Why Bother?

“Joanne!” Hearing her name called out by a male voice across the mall crowded with last-minute holiday shoppers made Joanne sigh. Eve had been right in her predictions regarding Joanne now being considered ‘cool’ by her schoolmates, particularly after the incident with Derek at Mary’s party the weekend before. It was as if people, particularly boys in school, suddenly realized that two of the most popular guys in school were interested in Joanne, and now she was interesting to others, too.

Turning around with a look of annoyance on her face, Joanne immediately brightened. “Oh, Mark, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize it was you.” She gave Eve’s boyfriend a welcoming grin as he approached her. “Doing some Christmas shopping?” Joanne asked, motioning towards a nearby bench for them to sit down.

“I’m trying,” Mark shrugged, looking frustrated. Joanne realized just then that she had never spoken to Mark without Eve around, and that she had also never seen him in anything but a good mood. But today things were different – it was obvious Mark was bothered by something.

“Having a hard time finding the right gifts?” Joanne asked. She had actually been lucky with her Christmas shopping this year – she’d found a beautiful mirror for her parents in an antique shop, paid way too much for a designer lipstick that Eve had been hinting about for a while, and had managed to get an autographed jersey of Jake’s favorite soccer player on eBay. Right then, she was just picking up a few odds-and-ends gifts for the extended family that would be by on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and then she would be done.

“Something like that,” Mark said, and it was the first time she had ever seen him look bashful.

“Are you looking for something for Eve?” Joanne asked kindly. “Because maybe I could help you with that.”

Perking up a little, Mark smiled at Joanne. “Would you?” he seemed excited by the prospect of help. “I mean, everything I pick up feels stupid, and I really want to get her something she’s going to be happy with.”

“She’d be happy with anything you got her, because it came from you,” Joanne said with a cheesy grin.

“Okay, you realize we’re talking about my girlfriend, right?” Mark smiled, his eyes lighting up with amusement the way they normally were when Joanne saw him. “No, Eve wants what Eve wants, and nothing less.”

Letting out a laugh, Joanne had to agree. “No one has ever accused Eve of being shy about telling you what she thinks, that’s true,” Joanne nodded. “Okay, I’ve got, like, the next hour free. So let’s think about this… What do you think Eve wants? Has she given you any hints, mentioned something pretty she saw more than once, or being Eve, handed you a catalogue with a picture circled and her size and shipping preferences attached with a yellow sticky note?”

“You really do know her pretty well, don’t you?” Mark said admiringly. “Eve and I have been… well, let’s just say that we’ve been… friends since shortly after she moved here last year. And I’ve never seen her open up to anyone in that time like she does to you.”

“Well, I’ll take that as a compliment,” Joanne smiled. “Thank you. But she also hasn’t cared enough to date any one guy since she moved here except you, don’t forget.”

Shaking his head, Mark looked like he wanted to say more, but he just shrugged after a minute. “Anyway, do you have any ideas what I should get her? Anything she may have told you that she wanted me to get her?”

“No, nothing she said directly,” Joanne was thoughtful as she leaned back on the bench. “Well, how about this… Tell me what you want from Eve, and maybe I can work backwards, try to help you see where you two converge.”

Looking into Joanne’s eyes, Mark gave her a small sad smile. “Eve can’t give me what I want,” he said softly but with resignation. “I want her to love me, and it’s just not in her. I mean, I just think she’s one of those people who only has so much to give -”

“That’s crazy!” Joanne looked at Mark, whose expression was clearly filled with hopelessness. “I’m sure Eve loves you, Mark. Maybe she doesn’t say it…”

“No,” Mark’s voice was strong. “She has told me how she feels – she says that she cares about me, that I’m important to her – but she always tells me not to ask about love, or she won’t stick around. I’m not sure where that comes from in her, but… well, I’d rather be with Eve and in love with her, even if she doesn’t love me back, than to be without her.”

