A/N: Sorry if these chapters seem kinda slow. I promise they'll really start to take off in a while. (Unless ya'll think they were already good, then they're just gonna get better) alright, sorry to keep ya'll from the book.
And just a reminder…I do not own the Beetles, or their song Let It Be, or Jillian Stokes, or Bill Stokes.
Now I've just wasted about 2 minuets of ya'lls lives, so I'll shut up and let ya'll read :)
Chapter 5: "No disrespect Bill, but is she always like this?"
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Saturday May 7, 2004
Delmarco Residence
Guest Room- Nick
5:23 a.m.
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Nick felt a slight tug on his sheets. He moaned and rolled over. He grabbed the pillow and threw it over his head to try to get more sleep. Who ever was bugging him would just have to leave because he wasn't getting up. Not for anybody.
"Nick." Anna whispered. Nick sat straight up and teetered drowsily.
"Anna?" He asked only being half awake.
"Yeah. Come on. I want you to see something. I promise you can go to sleep right after." She informed him and he sighed and drug a tired hand over his face. He moaned and she grabbed his arm and sat on his bed. The waves rocked and Anna pouted. "Please."
He looked over at her and saw her pajamas. She had a light green tank top on that matched her stripped green and blue cotton pajama pants. Her hair was in tick, round, loose curls. She had no makeup and looked absolutely gorgeous. He smiled at her. Her early morning beauty was too much to say no to. "Okay." He pulled the sheets off and swung his feet over the side of the bed. He rubbed his eyes and stood up to stretch. He tightened the drawstring on his Rodeo themed pajama pants. He had no shirt on and his sculpted chest and abs were enticing Anna. She blushed.
"Come on." She grabbed his hand and put a finger to her lips to signal for him to be quiet. It was dark as they walked out of his room and into the dining room. She grabbed the two sleeping bags that were by the sliding door and opened the door. She motioned for him to be quiet and they tip toed out of the house.
She shut the door and they walked through the back yard, out the gate, through the sand, all the way to the docks. She climbed up the stairs and Nick followed. The reached the end of the dock and she rolled out her sleeping bag and laid down on it. Nick laid his next to hers and he lay next to her. The sky was getting lighter as pinks and oranges began to rise from the horizon of the lake.
"Wow." Nick said as they counted down the sunrise.
"I know." The sun came up and light the Earth. A smile burst across Anna's face and Nick smiled. "I love this time of day."
"It's beautiful."
Anna nodded and shut her eyes. Nick looked over at her and watched her drift to sleep. He smiled as she rolled on her side to face him. Her breathing became even, signaling she was now fully asleep. Nick rolled to face her and watched her sleep. Slowly, his eyes fell and, like the rolling gentle waves of the ocean, sleep washed over Nick.
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Delmarco Residence
The Docks
6:47 a.m.
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A sea gull made a shrill sound as it flew over head of Nick and Anna. Anna opened her eyes to see Nick's sleeping face. She grabbed his hand and looked at his watch. The clock read 6:47. Anna moaned and Nick's eyes opened. "Sorry." She whispered and Nick smiled.
"It's okay." Secretly, he didn't mind waking up to Anna's face. She smiled back.
"We should get back to the house." Anna stated and Nick nodded his head. Anna slowly stood up and began to roll her sleeping bag. Nick copied her movements and they walked down the docks. As they reached the sand, Nick grabbed Anna's hand affectionately. Anna smiled and blushed.
"Thanks for the sunrise, it was beautiful." he informed her and she nodded her head.
"You're Welcome. I enjoyed it too."
Nick squeezed her hand and she smiled. They made it to the back of the house and Anna slid open the door. They tip toed inside and set the bags by the door. "Well I'm not that tired."
"Me either."
"You wanna watch some television?"
"Sure." They sat on the couch and Anna grabbed the remote, she turned down the volume and handed it to Nick. "You pick."
Nick began to flip through the channels and settled on the news. He looked over at Anna and saw that she was sound asleep. Nick chuckled and decided to let her rest. She rested her head on his shoulder and Nick felt butterflies in his stomach. He smirked as she leaned over and cuddled up to him. She laid her arm on his chest in between his pecks and slid her other one around his back. She folded her legs underneath her and she sighed in contentment.
