Saint Nick

12. December

• This song makes me laugh every time •

Nick was kissing her down her naked back after another round of spirited sex when the phone suddenly rang. Both of them froze up when they looked at the clock and saw that it was just a quarter past midnight.

"I should get it," Hazel said, worriedly. Nick nodded in agreement when both of them knew nobody ever called around midnight with good news. So it was with a worried hand that Hazel reached over to her nightstand and picked up her phone. "Hello?"

She eased up when she heard her sister's voice on the other end. It sounded like mayhem in the background, though, but thankfully it wasn't some hospital nurse calling on behalf of a relative.

"What's wrong, Camille?" Hazel asked when she heard Michael crying and Ashley screaming their voices raw. What sounded like the TV was vaguely audible in the back as well, but it was Camille's tired voice that did it.

"Jim got called out for work. The snow's coming down pretty hard outside."

Hazel briefly turned her eyes towards the window and saw that was indeed true. There was about two inches of snow lining her window's frame. Jim was a city volunteer when it snowed as heavy as it did; He was out riding the snow plows and salting the roads to make the city safe for its drivers.

"I'm so sorry to call and disturb you, but Ashley got into the cookies we made earlier – she pulled up a chair and climbed on top of the shelf and ate almost the whole jar, and now she's completely sugared up! She started jumping around and woke up Michael and now he won't go to sleep again, and—" Camille sighed and her voice sounded absolutely exhausted. "I know it's terrible timing, but—"

"I'll be there in fifteen minutes," Hazel told. She brushed off all of her sister's apologies and promised it wasn't a big deal. After a final reassurance, she hung up and turned towards Nick.

"Trouble?" He asked. Hazel nodded and was already starting to get out of bed – reluctant as it felt for her body to leave his cozy side.

"I'm sorry, but my sister needs me. It's chaos at her house and she sounded about ready to break down." She started searching through her drawers for some clean underwear and clothes. She sensed Nick sit up on the bed and watch her scurry around. "Do you mind...?"

"Of course not, go," He smiled and Hazel gave a thankful smile back. "Would you like me to come with you?"

In the middle of clasping her bra on, Hazel froze up. If sleeping over, cuddling and talking about family members were breaking the rules, then visiting them was flat out illegal. Although the idea of leaving him here seemed insensitive too, wasn't it the better option?

"I, uh..."

"Or I could come back tomorrow, if you'd prefer," He suggested when he sensed her hesitance. "We could pick up where we left off. It's not a problem."

Hazel was close to agreeing and she knew she should. That was definitely the best option to go with.

"Actually, if you want to, you can come." What the hell?! The words spilled from her lips before she could stop them. "I mean, if you want to. Don't feel obligated. You can totally leave if you'd rather—"

Nick got out of bed and started shrugging on his pants and boxer briefs. "I don't mind coming. I'll wait in the car if you want me to."

When he smiled and walked up to her, leaning down to press a quick kiss on her lips, Hazel momentarily grew breathless as he walked on by to pick up his shirt from the dresser. Her holiday fling was willing to throw himself into the night and drive through the town to help out her family.