Nick ran a stubborn hand through his curls, loosening them with fury, "Of course." He muttered, "Just..." His voice trailed off for what seamed like miles before a faint whimper awoke him to his responsibilities.
"Daddy?" Samantha dipped her nose under her pink cotton security. She watched her father carefully, noticing his that his eyes were two shades too dark, "You okay?" Samantha bit her lip beneath the blanket as she shuffled herself over towards him. She was smart not to make any sudden sounds that could break her father . He was now tottering on his own emotional edge, "Daddy?" Her delicate hand wired out to his arm and gently caressed his hand, causing him to nod.
"Everything will be okay, darl'." Nick burried his face into his daughter's identical brown curls, "Everything will be okay." He repeated this time more softer, and for his own need. His hand made its way to her back, resting there as comfort, "How about I bring you back to sleep, eh?" Nick started to walk out of the livingroom towards a narrow hall, lined with family pictures.
"You told... Said I get a pony. When?" Samantha slipped an arm down her father's chest down to the buttons on his casual shirt, "I want a pink one. But a real one. No stuffy." She let a small giggle escape her thin lips just as they reached her room. The walls turned from a dusty grey to a candy pink, brightening up his own eyes while dimming hers with sleepiness.
"Soon. Once I talk to Uncle Jack. I need a new job, hunnie." He murmured, trailing his eyes over the small needing child in his arms, "I promise, okay? Daddy promises." Nick laid Samantha down in her small twin sized bed and pulled the sparkling purple covers over her. He let out a helpless sigh, seeing how peaceful she looked. He wanted her to stay happy, much like she was today. Her eyes were so bright, smiles so wide. Samantha loved to play with her toys, yet never with other children. Why? Where was Nick's smile?
Nick tip toed across the hardwood floor, daring not to step on any Barbies, Polly Pockets or any such toys. He smiled as a reward to himself once he reached the other side, "Goodnight, sweetie." His voice a softy whisper, reminding himself much of his father. He walked down the hallway without making a sound.
Once he reached his room he slipped off the navy button up and tossed it onto the floor, "Note to self; work a hell of a lot harder." He mumbled and shook his head in disappointment of himself, causing his russet curls to bounce. Nick then slipped off his jeans, his socks following before he walked over to his bed. He sat down on the side, staring at his dresser that was swimming with ironed ties and shirts on hangers were hung on the nobs where one would open the drawers. Nick shook his head once again before swinging himself onto the bed fully, pulling the deep ocean blue covers over his slightly tanned body. He lay his head on a pillow and began to snore softly within the passing minute.
Nick's toned chest rose up and down with peace. He has always been a gentle kind, caring and selfless person. His father was diagnosed with Cancer when Nick was thirteen. He took the place of the father and mother in the household, keeping a strong backbone for his younger sister.
That meaning, dishes, dinners and laundry was no longer a chore. It was a duty forced onto him. His mother Denise worked long hours at the nursing home, never having a chance to be around the house since she picked up twelve hour shifts. She slept in a nearby Motel, getting three hours of sleep before taking another shift, lasting the usual twelve hours. Never had she ever thought this would be her life and neither had Nick.
High school rolled around with nothing but tear stained eyes, and ragged clothing. His father had died the summer before freshmen year. He was tired, tired of living and tired of trying his best with nothing achieved or thank yous. Nick had big dreams; like every other boy. Dreams to go to an educational college, major in business and have a biography written about your success story. Oh how he dreamed of that. Although, that dream came partly true. It was always seen as another failure in his eyes. One person seemed to swerve him from the never-ending rampage of negative thoughts that demolished his mind; her.
Lauren Savannah Miller. A woman with sweet golden locks and hazel, yet desirable eyes. Her smile so sweet like candy, her hands like cream. She was every man's dream, or at least Nick's. Too bad her emotional pain swallowed her whole. Her and Nick had broken up the week before. So many fights lead to tears that were never meant to be made. And sadly, he remembers that day, Nick that is.
The day she took her final breath. The memory too fresh, too painful. She was so pale that morning, frighteningly pale from her usual tanned complexion. Nick's eyesusually melted into hers, as hers melt into his. Perfect mix of colors. Her eyes, oh you should have seen her eyes. Glossed over, the sparkle diminished, no longer evident. It broke his heart to see her neck, her neck broken beneath the thick and dangerous rope. Her fingertips so cold when his skin brushed against hers. He never got to say any final words. Nick yearned to speak and hold her while Lauren yearned for an end, and an end is what she got. All it was a a tragic end to a fairytale sought out to be nothing short of forever.
Nick has a strong heart, one he'd soon get to share with another woman after four helpless years. Nick is sure in for an unforgettable ride.
"Sammy?" Nick's manly voice echoed off the grey walls towards the bathroom. His hair neatly tucked back with gel, not too much yet not too little. He made sure to be a mixture of professional and presentable with his attire. He took the pants off of the dresser top and slipped them on, making sure his belt was secure, more secure than his bank account. Nick didn't like to waste time, which is why he had buttoned up the red cotton shirt wrong. Off by a few buttons.
"Daddy." Samantha giggled as she pulled the fur of her bear. She was wearing a princess pink night gown, Cinderella's face on the front, "Your shirt looks funny." Her thin lips feld up into a wide grin. She was his princess. He meant everything to her, and he meant everything to her. Although at the tender age of four she knew what love was and she liked it, a lot, "And so does your hair." Her forehead wrinkled, much like her mothers once did.
Nick glanced down at her and couldn't help but laugh at how cute she was, and how her laugh made him feel like he could reach for the stars. He wanted nothing more than to make a smile on her face, he loved her. She is his daughter, his child and his world. "Hey! It's not that bad is it?" He bit his lip and squatted down to her level, watching her take a few steps forward.
Samantha shook her head causing her curls to shake also, "Not TOO bad." She giggled again and poked his hair with her tiny fingers, "You need a haircut." Samantha infrormed him in a way that made him smile and nod.
"I'll get right on that, princess." Nick stook back up and combed his curls back into place, "So, you're going to Uncle Jacks, okay? Daddy has to go find a new job." He took a glance at Samantha from the corner of his eye, wanting to see her reaction.
Her lips fell, "But, daddy." She whined and held her teddy close for comfort, "I wanted to watch a movie with you." Samantha bit her bottom lip in, pouting. She knew how to make him break, and how to put him back together with her small smiles, "Pwease." She tried not to giggle. She wanted him to stay, she wanted to paint his nails and play with his hair while watching Cinderella. Nothing unsual in their household.
Nick let out a helpless sigh, he hated to see his daughter pout, even if it was a fake one, "Samantha Lauren Jonas." He stated, not wanting to cave in, "Go get dressed now please. Jack will be fun, promise. You can play barbies. The whole shabang." He laughed.
"Fine." Samantha let her pout fall, like it was never there, "You bein' honest about a job?" She asked and dropped her teddy to her side, dangling by its arm, "Honest with a T?"
Nick smiled down at her and nodded slowly, "Honest with a T." He said and leaned down, pecking the tip of her nose, causing it to wrinkle inward as she giggled, "Now, go get dressed. Today is gonna be a long day."
You have no idea, Nicholas.
SO, this is my first story here on FF. I hope you liked it, please review! :D I'm Teylor, for those of you who want to know!