Chapter 18
Nick sat there the entire night, just watching me sleep. He made the decision that no matter what happened, it would not destroy our love. He got up and walked over to my side, and just lightly kissed me on the forehead. I stirred gently, and then fell back asleep. Without a sound, he left the room and went to the kitchen to make some breakfast. This time, she won't miss getting breakfast, he though to himself with a smile.
As he was preparing a mouthwatering meal, the phone rang.
"Good morning, Carter residence, may I help you?" he spoke so professionally.
"Damn Nick, could you just be normal and answer with a simple 'hello' next time?" the voice on the other end asked.
"Hey Kevin, what's up?" Nick said with laughter in his voice.
"I didn't wake you did I? Is Heather there?" Kevin questioned.
"No, no, I was making breakfast and yes, Heather is here." Nick answered. "Brian said that you wanted us to meet with you today, is that what this is about?"
"Well, Nick, I am totally ashamed of what I did. I know you two love each other. I don't know why I have been so protective of you. You are just like my little brother, and I didn't want to see you get hurt, that's all." Kevin explained.
"It's okay man, you have my forgiveness, but I don't know about Heather. She had a really rough day yesterday, and I don't know how she will deal with you. She has no one Kevin, except us, and we are her family, can you understand that?" Nick spoke to his friend.
"Yeah man, I am sorry. I understand that she is not going to hurt you, she loves you. I need to be more understanding of both of you. You really love her, don't you?" he asked, still not believing.
"Come on Train. You know that I love her. I can't wait until we are married. She is so lovely, and beautiful, and sweet, and kind…and beautiful, and smart, and caring, and beautiful…and…" Nick rambled.
"Okay! I get the point. So, is there anyway you can bring her here to my house later this morning so we can talk?" he asked impatiently.
"Sure, I will tell her that you wanted to speak to her, I am sure that she will come." he finished. "Hey, I gotta go, the Belgian waffles are gonna catch on fire!" he rushed.
"Belgian waffles??!! Dude, you ARE in love!! See ya later!" Kevin finished, then hung up the phone.
*****
I could smell the most tantilizing smells coming from down the hall. It reminded me of those Folgers Coffee commercials, the ones where the smell waked everyone up.
Belgian waffles? I thought to myself. Naw, it can't be, Nick ain't THAT talented. Or was he? I kept thinking as I finally got up and put a fluffy bathrobe around me.
"Nick? Sweetheart? Where are you?" I kept calling out around the house. I finally arrived on the back porch, and almost cried when I saw the display.
"Oh my gosh Nick. You did ALL that?" was all I could let out of me.
Nick just nodded yes and blushed.
The patio table was covered in a beautiful silk table cloth. He
had a huge vase of pink roses, and one of my favorite, chocolate roses.
(AN: there ARE such things as Chocolate roses…not the kind you eat,
but REAL flowers. hehe)
Rose petals were spread around the table, and the finest china was
set out. He had poured two glassed of cranberry juice, and had two
cups of tea, (lemon tea) sitting at their proper places. A
platter of Belgian waffles were placed between our plates, and there was
fruit, whip cream, syrup, powdered sugar, cinnamon, chocolate syrup, and
butter. Sausage and bacon were also on a plate, as well as eggs,
cooked to my favorite style, over easy.
"I didn't know exactly what you like to put on your waffles, so I got everything I could think of. And, well, sausage and bacon both sounded good. Umm, the eggs are for you, I don’t really like that way, but I made them especially for you." Nick spoke, totally nervous.
I was so shocked that I almost passed out. "You sure went out of your way Nick. Goodness, this is just wonderful." I said softly.
"Anything for you my dear. I promised that I would take care of you, and this is only the beginning." he said as he escorted me to my seat, and helped push the chair in for me. Just like a true gentleman, he served me first.
Tears were welling up in my eyes. I couldn't believe it. This was all real, but none of it totally sunk in til that very moment. "You have made me happiest woman in the world, I could never ask for anything more." I whispered.
He smiled and winked at me. We ate everything that was prepared and then sat for a few minutes to talk.
"Heather, I have to tell you something. Kevin called this morning to see if you were still here." Nick looked at me.
"He was hoping I had run away and never come back, huh?" I said disappointed.
"Actually, no. He was hoping you were here so he could talk to you. He apologized for his actions yesterday, and he wants us to come over to his house, so he could tell you personally." Nick finished.
"He wants to actually talk to me? Am I dreaming?" I said sarcastically. Nick looked hurt. "I am sorry sweetheart, it's just that he was so mean, and I am afraid of being in the same room with him now." I apologized.
"It's okay, honest. I talked to him. All he wants is for us to come over for a little while. Please, will you do this for me?" he asked.
"Yes, for you Nick, I will do anything." I said as we heard the phone ring.
Nick ran to answer the phone. Several minutes later, he came back with some news from management.
"Umm, Heather, I don't know how to tell this to you, but management wants us to hold a press conference, to talk about last night at the restaurant. They say we HAVE to, no complaints." he looked uneasy.
"Well, I knew this would come eventually, so better not put it off. Let's get this whole mess straightened up. When do we have to be there?" I said.
"Later this afternoon, but I told that we had plans for this morning, but we would be there at 4 pm. The other guys will also be there with us; we are all in this together. Okay?" he looked at me with those puppy dog eyes of his.
"Okay, this will work. Let's get going and go talk to Kevin." I said, trying to be strong.
We finally left, and made our way to Kevin's house. He house was nicely decorated, and it was obvious it was lived in. Kevin's roommate always kept the place neat, but not to Kevin's liking. He was very picky about how clean everything was. That was obvious to us as we walked in. Kevin was running around trying to tidy up the place.
"I am sorry guys, I should have cleaned before you got here. I apologize. My mom always taught me hospitality, and I am not showing it now." he panicked.
"Dude, don't worry, if you saw my house, you would die. I live in a pig-sty all the time!!!" I said, putting Kevin at ease.
"Thanks Heather. That makes me feel so much better." he said. He saw the look on my face and said., "I am sorry again Heather, I didn't mean it that way. Boy, I am batting a thousand today, aren't I?"
I just nodded and looked at him. Nick broke the conversation by saying, "Dude, you heard about last night? Well, we have a press conference this afternoon. You are supposed to be there."
"Yup, management called me just before you got here. I will most definitely be there, to defend two of the nicest people in the world that I know." he said with a smile. "Now, as for you Heather, I owe you an apology for yesterday. I was a real jerk, and I know that I hurt you. I don't expect you to forgive me, I just hope that you don't hate me. I think you are a beautiful person, and I think Nick is a very lucky man." he finished.
I just ran up to him and hugged him. "I forgive you Kevin. Just don't let it happen again, got it?" I said as I smacked him on the shoulder. "We are friends, and I expect it to stay that way. Just remember, I made the mistakes I made, and I regret them, but I promise not to hurt Nick like that. Okay? I love you my friend." I said as I gave Kevin another hug.
"I thought you said you love me!" Nick pouted.
"Silly, I DO love you…as my lover, husband to be, and my very best friend. But I love Kevin in a friendship way. Don't worry!!!" I told him trying not to laugh.
"Let's go and get some lunch, on me. I am starved." Kevin offered. "Come on, let's go get some Italian food."
We left for our lunch with Kevin, glad that the tension between us was
over. At least that was one thing we didn't have to be concerned
with now. All we had left was the press conference.