Saturday, early morning hours

Nick rolled over in bed and reached out for Jess. When his hand hit the cold sheets instead, he rubbed his eyes and sat up on his elbow squinting toward the clock. 2:37 am. Shaking his head, he sat up and glanced around the dark room before slipping out of bed. Leaving the bedroom, his eyes searched the darkened living area to find Jess curled up on the couch. He walked towards her quietly, trying not to startle her. She was twisted to the side and had her arms along the top, staring blankly out the window behind her at the brightly lit Vegas strip. Nick sat down and laid a hand on her knee, speaking softly.

"Hey sweetheart, can't sleep?"

Without moving, she replied sleepily. "The fountains are so pretty." He followed her gaze to the changing lights and patterns of the fountain in front of their hotel. Reaching up, he stroked her hair calmly for a few minutes as they watched the soothing cascades of water.

Jess turned her head and laid her cheek on her arm, closing her eyes and smiling against his touch. "Sorry if I woke you."

Nick scooted closer to her and leaned his head on the back of the couch so it was now even with hers. He grasped her hand tightly in both of his. "You didn't wake me. How long have you been out here?"

"I don't remember. Awhile." She opened her eyes, gazing down at their clasped hands. He watched her long eyelashes flutter against her pale cheeks.

"Did I say something wrong at dinner? You were really quiet all night."

Lifting her eyes to his, she shook her head. "No. Just thinking a lot lately." She let out a small laugh. "I know, I know...surprise."

He didn't crack a smile, his gaze fixed on her face. "About what?"

"A lot. Nothing." She shrugged. "I don't know."

Nick brought her hand up to his lips, pressing a soft kiss across her knuckles before dropping it back into his lap. He started to make sweeping motions along her fingers and palm.

"I like it when you do that."

"Do what?" He looked up at her as her face lit up with a smile.

"Play with my hands like that. It's sweet and,...comforting. You do it a lot."

He just smiled at her, watching her eyes as they blinked lazily against the sleepiness that he could see setting in. He tugged on her arm gently and started to sit up. "Come on, let's get you to bed."

Her eyes darted open and she pulled at his hand, lifting her head. "Just a little longer? It's so relaxing."

He glanced from her face to the fountains and then jumped up abruptly. He coaxed her to stand up with him and smiled. "Stand up for sec."

"Niiiiiick." Her body went limp, resisting his grasp.

He bent down to grab her by the waist and lifted her up onto her feet next to him. He let out a laugh as he pushed her back and reached down to grab the arm of the couch.

"What are you doing?"

"Just hold on you ninny, give me minute." He grunted and she backed further out of the way. Using his body weight, he swung his side around toward the window. After maneuvering the couch back and forth several times, he had completely turned it around to face the window. He gestured towards it triumphantly. "M'lady."

She crossed her arms against her robe, fighting the coolness in the room and smiled. Walking around the side of the couch, she sat down in the middle.

"Be right back..." Nick ran off toward the bedroom and few seconds later, returned with a few pillows and the humongous fluffy white, down comforter from their bed. She laughed as he positioned the pillows on the end opposite the fountains and threw the blanket at her. Scooting as far to the inside of the couch as she could, she reached her hands out in a grabbing motion and he laid down next to her. He lifted his inside arm so she could snuggle into his side and pulled the fluffy comforter over them. After patting the puffiness away and tucking them in, she settled down into his chest. Lifting her head, she pressed a kiss to his lips and smiled.

"I love you, Nick." She reached down to grasp his hand and pulled it onto his chest, close to her heart. "I love you so much."

He smiled back, hugging his arm around her tightly. "I love you too, Jess." The stared at each other for a few moments, before she laid her head on his chest and stared out the window. The mesmerizing lights of the changing water patterns lulled them both into a relaxed breathing pattern and after a few minutes Nick whispered softly in her ear.

"You're right, they are pretty."

He felt Jess take a deep breath, melting into his side. "Let's sleep here tomorrow too."

Nick hugged her tightly, closing his eyes and breathing in the sweet smell of her hair against his chin. "You got it."