It has almost been a week without any word from Adam. Melissa wanted to believe he had left Florida and wasn't coming back. But she knew she had to be realistic, Adam was still here. The past couple of days were great. Spending time with her friends and Nick, it seemed perfect. However in the back of her mind, she wondered what Adam was up to. Things were quiet, too quiet and it scared her.
"Hey beautiful!" Nick stated as he wrapped his arms around her waist. "What are you doing out here?" She was leaning up against the railing, watching the waves crashing into the shore.
"Just thinking."
"About me?" Melissa laughed and then turned to face him.
"Yes Nick, I have nothing else in my life, so I think about you constantly!" Nick smiled at her.
"You're funny Angel! Are you up for an outing tonight?"
"Sure, where to?"
"Tabu. It's Howie's and Alyssa's two year anniversary. They want to go out and celebrate."
"Sure it sounds like fun. When are we leaving?"
"Around seven, why?"
"So we have time to find them a gift. Come on." She stated pulling him to the door.
"What are you looking for?" Nick asked as they walked another aisle.
"I took this picture of Howie and Alyssa the first night I was here. The sun was setting and Howie was behind Alyssa, holding her. They looked so happy and in love, so I thought it would be a nice present for them." She replied looking at frames.
"How about this one?" Nick asked as he lifted up a light oak frame.
"It's perfect. Simple, but elegant, good job honey." Melissa said kissing his cheek.
"That's all I get, a kiss on the cheek."
"What do you want?" She smiled at him as he pulled her close.
"I was thinking something like this." He kissed her slowly and softly. They pulled away, leaning their foreheads together.
"Honey, we aren't alone anymore." She stated gesturing to a little girl, holding a piece of paper and a pen. Nick smiled at the little girl.
"Hi sweetie. Did you want an autograph?" The little nodded her head. "What's your name sweetie?"
"My name is Ashley." The little girl stated, smiling.
"Here you go."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome sweetie." The little girl rushed off with a big smile on her face.
"You made that little girl's day." Melissa said as they exited the aisle.
"That is what I love about this job. Something as small as an autograph can just make someone so happy."
"That must be an amazing feeling for you. The way your fans love you, unconditionally."
"Yeah it is, but what is even more amazing is your love. When you love, you love with everything in you."
"And that is how I love you Nick with everything in me." He pulled her in for a quick kiss. "Nick look, isn't that the little girl who asked for an autograph?" She asked pointing to a girl who seemed lost.
"I think so."
"Sweetie, are you lost?" Melissa asked kneeling down.
"I can't find my mommy." The girl said while nodding her head.
"Well Ashley, my name is Melissa, but you can call me Mel and you remember him, don't you?" She asked pointing to Nick. The little girl nodded her head. "We'll help you find her." Melissa said taking the little girl's hand. "Where did you last see her?"
"She was by the bedspreads. We were picking out a new one for me. I got a big girl bed." They entered the bedding area and looked for her mother.
"Do you see her anywhere?" The little girl shook her head and started to cry.
"Oh honey, don't cry. We'll find your mommy, how about in the meantime we pick out a bedspread for you. Do you have a favorite color?"
"I used to like pink, but not anymore. It's too girly."
"You know I went through my pink phase too." Melissa said wiping the girl's tears away.
"Really?"
"Yeah, everything had to be pink in my room. Pillows, comforter, curtains, but after awhile I got sick of it."
"What color did you pick after that?"
"Well first it was navy blue, then baby blue, but I got sick of them too. However, I finally did pick a color that has stayed in my room even now."
"What color is that?"
"Well it's called seafoam green."
"Seafoam green?" Ashley giggled.
"Yeah, it's a light shade of green. Actually this bedspread is seafoam green." Melissa stated pointing to the comforter on the shelf.
"I like that color."
"Ashley, oh my god, I was worried sick about you." A lady came running down the aisle and scooped Ashley up in her arms. "Where did you run off to?"
"She wanted an autograph." Nick stated to Ashley's mom.
"Mommy, he's one of the Backstreet Boys and I have his autograph." Ashley said beaming.
"We found her a little bit later all by herself, so we headed to the bedding section because she said that was where she last saw you."
"Yeah mommy, Mel was helping me pick out a bedspread. Can I have this one?" Ashley asked reaching for the seafoam green comforter.
"You can have whatever one you want; as long as you promise me that you won't run off again."
"I promise mommy."
"Thank you so much. I hope she wasn't a bother."
"Oh no, she was a sweetheart." Melissa said smiling at Ashley. Ashley smiled back at her.
"Mel, we better go if we don't want to be late to Howie's and Alyssa's party." Nick stated to her.
"Don't let us keep you. Thank you again." Ashley's mom replied.
Melissa kneeled down to Ashley. "It was nice to meet you Ashley. I hope you like your new big girl bed."
"It was nice to meet you Mel. Thanks for helping me."
"You're welcome sweetheart." She said touching the little girl's cheek. Melissa turned to leave, but Ashley grabbed her hand.
"That's a pretty ring."
"Thank you Ashley."
"My mommy has a ring sort of like that on her left hand. My daddy gave it to her; does that mean you are married? Did you marry Nick?" She asked looking at Melissa.
"Ashley, honey, that's none of your business. I'm so sorry."
"It's okay. Nick and I are…"
"What Mel is saying is that we are engaged. We are going to get married, soon if I had it my way." Nick stated looking at Melissa.
"Well congratulations, I hope you have a happy life together." Ashley's mom replied.
"Congrats Mel and Nick." Ashley said jumping up and down.
"Thank you both."
"Come on honey, we have some more shopping to do. Thank you."
"Bye Nick and Mel."
"Bye Ashley." They headed to the checkout counter to pay for the frame. They left the store and got into Nick's car.
"You were so good with her. You kept her calm when she started to cry."
"It's no big deal. I had practice with some friends who had kids."
"Do you want to have kids?" He asked as they pulled out of the parking lot.
"Of course, when I'm ready."
"You mean when we are ready." Nick stated.
"Yeah, when we are ready." Melissa smiled.
"Why are you smiling?"
"It's just the idea of us being parents."
"I think you would be a wonderful mother." He said reaching for her hand.
"Well I know you would be a great dad. You're a kid at heart." She grinned at him.
"Funny!" They both laughed as they headed home.
