*~The Dream Of A Lifetime~*

“You can put me down now, Nicky,” Valondra said as Nickolas walked upstairs. “I think I scared them.” Nickolas didn’t say anything as he walked down the hall to his bedroom. He walked into the room and kicked the door shut. “I ain’t going to go after them. I promise.” He walked over to the bed and dropped his fiancée on it. “Are you mad at me?”

“No,’” Nickolas said. “I just think what you did was very stupid. You’re always bitching at me about my anger.”

“I’m sorry.” She sat up. “You know how I feel about her.”

“But it didn’t give you the right to do what you did.”

“You’re taking her side.”

“No; just stating a fact.” He sat beside her. “Did she lie when she said about you taking too many painkillers?”

“Damn it, Nick.” She got up off the bed. “We’re not starting the whole painkiller thing again.”

“Why can’t you answer yes or no?”

“Yes I sometimes take more than I should, but I’m not addicted. The pain gets to me.”

“Then let me pay for your surgery.”

“No. Not so it can get out and people accuse me of just wanting your money. Everyone knows you’re worth more than me.”

“Who’s going to think that?”

“Let me think…”

“My mom doesn’t think that.”

“She just hates me for some reason.”

“She doesn’t hate you. How many times do I need to tell you that?”

“Whatever.” He got off the bed and walked over to her.

“All that matters is that I like you.”

“Just like?”

“I love you.”

“That’s better.” They kissed. “I still want to know why your mom doesn’t like me.”

“Does it matter?”

“Yeah.”

“Then I want to know why you didn’t tell me JC’s in love with you?”

“Because I didn’t think it was that important. All that matters is that he explained everything to me.”

“And I didn’t have a right to know.”

“Nock, forget about it.”

“Why? Are you in love with him?”

“No. How can you ask something like that?”

“I’m sorry. I was just wondering.”

“Well you shouldn’t have. You’re the only person I’m in love with.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. Should I sky write it for ya?”

“No. Are you still a virgin?”

“Yes. Are you?”

“Of course. I’m waiting for you.” He kissed her. “Are you addicted to painkillers?”

“No. You’re such a dick. You can finish this party by yourself, because I’m staying up here.” She walked into the bathroom and slammed the door shut.

“Loni, I’m sorry, Princess.”

“Leave me alone.”

“Please come back downstairs with me.”

“Don’t even talk to me.”

“Fine, Miss Priss, I won’t. When this party’s over I’m coming back up and having my way with you.”

“I can’t wait.”

“Good. I’ll be back up before you can scream my name ten times.”

“You’re disgusting. Leave me alone.”

“Whatever, Princess.” He smiled and walked out of the room. He went downstairs and noticed everyone was still there. He spied Alexander and Charisma and walked over to them. “Hey, guys.”

“Hey,” Alexander said.

“Sorry about what happened.”

“Don’t be. You didn’t invite them. Where’s Lon?”

“Upstairs. She’s mad so she won’t come back down.”

“She really flipped out,” Charisma stated. “I thought for sure Lon was going to kill her.”

“I’m just glad she didn’t.”

“Hopefully it’s the last we see of Bridgett and Farah,” Alexander said.

“I sure the hell won’t care. The evening was ruined for Loni and I feel bad.”

“It’s not your fault,” Kevin said from behind. “But it proves how much that girl upstairs loves you.”

“She definitely loves me.”

“Yeah,” Alexander agreed. “She’s willing to care for you.”

“I just wish I never got involved with Bridgett. I thought that when she was put away it was the last I’d see of her. Then she had to get out, come back, and make Loni D’s life hell.”

“It can’t be that bad,” Charisma said. “You guys are getting married.”

“Unless Bridgett screws it up.”

“If you love Valondra,” Kevin began, “you won’t let Bridgett or anyone screw up what you and Lon share.”

“I love Loni very much. It’s just that ever since Bridgett came back…”

“Do not tell me you’re developing feelings for her again,” Alexander begged.

“Fuck no! It’s just that Loni and I have been having problems since the whole Bridgett kissing me issue.”

“I thought she was over that?” Charisma asked and Nickolas shrugged.

“She doesn’t like talking about it, but I can tell it still bothers her.”

“How?” Kevin asked and Nickolas only looked at him. “Oh.”

“Ya lost me,” Charisma said. “How do ya know?”

“Loni doesn’t let me touch her the way I use to, ya know,” Nickolas replied.

“Trouble in the intimacy department,” Alexander said. “Sucks to be you.”

“I think she still believes I cheated on her with Bridgett and it never happened. I tell her that over and over.” “Why would she think that?” Charisma asked. “She loves you.”

“Would you be cool if you saw Alex with his ex the way Loni saw me?”

“Well…no.”

“Hey, Nick,” Brian interrupted. “We’re heading out.”

“Alright,” Nickolas said. “See ya later.”

