Chapter 25: Ready For Everything
Nicky hummed happily as she unpacked her suitcase and placed her things in their proper places in Mort's room as he sat, typing away at his laptop. They had spent a little time brainstorming on their story until they both ran out of ideas and Mort was itching to work on his book. He finished his train of thought and sat back as he stretched.
I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly
I'll do what it takes till I touch the sky
I gotta
Make a wish
Take a chance
Make a change
And break away
Mort smiled and turned his head to watch Nicky paced from the bed to his dresser as she started singing. She was so cute when she was happy and Raven-free. He was feeling a lot better too, now that Shooter was gone for good. His mind didn't seem so clouded anymore and he loved it. His ideas were flowing more freely and it was easier to concentrate on what he was doing. Even with the little bit he had been working on, he noticed a definite change.
"Sweetheart?" Nicky suddenly called.
"Yeah?" Mort called back, quickly turning to his laptop. Nicky walked out of his room holding something in her hand as he looked intently at his laptop. She stood next to him and tapped his shoulder, making him finally look at her.
"I didn't know you smoked," she said timidly. Mort frowned and glanced down at the half empty pack of Pall Mall cigarettes she was holding.
"Uh," he tried. "I don't. Shooter used to smoke those."
"Did he smoke this brand, too?" she smirked, holding up another half empty pack of L&M cigarettes. Mort swallowed and chuckled nervously.
"Those, uh," he tried again, placing a finger on his lower lip in thought. "Those are, uh, are mine. They're for when I'm stressed."
"Really?" she nodded. "So I guess you won't be needing tem anymore, hm?"
"Well, not the Pall Mall's," he confessed, taking the other brand from her and quickly putting them into a drawer in his desk. Nicky rolled her eyes but couldn't help but smile as she walked down the stairs to throw the other cigarettes away.
Mort watched her walk down the stairs and jumped when he felt something jump in his lap. He looked down to see Fifi stretching and curling up into his lap to sleep. He smiled and scratched her head, making her purr and snuggle closer to his hand. He chuckled and turned back to his lap top.
"Ok," he sighed. "Now, how do I end this thing?"
"'And they all lived happily ever after,'" Nicky suggested walking up the stairs.
"Very funny, sweetness," Mort retorted as she walked up next to him then noticed her cat in his lap.
"Oh, Fifi," she sighed and reached for the feline, but Mort gently smacked her hands away as he still stared at the screen.
"It's ok," he said. "Leave her there."
Nicky smiled and nodded then leaned on his shoulder to look at his laptop.
"Wow," she sighed. "The ending already? It seems like it was yesterday when you couldn't figure out how to have the two characters meet."
"Yeah," Mort sighed and looked up at her. "Now I can't figure out how to end it."
Nicky smiled down at him and kissed his cheek letting her lips linger a bit.
"You'll think of something," she whispered. She stood tall to walk to his room but he caught her wrist, making her frown at him in confusion.
"Maybe I need a break?" he smirked and she smiled back, walking closer to him.
"A twenty minute break?" she wondered and he chuckled, leaning his head back as she walked behind him.
"Maybe," he grinned. Nicky leaned closer to his lips and brushed her own against them.
"Twenty minutes to help me unpack in your room?" she murmured and Mort groaned in disappointment. He had been hoping for a make-out session.
"You're no fun," he complained she patted his cheek.
"I know," she smiled, standing tall again and walking into his room. Mort bit his cheek in thought then glanced at his screen then looked down at Fifi, sleeping in his lap. He looked up at his room again and sighed, not being able to help himself.
"Whatever this hold she has on me is, I hope it never goes away," he thought. He gently picked up the cat in his lap and placed her on his chair then put his computer to sleep and hurried into his room.
He smiled as he watched her listening to her iPod. It was in her pocket, the ear phones in her ears and she was obviously listening to a very lively song because she was rocking out on an air guitar, her eyes shut tight. Her head thrashed around, flipping her hair around as well.
Nicky whipped her head back and she was suddenly thrown off balance when she did. She stumbled back and Mort ran toward her as he saw her falling to catch her arm. She fell back onto the bed with Mort on top of her.
"Mort!" she laughed breathily, pulling her ear phones from her ears and shutting her iPod off. "Were you watching me?"
"Yes," he admitted instantly. "You play a stellar air guitar."
Nicky giggled and slid her arms around his neck, giving him an Eskimo kiss.
"You want your twenty minutes?" she whispered, but before he could answer, her lips planted themselves to his, her fingers running through his hair, her eyes shut tight. He groaned in approval and pulled her closer as he melted into the kiss. Nicky arched her neck back and Mort took the hint, starting to trail hot, wet kisses down her neck.
"Mort?"
"Hm?"
"I-I'm ready."
Mort froze and looked up at her with wide, disbelieving eyes. That tone. Those words. She said it. She meant it. He knew she meant it. But, just to be sure…
"What?" he breathed.
"You heard me," she smirked, amused by his shock. "I said I'm ready."
"Y-You're sure?" he breathed again and she nodded. He breathed deeply but sucked the breath in when Nicky shifted, her lower body suddenly cradling his perfectly.
