Chapter Nine

Noelle and the children passed the time on Monday with laundry and cleaning, last minute decorating, going over the grocery list again, and wrapping presents from each of them for Nick. Rachael and Kenny drew a special combination Thank You/Christmas card from each of them for Nick, sealed them in envelopes, and hung them on the tree with ribbon.

Nick rushed in after work, changed from his uniform, scooped them into his SUV, and they all sang to the familiar Christmas carols belted out from the local radio station. He insisted on two carts; he pushed one with Kenny riding shotgun, and Noelle and Rachael followed as they pushed one together. Noelle kept them on course by calling out items they needed and checking them off while Rachael helped steer the cart down the grocery aisles. Nick kept Kenny entertained by asking his opinion on quality and quantity of foods such as 'possum innards, frog lips, and hen's teeth.

Their progress was slow as other shoppers spoke to Nick or stopped him to shake hands. He introduced Noelle as a good friend and her children as Christmas elves to so many people she lost count. When they headed up the last aisle, she was amazed to see both carts full and everything on the list crossed off. She did not want to see how much they'd spent.

It turned out Nick's two carts had been a wise decision and kept the foods which needed refrigeration separated. They only had to put those away and were able to leave again. He'd convinced Noelle to let him take them out to dinner since they would be cooking for Christmas on Tuesday evening and Christmas Eve day.

"You know we aren't dressed for anywhere fancy, right?" she reminded Nick as he drove through downtown.

"Sure, I know. This is a family place. I think you and the kids will like it." Just west of town, he turned into a crowded parking lot. The brick building was old, but Christmas lights hung from every gutter and window and a live decorated tree at the outside corner added a cheerful and welcoming appearance.

Rachael's nose pressed to her window, and she pointed, "There's Maria from my class, and her brother Rico."

Once Nick parked and they climbed out of the large vehicle, Noelle stopped to let the children exchange greetings. Then Nick ushered them inside. The tangy aroma of Italian sauce greeted them at the door and an old-style jukebox played soft Christmas music. He led them to a booth and negotiated the kids so he and Noelle sat on the same side.

A chalkboard served as the menu and contained only one dish written on it – Spaghetti & Meatballs, family style. As Noelle looked around, she saw huge platters of spaghetti covered in red sauce topped with aggie-sized meatballs sprinkled with grated parmesan and large bowls of salad on other tables.

A young man wearing a white apron came by. "Ciao, Nick. Ma'am, I'm Antonio. What may I get you to drink? You are number seven." He placed a stand-up plastic placard on the table. "I will bring your drinks and your food will be here soon."

"The kids will have milk, and I'll have a water and coffee, please," Noelle requested.

"Water and coffee for me," Nick echoed.

"You can have a beer or wine, if you'd rather," Noelle whispered. She'd noticed other people around them having both with their food.

"Nope, I'm driving precious cargo. I'll have a beer after we get home, if I want one," he replied.

Noelle felt warmth spread through her once more. She'd never known such a simple gesture of consideration could make her toasty all over. But Nick seemed to have a habit of kindness and consideration, which let her family know they were cared for and safe.

Antonio brought their drinks, along with a stack of plates and silverware. After setting them down, he shook out what looked like two lobster bibs, except they were red and white gingham with a dancing pizza character in the center. He proceeded to put one on each child.

"Too bad you don't have one of those for me, Tony. Last time I was here, I ruined a white shirt. Notice I wore black this evening?"

Antonio laughed. "Papa has been asked for these in large many times. I will show you the answer." He reached for a cloth napkin and tucked a corner beneath Nick's chin into the neck of his sweatshirt. Then he draped the napkin down across Nick's chest. "Voila!"

Kenny and Rachael giggled, but seemed happy with their bibs.

A few minutes later, another server brought a large bowl of salad, a rack of dressings, and a basket of breadsticks. Noelle served the kids, and then laughed when Nick held out his salad plate for her to serve him too. They made short work of the first course.

