Law and Love

Author’s Note: Thank you so very much for my friend Kathy (kittie8571) who is the Beta of this story!

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Chapter Fifteen: And time to romance!

Jack looked at Ennis for the third time in less than five seconds. The man he loved, his boyfriend, had fallen asleep almost immediately upon sitting in their airplane seats. A part of him was mad for being left alone on the first part of their little romance trip, another part was pleased to see Ennis rest at least a few hours. He wondered if he would do the same, if he could actually do it. For Jack Twist it had proved impossible to sleep during the sunlight and especially not so early in the morning.

Trying to find something to distract his mind, Jack picked up a rather famous American journal to read. A few minutes later he was surprised to find in the Social page a picture of Elizabeth and Mary kissing in front of what appeared to be Elizabeth’s house. At the right of the photo was a short article.

The famous lawyer, Elizabeth Noris, is set to marry one of the biggest legends of crime investigation in New York, detective Mary Bingley. The announcement was made yesterday in a private party in Elizabeth Noris’ mansion. The engagement took friends and colleagues by surprise as Mrs. Bingley had returned to New York just a few days before, after having given birth to a beautiful daughter in Canada just six months ago…

The article continued with the ridiculous possibility that Elizabeth was actually the real biological mother of the child and that Mary had gone to Canada to protect the child from the American press and to avoid the shock of Elizabeth’s clients.

As if they care about her personal life, Jack thought. All they care about is winning and Elizabeth is a winner, so they will always pick her from everybody else. Jack was shaking his head slightly and whispering nonsense phrases when Ennis finally awoke. He had been sleeping for more than four hours, more than half the flight.

“Hi.” Ennis managed to say.

“You sleep well?” Jack asked.

“Yeah, sorry baby. Guess I was really tired. You're not angry, are you?”

“No, I was just reading a very interesting article.” Jack said, giving Ennis the newspaper.

“Speculation… Rumour… Far from the truth! Speculation… And speculation again! Nothing new, that’s for sure.” Ennis said, while his eyes scanned the page.

“You’re right. I just don’t want anything to ruin what took years for Elizabeth to get.”

“No one can do that Jack and you…” Ennis eyes widened as he read something in another page of the newspaper. “Jack there’s something else here.” Jack looked at the page Ennis put in front of him. In big black letters was written, “The billionaire Carlos Santos is engaged!” Jack looked at the picture and looked at a smiling Mr. Santos, who was standing near a brunette woman, who looked to be at least twenty years his junior. Jack couldn’t help it. He started to laugh uncontrollably.

“I wonder why I’m still surprised. Rich men can seem to be lonely for a long amount of time.” Ennis voiced still looking with disgust at the picture.

“My father has been lonely all his life.” Jack said laughing a little less. “I remember a few girlfriends when I was younger, but never anything serious.”

Ennis looked at Jack’s face, worried. He could easily remember the night when Jack talked about his mother’s death. They had made love for the first time, or at least it had been the first time Ennis felt it had absolutely nothing to do with physical satisfaction or making up for previous mistakes. It had been about two lovers showing each other their feelings; it had been about learning what the other liked, what the other needed, and it had been almost painfully slow and gentle.

Yes, he could clearly remember it. Jack beneath him, facing him, muttering words of love and happiness, while both their bodies rocked at the same slow pace. Even now he couldn’t understand how they'd silently agreed to have it that way, usually they would feel the urgency of the passionate love and the undeniable attraction they both have for each other. But that night had been different. So sweet and perfect. A taste of heaven.

So when he pushed Jack next to him, after feeling the most intense, blissful orgasm he had ever experienced, he was surprised to see Jack looking far from sleepy. A few gentle fingers stroking his hair and Jack had started to talk, saying he had never felt so happy in his life. Not even when his father would tell him a story about his mother. Ennis felt surprised at that moment. He knew Jack’s mother had died, he had told him so when they first met, he just didn’t know he was so young back then.

Ennis held him closer, wanting badly to ask him about it, wondering if he should. So when a single tear rolled down Jack’s cheek, Ennis predicted what would happen. The blue eyed man started to tell him everything about it and Ennis listened quietly. It wasn’t that much of a story. It was actually a simple and sad story. Jack’s mum had died a few days after giving birth. A few complications and a strong infection that not even Jack seemed to fully understand made Nelly Twist pass away, leaving Jack without a mother figure for most of his life. Even Uncle Daniel’s wife, whom Jack had loved very much, died young with cancer, leaving Jack with two dead mothers.

“What are you thinking about?” Jack asked Ennis, waking the blond man from his thoughts.

