I turned in Nick's arms, staring in awe at his comment.
"What can I say, Sara Sidle you are my ultimate fantasy." He said, staring at me with a grin. I smiled a fraction of an inch from that grin, taunting him as I pretended as if I was going to kiss him, only to pull away at the last moment. Finally, he cupped my face with both his hands.
"Come here, you…" he whispered, and he captured my lips with the greatest of passion. I kissed back, complying as his tongue asked for entry into my mouth. I felt his hands slide seductively down my back, finally fully cupping my butt. My hands ran up and down his chest a few times before slipping under his t-shirt to find bare skin. I trailed my nails across his finely sculpted stomach, and he groaned huskily. I smiled inwardly, pressing myself against him.
One of Nick's hands had come to fully cup one breast, and my thumbs trailed over Nick's pert nipples. I felt a distinct sensation in Nick's lower district, and felt my body go into overdrive. Nick reached down to cup my butt with both hands, and brazenly ground me against him. I groaned loudly, and he responded with equal fervor. While still holding me up with one hand, his other hand left my butt and slid sensuously up my shirt. Without removing my shirt, his hand continued upward before finally reaching my bra. As I felt him try to undo it, I shook my head no and pushed against his chest.
We broke apart breathing heavily. As his hand slid down my back, I started shaking. I wasn't used to feeling this sort of love, and my body wasn't sure what to do with the adrenaline and estrogen that was now shooting throughout my system. Nick felt me tremble and he pulled me close, letting his shaky, ragged breaths escape over my shoulder.
"I'm sorry Sara…I shouldn't have gone so far…" he apologized, but I shook my head, relishing in the strength of his body.
"No, I'm sorry…I led you on…I'm just not really ready yet Nick…you aren't mad are you?" I asked, seriously afraid of what was going through his mind. I squeezed his neck tightly before he answered, silently conveying my feelings to him.
"Oh baby it's alright…I would never push you farther than what you were comfortable with…I'm glad you stopped me. If I hurt you, I could never live with myself." He said, and I grinned.
"Have I mentioned today how much I absolutely love you?"
He beamed at me as he dipped down for a sweet kiss.
"Once or twice."
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A little while later, Nick and I got ready to go back to the hospital. I was excited to see Kayla; after all, she was the one who basically shoved Nick and I together.
Not that I was complaining…
I sat in the car, looking out the window as Nick's hand cupped my thigh. I placed a hand on top of his, and without looking, I knew he was smiling. I glanced shyly at him, and blushed furiously as our eyes met.
It was strange, being this way with Nick. He had been one of the best friends I had ever had for so long, and only in my heart of secret hearts would I admit to liking him. But now, here he was, here we were, so in love. It amazed me that he could love me for who I was, for everything that I was. He hadn't blamed me for not telling him the whole truth; he just simply accepted things as they came along. I took his hand from my thigh and gave it a hard squeeze, letting out some of the welled up emotions. He smiled over at me and squeezed back, giving me an affectionate look before returning his attention to the road.
I took a deep breath as Nick parked and jumped out of the truck. I got out too, and smiled as I saw him waiting for me. We walked along silently for a minute.
"Wait.." I said, grabbing his arm and pulling him into a hug. I buried my face in his neck, breathing in his manly smell. He always smelled so fresh, and I picked up on the little cowboy-kick that Texas was having on him. I just closed my eyes, savoring the fact that I could be with him like this.
"What was that for?" he asked as I pulled away, and I placed a soft kiss on his lips. I cupped his face and smiled.
"For being you, the man I love." I say truthfully, knowing the emotion is showing through on my face. He smiles and pulls me close again, breathing in and out.
"I love you so much Sara…I will never stop loving you…" he said, and I didn't doubt his words for a second.
"I know…I love you too. God I'm just stuck on you today aren't I?" I said, smiling in his arms as he laughed.
"Yea I guess y'are." He grinned, and motioned for us to continue walking.
We reached for each others hand at the exact same time.
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Nick's Point Of View -
Sara didn't let go of my hand as we made our way up to Kayla's room. She leaned her head on my shoulder as we rode the elevator. I could feel a mood coming over the two of us, and I smiled as I realized how different it from the first time we had ridden up this exact elevator.
I knew now why she despised hospitals, what sort of memories and emotions come flooding back to her, and I am reminded of the brave face she puts on for me. The mood now is lighter, not as filled with unspent emotion or secret feelings. Nothing was hidden.
We got off and made our way to Kayla's room, hands still fully entwined. Sara looked at me with a smile before opening the door. Kayla was sleeping, but my mother sat in the far corner reading a magazine. She smiled at us as we came in, and I watched her smile grow at the sight of our intertwined hands.
"Hey…How are you two lovebirds doing this fine morning?" She asked, a mischievous grin crossing her face. Sara's jaw dropped slightly as she glanced at me. I opened my mouth to speak, but she beat me to it.
"We're pretty good, actually." She said, curling in to me. I was a little shocked; Sara had after all just completely given everything away without a second thought. I held her by the hip, and she let her head rest on my shoulder.
My mother smiled a smile that I have only seen on rare occasions, and I felt a sort of peace come over me, as if everything was alright.