This was an extremely shocking conversation for Joanne. To begin with, Mark had just bared his soul to her when, previous to this, their relationship had consisted of friendly joking and banter. Additionally, what Mark had told Joanne about Eve was hard to take. Eve was such a free spirit, so open and alive. So how could she have told Mark that she wouldn’t even talk to him about love?

“Listen, I’m sorry,” Mark looked embarrassed as he watched Joanne get lost in thought. “I had no right to lay this all on you. I guess you’re just one of those people that it’s easy to talk to – Jake and Eve say it all the time when you’re not around.”

“Please don’t apologize,” Joanne told Mark with a kind smile. “Listen, Eve has… a different way of looking at the world than anyone I’ve ever met, but I wouldn’t be so sure about how she feels about you, despite what she may have said. I wish I could give you a better answer, but I can’t…” The more Joanne thought about it, the more it dawned on her that Eve probably had trust issues with men. With the exception of Jake, who had always played the protector role to her, she never let herself get emotionally close to men. But all this was way too personal to discuss with Mark, considering that Joanne didn’t even know if Mark knew about Mr. Reynolds. Instead, she tried to change the subject back. “So for now, let’s get back to talking about what you should get her for Christmas. And I think I’ve got just the thing.”

Leading Mark into a department store, Joanne began collecting an assortment of body oils, scented candles, and massage aids. “Now this will only be good if you do it right,” she told Mark. “This needs to be in a nice bag, with a note promising a night of Eve-pampering, complete with dinner and a massage.”

Looking at Joanne admiringly, Mark grinned. “She’ll love it,” he replied. “Eve loves nothing more than being pampered. And it’ll make me feel good, too. If I can’t make her love me, I can at least make her enjoy me… And that wasn’t supposed to sound quite as dirty as it came out. Sorry.”

Letting out a small laugh, Joanne shook her head. “I know what you meant, Mark, don’t worry. And I’m glad I could help.”

Exchanging a few more words and a short hug, Joanne went on her way to finish her shopping. That had been a strange encounter. Before that day, Joanne had always looked at Mark as easygoing and laid back. It was obvious Eve had affected him pretty strongly, just like Jake had affected Joanne. “Those Reynolds’s do have a way about them, don’t they?” Joanne thought to herself with just a touch of nervousness.

-----

“Is this what normal families are like?” Eve asked as she climbed into the passenger side of Jake’s car. Their mother had decided to go back to LA again for Christmas, so Joanne had insisted that Eve and Jake come over for dinner. They had spent the last couple hours there with Joanne’s parents, her mother’s parents, and her aunt, uncle and baby cousin. Dinner was just about ready when Joanne’s mother had realized they were out of butter, and Eve and Jake had volunteered to make a run to the 7-11. Joanne would have joined them, but her cousin seemed to have taken permanent placement on her hip and cried every time Joanne tried to put him down.

“It’s hard to believe, huh?” Jake replied as he started the engine. “They are just so nice. I mean, Jo’s parents bought us presents. I felt like such an ass, just bringing flowers.”

“They didn’t mind,” Eve said knowingly. “They’re all too happy to be together. Unlike our family, which would have been just another dad-raging, mom-pill-popping, me-crying, you-getting-hit holiday.”

“How much wine did you drink?” Jake looked suspiciously at Eve. It wasn’t like her to be so down, especially in a situation like this, where they were getting to celebrate a holiday without their parents.

“Jo’s mom gave me a glass of wine,” Eve said defiantly.

“And how many times did you refill that glass when no one was looking?” Jake asked, a smile pulling at the corners of his mouth. He knew how Eve’s logic worked. A ‘glass’ of wine was a ‘glass’ of wine, no matter how many times it was refilled.

“Okay,” Eve laughed. “I may have poured a teensy bit more in when everyone left the kitchen.” She paused to look at her brother before reaching over to put a friendly hand on Jake’s forearm. “Listen, I’m sorry. I was being a party-pooper. That is so not me, and it is so over now. Let’s just get the butter and get back to Jo’s house to celebrate Christmas with a family that’s actually happy to have us around.”

