An Upstate Christmas

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Ch4: Green Demon


Nick and Mandy visited the State Museum, went to some other important buildings, like the egg, the empire state plaza, and then finished their day at the mall. Unfortunately when they got to the mall it was chaotic just as Mandy remembered it always being and, her and Nick got separated. Every time they tried to find each other they just kept getting further apart but after forty five minutes they were able to find each other in the food court. It wasn't there proudest moment especially giving their professions.

When Friday night rolled around and everyone was getting ready. Nick swallowed hard as he sat on the bottom bunk and checked his watch. He told Mandy he was fine with this, he was trying to trick himself into being fine with this. He certainly did not want to come off as a jealous jerk in front of her family.

"I love that shirt on you." Mandy said as she put her hair brush and stuff on the pink dresser and turned to look at Nick. Nick wore a white and pale blue striped collared shirt with a pair of khakis on. Mandy wore a charcoal gray pencil skirt and a bluish slightly baggy shirt.

"Thanks." Nick said smiling standing out. "Keeping the curls?" Nick asked smiling. Mandy would complain about her wavy almost curly hair, and was always using her straighter. Nick loved her hair regardless of curls, waves, or straight.

"Yeah the way it's been snowing. Might as well." Mandy teased poking Nick's stomach. "Are you sure you alright with this?" Mandy asked putting her hands around Nick's waist.

"Yes." Nick said smiling at her. "So what happened between you and Charlie?" Nick asked rubbing her shoulders.

"Our mothers' are best friends, so we were always around each other. We grew up together. We dated in college and then we went separate ways. He graduated and I decided to continue my schooling. He got a job upstate and I got accepted into the school of my dreams down in the city and he wanted me to drop that and move with him." Mandy said looking up at Nick.

Mandy was very smart and actually hosted a lot of conferences on behalf of LVPD, in regards to fingerprinting. She wasn't just some tech. When Nick decided to go back to school and get his masters online, Mandy had helped him. Nick could do math and science, and knew enough history to get by but English and Literature was not his cup of tea. That is actually how Nick and Mandy started dating, at first she was just tutoring him so he didn't fail his literature class for the third time. Rumor around the lab was that Mandy had a Masters in Literature, so it was either her or DB, and Nick was not going to ask his boss for help.

Between showing up early to some shifts to help him get an assignment done, or stop and get breakfast to go over notes, Nick could read something and have no idea what it meant or what it was asking. Nick felt like he was in high school again. Having a beautiful woman try and explain something but not understanding one bit, he was unsure if it was because he really didn't know what was going on or because he was paying more attention to his tutor rather than his work. When Nick passed his class he marched right in her lab and picked her up in the tightest hug ever.

"Thank you, thank you, Miss Webster!" Nick said cheerful, still holding her up in the air. Mandy was caught off because Nick had grabbed her from behind. Nick was smiling from ear to ear as he spun around with Mandy in his arms and her feet way off the ground.

"Nick, put me down." Mandy squealed. Nick gently put her down and Mandy saw the big cheesy grin on his face. "What's going on?"

"I passed! B+!" Nick said cheerful, showing Mandy the email on his phone.

"Congrats, Nick." Mandy said reading the email.

"How can I thank you? Let me take out, somewhere nice, not Frank's." Nick said smiling.

"Vinny is going to take that to heart."

"He will be alright. Where do you want to go?"

"You don't have to." Mandy said walking away but Nick followed her.

"But I want to; I wouldn't have passed without you. Please, if you say no I'll be offended." Nick joked smiling again. "Anywhere you want?" Nick asked.

"Fine, there's a new restaurant that just opened in the rampart I've been wanting to try their food we can go there." Mandy said smiling at him.

"Thank you again, Mandy." Nick said with a sweet smile before leaving.

Their relationship kind of started that night. Afterwards they went on a few occasional dates and sleepovers but they were in a gray area of their relationship. They were together but just didn't say it out loud. It wasn't until all hell broke loose at the hands of McKeen and Nick went off the deep end to be dragged back by the team. Nick had many uncertainties in his life and knew that he didn't want Mandy to be one of them. He confessed that he needed her in his life, and after that they moved in and Nick had told her everything that happened. Everything he was feeling about McKeen's arrest and what he had done to earn his bruises. Then after that Nick just felt like it was easy to talk to Mandy. Then Vinny's arrest as he had to search for a new diner, and then seeing Tina the way he did, Mandy was the only thing keeping him from going to the deep end and not coming back. That's probably why Nick felt threatened or more so scared, he didn't want to lose her.

"Ready there, stallion?" Mandy teased, Nick nodded and followed her. Mandy called Nick all sorts of names. Studly, stud muffin, stallion, cowboy, among others.

Mandy squeezed his hand as they walked inside the fancy restaurant. They followed her parents until her mother took off and hugged another woman. Nick thought the other woman looked like one of the women from mob wives. Curse Mandy's obsession with the reality TV shows. Then Nick saw Charlie. Nick couldn't help but size him up as he made his way over.

Charlie was about Nick's height maybe a hair or two shorter. Black hair slightly graying by the ears and blue eyes. He looked like he worked in an office, there was no creases in his shoes so he wasn't on his feet, and Nick caught a glimpse of his hands no calluses just adding to Nick's hypothesis that Mr. Charlie worked in an office. Mandy would complain about Nick's slightly rough hands but other times she loved them.

"Hey Charlie." Mandy said she reached out to hug him just a friendly hug but Charlie picked her up. Mandy was very surprised to say the least. Once her feet were on the ground. Nick couldn't help but make a face.

"Hey Mandy, you look good." Charlie said smiling big.

"Thank you, Charlie. I'd like for you meet my boyfriend, Nick."

"Hi." Nick said shaking the man's hand.

"Nice to meet you. Oh, where are my manners? I'd like to introduce you to my wife, Marie." Charlie said as he waved for a woman to come over. The woman was pretty but Mandy was way prettier. Nick smiled to himself.

"Hello, I'm Marie." The woman said shaking both of their hands. After they made small talk everyone went to the table. Mandy went to leave but Nick pulled her hand back to him.

"You didn't say that he was married?" Nick asked showing her a relieved smile.

"I didn't?" Mandy teased while smiling big at him before taking his hand leading him to the table. "I thought I'd make you sweat, a little." Mandy whispered in her ear. Nick laughed out loud and Mandy saw the stress just fall from his face.

"What can I get you folks to drink? We have a very extensive and unique wine cellar." The waiter asked. Everyone placed there drink orders while Nick and Mandy still scanned the menu, Nick wasn't a wine drinker and Mandy had already asked him not to drink.

"I'll just have water." Nick said handing the disappointed waiter his menu back.

"Me too." Mandy said smiling at Nick, as he leant back in his chair putting his hand on the back of Mandy's chair.


We aren't going to see Charlie again til the New Years' party. Mandy got Nick in this chapter. The next chapter is going to be a big one, be prepared. What did you think? Please Review!