Wrong Number

((Yeeeeeeaaaaaaahhhh, I was gonna say!!!...))

Between Nicole writhing around beneath him, the moan that distinctly left her lips, and the unexpected feel of her fingernails raking down to his shoulders, Julian shuddered in enjoyment and joined her moan with one of his own. He'd only been joking before, but the expertise with which she reduced him to little more than a quivering pile of nerve endings briefly made him wonder if she was taking advantage of his drunkenness. Usually he wasn't quite so nervous...he was actually quite suave, normally, but something about Nicole made him feel like a teenager again, fumbling around in the dark. It was scary and new and incredibly exciting.

Julian could feel Nicole grappling with his robes and so sought to assist her, quickly removing the outer layer, revealing the tight t-shirt and jeans he was wearing underneath. His hands slid to her shoulders and hesistated there for a moment before he started attempting to undo her buttons with shaking fingers, gasping for breath as she continued to kiss him all the while.

Nicole took the time after Julian had removed his robes to examine the musculature of the wizard's arms. She frowned a little at the feel of a t-shirt, but other than that approved greatly of the solid and well-toned muscles of Julian's arms and torso. As he had assisted her, Nicole pulled the tucked portion of her shirt out and undid the buttons hindering Julian's progress.

* Next Morning *

Normally, Nicole Archer was a very light sleeper. The very sound of another person breathing would have her sitting up and aiming her pistol (generally unloaded at that hour, to prevent her from shooting Shelly on accident) at the first thing that moved. This morning was very different indeed: she was sleeping quite soundly, but not snoring.

Sunlight filtered itself in from the slightly-opened shades and onto Nicole's closed eyelids. The witch groaned in unconscious protest and blindly rolled over... and discovered she was not alone.

Emerald eyes flew open in alarm and a hand dove under the pillow she had been laying on. To her horror there was no safety net of gun and knife. This wasn't her bed. Then she got a good look at her companion. Julian...? she silently mused to herself, giving her mind a mental shake to compose herself. Glancing around, Nicole remembered that this was Julian's place. They had left the bar to get his broom and... The witch shivered in delight as she recalled their impromptu change in plans. It took her a moment to remember, but now that she had Nicole instantly calmed down and settled herself back down beside Julian.

Propping herself up on an elbow on her side, Nicole watched Julian sleep for several moments. It was the most adorable and charming sight she had seen since she used to watch Shelly sleep. With a bit of disappointment Nicole realized she couldn't watch him sleep all day: he probably had to work (although Nicole wasn't sure and half hoped it was his day off) and she had to go home at some point or call Lori to ask her to stay with Shelly a bit longer.

That thought in mind, Nicole leaned down and hovered just above Julian's lips. "Juuuuli?" she purred and gently kissed the corner of his mouth.

It had been the best night's rest that Julian had gotten in months. And best of all, rather than being awoken by the usual, harsh buzzing of his alarm clock, he was awakened instead by a soft kiss. It took him a moment, but his eyes finally fluttered open sleepily, and the first thing he saw were a pair of beautiful emerald eyes.

"Nini," he murmured, the events of the previous night coming back to him in a rush. Fortunately he didn't have much in the way of a hangover, and he found his mind blissfully clear.

"You're still here," he said in surprise, reaching up for a kiss of his own. Somehow he'd expected that she'd disappear in the morning, like the best of a dream that's just out of grasp. Her presence made him even happier, if it was possible, than he'd been the night before. "You stayed."

A quiet intake of breath got caught in Nicole's throat as Julian opened his eyes. She tilted her head curiously at the dual-syllable murmur, which caused her tousled blonde hair to slide the other way. The tumbling of tresses could have reminded one of a waterfall. But Nicole didn't much care about her hair at the moment. She was more curious about the name. Nini... He knew her name well enough last night so the witch doubted it was the name of another girl. A nickname, then, she'd deduced. Nicole smiled. It would take her a bit to get used to, but she liked it.

Nicole leaned back down as Julian reached up - a comical turn of events if she might say - and kissed him a second time. "Of course I stayed," the witch replied softly, shifting so that she wasn't so propped up and could properly lay beside him and at the same eye level. Her mind was clear, eyes bright and alert yet in a state of ease. "Not sure I even want to get up yet," she added in a half-murmur, half giggle. Nicole wrapped an arm around Julian from under the covers and pulled him even closer, if such a thing were possible. "This is nice."

