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Several hours later, Nick found himself pushing the shopping cart at the local Wal-Mart. Gavin was seated in the car seat part and was trying to grab things off the aisles. Nick had to keep checking the cart to make sure Gavin hand not put things in that they didn’t need. Nick was still a little distressed from the phone call with his mother. He had not mentioned it to Aaron. He didn’t want to worry the younger blonde.
“Gookies! Daddy gookies” Gavin said reaching for the brightly decorated box of chocolate chip cookies.
“You already picked out a box of cookies baby, you don’t need two boxes.” Nick said trying to reason with him.
Gavin pouted. ”But daddy!”
Nick looked away from Gavin, knowing if he looked at his son he would give in. He didn’t want to do that. He wanted Gavin to learn that he couldn’t have everything he wanted. Yeah right Nick thought as he handed the box of cookies to the baby. Gavin grinned and kissed Nick’s hand.
“Phanks you daddy,”
Nick shook his head, he had to stop letting Gavin get his way. Not in this lifetime. He couldn’t say no to the kid. He didn’t have the heart to tell his son no. Nick turned to look at the cereal and wasn’t aware of what Gavin was doing. He didn’t turn to look until he heard her laugh. Gavin had put cereal in someone else’s cart.
“Hwllo,” Gavin said grinning up at her.
“Hello Gavin, are you feeling better today?” She questioned setting the cereal back on the shelf.
“Yea,” he said softly looking at Nick.
Gavin tugged on Nick’s hand until he turned around. Nick’s heart stopped when he saw her beautiful face again. The face that had slowly started to haunt him in his sleep. He still couldn’t get over her striking good looks and wonderful smile.
Your face
You are the face
“Mys daddy” Gavin said tugging on Nick’s hand.
She laughed lightly and smiled.
“Yes sweetie, I know he’s your daddy. Do you like your daddy?” she questioned him.
Gavin nodded. “Is wobs him,”
Nick smiled and ruffled Gavin’s hair. “I love you too little guy,”
“How are you Mr. Carter?” She asked moving her attention towards him.
“I. I’m good. It’s Nick though. Mr. Carter makes me sound like my father. How bout you? You ok?” he asked her, then cursed himself silently for sounding like an idiot.
She laughed softly, and nodded. He watched the emotions play on her face before she answered.
“I’m ok Nick,” She said smiling to hide her pain.
But that smile you're wearing
Nick caught it though. He was an expert at hiding his pain by now. God only knew how much he had to do it since Amanda’s death. He knew the faces to use to disguise the hurt and pain he felt on the inside. He looked at her concerned for a moment, wondering what had happened to put the pain behind her smile. His attention was broken when he heard Gavin talking.
“Is not hab cooties anymores,” he announced looking at her with proud eyes.
She smiled and looked at Nick with questioning eyes.
“He hasn’t chewed on his fingers anymore since you told him he could get cooties.” Nick said explaining his son.
She nodded and kissed Gavin’s cheek.
“Cooties are bad for you,”
“Hey you busy?” Nick suddenly asked her.
She looked startled for a moment before she answered no.
“Wanna come talk for awhile?” Nick asked her, and then wondered what had gotten into him.
“Yeah, I’d like that a lot” she said following him towards the checkout.
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Holds me over
Your face
It wipes away the rain
Like a hundred summer skies
And every time I talk to you
It's like I'm alright
And every time I talk to you
I get a little closer to light
That heaven shown me
When I needed someone
Someone to love
And stay
You showed me
The quiet kind of love
Behind your face
It's a beautiful disguise
It's just something you put on to hide the
emptiness inside
And you seem so lonely