Chapter 3
Ellis put the plates from breakfast in the dishwasher. "Nick…"
"Yeah?"
"You mustn't have been together long if you were out of the picture by twenty four."
"Who?"
"You and your ex-wife."
"We got married when I was nineteen, she was eighteen, and then we divorced when I was twenty three. Mia must have been born the next year."
Ellis nodded. He nuzzled into Nick's neck. "I jus' been thinkin'-"
"Don't try and fool me-"
"Shut up Nick! I was gon' say that your daughter should live with us. I don' like her mom none, so Mia should take our spare bedroom."
"No. Definitely not."
"What? Why not?" he asked, brows furrowed. Surely Nick would want his daughter to live with them. She was a great kid.
"Do you think Karen would just up and leave Mia?"
"Maybe I could speak to her-"
Nick rolled his eyes. "Good thinking Overalls! Hopefully your cheery accent will be enough to pass her off into handing over a teen child."
"Are you insultin' my accent? Sometimes I jus' can't tell."
"No."
"Okay."
Nick smiled. "I love your accent. But I love everything about you." He pulled Ellis onto his lap and kissed his nose.
Ellis chuckled. "Not true."
"What? What did I say?" Nick asked, shocked. Was there anything he didn't like about Ellis? He couldn't even think of one thing.
"You don't like my stories."
"Oh for god's sake, for good reason Ellis."
"I bet Mia would listen."
"She probably thought you were hot til she found out you fuck her dad."
"Nick!" Ellis blushed a deep red.
"Seriously, who wouldn't find you hot?"
"Your daughter. I am too old for her. I ain't even interested" he murmured.
"Dumbshit, there are twelve years between you and her and twelve years between us. Anyway, your 'buddy Keith' is the same age as you!"
"Shit Nick!"
Nick just chuckled. "Did you even go to school?"
"Course I did!"
He smiled. "God Ellis."
"Whatever. That means when you were twelve I wasn't even born. And when I was six you'd have been eighteen."
"That is gross. Don't say that again. Mia brought that shit up already."
"Okay. Is that cause it makes you feel like a perv?"
"A little."
Ellis giggled. "Ha! Never thought you'd ever have that feelin'. You always kinda seemed like the person who would sleep with someone as long as their ID said eighteen."
"Jeez, am I that bad?"
"That was when I first met you."
"Your mother wouldn't have liked me, would she?"
"I can't answer for her. But I can have a go?"
"Only if it's nice" he joked.
"Yeah, my ma hardly hated anybody. Said it ain't none o' her business. I mean, you can't be judgin' people, that's the lords' job."
"Way to get all preachy on me."
"You asked."
"True."
"Do… you think your daughter should live with us or not? I mean, be honest now."
"I would love her to. Just getting even a day is like a fuckin' nightmare" he sighed. "I never wanted anything this bad… except you."
Ellis smiled and kissed him. "Same. And to own my own garage, y'know, man that'd be great."
Nick chuckled.
"But what we should do is ask her for joint custody. Maybe every weekend, or even half a week, it can't hurt to ask."
"You know what my ex is like."
He sighed. "Yeah… But like I said, I will talk to her. Or if you wanna, I mean, it's a stab in the dark but if we went to court we'd get joint custody cause it's like a right y'know?"
"I get it. So we should just call a meeting without Mia knowing so it doesn't get complex and just get everything sorted?"
"Yep."
"Ok, I'm good with that."
"Good."
"So this is what we are gonna do. Today. Wear something nice."
"I always try an' wear somethin' nice. I do want you to think I look good."
"And El, you know what? I always think you do look nice. Hell, you look good in anything, and you look amazing naked."
"Oh my god Nick." The hick shook his head, blushing.
Nick smiled. "It's true. Maybe the meeting should be here and you should be naked."
"No way in hell."
"Worth a shot."
"No."
He chuckled. "Whatever." He stood up. "Well, should we get ready?"
"Guess so." Ellis ran water over the plates in the sink. "Nick."
"Yeah El?"
"You… do want your daughter here, yeah?"
"Of course I do."
"Okay. Jus' that I kept kinda naggin' you about it an' I was jus' thinkin' I should get your opinion before we… y'know, start all this?"
"Don't worry about it El. It's okay."
Ellis nodded. "Okay. I really jus' want this to all work out" he added, walking into the bedroom.
"It will" Nick sighed, walking in after him.
"I sure hope so."
"Don't worry about it El."
Ellis closed the gap between the two of them and hugged him. "I love you Nick. I do. Man, if this works out we will be a family. Like, we will be one o' them married couples with the house and the kid, all we gotta do now is get a pet" he joked.
