Family Forever (Book 5 in Nemi Forever series)

Chapter 18

Nick

I tried really hard to shake the feeling I had. This nagging feeling that something was not right. The feeling that something bad was going to happen. This awful, sickening feeling that I was going to lose Demi. It didn't help that she was on the other side of the country from me. After she left New York, not taking the twins with her, things went from okay to bad to worse.  

My attempt at being the supportive husband wasn't easy when I was busy with my Broadway show & taking care of my kids. Thank God for my family. I could not have done any of this without them. I did, however, enjoy having Mercy & Jerry with me all the time. They were walking, well running to be more accurate. They were starting to talk. They were showing an interest in music. I would play the keyboard or the piano while they sat on my lap or on the bench with me. They each had a toy guitar & I promised myself I was getting them their own sets of drums when we moved back west.  

Demi called & skyped with us every day, at least for the first two weeks. A few days after she returned home to L.A. we were talking on the phone & she was looking over the studio schedule that Rafe had given her & there was no time for three weeks for her to leave L.A. Needless to say, I was angry, but I bit my tongue. After the second week in L.A. Demi was working in the studio at night & sleeping during the day so she didn't skype much. When I brought it up, it only upset her or we'd get angry with each other. This was not easy for me. I was starting to resent Demi. I was snapping at her when we did talk on the phone or I was ignoring her texts for hours. It made my nagging feelings of losing her seem so much more validated. I couldn't even do anything. I couldn't leave New York. I only hoped that when she finally was able to visit us that I could make these feelings go away. 

The feelings didn't go away. It was almost four weeks before Demi finally got a few days off in a row to allow her to leave L.A. Of course it was on a Friday night & she had to leave on Monday. I had my show all weekend so we wouldn't have much time together. At least she would get to be with the twins. 

When I got home Friday evening, Demi & my mom were in the kitchen talking over a cup of tea. I walked in & Demi only smiled at me. She didn't get up to hug me or kiss me hello, even though she hadn't physically touched me in nearly a month. Before she had left, we hadn't even made love. Neither of us were feeling very loving that last week. It had been almost four weeks since we'd had sex & I was starting to freak out, internally. This was like a bad love song. I could feel it... our love was.... I didn't want to think the word, but it's how it felt. Our love was dying. I needed to give it some CPR or we weren't going to see forever. At least not with each other. 

I walked over & put my hand on the small of Demi's back, then leaned in to kiss her cheek. "Hello, Beautiful." I almost choked on the word because she really was beautiful & I missed her. "You are a sight for sore eyes." I murmured into her ear. 

Her head turned upward to look at me as she smiled. My mom cleared her throat, then stood up. "I'm beat. I'll see you guys in the morning." Mom came over to hug me & Demi, then she disappeared. 

Once my mom was gone, Demi wrapped her arms around my waist, resting her head on my chest. This was better. This felt right. Maybe I was being paranoid. Maybe I was worrying for nothing. I held Demi for a few minutes, then she looked up at me. "We can go to bed. I bet you're tired, too." She said in a tired voice. 

I nodded as Demi stood up & took my hand. We walked to the bedroom in silence. There was so much I wanted to say, but I didn't want to upset her or start an argument. She was only here for a few days & I didn't want to spend those few days fighting or ignoring each other. It was hard to have a discussion with Demi these days. She was so sensitive & defensive. I wanted to ask her why she couldn't stay until Tuesday. I wanted to ask her how things were going. I wanted to ask her if she regretted her decision, but I said nothing. I just got undressed as I watched Demi get into bed. She had been ready for bed for some time. Demi's eyes came up to meet mine as I slid my jeans down & then tossed them on a chair. A playful smile was on Demi's mouth as her eyes widened a little. I started toward the bed when she cleared her throat. "You going to take the boxers off?" She asked in a sexy voice.