No Longer Alone

Thirty-nine

***Damian's POV***   

     "Just as I thought, these boys don't think of the things women need to feel comfortable, probably didn't take you anywhere to get a real change of clothes or anything for grooming," my mom stated after looking Nicole over, head to foot.  "Well at least one of them thought to get you a different shirt, but still, its a good thing I came prepared.  Damian which one is your room so she can have some privacy to change?"  

      I pointed towards, my room, watching as my mom took Nicole by the arm and herded her that way with a rather large bag.  Turning and knowing that I wouldn't be welcome there for a while, and eyed Alex.  He started shifting from foot to foot like he was contemplating running, even though I currently blocked the only path to the door.

    "You told them didn't you."  I watched his face, his eyes shifting between me and my father, then to the ground.

    "I may have let a little something slip...and then mom started asking me more questions, and I tried to get out of it, but she pulled the mom card on me!"  My dad started laughing and nodded standing next to me.  My parents had informally adopted Alex after finding out that he had a bad relationship with both his parents after they tried to use him against each other in their divorce.  

    "He really did try, but you know how she gets sometimes.  Besides, I for one am quite thankful to have had a chance to meet her and her kid before they know who you are.  Her kids seem to be very smart and very outgoing.  I do, however, regret that she had to deal with that scene last night, and we have had quite the interesting talk with her boss and a few of her co-workers."

    I wince a bit too, thinking of the interaction and not knowing what I missed during that.  Why that rat feels like he can insult her like that, and what other ramifications might come of it.  This site for their customer service so far was exactly what I was looking for, and I didn't want to let that go, but I didn't know if I could tolerate him near her after that.

    "Relax, Damian, I will explain everything later, but given the fact that your mom got clothing for your lady, I for one am quite curious to see what she will come out wearing.  As for work, Stone gave her the day off, and is aware that she didn't start any of it, I think there might be some restructuring  going on that is long over due if even a quarter of what I heard around that site is true.  Everything will work out, but for now, it is only nine in the morning, and we have a full day ahead of us."

    Hearing the door unlock and open, we all turned to see my mom and Nicole coming out of the room.  I couldn't help but stare at Nicole, the clothing fitting her figure nicely, teasing at skin, my eyes temporarily drawn to the sparkle at her naval.  How had I missed seeing the piercing there before?  The green shirt she was wearing was one of my favorite colors, and brought out the red tones in her hair, and brought more warmth to her eyes and skin.

    "Xander!  Nicole agreed to taking us to Glacier and showing us one of her favorite hikes there!  She even said that her girls could come with us!  Doesn't that sound wonderful!"  My mother went to my father, smiling up at him, almost vibrating with excitement and energy.  Who does she mean with us?   I really hope she isn't thinking that she is going to run off with Nicole without me now that I have finally gotten a chance to actually try to spend time with her myself.

    "Well Val, we will need to go by my house since the shoes I was wearing last night aren't the best for hiking, and I will need to get my kids ready to go too."  Nicole glanced down at my parents shoes and winced.  " It also looks like you will need to get some other shoes as well, those won't do at all."

    "Oh, I'm sure we can find something that will work!  How about the boy's take you home so you can get ready and then we can all meet up and go together."  My mom said with a smile. "You need to give me your number and then you can meet us back here when you are ready, and we can follow you up!"

    Nicole smiled, telling my mother her number, and I wouldn't be embarrassed to say that I entered her number in my phone as well.  I don't know what my mother had planned, but I was not missing this chance.  I wanted to meet her girls again, I still hadn't had a chance to really meet her oldest daughter, and I was concerned for Marie after last night as well.  My mother grabbed Nicole into another hug, and then bounced out of the room full of excited sounding plans, which I knew I would need to check on soon.

    "So only I get kicked for hugging you?"  Alex said with a laugh looking at Nicole's baffled expression.

    "You deserved it, you knew I kicked people who touched me without permission from high school, she didn't know."

    "Then why haven't you kicked Damian yet!  He hugged you yesterday!"  Alex looked like he was revving up for a whole tirade.  Nicole took a sip of her coffee,  walked over, and kicked him in the shin.

    "It was a one off, and I haven't finished my coffee, quit your whining."  Nicole took another drink and sighed.  "I really do need to get home though, and get my kids."

    Alex was rubbing his shin, and grunted, looking mildly annoyed, which boosted my mood a little.  "Well, you will have to give me a moment to recover from your attack.  Why do you always go for the shins woman!"

    "Well, if the shin bothers you so much..."  Nicole's smile was overly sweet, but her eyes held an almost demented humor, "...I could aim higher and help you hit high notes you never could before."  I almost spit my coffee out as she said that so sweetly to Alex.

    "Nah, I'm good...I mean I'd rather you not kick me at all, but shins are fine." Alex danced back a few steps, hands held up in defeat."

    "Excellent, now let me finish my coffee."  Nicole promptly sat down on the couch, ignoring us in favor of her coffee, but at least it was next to me instead of across the room.  Progress was being made.