Later that day, Alaina decided to take him to the animal shelter. Her parents would be relieved and happy to find out his cancer is gone and she figured bringing him in person would be a great way to tell them. Also, she figured Lucky would be happy to see Nico and spend some time with him.
Alaina and Nico walk in and her mom smiles at them. "Hey, guys! What's going on?" Then she looks worried as she realized something. "Wait, I thought Nico can't be out of the hospital for that long."
"What? That's amazing!" Amya gasps, her eyes lighting up and she smiles widely. She stands up and hugging him. "I'm so happy for you."
"Thanks, Mrs. C." Nico smiled and hugged her back.
"How many times do I gotta tell you to call me Amya." Amya teased as they pulled away.
"Force of habit, Mrs. C." Nico joked, earning a playful eye roll from her.
"Well, that's great news." Amaya agrees, smiling brightly. "We'll celebrate tonight with dinner. How does that sound?"
"Sounds perfect, mom." Alaina grinned, leaning over and kissing her mom's cheek.
"I see you brought Lucky with you." Brady chuckles as he walks from the back. Lucky barks in response, his tail wagging eagerly. "I can take him, if you guys need some time alone." He offered, smiling with amusement when Lucky ran over to him after Alaina let go of his leash. He bent down to pet Lucky.
"Yeah, thanks, that'd be great. But right now we were gonna hang out here for a bit." Alaina admitted, a small smile on her face.
"Ahh, okay," Brady grins, standing up with the leash in his hand. "Lucky and I will just be in the back." He led the puppy to the back and Amya followed him to the back.
Lailani, who was at the front desk, smiles brightly at the couple, glancing over at Nico. "Nico, congrats. I'm so glad that treatment worked."
"Thank you, Lailani." Nico replied, a soft smile on his face. He was still getting used to being cancer free and hearing people's genuine congratulations made him feel warm inside.
"We're gonna head to the back for a bit." Alaina explains, intertwining her hand with Nico's and her heart flutters when he squeezed her hand gently. "You wanna join us?"
"I'm actually a bit busy, but maybe next time." Lailani answered.
"Alright, no problem," Alaina replies, shooting her a friendly smile before turning her attention to Nico. "Ready, baby?"
"Let's go." He replied, smiling as they walked to the back.
As they walked to the back of the animal shelter, Alaina couldn't help but feel a sense of happiness and contentment. She was grateful to have Nico by her side, and she was excited to spend some time with him. As they entered the back room, they were greeted by the sight of Lucky happily playing with Brady, Amya watching them with an amused smile on her face.
Nico chuckles at the sight, his eyes shining with amusement. "Looks like Lucky is having a blast."
"Yeah, he loves coming here." Alaina smiles, watching Lucky chase after a ball with enthusiasm. "He's like the mascot of the shelter now."
Brady grins as he tosses the ball for Lucky to fetch. "He's definitely a hit with the other volunteers and the animals."
"That's great to hear," Nico says, smiling as he watches Lucky bound around the room. "He's such a lovable pup."
Amya chuckles and nods. "He sure is. And it's nice to see him bringing joy to everyone here."
Alaina nods in agreement, feeling a swell of pride at Lucky's impact on the shelter. "Yeah, he's made such a difference already."
Nico walks over to Lucky and kneels down, holding out his hand for Lucky to sniff before giving him a gentle pat on the head. "You're doing a great job, Lucky. Keep spreading that joy, buddy."
Lucky barks happily and wags his tail, clearly enjoying the attention from Nico. Alaina can't help but smile at the sight, feeling grateful for the bond between Nico and Lucky. It was moments like these that reminded her of just how lucky she was to have both of them in her life. She and Nico went to play with some of the other animals, and soon they found themselves laughing and having fun.
They were currently in the area where the cats were kept, and Alaina had a kitten curled up in her hands, purring softly. She and Nico were on the floor, a few kittens were crawling on them, trying to get comfortable. They were a bit wary at first, but they warmed up quickly to them, especially Nico. Alaina looked over at Nico, her heart melting at the sight of him cradling a tiny kitten in his hands, a wide smile on his face.