Julian smiled as Nicole shifted closer to him, and he slipped an arm lightly over her waist. She was looking at him with clear, focused eyes and a happy look on her face; he wished he could preserve the memory forever. As enjoyable as last night had been, this might just have been better. This meant that the previous night was real, and not just the effects of alcohol as he'd worried in the back of his mind.

"You're beautiful," he told her, kissing her cheek softly. "I wish I could wake up like this every day," he confessed, sliding her hand up her side and tangling it into her hair. "We don't have to get up right now, if you don't want. Although I don't know what your arrangement with Lori is."

If it were possible for Nicole to smile any wider, she would have at the soft kiss on the cheek. "As are you..." she returned, stroking Julian's cheek with her thumb. The rest of her fingers held that side of his face affectionately.

A quiet laugh the temperature of warm caramel left the witch at Julian's confession. In the glowing morning aftermath of everything Nicole had to agree, and did: "You're not the only one..." If she had to, and often did, the witch could and did sleep and wake alone. When she had been with Brian there was no telling how they would retire or rise. Most times one or the other were left to awaken alone. Compared to what she had before, and did have up until the night before, to Nicole this was absolute heaven.

Her skin tingled at Julian's touch, inhaling a sigh. Then she chuckled. "You tease," Nicole laughed, her own hand she had wrapped around Julian caressing his back. Her features turned pensive for a moment. Lori was a very easygoing witch and Julian's offer was a very tempting one. As she thought Nicole traced Julian's lips with the thumb she had used to caress his cheek. "Lori's very easygoing and loves children. I doubt she'd mind if I were a 'little' late getting back..." she snickered, replacing her thumb with her lips upon Julian's.

Julian chuckled into the kiss at Nicole's words. To his surprise, he found that at least some of disorientation last night had not been the alcohol, but Nicole herself; she seemed to enchant him in a way that he'd have blamed on magic if he didn't know better. He was absolutely wrapped around her little finger and he was becoming more and more aware of that fact -- not that he minded.

"Do you mean to tell me that you're not already late?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "As in, you already planned to sleep over?" Julian couldn't supress a slight smirk at this idea.

"So you did plan to seduce me! Well-played, Ms. Archer...well played." Ignoring his own words, Julian playfully pulled Nicole on top of him and caught her bottom lip with his teeth, taking care not to actually bite down hard. "I might just have to fight you to defend my honour!"

Nicole blinked in surprise at his next question, completely disarmed. Once over the shock so to speak she laughed, and only laughed harder at the comment that followed. At his silent beckoning the witch clambered on top of him and closed her eyes as his teeth hooked onto her lip. When he let go she grinned and nipped at his nose. "What I mean is that she's probably surmised I got a room at the Leaky Cauldron to prevent slurring the wrong address on the way home via floo - it's happened..." Nicole explained honestly.

"But if you want to believe I seduced you, and you're alright with that, go right ahead," Nicole laughed, placing her hands on either side of his chest to 'pin' him down. "I'll 'fight' you... though I'm pretty sure I'll win," she added with flirtatious challenge. Grinning wide Nicole leaned down so she could reach Julian's neck and, instead of planting kisses there, seductively ran her tongue over the length of the wizard's Adam's apple at a crawl.

Alright, so it was a perfectly reasonable explanation. Julian had just opened his mouth to tell Nicole that she'd live to die another day when the raised her own challenge, prompting s wide smirk. That smirk was quickly wiped off his face when she followed up with most unexpected, world-shatteringly hot move a woman had ever pulled on him. The "fight," as it were, was quickly and completely surrendered; that was a round-winner if ever he'd seen one.

Julian couldn't supress the moan that escaped his lips at the unexpected sensation, nor did he make any move to stop her. He would have made a comment about her expertise in the art of seduction had he been capable of producing anything like a coherent response. The next sentence he did manage to speak was only six words and choked out with considerable effort:

"Fine, you can be on top."