Nick smiled and brought his arm around her shoulders and held her there. He laid his arm on the arm rest of the couch and he sighed in contentment. He watched the television but didn't really pay attention to it. His thoughts were of the beautiful woman next to him. Nick scooted down the couch into a more comfortable position. Anna adjusted her self subconsciously to be closer to him. Nick smiled and brought his other hand and wrapped it around hers protectively. She was practically on top of him now.
Nick smirked and rested his head against the soft leather of the couch. Anna stirred and looked up at him. He met her gaze and smiled. She blushed. "So much for not bein tired huh?"
Nick chuckled. "Yeah."
"How long was I out?"
"Eh, only a couple minuets."
Anna nodded. She then realized her position on him and that his hand was covering hers. She smiled. "You been holdin my hand Stokes?" She teased and he quickly retracted his hand.
"Oh, uh…I'm-"
"It's okay." She took his hand in hers. "It was nice." She laid her head back on his shoulder and he smiled and kissed the top of her head. She smiled wider and so did Nick.
Behind them, a door slowly closed and Jillian pretended she was strangling someone. Bill looked up from his book and shook his head at his wife. "Leave them alone honey. Nothing's happening."
"Well you obviously weren't paying attention."
"Yeah, sorry I was too busy reading my book to spy on our son's love life."
"Ah! You said 'love life'!"
Bill sighed, "Sorry, infatuation life." He rolled his eyes and his wife made a face. "Jill, calm down. It was an innocent kiss on the top of her head. That's something a grandparent does."
"He held her hand too."
"Oh my GOD! He held her hand! Dear Sweet Jesus! Call the church elders! We must put an end to this horrible fornication!" Bill mocked and Jillian swatted his arm.
"Bill, this is serious."
Bill sighed and removed his glasses to gesture with them, "Leave it alone. Like the Beetles say," He put his glasses back on, "Let it be." Bill chuckled.
Jillian sighed and laid back. "What are we going to do?"
"I know, how about leave it alone."
"I mean, I'm drawin blank here. What next?"
"Hey," Bill replied excitedly and turned on his side to face her, "I have a crazy idea."
"What?" Jillian asked hopeful, she sat up to be level with him.
"How about…we leave him alone."
Jillian sighed and moaned. "No. It's my job to protect him."
"No, he's turning 34 in 3 months. He's a big boy and he can take care of himself."
Jillian sighed. "Alright, alright…I'll leave it alone."
"Don't lie to me."
"What?"
"Don't tell me you're gonna leave it alone when you know you're not. I've been married to you for 42 years...and you haven't changed a bit. I'm not stupid Jill." He rolled back to his back and continued reading.
Jillian scoffed. "What ever." She put a pillow over her face and rolled to her other side so she was facing away from her husband.
Bill shook his head at his wife's immature nature.
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Delmarco Residence
9:15 a.m.
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Anna walked to the dinning room table and set Regan's cereal bowl in front of her and smoothed the girl's hair back. She planted a kiss on her forehead and Regan looked up and smiled at her. Bill looked over at Jillian accusingly and she only rolled her eyes.
"So what does everyone want to do today?" Anna asked the table. Nick looked up from his cheerios and wiped his mouth.
"Mom, Dad, what are you up for?"
The two exchanged glances and shrugged. "I don't know. We've never really been to Vegas."
Anna nodded and adjusted her peach/orange shirt with a white lace spaghetti strap top underneath. She smoothed out her peach, orange, yellow, and white pinstripe Bermuda shorts and sat down in her seat. "Well…I've lived here the longest so I know where everything is. I say we go sight seeing for a while, and then we can decide from there." Anna suggested and Nick nodded.
"That sounds good. What do you think mom and dad?"
"Well I want to go put-put golfing." Regan remarked and adjusted herself so that she was sitting on her calves and her butt at the same time. Anna raised an eyebrow and gestured to her table manners. Regan hung her head guiltily and sat back down properly. Anna reached over and wiped up the cheerios she had spilled.
