Second Chances (Ricky + Nini)

chapter 25 - it's rare that something feels this right

"Nini-panini-lamborghini-zucchini-queenie-bikini!!!!" Nini was suddenly attacked by a scrawny red head at the JFK airport.

"It's good to see you too, Red." Nini said laughing and hugging her best friend. In the distance, she could see Ricky and Ashlyn walking at a normal pace and taking their time, unlike Red.

"I'm so glad to see you, Neens." Red said panting. "I'm so nervous, I'm gonna die."

Nini smiled and touched his arm comfortingly. "You're gonna be alright, Red. But I'm afraid we don't have time for a pep talk right now, because our significant others are quickly catching up with us."

"Hi Ash! I missed you so much." Nini hugged Ashlyn tightly. "You look amazing by the way."

"Thank you! I was born this way." Ashlyn flipped her hair jokingly. "And thank you for waiting for us Big Red... "

Ashlyn rolled her eyes and Red laughed nervously, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. Nini sensed that Red was about to pee his pants, so she linked her arm with Ashlyn's pulling her to walk away from Red. However, she barely took one step when she heard Ricky clear his throat extremely loudly. She decided to tease him and kept walking. Obviously, he had to be a child and kept coughing all the way to the taxi stand.

"Oh for goodness sake. Can I help you Mr. Bowen?" Nini turned around and rolled her eyes playfully as they waited for their cab.

"I would like my girlfriend to not ignore me, please." Ricky pouted. "You didn't even greet me."

Nini wanted to kiss that pout off his face, but instead put her hand up in the air.

"What?" Ricky asked confused.

"Gimme five, Curly!"

"Who are you and what have you done to my girlfriend?" Ricky high-fived her uncertainly and interlaced his fingers with hers. She laughed and turned around, but he didn't let go of her hand, spinning her around in one swift move, and pulled her towards him in one swift move. His lips met hers in a searing kiss that made her head spin and completely forgot that she was at the airport with Red and Ashlyn. Their eyes locked and she leaned forward to kiss him again, this time savoring the moment, appreciating how soft his lips were against hers, how his hand gripped her waist so perfectly like it belonged there, the way he smelled like freshly brewed coffee and tasted like brownies. She was so in love with this man that if he ever asked, she would marry him on the spot.

"Lovebirds, let's go!" Red shouted.

"Come on, babe." Ricky put an arm around her and walked with her.
________
The timer dinged signaling that it was time to take the turkey out. Ricky and Nini were in the middle of a movie, but Nini jumped up and rushed to the kitchen soon as she heard the sound.

Ricky heard the clanging of pots and pans, and a loud yelp from the kitchen. Worried that Nini might have hurt herself, he decided to check it out for himself.

"Baby, you okay?" Ricky said as he entered the kitchen.

"Yeah. I'm fine, totally fine." Nini said in a very non-convincing way. She had her hand hidden behind her and her face was contorted in pain.

"Let me see."

Nini shook her head.

"Nina. Let me see your hand." Ricky insisted and she finally relented.

He gingerly took it in his hand and examined the wound. She'd clearly burnt her hand when she took the turkey out of the oven.

"Okay, you put this under cold running water, while I get the first aid kit."