David wakes Erica with a kiss
Baseballs, Ice Cream and Fireworks: Part 2 of 2
Part 2
Part 2
David pulled away first, already laughing at his boys' impeccable timing. He had a feeling it would only get worse as they got older.
Erica shook her head and let her eyes flutter open, a smile creeping across her face despite the abrupt change in actions.
"Hello boys," David offered, shaking his head and laughing as he took in the sight of his beloved little men. If Erica thought they'd had to much sugar before, she was really going to have his ass when she got a good look at them.
Erica cocked her head and raised an eyebrow in David's direction, amused by the chocolate covered smiles her sons were so proudly flashing her.
David laughed, shrugging indignantly, "Looks like you two enjoyed those ice creams."
Nicholas nodded offering his mommy a wicked smile. Noah followed his brothers lead his own smile wide and chocolate covered.
"Did you get any ice cream in your mouth, baby?" Erica laughed at the sight of Noah's chocolate laced face and t-shirt and jeans.
"Come here buddy, let me hose you down," David laughed, motioning Noah around the table.
"When are the fireworks, mommy?" Nicholas wondered, following Noah around the table.
"Not until it's dark, sweetie." Erica reminded him.
His sweet face twisted into to a pout that was so much like his fathers that she wondered if he was going to end up talking her into starting the fireworks now. "Can I have more ice cream?" He asked, his smile sliding back across his face. His voice was low and sweet like candy, his eyes shining with mischievous delight.
Any doubt that he was his fathers son melted into the deep swell of her heart. She'd never be able to put into words her love for this child, for all of her children. But this one, her little man had a hold on her heart that she often struggled to put into words.
Nicholas "Nick" David Hayward was a surprise they'd received a month before their first anniversary. David liked to believe that he was a gift; bestowed on them by the fates as a reward for beating the odds. She'd never disagree. From the moment he'd come kicking and screaming into their world, Nick was the spitting image of this father; from his jet black hair and deep chocolate brown eyes, down to the lightly bronzed complexion, and his sweet, soft laugh. He was their character; their little comedian; their future politician or lawyer; their little sweetheart who would give you the shirt off his back. He could charm the coldest heart and get even Adam Chandler to coo to him. He was stubborn and opinionated; like them both, only doubled due to his DNA. He was going to be a force to be reckoned with and worse yet, he knew it all.
"More ice ceam," Noah chorused from her left, nodding despite the fact that David was busy sponging chocolate ice cream from his shirt.
David snickered at his sons' relentless pursuit of getting what they wanted. "Nice try, guys," He told him, leaning over to tickle Noah's stomach.
"Daddy," Noah's voice was light and sweet his words melting into the full, deep laughter that was engulfing him.
Noah was their enigma. Their little surprise waiting to be discovered, and he'd been that since he came into the world on hardly a whimper.
They'd named him Noah Michael; Noah meaning peace or rest, which he was meant to be; the completion of their family and their souls, and Michael for his daddy who just happened to share the same middle name. Noah was the smallest of their children, tipping the newborn scale at just over six pounds. Where Nicholas was a mirror of his father, Noah was a perfect blend of both his parents. His eyes were a lighter shade then his brother's and were a soft almond shape that no doubt came from his mother. His hair was a rich shade of brown, perhaps a shade lighter then Erica's. His complexion was an intriguing combination of light and soft in the winter and dark dashing in the summer. By two and half, Nicholas' personality had not only formed, but was always on display. Noah was still unfolding before their eyes. Where Nicholas blazed trails, Noah followed them. Where Nicholas was quick to jump in and make friends, Noah was quiet and hung back, waiting to be asked or invited. He was soft spoken and well mannered, and very much his mother and father's little man. Though, no one would argue that Nicholas was his idol.
Together they were a whirlwind of energy, excitement and sweetness, that brought a little extra happiness to everyday.
"Can we play some more baseball, daddy?" Nicholas asked shifting his eyes to his daddy and his brother who was nodding in agreement.
