Disclaimers: Refer to Chapter 1 - Michelle
A/N - I didn't plan to post this so early, but due to the overwhelming response from the last chapter, I've decided to post it. I'm so glad that everyone is enjoying this story, and very happy with its content. Thank you so much for all the reviews. *hugs and kisses* For this chapter, think CSI meets Meet the Parents. But it's not a crossover, just the feel of it; it's really just about a family gathering and is loosely based on my personal experiences/observations at my family functions. I always think it's funny, so I just wanted to add that in. Anyway, read on!
~*~
"License and registration please," the man ordered.
Without looking up, Nick reached over the glove compartment.
"I don't quite understand what I did wrong," Nick explained earnestly. He looked over at Sara while he handed the man his driver's license. After several moments, he didn't receive a reaction; he looked over to his left,
"Joe?" Nick questioned.
"Hi Mr. Stokes, nice to see you've come home," he answered. Nick simply smiled, taking his driver's license back.
"Noticed the Nevada plates, and I sure bet that it was you," he smiled.
"So, you're the sheriff now?" Nick inquired. The slightly aged man stood proudly, his moustache carefully groomed.
"Sara, this is Joe, he used to handle the ranch," Nick explained to Sara. The man took notice of the woman who sat in the passenger seat,
"Why, I didn't know you were bringing the missus," the officer commented, a smile broadening on his face. Nick smiled.
"We're not married," Nick answered. Sara waved uneasily, a little embarrassed.
"No ring," Sara confirmed, waving her left hand.
"Oh my mistake, I'm terribly sorry," the man responded. Both Nick and Sara smiled.
"I'm Sara," Sara introduced herself.
"Nice to meet you ma'am. Mr. Stokes, you should get going, I hear that everyone's at the ranch right now," the man replied.
"Thanks. I'll be seeing you at the wedding," Nick posed.
"Definitely, Mr. Stokes, for sure."
They drove away, pursuing a path down the solitary street, after several moments. They both finally burst into laughter.
"If this is Texas, I'd love to meet your family," Sara said in between great howls of laughter.
"Speaking of my family," Nick interrupted. Sara looked up,
"Is this where you grew up?" She questioned.
The landscape was green, a neighbor was nowhere in sight. It seemed as if they had driven into the middle of nowhere. Everything was calm, the long grass fields in the distance swayed, while the tall trees beside the house accompanied the wind's dance. A rather large barn was also in the distance, it wasn't old, - it just looked rustic and tastefully aged.
"Yup," Nick answered, amazed at how meticulous the place looked. It was exactly the same as he had left it. The gate was simple, a mailbox on the left corner of the driveway. The driveway was long, and it waved towards the house. The house was a simple brick house, with white painted accents. He took note of the several vehicles that were parked right in front of the garage. Then, he turned, and saw the patio layout, filled with people.
"It's like a scene from Dallas - the show," Sara commented, similarly amazed.
"No, actually, that place is just a couple of miles down," Nick answered, still admiring his surroundings.
He stopped the Tahoe, and paused momentarily. He looked at Sara,
"Ready?" He asked. Sara smiled, nodded and exhaled loudly. Both of them climbed out of the jeep; the wind blew, and strands of hair from Sara's loose ponytail rested on the sunglasses on her face. Her cream linen pants flapped in against the wind as well, her black halter-top securely fastened around her neck. She checked her feet, just to make sure that she was wearing the right pair of brown colored suede sandals. She looked over at Nick, before taking another step, she grinned.
Nick looked at Sara, matching the smile that she put on.
"A little warm isn't it?" he asked.
Before closing the door, he took off the long-sleeved shirt he was wearing, revealing a tight navy blue shirt that showed off his chiseled body. For his lower body, he wore dark tinted jeans and matched it with a pair of leather sandals.
"Nick!" A woman's voice called out, Sara turned her head, and a woman, around her 60s was approaching, along with a cavalry of people.
"Mom," Nick greeted in return. He rushed towards his mother, and gave her a big hug. She also could not withhold a couple of pecks on the cheek. Several moments later, a flow of people also exchanged pleasantries with Nick. Sara stood back, knowing that this was in fact, a family affair. She admired the closeness and, even the size of the family. She smiled, happy that Nick was smiling and happy. Suddenly, she felt a tugging at her pants; she looked down,
"Hi," the voice called out, looking up at Sara.
