The Anniversary  Part 08/10
See disclaimers in first post.


Nic was sitting at the bar talking to an unfamiliar man when they arrived.

Alex approached her and planted a kiss on her forehead. "Hi Nic!" Alex said in his best suck up voice. "Who’s your friend?" He noticed the Mortals heartbeat.

"My ‘friend’s’ name is Ryan." Nic answered coldly. "We were just discussing where to go for a bite."

"I see..." Alex answered, noticing the gold flecks in Nicole’s eyes. "Well, I won’t keep you."

"Good. I will return shortly." Nic nodded as she led her new conquest to the back of the club and the private rooms.

Once in the rear of the building, Nic led Ryan to her favorite private room. She concentrated on his heartbeat. When she had him totally enthralled, she quietly whispered in his ear, "Surrender yourself to me. I shall show you more pleasure than you have ever experienced."

Ryan was completely under her masterful spell. There was no doubt that his blood would be the sweetest nectar that Nicole had sampled in a very long time. It had indeed been a long time since she had any directly from the source. And this man’s scent especially attracted her. As she neared the font that was his vein she could smell the sweet hot pepper mixed with desert juniper that was uniquely his. She felt her fangs lengthen, then sank them into Ryan. He had never felt such painful ecstasy. He wished it would never end as his world faded to black.

While Ryan was still under Nic’s control she took his memory of her, but not the pleasure he felt. That finished, she left the room to return to her family.

When Nicole returned to the bar Janette was talking to Donni and Alex.

"Enjoy your snack?" Donni asked.

"Yes, very much. Thank you."

"I understand you are a little angry with me." Alex said in a very ‘forgive me’ tone.

"A ‘little’?!"

"I can explain, really."

"Go on..."

Alex then told Nic and Janette the same story he had relayed to Donni.

You could see all of the anger just run from Nic’s face and body. Even Janette seemed to understand a little better.

"Just what do you think is going to happen when Mom and Dad see it in their room?" Nic asked quizzically.

"Good question, mon amour. Don’t you think you owe it to Nicola to at least let him be prepared?" Janette asked her impulsive nephew.

Alex could see that his aunt was right. He did owe it to his father to prepare him. Now he had to figure out how he was going to do it. After all, they were due in Toronto tomorrow night.

Everyone agreed it was time to say good night. Hugs and kisses were passed around and Janette saw them out. It was late and she retired for the day.

They rode back to the loft in relative quiet. Nic did compliment Alex on the great job that was done on the Caddy but had little else to say.

Alex dropped his sisters off with the promise of being back as soon as the sun set to help set up for the party. He parked the Caddy in it’s rightful spot and re-placed the bow. He then took to the air and landed at his grandfather’s apartments. Once inside he gathered up his courage and dialed Nick’s phone. ‘How do I tell my own father that I dug up one of his most treasured secrets, shipped it half way across the globe and that his daughters have seen it?’ Alex thought to himself as the phone on the other end rang. He was startled out of his reverie by Nick answering the phone.

"This better be good..." Nick answered very displeased that someone woke him up.

"Hi Dad, Alex replied. "I’m very sorry to wake you. I forgot the time..." He almost let the word ‘difference’ slip. "I have a small problem. It involves my gift to Mom for your anniversary."

Nick waking up now answered Alex. "It’s OK. What did you get Mom?"

"Well, it’s not exactly what I got her...it’s more like what I found for her." Alex replied sounding guilty.

"Alex, it’s early, and I can’t follow your cryptic answers. Just spit it out. It can’t be that bad!"

"No, it’s not bad Dad, its just...there’s no easy way to put this." So Alex just said it quickly. "I found the painting you did of her. The one you said didn’t exist. The one Mom begged you to let her see..." He let his words trail off.

"You did WHAT? Alex how could you? I never intended for any one to see that! Most assuredly your mother!" Nick was shocked at what he just heard. "Where did you find it? What have you done with it?"

"I found it in the basement of the house in the country. I was down there looking for some of my older works, and found it under a tarp." He hoped his father believed his little fib. "Dad I have never seen anything so beautiful, I just had to. I think Mom will love it! I also think it’s time you quit hiding it. Besides, I can’t undo what I’ve done. Donni and Nic agree with me. I just thought I would warn you so you have time to prepare yourself."

