Chapter 30
The drama with Bryan had cemented Wyatt's bond with Nolan. The two of them were linked now through a mutual respect. Nobody had told Mason about what happened, mainly because they didn't want him to feel responsible since Bryan had used the phone call with Mason as an excuse to come looking for a fight. Caitlyn's younger son wore his heart on his sleeve, and it was easily crushed. She had lain awake the rest of the night, alone in her room staring at the dark ceiling, thinking. Wyatt had never mentioned before that he'd heard that conversation she had years ago, and it ripped her open. He shouldn't have had to know how little his father had cared for his mother in the end, shouldn't have that weight resting on his soul. Here she had always thought her boys handled their parents split so well, patted herself on the back even for working so hard at being civil for them. Feeling like a damn fool she tossed and turned.
It was painfully clear to her now that Bryan saw her as a possession, one he had no problem packing away in storage, but that didn't mean he thought she wasn't still his. That was why Bryan hadn't fought the divorce, he got free reign to go out and sleep with whoever he wanted guilt free, and to his thinking he kept Caitlyn tucked safely in his back pocket. It was easy for him to say he was minding his own business when there was nothing going on to worry him. His selfishness was suffocating to Caitlyn, like tripping into quicksand, the more she fought against it the more power it had to drag her down. That is not love, no matter what Bryan told himself to justify his actions.
After barely sleeping for the second night in a row Caitlyn was up at the crack of dawn on Thursday getting the turkey prepared to cook. She was in the kitchen in her robe, her hair giving its best impression of an auburn Medusa. Wrestling with the massive bird, when Nolan walked up the stairs barely awake. All of his burnished brown hair was disheveled, eyelids still heavy, there was even a crease from the pillow case on his cheek. Chest bare, sweat pants slung low on his hips, he looked magnificent. Caitlyn watched fascinated as he walked over to her coffee maker, turning it on, putting a single serve pod in, and pulling her favorite mug down from the cabinet. While the mug filled he grabbed the jug of french vanilla creamer out of the refrigerator. Nolan added the perfect amount of sugar and creamer, swirling it with a spoon before walking over to Caitlyn.
"He might cooperate better with ye once yer caffeinated my love." Nolan kissed her nose as he set the mug of coffee down next to her. He walked back over to the coffee maker, and got a second mug down for himself.
"What did I do to deserve you?" Caitlyn asked bringing the mug up to her mouth and taking that first sip of the beautiful life giving elixir.
"Loads of things." Nolan turned and sent her a cheeky wink. "Right now yer barely awake, fighting with that there bird so we can all eat him later today. As ye may know, I have great appreciation for eating. By the by, I love seeing ye all grumpy in the mornings." Nolan walked over with his coffee to sit on one of the stools at the island.
"You love seeing me grumpy?" Caitlyn asked in disbelief.
"So much. Because that means I'm still with ye in the morning." Nolan said taking a sip of his coffee.
"I bought breakfast tea for you if you would rather." Caitlyn said knowing he preferred it over coffee.
"Didn't feel like messing with the kettle in all fairness." He admitted with a shrug. "So, coffee it is. Do ye need any help?"
"Not right at the minute, no. But thank you, I'll put you to use later on today. I shouldn't have tried to mess with getting this thing in the oven without coffee first." Caitlyn said as she smeared the herb and butter mixture all over the bird. "Do you celebrate Thanksgiving living in LA?"
"Nope, this will be me first. I was invited to a friends-giving last year but couldn't make it." Nolan smiled at her. "Now I'm glad I couldn't."
Caitlyn tented the aluminum foil over the turkey and loaded it into the preheated oven. "I'm going to grab a shower before I lose the chance to." She said to Nolan as she walked out of the kitchen. "Ya coming?"
Nolan jumped off his stool, almost sending it crashing with his momentum. He had to reach a hand out and steady it a second before he could follow after Caitlyn into her bedroom. He closed the bedroom door quietly behind him, turning the lock. "What about the lads?" He asked.
"Nol, its not even seven yet, they're teenagers, they won't roll out of bed until at least ten." Caitlyn said tossing the robe on her bed and walking into the bathroom. She reached in to turn on the water in the shower, "its not as big as in the hotel in Dublin, but I'm sure we can make do." She said pulling the tank top and boy-short panties she had slept in off.
Nolan stared at her body appreciatively, and Caitlyn watched the swirling vortex of his blue green eyes heating up. Running her hands over his chest, the hair tickling her finger tips, she lifted her face up expectantly. He didn't leave her waiting very long, leaning down to press his lips against hers. She felt him shove the sweatpants down his hips, and then his hands were roaming all over her skin, touching her everywhere. Caitlyn stepped back into the shower, pulling Nolan with her. The water streamed down over them, and he smoothed her hair back from her face as they kissed.
