[ - ]
Table of Contents [Report This]
Printer Chapter or Story Microsoft Word Chapter or Story
- Text Size +
*The next day*

After a few hours of sleep, Alyssa woke to hear the sound of laughter echoing through the hotel suite. She listened intently as she listened to the two people she loved most playing on what sounded like Tyler's Playstation. The animated noises could be heard throughout the vast space. With a smile on her face, she got up out of the warm bed and wrapped a robe around her. She followed the sound of the voices and found the two sitting on plush pillows on the floor, barely three feet away from the television. They were playing some racing video game, one she knew absolutely nothing about. She cleared her throat to try and get their attention. Nick pressed the pause button and turned around to look at her. A small smile crept across his face, one that puzzled her. Why was he smiling?

"Morning Mommy." Tyler said coming over and giving her a hug. "How you sleep?"

"Morning sweetheart, I slept good, how about you."

"Good!" He squealed. "Daddy and I playing a game, do you wanna play?"

She couldn't help but laugh, and even Nick had a snicker for that, which made him get an eye from Alyssa. "Sweetheart, I can't play games like you two can."

"Why not?" Tyler asked puzzled.

"I dunno, I just can't." She shrugged her shoulders. "Where do we want to go today?"

"Disney World, like you promised."

"Okay, let's go get you ready." She said taking his hand.




*****


The sounds of little kids could be heard everywhere. The Florida sun, that would usually be vigorous, was quite calm. It was still warm, but not the scorching heat that would make Alyssa nervous over the fact that Tyler could get blistered. All three of them slowly made their way into the park, taking in everything they saw. They were at Magical Kingdom, Alyssa's favorite place, and now she was finally able to show its 'magnicalness' to Tyler.

"What do you want to do first Ty?" Alyssa asked bending down eye-level to him, Nick hovering above them, listenin intently to the conversation.

His eyes were wide with amazement and wonder. He didn't know where to start first so he just shrugged his shoulders. "I dunno mommy, you pick." And so she did, They ended up on a small coaster that sent Tyler's little stomach upside down and all around. Following the coaster, there were numerous other small rides. After hours of playing, they found themselves on a trolly, taking them around the park.

"He's looking a little tired." Nick observed, breaking the silence the two had practically shared the entire day.

"Yeah he does, but I think he'll be all right for a few more hours. I want him to see the fireworks. Is that okay with you?" Obviously he had a say in the situation. Number one, he was driving, and number two, Tyler was just as much his kid as hers.

"Yeah of course." He smiled. "Are you having fun?" She nodded his way, a huge smile plastered on her face. Seeing that smile for some reason made the entire day seem even better and more picturesque.

"Look mommy." Tyler shouted pointing at a volcano attraction, it had rafts and rivers flowing through it. "Can I ride that?!?" He said, bouncing in his seat.

"No honey, not this year. I'm afraid you're a little too small." He started pouting and Alyssa couldn't help but roll her eyes. It certainly was the Carter charm.

"Tyler, listen to you mommy. I'm sure next year you'll be tall enough to ride it." Nick whispered in his ear, which sent the boy into a fit of giggles at the sensation that tickled so. Alyssa smiled her gratitude for him, and he returned the same heartful smile.

Finally the sun started to go down and the air was getting cooler. The arrays of oranges and red danced across the sky. The castle, which they had toured earlier in the day had changed its colors to match the dwindling horizon making viewers point with curiosity and marvel at its beauty. Nick, Alyssa, and Tyler sat on a bench in front of one of the many gardens, awaiting the release of the fireworks. The smell of the flowers was intoxicating, filling their noses with smells that were delicious.

"Look mommy!" Tyler shouted as the first burst of color streamed across the sky in an eliptical shape. She smiled at him as he turned and looked at her to make sure she was watching. The beauty of the night was so overwhelming. She looked over at Nick who had a small smile playing at the corner of his mouth and she couldn't help but feel the deepest sense of love.

He looked over at her, feeling her eyes on him. They stared at each other, both wondering what the other was thinking. His eyes travelled from memorizing her eyes to taking in her mouth. Subconsciously he licked his lips, prompting her to do the same and to get the message. Slowly his face leaned closer to hers and their lips touched in a sweet kiss. One that wasn't like the one before which was filled with lust and opressed with alocohol. This time he was sober and was making the move himself. He kissed so gently and her lips felt like satin against his, making him yearn for more. But the two pulled back no sooner than they had begun. Their son was trying to get their attention, disappointed that they weren't paying attention to the fascinating spectacle dancing across the sky infront of them. The two adults stole a quick glance at each other. Her cheeks were rosey and a smile was apparent on her lips, the ones that yearned for more of that kiss. His face wasn't masked with the same features. Instead, his were curious and filled with questions, the worry lines on his forehead were wrinkled up.

