Disclaimers: Refer to Chapter 1 - Michelle
A/N - I know that for some readers, the last chapter's ending was either a cliffhanger or a "huh?" moment. Well, if that happened, then I'm glad that you're reading this! You'll see the big picture soon enough.
~*~
"Hey Warrick, you will not believe what just happened," Sara greeted.
"Yeah, the wedding was great," she continued.
"Just wanted to call you, to tell you that he asked me," Sara revealed.
"Yeah, I know, just a minute ago,"
"Of course I said yes, are you kidding me?" She squealed, looking over at Nick, who sat, silent - but smiling on the bed.
"It was such a surprise," Sara continued, shifting the phone from one ear to the other.
"We're so happy," again, she looked at Nick, the grin still evident in his face.
"The date? We don't know," Sara replied, biting her lower lip.
"I'm so happy. It's finally happening," she glorified.
"Who knew?" She continued, walking over to Nick, smiling, and sitting beside him. His smile couldn't get any wider.
"Ok, well I have to go, I need some sleep. Oh and please try to keep this under wraps - if you can," she concluded.
"Ok, bye." And with the click of the other line, she hung up the phone.
She hung up her phone and smiled at Nick.
Behind the door, that led to Nick and Sara's room, stood Carrie, smile and a mischievous look on her face. She had heard Sara's squeals on her way back from the kitchen, and she overheard this whole conversation too. She slowly crept back to her room, eager to tell everyone the great news. 'Finally,' she thought, she knew that those two were meant for each other, she was proud that Nick had finally popped the question.
They heard a slight creak of the floorboards, but figured that it was just someone passing by their room.
"What did Warrick say?" Nick questioned, standing over the bed; while Sara made her way to her side of her bed.
"He's really happy," Sara gleamed, creeping into bed.
"Are you sleeping with me?" She asked. Nick smiled, as he pulled the covers over himself.
"If you insist," he smiled. Sara smiled, and gently punched his arm.
"Ah, I know, isn't that amazing?" He said, slimly unaffected by her punch.
"Yeah, Catherine and Grissom, finally, the sexual tension is over," Sara sighed. 'Talk about sexual tension,' he mind noted casually, as Sara looked over at Nick.
"I know, it looks like Grissom finally got the courage to ask her that question we all know was driving him up the wall," Nick laughed.
"I can believe he asked us to be part of their wedding. That was just too nice," Sara smiled. She shifted her body to face Nick.
"Oh, so I guess you like weddings now," Nick teased, inching closer.
"Maybe," she teased back.
"Goodnight Nicky," Sara stared into Nick's eyes. Resisting the urge to move a little closer.
"Good night, sexy," Nick cracked.
~*~
It was a peaceful night, and like most nights, Nick and Sara spelt through the commotion of the house. It was just minutes after sunrise, and already the family congregated in the kitchen, Carrie in the middle of the bunch. She, of course, was sharing the conversation she had overheard earlier.
"Hot damn," Nick's father commented.
"He asked her last night," Carrie continued.
"What's the big commotion about," Nick asked, walking into the roomful of people. Sara stood just behind him, a little dazed, searching for some coffee. They both woke up from the family's occasional squeal of excitement.
As the couple walked into the room, they all smiled, waiting.
"What?" Nick asked innocently. He walked over to the coffee machine, two mugs in hand.
"Congratulations. We're so happy for you, we knew that you were more than friends," Nick's mother smiled. She walked over and gave him a hug and a quick peck before proceeding towards Sara to do the same.
"What?" Nick asked, still confused. He handed Sara a mug full of coffee and leaned against the counter.
"Oh, don't be so coy, we know." Angela said, walking over to Nick, and giving him a warm hug.
"I'm so happy," Kate said excitedly, giving Sara a hug. Sara, surprised and somewhat confused by the situation, returned the hug.
"Uh, okay," she mumbled.
"Know about what?" Nick asked - confusion plastered on his face.
"You know..." Carrie spoke up, waving her hands in front of her.
Both Nick and Sara raised an eyebrow, 'what is going on' both minds wondered.
"Oh, quit keeping it a secret. We know you're engaged," Tim noted.