"Your sisters have seen it too? Oh Alex..." Nick was totally exasperated with his son. But he also understood why he did what he did... He was right. It was time Nat saw it. Their anniversary was as good a time as any. This also helped solve the problem of what to get Nat. Nick rolled over and looked at his beautiful wife, who was still by some miracle sleeping. He gently caressed away a stray curl from Nat’s face. She murmured in her sleep, he placed a kiss on her temple and got out of bed.

Nick padded downstairs to get some breakfast. It was still light out. ‘Nat should sleep another couple of hours.’ Nick thought. He busied himself with last minute details and called LaCroix.

"Good afternoon, Nicholas."

"Good afternoon, LaCroix. Is everything ready for our trip this evening?" Nick asked.

"Yes, all of the arrangements have been made. We will have to make one stop. I have Community business that needs to be tended to. I am sorry. It shouldn’t take more than a day." LaCroix answered, deliberately closing the link between Nick and himself.

"What kind of business? Where are we stopping?"

"We will stop in Toronto. I have been told there have been some fledglings who are not abiding by The Code."

"Did you make accommodation arrangements for Nat and I also? Or do I need to secure some?"

"No, Nicholas. That won’t be necessary. I have a limo that will pick me up and another for you and Natalie. I do apologize for not telling you sooner, but I only found out this afternoon. I hope this is not too much of an inconvenience." This was working out better than he had originally planned. LaCroix hoped his grandchildren were happy with his part in this little charade. Smiling to himself he told Nicholas he would see him later at the airport.

"No it’s not inconvenient. Thanks, LaCroix. We’ll see you later."

Natalie woke up around 3 PM. There was still some time before the limo came to pick them up for the ride to Orly Airport. Nat went downstairs looking for breakfast and her husband in that order. There were times she still missed her ritual of having a cup of coffee; this was one of those times.
 She was a little nervous about the flight with LaCroix this evening.

Pulling out a mug, she poured herself some blood. The donor was a 20-year-old man, thinking about his recent trip to Australia and the surfing competition he was in. As Nat sipped her breakfast, she was enjoying the warm feeling she got from his time in the sun.

She found Nick in the study. He too was having some breakfast. She noticed he had already showered and smelled wonderful. ‘Down Lambert, you don’t have time for any playtime right now.’ She chided herself. "Hi Honey," Nat said trying to hide her hunger for Nick from him. "Are we all ready to go?"

"Yes my Beloved. I was just waiting for you. Do you have everything you need?" Nick asked her as he gently kissed her lips knowing she wanted him.

"Yes. I think so. If I forgot anything I can get it in Montreal."

"About Montreal..." Nick said uncomfortably. "I called LaCroix this afternoon while I waited for you to get up. It seems he has some Community business he needs to tend to in Toronto. He said we should only be there for the day. He has made arrangements for us. I don’t see it as a problem."

"Oh. OK. Has he called Janette to let her know we will be late?"

"I didn’t ask him. I’m sure he did." Nick answered her as he wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her to him. He rained kisses across her face raising Nat’s arousal. Just as Nat was about to divest Nick of his clothes, the car arrived to take them to the airport.

The car was equipped with blackout windows to help protect Nick and Nat from the afternoon sun. As the driver loaded their baggage, Nick helped Nat into the car.

They arrived at the executive hangar at Orly. The car pulled into the hangar allowing Nick and Nat to get to the Gulfstream V safely. LaCroix was already aboard. Once their luggage was loaded, the pilot got clearance for departure.

Natalie read or slept most of the way across the Atlantic. Something about flying in a plane always made Nat sleepy. She was grateful for that. It allowed her to ignore her father-in-law for the duration of the flight.

While Nat was napping, Nick called Nicole.

"Hi Daddy! Where are you?" Nic answered. She was glad to hear from Nick. Now, she hoped she didn’t blow it. The excitement of the coming night was getting to her.