"Hi," Sara greeted with a toothy smile.
"My name's Emily," she continued.
"I'm Sara," Sara explained, lowering herself to Emily's height.
"I like your pants. They're soft," Emily giggled, as she played with the fabric.
"Thank you, I like your dress," Sara commented. The girl wore a small red dress, it had a two-tone Hawaiian print on it, and she was just adorable.
Nick looked up from the chaos and noticed that Sara was talking to one of his nieces, he smiled. 'Emily,' he thought. So, slowly, under everyone's watchful eye, he walked up to Sara.
"I see you've meet Emily," he greeted.
"Emily Jean, don't you owe me a hug," he asked, bending down to pick up his niece.
"Uncle Nicky," she squealed; her blonde ringlets bouncing as Nick picked her up. Sara, also intrigued at the uncle- niece bonding, stood up.
"Come on, let's go," Nick motioned forward. He placed his free hand on the small of Sara's back. Sara felt all tingly, 'Sidle, what's wrong with you?' Her mind questioned.
With Emily in hand, Nick walked alongside Sara and walked towards the crowd that was the Stokes family,
"See? Didn't I tell you?" Michelle nudged her sister. Carrie, the woman a year older than Michelle nodded, as did their mother. They observed Sara, Nick with Emily in tow move towards them, Carrie and Michelle smiled.
"Sara!" Nick's mother exclaimed with excitement. She walked briskly towards Sara, her casual pants and crisp shirt flapping against the wind. Once she reached Sara, she gave her a long hug, feeling the warmth of the person her son had brought home. Sara was taken aback by the hug, and warmly exchanged it,
"Hello Mrs. Stokes," she greeted as she fought for air.
"Oh sorry dear," Nick's mother apologized.
"Oh Evelyn, let the poor girl breathe," an accented voiced boomed from behind.
"You have to give everyone a chance to hug her," he continued, opening his arms for another hug.
"Sara, these are my parents, Evelyn and Robert Stokes," Nick interrupted.
"Hello," Sara smiled genuinely.
'She's different' Robert commented to himself.
"So, you're Sara," a woman approached. Like Nick, she also had dark brown hair and deep chocolate colored eyes.
"I'm Carrie; this is my husband, Ben. And you've already met our daughter Emily," she introduced, looking over at Emily, who was still sitting in Nick's arms, her arms tightly gripping Nick's tanned neck.
"Nice to meet you," Sara grinned.
"Hi Sara, I'm glad you could make it, everyone's dying to meet you. Come on, I'll introduce you to everyone," Michelle greeted.
"I hope I live up to the hype," Sara joked. Michelle smiled, and looked over at Nick, he too smirked.
They all made their way towards the backyard barbecue. Sara was flanked by Nick's mother and Michelle. Finally, they made it down to the tables that were set up, everyone else was there,
"I don't know how much my brother told you about us, but I'll introduce you anyway," Michelle assured.
"Everyone, this is Sara. She works with Nick," Michelle winked. Sara was surprised at Michelle's' gesture, but laughed it off.
"I'm not sure about what Nick's told you about me, but they're all lies. Whatever he says, I swear, we didn't meet at some musty old bar," Sara joked.
"He over-exaggerated, we actually met by the coffee machine," she added.
The humor was well received, seeing as everyone had a good laugh.
"Well dear, it seems like you're at home. I'll leave you to socialize, I have some things to do," Nick's mother patted Sara on the arm.
"Oh, go ahead. Thank you," Sara assured. Nick leaned in, breathing words into Sara's ear.
"How about I personally introduce you to everyone," he asked. Sara didn't say a word, she knew that she wasn't going to know everybody's name by the end of the day; she smiled nervously. Nick then proceeded to take Sara by the arm and guided her around the yard. Finally, they reached a young girl, who leaned against the tree and was shaded from the sun. Unlike the rest of her family, her hair was a dirty blonde hue, while her eyes a piercing blue. Sara walked away from Nick, who at this point was exchanging jokes with and uncle, or someone.
"You must be Kate," Sara asked, she extended her hand. The girl was silent,
"Nick told me that you preferred to be called Kate," Sara explained. The girl scoffed. 'OK, bad move,' her mind observed.
"Kate," Nick said. The teenage girl rolled her eyes and walked past Nick.