Bella beat either parent to an answer, her excited babble and bubbly laugh stealing back the attention her brothers had stolen from her. She bounced and flayed her arms, her left hand gripping Mr. Bunny as she waved him in the air.
"You's to little, Bella," Noah laughed shaking his head as he smiled down at his adorable baby sister.
"And you're a girl," Nicholas added, poking at Mr. Bunny, and making Bella cry in distress.
David shook his head through his amused snicker. As much as they'd tease each other and Bella, he knew even now, that neither boy was going to let Bella out of their sight as she got older. He'd be the one with the loaded shotgun waiting for her date to pick her up, and they'd be the one supplying him with bullets.
"Hey," Erica said, shaking her as she leaned forward to poke Nicholas in the stomach, "girls can play baseball too."
Nicholas shook his head, "Not as good as boys," He laughed back.
"I can play just as good as your father," Erica replied, eyes on Nicholas before sliding to her left and onto Noah and David.
David raised an eyebrow at her, a knowing smile tilting his lips, "Since when?"
"There are still some things you don't know about me, doctor," She offered with a wink before turning back to Nicholas, "I think this means we're going to have to have another picnic," She said, and Nicholas nodded vehemently, "We can bring baseball gear and have a contest, see who's better, me or daddy."
"Daddy," Noah laughed, nodding as his mommy turned her eyes on him.
"I think mommy can beat daddy," Nicholas added, "I want to see you play." He told them both.
"Sounds like a date to me," David replied, much to the boys delight, and Bella's who was sure to insert her two cents by blowing a wet laugh into Mr. Bunny's left ear.
"Alright gentlemen," She started, "be here next Sunday at noon, and we'll see who plays a better game."
The boys nodded and Bella babbled to Mr. Bunny, while David and Erica exchanged knowing looks over their children's shoulders.
"Mommy, mommy," Nicholas started, breaking the comfortable silence they'd fallen into, by grabbing at her arm as he caught sight of the happening's deeper into the park, "it's the Magician. He's here."
"I want see," Noah breathed bouncing on his feet.
"Why don't you go get us seat?" David told Nicholas, "We'll pack up and come watch with you."
"I want to sit in the front," Nicholas offered, bouncing on his feet now as he motioned to Noah.
"Stay with Tad, Dixie and Kate, okay?" Erica told them watching them nod, their backs already to her as they bounded away.
"Am I really going to have to wait until next weekend to see your ball handling skills?" David asked as soon as he was sure the boys were out of earshot, his voice low and throaty as he slid toward her.
"If you're a good boy, I might give you a sneak peak tonight," She offered, her smile devious and sexy, her eyes alive an burning as they locked with his.
"I'm always on my best behavior," He murmured, leaning in again, his body sliding up to hers; stopping so that the bare skin on his arms pressed against hers. He blew out a hard breath, knowing it would fall hard against her lips.
She parted hers in response, her own breath sliding out slow and shaky, eyes fluttering as his lips moved in to capture hers.
He'd intended to kiss her breathless, to ease his tongue across her lips and bury it deep in her throat, give her a taste of his own skills.; Bella had different ideas, however.
She tossed Mr. Bunny at her daddy, bouncing the soft material against his stomach. She erupted in laughter and clapped her hands, amused by the way the bunny bounced off her daddy and back into her lap.
David sighed and Erica laughed, lips peeling apart slower this time. "If that's any part of what I have to look for, I'll make myself a halo and do anything you say."
She winked in response, and tightened her arms around Bella, whom she hoisted up to standing, and turned her so that they were face ti face. Mr. Bunny fell to the bench beside them, as her feet balanced on Erica's thighs. "Bella, you heard daddy, he said he'd do anything."
She gurgled happily at her mommy, her hands moving from he sides up to Erica's face. She patted her mommy's nose and mouth, laughing at the light nips Erica placed against her tiny palms.
"She's pleading the fifth," David laughed, watching Bella turn her head at the sound of his voice. "Aren't you pumpkin?"
