Nick was standing in a church, wearing a tux and waiting. There were a lot of people but he couldn't tell who they were, their faces were blurry (maybe he needed glasses). Some of the guests were talking to one another but he couldn't hear, there was a priest standing right next to him and Nick was about to ask him what was going on, this seemed a lot like a wedding, but whose?

Before Nick could speak music started playing and everyone stood up, the bride was about to walk in.

"She looks beautiful" the priest whispered "you're a lucky man"

The bride walked down the aisle, her face blurry just like the others', she was wearing a big, puffy white dress, Nick thought that was a little weird, what year was this? But as she walked closer he could see her clearly.

"Yeah" Nick nodded, realizing it was his wedding day and he was about to marry…

"Amanda" he said when she stood in front of him.

"Hey" she smiled.

"Hi" he smiled.

"Dearly beloved" the priest started "we have gathered here today…"

"What are you wearing?" Nick whispered as quietly as he could so even the priest couldn't hear.

"Your mother gave it to me, don't you like it?" She looked down.

"It's a little…" he didn't want to insult, but the word he was looking for was ugly. He looked at the guests and searched for his mother, this wasn't like her, to give a dress like that to Amanda. And if this was the one she wore when she married his father, then this wasn't fair to him too. Where was she?

He couldn't tell who was sitting there, staring at him, but Cesaria wasn't there. He was sure of that.

"Where is she?" Nick's voice was louder and the priest stopped talking "where is she?"

No one answered and before he could ask again they were all gone. He was standing in the church all alone.

Nick woke up and it took him a second to realize this was just a dream, he was in Amanda's bed, her naked body pressed to his. She was still asleep and he thought she looked peaceful.

He tried falling back to sleep but after a while of just lying there with his eyes shut he decided to give up. Nick carefully got out of the bed, moving slowly. He didn't want to wake her up, it was still early and she could use the sleep. Specially after last night.

Nick got into the shower and smiled thinking about it, how feisty she was, how much it turned him on, he was getting a little excited thinking about it now. Nick turned off the hot water for a few moments, he didn't want to get too excited, but he couldn't stop thinking about her, the way she looked at him, touched him. Suddenly he had a vague memory of saying something, something he shouldn't have. Did he say I love you? No, this had to have been a dream, probably a part of that bizarre wedding dream he had. There was no way he said it, because that would complicated and they weren't doing complicated, they were doing what felt good now, nothing more.

Nick got dressed and since he had a few hours before he had to pick up his mother and sister he decided to take Frannie for a walk so Amanda could catch more sleep.

"Come on girl" Nick patted her.

On the way back Nick bought Amanda a few pastries and a cup of good coffee she liked.

"Good morning" he heard when he walked into the apartment, Amanda was standing there, wearing just an old t shirt.

"I thought you'd still be asleep" he smiled and placed the box and cup on the counter "you were pretty tired last night, thanks to someone…"

"Whatever you wanna tell yourself" she laughed.

"I got you breakfast" Nick chuckled "because I thought I tired you out, but if you say I didn't…" he reached for it but Amanda grabbed the cup.

"Fine" she took a sip "don't want to hurt your ego"

Nick kissed her cheek and was about to go when she caught his hand "thank you" her lips caught his and he could taste the coffee on her tongue.

He wanted nothing more than to stay like that with her, let the kiss take them somewhere else, let their hands explore the other's body over and over again. But he couldn't stay, the clock was ticking and he had to go.

Nick pulled away and leaned his forehead against hers, closing his eyes.

"You should go" she said.

"Yeah" he knew he had to but couldn't move.

"It's gonna be ok" she said and caressed his back.

Nick kissed her lips again and then let her go, he didn't want to, something about being there with her made him feel safe.


The hospital looked exactly the same, the things the doctor said, the things the nurse did.

"How is she?" Nick asked Sonya when the nurse took their mom for a few tests.

"The same" Sonya shrugged "she says she's fine. How are you?" She smiled at him.

"I'll be better when she's healthy" the nurse called them and Nick and Sonya joined their mother in the familiar room.

She was sitting on the couch and the nurse placed the IV in her vein "I'll be back soon" she said.