Caitlyn reached down and gripped Nolan's dick in her hand. She felt the graze of his teeth on her lip, telling her exactly how much he liked what she was doing to him. Returning the favor Nolan reached down, stroking her clit in time to her hand pumping him. Caitlyn gasped into his mouth, swirling her thumb against his sensitive tip. He grunted into her mouth, and pushed her back up against the wall. Caitlyn lifted her leg up, and ground her pussy against his dick. Nolan's teeth bit down on her bottom lip, and grabbed her leg. Knowing what he wanted, Caitlyn trusted Nolan to support her weight, and lifted her other leg up. Nolan caught her thigh, and holding her legs open for him, slid his dick quickly inside of her waiting pussy.
Caitlyn dug her fingers into Nolan's hair, holding on as he set a devastating rhythm. He pumped into her hard and fast, and within minutes Caitlyn was whimpering, her body clenching greedily as she came. Nolan's hips didn't slow down though, and instead of the quaking in her pussy slowing to aftershocks it built again, a second orgasm crashing into her moments after the first one ended. He kept his mouth on hers, kissing her deep, swallowing her cries of pleasure. He stilled as her body trembled around him, and Caitlyn thought he was getting off too, but after a few seconds he started moving in and out of her again. The heavy pressure deep inside of her was growing fast again. She could barely breathe, her whole body felt so tight, balancing on the edge of that tightrope. Caitlyn dug her legs into Nolan's sides, as she came hard a third time. This one bigger, like it was stepping up on top of the previous two and growing in magnitude. Nolan pounded into Caitlyn as she shattered into a million beautiful pieces around him. He grunted into her mouth with each thrust of his dick, and finally he stilled, locked deep inside of her, and she felt him come, violently, like his body had barely been able to contain all of it.
Nolan finally pulled his mouth from hers, and looked down into Caitlyn's eyes as he slipped out of her body and set her down on her feet. Her legs felt a little shaky, but mostly she felt invigorated. He reached down and touched the shamrock charm hanging around her neck, that she hadn't taken off once since he had put it on her. "I really like seeing ye in nothing but that, love."
Caitlyn stood leaning against the shower wall while Nolan washed his hair and his body. With a wink he stepped out to dry off. By the time Caitlyn was ready to get out of the shower herself Nolan was already gone, and so were the pair of sweat pants he had been wearing. She got dressed for the holiday with a giant smile on her face. Comfortable jeans, a simple white t-shirt, mustard colored cardigan left open, and a leopard print infinity scarf looped around her neck. Clothes she could move easily around the kitchen in. Taking the towel wrapped off her head she squirted a generous dollop of anti-frizz cream in her palm, rubbed them together and tipping her head upside down scrunched her hair. After brushing her teeth she swiped on mascara, and a deep berry colored lip balm. It was the same brand as her favorite pink one, and the pleasantly lemon sugar taste reminded her of her vacation in Ireland.
Nolan was standing at the french door looking out into her back yard, but he turned to face her as she walked out. His hair was completely dry, the benefits of having shorter hair, Caitlyn figured. He had on jeans as well, with a navy thermal henley. Like usual he left the top button undone, and Caitlyn smiled. He looked so right standing in her living room, that Caitlyn had to pause for a moment while she remembered how to breathe. He watched as she stood there staring at him, and a slow knowing smile spread across his face as he waited for her to walk the rest of the way to him.
"In Los Angeles I thought your house was perfect for you, and I didn't want to make you leave it. But then you come here and look so damn right in my house too Nol, that I want to see you here always." She said, her voice shaking slightly with the emotions surging through her.
"I know what ye mean love. I'm thinking we're after splitting time between them both." Nolan said cupping her cheek.
"And your flat in Dublin? What about that?" Caitlyn asked.
"I'm not there much, only when I make it home. Think of it more like where I go on holiday, or as ye American's are fond of saying vacation." He smiled. "We can stay there when we go to Ireland, love. Or we can buy something bigger if it doesn't suit ye."
Mason woke up first just after ten, and scarfed a quick breakfast of pop tarts. Mason was just stepping out of the bathroom after his shower when Wyatt trudged in looking like a zombie. Meanwhile Nolan helped Caitlyn in the kitchen, he happily chopped or mixed whatever she set in front of him. As usual the first guest to arrive was her father, his arms loaded down with bags. Nolan rushed over to help as soon as he stepped into the door, "here let me help ye with that."
Handing off half of it her Dad said, "Thanks, I was going to bring in half and make a second trip, but its cold as hell out there today."
