B O N U S # 1

J A C K S O N

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...roughly two years after the epilogue

~ ~ ~

"Nerida," I called, fixing my cuff links. "We're going to be late!"

After all these years, Nerida still can't understand the concept of getting ready on time.

I took a deep breath and loosened the bow tie around my neck. I can't remember the last time I wore one of these monkey suits.

It only makes sense that Nerida is the one who got me back into one.

"Jackson, by now you should know that you can't rush excellence."

I spun around so fast I almost got whiplash. It was moments like these where I wondered why I ever decided to wait for marriage.

She wore a silk, off the shoulder emerald green dress. With every step she took, the thigh high split revealed her caramel legs. She looked like a goddess; my goddess.

She made her way next to me, sliding her hands around my waist, under my jacket.

"Do you like it?" She asked slyly.

"I love it. You could wear a garbage bag and I'd still think you're the most beautiful woman to ever grace the Earth."

She bit her lip and blushed, shaking her straightened hair behind her shoulders.

"Stop being corny. If I actually wore a garbage bag you'd run and hide," she said, turning away from me and striding towards the kitchen.

"We both know you do all the running and hiding in this relationship my love," I replied as I trailed behind her.

She went right for the bowl of strawberries on the countertop, picking up one in each hand and alternating bites.

"You're nervous," I stated as I came up behind her.

"I think that's warranted. This is only the most important night of my career."

In the last couple years, Nerida has made strides with her art. She's gathered a serious fan base on social media and is now very well known.

So much say that she attracted the attention of a very wealthy lady in Los Angeles. She has decided to feature Nerida's work in her art gallery.

They flew us out to LA and arranged for us to stay at Sel, one of the biggest hotel chains in the world.

Just to give you an idea of how rich this chick actually was, she was a model, fashion designer, artist and on top of everything else, an heiress. Her parents were one of the owners of the hotel we were staying at.

She was a socialite; part of an exclusive group that included the other daughters of the hotel owners. Not to mention the fact that she was married to the son of an oil tycoon.

Basically, my babygirl was recognized by one of the richest people in America and I couldn't be more proud.

Tonight, they were throwing a gala to celebrate the unveiling of Nerida's work at the Dawson gallery, hence the formal wear.

"I understand why you're nervous but trust me, you'll be fine," I assured, watching as she scarfed down her sixth strawberry.

I recently started cutting down the amount of sugar she binged on but ended up just birthing an obsession to berries.

It's better than all the gummy bears she used to eat.

"I know that but what if something goes wrong. These people are very, very rich. You know how I can get with snobby people," she pouted, somehow looking sad at the fact that she can be a raging bitch whenever she was disrespected.

"Well, you should know that there most definitely will be snobby people. Are you willing to sacrifice all your progress for them?" She bit down on the strawberry in thought, already reaching for another one.

These rich folks have definitely spoilt Nerida. From the fact that we're staying in the presidential suite to all the baskets of berries they've sent for her. They've spared no effort and no expense to make her feel welcomed.

"Sometimes I forget that you're used to all of this," Nerida whispered, feeding me a berry.

A long time ago, I decided that I would never set foot in the city of Los Angeles again. Coming back here brings back too many memories, negative memories.

I haven't been this close to my mother in well over ten years and it made me more anxious than I'd like to admit.

However, I came here for Nerida and she was my main concern, as always.

"Let's not worry about that tonight. This is your night so let's just enjoy it." I placed a kiss on her forehead and she hummed a response.

The landline started ringing and I walked into the living area to answer. It was one of the receptionists informing us that our vehicle had arrived.

I told Nerida and she went back to the room to grab her clutch. After locking up the suite, we walked the mile long hallway towards the elevator.

"Remember the first time you rode an elevator?" I asked her, eliciting the brightest grin.

"Of course I remember. It was one of the best days of my life."

I looked at her incredulously. "Really? What about all the places we've been? Or the day you first tried pizza?"

"Honestly, everyday I've spent with you has been the best day of my life. But that was the day I knew I was finally free."

~ ~ ~

"Is my makeup still good," Nerida asked, as soon as the dealer she was talking to was out of range.

"I think I need to get you away from all these shitty people. You're turning into one of them," I joked, pulling her into me by the waist.

"Be serious. Have you seen those women? I look like a troll compared to the people in this room," she complained. I never understood how the prettiest people could never see exactly how beautiful they were.

"If that's the case then you're the prettiest troll I've ever seen in my life," I complimented and pecked her lips.

"You're just saying that. Those girls are all older than me and they all have kids. Do you think I'll look that good after I have kids?"

I frowned. I've been cracking jokes and teasing to appease her all night but I really didn't like the direction her mind was going.

"Listen, I've been kidding around but if you keep talking like this we're leaving. I won't allow you to stay in an environment where you feel inferior. You're amazing, talented and beautiful. Don't forsake that."

Uncaring of the people around us, I cupped her cheeks and kissed my girl. Nerida has never really had experiences with insecurities and I won't allow it to start now.

She broke the kiss, raised her head and looked me in the eyes. "You're right. I am beautiful and I shouldn't compare myself to others."

"That's my girl."

~ ~ ~

The next day was our last in LA and I wanted to do something extra special for Nerida. So, I got up early and started preparing a picnic.

Nerida was still asleep whilst I packed the basket. I maximized on her newfound love of berries, as well as a variety of cold cuts, cheeses and breads. I also ordered a strawberry cheesecake.

This hotel was a basically a mall.

When I had everything packed and ready to go, I went to wake up my girl.

When we got back to the suite last night, Nerida was completely exhausted. She was passed out in my arms whilst I changed her into some pajamas and removed her makeup.