Nodding, Jake gave his sister a small smile. Eve was right; Joanne’s family did want them at their house for Christmas, and that was a great feeling. Somehow, anything that had to do with Joanne went right in Jake’s life. She was like a good luck charm, and he never wanted to lose her.

-----

“I’m so glad you guys came over,” Joanne said as she walked Jake and Eve to their car later that night. She paused to enjoy the warmth of the evening air. It amazed Joanne sometimes that people would live in cold, wet climates when they could just as easily be in southern California enjoying beautiful weather all year round. “I’ll call you tomorrow?” she directed her question to Eve.

“I get it,” Eve rolled her eyes. “That’s your nice way of telling me to get in the car so you can make out with my brother. Fine, it’s Christmas. I’ll do it. You guys have five minutes,” she told them as she leaned over to hug Joanne. “And thanks for inviting us,” she added in a very un-Eve-like shy voice.

Smiling at Eve, Joanne then turned her attention to Jake. “I’m glad you came over,” she told him softly, wrapping her arms around his waist. “I really liked my earrings, but this was almost a better gift – getting to be with you today.” She tilted her head back as Jake leaned down to kiss her softly.

“Today was great,” Jake said. “And I loved the jersey. But when are we getting naked?” Her eyes widening, Joanne didn’t know how to respond. “I mean, I assumed my real Christmas present was going to be sex, right?”

Joanne didn’t know what to say. “Oh, I, um…” But then she caught the mischievous twinkle in Jake’s eyes. “You’re a jerk,” her cheeks turned pink with embarrassment as she shoved him lightly.

“You should know me better than that, Joanne,” Jake admonished in a kind voice. “I was just teasing. I’ll wait as long as you need me to, you know that.”

Looking at Jake, Joanne felt tears filling her eyes. He was speaking the truth; Jake hadn’t pushed Joanne once for sex. They had been together three months, and he hadn’t complained at all. That was an unbelievable track record for a seventeen-year-old guy, particularly one that looked like Jake and had his experience. “I do appreciate that,” Joanne told him. “You’re very patient, especially considering I was ready to do you on our second date. Now look what you’ve done – you’re patient and you’re unlucky, I guess.”

“I am very lucky, and I am very in love. That’s what I am,” Jake grinned. “Anyway, I should get going. Eve’s going to start pounding on the windows if I make her wait in the car much longer. So, I’ll see you soon? I mean, we have the whole week off.”

“Absolutely,” Joanne leaned into Jake once again. “My family leaves tomorrow, and then we can spend the rest of the week together.” She kissed him once more before they parted, but Joanne stood on her front porch as they drove off, not ready to go back into the wonderful craziness of her family in the house.

“He is so amazing,” Joanne told herself. “Kind and patient and funny… and incredibly sexy.” It was almost as if she were repeating a mantra to herself. For some reason, over the past month, Joanne had been having some doubts about Jake. She didn’t doubt his love for her, or even her love for him, for that matter. It was just an indefinable feeling that she couldn’t shake, and she was starting to get very annoyed with herself.

“Maybe I just still cannot believe he’s with me,” Joanne thought. “And subconsciously, I’m trying to see some ridiculous problem that’s not there, to protect myself.” It could be that. It didn’t feel like it, but it could be that…

-----

“My family couldn’t get enough of Eve and Jake,” Joanne was telling Mark a couple days later. The foursome was gathered in the Reynolds’s living room, just hanging out. “My grandmother kept referring to Jake as that nice boy who brought her lilies. She assumed the flowers were just for her. And I think my aunt got a little annoyed with my uncle when he said ‘girls didn’t look like that one when I was in high school’, in reference to Eve.”

“Girls don’t look like me in high school today,” Eve smiled brightly, leaning back into Mark’s arms on the couch. “You’re a very lucky boy, and don’t you forget it,” she grinned at him over her shoulder.

