A week later.

"How was your date, that was the second one with Jeff in two weeks," Teddy asked when Nikki let herself into the apartment to help organize for Allison's birthday party.

"It was great,"" Nikki smiled.

"So dinner and," Teddy said.

"Coffee," Nikki replied, "we talked. He picked me up."

"He drove that's good," Teddy smiled.

"You had a date," Owen asked.

"Jeff from school," Nikki replied, "don't worry it was dinner and coffee. We talked."

"Jeff you've talked about him all semester," Owen said.

"I like him," Nikki admitted.

"When he dropped you off did he walk you to the door," Teddy asked.

"And picked me up at the door and said hi to mom," Nikki said.

"Good," Owen said, "so mom can meet him but I can't."

"You're the way too overprotective brother," Nikki said, "mom, Teddy then you."

"Teddy first," Owen said, "why?"

"You were an ass to Jason," Nikki replied, "you can't be all protective and big scary soldier with every guy I like."

"Jason was an ass to you," Owen replied, "he talked down to you, didn't listen and it was always what he wanted to do."

"You don't have a good track record," Nikki said.

"I was okay with Nate," Owen replied.

"He was your friend before he was with her," Nikki countered.

"He's coming today," Owen said.

"I still can't believe Allison is one," Nikki said.

"You can't," Teddy said, "think about me. Nikki can you help me finish decorating?"

"What am I doing," Owen asked.

"Go pick up the cake," Teddy directed.

Owen put his shoes and coat on and went to get the cake.

"What aren't you telling me about last night," Teddy asked as Nikki helped her hang the banner.

Nikki blushed, "he kissed me."

"And," Teddy asked.

"It was the best kiss ever," Nikki giggled.

"So we'll meet him soon," Teddy asked.

"A few more dates make sure it's actually something," Nikki said, "remember I'm not dateable."

"That's in your head," Teddy replied, "Jeff obviously doesn't think so."

"I'm his study buddy that he decided to kiss," Nikki said.

"Go on a few dates, have fun," Teddy said, "your 18."

"What if he wants more than dates," Nikki asked.

"Then you decide what you're comfortable with," Teddy said, "you always decide, remember. It's your body, your choice."

"I liked kissing him," Nikki said.

"Then kiss him," Teddy replied, "nothing wrong with it."

"What if mom gets mad," Nikki asked.

"Well we already did the one thing we thought would piss her off," Teddy said, "just be more responsible than we were. And you know what I mean."

"It was the first kiss we're not there yet," Nikki said, turning beet red.

"Take your time," Teddy said, "really get to know him."

"I want to get to know him," Nikki said, "he's really cute."

"What does he look like," Teddy asked, she liked these normal conversations with Nikki, actually feeling like her big sister.

"He added me on facebook," Nikki said.

"You want my computer," Teddy asked.

"Do you want to see," Nikki asked.

"Yes," Teddy said, grabbing her laptop off the coffee table.

Nikki opened it and logged into facebook, "Teddy."

"He's cute," Teddy agreed, "so we like this boy?"

"Yes," Nikki said, "can you be the cool one and call Owen off?"

"I'll try," Teddy agreed.

"He listens to you," Nikki argued.

"Your brother," Teddy said.

"Your fiance," Nikki replied.

"I'll talk to him," Teddy agreed, "Jeff is cute. How old?"

"He's 20," Nikki replied.

"A year older," Teddy asked.

"A year and a half it was his birthday two weeks ago," Nikki replied, "we had coffee and cupcakes after calc."

"Thats fun," Teddy smiled.

"We're hanging out tomorrow after class," Nikki said, "he wants me to watch his water polo game next weekend."

"Go watch," Teddy said, "it shows your interested in him."

"What do I wear," Nikki asked.

"Flats and no socks you'll have to walk on a pool deck," Teddy replied.

"But the scars on my ankle," Nikki said, "I've been wearing boots at school and out so people don't see them."

"Does he know about your accident," Teddy asked.

"No one at school does," Nikki answered.

"If you like him you should tell him eventually," Teddy said.

"He knows I was trying to get back into the studio after a car accident but not how bad it was," Nikki said, "but we got a court date."

"Tell him before that," Teddy said, "and I've been called as a witness, so have Owen and Nathan."

"Are we friends with Nathan again or not," Nikki asked, "I'm never 100% sure."

"Owen was mad at him after Meghan, then Nathan saved you," Teddy said, "they've worked out their differences now."

"He won't go in there and treat me like his dead girlfriend's baby sister," Nikki asked.

