Chapter 9—Nick and Lindsey's Lunch

Nick walked downstairs and into the living room where he found Lindsey watching TV "Hey Nicky!" she smiled. He walked over to the couch and sat down next to her.

"You remember me?" he asked.

"Yeah…plus my mom talks about you all the time," Nick was shocked. "Hey could you make me a sandwich?" The little girl asked, not realizing the effect her last statement had on him.

"Yea…uh ..How about we go out to lunch. You like Mcdonalds?" he asked, knowing that was a stupid question to ask an 8yr. Old. Her face lit up and she ran to the door.

"Hurry up! I'm hungry Nicky!" Nick laughed and followed her outside and to his truck. They got in and Nick started the car.

"You strapped in?"

"Yeah, yeah. Can I turn on the radio?" she asked with her finger already on the power button.

"Sure, why not" he chuckled. She pressed the button and changed the station from Nick's country to pop. She turned it up and started to sing along. Nick thought he was going to cry. NO MORE! NO MORE! I CAN"T TAKE ANYMORE OF THIS! Oh thank god we're here! He thought to himself. Nick pulled into the parking lot and parked (duh!). They got out of the car. She walked beside him and slipped her small hand in his. He looked down at her and smiled. " Hey Linds, why don't you go play while I get our food."

"OK, I want a happy meal chicken nuggets and coke please." She turned ad ran towards the playroom. Nick walked to the end of the line. The woman in front of him turned and smiled, noticing he wasn't married, for he had no ring on his finger.

"Your daughter is beautiful" she chimed.

"Yeah," he smiled "Just like her mother, my fiancée" he smiled at the thought of marrying Catherine. The woman turned away a little disappointed. Nick got their food and waved to Lindsey to come and eat. "Hey Nicky" she said as she slid into her chair.

"Hey, chow time." Lindsey laughed at his comment.

"Hey Nicky...do you like my mommy? I know she likes you, she always tells my grandma and my aunt how hot she thinks you are." Lindsey giggled.

"Yes I do like your mom, I like her a lot. Is that OK with you?"

"Sure. Hey Nicky, if my mommy said yes maybe you could come live with us, then everyone could see each other all the time!"

"We'll see kiddo, we'll see." They finished their lunches laughing and talking about nothing in peticular. They drove home, Nick in silence, and Lindsey singing again to some annoying girl on the radio.

When he pulled into Catherine's driveway, Nick stopped Lindsey before she got out of the truck. "Hey Lindsey you like to play tag right?" he grinned evilly.

"Yeah why?"

"I'm it!" She started to scream and laugh. He chased her into the house, where he fell to the floor in the front hallway. When he looked up he saw Catherine with a giggling Lindsey hiding behind her. He stood up and locked his eyes with hers. She spoke but never took her eyes off his.

"Hey Linds, why don't you go upstairs and clean your room."

"OK, bye Nicky!" She ran upstairs. They heard her door close. Catherine sighed and took Nick's hand in hers, and led him into the living room. She sat down on the couch and he followed.

"Lindsey seems to like you, a lot" She smiled she was now dressed, makeup was fixed and her hair was brushed.

"I like her a lot, she's a good kid. And her mom isn't so bad herself." He grinned

"Nick, I like you, but where are we going with this? I don't want to get hurt and Lindsey likes you, and I don't want her to get hurt either." Catherine's eyes were now on her hands.

"Catherine look at me," he brought his hand to her face, and ran his thumb across her lips. She looked at him. "I'm not going anywhere unless you want me to. Besides, Lindsey asked me to live with you." He grinned. Catherine's eyes opened wide in shock.

"Oh my go-" Nick cut her off. He brought his lips to hers in a soft tender kiss. He put his arm around her waist, and pulled her so that she was straddling his lap. She rested her hands on his shoulders and deepened the kiss. He pulled away.

"Catherine I'm not going anywhere. I love being with you, I love being with Lindsey, basically I love you and your daughter." He started to rub her arms.

"Nick…I…I…I love you to, I just don't know what to say."

"Well you don't have to, " he smiled and pulled her back to him for another passionate kiss. This time she broke the kiss.

"Nick. It's almost time for work, and as much as I hate for you to go, you should really go home and change." She kissed him again.

"Yea" he said between kisses "that's…a…good…idea" he laughed. She was still straddling him, and he tried to get up. Catherine didn't move he got himself to a standing position; he was still holding Catherine in his arms kissing her passionately. She smiled into the kiss.

"OK you need to go before we are both late for work." She let herself go from his grip and pushed him towards the door. Kissed him once again and closed the door. "Bye cowboy" she said to an empty room. She looked out her window and saw Nick walk to his truck get in and drive away.

+l+l+l+l+l+l+l+l+l+l+l+l+

A/N: OK how do you like it? Sorry it took so long to update, but I've been busy. Just so you know I don't know what drove me to write this story, but there wasn't like ANY nick Catherine's out there so I thought I would take the chance and see how it went. I think its goin good, tell me what you think ok! HIT DA BUTTON ON DA BOTTOM!

~PIXI~