Nikki ran a hand through her hair as she attempted to make her way through the bustling crowd at the airport whilst making sure that the other arm still gripped her daughter tightly to her chest.
As Lucie rested her little blonde head on her mom's shoulder, Nikki felt a wave of calm wash over her despite the madness that was going on around her.
At long last, she emerged at the front of the crowd, her cheeks flushed from the effort, and her eyes sought out the face of her Aunt Ava. Where was she?
After several minutes, Nikki's eyes lit up as she saw her aunt glide round the corner, the sunlight glancing beautifully off her glossy blonde hair.
"Aunt Ava! How was your flight! We've just been dying to see you, haven't we hon?"
Nikki gently prodded her little girl who had quickly fallen asleep in the comfort of her mom's arms. Ava chuckled at Lucie's adorably bemused expression.
"Nikki, she's getting even more gorgeous each time I see her!"
She looked down and smiled at Lucie.
"Yes you are my lovely little sweet-pea!"
Nikki rolled her eyes in loving amusement. At this rate, Lucie's ego would become massive before she'd even reached her 6th birthday – not that Nikki disagreed with her aunt. Lucie was a stunning little girl, having inherited her mother's creamy and clear complexion, and her father's arresting blue eyes.
"Ava, are you ready? My car's in the parking lot, and we only have about five minutes left on the ticket."
"Practical as ever, Nikki. Glad to see you haven't changed much!"
Nikki grinned as she put Lucie down and grabbed onto her little hand.
"I've missed you too, Aunt Ava. Now let's get out of this stinking airport!"
The two women strolled out of the airport with Lucie trotting along in between them and soon they were driving down the Miami freeway, the sun shimmering on the ocean's surface as they drove along the coastline.
When they reached Nikki's apartment, in a complex facing onto the beach, Lucie had already fallen asleep with her head against the car window, so Nikki tucked her up in bed and tenderly kissed her forehead.
Coming out of the bedroom, Nikki saw that her aunt had been watching her carry her daughter to bed.
"You two are so sweet together, Nikki."
She paused and took a deep breath.
"Is Cam still completely oblivious?"
Nikki groaned and walked angrily out onto the balcony. Soon afterwards she felt her aunt by her side.
"Nikki, I know - "
"Aunt Ava, I made my decision a long time ago. And I've been living with it since then. I've dealt with it, and we're doing just fine together, so I really don't see what else there is to it."
Right in those few moments Ava didn't see her twenty year old niece looking back at her – she saw a fifteen year old Nikki, burdened by life and its problems, and yet determined to overcome them no matter what.
"You already know why I didn't tell him. At the time Cam was afraid to even kiss me in public in case his dad saw. I couldn't put him, me or our baby in that kind of danger. Obviously, you being away didn't help - "
Ava opened her mouth in protest but Nikki silenced her.
" - but I know it's not your fault. At all. So please, whatever you do, DON'T blame yourself! Please."
Ava couldn't stop herself from reaching out to hold her niece tightly in her arms, as a single tear rolled down her cheek. Nikki, who had never been massively comfortable with huge displays of affection, held on for a few moments and then broke away abruptly, wiping her own eyes quickly with her fingers.
"Um, I should go wake her. If she sleeps all afternoon I'll never be able to get her to sleep tonight!"
Watching Nikki hurry into the bedroom, Ava wondered at her niece's ability to always put others first, even when it jeopardised her own happiness.
Having seen Cameron moping around Playa Linda after Nikki had left, Ava knew that he had missed her, and she wished fervently that Nikki would get over her pride and finally make contact again.
Only her niece could make that decision, but Ava hoped that she came to her senses soon.