"Somewhere over the Atlantic. I called to let you know that your Mom and I won’t be home for our anniversary this weekend. Your Grandfather wanted us to accompany him to see your Aunt Janette." Nick told her, even though he knew Alex probably already let her and her sister know.

"That’s OK Daddy. I’m sure we will survive. We can have our celebration next week. Kiss Mom for me. Have a good time. We’ll see you when you get home. Don’t forget to kiss my favorite aunt for me. I love you! Ciao!" With that she hung up the phone. 

Nick looked at his phone with a slight grin and small shake of his head. Nicole could be a whirling dervish at times.

The rest of the flight was passed with Nick and LaCroix playing chess. Nat awoke about 30 minutes before they landed.

"What is this Nick tells me about trouble in Toronto?" Nat asked sleepily.

"Nothing to worry yourself about my dear." LaCroix replied. None of his usual superiority evident. "It seems some of the young ones are not abiding by The Code. As I told Nicholas earlier, this shouldn’t delay us more than a day. I hope you don’t mind."

"No, that will be fine."

"Good. I have made arrangements for you and Nicholas for the day. I think they will be most comfortable." LaCroix said with genuine sincerity. This altruistic side of LaCroix was rarely seen. Nat accepted it without reservation.

The pilot announcing their decent into Pearson came on a few moments later. Upon arrival they were escorted to the private terminal and to Customs. They were all cleared a short time later. 

There were two cars waiting when they exited Customs. A sleek Jag for LaCroix and a stretch limo for Nick and Nat. One thing about LaCroix, he *always* had the best. For himself and his family. They parted company, with LaCroix promising to see them later.


The driver helped Nat into the car with Nick behind her. Nick asked him where they were going, but the driver would not tell them. All he would say is that Mr. LaCroix had arranged for everything to be taken care of. 
"He also said to wish you both Happy Anniversary." 

This last admission surprised Nat. Normally LaCroix could not be bothered with such trivial things. She was now beginning to get suspicious. As the car exited the Don Valley Expressway at Dundas St E, Nick had a very familiar feeling. If he didn’t know better they were headed for the loft. Nick turned to Nat with a puzzled look on his face.

"Nat, do you have any idea why we would be headed straight for the loft?"

‘I haven’t a clue. There shouldn’t be anybody there." Nat said with as much confusion as Nick. As they were puzzling over the whys, the car pulled up in front of the warehouse. Nat looked up and saw the shutters open. "Look Nick, someone’s here."

Just then the driver approached the rear of the car and opened the door. Nick stepped out into the cool Toronto evening, inhaling the scent of Lake Ontario and home.

"Isn’t this some mistake?" He asked the driver.

"No Sir. This is exactly where I was told to drop you off. Is there a problem?"

"No. Just very unexpected." Nick replied as he helped Nat from the backseat. "Just let me get the garage open and you can put the bags inside." He walked over to the punch pad next to the roll up door, entered his code, and turned to hand the man a generous tip. What he didn’t see as the door opened Nat did, and she let out a shocked gasp. At the sound of Nat’s sharp intake of breath, Nick turned around, only to be completely blown away by what he saw.


End Part 08


The Anniversary  Part 09/10
See disclaimers in first post.


Alex, Nic, and Donni heard the garage door engage.

"I wonder if it’s them?" Nic asked as she went to the window to look down on the empty lot below. Alex and Donni followed. What they saw made all three of them smile. It was finally coming together. All of their hard work of the past week was coming to fruition.

"What the...?" Nick said when he saw what was sitting in the garage. "How...? Nat do you know anything about this?"

"I am at as much of a loss as you. I have no idea what’s going on."

Nick walked slowly up to his beloved Caddy, reaching out to slowly caress the car’s fine lines. He ran his hand up the fin, across the top edge of the door, and down the hood.

"I haven’t laid eyes on this since..."

"2002." Nat finished his sentence for him. "When we had to leave Chicago. Alex was about 5 and the girls were 3. I didn’t even realize you still had it. How do you suppose it got here?"

Nick lost in all of the wonderful memories, didn’t hear Nat. "Nick?"

"What? Oh sorry. Just a lot of fond memories coming back." Nick replied his eyes still on the car. "What was it you said?"

