No infringement intended. The work enclosed is the author's and is rated Mature. Story may contain some graphic content.

*&^%$#

You Really Got Me

Chapter 2

Ellie Cullen

I took a deep breath and pressed the handle for the front door of the estate. Nolan fidgeted next to me as I opened the door.

"Are you coming?" I asked before I stepped inside.

"Now or never, eh?" He said with a shrug and mock confidence.

"You've done this before, why are you so nervous?" I asked him.

He pulled the door closed and we moved back to the porch so that we wouldn't prematurely announce our presence.

"I haven't done it this way. Sarah was estranged from her parents. We didn't even have a proper weddin'." Nolan sighed.

I knew they had eloped, but I assumed he had at least faced the parents before.

So I took his hands in mine, surprised that I was the one calming him down. He was usually so even keel and I was the one flying off the handle.

"It will be fine. My sister already broke them in and they know you, they've known you longer than I have. I'm not worried."

Nolan nodded his head and sighed. "Yer Dad doesn't own any guns right?"

I chuckled as I pulled him in for a kiss. "No."

He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close. Just as we were deepening the kiss I heard the door open and froze.

"Shit." Nolan muttered. I didn't have to turn around to know who it was.

"You two going to stand here and make out all night or are you going to come eat?" My Dad said pointedly, arms crossed and giving us a stern look.

"Hi Daddy." I said as I turned quickly and gave him a hug.

"Don't you 'hi Daddy' me, you didn't even come to the play with us last night and I haven't seen you in weeks."

"I know, I'm sorry, I was very tired when I got in."

He harrumphed and muttered "sure you were" before letting me go. I stepped around him as Nolan moved forward.

"Dr. Kavanagh." My Dad offered his hand and shook firmly—I could tell from the grimace on Nolan's face.

"Senator."

"Oh for God's sake Edward get in here and leave these two alone." My mother suddenly appeared at my side and gave me a wink.

Thank God for my mother.

"I was just having a little fun." My Dad muttered then and gave her a sideways smile. She laughed and slapped him on his butt as he walked by.

Ugh.

My mother and Nolan hugged and said their hellos and I grabbed his hand and led him into the house. It wasn't as though Nolan hadn't been to family gatherings with us. In fact, he had been at every holiday since we had been together. I had even traveled to Ireland with him last summer to visit his mother in Belfast. His father had passed away over ten years ago and he didn't have any siblings. My family had already taken him in as one of their own.

Except for my father that is. But I could understand a bit, I was his little girl.

Thankfully, Nolan and Will and EJ really hit it off. Nolan and Will were close in age and EJ and Nolan both enjoyed rock climbing, so they went to an indoor rock climbing facility together a couple times a month.

We settled in to the dining room with our glasses of Jameson and some appetizers while my Mom finished the roasted chicken she was preparing. My father kept looking at us skeptically, like he knew something was up. Which in all fairness, we never had dinner as just the four of us.

"So how is work going Senator?" Nolan asked attempting to break the ice.

"Good, but there's been a change in plans, a rather major change in plans." My Dad sighed. He looked awfully stressed for someone who wasn't on the ballot.

"Well, your Uncle Jasper will be finishing his second term so we had been vetting good candidates for the seat." He paused, looking at the amber in his glass.

"And? Anyone good?"

"I think Will is going to throw his hat in the ring."

"Really?" I said surprised. "What does Harper think of that?"

"She's all for it actually. EJ is going to help with the campaign, he's going to be Will's speechwriter and work on fundraising. But we're still looking for a campaign manager."

"Wow. I'm really surprised. Are there any good opponents on the other side?"

"There are a few…" my Dad trailed off and took another drink before he looked at me. "Which is why I wanted to ask you something tonight."

I braced myself, unsure of where this was going. I wasn't qualified to be a campaign manager if that's what he was asking.

"EJ is an excellent speechwriter, but he's not a negotiator. He's too nice. He can't flip people."

Oh boy.

"What would you think about joining the campaign? I think you would make an excellent member of his staff if Will wins. You've obviously got a leg up on almost anyone out there as far as foreign policy experience, and let's face it Ell, you're ruthless."

I laughed humorlessly. "Thanks a lot Dad."

"I mean that in a good way Ellie. Washington is rough. It's mean, it's dirty and people will do anything to get what they want. I still question whether Will has thick enough skin for it, but we have a year and a half to prepare him and he's been around politics his whole life. He's worked out there, so I think he'll get there. But he needs someone behind him that can really hold their own."

A pit began to form in my stomach. I glanced at Nolan and he was sitting with his hands clasped around his glass, expressionless, but not upset. This really threw a wrench in our freshly made plans, but I wanted it. It was an amazing opportunity and I did have the credentials. I had worked in my uncle's office, on a number of campaigns as well as in the Department of Homeland Security while I was in D.C. Plus I would have my internship experience.

"I have my internship with the State Department this Spring though Dad, I have to finish that to finish my degree."

My Dad waved his hand dismissively. "I know, and you need to do that, it will give you even more credibility. But that will work well. You could move back this summer and join the campaign then."