Feeling his vocal chords vibrate beneath her tongue would have earned a grin of triumph were she able to do both at the same time. Nicole finally managed that grin when she had finished the move, though, and set her mischief-sparkling green eyes on his blue ones. A giggle not at all addled by alcohol left her at the words he'd managed. "Yes, sir," Nicole laughed gleefully, allowing the sheet lightly wrapped around her to fall away.

* A Bit Later *

Nicole found herself wide awake and thoroughly content once again beside Julian, a hand on his chest and a leg draped over his. "Julian... You. Are. Amazing," she murmured into his shoulder. A single finger traced spiral shapes innocently on his chest. The metaphorical flame of passion once again had worn itself down to a contented ember. "Please tell me I'm not dreaming," Nicole chuckled, placing a chaste kiss on Julian's collar bone.

"I sure hope you're not, anyway," Julian replied with a laugh, kissing Nicole on the temple and smoothing away a loose hair. This had definitely been the best morning and night he'd spent in a very long while, and it would be more than a shame if it was all just a dream, in fact, it would be a tragedy. He had the distinct feeling that Zolnerowich would not be pleased with Julian's inevitable requests for more time off, but he didn't care; it wasn't as though he hadn't paid his dues. Even now, the time he was spending with Nicole had cost him a full 48-hour shift, but it was so very worth it. No doubt he'd spend the weekend reliving every second, including this one.

"I couldn't even say that you were amazing, because in all honesty that would be the understatement of the century. It would be unfair to devalue a performance that could best be compared to a masterpiece," he told her with a smile, kissing her hair.

"That was by far the best way to wake up that I've ever experienced, anyway! Moves like that, you are more than welcome to stay over anytime." Truly, he'd have given the world to her if she'd asked, and it was at all within his grasp. Julian wasn't quite sure just how he'd fallen for the woman like a ton of bricks so quickly, but there was no denying the fact. If he wasn't worried that she might be freaked out, there was a certain four-letter word he might be tempted to use...perhaps that was too soon, though.

Nicole might have spent the night (and the morning) but she still hadn't said anything about making whatever it was that they were official. Julian wasn't about to start seeing anyone else -- as if anyone could possibly come close to Nicole! -- and she'd already made it clear that she wasn't, either, and that was good enough for him.

Nicole closed her eyes and smiled at the kiss on the temple. "Good enough. Guess we'll know for sure when you and Violet come to visit. ... Particularly if you bring pajamas. That is, if you even bother with pajamas," she chuckled. "I'm thinking we should make it a sleep-over. Shelly's always wanted to have one..." the witch added, a single green eye winking at Julian.

A blush crossed the woman's face at Julian's compliments. Nicole chuckled at his invitation to stay over anytime. She didn't want to seem like a copycat by extending the same offer, but yet why should it only be one way? Nicole certainly wouldn't mind waking up in her bed like this more often. It somewhat depressed her to think tonight she would probably return to single sleeping. She was falling, and perhaps had already fallen, for Julian so quickly it thrilled and frightened her. Dare Nicole even think that like had gone to love?

The thought nearly made her panic. What if he wasn't ready to declare such a thing? What if she wasn't ready? How did they classify themselves, and was the definition mutual? So many questions. If Nicole didn't want to scare him off the woman decided she'd better not risk it just yet. That was the reason why she had asked him to tell her she wasn't dreaming: Nicole feared Julian, or any wizard that tried to get this close, would hurt her like Brian had if she opened up. Not that Nicole was comparing Julian to Brian - that would be an insult to the man she was curled up against.

"...Thank you," Nicole replied after her thoughts had passed. The blush still stained her cheeks but it was more of a satisfied, glow-y blush than one of embarrassment. She snuggled a bit closer to him, nuzzling the dragon tattoo on his chest and shoulder. "Mm. I certainly wouldn't mind waking up like that more often. I'll need to have Lori put a few charms on my bedroom, unless you want to... and we'll need to alter the wards... but if you wanted to come and stay over, I certainly wouldn't deny you, either," Nicole offered, kissing the space of tattooed skin featuring the dragon's snout.

She jumped a little when her cell phone belted out the tune for Reveille ((click to listen)). Not having a pistol on her Nicole did the next best thing in her momentary fright: cling to Julian for dear life. "Oh for Merlin's sake... Sorry, Juli. One second," she murmured, laughing off the military-style ringtone a little nervously.

