A/N: So this was going to be the end of the story—buuuuuut—I'm going to add another chapter that's a little bit in the future. It should be ready soon so keep your eyes open. Until next time—PCGirl.
Natalie walked into the apartment and put her school bag down and took the plastic covered dress into the bedroom—studying would wait, tonight was going to be special. Nick had called her earlier in the day—saying he wanted to take her out to a fancy restaurant north of Llanview that overlooked the River.
As she admired the dress she'd bought her mind went to how far she'd come in just the past few months. She was excelling in her classes towards her degree in Criminology—graduating probably next spring, and Uncle Bo had offered her a spot in the summer internship program—a position she had accepted with trepidation. She didn't want it just because she was his niece but then he told her that both her teachers had nominated her for it also.
Then there was Nick—she smiled as she thought of him, and laid the dress down on the bed gently before going to take a shower. He had walked into her life at the right moment—it was in shambles and she wasn't sure what to do or where to go next, but somehow he walked in and picked it up and for that she was grateful for his friendship.
She wondered if tonight was going to be when their friendship became something more—something that her friendship with John never did. It would kill her if they were only friends from now on, but she'd learn to live with it—though she didn't see that actually happening.
Nick took a deep breath—why was he nervous? Why had he bought flowers? Maybe he should ditch the flowers, but where? He looked around there was nowhere to ditch them. Oh well—he'd thought long and hard about what to buy and had decided on these so this is what she got. He knocked on the door and heard her yell to come in, "Hey—I'm here."
"I'm almost ready," she said as she clasped the necklace on and grabbed her coat to wear. "Is it still raining?" she asked while walking out.
"Yeah it's—," he said as he words got caught in his throat at looking at her.
"What? Is this too fancy?" she asked as she began to feel uncomfortable in it.
"No, it's gorgeous—you're—gorgeous," he smiled as he looked down at the flowers. "Oh—these—I wasn't sure what type of flowers you liked so I bought you these. They're—."
"Peonies," she finished. "I love them—let me put them in water and grab my umbrella and then we can go," she said while going to the kitchen for a vase.
"You sure I can't help?" yelled Natalie over the roar of the April shower that fell down on both of them. They'd been on their way to dinner when the flat happened.
"I'm fine," he grunted, wondering if her stomach was growling as much as his was at the moment. He tightened the last lug nut and stood up, releasing the jack slowly until the wheel was on the ground. "There, good as new," he said with a laugh.
She laughed at how he looked, the rain plastering his sandy blonde hair to his face, she moved a strand that was covering part of his eyes, "You need a hair cut."
"I guess I do," he said as he took her hand and kissed the palm before speaking softly. "I love you."
"What?" she asked as the rain came down harder and she couldn't hear him.
"I love you!" he yelled and then pulled her into an immediate kiss. They stood there for a minute in the pouring rain kissing before they let go and looked at each other.
Natalie smiled and began laughing, "I love you too—but I think we're a bit wet to go to that restaurant now. How about we go back to my place and dry off then order something?"
"Yeah, sounds good," he smiled as he opened the passenger door for her and then grabbed the stuff to be put in the trunk and then slipped into the driver's seat.
"Your clothes should be dry soon—does the extra outfit that Antonio left over here fit ok?"
"Yeah," he said as he walked out and saw she was now in a pair of old sweats and a t-shirt, her hair pulled up into a pony tail. "Listen about before—."
She shook her head, her heart falling some that he didn't mean what he'd said, "It's ok. I understand. I mean—friendship is no problem for me."
"Wait? No—hold on," he said as he grabbed her hands and pulled her towards him and then to the couch. "I didn't mean I wanted just friendship. I was going to say that if it was too soon for you, or if you just said those words in the spur of the moment of being completely drenched on the side of the road then I'd understand."
She laughed at herself, "Look at me—jumping to some horrible conclusion that doesn't even exist. Nick, I don't need more time and kissing you back and telling you I loved you—that wasn't spur of the moment."
"Good, then you won't mind this," he said with his hands touching her face and leaning in for a kiss, his hands moved down her shoulders and sides, finding her bare skin underneath—her shivering at his touch for the first time.
This was what she'd been wanting—this is what she'd needed for so long, and she knew—she knew it had came just when she needed it most.