Nick wasn't sure what to say, it was difficult to sit there and know she was in pain, know how it was going to affect her. They all looked grim and he tried hard to think of something to say to lighten the mood, maybe he should have find some jokes or some funny stories or…

"So Nick" Sonya turned to him "how are you?"

"I'm fine" he wasn't sure why she was smiling.

"Still staying with your friend?" she continued.

"Yeah" he nodded.

"You didn't tell us" she said.

"What?" Nick thought he heard wrong.

"What?" Cesaria turned to look at her daughter.

"You didn't tell us she's so pretty" Sonya grinned proudly "didn't tell us she's a she too…"

Nick felt embarrassed, how did she know? And why did she have to bring this up? The last thing he wanted was to explain.

"She?" now Cesaria turned to her son, curios to find out what was going on.

"Nick didn't tell us but he has a girlfriend" Sonya told her "I saw them together, she looks nice and her dog's cute"

"I didn't know you were seeing someone" Cesaria said. She didn't know much about Nick's personal life, after the divorce he kept everything quiet and she figured he had nothing going on, not with all the hardships.

"It's not like that" he said quietly.

"You're living with her, of course it's not like that!" Sonya's grin got wider.

"Sonya!" he gave her a stern look, this wasn't something he wanted to talk about.

"I saw them at the Cuban place we like" Sonya kept on talking, ignoring her brother "they are so cute together"

"How long have you been together?" Cesaria asked.

"We're just friends, ok?" Nick's eyes were pleading, he didn't want to talk about it.

"Friends with benefits maybe…I don't want to think of you and benefits" she made a disgusted face.

"Does she know you're moving?" Cesaria ignored Sonya's remark.

"Of course she knows" Nick nodded, hoping this would bring the end to the interrogation "I told you we're just friends. Let's just forget about it"

"Mom doesn't want to forget about it, right?" Sonya looked at their mother "and we're doing whatever mom wants"

"Where did you two meet?"

The interrogation was far from over and Nick had no choice but to cooperate "we used to work together, she's a detective"

"Such a cliché…" Sonya chuckled.

"We don't have to talk about it" Nick tried "in fact, let's just stop, ok? It doesn't matter"

"Sure it matters" Sonya touched his shoulder "I like clichés, I'm totally fine with that"

"Sonya, please stop" Nick looked at her.

"We're just curious, you're dating someone and we want to…"

"Do you like her?" Cesaria asked and the children turned to her.

Nick nodded slightly, not able to speak.

"And you're moving?" she continued "to LA?"

"When you get better, yes" he replied.

"Without her?"

"She's staying here" he said "and I'm moving to be with Zara and Gil"

Cesaria looked down at her palms before turning her attention back to her son "even though you like her?"

"Mom" Nick hated that she was bringing this up, he didn't want her to know this, to worry about him "I need to think of my kids, they are the most important thing"

"I know…" she said quietly "but so are you"

Nick looked away, feeling trapped, why did Sonya have to tell her?

"I want to tell the two of you something" Nick and Sonya exchanged a look but remained quiet "when you were young I was seeing someone"

"Really?" Sonya couldn't control herself.

"I liked him, he was a good man. But after a while he got a job offer and had to move away, he asked me to go with him, with you. But I was afraid that after moving you here it would be too hard for you to move again so I said no and stayed"

"And he?"

"He moved with his son and we didn't keep in touch"

"Where is he now?" Sonya smiled.

"I don't know, but…"

"Mom" Nick shook his head, he knew what she was about to say, but it wasn't the same "I'm gonna be right back"

He needed a moment and walked out of the room. Not that the hall was better.

"Nick" Sonya joined him after a few minutes.

"Why did you tell her?" he said angrily "there was no need for her to know about this"

"I only wanted to distract her, what's the big deal? You're just friends, aren't you?" she asked.

"Just let it go"

"She wanted me to call you back in"

"Fine" he followed her "sorry mom" Nick sat back down.

"Nicky" she smiled "just promise me one thing"

"What is it?" he was scared to promise.

"Just be good to her"


When Amanda walked into her apartment she thought something looked different, the lights were dimmed, which was weird because she didn't have dimmers. It took her a moment to notice the candles on the small dining table. It was set with two plates, glasses and silverware.