"I asked, ‘How did it get here?’." Nat was now approaching the passenger side. She was almost as fond of this car as Nick was. She too had a lot of memories tied to this car.

"I don’t know Nat. No one knows about this except a few people."


While Nick and Nat were trying to solve the mystery of how a car gets from Chicago to Toronto, Cristal pulled up with two cases of the rare vintage Janette procured for them.

"Hi! You must be Janette’s brother, I’m Cristal. I run the Raven. I was told that you would be here." She said as she unloaded the cases from her car. "This is a gift from Janette. She said for you to enjoy this, and she would see you in Montreal. She regrets not being here herself, but she wanted you to celebrate in private." She placed them in the lift.

"Thank you very much Cristal. I’m sure we will enjoy it." Nat told her as she went to hug Cristal. "I will call Janette and thank her personally."

"See ya." Cristal called as she walked back to her car.

"I don’t know about you Nat, but I’m dying to get upstairs and see who is in our house."

"Let’s go then. I’m very curious too!" Nat said as she got into the lift. Nick engaged the motor and the lift began its ascent to the loft.

When they heard the lift motor engage, Donni, Alex, and Nic’s hearts all beat three times with excitement. They turned off all the lights, and lit the candles and fireplace. They then went to stand back in the shadows to watch.

When the lift reached the loft and Nick slid open the door, Nat let out her second gasp of the night. Everything looked exactly as it had 1997. They half expected Schanke to come out and welcome them home, like he did from their honeymoon.

Nick and Nat both were in a state of total disbelief at what they saw.

"Who did this Nick?" Nat asked as she roamed around looking at all of their most treasured things

"I have a pretty good idea. Let me make a quick call." He pulled out his phone and dialed Nic’s phone.

The ringing startled all three of them, and when Nick heard it too he knew he had their mystery solved. He hung up his phone when he saw Nic come out of the shadows under the stairs.

"Hi Daddy." Nicole said with the same tone that she used when she was small. "Do you like it?"
"Hi Daddy." Donni too came out. "We tried to think of something different for you and Mom."

"Hi mes filles." Nick pulled his daughters into a loving embrace, kissing each in turn. "Nous l’aimons. Vous ne nous auriez pas pu donner un meilleur cadeau." ( Hi my girls. We love it. You could not have given us a better gift. )

If Donni and Nic could have blushed they would have. They left Nick’s hug to go to their mother’s side. "Do you really like it?" Nic asked Nat.

"Yes I do." Nat replied with a catch in her voice from the tears that she was trying not to shed. Alex took this time to come out from his spot in the shadows.

"Hi Mom." Alex wrapped his arms around Nat in a fierce hug.

"Hi mon fils. I see you have been busy." Nat said as she kissed his cheek.

"Just a little..." Alex replied with great pride. "Donni did most of the work; Nic and I just helped out where we could. It was her idea to surprise you and mine to surprise you *here*."

"Well, you did that all right!" Nick said joyfully. "My car...how...?"

"I remembered that when we left Chicago, I went with you to put the Caddy in storage. It was the first time you took me flying that I can remember. So it kind of stuck."

"I’m glad you remembered."

Nat continued to re-familiarize herself with their shared past when she found the picture of Syd. Her eyes misted over immediately. The tears she had been holding since she stepped out of the lift now fell freely. She was overcome with the warm, pleasant feelings that were running through her mind.

"Where did you find all of this?" She asked her children.

"A lot of the furnishings were still here in the building, the rest we all found digging in various bins, attics, and basements. Lucky for us you two are pack rats!" Donni said with a wide grin.

Nicole went over to the entertainment center and started the CD player. Soft classical music filled the loft. Nat and Nic were engaged in a quiet conversation. Alex thought he would take this opportunity to pull his dad off to the side.

"Can I talk to you for a minute, Dad?"

"Sure Alex. What’s up?" Nick beamed at his son.

Alex led him upstairs, hoping no one would notice.

"I think I really need to apologize to you for what I did with Mom’s painting." Alex said hanging his head, as he sat on the edge of the bed.

