Part 119
"A.C.! Whassup?" Nick grinned as he heard his brother’s voice over the phone. "Not much here, we just got home." As he talked, Nick settled sideways into the recliner, his long legs draped over the arm.
Becca smiled as she walked by, waving her fingers at Nick.
"Bec says hi. Yeah, ok… Aaron says ‘hey’," he called as she carried the first load of laundry to the utility room.
As Becca walked back and forth, she caught bits and pieces of Nick’s side of the conversation. She loved to watch Nick as he talked to Aaron; his face softened and it was so obvious how much he loved his brother. He laughed at something Aaron said and Becca couldn’t resist leaning over and kissing him on the top of his head as she walked by.
"Nah, we’re good," he continued. "Yeah, Bec’s great." He winked at her and she smiled. "Big as a house, though," he ducked unsuccessfully as she hurled a pillow at his face. "Ouch! Damn, Aaron, she’s throwing shit at me!"
"You’re a dead man, Carter," she whispered, blowing kisses as he laughed.
"What?" he asked Aaron, covering his free ear with his hand. "Becca was talking to me … it sounded like you said mom wants us to come out. Seriously? She said that?"
Becca stopped dead still, staring at Nick, her eyes wide with mock fear.
"Sure, I didn’t forget. You’ll be in Tampa in a few days. Of course we’ll come over." He struggled to keep from laughing as Becca made faces, pointing her finger at her head and mouthing ‘shoot me now’. "Okay, dude, call me when you get there, ok? If you’ve got some free time well take the boat out. Just you and me? Sure, I’d like that. Bec can hang out and bond with mom." He held the phone away from his ear and Becca could hear Aaron laughing hysterically, even all the way across the room.
As she collapsed on the couch she heard Nick protest, "Of course I love Becca, A.C., but I think she’ll be good for her. Mom, you moron, not Becca, Becca’s already normal. Yeah? So, maybe she’ll rub off on mom. Call me, ok? We’re going to Howie’s club tonight so leave a message if we’re out. Right, I love you, too." Nick sighed as he broke the connection, staring off at nothing, his thoughts a million miles away.
"Nick, you ok?" Becca asked and Nick looked up, startled to find her sitting at his feet.
"Huh? Oh, yeah, just thinking."
"Nick, I knew you were kidding."
"I know Bec, but-"
"It’s gonna be fine. I’ll be okay and your mom will be, too."
"But I know her; I know how she can be."
Becca sat back on her heels, resting her hands on his knees. "Nick, look at me, are you worried about me or yourself?"
"That’s crazy, Bec. She doesn’t bother me, it’s you I’m worried about."
"Don’t, Nick, it doesn’t matter. She can’t hurt us; we’re together and that’s all that matters." She looked up into Nick’s face and the uncertainty she saw there made her stomach ache. ‘God, what’s she done to you?’ she thought.
"I’m sorry Bec, I know it shouldn’t matter, but-"
"But it does. She’s your mother, Nick, and her opinion will always matter to you. You just can’t let it rule your heart. I know all the arguments she has. Trust me, I’ve thought the same things *she* has. ‘We’re too young.’ Yes, we are, but we’re doing the right thing and taking responsibility for our actions and we’ll be fine. ‘I don’t have a very good track record where you’re concerned’ and she’s right to be worried. Nick, you’re her baby, her first born; she wants to protect you."
Nick sat up and leaned forward, holding her face in his hands. "How’d you get to be so smart?"
Becca shrugged. "Just common sense, Nick. And it’s a ‘mom’ thing. I’m beginning to understand what it’s like to want to have the best for your child."
Leaning over, Nick kissed her forehead and let out the breath he’d been holding. "Something tells me my mom may have met her match."
Becca laughed. "Nick, it’s not a competition."
Nick shook his head as he laughed along with her. ‘Oh you silly girl,’ he thought to himself, ‘you have no idea. It’s only just begun.’