"Hey" Nick walked into the room "you're early"

"Yeah, a little bit" she turned her attention back to the table "what's this? You're having company?"

"Funny, it's for us. Hope you're hungry"

"I need to take Frannie out" she said.

"I already did that"

"Can I take a shower?" she still felt a little weird about it and wasn't sure why, they've been spending so much time together lately, why did this make her feel so…she didn't even know what she was feeling.

"Sure, it'll be ready by the time you're out"

"Oh, ok" Amanda quickly walked into the bedroom and sat down on the bed. Nick made them dinner, for this…well…date. Why was her head spinning? Nick's been sleeping in her bed, with her, they were…why were there so many dots in her brain. She had to take a shower or Nick would come back to check on her and what would she say? That she was confused?

She stepped into the shower and turned on the water, maybe she should ask him to join her, it always felt good when they were touching each other, it was never complicated when they were having sex. But he tried, and it was nice of him, he was going through a hard time and she was glad she could be there for him and that he was there.

She got dressed quickly and joined him in the living room.

"You're ok?" he noticed the look on her face when she walked in.

"Yeah, I was just a bit surprised, that's all" she nodded.

"I just wanted to do something to thank you" he said "you've been amazing, I mean it, I don't think I could handle this if…" he couldn't finish the sentence, he couldn't put his gratitude into words. She really made this easier on him.

"Nick" she felt a little self-conscious.

"Don't get too excited" he warned "I only made rice and chicken"

"That's still nice of you" she sat down and waited for Nick to serve her the food, it looked really tasty.

"I hope you'll like it" he stared at her.

"Not if you're gonna look at me like that" she was about to take a bite, the fork was right by her mouth "I feel scared to even taste it"

"Sorry" he looked at the table and placed some food on his plate.

"It's good" she nodded.

"Good" he let out a puff of air, as if he was relieved "you can be hard to please"

"Yeah, cause I'm such a foodie, only eat at fancy restaurants" she smiled at him, taking another bite of the food.

"Please, I saw you eat cold fries" he laughed "more than once"

"How did it go today?" she asked.

"It was" he replied, he was going to tell her, but not now "let's not talk about it now, ok?"

"Sure" she nodded and poured wine into her glass, it was really good "you want some?"

Nick nodded and raised the glass when she placed the bottle on the table "here's to you"

"I see you cleaned up, unless it's just too dark for me to notice" she looked around.

"I did, and I did the laundry"

"Washed the sheets, I hope" she smiled "ever since you've been staying here I had to change them a lot"

"I'm gonna take that as a compliment" he chuckled.

"It's not not a compliment" she raised he brows.

"You're cheap with those, aren't you?"

"What do you want me to say?" she asked playfully.

Nick shrugged and took another bite "I'll let you come up with something"

She drank another sip of the wine and they both finished their food "I'll clear the table" Nick said when he noticed she was about to get up "hope you have room for dessert"

"Always" she smiled and handed him her empty plate.

"This I bought" he took out a box from the fridge and placed it on the table "it's not chocolate but I think you're gonna like it" he opened the box to reveal an assortment of tartlets.

"Here" Nick handed her one "I hope they're good"

"You're spoiling me" she smiled.

He was about to say she deserved it, but she deserved more than he was giving her. Each ate one tartlet and Nick placed the box back in the fridge.

"Thanks" Amanda stoop up and walked over to him, wrapping her arms around him "it was really nice"

"I'm glad" he pulled her closer "I…you wanna make out?"

Amanda chuckled but she shook her head "can we just, just sleep, ok?"

Nick nodded but didn't let go of her, he kept on holding her closer until she pulled away and grabbed his hand, pulling him after her to the bedroom. They quietly climbed into the bed and Nick wrapped his arms around her.


Amanda still felt Nick's arms around her when she woke up "you're up?" she mumbled.

"Didn't feel like getting out of bed" he wasn't in a hurry and didn't want to let go of her "did you have fun last night?"

"It was good, you're not a bad cook, maybe you should open a restaurant, or run a food truck" she turned to face him.