"I think a kid'll suffice" Nick chuckled.
Ellis smiled. "You're probably right. We will see how we go as parents first."
Nick chuckled. "I don't know how I will go. You are like a natural El."
"Aww naw. Maybe?"
Nick rolled his eyes. "Aww naw" he mocked. "What the hell?"
"Shut up Nick."
"Papa hillbilly."
"Why you gotta bring up that old shit."
"Only happened yesterday."
"Whatever."
"Whatever."
"Stop mockin' me Nick. Had enough of your shit."
Nick just shrugged and buttoned up his shirt. "I still love you." He pulled up his pants.
"Y'know… I never thought you'd love me. An' I never thought we'd get married and… well, we have been married over three years now it is amazin'. I love bein' married to you Nick."
Nick smiled back. "I always said I wouldn't get married a third time, but I have heard that three times a charm. Guess that shit is legit."
Ellis smiled. "Must be." He buttoned up his shirt to the top, not bothering to tuck it into his jeans.
"What are you? A schoolboy? Undo the top two buttons."
"I can't pull of that look like you do Nick." Ellis fidgeted. "I jus' end up lookin' queer."
"Wait, what?" Nick looked at him. "We fuck, that makes you queer."
"I meant it makes me look strange, Nick."
"Fine, keep them buttoned up."
"I intend to."
Nick couldn't help but smile at Ellis. He never thought his life could have such a perfect moment, but every moment with Ellis, no matter how small or ridiculous it turned out to be, was perfect.
"Whatchu smilin' at huh?" Ellis asked, setting his hat on his head.
"You. Being adorable. Just the usual. Now take that fucking hat off. You look like an idiot."
"That ain't nice."
"You're dressed so well you could be a fuckin' model but you go and put that damn hat on. Leave it off just this once. Please."
"All you had to do was ask nicely" Ellis sighed, rolling his eyes. He took his beloved hat off and set it on the bed.
"Okay, we good to go?"
"I sure am."
He smiled. "Okay, let's do this."
Ellis nodded. "Let's."
Nick held his hand and they left the apartment.
"Goddammit you are such an asshole!" a female voice came from next door.
Ellis frowned.
"Do not bother getting in the middle of their domestic Ellis" Nick whispered.
"Not gonna. Jus'… don't want it to get worse."
Seconds later the girl left the apartment, tears that were no longer flowing stained her face, she just looked angry now. She looked at Ellis and Nick, but looked away quickly, pressing the down button for the elevator.
Nick raised an eyebrow.
"'scuse me ma'am, you okay?" Ellis asks politely.
She looked at Ellis. "I'm fine sweetie, don't worry about it" she sniffled.
"Do you have somewhere else to go?"
She nodded. "Yeah, my friend Charlie's."
"Okay."
"Thanks for… you know, checking. That was nice."
Ellis smiled softly. "I jus' wanted to make sure you felt safe."
The elevator arrived and the doors opened. The three of them walked inside.
"Yeah, I do now." She looked at the grasp they had on each other's hand. "Maybe I was just wishing you were single."
Nick frowned at her.
She saw his expression and looked away.
"Nick" Ellis chastised.
"We are buying wedding bands today."
She looked at Ellis again.
"We are married but we jus' don't have them bands yet" he explained.
Nick didn't want to talk to her. Upset women were not his speciality. Ellis could talk to anyone. He hoped that his ex-wife would fall for that charm.
"Well, I think that's a great idea. Gold or silver?" she asked.
"Ooh, dunno, I would say sil-"
"Gold" said Nick stoically.
Ellis smiled. "Whichever."
The doors opened at the ground level. As they walked out the front of the apartments she walked the opposite direction.
"Can see why her and her boyfriend fight. Seems like a floozy."
"She so did not Nick."
"She wanted your dick 'til she found out you rode mine."
Ellis shook his head, trying not to smile. "That's terrible Nick."
"Is it though?"
"Yep."
"Okay. Still not sorry."
"Course you ain't. That's okay."
Nick kissed his cheek. "I love you."
"I know. You should have kissed me in the elevator."
"I fully intended to, but I thought you'd slap me.
"I wouldn't shame you in public."
"I'll hold you to that."
"Okay" Ellis chuckled.
"Wait, let's go in here."
"Huh? Sweet! A jewellery store. So you were serious?"
"Well, we are married. May as well get something to show for it." He paused and bit his lip. "I want to know if you thought the neighbour was hot."
"What?"
"You like girls too, I mean, you liked Zoey once, although totally unreciprocated at the time. But seriously, did you find the neighbour hot?"
