`Day off

[FalconX]

Andrew Johnson

Andrew walked towards his truck, flinging open the door and hopping in with ease. Automatically, he settled into the seat, put the key in the ignition, and buckled his seatbelt. He flipped on the radio, and put the vehicle into reverse. Putting one arm over the back of the passenger seat, he turned around, so that he was able to direct the truck to exactly where he needed to go. He started humming along to the radio, and switched to forward drive. He slowly eased his foot onto the gas peddle, the truck started to speed up and eventually he reached the main road, after a few minutes of back road driving. His calm gaze watched the road and the occasional car that passed him. Andrew was headed to the beach, he finally had a spare moment, and was determined to have some fun. He was a more serious type of guy, when it came to his ranch, and he hadn't had a day off in months. Finances for his ranch were looking up, and he was preparing to buy some horses soon, to start competing to earn money.

The sandy shores finally came into view, and he slowed the truck, finally coming to a stop, once he had pulled into an open parking space. His eyes lit up as he looked at the clear blue sky, and the deep blue waves rushing up towards the golden sand covering the beach. A light smile appeared on his lips. He pulled the key out of the ignition, and put it in his pocket, jumping out of the truck and locking it behind him. He didn't want it to get stolen, though he doubted it would be. With a steady pace, he walked towards the beach. A light breeze ruffling his dark brown hair, and putting the taste of salt water on his tongue. He continued walking, this time just a foot away from the water's edge. He reached down an picked up a sea shell that wound in several ways around itself, it was unbroken and in his eyes, in perfect condition. He pocketed it. The light smile still on his lips.

[Spitz]

Look into my eyes - you will see
What you mean to me

Nicola was looking out the window, she watched as Andrew drove away. She was interupted by Lauren "Mom! Please can we go to the beach! You said we could go" she said and Nicola nodded. Somehow, Nicola would tell Andrew how she felt. Maybe he already knew. She then put on trainers and her coat before picking up Scott and walking out the door as Lauren was already out there. She started on the journey to the beach, her mind often wandering to other things but then she started conversation with her daughter. "Are you going to build a big sandcastle then?" she asked and Lauren nodded "a huge sand city! With a castle and a moat, houses and a big stables!" she said and started to skip ahead. Nikki laughed, Lauren never went for the small things it just had to be big. She then finally saw the sandy beach and smiled before turning, that was Andrew's truck wasn't it? She was confused and Lauren turned "come on mom! I want to go and build my sand city. There is no time to waste!" she called and ran toward the beach so Nikki swiftly followed laughing at her daughter.

When she sat down on the sand she saw a man there and then realised, it was Andrew. Putting a towel down she put Scott on it and stood, walking over to him. "What are you doing down here then?" she asked when she reached him and quickly glanced at Lauren who was digging to get at the damp sand and then putting it together to build a castle. She was a funny child, but Nikki loved her all the same as her ideas were just so funny. Turning back to Andrew she smiled, watching the waves. It was nice and quiet, a lovly day to be galloping down the beach but she hadn't brought her horse so it was no use thinking about riding. She did love her horse though, she was a lovly ride and it was wonderful to be able to have her. Lauren was learning to ride too, sitting in front of Nicola in the saddle and she was learning quickly. Maybe Nicola would enter some shows with Diamond soon, get some money for the ranch. Glancing back at Lauren quickly she saw Scott crawl over to his sister and start tugging her hair.

Search your heart - search your soul
And when you find me there you'll search no more

[FalconX]

Andrew Johnson

Andrew dropped down again, this time picking up a smooth rock. He flung it out over the water, watching it fall a good ways away, the ripples it created didn't show for more than a second, before a wave washed over them, causing them to vanish. The lapping of the waves on the beach, and the shrill cry of the seagulls circling above, was actually very calming. The beach around him was seemingly lifting the weight of life off his shoulders, his stress ebbing and flowing like the ocean as it crashed onto the shore. He stuffed his hands nonchalantly into the pockets of his faded blue jeans. He rolled up the sleeves of his gray polo shirt. His gaze swept the entire beach, which was, for the most part, empty. And Andrew liked it that way. He wasn't great with people, at least, most people, and it really didn't help his stress level to try and make random conversation.

