Spitting Bullets

Chapter 3

Nicole woke up, wrapped in Antonio's arms. She leaned over a sleeping Antonio to check the time.

"Oh shit!" she whisper cried when she saw the time.

Antonio wiggled underneath her as she jumped out of bed. Now awake, he furrowed his brow in confusion as he watched Nicole get dressed in a hurry.

"What's wrong? Where you going?" asked Antonio as he got up, pulling on his jeans.

"Noah stayed with my sister last night since I wasn't feeling the best and I'm supposed to pick him up in 10 minutes from her house," quickly explained Nicole.

"Let me drive you. I can tell your still a little sore from yesterday, just let me drive.  We can pick him up, maybe go get breakfast. We have off today for Good Friday," smiled Antonio, sliding on his belt.

Nicole walked over and planted a kiss on Antonio's lips, a grin spreading across her face. She sat down on the bed and yanked on her shoes while continuing the conversation.

"Noah does love you. He's there year old little brain thinks your amazing," smiled Nicole, thinking about Antonio with her son.

"Well I am pretty great. I think I've proven that to you," joked Antonio, chuckling.

"Antonio Dawson!" laughingly cried Nicole as he smacked him in the chest.

"Alright alright. You ready to go?"

"Yeah let's go get my boy."

The two of them climbed into the car and Antonio took off. Nicole kept badering him with directions so they didn't wind up in a bad neighborhood. Finally they pulled up to her sister's suburban home.

"You wanna come in with me?" offered Nicole as she unbuckled.

"I'd loved too," slightly grinned Antonio as he unbuckled himself.

The two of them walked up to the door, Nicole knocking on it. As it swung open she was immediately hugged by three little kids. Her five year old niece Megan, her 7 year old nephew Matthew, and her son all wrapped her in a hug. Her sister stood there laughing.

"Guys let Aunt Nicole in," advised Carly, Nicole's sister.

The kids laughed and backed off. Nicole picked up Noah and placed her on her hip as she walked in with Antonio.

"Who is this?" asked Carly with a cheeky grin, referring to Antonio.

"This is my partner Antonio. Tonio this is my older sister Carly," introduced Nicole.

"Antonio Dawson. Nice to meet you," greeted Antonio as he shook her hand.

"Carly Perkins. Nice to meet you too. My little sister's never brought a guy to meet me before," grinned Carly as she crossed her arms.

Antonio laughed as Nicole's face grew red.  She decided to ignore her sister and turn her attention to Noah.

"Hey baby boy! Did you have fun with Aunt Carley and the kids?" asked Nicole in a sweet voice.

"Yeah! I got to see Uncle Jeff!" cried Noah as he threw his little arms in the air.

"Uncle Jeff was here! Did you see him after work?"

"Yeah! He had a gun, like you mommy! And a neckalace."

"Necklace buddy. But the way you say it is cute."

Antonio marvelled at the sight of Nicole with her son. He looked how kind and child like she was with him. There was a light in her eyes, a light of joy.

"Tonio!" cried Noah as he noticed Antonio standing next to him.

"Hey little man! Guess what?" smiled Antonio, loving the little boys energy.

"What! What!" exclaimed Noah as he squirmed in Nicole's arms.

"Mommy and I are gonna take you to get some pancakes!" announced Antonio.

"Yay!" cheered Noah, causing all the adults to laugh.

"Alright well I know you gotta get these guys to church for rehearsal. I'll see you later sis. Thanks for taking him," thanked Nicole as she hugged her sister.

"Momma I'm squished!" whined Noah.

"Sorry baby boy," giggled Nicole as she pulled Noah's little backpack over her shoulder.

"Bye little sis! Bye Antonio," smiled Carly as Nicole left with Antonio and her son.

"Bye!" cried Nicole, shutting the door behind her.

After buckling Noah into his carseat Nicole got into the passenger seat. She buckled and nodded at Antonio, signalling she was ready to go.

"Hey I'm sorry about my sister," sighed Nicole, sitting with her back against the seat.

"It's no big deal," grinned Antonio as he placed intertwined their fingers, "I kinda thought it was kind of funny."

"Funny?" questioned Nicole.

"It was funny how red your face got when she teased you," chuckled Antonio.

"Oh shut up!" chuckled Nicole.

"Momma said bad word!" cried Noah from the back seat, pointing his finger at Nicole.

"Yeah, momma said a bad word," smirked Antonio as he glanced at Nicole in the seat next to him.

"Momma's sorry buddy. You wanna go get some pancakes?!" replied Nicole.

"Yeah! I like 'em," happily responded Noah, licking his lips.

"Well we're almost there little man. Then we'll get you some pancakes," chuckled Antonio as he pulled into the parking lot of Kim's Kitchen.

When Antonio parked Nicole got out of the car and headed to get Noah out of his seat. She began unbuckling him while he swung his little feet.

"Mommy, can I walk?" asked Noah as she pulled him out of his seat.

"Okay, but you have to hold hands," agreed Nicole as Noah grabbed her hand.

His little face out up when he saw Antonio come around the back of the car. Noah reached out with his free hand and grasped two of Antonio's fingers. Antonio smiled down at the little boy and adjusted himself so he was holding his hand.

"Momma said we have to hold hands," stated Noah as they walked towards the front door.

"Oh did she. Well we better listen to her," grinned Antonio.

Antonio held the door open for Noah and Nicole, still smiling. This is what he always wanted to do every weekend. The three of them sat at a booth, Noah sitting next to Nicole. Antonio and Nicole got coffee to drink while Noah ordered a choclate milk.

"Good choice," fist bumped Antonio, blowing it up afterwards.

Nicole chuckled watching her son and Antonio carry on a conversation about trucks. This is everything she dreamed of having, the perfect guy, the perfect son, and the perfect job. Now all she had to do, was make it last.