Chapter 16

"You know, I understand it's called guilty pleasures, but I don't get it, Spellman," Nick laughed as he scrolled through her iPod.

"If you're going to make fun of me, just give it back to me," Sabrina laughed as she snatched her iPod back. "Besides, who calls Keith Urban a guilty pleasure?"

Nick chuckled as he put his arm around his girlfriend, allowing her to rest her head on his shoulder as she scrolled through her device. After the events of the last few days, days filled with nothing were more than welcome. They were enjoying the cool night air and silence as they watched the sun set in the distance, the old sound filling the air being the creaking of the wooden swing as it rocked back and forth.

"You'd appreciate these things, Nick, if you would just admit that I have better taste than you," she teased.

"You have better taste than me."

"I'm so glad you agree."

Nick couldn't help but laugh out loud. "Very funny, Spellman. Tell you what, you fill one of these things with the top…let's say, 20 songs you absolutely must have me hear and I'll…give it a shot."

There was something oddly calming watching water swirl around a drain. Maybe it was the sound of the water gently hitting a surface as it escaped the shower head. Or the warmth of the water cascading down one's body. Whatever it was, it was captivating Nick. It was weird. Standing there completely nude, he was at his most vulnerable. Nothing but his hands to cover himself up and nothing to defend himself. Yet he felt so very safe in the shower.

He wasn't completely sure why he felt so anxious today. He had attended school functions with Sabrina before. He spent time with her friends, danced…heaven he sleeps beside her in her bed several nights a week. He had more clothes at her house than at his own. Yet, still, he was nervous.

But tonight wasn't just any night. It wasn't just any dance. It was prom. A pivotal moment in most teenage mortals' lives and Sabrina was no exception. No matter how intimate they had been, there was an expectation for the evening. Then again, Nick couldn't help but wonder how cliche it was to lose your virginity on prom night. He wanted their first time together to be special and how special could it be if they were just fulfilling a stereotype?

Nick sighed as he turned the shower handle down, shutting the water off. He wasn't sure how tonight would end, but he wasn't going to find out standing in the shower. He dried off and wrapped a towel around his waist before heading to his room.

"Whatever could you be doing in there that takes you so long in the shower?"

Nick jumped at the sound of the voice. He looked up to see Ambrose casually leaning against the wall beside the bathroom.

"What the fu…Ambrose, what are you doing here?" Nick sighed as he headed to his room.

"Oh I was just passing through and thought I would stop by and see if we needed to have a talk."

"A talk?"

Ambrose nodded as he followed Nick to his room. "Tonight's a very important night. Seeing that I am the only male figure in my dear cousin Sabrina's life, it is my responsibility to come talk to you about your intentions."

Nick slowly turned to face his friend. He couldn't tell if Ambrose was joking or not. The look on his face didn't help much at all either. He was trying to look serious, but even his stern face had a slight mischievous smile.

"I intend on taking Sabrina to prom."

Nick shut the door to his room, but that didn't deter Ambrose. He leaned against Nick's door frame as he continued to talk to him through the door. "Really, Nick? Modesty? Do I need to remind you that I've seen every part of you?"

Nick groaned loudly. "Not something I'd like my girlfriend's cousin to remind me."

"Speaking of my cousin, back to the subject. Do we need to have a talk about the birds and the bees?"

"Birds and the bees?"

"Now from what I can hear through the floorboards…"

"Please stop."

"I'm pretty sure it was, 'please don't stop'. Have you seen her nude? Has she seen you? Or are you two moving blindly in the dark? Do you two know what you're doing?"

Nick swung his door open clad in shorts and a plain black t-shirt. "Do I know what I'm doing? Didn't you just bring up an orgy we both partook in…"

"Two and a half years ago," Ambrose interrupted. "You've been back from hell a year after spending a year down there. I have to imagine all this time since our escapade with the Weird Sisters, or at least within that year, you have been celibate." Ambrose's tone suddenly turned serious. It seemed that this was a conversation that was long overdue. "Tonight isn't an orgy. It's not a casual fling. Should you and Sabrina decide to take things further, tonight will be her first time."

