Lulu Moves In

Author: Rosie

Email: rosiiii@aol.com

Rating: "M" for Mushy

A Holidaze Nick Fic Challenge

Disclaimers: All characters belong to CBS' The Guardian..blah-blah-blah.

____________________________________________________

Nick exited Starbucks with a grande espresso in hand. Starting to walk back
to his house, he found his curiosity getting the better of him and eagerly
turned in the opposite direction of home. His heart skipped a beat as he
reached the wrought iron gates of the grand old Berkshire apartment building
which was 5 minutes away from his own house. Walking through the alcove, he
noted the courtyard had a light dusting of snow. Lulu was moving in today.

He noticed activity at the entranceway. It was Alvin and James carrying in
furniture. Had Lulu asked them to help her move? Why hadn't she asked him?
Did he wound her too deeply during the malpractice case? Lulu didn't seem
angry, just sad, distant and disappointed, and he wondered if he had
anything
to do with that.

Alvin, heaving an oak coffee table up in his arms, started swearing at the
weight. James laughingly told him he was getting old, and that he should
leave the heavy lifting to him. Hearing the rambunctious talk, Nick tossed
his coffee and decided to help out.

"Nick!" Alvin glanced up in greeting, trying to maneuver through the
doorway,
inadvertently bumping the doorframe and putting a slight scratch in the
finish.

"Hey! Watch what you're doing Alvin!" James called out, nodding a hello to
Nick as he carried in a chair and two lamps.

"Jesus, Alvin...let me help you with that," Nick grabbed one end of the
scratched coffee table.

"Uh, I'm not in my dotage just yet, okay?" Alvin remarked grumpily, then
whispered, "that should rub right out, so don't tell Lulu."

Nick, half listening, backed through the door with the table, all the while
wondering how Louisa would react to seeing him there. They rode the elevator
to the 10th floor, and entered apartment 1021. Norah Jones' soft jazz was
playing softly on the stereo in the living room, and Louisa sat on the floor
amidst several boxes. Nick went warm at the sight of her, the low slung yoga
pants and tee-shirt skimmed her petite frame, and the fresh scrubbed,
brightly smiling face was turned towards them.

As she caught sight of Nick however, her beautiful face registered shock,
"Nick, what are you doing here?" she quickly cleared a path for them to
enter
unimpeded with the antique table.

"I was in the neighborhood and I thought I'd stop by...see if you needed
anything," Nick and Alvin gingerly set the table in front of the sofa. "I'd
have helped you move too you know, I'm only five minutes away."

Lulu wanted to smile - he seemed like a sullen little boy, "Yeah..I know,
it's just...I know you keep very busy, and I didn't want to impose."

"Is this where you want it Lulu?" Alvin remarked, arching and stretching his
back with a grunt, to work out the kinks.

"You need a massage for that man?" James deadpanned slyly.

Lulu and Nick glanced at James in shock, then broke out laughing. Alvin
chuckled himself, "Very funny."

Nick smiling broadly, gazed at Lulu's laughing face, and when she twinkled
back at him - he knew they'd be okay.
___________________


Hope you liked --

Rosiiii :)

 

THE END