Watching TV... curled up together on the couch..... talking.... kissing... nibbling at bits of food..neither of them had much of an appetite......
Not very exciting for some people but for them it was all they wanted...
the togetherness!
The other guys left them alone realising that need!
Nick had planned dinner that evening ..... an expensive restaurant..at a secluded ,private table!
Half of him wanted to make it harder for her to leave... but mainly he just wanted her to see what he was capable of .....how romantic he could be.
He didn't have to try .....Heather already knew her man.
He didn't need to impress her but the thrill of watching him do so made her feel so warm inside.
That night they slept little..
How could they sleep!....that would bring tomorrow too quickly ......
Somehow staying awake delayed it all.
So they just laid in one anothers' arms....whispering 'sweet somethings'
Nick played with the ring on her finger ''Where shall we go for our honeymoon?''
''What if we don't have time to get married ..you're so busy touring?''
''Trust me nothing is gonna stop us getting married...I'll make time....where shall we go...somewhere hot.. isolated and romantic?''
''That sounds wonderful......know you of such a place my hero''
Nick smiled.. ''I sure do..you leave it all to me''
''I can't leave everything to you .....!''
''You're not... you're in charge of being beautiful and saying 'I do'' without a moments hesitation!''
Heather smiled and snuggled close to him loving the feel of his arms tightening around her
She wasn't even very tired ....the thought of spending the night gazing into Nicks' eyes kept her wide awake.
They made love slowly and gently.....making it last for hours....until for the last two hours before the dreaded alarm call... they did finally sleep.
Heathers' flight was at 11am...
They woke .......showered and dressed separatley...
Nick then followed Heather to her own room to help her packup the last few things and take them down to the lobby.
He tried to chatter about 'anything' but the words stuck in his throat.
When their eyes made contact they simply smiled.
In his best 'listen to me I'm being serious now' voice he went through the list of tour dates, hotels and phone numbers so that she knew where to reach him,and checked five times that he had her new cell phone number.
She listened carefully watching his expression ....throwing in a teasing
''Yes Nick'' every other instruction......she loved him when he was being serious and authoritative!
Down in the foyer the rest of the guys were gathered as Nick and Heather stepped out of the elevator.
Brian picked up one of her bags....pretending it was too heavy...making her giggle a little...."Mind if we join you at the airport"
Nick looked away......
Heather smiled at them
''Are you my 'send off' party?''
AJ grinned ''You got it.....besides Nick will need looking after when you go''
Nick half smiled knowing how true that was.
The trip to the airport was taken in silence...Nick and Heather held hands tightly not once looking at each other.....seemingly prefering to gaze out of opposite windows at the passing street life!
Brian watched closely ........worrying about his best friend...Nick couldn't meet his eyes either.
When all her luggage was checked in ...they were shown into the V.I.P. lounge.
AJ whistled loudly '' WOW ...National Geographic sure looks after you well''
Heather smiled ''Yeah the flight is great.... the accomodation at the other end is a mud hut!''
Brian laughed ''Oh you mean one of those turn of the century huts in early permanent temporary! ''
''Yep they're the ones!''
Brian looked at Nick trying to make him laugh..but he just plunged his hands into his pockets and stared at the ground...
Heather threw her jacket on the plush sofa and sighed. She hated today!
The guys drifted to the other side of the room..leaving Nick and Heather to say goodbye in private.
Heather couldn't bear to see him so down....despite being just as low she slowly reached out and took hold of his jacket pulling him close..Unable to stop himself Nick looked into her eyes..... ''Come here gorgeous''
Nick obeyed ..his arms curling around her... holding her so tight ...this was it .....moment of truth... his mind turning over every cliche in the book anything to avoid the real here and now!
He was struggling and losing almost as fast as Heather was losing...
The effort of keeping their emotions buried below the surface becoming more difficult with each passing second!
Their grip on each other tightened.... They couldn't speak.
Heather knew that if she were to try to make small talk even to distract her self from the pain she'd break down, and Nick was fairing little better.
They contented themselves with simply cuddling.
Their faces were so close together.....they knew they would be kissing in a matter of seconds ...and if they kissed... all their resolve to not break down would dissappear.....
It couldn't be helped!
Their lips sought out each others almost by remote control..... so deep was this love!
The kiss quickly became intense and passionate.....their bodies pressed tightly together.... fingers entwined in each others hair.. the V.I.P lounge was empty but it wouldn't have mattered if it had been packed to capacity....
Several minutes later they both broke from the kiss and squeezed each other..... Nick fought back his tears.