"Hot dish," Antonio warned as he placed a huge platter of spaghetti on the table and whisked away the empty salad dishes.

Noelle laughed until her sides hurt as they twirled their forks, or in the case of the kids, she chopped and they scooped with their spoons, until the platter of food was gone. When she thought none of them could eat another bite, Antonio brought out small dishes of blueberry Italian ice for dessert.

By the time they'd eaten the ices, the kids were sleepy-eyed and tired. Nick hustled them into the SUV and headed for home.

* * * * *

Once they arrived, Noelle helped the kids get ready for bed while Nick began unpacking the non-perishables in the kitchen. She joined him when the children settled down and they worked together stacking the groceries in the cabinets and small pantry.

Then Nick made hot chocolate and invited her to join him in the living room. "If anyone deserves a break, we do." He carried both mugs and they dropped tiredly onto the sofa. He flipped on the TV and found a channel showing It's a Wonderful Life. "This okay?"

"Yes, I love this movie. I used to not think much about it, but I have a real appreciation for it now." Noelle slipped off her shoes and curled her feet up beneath her.

They watched the first scenes of the movie and during the commercials, she told him, "The restaurant was great. As long as I've lived here, I never knew about it. Rachael and Kenny were still talking about how much fun they had when they went to bed."

"Stick with a cop, baby. We know all the best eating places." He waggled his brows at her and they both laughed. "Seriously, I met Antonio, Senior, when his wife and Antonio, Junior, were in a bad auto accident. They had a small take-out pizza place on a little side street then. I helped him get his citizenship papers and talked him into taking up the lease on the building they're in now when the former tenant defaulted."

Noelle placed her empty mug on the coffee table. "It looked like they were doing very well. It wasn't Pop's Pizza before, was it? In the alley, near the hardware store? We used to get the best hand-tossed pizza there."

"Yep, that was it. They still make pizzas on Friday and Saturday, but do family style serving three days a week. Scoot over here. Let's relax and watch the movie." He used her hand to draw her closer.

She leaned against his side, enjoying the shared warmth. He smelled of woodsy aftershave with a hint of Italian spices. When his arm encircled her shoulders, she didn't pull away. She decided to relish these special moments until it was time to take her kids and leave. But she would have to be careful not to let things go too far.

At the end of the movie, Nick turned toward her and tilted her chin up with a gentle hand. He gazed into her eyes for several seconds, giving her time to back away. When she looked directly back into his eyes, he lowered his mouth to hers. He'd allowed his mustache to grow back during the last couple of weeks and used it to tickle her upper lip. He nibbled at her mouth until she sighed and allowed her lips to part for him.

Noelle closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around his neck. She allowed Nick all the access he wanted and moaned as he deepened the kiss. She ran her fingers through his hair and, when he would have lifted his head, she pulled him back to her.

* * * * *

"Oh God, Noelle. You are so beautiful...so special," he whispered into her ear, and then he trailed kisses beneath her ear lobe and along her neck. This woman reached something deep inside him from the first moment he met her. She was totally feminine, but strong and courageous. She'd had to be for her and the kids to survive this past year. Then passion overwhelmed him and he could only think of kissing her, touching her, and making her his.

Nick felt her fingers at his belt, but then Noelle paused. He lay above her on the sofa. His shirt was gone as was hers. Lost in a haze of passion, he hoped she would give in to their mutual desire and not push him away.

"Wait, please. We shouldn't..." Noelle gasped as if she couldn't take in enough oxygen.

He used his elbows to lift his weight slightly from her and cupped her face in his hands. "Why not? I want you, Noelle. I promise I won't hurt you." He planted a fiery kiss on her moist parted lips.

"But... The kids..."

"Sound asleep," Nick whispered, and kissed her again, while pressing his lower body to hers.

"Mm-mmm, but..." Her last reason to refuse melted from her mind as his mouth moved down her neck and onto the generous curve of a breast, bulging above her bra.

Swiftly indrawn breaths, hushed whispers, and groans of pleasure filled the room and soon they were lost in each other.