“How could I?” Mark teased. “You never stop reminding me. Oof!” Mark gasped for breath as Eve elbowed him in the stomach.

Laughing, Jake slid his arm around Joanne’s shoulders. “Her family is fantastic, though,” he told Mark. “They were just laughing and joking the whole time, making me and Eve feel completely welcome. It was probably the best Christmas we’ve ever had.” He looked over at Eve, who nodded in agreement.

Mark shot Joanne a curious glance, and it was then that she realized Mark had no idea what Jake and Eve’s parents were like. He looked just a bit confused by how amazed his girlfriend and her brother were at the concept of a happy family gathering. Joanne was pretty sure just then that Mark came from a fairly normal household – at least one that refrained from heavy alcohol abuse and child-beating.

“Okay, it’s only two in the afternoon,” Eve had gotten bored of the conversation, as she so often did. “Let’s do something. We’re only young once – let’s take advantage of it!”

“I understand your desire to go wild, Eve,” Jake said in a dry voice. “But we don’t exactly live in the craziest town. What are our options? Miniature golf? Roller skating? Bowling? Ooh, I know. There’s a farmer’s market at the elementary school!”

The pillow that Eve had meant to throw at Jake hit Joanne in the head instead. “Sorry, Joey,” Eve giggled. “No, let’s go nuts. I know! Let’s go to LA! It’s only a two hour drive, and I know plenty of clubs we could get into. We could stay at that crappy hotel near where we used to live and come back in the morning.”

Looking warily at her, Jake began to speak. “I don’t know, Eve-“

“Actually, that sounds kind of fun,” Joanne interrupted, surprising Jake. “I mean, I’ve never done anything like that. I’ll just tell my parents I’m crashing here, and we could get all decked out…”

“That’s the spirit!” Eve sprung from her seat and tackled Joanne to the floor. “I knew there was a reason you’re my best friend.” She finally released Joanne and looked over at Mark. “Could you find an excuse?”

“Of course,” Mark grinned. “And I think it’s a great idea. I mean, at the very least, we’ll have something to look back on when we have to go back to school next week.”

Expectantly, Eve looked at Jake. He was still unconvinced to take part in one of his sister’s crazy schemes, but when he saw the hopeful look in Joanne’s eyes, he couldn’t help himself. “Fine,” he grinned. “You have one hour to get all your shit together, and we’ll head out. We’ll get the hotel right away so we have somewhere to put our stuff, we’ll grab some dinner and then we’ll go out.”

Looking at Joanne with bright eyes, Eve looked like she was going to pop with excitement. Jumping up, she grabbed Joanne’s hand and nearly dislodged her shoulder dragging her to her feet. “Come on, you heard your Nazi of a boyfriend,” Eve laughed. “We have one hour to scourge my wardrobe for clothes to wear.”

Watching the girls leave the room, Mark turned to Jake and grinned. “I have to say,” he admitted. “It makes me happy.”

“What does?” Jake asked curiously.

“Knowing that another guy is just as pathetically vulnerable to his girlfriend as I am,” Mark chuckled.

Looking at Mark, Jake took a moment before he spoke. “I know I’ve given you a lot of shit in the past,” he told his sister’s boyfriend. “But I should probably tell you that you’re an alright guy.”

“Thanks,” Mark replied. “And don’t worry. The ‘but if you hurt my sister, I will dismember you with a pocket knife’ was definitely implied.”

“I thought it was.”

-----

The drive had been fun, with Eve playing music loudly and singing. The hotel was a little dingy, but the sheets looked clean. The boys waited patiently, watching some bad sci-fi movie, in Mark and Eve’s room as the girls got ready in Jake and Joanne’s room.

“This is going to be so much fun!” Eve squealed to Joanne as she brushed her hair, staring into the tiny bathroom mirror.

