If you're gone....

[Subspace]

Originally Posted by Groovy Paradise

That was a great chapter. I can't wait to read more.

I agree. Anxiously awaiting the next installment!

[Subspace]

Originally Posted by Subspace

I agree. Anxiously awaiting the next installment!

Well, I've been gone due to RL, unfortunately, but I'd still like to see more of this story.

[KissMyGrits]

I have had a hard time getting back into writing this. RL is definitely getting in the way. I am working 10-12 hour days at work. We leave in July so not much spare time available. Will try to work on this sometime in the future.....

[Subspace]

That's too bad. Still, hopefully you'll pick this up and continue writing sometime in the (not too far) future. This was (is) a great story, and I'd hate to see it end here.

[KissMyGrits]

Terri is able to feel the kiss from her head to her toes. She shivers as his hand runs up and down her back. She feels herself melting into him. She finally breaks the kiss and looks at him. She can't believe that a simple kiss could turn her into a pool of mush. She sees something in his eyes that she has never seen in another man's before. She sees a look of utter and complete love. She smiles softly and leans over to kiss him. It is at that moment that she knows that she has lost her heart to him forever. She smiles and whisper softly to him, "Let's get out of here."

Jack needs no further encouragement. He throws some money on the table and follows Terri out of the diner. They get back to Terri's apartment and she leads him to her bedroom. The song "Big Brass Bed" by Josh Gracin is playing softly in the background as they make love.

Baby, the clock on the wall is lying
It's not really that late
It's too cold outside to be walking around the streets of this town
And wherever you think you have to be can wait

So why don't you stay with me
Share all your secrets tonight
We can make believe
the morning sun never will rise
Come and lay your head on this big brass bed
And we'll be alright as long as you stay with me, yeah

Baby, there is just no use in hiding
The way that I am feeling right now
With you standing there baby I swear I can't help but stare
Girl you're wearing me out, wearing me out
Baby, stay with me
share all your secrets tonight
We can make believe
the morning sun never will rise
Come and lay your head on this big brass bed
We'll be alright as long as you stay with me

Baby don't go
it looks like it's starting to rain
And it's so warm here in this apartment wrapped up in this blanket
So stay

Stay with me
Share all your secrets tonight
We can make believe
the morning sun never will rise
Come and lay your head on this big brass bed
And we'll be alright as long as you stay with me

I'll be alright as long as you
stay with me, yeah
Stay with me

Terri wakes up early the next morning and smiles as she hears Jack snoring softly beside her. She laughs softly and leans over to kiss him. He smiles as he kisses her back. She looks at him and asks, "Are you happy here?"

Jack looks at her and nods. She smiles and mumbles, "But this isn't home."

Jack sighs and shakes his head. Terri is confused and asks, "What does that mean?"

Jack silences her with a deep kiss. He looks at her silently for a few minutes. Finally he smiles and tells her, "Anywhere that you are is home to me."

He puts his hand on her still flat stomach and adds, "We can make a home together with our baby."

Terri feels a tear slide down her cheek. She realizes that she has come to love Jack with all her heart. She has been afraid to admit it to herself. Maybe it was because she was afraid of getting hurt. Whatever it was, she was feeling her heart melt at the thought of raising their baby together. She looks at Jack and whispers, "I love the thought of that."

They kiss and suddenly Terri remembers, "Oh my goodness!! Janet!"

"What?"

"Janet is flying into the airport today! We have to go pick her up."

Jack smiles and pulls Terri back onto the bed and whispers, "After we make love one more time."

Terri smiles as they kiss deeply. Soon they are making love again. The screen fades to black as Terri lets out a scream of joy...

[KissMyGrits]

Janet gets off the plane and is surprised to see Jack and Terri waiting for her. The last time she talked to Terri, she and Jack were still not speaking. She out on her best smile and walked forward to greet her friends.

"Terri it's so good to see you again!" She and Terri hug and Janet turns to Jack and remarks, "Jack! What a surprise seeing you here!"

Jack smiles at Janet. He says nothing. Figuring that when she is ready Terri will tell Janet about their relationship. Jack walks to the baggage claim area and Janet points out her bags. He grabs them off the belt and they head to the entrance of airport. They quickly retrieve Jack's rental car. Before Terri can ask, Janet climbs into the front of the car. Terri looks a bit miffed, but says nothing. The whole way to her apartment it's as if Terri is invisible. Janet talks only to Jack. Finally Terri gives up trying to talk to Janet. She simply sits and stares out the window.