I sighed, almost ready to lose my appetizers over this turn of events. Instead I grabbed Nolan's hand. Now that we had made the decision to move in together, I wanted it. I wanted it so much it hurt.

But could I have both?

I squeezed it and he gave me a small smile before I turned back to my Dad. "This is a…really enticing offer, but we have something to tell you first."

My father's eyes went wide before he closed them and clenched his glass on the table. "Oh God you're pregnant."

"I'm not pregnant."

"Oh thank God…"

Suddenly my mother walked in with the chicken on a platter and her eyes wide.

"Ok, I heard most of this from the kitchen, but what's going on?" She said calmly as she set the platter on the table and put her hands on my Dad's shoulders.

I looked at Nolan and then back at my parents before steeling my resolve. "We're moving in together."

They both took a breath of relief and I squeezed Nolan's hand before continuing. "I love Nolan, and I don't want to be in D.C. anymore. The internship I accepted is with the State Department office here in Seattle."

"Oh that's wonderful news honey!" My Mom said excitedly. "I'm so excited you'll be back—we're so excited you'll be back. Right Edward?" She squeezed his shoulders again.

"Yes. Of course." He said roughly. But then he looked at us intently. "But you're not pregnant right?"

"Oh my God Dad, stop!" I replied as my Mom derided him with an "Edward, enough."

Finally Nolan spoke up. "Senator Cullen—Edward. I love Ellie more than anything. But I'm not pressurin' her inta anythin'. I just want to be with her; and she with me I believe." He looked at me and I smiled as I squeezed his hand again.

"I am goin' to support her in whatever she wants to do. I'm not going to hold her back. If she moves to D.C., I'll go with her. Simple as that."

"And leave your practice?" My father raised his eyebrow.

"We'll make it work. She's it for me."

My Dad nodded before finishing his drink and looking at Nolan again. "Are you two planning to get married?"

Nolan smiled and put his arm around me. "Someday. I'm ready whenever she is, but as I said I'm not pressurin' her inta anythin'. I want her to get her career started. I want her to travel and see the world and work on Will's campaign, if that's what she wants. But I will be beside her every step of the way."

I think my heart just melted.

I looked at my Mom who had a sappy smile on her face and tears in her eyes. The room was quiet for a moment as my father rolled his glass around in his hand.

"Alright then." He finally sighed. "I know you don't need my blessing, and in today's day and age you wouldn't ask for it anyhow, but I'm okay with that."

"When the time comes I will ask for your blessing though, because I'm old fashioned that way as well." Nolan piped up. He shared a look with my father and they both just nodded in agreement.

Someday.

After that, the tension of the room eased and we all settled in for dinner. My Mom excitedly asked me about my internship, when I was going to move, if I was subleasing the condo—as I had lived in my grandparents condo for the last five years—and so on.

My father even jovially told me about EJ and his new girlfriend and agreed that he was only after one thing. This in turn earned him an elbow and admonishment from my mother, though she just rolled her eyes as well telling me she agreed. We all talked and laughed through the rest of dinner and dessert, even my father.

We all moved into the study and talked about the campaign and how they would prepare Will. Though my father believed that with his and Jasper's endorsements, Will would be the frontrunner for the Democratic party. Consequently, he and Harper had decided to wait on trying for another baby to see how the campaign turned out. Harper didn't want to start his first term in D.C. with a newborn like my mother had. Though I had a sneaking suspicion that if my parents' grandchildren were in D.C. they would move back out there to help out just as my grandparents had.

I pumped my father for information about the potential opponents and catalogued what I found out, knowing I could start to review their bios and backgrounds in my spare time this Spring. We spoke about strategy and when I would start and how he saw me fitting into the campaign, which made me even more excited about the prospect of joining up. Nolan remained mostly quiet, but piped in when my parents asked him about his practice or rock climbing with EJ.

In all it was a great night, and went as well as I could have imagined.

As we said good-bye at the door at nearly eleven, Nolan convinced my mother that he only had two Jamesons early in the evening and was perfectly fine to drive.

"You could just stay here." My Mom implored.

But I gave her the look as though "would you want to?"

She gave me a knowing smile. "I know." She hugged me tight. "He's a good one. A keeper. I'm so happy for you, baby. Just make sure you always talk about everything okay?"

I nodded as I squeezed her back and said good-bye.

*&^%$#

Nolan and I were quiet on the ride home, both thinking about our crazy evening.

It wasn't until we were lying in bed later, both unable to sleep, that I rolled over and put my arm across his chest.

"Hey, what are you thinking?"

Nolan rolled over to me and pulled me into him. "I'm thinkin'…I don't know what to think. I'm not gonna lie, I'm a little worried. I feel like I just got ya' and now it's slippin' through my fingers a bit."

"I know. I felt the same way."

"But…" he said forcefully, "I do fully support ya'. And I will be beside ya every step of the way. I meant what I said. It's just…how much does this delay everythin'?" He trailed off.

I assumed this was his issue. I wasn't stupid. He couldn't wait and wait forever.