“Surprisingly, I think it will be, too,” Joanne admitted. “Eve, I just wanted to say… thanks. I mean, my life has changed so much since we’ve become friends. I just wanted to let you know how much you mean to me.”

Giving Joanne a smile, Eve actually looked touched. “You’ve been good for me too, Jo,” she told her friend. “Don’t forget that. Before you, I didn’t have a friend I really trusted. Plus, seeing you and Jake being so sickeningly sweet together made me want to take a chance and actually try being in a real relationship for once. And look how well things are going now with Mark!”

Biting her lip, Joanne resisted the urge to mention anything that Mark had told her at the mall the week before. She would like to know how Eve felt about Mark – he was so nice, and he was obviously head-over-heels in love with Eve – but she decided this wasn’t the right time. Tonight was all about being fun and spontaneous. “So, does this shirt make me look like a hooker?” Joanne asked, looking nervously at her reflection in the mirror.

“Absolutely!” Eve giggled happily. “No problem with you getting carded with your boobs up to your chin like that!”

They ate at a restaurant downtown, far from anywhere Jake and Eve’s mother might see them – not that she’d be out. More likely, she was staying with one of her friends, high on Vicodan at the moment. Finally, Eve led them to a smaller club where she was sure they could get in.

“Eve!” the doorman greeted the beautiful girl with a big hug. “I haven’t seen you in ages. Where have you been?”

Joanne couldn’t believe that Eve used to sneak into clubs when she lived in LA. She had only been 14! But from the greeting she received from the large bald bouncer, it was obvious she had frequented this place when the Reynolds had lived in LA. “I should be happy that we’re going to get in, right?” Mark whispered to her. “Not totally freaked that this guy is looking at Eve like a starving man might look at a steak dinner?”

Touching his shoulder lightly, Joanne gave him a reassuring smile. “She’s happy with you, Mark,” Joanne said meaningfully. She couldn’t say for sure what Eve’s deeper feelings were, but she knew that she was happy with Mark. His grateful smile told Joanne that she had said the right thing.

After a few minutes of flirting, Eve was able to lead the group into the club with no problem. It was a small place, but it was already packed with people and it wasn’t even ten o’clock. Loud thumping music pulsed through the room and people were dancing.

“First round’s on me!” Eve said happily. “What does everyone want?”

Jake looked uncomfortable for the first hour they were there, but he started to loosen up after a few drinks, although it was still obvious he would prefer to be almost anywhere but at the club at that moment. “I’m going to use the men’s room,” he told Joanne, kissing her forehead. “You going to be okay?”

“I’ll be right here waiting for you,” she smiled at him.

Leaning back against the bar, Joanne watched the dance floor. Eve and Mark had drank twice as fast as she and Jake had, and were now dancing. “They’re pretty good,” Joanne admired silently, watching Mark move rhythmically while Eve played on the seductiveness of her movements.

“It’s okay that it makes me really uncomfortable to see my sister dancing like that, right?” Jake returned.

“It’s more than okay,” Joanne laughed. “But they look like they’re having fun. But you don’t,” Joanne threw a dirty look at him as he tried to object. “Please, Jake. We’ve been dating three months. I think I know when you’re not happy.”

“I’m sorry,” Jake apologized. “This just really isn’t my thing.”

”It’s not my thing, either,” Joanne told him. “But I wanted to see what it was like, and I appreciate that you came with me. Now, what do you say we leave these two to their own devices, go back to the hotel, and maybe I’ll let you do that thing to me again that you did a couple weeks ago…”

“Now, that seems like a perfect night to me,” Jake grinned happily. They told Eve and Mark that they were leaving and took a cab back to the hotel. Joanne was happy to wash all the makeup off her face that Eve had basically forced on her earlier in the night. She looked at herself in the mirror of the bathroom, wearing just her bra and underwear, and thought about the evening. She had really had a wonderful time, and Jake had been very sweet to do something that was so not him. Biting her lip, Joanne made a decision.