Nicole half-scooted, half-crawled to the edge of the bed and reached down to collect her jeans. Hurriedly she fished the phone out of her pocket and opened it, slowly making her way back to Julian. "Hello? Oh. Hi, Lori. Everything okay?" Nicole favored Julian with a glance at the other witch's name, almost as if to say 'We've been busteeed!' "Yes, yes, everything's fine. I... No, I'm not dressed. ... Um..."

"OH SWEET MERLIN! DID YOU REALLY...?!" Lori's voice could be heard over the phone. She sounded absolutely giddy, her loud and excited babble continuing for several moments before Nicole cut her off:

"Lori, I'm not alone..." muttered Nicole, though couldn't help but grin a bit. Then, she blinked in utter shock. "Are you sure? Alright... Yes, yes by all means take Shelly to your place for a while. Let her take care of a few of the animals by all means. Just don't let her sneak any of them back home." There was a laugh on the other end, and Nicole laughed. "Okay. Yes, I-I am. I mean I will... You know what I mean... Thank you. Bye." With that she hung up the phone and tossed it onto the nightstand without taking time to notice the clock, and returned to Julian's warmth.

Julian gladly took Nicole back into his arms again as soon as she returned; her absence had left a draft and he was happy she filled the empty space again as soon as she could. He had a feeling he was going to grow to hate that empty space on nights she wasn't around. It might require a bit of finagling with their kids, but he had high hopes the girls would take well to one another. Without really knowing what they were just yet, it would certainly help if and when they finally reached a decision about things.

Her comment about the pyjamas had left a smile on his face. Perhaps he could just leave a few things at her place...she was welcome to do the same, anyway. Julian knew he probably didn't have the things a woman required to make herself quite at home -- even a woman like Nicole who did very well on natural beauty alone.

"We'll get to that when we come to it," he shrugged, kissing her cheek. "And speaking of things we'll come to...sounds like we were caught, hm?" he asked, smirking. With any luck they still had a bit of time before Julian had to go get Violet...not that he didn't want to see his daughter, just not perhaps in this compromising position. Her mother's marriage had left her with weddings on the brain and he wasn't particularly interested in having to make an awkward explanation to Nicole about any assumptions Violet might make. Bastian had already warned him that Violet had made a comment about him and Calixta getting married...definitely no need to field that question just yet.

As Julian once again took her in his arms, Nicole realized she had gotten a little chilled in the absence of his warmth. She wondered if that chill had always been there or if it was just her mind creating the scenario. There was no way to tell for certain. Nicole tossed around a thought in her head as she thought more about Violet and Shelly, but wasn’t sure about suggesting it right now. It was soon, they needed to make sure the kids hit it off, and Julian might not be so keen on the idea. The witch decided it was best to wait until she received more input from Julian.

A simple murmur of agreement left Nicole. They’d get to it when they came to it. Upon reaching a chasm they would either build a bridge or fly over it, but no need to plan things too far in advance. Then again... a little planning and certainty never hurt anyone.

She laughed next. At first it was nervous, but then Nicole shrugged it off in favor of her typical laugh. “Caught with a capital ‘C’. She’s surmised everything, so expect her to be all giddy next time you see her,” the witch explained a little apprehensively. To quell her case of the jitters Nicole placed her hand upon Julian’s chest, slid it up to his shoulder, and lightly dug her fingernails in as she pulled him closer into an embrace. ”Her three basic points were to take all the time I need, have fun, and that it’s about damn time I 'got some'. I don’t think she realizes you have a kid and a sitter arrangement, too,” Nicole chuckled, smirking just a little.

The woman shifted once again, raising herself to eye level with Julian. As the sheet slipped Nicole’s trusty reflexes caught it and readjusted the cloth. She let it show off some cleavage but not enough to excite Julian all over again just yet. ”So since she’s given me her blessing, and we both don’t seem to be in any hurry... don’t freak out or anything but I’m curious what your opinions are about us? I just... I'd like to know if we're on the same page with where and what we are,” Nicole asked, settling her emeralds upon his sapphires. Hopefully the question made sense and wouldn’t alarm him.