"Well that's up to Mr. and Mrs. Stokes."
"Please, call me Bill." Bill replied smiling at the young woman, Anna looked up and smiled back. Jillian kicked Bill's leg underneath the table. "Ow!" He remarked and winced in pain. Anna frowned and raised her eyebrow once more. Nick did the same and only his was directed at his mother.
"Mom…"
"Sounds like fun." She interrupted the rest of his thought and what he was insinuating.
"Yes, that would be delightful." Bill replied straining his voice on account of the pain shooting through his calve.
"Good." Regan smiled and continued to eat her cheerios. Anna smirked at the little girl and shook her head in amusement.
Nick looked up to see his mother's cold face and hard expression. He knew where it was directed…Anna. /-/ this is gonna be a fun day. /-/ he thought and continued with his cereal.
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Saturday May 7, 2004
Mickey's Mini Golf Course
1st round
1:54 p.m.
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"Ugh…look at them." Jillian whispered disgustedly to Bill. "He can't keep his eyes off her. Or her ass of that matter."
"Oooh. Mama Stokes' mad." Bill replied sarcastically. Jillian pinched his arm. "Ow! You're aggressive today."
She moaned, "What does he see in her?"
"Probably what I see in you." Bill said and Jillian looked over at him. He arranged himself so he could put. "A unique and interesting personality." He swung his club and the ball made contact perfectly.
Jillian sighed and rubbed her temples. "This is gonna be a long day." She grumbled.
"Is your head botherin you mom?" Nick asked concerned when he saw his mother's strained face.
"Huh? Oh, yeah. Just a headache." She lied.
"I think I have some Advil. Here, come sit in the shade." Nick suggested and led her to the bench underneath the palm tree. She looked behind her to see Anna put at the Egyptian pyramid. She had an impressive swing. Jillian moaned and sat down. "Is it getting worse?" Nick asked concerned.
Anna jumped up and down in victory; she just beat them all in the first round. Nick turned around and gave a huge smile and a thumbs up. Anna gave a huge smile back and a wink. Jillian moaned at her love struck boy's actions. "Yeah. A lot worse." Jillian popped back the Advil and chugged the water back.
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Mickey's Mini Golf Course
2nd round
2:16 p.m.
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So far Regan was winning the second round. Bill was in close second, Anna in third, Nick in fourth, and Jillian was in last. She was too distracted by her son and Anna's interactions to focus on the game. Bill went up to put and knocked the ball in the hole perfectly. Everybody cheered. "Nice shot Bill." Regan complemented. Bill saluted her and she chuckled. Anna leaned over to Nick and whispered,
"She's seems to take to him very well. The Stokes' charm must run through all the men in the family. And dear Regan has fallen captive to it all." Anna joked and Nick chuckled. He shook his head.
"All kids seem to take to him well. I don't know why."
Anna chuckled and Jillian stood up to put. Jillian swung the club and missed the ball. They all frowned in looked at each other. Her game had been off all day. "Jill, what is up with you? Normally you'd be killin me out here. Why is your game so off?" Bill asked concerned.
Jillian sighed and adjusted her sunglasses. She looked over to see Nick and Anna flirting wildly and she narrowed her gaze. "I've been distracted."
Bill rolled his eyes and rubbed his forehead. Regan looked up at him and smiled. "No disrespect Bill, but is she always like this?"
Bill chuckled. "Oh yeah. It's one of the reasons I married her." Regan raised an eyebrow and looked at him like he had just told her pigs could fly. Bill laughed and ruffled her hair, "You'll understand when you're older."
Regan scoffed, "I've been hearin that a lot lately."
Anna watched the interaction and smiled, "Proof in context." Nick smiled at her and she smiled back. "Are you sure she's okay to play with her headache?" Anna questioned.
"I don't know. Mama, are you sure you're okay to play?" Nick's drawl was laced with concern.
"Yes Honey. I'll be okay." She looked over at her son to see that he had his arm around Anna and they were standing close. Anna turned to face Nick and she batted her long eye lashes. It was sickening. Jillian glared and swung the club as hard as she could. The ball finally made contact with the club. The ball flew through the air…right to Anna's head.