"We're what?" Sara and Nick said in chorus.
"Carrie heard you talk about it," Angela said casually. Carrie then turned to her sister and gave her a long venomous stare.
A smile occupied Sara's face; she looked over at the still stunned Nick. He was blushing, embarrassed that the whole family thought he was being hitched.
"Should I tell them, or do you want to," Sara giggled.
"Oh so you are engaged. Quick, let me see the ring," Nick's mother urged, the sisters close behind her.
Sara didn't hesitate to hold out the ring less finger on her left hand.
"But-" Nick's mother gasped. Looking up at Sara, confusion in her eyes.
"What's right, there's no ring. That's because Sara and I aren't engaged. Please stop thinking we are," Nick cleared.
"Then-" Carrie began.
"You misinterpreted what you overheard," Nick continued.
"Catherine and Grissom, our other co-workers have just gotten engaged, and they have asked Sara and I to be part of their wedding." Nick explained, he looked up at Sara and smiled, she did the same.
"But-" Angela countered disbelief and disappointment in her eyes.
Everyone fell silent; disappointed by the news, but feeling more humiliated at the chaos they caused. They all looked at Sara, then at Nick, both of whom smiling and amused by the looks on their faces.
'They look so disappointed,' Sara's mind warned.
'I wish I didn't have to do that. I wish I was actually engaged,' Nick signed in his head.
~*~
Las Vegas, NV
"Did you call Sara?" Catherine wondered. She placed a hand on Grissom's shoulder.
Both just got back from their weekend in Lake Mead. And it was where Grissom had proposed to her the other day. After years of a silent relationship, Grissom had finally taken a chance, and decided to cement their growing relationship. It was an obvious shock to Catherine, seeing, as Grissom never seemed to be the "settle-down-and-build-a-life" sort of person. But over the years that she had known him, she knew to expect the unexpected - and this was definitely not expected.
"Yes," Grissom grinned. He looked at Catherine, he was glad that she accepted his proposal. Overjoyed in fact.
"And...?" Catherine urged.
"They were happy," Grissom responded, kissing his bride-to-be on the lips.
"Good," Catherine smiled.
"Did you tell Warrick," Catherine questioned.
"No, haven't gotten around to it, but I'm almost certain that once Sara got off the phone with me, that she probably called him." Grissom assured.
"And Greg," Grissom continued, placing his arm around Catherine's waist.
"Nick probably called him too," Catherine answered.
"How long do you think we have until everyone in the lab finds out? Catherine wondered.
"4 hours, 46 minutes," Warrick answered from the door. He smiled and congratulated the newly engaged couple.
"I'm going to get out of here. I have to get myself a woman, I'm completely missing out on the action," he winked and continued to walk towards the parking lot.
Both Grissom and Catherine smiled, and stared momentarily into each other's eyes. They were happy.
~*~
'KNOCK' 'KNOCK' 'KNOCK' 'KNOCK' - The door rapped.
"I'll get it," Nick's mother offered, desperately seeking a way to leave the awkward vibe of the room. She left, still embarrassed and disappointed from what had just occurred, and returned with a leggy blonde-haired woman.
"Guess who's here to visit," she introduced.
"Jamie," Nick gasped, slowly placing his cup of coffee on the counter.
"Hi Nick," she said softly. Everyone looked at Sara, but she didn't notice the set of eyes. She looked at Nick, then at Jamie, speechless. Her breathing almost ceasing.
Nick made his way towards Jamie, paused inches from her, and hugged her tightly. 'Oh God, it's you,' his mind thought. Jamie hugged him back, with equal emotion and depth.
Sara's heart sank. Eyes hurt and confused.
Everyone still kept their eyes on Sara, they couldn't see the hurt in her eyes - but it was there.
"It's nice to see you again," she whispered.
"You're here," he uttered, holding on the woman in front of him.
The awkward silence dragged on. Nobody moved.
"Hi, I'm Jamie," she introduced herself. Pulling away from Nick; noticing the brunette leaning against the counter, she didn't know who she was.
Sara smiled.
"Oh, right. Um, Sara Sidle, Jamie Watson," Nick finally introduced; snapping out of his tunneled mind.