"I don't know how it's possible but you're even cuter with a kitten in your hands," Alaina chuckles. "And here I thought it was impossible for you to get any cuter."
Nico looks up and gives her a mock offended look, feigning offense. "Hey now, are you saying I'm not always cute?" He teased, a playful glint in his eyes.
Alaina giggles and shakes her head, reaching over to ruffle his hair gently. "Of course not, you're always cute. Especially when you're being all sweet and cuddly with these kittens."
Nico grins and leans in, pressing a soft kiss to her cheek. "Well, I can't help it. They're just so adorable."
"They sure are." Alaina smiled, her gaze softening as she looked down at the kitten she had on her lap. The kitten had curled up and passed out, its little paws stretched out and its breathing steady. It was a sight that never failed to warm her heart, and she could see why Nico had a soft spot for cats. They were so peaceful and adorable, and they had a way of melting your heart.
After spending some time with the cats, they made their way to the dog area, where the puppies and the dogs were kept. They were much more hyper and energetic than the cats, but just as adorable. Alaina and Nico found themselves surrounded by wagging tails, wet noses, and eager licks as they played with the puppies and dogs. It was a sight that had her heart melting, and she was grateful that they had the chance to spend some time with the animals at the shelter.
They spent some time playing with the animals before deciding it was time to leave. They went to Nico's bike parked in the parking lot and put their helmets. "So, are you gonna tell me this time where you're taking me for our first offical date?" Alaina asked curiously.
"Nope. It's a surprise again." Nico smirked.
Alaina rolls her eyes playfully and sighs. "Fine, but this better be worth the wait."
"It will be." Nico promised as he mounted the bike. He helped her get on, his heart skipping a beat when her arms wrapped around his waist and her body pressed against his back. He couldn't wait to spend the rest of the day with her.
He starts the engine and drives off, heading towards their destination. Alaina closed her eyes, savoring the moment and letting the breeze wash over her. She felt relaxed and content, and she couldn't wait to see what the rest of the day had in store for them.
****
Alaina grins when she saw the familiar beach that had the secluded alcove that they were going to have their date at. She remembered the first time they were here, and she could still recall the way her heart had fluttered when she found out Nico had made a picnic basket for them. She couldn't believe how far they had come since then, and she was excited for what was to come.
"It still looks the same." Alaina smiles softly as they enter the alcove. "But somehow it feels different. In a good way, though."
"That's because now I'm cancer-free." Nico grins. "And we're together finally." He added, squeezing her hand gently.
"You're right. Things are definitely looking up." Alaina nodded, a bright smile on her face.
Alaina helped Nico set up their picnic area. Once everything was in place, they settled down on the blanket and dug into the delicious food. They had stopped by Zippy's to get some food to go, and they had brought their favorites from that fast food restaurant. They enjoyed their meal, the sun shining down on them as the waves crashed against the shore. It was the perfect setting for their date, and they couldn't have asked for a more romantic spot.
"This is amazing," Alaina breathed, taking in the beautiful view. "I can't believe we get to have this moment."
"It is pretty incredible, isn't it?" Nico smiles softly, reaching over and gently intertwining his hand with hers. He was glad that they had been able to have this moment, despite everything they had been through. He brought their intertwined hands to his lips to kiss the back of her hand, making her blush slightly. "I'm so glad we can do this and not worry about my cancer." It felt such a relief to finally be a normal couple, without the shadow of cancer hanging over them.
"Me too," Alaina replies, a soft smile on her face. "It feels so good to be able to relax and enjoy ourselves without having to worry about anything." She scoots closer to him, leaning her head on his shoulder. "And I'm so happy that you're healthy and cancer free. I know how much that means to you."
Nico wraps his arm around her and rests his chin on her shoulder. "I couldn't have done it without you. You were my rock throughout it all, and I'm so grateful for you. I'm pretty sure I would have gone insane without you." He admitted.
Alaina laughs and shakes her head. "I doubt that. You're a tough guy, you would have managed. But I'm glad I could be there for you, and I'm proud of you for fighting so hard. You're a survivor, Nico."
