Just One Song

by Lynn, Stacey

  With a wink and a smile, she leaves the kitchen, carrying the salad to the dining room.

  Once gone, Zack leans in for a chaste kiss. “She loves you. I told you she would.”

  “She sure doesn’t let people get many words in though, does she?” We laugh.

  “No, she really doesn’t, but it’s just too darn hard to get mad at her when she’s so cute.”

  The four of us sit down to eat when the dinner is ready. I speculatively eye the three empty chairs but neither Melody nor Sammy say anything about the missing company. I wonder if they know of the surprise.

  Zack does the honors carving the turkey after Melody takes a few moments to give thanks for her family and everything we have been blessed with. I know that I am thankful this year, most definitely. I fall completely in love with Zack’s little family over dinner. He was right when he told me that they were sometimes brutally honest with him. Sammy shares stories of how Zack had gotten started with singing and guitar playing and most likely embellishes the parts where he had sucked so horribly in the beginning. I don’t believe a single word she says. There is no way Zack doesn’t have a natural talent for singing with how beautiful he sounds now. Zack’s smile throughout dinner says everything to me. This is his home, and where he is more comfortable than anywhere else. I’m honored he loves me enough to invite me into his family.

  The only difficult part of dinner comes when Melody asks me what my family usually does for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I wipe away an escaped tear quickly before I can look across the table at Melody, whose eyes shine with regret at the very mention of my family. “I’m so sorry, Nicole. I shouldn’t have said anything. Zack told us about ….” Melody’s voice drops off without continuing.

  “It’s okay, really.” Trying to keep the mood light, I respond as honestly as I can. “It was loud, and Andrew was always so excited at having my parents over he was like a bunny hopped up on caffeine. Constantly bouncing around from one room to the next, getting in everyone’s way, disrupting the football games, spilling the food. It was a chaotic mess. I’m guessing it was no different with my family than it was when Zack and Sammy were little.”

  Melody laughs in understanding. “Tell me about it! I’ll never forget the year Zack and Sammy marched around the house banging on their toy drums, guitars and toy recorders pretending to be the marching band in the Macy’s Parade. I could barely hear myself think over the racket they caused.”

  When we finish our meal, Sammy jumps up from the table and without a word, she and Melody clear the dishes and flutter out of the room while declining my offer to help them with the dessert.

  “Thank you for inviting me here to meet your family Zack. I absolutely adore them.”

  He rests his forehead against mine. “I had to have them meet the woman I want to spend my future with.” Future? This is the first time we’ve really talked about us, and what’s going to happen. My palms start sweating.

  “A future?” I smile as I repeat his words back to me. I lean in close to his mouth, my heart rate already increasing, and ask again, “You want a future with me?”

  Keeping my mouth just out of his reach, I let him lean slightly forward, our lips not quite brushing, as he murmurs, “Yes, a future. And I’m hoping a really long one.”

  Both of his eyebrows rise just slightly as if wanting my agreement, but I don’t have to agree with words. I knew before I ever showed up at his place this week that I was in this with him, for the long haul. So instead of replying with words, I close the space and hold his face in my hands as I kiss him.

  I don’t even have the time to register the fact we’re in plain view of the kitchen where Melody and Sammy are dishing up pie until I hear what sounds like schoolgirls giggling in the background, followed by the stern sound of Melody shushing Sammy. Zack slowly breaks the kiss, but without turning around, speaks to his sister. I look over briefly and see Melody leave the kitchen. “Give us a few minutes Sammy.”

  Unfortunately, knowing we’re being watched totally kills the mood for me, and I can’t help but laugh at his sister.

  I kiss him one more time. I can’t help it. I feel like a hormonal teenager all over again when I am this close to Zack, and now that we’ve spent the last two days discovering each other, I can’t keep my hands off him. “What’s my surprise? You said it was after dinner.”

  He looks at his watch and smiles, more to himself than to me. “It should be here any minute.”

