Disclaimer - You get it by now. :P
Rating- M
A/N- Hey everyone! First of all, I'm sorry if this isn't the best written chapter out there. I'm a little MIT rusty. :) Secondly, it goes out to my lil' Buddy and nephew, Leigh, who had a most frightening experience with some wasps today that nearly broke my heart. My tough little coo-kie!
And I wanna ask a favour. I'm stuck on giving Nicky a nickname from Jesse. Sounds easy right? Yep, really not! ^^; So I was wondering if any of you have any suggestions to help me out? Either write them in a review or send me a PM if you. It would REALLY help me out! Thanks so much. I hope y'all like this one. :)
One Tough Coo-kie!
Taking a very deep breath, I counted to ten and released it on a sigh.
I've given up reminding myself that the terrible two's only last for a year and that I can handle it. I thought I could, but I'm starting to reconsider that. And when I opened my eyes, my son was standing across the kitchen from me; Galen looking between us both caught in the middle on the side-lines, unsure of whom to go to first. Nicky's gaze didn't waver and neither did mine. I needed to blink but I didn't. I just ignored the fact my eye was twitching and burning from not doing it. But I knew that if I did that I'd lose and Nicky would be gone in an instant. So I carried on doing the logical thing . . . having a staring competition with a two-year-old.
Did I mention that the two-year-old is my son and very wilful and stubborn? He gets it from, Jesse, I'm sure.
Unfortunately the burning itch in my eyes got worse and before I could stop myself, I blinked. In a flash, Nicky was running as fast as his little legs could carry him down the hall and heading straight for the living room. "Nicky!" I called out, chasing after him with his jumper clutched in my hand. That was all I was trying to do! Damn stubborn kid. "Don't make me get your Dad, after you!" I carried on, skidding around into the living room just to see him dash out the other exit and back into the kitchen we'd just come out of. "God it feels like Ben and Jerry!" I griped running back down the hall towards him.
"Nicky, come out here, now," I ordered again, tapping my foot and looking around for him. The sliding doors to the patio were firmly closed, so he wasn't out there. He could have been in the utility room. I've found him playing with the dials on the washing machine more than once. I'm half expecting to find the room flooded when I find him in there. Or he could be hiding behind the breakfast bar, I mused, glancing over towards the table and chairs sitting further back. It was only because I saw his light head of hair impatiently pop around the corner that I saw him. "Gotcha!" I cried triumphantly, diving for him. But he soon slipped out my arms and ran off again. "Nicky, stop!"
"No! Don't want to!" He shouted back, blowing a raspberry.
"Nickolas!"
"No! Naughty, Mommy! Pft." He laughed again.
"Oh my God, if I hear you blow a raspberry and tell me no one more time, my head's going to explode," I grouched, suddenly growing very tired of chasing him.
I stopped where was I was in the hallway and leant up against the wall. Within seconds my legs turned to jelly and my back slid down the wall leaving me to thump to a stop against the unforgiving floor. "I'm starting to think your play-dates are doing more bad than good." I sighed, resting my head back and closing my eyes. I could hear him giggling from the living room, but I didn't have the energy to get up and look for him. He might act like the most mischievous kid now, but he's far from like that all the time. He's actually quite a mellow child. Until he gets it into his head he's going to torture me for a good hour or two.
I heard his little sneakered feet walk out to where I was sitting before he asked, "Mommy okay?" He sounded so innocent! Like I hadn't been battling him for the past twenty minutes to do one simple thing. As I opened my eyes he slowly walked up to me with a solemn expression that made my heart squeeze and want to reach out for him just because he's so adorable. Somehow I managed to restrain myself. He definitely gets his cute looks from Jesse, I grinned to myself.
"No, Mommy is tired of chasing you around, trying to get your jumper on, sweetie."
He stepped close enough for me to grab him. So I eyed him suspiciously.