"Course not. Is this jus' 'bout that?"
"I love you. I don't want you to leave me for some girl."
"I don't want you to either! Anyway, it ain't gon' happen."
Nick hugged Ellis. "Thank you."
Ellis smiled and kissed his neck. "Love you."
"Love you too. God I'm getting sentimental."
"Suits you."
"Hardly."
Ellis chuckled. "It does though."
"Maybe. Most likely not."
"I don't want you to feel weird about bein' romantic. I like that you do these things. Hold my hand, hug me an' kiss me. It's real nice."
"I know. I love that you appreciate it. I want you to feel loved every day. Not like the neighbour" he added.
"Pfft, thanks for addin' that. But seriously, thank you."
They walked inside the store. "Can I help you at all?" asked a short blonde.
"Wedding bands" Nick replied.
She nodded. "Just over here. You looking for anything in particular?"
"I will know it when I see it."
Ellis looked around at all the shiny jewellery. He hadn't really ever been one for jewellery. A bit too gaudy in his opinion, but a simple wedding band would be perfect.
Then he saw it. "That one Nick" he pointed to a plain silver one. "I like that one."
Nick drew his attention away from the gold ones. "You sure you don't wanna look over here first?"
Ellis walked over, but he was sure as hell intimidated by the price of the gold ones.
"Guessing you don't?" Nick chuckled.
Ellis shrugged. "I don't know Nick. Which one do you like Hun?"
Nick smiled at the term of endearment. "I think we should go with that titanium one you picked out."
"You think so?"
"Yeah, absolutely. To be honest I think it would suit you better than gold."
"Thanks Nick."
He nodded and looked back at the lady. "So, with these ones do you have sizes in stock or do we order in the sizes we want?"
"Pretty sure I do have a couple of these out the back. Won't be a second."
"This is excitin'!" Ellis smiled.
"Never had jewellery before?"
"Can't say I have."
"Never had your ears pierced?"
Ellis shook his head. "Did you?"
"When I was younger."
"No way!"
Nick chuckled. "I did. Embarrassing huh?"
"Sure it looked good."
The lady walked back out. "I have three different sizes for this particular style."
Nick nodded. "Try one on."
Ellis nodded and picked one up, placing it on his finger. It fits just fine" he grinned. "Lucky" he grinned.
Nick smiled. He looked at the two sizes that were left and chose the bigger one, which was too big. He bit his lip and picked up the other one. He slipped it on. "Ha! It fits" he sighed, relieved.
"Excellent. Did you want me to box these up?" asked the lady.
"We will wear them to go. We've only been married three years now."
Ellis smiled.
She nodded, smiling. "No problems. Paying on card today?"
"Yep." He held it up.
"Look, do you want me to get it?" asked Ellis.
"I got this, don't worry." He kissed him quickly before proceeding to pay.
"Thank you" said the lady, passing him back the card. "Thanks guys."
"Thank you ma'am" said Ellis.
Nick just nodded. They held hands and walked back out.
"How cool is this!"
"Amazing" Nick smiled, happy that his lover was so happy.
"I mean, what are the chances of them even havin' the right sizes? Seriously? This is the best thing ever! Except when we got married. That was the best day of my life" he smiled earnestly.
"When we got married was the best say of my life too."
"Really?"
"Definitely."
Ellis smiled.
"I love seeing you smile" Nick murmured, kissing his cheek. "You are so beautiful."
Ellis blushed. No matter how many times Nick would compliment him, he just couldn't not be a little embarrassed. "Thanks Nick. You are handsome too, y'know. Wait, o'course you know. You spend so much time on your appearance" he quipped, chuckling.
"Ellis you wound me" he rolled his eyes.
Ellis just shrugged. "Not on purpose. I mean, I was jus' bein' honest."
"I know."
They walked down the street to Mia's house.
"They have such a nice place here" Ellis said, taking a proper look at the house Mia lived in.
"Yeah, I s'pose they do El."
"But hell, our apartment is jus' fine. I never knew livin' in an apartment would be so much fun."
Nick smiled. He was glad that Ellis had taken a shine to living in the apartment. He inhaled and pressed the doorbell, not sure how this would go. He took one more looked at Ellis before the door opened to reveal an irritated ex-wife.
"Nick? What are you doing here?"
"I wanna talk."
"About what?"
"Don't play dumb with me. I want to discuss Mia and our visits."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"Baby who's there?" asked an older guy who walked up behind her.
"This is Nick and his boyfriend."
"Husband" Nick corrected.
Ellis smiled at this. Nick's fingers reached for his, interlocking in a firm hand hold.