"It’s all right. After we hung up I thought about what you said. You are right, she does need to see it." As Nick finished his sentence, he noticed it hanging exactly where it belonged.

"How did you know to put this here?"

"I didn’t. Donni hung it. Aunt Janette told her that you would want it to be the first and last thing you saw. Donni knows that you always sleep on your left side, so, this was the logical spot."

"It is." Nick replied as he pulled his son into a warm embrace. "Thank you. It means more than you know."

"I have a good idea just how much." Alex turned and opened the closet. "Here. I think you might want this. I think that we should have a drink to celebrate and then all good little girls and boy will duck out and let you and Mom enjoy your anniversary."

"You don’t *have* to leave, Alex. Mom and I would love for you and your sisters to stay."

"It’s OK. Really. We’ll catch up to Grandfather and Auntie. Then we will see you in a couple of days." Alex replied as he headed down stairs.

Nic was in the kitchen preparing drinks for everyone as Nick and Alex came down. 

Nick sided up to Nat and whispered in her ear, "Do you know you have the most wonderful children?" 

"Yes, I do and I also have the most wonderful husband. Thank you Nick for letting me be your wife, and for giving me these wonderful children. It is an honor I still treasure to this day. And I will treasure it forever." Nat whispered back as she nuzzled Nick’s neck.

"Ahem, excuse me, but I think we need a toast!" Donni exclaimed. "This is Aunt Janette’s gift to you." She gestured to the blood in the crystal glasses. "May you love each other more today than yesterday, and less than tomorrow!"

They raised their glasses, and drank from the special vintage. Donni was happy that Janette was able to get more.
They talked and shared memories of Nick and Nat’s marriage, when Alex announced that he and his sisters were leaving.

"Don’t go Alex." Nat pleaded. "We all just got here. I want to spend some time with all of you."

"Don’t worry Mom, we’ll catch up in a few days at Aunt Janette’s" Nicole told Nat with a mischievous glint in her eye.

"Besides, who wants their kids hanging around in their anniversary night?" Donni replied.  

"I guess there is no winning this with you guys!" Nat said in resignation. "OK. We will see all of you in Montreal in say...three days?"

"Sounds good to me." Alex piped up.

While Nat was trying to convince her kids to stay, Nick quietly went back upstairs to retrieve what Alex had given him earlier. Sliding out of the maroon silk shirt and slacks he was wearing he put on the blue one and a pair of black 501’s. 

While changing his clothes he heard the kids making their excuses for leaving and Nat’s protests. He then heard the door to the lift slide open, kisses being passed around, and the door sliding shut.

He crept down the stairs silently, all the while never taking his eyes off Nat. Pushing into the link he had with his children he told each of them how much he loved them and thanked them for his anniversary gift.

Nat kissed each of the children as they entered the lift to leave. When they had gone she realized that Nick was nowhere to be seen. She walked over to the ornately carved fireplace and stared into the flames. She felt Nick behind her and turned to see him leaning on the railing at the bottom of the stairs. What she saw took her breath away. He was wearing her favorite outfit. The one she had not seen in a number of years.

"You look wonderful! Where and when did you do that?"

"Thank your son. I don’t know where or how. He just handed them to me when we came up here earlier, saying ‘I think you might want this.’ He was right." Nick told her with his boyish grin that Nat could never resist. "Now since it is early, how would you like to go for a drive down by the lakefront? I seem to have the perfect car for starlit drives."

"That sounds like a great idea!" Nat said with the same glint in her eye that Nic had earlier. "I’ll get some glasses, and we can have some more of this wonderful blood-wine Janette got for us."
"Shall we go then?"

"Race ya to the car!" Nat squealed excitedly.


End Part 09


The Anniversary  Part 10/10
See disclaimers in first post.
ADULT:


They drove through the deserted streets of Toronto. It felt so good to be here again. Nick drove over to the 96th and by the Coroner’s Building. Nothing had changed much, which was a comfort.

"Nat? Do you mind if we make a stop before going to the lake?" Nick asked kissing Nat’s hand.

"No of course not. Where do you have in mind?"

"I’d like to stop and see Schank for a minute. Even after all this time I still miss him."

"I think he would like it."