Everything he'd ever said about letting her fulfill this dream seemed like lies ....he knew what he wanted. ''Don't go.. please.........I need you with me''
He took her face in his hands and looked deep into her eyes....they were full of tears
''Don't Nick this is hard enough....I don't want to leave you...''
''Then don't!......don't baby..... stay with me''
Heather threw her arms around his neck and held on for dear life.
Nick could hear her muffled sobs as she buried her face in his skin...... he could feel the warm trickle as they flowed down his neck.
He whispered softly his voice husky with emotion.....''I love you so much ......this is killing me''
Heather released her hold on him and wiped her tears away ....a futile gesture as fresh ones simply replaced them
''I'll be back before we know it...I'll call you every day''
''Is that all?''
''Ok.... every hour!''
''Better!.......and I'll call you every hour in between that!''
Heather giggled
Nicks face turned serious for a moment ''I have a confession to make!''
Nick lifted her face with his fingers gently coaxing her to look into his eyes as always their blueness stunned her......the love in them oozed into her brain....making her wish she'd never even heard of photography!
''That first night in my room....I uhm...fixed the door''
''Fixed the door?''
''Yeah so if ...you ..tried to leave it would be stuck''
Nick hung his head shamefully..hoping she wouldn't get mad.
When she didn't speak he risked a quick look to see her expression.
Her eyes were soft and her lips broke into a lovely smile. ''You didn't need to trap me in your room baby...I wasn't planning on leaving''
Nick was mesmerised by her ..he loved the way she gazed up at him.
''You are so pretty...so perfect...''his fingers stroked her cheek
she closed her eyes and bit her lip trying to stem the flow of more tears...surely she was all cried out by now.
''Every time I close my eyes this is what I'll see...''
he ran his hand slowly and tenderly over her face ''My angel.....you know I won't sleep for all the time you're gone....not with out you in bed with me....it just won't be the same''
Heather smiled through her tears ''You won't be in that bed much longer..you leave for Europe tomorrow''
''It doesn't matter where it is ....I need to be able to reach out and touch you''
A figure appeared at their side and coughed politely.
''May I take your flight bag Miss Reeves..... we are boarding now''
Their hearts missed a beat....the knot in Nicks belly tightened...
He tried to smile...but it wouldn't happen
They kissed again .... briefly
Nicks breathing rapid and laboured trying to control his rising panic.
He rested his forehead against hers his hands gripping her arms..hers hands on his chest
''I love you baby...''
''I love you too..''
Brian moved closer to them...
''It's time you guys''
Nick pulled her close again for one last cuddle....and released her slowly....
their eyes met...Heather opened her mouth to whisper bye bye ...
but Nick pressed his finger to them..
''Don't...say it......please''
Heather stroked his cheek...and slowly followed the attendant towards the passage way
Nicks' eyes followed her she walked slowly backwards not wanting to turn her back on him...
The guys waved and smiled reassuring smiles as if to say 'Don't worry we'll look after him.'
She waved back and fixed her gaze on Nick
He moved so he was stood at the passage entrance..his 'brothers' gathered behind him....
For the last time his eyes drank her in...his vision began to blur as the tears he'd held back broke through
Heather also took a last lingering look this wonderful man before she turned and dissappeared from his sight.
Nicks' belly lurched and he made a sudden move into the tunnel but four pairs of hands grabbed at him..he tried to shake them free as they egded him back to the wall.
he pushed them off and slid down the wall crouching down his elbows on his knees.... head in his hands.
On the plane Heather sat in her seat and gazed out of the window towards the departure lounge buildings..wishing there was a window she could see him through.
Tears stained her cheeks.....the hostess offered her some tissues which she accepted with a smile
''Would you like a coffee?''
''That would be nice..how long before we leave?''
''Two minutes''
''Thank you''
Heather looked out of the window again and whispered ....''Nick''
Inside the V.I.P lounge Nick had been pulled to his feet by Kevin..
''C'mon...you love sick fool...lets go eat''
''No ...I have to see the plane leave..I won't believe it until it's gone''
''Why do that to yourself...you'll only get upset again''
''I don't care...I wanna see the goddamn plane leave ok!.... I mean is that ok with everyone?!.....cos if it puts you out then fucking leave me here!''
''Nick calm down ...we're with you buddy ....with you all the way'' Kevin touched his arm
''Whenever you're ready Nick''
An announcement came over the PA system telling them which
plane was about to taxi out for take off...it was Heathers'
Nick rushed to the window ......pressing both hands to the glass.....there was only one plane to see..
Nick followed it's journey along the runway..
He whispered her name ''Heather'' never taking his eyes off the plane until it was an airborne doton the horizon.
He then walked calmly into the V.I.P bathroom and threw up.