The Beginning of Us (214 page)

“How’s he doing?” I ask breaking the silence.

“At first he was hesitant. A little emotional and violent but after a few weeks he calmed down and started opening up during sessions.”

I hear his words, but it’s not registering. All I hear is he’s breaking down. I’m trying my hardest not to break down before seeing him. This feels like a nightmare and I just need to wake up. I can’t imagine how he must be feeling.
      
“Ready?” I nod my head. When Doctor Prince opens the door my heart drops. Neil’s on his bed with his legs folded. He’s reading a book and there are pictures of his life on his walls. I look at the pictures and notice that it’s mostly of us. My heart breaks. Tears rush from my eyes and I can’t stop feeling like I failed him.

“Neil?” I softly say.

“I’ll give you two some time alone,” the doctor says before leaving.

“Neil?”

He looks up and smiles. “Hey baby girl.” As soon as those words leave his lips I run to him, jumping on the bed and throwing my arms around his neck. The tears leave my eyes. “Shhh it’s okay. I’m doing better.”

We stay in this embrace for a while. I don’t want to let him go. The whole world stops and it feels as though Neil and I are the only ones here. I never want to leave his side. He needs me and I need to make sure he’ll be alright. “What happened?” I finally ask resting my head against his chest.

“I got addicted to pills after what happened to my ACL then because my dreams of the NBA were gone I got on antidepressants and got addicted. The pain was too much for me and,” he pauses.

How didn’t I notice any of this before? I knew he was acting different, but didn’t think anything of it. “What else?”

“I came here to detox and to um commit myself because well ha I’m gay baby girl.”

I look at him and still see my best friend. Nothing’s ever going to change that. “And you think that’s a bad thing?”

“Yeah,” he softly answers. “My parents know and they don’t want anything to do with me. I’m alone, Karly.”

I place my hands on his face, “You have me and I promise I’ll always be here.”

The next few days go by in a blur. I spend all my time with Neil, listening to him and being with him. We spend our days in the park, sitting on the grass and talking. He tells me how he’s feeling and what he wants to focus on. The therapy sessions are tough to sit through. I hate hearing how he feels as though he’s failed me and everyone else. I’m not sure how many times I tell him he’s not a failure, but to be honest, I don’t think it’s sinking in. Each day we spend together Neil gets worse. His anger escalates, especially during the night. Doctor Prince says it’s normal and expected and the best thing to do is support him.

He’s in a dark place and I hope the rehab center will help him. I’m nervous to leave him, but I scheduled my new few visits to reassure him I’ll be there.

When I land, Nicholas and Emma are waiting for me. I run to my two favorite people, holding them tight and kissing the man of my dreams.

“Welcome home baby.”

“Yay Karly you’re back!”

Nicholas and I kiss again. “I missed you.”

“I missed you too baby. Come on let’s go home.”
Home
I sigh.

When we get home all I want to do is sleep. The flight was too long and all I can think about is Neil. Something feels off and I’m nervous. I think about calling Doctor Prince, but I hold off. I don’t want to smother Neil, he needs space to relax and get himself together.

Tonight’s the gala and I still have to get ready and drop Emma off at Patricia and Dan’s. Slowly I make my way upstairs after giving Nicholas a kiss. I climb into bed and let out a quiet sigh. It’s been only a few days since I’ve been gone, but it seems to be forever. All the stress from Neil slowly leaves my body and exhaustion takes over. I set my alarm for noon and drift to sleep.

By the time I wake up I feel like a whole new person. I stretch my arms over my head and feel my body relax. There’s something around my neck that wasn’t there before. I look down and see a beautiful heart pendant necklace. “Oh my gosh. Nicholas,” I gush. The diamonds shine in my hands as I look at the beautiful necklace around my neck. I have his heart. Looking around the room something seems different.

“Holy shit! Nicholas!” I scream, opening the door and running down the stairs. “Emma, honey come on we have to go!” I run into the kitchen and see Nicholas at the table eating. “Baby! Where’s Emma?”

