Author's notes: Thank you to mossi.b, Rosepeony and Tiacelya for reviewing the last chapter. Enjoy! (I hope).

Nick puts the car in park and, as he looks at the house where his daughter lives, he feels most of the tension that has plagued him since leaving the hospital leave his body. He will soon be holding her in his arms, stroking the delicate smooth skin of her cheek. All afternoon he's been unable to shake the emotions that his visit with Mollie had resurrected from a place deep within him. Images of being at his own mothers side, as she took her last breaths, had tumbled their way across his mind. She'd never woken. The last time she'd spoken to him had been the night before when she'd asked him to scratch the back of her hand. She was too weak to do it herself. The skin on her hand was translucent and it was like looking at a photo from a science book where they show the 'below the skin' view. Hands that had once been beautiful, graceful and clever. Able to create anything his mother desired. Be it a drawing of the tree in the local park, or the best chocolate chip cookies he'd ever tasted. They'd buttoned up his coat when, his heavily gloved hands prevented him from doing so, before setting off for school. They'd stroked his cheek and cupped his face as she told him how much she loved him. They had lain lifeless in his hand as she left him forever.

He understands Mollies anger, he'd been filled with it too. His father had caught the brunt of it in his silence, hiding away in his room, refusing his every request until his father had sent him away. Through time and for survival he buried it so deep that he didn't recognise it whenever it surfaced in self destruction. He remembers the young girl who helped him become aware of long denied feelings. He'd hoped that between the two of them he would learn to let go but she'd died.

He shakes his head against the thoughts and climbs out of the car. From the back seat he retrieves the take out he'd been charged with picking up. He walks down the path and knocks on the door. It irks him that he can't just walk in to the house he'd hoped would become his home, but rules of politeness has him standing on the doorstep despite the key he has in his pocket. He hears movement in the house and then a shadow becomes visible through the window, it's obviously Lulu's mother. The door opens and she stands before him, her eyes sweeping up and down him before resting on his face, she gives him a tight smile.

"You better come in."

The tone in her voice tells Nick it's against her better judgement. Nick nods his head in thanks and moves past her and heads deeper into the house. Entering the large sitting room that Lulu had spent a fortune decorating, he finds it almost unrecognisable with packets of diapers, infant seat, bassinet, piles of baby clothes strewn everywhere. In the midst sits Lulu on the couch, her face a mixture of relief at the sight of him, covering a look, he recognises, from whenever Lulu is in her mother's presence for very long, and underlying it all deep rooted tiredness. Anne's asleep in the bassinet, as Nick walks over to her Carol's voice follows him.

"Leave her alone, she's just gone to sleep."

Nick ignores her and softly rubs her cheek. He looks towards Lulu who's folding the clothes where she sits.

"You should be taking a nap while she's sleeping, you look exhausted."

Caroline busts in.

"You have dinner."

Nick looks towards her.

"It'll reheat."

Nick takes the dress out of Lulu's hand, Lulu protests:

" I need to get these put away, mom brought them with her. "

" That's not as important as you getting your rest. I'll finish folding them and put them away. "

Lulu smiles gratefully at him.

" Thanks Nick. "

She leaves for the bedroom without looking at her mom, Nick watches her go and turns to Carol.

"You're here to look after her, make sure she's able to get the rest she needs."

Caroline stares at him for a moment, then, picks up the containers of food she ordered.

"I'll eat in my room."

She storms off, Nick doesn't bother to watch her go but turns to the task at hand of folding the clothes he'd promised Lulu. An hour later Lulu enters and finds Nick juggling Anne in his arms while running the vacuum over the carpet, the room now looking more like it's old self, except for the baby necessities, which are not, now, overtaking the space. Nick doesn't notice her as she walks towards him and reaches to take Anne. He looks up startled as he feel Anne's weight being lifted from him. He smiles at seeing Lulu and relinquishes his hold. He switches off the vacuum.

"I take it it's time for her feed. I was able to keep her quiet for a time but she's become more insistent."

Anne instantly in her mother's arms begins searching for food. Lulu sits down and prepares to feed her.

"When did she wake up?"

Nick glances at the clock.

"It's only been about ten minutes. I'll just finish this and then we can eat."

Lulu looks around the room appreciatively.

"The room looks great Nick, but you should have eaten."

Nick shrugs.

"I thought it would be nicer to eat together."

Lulu looks around the room once more, suddenly realizing there's a person missing.

"Where's Mom?"

"She went to eat in her room. I don't think you'll see her until I've left."

Lulu nods. There's a moment of silence then Nick indicates towards the vacuum.

"I'll finish this."

Lulu nods once more. Nick switches on the vacuum and Lulu turns her attention to her daughter.