*~The Dream Of A Lifetime~*

“Morning, Baby,” Alexander said giving Charisma a kiss the next morning.

“Morning,” Charisma said yawning. “What time is it?”

“8:30 a.m.”

“You’re up early.”

“I’m always up earlier when you’re lying beside me. I can’t wait to see your gorgeous face.”

“How flattering.” He kissed her. “What’s on the agenda for today?”

“Breakfast with mom, go to Clearwater to have dinner with your family, and then back here to be alone. All of course if you’re ok with it.”

“It’s fine just as long as I’m with you.”

“You will be with me all day.”

“I can’t wait.” She kissed him. “I’m going to go shower.”

“Why don’t we have a go before mom gets here?”

“What time is she coming?”

“Around nine.”

“Oh. So you think that by doing it now we’ll be done and showered by the time she gets here.”

“Precisely.”

“I understand.”

“So what do ya say?”

“I’d love to, but I can’t.”

“I see.”

“Is Alexander disappointed?”

“Just a little.”

“In a couple days.” She kissed him. “I’m going to go shower.”

“Want some company?”

“Not today.”

“Alright.” They got out of bed. “I’m going to go wake up Nick.”

“When he beats the shit out of you, don’t come crying to me.”

“Fine I won’t.” Charisma just laughed and went into the bathroom. Alexander went downstairs to the parlor and picked up the phone. He dialed Nickolas’ number and left it ring. “Hello.”

“Who is this?” Nickolas asked on the other end.

“You tell me.”

“Alex.”

“No.”

“It’s Alex.”

“I said no.”

“Whatever.”

“I’m coming for Loni tonight so keep her close.”

“Alex knock it the hell off.”

“This isn’t Alex.”

“Then who is it.”

“It’s your worst nightmare.”

“Yeah ok whatever.”

“Had ya for a minute, didn’t I?”

“No. Do you know what time it is?”

“I know what time it is.”

“Good.”

“I don’t care either.”

“I’m going to kick your ass for getting me up so early.”

“You couldn’t kick my ass if ya tried.”

“It’s too early, man.”

“The others are always up at this time.”

“But not me. I’m always sleeping at this time.”

“So.”

“I hate you right now, Alex.”

“You still love me, Nick.”

“Why’d you call anyway?”

“Just to wake you up.”

“I’m hanging up.”

“I’ll just call back.”

“I don’t think so.”

“How’s Lon doing?”

“I don’t know. She doesn’t want to talk about it. I tried last night after everyone left, but she refused.”

“Ya have to convince her to talk about it. It’s the only way she’ll get pass this…whatever it is.”

“She refuses no matter what I do or say. She just doesn’t want to do it.”

“Then make her listen and talk.”

“I don’t know.”

“Nick, she’ll actually be thankful that you want to talk about it and not ignore the problem.”

“She hates it mentioned so why would she want to talk.”

“She might hate it, but she’ll feel better talking about it.”

“How do you know this?”

“I just do alright.”

“I want to marry her so bad, but this problem of hers is making things very difficult.”

“If you love her you can marry her no matter what.”

“I don’t want to go into our marriage with a problem like this.”

“No one does. If she don’t want to talk about it right now then just be patient with her until she’s ready.”

“God, I don’t know what to do.”

“Just be there for her and wait.”

“That’s all I’ve been doing the past few months. I think I’m going to soon run out of patience.”

“Love wins in the end, Nick. Your love for Lon will win over your lack of patience and you will wait no matter how long it takes.”

“I love her very much.”

“Then be there for her and don’t push her into something she doesn’t want right now. The whole thing with Bridgett really hurt her, the both of you, and she almost lost you. I’m sure a part of her still feels like she’s going to lose you.”

“She’s not going to.”

“Then assure her of that and maybe she’ll want to talk then. Let her know you’re not going anywhere and plan on being by her side the rest of your lives.”

“This is all just so frustrating.”

“I know, man. I have to go though.”

“Alright. I’ll talk to ya later then.”

“Yeah. See ya.”

Alexander hung up the phone and picked up a picture of Charisma and him. He started thinking about what Bridgett and Farah said the night before. Why would it be true though? Charisma loved him. Who knows? They just liked destroying people’s lives to make themselves happy. He pushed the thought from his mind and went back upstairs.

Nickolas climbed out of bed about 9:30 and walked to the bathroom. He cursed Alexander for getting him up so early…again as he got a pair of boxers off the bathroom floor. He opened the door to Valondra’s room and looked in at her. She was still sleeping and looked so beautiful. He walked over to the bed and knelt on the floor. He looked at Valondra and pushed her hair back. He kissed her cheek and just continued to look at her. So beautiful, he thought. She was everything he ever dreamed of in a girl. He wanted to call her perfect, but knew that was impossible. She wasn’t perfect and that was fine with him. He was just happy that she was in his life and they were getting married.

But was July too soon? Of course not. Even though a lot of people thought it was. It was his and Valondra’s choice and no one else’s. They picked July and couldn’t wait. He smiled, kissed her forehead, and then thought about last night. What a disaster it was…especially for Valondra. Nobody could let her be happy for one night and she took it out on him. Maybe it was partially his fault though. After all he did accuse her of taking too many painkillers. He was just looking out for her though. He had a right to be worried about his future misses. He loved Valondra and would take care of her in anyway that he had to. It was his duty to keep her safe from harm and happy with life. He was going to do that even if she did not want him to.

“Oh, Princess, I’m sorry about last night. I know you just wanted to have fun, but it was ruined for ya. I’ll make it up to ya, I promise. Your birthday is coming up and I’ll make sure your fun ain’t ruined. I just wish I could promise you that no harm will come to you, but I can’t. It’s an impossible promise and I can’t make it happen. I wish I could, but I can’t. I want…”

“There you are, Nick,” Angel said after stepping into Valondra’s room and Nickolas looked.

“Shh!” He got up and walked over to his sister. “Loni’s still sleeping.”

“Sorry.”

“What are you doing here?”

“Mom wanted to come and clean up. She’s downstairs.”

"Ok. I’m going to get a shower then be down.”

“Ok.”

She left the room and Nickolas closed the door. He walked back over to the bed and sat down.

“I hope she didn’t wake you.” He looked at a still sleeping Valondra. “Well it looks like she didn’t so I’ll go get a shower then check on ya when I get out. I love you.” He kissed her cheek then got up and walked back to the bathroom.