She turned away, she coudn't bare it if he resented that kiss as well. He wanted it too, it was obvious. She sighed, taking in the view. It didn't hold as much beauty as it had moments before. Slowly the show ended with groans of disappointment being heard around them. She slowly stood up, gathering up their bags of souveniers and other goodies.

"Come on Tyler, it's time to go." Nick said over the quietness that was settling over the park with each leaving guest. Tyler continued to sit there, staring at the sky beckoning more sparkling colors to show themselves and perfom the same dance as earlier. "Tyler!" Nick hollared, nearly scaring the boy, making him turn around abruptly. He looked at his mom, making sure that they really had to leave.

"We'll be back again tomorrow. Let's go back to the hotel." She whispered and he nodded, getting up and taking her hand. He was sleepy. He was dragging his feet and displaying all the signs of fatigue.

The small group silently made their way back to the car, the magic of the day left behind the gates of the darkening park. She buckled Tyler into his seat, who by the time she finsihed, was asleep. She smiled at her son, her loving boy. She silently closed the door and climbed into the seat next to Nick, who had the car started and had the radio playing at a low volume. He looked at her to make sure she was ready before taking off. The ride back was silent, with only the gentle hum of the radio and small baby noises from the sleeping form of Tyler. Once back at the hotel, Nick parked and the two adults got out. Alyssa grabbed their bags and went for Tyler, but Nick put a hand on her arm, stopping her. "I'll get him." He whispered, reaching in and unbuckling the kid and then cradling him in his arms. Not once did he wake up on the way to the room.

Alyssa stood outside the door as Nick put Tyler to bed. She watched as he changed him into his night clothes, how he gingerly arranged the sheets to make him more comfortable, and how he kissed the young boy goodnight. He passed Alyssa on the way out and she went in the room and bid her son goodnight, before meeting Nick out in the hall. She closed the door behind her, and looked up at Nick. His expression was unreadable, as was hers.

"Can we talk?" He whispered.

"Yeah." She nodded, following him into the living room. They sat on the couch, pretty close to one another, but maintaining their distance.

"I don't know where to begin." He mumbled. She just looked at him. Her cards were all on the table, they always had been, now it was his turn. "The other night, though I don't remember much, wasn't a mistake. I know that there was something deep down inside of me that wanted it for the right reasons and not for the whole drunken bullshit. But Alyssa, I can't move this fast! I haven't seen you in two years, except for on Christmas. There's been nothing between us for all those years."

"So, what are you saying?" She questioned, desperately trying to understnad and predict where this conversation was leading.

"I have no idea. I've missed the physical contact, you have no idea how much." She let out a small laugh at that. Indeed she had missed it. "But, its not fair to you, when I really don't feel the same way anymore."

"Oh Nick, I hope you're not saying what I think you are."

"I don't know. I think that maybe we need space."

"Space! How the hell can we need space, that's all we've had for the past few years. How is that going to help anything, how is that going to help Tyler." She backfired, raging with anger and saddness.

"For once leave the kid out of a conversation. This is about you and I, not about our son!"

"Sorry." She whispered. "But how can you say that we need space, especially after the other night and then kissing me today! I really thought that it all meant something."

"I did too at first, but its mainly due to the fact that I haven't had any physical realations in so long. I think that when we go back to Florida, I think we should separate."

She was speecless. He was only using her in his own pleasurable ways and the thought disgusted her. How could he have sex with her and then kiss her and make everything seem like it was getting back to the way it was. It was disgusting, absolutely disgusting. "You know what Nick, fuck you! I've tried to be all that you've wanted. I've been your wife, I've taken care of your home, your kid, I've done everything you've ever asked me. I've given you every ounce of me! And what do you do, you just throw it down the drain. You don't care about anyone but yourself" She yelled, forgetting the kid down the hall. "Does all this not matter to you? Does your son not matter to you!"

"Of course he does! Now quit yelling or you're going to wake him up.

"What do you care!"

"I care a lot as a matter of fact." He was up on his feet pacing around. Why was he angry, he knew she'd have a right to be, but she was pissing him off, royally at that. "You know, if you cared a single bit you would let this happen. Its obvious it was going to happen sooner or later."

Her mouth hung wide open. "Caring about you has absolutely nothing to do about it. I love you Nick. I love you! And you don't give a damn about that. So don't throw the whole, 'if you care' speech in my face. I care, more than you'll ever know!"

"That's not what I was..."

"You know what, screw you. I'll leave for you. I'd hate to make you feel that you actually have to care!"

"Lyssa..." He mumbled.

She whipped around. "Its A-Lyssa to you! And you know what, I'm leaving now. I will take a cab home and then I'll leave, I would hate to inconvience your sorry ass any more!" She stomped to the room she stayed in and slammed the door behind her, making Nick cringe at the loud sounds.

He held his breath, but then heard Tyler crying. He sighed and looked towards his son's room. Then it dawned on him, Alyssa had said nothing about taking Tyler with her. "Oh shit..." He whispered as his son continued to cry. He was in for it and deservingly he was going to get it.