She bounced and babbled, outstretching her arms to her daddy.
"That's my girl," He laughed, pulling her into his arms.
Erica laughed dreamily, the sight before her a dream come true. How far they'd come in just a few years.
"Mommy," Nicholas sounded from across the park, wanting their presence at the magic show that was about to get under way.
David shook his head, his eyes sweeping over the table, Bella resting her head on his shoulder, "We're a long way from Cavier and Truffles." He noted, laughing at Noah's little voice piercing through the park as he too worked to summon his parents.
"I'm not complaining," She replied, eyes sparkling at the hotdog wrappers, potato chip bags, and juice box containers lining the table.
"Me either," He breathed, the soft rise and fall of Bella's chest under his hand as he patted her back, driving in the realization that this wasn't a dream, but a reality. His reality.
"They're going to go crazy if we don't go over there," Erica laughed, watching her little men bouncing and flaying in a more visual and vibrant attempt to get their mommy and daddy to join them.
"Mmm," He nodded, his eyes catching hers as she leaned across the table to grab Bella's carrier.
The sun finally disappeared behind the last of the houses, painting the sky in final burst of light before the sky went black and the stars took over as hosts for the night. The park lights flipped on around them, and the Magician opened his briefcase to pull out his first trick, the sound of squeals and laughter filling the quiet that came with early evening.
Bella blew sleep bubbles onto his shirt as he stood up tp put her into her carrier. This was a thousand miles from that day, years ago, back before he'd admitted to himself that he loved her, before he'd realized that if he was lucky enough to have her by his side forever he'd never ask for another thing. This was a million miles from the anger and hate he'd spent to much time living in.
Erica tossed him a soft smile as she buckled Bella in, her eyes soft and sparkling with love. Her gaze was safe and warm. Deep and inviting. Comfortable and raw.
He leaned over when she was finished, catching her off guard as he snaked his arms around her waist, and drew her into a kiss.
It was softer this time. Tender and sweet. A thank you of sorts. A pledge of hearts and souls. She'd saved him. And he her. And here they were, bathed in so much love that it made their hearts swell.
It was home.
Fin~
Erica shook her head and let her eyes flutter open, a smile creeping across her face despite the abrupt change in actions.
"Hello boys," David offered, shaking his head and laughing as he took in the sight of his beloved little men. If Erica thought they'd had to much sugar before, she was really going to have his ass when she got a good look at them.
Erica cocked her head and raised an eyebrow in David's direction, amused by the chocolate covered smiles her sons were so proudly flashing her.
David laughed, shrugging indignantly, "Looks like you two enjoyed those ice creams."
Nicholas nodded offering his mommy a wicked smile. Noah followed his brothers lead his own smile wide and chocolate covered.
"Did you get any ice cream in your mouth, baby?" Erica laughed at the sight of Noah's chocolate laced face and t-shirt and jeans.
"Come here buddy, let me hose you down," David laughed, motioning Noah around the table.
"When are the fireworks, mommy?" Nicholas wondered, following Noah around the table.
"Not until it's dark, sweetie." Erica reminded him.
His sweet face twisted into to a pout that was so much like his fathers that she wondered if he was going to end up talking her into starting the fireworks now. "Can I have more ice cream?" He asked, his smile sliding back across his face. His voice was low and sweet like candy, his eyes shining with mischievous delight.
Any doubt that he was his fathers son melted into the deep swell of her heart. She'd never be able to put into words her love for this child, for all of her children. But this one, her little man had a hold on her heart that she often struggled to put into words.
Nicholas "Nick" David Hayward was a surprise they'd received a month before their first anniversary. David liked to believe that he was a gift; bestowed on them by the fates as a reward for beating the odds. She'd never disagree. From the moment he'd come kicking and screaming into their world, Nick was the spitting image of this father; from his jet black hair and deep chocolate brown eyes, down to the lightly bronzed complexion, and his sweet, soft laugh. He was their character; their little comedian; their future politician or lawyer; their little sweetheart who would give you the shirt off his back. He could charm the coldest heart and get even Adam Chandler to coo to him. He was stubborn and opinionated; like them both, only doubled due to his DNA. He was going to be a force to be reckoned with and worse yet, he knew it all.