Sitting on the bed with the remote in his hand, Jake looked over and saw Joanne emerging from the bathroom. She was only in her bra and panties, and she looked beautiful. “Come here,” he beckoned, turning the television off and tossing the remote on the end table.

Within moments, they were wrapped up in each other. Joanne pulled at Jake’s clothing needfully, and soon they were both in just their underwear. Joanne kissed at Jake’s neck as his hands roamed her body, stopping to focus on the ever-moistening area between her thighs. He looked forward to exploring Joanne’s body again with his mouth, and didn’t want to get her too aroused just yet. Pulling his hand away, Jake heard Joanne sigh softly.

Jake moved his body back on top of hers and let his mouth drop to her breast. As his tongue teased Joanne’s nipple, his hips pressed against hers. Tiny cries were falling from Joanne’s lips as her nipple was licked and sucked until it was achingly hard. She was raising her hips to meet Jake’s movements, feeling his erection pushing through the fabric of their underwear against her body.

“Jake, wait a second…” Joanne panted. Without hesitation, Jake stopped moving and lifted his mouth from her breast.

“Don’t worry, Jo,” he told her. “I’m not trying to-”

“I am,” Joanne interrupted. “I mean, this probably isn’t fair to have not warned you before we got to the room, but I’m ready, if you have a condom with you.”

Immediately, she felt Jake’s body stiffen and he looked up at her hopefully. “You’re sure?” Jake asked, feeling his heart pounding in his chest. This was not the first time that he and Joanne had worked themselves up like this, but until now they had always stopped and finished another way. Joanne had never requested to sleep with him, and Jake had never pushed her. “You’re sure you’re ready?”

“I take it that means you have condoms with you?” Joanne smiled, her face flushed with desire. “Mr. No-Pressure may have actually been expecting something tonight?”

Blushing, Jake looked away from Joanne’s eyes. “I wasn’t expecting anything,” he promised. “I just might have been… hoping. You know, better safe than sorry…” He looked so embarrassed and apologetic, Joanne had to reach out and stroke his cheek reassuringly.

“I want to do this,” Joanne said confidently. She knew she should be nervous, she knew she should be afraid during the last moments before she lost her virginity, but looking into Jake’s caring eyes she couldn’t be. She wanted this; she wanted him. “Get a condom.”

Nodding, Jake felt almost like he was in a dream as he rose from the bed and crossed the room to his overnight bag, reached in and pulling out a box of condoms. He took one packet out and looked back at Joanne on the bed, who was sliding off her underwear. Taking off his boxers and leaving them in a pile on the floor, Jake crossed back to the bed and climbed onto his knees between Joanne’s thighs. “You know I love you, right?” Jake asked softly.

“I know,” Joanne replied with a smile. She watched as Jake opened the packet and removed the condom, rolling it on himself. Lying back down on top of Joanne, Jake kissed her deeply once more before leaning up on his forearm. The look of need was written across Joanne’s face, and there wasn’t even a trace of fear. He reached down, his hand shaking with the excitement of finally being with Joanne, and he led himself to her. He moved his hand back up to the pillow and looked down at Joanne.

As Jake was about to say something, Joanne interrupted. “I know I don’t have to do this,” she answered his unasked question. “And I know you’ll wait longer. And I know it’s going to hurt. I still want this, Jake.”

Smiling, Jake couldn’t believe how well Joanne knew him. She had guessed everything that he was going to say to her. Slowly, he began pressing into Joanne, rocking his hips as not to thrust into her all at once. “Are you okay?” he asked softly when he was about halfway inside her, his face inches from hers and his hands now buried in her hair. He had heard her let out a shuddered sigh.

Giving him a small smile, Joanne nodded. “All the way, Jake,” she instructed him softly but firmly. “Just… go all at once.”