“My parent’s house.”

“Why? I was gonna take her!”

He looks at me, “I know but I did. You needed sleep.” Nicholas gets up from his chair and walks to me. “The necklace looks beautiful on you baby. Happy Valentine’s Day.”

“Happy Valentine’s Day,” I kiss his lips. “Your surprise is for later tonight.”

“Oh woman don’t tease me or else I’ll take you right here. Right now.”

“Stop,” I push him away. “What time is it anyways?”

“Two.”

“Oh no,” I groan into his chest. “I missed my appointment with Alexis.”

“No you didn’t!” I turn around and see Alexis walking in. Behind her are two other people and another woman bringing in a rack of dresses.

“Nicholas?”

He kisses me and turns me around so my back is against his chest. “Have fun getting ready. I’ll see you at five thirty.” He kisses my cheek, gives Alexis a hug and heads out the door.

“Alright girlfriend let’s get ready!”

* * * * *

My emotions are all over the place. The makeup artists were able to hide the scar on my face and it’s like it never was there. The slim fitting satin, one shoulder dress fits perfectly hugging my curves and making my ass look amazing. Nicholas is going to
die
when he sees me. I decided to leave my hair down but curly. I can’t wait for Nicholas to see me and spend the night with him.

“You look incredible, Karly!” Alexis says, hugging me.

“You do too!” The red mermaid style dress she has on makes her look so good. “Larry’s gonna rip that dress off you!” We both end up laughing so hard we nearly fall. Larry finally admitted his feelings and they’re taking it slow. Her face lights up when she talks about him. There’s love in her eyes and on her face. I’m glad Alexis and Larry are together and want only the best for them.

We take one last look in the mirror before heading down to the foyer to meet our dates for tonight. Taking one step at a time, Nicholas and Larry stand before us with their mouths slightly open. Nicholas stares at my body as I walk down to him. The butterflies in my stomach go crazy, like level ten crazy, when I see the man I love in a black fitted tux.
Wait shit…Love? Do I love Nicholas?

“Close your mouth Nicholas,” I wink. He takes me in his arms and whispers how sexy I look and how he can’t wait to get me out of the dress. I slap his arm and snuggle around his hard chest.
My favorite place
.

“You’re beautiful. So beautiful.”

We get to the party house and when Daniel opens the door for us my mouth drops. The entire building has red and clear lights all over with heart shaped balloons and lanterns of red and white fill the air.

“Whoa! Y’all sure go all out,” I gasp taking it all in.

“Gets better every year,” Larry answers, walking ahead of us with Alexis on his arm.

The gala tonight is for the children’s hospital. All the proceeds are going to the hospital for medical research and funding for families who can’t afford to stay in hotels while their child is getting treatment. It’s an amazing foundation and I’m so excited to be part of this event. Nicholas and I are donating a million dollars tonight along with Larry and Alexis and Patricia and Dan. In my eyes we have everything so giving something back to help others out is in its own benefit.

When we walk in everyone is dressed to impress. The mix of reds and blacks is nice. The ballroom is decorated with pictures of families who are benefiting from tonight’s gala. A few are here tonight to speak and say their thanks. My heart breaks reading some of the stories in the ballroom. The fight is moving. These kids are fighting every day for a tomorrow and are living each day with purpose. They’re not sitting around crying or asking ‘why me,’ they’re living. It warms my heart knowing that we’re helping so many people tonight.

“You okay baby?”

I wipe a tear from my eye, “yeah. It’s so sad though, these kids and their families. I wish we can do more.”

“We probably can look into some volunteer programs. Maybe even include Emma? I’m sure she’ll love it. What do you think?”

I love that Nicholas is asking me about Emma. Lately every decision he makes about Emma includes my opinion. I know I’m her nanny but I feel like I’m more.

“I think it’s a great idea babe,” I reach over and kiss his cheek. “What a great idea.”