"So you weren't lying when you said your ex-husband was into dick."
"Ok, not that I am one to always be appropriate, but that is so inappropriate" Nick said, glaring at his ex more so than the man. She had started it. "Anyway" he continued, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "We aren't here to talk about my interests. I am here to talk about visitation rights between Mia and Ellis and myself."
"Dad? Pa?"
"Mia!" Ellis exclaimed.
"She has known you two one day and you get 'dad' and 'pa' and I have been her stepdad for eight years and I am lucky to get a grunt out of her."
Mia rolled her eyes, rushing past her mom and stepdad to hug Nick and Ellis. "I knew you guys would come back to see me" she gushed, grin plastered on her face. "I love you guys!"
Ellis couldn't have pictured a more perfect family moment. Except if her mom and stepdad weren't there. Then it would be even more perfect.
Mia snuggled up against them, and Ellis planted a small kiss on the top of her head.
"Don't kiss her!"
Ellis froze. "Wh-?"
"Fucking queer!"
Ellis was shocked. "Why can't I kiss my stepdaughter? Anyway, I ain't queer."
"You are married to a guy."
"So? Anyway, like my sexuality makes a difference."
Mia glared at her stepdad. "Don't you dare insult my dads. They are more my family than you will ever be!"
"Yeah, a redneck queer and a fucking sleazy, womanizing conman. Great family you have there."
"Fuck you!"
That was when Ellis realised she had Nick's cranky personality. He could feel Mia lean her face into his chest.
Ellis decided that it was time to take the reins. "We ain't jus' a couple of queers y'know" he began. "Nick is still the father of Mia whether ya like it or not. What if it was the other way 'round and Nick had full custody cause you were out o' his life and then you came back into it and you wanted to see her. Why don't you let her visit? Cause lemme tell you this. If you don't, she will hold it against you for the rest of your life."
Karen sighed.
"You aren't-"
"Brad, please give me a minute." She sighed.
Mia looked at her. "Mom. Ellis is right. I would hold it against you. But please, please, please understand that I want to know my dad and I want to know my pa and I want them in my life. Please!"
"Mia, you don't understand."
"No, I don't. Yesterday you wanted me to meet dad. Well, you wanted dad to meet me, but same thing. Now I have a chance to get to know him. I want that." She looked up at Nick before looking at her mother. "If you don't let me get visits with them, when I turn sixteen I will leave home and live with them and you can't stop me."
Karen sighed. She looked at Nick. All there was was pure hatred. Then again it really had nothing to do with Nick. Karen was the one who wasn't allowing Mia to see them. "Weekends only." She turned around and walked back inside.
Her partner, Brad, glared at them before following her.
"You are jus' like your daddy" Ellis decided then and there.
"That's my girl" Nick praised. "Even pissing off the same lady by choosing a guy."
Ellis looked at Nick, frowning. "Y'know what, that was so inappropriate."
Mia just smiled. "I will come over every Friday night after school and I will stay the whole weekend!" she said enthusiastically.
Ellis smiled. "Sounds good."
"Except this weekend" she sighed. "We are going to see grandma."
"She is a bitch" Nick groaned. "She made a speech at the wedding about how much she hated me. She was sober the whole night."
"Sure sounds like the same lady" Mia giggled. "Don't feel special, she doesn't like Brad either."
"I will keep it in mind" Nick chuckled. "To be honest though I thought she hated everyone."
"Most likely."
Ellis looked at them 'Y'know, I been thinkin'-"
"Not this again" Nick smiled.
"Har har. No. What I was gon' say was we should eat as a celebration. Can we go to the pizza place?! Please?!"
"You sound like you swapped ages with my daughter."
Mia smiled. "Ellis is right though. Can we? Please? Mom doesn't let me eat pizza."
"We're goin' and eatin' all we can!" Nick grinned.
"Spiteful" Ellis said smugly.
"Hell yeah I am. I hate that bitch of a woman."
Ellis smacked his ass. "Not in front of Mia. Have some tact. Jeez."
"Spank me harder next time El" he purred in Ellis' ear.
"Wait til I getchu in bed tonight" he murmured.
"You are right El."
"Wait, what?"
"We never christened the bed."
"If she heard that she is gon' be scarred for life."
"She'll be right. She lives with Karen for god's sake. The guys never called her kinky Karen for nothing."
"That shits gross as hell."
"I was married to that."
"Sorry, but she looks old and it jus' don't go so well. Holy shit, just thinkin' when you were married I was in school."
"Don't start this shit El."