Julian couldn't help but laugh at Lori's reaction. Far from being annoyed that she might make jokes, he was pleased that Nicole seem pretty unphased by her good-natured ribbing. He wasn't nearly so sure of himself that he was above little worries that Nicole might regret her decision last night, but it seemed to be very much the opposite, judging from the way she was pulling herself closer. When she mentioned his babysitting arrangement, a thought reoccurred to him that he'd pushed aside earlier, wondering if it was too forward.

"Do you think that Lori would mind, then, maybe taking Violet as well sometimes? I mean, when we're together...I'd pay her as well so she'd be making twice what she gets now, and she's a well-behaved child. Bastian doesn't mind looking after her but I'm sure he's got quite enough on his plate at the moment."

At Nicole's further comments, Julian bit his lip, wondering what would be the right thing to say. In all honesty he'd be ecstatic if Nicole wanted to make things official...but if she didn't, he didn't want to make her feel pressured. After all, he'd only just asked her out last night. He didn't want to be bothering her every day about it. Therefore he chose his words carefully, reaching for her hand and interlacing his fingers slowly as he spoke.

"Nicole, I....I feel really strongly about you. This isn't something that I do every day, or that I take at all lightly...I...I very much like the sound of "us". But I understand if you'd rather wait. Like I said last night -- take all the time in the world. I'll wait, and slay a few dragons for you while I'm at it if need be. Whatever it takes. I know what it's like to have your faith in people broken and I'm perfectly willing to earn your trust in me just the same as anyone else. I don't expect any special treatment. Although...more of this is very much welcomed," he concluded, wanting to end on a lighter note. Julian felt that he'd danced quite close to saying a word that could not easily be taken back...which might not be wise depending on what Nicole was thinking.

She was not always the easiest to read, however, which was both terrifying and exciting. The way she kept him guessing was intoxicating to someone like Julian who thrived in a career full of surprises; it took a lot to keep him on his toes and Nicole did just that and more. It almost felt silly dancing around this issue or "are we or aren't we," especially given the night and morning they'd just shared, but he wasn't about to make the mistake of taking anything for granted. She deserved far better than a man who would try to make her any less fiercely and beautifully independent than she was, and all Julian really wanted to do was to be that lucky man who might actually deserve her.

Relief washed over Nicole at Julian’s laugh. Then again, something told her he wouldn’t have minded hearing what had been exchanged between the witches. She was glad she’d been right about that. At times Nicole was able to keep her cool with the subject matter of which Lori teased about while other times she couldn’t stop the blush that turned her from pale to scarlet. This time, though, only a faint coloring splashed Nicole’s cheeks. It was difficult to be modest given the position in which they currently were in.

Nicole tilted her head at Julian’s question, serenely curious and with a pleasant smile on her face. Her eyes wandered to the tattoo on his chest as she thought. ”I doubt she’d mind. She loves kids. Surprised she doesn’t have children of her own, really... I’ll ask her for you?” At the softly-spoken offer Nicole leaned forward and pressed a kiss to the space of Julian’s forehead directly between his eyebrows.

Emerald orbs glanced down at their laced fingers. The hand on his shoulder was tempted to slide down the length of his arm to join their hands, yet remained for now. Various expressions crossed her face: serious, happy, understanding, amused... and onward, with not a single cross glance to speak of. She chuckled when he finished. To show her appreciation, and give herself some more time to think, Nicole kissed him.

Now it was her turn. Once again, a degree of nervousness hovered above her. She tried to defeat it. Her arsenal wasn’t as equipped to deal with the apprehension as she would have liked. ”The feeling’s mutual, Julian. I... I don’t regret what we did last night or this morning. In a word, it was Heaven... I don’t do this sort of thing every day either, and I also don’t take matters like this lightly. If we do this I want to be wanted-“ Nicole had to stop herself from saying a completely different word, ”for who I am, not an object or someone’s property. I don’t think you’re of that mindset – you’ve been absolutely delightful about everything. I just want you to know that’s how I feel. ... I’m serious about taking things at our own pace, whatever that might be, and I’m serious about being an “us” if you are. I’d like that. There’s still quite a bit to talk about, and a few things I’d rather not talk about just yet.

