| � Welcome to your home away from home,� Nick said opening the door to his cabin. I stepped into the spacious living room and looked around. � Wow, This place is much bigger than I thought,� � What were you expecting? A single room log cabin?� He laughed closing the door behind him. � Actually we just recently added on another guest room,� � We?� I asked. � My parents and I. Usually we come here for the holidays; the whole family. Well, My Aunt just had another baby and so we figured, we�d add another room, so not everybody would have to double up,� � So, everytime someone in your family has a baby, you add on to your house� � Something like that,� He said taking off his jacket. � It�s gonna be getting dark soon, and we�ll need some firewood. I�m going out back to grab a couple of pieces-� � You want me to help?� � I want you to make yourself comfortable and relax,� He gave me a short kiss on the lips and quickly walked outside. I took my coat off and layed it down on the large leather couch. I walked through the house, taking in my surroundings. Family pictures lined the walls and up the large carpeted staircase. Some of the pictures were of Nick when he was younger, when he graduated high school, his prom. � I never liked that girl,� He said. I jumped, not expecting him to be standing behind me. � You scared me,� I said placing my hand over my heart. � Sorry,� He laughed. � If you didn�t like her, why�d you go with her?� I asked looking back at the picture. � Because I lost a bet,� He smiled; his blue eyes sparkling. � Her name is Rebecca Fogleman. She was homecoming queen, head cheerleader, and vice- president of the junior class, an all around bitch. My best friend Brent and were playing basketball one day and we made a bet that whoever lost would ask her out, knowing she�d turn us down. And I lost,� He sighed. � So I asked her in the middle of lunch, with everyone around.� � And she said yes.� � She said no,� He laughed. � But a few days later she said she�d go with me. I think she just did it to make herself look good. But we went together and left together, and got our picture taken. The rest of the night we spent apart. She hung out with her friends and I hung out with mine,� � That has to be the saddest story I�ve ever heard,� � Why? I had fun,� He laughed, wrapping his arms around me. � That was a great night,� � If you say so,� I shrugged. � I say so. So what now?� He asked. � Why don�t you show me the rest of your house� or at least where I�ll be staying?� � Alright,� He smiled. He took my hand and led me up the rest of the stairs. He showed me the master bedroom, the bathrooms, and the guestrooms before taking me back downstairs and showing me the first level of the house. � And this is the couch,� He sighed flopping down on it. � Now, my dear you have seen the whole house, and I�m exhausted,� � Oh spare me,� I said sitting down next to him. � The house isn�t that big.� � You don�t think so?� � Nope, in fact I think you should show me again� You know so I won�t get lost in the big walk in closet upstairs,� � Funny. You should be a comedian,� He sighed leaning his head on my shoulder. � No really I�m exhausted. I had to stay at the office late last night to finish up some work-� � Well why didn�t you tell me?� � Because I�m stupid.� � Well why don�t you go upstairs and lie down for a while.� � Nope, because, if I go to sleep now, then I�ll be up all night. I�ll start the fire,� He said standing up. � Nick, go upstairs and lie down,� � I can�t.� � Yes you can. Just for thirty minutes. Can you do that? Cause I�d prefer you to be alert tonight. I�d hate to have you falling asleep in the middle of dinner or something. So just go upstairs and relax for thirty minutes.� � Thirty minutes?� He yawned. � Thirty. I�ll even come get you in a half hour,� I nodded. � Alright,� He said kissing my forehead. � I love you,� � Love you too,� Chapter Twelve |