The sound of people coming onto the beach, he turned his head, shaking his head slightly to get strands of his hair out of his eyes, as he looked at the new comers. The corners of his mouth tilted up when he realized it was Nicola with her son and daughter. Probably the only people who he could hold a conversation with, without stuttering. Not that it had started out that way. Quite the opposite really. He turned his head back towards the dark waters, sighing in relief. However, Nicola's voice caused him to look back towards the young family. "Day off." He replied simply, his gaze showing how much he cared for her, his voice naturally deep but soft spoken. He looked towards Lauren. "And I'm guessing she's the reason you're here today." He grinned, walking towards the little boy and girl, wrapping an arm around Nicola's shoulder casually, so that she walked with him towards the two children playing in the sand.

[Spitz]

Don't tell me it's not worth tryin' for
You can't tell me it's not worth dyin' for

Nicola smiled "so you spend it throwing stones in the water?" she said and then nodded. "She has been begging for weeks, I decided to come" she said and smiled, she wouldn't have said yes if he hadn't gone out. She blushed a little as he put her arm around her shoulder, looking up she smiled. "Andrew, I..." she started after finding the courage but Lauren interupted her when she spotted Andrew "hi!! I am building a sand city, its going to be amazing!" she said and then got back to putting the sand together. Nikki wasn't happy, she was going to tell Andrew at last but Lauren had interupted and she wasn't happy but knew it wasn't her fault. How she wished she could tell Andrew, but she never could tell boys about her feelings. She glanced up at Andrew, she gave a weak smile before quickly turning back to the children. She really wanted to come out and say how she felt but something was holding her back, she wished and wished she could just have the courage to say it. After taking a deep breath she opened her mouth "Andrew, I love you".

She then kneeled down on the sand, not able to make eye contact with him. She looked at Lauren and then got Scott and put him on her lap, stroking his dark hair. She then looked at Lauren who was busy playing in the sand, she smiled at her daughter and then looked up at Andrew. She managed to give a weak smile, she could hear her heartbeat loudly in her head. Her emotions were so different and mixed: excited to what he would say; regret for saying it and she was also confused. She didn't know what to think but she needn't his reaction, to be able to know what he thinks about her. She knows he likes her, but is it only in a friend way and that he doesn't really love her back. Her hair fell over part of her face but she left it, it shielded her from his gaze. The one she wanted to see but on the other hand she didn't, it always came back to the same thing and that was if he liked her back. Scott started to tug at her hair and she laughed a little. Lauren looked up and laughed at Scott who was currently sticking Nicola's hair in his mouth.

You know it's true
Everything I do - I do it for you

[FalconX]

Andrew Johnson

Andrew grinned slightly at her response. "Yeah, something like that." He replied, laughter lining his words. He didn't know why, but walking along the beach, even throwing rocks, it helped him release his stress. Something about the calming sound of the waves and the seagulls flying above it, the sand beneath his feet, even the feel of the jagged rocks in the palm of his hand. He turned to look at her when she spoke, and he smiled softly. "Of course, she's hard to say no to. I should know." He said with a light grin on his lips. The little girl was nice to have around, but she could be a little demanding at times. He laughed quietly, looking down at the sand underfoot. He watched the waves wash up onto the shore, washing away the remains of a sandcastle built a while back. His gaze drifted over the water, looking to the horizon, where the blue sky and water seemed to merge together and then disappear completely, as if they had both fallen off the edge of the world. He could understand why some people used to believe the world wasn't round, at times, it looked like it. Of course, it was round, however, it still gave the appearance that it had edges, at times...

