Chapter 29

After Nik and Jane finish their conversation, Jane decides she should probably pack everything back into her suitcase due to her upcoming relocation. Nik stays back for a moment. He has some thinking to do.

As soon as Jane makes it to the mammoth modern master bedroom. She heads for the master bathroom. She isn't sure if she should shower and get ready for the day now before she is packed, or if she should wait until she is in her future living quarters to shower. She doesn't even know the timeline that Nik has in mind for all of this. Is she going to be leaving immediately?

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Nik stands up from the library sofa and dials some numbers to set up a few last surprises before he is no longer able to spend time with Jane. Once he finishes making his calls, he heads up to his bedroom to find Jane. When he reaches her, she is still in the bathroom trying to decide if she should shower or just pack.

"What's going on in that beautiful brain, Jane?" Nik approaches her, stopping just a few inches before her. She looks up at him with uncertainty dimming her irises that are typically bright with excitement and wonder.

"Am I leaving now? Or do I have a little more time with you?" Jane bites her lower lip as soon as she finishes her statement because as the thought of leaving him crosses her mind again her eyes well up with tears. She is one more word away from breaking down on the floor of this stupid gorgeous bathroom.

"Not yet Jane. I have some surprises. I want to make our last full day together exciting and fun. I want you to forget about all this horrible blackmail shit for just one more day." He pauses his thoughts to reach out to her. He grasps her shoulders and pulls her into a tight squeeze, "Do you want to take a shower together? or would you like some alone time?"

"We can shower together. It's better for the environment anyway," Jane says jokingly. There's that witty humor he loves so much. If today is the last day he has with her, he wants to make it count.

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They finish their shower and then pack all of Jane's belongings. She attempts to lug the heavy suitcase over to the bed but Nik swiftly steals it from her and expertly carries it to the bed as if the damn thing was weightless. Jane huffs but gets over it quickly. She can manage on her own, but it is nice to have some help every once in a while.

Jane glances at the clock on the nightstand and realizes just how late it is already. So much for spending their last day together. It's already almost two in the afternoon. But before she has time to get upset, Nik whisks her away, out of the room, down the stairs, and off to some unknown part of the house, having her close her eyes to increase the air of mystery surrounding his actions.

When he pulls her into a room, she uncovers her eyes. They are in the home theater. Nik pulls her over to the reclining red leather couch that sits directly before the screen. Jane sits down while Nik messes around with the projector getting the film set up. Once it's rolling, he takes his place beside Jane, wrapping an arm around her shoulders, pulling her in to his side. Jane snuggles against him as 'A Walk To Remember' flashes across the title screen.

"A sad romance movie? Are you trying to make me cry today?" Jane loves this movie, but she worries the ending might be too much for her right now.

"I know the timing is awful, but this is one of my favorites. If you don't want to watch this right now I do have something else planned that utilizes this space."

"I think I want to do something else. Is that okay with you? I just don't think I have the strength to get through a tragic movie without sobbing right now." Nik nods and stands to go turn the film off. He curses himself for his insensitivity. What kind of idiot plays a movie about losing your loved one right when they are in their own crisis?

He gets everything set up for a different activity. Nik gestures for Jane to stand from the couch. He pushes the couch back a bit, creating more open space between the seat and the screen. After he does this, he hooks up the projector to his phone and hooks up a few other pieces of equipment. Once it's all set up, he returns to Jane and hands her something.

"A fucking Microphone? Jesus Nik, what are we about to do now? Some god damn Karaoke?"

"Absolutely that's what we are doing. Are you telling me you are too chicken to let loose and have fun with your closest friend, well closest proximity wise at the moment." He chuckles when Jane groans, too proud to let this handsome asshole think he can embarrass her.

Jane walks over to the makeshift song-selection station and puts on one of her favorite songs, Take Me to Church by Hozier. Nik is pleasantly surprised by the song selection. It's a good one. He takes a seat on the couch, preparing himself for the show. Jane sends a flirty wink his way before she starts her song.

My lover's got humor

She's the giggle at a funeral

Knows everybody's disapproval

I should've worshipped her sooner

Jane smirks, fully aware of her singing skills. It's like her secret talent. She and J frequent karaoke bars when they both have free time. Nik's goofy smile drops as soon as she starts singing. Her voice is sweet and sultry. Her range is insane, hitting both the lowest alto notes and the highest soprano notes of the song with no struggle. Her voice is incredible, but that's not it. Her performance skills are great too. She is singing, a small sway to her hips, intense eye contact on her audience. Her confidence is sexy.

