Chapter 26
~*~5 months later, at the Carter House~*~
Nick looked up, from his packing, and noticed Stacey's tear
stained face.
"Hey!" he said, and pulled her into his arms. "Its only gonna be for 3 weeks. I'll call you all the time...at least 2 a day, okay?"
She nodded. "I'll miss you though, and what am I supposed to do? I'm done school. Am I just supposed to sit on my ass, and watch Sam get fatter? When is she going to have the baby?"
Nick shrugged. "I don't know, any day now, she is 9 months now. AJ is going crazy. Don't tell her, but he bought her that house, on Ocean Parkway, and had it all remodeled. You should see the nursery. He can't wait to be a father. I don't know what the hurry is. Did you know they were engaged?"
Stacey laughed. "NICK! She's my bestfriend! Of COURSE I know she's engaged. Their so happy. I even heard that Sam's parents are ready to forgive her."
Nick sighed, and snapped his last suitcase shut.
"I got you something." he said, producing something from under his pillow.
Her face lit up. "What? Let me see it!" She shrieked, as she climbed into his lap.
Kissing her forehead, he placed the gift in her hand. A large diamond solitare, starred out at her. She screamed. It was encased in gold. Crying she looked up at Nick.
"Look on the back!" he said.
Turning it over, she gasped. A tiny picture of a shoe was engraved on it, and under it, it read: 'June 18 was the best day of my life.'
Turning around she began to kiss him, and cried at the same time. Suddenly they were interrupted.
"EEEEWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!! MOM! NICK AND STACEY WERE KISSING!!!!!!!"
Nick rolled his eyes, and kissed the tip of her nose. After helping her put it on, he grabbed his bags and they headed downstairs. His family was waiting for him.
After each had said goodbye, Stacey hopped into the drivers seat of his car. "Okay. We got to pick up AJ on the way. Lets go."
Nick shook his head. "Why are you driving? I wanna drive."
She smiled, and turned on the car. "Are you coming or should I go?" she said sweetly.
Nick grumbled, but got into the passenger seat. "Women" he muttered.
Stacey laughed. "Oh Nick. God bless you......god bless you"
~*~After the guys had left~*~
"I miss my AJ!!!!" Sam shreiked, as she channel surfed.
Stacey looked up from her magazine. "Would you shut up! I cannot tell you how many times I've heard you say that. He JUST called from the bloody PLANE. Now calm down."
Sam shot her a dirty look. "I want food. Go get me food." She whined.
Stacey threw down her magazine. "Jesus! FINE....What do you WANT-besides AJ"
Sam shrugged. "Surprise me"
Stacey stalked off to the kitchen. Taking out a bowl, she threw some black cherry ice cream in it. Then she took out the bag of Sour creme and Onion chips, and crushed some over top. Some peanut butter, smeared on top, with pickles on the side. Sam's favourite.
Stalking back into the living room, she placed it on Sams stomach.
Sams face lit up. "OHHHH!!!!!! Thank you!!!" Then she noticed the thing hanging from Staceys neck. She whistled.
"Wowee! He really loves you!" She said. "Is that thing real?" Then she thought about it. "Why of course it is! Thats why there's that big cut in the bathroom mirror!"
Stacey
grinned sheepishly. Turning on the TV, they relaxed for the rest
of the afternoon.
Around 9:00pm the phone rang. Even though Sam could barely walk,
she darted for the phone.
Her face fell. "Uh, yes just a second. STACEY!!!!"
Stacey smiled and hurried into the room. "Hello?"
"Hi, this is Jean-Claire. I am from Paris. Am I speaking with Stacey?"
Stacey looked at the phone confused. "Uh, yes you are, how can I help you?"
"Well, am the editor of Cosmopolitan Magazine...the paris version, and your professuer....uh teacher, referred you to me. I am retiring. I was wondering if we could get together, and talk about you taking over?"
Stacey's mouth hung open in shock. Omigosh! I totally forgot about school. I can't give up this oppertunity.......
"ALLO? Stacey? Are you still there?"
"Uh yes! I'm sorry. Um I would be delighted to get together, but my friend is 9 months pregnant and due any day. If I leave her, she may go into labour."
Jean-claire chuckled. "That is okay. I understand. I will be in New York next week. Your friend and you will be flown out there and we can talk then. Is that alright?"
Stacey thanked her, and hung up.
"SAM!!!!! Get in here!" she screamed.
Sam waddled in. "What's up? That lady sounded like she was french."
Stacey nodded, and told her the story. "So we get to go to New York next week? And THEY'RE paying? I am SO there!!!!"
Stacey and her laughed, but then Sam's face darkened.
"What about Nick?" she asked. Stacey stopped in mid sentence.
"Oh gos.....Nick!" she said hitting herself on the forehead. "Oh, well I probably won't even get the job, so I won't even bother telling him."
She ran out of the room, saying something about packing.
Sam sat down. "But Stacey, you've already got the job, or they wouldn't be flying us down. What are you going to do?" she whispered. Tears came to her eyes. "Oh gosh, I hate being so emotional. DAMN pregnancy!" she cursed. They're gonna break up she realized. The dream couple Nick and Stacey are going to break up.