"Put jumper on now," He told me, pulling at his jumper still clutched in my hand. Brushing off my shock, I quickly helped him before he could decide to run off again. And when I pulled my hands away when he started batting at them, he climbed on to my lap and snuggled in close. "Love you, Mommy," He murmured, leaning up to kiss me on the cheek before he went back to resting and using me as a pillow. The tears came to my eyes hot and fast and it took quite some willpower not to let them win. So I just wrapped my arms around him and kissed the top of his head, whispering that I loved him too.
It was minutes I sat there with him. Enjoying the quiet and peace while it lasted. We didn't move until Jesse came down the stairs freshly shaven and looking as fine as ever. He furrowed his brows and tilted his head at us both sitting on the hallway floor. "Is it comfortable down there?" He teased, crouching down to be more level with us. Nicky gave him a little wave, but other-wise stayed where he was.
"It was better than chasing your son around the house trying to get his jumper on him. I guess I have to start looking defeated for him to give-in. But yeah, it is pretty comfortable," I grinned, nuzzling the top of Nicky's head. Chasing him around always makes it worth it when he's a little Angel. "I guess we should move though. We're going to be late for dinner." I helped Nicky up to his feet and took the tanned, hard-working hand offered to me. With one quick swift move, Jesse had pulled me from sitting to suddenly slamming up against him. He wrapped his arm around my waist when I tried to step back, pulling me even closer and looking deep into my eyes.
"A few more minutes won't hurt, querida," He smirked.
I met Jesse's kiss as he bent to capture my lips, quickly moaning into his mouth as his after-shave swam around me, heightening my senses and clouding my mind. Like his teasing kiss wasn't already doing that. But when it was put together with his hard chest pressing against me with the steady beat of his heart; his warm arm possessively wrapped around my waist comfortably and his hot tongue doing wonderful things that made my legs go weak; it sure didn't help. So of course it had to get interrupted by our little gremlin pushing in-between us with a scrunched up nose.
"Mommy, Papá! Go to Grandma's now? She got coo-kies."
Jesse let me go completely with a chuckle making cool air rush in where he'd once been and effortlessly picked Nicky up, settling him in his arms. Like he isn't heavy to pick up at all. The massive perk to watching my two favourite men was getting to see Jesse's well toned and honed muscles of his arms bulge, making my mouth go dry. The same arms that can throw me around when he wants. Especially when it was combined with his deep roguish voice and the gleam in his eye when he caught my blatant stare. "Yes my precioso Hijo, time to go. Do you promise to behave while we are there?"
"Pft, he always behaves for Mom and Andy. He knows it gets him C.O.O.K.I.E.S," I rolled my eyes, kissing Nicky on the cheek and Jesse on the lips. I ignored my soon-to-be husband's indulgent laugh and wheedled Galen out into the yard after he butted his nose in my hand. I locked the door behind him, grabbing my bag and jacket off the breakfast bar before meeting Jesse and Nicky at the front door. "Ready to go, baby?" I asked Nicky, taking his hand and walking him down to our car.
"I'm going to stop and take the car through the car-wash on the way to your Mother's, Susannah," Jesse said across the roof once I got Nicky strapped in to his booster seat. I stepped back and looked at the car again, raking a critical eye over it.
"Why don't you just do it during the week or something? You know Nicky loves to help you out with it," I replied getting in. I didn't blame him for wanting to run it through the car-wash though; it was in serious need of it. I grinned when I turned around in my seat at Nicky's, 'vroom, vroom, vroom!' noises. "That's right buddy, you got it. You know, I'm thinking we should get him a baby quad. He can ride it around the house or the garden. I saw one when we went to Toys'R'Us, he'll love it! At least until he gets the hang of his little trike anyway."
Jesse pulled a funny face, looking unsure. "This from the woman whom tells me to put most of the things I place in the cart, back where they belong when we go shopping?" He quipped.
"Yeah but this is different. And they're totally safe, Jesse. We'll be around him when he's using it anyway. He's a tough little coo-kie, remember? He's my son after-all," I sweetly went on, reaching across to lay a hand on Jesse's thigh that he quickly covered with his own hand; turning it over to link our fingers. Eventually he sighed and nodded. "You'll be just as crazy about it, trust me." I winked, giving his hand a squeeze. I turned back to facing the front before I could see his eye-roll, content to leave it before I pushed it too far and he changed his mind.
