Part 204

Becca braced herself against the back of a seat as the bus lurched, but once she found her footing she made her way to the bathroom in the back. The partition was closed, which was strange, but she'd already figured out that Nick was up to something and Sarah was right in the middle of it all. She squeezed her way in, and closing the door behind her, caught her breath at the filmy concoction that hung on the back of the door. She touched it gingerly, letting the lace slip between her fingers as she read the note that was pinned to the bodice.

Becca dropped her clothes to the floor and slipped the creamy satin and lace gown over her head, smoothing her hands over the soft folds as they hugged her body. The high waistline supported her breasts, accentuated their fullness and set off her complexion to perfection. Picking up a brush, she stroked her hair until it shone, falling in soft waves over her shoulders.

As Becca made herself ready, Nick was pacing. He dimmed the lights until only the candles were casting a soft glow. Dinner was ready and the champagne glasses were waiting to be filled. He had chuckled when he found the bottle, Sarah's note taped to it. Nick, don't worry. I called Dr. Warren and she assures me that two glasses this late in the game won't do any harm. Enjoy! Now he contented himself with more pacing and wiping his damp hands on his trousers. Until a gentle knock sounded at the doorway.

"Nick?" she called softly.

Taking a deep breath, he opened the door and both stood silent at what they found. He'd never seen her as beautiful and he couldn't take his eyes off her.

And Nick, my god. Becca looked him up and down, from head to toe. He was wearing a black tux complete with all the trappings. His hair was softly spiked as if he'd gelled it right out of the shower and he was beautiful.

Nick pulled himself from his trance and took her hand. "Come in." He closed the door behind her and their privacy was complete.

Becca looked at the tiny room. It was hard to believe they were on a bus. There was a nice tablecloth, china service for two and champagne? Becca smiled. "Nick, this is wonderful."

"You're wonderful." Leaning against her back he pressed a kiss to her shoulder, grasping her upper arms in his hands. Reaching off to the side, he produced a single long-stemmed rose and held it out to her.

Becca pressed her nose to the blossom, breathing in its scent and sighing. "You did all this?"

"Most of it. I had some help pulling it all together, but I did the planning. The champagne was Sarah's doing." He showed her the note and they both laughed.

"Nick this is so perfect. Why-"

"Just because I wanted to. I wanted to show you how special you are to me and how much I love you. I know it's been hard for you lately."

"Nick, I've been such a shrew. I'm sorry." She cast her eyes downward.

"No, you haven't." he turned her around. "Becca, you're entire system is screwy, and you've been living on a bus for crying all night. I can't believe you'd do this in your condition," he said, shaking his head.

"Nick, of course I'd do it."

"Why?"

"Why?" she repeated.

"Yeah, why? Why would you choose to spend your days and nights in this insanity when you could be at home shopping for tiny baby things, and putting your feet up?"

"Nick, you're serious, aren't you."

"I need to know, Bec. I just feel like I've been so unfair to you, so selfish…"

"Nick, no!"

"But sometimes I do, Bec. Sometimes I wish I weren't part of all this insanity so that I could just sit on the couch at home and hold you."

"Nick, I wouldn't be anywhere but by your side."

"Why?"

"I love you."

"I love you too."

"No, that's why I'm here, because I love you."

His eyes looked into hers and he asked again, "Why? Why do you love me?"

"Because … lots of reasons."

"Tell me." He sat, pulling her onto his lap.

"I love you because you make me laugh. You make me feel good about myself." She touched her palm to his face, and he turned his head to press a kiss into it.

"What else?" he whispered.

"I love the way you smile at me, and the way you watch me when you don't think I know it," she laughed as he blushed. "I love the way you touch me, Nick. Just normal, everyday touches that show me you care. A hand on my back, helping me out of a chair, reaching something on the top shelf for me."

"It pays to be tall," he smiled.

"And I love the way you say my name. All the ways you say my name, whether it's just in passing or when we make love. God, I think that's the best." She ended with a breathy sigh and leaned forward to touch her lips to his. She sighed as his hand wrapped behind her neck and he deepened the kiss.

"Now do you understand?" he asked quietly as he leaned his forehead against hers.

"Understand what?"

"Why I love you?

"I know you love me, Nick," she said, puzzled.

"A few nights ago, on the way to Houston, you asked me 'why' I could even stand to be around you, and I didn't really understand how you could even ask me; how you couldn't know the answer. So I thought about it, and I talked to Sarah. I didn't understand a lot of the things you're going through, but she helped me, Bec."

"Nick, I was just down that night. I didn't mean-"

"Baby, I know you didn't mean it, but I needed to prove to you how much you mean to me."

"So you did all this …"

"All those things you said, Bec, all the reasons you love me? It's such simple things, but it goes for me, too."

"Tell me, Nick. Please?" She twined her fingers with his, eager to hear what he had to say.

"Becca, you're beautiful. To me, you're perfect. You'll get your shape back, and you know what? Even if you don't I'm not going anywhere. I didn't fall in love with you for your body. I fell in love with your grace, the way you care for everyone around you. You always put others first, even when it scares the hell out of you. When you laugh I melt. The sound of your laughter is like music to me and when I hear it I know that life is good, because you're happy."

Nick stopped to brush away the tears that were falling on her cheeks. "I love the way you hold things in, even if you shouldn't. You try to protect everyone around you at your own expense." He brushed her hair away from her face. "You're so soft, and I love the way you feel in my arms. I love the way you feel when I make love to you, the way you move with me and the way you make me feel."

"Nick-"

He pressed a hand to her belly. "And I love this, Bec. I love you for all you've been through to keep our child safe and sheltered. I'm humbled by all that you give me, Bec, and I just hope I can live up to it and be deserving." He stood, bringing her body against his as he held her close. As they stood together, they began to sway to the music that played. Nick and Becca held to each other, lost in the music as they let their love flow around them. It seemed they stayed that way for a long time, until a third party made its presence felt.

Becca giggled as the baby rolled from one side to the other, right against Nick's abdomen. The laughter was contagious and Nick began to chuckle.

"I love you very much," he said once more, cradling her face in his hands.

"I love you too. Thank you."

"Come on, dinner's getting cold. Or warm, I guess." He led her to her seat, tucking her napkin in her lap and lifting the covers off the service dishes.

"Nick, you goof!" Becca laughed at the array of food. Nick had chosen all of her favorite comfort snack foods and set them all out in fancy dishes. "Oh lord, my doctor's nightmare …" she sighed as her mouth watered.

"It's only one night Bec, just relax and enjoy." He grinned as he helped serve her: cheese and crackers, cold spinach dip, warm cheese fondue … and the grand finale, loaded potato skins.

"This is heaven, " she sighed. "I've died and gone to heaven."

"Heaven is anywhere you are, Bec."

Becca giggled. "I do love you, Nick."

"I know," he smirked. "Hang on-" Wrapping a towel around the cork on the champagne, he succeeded in popping the cork without spilling it everywhere. Without another word he filled their glasses, and kneeling by her side, they locked arms and each took a sip, their eyes never leaving the others'. The bus rolled on into the night as they ate and drank, more relaxed than they'd been in weeks.

Part 205        The Dance Index(2)