“Noah,” she murmured, hearing how emotional he was.
“I’m sorry, Jessa,” he said, fighting back the emotion.
“Are you okay? You were so brave earlier,” said Jessa.
“It was all for you. I’m as okay as I can be, I guess. I just miss you,” said Noah, emotionally.
“No tears?” asked Jessa.
“I can’t lie to you. Just don’t ask that question,” murmured Noah.
“I understand,” Jessa said softly.
“Just know that it took a lot of effort to stay as strong as I did. I just knew it would upset you more if I lost it,” said Noah.
“I can imagine it would have,” said Jessa.
“And I’m losing it on you now, and I shouldn’t be,” he said, taking a few deep breaths and wiping away tears that had escaped.
“Noah,” said Jessa, turning on her camera.
She appeared on his screen, her bright-green eyes looking sad.
“You will get something to eat; you will get some rest, and you will go to work in the morning and be amazing. I love you; I love you every minute. I’m here,” she said.
“I know. I can do that. I will do all of that for you,” he said. “I love you so much.”
Jessa smiled at him, moving the camera, and he saw she was wearing the necklace. It looked perfect against her skin just as he’d thought it would.
“You’re beautiful,” he murmured. “It looks amazing on you.”
“Thank you, you chose well. You probably spent way too much though, Noah,” she said.
“You deserve the best,” said Noah.
“You’re so sweet,” Jessa said, smiling.
“Will you let me see you yet?” she asked.
Noah sighed. “Hang on.”
She heard him walk to the bathroom, put the phone down, turn the tap on, and splash water onto his face.
“I still look like crap,” he said, putting down the towel after drying his face, peering into the mirror.
“I’ll be the judge of that,” replied Jessa.
He managed to smile. That was the Jessa he knew, taking charge, knowing he needed her to be the strong one now. He’d done his part to try to make things easier for her, but he was falling apart now and needed her. He sat back down, turning on the camera.
“Hi, handsome,” said Jessa softly, smiling as his face appeared on her screen. “Are those sad eyes because of me?”
“Yeah,” said Noah, looking at her. “I’m sorry, Jessa.”
“For what?” she asked.
“Because I couldn’t stay strong. I shouldn’t be worrying you right now,” he said.
“Stop apologizing. Never apologize. It’s hard; it’s horrible being away from you,” said Jessa, emotion creeping into her voice. She took a moment and continued.
“I love you; you know that. I’ll see you soon. I want you to get settled in there now, unpack and just relax,” said Jessa.
“Okay,” he said.
“You know there’s a part of you here with me right now, don’t you?” murmured Jessa.
She moved the camera, panning down to her stomach and placing her hand there.
Noah nodded, realizing she was right. “You really do have that,” he murmured with a smile.
“I do,” said Jessa.
“Get some room service and rest up, please? For me?” continued Jessa.
“I will. I love you,” said Noah.
“Smile for me, please?” she asked.
Noah grinned at her, shaking his head at her request, and Jessa broke into a smile.
“Thank you,” said Jessa. “Good night, sleep well.”
“You too, it’s still afternoon for you but get some sleep tonight and make sure you eat something,” he said.
“I will,” said Jessa.
“Tell all those Spanish women who will no doubt think you’re hot that you’re extremely taken, and I will come and kick their asses if they so much as look at you,” said Jessa, winking at him.
Her teasing worked; he laughed.
“I am very much taken,” he said. “No ass kicking allowed; you take care of yourself, okay?”
“I will, talk to you tomorrow,” said Jessa.
“Okay, good night, beautiful,” he said softly. “I love you.”
“I love you, good night. Go be amazing tomorrow and we’ll talk again,” said Jessa.
“I will, bye,” he said.
They both disconnected the call, and Jessa sighed, wanting so much to comfort him. She’d managed to hang on to her emotions...just so she could now be strong for him.
Noah did as she said. He unpacked, taking out her shirt and burying his nose in it, inhaling her scent that would now reside in Madrid with him. He ordered room service and ate it all before getting ready for bed. He settled under the covers, Jessa’s shirt beside him, the flight and emotions of the day taking their toll. He fell asleep and woke in the morning, reaching for Jessa before remembering where he was.
“Damn,” he muttered.
Regardless, he got up and got ready, having some breakfast from the café downstairs and heading to work. He knew Jessa would want him to go about his day as normal and not dwell on missing her too much. He couldn’t call her until after lunch; it would be too early for her in Redhill now. He hoped she was sleeping; he hoped she was okay.
He focused on work, deep into a choreography session with the dancers when lunchtime rolled around. He looked at the time. It was still early for Jessa, but he grabbed his phone out of his bag. He saw that she must be up early as there were a few texts from her.
Morning, I hope you slept well and are having a good day. Miss you! Kisses!
I love you and am thinking about you.
Your child is misbehaving again...
You’re not allowed near me after I give birth, snip snip!
He choked back a laugh at the last one, finding a quiet room and calling her.
“Hi, I miss you,” said Jessa, answering.
“Hi, Jessa. Snip, snip?” he asked, eyebrows raised.
“Yes.” She laughed.
“Okay, if that’s what I have to do to get near you, I’ll do it. Worth it,” he said.
Jessa giggled.
“I miss you so much,” he murmured.
“I miss you,” said Jessa.
“I love you,” said Noah.
“I love you,” said Jessa with a soft smile.
“You’ve been sick this morning?” he asked.
“Yes, your child still hates me,” she teased.
“Mine when misbehaving, yours when it’s being good?” he asked.
“Of course,” said Jessa.
He chuckled. “Did you sleep?” he asked.
“A bit. I went to bed early, but then I woke up during the night and couldn’t go back to sleep easily. I went to bed too early I guess, but I was trying to...stop my mind from thinking too much,” said Jessa.
“Thinking?” he asked.
“You, missing you,” said Jessa with a soft sigh.
“Me too. Might have to be my go-to tactic, just sleep so I don’t have to think about it,” said Noah.
“Good plan,” said Jessa.
“I want you to have a good rest of the day, okay? Have some lunch,” said Jessa, sensing she was getting close to getting emotional so trying to wrap up their chat.