Nick chuckled "I'll think about it" he caressed her cheek "but you're too easy to please"

"Oh yeah?" she rolled her eyes at him "I am not easy to please"

Nick kissed her lips "can I try?"

Amanda chuckled but gave him a slight nod and was rewarded with another kiss. Nick quickly moved lower and lifted her shirt a little bit, exposing her lower abdomen, planting a few kisses and sucking on her skin. But he didn't spend a lot of time there, he lowered her pants and underwear and threw the garments on the floor.

"I'm waiting" she said quietly.

"For what?" he asked innocently.

"For you to satisfy me" she bit her lip, feeling a physical need, a primal need, for him.

Nick's fingers caressed her inner thigh and she smiled, thinking she'd get to feel them inside of her soon and she really couldn't wait.

But Nick had other plans and his hand moved to the other side, until he reached her calf. He grabbed her foot and raised it to his lips, kissing it, his eyes remained focused on hers while his lips moved over her foot. He kissed her big toe and winked at her before sucking on it a little. Amanda giggled and he let go, placing her foot on the bed. His face followed it and he trailed kisses from the calf to her knee, on the back of her knee and to her inner thigh. He knew he was focusing on her left leg and decided to give the other one his attention, planting kisses on her right thigh.

He kissed her navel again and his lips glided all the way down until his tongue reached her clit, a movement that made her sigh loudly, she was watching him but as his movements were getting bolder she was having trouble keeping them open. His tongue let go of her clit and traveler lower, moving inside of her, causing her to quiver on the bed, and signing him how much she was enjoying this.

"Oh…" she moaned, holding on to the sheet "Nick…"

Nick replaced his tongue with two fingers, wanting to reach deeper and he was rewarded with another cry, more ragged breaths. Her hips were bucking against his face and he allowed his tongue to join back in, teasing her clit again. The stimulation was driving her crazy and Nick knew she was close.

Without stopping what he was doing Nick raised his eyes at her, she looked so hot for a moment he was afraid that was all he'd need, as if he was a teenager and this was his first sexual experience.

The way she was holding on to the sheet caused it to be pulled off the mattress, revealing it. As his tongue and fingers moved in the same fast pace Nick could feel her body losing control, he loved the affect his actions had on her.

She was mumbling something incoherent and he didn't try to understand, he just enjoyed her pleasure and when she was pushed over the edge he slowed down but didn't let go of her.

"I'd say" he moved up after a while, nibbling on her neck "that you're pretty satisfied, unless all those 'oh, Nicks' were…"

Amanda shut him up by kissing him "you have a great mouth when you don't use it for talking"

Nick chuckled "I'm offended"

"Sorry" she shook her head and touched his cheek "I'm beyond satisfied, is that what you wanted to hear?"

Nick nodded and kissed her again, he let go of her mouth when he felt her hand on his erection.

"What are you waiting for?" she spread her legs.

"Don't laugh, but" he smiled shyly "I'm not gonna last, you're so hot…"

"I'm already ready, you don't have to sweet talk"

Nick entered her, grunting as he pushed himself inside of her. Nick kissed her neck as he thrust inside of her body. He didn't lie about not being able to last and when he felt Amanda's hands squeezing his butt cheeks he was gone and climaxed inside of her.

He rolled off of her and let his hand rest on her stomach.

"We should shower" she said, placing her hand on his.

"In a minute" he looked at her, not wanting the moment to be over.


They walked Frannie together and Nick finally told her Sonya saw them together.

"That must have been awkward" she looked at him.

"Yeah" Nick nodded "it was, I didn't want to get into details, so I hope they let it go. Mom's got a lot on her mind…and I'm flying to LA"

"I know" she nodded, she didn't need him to remind her.

"I mean this weekend, I'll fly on Friday, I think it's time to tell them" he was scared of that moment, of his children finding out. But how long could he keep this a secret, they asked about the move and he couldn't make up any more excuses.

"That's good, they need to know"

"I'm a little scared of their reaction" he confessed "a lot scared"

"It's gonna be ok"


Nick called Maria and told her he wanted to see her before Zara came back from school.

"Come on in" she opened the door, thinking he had finally finalized the move "you want a drink?"

"No" he followed her to the living room and sat down "I have bad news, my mom's sick"

"What happened?" she was shocked to hear that.