"I understand. But you need to know that I support you too and your needs and wants matter too."

I took a deep breath, amazed I was even saying the next words. "I know you want kids."

"Someday." He interjected.

"Someday. But I do too." I sighed. "And the fact is, you are nine years older than me, so we're going to have to make some decisions on that sooner rather than later. I know it's not always about me." I nudged him playfully and he smiled.

"I know I'm selfish and stubborn and temperamental, but I do want everything with you. You just have to promise to talk to me and tell me what you want, okay. Tell me when you're ready. I know you don't want to hold me back, but I don't want to hold you back either."

Nolan closed his eyes and kissed my forehead. "How did I get so lucky to have ya?"

"I'm the lucky one." I breathed as he rolled on top of me. Soon our bodies became heated and our worries and anxieties melted away with every touch and every kiss. Until his body was covering mine and I was gasping his name in my release.

In the wee hours of the morning we finally fell asleep, wrapped around one another and knowing that this was only the beginning of many nights together in our place.

*&^%$#

"Is that the last of it?" I asked as EJ huffed into the house.

"Christ Ellie, when did you get so much shit?"

"I don't have that much shit."

"Yes you do, how did you fit this all in the condo in D.C.?"

"Quit being a grouch. Just because you're not getting any right now since you broke up with ballerina what's her face."

"Children. Enough." My Mom grumbled as she set a box of dishes on the counter.

"Are you sure you want to take this on?" She turned to Nolan as he set another box next to her.

He laughed. "I guess I'm already hooked in, eh?"

"Damn right you are." I teased as I kissed him on the cheek and gave him one of those looks.

"Ewe. Okay, time for me to leave." EJ grumbled.

Though he protested, EJ actually stayed to help us unpack along with my Mom and Dad. We treated them to pizza and beer afterward. As we sat down to eat my Mom and Dad and Nolan spoke about one of the downtown clinics.

"You thought any more about Dad's offer." EJ asked me before he shoved a bite of pepperoni in his mouth.

"Yeah. I'm going to do it. I'm done with my internship mid-May and then Nolan and I are going to take a vacation. Then when I get back, I'll be ready to dive in."

"Awesome. It will be good to have you here Ellie. You can help Harper too, because she'll need to be out stumping for Will as well."

I nodded knowing that part of my role would be as my sister's staff too. Harper would be fine. She was just like our mother, unflappable and well-spoken.

EJ and I discussed more of the logistics of the campaign. Who we thought would get the nod from the opposing party, how Will stacked up and fundraising issues. Now that it had settled in, I was excited about the prospect of having a major role in a senatorial campaign.

EJ looked at my parents and Nolan then, who were still deep in discussion, and looked back at me.

"And what about him?"

"What about him?" I shrugged.

"What if you move back to D.C.?"

"Then we'll make it work. He'll come with me."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah…that's how it is EJ, when you find the one."

EJ shook his head and laughed. "I never thought I'd see the day. I figured you'd be like one of those ladies who doesn't get married until they're 40- if ever- and never has kids. I'm surprised Ellie."

I shrugged, unsure what he was getting at. "Sometimes things change. People change you know."

EJ nodded. "He's a good guy. Even Dad thinks so, though I know he wouldn't tell you that. He likes to at least look like he's tough."

I laughed. "Ah he's all bark and no bite. You know he's a softy."

We both laughed then and finished our pizza. "You ever going to ask Makenna out?" I finally asked as I took the last sip of my beer.

He looked up at me, surprised, but with a funny smirk on his face. "How'd you know?"

"Like we haven't all known for years." I rolled my eyes. "So I'm not going to go getting all sentimental because you know me and you know that's not my style." I joked as EJ nodded his head in agreement.

"But sometimes, you just need to take a chance, even if the timing doesn't seem right. Maybe it will make it right."

I picked up my plate and bottle and stepped away from the table.

EJ just looked at me as though he was really considering what I was saying. I guess coming from someone who had always been a self-proclaimed independent woman, maybe it carried a little more weight.

After another half hour, we waved our good-byes as my parents and brother pulled out of our driveway.

I was still getting used to the idea of Nolan's home as my home, but I liked it. I liked it a lot.

I'd continued to mull over my conversation with my brother in my head. I had been telling the truth, and if I could make this kind of change, I knew he could. It was funny how life spun you in different directions, almost like a spinning top until something knocks you off your axis.

But sometimes getting knocked off of your axis is the best thing that can happen. Because when you restart the wheel, you might be spinning in a new direction- the same direction as someone else.

"What are ya thinkin' so hard about over here?" Nolan wrapped his arms around me as I closed the door.

I hummed into his embrace. "Our house, our family, our future."

"I like the sound of that." He murmured as he kissed my neck.

We clasped hands as we walked through the lower level, shutting off the lights and closing up the house. As we ascended the stairs to our bedroom, I couldn't help but think maybe someday would be sooner than expected.

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Hope you enjoyed it. Hopefully another chapter in a week. Happy Holidays to you and yours.

~AMJ