Mia looked at her dads muttering to each either. "What the hell are you two on about?" she asked, giving them the one raised eyebrow that Nick did.
"Lookit Nick, she is jus' like you."
Nick chuckled. "Poor kid even got my widows peak" he said, brushing her long dark hair away from her face.
"I like it" she shrugged. "Gives me an excuse not to have a fringe."
Ellis smiled. "I like this one. She is adorable Nick. Hell, you are so lucky."
"So, you have no kids Ellis?"
"Nah, I'm… I jus' been with your dad."
She nodded. "But you want kids?"
He smiled. "Yeah, but like I said, you're jus' perfect."
"Pa, you are so nice."
"Thanks."
"Is El the better looking of us?"
"Duh" she said sarcastically. "Hell, I don't know. Your complex is showing dad."
"Maybe you should have had curly hair and a big mouth."
"Pfft. Least I'd get them lips too if pa was my real dad. If you hadn't realised I totally got yours."
Nick looked at his daughters' lips and realised he had cursed her with thin lips. "Fuck."
She laughed. "It isn't that bad."
"Oh god, I was horrible to you" Nick groaned. "Girls are meant to have big, full lips!"
"What're you implying?" Ellis smirked.
"El, don't do this to me." He leaned over and whispered. "I want sex. Tonight."
"You got it. But only if I top."
"Dammit."
"Nick!"
Mia looked at Nick. "You better be nice to pa."
"Am I being threatened?"
And before she could respond Ellis saw the pizza place. "Yeah! Yeah! Pizza!"
"Whoo!" Mia grinned. "Pa you are so fun!"
"That's what I say" Nick smirked, arm snaking around Ellis' waist.
Mia frowned. "Dad!"
Ellis blushed. "Nick why you go do that?"
"Just being honest kid."
Ellis sighed and kissed Nick. "I love you anyway."
"I love you too. I do. Shit I am lucky."
"You are. We have the perfect family now."
Nick smiled. "You are right."
They followed Mia into the pizza parlour.
"This place is awesome" Ellis grinned.
Mia looked around. "I always wanted to come here. This is amazing. Dad, pa, you are so good to me."
"We love you Mia. So much" Nick said, hugging her. "Hell, I would do anything for you Mia. Anything. I promise."
"Take me away from my mother."
"Sweetie, I will do what I can." He kissed her forehead. "I promise."
She smiled. "Thanks daddy."
Ellis just smiled at the moment. Hell, Nick would be a great dad. Is a great dad.
"Let's grab a seat."
Ellis looked at Nick. "That was real beautiful before Nick."
"Thanks El."
Mia looked around. "Whoa, this place is pretty cool."
"It is" Nick agreed.
She smiled. "Well, what do you say? Should we grab some all you can eat?" she chuckled.
"I bet you can only eat two slices" he teased.
"Ha! I bet I can eat at least three" she giggled.
Ellis smiled. He never thought he would really get an opportunity to be a parent, but as he watched them they seemed to have such a strong bond already. He wanted to have that sort of body with her too, but he didn't want to push it or annoy her to do so. Anyway, he wasn't really her dad so she didn't have to like him. Hell, she didn't have to respect him either. But he was glad that yesterday had gone so well. Hopefully they would continue to get along.
Nick looked at Ellis as he stood up. "You gonna grab some El?"
"Y'all go first. Still deciding what flavour I want. Don't wanna be droolin' all over the pizzas none."
"Aw pa" Mia giggled.
He just smiled and shoed them off to get pizza.
They had been having such a nice moment he hadn't wanted to disturb it, just watch it as it played out.
He could see them talking and grinning. Nick was doing so damn well. He was so proud of him.
"I can't believe he never wanted to be a dad, he is a natural" he murmured, brows furrowed. But then, maybe the thing was Mia was so happy to accept the both of them into her lives. She was excited to see them, and keen to get to know them.
Ellis had to wonder, without prying as it wasn't his place to do so, what her home life was like. Wasn't she happy? If not, why not? What could Nick and himself offer that she liked the idea of more than living with the people who raised her?
He sighed audibly. Maybe she just wanted a family who spent time with her, who listened to her and who sincerely cared for her. But he couldn't say that since he didn't know her situation. Hell, all he knew was that he wanted to adopt her. Be her parent.
Nick and Mia came back with three slices of greasy triangles. Ellis chuckled as Nick frowned at his plate. "Mia dared me to eat three. I hate greasy food" he groaned.
Mia looked proud of herself. "I did good."
"You did. If we go to a restaurant Nick usually gets grilled chicken and a salad."
"But that is such a girly meal. And you'd cook that at home. When you go out you eat whatever you want."
