Nick was touched by his father’s humility. He thought he’d never see the day when his father would apologize for his past deeds, let alone tell him he loved him. Although they couldn’t replace the years of hurt and disappointment, Nick graciously accepted his father’s apology.
Having failed at being a decent father, the elder Stiles was determined to be the perfect grandfather. Like clockwork every Saturday morning he would visit his son, grandson and new daughter. Even on occasion the elder Stiles accompanied his newly expanded family to church on Sunday mornings.
Going to church was another area of Nick’s life Summer enriched for the better. Every Sunday he’d have NJ bathed, dressed, fed, and ready to go as Summer scurried around getting herself together. “Come on, Beautiful, you’re gonna make us late. I don’t want to miss the choir.”
Hopping on one foot while putting a pump on the other she’d huff, “All right, I’m hurrying, stop rushing me already!” Though she pretended to be annoyed by his rushing, Summer always sent up a silent prayer of thanksgiving for her husband’s newfound interest in going to church.
“Isn’t the snow beautiful?” Summer said as Nick eased up behind her circling her tiny waist drawing her away from her reverie.
“Not as beautiful as you are.” He told his wife as his nibbled on her earlobe.
“You better load the dishwasher before you get yourself in trouble Mr. Stiles.”
Summer knew exactly where he was trying to go as she untangled herself from his embrace and moseyed over to the kitchen table taking a seat.
Glancing around the huge country kitchen, which she, her mother, and Joan decorated, Summer was still as elated as the first time Nick surprised her bringing her to the cabin for a quiet weekend.
Unbeknownst to her he had built their family a six bedroom, four-bathroom home. And of course the master bathroom had a gigantic Jacuzzi in it with enough room for at least four adults. The house was just as enormous with a spacious living room, formal dining area, family room, office, library, and exercise room. The outdoor grounds rivaled one of those fancy resorts with an in-ground pool, hot tub, tennis court and basketball court. A playground with swings, sliding board, sand box and jungle gym was also on the grounds. This new luxurious home was built a half a mile down the road from the old cabin.
Rising from the chair, Summer stretched and yawned. It had been a long day. They had celebrated their second Christmas in the new house with Henry, Nick’s father, Summer’s parents, Starr, Ava, Joan, and Kevin. Summer softly chuckled to herself as she thought about the
obvious attraction between Kevin and Starr that they both tried to down play. It was useless on their part. Summer had seen the attraction clear as day. She was certain if the others were paying attention they saw it too. Shaking her head she also thought about how Henry shamelessly flirted with Joan. All the women cracked up when Joan teasingly snapped, “Go on now and leave me alone. I ain’t stuttin’ you. You old fool.”
“What’s so funny?”
“Nothing. Are you almost done honey?”
She’d tell him later about Starr and Kevin. Now was not the time when all she wanted to do was to snuggle up next to her husband and watch the snowfall as she drifted off to sleep.
“Yeah, just let me put this last dish in.”
♥♥♥
Slipping under the covers and quilt, Summer nestled against Nick’s large frame.
“You sleep?” She whispered softly.
He answered by rolling over gathering her petite body in his arms.
“No, I’m not sleep. What took you so long woman?” He asked as he kissed her on the forehead.
Summer smiled as she wiggled trying to get even closer to her husband. “I was just checking on everyone. Making sure everybody was comfortable.”
Summer’s parents had left earlier to stay at the cabin down the road while everyone else filled up the other five bedrooms.
“Doing your nightly rounds, Nurse Stiles?”
Summer threw a shapely leg suggestively over a muscular thigh. “Mmmm hmmm. Now it’s time for your back rub, Mr. Stiles.”
Neither one of them heard the sounds of tiny feet padding down the hallway as Summer pulled her gown up to her waist straddling Nick’s hips.
“I think you’ll enjoy this better than a back rub.” Summer rotated her pelvis as her hands caressed Nick’s bare chest.
Nick slid his hands up her gown massaging her nipples with the pads of his thumbs. “Girl, I thought you were tired.”
Summer smiled seductively, “I was until―” Neither of them heard the turning doorknob.
“Mommy, what are you doing to daddy?” The tiny boy asked as he grounded his eyes with his small fists.