"You don't think I know that? That I don't worry? It's been a while, but even if it hadn't, it wouldn't…couldn't be the same as any time before. I've never loved anyone…"

"Like Sabrina."

Nick shook his head as a smile crept across his face. "No, not like Sabrina. I never loved anyone except Sabrina." He let out a sigh and sat back down on his bed. "I've never been nervous like this before."

If he was honest, sometimes his love for Sabrina scared him. Even after everything, he didn't think that his love for her could be as strong as it was. But it was as if the fear of love was intoxicating. He was on the greatest high and stupor he could ever have imagined and it only grew stronger with each day. And that's what scared him. What if one day she grew tired of him? The nightmares he was forced to live through in Hell we're only a trick to torture him, but they could very well become a reality. And then what? What would he do if he was no longer with the other half of his soul?

Ambrose pushed himself from his spot and sat beside his friend. "It's normal. Our kind rarely knows real love. The kind between you and my cousin exceeds any and every law of nature known to us."

"That scares me, Ambrose. What if it's not my end all? What if she decides that I'm not enough? That everything she went through, everything we went through wasn't worth it?"

"Oh Nicholas, you damned fool. You'll never know. But she's stayed by your side through the worst of it all. When everyone, myself included, told her to let you go and move on, she was determined to have you. That's how I know what you two have is a real, true, pure love. And it is beautiful."

"Wow, um, thank you." Nick smiled, genuinely surprised and thankful. "I wasn't sure what you were going to say, but I really appreciate that. Thank you, Ambrose."

The older warlock patted his friend's shoulder with a smile as he rose before heading to the door. "I'm glad to be of service, Nicholas. By the way, I packed away some condoms for you in your napsack. We don't need any little Nicky's running about because little Nicky couldn't control himself!"

Nick sighed as he dropped his head. "And there it is."

Roz's eyes were fixed. She couldn't think anything, especially something so small, could hold her gaze or attention for so long. She wasn't sure how much time had passed since she locked herself away in her best friend's bathroom. Time slowed to almost a stop along with her heart. The buzzing in her ears felt as if it had been ringing for hours. She jumped at the sound of the knock on the door, yanking her back to reality.

"Roz?" Sabrina called through the door. "Is everything ok in there?"

Roz scrambled to gather her things and shove them haphazardly in her bag. "Y…yea," she stuttered. "I'm sorry. I was just…I'll be out in a second." She wiped away her tears and splashed some water on her face. She took a deep breath, uttering words of encouragement under her breath before putting on a smile and heading out the door. "Hey, sorry about that."

"Are you sure?" Sabrina asked as her friend walked past her.

"I promise. I'm fine." Roz hated lying to her friend, but she wasn't sure what to say. She hadn't processed anything herself, so how could she talk about it? "Ok, so where are we? Make-up, done. Hair, done. Sounds like all that's left is to get dressed."

"Well, that and a quick discussion about what you're in for tonight," Prudence teased as she walked into the room. Roz let out an audible sigh and rolled her eyes. "Oh please, we both know she doesn't know what she's in for. Or rather, what will be in her."

Sabrina looked over at her friend with a raised brow. Roz quickly threw up her hands and shook her head. "She meant sex, not Nick and his…I know about sex. Not sex with Nick."

"Pathetic," Prudence sighed. "Fortunately for you, I know about all of that – sex, Nick and sex with Nick." Sabrina pulled the ends of her robe closer. She tried often to forget that there were two people in her home that had been with Nick and neither of those two were her. Her reaction didn't go unnoticed. "Please, let's be adults here. Nick was very active before you. That means he is much more experienced. Tell me, how much have you two done?"

"Do we have to talk about this?" Sabrina asked, growing much more uncomfortable at the conversation.

"Well…" Roz shrugged.

"You too?"

"Brina, it just might be better to…prepare yourself."

"And we're not talking about dancing the tango yourself," Prudence interjected. "It's very obvious that you two have had some fun already."