Nick rolled his eyes and started eating the cheese covered pizza. "I am so gonna regret this El."
"Sorry Hun. Do you want me to eat the other slices?"
"I will have a heart attack right here if I eat more than one. Shit, I will only be able to have salad and water for the next week."
Ellis rolled his eyes. "Such a drama queen. What the hell were you doin' in the South?" he teased.
"Trust me, I still question that. Besides the fact that I fell in love with the hottest thing out of the South" he kissed Ellis' cheek, leaving a greasy mark which Ellis didn't seem to notice but it annoyed the hell out of Nick. "Goldman pizza, greasy, fatty shit" he grumbled as he wiped Ellis' face with a serviette.
Ellis chuckled. "Anyway Nick, if you were to only have salad and water, don't that mean you can't have coffee?"
"I'm still having coffee. And chicken. Just not that fried shit you always eat" he shuddered at the thought.
Ellis shrugged.
Mia smiled. "Y'know, I would like to meet your friends properly, I wanna meet everyone that you guys know. Then I will feel really at home."
"Well, the next weekend that you come over we will have everyone come over and you can meet our friends" Nick decided.
Ellis smiled. "Man, that'd be so cool! Hey, hey maybe I should ask Zoey to get Louis to come here and she can change her travel dates and then they can go after that."
"As long as they don't have to stay with us I'm okay with that.
Mia looked at Ellis. "Sorry if this is awkward, but… did you and Zoey actually date?"
"Nope. I was way too nervous to say anythin' to her."
Nick grinned. "It was hilarious. You should have seen him" he grinned. "She looks like an angel" he mocked. "I swear you gave the word 'looks' two syllables."
"Dad that is mean!" Mia chuckled.
Ellis shrugged. "And then you said you'd tattoo her name on my ass."
"Oh my god, how the hell did you two end up falling in love?"
"I know beauty when I see it" smiled Ellis.
She looked at Nick.
"I think… I think I just realised how lucky I was to find someone who could overlook every flaw I had, still care for me when I had been so horrible… and mourn for me when they thought I was dead… and I woke up and they were there, holding my hand and praying for me… that I knew I had found the right one."
Ellis smiled. "Nick… that's real nice."
"I love you Ellis. And hell, I know I don't say it enough but that is the truest thing."
"I know Nick. You show me you love me every day."
Mia just smiled at the heart-warming scene. She had long abandoned the half eaten second slice that her dad said she'd never get through. She wondered to herself, did they really want her in their family? They seemed so happy, just the two of them. She wanted to be in their lives so badly, because to her, they were a real family. Her mother rarely spoke to her, and always went places with her 'stepfather', leaving her behind. Alone. She hated being alone. It scared her. Especially after the Green Flu. She had been alone when that started. She was terrified. But then a helicopter who was evacuating people had picked her up, only for her mother to be on that chopper. She had hoped that she would be separated, but it hadn't happened. She wanted to be placed in a home where they cared for their children, not went on week long holidays to Vegas without her.
She watched as Ellis' smile lit up at something Nick was saying to him, the way her dads eyes shone like that. She had seen heaps of pictures of Nick, her mother had kept them all, but in not one picture, including the wedding day, did he look this happy.
She wanted them to be her parents so badly.
But she knew that no court would rule in their favour without her being able to take the stand. Her mother had always been the sole provider, her 'stepfather' who wasn't even married to her mother, had been in the picture since she was young. They both had had jobs previously, now it was just her 'stepfather', but still… if she had a say she would want to go with Nick and Ellis. She just had to think of a way.
"So, how about we go lookin' at furniture later?" Ellis asked her. "Then you can make the spare room your room. An' I promise you that I won't let nobody in that room 'cept you. Guests can have the fold out couch."
Nick chuckled. "I did not tell him to say that."
She grinned. "That would be great pa!"
They started talking about furniture, of all things, which Nick found humorous. It was a nice feeling, knowing your daughter get along so well with another parent figure that wasn't blood. But he was so proud of Ellis for being such a great parent. The second he found out he had a kid he thought Ellis would be angry, but Ellis had been so good about it, saying that she should stay with them. It warmed Nick's icy heart. But Ellis was always able to warm his heart.
As he watched them talk he thought about how lucky he really was. He had a husband who he most certainly didn't deserve and a beautiful daughter who should hate his guts. But they loved him. He smiled. He was glad that Mia got along with Ellis. Then again, he didn't actually know anyone who didn't. Ellis just had that charm.
