Nikki was hastily clicking away on her lap top at the table on the balcony.  Letting out a frustrated sigh she laid her head on the table.  She felt fall on her back.  Lifting her head she saw Howie standing there.
    "What are you working on?"
    "An essay for my English class.  I'm supposed to E mail it to my professor by tomorrow.  It's stressing me out."  Howie massaged her shoulders.  "Mmmm that feels good," she murmured.
    "You're so tight.  Honey you need to take a break," Howie said gently.
    "I can't I need to finish this," Nikki whined.
    Howie put the top down on her lap top.  "It'll be there when you come back.  Come on, there's a coffee shop just down the street from here.  Lets go grab a bite to eat.  It'll do you some good."
    Nikki hesitated for a moment.  "All right, but we can't be out long."
    "Thirty minutes I promise," he said as he held out his hand to her.
    Nikki took his hand and the two of the walked to the elevator and went down the lobby.  With a bodyguard following a short distance behind, they walked down to the coffee shop and took a seat at a booth.  The waitress came by and handed them a menu.
    "What do you want?" Howie asked as he skimmed through his menu.
    "I don't know.  I'm not really all that hungry," she said as she studied the menu pages.
    "Well, have something light," Howie suggested.
    "All right," Nikki said.
    Howie motioned to the waitress.  "I'll have an apple cinnamon bagel.  Light on the cream cheese and a water."
    "And I'll have a blue berry bagel with extra cream cheese.  With a small orange juice."
    The waitress wrote down their order leaving the two alone at the table.  Howie reached across the table and placed his hand on top of hers.  Nikki smiled at him from across the table.  The waitress came back with their drinks and bagels.
    "So how was the concert?" Nikki asked as she spread the cream cheese on her bagel.
    "It went really well.  Not bad for our last show in Chicago.  We didn't make too many mistakes this time."
    "That's good.  I'm sorry I didn't go.  I just needed to work on the paper.  I had put it off for too long."
    "Don't worry about it sweetie.  I understand.  What is your paper about anyway?"  Howie asked as he took a bite off his bagel.
    "It's a personal narrative.  I'm supposed to write about something in my life.  Not as easy as it sounds."
    "What did you end up writing about?"
    "My parents' death," she said in a sad tone then looked down at the table.  A single tear fell down her cheek and puddled onto the table.  Howie moved out of his seat and sat down next to her.  He put his arms around her waist and hugged her tightly.  Nikki buried her face in Howie's shoulder.  "I miss them so much," she said softly.
    Howie kissed the top of her head.  "I know you do sweetie.  I know," he said gently.
    "Why did the plane have to crash?  Why?"  Nikki sobbed.
    Howie gently rocked her back and forth.  "No one could stop the plane.  There was nothing that could be done.  They're in a better place now."
    Nikki let go of Howie and wiped the tears off her face.  "I'm sorry.  That wasn't very mature of me," she said as she smoothed out her hair.
    "Don't worry about it.  I know how hard it is.  There is a day go by that I don't think of my sister.  You just have to remember that everyday gets a little easier."
    "But it's been over 3 years Howie.  Shouldn't I gotten over this by now?"
    Howie shook his head.  "You'll always feel empty in your heart.  You just have to keep your head help up high."
    Nikki nodded in agreement.  "You're right."
    "Do you want to take our food back to the hotel and watch a movie?"
    "Yeah, that would be nice."
    "Good, lets go back."  They went back to the hotel and headed back to their room.  "I'm gonna take a shower.  When I'm done I'll order a movie."
    "Okay, I'll do a quick spell check on my paper and send it to my professor while you're in the shower."
    "All right," Howie said then walked into the bathroom.  When he finished his shower he came out wearing blue and red plaid Tommy PJ pants.  Nikki was already in the bed wearing her PJs as well.  Her purple tank top had Pooh and Eeyore on the top and said "Friends are meant to love one another."  Her shorts were purple plaid with Pooh and Eeyore on the bottom of each leg.  She had her hair pulled up in a pony tail and hugging a stuffed Pooh Bear.  Howie smiled at how cute she looked.  "Nice PJs," he said as he sat down next to her.
    Nikki laid her head on his shoulder.  "Thanks."
    "Did you order a movie?" he asked.
    Nikki nodded.  "I ordered American Pie.  I hope that's okay."
    "Yeah, that's fine.  I heard it was really good from AJ and Nick."
    "Good," Nikki said as she grabbed the remote and clicked on the TV.  The two of them watched the movie, laughing at all the funny parts.  When the movie was over Nikki let out a yawn.  "I'm tired.  I think I'm gonna go to sleep now."
    "Good night sweet heart," Howie said then kissed her.
    "Good night," Nikki replied and turned off the lamp.  She laid her head on his chest and closed her eyes.
    "I love you," Howie whispered.
    "I love you too," Nikki responded then fell asleep.