Chapter 50- Home

Demi

The past few weeks have been really tough. Every morning I roll over only to be disappointed at his absence. I missed him so much it hurt, this ache in my chest got larger and more intense with each passing day. We facetime each day, with Mia, but it wasn't like the real thing. I missed holding him and feeling his arms around me. I wanted to keep saying everything was okay, but it was killing me.

This morning Mia kept crying and screaming 'dada' until I facetimed Nicko and let her see his face. Even then she kept sniffling. Nicko nearly teared up when he saw that, and when he met my eyes I knew that he was hurting just as much as me.

Today Mia woke up again asking for 'dada' but when I picked her up she focused on my face and giggled, "Mama!"

I nearly dropped her, "Did you just say mama?!"

She kicked her legs, "Mama!"

I smiled widely and walked back to my bedroom, laying her gently next to me and pulling out my phone to take a video, "Say mama, Mia!"

"Mama!"

I was so excited as I flipped the camera to show both of us, "Now say hi to daddy!"

It took her a few seconds, but eventually she squealed out "Dada!"

I smiled hugely, "We miss you daddy!" Mia became preoccupied with her feet, so I looked into the camera, "Come home to me soon Nik, I miss you more than anything."

I sent it to him, and within a few seconds he read it, then he was facetiming me.

"Hi baby." I greeted, and nearly started crying at his bedhead and squinty morning eyes.

"Hey Dems." Again, my heart melted at his scratchy morning voice.

"I miss you so much." I said, biting my lip.

"I miss you too babe, both of my girls." He gave me a side-smile and it widened once Mia rolled over to be in view. She focused on the screen, then her face lit up in a smile.

"Dada!"

Nicko smiled, "Hi pretty lady, how's my girl?" Mia just smiled and stuffed her fingers into her mouth making him laugh, "Atta girl!"

I giggled and Nicko's eyes went back to me, "You're looking especially beautiful this morning."

I smiled, "You're looking especially tired."

He ran his hand over his stubble on his jawline, "I'm beat. But those videos always wake me up." He smirked, "It's not fair that you look so tempting in them, it's all I can do not to fly home right now."

I grinned, "I might have to send you one later... naked."

Nicko closed his eyes for a second, licked his lips, then grinned, "Sorry, no phone usage on the plane."

I smiled, then pouted as the mood got serious, "When do you have off?"

He bit his lip, "Uhm... The twenty-second."

My face fell, "Twenty days?"

He pulled his lips in, "I know it's a lot babe, but I come home for a week and a half. Just hang on."

I closed my eyes, "I'm trying. I really am Nik, but this is so hard."

Nicko sighed, "I know. Believe me it kills me to be away from you two. But I promised I would make it work and I'm gonna make it work. I love you so much Dems."

I managed a smile, "I love you too."

He suddenly looked up, "I've got to go... but I love you okay? I'll be home soon."

"Bye." I whispered.

And he was gone.

Over the next couple of weeks Nicko and I tried to stay in contact, but it was hard with him traveling and the different time changes. But, as it got closer and closer to the time he was coming home, I was getting more and more excited. The night before, I could barely sleep. When I finally did, it felt like I was dreaming when I felt his arms around me lightly, and him kiss me cheek.

"Wake up."

I slowly opened my eyes and sighed when I stared into nothing but empty sheets. I went to roll over but something heavy was blocking my path. I gasped when I met Nicko's eyes and threw my arms around him.

"You're home!"

He held my tightly, "I'm home baby."

We laid there for a long time, holding each other tightly while I sobbed lightly into his neck. It felt so good to have him back, to have him holding me. Eventually he pulled away and I stared into his light blue eyes, the ones my daughter's replicated.

"I missed you."

He cupped my cheek lightly, "C'mere."

Our lips met, and I gasped at the realization of how much I missed his lips. My fingers went up to run through his hair while his roamed my body, feeling all the changes that had occurred in his absence.

"You're so beautiful." He whispered against my lips, "God I've missed you."