"Hi everyone," Jamie greeted.
Everyone smiled back, faces still focused on Sara. Whose eyes were still fixated on Nick, still numb.
Nick looked over at Sara; he saw the great hurt in her eyes. Sara blinked.
"Excuse me," she said softly and rapidly exited the room.
Again, an awkward silence.
"I'll be right back," Nick said, before rushing after Sara.
"Well, dear, why don't I take you around the ranch, you haven't been here in a while," Evelyn offered. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief - they had been holding their breaths for a while now.
~*~
"Sara," Nick crept into the room. Sara was just fixing the bed's covers, she didn't answer.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"Nothing," she mumbled. Nick just stood there, 'she'll say something - right?' his mind thought.
"Sara?" he finally directed.
"What?" Sara asked harshly, pausing from fixing the bed. Nick didn't say anything.
"Don't just stand there, say something," Sara snapped, walking over to the bathroom and fiercely flipping on the light switch.
"Why are you acting like this?" Nick asked, following her.
"Acting like what? I'm just trying to clean up," Sara reminded, pushing Nick to the side and walking past him.
"Just leave everything, we have to talk," Nick asked.
"Talk about what?"
"About why you're being moody," Nick continued to question, following Sara's every move.
"Moody?" Sara asked. Nick half smiled.
"I'm-not-moody!" Sara screamed.
"You're being unreasonable," he opposed.
"Me? Unreasonable? I traveled 22 hours to the middle of something that I don't seem to know about," Sara explained.
"You chose to come," Nick claimed.
"No, Nick, I came because-" she trailed off. 'God, what am I doing here,' she asked herself.
"You know what, I'm fine, everything's fine," she said, trying to sound calm.
"No, we are not dropping this subject," Nick asserted. Watching Sara walk back towards the bathroom.
"Sara, stop," he pleaded, reaching out his hand. Sara brushed him off.
"Oh, and nobody pining away, my ass," she scoffed, slamming the bathroom door.
"Is that all this is about?" Nick asked.
"No, this is not about Jamie," Sara replied through the door.
"Ah, so this IS about Jamie," Nick probed, as he leaned on the closed door.
"No, it isn't. It's about nothing," Sara assured.
"Jealous?" Nick asked.
"Of course not!" Sara replied with false calmness.
"Ok, then tell me," Nick encouraged.
"It's nothing really," Sara replied. A soft sob escaped her lips.
'Is she crying,' Nick wondered. 'Oh God, what's wrong,' he was concerned; he wanted to reach out to her, to just hold her, even if it was just for a moment. He wanted to know what was going on.
"Sara, damnit, open the door," Nick pleaded, shaking the door handle.
"Nick, just leave me alone," Sara replied calmly.
"No," Nick insisted.
"Just go," she exclaimed.
"Arg, Have it your way, I give up. Lock yourself in the bathroom, build your walls," Nick yelled in frustration.
"Thank you," Sara replied harshly sarcastic.
"Fine, alright then, no problem," he retorted, and moved briskly towards the door.
Downstairs, the family, minus Evelyn and Jamie, listened to Sara and Nick argue. They were startled at the door that slamming, and dreaded the silence that followed. Soon, Nick stomped down the stairs, and looked at the family. He rushed past them and headed towards the stables.
He needed to clear his mind.
~*~
"Hey, can't you ride with your old man anymore," Robert, Nick's father asked. Nick turned the horse he was riding, and half-grinned, waiting for the elder Stokes to catch up.
"I see that the city hasn't taken your ability to ride," he smiled. Nick just looked up in silence.
"She's a nice girl, Nick." Robert stated. The silence was now broken.
"Yeah," Nick agreed.
"You don't know who I'm talking about, do you," Robert continued. Nick gave Robert a troubled and confused smile.
"Ah, two women, that is the trouble, you will have to choose," his father advised. He felt sorry for his youngest son, knowing the awkward position he was in.
"I know," Nick confirmed glumly.
Both father and son rode along the property, taking in the early morning sun, and having a talk - a talk they've never had in years.