"We have to go in as doctors," Teddy replied, "professional. No calling you squirt."

"Can that just stop," Nikki asked.

"We're trying," Teddy replied, "it's harder for Owen."

"You do it as much as he does," Nikki pointed out.

"Since you got hurt," Teddy said.

"Please stop," Nikki said, "it was funny when I was little but I'm 18."

"We know you're all grown up," Evelyn said coming in with Owen, "where is the birthday girl?"

"She's still napping," Teddy smiled, "I should get her ready."

Teddy left the room to go get Allison, they wouldn't be in the apartment much longer in May they were moving out and had been looking at houses, they had fallen in love with one that was just outside their price range but it had a basement suite they could rent out.

"So you had date last night," Owen said.

"We talked about this," Nikki replied.

"He seemed like a nice young man at the door," Evelyn said, "introduced himself and shook my hand."

"We're going to hang out Monday after class," Nikki said, "I like him."

"What's he studying," Owen asked.

"Engineering he wants to design planes," Nikki replied, "I need to meet with the counselor at school about majoring in math and a possible minor in physics."

"Math and physics," Owen said, "that's a heavy load."

"I can do it," Nikki said, "I have nothing else to do."

"There's the birthday girl," Evelyn called as Allison toddled into the room.

"Ma," Allison babbeled lifting her arms to evelyn.

"Yes little one Grandma," Evelyn said, picking up Allison.

"Ee," Allison waved at Nikki.

"That's auntie Nikki," Evelyn praised, "you're a smart girl."

"She is," Teddy smiled.

"Allison, where's your nose," Nikki asked, asking the baby to point to things was her favourite game with her niece.

Allison tapped her nose.

"Where's grandma's nose," Nikki asked.

Allison slapped Evelyn's nose getting a giggle from everyone.

Slowly guests started arriving.

"Nikki, you're off crutches and moving around," Jordan greeted.

"Julie didn't tell you," Nikki said.

"My niece isn't the most talkative," Jordan replied.

"I hung out with her after school Tuesday," Nikki replied, "I like that she's at UW."

"You're on campus now," Jordan said.

"Four classes," Nikki replied, "doing two over the summer to get closer to caught up then five or six in the fall."

"Did you pick a major," Jordan asked.

"Math and probably a minor in physics," Nikki replied, "I know only one in the family not to pursue medicine. I like the idea of teaching."

"Not a doctor," Jordan asked.

"I hate blood and guts," Nikki said.

"Not all medicine is surgery," Jordan said.

"Too much like Owen," Nikki snorted.

"Trying not to be like your brother," Jordan laughed, "got it."

After the birthday party Nikki asked, "do you need me to help clean up?"

"Why," Teddy asked.

"Jeff asked me to hang out," Nikki replied.

"Go," Owen said.

"Nicole not too late," Evelyn said, "you're teaching Sunday school tomorrow."

"I know mom," Nikki groaned.

After Nikki left Owen asked, "is this a good thing?"

"College, volunteering, a boy she hangs out with," Evelyn listed, "this is totally normal. She's applied for jobs at a summer camp."

"Camp," Teddy asked.

"Like go sleep in a cabin and look after kids," Evelyn said, "it will be really good for her to go and not have us hovering."

"I'll miss her," Teddy said.

"The wedding," Owen asled.

"Is the labour day long weekend," Teddy replied.

"Nikki gets home the last week of August," Evelyn said, "and camp is only two hours away she can and should come home between each 14 day session. It's not like she can go to the bachelorette Teddy. You can't have your 19 year old sister at that."

"Arizona was planning it in BC," Teddy replied, "we cross the border into Canada Nikki is legal."

"Ask her," Evelyn said, "she's home every other weekend."

"If the dates work," Owen said, "you should go and have fun Teddy. Don't worry about it. Nikki will understand."

Evelyn left after helping clean up they put Allison to bed and sat on the couch.

"So another one," Teddy said.

"I've always dreamed of 3 or four," Owen said.

"I could do that once more," Teddy agreed, "take them one at a time."

"We're planning this one," Owen asked.

"I'll see Addison but I'm thinking that after the wedding I stop the pill and we see what happens," Teddy replied.

"Just wait and see," Owen said.

"Well we didn't really try with Allison," Teddy said, "let's just have fun and see what happens. After we move and are married. I don't want to be a pregnant bride."

"Okay," Owen agreed, "us in a house with the two kids. Are we getting a dog?"

"I've always wanted one but I don't think we have time," Teddy said.

"No dog yet," Owen agreed, "one day."

"If we can ever slow down," Teddy agreed.