By the time Nick had arrived it was quarter to 10. He found Tess in the kitchen, still her ball gown, sipping on a glass of red wine.

"I thought you'd never get here" She stated as she stood up to meet him.

"Yeah neither did I" He replied as he bent down and kissed her on the cheek.

"Wine?" Tess held up the half empty bottle.

"Not for me" He answered.

Tess picked up her wine glass and drank the contents of it before taking Nick by the hand.

"Shall we dance?" Tess asked as she took his hand in hers and led him into the lounge room.

After Tess had switched on the music, Nick took her into his arms and led her around the room to the slow beat. He held her as close as he could get her.

"Who needs a B & S ball when we can do this" He whispered as he met her eyes.

Tess grinned "Not me"

As the evening went on, the couple found themselves upstairs, in Tess's room. They weren't quite sure how they reached the point, but were both glad they were there.

Tess felt her entire body tingle as Nick inched his way closer to her. They had both waited so long, and now, finally, they could commit the ultimate act of love.

Nick bent down to kiss Tess as his hand slid along her shoulder. Her skin was smooth and silky, just as it always was. He felt her tremble beneath his touch. He took it as a sign of how much she wanted him.

They had waited years for one another. There were so many times that Nick wanted to pull Tess into his arms, but each time something got in the way. Now it was finally happening. He had her, she was his.

Slowly each item of clothing fell to the floor.

All the problems of the past had finally vanished. It was as though they were in their own world, their own little bubble. Everything outside the bubble was irrelevant, it meant nothing, the only thing that mattered was the passion they felt for one another.

The pair fell passionately onto Tess's soft bed. Tess giggled as Nick's kiss tickled her neck. It sent her pulse racing even faster.

Nick's body gently covered Tess's. He stared down at her and grinned. With an intense amount of passion he entered her.

Both were stunned by the amount of joy this brought. Their love was so powerful that it sent shockwaves through both their bodies.

Slowly Nick and Tess moved to the same rhythm. Nick was so in control, yet so gentle and loving. He was exactly how Tess had imagined.

Tess's breathing was ragged as she drew closer to ecstasy, her body telling her that Nick was defiantly the one for her.

"Oh god, Nick" She cried as he began to thrust faster within her.

She wrapped her legs around his waist for extra support. She wanted him to fill her entirely.

As the rocking motion continued Nick felt Tess contract around him as he too drew closer and closer to the edge.

"Tess" He whispered in between breaths "I love you."

Tess couldn't respond. She couldn't speak. All she could do was concentrate on her breathing as Nick led her to another world.

They held each other close once they came back to earth, and Tess finally spoke "I love you too."