Sabrina groaned and started to pace around the room. "Stop. Stop. Stop! I don't want to talk about this."

"Don't be such a prude, Spellman. You are a grown woman. People talk about sex."

"Well, I don't want to because I don't know if we're going to be having sex." Sabrina sighed as she sat on the edge of her bed. "We have never been on the same page, Nick and I. One is ready and the other isn't. We've done…stuff, but…we only…it was…one sided." She fell back into her bed, covering her face with her hands. "I didn't…I didn't know if I could do things…correctly. And Nick, ugh, Nick had to be so understanding and said it was fine, so he…"

"Used your magic wand on you," Roz half-joked. Prudence and Sabrina both looked at the mortal with a raised brow. "Sorry, I thought it would lighten the mood."

"Yes," Sabrina said. "He did the work. It just makes me feel like…I won't know what I'm doing, and I won't be able to satisfy him, and he'll find someone that can."

Roz and Prudence shared a look with each other and said on either side of their friend. "I've known Nicky for a very long time," Prudence said softly. Her tone was gentle. It was a side of Prudence not many ever saw. It was the Prudence that would mourn Nick with her after he had been taken to Hell. "This last year…he isn't the same person I've known all these years. He's different. Better. And that is all thanks to you."

"I don't think it'll matter to Nick," Roz added, "if you know what you're doing or not. All he ever talks about is you. All he wants is you."

"And to ease your silly little half-breed mind, Rosalind and I have decided to give you a few…tips. Things a warlock would enjoy."

"And a few things regular, mortal teenagers would enjoy."

"And trust me, once all is said and done, Nick will never be the same again."

Theo stared out the window of the limo excitedly. It was his first time in a limo. Most of their dances had been at the school gym, but not prom. Prom was held just outside of the Greendale and Riverdale borders. In traditional prom fashion, the group of friends was going in a limo. They were currently on their way to pick up Sabrina and Roz from the Spellman home.

At first, Theo contemplated having his dad drive him to prom since he would be the only one going on his own. It had been a while since he spoke to Billy. The last time they hung out was the incident at Dr. Cerberus's. Billy tried to call Theo, but his calls went unanswered at first. At school, they would walk past each other in the halls but acted as if they didn't see each other. When they did, by some odd chance, meet each other's gaze, one - usually Billy - would quickly turn and walk the other direction. It genuinely hurt Theo that someone he thought was his friend would be so embarrassed by him.

He didn't want to be a fifth wheel, but Harvey and Nick insisted their friend join them, so Theo met the two at Harvey's where they got ready. Nick had even taught Theo how to tie a bow tie. Though it took a few tries to get it right, Theo managed to produce an acceptable bow tie to go with the brand new tux his father bought him. His pants, vest and blazer were a navy blue with a white dress shirt under. The pocket square tucked into the pocket of his blazer matched the pale pink bow tie he wore.

"I can't believe we're actually in a limo," Theo gushed. "And thank you, again, Nick…for this."

"Not a problem," Nick smiled. "It's been made painstakingly clear how important tonight is for mortals. I just thought I would help make it a bit more memorable."

"Still, this had to be expensive to rent."

"He didn't rent it," Harvey interrupted, earning himself an elbow in the ribs and a knowing look from Nick. "Ow."

"Wait, you own this?"

Nick shook his head, "It's a…family vehicle. I don't usually call for it. I'm not a fan of cars."

"I always wondered how do you afford all this stuff? I don't think I've ever seen you go to work. When that stuff happened in Greendale went down, you paid that diner owner and Harvey's bail in cash…" Theo trailed off when he noticed Harvey furiously shaking his head, motioning for Theo to stop talking. "Whhhhat am I missing?"

Nick rolled his eyes. "Nothing. It's fine," he said.

"We don't talk about how he gets his money," Harvey said.

"Because it isn't important. End of subject." The vehicle fell silent. The only sounds being the gravel crunching under the tires and the soft sound of music filling the background.