“I’ll require patience you’ve already said you’re willing to give, and I am independent... if it wasn’t obvious. Just because we’ll be a couple doesn’t mean I’m gonna stop packing concealed, loaded weapons. I stick to my guns.” Nicole smirked. A not-so-innocent idea crossed her mind that involved an unloaded pistol or three, Julian, and herself. Weaponry was just as much a serious weapon as they were toys, to her. The notions manifested onto her face via an expression of pure and utter mischief.

“And I daresay I need to give a little special treatment here and there in order to get it in return,” she neared her conclusion with a chuckle and a wink. ”More of this is welcome with me too, if, something like you said last night, we can have ourselves all to each other.” With her piece spoken, Nicole gave a stretch and waited for Julian’s reaction to all of that.

Julian was pleased that Nicole seemed to approve of his idea so easily. It helped him to hope that perhaps she wasn't trying to push him away -- he really needed to stop being so self-conscious. She was clearly trying to encourage him as far as she could. He nodded his agreement to the scheme.

"I'm not quite sure I could handle Lori's enthusiasm," Julian joked. "It'd probably be best if you asked, since you know her better." He listened to Nicole speak in rapt attention, wanting to be sure that he didn't misunderstand her in any way. As far as he could gather, they were indeed on the same page, which was a relief.

"Nicole," he started, unable to suppress a smile, "of course I want you just how you are. All of this would be pretty pointless if I was just trying to -- to domesticate you, or something. You're not an animal, you're a woman, and a spectacular one at that. I adore you exactly how you are," he assured her, kissing her again.

"Guns and all," Julian made sure to add with a wink. The mischievous look that had just come across Nicole's face made him wonder what line of thought had brought it on. Judging from her flirty response, he assumed it was something quite fun.

"You don't need to do anything to get special treatment from me," he smirked, catching her with a kiss at the corner of her mouth. "I'm all yours, m'lady."

Nicole laughed at Julian's joke about Lori and her boundless enthusiasm. "Trust me: it took a while to get used to her. Daresay she's rubbed off on Shelly, if I didn't know better," she murmured.

The witch wanted to blush at the compliment, but held back. Reciprocating Julian's kiss was far more important. As well, as it so happened, as draping her free hand across where the wizard's jaw met his neck. Her fingers curled gently around the outer edge of his ear. She smiled. "I wouldn't change anything about you, either, Julian. ...Unless you have a thing about not putting the toilet seat back down," Nicole answered, the second statement more a joke than the seriousness it usually held for some women.

A tranquil sigh left Nicole at the kiss to the corner of her mouth. "But then that wouldn't be fair to you," she flirted, adding two kisses of her own: one to his jaw en route to his chin, and a second upon Julian's chin itself.

"I dunno about being a lady, aside from the obvious," Nicole muttered with good humor, flicking her eyes downward at herself, "But I'm all yours as well... 'un-tamed' as I may be," she concluded, deciding to end with something light and fun as she quirked a flirty eyebrow at Julian. Leaning forward and a little down Nicole placed a kiss upon his chest where his heart lay beneath muscle and bone.

"Anything else on your mind?" Nicole inquired lightly. Once again she took to drawing invisible shapes upon Julian's chest with a finger. This one started where her kiss left off and was intended to be the shape of a pistol, with the business end drawn beside the kiss to suggest that was what the weapon had fired.

A very loud rumble from Julian's stomach seemed to answer Nicole's question. He laughed and blushed faintly, kissing the top of her head.

"Well, I was thinking that I completely adore you, and it's wonderful lying in bed like this, just talking, but apparently my stomach has other ideas. If you want, we can order carry out, or we could go someplace...or I can burn toast for you, and you can be all polite about it and eat it anyway," he joked.

"Regardless, I think a shower is in order...I really do need to get Violet, Bas must be wondering where I am by now," he added apologetically, hating to be the one to ruin their blissful little moment together. As tempting as it was to shut the outside world and all the responsibilities that came with it out, it wouldn't do to overtax his brother or ignore his newly-arrived daughter. The moment her name floated back into his brain, Julian began to get a fierce longing to see her again...it still didn't seem real that she was here.