Everyone's jaw dropped, and so did Anna. She fell to the ground and Nick began to run to her side. "Wait!" Regan held hi back and looked around the area where they had been standing. She saw the golf ball. "I think it's safe." She replied and Nick ran to Anna. Regan picked up the golf ball and inspected it carefully. It was the same ball they had been putting with.
"Jesus Christ Jillian!" Bill yelled and ran to the girl's side.
Jillian stayed frozen in her position. "Shit." She whispered in shock.
"Bill, get the manager of the golf course and tell them we have one unconscious victim who was probably hit by a golf ball, there are no visual signs of vital damage, and bring him here along with a first aid kit. It doesn't look serious so we don't need to call 911." Regan alleged.
Bill took off running and Nick looked over at Regan. "We can't move her, she has a head injury. It could involve her neck and spine too."
"Yes we can. I need a blanket or jacket." Regan demanded.
"Here, take mine." Nick offered. Regan spread it out and open next to Anna.
"Okay, now carefully roll her onto the jacket." They did so. Regan stood up. "Take the collar of the jacket and hold it up about two inches. Make sure her head and neck are held in place and not moving." Nick stood in the position she had described. "Now gently drag her away from here to the small hut by the plains of Africa."
When Anna was safely away from the course Regan sighed, "I'm going back to wait for your dad and the manager." Regan stood and walked back to the spot were the incident had happened. Regan looked around but found no sign of anyone. Including Jillian. "Mrs. Stokes?" Regan called. She received no answer and sighed. She could see Bill and, who Regan assumed was the manager, in the distance. Regan flailed her arms and they jogged towards her.
"Where is she?"
"Over here." Regan directed them to the spot where Anna laid. Nick was giving her rescue breaths and dabbing her forehead with cold water. The manager knelt down next to Anna and opened his kit.
"What happened?"
"She got hit with a golf ball." Nick relied and stepped aside to let the man do what he was trained to do.
"You know, they give us this training. But it hasn't happened before."
"There's a first time for everything." Bill replied and watched the man skeptically.
Within a few minuets Anna's eyes fluttered open. "Wh-wh-what? Where-"
"It's okay Miss. You were knocked out by a golf ball."
Anna looked around confused. "I was hit by a golf ball?"
They all nodded. Anna laid back and rested a second. She felt her head and winced. "Are you okay to sit up?"
"Yeah." she said slowly and pulled herself up right. The manager handed her an ice pack. She held it to her head and winced.
"If it wasn't for this young lady here we don't know what would have happened. She formulated a plan and moved you out of harm way and took care of immediate precautions." The man informed Anna. She looked up at Regan and she shrugged.
"I read it in one of my library books."
Anna smiled, "You can have your library card back."
They all chuckled and Anna looked around. "Nick, where's your mother?" They all stopped laughing and looked around.
"I don't know."
Jillian came up from behind her husband. Bill turned around and sighed, "Well, good job Jill. You knocked her out cold."
"Oh no. No, no, don't worry about it. I'm fine now." Anna objected and smiled at Jillian. "I'm fine. I know you didn't mean it."
Bill looked at Jillian accusingly. "Thank you Anna." Jillian said politely. She forced a smile.
"Well, let's just…let's get going." Anna replied and Nick helped her stand up. They five of them made their way back to Nick's car and Nick helped Regan and Anna in.
"Do you wanna go home?" Nick asked Anna concerned. Anna shook her head and immediately regretted it. She held her head and waited for the car to stop spinning.
"No. I'm okay."
Nick gave her a skeptical eye and she placed her hand gently on his forearm. He sighed and shook his head. Nick closed the car door and walked around to the other side of the Tahoe. He climbed in the driver's side and buckled his seatbelt. He looked over and smiled at Anna. In his rearview mirror he could see his mother whispering vehemently to his father, who would whisper back and roll his eyes.
Nick frowned but shook it off and pulled out of the golf course parking lot.
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Delmarco Residence
6:39 p.m.
