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Date Posted: 15:35:27 11/23/01 Fri
Author: Leigh
Subject: Re: Holiday (continuing)
In reply to: Leigh 's message, "Holiday (continuing)" on 01:18:51 11/23/01 Fri

Michael visited Monique and her family on Christmas Eve. There was much celebration on Monique’s part; she adored her older brother. Philippe, Monique’s husband, was a chef, and while he prepared their dinner that night, Monique quizzed Michael on the progress of his newest gallery. Michael enjoyed his evening but at the end of it, when he had returned to his own house, he sat next to the fire and realized for the first time in many years how big and quiet his home was. It was their parent’s home, he had offered it to Monique when she married, but she and Philippe felt it was too far from the city and didn’t want to commute every day. He had considered selling the house and giving the money to Monique so they could buy a bigger apartment than the one they lived in but it was difficult for both, him and Monique, to give their parent’s home up. “Keep it to raise your family in,” Monique had told him.

Sighing, he stood and went to the window. It had been several years since he’d considered the idea of having a family. In fact, not since before Simone died. Pain shuddered subtly through him, a small familiar tremor that began with a slight of contracting of his heart as he thought of Simone and the many plans they had made but now would never realize. After her death he buried himself in his work to lessen the ache of missing her, but even after these many years, the pain was still there. He would always feel the pain, of that, he was certain. However, after having met Nikita, he began to recognize that he was ready to begin to move forward.

Michael surveyed the spacious living room he stood in and tried to picture Nikita here in his home. An image of her with a baby in her arms – a little girl with Nikita’s blond hair and blue eyes – came into his mind. Standing next to them was a little boy, a perfect replica of him. Michael smiled and wondered what Nikita would think of his imaginings. Not that he had any plans of sharing them with her, the last thing he wanted to do was scare Nikita away before he even had a real chance of getting to know her. She was a businesswoman first and Michael realized that her career was foremost in her life. And as for him marrying and settling down and raising a family, well, he wasn’t certain he was ready for that either. He did admit though that the idea of Nikita and him with a little family did have a certain appeal. Maybe one day, Michael conceded, if things continued to work out between Nikita and him, he would see his vision come true.

*

Paul watched his daughter as she stood at the window with her arms folded and stared out at the falling snow. He approached her quietly and placed a hand fondly upon her shoulder. He returned the smile she flashed at him as he stood beside her and followed her gaze. “I noticed you didn’t eat much at dinner,” he said. “You’re not feeling well?”

“I’m okay, just not very hungry.”

They stood there for several more minutes talking of the weather, Christmas, and a little about business too. Madeline joined them and they sat down, Paul next to his wife as Nikita curled up on one end of the couch. Birkoff had been unable to join them for dinner, saying that there was a problem with one of the programs at work but each of them knew he was really out doing last minute shopping. Birkoff was famous for putting his Christmas shopping off until the last minute.

Paul turned on some music and poured a glass of wine for each of them as they sat and talked. After an hour, Nikita excused herself, claiming she was tired, and made her way up to her bedroom. In her room she once again checked her cell phone to make certain it was working. Chris had stopped by earlier in the day to drop it off. Nikita had invited him to stay for dinner but he had declined. Nikita smiled now as she folded the covers back on her bed and recalled how Chris had blushed at her teasing inquiry of if he had a hot date waiting for him. She suspected he did. Well good for him! Nikita hoped that whoever Chris was with tonight, she would appreciate what a really nice man he was.

Nikita sighed and rolled on to her side. She stared at the cell phone she had placed on the bedside table and wondered where Michael was. Why hadn’t he called? Did he arrive back in Paris safely? Was he still at his sister’s, or had he gone home? Laying there in the dark, she realized that there was very little she knew about Michael other than what was provided in his account profile and the few things he’d told her about him. The same could be said about the reverse; Michael knew very little about her too.

“Well I know his favorite color in clothing is black,” she said out loud, and then smiled. Not that she was complaining. Heavens no, his choice of clothing was superb. Personally though she preferred it when Michael wore no clothing whatsoever. “And therein lies the problem,” she muttered. That and the fact that they’d had so little time to spend together.

Nikita frowned, her mood dampening further. If she were smart, she’d end her friendship with Michael Samuelle now before it grew any deeper. After all, what could come of it when they lived half a world away from each other? From what she’d been able to glean from her conversations with Michael, he had no plans to move to New York – and she didn’t expect him too, his headquarters was in Paris and that was where he needed to be – and she couldn’t realistically move to Paris. First of all there was no Section office there and secondly, Nikita just wasn’t certain she wanted to make that sort of a commitment. Sure the chemistry between them was great, but what if that was all it was? What if somewhere down the road they discovered that they really weren’t meant to each other?

Nikita was still mulling over this thought when her phone rang. She grabbed for her cell and quickly scanned the incoming call. It was a foreign number; Michael! It had to be him!

“Hello?” Nikita bit down on her lower lip as she waited for the response, hoping she was right.

“Ni-ki-ta.”

The sound of Michael’s voice filled her with joy. All of the doubts Nikita felt a few moments before vanished into the dark. He’d called! She was so happy, she could kiss him. Her heart was beating wildly and she couldn’t stop smiling. Her voice was warm and welcoming as she admitted, “I’m glad you called.”

“Are you?” Michael closed his eyes. He could see her blue eyes smiling at him; smell the scent of her hair. He could easily recall the feel of her skin. “I remembered you’d be with your family today,” he said. “I didn’t want to interfere during your time with them.”

“Michael, you could never interfere. I was waiting all day, hoping that you would call. I almost gave up hope on you.” Nikita heard him smile and she smiled too.

“I miss you,” he said.

“Oh Michael…” Her voice lowered and Nikita turned her face so that her lips were closer to the phone. “I miss you too,” she whispered.

There were several seconds of silence as both wished there was some way to physically cross the miles between them.

“Did you go to your sister’s?” Nikita asked, and they spent the next several minutes telling each other of their day and what they planned to do for the following day. Nikita found out that it was only 4am in France and, having found out that Michael had much to do that day, regretfully brought their call to an end. “When will you back in New York?” she asked.

“On the 2nd. The contractors will be back to work on that day.”

“Do you want me to pick you up from the airport?”

“No, I don’t want to be a bother. I’ll take a taxi.”

“Michael, you’re not a bother.” Nikita’s voice shifted, revealing her longing to see him. “Will you stay with me while you’re here?”

He hesitated. “I don’t want to bo –“

“Michael, if you say one more time that you’re a bother, I swear I will hit you over the head when I see you.”

He laughed quietly, pleased at her answer. “How can I resist an invitation like that?” he said, and Nikita smiled happily.

“So you’ll stay with me?”

Michael nodded, “Yes, I will.”

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