Chapter 33 #She Said Yes

Allie

I woke up in the very early hours of the morning, as light was just starting to filter into the room around the edges of the curtains. I was lying on my side, and Nico was pressed to my back with his arm resting over my waist. It took my sleep-addled brain a second to figure out what woke me, when Nico groaned softly, grinding his hard cock against the seam of my ass. Since Gracie wasn't here, we had both slept nude, a fact I was extremely grateful for now. When he did it again and his hand splayed firmly across my midsection to hold me in place, I knew he was awake too.

He shifted a little, dropping his face into the crook of my neck and planting a soft kiss there at the same time he ground his hips into me again.

"It's morning, Sunshine, and I believe I owe you an orgasm or two."

He ran down my hip and over my ass before sliding his fingers down between my legs, and I shifted a little to give him better access. I gasped as I felt his calloused fingers rubbing gently along my folds before dipping inside me.

"Mmmm, you're wet for me already, aren't you?" He sounded very satisfied with his discovery, and I pressed back against him, making him groan again.

"You'd better quit wiggling that sweet ass of yours, love, or you're going to find yourself stuffed full of my cock in a second."

I sighed. "Promises, promises."

Faster than I anticipated, he pressed me forward until I was almost on my stomach, sliding my knee up to give himself room to work. He rose up over my back and thrust into me in one long smooth motion, with his full length filling me. The sudden, unexpected fullness caused me to clamp down on him, making both of us moan loudly. He pulled back out, kneeling behind me and pulled me up by my hips. My upper body was still pressed to the mattress, and I felt vulnerable for a second with my ass up in the air, until Nico grabbed my hips and fucked into me again, harder than before. With a grunt, he began pounding into me, making me gasp and groan each time he bottomed out deep inside me. We were loud, not having to worry about the noise since we were alone.

"Harder," I begged, loving the feel of his rough possession. His fingertips dug into my hips, and he slammed into me, over and over as I felt the pressure building in my core.

"Yes, Allie, just like that, love. Take every fucking inch." He gasped out between thrusts, and his words fanned the flames that were about to consume me.

"So tight," he muttered. "So fucking perfect. You are perfect for me, Allie. We were made to be together just like this."

I fisted and clawed at the sheet under me as Nico's rhythmic pounding turned frantic.

"Allie, I need you to -"

"Aaaaah," I screamed, as my body tensed and shuddered with my release. His body jerked a split-second later, as my pussy clamped down on him like a vice and he came deep inside me. He collapsed over me, forcing my hips down to the mattress with the weight of his body. We were both breathing hard, and he shivered and moaned softly as he pulled out. He shifted to lie beside me, running his big hand up and down my back, and over the cheeks of my ass before giving them a squeeze.

"Shit, woman, I think you're trying to kill me. I'll die a happy man, though," he said, giving my ass another squeeze before leaning over and kissing my shoulder.

I turned my head toward him and smiled. "Good morning, honey."

"It sure the fuck is."

I got up and went into the bathroom, using the toilet and brushing my teeth before deciding to take a quick shower while I was up. I pinned my hair up on top of my head, and quickly soaped up and rinsed off. When I turned off the water and stepped out of the shower, Nico was standing there, towel in hand.

"You could have waited for me to join you," he pointed out.

"But that would have led to quickie shower sex. We're going to need a bed for round two, and it won't be a quickie," I promised.

"In that case, give me a minute and I'll be right there." He jumped in the shower and was out, drying off and brushing his teeth by the time I had dried off, rubbed on my lotion, and brushed out my hair.

I walked back into the bedroom when Nico raced in and scooped me up, dropping me down onto the middle of the bed. He pounced on top of me and swooped down to take my mouth in a deep kiss, before making love to every inch of my body again. It was slow and gentle this time, face to face, and we came together with our eyes locked on each other. It was a soul-binding connection that left us both clinging to each other as our bodies came down from the high of our release. We fell asleep in each other's arms, waking again a few hours later.

We fixed a late breakfast, and ate out by the pool, enjoying the freedom from fear of the paparazzi. The extra security Nico had added included a perimeter patrol, to ensure that no one tried to sneak over the wall or climb any nearby trees to get pictures of us in the backyard.