"I had a lot of help, and you were the main source of it." Nico smiles softly, squeezing her hand gently. "I'm so glad I got you in my life, sunshine."
"Me too, babe." Alaina smiled, her heart fluttering at the nickname. She leaned in and captured his lips in a sweet and tender kiss, her eyes fluttering shut. He melted into the kiss as his free hand came up to rest on the back of her neck, his fingers threading through her hair. The kiss was full of love and passion, and it made her feel like she was floating on air.
When they pulled away, they were both breathless and their eyes were shining with love and affection. Alaina rested her forehead against his, a wide smile on her face. She had never felt happier and more content than she did at that moment. She leaned forward to capture his lips in another kiss, and they both knew that this was just the beginning of their story.
****
They decided to stay until it got dark. They laid down on the blanket and cuddled as they watched the sunset. Alaina felt her heart flutter as she took in the breathtaking view, and she couldn't help but marvel at how lucky she was to be able to experience this moment with Nico. It was the perfect ending to their date, and she knew that they would cherish this memory for a long time to come.
"Today has been amazing," Alaina smiles softly, snuggling closer to him. "Thank you for making it so special."
"You're welcome, sunshine." Nico replied, wrapping his arm around her waist and holding her close. He placed a kiss on her temple, causing her heart to flutter.
They sat in comfortable silence as the sun slowly disappeared over the horizon, casting an array of colors across the sky. The air was filled with the sound of the waves crashing against the shore, and it was a serene and peaceful atmosphere. They knew that this was just the beginning, and that their journey together was only just getting started.
As the night drew on, the temperature dropped and Alaina shivered, the cool breeze sweeping over her skin. Nico noticed this and he immediately shrugged his jacket off, draping it over her shoulders. She smiled shyly, her face turning red as she slipped her arms through the sleeves. She remembered the first time they came here he let her wear his jacket. Now that they were a couple, it felt more intimate and special.
"Thank you, sweetheart." She murmured, her face still flushed.
"You're welcome, sunshine." He smiled, pulling her closer and wrapping his arm around her waist.
She leaned into him, savoring the warmth and comfort that he offered. She knew that he would always be there for her, and that he would do whatever he could to make her happy. As they continued to watch the stars come out, they were both aware that they were going to have a lifetime together, and that was the greatest gift they could have asked for.
Eventually they decided to pack things up and leave since they had to meet up with Alaina's parents for dinner. Alaina sighed softly, wishing the night didn't have to end. She felt a gentle squeeze on her hand, making her smile.
"Don't worry, sunshine. We'll have plenty more nights like this," Nico reassures her, smiling softly. "Now that I'm cancer free, we have all the time in the world."
Alaina nods, her heart swelling with happiness at the thought. "I can't wait, babe." She murmured, her eyes shining with love and adoration. She was grateful that they had found each other and that they had managed to overcome all the obstacles that had been thrown their way.
When they got to Alaina's house, they we're greeted by Lucky and the sound of Amya and Brady laughing as they finished making dinner. Lucky barked excitedly, his tail wagging as he jumped up to greet them.
Alaina smiles as she leans down to pet him. "Hey, boy. Were you good for mom and dad today?"
Lucky barks again and nuzzles her hand, clearly happy to see her. Alaina chuckles and scratches behind his ears. "Good boy." She cooed, her heart melting at his enthusiasm.
Amya and Brady enter the living room, both of them smiling. "Welcome back, you two," Amya greets them. "Dinner's almost ready, so why don't you get washed up. I'm gonna put Lucky in the laundry room for now while we eat so he doesn't try to steal any of our food."
"Alright," Alaina nods, a small smile on her face. "Do you want us to set the table?"
"That would be great." Amya answered with a smile. She kissed her daughter on the cheek when she walked by and patted Nico's shoulder. She led Lucky to the laundry room where they kept him. He had his own bed in there and some toys, along with food and water bowls.
