Bless you, Onimosity. Sating your loyal readers' cravings with an update despite your and your muse's weakened state. Thank you, thank you.
Ditto everything Neneberge, BellaChica, Nyeesha, and a few others said.
True love sometimes defies convention and tradition, cannot be squeezed into any existing box or mold. Both Sunshine and Nicholai are very aware of this. They have to for their relationship to work.
I ain't tattooing myself for NObody... but Nikki's new sun tattoo and it's symbolism was so sweet, such a testement to how deeply his feelings for Sunny run.
What is "normal"? What factors defines normal? There too, both are realistic in not sweating attempts to create a relationship that can earn some gold seal of convention or approval.
However, Sunshine was on target when she said that she went from her father's house to Nicholai's. She deserves, is entitled to, has earned the right to define herself on her own... explore freedom, independence, developing her own person. Dating, hanging out, being together without living together is a great idea. She'll return "home" when she's ready.
And this time, I believe Nicholai is being honest when he says that he understands. He doesn't have to like it, and it would be unrealistic of us to expect him to like it, but he at least understands. When he got out of prision, he had to do the same thing.
I too appreciate the love, protection and guidance Nicholai had when his parents abondoned him. As a grown man, he still struggles with that. However, I've noted an improvement in how often the blackness surfaces as well as his ability to tamp it back down quickly, smoothly. Good for him.
As for he questions Sunny hesitates to ask, answers she's apprehensive of hearing from Nikki; I believe she already has some idea of what they will be. She is smart and perceptive. I believe she is giving Nikki time o reconcile himself with telling her... giving her the the raw truth of the bad and ugly of what he does.
To his credit, he isn't a common street thug with a rap sheet. We already know he has done and is capable of brutality and violence. I believe he has been doing better these days.
The thing with tempting Jacob to gamble was bad, really bad. But most legit businesses do this to us every day and call it marketing and advertizing. Jacob was responsible for his lifelong addiction to gambling, chasing impossible pipe dreams and drinking to numb the pain of his expected failures. Companies... clean, legal, so-called upstanding companies like AIG, Enron, the banks, etc. have done worse damage preying on innocent people while lining their pockets with obscene amounts of wealth than I imagine Nikki has done.
LOL. I'd make a good defense attorney if he ever needs one. But we'll see as soon as Sunny is ready to seek answers.
Lastly, I cannot ignore the dancing. I remember my reaction learning that the macho, rugged actor Robert Duval (my fav "Boo" from the "To Kill a Mockingbird" movie and a multitude of badass movie roles) was a passionate Argentine Tango devotee. LOL. What style. What grace. Nicholai worked it on the dance floor. And he taught Sunny well. What foreplay that dance is when done well.
Ahhh... rest up, dear one. I believe this song is about to tackle a few difficult notes. We must be well-rested to get through them. And please, if possible, no tears, unless they are tears of sheer joy. My poor heart can't take it. lol
xxooxx
Sheri