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They five inhabitants of the Delmarco home poured their tired bodies into the front door. Nick was the only energetic one. He was bouncing off the walls compared to the other four. Anna looked over at him and moaned in tiredness. "Regan, remind me to never let Nick have a sip of my energy drink ever again."
Regan nodded. "Dually noted."
Nick rolled his eyes. "Don't over exaggerate, I'm not that hyper."
Anna scoffed, "From what I've seen and heard about Greg, and that's a lot, right now, you seem more hyper than him."
Nick gasped in mock-horror. Jillian slowly turned her head to look at Anna. "How long have you known Nick?"
"About four days." Anna and Nick answered at the same time.
Jillian nodded and Anna mouthed the word 'Sorry' to Nick. Hew drug a tired hand over his face. Bill and Regan looked at each other and rolled their eyes. They all knew what Jillian was thinking, 'Nick tells more to his new "friend" that he's only known for four days, than to his mother'.
"Well uh, I don't know about the rest of you but I'm starving. What does everybody want for dinner?" Anna asked as she walked towards the kitchen.
"Wait, wait." Nick walked into the kitchen and Anna looked over at him confused. She turned slightly to look at him. "You're tired, we're all hungry, why don't we just go out for dinner?"
"Yes!" Regan jumped up and smiled. Bill chuckled at the little girl.
"No, no. You're all my guests." Anna objected.
Nick shook his head and took her hand and placed his hand on the small of her back. He gently led her out of the kitchen. "No, you're tired, and no doubt have a headache. We can go out. I'm sure it'll be fine with everybody."
Anna looked up at everybody and they nodded. "I don't know."
"C'mon, my treat."
Anna shook her head, "No, you're the guest."
"Please don't be so darn independent and let me take ya'll out to dinner." Nick asked and Anna looked back at him and raised an eyebrow she paused, and then sighed in defeat.
"Are you sure?"
Nick flashed her a genuine Nick Stokes smile and winked. "Yep." He drawled and Anna felt herself melt. She blushed and ducked her head.
"Fine." Anna agreed.
Regan jumped up happily. "Yeah!"
Anna smirked and took the little girl's hand. "You need to wash up and change first. You're covered in sand."
Regan nodded and ran to her bedroom. "Nick, where exactly are we going?" Jillian asked.
"It's a surprise."
Anna sighed. "Nick, where are we going?"
"Nope. It's a surprise." Nick emphasized and smiled mischievously. Anna pursed her lips to try and hide the fact that she was actually enjoying the banter and surprise.
Anna sighed. "Fine." She walked off to her bedroom and Nick smiled and watched her leave, enjoying the view as he did so. Jillian rolled her eyes and went to the guest room she was staying in.
"Don't concentrate too hard there son. You don't want that giddy grin to be your permanent face now do ya?" Bill joked.
Nick looked over confused, "Huh?"
Bill chuckled, "You enjoyin the view?" Bill raised an eyebrow and Nick ducked his head ashamed. Bill laughed. "I've been there before. Your mother had the tightest butt-"
"Eeeeww! Dad! I don't want to hear your sexual thoughts on my mother!" Nick exclaimed and Bill laughed again.
"All I'm sayin is, it's okay to look, but don't let 'em catch you doin it-"
"Duh."
"You can touch, but with her permission-"
"Duh." Nick repeated.
"If you want to get involved…make sure it's for the long haul."
"Dad I've only known her four days."
"And judgin by the looks you give her and you light up when she walks into a room or says anythin, four days was all it took." Bill narrowed his gaze in a kind-fatherly manner.
Nick looked back to the door where Anna had exited. "Took for what? Four days is all it took for what?" Nick asked truly oblivious though no one else was.
Bill paused a moment as if he didn't know how to voice it, "To fall for her son." Nick looked over, startled from the accusation. He opened his mouth to say something but Bill held up his hand to stop him. "Don't deny it. Steve Wonder could see how you feel for her." Nick ducked his head and blushed. "And reading your mind, yes it's that obvious. Even that little girl could see it, although that ain't sayin much considerin how intuitive she is." Nick smiled. "But just remember Nick, when you fall for her…you fall for the little one too. And there is no doubt in my mind that you could make Anna fall for you like you've fallen for her if she already hasn't. But while ya'll are getting all lovey dovey and fallin in love, you keep that little girl in mind. Because if ya'll separate and call it quits, not only will you hurt yourselves, you'll hurt Regan whose already latched on to you."
