- Nick's Point Of View -
I watched Sara wake slowly; her eyes opened and her mouth formed into a smile. She turned to me, scooting herself even closer as she re-adjusted her head on the pillow we now shared.
"Good morning…" she yawned, and I smiled, caressing the small of her back.
"Morning." I said, kissing the top of her head gently. I was overcome by Sara and her newly revealed past; I didn't know what she was feeling about me, my sister, being in Texas…anything. She smiled, and shyly placed her hands on my upper chest. I smiled at her, and she brought her head under my chin, resting it parallel with her hands. I breathed in and out, and she picked up on my feelings.
"What's wrong?" she encouraged, waiting for my response as I searched for the right words.
"I was just thinking about you. About the kind of person you are." I said. She frowned and nestled into me.
"What kind of person am I?" she asked, and I smiled and kissed the top of her head.
"You're…you're absolutely amazing. I mean, you came down here without giving it a second thought, flying, which is in a league of its own, and you were around my family and fit in perfectly. Not even mentioning…" I started, taking a deep breath before continuing. I needed to mentally regroup my thoughts in order to tell her how I felt.
"…My sister was hurt in a car crash involving alcohol. I…I don't even know how to describe your bravery Sara; how you could just drop everything and throw aside your feelings just to be here for me? …I can't even believe you had enough courage to keep living after your brother's accident… I've never known anyone with as much courage as you." I said truthfully, and she took her head off my chest to look me in the eye. I took a hand off the small of her back, watching her shiver with pleasure as it slid upward over her body. It steadied as I rested it on her cheek, and I kissed her soundly on the lips. I loved Sara Sidle, and I just needed her to know. Something shot right through me as she kissed back, and she smiled against my lips. She backed away and I opened my eyes with a furrowed brow, awaiting her explanation.
"Nicky, I've been so stupid…" she whispered in earnest. I opened my mouth to speak, but she shook her head, needing to go on. "All this time I've waited for someone who didn't want me, someone who could never love me like you do. You ask about my bravery Nick, and in some aspects, you're right. But after dealing with multiple men who didn't care about me in the way I needed to be cared about, I couldn't risk loosing you, even if it was a farfetched chance. And now you're here…everything's changing…Suddenly my life means so much. I know you were worth whatever risks there have been before now Nick, and I know you're worth any risk we might encounter in the future."
-
A little while later, as Sara and I lay in bed, I felt the distinct sensation of two lips pressed against my neck. I opened my eyes, looking down at her.
"Hey buddy, don't look at me like that! I tried to stop myself, I seriously did, but you're a little bit irresistible." She smiled, blushing. I raised an eyebrow, a smirk crossing my face.
"Irresistible am I now?" I asked her seductively, and she nodded, her cheeks infusing with a deep shade of red. I pressed my lips to hers, letting some of the pent up crave I was having for her pour into the kiss. My fingers glided effortlessly up her sides, and she giggled into my mouth. I smiled, an idea popping into my head as I broke away.
I ran my fingers down her sides, and she bit her lip to try and stop the giggles from escaping. I grinned…she just looked so cute lying there and laughing. Again, I ran my hands down her sides, but this time, I stopped before her hips, squeezing and poking her sides. She erupted into a fit of giggles, her gap-toothed grin exposed as she laughed out loud.
"Nick! Please! Stop! Ah!" Sara managed between laughs. I smiled as I continued my assault. I loved being like this with her, so carefree and easygoing. I knew now that she had told me everything, that she had given me her darkest, deepest secret, things could only get better. A light shone in her eyes as I gingerly swept her into a fit of intense laughter. It was different then the light that had shone there before; this one was stronger, brighter, more confident.
Finally she caught both my wrists and I stopped, accepting my defeat. I hung my head in mock shame as she let out the last of her giggles. She sat up beside me.
"Nick Stokes you almost gave me a heart attack! I hope you're happy…" she commented as she rolled her eyes. I smiled, and she scooted close to me. I wrapped my arms around her waist, and she let her arms snake around my back. My thoughts drifted once again to the events of the previous night.
"Sara, what you said last night, about how I couldn't possibly love you, how we don't fit…Please don't say that again. We do fit. Look…" I said, tugging gently at one of her arms. She removed it from my back, and I took hold of it.
"Here," I said, holding our clasped hands in front of us, "perfect match."
-
- Sara's Point Of View -
I smiled and silently wondered if this was real. How could one human being be so incredible? Before I had the chance to tell him what I was feeling however, he went on.
