Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction, and it was created solely by me as the author. Any similarities to characters, businesses, places, or things are all happenstance, though my appreciation to those who have
inspired
my works is immense.
Author's Note:
This is the first part in a series about the Nickels family. I believe many of you will come to love Bekah, Dave, Joe, Nancy, Bob, and Nana. (Who doesn't love a spunky, lovable, doting Nana?!) This one has a slow buildup into the hot and heavy scenes, but my stories are STORIES, so many details make for fun, exciting, and interesting plot lines. Remaining calm in awaiting the next installment may be necessary, but I assure you, it'll be worth it. Questions and comments are welcome. Please take the time to rate this story also. I hope everyone will be kind. Your Support is Immeasurable.
Dreams: Bekah 01
Bekah had spent all day getting ready to go see Dave, her best friend, and the love of her life, though not declared. She had shaved her legs for this occasion. It was a big deal.
She'd be going over to his house. Her house was just across the street and down two doors from his. The snow had been coming down for a few hours, so she'd be wearing her boots and winter coat. Usually, she'd just throw on pajama pants and an old tee, with a sweatshirt if it were cold, but today, she'd dressed nicely and hoped to surprise Dave. He'd work until 8PM and then be home, and maybe they could go out for a late dinner.
As she usually did, she'd head over when she saw him pull up. She would turn off everything except the porch light at her house. No one was home. Mother & Father went away to Colorado for the two weeks of the holidays as they always had. She had spent the past five years with Dave's family for Christmas and New Year's. They were her honorary family, and she hoped they would be her family forever.
Bekah & Dave had met in eighth grade and hit it off well from the start. They just always got along. Maybe somewhere along the way they had passed up the opportunity to be a couple, but they were happy in the friend zone and rarely thought about each other in any other way. She knew so much about him and the same for him about her. They attended dances together, supported each other in many ways, and never saw anyone else. Guys weren't fond of dating girls with best friends who were guys, and girls who showed interest were shot down because Dave just wasn't interested in them.
They had a ritual. Every now and again, they'd ask each other for a "truth." Whatever they were thinking, they'd share. If it wasn't believed, or more often if it needed clarification, one would say "challenge." Further details would be given. Sometimes he'd just look at her and say "truth." That simple one-word request would usually lead to a two-hour discussion.
On this day, she hoped he would be open for a good discussion. She had something pretty special to talk to him about. She wanted to tell him about her feelings. Feelings she'd had since her 18
th
birthday.
Dave came home earlier than usual, so Bekah headed over to see him. She pulled her coat on and zipped it all the way up. The snow was really coming down. She wanted to wear her nice shoes, but with the snow, she opted for boots. While it would have made more sense to go to the front door, she liked her tradition of climbing the trellis to enter through his bedroom window. She climbed up to the top and carefully took the two steps to the window. She pulled up on the window and stepped inside. For a full minute, she was discombobulated. The room was dark. She was suddenly out of breath. She closed her eyes tightly and then opened them again. Her boots were off her feet and standing tall below the window, and her coat was hanging on the back of his bedroom door. When had that happened?
When she heard Dave turn off the shower, Bekah shook her head and sat on the bed. He opened the door as he was towel-drying his hair. Oh, Good God, she thought. No shirt. Hot body. Don't look.
Oh, God! I'm looking!
Oh, he's so beautiful. She tried to look at his eyes. She had to focus. FOCUS!
When she saw him, she stood up. He had noticed how she was dressed and that she'd made a little effort with herself. She was wearing jeans and a nice top. She'd done her hair with curls (his favorite) and even wore some make-up.
Dave dropped the towel and took a few steps toward her as he fixed his hair to sit flat. "Whoa, Beck, you look amazing! What's the occasion?"
"Oh, I was thinking maybe we could go out tonight. I figured you'd be off by 8PM, and since it's Tuesday night, maybe we could go have dinner and spend some time together, you know, out. If the weather isn't too bad, that is."
"Huh," he answered and reached over to pick up his towel. She was about to give in to her nerves and tell him to forget about it, but she didn't get a chance. "Wait, Beck, it's Thursday night." It was Tuesday,
wasn't it?
Bekah shook her head, but he continued. "We could do that. I got off early, so that's even better. We can get a table and have dinner and talk and relax before coming back here. Oh, unless you wanted to do something else?"
