Why was Nick Lachey lovingly serenading wife Jessica Simpson in an elevator during a March 9 shopping trip in West Hollywood? It could be because, as sources close to the couple tell Star, now that their commitment to the MTV series Newlyweds is over (and since Jessica is done filming The Dukes of Hazzard), the two have reconnected emotionally and romantically. What's more, Star has learned that they're ready to have a baby, and hope to be pregnant by June!
KID STUFF
"They're very excited about the prospect of becoming parents," says a friend. "They'd always planned on it , but it got put on hold." The friend adds that the duo have even talked about selling their home in the L.A. suburb of Calabasas, where much of Newlyweds was filmed. In fact, they seem eager to put the series and all that accompanied it behind them. "I think they had a rough time keeping their marriage intact during filming," says a close pal. "With cameras in your face 24/7, who wouldn't? When they'd fight, they couldn't yell like normal people do because they were always onstage." A source close to the couple says they also needed to convince Jessica's always around, ambitious dad and manager, Joe Simpson, to take a back seat. And they did. "Joe does have his daughter's best interest at heart," says a family friend. "He likes Nick and would like them to stay together."
IN THE BIG APPLE
It's been a long year, but since Jessica finished Dukes last month, the couple has begun stealing away together. They were spotted in New York City in mid- March. Jessica arrived at Manhattan's The Ritz-Carlton hotel March 13 with assistant CaCee Cobb and another friend. The next night a gang of twenty joined her and Nick at posh eatery Trattoria del Arte for a pasta dinner.
It was a whirlwind three days in the Big Apple for Jessica, during which she shopped with her family (see sidebar) and had her hair colored at the ritzy Rita Hazan Salon (see p. 74). After seeing sis Ashlee Simpson, 20, perform at the local Hammerstein Ballroom on March 16, Jessica celebrated with her friends and parents at hot-spot nightclub Marquee.
BUSY BODY
In the past few years, Jessica's been too busy for babies. Though she'll have to do publicity for Dukes in June, she's confided in friends that she wants a break to focus on family. In fact, a source from the movie set claims: "Jessica didn't seem to love the experience of filming Dukes. She complained that she was tired and missed Nick."
THE TIME IS NOW
With Jessica's new down time, marriage counselor and Internet advice columnist April Masini tells Star having a child may be the "project" she needs. "It appears her family's work ethic has made it difficult for Jessica to not work and still feel worthy. I think having a baby would be an achievement her folks understand." A source says that may be exactly what Jessica has in mind. "I think she's really looking forward to stepping away from show business for a while and into motherhood," says the source. A friend adds that Jessica recently perused baby clothes at Bloomingdale's in Century City. "It's her dream to have a child with Nick," says the friend, "and she seems to be kicking it into high gear lately."
