Author's note: I noticed an error in the last chapter – Patrick works at the Ainsworth now, not St. Francis. Sorry! It's time for Nina & Patrick to have dinner with Billie & Mick. And will anything happen between Adam & Kate? This is the second-to-last chapter for now. Hope you enjoy it – let me know what you think.
Both Nina and Patrick were relieved at the end of their first counselling session. Although there had been some awkward moments as the counsellor gained an understanding of their relationship thus far, they also felt that he could help them tackle the issues that had previously caused them difficulties. They had arrived separately, and drove their respective cars back home.
As Patrick and Nina entered their house, Nina turned on the kettle and made a beeline for the couch, with a relaxing cup of herbal tea and perhaps a nap in mind. She was as yet unaware of what Patrick had planned for their evening.
Patrick made Nina's tea and joined her on the couch, nudging her to make room for him, then letting her rest her head in his lap, with the cup of lemon & ginger tea within Nina's reach. Patrick gently stroked Nina's hair, and spoke softly.
"Hey… I know you're really tired, but Billie's invited us over for dinner tonight-"
"What?" Nina bolted upright, nearly spilling her tea, and turned to look Patrick in the eye.
"Are you serious? When did that happen?"
Patrick chuckled at Nina's reaction, and was forced to admit that he had gone to visit Billie. Nina's eyes widened in realisation at what Patrick had achieved, and she launched herself at him, hugging him fiercely. Once he had recovered from the sudden loss of breath, the look in Patrick's eyes softened, and he smiled brilliantly at Nina, cradling her face gently between his hands, and leaning in to kiss her. It was some time before they made it upstairs to get ready for dinner with Billie and Mick.
Kate, meanwhile, had spent a nervous few hours, wondering if Adam would call her. But as time passed, she became busy with looking after her toddler Isabella, and by the time she was in the throes of trying to convince her daughter to eat her dinner, Kate had completely forgotten that Nina had given Adam her number.
So when Kate's phone rang, just as she was picking up food from the floor, and Isabella was leaning out of her high chair to grab her mother's hair, Kate reached for the phone and distractedly answered it.
"Hello? Ow – Isabella, stop that right now… Sorry, hi?"
Initially, all Kate heard from the other end, was a chuckle.
"I'm sorry, who is this?"
"It's Adam. Nina gave me your number?" Adam sounded hesitant.
"Shit! Oh sorry, I'm just, hang on…" Kate tried to untangle herself from Isabella's grasp.
"I can call back if it's a bad time?" Adam sounded bemused.
"No, no, no, it's fine. Sorry, Isabella's just being a bit difficult, but it's fine… Hi!"
Adam laughed in response, then spoke again.
"So… this is awkward, but I'm really glad Nina gave me your number. I hope that's ok?"
"Yes, yes, fine, it's great! I mean, it's fine, you know…" Kate trailed off, worried that she had sounded a little too enthusiastic, which could be interpreted by Adam as desperation. She sighed,
"I'm sorry, I'm really out of practice at this, Adam. I've got to put Isabella down, but would you like to come over later… for coffee? Unless that's too short notice-"
"Sounds good." Adam's reply was immediate. Kate gave him her address and they hung up after agreeing that Adam would come over in an hour or so.
Patrick and Nina began the drive to Billie and Mick's place in near silence, each engrossed in their own thoughts. Patrick was reflecting on their earlier session with the counsellor. He felt as if they had made a start in identifying some of the issues that had caused them to struggle so much in their relationship. Patrick knew that it would be hard work, emotionally, for him and for Nina, but he was determined to do what was needed.
He glanced over at Nina, who was lost in thought and gazing out of the passenger window. Nina was nervous about seeing Billie. Patrick had outlined some of his conversation with Billie, but Nina didn't know what to expect from her often-unpredictable older sister. She was grateful to have Patrick by her side. Nina had felt exhausted at the end of their first counselling session, but also positive that they could work on their problems and form a stronger bond as a result.
