It had been a month since Nick and I confessed our true feelings for each other. That was one of the hardest things I had ever done. I mean, I knew Nick loved me but still it was hard for me to admit my feelings. That night, we had decided to just see what happened. Neither of us were fond of the thought of a long distance relationship. Nick had been in them before and I knew they were hard. It was hard for me to say what I wanted. I knew that I wanted to be with Nick, but that's all I knew. How to approach it was another story. I figured I'd bring it up to him one night to assess the situation.
"Nicky?"
"What's up babe?"
"Are you seriously against us having a long distance relationship?"
"Not viciously against it. I just think it would be really hard on both of us."
"Well I know but..."
"Is it really bothering you that bad Sai?"
"It's been on my mind a lot."
"It's been on my mind a lot too."
"So, why don't we give it a shot?"
"Because I'm scared to hurt you."
"What do you mean?"
"Like if we can't take the pressure of being away from each other and break up."
"Nicky, I love you. I'd learn how to deal. We won't break up."
"How can you be so sure?"
"I just am."
"I think I need more time."
"That's fine. I don't want you to fell like we're rushing and you're not ready."
"You're being awfully understanding about this."
"Well, what else can I do? Force you to go out with me and then be miserable?"
"No. I'm sorry baby."
"There's no need to be sorry."
"So, what else is new?"
"Um, what are you doing next Friday?"
"Nothing, why?"
"I need a date to a movie premiere. Want to come?" I asked
"How long am I staying?"
"However long you want. I want to spend some time with you."
"How about I come in the day before and stay until the following Saturday?"
"Sounds great to me. I'm off from work."
"Okay, well maybe I'll stay longer."
"Like I said, stay as long as you want. I have off for two months. We're on hiatus for summer."
"Maybe I'll just get and open ended ticket."
"That's fine too."
"Good. I've missed you Piglet."
"Piglet? That's a new one."
"I know. I went to visit Brian, Leighanne and Baylee and Baylee had me watching 'Winnie the Pooh' with him. You remind me of Piglet."
"Well that's fine. I'm gonna start calling you Pooh Bear now."
"I can live with that. Pooh and Piglet are homies."
"That is true."
"You know, I was just thinking..."
"Um, okay."
"I really want to see you."
"That's what you were thinking?"
"Not just that. How about I come up this weekend and stay with you while you're on hiatus?"
"Like the whole time?"
"Yes. That is if you'll let me."
"Of course you can!"
"Okay. I better go so I can go online and book my flight. I'll email you my itinerary okay?"
"Okay. Talk to you later Pooh Bear." we hung up.
Yes! I was going to have Nick to myself for two months. Life was good. I knew I could plant the seed of a relationship into his brain. I was determined. I needed to be with him so bad my heart hurt. I wasn't mopey or openly depressed about the situation but it bothered me. I had finally found my perfect guy (okay, so I didn't have to look far but ya know) and I couldn't be with him. That's like giving a thirsty person a glass of water and then telling them they couldn't drink it. That was how it felt to be without Nick. He was my best friend. It was so hard to be without him.
Later that night, I went online to check my email. Of course, Nick's travel plans were in there. I smiled to myself. He would he coming in only three days. I couldn't wait until Friday. I printed out the email and then circled the date on my calendar. I checked the rest of my email and signed off. I started to plan for Nick's arrival. I made shopping lists and other lists. I would be very busy. The next day as I was cleaning, the phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Sai? It's Chris."
"Hey! What's up?"
"Not much, taking a break from recording. What's up with you?" he asked
"I'm cleaning."
"You are? What's the occasion?"
"Nick's coming to stay on Friday."
"Oh, I see. I was hoping we could hang out sometime."
"I don't know. Nick's staying with me while I'm on hiatus."
"That's like two months right?"
"Yeah."
"Oh. Well if you have free time, just give me a call."
"I will."
"Well, I better go."
"Okay. Thanks for calling."
"Sure. Bye."
"Bye." I said, hanging up.
Hm, the awkward ex-boyfriend phone call went better than I had expected. I could tell Chris was disappointed that Nick was staying so long. I thought that maybe he wanted me back. That would have been interesting. He was still too busy to be with me. Whatever. Guys made no sense.
Over the next few days, I got my apartment ready for Nick's arrival. I was so excited I thought I was going to burst a few times. Finally it was Friday. I danced happily around the apartment putting the finishing touches on everything. I looked at the clock, it was just about time for me to go pick up Nick. I checked myself out in the mirror, grabbed my keys and went out to my car. I got into the Durango and drove to LaGuardia Airport. I waited impatiently for Nick's flight to arrive. Soon, they announced that his flight was in and I saw the luggage start to come around. I knew what Nick's luggage looked like so I went to grab it. I got it and a few minutes later I saw Nick coming toward me.
"Nicky!" I exclaimed
"Hey Sai!"
He put down his bags and scooped me up into a hug. When he put me down, we kissed.
"Do you realize that was our first kiss as more than friends?" I asked
"Yes. It felt good."