"Jamie, we have a history," Nick began. His father nodded his head in agreement.
"I mean, she's a part of me," Nick sighed deeply.
"Then, there's Sara," Nick smiled. Weaving his mind towards the times he's spent with her.
"She's different, I don't know what it is, I mean she's great; perfect, in fact," Nick asserted.
"Then why the hell aren't you doing anything about it. I didn't raise you to be afraid of life,"
"Well, it's complicated. I don't want to risk it," Nick admitted.
"Boy, if life wasn't about taking risks, do you think I'd be where I am today? Nick's father growled, looking closely at his son,
"Take the damn plunge," his father smiled. Nick smiled too. It was true; he did like Sara, this trip made him see that. Sure he always consciously flirted with her, but now, he wanted more.
"And don't come back until you do something about it," his father advised.
Nick laughed aloud; the sense of uncertainty in his tone.
"It's like going insane, but knowing that you are in fact sane. Daring and afraid, comfort and confusion - contradictory, everything up in the air," Nick explained in frustration. 'Love?' his heart ached.
"I don't know," his mind contradicted - unsure. He looked up at his father, like a little child seeking guidance.
"Hmm, I can't tell you what you feel, even if you think you can't hear it - just listen," his father advised.
Nick smiled, he never really knew which part of home he missed, but at he knew that he missed his father's words. The advice that had flooded him throughout his life - that was one of the things that he missed.
~*~
He stood outside a set of doors, staring into the living room and spotting Jamie, and down the hall, he saw Sara proceed up the stairs. He had to make a choice.
'It's not a matter of two women,' Nick's mind reminded him. He then pulled open the door and proceeded through the living room.
'It's all just about one,' it continued.
"Hi Jamie," Nick greeted.
~*~
To be concluded...
*---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------*
A/N - Like all great journeys, it must, at some point come to an end. And for this one, the next chapter will indeed be the end. :(
After many semi-predictable chapters, I've decided to shake it up a little...and what do you think? Don't hold anything back; I'm armed with a fireproof shield in case you don't like it.
Please review, I'd absolutely love to hear from you. Love it, loathe it, review it - oceanwave
A/N - I know that for some readers, the last chapter's ending was either a cliffhanger or a "huh?" moment. Well, if that happened, then I'm glad that you're reading this! You'll see the big picture soon enough.
~*~
"Hey Warrick, you will not believe what just happened," Sara greeted.
"Yeah, the wedding was great," she continued.
"Just wanted to call you, to tell you that he asked me," Sara revealed.
"Yeah, I know, just a minute ago,"
"Of course I said yes, are you kidding me?" She squealed, looking over at Nick, who sat, silent - but smiling on the bed.
"It was such a surprise," Sara continued, shifting the phone from one ear to the other.
"We're so happy," again, she looked at Nick, the grin still evident in his face.
"The date? We don't know," Sara replied, biting her lower lip.
"I'm so happy. It's finally happening," she glorified.
"Who knew?" She continued, walking over to Nick, smiling, and sitting beside him. His smile couldn't get any wider.
"Ok, well I have to go, I need some sleep. Oh and please try to keep this under wraps - if you can," she concluded.
"Ok, bye." And with the click of the other line, she hung up the phone.
She hung up her phone and smiled at Nick.
Behind the door, that led to Nick and Sara's room, stood Carrie, smile and a mischievous look on her face. She had heard Sara's squeals on her way back from the kitchen, and she overheard this whole conversation too. She slowly crept back to her room, eager to tell everyone the great news. 'Finally,' she thought, she knew that those two were meant for each other, she was proud that Nick had finally popped the question.
They heard a slight creak of the floorboards, but figured that it was just someone passing by their room.
"What did Warrick say?" Nick questioned, standing over the bed; while Sara made her way to her side of her bed.
"He's really happy," Sara gleamed, creeping into bed.
"Are you sleeping with me?" She asked. Nick smiled, as he pulled the covers over himself.
"If you insist," he smiled. Sara smiled, and gently punched his arm.
"Ah, I know, isn't that amazing?" He said, slimly unaffected by her punch.
