Even though it's after 1 am here and Valentine's is over, here's a special addition.
Nick and Amanda had plans this Valentine's. Nothing complicated, they'd have dinner with Ethan, read him a story before bed and once he's asleep – they could have the rest of the night for themselves. It's been a hectic week for the two of them, Nick had a big operation he was in charge of and Amanda was working on a sensitive case. Cesaria watched Ethan a lot, she was happy to help but she made plans with Frank for Valentine's and told them she wouldn't be free to babysit.
Things were going according to plan – Nick picked up Ethan from his mother's place, he gave him a snack and they played until Amanda was home. They had dinner, and Nick organized the house while Amanda gave hurricane Ethan a bath.
He was asleep after one bedtime story and everything seemed to be going great. Amanda took Frannie for a walk and stopped to get them chocolates for desert.
When she walked into the house she found everything was in place, including one very handsome man in nothing but his boxers.
"You should greet me like that everyday" she bit her lip and locked the front door "I really like it"
"I'm glad you do, but I think we should even the playing field, if you know what I mean" he tried to sound casual.
"I think I know what you mean" she slowly walked towards him, gradually unbuttoning her blouse, as if they had all the time in the world.
Nick stared at her, smiling as she exposed more and more of her skin. Damn, he loved her and wanted to show her how much. He wanted to carry her to bed, kiss and nibble on every single inch of her glorious body, slowly make love to her until they are both completely spent. That image was almost enough for Nick to grab her in his arms and forget about the slow pace.
But Amanda was right next to him, every single button was free and all he had to do was push the blouse over her shoulders.
"You like what you see?" she teased, reaching for his waist, but not touching him.
"You know I love what I see"
"Love, ha? Well, it is Valentine's, time to love" she finally allowed her fingers to connect with his skin.
"It's just a day for me…" he shrugged.
"Well, if it's just a day" she pretended to turn around but Nick didn't let her get away, he pulled her to him for a kiss, enjoying the way she took charge, attacking his tongue with desire. He wanted to take this to the bedroom and was about to carry her there.
"Mommy" their son's voice forced them to pull away and Amanda wrapped the shirt around herself. This wasn't a part of the plan, but maybe he had a bad dream.
"What is it baby?" she smiled at him.
"My tummy hurts" he touched it, looking upset.
Amanda smiled at Nick, as if to say that they'll take care of this and will have the rest of the night together.
"Poor baby" she quickly buttoned the shirt and raised him in her arms, caressing his stomach.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
"We were just going to bed" Nick chuckled, that's what they were about to do.
"My tummy hurts" Ethan looked at Nick.
"How about mommy kisses it and makes it go away, ok?" Amanda offered. Ethan lifted his pajama shirt a little and she gave him a few kisses "feel better?"
He nodded and rested his head on her shoulder.
"I'll bring you some water and then you should try to go back to sleep, ok?" Nick caressed his head and walked to the kitchen to bring the boy a drink.
"Go back to sleep now, ok kiddo?" Amanda kissed his cheek and took him to his room.
"Mommy" Ethan said when he was under the blanket "I want another kiss"
"No problem, can I give you two?" Ethan nodded and Amanda kissed each of his cheeks "good night baby, I love you"
Amanda turned off the lights and returned to the living room "so…" she crossed her arms.
"How about we watch TV, make sure he's ok and then…go on with our plan" he offered.
"Deal"
They spent almost an hour watching some program, they were so busy and didn't follow any programs, Amanda rested her head against him and he played with her hair.
"I'll go check on him" Nick said after a while, they had to go to work tomorrow so if they wanted to get some sleep – they had to get going.
Ethan was sound asleep, he looked fine, had no fever. Nick smiled and walked to the bedroom, Amanda was already there, lying in bed to save some time.
Nick didn't waste time on talking, he climbed on top of her and caught the lips he loved so much with his. It felt so good to kiss her, Nick could never get enough, especially when they were alone and could kiss as passionately as they wanted to.
"Mommy" Ethan opened the door and Nick rolled off of her.
"What happened?" Nick asked.
"My tummy hurts, what are you doing?"
"We just wanted to go to sleep" Amanda explained and pulled him to her "your tummy hurts?" she asked.
"Yes" he looked sad and Amanda gave him a sympathetic look.
When he was born she was ready to take him to the hospital for every single sign of discomfort, but Nick calmed her down and she outgrew the hysteric mother stage. Kids didn't feel good sometimes, that's how it worked.
"Lie down" Amanda placed him on the bed and smiled at Nick, he returned the gesture, and put a shirt on, getting under the blanket with them.
"It's valeties" Ethan said "Abuela told me"
"Valentine's" Nick corrected him.
"Yes" he nodded "Abuela loves me"
"Of course she does" Amanda lightly kissed his forehead "we love you too"
"Why?" he looked at her.
"Why?" Amanda chuckled and looked at Nick "how could I not? You're my baby"
"Yes" he nodded "daddy's too"
"Yes you are" Nick watched the little boy, he loved that creature, the little hurricane who threw around his shoes, loved listening to the same story over and over and over again, who drew a painting on Frannie one time and then drew the same thing on the wall. This child who had his hair and his eyes but was so much like his mother, who loved his grandmother, his siblings, his parents and his dog and said it all of the time.
"Mommy I love you" Nick smiled to himself, it was like the boy could read his mind.
"Yeah?" she asked and Ethan nodded "why?"
Ethan was confused by the question and didn't know how to respond, he looked to his father for guidance.
"Why do we love mommy?" Nick looked at him.
"Why?" Ethan asked.
"Well" Nick glanced at Amanda, she looked very curious "mommy is amazing"
"Mommy you're amazing" Ethan turned to look at her, as if he was the one who came up with the answer.
"That's it?"
Ethan looked at Nick again, needing his help "she is smart and funny and beautiful"
"Mommy" Ethan pulled on her shirt so she'd look at him "you're smart and funny and beautiful"
"You are so sweet" Amanda kissed the tip of his nose.
"I'm sweet" he agreed.
"And mommy's also…" Nick continued, looking straight into her eyes "makes my life so much better by just being there"
"Yes" Ethan didn't repeat it this time, he yawned and Amanda thought he'd fall asleep, maybe the stomach ache was gone.
"So does daddy" Amanda looked at Nick "I love you"
"I love you" Nick caressed her cheek, careful not to disturb Ethan, whose eyes were now closed and he was breathing evenly between them.
"It's probably not Valentine's anymore" Amanda sighed, so much for making plans.
"How about we call in sick tomorrow" he offered.
"Only if you promise to kiss my stomach" she winked and they drifted off to sleep.