I let her sleep through the majority of the day, knowing how hard she's been working these last couple weeks.

She was haphazardly strewn across the bed, her hair scattered all over the pillows. Nerida was incapable of sleeping like a normal person.

I knelt on the bed and held her by the armpits, lifting her off the bed and onto my hip.

"Time to wake up sleepy head," I whispered and placed a kiss on her head.

I carried her to the en suite bathroom and placed her on the sink countertop. Her hands loosely looped around my back and her head leaned forward on my chest.

I started gathering her hair to hold it up, taking one of the hair ties I kept on my wrist for emergencies.

"C'mon pumpkin. I'm taking you on a date so help me out here and get dressed," I said. The moment she heard the word date she perked up, kissed me on my cheek and pushed me out of the bathroom so she can start getting ready.

I'd already showered so I changed while she showered. The picnic was at the beach so for once, I wore a pair of knee-length cargo shorts and a plain black t-shirt.

"You're wearing shorts?" I heard Nerida say from behind me just as I pushed the box into my back pocket. While I felt myself fighting arousal, Nerida didn't seem to care that she was in a useless white towel.

"Are we going to the beach? Should I wear a swimsuit under my clothes?" She asked all in one breath.

"Yes and yes," I answered, pecking her on the lips. "Hurry up or we're going to be late." I needed to get out of that room, get away from all that temptation.

I had to assume Nerida was excited to go because she'd gotten ready in only a few minutes, a rarity when it came to her. She only got ready this quickly when I was taking her out for ice cream.

She wore a pair of denim shorts that did wonders for her figure, a pink top that did nothing but draw attention to her impressive cleavage and pink sneakers that made her look extra cute in my eyes.

Her eyes lit up when she saw the basket and all the way to the lobby, she begged me to let her hold it but it was way too heavy for her.

Our ride was already packed out front and I held the door open for her to climb in. Never being one for patience, Nerida fidgeted in her seat for the entire ride.

I thought she might've jumped out of the car the moment we reached the coast but even our chauffeur was unprepared for the squeal that came when we started driving on the sand.

We parked next to the cabana and her head looked like it was about to explode while she waited for me to get out. After years of her running out of vehicles like a madwoman, she knows now to wait until I get out and assess the possible danger.

As soon as I opened the door for her, she ran out, sprinting the short distance across the sand to our picnic site.

"You set up all this?" Nerida squealed, spinning around and around.

"Well, I called in a little help, obviously, but this was all my idea," I replied, setting down the basket.

The site of our picnic was this odd, naked, teepee-like structure. There was a large red blanket under it with a short table in the middle, surrounded by a couple throw pillows.

I set about putting everything out, trying hard not to laugh at Nerida's constant gasps whenever I took something out.

Even after all these years, Nerida still gets excited for every little thing.

"I can't believe you did all this for me. You're so romantic." I was caught off guard when she climbed on my lap and kissed but I quickly melted in her arms.

I gave her control, through quickly regretted it when she guided me to lie on my back. I was five seconds away from saying to hell with it and ravishing her, but Nerida pulled back suddenly.

She crawled off of my lap and went to the other side of the blanket. She picked up a strawberry and started nibbling, acting as though she didn't just send me into a frenzy.

"What was that?" I was still trying to catch my breath whilst she was acting like the strawberry in her hand was the sexiest thing she's ever seen.

"I kissed you silly," she answered, giggling mischievously. Narrowing my eyes at her, I sat up and plucked a blueberry in my mouth.

Tease

"So, are you excited to get back home?" I asked as I fed Nerida some fruit.

"I mean, I guess?" Anyone could've sensed the decline in her mood and I pounced on it.

"What's wrong? Do you want to stay for a few more days?"

"No! Well... maybe? I don't know," she fumbled scratching at her head. "I just really like it here. I love how close we are to the beach. It's always sunny. There's a lot of different food. It's clean-"

"Did you actually smell the Los Angeles air?" I mean New York was a city of many scents but LA wasn't far behind.

"No Jackie. I mean... the suburbs. I've been doing some research and it's all so nice. There are some really great places to raise a family-"

"You want to live here?" I asked, unsure of how to respond to that.

"It just a suggestion," she said quickly. "I've just been thinking about the future a lot but I understand if you say no. I know that it's already so hard for you to be here, with your mom and everything. I wouldn't force you to live here if you didn't want to."

"And before you say anything about my happiness is the only thing that matters, this is one situation where it doesn't count. I love you and your happiness is mine. I won't force you to do anything. Don't even think about it."

I stayed silent as she caught her breath, feeling both my mind and heart race from her words.

"Marry me."

Her eyes bulged out of her head and the strawberry in her hand fell to the blanket.

"You're joking," she whispered, already starting to tear up.

I reached into my back pocket and pulled out the small, velvet box. "I'm not joking. Not even a little bit."

"But, you said- Why now? Why would you propose now?"

I popped open the box and slid it across the blanket to rest in front of her.

"I've wasted so much time. I've wanted you to be my wife for so long but I was so worried that I was forcing you into marriage. I just realized that even if you felt pressured, you'd tell me. You've grown so much Nerida. You're so much more than the broken girl I pulled out of that building. You haven't been for so long."

"So I'm asking you, no, I am begging you. Will you marry me?"

~ ~ ~

i wonder what she'll say...

so, fun fact:

Jackson bought that ring since the first time he took her out

(chapter seven~ roots)

that's why the chapter was called roots

('cause he was laying down some roots and now that beautiful seed has grown into an elm tree)

that's also why he was freaking out about going to the jewelry store

anyway, a part of Jackson always knew that he would marry Nerida

he just wanted her to live her life first

i guess Jackson just realized that he wanted to live that life with her

too sweet

✨d o r i s✨