He pulled Ellis close to him, disregarding the fact he was mid-conversation, held him close and kissed his neck. "I love you Ellis. Oh god El, I am so happy to have you in my life. Don't ever leave" He whispered.
"Nick, you ok or did that pizza go to your head?"
He chuckled into Ellis shoulder. "El, I am just so happy."
Ellis smiled. "Me too."
He pulled Mia close and hugged and kissed her cheek too. "I love you too. I am so proud of you. I love you."
"I love you too dad."
Nick kissed her forehead.
"Just so you know, you won the pizza bet, but you lost the dare."
"I know. Ellis ate all the pizza we couldn't. Good work El. I'll get you a cookie for that."
"Har har Nick."
"I was serious."
"I don't want a cookie, I want more pizza." He got up and walked over to the pizzas.
Mia chuckled. "Jeez, how does he do it?"
"Hick magic."
She rolled her eyes.
"Fine, he prayed to god."
"Oh my god dad."
Nick shrugged. "What did you want me to say?"
"I have no idea" she shook her head.
Ellis walked back over with three slices. "Y'all gon' get dessert?" he asked, sitting back down.
"Ellis, how are you eating so much pizza?"
"Well, to be honest Mia, I jus' put it in my mouth-"
"She means how do you eat so much pizza and stay so buff" Nick smiled.
"Pretty much" she agreed.
"Well, I do… kinda work out. Not since I've been here though. I should sign up to a gym though."
"That means I have to" sighed Nick.
"What makes you say that? You don't work out."
"I go jogging, and that is enough. Anyway, I can't let you go to the gym by yourself cause people will want to ask you out and you won't know what to say cause you are too nice so I will have to be there to tell them to back off."
"But Nick, we get these now" said Ellis, holding up his hand.
Nick looked at the ring. He sighed. "I just… don't want you to leave me. Thanks for making me sound like a little needy bitch by the way."
Mia chuckled.
"You did that yourself Hun" Ellis chuckled.
"As if" Nick smiled back.
Ellis grinned as he started eating the pizza.
"Are you getting dessert?" Nick asked.
Ellis shook his head. "Nah."
He looked at Mia. "Do you want something?"
"Ooh, I will go have a look." She got up and walked over to the dessert cabinet.
"She is so beautiful Nick. She got the best parts of you."
"Thank God she didn't get my hairy chest."
Ellis rolled his eyes.
"I know that you like my chest hair."
"I do. But thank God Mia didn't get that. I meant she got your eye colour, your hair colour, your attitude and your widows peak."
"Ugh, don't bring up the widows peak."
"I like it."
"Whatever mop-head."
"Pfft. But seriously, she is beautiful Nick. Imagine if we had a child. I wonder what it would get from both of us."
"Hopefully your personality."
"If it's a boy your chest hair."
"Ellis, really?"
"Yes. Who don't like chest hair?"
"Pretty much everyone but you."
"No way!"
"Yes way. Your lips. Regardless of gender."
"You sure about that?"
"Look at my poor daughters."
"She looks jus' fine."
"Still, I'd want them to have your big lips."
"Your eyes."
"They'd have to be your green though" Nick smiled.
Ellis chuckled. "Your nose."
"Have to be yours babe."
Ellis smiled. "But I like yours Nick."
"And I like yours, and our child would most certainly not have two noses."
"Then they'd have yours" Ellis decided.
Nick sighed, smiling. "Your hair."
"But your colour."
"Your smile."
"Your brain."
Nick chuckled. "Your heart."
"Your accent."
"No, definitely yours" Nick said, grinning.
Ellis pulled him in for a kiss. "I think they'd be perfect."
"Yeah. They would be." Nick held Ellis.
Mia stood back a few steps, watching them banter over a child they could never make. And it broke her heart. She joined them at the table with her chocolate cake.
"You okay?" Nick asked.
"Why is it that some people can make a baby and others can't regardless… of who they are?"
"Where… you listening to me and pa?"
She nodded.
"Sweetie… sometimes you just have to remember that…" Nick sighed. "Sometimes you don't get what you want in life, and that… isn't always a bad thing. Pa and me… we started this conversation by saying how beautiful you were. And…"
"I said that I wondered how our child would look. If we could make one."
"So we picked the best parts of each other" Nick smiled.
Mia smiled. "Just so you know dad, I don't hate my thin lips or my windows peak."
"Thank God I got something right."
She smiled. "But I am not gonna lie, if I could have Ellis' lips I might change my mind."
Nick chuckled.
Ellis blushed and started eating the last slice of now cold pizza.
Mia looked at Ellis. "Ellis you should be a model."
Ellis chuckled. "Nah, I jus' wanna work on cars. I'm probably too old to be a model."