There had only been a couple of die-hard paps with cameras out there yesterday as our guests arrived, but since everyone pulled around to the back side of the garage to park, they weren't visible getting out of their cars. A quick glance through my social media notifications didn't turn up anything new. We had spoken with Lana a little about it the evening before, and she suggested we slowly return to our normal lives after we announce our engagement, continuing to post photos online here and there, reasoning that the interest from the paparazzi would die down a little if we were visible on our own social media accounts.

"Take away the incentive to get the highly-coveted 'first photos of the happy couple' and they will move on to their next payday more quickly," she'd advised.

Bearing that advice in mind, we decided to post an engagement photo as an announcement right before we left for the day to pick up Gracie and have Sunday dinner with my parents. Nico pulled up the picture that Matt had snapped of us last night. We had been snuggled together in one of the pool loungers, staring into each other' eyes and smiling softly. The fingers of Nico's right hand were threaded though the fingers of my left hand, so my ring was highly visible as it rested on his thigh. He pulled up his Instagram, Twitter and Facebook accounts and posted it, with the simple caption #SheSaidYes.

"There, now the whole fucking world will know that you're mine and I'm yours, Sunshine," he said with a satisfied smile, grabbing my hand and leading me out to the garage. As we pulled out of the gate at the end of the drive, there was only one guy hanging around with a camera, and he looked bored to tears. I smiled at Nico as we pulled away with a wave at the guards on duty.

"How many do you think will be there when we get back?" I asked.

"Well, if it goes as Lana thinks it will, they'll go crazy again for a day or two, then it will die down as we keep posting our own stuff."

"I hope she's right. Michael wants me to work from home tomorrow, and we'll play Tuesday by ear. I'll keep Gracie home until then, too."

Our phones both started pinging with various texts and notifications, and I scrolled through both of our phones since Nico was driving. A text from Lana to Nico was the first to come in. She lived and breathed for the social media alerts she had set up for her clients. It simply said "Perfect post. Congratulations again to you both. Let me know if you need anything from me."

Others followed, with Tony, Matt and Josh all sharing Nico's post to their own accounts, adding their comments and well wishes. Josh, who was normally the goofball of the group, added the most serious and beautiful caption. "I don't think I've ever seen a couple more attuned to each other, more committed to each other, or more in love with each other. It's been a beautiful ride so far, my friends, and I'm honored to have been a part of it. I can't wait to see what the future holds for your incredible family."

"Oh my God, that's so sweet. I can't believe that of all people, he made me cry," I sniffled, wiping a tear from my cheek.

"He and Min looked pretty serious together yesterday," Nico said, reaching over to squeeze my hand. "Maybe our little boy is all grown up now."

I chuckled. "Yes, they've been inseparable since they met. I talked to Min for a while last night, and she said he is great with her son, making sure to include him almost every time they are together. I offered to babysit for them when they want a night out alone."

"I would never have fucking imagined the two of them as a couple. Are we sure he hasn't tricked her into dating him?" Nico joked.

I swatted his thigh. "Be nice. They really like each other. Min blushes like a schoolgirl when she talks about him, and I swear he's halfway in love with her."

We got to my parents' house a few minutes before they did and sat on their front porch to wait for them to pull in the drive.Dad walked up to unlock the front door, and Gracie ran inside yelling that she had to go potty. Mom got out of the car and walked toward us, looking like she couldn't decide if she should laugh or cry. Before I could ask what was wrong, she started talking, sounding a lot like Molly Weasley when she sent a Howler-gram to yell at Ron in one of the Harry Potter movies.

"Allison Rose Kettering Donovan, did you know that your child cannot pronounce the word 'funky'? She leaves the letter 'n' out! She wanted to tell her little friend Molly about the funky dance you learned, only she didn't say funky!We were in the middle of church, Allie. Church!" she screeched in a tone guaranteed to make every dog in the neighborhood howl.

"I'm pretty sure Pastor Rich will spend most of the day wondering how one of his precious flock has wandered so far astray because your daughter shouted - loudly enough for half the congregation to hear - that Uncle Nico said her mommy is really good at the fucky dance!"She looked mortified.

"The old biddies in the Senior Ladies' Sunday School class had a collective attack of the vapors!I'm sure they're still clutching their pearls and praying for our mortal souls. I think we're going to have to become Jewish at this point, because I'm too embarrassed to ever show my face at our church again. I'll need to figure out where to buy a yarmulke for your father. At least I already know how to make matzo balls," she grumbled to herself as she marched into the house.