"I love you, Mort," she whispered, catching his attention. "I want to share this with you. And now that Shooter and Raven are gone, it'll be much better, don't you think?"
"Y-Yeah," he choked then swallowed. "I love you too, sweetness. That's why I wanna make sure you're sure."
Nicky smiled and pulled his ear close to her lips and whispered: "I'm sure."
--
Mort held Nicky in his arms as she lay on her side, her back facing him. One of his hands was under her, wrapped around her waist and the other was holding her hand as it lay on the pillow in front of her face. His face was right against the back of her neck, her hair around his head, his hair a complete mess. He snuggled closer as they both slept, the covers at their waists as they were tangled in the sheet.
Nicky yawned as her eyes fluttered open and she smiled, remembering what happened before she and Mort had fallen asleep. She snuggled into the pillow with a sigh then looked at her clock in the nightstand on her side of the bed.
4:00 pm
Realizing she should get up, she shifted slightly, but froze when Mort groaned and shifted, starting to wake up. He opened his eyes and smiled then sat up on his arm to look down at Nicky. He leaned down and kissed her shoulder then trailed kisses toward her neck, making her smile and drop her shoulder to give him access to her skin. He chuckled against her skin, now knowing she was awake.
"Did you sleep good, sweetness?" he whispered, nibbling at her earlobe and wrapping his arm around her waist.
"Yes," Nicky sighed in contentment then turned onto her back to face him, placing a hand on his cheek. "You?"
"Like a baby," he grinned between kisses to her lips. "Best sleep I've gotten in a long time."
"Me too," Nicky giggled, wrapping her arms around his neck. "You hungry?"
"Starving," Mort growled, sucking on her neck.
"Then I'll make dinner," Nicky whispered.
"No," he nearly whined. "Stay here. I'm not that hungry, after all."
"Figures," she muttered. "Dirty man."
Mort looked at her with wide eyes filled with surprise.
"Dirty, huh?" He ran his fingers to her waist and tickled her, making her cry out in delight as she kicked and thrashed, trying to escape him.
"Mort! Stop it!" she laughed, madly. "Stop!"
"Call me dirty, will you?" Mort grinned, still tickling her. "Take it back and I'll stop!"
"Take back what's true?" she still laughed.
"Brat!" he spat, tickling her even more. She laughed louder and thrashed around even more. Nicky somehow found it in her to throw her arms around his neck and plant her lips to his, making him freeze. He immediately melted into the kiss, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close. Her tongue plunged into his mouth and he moaned in approval as she pressed her body into him.
"Mort!"
Nicky's and Mort's eyes shot open at the sound of Krystal's voice. They pulled away and stared at each other, both thinking the same thing: What was she doing here?!
"Morton Rainey! I know you're here! I saw your car!"
"Shit!" Mort hissed and tried to scramble from the bed. He fell off the edge and onto the floor with a grunt.
"Mort!" Nicky called in a harsh whisper. "Are you alright?!"
"Yeah," he groaned softly then stood looking for his clothes…at least his pants.
"Mort!" Krystal called again from the stairs.
"She's coming!" Nicky whispered, panicking.
"Just stay there!" Mort ordered, pulling on his pants quickly and grabbing his glasses.
"Mort--?" Krystal called from the door and Nicky squealed, pulling the sheets over her as Mort spun around, buttoning his pants.
"My, my, don't you get around?" Krystal smirked, and Mort glared at her, marching toward her. He gripped her arm and closed the door behind him as they walked out of the room to let Nicky get dressed.
"What do you want, Krystal?" Mort snarled, walking her back down the stairs.
"I just came to see how your book was coming along," Krystal replied as they reached the bottom stair and he turned her to face him. "You know we're on a deadline, right?"
"I know!" he hissed. "It's coming! I'll call you when I'm done!"
"So you don't have anything for me?!" she question. Mort sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
"Not at the moment--"
"He doesn't," Nicky called from the top of the stairs, drawing their attention. "I do." She started down the stairs wearing Mort's tattered robe and holding her composition book. She held it up with a smile. "Read it over? You might like it."
Krystal frowned as Mort stared at Nicky in shock, in his publisher took the book and opened to the title page.
"A Bet On Love by N. Verona," Krystal read aloud, and Mort stepped next to Nicky.
"You finished it?" he murmured as Krystal focused on the thing in her hands and Nicky nodded, watching the other woman's reaction.
"Looks good," Krystal suddenly blurted, catching Mort's attention. "I'll read the rest and get back to you."
"I'll be here," Nicky said as Krystal started toward the door.
"Work hard on that book, Mort!" she called before walking out the door. Nicky smirked in triumph and turned to Mort who was still staring at her in shock.
"Something to eat, love?" she smiled, running a finger under his chin then walking toward the kitchen. He followed her with his eyes, turning to watch her shuffle around the kitchen and couldn't help but smirk with pride. His girl was brave enough to go get what she wanted. She had proven that before, but with Raven gone, it made her even braver. He wondered what else she had in store for him.
A/N: Reviews please