  When the doorbell rings a few minutes later, just like he said, I quickly look to Zack. He smiles knowingly and nods to Melody. I look between all of them. They clearly know something I don’t.

  I jump up and gasp when I hear the trio of voices walk through the door. I don’t even have to see who’s arrived to know exactly who they are.

  “You did this!?” I gasp excitedly.

  “Happy Thanksgiving!” Mia, my mom, and dad throw me into a bone-crushing hug once they walk through the living room where I’m frozen to my spot. I am stunned in the best possible way.

  “Hi!” I squeal like a little girl and return their embraces. And then I pull back to introduce Zack to my parents.

  “You planned all of this?” A slight blush grows on his cheeks.

  “Sort of…” he begins to explain, shrugging like this is no big deal.

  “Oh please. He’s being modest, Nic. Chase invited me to the music awards with him. I was going to fly out Saturday morning, but when Zack heard about it, he changed the plan on me.”

  I reach for Zack’s hand while Mia keeps talking, “He called your parents to see if they wanted to join you for Thanksgiving.”

  I don’t even know how he got their number. From Mia? My phone? I am simply stunned he did this for me.

  “And we said yes, immediately.” My mother chimes in. “It’s only for the day though, we fly the red-eye home tonight.” I look to Zack and then my parents. My mom has the biggest smile I’ve seen on her in years while my dad stands behind her with one hand on her shoulder. My eyes are pulled back to Zack who looks satisfied at his ability to surprise me. Again.

  I pull him close to me, holding onto his shirt with both hands. “I can’t believe you did this.” My eyes fill with tears, overwhelmed at this man who so quickly came into my life and swept me off my feet.

  “You’re about to be thrown into my crazy life this weekend where we’ll be photographed and gossiped about forever. I can’t take you there and not have you see your parents before so you can remember first, what’s always most important and real. No matter what else happens out there,” he waves his arm out gesturing to the world, “the only important thing to remember is how much everyone in this room loves you, and loves us. The rest just doesn’t matter.”

  Mia clears her throat, rudely and intentionally, pulling us apart. “We’ve been on a plane for hours, I’m starving!” I grab Zack’s hand and practically skip to the dining room table where everyone else is seated.

  And before I know it, both of our families are sitting around the Thanksgiving table enjoying pie and the leftover turkey dinner Melody had set aside for my parents when they cleared the table for us.

  I have the absolute best time, watching everyone that is most important to me and Zack get along, share stories, and by the time dessert is done and everyone is hanging around outside on the patio, enjoying a couple of drinks, I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. And it’s all because of Zack.

  I follow my mom inside when she excuses herself to use the restroom. On her way out, I stop her. She has always been a worrier, and she’s been the quietest one of all today. It makes me wonder what she’s thinking. Is she worried about me dating Zack, or moving on too quickly, or dating a rockstar?

  I’m not sure, but there’s always something with her and I don’t want her to leave today worried about me.

  “Are you okay?” I ask when she walks through the kitchen.

  “He seems to make you happy.”

  “He does. And he’s been rea
lly patient with me. Not pushing too fast, but letting me set the pace.”

  “You love him.” It is not a question, but a statement filled with love and acceptance, not concern. It makes me happy that my mom finally got to meet Zack. Even though I’m an only child, my parents had taken Mark in from the moment they met and began treating him like the son they never had. I didn’t realize, until this moment, that I was afraid my parents would be concerned about me moving too fast. Or if they would even like Zack, or his career, or lifestyle, or whatever problem they could find.

  “Is it too soon, mom?” Knowing I need someone to tell me, again, it’s okay to be happy again. Will I ever stop needing this reassurance?