“Nothing really, just that with this engagement we're going to be working together again soon.” Ennis said not totally lying. The thought had passed through his mind a few minutes earlier.

“Are you thinking about a prenuptial deal too?”

“Completely. It’s going to be a nightmare! The man owns half of Spain, not to mention the money he makes from the oil industries all over Africa. We must investigate this fiancé immediately.” Ennis said, attentively reading the article.

“Ennis, honey.” Jack said taking the newspaper away from him. “It’s our trip. Let’s forget work for a day.”

“You’re right, sorry. I was carried away with the news. Monday morning I’ll give him a call but it surely can wait, since we’ll be working on the Thurston case for at least a few more weeks.”

“You’re right.” Jack said smiling looking outside of the window. Outside there was nothing but deep dark blue ocean. The Atlantic Ocean.

“Jack, have you thought about when you want to try to use the helicopter you rented for me?”

“Actually, you’re the one that is going to try it, aren’t you? I’m just going to enjoy the flight.”

“I want your company and I’m sure you want to pick the time and date.” Ennis said, distractedly reading a brochure about Paris.

“You’re right. But I’m not sure when. Next week is going to be a living hell with the meeting of the two parties.”

“You’re totally right.” Ennis answered, remembering just how bad he thought it would be. Jack was clearly far away from knowing it.

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Ennis was surprised to find just how much Jack knew about the city and the Roland Garros competition. They had picked up one taxi from the two taxi ranks set up for the public during the tournament and since then Jack hadn’t stop talking about the game and the stadium.

“Did you know that the Place des Mousquetaires has a bronze statue at each of its four corners, depicting Jean Borotra, René Lacouste, Jacques Brugnon and Henri Cochet?”

“No. It’s understandable those are some of the most impressive former French champions. But what’s the Place des Mousquetaires?”

“It’s at the heart of the Roland Garros stadium, we’re going to see it after the game.”

“You kept saying to me the place was huge, only yesterday when I went to check the site on the internet, I realized they have a village! It was in the Venue map.”

“Impressed? You shouldn’t be. We have first row seats. It’s so close we’re going to see dust in Nadal’s tennis.”

“I’m starting to think you’re an obsessed fan of his.” Ennis asked trying to suppress a little jealously.

“Ennis, the kid is 21 years old. Do I look like a nanny? As far as I know he’s definitely not gay.”

“You know something? That kind of phrase doesn’t convince me anymore. Nothing is definitely. ”

“Not everyone has a Jack Twist in his life.” Jack whispered in Ennis ear.

Ennis looked away, suddenly more interested in the view. He still felt uncomfortable showing his emotions in public and the taxi driver didn’t seem to pass undetected by his inner voice.

“You know your dear Rafael Nadal is going to lose this time. I have a feeling.” Ennis said, trying to start an argument that he would certainly enjoy.

“What? You believe Federer has a chance?” Jack said smiling ironically.

“A chance? He’s going to win.” Ennis said after the car had stopped. He paid the taxi driver with the euros he had brought with him. Elizabeth had advised him to take a lot of European money with him in case of any emergency and so Ennis found himself with more than 500 euros in his wallet.

“You know honey, I’m so sure Nadal is going to win that I’m up for a bet.” Jack looked at Ennis eyes clearly challenging him.

“Really what do you want to bet?”

“If Nadal wins today, you’ll have to French kiss me right at the moment. It’s appropriate and Elizabeth is going to find it extremely funny on Sunday.”

“Kiss you in the middle of all those people? What if I win the bet?”

“I don’t know. It’s your prize.”

“You’re right. If I win we’ll stay in Paris for the rest of the weekend.”

“Ennis I’m worried about Uncle Daniel! And we have Beth’s dinner. We can’t stay much longer after the match.”

“Well it’s all or nothing.” Ennis said happy to have a small chance of making his later plan come true.

“I’m so sure you’re going to lose the bet that I eagerly accept.” Jack said reaching the main stadium.

“Victory is going to be so sweet.” Ennis dramatically stated showing his ticket to the security system. “But you know something Jack? It’s unfair that either way you seem to win something.”

“Funny, I was actually going to say the same thing.” Jack said arriving at their amazing seats.

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“Feeling nervous honey?” Jack whispered when the third set had ended. Nadal was winning two sets against one and it was visible that Roger Federer wasn’t playing as good as he was expected to be.

“If I didn’t know better I would say you paid him to lose on purpose.” Ennis said annoyed and Jack laughed silently.

“I have to admit that even I had expected more from him. After all he is the number one in the world ranking. Still he is definitely not the number one on clay tennis.”