“Later guys,” Rachel said and she and Brian walked away.

“I guess it is getting late,” Kevin said. “I should find Alyssa and get out of here.”

“Same with us,” Alexander said. “Ready, Babe?”

“If you are,” Charisma said.

“See ya tomorrow,” Nickolas said and they all walked away.

Nickolas walked into his bedroom a half hour later, but didn’t see Valondra. He walked over to the bathroom and looked in, but she wasn’t there either. He walked through the bathroom and opened the other door. He looked into the other room and there he saw his fiancée asleep on the bed, still in her costume. He smiled and walked over to her. He kissed her forehead and went to take the picture from her grasp. She moved slightly and opened her eyes to see him.

“I’m sorry,” Nickolas apologized sitting on the bed next to her and putting the picture back on the stand. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“That’s alright,” Valondra said yawning. “I’m glad you did.”

“Why’s that?”

“I didn’t get a goodnight’s kiss.”

“Doesn’t that just suck?”

“Yeah.”

“Do you want one?”

“Please.”

“What for?”

“You’re a jerk.” She went to get off the bed and Nickolas grabbed her waist, throwing her on the bed. He got on top of her and she just looked at him.

“Didn’t I tell you I was going to have my way with you when I came back?”

“You just wish you were.”

“Oh I am. Trust me.” He gave a slick smile and kissed her. “I love you.”

“I know and I love you.”

“Good. Let’s go to Vegas.”

“What?”

“I’m serious. Let’s get married tonight.”

“I don’t think so.”

“Why not?”

“The only reason you want to get married so soon is because you want sex. You know that’s the only way you’ll get it from me.”

“That’s not why I want to get married so soon.”

“Whatever.” She pushed him off her and got up.

“Princess.”

“Don’t ‘Princess’ me, Carter. She looked at him. “I’m not ready. I tell you that over and over, but you refuse to hear it.”

“I do hear it and I’m happy that we’re waiting to make love.”

“Are you?”

“Yes.” They looked at each other. “Why won’t you let me touch you like I used to?” She just looked at him. “Is it because of…” Before he could finish

Valondra went into the bathroom and closed the door. “Damn her.” He sat on the bed and waited for her patiently. A few minutes later the bathroom door opened and Valondra walked over to him.

He looked at her and she said, “My zipper’s stuck.”

“Turn around.” She did so and he made her sit on his lap. He messed with the zipper for about a minute and when he was done he unzipped her and put his arms around her. He kissed her neck then whispered in her ear. “I really love you and don’t care if we make love now or ten years from now. Either way I’ll always be by your side. You have my word.” She didn’t say anything. “I’m being truthful. We went through a lot already so why go through more, huh? Do you agree?”

“I guess.”

“It’s yes or no, not I guess, Princess.”

“Yes.”

“Good. We’re not even married and we have problems like we are.”

“All couples have problems, Nicky; that’s what makes the relationship last.”

“But I hate that we have problems. At times it feels like we’re falling out of love.” He kissed her neck again and rested his chin on her shoulder while wrapping his arms tighter around her.

“We’re not, Baby. I love you more each passing day.”

“I doubt that. You’re probably waiting for the first chance to get rid of me.”

“If I wanted to get rid of you I would’ve done it long ago. I would’ve gone back out with Fox when he asked.” She looked at him and gave him a kiss. “I love you with all my being.”

“I love you even more.” He pushed her dress down some and started kissing her bare skin.

“Nicky, don’t.” She got up.

“Loni, I’m sorry.” She went into the bathroom and closed the door. “What is her problem?” He laid back on the bed and started thinking. “I’m doing everything the right way that I possibly can. Yet something’s bothering her. Ugh! What can I do? What can I do? He looked when the bathroom door opened. He watched Valondra walk over to the bed and pull the covers back. She got on the bed and looked at him.

She smiled, gave him a kiss and said, “Goodnight.” He just looked at her as she got under the covers. She looked at him again. “What?”

“What’s wrong?” He sat up.

“Nothing. Why?”

“We always mess around a little before we go to bed.”

“I’m just tired, Baby.” He just looked at her. “What?”

“Nothing.” He got off the bed. “Goodnight.” He gave her a kiss then walked to the bathroom, as she turned the light off.

He turned the bathroom light on and looked at his fiancée. She was facing the opposite way and he heard her sniffle. She was crying again. Crying again just like the night before and the night before that. What was upsetting her? It had to deal with Bridgett. He wanted to talk to Valondra, but knew she didn’t want to. When she was ready she would leave him know. It broke his heart when he would see her upset and he hated it.

He went to walk over to her, but stopped when she said, “Goodnight, Nickolas.”

“Goodnight, Princess.” He slowly looked away from her and walked over to his room thinking. He thought about everything. What happened in the past, what happened tonight, and what might happen in the future.