"I'm sorry, but what are we listening to?" Theo asked in a whisper. Harvey tried to hold back a laugh, but couldn't he burst out laughing infuriating Nick more. "Wha…"

"For the love of Satan. Sabrina gave me a list of 20 songs to listen to and give a chance, so I am…listening to them," Nick said with a long sigh. "My kind just doesn't relate."

"To liking music?"

"To love songs."

Much to Nick's luck, before he was asked to elaborate, the window between the limo driver and the guys lowered. "Mr. Scratch, we have arrived, sir," the limo driver announced. The vehicle came to a stop a few yards from the front porch and the driver came to open the back door to let the trio out. They filed out of the car before walking up to the front door of the Spellman home where they were greeted by Hilda.

"Oh my lovelies, look how handsome you three are," the older Spellman smiled, giving each of the guys a hug as they walked in. "The ladies will need a few moments more, but let's have a good look at you."

Harvey, Nick, and Theo lined up side by side facing Hilda. Harvey wore black slacks and black tie under the collar of his white dress shirt. His jacket was a deep purple except for the lapels which were also black. Nick's suit shocked Hilda a little. She rarely saw him wear anything other than neutral colors - blacks, greys and white. Not today. His tux was burgundy - the pants, vest and even his jacket. His dress shirt was black and he donned a black silk tie around his neck.

"Ok the girls are going to love how you look," Hilda smiled.

"I'd hope so, they picked the suits," Harvey laughed.

"We just showed up for the fitting," Nick added with a chuckle.

"I'd say it worked out," Roz said.

They all turned to see Roz making her way down the stairs. She wore a long, satin plum colored dress with a deep v-neckline plunge down the middle. A silver beaded belt was wrapped around her waist-line. The back of the dress was laced up to right under her shoulder blades.

"Wow," was all that Harvey could muster out. He met her at the bottom of the stairs, taking her hand to help her down the last stop. "Roz, you look…wow."

"Yea, Roz, you look amazing," Theo chimed in.

"I agree. You are absolutely beautiful, Rosalind," Nick smiled with a wink.

"Don't wink at my girlfriend," Harvey said, half-joking.

Nick laughed as he patted his friend's shoulder. "Hide the insecurity, Farm Boy. Miss Walker is very beautiful, but I only have eyes for one woman."

"I hope that woman is me."

Nick looked up at who the voice belonged to. His teasing expression faded as his eyes slowly widened and his jaw quite literally dropped open. There, standing at the top of the stairs was Sabrina. She wore a strapless A-line maroon dress that flowed to the floor. A thin, black lace lay over the dress with a black floral pattern that started at the top of the dress and ran down the left side of the dress. Nick's eyes were fixated on his girlfriend as time slowed and she seemed to float down the staircase.

"Nick," he could faintly hear Harvey call. "Nick, close your mouth and go over there."

The dark-haired boy snapped out of it. "Sorry," he said softly. "I forgot to breathe." He stood at the bottom of the staircase, unable to hide the stupid grin on his face. "Sabrina, you are absolutely stunning, the most gorgeous creature I have ever seen in all my life."

Sabrina could feel the blush rising in her cheeks. "Thank you, Nicholas," she said. He held his hand out to her. She slipped her hand into his as he guided her down the last few steps.

"Alright now, children, gather up," Hilda said excitedly and she grabbed the camera sitting on the table nearby. "We have to capture this moment." The group stood together as Hilda snapped endless photos.

After a few minutes, she finally let the group go. She followed them out the door and stood on the porch as they waved goodbye and loaded into the limo. She stood there waving even as the limo drove off into the distance. Once it was out of sight, she looked down at the camera in her hands, going through the photos she had just taken. Tears welled up in her eyes seeing her niece and her friends growing up right in front of her. She wasn't sure what the night held for any of them, but she knew that after tonight, none of their lives would be the same again.

Author's Note: I know the series is long over and this chapter is long overdue, and I'm sorry for that. Life, am I right? Anyway, I wasn't a huge fan of how things panned out after season 2 so I'll continue on with this story as if parts 3 and 4 never happened. Sound good?