An idea quite satisfactory to his wish of not leaving Nicole and seeing Violet popped into his head, bringing a smile to his face. "I don't have to go back to work until tonight...do you think maybe we could get Violet and go introduce her to Shelly and Lori? And you, obviously -- haven't met just yet. Or...you know, if you think it's too soon, that's alright as well..." he trailed off, wondering about the pace they were taking things again. It was just too tempting and easy to move everything right along -- they just seemed to flow naturally that way, one right into the other.

Nicole glanced down at Julian's stomach, chuckling with him lightly. As he kissed her head Nicole's stomach gave a quiet rumble of complaint as well. "I like my toast burnt, actually..." she chuckled as she stretched, wrapping an arm around Julian again and placed a kiss on his collarbone. "How about carry-out?"

She blushed at Julian's comment about the shower. "Mmyeah..." Nicole nodded when he mentioned his daughter and brother. It was probably selfish of her to keep him from his family. Everything felt good and natural that she'd forgotten about the possibility that Julian couldn't likely alter his arrangement. That and there was no telling how long Violet would be visiting. Nicole planted one more kiss on Julian's lips before swinging her legs over the side of the bed to collect the discarded clothes.

Emerald eyes divided their attention between Julian and the task of folding her clothes even though they were the ones she'd been wearing the night before. She hardly even blushed when she folded her unmentionables in front of him. The woman thought about her answer for a few moments. "I don't think it's too soon, but I don't want to steal you away from her, either. If you want me there, I'm there... but I understand if you'd rather have quality time with your daughter instead," she answered honestly.

"A shower is definitely in order first, though..." Nicole murmured, thinking in a manner just two shades away from sly.

Julian followed Nicole to the edge of the bed, dragging the bed sheet along with him. Bed sheet, makeshift toga...same thing, right? He chuckled at her supposed preference for burnt toast -- if only she knew! -- and absent-mindedly twirled her hair around one finger as he watched her fold her clothes. If she was going to be staying over, he should probably clear out a drawer for her somewhere so she wouldn't have to worry about that kind of thing. He made a mental note of it, and then scooped her right up, quite unexpectedly, as soon as she appeared to be finished with her folding.

"Carryout it is, then!" Julian replied with a laugh, the sheet still wrapped haphazardly around them both and trailing behind them on the floor. Luckily, he had his own private bathroom attached to the bedroom, so the trip was a short one.

"You're not stealing me from her, Nini. I want you to meet her. My two favourite girls should get to know each other, as soon as possible. Well, you're not a girl, but you know what I mean," he teased, setting her down with a wink. The sheet didn't cover much. Showering separately would probably make the process go more quickly but well...it would probably be less fun, too. He untangled the bit of sheet that was hanging around his hips and turned the taps on, holding his hand under the water to make sure it wasn't too hot or too cold. Smirking, he then gestured for Nicole to step in first, ever the gentleman.

"After you, mademoiselle."

"Whoa!" Nicole giggled as unexpectedly scooped her off the bed. She wrapped her arms around his neck and clung reasonably to him as opposed to being afraid he would drop her. The witch trusted him enough now and even if he did drop her Nicole could handle a little tumble. Although the sheet wrapped around them might make both of them trip, if that happened.

It seemed like no time and they were in the bathroom. Not just him, and not just her: both of them. She placed her folded clothes on the counter absently. Was Julian thinking what Nicole thought he was thinking? In her opinion that had the potential to both speed things up or slow them down, depending on how one wanted to look at it. Regardless, a shower for two was decidedly more fun. Nicole grinned at the wink that accompanied his words. "I know what you mean," she echoed. "I'd be glad to meet her."

Nicole fumbled with the portion of sheet that was wrapped around her as Julian started the water. If she was mistaken and Julian wanted to shower alone... well, he'd get a bit of a show before stepping in, then. Although, Nicole would be a liar if she were to claim she wasn't enjoying her own view of the situation at hand. She smiled at Julian's offer for her to get in first.

"Danke," she replied, taking a step forward. The witch paused briefly beside Julian, giving him a clear-headed once over from head to foot that was decidedly different (each in their own good way) from the eye-full she saw this morning. A quiet 'hmm' of approval left Nicole's lips. In return for the favor the night previous Nicole made a playful grab at Julian's backside and scooted herself into the shower, a mischievous giggle her invitation for him to chase and subsequently join her.