Part 602

Becca wakened the next morning to soft lips nibbling her ear and a large hand caressing her hip. With a sigh and a smile, she snuggled further down into the covers, pressing her cold foot between Nick’s calves.

 

“Damn, woman, if you weren’t so sexy I’d push you out of the bed.”

 

Becca giggled as he bit down on her ear and reached back to run her fingers through his hair. “Sexy? Me?!” She laughed. “I’m just an old married mom.”

 

“Not last night you weren’t,” he contradicted her as he nibbled his way down her neck.

 

Becca turned in his arms so that she could see his face. “That was amazing, wasn’t it?”

 

“The best, Bec. It felt so good to have you back in my arms, to be able to really show you how much you mean to me.” Dipping his head he kissed her softly, until she began to laugh. “What?” he frowned, pulling away.

 

“Yeah, you missed me,” she giggled. “You were just horny, you dog.”

 

“Well, yeah, that too,” he laughed as he rolled over and pulled her atop of him. “How did you sleep?”

 

“Like the dead,” she laughed. “You wore me out, Nick.”

 

“Maybe, but I think our son had a head start on that already.” Nick chuckled as Becca wrinkled her nose at him. Maybe this was a little too much reality too soon after the amazing night they’d shared. “But he can’t have you back just yet. There’s a few more surprises left.”

 

“More? Nick, this was more than enough. Time alone with you, and knowing what you did to set it all up?” Becca sighed. “Now I have to go back down and grovel to Sarah.”

 

“No you don’t,” he laughed. “She deserved everything you gave her and more. I’d say you’re about even.”

 

“Let’s see if SHE feels the same way.” About that time, both their stomachs began to rumble and it set off a round of giggles in them both.

 

“And after all that food last night, too,” Nick said laughing. “Lemme go down and start breakfast.”

 

“Sounds wonderful. I’ll be down as soon as I get dressed.”

 

“Don’t you dare get dressed. I don’t have to have you home till later this morning and I’m not done with you yet.”

 

“Oh.” Becca blushed, but quickly recovered. “Sounds like a plan to me.”

 

“Take your time, I’ll get the coffee started.” Nick pulled on his silk pajama pants and started for the door.

 

“Nick?”

 

He turned to find Becca sitting up in bed, the comforter just barely covering her breasts and her hair falling over her shoulders. “Yeah Bec?”

 

“I love you,” she whispered.

 

In three steps he was back beside her, one knee on the bed and his fingers in her hair. He kissed her soundly and as the covers fell away he cupped a full breast in his hand and kneaded gently. “I love you too, baby,” he answered roughly, “but if I don’t get downstairs right now we’ll never get out of here.”

 

“You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

 

“Hold that thought till you see what else I have for you, okay?” With a quick kiss to her nose, he was out the door, taking the steps two at a time and singing at the top of his lungs.

 

“Goof,” she said laughing as she reached for her silk pajamas. “MY goof.”

 

The sun was shining through the double window in the kitchen and as Becca walked in, Nick was scrambling eggs and singing. He was just so adorable, green silk pants, bare feet, bed head, and shaking his butt while he moved around the kitchen. She lay her head against his back, moving in time to the music and listening to his heart beat and to his words.

 

“And it hits me when I reach for you, that I’m afraid you won’t be there. Maybe I am in too deep, but I don’t care!” Still holding the Teflon spatula in his hand, he turned and swung her about, dancing her across the floor until the toast popped up. “Get that, wouldja?”

 

“Sure thing, hot stuff.” Becca buttered the toast as Nick continued to sing, laughing when he stopped to change the words every so often. “Nick? What’s the song?”

 

“Somethin’ I’ve been messin’ with. You like it?” Grabbing two plates from the dishwasher, he served up the eggs and bacon he’d cooked. “Pour some coffee and bring the toast out here. We can eat by the fireplace again, Bec.”

 

“Okay. And yes, I like it, it’s catchy. Is it for the group or what?” she called after him.

 

“Nah, I don’t think so. But I don’t know yet, we’ll see.” He grinned up at Becca as she plopped down on the floor beside him. “Eat up woman, you need your strength for the rest of the day.”

 

“Nick, I’m not going to be able to walk by the end of the day,” she chided with a grin.

 

“I AM da man,” he cackled. “Hush up and eat.”

 

They finished their breakfast in silence, save for some sidelong glances and giggles. Every time Becca thought she had herself under control, Nick would snicker and wiggle his eyebrows and she’d lose it all over again. Taking one last drink of her coffee, she began to gather the dishes. “I’ll be right back, don’t go away,” she smirked.

 

“No chance, baby,” he smiled. When she was gone, he reached behind the clock and pulled out the envelope that Kryss had hidden. He checked the information, then looked back at the clock. They’d have to hurry.

 

“What’s that, Nick?”

 

“What?” Nick jumped, he hadn’t seen her come back. “Oh, this?” He grinned happily. “One more surprise, that’s all.”

 

“More? Nick, what have you done?”

 

“Come here.” He waited for Becca to come closer, and then he rested his hands on her shoulders. As she looked up into his eyes he handed her the envelope, but wouldn’t let her open it just yet. “Bec,” he took a deep breath. “It’s been a crazy year. When I look back on everything that has happened, everything that you and I have been through, I can’t take it all in, you know? But I know one thing. I wouldn’t change any of it, Bec. As many times as we cried, as long as we were apart, it all brought us here today. And we’re together, Bec, you and me, for a lifetime. I just wanted you to know that and how much I love you.”

 

Becca’s eyes were wet, but there was no way she could speak.

 

“Anyway, I didn’t think I could do this, but Sarah’s dad kinda took over and helped. I hope this makes it all better.” He let go of the envelope, and nodded his head when she asked with her eyes if it was okay to open.

 

She removed the contents, and as she read what was printed there, her eyes widened and the tears she’d been holding back spilled down her face. “Nick?” She looked up into an equally wet pair of blue eyes and caught her breath as he nodded his head.

 

“We’re going home Bec.”

 

“Oh my god. Home? Really?” It was too much, and she was too afraid to believe it.

 

“In about two hours, Bec. Mr. Taylor says it takes about a half hour to get to the airport, so-”

 

“We need to pack!” She grabbed Nick’s hands and began to pull him toward the stairs. When he didn’t budge, she turned to find him watching her with a deep, deep love in his eyes. “I love you so much, Nick. I really do.”

 

“I know that, baby, I do.”

 

“Wait, what about-”

 

Nick knew exactly where her thoughts were headed. “Bec, we’ll be home tonight. HOME. The next time we make love will be in our own house, in our own bed. Sound good?”

 

“It sounds perfect. Race ya upstairs?”

 

“Nah.” With a shake of his head, he picked her up, threw her over his shoulder and carried her up to their bedroom, laughing all the way as she shrieked. It was a beautiful day, and in no less than half an hour they were showered and on their way back down to the Taylor house.

Part 603                Index