Kevin looked up from the paper and glared at her. "Have a good sleep last night?"

Elisha felt her cheeks redden and just nodded.

"That's good." Kevin replied slowly. "Because no one else did!"

Elisha groaned and covered her face with her hands. "We tried to be quiet!"

Kevin couldn't contain his laughter anymore. "It's okay, it's happened to all of us at one time or another."

"Just never with Nick." Brian added. "Lately, he's been on a separate bus with Willa."

"I'm sorry." Elisha apologized, her voice muffled by her hands still covering her face. "I just couldn't resist any longer!"

Kevin pulled her hands from her face and held them. "It's okay, we understand. We're just thrilled seeing Nick so happy again."

"You continue treating him like you are, you hear?" Brian said, mock-threateningly.

Elisha laughed. "Don't worry! I love him with all my heart. It's gonna be so difficult to say goodbye this time. I'm gonna miss all of you so much."

Nick walked in the breakfast nook,whistling.

"Hi sweetie!"

He kissed Elisha, filled his plate and squeezed in between her and Brian.

"Hi stud!" Brian sniggered.

Nick's face reddened and he dropped his head.

"It's okay, Nicky baby." she said, rubbing his back. "They already gave me the works!"

"Did she just call you Nicky?" Kevin asked incredulously.

"Yeah, so what?"

"You really are in love, ain't cha loverboy?" Brian teased.

"Ahhh, lay off guys!" Nick protested, while Elisha collapsed in a fit of giggles.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The end of their two weeks together came far too quickly for either Nick or Elisha's liking. They spent much of their last day together on the bus in Nick's bunk, just talking and enjoying each others companionship.

"Maybe I can come and stay with you after the tour, we only have two weeks left."

Elisha stroked his cheek. "I'd love that Nick, but don't you want to see your family? I know how much you miss them."

Nick grew quiet.

"What's the matter Nick?"

"We've kind of grown apart." he finally mumbled. "Mandy didn't like my parents or my sibs. I haven't seen them since before Christmas."

"What?" Elisha exploded. "You let that witch keep you from your family? What's wrong with you?"

"I know it was stupid of me." Nick has visibly recoiled, like he was expecting to get hit.

Elisha calmed herself and massaged the back of his neck. "I'm sorry baby, that outburst was uncalled for. I just can't believe she would make you do that. That she would do that to you." Nick remained still. "Call them Nick."

Elisha sifted through the blankets and found his cell phone.

"Call them now and tell them that you broke up with her, that you can't wait to be home and to see them."

She held the phone out to him. Nick took it hesitantly.

"Would you come with me to Florida to see them?" He sounded so scared.

Elisha assured him she would, no matter what. This was an important step for him, if he wanted her there, she would be.

Nick dialed and fidgeted while he waited for someone to pick up, nervously holding his thumb over the disconnect button.

"Hey Aaron, is mama or dad there?"

Elisha could hear Aaron's excited squeal at the sound of Nick's voice and it brought a smile to her lips.

"Hi dad."

Elisha watched his face, he sounded so nervous.

"Yeah, the tour is going fine. Um...I wanted to let you know that I broke up with Mandy. No, it wasn't too difficult. I met someone new and I'm so happy right now!"

He held Elisha's hand and smiled at her.

"Yeah, she's wonderful, I want to bring her home with me to meet everyone, okay?"

His voice and body were relaxing as the conversation continued.

"Okay, well, I just wanted to let you know. Okay, I'll talk to you later. I love you too, dad."

Elisha smiled proudly and began tickling him as he pretended to pass out on the bed.