"Just a phase," Nick explained. Sara slowly nodded, somewhat confused.
"I'd like you to meet someone," Nick requested, gently tugging on Sara's arm.
"Sure," She agreed. Both of them walked across the yard, and Sara spotted a woman on a comfortable rocking chair.
"Nick?" an elderly woman called out.
"Hi grams, it's me," Nick answered. He led Sara in front of his grandmother.
"Grams, I'd like you to meet a friend of mine,"
"Grams this is Sara. Sara this is my grandmother, the matriarch of the Stokes family," Nick introduced.
"How do you do," Sara questioned and smiled.
"Friend?"
"Nick, come here," she reached over, and just as Nick came into eye level with the woman, she latched her fingers onto his ear, causing pain on behalf of Nick.
"Are you telling me, that you work with her and you're still not hitched?" She growled.
Nick nodded in agreement, wincing at her words.
"What is the matter with you," she finally let her grandson's ear free. Nick took a step back and massaged his ear. Sara giggled; it was amusing that a grown man, like Nick, would still be so vulnerable when it came to his grandmother.
"And you? What are you waiting for? This is prime Texas property right here," he motioned to Nick. Sara was caught off guard by the woman's straightforward comment.
"I-" Sara started. She looked up on the entertained expression on Nick's face, he was silently laughing.
"Nick Stokes, you better not be snickering behind me," Nick's grandmother warned.
"I-" Sara started again.
"Oh, child, you are rail thin," the woman commented.
"You young kids, thinking you got all the time in the world," she scoffed.
"Now, go, get something to eat. We have plenty of time to talk," she said, shooing them away towards the grill.
Nick and Sara didn't hesitate to leave; they were both elated by the old woman's comments, but somewhat pondering on them as well.
"I didn't even say anything," Sara explained.
"In this house, you rarely ever get a word in," Nick explained, he then gently took Sara's arm and motioned her towards the picnic table.
TBC
~*~
A/N - Thank you for the feedback, it's been awesome. I'm currently working on the wedding, which is taking me a lot of time to finish - but I"ll through it, and I'll post as soon as I can. Please continue to read and review, even if you don't like it. Thanks. :D
A/N - I didn't plan to post this so early, but due to the overwhelming response from the last chapter, I've decided to post it. I'm so glad that everyone is enjoying this story, and very happy with its content. Thank you so much for all the reviews. *hugs and kisses* For this chapter, think CSI meets Meet the Parents. But it's not a crossover, just the feel of it; it's really just about a family gathering and is loosely based on my personal experiences/observations at my family functions. I always think it's funny, so I just wanted to add that in. Anyway, read on!
~*~
"License and registration please," the man ordered.
Without looking up, Nick reached over the glove compartment.
"I don't quite understand what I did wrong," Nick explained earnestly. He looked over at Sara while he handed the man his driver's license. After several moments, he didn't receive a reaction; he looked over to his left,
"Joe?" Nick questioned.
"Hi Mr. Stokes, nice to see you've come home," he answered. Nick simply smiled, taking his driver's license back.
"Noticed the Nevada plates, and I sure bet that it was you," he smiled.
"So, you're the sheriff now?" Nick inquired. The slightly aged man stood proudly, his moustache carefully groomed.
"Sara, this is Joe, he used to handle the ranch," Nick explained to Sara. The man took notice of the woman who sat in the passenger seat,
"Why, I didn't know you were bringing the missus," the officer commented, a smile broadening on his face. Nick smiled.
"We're not married," Nick answered. Sara waved uneasily, a little embarrassed.
"No ring," Sara confirmed, waving her left hand.
"Oh my mistake, I'm terribly sorry," the man responded. Both Nick and Sara smiled.
"I'm Sara," Sara introduced herself.
"Nice to meet you ma'am. Mr. Stokes, you should get going, I hear that everyone's at the ranch right now," the man replied.
"Thanks. I'll be seeing you at the wedding," Nick posed.
"Definitely, Mr. Stokes, for sure."
They drove away, pursuing a path down the solitary street, after several moments. They both finally burst into laughter.
"If this is Texas, I'd love to meet your family," Sara said in between great howls of laughter.
"Speaking of my family," Nick interrupted. Sara looked up,
"Is this where you grew up?" She questioned.
