Okaaaaaaay – I'm sure after all this waiting you may be a little disappointed about the length of this chapter and for that I'm sorry – also, I couldn't think up a title for this chapter. How random!

19.

Nick looked at her expectantly, releasing some of his tension by awkwardly laughing. "Say something at least…"

Belle remained silent, a sad look to her face. "Have you spoken to Jeremy about this?" She asked.

Nick's eyebrows rose up. "That wasn't quite the answer I was looking for." He said, his bravado failing him. "But – no, why?"

"Because I think he deserves a part in this decision you want to make, Nick. The Pack-"

"Screw the Pack!" He exclaimed abruptly cutting her off. "This has nothing to do with them." He scowled, grinding his teeth.

Belle cupped his face in her small hand and smiled weakly. "Baby – it has everything to do with them." She said softly and gave him a peck on the lips. "I'm not giving you an answer until you clear this with him… I mean, have you even spoken to Antonio about this?" She asked gingerly placing the box on the bedside table.

His cheeks flushed as he stared at the ring. "No." He admitted.

"I want what's right for the Pack as well Nicky… I don't want to feel like I'm imposing upon them."

"But you're not imposing!" Nick argued. "I love you, and I want you to be by my side, just like Clay and Elena."

"But I'm not Elena!" She sighed. "I can't transform into a wolf – or hold my own like she can. If - what is it you call them; Mutts - find out… that's a weakness I don't want to become. For you;" She continued. "I don't want them to be able to hurt you through me." She stated.

Nick looked up at her narrowing his eyes. "Is that why you've been so distant the last couple of days?" He asked as she averted her gaze looking out of the window. "I mean it, you know…" He pulled a finger under her chin so as to keep eye contact. "I don't want to lose you; last time was hard on me too. And I'm sorry – truly, I am."

"Thank you." She whispered and kissed him on the cheek, before scooting over on the bed, as he snuggled up beside her.

******

Nick woke up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee, as Belle was just closing the door behind her.

"Morning." He yawned, scratching at his head.

Belle chuckled. "I have to say, I love the morning look on you - The bed head look is so in right now."

"Hey, I'm one sexy bitch, or…"

"Wolf?" Belle finished for him with a smile that made his stomach do a little flip, as she settled the tray on the bedside table and gave him a kiss on the lips.

"You made breakfast?" He asked taking in the scent of food off of her clothing.

"Yeah, Antonio and Matt are munching on some French toast and fruit downstairs." She replied. "Don't worry," She chuckled looking at his disappointed face. "There's plenty enough left for you – I just thought you might like a bit of a wake-up call." She smiled coyly sitting down next to him.

"And what would that be…?" Nick asked raising an eyebrow.

"Oh I don't know…" She made an innocent face as her eyes twinkled – the gold in them more prominent than he had ever seen before. "I'm sure I can think of something." She laughed as he roughly pulled her under him and kissed her with a mock growl.

Emerging a couple of hours later to have a shower and groom themselves, they found Matt playing on his guitar. He looked at them with an all too knowing look before raising his hand up and declaring;

"I seriously don't want to know!"

Belle blushed and set to work making some food. "I guess we would be calling this lunch then?" Nick murmured into her skin as he came up from behind her and wrapped his hands around her waist.

"Oh man, please!" Matt squirmed covering his eyes.

Belle sighed and rolled her eyes as Nick pulled away. "You're just feeling left out – I'm sure we could get Savannah up here to hang out with you. I'm pretty sure she mentioned once she'd like to learn the guitar." Nick mused with his sly grin in place.

Matt stuck his nose up in the air. "Whatever." He snorted and got back to strumming his guitar, as Belle's cell phone started to ring.

"Is everything okay?" Nick asked as she hung up, noticing the reluctant look on her face.

"I have to go back home." She replied as Matt stopped his music and got to his feet. "Tonight." She stated.

"What?" The men said in unison.

"That was a customer confirming an appointment… as much fun as this vacation is – I've got a job to do and I can't just neglect it. I need to fly back home tonight and have my studio set up by this time tomorrow; I need to call my lighting assistants and the girl who does the make-up." She swore. "I can't believe I forgot. Fuck, I need to pack." She said distractedly and trotted back upstairs calling the airline as she went. "Matt, you're coming too." She called over her shoulder. "You're going back to school next week!"

Nick gave his son a sympathetic smile as he rolled his eyes walking past up to his room. Nick followed Belle's voice on her cell as she finished booking her tickets and hung up the phone.

"Do the Two tickets you've bought mean I'm to stay here then?" He asked pointedly leaning against the doorframe as he folded his arms across his chest.

Her shoulders slumped as she trudged over to him. "You need to speak with Jeremy, about this…" She said waving the little box in her hand, before returning it to him. "I want what's best for our son…" She said softly. "And that is the Pack…" She smiled stroking her hand down his face, and gave him a quick peck on the lips before continuing to collect her clothes and toiletries.

Nick let out a breath, pushing the ring box back into his pocket. "Okay." He sighed.