"Thanks Nat." Nick gently squeezed her hand.


They drove over to the cemetery, parked and walked over to Schanke’s grave. Nick stood there motionless for a minute, just thinking about his best friend. For two people who couldn’t stand each other when they first partnered up, they ended up the closest of friends. Schanke was there as best man when Nick married Nat, was the Godfather to all three of Nick’s kids, and the only Mortal outside of Nat who knew him for what he was and didn’t care. Nick didn’t think he would ever have another friend like him. A soft hand slipping into his pulled Nick out of his memories.

"Sorry Nat, I just felt I had to come. To tell him thanks and that I love him." Nick said with a hint of melancholy in his voice. "Come on, I promised you a starlight drive."

They drove the rest of the way to the shore of Lake Ontario. Nick drove to a very secluded spot and parked the Caddy. Nat got out and grabbed the bottle and the glasses from the backseat. She perched on the hood of the Caddy. Nick came around to the front of the car and leaned against the hood, looking up at the clear Ontario sky. Nat poured them each a glass of blood-wine, and handed one to Nick.

"You know, this night reminds me of the night we got married. The weather is exactly the same." Nick said longingly.

"It should. It was exactly 75 years ago this night that I vowed to be your wife forever."

"Is it?" Nick turned to Nat, now standing between her legs and snaking his arms around her waist. "And I seem to remember vowing to be your husband forever." He pulled her closer to him. "A toast...To my most beautiful wife, I pledge to love you."

"And I pledge to love you, my most beloved husband."

They drank their wine. When they had finished Nick took Nat’s glass and set them off to the side.

"Happy Anniversary Natalie de Brabant."

"Happy Anniversary Nicholas de Brabant."

Nat put her hands around Nick’s neck and buried her fingers in his hair pulling him down to her, sealing their renewed vows with a deep and loving kiss. Nick returned her kiss with fervor. He wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her hips closer to his growing erection. Caressing his way up Nat’s back with one hand to wrap it in her auburn hair, the other sought out the buttons of her blouse.

Natalie’s hand too sought out the buttons of Nick’s shirt. Once she had it open she caressed the hard planes of his chest. Nick slid the straps of Nat’s bra down her arms following with his tongue. He retraced the path back up her arms to the hollow of her neck.

Inhaling her unique scent and her arousal, he then kissed his way down to the cups hiding her aroused breasts. Kissing her through the satin, he brought his hands around to un-hook the front and caress her now exposed breasts. He worked each nipple to a hardened peak between his fingers before suckling each in turn.

Deep moans of pleasure came from the depth of Natalie’s chest urging Nick to continue his ministrations. Nat leaned back on the hood, using her arms for support, laying her head back exposing the soft flesh of her neck to the stars. Nick continued his decent to Nat’s flat stomach, licking small circles around her belly button. He ran his tongue around the top of her jeans. He ran his one hand down her body to the waistband and slowly drew the zipper down.


His other hand caressed her throat and traced the out line of her lips. Nat drew his fingers one by one into her wanton mouth, sucking each their full length. Nick gasped at the sensation this was giving him, which only fueled his need to become one with Nat. He stroked his way down her hips, gently lifting her just enough to pull the jeans off. With great surprise, and thankfulness he realized Nat did not have any panties on.

With her shoes and jeans now off, Nick finished what Nat had started. He slowly unbuttoned his jeans, never releasing Nat’s gaze, and slid them over his hips. Now totally nude before her Nat took in the glorious sight of him. He kissed his way up her long shapely legs, stopping to pay special attention to the backs of her knees. He resumed his torturous climb to her most treasured place. She was beautiful in the now fully risen moonlight. The scent of her driving him on. He parted her folds and stroked her nub with his thumb sending chills of pleasure up Nat’s spine. She was aching to feel him but he was out of reach.

He slid first one finger into her then another feeling her slick juices. Thrusting gently into her he raised her up to that precipice she longed to fall off of. He caressed her with his fingers as he entered her with his tongue. He drew her essence into himself, losing himself in the sweet nectar that was his and his alone. As Nat neared her first release Nick sucked harder bringing her to the edge and finally pushing her off. Only to be brought back up again as the waves of orgasm receded. Trailing hot kisses up Nat’s body to her waiting mouth, Nick crushed his lips to hers in a searing passionate kiss.