"Yeah, Catherine and Grissom, finally, the sexual tension is over," Sara sighed. 'Talk about sexual tension,' he mind noted casually, as Sara looked over at Nick.
"I know, it looks like Grissom finally got the courage to ask her that question we all know was driving him up the wall," Nick laughed.
"I can believe he asked us to be part of their wedding. That was just too nice," Sara smiled. She shifted her body to face Nick.
"Oh, so I guess you like weddings now," Nick teased, inching closer.
"Maybe," she teased back.
"Goodnight Nicky," Sara stared into Nick's eyes. Resisting the urge to move a little closer.
"Good night, sexy," Nick cracked.
~*~
It was a peaceful night, and like most nights, Nick and Sara spelt through the commotion of the house. It was just minutes after sunrise, and already the family congregated in the kitchen, Carrie in the middle of the bunch. She, of course, was sharing the conversation she had overheard earlier.
"Hot damn," Nick's father commented.
"He asked her last night," Carrie continued.
"What's the big commotion about," Nick asked, walking into the roomful of people. Sara stood just behind him, a little dazed, searching for some coffee. They both woke up from the family's occasional squeal of excitement.
As the couple walked into the room, they all smiled, waiting.
"What?" Nick asked innocently. He walked over to the coffee machine, two mugs in hand.
"Congratulations. We're so happy for you, we knew that you were more than friends," Nick's mother smiled. She walked over and gave him a hug and a quick peck before proceeding towards Sara to do the same.
"What?" Nick asked, still confused. He handed Sara a mug full of coffee and leaned against the counter.
"Oh, don't be so coy, we know." Angela said, walking over to Nick, and giving him a warm hug.
"I'm so happy," Kate said excitedly, giving Sara a hug. Sara, surprised and somewhat confused by the situation, returned the hug.
"Uh, okay," she mumbled.
"Know about what?" Nick asked - confusion plastered on his face.
"You know..." Carrie spoke up, waving her hands in front of her.
Both Nick and Sara raised an eyebrow, 'what is going on' both minds wondered.
"Oh, quit keeping it a secret. We know you're engaged," Tim noted.
"We're what?" Sara and Nick said in chorus.
"Carrie heard you talk about it," Angela said casually. Carrie then turned to her sister and gave her a long venomous stare.
A smile occupied Sara's face; she looked over at the still stunned Nick. He was blushing, embarrassed that the whole family thought he was being hitched.
"Should I tell them, or do you want to," Sara giggled.
"Oh so you are engaged. Quick, let me see the ring," Nick's mother urged, the sisters close behind her.
Sara didn't hesitate to hold out the ring less finger on her left hand.
"But-" Nick's mother gasped. Looking up at Sara, confusion in her eyes.
"What's right, there's no ring. That's because Sara and I aren't engaged. Please stop thinking we are," Nick cleared.
"Then-" Carrie began.
"You misinterpreted what you overheard," Nick continued.
"Catherine and Grissom, our other co-workers have just gotten engaged, and they have asked Sara and I to be part of their wedding." Nick explained, he looked up at Sara and smiled, she did the same.
"But-" Angela countered disbelief and disappointment in her eyes.
Everyone fell silent; disappointed by the news, but feeling more humiliated at the chaos they caused. They all looked at Sara, then at Nick, both of whom smiling and amused by the looks on their faces.
'They look so disappointed,' Sara's mind warned.
'I wish I didn't have to do that. I wish I was actually engaged,' Nick signed in his head.
~*~
Las Vegas, NV
"Did you call Sara?" Catherine wondered. She placed a hand on Grissom's shoulder.
Both just got back from their weekend in Lake Mead. And it was where Grissom had proposed to her the other day. After years of a silent relationship, Grissom had finally taken a chance, and decided to cement their growing relationship. It was an obvious shock to Catherine, seeing, as Grissom never seemed to be the "settle-down-and-build-a-life" sort of person. But over the years that she had known him, she knew to expect the unexpected - and this was definitely not expected.
"Yes," Grissom grinned. He looked at Catherine, he was glad that she accepted his proposal. Overjoyed in fact.
"And...?" Catherine urged.
"They were happy," Grissom responded, kissing his bride-to-be on the lips.
