Catching their flight back to Vegas earlier than they anticipated made them both sad but also relieved. Nick had not expected to have to defend his fiancé to his father and was quite rattled by the entire weekend's events. He felt terrible for promising Julie a nice trip and having everything go sideways. She was relatively quite on the flight home, silent still as they shuffled through their front door, too lazy to bother with the luggage, tossing it in the corner of the room instead. Emotionally exhausted, Julie sank down onto the couch, glancing around the room, unsure what to do or say next. Instead, she lifted the hem of her jeans to examine her injured knee and ankle.
"Do you think it's gonna leave a scar?" she asked Nick worriedly when he stood in front of her.
"Nah," he said so casually it lifted her spirits and lowered her doubts about her injuries.
"What makes you so sure?" she challenged him smugly.
He shrugged, then leaned in and scooped her up suddenly making her squeal in surprise, lifting her off the couch and carrying her instead over to their favorite arm chair where he fell backwards with her in his arms making her laugh which was his main goal.
"You're in a good mood," she giggled, snuggling into his embrace.
"I'm just glad to be out of there and home with you," he said "I'm really sorry about what happened; I wish things were different."
"What are we gonna do about the wedding?" she asked "I don't want to not invite them but I don't want all that drama."
"We'll figure something out," he assured her "but no matter what happens, I love you and I won't let anyone ruin what we have okay?"
His nonchalant attitude about the whole mess somehow made her feel less stressed about it. She had been fiercely independent for years but she loved the way he protected her, it made her feel safe but still allowed her to retain that independence she had cultivated over the years.
"I love you too," she said realizing she had taken too long to respond and snuggling against him to make up for it.
"So what should we do for the rest of the night?" he asked patting her leg gently.
"Be lazy," she insisted, snuggling into the chair more as if she could melt into its cushions.
"Yes ma'am," he agreed to her request, turning on the T.V. for them to watch and reclining back the seat so she could have something to rest her sore leg on. This was what he lived for, moments between them where they just existed in this small space of comfort and love, not over thinking anything, just being. And he couldn't wait to spend the rest of his life just being with her.
A/N: I hope it all made sense. I try to convey Nick and Julie as having a simple but sweet and meaningful relationship unlike so many relationships depicted today. She has so much love to give and just wants a normal life. Nick sees how much heart and soul she puts into her life, living it to the fullest post coma and she's not like anyone else he's ever been with. They adore each other and just want to be happy. Now they face the challenge of having someone object to their marriage as they plan for the wedding. I hope to continue with a wedding story soon. Any mistakes are mine. Thanks to all who read and review. Cheers.