"And at this instant, I know I've never seen a face more beautiful." he smiled, cupping my face. I felt my eyes tear up; there was still that part of me that felt disconnected and unworthy.
"Yes I suppose they do fit…" I murmured. Nick rested his forehead against mine, and he looked me straight in the eye.
"Sara, please…tell me what you feel." He pleaded, his head tilted to the side, his eyes soft. He kissed me tenderly, and I could almost feel his confusion. As he pulled away, I avoided his eye, thinking for a minute.
"I don't…I don't understand. How can you say that I'm pretty? After my past, after my childhood and after all those times I completely focused on men that I shouldn't have focused on, how can you love me? How is it that I'm beautiful? I ignored you all that time…I know who I am Nick, so please don't lie. I don't want you to tell me I'm beautiful if you don't truly believe it." I confess. I avoid his eye, knowing the truth…but not quite ready to face it. I couldn't…
"No…no…baby please…" he said, pulling me towards him. I sat sideways on his lap, clutching tightly to his right arm as he supported me. His right hand caressed my neck soothingly as I sat, any emotion frozen in the pit of my stomach.
"Sara…I couldn't care less about your past. It doesn't make a difference now! What about my past Sara? Being sexually abused is not something I'm proud of either, but you just have to work through it. I know it's hard at the beginning, I remember all too clearly. But when you have people who care about you to help, it makes it all worth it in the end. And I will love you for forever and a day if that's how long you'll stay with me. I just need you Sara, so please don't doubt me when I call you beautiful. That's what you are to me. Incredibly, drop dead gorgeous."
I sat on his lap, listening to his confession, the tears flowing freely down my face. I had never felt such intense, raw emotion in my life, and it was incredibly overpowering. If Nick hadn't been holding me, I knew I would have tipped over.
Finally, after a long moment, I looked back up into Nick's eyes. I cupped his face and said he first thing that came to mind.
"Forever and a day sounds good to me."
-
I sipped my coffee slowly, sitting outside on the porch watching the Texas morning roll lazily by. I thought about the conversation I had had with Nick this morning, and I smiled. We had both come to some realizations then. He had realized what and why I thought these bad things about myself. I on the other hand, learned about love.
I knew I had only doubted his true love for one reason. I had never felt it before.
As I felt the breeze blow my hair back, I stood, leaning against the railing, breathing in the mixed scent of fresh coffee and sweet morning dew. I felt a pair of gentle, loving arms wrap around my waist, and I smiled.
"Hey babe." Nick said, grinning as he stared down at me. I set my mug on the porch railing and leaned back against him. His arms slid up, settling beneath my breasts. This small affectionate gesture made me smile, and I looked back at him.
"Hey there." I said. I smiled as one of his thumbs gently traced the outer curve of my breast, shivering with delight at the pleasant, warm feeling he was sending coursing through my body. I closed my eyes in contentment, swaying with the wind and the gentle motion of his body.
"I love you." I said, hoping he could pick up on the true depth and meaning of those words. It held the straight out love that I was feeling, but it also held hints of an apology, of thankfulness, of understanding.
"I know. I love you too." He said, kissing the top of my head. I smiled, listening to his southern drawl whisper to me. I felt very calm and at peace, this sort of mist covering any bad thoughts and replacing them with Nick.
"Nick?" I called out softly, not bothering to open my eyes.
"Yes?" he answered, and from the way he sounded, I could tell he was feeling the same haze take over his system.
You are so perfect for me. I never bothered to open my eyes or take up the guts to see you and the future that you held for me, until now. But, I just keep thinking, what if I woke up tomorrow and none of this was true? What if this is just a fantasy?" I asked, and Nick's chest shook slowly as he chuckled.
He leaned over, kissing the tender spot behind my ear as he whispered.
"Well, if this is all a dream, when you wake and come to work just kiss me, 'cause this is my fantasy too."
-
Author's Usual Crap –
Ha. Okay so….um I hope you all didn't mind a little more drama there. I know sometimes it can be a bit overbearing, but I'm a sucker for writing the stuff.
Next chapter will be cute. Much more happy, much more of the type of chapter that leaves you smiling like an idiot after you read it for the sole reason that it was so damn cute.
Don't expect the chapter anytime soon for a couple of reasons. Ski trips, homework, and gotta take some time to see the horsey once in a while! (Just kidding, I love her to death)
Errr….so YEAH I guess that sums it about up!
Love –
The Atypical Notorious Cat
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TNC - THE DISCLAIMER LIES! REVIEW!
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