"Yeah, it did. What's with the carrier?"
"It's a surprise for when we get home."
I shrugged and we tooks his stuff out to the car. We loaded it all in and drove back to my apartment.
"Home sweet home." he said walking in.
I laughed as I pulled in his stuff.
"You know you could help me out here." I grunted
"Sorry baby." he said, grabbing a suitcase.
We put his bags in my bedroom and then I flopped on the couch. He came over with the carrier.
"Ready for your surprise?"
"Yes!"
He reached into the carrier and pulled out a little pug.
"Nicky, you got me a puppy?"
"Yeah. I figured you were lonely and I want you to have company when I leave."
"Aw honey, thank you!"
He handed me the puppy. He was so small! He curled up right in my arms and opened his little eyes.
"How old is he?" I asked
"Six weeks. Isn't he so tiny?"
"So tiny! I'm gonna name him Curly."
"Curly?"
"Because of the way his little tail curls up. He reminds me of Willie and Mikey when you first got them."
"Yeah I know. So cute and small." he said, petting Curly.
"Hi Curly. I'm your mommy. And that guy is your daddy."
"When did I become daddy?"
"Now because I said so. You know you love him like he was one of yours."
"You know I do."
Curly let out a cute little yawn and I knew I was in love. He was my little baby and I was going to love him so much. We agreed to take him for everything he needed the next day. He slept with us in my bed that night. It was obvious he was just as attached to me as I was to him.
Over he next few weeks, things between Nick and I began to heat up. After he had been at my house for maybe two and a half weeks, we made love for the first time. It was one of the best experiences I'd ever had. Things were going well. He started to break down about us becoming an official couple. We were already seeing each other exclusively and I knew the next step wasn't far away. It made me so happy to know we'd be together.
By then end of August our relationship was in ful bloom. Things between Nick and I were practically perfect. But then new season was just around the corner and I was going to be back at work. I couldn't leave Nick though. I was formulating a plan. The night before he left, we sat and had a big talk.
"So you're starting work soon." he said
"Yeah I am."
"Are you sure you're going to be able to handle us being apart?"
"Yes. Can you handle it?"
"I can."
"Then we'll be fine."
"We will."
"I'll come visit as often as I can."
"And I'll be in New York to record soon."
"And we have the phone and the computer so we'll be fine."
"Definitely. I'm still scared though."
"So am I."
"What is it's not fine?"
"I don't know. I don't want to think about it."
"Me either but don't you think we have to?"
"We'll cross that bridge if we get to it."
"Okay. I don't think we'll go there now. I just want to be with you tonight and make it special."
"It will be special because it's you. We're together and that's all that matters."
He kissed me passionately and I knew things would be okay. We made love that night and the next morning we had a tearful goodbye at the airport. I went home and found a message from my boss on the machine. I listened to it and was pleased with the result.
The next few months were hard on Nick and I. We made our relationship work but at times it was really hard. Thanksgiving was coming up and Curly and I were going down to Florida to spend time with Nick. He had no idea of what was to come. I had packed up my whole apartment and rented a U Haul to drive down to Florida. I had gotten my bosses to switch me to a show that filmed in Florida so I could be closer to Nick. As I was driving a song came on the radio that reminded me of what I was doing.
I showed up at Nick's with Curly and rang the bell.
"I'm coming!" he told me throught the intercom.
The gates opened and I drove up to his house. He was standing outside with a confused look on his face.
"Don't you think this is a bit much for three days?"
"I'll be here longer than three days Nick."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm here to stay."
"What?"
"I'm moving to Florida."
"But what about New York and your job?"
"I got switched to a show that films here."
"But what about your life?"
"You're my life Nick."
"You mean you did all of this to be with me?"
"Yes. You mean everything to me. I have no life without you."
"I feel the same way. I love you Sa'iyda."
"I love you too Nick."
We moved my stuff in and told his family about what happened. They were all really happy for us. A few days later, while we were watching television, Nick shut it off and turned to face me.
"Why did you turn off Gilmore Girls?"
"I have to ask you something."
"What? I could be missing something important."
"Will you marry me?" he asked, pulling out a ring box.
"Will I what?"
"Will you marry me?" he asked smiling bright.
"Oh my God! Of course I will!" I replied, hugging him tightly.
*6 Months Later*
"Do you Nickolas Gene take Sa'iyda Malikah to be your lawfully wedded wife for as long as you both shall live?" the minister asked
"I do." Nick replied
"And do you Sa'iyda Malikah take Nickolas Gene to be your lawfully wedded husband for as long as you both shall live?" the minister asked
"I do." I replied
"Than by the power vested in me, I pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride." the minister said
We kissed and I burst into tears. It was the happiest day of our lives.
*******************************************************************************
"Honey, do you need anything?" Nick asked
"Nope, I'm good."
He sat next to me on the couch and took our daughter out of my arms. He kissed her head softly.
"Please don't wake her up. It took me forever to get her to sleep." I said
"I won't. I love you Ashlee." he said to her
"And I love you." he said, kissing me
"I love you too." I replied