"No, no, that sounds great," Bekah said quickly. "Perfect even. I'll just sit here and wait for you to be ready then." She couldn't take her eyes off his chest. His bare, slightly wet, hot chest. Was she blushing? Did she have it written all over her face that she was mentally drooling over his body?
Dave went to his closet and pulled out a shirt that went really well with her top. He brushed his teeth and put on a dab of cologne she'd given him one Christmas. He checked in the mirror one more time that his hair looked good and that his collar was down before turning off the light. He sat on the chair to put on his socks and nice shoes. She walked over to the closet to get her spare black flats which she'd wear once inside the restaurant. She then grabbed her boots to bring downstairs to put on since they were wet. Well, they
were
wet.
They sure dried quickly,
she thought to herself. He grabbed her winter coat and his own to carry down the stairs to wear once they were ready to go.
Dave helped Bekah with her coat and put his on quickly before walking her to her side of his car. He opened the door for her and waited for her to be ready for him to close it. When they left, he grabbed her hand and squeezed it as he drove. "We haven't done this since..."
"Well, we were going to go out for my birthday, but that turned into something way different." She smiled. "Here I was thinking we were going out for a small celebration, just you and me, and leave it to you to make it one of the most elaborate parties of the year." She squeezed his hand back. "Did I ever thank you for the party?"
"Only about 100 times that night." He smiled back at her. "We never really talked about it, but I know you enjoyed yourself, so that made my mission complete. So, what brought on this need to go out tonight?"
"Oh, I just thought it would be nice to get out of the house."
"Good idea, Beck. I think this is a great start to the holidays. Plus, like you said, we haven't done this in a long time."
He parked at the little Italian place in town and came around to open her door for her. "It looks like they aren't too busy," he told her. "Must be all the snow."
Sure enough, the restaurant had gotten a lot of cancellations, so they were seated almost immediately. Bekah had begun taking off her coat when Dave came up to her to help. He brought both coats to the checkroom and had them hung. After pocketing the tickets, he offered her his arm to walk to the table. She smiled and took it. She took off her boots to put under the empty chair at their table and slipped on her flats.
Bekah didn't think about the news she wanted to share with him. She made herself just enjoy this time with her best friend. She used some of her energy to pretend like it was the date they were supposed to have for her birthday. She wasn't really upset about it. She had found it even more surprising to find herself so disappointed that the birthday date hadn't happened. It was then that she'd realized she wanted him. Just him. And the want wasn't just to spend time on her birthday with him. She wanted all of him. By the next day, when she had realized she was head over heels in love with him, she had spent the next couple of hours crying.
Dave ordered their drinks and an appetizer. He was doing their usual. He'd order, and then they'd talk, and when the time came, he'd take the check and pay because "that's what the guy does." Not tonight, she'd decided. She was part of this friendship too. She wanted to show him that she was vested.
They talked. They laughed. They reminisced. They ate. They drank (soda, of course). They shared food. They enjoyed dessert. When the check came, he happened to be in the restroom. She put her card in the holder and handed it back to the server just as Dave got back. He looked confused. She looked victorious, and then very innocent.
"I know you didn't just do that." Dave looked disappointed.
"You know what? I did, Dave. And you know why? Because I asked you to go out on this date, and because I asked, I was ready to own my part. I know the guy usually pays, and I love that you do it without complaint, but I can do my part too. You give so much. Let me get this one, please. Don't be disappointed. Don't be mad. Just enjoy the night we've shared, and let's make it the beginning of a special night."
He seemed to think about what she said and nodded. "You know what? You're right. Thank you for this. Thanks for suggesting we go out. And though it is always nice to see you, this evening it was even nicer to see you all done up. You look beautiful, Rebekah."
Bekah blushed and turned to write the tip on the check before giving it back to the server. "Thank you, and Merry Christmas," she told him. She turned back to Dave and smiled. "Thank you. It was nice putting on real clothes and not pajama pants." She leaned in and waved him closer. "I even shaved my legs!" she whispered.
"Whoa," he said and laughed. "Did you note that on the calendar?"
"I did, actually. With winter being here, I'll have to look back a few months to today to see when the last time I shaved was when I check it in March." He laughed again.
"Bekah, would you like to dance?"
