Chapter 26
A few days passed and Nick spent full days in the studio while Hannah bonded with Leighanne and Kristen. That night Nick promised a night off for just the two of them. Busily Hannah and the girls went into town to find a dress for her to wear. Though she had brought numerous ones with her, she wanted one of the local culture. Nearing the end of their shopping Hannah found the perfect dress. Bright red with a floral print. “Well the price is certainly right,” Hannah laughed as she bought the inexpensive treasure.
Back at the hotel Nick was waiting for her in their room. “Hey sweetie,” he kissed her. “Are you ready?”
“No, not yet. Give me 20 minutes to get changed...I’ll meet you in the lobby.”
“The lobby...do I have to...” Nick whined, teasing.
“Yes,” she playfully punched him. “I want to surprise you with my new outfit.”
“Alright, but I want to make if very clear that I don’t want to. I’m doing this for you.”
Hannah smiled, “OK...what are you still doing here?”
Nick kissed her and walked out of the room as Hannah slipped out of her shopping clothes.
* * * *
In the lobby Nick occupied himself with foreign magazines. ‘What in the world does this thing say?’ he questioned as he flipped through the pages. Impatiently sighing he looked at his watch. ‘It’s been 27 minutes.’ Just as he was about to check on Hannah he noticed her walking through the lobby in a stunning red dress. “Wow! You look great baby!”
“Oh really, just a little something I picked up today,” she mockingly turned around as models do.
“Uh that’s more than I little something hon, come on...let’s go.” Nick grabbed her wrist and pulled her out of the hotel. In the front a limo awaited them. Inside were fresh flowers, champagne, appetizers, the whole thing.
“Nick! You didn’t have to go to this much trouble!”
“Oh yes I did, I wanted to make up for all the work I’ve been doing. We haven’t spent much time together.”
“Well this is a business trip, as you would call it. Besides I’ve enjoyed all the time with the girls. But thank you, so much,” she lent over and kissed his cheek popping a strawberry in his mouth.
A half hour later the limo stopped. Nick helped her out of the car, thanked the driver, and took her to their table. There on top of a hill over-looking the ocean he had a table set up with candles, flowers, and a five-course meal.
“Nick, I’m…speechless,” Hannah walked to the table, “this is beautiful. But you didn’t have to do all this.”
“It’s no trouble,” Nick kissed her cheek after holding the chair for her as she seated. “You deserve the best Hannah. And this,” he held his hands up while sitting down across the table, “is this best. Besides I thought we could use a little alone time…I’ve been so busy with work.”
Hannah took her first bite of the grilled swordfish, “Mmmm, it’s delicious,” she licked her lips. “Gosh, I can’t believe how beautiful this place is. It’s going to be hard to go home, but then again…I’m sure we’ll survive,” she flirted.
Nick sunk back in his chair and averted his eyes, “Hannah I...I don’t want you to stay at my house,” he mumbled, barely audible, but she caught it.
“You what?!” she squealed completely astonished.
“Look, honey…I misworded that. I want you to…no I’d love you to stay with me…but you shouldn’t. When we get back to Florida, I think you have to settle things with your mom. You can’t keep putting it off, things will only get worse.”
Her fork clanked as it fell on the plate, “I thought you understood that I need a break from her? That I’m tired of being her little vomit bucket and punching bag. How can you ask me to go back...now?”
Nick perched up on his chair, “Hannah things aren’t going to get any better until you make them. Your mom isn’t going to change…she doesn’t see what’s going on around her. And yes…it’s unfair that you her daughter keep cleaning up her messes, but you’ve got no choice! I’ve been thinking about this a lot Hannah and I think this is what’s best for you and…"
“I decide what’s best for me Nick, not you.”
He leaned forward taking her hand, “I’m not trying to decide for you, but right now your judgment’s just a little clouded. You’re angry. You’re hurt.”
“What’s it to you anyway Nick? It’s not your business…it has nothing to do with you,” she snapped yanking her hand back.
“I know you think my life is just flawless….but believe it or not I went through a falling out with my mother too Hannah. I understand what’s it’s like…but you can’t just forget your family. You have to work things out.”
“Family? HA, she’s an alcoholic! Everyday…every night, what’s she do? Drink…drink…drink!”
“Maybe so but she’s all you have…”
“Nick this subject is over! I’m not discussing it with you,” she ordered.
“Fine!” Nick slunk back in his chair watching her play with the food on her plate. Picking at the fish, twirling the potatoes, pretending to occupy herself. Finally Nick just stood up and headed towards the beach.
Hannah starred down at her plate expecting him to come back, but when she looked up and saw him still walking to the ocean she started after him. “Didn’t anyone every tell you it’s bad manners to just leave the table with out excusing yourself?”
“Oh I didn’t want to disturb you. You looked so busy picking at your food.”
“Oh cut the sarcasm Carter!”
“Really…huh…imagine that. Spoken from the queen!”
Hannah shook her hands and rubbed her forehead, “Look that’s not why I came down here.”
“Then by all means explain yourself. I’m dying to hear.”
“Look damn it, I came to apologize. But keep this up and you can forget it!” Nick put his hands on his hips and motioned for her to continue. “It’s just you don’t know everything Nick. You think you can just come into my life and call the shots? It doesn’t work that way.”
“First of all Hannah I wasn’t calling the shots. And second…”
“Would you let me finish already?” she snapped back. “From the first day I met you, though you probably aren’t doing it purposely, you’ve been trying to control my life. And that’s just not what I need alright? I know you mean well, but I do things on my own…that’s how I am. If that’s a problem for you speak up now before this goes any further.”
Nick walked up to her. With both hands on her shoulders he gazed into her eyes, “I love you Hannah and that includes your need for independence. I wasn’t trying to run your life. But from personal experience I know how these things go and I don’t want what happened between my mother and me to go on with you. Sure it’s easier to avoid the situation, pretend it doesn’t exist, but it’s not worth it. In the long run coping with it now will strengthen your bond. You see how close my mother and I am now.”
“I know. You’re right…but it doesn’t make me feel any better. When it comes to my mother I’ve got this churning feeling in my stomach. If I don’t think about her it goes away.”
“Hannah, that feeling in your stomach is called fear,” he affirmed. “And it’s alright to be scared…perfectly natural. But you don’t have to be. You know I’ll help you through this. I’m not going anywhere.”
Hannah buckled and cried into his chest. “I just don’t want her to hate me.” Nick stroked her neck, assuring her that everything would be fine. “Well I guess this was a waste of a perfect evening,” Hannah wiped her tear-soaked face.
“No way! There’s still plenty of opportunity,” Nick smiled looking at the skyline. “See? The sun’s just about to set.” Hand in hand they gathered desert from the table and ate it swaddled in each other’s arms on the beach. The crystal blue sky changed to vibrant oranges, pinks, reds, and finally to a dark blue.
Chapter 27
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