  “Do you think it’s too soon?” Her question instead of an answer surprises me. Instead of answering, I look over at Zack, Mia and my dad. They’re laughing at a story Sammy is sharing while Zack argues with her. Sammy is jumping around laughing, using large arm motions to explain whatever she’s saying, while Zack shakes his head in defiance. At some point, he catches my eye and smiles. I return his smile and have a quick rush of thoughts and memories we’ve already shared in the short time we’ve known each other. Football games, pool nights, talking late into the night on the bus while the other guys went out, watching him sing his concerts, the way he holds me and how he comforted me when I told him about Mark and Andrew. I think of how I felt when I saw him standing in my building’s lobby, looking so worried I would turn him away again, and how his presence gave me strength at the cemetery.

  We fit together, and even though our relationship started suddenly, and when I wasn’t sure I wanted one, it was perfect timing.

  I turn to my mom and smile. “No, I don’t think so.”

  She simply squeezes my hand with tear-filled eyes. “You have, unfortunately, learned a very hard lesson that in this life that there are no guarantees. Your dad and I love you, and we are here to support you in whatever decisions you make. And if loving Zack makes you happy, then we will love him right along with you. And all you need to do is enjoy the ride.”

  “Thanks, mom.” I kiss her cheek and hold her hand as we walk back outside.

  “Enjoying your Thanksgiving?” Zack asks when I sit down next to him. He grabs my hand immediately and pulls me onto his lap. I squeal in surprise and blush as I look around the table with our parents sitting around us. My dad just winks at me, and goes back to listening to Sammy talk about her job at the accounting firm. I still can’t picture this hyper recent college graduate as a number pusher, but she seems to love it.

  “It’s the best – just perfect. Thank you so much for this. I feel so lucky right now.”

  “I’m the lucky one, Nic. I never knew what love was until you walked into my life.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  “You HUSTLED us!?” Chase’s shouts rival some of the tantrums Andrew threw when he was a toddler. Chase and Jake showed up earlier in the night to spend the weekend for the awards show.

  Mia and I had – as usual – let the guys win the first game of pool we challenged Chase and Jake to by saying losers would make breakfast. Instantly Chase and Jake got a hungry look on their faces assuming it’d be an easy win. They spent the entire first game cockily planning out the next morning’s menu. It grew larger and larger with every shot they made. But then we came back and won the next game. After I made two balls in on the break in the second game, Mia ran the rest of the table on her turn.

  The girl is amazing at pool. Chase declares it complete luck, while Zack watches off to the side, laughing the entire time. I love that he kept our secret.

  On the third game, I play it more slowly, not rushing through the table even though I have to miss a few shots on purpose. Mia is out for blood and keeps getting frustrated with me for not completely embarrassing the guys when I can, but I can’t help it. They stand there with shocked looks on their faces every time we make a shot.

  “Sorry man,” Zack walks over and pats Chase on the back once he finishes his tantrum. “I probably should have warned you, huh?”

  Chase’s mouth drops even further. “You knew they could play like professionals?”

  Zack smiles. “Yeah, Nic kicked my ass twice when we were in Chicago.”

  “And you still haven’t paid up.”

  “Not cool man.” Chase shakes his head and walks to the bar for a drink as we laugh at Mia planning her breakfast.

  Zack comes up and puts his arms around me pulling me in to a tight embrace. “Watching you beat them, was an even bigger turn-on than it was when you just beat me.”

  Before I can respond, he picks me up and throws me over his shoulder causing me to scream. “Zack! Put me down!” I hit him playfully on his lower back but he doesn’t budge.

  “No way. I’m hungry. Let’s go.”

  “There’s food in the kitchen.”

  “That’s not what I’m hungry for.” He sounds hungry. I brush my hair out of my face at the same time Mia spits her drink across the room. I scowl at her when she starts laughing at Zack carrying me cave-man style out of the room.

  “Mia! Save me!” I cry.

  “Have fun, you two.” Her words drip in a saccharinely sweet voice as she wiggles her fingers good-bye.

  “See you tomorrow!” Zack huffs out as he walks me out the door.

  He lowers me slowly once we’re in the hallway, but he doesn’t set me down. Instead of dropping me to my feet, I wrap my legs around his waist and let him carry me the rest of the way.