Jane continues her siren song. Nik can feel his heart rate increase. Having her all to himself like this, being the only one she has her eye on, almost like her prey, it's tantalizing. 'Fuck I'm about to make a complete fool of myself,' Nik thinks to himself. Unfortunately, he does not possess a glorious voice. He might have a strong presence and confidence, but he sounds about as good as a fork in a garbage disposal.

Jane finishes and tosses the mic to Nik who fumbles a bit before catching it. She plops down on the sofa beside him, smirking. Nik can feel his face heating up. Something about her like this, makes him feel incredibly vulnerable. It's a strange, foreign feeling but it's not necessarily uncomfortable.

"Cat got your tongue lover boy?"

"I had no idea that i've been fucking the female reincarnation of Frank Sinatra. What the hell Jane? Why are you in research when you could be famous?"

Jane waves her hand at all his silly questions, "Quit trying to butter me up and take your damn turn. Or are you too scared?"

"I'm not scared at all." Nik hops up and picks his song. That's Amore by Dean Martin. If he is going to make a fool of himself, he's going to do it with style.

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The two go on like this for hours, Jane giving show-stopping performances and Nik being an absolute basket-case. It's nice. Refreshing. It almost makes them both forget about their predicament. Almost.

Realizing that it's close to five in the evening, Nik cleans up the karaoke equipment before leading Jane out of the home-theater/recreation space and into the dining room. Jane gasps when she is met with possibly the most romantic dinner setting she has ever seen.

At the center of the space is Nik's mother's table. It's covered with an oatmeal colored table cloth. The runner is a rich chocolate brown. Two places are set with porcelain plates, transparent champagne glasses and regular glasses, along with the necessary silver cutlery. The ceterpiece for the table is an intricately designed polished silver candlestick holder, covered in lit candles. Beside the candlestick is a bouquet of elegant red roses. Nik pulls out Jane's chair for her, handing her the bouquet.

The lighting in the room is dim. The candles being the main source of light makes it difficult for Nik to see the entirety of Jane's amazed expression. He pushes her chair in and then takes his seat across from her. Once he is seated a person approaches the table and distributes appetizers and pours drinks for the couple. Once the person has retreated into the kitchen, Jane clears her throat to speak.

"Nik this is beautiful, but why go through all this effort for me?" Jane's pale cheeks are tinged with a light pink blush.

"Why wouldn't I?" His nonchalant response catches her off guard.

"Well I mean, I feel like I'm practically a stranger to you." Jane fibs, not wanting her feelings to show.

"Don't say that. Just because we have only known each other for a short time doesn't mean I don't know you." Nik's eyes graze over her features.

"Oh yeah, sure." Jane responds, attempting to push her hope away. Having hope gets you hurt.

"I'm serious. I care about you Jane." Nik takes a few sips of whatever alcoholic beverage had been served before continuing, "I think I might even love you Jane."

"You mean it? This isn't like some kind of sick joke?" Her anxiety is obvious. Instead of immediately easing her worries, Nik stands from his seat and saunters over towards her. Being more than a foot away from her annoys him. Jane stays frozen in place, like a wild rabbit who feels the presence of a predator.

Nik reaches his hand out to her. She hesitantly takes it. He helps her up before taking her seat and then pulling her onto his lap. His favorite position, holding her against him. Jane averts her gaze to anything but him. He caresses her cheeck with his palm, gently turning her face to his. The only thing separating their lips are a few inches of tension filled air. She musters up all of her courage and meets his stare.

"I absolutely mean it Jane. It hasn't been long but I'm certain about this connection we have. More certain about this than anything else."

Jane nods, still bracing herself for some type of 'but' that's surely going to come. I mean, he is Nikolaos Romano and she is just Plain Jane. A few moments of silence pass between them but he doesn't say anything else.

"I-I think I'm in love with you too." Her statement is almost inaudible but Nik is so focused on her, that he hears every single syllable.

Nik pulls her into him, closing that distance between them. Instead of a searing kiss like she was expecting, he embraces her tightly, one arm wrapped around the small of her back, the other holding her head against his shoulder. She can feel his hands shaking as they hold her. She never would have imagined that anything could shake this beast of a man, least of all her, but here they are.

Nik kisses the side of her head. Jane pulls back so she can look at him again. His eyes are wide, eyebrows raised. He looks like a terrified child. Jane reaches for his vacant hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. Some of his fear dissipates.

"We should probably eat some of this before it gets cold." Jane whispers. Nik nods.

"Yeah you're probably right."