Alaina and Nico quickly washed their hands before setting the table, the smell of the delicious food making their mouths water. When the table was all set, they sat down and started eating, the sound of their chatter and laughter filling the air.
Alaina felt her heart swell with happiness as she looked around the table. It was moments like these that made her grateful for her family and the support system they had. They were always there for her, no matter what, and she knew that she could count on them to have her back.
After dinner was over, they all pitched in and cleaned up the dishes. They had some leftovers that would be enough for the next day's lunch. After they were done cleaning up, Alaina and Nico bid them goodnight and retired to Alaina's bedroom. They, of course kept the door open a bit which was her dad's request. He trusted them, but he was still very protective.
"Have I mentioned how amazing your parents are?" Nico chuckled, a wide smile on his face.
"They sure are," Alaina nods, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "And they really like you. I mean, they've always liked you but now that we're dating, it's a whole new level. But that also means they're way more protective." She sighed, glancing at the open door.
Nico follows her gaze and chuckles, shaking his head. "Well, I can't really blame them. I'm pretty protective of you too. I'd do anything to keep you safe and happy."
Alaina blushed, her heart fluttering at his words. She couldn't believe how lucky she was to have someone like Nico in her life. He was such a sweet and caring person, and he always put her needs before his own.
"I'd do the same for you, babe." She murmured, a warm smile on her face.
He pulled her into a hug and held her close, his chin resting on top of her head. He closed his eyes and inhaled her scent, a smile forming on his face. He was grateful that he had her in his life, and he knew that they were going to have a long and happy future together.
Alaina snuggled close, savoring the warmth and comfort that he offered. She had never felt safer and more secure than she did in his arms, and she knew that she would always be able to count on him to be there for her.
"Can I stay the night? I don't wanna let you go yet." Nico murmured, his eyes still closed.
Alaina blushes slightly but smiles, nodding. "Of course. You're always welcome here."
"Thank you." He smiled and kissed the top of her head.
They stood like that for a few minutes, basking in each other's presence. Eventually, they decided to get ready for bed. Nico had some clothes he left over from sleepovers in the past just like how Alaina had some clothes left over at his house as well. It was convenient, especially when they didn't want to be apart. Nico changed into some plaid pajama bottoms he had left over and went shirtless.
When Alaina came out of the bathroom after doing her nightly routine, she was greeted with the sight of Nico's bare chest, and her cheeks flushed pink at the sight. She quickly averted her gaze, feeling a bit flustered but also incredibly attracted to him. Nico noticed her reaction and chuckled softly, walking over to her and wrapping his arms around her waist.
"You okay there, sunshine?" He asked, his voice low and husky.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Alaina replies, her voice slightly breathless. She leans into him, resting her head against his chest and reveling in the warmth and comfort of his embrace. "I was just surprised, is all. I mean, you're always hot, but shirtless is an even better look on you." She admitted shyly.
Nico laughs softly, his grip tightening slightly as his face turned red. "I'll be sure to go shirtless more often then," He teases. "Especially if it makes you blush like that."
Alaina smacks him playfully and laughs, shaking her head. "Don't tease me, jerk." She grinned, her cheeks still pink.
"You're adorable when you're flustered, sunshine." Nico grins back, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "I can't help it, you're just too cute."
Alaina rolls her eyes playfully but smiles, feeling her heart flutter at his words. She knew that she was falling deeper and deeper in love with him with each passing day, and she wouldn't have it any other way. She leaned up and kissed him, a warm and fuzzy feeling washing over her. He kissed her back, his hand gently cupping her face and tilting her head up slightly. He felt his heart skip a beat when her fingers traced his jawline, and he couldn't help but smile against her lips.
"I love you, sunshine." Nico murmured, pulling away just enough to rest his forehead against hers.
"I love you too, babe." Alaina whispered back, her eyes shining with adoration.
They stayed like that for a few moments, simply enjoying each other's presence. Then, Nico pulls away and walks towards the bed, a playful smile on his face. He climbed onto the bed and got under the covers, patting the spot next to him.
"Come on, sunshine. Let's get some sleep."