  “I’m hungry, too,” I whisper, my voice filled with lust.

  Zack finally sets me down when he reaches his bed. He lowers me down, protecting his full weight from crushing me.

  “My god, you’re beautiful, Nicole.” His mouth falls forcefully onto mine. My entire body instantly fills with heat and passion for him. I open my mouth immediately in response as we caress each other’s bodies with our hands. I let out a low moan of pleasure when he tugs on my bottom lip with his teeth and moves his hands towards my breasts, fondling them through my shirt.

  “This has to go,” he huffs out, not separating his mouth from mine. We’re undressed and back on the bed before I can blink. He rolls me over on top of him as his hands continue to worship my body. Slowly and gently he massages my breasts, my nipples hardening at his touch.

  He pulls his head up and gently sucks on one while massaging the other. I arch my back into him and throw my head back with another deep moan.

  “Zack.” It’s the only word I can say. His hands turn me inside out and I want him like I have never wanted anyone before. I lower my body, crushing my mouth into his and slowly begin circling my hips, feeling his desire for me harden beneath me.

  “I want you,” I whisper.

  He flips me over on to my back again.

  “Patience.” He barks out hoarsely while moving his mouth from mine, and begins to kiss every inch of my body. My entire body comes alive as his mouth and tongue explore every inch of me. He continues lower until he reaches my inner thighs, gently spreading my legs further apart.

  He looks at me seductively.

  And then his eyes darken before he lowers his mouth and begins licking and caressing me. I almost fly over the edge immediately as his tongue begins to work with the perfect amount of pressure and teasing. But I use everything I have in me to calm myself down just enough in order to experience this fully.

  “I love you, Nicole,” he whispers into me causing a rush of heat to flow from my body. Slowly releasing his tongue, I feel him enter me with one finger and then two. He works passionately and quickly, knowing exactly how to turn me on bringing me closer and closer to ecstasy.

  “Oh Zack…” I moan while my hands reach to grab the sheets in full pleasure. He brings his mouth back to mine and forcefully kisses away my moans while his fingers continue to pleasure me. With the heat from his mouth on me, I lose it completely. I close my eyes, and arch my back writhing in full ecstasy as I release myself into him. Slowly, he moves away from me, staring rig
ht into my eyes.

  “That was incredible,” I gasp in between breaths.

  “You haven’t seen anything yet,” he moans and begins kissing me again. I can feel my taste on his mouth and surprisingly, it turns me on again. “I want to make love to you and touch you like you’ve never been touched. Every inch of your body was made to be worshipped by me.”

  I can only moan in response. But as he enters me, fully, I arch into him again and moan with pleasure. His hips begin working against me fiercely as the fire in my belly is rekindled. We are glistening with sweat when we climax together.

  He pulls me to him and rolls us onto our sides so we’re facing each other. I slowly push his hair back from his face, bringing my hand down his jaw and resting at his chin.

  “I love you Zack. I had no idea I could ever feel so alive again until I met you.”

  He leans forward and kisses my forehead softly. “I’ll love you forever, Nicole.”

  ***

  “You look absolutely stunning.”

  “I can’t even begin to describe how nervous I am Mia.” I squeeze her hand nervously when she takes a break from curling my hair. .

  Every make-up and hair product, hair and jewelry accessory, and hair appliance known to man are sprawled out all over Zack’s bathroom counter. Mia looks beautiful, as usual, wearing a sleeveless emerald color gown that fits every curve on her body perfectly, and leaves a small train flowing behind her on the floor. She left her long blond hair flowing straight down her back and the contrast between her hair and the deep green color is magnificent. The dress she chose for me is almost as beautiful. The sapphire color match my dark blue eyes and is a similar style as Mia’s except mine is strapless with no train. I’m not willing to take the risk of tripping and landing flat on my face in front of dozens of live television cameras, but Mia can carry it off with the grace of a gazelle.