"I was hoping you two would figure it out before you left. Kayla will be happy as well." She said calmly, but from the twinkle in her eye, I knew she was ecstatic. I winked at her, and she winked back. Sara glanced up at me and smiled, and I beamed at her.
"Speaking of Kayla, now that you all are here, I can go home." She smiled, nodding towards the door, "Not that I didn't want to be here, but there ain't nothin' like taking a shower in your own house."
I smiled. Mom knew Kayla would be excited we were together, so she must have picked up on how much she would appreciate time alone with us, and with Sara.
"Okay. We'll see you back home for dinner then?" I asked her, knowing the answer, but asking it aloud to give Sara an idea of tonight's events.
"Yes. I'll cook something up, though not sure what…" she said, frowning slightly. I smiled; leave it to my mother to obsess about the dinner that night.
"I'm sure whatever you make will be excellent." Said Sara, and I nodded my head in agreement.
"You got that right. No matter what this woman makes, it tastes like it's straight from Emeril, every time." I grinned, and Sara laughed.
My mother shot us both a smile and a wave as she opened the door and left.
Sara turned into me, my front flush against hers, and said, "I like your mom."
I smiled.
"So do I."
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And hour later, Sara and I were about done fishing through our magazines, when I heard Kayla stir. I went and sat on her bed as Sara stayed where she was.
"Hey…" I said quietly as her eyes opened. She sat up slowly, wiping away the sleep from her eyes as she smiled.
"Hi Nicky, what's up?" she yawned and I pulled her gently into a hug. Sara smiled from across the room, and I winked at her.
"Not much…How are you?" I asked, that feeling of uneasiness about her wellness still lingering.
"I'm okay; as okay as one can be in this situation. How are-" she stopped, noticing Sara for the first time, "How are you two?"
I smiled at her before turning my gaze to the now approaching Sara. She quirked an eyebrow at me, and I opened my arms, gesturing for her to sit on my lap. She blushed before complying, and I snaked my arms around her waist as she sat.
Kayla raised a single eyebrow, but said nothing.
"We're fine…aren't we babe?" Sara asked turning to me. She surprised me a little, calling me a pet name, but I nodded in agreement. Inside however, I was jumping for joy; things just kept getting better for Sara and I.
Kayla just grinned.
"So he loves you." She said with a satisfied smirk, and I was taken aback. Kayla hadn't even asked the question, she had stated it. And she was addressing Sara.
I felt Sara lean back on me, and I smiled softly at her pink infused cheeks when our eyes met.
"You know Kayla, I think he does."
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Sara's Point Of View -
I smiled broadly at Kayla, and as Nick's thumb caressed my stomach gently, I felt sincere contentment for the first time in a long, long time.
Nick poked me in the stomach, and I turned to look up at him. He kissed my lips softly, and those ever-present butterflies fluttered to life again in the pit of my stomach.
"You know I love you." Nick said as he looked into my eyes. I smiled affectionately and nodded, finally turning back to Kayla.
She was grinning, and I blushed.
"I'm glad everything worked out for you guys…" she said with a tilt of her head and a wink. I smiled in gratitude.
"Yeah, but I never would have had the courage…not without you Kayla….Thank you so much." I said sincerely, leaving the comfort of Nick's arms to give Kayla a hug. I closed my eyes and squeezed her tight, knowing that she would most likely be one of my best friends for life.
As the hug broke off, I looked at Kayla with a grin. She smiled and motioned for me to lean over.
"He cried didn't he?" she whispered in my ear. I pulled back and nodded. Kayla gave me a gentle smile, and I returned it.
It was then I felt Nick's arms wrap around my waist, and pull me close to him once more. I squeezed his hand, and he kissed the top of my head.
I was a little shocked as I felt tears well up in my eyes, and I averted my gaze from Kayla. So much emotion was running through me, I couldn't keep track of it all. Hell, I couldn't even tell someone why I wanted to cry now…I suppose it was a mixture of things. The tears could be of joy or of sadness. I felt overloaded by life, and a little scared by Nick. What if I was making the wrong choices about him? What if this was all a joke, what if our love didn't last?
My insecurities were getting the best of me, and I leaned back…into Nick. I took in a small breath and felt a smile tug at my lips as I realized the twist of fate this presented. It was obvious to me now.
Nick is my support. He is my friend, my ally, my number one fan. Nick is my home base, and I have to admit, it's nice to have one.
Especially a sexy one.
I shivered at this insight, and Nick's hands rubbed the sides of my arms. I reveled in his touch, closing my eyes as I rested my head under his chin.
Somehow, as I looked up at Nick, I knew that even though we were going to go through a lot, that I could picture myself with him for a long time. I could see us living together; having kids, taking trips down to Texas to see everyone…I could see myself with the family I never had. I smiled; I don't think anyone pictures that perfect of a life in Las Vegas. Oh well, Catherine's doing a good job of raising her family there…
Suddenly I laughed, and Nick looked at me with a grin.
"What?" he asked.
"Nothing. I was just thinking about how Catherine's going to brag about knowing this would happen. Between us I mean."
Nick grinned, and I wondered if he truly knew how long I had hindered that crush for him.
"Yeah, but that initial look on her face will be priceless."