The two men set the bags on the kitchen island and Nolan held out his hand to her Dad. "Nolan Hayes, its nice to meet ye."
Her Dad smiled shaking Nolan's hand. "Jack Sullivan, same, same." He walked over to give Caitlyn a big hug, and a kiss on her cheek. "Mind if I steal your fella?"
"Hey Dad. No, go on ahead. Aunt Maura and her girls will be along any time now. From the sound of it the boys already have the TV on down there." Caitlyn said handing her Dad a tray of the sliced cheese and meat with crackers. Nolan kissed Caitlyn's cheek and followed her Dad out of the kitchen heading down to the family room presumably to watch the football game.
Caitlyn had barely taken care of the items her Dad brought when Aunt Maura burst through the door, with all of her usual flair. She was already hugging Caitlyn when the rest of her crew made it inside. Caitlyn's cousin's Allison, and Melanie followed by Melanie's fiance Nate who was loaded down with bags. Allison the younger of the two, had long straight honey blonde hair, currently back in two Dutch braids. Melanie had the same honey colored blonde, but hers was wavy, and fell only to her collar bones in purposeful disarray. Aunt Maura's honey blonde had long since been streaked generously with white, and she wore it in a sassy angled bob that flipped a finger at aging. Nate was tall and lanky with dark brown hair and a kind face full of freckles.
After unloading all of the bags carefully on the counter Nate took off down the stairs for the other men. Aunt Maura laughed and looking around asked, "so where is your mystery beau Cait, dear?"
"He's down stairs, let me go grab him a minute." Caitlyn smiled at the women and walked down the stairs.
In the basement the men were all lounging in various positions around the large sectional, Nate seeming to not know, or care who Nolan was. Caitlyn's heart melted seeing her sons on either side of Nolan, and pulling out her cell phone she snapped a picture before anyone noticed she was there.
"Yer always sneaking pictures of me, love." Nolan smiled at her.
"Get used to it, she can be a real creeper sometimes." Wyatt joked and they all laughed.
"Shall I post that one baby picture of you, with your cute little butt hanging out Wy? Oh, and tag you in it of course? I'm sure Alex would like to see it." Caitlyn asked quirking her eye brow deviously at her son.
"On second thought, its sweet that you want to take our pictures. Nolan, your on your own man." Wyatt added shaking his head.
"Nol, come meet my aunt?" She asked.
"Love to, leave me some snacks lads." He said to the guys and stood up following Caitlyn up the stairs.
They made it almost to the kitchen when Allison let out a strangled sounding squeak. Aunt Maura turned to look at Allison who was now covering her mouth with her hand, attempting to stop another squeak most likely. Melanie was staring wide eyed, slowly shaking her head in blatant disbelief.
"Aunt Maura, Allison, and Melanie." Caitlyn said pointing out who was who. "This is my..."
Allison interrupted Caitlyn blurting out, "Nolan Hayes! Your boyfriend is Nolan frigging Hayes?"
"That I am, although me middle name is Michael." Nolan laughed. "Its nice to meet ye."
"I think I'm missing something very important." Aunt Maura said still confused.
"Can I hug you? I'm going to dance to your song at my wedding in February, I'm gonna hug you." Melanie said finding her voice.
"Ye absolutely can darlin, and I'm honored ye chose me song." Nolan said as Melanie walked slowly over to Nolan so he could wrap his arms around her in a hug. "I'd like to see that, Caitlyn love, am I yer date?"
"You're always my date Nol. I'll ask Mags what your schedule looks like though." Caitlyn laughed at Nolan.
"Song? Caitlyn, you better fill me in right now!" Aunt Maura demanded clearly getting frustrated to be the only one out of the loop.
"I met Nolan while I was in Ireland, and we fell madly in love. I left him, thinking it was for the best, and came home with a broken heart, as you noticed. Turns out that Nolan isn't just some guy in Dublin like I had assumed." Caitlyn shrugged. "He's a pretty famous singer Aunt Maura, but I didn't know that until I saw him on TV in September. He forgave me for breaking his heart, and we figured out the only way to be happy is to be together."
"Stupidly happy, love." Nolan said, after Melanie had hugged him Allison came over for one too.
"Stupidly happy." Caitlyn corrected with a smile for Aunt Maura.
"Wait, wait, wait." Allison said looking at Caitlyn, "you just happened to meet one of the biggest musicians on the planet right now while on vacation, and didn't know?"
"She had no idea, it was absolutely grand." Nolan said grinning from ear to ear. "Her eyes can't hide a damn thing."
"No, they can't, been that way since she was a little girl." Aunt Maura said, giving Nolan a hug, "welcome to the family Nolan."