He looked down at her when she spoke, his arm carefully on her shoulder, encircling her easily. Andrew raised and eyebrow in question when she started speaking, but they were quickly interrupted by Lauren. He laughed out loud at her tiny voice as she declared so proudly what she was doing. "I'm sure it will be fabulous." He replied, watching her fondly as she ran back and started working on the construction of her sand city once again. He looked back at Nicola when he heard her inhale, watching her curiously. His eyes widened a fraction at her proclamation. Suddenly, he felt his shyness enveloping him once again. He opened his mouth to reply, but nothing came out. He watched her look away from him and kneel down in the sand, and deliberately not looking at him. Scott was no in Nicola's lap and sticking some of her hair into his tiny mouth. He smiled lightly at Nicola's soft, musical laughter and Lauren's small tinkling giggles. Andrew walked over and sat down beside Nicola, winding one arm around her waist, and pulling her towards him, along with Scott who was sitting in her lap. He leaned down, placing a soft kiss on the top of her head. "Love you too."

[Spitz]

Look into your heart - you will find
There's nothin' there to hide

Nicola watched as he sat down out of the corner of her eye. She looked up at him as he pulled her toward him and smiled softly at his words. "You don't understand, ever since I first saw you at the park and you offered me a home and a job I loved you..." she trailed off and rested her head on his chest. Scott had seemed to be entertained by Lauren who took him and was currently trying to teach him the macarina. Nicola smiled, her two beautiful children meant the world to her. Never would she wish that she never got pregnant as it had led her here and how her parents would see how she has coped. Working with horses was her passion, and she had found love in this small town. It was amazing what could happen if you looked in the right place. "Andrew, you are the only guy I have ever met who hasn't been put off by the children. Then again, I have never met a guy who does so many magic tricks either" she laughed softly and thought of the time he had got a flower for Lauren in one of these tricks.

She listened to the waves rolling over and over again. They never stopped and it was calming, she could of fell asleep here but she knew she couldn't. Watching Lauren was fascinating, the way she managed to get the sand just the way she wanted it and the running toward the water where the stones were to build tiny cobbled pathways. It was so sweet, the way her and Scott worked together. Well, Scott was more interested in throwing it everywhere but it was still sweet. Lauren looked up and smiled "aww" she said sarcastically and Nicola threw sand at her. "Sand fight!" Lauren laughed and Nicola quickly got up and it looked like a sand storm. When the 'battle' had finally ended and the girls both looked like monsters. Nicola sat back down and started to brush the sand of her clothes and then out of her hair. Lauren just shook her head and went back to teaching Scott the macarena. It was beautiful and then Nicola smiled "you have your swimming costume on don't you? Come on then!" she said to Lauren. They both ran to the sea and Nicola then took of her top and jeans to reveal a bikini. Then her and Lauren both dived into the sea and started to swim happily, flicking the water at each other.

Take me as I am - take my life
I would give it all - I would sacrifice

[FalconX]

Andrew Johnson

He saw the smile appear on her face at his reply, and he silently reveled in the fact that he was the one that put it there. He had caused to her to be happy and to smile, that was enough to make him delighted. Andrew listened to her talk, but was slightly puzzled by her words. She said he didn't understand. But he did. Every time he saw her smile, heard her laugh, and just watched her be so loving with her children. Every time she rode a horse, walked by him, everything she did, he loved. He understood what she was saying perfectly. A light smile tugged at his lips when she rested her heard on his chest and watched her children. "I don't know when I started loving you." He admitted slowly. "All I know is, that I love you so much, and that includes little Lauren and Scott.." He squeezed her waist lightly, looking over at her two children. He laughed quietly at their silly little antics. At his name, he looked back down at Nicola. He frowned slightly at her words, but then smile as she finished. "No man in his right mind wouldn't like your two little angels, besides you're worth anything." He replied softly.

A grin lit up Andrew's face when he watched Lauren's reaction at her mother's sarcastic awwing sound. He laughed, not quietly like most of the time, but loudly and full of energy. He watched with an amused expression when the two girls, mother and daughter alike, jumped up and started hurling sand at one another. He watched, laughing, as they pelted each other with the sand. By the time they were done, they had sand on practically ever part of their body. Andrew was grinning at their frazzled appearance, eyes sparkling in mirth at the situation. Nicola sat down briefly, before shouting out to Lauren if she had a swim suit on. Andrew watched the pair run to the water and he smiled softly. He hopped up, and picked up Scott, walking towards the ocean. "Hey buddy, feel like a bit of a swim?" He asked little boy with a tiny grin. Andrew kicked off his shoes, and situating the young boy on his hip, he managed to get his shirt off. He looked down at his blue jeans and shrugged, it wouldn't hurt them to get wet. He walked into the water, still holding Scott. Once he was up to his waist in water, he stopped. The little boy was still out of the water completely. Andrew grinned at the feeling of the waves and the sand underneath him.