I smiled and pulled away, cupping his cheek lightly, "I miss you too Nik. So much. It's been so hard without you here."

He closed his eyes for a second, "I missed both of you so much it's probably unhealthy. I managed to convince them to break a day earlier and got the first flight home. Sorry it took so long."

I pushed my face into his neck, "Believe me, it's fine."

Nick brought his lips to mine again and he kissed his way up to my earlobe, "How tired are you?"

I smiled and let my nails run over his back, "Wide awake."

~*~

I woke up naked in the sheets and to roll over and finally see Nicko sleeping next to me was indescribable. I lifted my hand up and ran it gently through his hair, then over his cheek. When I shifted closer to him his eyes fluttered open and a sleepy smile came across his features.

"Am I dreaming?"

I smirked, "You tell me babe."

He squirmed closer to me and pushed his head into my neck, "It feels so good to be back."

I held him tightly, "It's so good to have you back baby."

Nicko smirked, "Speaking of baby... Where's my other girl?"

I chuckled, "She should be waking up soon, she'll be so excited to see you."

He grinned, "Has she changed much?"

I shrugged, "Her hair is longer, and her mannerisms have become more and more intense. She smiled and laughs more and she's sitting up and crawling now."

Nicko closed his eyes, "I've missed so much."

I rubbed his chest, "Nik, trust me she's fine. You're here now and that's all that matters."

He kissed my forehead then rolled over, pulling on a pair of boxers, "Let's go."

I wrapped my bathrobe around my body and took his hand as we walked over to Mia's nursery. She was awake, but still sleepy. Nicko's face was lit up as he leaned over the crib and her eyes focused on his face.

"DADA!"

We both laughed as he picked her up, dodging her flailing limbs.

"Hi babygirl!" He cooed, holding her securely in his huge hands.Mia squealed out a giggle and Nicko laughed loudly, nuzzling her cheek with his nose. "Look at how big you got! I missed you so much pretty girl."

I could feel a lump forming in my throat as I watch Nicko interact with his daughter. I was getting the doubting thoughts about the future again. As much as I loved things the way they were I wanted to take that next step in the relationship. I couldn't voice those thoughts though, since I knew it would cause another fight between us.

~*~

Nicko was home for ten days, and they seemed to pass like minutes. On the last night, Mia thankfully fell asleep early so we were able to spend some time together. I came down from the upstairs and suddenly his arms were around my waist, kissing on my neck.

"What are you doing?" I giggled, leaning back into him.

"I'm lovin' on my girl. What do you think I'm doing?" He murmured into my ear as one of his hands squeezed my ass causing me to laugh loudly. "Shhh.." He whispered, "You'll wake up Mia."

I smirked up at him, "Then you better keep your hands to yourself."

He captured my lips and pulled my body against his, lifting me up by my thighs and bringing me to the couch. We made out for a long time, then he gently pulled away and kissed my lips softly a few times. He smiled at me and tucked a piece of my hair behind my ear.

"I love you."

My fingers ran along the stubble on his jaw, "I love you too." 

He smiled and kissed my fingertips, "Something has been bothering you these past few days."

Damn. He knew me too well.

"I'm just sad that you're leaving."

He examined my face for a second then shook his head, "No that's not it. It's something else."

I sighed, "It's really nothing Nik, I don't want to get into it. I'd rather not fight on your last night."

Nicko's eyes widened in recognition, "What if I kinda wanna talk about it?"

I blinked, "Really?"

He smiled sheepishly, "I mean... It's kind of been on my mind the past few weeks. I'm not saying i'm proposing tomorrow or anything but it's just a thought lately."

I grinned, "What exactly are those thoughts?"

He rubbed my back, "That I want to make you happy. That's my goal in life. I want you to be happy. And me shutting down the idea of marriage isn't making you happy. It's not like a huge revelation, but it's definitely something I want in the future."

I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him deeply, "You make me happy. Yes I would like to get married but I want it to make us both happy. You being happy makes me happy."

He smiled and stroked my cheek, "Then I guess we're on the same page."

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-Rachel