Nervously, Jake nodded and then thrust hard until he was entirely inside Joanne. He heard her bite back a cry, and he saw her eyes fill with tears. “Joanne. Jo baby. Are you okay?” His face was nothing but concern. In that moment, Joanne couldn’t believe she had ever had doubts about him. He just watched her as she waited for a minute, seemingly trying to get used to this new invasion on her body. He didn’t move at all, not one bit, as he waited for some sort of response. As her eyes became less glassy, Joanne gave Jake a smile. “I’m okay now. You can keep going.”

Carefully, Jake began to move. His thrusts were unhurried and gentle, pulling back nearly all the way and then pushing back in slowly. He kissed Joanne in the same slow, kind manner, tracing her lips with the tip of his tongue, pulling her bottom lip between his teeth, massaging her tongue with his. His deliberate movements were soon rewarded as Joanne’s body started accepting Jake more. He felt Joanne’s hands now tracing lightly over his back, and her hips began raising to meet his thrusts.

It had hurt pretty badly at first, but Joanne had expected that. The pain subsided fairly quickly though, leaving an uncomfortable ache that was definitely manageable. Now she felt at ease enough to concentrate on other feelings she was experiencing. Lifting her hips, Joanne tried to match Jake’s rhythm as she felt his body moving in and out of her. His stomach deliciously pressed back and forth across her clit as he moved. His skin was soft and smooth under her hands. Joanne felt so good, so right, so amazed at that moment.

Cautiously, Jake began increasing the speed of his pace. His body was filled with desire, and waves of pleasure moved through him. Lifting his mouth from Joanne’s, Jake looked into her warm brown eyes again to make sure the faster strokes were okay with her. Smiling at him tenderly, Joanne locked her gaze on his. Familiar sensations began occurring deep in Jake – tightening muscles through his stomach and legs, an emergent aching in his balls, a lightheaded feeling. It only took a few more quick strokes to send Jake over the edge, closing his eyes tightly as he moaned softly and felt himself overwhelmed with pleasure, coming while buried deep within Joanne.

Joanne had watched Jake’s expression throughout his orgasm. Although he may have looked a little goofy for a few seconds, overall she thought he had looked more beautiful than she had ever seen him look. Concentration had tightened his jaw, small beads of perspiration had sprung out on his forehead, and for just a moment Jake forgot the rest of the world and concentrated on making himself feel good. As he opened his eyes, he gave Joanne a soft kiss and then smiled.

“I don’t know what to say,” Jake said softly. “Thanking you sounds weird. Asking if you’re okay again sounds patronizing. Will you settle for another ‘I love you’?”

“Always,” Joanne smiled up at him. “And I love you, too.”

Pulling out, Jake removed the condom and curled up beside Joanne. “I really didn’t expect this tonight…” Jake sounded like he was trying to convince Joanne something she already knew.

“Neither did I until half an hour ago,” Joanne replied as she curled up to him with her head on his chest. Pausing, Joanne seemed to want to add something. “Jake, this was perfect. I couldn’t have dreamed of a better first time.”

“I am so glad,” Jake wrapped his arms around her. “I want you to have the best of everything. I want to protect you, I want to take care of you, I want to love you forever.”

“It’s funny,” Joanne ran her fingers over Jake’s chest softly. “I want to do all that for you – protect you, take care of you, love you. I guess that’s why we work so well together, huh?”

“I would have to agree,” Jake felt sleep taking over his body.

“Oh, and Jake? Merry Christmas.”

-----

THANKS AGAIN TO EVERYONE WHO HAS REVIEWED. AS A PERSONAL REQUEST, I ASK THAT ANYONE WHO THINKS THEY KNOW WHAT DIRECTION THIS STORY IS GOING IN E-MAIL ME. I\'M NOT COMPLAINING ABOUT THE REVIEWS SO FAR - EVERYONE HAS BEEN WONDERFUL ABOUT SPECULATING WITHOUT GUESSING. AND YES, I DO KNOW WHERE I WANT THIS TO GO. BUT INPUT FROM READERS REALLY HELPS ME FOCUS AS I CONTINUE WRITING. THANK YOU!