Nicky was quiet on the way down to the car-wash. Surprisingly not uttering a peep when we paid to use it and rolled in to the unfamiliar station and in to place. Usually with new places he's pointing out things to me. But this time he just kept quiet. So quiet I almost thought he'd fallen asleep. Jesse shut off the engine and we waited for it to begin. All conversation stopped when it started up, the noise filling the whole car, barely deafened by the windows. Bored I just sat back against my seat and watched the jets start and come from all directions. It unnerved me a bit to be sitting in my car while it raged against it. But I just rode it out as the water started streaming down all the windows, darkening the interior even more.
And that was when I heard it. A whimper that froze my heart cold in my chest and made goose-bumps to break out on my arms. It was a soft cry at first; only heard because we're so in-tune to listening out for him. But within seconds it turned into hard, hysterical, full out terrified cries. I almost jumped in my seat when Nicky's first scream rang loud around the car.
"Mommy! Papá!" I heard in-between his hysterical hiccups.
I turned to Jesse about the same time he turned me, both stunned! "I thought you've taken him through a carwash before?!" I shouted over the sounds of the wash and Nicky.
"I thought you had!" He shouted back just as surprised.
"Oh shit!" I cursed, unbuckling my seatbelt as quickly as I could and awkwardly and full of curses, got through the front seats and collapsed in the back next to Nicky. He screamed for me to make it stop, his little arms straining for me, his face red and streaked with tears. "It's okay, baby, I got you. It's okay," I cooed, un-strapping him and snatching him up in my arms, holding him close. His little arms wrapped around my neck so tight I couldn't breathe! But I just held on to him, rocking back and forth, soothing him over his wails into my shoulder. "Shh, sweetheart, you're okay, I got you. Shh."
His cries went on through the soap covering the car and the huge rolling things that sounded like something was thumping the roof. Eventually his cried turned into sniffles as the dryers came on, a softer less dramatic noise at last. Jesse spoke to him throughout it while I held him close and rode out his terror. I've heard Nicky cry before of course. When he's taken a tumble down the last couple of steps from the decking in the yard, and when he tried climbing out of his crib. But he always stopped after we picked him up and down-played it. But I couldn't do that this time and it was breaking my heart to have him so scared!
Jesse just looked mortified about it all!
He'd kept trying to climb closer to me to get away from it, when I already had him stuck to me like a limpet, as close as he could be. His tears were soaking my skin and my top where he buried his head into my neck. I tried pulling him away to give myself some breathing room when the washing gear started to pull away and the light came in a little more. But he just clung harder shouting, "No!" So I stayed where I was in the backseat, looking at Jesse, trying to reassure him too.
"I had no idea he would react like that," He murmured, his eyes never leaving Nicky. I heard the guilt and I felt it too.
"Neither of us did, hon. Don't beat yourself up about it. It's okay," I soothed him too; rubbing my hand up and down Nicky's back, murmuring into his hair. Jesse shook his head at himself and started the car up again, moving forward. When we came back out and the sun filled the car with light again, Nicky still sniffling a little lifted his head up and looked around. His small adorable face, more sun-kissed than normal from running around the garden, was sticky from his salty tears. So was I actually.
"That noisy, Mommy. No more, don't like it." He solemnly pouted.
"You're right, no more sweetie, I promise." I smiled, wiping away his tears. Definitely a tough little coo-kie, I smiled to myself.
"How is our brave, Hijo doing?" Jesse asked; pulling off to the side and turning back around in the seat to rub his hand over Nicky's head affectionately.
"Papá," He reached out, trying to get to his Dad.
"I've got you," He smiled, taking him into his arms and settling him in his lap in the front seat. "Sorry you got so scared, Hijo. It's all over now though; you won't have to come here again. How about we go and see your Grandma and Grandpa?" He offered. Nicky stood up in Jesse's lap, barely missing a tender region as he hugged him as well. Needing the comfort of his Dad to make him feel that little bit better. Jesse just chuckled and patted his back reassuringly. "Time to get back into your car-seat, now." He pulled him away and helped him climb back through to me where I got him settled and strapped in to his seat again. "All better?"
