Nick and Becca stood in the doorway watching Sarah and Howie depart for their cruise. Becca sighed as Nick's arms wrapped around her and he rested his chin on her head.

"What, Bec?"

"Oh, nothing. Just thinking about all they've been through and how lucky we are."

There was no doubt in his mind what she meant. "We are, baby. I’m the luckiest man alive." Turning her in his arms he kissed her deeply, pulling away only when Vanessa walked up behind them.

"Oops, sorry!" she smiled.

"That's all right, 'Ness," Becca said yawning. "Look, I hate to bail out, but I need Nick to get me home. This is the most I've been out since the accident, and I have my checkup in the morning."

"Damn, that's right, I almost forgot. Baby, we shoulda left a long time ago," Nick said.

"No! It was so great seeing Sarah again and just getting out again. Vanessa, it was great to see you again, too. We'll see again you soon, I hope."

"I'd like that. Now you two go on home, I know you have a long drive."

"Tell the guys I'll call them sometime tomorrow. We're supposed to get together and do guy stuff." Grinning, Nick put his arm around Becca's waist for support as he helped her down to the car.

The Interstate was deserted this time of night, so they made excellent time returning to Tampa. Becca never even wakened as Nick carried her into the house and tucked her into bed. Wearily he shed his clothes and crawled in behind her, draping an arm over her side and hugging her close.

****

"Well, good morning!" Dr. Peterson breezed into the exam room at County Memorial Hospital. "You're both looking much better than the last time I saw you," she commented, flipping open Becca's chart. "How are you feeling?"

"Fine," they both answered.

"Actually, I meant Becca," she laughed, "but I'm pleased to see you both looking so well. Let's take a look, shall we?" Pushing aside Becca's hair, she examined the stitches on her forehead and pronounced them ready to remove. A few minutes later and all that remained was a small scar that she assured them would fade in time. "How are you otherwise?"

"It was rough, Doctor." Becca looked away, and Nick grabbed her hand and squeezed it reassuringly. "But I had help. The best." She looked over at Nick and the love in her eyes spoke volumes.

"Good. I'm happy for the both of you, Becca. I need to do a follow up pelvic exam and then we'll get you to x-ray and have a look at that ankle."

"That's my cue to leave," Nick grinned. "I'll be down the hall, baby." Kissing her lightly he strode out the door.

"You're a very fortunate young lady."

"I know. We've talked a lot in the last few weeks. Thanks for everything you did, Dr. Peterson."

She nodded her head. "C'mon, let's get this over with."

****

"Everything looks great, Becca. Looks like all the plumbing is back to normal." When Becca laughed she added a word of caution. "Becca, this could happen again. You need to be very, very careful. If you think there is the slightest problem, I want you to call me."

"I will. What about …" she blushed.

"Any time you're ready. But please –"

"I know. Trust me, we won't make that mistake again."

An hour later they were on their way. Becca had a clean bill of health and a new bandage on her ankle. It was healing nicely and provided she took proper care of herself, she could get it taken off before Christmas.

Nick steered over the bridge across Tampa Bay, the windows open and the winter breeze blowing their hair. Becca turned sideways, content to watch him.

"What?" he smiled, finally noticing how she'd been looking at him.

"Nothing, just looking. And thinking."

"What about?" he asked, resting a hand on her thigh.

"You. Me. Us, I guess."

He felt, rather than saw, the moisture that gathered in her eyes. "Is that a good thought I hope?"

"The best," she sighed. "Take me home, Nick." She scooted as close as her seatbelt would allow. Leaning close, she traced the rim of his ear with her fingernail. "I need you Nick, I want to make love with you. It's been too long."

"Is it –"

"Perfectly all right. I asked."

Nick floored the Durango and they were home in record time.

As Nick kicked the front door closed, the phone was ringing. Becca reached for it, but he stopped her with a hand over hers. "Let it ring."

"Nick, it might be-"

"Bec, please?" He was close to begging. Since that early morning on the sofa, they'd refrained from anything remotely close to lovemaking. At first at had been out of concern for Becca, but it had evolved into a contest of wills that was about to end in a draw.

The phone rang incessantly and Becca couldn't stand it. "Hello?"

"Hang it up, " Nick whispered.

"Brian! Where were you? We tried calling all morning, but there was no answer at your place OR Sonja's." Silence. "Ohhhh …" she began to giggle. "Well, go YOU!"

"Brian, let my girl hang up and maybe I can get some, too." Nick yelled at the phone.

"Yes, I know. No, that's ok, he's *my* pig." She laughed into the phone as Nick picked her up and tossed her over his shoulder.

"Say goodbye, Rok," Nick shouted.

"G'bye Rok!" Becca squealed, pushing the off button and dropping the phone on the stairs.

Nick set Becca on her feet beside the bed, holding her arms to help her balance. She looked away shyly, but he tipped her face up to his and pressed his lips to her mouth. Becca wrapped her arms around his neck, stretching on her tiptoes, her bad ankle raised off the floor. They kissed for the longest time, god it had been so long.

Becca broke away and looked into Nick's eyes. Brushing the locks of hair off his forehead, she smiled sweetly. "I've missed this."

"I know, baby. I just didn't want to put any more pressure on you than was already there."

"God, I love you Nick." She kissed him again, fighting the emotions that threatened to overwhelm her.

They undressed each other slowly, the afternoon sunlight reflecting off their bodies through the open windows. They both stood completely nude, simply looking their fill. Taking Nick's hand, Becca sat on the bed and scooted to the middle, pulling him with her. Side by side they lay, touching softly, whispering words of love and simply being together.

Inch by inch they explored, finding new pleasure points and exploring old ones as well. Becca sighed as Nick pushed her onto her back and trailed kisses from her mouth to her feet. He'd pause to worship a sensitive spot as she squirmed beneath him and the time simply fled as day began to turn into evening. They'd never had the time or freedom to be this way in their entire relationship. For once, there was no deadline, no trauma, no rush, just all the time in the world to be themselves.

Their touch became fevered as they built each other to the point of no return. Rising above her, Nick asked the question with his eyes. Becca nodded her assent and he reached past her into the nightstand. He was fumbling with the wrapper when Becca smiled indulgently and took it from him.

"Let me," she whispered. She rolled the condom onto him and pulled him back into her embrace. No words were needed as their bodies joined. Slowly, perfectly, they made love. Nick wove his fingers through hers, stretching her hands above her head as he rose above her body. Slowly he rocked against her, sending tremors along her skin as he sucked at the pulse point on her throat.

"Nick-" Becca whimpered as she felt her body tighten in response.

"Stay with me, Bec," he whispered.

She moaned, closing her eyes.

"No, baby, open your eyes."

Becca whimpered.

" Come on, sweetheart, I wanta see your eyes," he said softly. "I love the look in your eyes right before you come. The way they darken just as you fall over the edge. Show me, Bec?"

"Nick please …"

"That's it." He pushed just a little faster, a little deeper. "Come on, baby. No, open your eyes, yeah, like that." He pressed on, watching her eyes and knowing she was right there, right on the edge. "Do it baby, let it happen," he coaxed.

"God, Nicky-" The feeling left her toes first and the numbness traveled all the way up her legs until every bit of sensation that remained was centered where their bodies joined. And then she shattered.

He held on until her spasms began to quiet and with her name on his lips he let himself follow her over the precipice. They lay still joined as sleep claimed them, the cool winter air raising bumps on their naked skin. Deep in the night he pulled up the covers and they slept on through the night, wrapped in each other's love.