"I know."
"I know you do. I'm just remindin you. Goodness knows I haven't agreed with your choice of women and 'playboy ways' as your mother puts it, bein with a different girl every other night, but I like Anna. I could see ya'll together for a long time. And I'm okay with that. But thinkin of all the great things that can happen…think of all the things that could go wrong. Don't' hurt those fragile little women. Goodness knows they've been dealt a hard life and have made the best of it." He gestured to the house around him.
"Dad, you barely know them. How-"
"Ah…I'm an excellent judge of character and human behavior. It's kind of necessary for the job."
Nick shook his head. "Yeah."
"Be careful son…and don't screw this one up."
Nick chuckled, "Thanks Dad."
Bill nodded. "No problem son." The two men departed to their separate ways and went to their rooms. Nick walked into his room and pulled off his T shirt. He stood there for a moment, and then took off his socks and shoes. When he was finished, he stood back up and stood still. He was thinking about what his dad had said.
"If you want to get involved, make sure it's for the long haul… four days was all it took…to fall for her son… yes it's that obvious… but just remember Nick, when you fall for her you fall for the little one too… I could see ya'll together for a long time. And I'm okay with that."
Nick sighed and sat on his bed. He rested his elbows on his knees and let his folded hand hang. He sighed and hung his head.
/-/ Is dad right? Should I get involved with Anna and take the risk. I mean, it's not only ourselves we have to worry about now…it's Regan too. No matter how smart and resilient she is, she can only take so much. And aside from Regan, the last thing I want to do is hurt Anna. Dad was right when he said it only took four days. And I do tend to screw up relationships pretty bad, if you could even call 'em relationships. What if I mess it up with Anna? Then what…I've only known her four days and I already know I don't want to spend a single day away from her. So…do I risk it/-/
Suddenly a thought hit Nick and he dropped his jaw. "Oh, my, God." Nick said stunned while pausing in between each word. "That's why Grissom never got with Sara…he's worried about ruining everything…their friendship, what's left of it, their working environment…everything." Nick sighed. "Wow." It all finally made sense. All the years of him subjecting her to torture…it was self preservation…of both of them. He loved her so much he couldn't be with her. He knew he'd mess it up and disappoint her and both their reputations would be ruined.
Nick sighed.
He stood and pulled on a clean pair of jeans and a fresh dress shirt. He walked to the bathroom in a daze and continued getting ready.
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Antonio's Little Italian Bistro
Saturday May 7, 2004
7:12 a.m.
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Nick surprised the family with a nice dinner at Antonio's. Everyone had changed into nicer clothes and was now seated at one of the restaurant's finest tables. Apparently Nick had arranged for a formal dinner for him, Anna, and Regan, but luckily he was able to add his parents in at the last moment. Nick smiled and pulled out the chair for Regan to let her sit, before he could move to pull out Anna's she was already sitting and looking at her menu. Nick shook his head and chuckled. Bill pulled out the chair for Jillian and she smiled. "Thanks Honey." She replied and looked over to see Anna was already sitting across from her. Jillian scowled on the inside but didn't let it show.
"Does everybody know what they want?" Nick asked.
"I do." Regan replied, "I want the fanciullo grossezza lardo, Italian salsiccia, and formaggio pizza." Regan replied expertly and nonchalantly as if Italian was her first language.
Jillian looked over critically, "Do you even know what that means?"
Regan raised an eyebrow, "Uh, yeah." Regan replied as if it was so palpable. Anna nudged her and flashing a warning scowl. She shook her head as a warning and Regan sighed. "Yes Mrs. Stokes, it means that I would like an order of the child size bacon, Italian sausage, and cheese pizza." Regan nodded and looked back at her menu. "Anna, can I have dessert when I finish my dinner?" Regan asked and Anna smiled and stroked Regan's hair and placed it behind her ear and out of her face.