“I still have hope.” Ennis said looking around for the crowd waiting for the match to continue. “I think that I’ve never seen so many men wearing so many ridiculous hats.”

“Ennis you’re just frustrated because you’re going to lose.”

With that said, Jack and Ennis fell into an expected silence of someone watching such a notorious match. After a few successful break points from Nadal, Ennis knew he was destined to lose the bet. He wasn’t unhappy or nervous about kissing Jack. Everybody would be looking at the winner and the loser. Who would notice two guys kissing in the middle of the crowd? Especially not in such a liberal city like Paris. He was disappointed because his last chance to convince Jack to stay for the weekend was flying away.

“I don’t know why you like Nadal so much.” Ennis whispered in his boyfriend ear, during the break between points.

“Because he’s Spanish.” Jack answered on the next brake, after a few seconds.

“Jack you’re American. That doesn’t even make sense.”

“It’s a long story.” Jack waited for the next brake to continue. “My grandfather always had a dream of one day retiring and going to live on Spain, so he would fill my dad’s head with tales and dreams about Spain. He loved Spain so much that he called my dad Enrique! But his dream never came true. He was unable to leave everything behind and run to Spain. His whole life was in America. Anyway, my father eventually fell in love with the country too and he told me a lot about it when I was young. So now, when I’m not cheering for America, I’m supporting Spain.”

“Never could imagine… How could he lose that point?” Ennis said when Federer made another unforced error.

The game continued with the clear advantage of Nadal, who eventually won the set. And when Nadal fall on the ground celebrating the victory, Ennis wasted no time and crashed his lips against Jack’s, giving the price the blue eyed man deserved.

“You were right. Victory is so sweet.” Jack said when they finally stopped kissing and Ennis couldn’t control the laugh that took control of his body.

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A few minutes later, Jack and Ennis were walking, hand in hand, by the Quail Branly. It was Saturday afternoon so there were some other couples making the same journey. Ennis, who had never been in Paris before, was surprised with the beauty of the river Seine and its notorious bridges.

“I really think the Alexandre III Bridge is my favorite.” Ennis said remembering the golden statues and the beautiful architecture of the bridge.

“It’s my favorite too. Did I tell you the statues are painted in gold? When I was a kid my grandmother used to show me the most beautiful monuments and buildings in the world and tell me the story behind their construction. A wonderful woman, History teacher.” Jack was surprised to find Ennis's arm moving around his waist.

“I love when you're in this mood.” Ennis said smiling.

“What mood?” Jack questioned raising a eyebrow.

“Happy and recalling childhood memories.” Ennis said, pulling him closer.

“You’re crazy but I’m going to tell you something else that I always found funny. Do you see the boats? They’re called Bateaux Mouches.”

“Bateaux Mouches? Doesn’t that mean fly boats?”

“French people think they look like flies.”

“And I’m the crazy one.” Ennis paused near another bridge and pulled Jack to come with him.

“We can’t walk through. We’ll be getting a taxi soon. Our plane is flying in less than an hour.”

“We should stay.” Ennis said when they stopped in the middle of the bridge observing the Seine, arms resting on the stone and their bodies leaning forward.

“I can’t, and we promised to have dinner with Elizabeth and Mary. But…” Jack rested his chin on Ennis shoulder. “We have the weekend after this case. I promise it’s going to be great. We can stay in my house and see the Chanps-élyséees, the Eiffel tower, even the Disney resort if you like.”

“You have a house here?” Ennis was surprised.

“Yeah, it’s in the Le Marias district. It’s on the right bank of the Seine. Traditionally it was a bourgeois area, so some of the buildings are very old and extremely beautiful. It’s also famous for being a well-known gay neighbourhood.”

“You have a house in a gay neighbourhood in Paris?” Ennis said shocking his head.

“I was younger and I wanted to see my dad’s face when I told him about it. And it’s a very nice place, only with more homosexual people than usual.”

“You know Jack…” Ennis looked at him resting in his shoulder. “This is what scares me the most about us. Your money and everything that being gay means to you. I feel like I’ll never feel totally comfortable with both. Like I’ll never be what you need and deserve in a partner.”

There was an intense silence between them and Ennis feared the truth would break the happiness he had been feeling just a few minutes before. If he was someone else, he could have come out with different words but the truth is always stronger than the lie. Ennis knew it and he couldn’t fight if what he felt was right.

“Being able to confess that to me just proved you to be wrong Ennis.” Jack eyes were shining with tears and their mouths met in the most passionate of all their public kisses.


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On the next chapter: Uncle Daniel brings a possible problem with him, leaving the suspense in the air! Jack and Ennis finally met Sophie.