Jack has noticed Terri's silence. He tries to catch her eye in the rearview mirror, but is unsuccessful. He tries to include her in the conversation, but somehow Janet always manages to answer for her. Finally they arrive at Terri's place and Jack runs around the car and opens the door for Terri. She smiles at him brightly and he leans down to kiss her. She hears Janet clearing her throat and they reluctantly pull apart. She hugs him and he whispers to her softly, "I love you Terri."

Terri nods and smiles at him. Finally they break away and Jack grabs Janet's suitcases. She watches the looks between the two and feels a twinge of jealousy. Finally they are inside the apartment and Janet smiles and tells Terri, "This is a cute place."

Terri gets the feeling that Janet is being a bit sarcastic, but decides to let it go. She walks into the kitchen and takes out a glass and slams it on the counter. She takes out the carton of juice and fills the glass. Once again she feels like a third wheel. She takes the glass of juice and sits on the couch. She knows that she is being childish, but somehow she gets the feeling that this visit has nothing to do with her and everything to do with seeing Jack.

Listening the them talking Terri lays down on the couch and closes her eyes. She barely hears Jack saying that he is going to take Janet to the seashore for a walk. She sees them leave and then the tears start falling....

[sunshinefizzy]

Very good AlabamBound . Poor Terri, what an insecure situation!!!

[KissMyGrits]

She gets up and watches them from the window. She sees them laughing and talking. She can't help but feel a twinge of something akin to jealousy. She takes the glass and throws it into the sink. It hits the bottom with a thud. She turns around and walks to the door. She is furious at this point. Janet played her once again and she just let her. She walks to the front door, opens it and walks towards Jack and Janet.

Meanwhile, Jack and Janet are sitting on the sand talking. Janet laughs hysterically at something that Jack tells her. He raises an eyebrow, but says nothing. Janet hears Terri walking up behind them and tells Jack, "Don't look now, but she caught us."

"What is that supposed to mean Janet?"

"Oh Jack! You don't have to hide it anymore. We really should tell her all about us."

Terri looks at them and remarks, "Yeah. You should tell me about your relationship. I would hate to think I am being made a fool of."

Jack looks at Terri and tells her, "She is lying Terri. I have never had, nor will I ever have a relationship with her."

Janet uses that moment to pull Jack close for a deep kiss. Terri lets out a squeal and turns and runs back to her apartment. She doesn't see or hear Jack tell Janet, "What the hell was that for?"

Janet merely smiles and tells him, "I've wanted to do that for years. It just seemed like the best time."

Jack looks at her and can't believe that she would do something like this. He loved Terri and had to get to her to talk to her.

Terri had thrown Jack and Janet's suitcases out onto the front porch and sat in the living room and had her knees beneath her chin. She was crying silent tears and barely heard the knock on the door. She called out, "Go away!"

"Terri open the door honey. I want, no I need to talk to you."

She pushed away the tears and went to the door. Against her better judgment she opened the door and told him, "You've got five minutes. Start talking."

Jack pulled her into his arms and kissed her. She felt her anger melting away. She felt Jack pull out of the kiss. She looked at him and said, "I love you Terri Alden. Not Janet. You. Nothing will ever change that. I want to be there with you forever. I want to be the first person you see when you wake up."

"There is so much we have to get past. I..."

"Terri, those things can all be worked out. I would give up everything for you and our baby. I planned to do this later, but now I see that it can't wait."

Jack gets down on one knee and reaches and hand into his left pocket. He pulls out a small box and asks, "Terri I love you so very much. Will you please marry me?"

Terri nods her head and tells him, "Yes Jack..."

Jack slides the ring on her finger and lets out a whoop of joy. Terri smiles and they kiss as the scene ends....

[Already Gone]

That was great! I hope Terri and Jack work things out. I hate Janet.

[KissMyGrits]

Six months later Terri and Jack are in the labor and delivery room. Terri's in a lot of pain. With every contraction she squeezes Jack's hand and he's brought to his knees. He doesn't dare ask her to stop. The doctor finally comes in and tells them, "It looks like this baby is ready to come out."

Terri looks at him and says sarcastically, "You think?"

Jack tries to stifle a laugh, but is unsucessful. Terri gives him a look that quiets him immediately. Finally the doctor tells Terri to push. She does and the doctor says, "I can see the head Terri."

Jack smiles and nearly falls to the floor again as Terri squeezes his hand. After a few more pushes the baby is born. The doctor smiles and tells them, "It's a girl."

Jack leans over and kisses his wife softly. She smiles at him and whispers, "Thank you Jack. I love you Mr. Tripper."

Jack smiles back at his wife and tells her, "I love you too sweetheart."

They watch the nurse clean up the baby and she asks them for a name. They both respond with, "Jackie Teresa Tripper."

The nurse smiles as smiles at the happy couple...

[sunshinefizzy]

This is a wonderful story Alabama!!!