Chapter 22

Nick woke up right before the sun rose the next morning. He realized he hadn't slept so soundly in such a long time. Jordyn was curled up next to him, one of his arms was wrapped around her still. His chin lightly rested at the top of her head. She was still asleep when he opened his eyes.

He could tell it was close to sun rise as the room was slowly starting to get lighter and lighter. Nick also realized that he really liked having her near him. He'd gone for so long without sleeping next to someone that it was a weird feeling now, not really a bad weird feeling but just the same, it was different.

Nick stretched his tired muscles the best he could without trying to move too much that would wake her up. In fact, he wanted her to stay asleep for as long as possible just so he could watch her sleep. She looked so at peace and so comfortable. He smiled to himself and kissed the top of her head gently.

It was at least fifteen minutes before the room was so bright that Jordyn finally woke up. She stretched, almost cat-like with her back arched in an almost painful position. She rolled over onto her back and looked over, smiling softly, "I was so comfortable I almost forgot you were there.."

Nick chuckled, "Glad to know I'm loved..."

Jordyn sat up and leaned over to kiss him, "You know you are...did you sleep okay? I didn't cramp you, did I? I have a tendency to hog the bed.."

"No, you were fine, I think you slept up against me the entire time....and I slept great, thank you.."

"Did you, really?"

He nodded, "Yeah...I haven't slept that good in a long time.." "Well good, I'm glad you did then...you want something to eat?"

Nick swung his legs over the side of the bed and reached for his pants, then stood up to pull them up and over his boxers. "Actually, I've got to get to my mom's and pick up Brayden..."

"Ohh, okay..."

"You want to come with me? We can all go get something after that...plus, you have yet to meet my mom..."

"My luck she'll probably hate me..."

"No she won't....Brayden talks about you all the time....and so do I."

Jordyn smiled, "Really??"

Nick looked down as he buttoned his shirt, "Yea....c'mon, I know she wants to meet you..."

"Are you sure?"

"Sure...and we can take Brayden to a park or something and let him run around and get all that energy out of him..."

"Oh...okay....that sounds like fun..."

Nick smiled, "Great!"

Jordyn showered and dressed in a pair of capri's and a tank top and dug through her closet for a pair of sandals to wear while Nick showered. He put on his dress pants and his wife beater and said they would have to stop by his place on the way so he could change.


Jordyn was grew more and more nervous as they reached closer and closer to the Carter homestead. Nick could tell as well as she kept wringing her hands together. Finally, it was so distracting that he reached over and grabbed one of her hands, "It's okay Jord."

She looked over at him, her eyes wide, "What if she hates me? She's not gonna want some woman in her son's life after what Brayden's mother did!"

"You're not just some woman Jordyn. She's heard so much about you from Brayden and from me....she'll be so excited to finally meet you. It's not like she's gonna totally hate you. Plus, she's been pushing me just as hard as the guys to start dating again."

Jordyn smiled, "She has?"

"Yea.."

"What about the rest of your family? Will they be there?"

"Doubt it. Aaron's out in L.A., and the girls are in New York for the week doing some major shopping while my dad tags along with them..."

Jordyn laughed, "Your dad was forced to tag along with three girls in New York?? Wow...I feel sorry for him."

"Me too.," Nick said with a laugh.

The car rolled into a long, windy driveway and Jordyn's breath caught in her throat. This was it. She was going to meet Nick's mom for the first time.


Jordyn kind of lagged behind Nick as they walked up the front walkway. She suddenly wondered if she looked okay. Then a thought occured to her, 'Damnit...I should have worn something else besides this...she's going to think I'm some sort of ho or something..'

Nick noticed the look on her face and stopped, almost causing her to run into his back. "Would you calm down? It's okay Jordyn...," He said placing his hands on her shoulders.

"I'm sorry....but this...this is making me nervous...."

"Well...quit it."

She smiled, "It's not that easy."

"Well..it can be. C'mon."

She took his outstretched hand and Nick turned to walk up to the front door. Her breath caught in her throat when he rang the doorbell and it seemed an eternity before the door actually opened. And when it did, her heart was beating so hard she was sure Nick would hear it or that it would beat so hard it would beat out of her chest. Nick leaned down and kissed her lips quickly before uttering a, "It'll be okay".

The door opened to reveal a average height woman with wavy blonde hair. She smiled, her eyes crinkling a bit, "Hey there!"

As soon as she said something, Jordyn felt the tension leave her body. Nick embraced her tightly, "Hey mom...where's the kid?"

"Running around the backyard, I think."

Nick smiled and slid his arm around Jordyn's waist, "Mom, this is Jordyn..."

Jane looked at Jordyn and smiled warmly, outstretching her hand towards her, "Jordyn, it's so nice to finally meet you. I've heard alot about you from my grandson and from Nick here."

Jordyn smiled shyly as she shook the woman's hand, "It's nice to meet you too Mrs. Carter....I hope all you've heard has been nice things."

Jane laughed, "Believe me, it's been all good. And please, call me Jane....the whole 'misses' thing makes me feel so old...come on in you two."

They followed Jane into the house, Nick shutting the door behind them. He smiled down at Jordyn, "See? I told you it wouldn't be bad."

Jordyn smiled, relieved that his mom seemed to like her and nodded, "I know I know, you told me so...you were right."

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