[Spitz]

Don't tell me it's not worth fightin' for
I can't help it - there's nothin' I want more

Nicola looked up "anything? This is the part where I don't believe you, everyone in my life thought me as worthless. Even my parents..." she said and sighed. Even she had thought herself worthless, but looking at her now you would never believe her past. Andrew soon joined her and Lauren in the water with Scott and she came over as Lauren splashed about everywhere, she looked into his eyes and smiled. How he was so perfect, her knight in shining armour. Her life was just like a movie, good start and then that kink but it all worked out well again. And then the couple would kiss and it would be happily ever after. Without hesitation Nicola drew herself up and kissed Andrew. She put her arms around his neck and Lauren had stopped swimming and was looking at her mother smiling. When Nicola drew away she was smiling, it seemed that they were all in a world where everything was perfect.Then again, maybe it was perfect. Nicola then kicked back and went under the waves. She then emerged and let the waves take her back to shore. How it was such a beautiful day, every part was amazing.

Lauren then looked out toward the horizon, she was day dreaming like usual. Her dream took her to the future, she was riding on this beach when she fell. She fell into the hard sand and heard someone calling mum! Oh mum, don't leave me! it called and then the dream went blank and she was back looking at the horizon. Was she dreaming about the future? Did she have a gift? The questions played through the girls head. She then just shrugged and started to swim freely. It was just a dream, dreams don't come true. Then again, her dream with having a home and her mother actually meeting someone came true. She smiled at this, Andrew was like a father to her. She imagined them getting married, when she looked over she could see it. Her mother in a grand white dress and Andrew in a suit. She would be the bridesmaid. Lauren sighed, she was happy for her mother but knew that something wasn't complete. One piece of the puzzle was missing, but what was it? She then swimmed back and onto the beach. She dried herself off and then sat in the sun.

Ya know it's true
Everything I do - I do it for you

[FalconX]

Andrew Johnson

Andrew shook his head. "Anything. Your parents just weren't worth it then Nicky. Okay?" He smiled at her reassuringly. It wasn't all that much later that they were in the ocean. The young man grinned down at the baby in his arms. "Your mom's great, you know that?" He asked with a fond smile, before looking back up. Seeing Lauren splashing up the water as if her life depended on it. He went a little farther in, letting Scott get into the water just a little bit. He chuckled when the baby made some happy sounding noises. "You're going to be a swimmer someday." Andrew said, shaking his head. He turned to look for Nicola, and smiled when he saw her coming towards him. However, when she reached up and kissed him, he wasn't expecting that in the least. With a smile, he wrapped his free arm around her waist, feeling her hands link around his neck. He let go of her with a soft smile and watched her swim back under the waves. Once he saw her getting onto the sandy shore, he looked down at the young boy he was holding. "Okay, lets get to shore." Turning, he waded his way towards the dry land. Once he got there, he walked towards Nicola, setting Scott back down on the ground.

Turning, he looked for Lauren. Smiling when he saw her still in the ocean. He sat down in the sand, finally able to relax with the sun beating down on him. He watched her swim, just in case he needed to go get her. Maybe he was being a little bit paranoid or over protective. He just didn't want Lauren to get her hurt. Actually, he didn't want Lauren, Scott and Nicola get hurt. He was already attached the family and he actually believed he loved Nicola. They'd known each other for a while now, and he just wanted her to be happy. He couldn't help but hope that maybe they had a chance at a future together. Wasn't it the women who were supposed to fantasize about that kind of stuff? Shrugging, he watched Lauren come back out of the water, sitting down on the sand. His watch beeped and he glanced down, groaning. Turning to look at Nicola he gave her an apologetic look. "I gotta get back, it's getting kind of late."