Part 110

The Taylor house was in darkness as they returned home, lending an eerie solemnity to the night. Quiet goodnights were said as everyone went wearily to their own rooms, deep in thought. Bedroom doors were closed softly, their occupants loath to disturb the silence that enshrouded the dwelling.

Becca walked quietly to the antique dressing table, reaching beneath her hair to take off her tiny gold cross. As the delicate chain spilled across her fingers, she stood very still, studying the tiny inscription on the back: 'for my baby'. It had been among her mother's things, and when her father felt she was old enough to take proper care of it, he'd passed it along to his only child.

"Bec?" Nick asked quietly.

"Hmm?" she pulled herself out of her memories, gently placing the cross on the lace doily.

"I haven't seen you wear that in a long time."

"Mama gave it to me. Well, she 'left' it for me. It was her mother's, and she wanted me to have it when I was old enough to appreciate it. Daddy found it in her things and-" her voice broke and she began to cry, losing the last shred of composure that she'd been holding onto for the past hour. "I'm sorry," she said weakly. "I needed to feel close to her tonight, so I wore it."

"Baby, there's nothing wrong with that." Nick came to stand behind her, leaning to rest his chin on her shoulder and wrapping his arms around her. "I was so proud of you tonight."

"Why?" Becca asked in disbelief.

"Just the way you carried yourself, Bec, with dignity and grace … I know you were a big help to the family."

"I'm worried about Sarah, Nick."

"She'll be fine, baby. Sure, it will take time, but she has you to help, and more important, she has Howie. I’m more worried about *you*."

"I'm all right, Nick, it's just that a lot of memories are coming back to me tonight. It's almost like living it all over again."

"That's what worries me. Baby, you need to take care of yourself. I don't want you stressing yourself out and making yourself sick. We have someone else to think about now." Whispering in her ear, he reached down to span her abdomen with his large hands, his long fingers stretching out to stroke the taut skin. "God, you're beautiful," he said with awe.

Something in the reverence of his voice made the tears begin anew, and Becca leaned her head back onto his shoulder as she shook with silent sobs. Nick held her in silence, letting her cry and just being there for her. All the while, as she wept, he brushed soft kisses on her face, her ear, her neck, whispering quiet endearments. Finally he felt her body begin to sag as her tears were spent.

"Let's get you out that dress and into bed. Tomorrow's gonna be a long day, too."

Stepping back, Nick lowered the zipper down her spine smiling as she shivered in the cool country air. "Let me hang this up and I'll get you warm." Belatedly he realized how that sounded and realized she was watching him intently. "That's not what I meant, Bec," he grinned.

"I know," she nodded, watching as he crossed to the tiny closet to hang up her black dress and pull down another quilt for the wrought iron bed.

"Come on, baby, let's get you tucked in."

"Nicky?" she asked softly.

"Yeah Bec?"

"Make love with me? I need you." The request was spoken almost shyly.

Sitting on the edge of the high bed, he pulled her close to stand between his knees. "Bec, you need to sleep."

"Please?" she whispered. "Please Nick…" She reached below her abdomen, grasping the hem of her full slip and pulling it up and over her head.

Nick's eyes darkened with desire as her body was revealed. In the month that she'd been back she'd grown, her body becoming more rounded as the baby grew inside her, and she'd never been more beautiful. Threading his fingers through her hair, he held her head as he pulled her closer. Eye to eye, he looked at her intently as he wet his lips with his tongue and bent to kiss her. At the touch of his lips against hers, Becca shivered again, but it had nothing to do with the cold.

They kissed sweetly, their bodies barely touching, until Becca swayed toward him. He caught her in his arms, breaking the kiss to simply look into her eyes with all the love in his heart. He tugged gently on her hands and she joined him on the bed, stretching out beside him as he studied her body. The changes were indescribable, and he was content to simply touch her. Ever so slowly he touched her face, his fingers tracing the shape of her eyes and her lips, gasping as she caught one finger between her lips.

"Stop that," he chided, but she simply smiled. "Now then, where was I?" he questioned, stopping the movement of his hand and then chuckling as she moved it to her throat. "Oh, right." Smiling, he ran his fingers down the line of her throat to the valley between her breasts, never once touching the places that begged for attention. Nick smirked as Becca squirmed beneath his hand, and he purposely moved away leaving her wanting more.

"Nick-"

"Be still, Bec. Close your eyes and relax."

She did as she was told and breathed deeply, her body settling in against the soft mattress. As she began to unwind, Nick sat up, removing his shirt and tossing it to the floor before returning to her side. He placed one hand on her abdomen, smiling as he felt the gentle movement beneath his fingers. He began to rub her tummy, moving in ever-decreasing circles until his fingers were over what was left of her bellybutton and then he leaned over it, licking it gently until she moaned.

Becca was lost in a haze as he crawled off the bed to drape his dress pants over the chair in the far corner, and sighed in gratitude as she once again felt the mattress dip with his weight.

"Bec?" His voice next to her ear startled her, and as she turned to him he silenced her with a kiss. God, it was so sweet, and as their tongues touched, he parted her thighs with his hand and found the spot that needed his touch the most. His fingers slipped effortlessly through the damp heat, dipping inside and returning to press rhythmically against her hidden pleasure point. In seconds, she shivered beneath his hand and began to whimper against his mouth. He was relentless, pressing on until she shattered with release. In the stillness of the night he caught her cries with his lips, stroking her gently as she calmed.

Becca's body was flushed and warm and as she felt Nick settle between her thighs, she opened her eyes to watch. Ever so gently he poised himself at her entrance, and as his eyes held hers, he whispered "I love you," sliding deeply within.

He was so afraid of hurting her, and he held himself away in spite of his cast, his hands bearing his weight as they made love. He could feel her body tighten around him, and sped up his movements, still being so very careful …

"Nick, god –" Becca tried to pull him closer, deeper into her body and it wasn't enough; it was never enough. So close, she was so close, and as she strained to meet his movements she reached above her head and grasped the railings of the iron headboard. The leverage she gained was all that was needed and as her hips rose off the mattress, the sharper angle might as well have aligned the planets. Nick thrust into her one last time before coming, and just the feel of him pulsing within sent Becca spinning out of control one last time.

"I love you," she mumbled sleepily as he rolled away and moved to her side.

"I know, baby, god, I know." He hugged her tightly as she snuggled into his arms. As she drifted into an exhausted sleep he began to sing softly.

He yawned sleepily, Becca's head tucked against his shoulder. "Sleep tight," he whispered as his eyes closed, and in her sleep she sighed, a soft smile on her face.

Part 111    The Dance Index