Nicholas introduces me to people and the infamous Mr. Edward Peterson.

“What a pleasure to meet you Ms. Erikson.”

He leans in to kiss my cheek and I do the same. “Likewise Mr. Peterson. But please call me Karly.”

“Then you’ll have to call me Ed. Not Eddie. Not Edward. Just Ed,” he says. “I hope you have a wonderful time this evening.”

“You as well, Ed. I’m sure I’ll talk to you soon.”

“I look forward to it. This is a good one Nicholas. Don’t let her go,” he looks over and gives me a wink.

Nicholas takes my hand and loops it through his arm, “I don’t intend to.”

Oh swoon. He’s so sweet.

The rest of the night is nice. We’re at the table with Larry and Alexis listening to the families and Ed welcoming all of us. With tonight’s donations and event we’ve raised over ten million for the hospital. There’s loud applause and people standing and cheering.

Nicholas and I finish our dinner and dance the night away. Our song, ‘Ready to Love Again,’ plays.

“Did you have something to do with this Nicholas?”

“Nope. It’s fate,” he kisses my forehead and then spins me around. I let out a laugh and all of my stress and worries leave.

After a few hours, Daniel takes us home dropping Larry and Alexis off first.

“Call me tomorrow! Let’s grab lunch.”

I give her a hug and let her know I’ll call her and we’ll get together. I rest my head on Nicholas’ shoulder as he draws circles on my thigh. His fingers make their way to my hair, pushing it aside and running his lips over my shoulders.

“You’re amazing,” he breathlessly says against my skin. “I honestly can stay like this forever with you and that’ll be enough.”

“Nicholas,” I whisper, turning my head, meeting his lips with mine. “I can’t imagine being anywhere else except here with you.”

He continues to kiss me leaving me breathless and my body on fire. I love this man and everything he represents. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for him and I know he’ll always be by my side.

I let out soft moans with his lips traveling over my body. “Baby,” he utters, “We need to get home
now.
Tell me what you want me to do when we get home.” I shake my head I hate when he asks me these questions. “Come on baby tell me.”

“I want you to fuck me senseless. I want your mouth everywhere on me. Licking me. Sucking me. Fucking me. I wanna ride your hard cock and feel you come.” My face is inches from his, “I just want you.”

We finally make it home, well sort of. As soon as Nicholas closes the door he picks me up, slamming me against the door.

“I need you tonight baby. I just need you,” he kisses me bringing me to the edge of never returning back to sanity. Soon clothes are flying around the house and we’re both wild and filled with desperation and urgency. I throw my head back giving him better access to my neck and breasts. I want his lips all over.

“Baby,” he says between kisses, “Close your eyes and keep them closed until I tell you otherwise.”

“Okay.”

Nicholas brings me up the stairs and I can’t help but wonder what he has planned. He gently places me on our bed and there’s movement all around me. Without notice my arms are up above my head,
oh shit.
I feel something being tied around my wrists and I hear more movements.

The anticipation is killing me and I can feel the wetness between my thighs. “Nicholas?”

“Hold on baby.”

There’s weight on the bed. Nicholas ties a blindfold around my eyes. I can’t see anything and it’s really killing me because this whole kinky side of Nicholas is new; not that I’m not completely turned on.

Something cold hits my chest, going down to each nipple causing my body to shudder. The feeling is something I’ve never felt before. It thrills me. I let out a moan, saying Nicholas’ name over and over.

“Shhhh baby just feel this.” His mouth goes over my nipple, sucking and teasing as the ice cube goes down around my pussy.

“Oh shit. Oh shit!” His mouth moves to my other nipple treating it the same like he did moments ago. His fingers enter me as his thumb rubs my swollen bud.

“Suck baby. Taste yourself.” I open my mouth as he slides his fingers in. I swirl my tongue around his fingers as he takes his other hand and brings me to the edge. My body explodes with pleasure.