Sara listened as Julie explained why Dr. Albert didn't like the Burkes. She imagined a young Nick capturing Julie's heart, much like Tim captured Mrs. Burke's and Bridget and Jack captured hers. Someday would she be their mother?
After Tim and Julie left, Nick convinced her to spend the night. It didn't take much persuasion. Sara never knew contentment like in Nick's arms or completeness as when Nick was in her. She had been a late bloomer sexually, but she was making up for it. She also slept better in his bed, at least until she awoke with a start.
"Humph!" Nick said.
"Daddy! Sara had a sleepover!" Bridget said after she landed on top of them.
Sara quickly grabbed hold of the covers, not wanting the little girl to pull on them and reveal their state of undress.
Nick murmured, "We forget to set an alarm."
His children were too young to know there was anything wrong with spending the night together. Nick would have to figure out how to get rid of her, so they could get out of bed.
"Hey Bridge, go see if Jack is awake and talk to him until I get there."
She climbed off the bed and ran off. Nick jumped out of bed and put on pants and a shirt lightning fast. Sara watched as he left, closing the door behind him. She got out of bed, dressed, and took a deep breath before going downstairs.
Nick kissed the side of her neck and whispered, "Busted."
"You know she'll tell everyone," Sara whispered back.
"Maybe you should just move in." She smiled and thought he was teasing.
She answered seriously. "I don't want to live with you."
"You don't?"
"No, I prefer to wait until..." She didn't want to say marriage, but that was what she meant.
"I know me too."
Because Poppy insisted on meeting Nick, but Nick was a package deal, they invited Aunt Poppy and Uncle David to Nick's house for a barbecue. Sara went home to run and shower, but came back for a family outing to the supermarket. Thankfully, they didn't see anyone they knew, so there were no big announcements about Sara sleeping over.
Clare stopped by because as Nick said, "She has always been nosy."
Bridget didn't disappoint and after her announcement Clare looked at Nick. "It wasn't planned! We meant to set an alarm."
She just laughed and whispered to Sara, "Let me know if you need birth control."
Sara whispered back, "Emily took care of it."
"Good! You two are too old to be stupid, although it wouldn't be the end of the world."
Sara was blushing, especially after Nick said, "She's right it wouldn't be the end of the world." Sara knew she wanted Nick's baby, but she wanted to be his wife first.
When her aunt and uncle arrived, Sara was nervous, but she had no reason to be. The children instantly enthralled Poppy. Bridget was her talkative self and entertained without mentioning the sleepover.
Nick told David about Jim Albert.
David said, "I'll listen to what he has to say, then I'll explain there is no policy against it. If he pushes me, I let him know you came to me first."
"Thank you. Our meeting changed my life in so many ways."
David said, "I have something for you. Open it later. Today is about the future not the past."
Their visit went perfect and Sara could tell that Poppy liked Nick and the children. When she hugged Nick, she asked, "Can your children call me Grandma Poppy?"
That night, after the children were in bed, Nick opened the envelope. It was the written statement that David had shared with Nick with the name of Miles' date redacted. Nick let her read it. It was proof that his wife had not cheated on him.
Sara was glad Nick had the answers he was seeking. She wanted Nick to be happy, and the statement in that envelope made Nick happy. She felt no jealousy towards Melissa, because Sara felt like she was the lucky one. She was the one with Nick and spending time with and loving the other woman's children. She would always be grateful to her for bringing those children into the world whether she wanted them didn't matter anymore.
Sara curled up to Nick, having learned their lesson; she was wearing one of his tee shirts. She loved that it made a perfect night dress for her. She also loved it because it was his. She planned to steal it and take it home with her so she could sleep in it when she couldn't be with him.
She really wasn't stealing it, because she told him of her plan. He just smirked, his smirk that caused a physical reaction within her.
"If you stay over, you'll have the real thing."
"I'm only staying on the weekends when I don't work," she insisted.
She had set parameters, and Nick didn't like them. She often wanted to break her own rule, but consistency was important. If she broke her rule once she'd be in his bed every night.
"You keep telling me you can't give in with Bridget. You need to stand firm, no matter how bad you want to give her whatever it is she wants." Sara reminded him.
"And how bad do you want to give me what I want?"
Sara just smiled and didn't answer, because he already knew. Secretly she was afraid if she climbed out of his warm bed to go home every morning, it would continue for too long. There was only one way to stop it, and she was afraid Nick would take too long in coming to that conclusion.
If she were his wife, it would be her home. She would belong in his arms every night. She would be a mother to his children. She could have his baby.
Nick kissed her. "I know what you want... you and Bridget. I want it too."
"And what's that?"
"A family... I want us to be a family. I want you to be my children's mummy and to be my wife. I don't want to wait any longer than necessary."
"Are you really asking me?"
"Yes, but I can do it again all romantical. I don't have a ring for you."
"I don't need romantical, I just need you. Romantical?"
Nick laughed. "That's Bridget's new word. Someone has been teaching her." Sara put on a guilty face because she suspected it was her. "She thinks Beauty and the Beast is romantical."
"But it is! I fell in love with a beast!" Sara remembered his scowls and unpredictable behavior.
"I was not a beast!" Nick sounded offended.
"Are you sure?" Sara asked, trying not to laugh.
"I'll show you a beast!" He rolled over, pinning Sara under him. As he kissed her senseless, the real beast came out.