"Yeah," Nicky nodded, sticking his thumb in his mouth.
By the time I'd got out the backseat and climbed back into the front, Nicky was staring out the window his fear of the car-wash almost forgotten. Jesse looked a little less guilty but I knew he was still feeling bad. I sure was! I reached out and squeezed his hand again, making him sigh heavily. He turned back to face me, raising our hands and grazing my knuckles with a lingering kiss; looking at me with more tenderness than I knew what to do with. So I just leaned into his affections when he cupped my face.
"So we're not doing that one again, right?" I smiled wryly, flicking a glance back to Nicky for a second. "Because I really don't think my heart can take seeing him get so upset again. It was painful." I shuddered, leaning forward to rest my head against his shoulder. Jesse dropped a kiss to my hair and nodded against me. "Good. Who'd have thought a kid that loves swimming and fireworks would be so spooked by a harm-less car-wash?" I muttered, sitting back up from Jesse. He chuckled, instantly brightening my mood and breaking the tense atmosphere in the car that comes with being bugged with ourselves.
"Who knows," He shrugged, pulling out of the station and making his way to my Mom's. "But as you like to say, Susannah. He is your son."
"Hey!" I exclaimed, slugging him in the arm. But he just laughed some more. I didn't bother to say anything to that because he was right. But one thing was for sure. "I could go the rest of forever not to have to hear him scream with such fear like that again. I'll take terrible two's, chasing him around the house and having stare-down competitions with him any-day." I said aloud, staring out the window.
"You are not alone there, querida." Jesse sighed back.
The rest of the ride went past uneventful and quietly. But I did think one last thought about it while Nicky tripped up the porch steps to my Mom's house. Where he thought about crying and having a tantrum about it, before he just growled and carried on going determinedly; cheering when he got to the top and was swung up into Jesse's arms. Completing the perfect Father-Son moment that I carved to my memory.
Thank God, Nicky's a tough coo-kie!
A/N 2- So what did ya think? I felt awful doing it to Nicky. But he came through unscathed. Shame Suze and Jesse weren't that lucky. ^^; I'd happily go the rest of forever not to hear my lil' Buddy be so terrified again, too. Anyway, I'm rambling. Thanks for reading, please review! Love and huggles for everyone. :) Especially Nicky!
Children are like sponges. They soak up all the love you give, but with just one squeeze you get it all back!
Anonymous Reviews -
Jess - Hey, hun! Thanks as always for reviewing the previous chapter! It feels like so long ago since I updated this story, I've really missed it! :) I know what you mean about kids growing up too fast. I feel like I'm missing out on something when I don't see my nephews or niece for a few days. It's like they change so much within that short a time, it's terrifying! I like being able to have that sweetness in this story though. It definitely makes it worthwhile. ^^; I passed on your message. Wow, your nephew turned 7? Did he have a good day? That's such a cool age. No worries, school's a breeze and all the toys they could want. Sounds like bliss don't it? Lol. I'm with you on the adoring them . . . most of the time. It's always nice to give them back to their parents, hehe. Oh damn, I'm so glad you like the title to the CD sequel. I'm still battling through writing it. I'm hoping I can start getting in to a steady rhythm of writing it soon. :) I'm definitely not giving up on it though. ^^ I really hope you enjoy this chapter too, hun. Thanks again for leaving some love for Jude and Nicky! :) Take care. :Nicky hugs and love: xxx
Bethela - Hello there! Aww, thank you ever so much for checking out my story. It's great that you found something to relate to. :) Actually, too somethings if it reminded you of your cousin by not only what happens but with the name thing. I love Maddie, and it's fun to be able to write my special niece into the story. Lol, it's trippy how similar they are! But I'm pleased it made you laugh! It can be hard to inject humour into this story sometimes. But with Maddie, they just fit hand to glove a lot of the time, hehe. I'm really pleased to hear that you enjoy my stories! I really hope you continue to like this one. :) Thanks for leaving such a wondeful review for me! Take care. :Hugs and love: xxx