"As long as you finish your dinner and its okay with Nick." Anna leanedover to Nick, "Seriously, please let me pay for mine and Regan's half." She whispered and Nick shook his head.
"No, I wanted to do this for ya'll." Nick replied. Anna sighed and sat back straight in her chair. She opened her menu and scanned it for items she knew. She smiled, "I know what I want."
"Same here." Bill drawled.
"Me too." Jillian answered.
"Good." Nick motioned for the waitress and they all ordered their foods. The waitress collected their menus and disappeared behind the wall separating the restaurants to smoking and non-smoking sections. Nick folded his hands in front of him and Anna stood.
"We're going to wash up." Anna replied and smoothed out her long, white, voile skirt and adjusted her peach top that she had been wearing earlier that day. Regan stood also and smoothed the lines out of her ladybug dress with black and white checker spots. "We'll be right back." With that they disappeared also and Nick was left alone with his parents for the first time since they'd arrived. The three of them sat in awkward silence as the two men watched Jillian flip through the desert and alcoholic beverages menu as if nothing was wrong. Nick and his father shared a knowing look and Bill placed his hand on his wife's knee.
"Honey…are you okay?"
"Yes." She replied and didn't make eye contact with either of them. Nick looked over at his father and then shifted his attention back to his mother.
"Mama, do you want me to order you up somthin from off there?" Nick drawled and Jillian smiled and shook her head.
"No honey. I promise ya'll, I'm fine. I'm just a little tired is all." She patted his hand and lovingly caressed her husbands face. Bill raised a brow and wondered what she was up to. She just smiled a smile that only Bill knew…to an outsider it seemed as just a normal smile, but to an erudite individual such as Bill Stokes, it was the smile of a woman with a devious plan.
Jillian turned back around and faced the table just as Anna and Regan were returning. Regan was saying something to Anna and Anna pursed her lips to hold in her smile. She ruffled the little girl's hair affectionately and pulled out her chair for her. Regan sat in the seat and Anna turned around to see Nick had quickly stood up and pulled out her chair for her. She shook her head and chuckled. "Thank you Nick." She flattened her skirt and sat down. Nick scooted the chair in, smiling about his victory.
Anna lightly slapped his arm and rolled her eyes. Nick gave her his genuine Nick Stokes smile and she felt her face flush. She pursed her lips to keep the smile from off her face. Jillian looked at Bill and raised her eye brow accusingly as if he had suggested this interaction. She rolled her eyes and put on her well crafted front. "So, Nick, Anna, what do ya'll have planned for tomorrow?" She folded her hands in front of her expectantly.
Nick and Anna exchanged confused glances. "Um…I'm not sure." Anna began. "I hadn't really had any of this planned." Anna chuckled nervously.
Nick shrugged, "I didn't either…" Nick lied and took a quick sip of water avoiding his father's stare. "Mama, do you have any ideas? Anything in particular ya'll wanna do?" Nick looked around the table and Regan raised her hand. Nick smiled at the little girl, "Yes?"
"How about we all go sailing on our boat?" Regan suggested and Anna raised an eyebrow.
"You still remember how to sail?" Anna asked skeptically and Regan smiled.
"Yeah. And you will too. It's like riding a bike." Regan patted Anna's hand. "Don't worry, I'll sail the boat."
Anna smiled and leaned over to plant a kiss on Regan's forehead. "Well thank you very much."
"Oh no, we'll be sailing by the direction of a seven year old." Bill teased and winked at the girl. Regan grinned and shook her head.
"Well, lucky you, the seven year old who'll be guiding you is a proclaimed genius." Regan bragged and they all laughed. Anna shook her head and nudged her playfully.
"Hey, didn't I teach you modesty?" Anna teased.
Regan thought long and hard. "No." She answered and the table laughed again.
A/N: Sorry this chapter took so long to be posted. I hope I didn't loose some readers. I'll try to have the next chapter up by next Tuesday. And I should be coming out with two more books soon. Please Review! Sorry this chapter took so long to be posted. I hope I didn't loose some readers. I'll try to have the next chapter up by next Tuesday. And I should be coming out with two more books soon. Please
