Part 540

"Okay party girl, time to take a break," he called out, reaching for her hand.

Becca giggled, taking Nick’s hand and trying to pull him up onto the table, too. "Come dance with me!" she giggled.

"Maybe later, baby," he laughed, shaking his head. She was going to be soooo sick in the morning. "Come on down, it’s time for presents."

"Presents?" Becca’s face brightened. "I love presents," she sighed, stopping dancing and looking down at Nick. "Okay!" And with no warning whatsoever she jumped off the table, and mercifully into Nick’s arms.

"Good catch," Brian snickered.

Becca giggled again. "Aww Nicky, I just fell for you all over again." She looked at the blank look on Nick’s face and continued to giggle. "Get it? *Fell* for you?" She cracked up, burying her face in Nick’s shoulder as he rolled his eyes.

He allowed Becca to kiss him sloppily before parking her in a chair and moving the wine carafe out of her reach. He sat back and enjoyed watching Becca open her gifts, mostly small trinkets and pieces of jewelry that could be packed easily onto the bus. As she read the last card, Nick reached for her hand.

"There’s one more, Bec, but it wouldn’t fit in a box."

"What have you done, Nick?" Becca laughed.

"Actually, we both did it," Sarah answered, chuckling at the confused look on Becca’s face.

"Sarah wrote a song, for Howie, but I asked her if I could have it for tonight."

"Oh!" Becca pressed her fingers to her lips. Her husband’s voice and Sarah’s songwriting, this could be bad. Very bad. In a very good way.

From somewhere behind the table, Sarah’s guitar was produced and she took a few seconds to make sure it was in tune. Nick sat on the edge of the table and took Becca’s hands in his, reaching out to brush her hair away from her face. As Sarah strummed the opening chords of the song, a hush fell over the remaining patrons of the restaurant.

Nick looked deeply into his wife’s eyes and began to sing.

I stare at your face
Into your eyes
Outside, there's so much passing us by
All of the sounds
All of the sights
Over the earth
And Under the sky
Too much cold
And too much rain
Too much heartache to explain

Who needs the world when I've got you
Switch off the sun, the stars and the moon
I've all I need inside of this room
Who needs the world when I've got you

Becca caught her breath at the undisguised emotion in Nick’s voice and even had she wanted to, couldn’t break his gaze. "Oh Nick," she sighed.

I walk on the street
Talk in the dark
I see people, strangers, falling apart
I open my arms
Try to be true
Seems my only truth is you
Am I wrong or am I right?
All I want is you tonight

Every eye in the restaurant was fixed on the young couple as Nick sang the chorus again. Sarah fought back tears as she concentrated on playing the right notes, and she sniffled as she felt Howie’s fingers tangle in her hair.

Nick cupped Becca’s face in his hands and with his thumbs he wiped away the tears that fell freely from her eyes.

Who needs the stars so bright?
And the grass so green?
And the morning light?
Who needs the wind to blow
And the tide to rise
Who needs it?
I don’t know, I don’t know

Silence descended on the crowd as the music faded away. For a heartbeat, no one moved, but then Becca was on her feet, launching herself into Nick’s arms.

"I love you," she whispered over and over again. "Thank you, Nick."

"Just for you, sweetheart," he whispered. "Happy birthday, Becca."

Becca pulled back, and as her eyes met Nick’s she was touched deeply by all that she saw in their crystal depths. Reaching out an index finger, she traced his full lower lip, catching her breath as he caught it between his teeth.

"I meant every word, Bec. Damn baby, I mean … look at all we’ve been through in the last year. None of it means anything if I don’t have you with me. I love you so much."

Becca was practically sobbing. "Oh Nick," she cried, "that’s so beautiful."

"Let’s go, baby," Nick whispered, holding her close and rubbing her back. Looking up at Sarah and Howie, he filled them in on his plans. "I’m gonna take Bec back to the hotel. You two okay?"

"Sure," Howie smiled. "Everything is all set. Here’s our room key." He laughed at the look Nick gave him. "Don’t argue, it’s all set up. We’re taking Garrett for the night and it’ll be easier if we don’t have to move him out of your room."

"Besides," Sarah grinned, "Bec will be in NO shape to deal with a crying baby first thing in the morning."

"Ya think?" Nick smirked, taking the key. "Thanks guys, for everything."

"We’ll see you sometime tomorrow morning," Sarah chuckled. "Maybe I’ll come knocking on your door."

"Not if you value your life," Nick laughed. "No loud noises till after noon, at least." Looking down at the dazed woman in his arms, he laughed. "Come on party girl, let’s go home."

"Umm .. ‘kay," Becca mumbled.

"Say goodnight, Bec," Nick prompted her.

"G’night Bec," she said obediently, hiccupping loudly.

Nick laughed and steered her to the door, waving over his shoulder at the assembled group of friends.

Sarah watched the limo pull away from the curb and laughed loud and hard. "Oh poor Bec," she said, shaking her head.

"Tomorrow’s gonna be a really long day for her," AJ laughed.

"And it’s up to us to make it even longer," Sarah smirked.

"Angel, you’re cruel," Howie laughed.

"Uh huh," she agreed readily as everyone else laughed along.

Part 541        Index