The landscape was green, a neighbor was nowhere in sight. It seemed as if they had driven into the middle of nowhere. Everything was calm, the long grass fields in the distance swayed, while the tall trees beside the house accompanied the wind's dance. A rather large barn was also in the distance, it wasn't old, - it just looked rustic and tastefully aged.
"Yup," Nick answered, amazed at how meticulous the place looked. It was exactly the same as he had left it. The gate was simple, a mailbox on the left corner of the driveway. The driveway was long, and it waved towards the house. The house was a simple brick house, with white painted accents. He took note of the several vehicles that were parked right in front of the garage. Then, he turned, and saw the patio layout, filled with people.
"It's like a scene from Dallas - the show," Sara commented, similarly amazed.
"No, actually, that place is just a couple of miles down," Nick answered, still admiring his surroundings.
He stopped the Tahoe, and paused momentarily. He looked at Sara,
"Ready?" He asked. Sara smiled, nodded and exhaled loudly. Both of them climbed out of the jeep; the wind blew, and strands of hair from Sara's loose ponytail rested on the sunglasses on her face. Her cream linen pants flapped in against the wind as well, her black halter-top securely fastened around her neck. She checked her feet, just to make sure that she was wearing the right pair of brown colored suede sandals. She looked over at Nick, before taking another step, she grinned.
Nick looked at Sara, matching the smile that she put on.
"A little warm isn't it?" he asked.
Before closing the door, he took off the long-sleeved shirt he was wearing, revealing a tight navy blue shirt that showed off his chiseled body. For his lower body, he wore dark tinted jeans and matched it with a pair of leather sandals.
"Nick!" A woman's voice called out, Sara turned her head, and a woman, around her 60s was approaching, along with a cavalry of people.
"Mom," Nick greeted in return. He rushed towards his mother, and gave her a big hug. She also could not withhold a couple of pecks on the cheek. Several moments later, a flow of people also exchanged pleasantries with Nick. Sara stood back, knowing that this was in fact, a family affair. She admired the closeness and, even the size of the family. She smiled, happy that Nick was smiling and happy. Suddenly, she felt a tugging at her pants; she looked down,
"Hi," the voice called out, looking up at Sara.
"Hi," Sara greeted with a toothy smile.
"My name's Emily," she continued.
"I'm Sara," Sara explained, lowering herself to Emily's height.
"I like your pants. They're soft," Emily giggled, as she played with the fabric.
"Thank you, I like your dress," Sara commented. The girl wore a small red dress, it had a two-tone Hawaiian print on it, and she was just adorable.
Nick looked up from the chaos and noticed that Sara was talking to one of his nieces, he smiled. 'Emily,' he thought. So, slowly, under everyone's watchful eye, he walked up to Sara.
"I see you've meet Emily," he greeted.
"Emily Jean, don't you owe me a hug," he asked, bending down to pick up his niece.
"Uncle Nicky," she squealed; her blonde ringlets bouncing as Nick picked her up. Sara, also intrigued at the uncle- niece bonding, stood up.
"Come on, let's go," Nick motioned forward. He placed his free hand on the small of Sara's back. Sara felt all tingly, 'Sidle, what's wrong with you?' Her mind questioned.
With Emily in hand, Nick walked alongside Sara and walked towards the crowd that was the Stokes family,
"See? Didn't I tell you?" Michelle nudged her sister. Carrie, the woman a year older than Michelle nodded, as did their mother. They observed Sara, Nick with Emily in tow move towards them, Carrie and Michelle smiled.
"Sara!" Nick's mother exclaimed with excitement. She walked briskly towards Sara, her casual pants and crisp shirt flapping against the wind. Once she reached Sara, she gave her a long hug, feeling the warmth of the person her son had brought home. Sara was taken aback by the hug, and warmly exchanged it,
"Hello Mrs. Stokes," she greeted as she fought for air.
"Oh sorry dear," Nick's mother apologized.
"Oh Evelyn, let the poor girl breathe," an accented voiced boomed from behind.
"You have to give everyone a chance to hug her," he continued, opening his arms for another hug.
"Sara, these are my parents, Evelyn and Robert Stokes," Nick interrupted.
"Hello," Sara smiled genuinely.
'She's different' Robert commented to himself.
"So, you're Sara," a woman approached. Like Nick, she also had dark brown hair and deep chocolate colored eyes.
