A cookout at Nick's place brought Brian, AJ, Kevin, Howie and their respective partners/girlfriends/wives together and well a few home truths.
Aaron and the rest of the Carter clan joined Nick while he was on his break and spent some quality time with their older sibling. Much to Aaron's delight, he played a very competitive game of basketball and claimed victory over his older brother, causing for a further celebration. The boys relaxing outside, throwing back a few beers while the girls were preparing dinner inside. Much to everyone's curiosity the hot topic of discussion was of course about Nick and our relationship.
"So? Tell us are you two on or off? Or on and off? " BJ sat excitedly in her chair. Her older brother finally finding some sort of happiness was comforting.
"Well....at this stage we're in love and we're together..." I stirred the sauce, switching to chopping vegetables, Leighanne managing to stir and hold Baylee firmly on her hip.
"I think it's sweet how you two met, actually if I recall, you knew each other at my wedding..." Blushing I giggled and BJ tossed over the packet of Caesar salad.
"Yes wet met at your wedding and that's all any of you need to know..." Leigh giving me a comforting smile as a chorus of "oohs" and "aahhs" went around. Leslie coming up behind me to try the sauce, me shooing her hand away.
"Jesus Les! You're just like Nick wanting to get his hands on anything to do with fooood!!" BJ was tickled from behind, screaming when the culprit happened to be Nick smirking.
"I heard my hands and food mentioned in the same sentence...is my sister turning kinky or what? " Bopping her on the head before receiving a slap on the arm, he retreated to wrapping his arms around me from behind while I was busy fixing vegetables.
"How's the meat out there Carter? You better not be burning it or no food for you..." Nick kissed my neck and put his hand on mine, helping me.
"Hey Rok's looking after it..I trust him, you love me, you wouldn't let me starve...would you? " BJ laughed and sat with Angel watching the scene unfold.
"Yeah well that would be a national disaster wouldn't it? Now, before I use this knife on you...go help Brian..." Nick's hands crept underneath my tank top and whispered into my ear;
"Tonight....my sweet thing I will have you...Okay I'll let the ladies do the work..." We engaged in a sweet kiss before he headed out and all the girls stared at me.
"What? It was just a kiss..." Leigh shook her head.
"No Hun it wasn't that he's madly in love with you..." I giggled and continued cooking.
"How do you figure that?" I was a little excited about Nick's earlier proposition.
"Well by the look of you he makes you crazy...you're both crazy in love..." I high fived Leigh and hugged BJ.
"You got that right sister! "
Dinner was a success and many conversations took place, everyone except the Carter siblings, went home around 11:00, leaving me to do the washing up, while looking outside to see Aaron and Angel in the pool, BJ and Leslie lying on the deckchairs. Nick's arms came around me at that moment.
"Mmmm what a night! Now about me having you, let's finish that upstairs..." Giggling I pointed to his siblings.
"Problem...your brother and sisters are here to spend time with you and I don't feel comfortable being intimate with you while their in this house..." Nick's hands disappeared in the soapy water joining with my own hands and kissed my neck feverishly.
"Well that is a problem...isn't it? Not when they are staying in the townhouse out the back during their time here....and we won't be disturbed till morning..." I managed to turn in his arms and smiled, showing an evil grin.
"Well in that case...let's go Carter you and me...you up for it?" Nick lifted me up, wrapping my legs around his waist.
"Damn straight I'm up for it! Let's go shall we? " Sweeping me up into a kiss, Nick carried me upstairs, and never managing to break the kiss in the process. Laying me down on his bed, Nick pushed my hair back and kissed my forehead.
"Gosh this feels like de ja vu...in this room..." Nick's lips on my neck he smiled as he kissed me.
"Is that good de ja vu?" I nodded and pulled his shirt over his head, kissing his chest.
"Yes very much so...show me how much you love me Nick..." Nick leaned down to kiss my lips so softly and brushed a bit of hair from my face.
"I'll show you all and more...over and over again.." Each piece of clothing on both sides disappeared and made a nice pile on Nick's bedroom floor.
We were skin to skin underneath Nick's sheets. The moonlight reflecting on his skin, the bedside lamp the only dimmed light in the room...Nick pulling out the foiled package and applying it swiftly, placed his hands on either side of me and gave me the most content smile that made my heart soar. He entered me, the full force and motion reminding me of our time together at Brian and Leighanne's wedding but this time it was different, this time we were expressing a love that was deeply buried inside us, burning like an eternal flame, surging passion and a fire within us, our emotions relayed to each other so right, refusing to let go...moans and soft cries filled the room, sweat pouring from Nick's forehead. Our hands intertwined, knuckles going white in the intense effort of our union and undying love for one another. Staring into each others eyes, knowing we were finally free of pain or loneliness, finding comfort and protection. Reaching our climaxes was a release not only for our passion but the end of a great deal of pain and the start of a different journey, lying together, wrapped up in the sheets, moonlight flickering. Nick collapsed on top of me holding onto me for dear life, me making circles around his back with my fingers an effort to calm him. Our arms wrapped around each other like a cocoon. Nesting in our afterglow, Nick lifted his head to meet mine, forehead to forehead, no words spoken, till this moment.
"Skye...I love you..." Nick's breathing returned and I wiped sweat away that was pouring from his head and kissed his forehead.
" I love you too Nick..." and finally someone to love...someone to hold and comfort...someone to be there, the things Nick deserved for so long was now a reality....