Moments later, the trio piled into the SUV.  With Chris up front, Nikki was first to sink into the back, and she was quick to pivot, arms outstretched to help cushion the blow of Richard's inevitable stumble into the vehicle.  If and when he did, she enveloped him in a gentle hug, and then her far arm lingered wrapped around his shoulder whilst her head veered into him.  Eyes cast forward, vision clouded between the darkness and glowing dashboard ahead, she spoke to her husband even if she couldn't quite make him out between her intoxication and the darkness that clouded his otherwise familiar features.<br/><br/><em>"He's not kiddin', you know."</em>Insistent, she turned defiantly wide eyes onto the younger man sat next to her.  If the pair of them were deviants looking to do him harm, Nikki was an actress deserving of an award.  Otherwise she was simply drunk; but certainly not enough to be out of control.  Rather, she was having<em>an absolute blast</em>, and it showed in the rampant enthusiasm that highlighted her each and every expression at this point.<br/><br/><em>"That's how he got me into bed the first time.  Those margaritas,"</em>she insisted, peering ahead towards Chris despite that she couldn't see him.<br/><br/><em>"Not that I wouldn't have done it anyway, but he wasn't gonna just ask."</em>Humor audible, she gave a silly grin ahead and then looked over to Chris.  Curious, her gaze probed him in the darkness.<em>"You doin' okay over there?"</em>