Only a few minutes away from their destination, Nina suddenly broke the silence.
"Stop the car!"
"What?" Patrick wasn't expecting this, and looked over at Nina, who in spite of the dim lighting, was visibly pale. As soon as he noticed this, Patrick pulled over the car, and before he could ask Nina any more questions, she flung open the passenger door and vomited on the footpath. Patrick rushed around from his side of the car, and knelt down beside Nina, gently pulling her hair away from her face as she groaned and sank to the ground.
"Y'ok?" Patrick asked softly, concern etched on his face.
"Yeah, just the hyperemesis again. I thought I was over it, you know?"
Patrick nodded, before speaking decisively. "Let's get you home. I'll call Billie and tell her-"
Nina's reply was equally emphatic. "No! We have to go. Please Patrick, it's important. Besides, I feel fine now."
Patrick's expression was skeptical, but Nina was insistent. She got Patrick to retrieve her water bottle from the car, rinsed her mouth and washed her face, before getting back in the car.
Patrick wasn't quite ready to give up. "You sure about this?"
Nina nodded. "Billie and I need to clear the air. Besides, how bad would it look for me not to turn up, and use the pregnancy as an excuse?"
She paused for a moment before adding, "I miss her, Patrick. I need to see her. Please?"
Patrick smiled wryly, and grasped Nina's hand, gently kissing her knuckles before starting the car and driving the short remaining distance to Billie and Mick's.
Billie had been furiously cleaning and cooking since arriving home after her conversation with Patrick. She had dismissed the Canadian acrobats from the house, bribing them with free drinks, and had taken over the kitchen. As soon as Mick arrived home, he too was drafted in to help. Unlike her ill-fated dinner with Rosanna, Billie kept things simple. It helped that her sister and her partner didn't have any hidden dietary requirements, Billie thought to herself. Out of respect for Patrick's issues with alcohol, and Nina's pregnancy, she decided not to serve any wine, although she really could have done with a glass of something to calm her down.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the front door. Billie yelled upstairs at Mick in her characteristic strident voice, then tore off her apron, and headed down the hallway to greet Nina and Patrick.
Patrick was first to enter the house, and warmly embraced Billie, handing her a bouquet of flowers that he and Nina had picked up on the way. Nina was a little more hesitant, but as Patrick walked in and greeted Mick with a handshake, the two sisters stood opposite each other. Nina's lower lip trembled as she stared, uncertain, at Billie, who smiled sadly at her younger sister. Both were too scared to speak, but instinctively they moved towards each other at the same time, and hugged fiercely.
Patrick and Mick had been observing their spouses with trepidation, but relaxed at the sight of the sisters embracing, and headed towards the kitchen.
After a few moments, Billie started sniffing Nina's hair.
"Neens? What's that smell?"
"Oh, I'm sorry, it's nothing… I just, well, I threw up on the way here. Sorry!"
Billie smiled reassuringly at Nina, and led her upstairs to help her clean herself up properly. Once Nina was more presentable, and odour-free, she sat down next to Billie on the bed. 'Come on Nina, just say it', she thought to herself.
"Billie, thanks for inviting us over. I know… I know this has been so sudden, and so hard for you, and you're the last person in the world I'd ever want to hurt."
"It's ok Neens, I just needed time, that's all. I'm happy for you, really. Patrick's a great guy, I've always said that, and I've warned him that he'd better not stuff this up-"
"Oh, so that's why he was so nervous!" Nina joked, before her expression turned serious again.
"I've missed you so much, Billie, even though it's only been a few days. I love you!"
"I love you too. And I'll be there, for whatever you need." Billie's reply was instant. The sisters hugged again and headed downstairs to join Patrick and Mick for dinner, the two couples finally able to relax and enjoy each others' company.
Next: in the final chapter (for now), Adam and Kate's first date, and Nina's first obstetric appointment with Dr. Clegg.