"More ice ceam," Noah chorused from her left, nodding despite the fact that David was busy sponging chocolate ice cream from his shirt.
David snickered at his sons' relentless pursuit of getting what they wanted. "Nice try, guys," He told him, leaning over to tickle Noah's stomach.
"Daddy," Noah's voice was light and sweet his words melting into the full, deep laughter that was engulfing him.
Noah was their enigma. Their little surprise waiting to be discovered, and he'd been that since he came into the world on hardly a whimper.
They'd named him Noah Michael; Noah meaning peace or rest, which he was meant to be; the completion of their family and their souls, and Michael for his daddy who just happened to share the same middle name. Noah was the smallest of their children, tipping the newborn scale at just over six pounds. Where Nicholas was a mirror of his father, Noah was a perfect blend of both his parents. His eyes were a lighter shade then his brother's and were a soft almond shape that no doubt came from his mother. His hair was a rich shade of brown, perhaps a shade lighter then Erica's. His complexion was an intriguing combination of light and soft in the winter and dark dashing in the summer. By two and half, Nicholas' personality had not only formed, but was always on display. Noah was still unfolding before their eyes. Where Nicholas blazed trails, Noah followed them. Where Nicholas was quick to jump in and make friends, Noah was quiet and hung back, waiting to be asked or invited. He was soft spoken and well mannered, and very much his mother and father's little man. Though, no one would argue that Nicholas was his idol.
Together they were a whirlwind of energy, excitement and sweetness, that brought a little extra happiness to everyday.
"Can we play some more baseball, daddy?" Nicholas asked shifting his eyes to his daddy and his brother who was nodding in agreement.
Bella beat either parent to an answer, her excited babble and bubbly laugh stealing back the attention her brothers had stolen from her. She bounced and flayed her arms, her left hand gripping Mr. Bunny as she waved him in the air.
"You's to little, Bella," Noah laughed shaking his head as he smiled down at his adorable baby sister.
"And you're a girl," Nicholas added, poking at Mr. Bunny, and making Bella cry in distress.
David shook his head through his amused snicker. As much as they'd tease each other and Bella, he knew even now, that neither boy was going to let Bella out of their sight as she got older. He'd be the one with the loaded shotgun waiting for her date to pick her up, and they'd be the one supplying him with bullets.
"Hey," Erica said, shaking her as she leaned forward to poke Nicholas in the stomach, "girls can play baseball too."
Nicholas shook his head, "Not as good as boys," He laughed back.
"I can play just as good as your father," Erica replied, eyes on Nicholas before sliding to her left and onto Noah and David.
David raised an eyebrow at her, a knowing smile tilting his lips, "Since when?"
"There are still some things you don't know about me, doctor," She offered with a wink before turning back to Nicholas, "I think this means we're going to have to have another picnic," She said, and Nicholas nodded vehemently, "We can bring baseball gear and have a contest, see who's better, me or daddy."
"Daddy," Noah laughed, nodding as his mommy turned her eyes on him.
"I think mommy can beat daddy," Nicholas added, "I want to see you play." He told them both.
"Sounds like a date to me," David replied, much to the boys delight, and Bella's who was sure to insert her two cents by blowing a wet laugh into Mr. Bunny's left ear.
"Alright gentlemen," She started, "be here next Sunday at noon, and we'll see who plays a better game."
The boys nodded and Bella babbled to Mr. Bunny, while David and Erica exchanged knowing looks over their children's shoulders.
"Mommy, mommy," Nicholas started, breaking the comfortable silence they'd fallen into, by grabbing at her arm as he caught sight of the happening's deeper into the park, "it's the Magician. He's here."
"I want see," Noah breathed bouncing on his feet.
"Why don't you go get us seat?" David told Nicholas, "We'll pack up and come watch with you."