"I'm Carrie; this is my husband, Ben. And you've already met our daughter Emily," she introduced, looking over at Emily, who was still sitting in Nick's arms, her arms tightly gripping Nick's tanned neck.
"Nice to meet you," Sara grinned.
"Hi Sara, I'm glad you could make it, everyone's dying to meet you. Come on, I'll introduce you to everyone," Michelle greeted.
"I hope I live up to the hype," Sara joked. Michelle smiled, and looked over at Nick, he too smirked.
They all made their way towards the backyard barbecue. Sara was flanked by Nick's mother and Michelle. Finally, they made it down to the tables that were set up, everyone else was there,
"I don't know how much my brother told you about us, but I'll introduce you anyway," Michelle assured.
"Everyone, this is Sara. She works with Nick," Michelle winked. Sara was surprised at Michelle's' gesture, but laughed it off.
"I'm not sure about what Nick's told you about me, but they're all lies. Whatever he says, I swear, we didn't meet at some musty old bar," Sara joked.
"He over-exaggerated, we actually met by the coffee machine," she added.
The humor was well received, seeing as everyone had a good laugh.
"Well dear, it seems like you're at home. I'll leave you to socialize, I have some things to do," Nick's mother patted Sara on the arm.
"Oh, go ahead. Thank you," Sara assured. Nick leaned in, breathing words into Sara's ear.
"How about I personally introduce you to everyone," he asked. Sara didn't say a word, she knew that she wasn't going to know everybody's name by the end of the day; she smiled nervously. Nick then proceeded to take Sara by the arm and guided her around the yard. Finally, they reached a young girl, who leaned against the tree and was shaded from the sun. Unlike the rest of her family, her hair was a dirty blonde hue, while her eyes a piercing blue. Sara walked away from Nick, who at this point was exchanging jokes with and uncle, or someone.
"You must be Kate," Sara asked, she extended her hand. The girl was silent,
"Nick told me that you preferred to be called Kate," Sara explained. The girl scoffed. 'OK, bad move,' her mind observed.
"Kate," Nick said. The teenage girl rolled her eyes and walked past Nick.
"Just a phase," Nick explained. Sara slowly nodded, somewhat confused.
"I'd like you to meet someone," Nick requested, gently tugging on Sara's arm.
"Sure," She agreed. Both of them walked across the yard, and Sara spotted a woman on a comfortable rocking chair.
"Nick?" an elderly woman called out.
"Hi grams, it's me," Nick answered. He led Sara in front of his grandmother.
"Grams, I'd like you to meet a friend of mine,"
"Grams this is Sara. Sara this is my grandmother, the matriarch of the Stokes family," Nick introduced.
"How do you do," Sara questioned and smiled.
"Friend?"
"Nick, come here," she reached over, and just as Nick came into eye level with the woman, she latched her fingers onto his ear, causing pain on behalf of Nick.
"Are you telling me, that you work with her and you're still not hitched?" She growled.
Nick nodded in agreement, wincing at her words.
"What is the matter with you," she finally let her grandson's ear free. Nick took a step back and massaged his ear. Sara giggled; it was amusing that a grown man, like Nick, would still be so vulnerable when it came to his grandmother.
"And you? What are you waiting for? This is prime Texas property right here," he motioned to Nick. Sara was caught off guard by the woman's straightforward comment.
"I-" Sara started. She looked up on the entertained expression on Nick's face, he was silently laughing.
"Nick Stokes, you better not be snickering behind me," Nick's grandmother warned.
"I-" Sara started again.
"Oh, child, you are rail thin," the woman commented.
"You young kids, thinking you got all the time in the world," she scoffed.
"Now, go, get something to eat. We have plenty of time to talk," she said, shooing them away towards the grill.
Nick and Sara didn't hesitate to leave; they were both elated by the old woman's comments, but somewhat pondering on them as well.
"I didn't even say anything," Sara explained.
"In this house, you rarely ever get a word in," Nick explained, he then gently took Sara's arm and motioned her towards the picnic table.
TBC
~*~
A/N - Thank you for the feedback, it's been awesome. I'm currently working on the wedding, which is taking me a lot of time to finish - but I"ll through it, and I'll post as soon as I can. Please continue to read and review, even if you don't like it. Thanks. :D