Nick laughed. "What the hell? You aren't even old. I'm forty next year. You are the youngest person I know besides my daughter."
Mia chuckled. "Mom is in her late thirties and she still models."
"I don't think I am attractive enough to be a model."
"You so are."
Nick nodded his agreement.
Ellis just finished his pizza, feeling embarrassed. Him? A model? Ridiculous.
Mia chuckled. "He could be a model though, huh dad?"
Nick nodded. "Damn straight."
"Well, thanks but I'll have to decline" he chuckled.
Mia smiled. "Suit yourself pa."
Ellis shrugged. "Sorry Mia, but I jus' don't think I could stand still long enough."
"Agreed" said Nick. He looked at Ellis' almost empty plate. "You done Sport?"
"Almost." He drank the last mouthful of his drink. "Damn that was good. We should come here every-"
"No."
"Fine. I was gonna say every week."
"Still definitely no."
Mia chuckled. "You can bring me here pa."
"Deal."
"Thanks. It'll be pa and my bonding time. And we will eat unhealthy and talk about you, dad and Keith."
Ellis chuckled. "I'm cool with that. Watcha think Nick?"
Nick just nodded, resigned to the fact that they would do it regardless of his opinion.
Ellis smiled. "It'll only be nice things."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever El."
He kissed Nick's cheek.
"Well, Mia, would you like to come back to the apartment again today? Or is there something else you would like to do?"
"We should look at furniture for her room."
Mia nodded. "Yeah, if dad's ok with it."
Nick nodded. "Of course. I mean, you will be staying here in a couple of weeks. Want to have it all set up for you."
She smiled. "You are amazing! I love you daddy."
Nick hugged her and held her tight. "I love you too Mia. So much."
While they hugged Ellis went and paid for the pizza. "Thanks man. Listen, is this place actually twenty four seven?"
"It is."
"This is the best news ever. Well, almost. Thanks again."
"You're welcome."
Nick joined him. "You aren't harassing this guy are you?"
"What? I ain't never doin' anythin' like that. I jus' paid and asked him if this place was actually twenty four seven."
The guy nodded in Ellis' defence.
"I was gonna fix it up."
"Thought I should pay for somethin'" he shrugged. "Well, let's go then, yeah?"
Nick nodded.
Mia stood in the middle and held their hands. "Thanks for lunch. It was awesome! Pizza is definitely my new favourite thing."
Nick chuckled. "Her stomach takes after you" he joked.
They walked down the street to where the furniture shop was.
"Glad you know where everything is Mia" Nick said, holding the door open.
"Nicolas!"
Nick looked around.
"Shit" Mia muttered and hid behind Nick.
"Oh, hi Karen. I see you're in a good mood as usual. Won't bother asking how you are."
"I'm taking Mia."
"What?"
"She is going to come home with me. Now."
"What is this all about?" Ellis asked, feeling it was unfair.
"She has visited you long enough-"
"Just another hour at least, please?" Nick asked.
Ellis knew he was serious when he practically begged.
"No. Mia come with me or I will make sure that they never see you again."
"Mom!"
She grabbed Mia's hand.
"Hey, cool it! Be nice to her!" snapped Ellis.
Karen seemed surprised that he had a mood other than 'cheery'. She stared for about ten seconds before shaking her head and pulling Mia away.
"Let me say goodbye!"
"Mia, I am sick of your behaviour."
"Just let her say bye" said Nick, feeling angry, but not wanting to lash out in fear of literally never seeing Mia again.
Karen glared at him. "You don't deserve that."
"But Mia does."
She looked at Mia and sighed. "Say it."
"Bye dad, bye pa. I love you both so, so much."
Before Nick or Ellis could say anything, Karen cut them off. "She will see you the weekend after we return from Nevada."
"I love you too Mia!" Nick called out.
"Love ya Mia, see you soon!" Ellis yelled.
"You probably let the whole town know. Goddamn my ex is a bitch" he groaned.
"I'm proud of you. You showed a hell a lot of control back there."
He just nodded. "Yeah, but I am just so angry. Fuck."
Ellis held him. "We will see her soon. Jus'… jus' think about how good it'll be once we get custody."
Nick nodded. "Yeah… you are absolutely right babe."
Ellis smiled and kissed him. "Man I hate your ex."
Nick chuckled. "Everyone does."
"Her boyfriend don't."
"He is an idiot. He doesn't count."
Ellis chuckled. "Well… what are we gonna do now?"
"I don't know El…" he sighed.
"We could go home and watch a movie?"
"Yeah. Okay."