"Good," Catherine smiled.
"Did you tell Warrick," Catherine questioned.
"No, haven't gotten around to it, but I'm almost certain that once Sara got off the phone with me, that she probably called him." Grissom assured.
"And Greg," Grissom continued, placing his arm around Catherine's waist.
"Nick probably called him too," Catherine answered.
"How long do you think we have until everyone in the lab finds out? Catherine wondered.
"4 hours, 46 minutes," Warrick answered from the door. He smiled and congratulated the newly engaged couple.
"I'm going to get out of here. I have to get myself a woman, I'm completely missing out on the action," he winked and continued to walk towards the parking lot.
Both Grissom and Catherine smiled, and stared momentarily into each other's eyes. They were happy.
~*~
'KNOCK' 'KNOCK' 'KNOCK' 'KNOCK' - The door rapped.
"I'll get it," Nick's mother offered, desperately seeking a way to leave the awkward vibe of the room. She left, still embarrassed and disappointed from what had just occurred, and returned with a leggy blonde-haired woman.
"Guess who's here to visit," she introduced.
"Jamie," Nick gasped, slowly placing his cup of coffee on the counter.
"Hi Nick," she said softly. Everyone looked at Sara, but she didn't notice the set of eyes. She looked at Nick, then at Jamie, speechless. Her breathing almost ceasing.
Nick made his way towards Jamie, paused inches from her, and hugged her tightly. 'Oh God, it's you,' his mind thought. Jamie hugged him back, with equal emotion and depth.
Sara's heart sank. Eyes hurt and confused.
Everyone still kept their eyes on Sara, they couldn't see the hurt in her eyes - but it was there.
"It's nice to see you again," she whispered.
"You're here," he uttered, holding on the woman in front of him.
The awkward silence dragged on. Nobody moved.
"Hi, I'm Jamie," she introduced herself. Pulling away from Nick; noticing the brunette leaning against the counter, she didn't know who she was.
Sara smiled.
"Oh, right. Um, Sara Sidle, Jamie Watson," Nick finally introduced; snapping out of his tunneled mind.
"Hi everyone," Jamie greeted.
Everyone smiled back, faces still focused on Sara. Whose eyes were still fixated on Nick, still numb.
Nick looked over at Sara; he saw the great hurt in her eyes. Sara blinked.
"Excuse me," she said softly and rapidly exited the room.
Again, an awkward silence.
"I'll be right back," Nick said, before rushing after Sara.
"Well, dear, why don't I take you around the ranch, you haven't been here in a while," Evelyn offered. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief - they had been holding their breaths for a while now.
~*~
"Sara," Nick crept into the room. Sara was just fixing the bed's covers, she didn't answer.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"Nothing," she mumbled. Nick just stood there, 'she'll say something - right?' his mind thought.
"Sara?" he finally directed.
"What?" Sara asked harshly, pausing from fixing the bed. Nick didn't say anything.
"Don't just stand there, say something," Sara snapped, walking over to the bathroom and fiercely flipping on the light switch.
"Why are you acting like this?" Nick asked, following her.
"Acting like what? I'm just trying to clean up," Sara reminded, pushing Nick to the side and walking past him.
"Just leave everything, we have to talk," Nick asked.
"Talk about what?"
"About why you're being moody," Nick continued to question, following Sara's every move.
"Moody?" Sara asked. Nick half smiled.
"I'm-not-moody!" Sara screamed.
"You're being unreasonable," he opposed.
"Me? Unreasonable? I traveled 22 hours to the middle of something that I don't seem to know about," Sara explained.
"You chose to come," Nick claimed.
"No, Nick, I came because-" she trailed off. 'God, what am I doing here,' she asked herself.
"You know what, I'm fine, everything's fine," she said, trying to sound calm.
"No, we are not dropping this subject," Nick asserted. Watching Sara walk back towards the bathroom.
"Sara, stop," he pleaded, reaching out his hand. Sara brushed him off.
"Oh, and nobody pining away, my ass," she scoffed, slamming the bathroom door.
"Is that all this is about?" Nick asked.
"No, this is not about Jamie," Sara replied through the door.