"I want to sit in the front," Nicholas offered, bouncing on his feet now as he motioned to Noah.
"Stay with Tad, Dixie and Kate, okay?" Erica told them watching them nod, their backs already to her as they bounded away.
"Am I really going to have to wait until next weekend to see your ball handling skills?" David asked as soon as he was sure the boys were out of earshot, his voice low and throaty as he slid toward her.
"If you're a good boy, I might give you a sneak peak tonight," She offered, her smile devious and sexy, her eyes alive an burning as they locked with his.
"I'm always on my best behavior," He murmured, leaning in again, his body sliding up to hers; stopping so that the bare skin on his arms pressed against hers. He blew out a hard breath, knowing it would fall hard against her lips.
She parted hers in response, her own breath sliding out slow and shaky, eyes fluttering as his lips moved in to capture hers.
He'd intended to kiss her breathless, to ease his tongue across her lips and bury it deep in her throat, give her a taste of his own skills.; Bella had different ideas, however.
She tossed Mr. Bunny at her daddy, bouncing the soft material against his stomach. She erupted in laughter and clapped her hands, amused by the way the bunny bounced off her daddy and back into her lap.
David sighed and Erica laughed, lips peeling apart slower this time. "If that's any part of what I have to look for, I'll make myself a halo and do anything you say."
She winked in response, and tightened her arms around Bella, whom she hoisted up to standing, and turned her so that they were face ti face. Mr. Bunny fell to the bench beside them, as her feet balanced on Erica's thighs. "Bella, you heard daddy, he said he'd do anything."
She gurgled happily at her mommy, her hands moving from he sides up to Erica's face. She patted her mommy's nose and mouth, laughing at the light nips Erica placed against her tiny palms.
"She's pleading the fifth," David laughed, watching Bella turn her head at the sound of his voice. "Aren't you pumpkin?"
She bounced and babbled, outstretching her arms to her daddy.
"That's my girl," He laughed, pulling her into his arms.
Erica laughed dreamily, the sight before her a dream come true. How far they'd come in just a few years.
"Mommy," Nicholas sounded from across the park, wanting their presence at the magic show that was about to get under way.
David shook his head, his eyes sweeping over the table, Bella resting her head on his shoulder, "We're a long way from Cavier and Truffles." He noted, laughing at Noah's little voice piercing through the park as he too worked to summon his parents.
"I'm not complaining," She replied, eyes sparkling at the hotdog wrappers, potato chip bags, and juice box containers lining the table.
"Me either," He breathed, the soft rise and fall of Bella's chest under his hand as he patted her back, driving in the realization that this wasn't a dream, but a reality. His reality.
"They're going to go crazy if we don't go over there," Erica laughed, watching her little men bouncing and flaying in a more visual and vibrant attempt to get their mommy and daddy to join them.
"Mmm," He nodded, his eyes catching hers as she leaned across the table to grab Bella's carrier.
The sun finally disappeared behind the last of the houses, painting the sky in final burst of light before the sky went black and the stars took over as hosts for the night. The park lights flipped on around them, and the Magician opened his briefcase to pull out his first trick, the sound of squeals and laughter filling the quiet that came with early evening.
Bella blew sleep bubbles onto his shirt as he stood up tp put her into her carrier. This was a thousand miles from that day, years ago, back before he'd admitted to himself that he loved her, before he'd realized that if he was lucky enough to have her by his side forever he'd never ask for another thing. This was a million miles from the anger and hate he'd spent to much time living in.
Erica tossed him a soft smile as she buckled Bella in, her eyes soft and sparkling with love. Her gaze was safe and warm. Deep and inviting. Comfortable and raw.
He leaned over when she was finished, catching her off guard as he snaked his arms around her waist, and drew her into a kiss.
It was softer this time. Tender and sweet. A thank you of sorts. A pledge of hearts and souls. She'd saved him. And he her. And here they were, bathed in so much love that it made their hearts swell.
It was home.
Fin~
