By Lauren Bishop
Enquirer staff writer

Say what you will about Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica, but MTV knows how to end a season about the singers on a good note.

On the finale of season two, Jessica Simpson is rehearsing for her Reality Tour and battling a cold while Nick Lachey is taking part in batting practice with the Cincinnati Reds at Dodger Stadium.

"I didn't know it was bobblehead night!" his brother Drew cracks as Nick emerges in full Reds regalia.

When Jessica calls, Nick tells her where he is and says, "As a little boy, this is what you dream of doing one day."

"I'm insane right now," Jessica says, as if she hadn't heard. "I'm doing everything from choreography stuff, staging stuff ... ."

"Like, I'm in full uniform, minus the cup," Nick says, trying to make her pay attention.

Nick and Jessica then meet up in New Orleans, the first stop on Jessica's tour. Jessica gets a cortisone shot to relieve swollen glands before her performance and appears to fare just fine, at least judging by the deafening screams from her fans.

Nick then surprises Jessica by taking her to the Barton Creek Resort & Spa in Austin, Texas, where they spent their wedding night. They take the same antique car they rented then to the church where they exchanged vows.

"I just remember being like, 'I did it! I'm Mrs. Lachey!' " Jessica says.

"Well, not technically speaking, but ... ," Nick says, as Jessica unconvincingly promises to change her name someday.

Over dinner, they debate what foie gras - goose liver - is (Jessica thinks it's a "tongue of something" or a frog; Nick thinks it's a "vegetable thing"). Then Nick gives Jessica a gift to celebrate the beginning of her tour: a silver Tiffany locket with the initials, tellingly, "JSL." Jessica says she couldn't have asked for a better kickoff to her tour.

"This is where it all kicked off," Nick says.

"Let's keep on kicking," Jessica says.

E-mail lbishop@enquirer.com