"A girl could get used to this!" she laughed as he picked he up and placed her in the truck.

She couldn't believe her eyes when they arrived at the house. "Oh my God, Nick, this place is gorgeous!"

She swiveled her head, trying to take everything in at once.

Nick laughed at her. "I'll give you the grand tour, you know!"

She noticed the wheelchair ramps by the stairs and smiled faintly. She was pretty sure they were new and installed just for her. It was just like Nick to have everything ready for her. He noticed her looking at the ramps as he helped her out of the truck.

"You don't mind do you? I know it's hard to realize that you'll need them, but I wanted everything to be easy for you so you could get around by yourself."

Elisha brushed small tears off her cheeks. "No, it's very thoughtful of you Nick. It's just difficult, you know, seeing it."

Nick knelt down beside her and kissed her cheek. "I know baby. I thought it would be easier if I had everything done before you came home though, instead of having to watch it being built day after day." Nick stood and wheeled her into the house. "I had all the counters lowered so you could reach easier." he told her showing off the kitchen. "Just remember," he said making a face. "You're going to have to give me a lot of massages to help my back aches!"

Elisha swatted at him and giggled. "I think I can handle that!"

The tour continued, Nick took her to the exercise room, showed off the bedrooms, the music room. Elisha couldn't believe it all.

"Oh, I had this made over for you too."

Nick announced arriving back near the main room.

"It's not special, but important."

He opened the door wide so the curious Elisha could see what it was. A bathroom outfitted just for her. She started laughing and couldn't stop, she knew exactly what he was thinking.

"Look missy," Nick said mock-seriously. "There are some things I just don't want to help you with!"

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

Nick settled Elisha in the living room and went to get her luggage from the truck. He put everything away in her dressing room upstairs and went to check on her. She had fallen asleep on the sofa. Nick sat on the floor beside her and kissed her gently. He smiled when her eyes fluttered open.

"I thought that only happened in fairy tales!"

"What?" she asked, confused.

"I kissed you and you woke up."

She laughed. "My handsome Prince Charming."

Nick picked her up and held her close to him. "It's just about time to see the view from the yard I was telling you about. Are you ready?"

He sat her in the chair and wheeled her out to the back deck. A ramp led to a walkway that went right out to the beach. She gazed out at the water, red from the setting sun and breathed in the fresh air.

"Oh Nick, this is so beautiful! she sighed.

He lifted her out of the chair and set her gently on a blanket spread out on the sand. He went back to the deck to light some candles and pick up a picnic basket.

"You really like it?" he asked, returning to sit beside her.

"I love it." she whispered, snuggling up next to him.

"This is my favourite spot." Nick said. "I love to come out here and get away from everything."

Elisha smiled at the blissful look on his face. "I can see why, it's gorgeous."

They nibbled on the light dinner he had packed and talked until the sun had set and it was dark.

Nick cradled her face in his hands and kissed her. "I love you Elisha." he said, huskily.

She returned his kiss passionately. Nick laid her down, continuing to deepen the kiss, his hands exploring her body. His touch sent her heart racing, her nipples hardening when his fingertips brushed them. It had been so long since they had done anything but kiss. She let out a heavy sigh when his hands roamed below her waist. It was like an invisible barrier. One minute she was enjoying his foreplay and then it was like his hands retreated. No feeling whatsoever. She pulled away from his arms.

"What's wrong, baby?" he asked, concerned. "Did I hurt you?"

She shook her head. "I'm just tired, honey. Could you take me in to bed?"

They returned to the house and Elisha got undressed quickly while Nick brought the things in from the beach. After a few unsuccessful tries, she succeeded in pulling herself into their bed. She turned her face to the wall and pretended to sleep. She felt Nick climb in beside her and snuggle up to her, hugging her waist. A short while later he climbed out of the bed and she heard his footsteps going down the hall. Tears formed in her eyes and rolled down her face slowly.

"I'm sorry Nick."