Dad patted my arm as he turned to follow mom into the house. "Wait, will we have to keep Kosher?" I heard him ask, "because I'm not giving up bacon."

Nico and I just looked at each other for a moment, then burst out laughing at the same time. I had almost composed myself when Nico winked and said, "Don't worry, Sunshine. Those old biddies only wish they could do the fucky dance half as well as you do."

By the time we got inside, Mom had calmed down considerably. Dad almost had her convinced that the whole thing was funnier than it was mortifying. My sister Hannah called and squealed in my ear when I answered.

"You're a meme, Allie!"

"Uh, what?" I winced, pulling the phone away from my ear.

"A meme, you and Nico are a meme now!"

"OK," I said slowly, shrugging at Nico when he looked at me questioningly.

"It's a picture from the Grammy red carpet. You were both posing for a photo. You were looking at the photographer, but Nico was staring down at you and smiling like a love-sick fool. It's captioned 'I want a man who looks at me like Nico looks at Allie.' It's so damned cute!"

I could feel myself flush. A meme?Oh, dear God. Gracie called out to me, wanting help changing out of her 'church clothes' so I got off the phone with Hannah and went to get my daughter sorted out. When I came back to the kitchen, Nico was chopping vegetables for a salad while Mom got the steaks ready for Dad to put on the grill in a bit. Potatoes were in the oven to bake, and she had dinner rolls ready to go in at the last minute. They apparently didn't need my help, so I wandered out to join my dad on the deck.

"Hey there, baby girl. Has your mom stopped looking for a synagogue for us to attend?" He asked with a chuckle.

"Yes, for the time being anyway."

He motioned to the phone in this hand. "This is a nice picture of you two that Nico posted. It's good to see you happy again, kiddo."

"Thanks, Daddy. It's all happening so fast, but it feels right."

"I don't think it's all that fast. You two have been in love with each other for years, but neither of you were smart enough to realize it," he said with a grin, smiling even wider as I swatted at his arm.

"He's a good man, and I think he would do anything in the world for you and Gracie. As a father and grandfather, that's all I can ask for my girls," he said softly, glancing inside to watch Nico and Mom moving around in the kitchen. Gracie was perched on one of the stools at the center island, munching on what looked like a carrot.

We sat in comfortable silence until Gracie popped her head out to let us know that Grandma said it was time to put the steaks on the grill. While Dad puttered around at the grill, I scrolled through my texts, responding to those from family and friends, and ignoring the ones from the media or nosy acquaintances. I felt a flash of guilt when I saw one from Liam.

Liam: Hey, I saw the news about you and Nico Peretti. Congratulations. I'm really happy it worked out for you two.

Me: Thanks, Liam, I appreciate it.

Liam: I hope Gracie will be returning to preschool soon. Grayson and the other kids really missed her this week.

Me: She will hopefully be back in the next few days, as long as the paparazzi don't cause any issues for her. I don't want them anywhere near the preschool.

Liam: I understand completely, and I'm sorry they've dragged you through that kind of a media circus. Let me know if you need anything, OK?

Me: I will, thanks.

I jumped when I heard Nico's hands came to rest on my shoulders. "Sorry, Sunshine, I didn't mean to startle you. Everything OK?" he asked, nodding toward my phone.

"Uh, yeah, I was just responding to some texts," I said slowly. I really should at least mention the one from Liam. "Liam texted me with his congratulations. He said all the kids are missing Gracie at preschool."

Nico's jaw clenched, and he didn't look thrilled. "That was thoughtful of him," he gritted out.

I arched a brow. "Yes, it was. He's a nice guy and I told you we ended things on good terms."

He heaved a sigh and rolled his eyes. "OK, I get it. He's a nice guy, but I still hate him for putting his hands on my girl." He leaned down to kiss me, whispering "I'm feeling very possessive, Sunshine. Maybe once it really sinks in that you're mine, I'll stop wanting to rip his arms off and beat him with the bloody stumps."

"And what will it take for that to sink in?" I asked softly.

"Maybe when I see you walking down the aisle to me. I think we need to talk when we get home and work out some wedding details."