Scenes From a Soap Opera

Reunited and it Feels so Good

Nick and Sharon had been spending a lot of time together since Faith had gone to college. Sharon had been so lonely coming home every day from Crimson Lights to an empty house. Nick at least had Christian at home. Soon Nick's once a week dinners became five dinners and sometimes Christian stayed at home. Tonight was one of those Christian free dinners. 

The doorbell rang signaling Nick's arrival. Sharon ran to answer the door, checking her hair in the mirror before opening it. 'Get it together Sharon' she scolded herself. 

"Nick, hi! Come on in." Sharon greeted her ex-husband. "No Christian tonight?" 

"Hey." Nick returned the greeting, giving her a hug. "Christian got invited to a friend's house for a pizza and a movie. It was too good an offer to pass up." 

"Understandable." Sharon agreed. The former couple sat down at the table. After filling up their plates, they settled into some easy small talk. "Faith called me this afternoon. Said she got an A on her Biology midterm."  

"That's our girl." Nick said while wearing a proud smile. He grabbed Sharon's hand across the table. They both could feel the electric sparks that seemed to be happening more and more lately. Though if they had to really think about it, those sparks had started in high school and never fully went away. Before either could comprehend what they were doing, they stood up from the table in a full blown kiss. 

Sharon and Nick broke apart staring at each other in shock. This was the third kiss they'd shared since Rey died 6 months ago. Once a fluke, but three times was a pattern. A pattern that they both wanted to continue. Nick grabbed Sharon's hand to take her over the couch. 

"Sharon, I want this. I want you. I've never been more sure of anything in my life. It's you, it's always been you." Nick stated. He was too old to play games. He wanted Sharon, he'd always want Sharon, but there was so much history to get past. "What are you thinking there?"

Sharon sighed, she had to admit kissing Nick felt right. Being here with him was the most comfortable she'd ever felt. But they'd tried this before; did she really want to put herself through this again, put her kids through this if it failed? "I'm thinking that I'm so confused."

"Confused about what?" 

"You, me, this, everything." Sharon exhaled. "We've been down this road before Nick. We can never seem to get it right. I don't know if I can put myself or our kids through another failure." 

"I understand where you're coming from. I really do." Nick explained. Those doubts plagued him too. "It'll be different this time. We won't make those same mistakes." 

"But how do you know?" Sharon had started to cry. "We said that last time. And the time before that." She sniffled. "I do want you. You're the love of my life. That's why it hurts so damn much every time it falls apart." 

Nick's heart broke more and more with each tear that fell down Sharon's face. And the worst part was that he knew he was the reason they were there; for all the doubts. "I know because we're older, wiser, more determined than ever to make it work. You're the love of my life. I know how much it hurts to be without you and I'm tired of being without you." He kissed her hands. "And we're going to start things differently this time. Would you consider going to counseling?" 

Sharon was stunned. Never in a million years would she have thought that Nick would even consider going to counseling yet alone be the one to suggest it. "Yes, I'd go to counseling. I think it's a great idea actually." She gave him a watery smile. One that Nick returned. Her heart skipped a beat. 

"So what do you say?" Nick hesitatingly asked.  "Are you open to trying again?" 

Sharon took a moment to gather herself. She decided to trust her heart and go with her gut instinct. "Yes, I'm open to trying again." She leaned forward to kiss him. Those little sparks suddenly turned into fireworks. Nick stood up from the couch and held out his hand. Sharon grabbed it and allowed him to lead her up the stairs. The first chapter of the rest of their lives was up there and they couldn't wait to start it.