Chapter Two
In Nick's opinion, it hadn't been the most productive day. "How in the hell did you get a job in the first place? It's that accent isn't it? It's like a mating call for you hicks" At least he was sounding like himself again, thought Ellis.
Rochelle looked to the door when they walked in, "Oh my God!" She gasped, "Coach look, Nick was outside and he didn't melt."
"Haha" Nick rolled his eyes "Very funny."
"I was just messing around" Rochelle bit her lip, perhaps that wasn't the best way to start things. She needed them to all be in a good mood when she popped the question.
"I thought it was funny" Coach turned the television off and got to his feet, "Now let's eat."
"I'm surprised you waited this long for us." Nick smirked.
"Don't mess with me Nicholas, I was this close to starting without you." He grumbled heading to the kitchen.
"I take it your team of pathetic adults that think they can still throw the old pig skin around lost the game?" Nick followed behind "So there were no snacks after the game?"
"Nick leave the man alone." Ellis looked at the two nervously, how was it that they still got into small fights after all they had gone through?
"Don't worry Ellis." Coach smiled at him trying to show him he wasn't upset, "I've learned to ignore Nick's cries for attention."
"Boys." Rochelle crossed her arms "Seriously, let's just sit down and enjoy our meal shall we?"
"Yea!" Ellis took his seat "I'm starvin'! All that walkin' and job huntin' really takes a toll on a guy. But I think I still got the energy to eat! I mean, after all I did a lot of walking when we were killin' them zombies, y'all remember that?" He chuckled "Oh man that was so much fun."
Coach smiled, neither of them told him to shut up this time. They just sat together and enjoyed their meal, letting Ellis do most of the talking, until Rochelle finally silenced him. "Sweetie, mind if I take a turn?"
"Ah, okay." Ellis said quietly with a small smile.
Rochelle moved the last bits of peas around her plate nervously, she had got this far and she wasn't going to turn back now. "I actually have some news."
"Oh man!" Nick laughed, "That's funny." When Rochelle didn't laugh he coughed into his fist "Oh, you aren't kidding?"
"Do you all remember the request CEDA made about five or so months ago?" Rochelle asked "Well-" She looked down stabbing a pea, "I want to be a part of it, I know I'm a little late but...That only means the baby will-"
"Baby?!" Ellis interrupted, but he seemed more excited about it than the other two.
"Well at least she has been thinking about it for five months." Nick said sarcastically, "But it's your body, if you wanna go and get a little round be my guest."
"Will you stop being such an ass? Rochelle is serious." Coach glared at Nick before looking at Rochelle and softening his expression, "Rochelle, whatever you want to do we got your back one hundred percent." He smiled, offering his hand to her across the table.
"Really?" Rochelle smiled, "That's really good because, well-" she looked at them nervously, "I want you all to be a part of it."
"I'm in!" Ellis responded right away, "Can you imagine little me's runnin' around?" He chuckled.
"Ro, I really don't think I'm a good candidate for this." Coach pulled his hand back slowly.
"Unless you want to see little assholes running around." Nick got up, "The answer is no."
Rochelle watched as Nick left the room, "Please guys." she looked back at Coach and Ellis, "The three of you are very important to me, I have no one else." She looked at them sadly.
"I'm sorry." Coach got up, he wanted Rochelle to find herself a nice guy, to get married and to do things right. But it pained him to see her this way.
"Don't worry Ro." Ellis said quietly his hand on her shoulder, "They'll come around."