Page 29 of Nick: His to Claim

“Oh,” she responded as she settled back and let Nick continue to rock and hold her. He wanted to marry her. Could she marry him?

Nick wasn’t likely to change, she knew that. It was in his nature to be protective, maybe over-protective at times, and let’s not forget bossy. There was a lot she admired about him, and his taking charge in the bedroom was unbelievably sexy. Just thinking about last night had her melting. But could she live with that on a full time basis? Could she bend without breaking? Maggie wasn’t sure.

Rebecca was living it, and she was gloriously happy, but just the memory of what happened at Rebecca and Mason’s wedding left Maggie feeling mortified. One thing was for sure. If she and Nick ever did get married, they’d be doing it at a Justice of the Peace with no witnesses, just in case.

Pushing that thought to the back of her mind, Maggie decided to see if Nick was really serious. She slid off his lap and tried to tug him out of the chair.

“You want to prove you love me? I have the perfect place for you to start.”

Nick’s eyes widened as he lunged out of the chair and snatched her up, growling like a bear and kissing her wildly.

Maggie squealed and struggled as he threw her over his shoulder and started up the stairs.

“No. Nick, not that,” she laughed, hanging upside down and smacking his back. “I said prove you love me, not prove you want me.”

Nick stopped and reversed his steps, setting her down gently.

“Okay, I’m listening,” he inquired suspiciously.

“Go home and change, Nick, we’re going to dinner,” she told him with a twinkle in her eye.

“Okay, where?”

“Ma and Da’s” she said smiling sweetly.

“Aw, Maggie, really?” he groaned. “Why?”

“I think it’s time to do a little damage control, and besides I miss them,” she admitted.

“Are theyallgoing to be there?” he asked, a little panic in his voice.

“It’s Sunday,” she laughed, pushing him towards the door. “What do you think?”

“Okay, sweetie,” he conceded as he brushed a kiss across her soft lips. Sunday dinner at her parents’ house, he mused to himself. It shouldn’t be too bad. What’s the worst that could happen?

* * *

It was bedlam. As they drove up to the large Victorian house, Nick knew immediately he was out of his comfort zone. While he had spent hours upon hours as a teenager hanging out at this very house, he was now unsure of his welcome. Maggie called her parents to let them know they were coming, but Nick hadn’t set foot on this property in over fifteen years. Despite the countless meals Maeve had just about forced on him, he wasn’t sure if he could even swallow at this point.

“Does your family know?” he asked quietly as they parked the van at the curb and got out. The long driveway was already taken up by other vehicles, an assortment of toys, bikes, and of course, the ever present basketball hoop where Jason and two other tall young men were trash talking to each other and laughing.

He could see a tea party was in progress on the large wrap-around porch, and he quickly identified Caitie. The other two little girls were a mystery; the absolutely enormous hats decorated with tulle and flowers concealed their little faces. All were still wearing their Sunday best. Several small rattan chairswere occupied with large teddy bears, and soft giggles floated across the air, quickly smothered by tiny white-gloved hands.

Maggie leaned against the van and took in the scene. How many summer afternoons had she and her sisters spent exactly like this? How many times had she watched her brothers and assorted friends, Nick included, shoot hoops until well after dark? They were good times, maybe the best, and it was somehow sad to think those times were gone forever. Sighing softly, she faced Nick and answered his question.

“No, no one knows. There was no point in making things any more complicated than they already were at the time. They all supported me after we broke up. I’m sure they had questions, and I’m not sure why they kept them to themselves. Maybe Da had something to do with that, but no, I never told a living soul,” she whispered.

Maggie turned away from him and silently watched her children playing. Everything suddenly felt surreal, and she struggled to stay focused.

“Just so you know, I have no intention of telling them now. We have to find a way to work this out, Nick. A way that doesn’t cause my… our son any pain.”

“I agree,” Nick said as he pulled Maggie around to face him. A gentle breeze lifted and swirled her shining hair around her face, and the soft scent of her mother’s roses wafted over them.

“Marry me, Maggie and we’ll never have this discussion again,” he told her as he held her hands to his chest and looked down into her amber eyes. “Jason’s paternity will cease to be an issue. No court, no secrets. If he ever comes to us, we’ll tell him the truth. But if he doesn’t, we’ll let it be.” Nick dipped his head and lightly brushed her lips, forgetting the little gigglers on the porch who immediately went into peals of laughter.

It was Caitie who started the“Mommy and Nick, sitting in the tree, k- i- s- s- i- n- g”chant, and Maggie quickly tried to pull out of his arms.

“So much for your ability to keep anything secret,” she hissed. “I can’t marry you. You’re too… too… ”