Chapter 11

"No, I have to go back for work!" Nick's dad said back.

"You think I don't have work either? I have a client waiting for me." Nick's mom countered.

"Well we need someone to take him home," was his dad's reply.

It was the next day and Nick was being released from the hospital that day. Both the adults looked over beside the bed at Sara. She was tucking the sheets of Nick's bed in tighter and looked up at the room suddenly going quiet, only to see both parents looking at her. "Could you please do it?" Nick's mom asked taking a step toward her.

"Wa…take him home?" Sara asked a little surprised. She had never been to Nick's house before and she wasn't sure about going there now.

"Yes, please. It would just be for a few days." Nick's mom said, trying to sway her.

"Um…" she looked over at Nick, he had a hint of a smile on his face seeing her get all nervous in front of his parents. "Ok..." she said finally.

"Oh! That would be excellent!" his mom took at little jump and started talking very fast. Sara knew she was a woman who would take charge in any situation and could see her doing that now.

In the rush around the room Sara was just sanding there. She felt Nick touch her shoulder and she looked down at him. "Our first slumber party," he said playfully. She hit him softly on the shoulder and smiled. He pretended to be hurt.

And hour and a half later, Nick's parents were gone and Sara was loading Nick into her car. She had gone home quickly and gotten an overnight bag which was now sitting in the backseat. She had been briefed by the doctors about his medication and his strict bed rest and she was prepared to make sure he got better fast.

The drive to his house was short and silent. When they got there it was about 6 and Sara started right away at Nick's dinner. She wasn't much of a cook so she looked around to see what she could make without burning. She decided on spaghetti because it was easy, just as Nick told her he was going to take a shower. She was just finishing up when she heard the water turn off. She set the table quickly and had just put the last plate on the table when Nick walked in wearing an oversized t-shirt and pajama pants.

"I didn't know you could cook," Nick said sitting down.

She smiled. "I cant really. Spaghetti is my favorite so I learned how to make it. So don't even bother asking me to cook anything else." He smiled at her while she sat down.

They ate and talked about nothing; Nick's parents, Greg's last prank, hospital food. They both agreed it was disgusting. After dinner they continued to talk until the conversation landed on movies.

"Speaking of movies, do you want to watch one?" Nick asked hopefully. "I've got a collection."

"Of coarse you do," Sara said with a pursed lip smile. He got up and walked over to pick a movie.

"No, I'll do it," she said, "You sit," she said sternly, pointing at the couch.

He couldn't help but smile. "Ok, ok. I'm going," he raised his hands in surrender, walking over to the couch. Sara picked out a movie and showed him. "How about this one?"

"Pirates of the Caribbean?" Nick smiled at her choice.

"Yeah," she looked at the cover, "I like this movie," she said with a shrug.

"Ok," Nick said as he watched her put it into the player and press play.

They sat and waited for the movie to start. Nick started shifting in his seat. He got comfortable and they watched the movie. Not half and hour into it Nick was asleep on Sara's shoulder. She turned down the volume so it wouldn't wake him. She slipped her arm carefully around him and leaned her head against his and watched the rest of the movie.

When it was over Sara slipped out from under Nick and tried to wake him up softly. He woke and rubbed his eyes groggily.

"Hey sleepy," Sara said with a smile, "time to go to bed."

"Hmmm," was his answer.

Sara smiled and helped him get up. She walked him into the bedroom and helped him lie on the bed. But he was awake now. "Where are you going to sleep?"

"Couch." She answered softly, untucking his sheets

"Can't you sleep here?"

Sara just looked at him. She was about to say something, but then closed her mouth and tried again. "I don't think that's a good idea," she said, even though she was wishing she could sleep in that bed.

"I don't think so," Nick said finalizing the issue. He grabbed her hand and tried to pull her into the bed. She only resisted a little but said, "No, really Nick. I can sleep on the couch," and she tried to turn away.

"But I want you to sleep here." He was sitting up in the bed now and wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her down from behind. Sara let out a little squeal as she fell onto the bed. He still had his arms wrapped around her and hugged her close.

"Fine, you win," Sara said, even though they both already knew it. Sara kicked off her shoes and rested up against Nick. He sighed behind her and she felt him relax. They lay in silence and Sara thought Nick had fallen asleep. She was a little startled when he started to speak.

"Sara?"

"Uh-huh?"

He paused. "About our date." Sara turned around in his arms until she was facing him. "Nick we don't have to talk about it."

"No, I want to," Nick said quickly, "When I was….when I was missing, well it helped me." He paused. "It gave me something…happy to think about." It was dark but Sara could tell he was avoiding looking at her. She was close to tears again and she looked at him.

"Nick," she tried to search for the words, her voice shaky, "I was so scared. I thought I was going to lose the man I loved…" She saw his head shoot up. There was a brief pause, then, "You love me?" shaky and quiet.

Sara nodded and whispered, "Yeah, Nick." She let the tears fall, "I love you so much."

Nick looked into her eyes a moment, seeing that she meant it and kissed her. He kissed her with all the passion he felt. Then he pulled away, "I love you too, Sara." He brushed her tears from her cheeks and she smiled and held the hand touching her face. They snuggled into each other and fell asleep.