"Ah, so this IS about Jamie," Nick probed, as he leaned on the closed door.
"No, it isn't. It's about nothing," Sara assured.
"Jealous?" Nick asked.
"Of course not!" Sara replied with false calmness.
"Ok, then tell me," Nick encouraged.
"It's nothing really," Sara replied. A soft sob escaped her lips.
'Is she crying,' Nick wondered. 'Oh God, what's wrong,' he was concerned; he wanted to reach out to her, to just hold her, even if it was just for a moment. He wanted to know what was going on.
"Sara, damnit, open the door," Nick pleaded, shaking the door handle.
"Nick, just leave me alone," Sara replied calmly.
"No," Nick insisted.
"Just go," she exclaimed.
"Arg, Have it your way, I give up. Lock yourself in the bathroom, build your walls," Nick yelled in frustration.
"Thank you," Sara replied harshly sarcastic.
"Fine, alright then, no problem," he retorted, and moved briskly towards the door.
Downstairs, the family, minus Evelyn and Jamie, listened to Sara and Nick argue. They were startled at the door that slamming, and dreaded the silence that followed. Soon, Nick stomped down the stairs, and looked at the family. He rushed past them and headed towards the stables.
He needed to clear his mind.
~*~
"Hey, can't you ride with your old man anymore," Robert, Nick's father asked. Nick turned the horse he was riding, and half-grinned, waiting for the elder Stokes to catch up.
"I see that the city hasn't taken your ability to ride," he smiled. Nick just looked up in silence.
"She's a nice girl, Nick." Robert stated. The silence was now broken.
"Yeah," Nick agreed.
"You don't know who I'm talking about, do you," Robert continued. Nick gave Robert a troubled and confused smile.
"Ah, two women, that is the trouble, you will have to choose," his father advised. He felt sorry for his youngest son, knowing the awkward position he was in.
"I know," Nick confirmed glumly.
Both father and son rode along the property, taking in the early morning sun, and having a talk - a talk they've never had in years.
"Jamie, we have a history," Nick began. His father nodded his head in agreement.
"I mean, she's a part of me," Nick sighed deeply.
"Then, there's Sara," Nick smiled. Weaving his mind towards the times he's spent with her.
"She's different, I don't know what it is, I mean she's great; perfect, in fact," Nick asserted.
"Then why the hell aren't you doing anything about it. I didn't raise you to be afraid of life,"
"Well, it's complicated. I don't want to risk it," Nick admitted.
"Boy, if life wasn't about taking risks, do you think I'd be where I am today? Nick's father growled, looking closely at his son,
"Take the damn plunge," his father smiled. Nick smiled too. It was true; he did like Sara, this trip made him see that. Sure he always consciously flirted with her, but now, he wanted more.
"And don't come back until you do something about it," his father advised.
Nick laughed aloud; the sense of uncertainty in his tone.
"It's like going insane, but knowing that you are in fact sane. Daring and afraid, comfort and confusion - contradictory, everything up in the air," Nick explained in frustration. 'Love?' his heart ached.
"I don't know," his mind contradicted - unsure. He looked up at his father, like a little child seeking guidance.
"Hmm, I can't tell you what you feel, even if you think you can't hear it - just listen," his father advised.
Nick smiled, he never really knew which part of home he missed, but at he knew that he missed his father's words. The advice that had flooded him throughout his life - that was one of the things that he missed.
~*~
He stood outside a set of doors, staring into the living room and spotting Jamie, and down the hall, he saw Sara proceed up the stairs. He had to make a choice.
'It's not a matter of two women,' Nick's mind reminded him. He then pulled open the door and proceeded through the living room.
'It's all just about one,' it continued.
"Hi Jamie," Nick greeted.
~*~
To be concluded...
*---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------*
A/N - Like all great journeys, it must, at some point come to an end. And for this one, the next chapter will indeed be the end. :(
After many semi-predictable chapters, I've decided to shake it up a little...and what do you think? Don't hold anything back; I'm armed with a fireproof shield in case you don't like it.
Please review, I'd absolutely love to hear from you. Love it, loathe it, review it - oceanwave