As I started toward the exit, I heard Jane call after me.  "Hon, it's past 11:30 already, we're never going to make it.  They're probably boarding already."
 
    I turned around with a disappointed look on my face.  She caught this and walked over to give me a hug.  "You can talk to him tonight, Nick isn't in the habit of breaking his promises.  He will call.  Don't worry."
 
    I nodded and we walked out together.  I yawned as we got into the car.  Man, not even noon yet and already I was exhausted.  I made a mental note to take a nap that afternoon, after I had a little fun in the pool with BJ, Leslie, Angel and Aaron.  I'd promised I would take at least one swim with them before I left, and I couldn't go back on my word.  Besides, taking a swim would help ease some of the tension that had built up over the past couple of days.

     "Sam, go long!"
 
    I was playing football in the water with Nick's brother and sisters.  My team was Aaron and Leslie, against BJ and Angel.  So far, they were winning.  To put it mildly, I sucked, and I was pulling my team down.  But Aaron and Leslie were laughing too hard at me to be concerned with losing.  That was a real good thing, because I had a feeling I was going to miss this catch too.
 
    Then again, I could be wrong.  "OOOF!" I slid under the water holding the football, my first catch of the game.
 
    "YEAH!  Nice catch Sam!"  Apparently, Aaron was impressed.
 
    Leslie swam over and gave me a hug as I surfaced.  "Ya, nice catch" she said shyly.
 
    I smiled.  I was glad I had some time to spend with these guys.  It made me wish I had more siblings of my own.
 
    We played for a while longer, but an hour or so, I was so incredibly exhausted that I couldn't hardly stand up anymore.  "Hey guys, I'm sorry, but I've really gotta go take a nap.  Good game though!"
 
    As I ambled to the house, I heard them reorganize themselves for another game.  I yawned again and made my way up to my room.  I passed Jane in the hallway, and she gave me a concerned look.  "Are you feeling ok?"
 
    "Uh huh, just tired."  I yawned yet again.  Jane put her hand on my forehead.  "Normal temp" she murmured to herself.  "Go have yourself a good long nap, I'll make sure none of the kids bother you."
 
    I thanked her and headed into my room.  I pulled back the blanket and found a note on my pillow.  Curiously, I picked it up.  It was from Nick.  I opened it up as quickly as my sleep-deprived body could move, and took out the paper inside.  It read:

        Samantha,
 
            Well, this has only been our first fight and already I want to make
            sure we never have another one.  I'm sorry I upset you.  You
            know how I feel about the situation, and I know how you feel.
            I just hope that you're safe right now and that you're not mad
            anymore.  Let's just agree to disagree on this one, ok?  I don't
            want to fight with you anymore.  I hope you accept my apology.
            I'll talk to you tonight.

            I love you.

        Love always,
                         Nick
 
 
    Wow.  How lucky was I to have a guy like Nick?  Too lucky.  I fell asleep with a smile on my lips, wishing that this time when the phone woke me up, it would be Nick on the other end.
 
    Two hours later, BJ shook me awake.  "Sam, wake up.  It's dinner time."
 
    I groaned and told her I'd be right there.  After I quickly freshened up in the bathroom, I headed down to the kitchen.  Dinner was quiet, which was unusual.  I guess everyone was lost in their thoughts.  Afterwards, everyone went their separate ways, and I headed back up to my room.  I was just about to put my headphones on, when I heard the phone ring.  I dashed out into the hallway in time to hear BJ say, "Nice to hear from you too, Bubble Brain.  Hang on, I'll get her."
 
    She turned around and suppressed a scream.  "Man, you just scared 5 years growth outta me.  It's Nick, he wants to talk to you."
 
    I took a deep breath and picked up the phone.  Before I said anything though, I quietly listened to the nervous breathing on the other end.  Nick was swallowing repeatedly and I could tell he was apprehensive about talking to me.  Finally, I worked up the courage to talk.
 
    "Hey" I said in a voice that was barely audible.
 
    "Sam, is that you?  Baby, I'm so sorry.  Did you get my note?"
 
    "Yeah, I did.  Please don't be sorry, you don't have a reason to be.  It's my fault, I should have listened to you and not blown up like that."
 
    "Hey, let's just forget about it, ok?  Are you alright?"
 
    Exhaling, I said, "I've been better.  I'll be ok as soon as I get to see you again."
 
    He laughed.  We talked for a few more minutes, and then I passed the phone to Jane.  Feeling better, but still exhausted, I decided to turn in early and get a good night's sleep.  Tomorrow would be another busy day.
 
    That night, I had a dream.  I was in Germany with Nick, and we were touring around, taking in all the sights.  Once we got back to our hotel room, he knelt down in front of me and proposed to me, and I said yes.  The day of the wedding was beautiful, and as time went by, I found out that I was pregnant.  And that was the point that my alarm clock decided to go off, signalling the start of the day.
 
    I rolled over and punched the snooze button, but it was no use.  9 minutes later it went off again, and this time Jane came into my room and turned on the lights.  Yawning, she said, "We've gotta get up and at ‘em if we want to make it to the airport on time for your flight."
 
    So the two of us set out getting ready, and 45 minutes later, clutching my suitcase, we were on our way to the airport.  This time I would be flying alone, and I was even more nervous than the first time I had flown, but I was also more prepared.  Jane had bought me some pills that were supposed to help prevent air sickness, so at least that area was covered.  "Goodbye, and thanks so much, for everything."  I hugged her and she held me at arms length.
 
    "You're a sweet girl, you know that?  You've become like a daughter to me.  Thank you for making my son so happy."
 
    I walked up the to the gate, handed the lady my boarding pass, and headed onto the plane.  After I found my seat, I sat down and looked out the window to see if I could spot Jane.  Just before the plane took off, I found her.  She had already found me and she was waving frantically.  I waved back as the plane took off.  I leaned back in my seat and tried to relax.
 
    As luck would have it, I slept for most of the flight which eliminated most of my boredom.  The rest of the time I spent listening to music and watching the featured movie (no, it wasn't Dr. Doolittle again, this time it was Happy Gilmore, which I love.  Ain't nobody like Adam Sandler to help take your mind off things!)  Before I knew it, the pilot was telling everyone to buckle their seatbelts for the landing.  I did so, and sat back and clenched my fists.  Landings were the worst part of the entire trip.  But before I knew it, we had landed and it was time to get off the plane.  I grabbed my carry-on bag, and headed out the door.
 
    At first, I didn't see anyone.  I wandered around for a couple of minutes, worrying that they'd forgotten to pick me up.  But then I spotted good ol' Benson.  I found my way over to him and he greeted me cheerfully.  We got my luggage and went outside to a waiting limo.  When I climbed in, Nick was waiting in the back, holding 2 dozen purple roses.  He kissed me and gave me the flowers.  Exhausted and happy to see him again, I put my head in his lap and let him stroke my hair as I fell asleep.

 Chapter Sixteen
 Email the Author
 Back to the Fan Fiction Page