With Nick finally within reach, Nat grasped hold of his engorged shaft. Lubricating him with his own juices, Nat began to slowly stroke him with one hand and massage his balls with the other.

Realizing that Nick was on the edge of his own cliff, Nat guided him to her waiting core, and with a quick thrust Nick was buried into Nat. He let out a moan of pure ecstasy. He stilled himself within her until he could no longer stand it.

Then slowly, deliberately he began to move within her. The pace was maddening for Nat. She raised her hips to meet every thrust trying to increase the rhythm to no avail. Nick was determined to prolong their ecstasy/agony as long as he possibly could.

When he thought neither one could take anymore he increased his depth and rhythm. As they both climbed to the top of their passion, their bodies glistening in the moonlight, Nick reared his head back and with one final thrust reached the very center of Nat’s being. Sinking his fangs into Nat’s waiting neck, and Nat sinking hers into him, the world around them exploded into the sweetest pain. They rode the tide of their climax out and shuddered in the release.

Both of them spent, Nat whispered into her husband’s ear, "You’ll never guess how long I’ve wanted you to take me like this."

"Really," Nick whispered back, "You’ll never guess how long I’ve wanted to take you like this." Still laying over Nat. "I feel the sun getting ready to rise. Maybe we should move this party back home. I still have one more surprise for you."
"More surprises? You’ll spoil me."

"That’s my plan."

They gathered up their clothes, and drove back to the loft.


Upon entering they were greeted by 74 of the most beautiful red roses and one lone white one. Nat walked over to the card standing in front of one of the vases. It read:
"My Dearest Natalie, 
Thank you for loving my son and returning him to me.
I was a fool to stand in your way.
Please accept these as a token of my unending gratitude. 
May you love for all Eternity."
Nick came up behind her. He didn’t need to read the card. He could read the meaning on Nat’s face.

"Well this is a night of surprises!" Nat quickly brushed a single tear from her cheek.

"I still have to give you your last one. It’s actually from Alex. He made me understand that I should have done it long ago." Nick confessed to Natalie as he led her across the loft.

"I don’t understand. What could Alex possibly give me that you should have?" Nat asked puzzled.

"Let me show you..." Nick took her upstairs to their room. "Wait here for just a second, I want this to be perfect."

Waiting outside their bedroom, Nat was getting more anxious by the minute. Nick came to her and led her to their room. It was lit with candlelight and scented with jasmine. She saw that everything here too was as it was. She sat down on the bed and motioned for Nick to sit with her. He chose instead to kneel in front of her.

"Nat, before you turn around, there is something I want to say." Nick took a deep breath and clasped both of Nat’s hands. "What I’m about to show you I never had any intention of doing. It was my own way of dealing with what I thought was an impossible situation. I had originally intended for it to be found after I watched my last sunrise. My final gift to you. But with your faith in me and in us, it wasn’t impossible. The vision I had has come true a thousand fold and I will never have to move on without you." A single blood tear escaped from Nick’s blue eyes.

The pain Nat saw there was almost more than she could bear. It was quickly replaced by the love that was always there. She turned and looked for the first time at her portrait.

What she saw was all of the pent up love and passion that dared not be released. It was the truest expression of everything Nick had ever felt for her. She knew it had to have caused him great pain to paint.

"Nick...is this...the painting that I begged to see?" She asked through her tears.

"Yes." 

"Why did you hide it? It is the most beautiful thing you have ever given me."

"I don’t know. When Alex found it I was furious. But he said I had no right to hide it from you. And he was right. I should have given it to you."

Nat walked over to her painting and lovingly ran her hand over the canvas. She saw the writing in the corner and bent down to read it. When she stood she turned to Nick and asked, "Is it?"

Nick holding Nat’s face in his hands, his lips a breath away from hers, answered, "Yes."

"A jamais, Nicholas."

"A jamais, Natalie."




`````````````````````````A jamais Nick and Nat`````````````````````````

KnightCrusader                25 juin 2004