavior and aggression issues, huh, Valerie became your therapist?"

"Hush, I'm trying to be an adult here. I am going to respect and trust your decisions. You have always proved that you are more than capable of handling yourself. I'm just have a problem letting you go, and it had cause us both to push things further than we should have and almost destroyed us. So with that I say congrats." Leah could feel the tears building she rushed to hug him. They both held on tightly.

"That meant the world to me, Adam." She cried into his shoulder.

"And you mean the world to me, Leah. Don't forget that." The front door opened, with Jack behind it.

"Should I be worried?" Jack joked and crossed his arms.

Leah pulled back, and wiped her cheeks.

"Hey what's wrong?" The question was asked to Leah but his frown was all for Adam. Adam shook his head and began walking passed. He placed a hand on his shoulder.

"It's nothing, man. I trust you to take care of her, Jack." Then he vanished inside.

Jack hand went to Leah's waist, "Are you ok? Was he ragging on you? Say the word and I will kick his butt."

Leah smiled at the halfhearted threat, "No, it's not sad tears, Jack. He congratulated us on the next step in our relationship. It was good to hear him accepted us. Then I got all girly."

"Well that's great, right?" He planted a small kiss on her lips. "Now come on before your dinner gets cold." Taking her hand in his he ushered her back inside.