Alaina nodded and went to turn off the light before she climbed into bed. She snuggled close to him, her head resting on his chest and her hand placed over his heart. His heartbeat was steady and strong, and it lulled her to sleep. She felt safe and secure in his arms, and she knew that nothing could ever take that feeling away from her.
"Goodnight, sunshine. I love you."
"Goodnight, baby. I love you too."
Their voices were soft and filled with affection, and they drifted off to sleep, their hearts full and their love for each other growing stronger with each passing day.
****
Alaina woke up the next morning feeling more rested and happier than she had in a long time. She glanced at the clock and saw that it was only around eight in the morning. She looked at Nico who was still asleep and she smiled, admiring how peaceful he looked. His arms were wrapped around her waist and his face was buried in the crook of her neck.
Alaina sighed contentedly and closed her eyes, snuggling closer to him and letting his warmth and scent envelop her. She knew that this was the way she wanted to wake up every day for the rest of her life. She stayed like that for a while, simply enjoying the closeness and intimacy of the moment. She didn't want to disturb Nico's sleep, so she stayed still, reveling in the feeling of being wrapped up in his arms.
Eventually, Nico began to stir, his arms tightening around her slightly as he shifted in his sleep. Alaina smiled softly, feeling his breath against her skin as he nuzzled closer to her. She gently ran her fingers through his hair, enjoying the feeling of his soft locks against her fingertips.
Nico let out a soft sigh and slowly blinked his eyes open, his gaze meeting Alaina's. A warm smile spread across his face when he saw her looking at him, and he tightened his embrace, pulling her even closer to him. "Good morning, sunshine." He murmured, his voice still husky with sleep.
"Good morning, babe." Alaina replied, her voice soft and filled with affection. She pressed a gentle kiss to his lips before settling back against his chest, feeling his heartbeat steady against her own. "Did you sleep well?"
"Yeah, I did," He smiles, pressing a kiss to her temple. "And I'm happy that I got to wake up next to you."
Alaina's cheeks flushes and her heart fluttered at his words. "Me too," She murmurs, her eyes sparkling with happiness. "I always love waking up next to you." She confessed, a shy smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.
Nico's cheeks were also flushed as he looked at her lovingly. "Me too, sunshine." He echoed, his gaze never leaving hers.
They laid like that for a while, simply enjoying the feeling of being close to each other. Eventually, Nico's stomach grumbled, and Alaina couldn't help but giggle at the sound.
"I guess we should get up and have breakfast, huh?"
"I guess so," He sighs, a small smile on his face. "But I don't want to let you go."
Alaina chuckles and places another kiss on his lips. "Don't worry, we'll have plenty of time to cuddle later."
"I'm holding you to that, sunshine."
With that, they reluctantly got out of bed and got ready for the day. They decided to go downstairs and see if they could help with breakfast. Lucky greeted them when they walked down the stairs, his tail wagging happily.
Amya smiles when she saw them. "Morning, you two. Sleep well?"
"Mhm, we did," Alaina replies, smiling as she greeted her mom with a hug. "How about you?"
Amya nods, a warm smile on her face. "I did. Thanks for asking, sweetheart." She turns her attention to Nico and gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder. "Morning, Nico. Sleep well?"
Nico nods, returning the smile. "Yeah, I did. Thanks, Mrs... I mean, Amya." He said sheepishly. He was still getting used to calling her by her first name.
"No problem, honey." Amya replied, a fond smile on her face.
"Morning, mom, dad," Alaina replies, smiling at her dad. "Yeah, we did. How about you?"
Brady nods, his smile widening. "We did. Thanks for asking, sweetheart."
They all pitched in and helped with breakfast, enjoying each other's company as they cooked. The smell of pancakes and bacon filled the air, making their mouths water. Lucky sat by their feet, his tail wagging eagerly as he hoped for some scraps to fall his way. When everything was done, they sat down and enjoyed the meal, their laughter and chatter filling the air. It was a pleasant and peaceful atmosphere, and Alaina knew that she wouldn't trade this moment for anything.
A/N ah! they finally said i love you to each other, so so cute!!