"She has cancer"

"Oh god, Nick, I'm so sorry. Is that why you've been staying in New York?"

He nodded "yeah, Sonya's there too and we're with mom while she's getting chemo"

"Of course, I'm so sorry" Cesaria was a good mother in law and she always liked her and appreciated her help "so you're here to tell Zara?"

"Yeah, I've known for a few weeks and it's time to tell her"

Maria nodded "maybe you should pick her up from school, have some fun and tell her later"

"Yeah, thanks" he nodded.

"I'm so sorry Nick"

"Me too"


Zara smiled widely when she saw him and ran towards him "what are you doing here dad?"

"Surprise!" he hugged her tightly "I talked to your mom and we decided I'd pick you up and we'll to eat and do something fun"

"Can we go to the beach?" she asked.

"Sure, if you want"

"I want to! Can we go now?"

"Whatever you want sweetie"

They drove to the beach, Zara's favorite place and played around in the sand. She was glad to run around with her dad. Nick sat down on the warm sand and watched her building a castle. He looked at the ocean and then at the white sand underneath him. It's light color made Nick think of Amanda, he could see her hair blowing in the light breeze, picture her playing with them.

"Dad, I'm hungry" Zara ran to him.

They went to an Italian restaurant and Nick drove them back to Maria's house. He wanted Zara's mother there when he told her.

"Did you have fun?" Maria asked when they walked in.

"Yep" Zara gave her a kiss, she noticed her parents exchanged a look and then her dad told her to sit down.

"Zara" he sat right next to her and took her hand "I want to tell you something"

"Is it bad?" she asked, seeing his expression.

"Zara" he didn't answer "it's about abuela…"

Maria sat down next to Zara and the girl looked scared "what happened to her?"

"Honey, abuela is sick" the words left his mouth "she has cancer"

"CANCER?" Zara stoop up.

"Yes, but she is getting treatments and…"

"Sick?" without a warning she started crying and Nick hugged her.

"I know" he caressed her back "I'm worried too, but she is getting help and she will get better"

"Can I see her?" the young girl asked.

"Abuela is getting chemotherapy, which is a scary word but it means she's getting a medicine that helps fight the cancer"

"I know what it is dad" she wiped her eyes.

"You can see her once this cycle is over, in a few weeks" he said "then you can stay with me for a few days, right?" he looked at Maria.

"And you can call her" Maria offered "and draw something, and write her a letter"

"I wanna call her now" Zara said and Nick dialed the phone and let Zara talk to his mother.

Maria and he listened in, both with tears in their eyes "maybe you should stay in the guest room until you go to San Diego, I think it would be best for Zara"

"Yeah, thank you"

Zara had a lot of questions and Nick did his best to answer al of them. When she finally fell asleep Nick texted Amanda but she didn't answer and Nick figured she was working. He realized he had to have the same conversation with Gil on Sunday. He wasn't looking forward to it.

Gil's reaction was similar to Zara's, he tried hard not to cry but Nick could see he was scared. He returned to LA later that day and Zara was happy to see him, she wrote Cesaria a long letter and Nick promised to give it to her first thing.

"Where are you staying?" Maria asked after Zara went to bed "you already sold the house"

"With a friend" he said, hoping not to get any questions from her.

"Let me know when Zara can visit" she said "I'll get her a ticket and fly with her and Gil"

"Thanks Maria" he smiled.

He waited for her to go to bed before he went to the guestroom. Earlier Amanda sent him a text, letting him know she was wrapped up in a case. He got into bed and tried calling again, this time she picked up.

"Nick?" her voice was groggy and he realized he woke her up.

"Sorry, I forgot about the time difference"

"How are you?" she asked, knowing it's been a hard few days.

"I don't know, I'm…you know"

"Are you coming back here tomorrow?" she asked.

"Yeah" he nodded "I'm gonna take Zara to school and catch my flight"

"Need a ride?"

"No, I'm gonna go see my mom, I have gifts from the kids for her"

"Speaking of your mom…" he could hear her smile "I need to tell you something"

"What?" did something happened? Why didn't Sonya call him?

"Your sister called me yesterday and I…well, had dinner with them today"