Nikki was in the kitchen washing dishes the night after the Orlando concert. When she finished she found Howie laying down on the couch with his eyes closed. She smiled and kneeled down in front of him. Nikki lightly kissed him on the cheek. Howie opened his eyes and looked up at Nikki.

"Honey if you're tired why don't you go on home?"

"I don't wanna go home. I wanna stay here with you."

Nikki snickered. "Howie you're falling asleep. I think you should go home and rest up for tomorrow's show."

"Can't I stay here?"

"If you want. It doesn't matter to me, but if you stay here you're going to sleep. You're tired."

"I love it when you're bossy."

Nikki hid her grin and grabbed Howie's hand. "Come on. Time for bed."

Howie followed Nikki into her bedroom. He took off his shirt and pants while Nikki changed into a pair of shorts and a tank top. She slid into bed with Howie and settled herself into his arms. Howie kissed her on the top of her head.

"This is nice," he said.

Nikki smiled and turned around, facing him. "Howie we've been sleeping in the same bed together for months. How is this any different?"

"It's different because this is more like home. We're not in some strange hotel room."

"True," Nikki said as she laid her head on his chest.

Howie played with a few strands of her silky brown hair and sighed. "Man I gotta get up early in the morning since I'm staying here."

"Why?"

"Because I don't have any clothes here. I'll have to leave here in the morning and go home to get showered and changed."

"Why don't you just leave some clothes here so you won't have to do that anymore," Nikki said.

Howie smiled. "I have a better idea."

"What's that?"

"I've been thinking about this a while. What do you think about us living together?"

"You mean like us living together in the same place?"

"Yeah, what do you think?"

"Well, we practically do that anyway don't we?"

"Yeah but I think we should make this official. Go to the next level of our relationship. I think we're ready."

"Won't you miss living with your family?"

"Yeah a little but it's not like I'm moving to another country. I can still see them. Besides I think my mom would like to see me get out on my own."

Nikki thought a moment and smiled. "If you're ready to do this, so am I."

Howie smiled and kissed her. "I'm ready. I'll start bringing my stuff in tomorrow night."

"Okay," Nikki said with a yawn. "Baby I'm tired. I've gotta get up and take my finals in the morning."

"Okay, good night sweetie," Howie said.

Nikki sat up and kissed him. "Night," she said then turned off the lamp.