Nikki gave Evelyn a quick call Wednesday at lunch time.
"Nikki you don't need to check on us at lunch everyday," Evelyn said, "Ty is napping. He had his lunch. He really likes squash."
"The avocado is his favourite," Nikki smiled, "cereal not so much. How's your day going?"
"He's a good boy Nikki," Evelyn said, "we went to my knitting group and all the ladies fussed over him and stopped at the grocery store. How's your day? What are you doing?"
"Multi tasking, marking, eating my lunch and calling you," Nikki replied, "but tomorrow can I invite someone for Thanksgiving?"
"A male someone," Evelyn asked, "you've gone for dinner with a guy a few times. I know Teddy and Meghan have babysat for you to go."
"Brett has nowhere to go," Nikki said, "is there enough for me to invite him?"
"Invite him," Evelyn said, "I think you like him."
"I do," Nikki said, "we've had dinner a few times. He comes on walks with Ty and I. I'm being careful, I can't get hurt again."
"You've let him see Ty," Evelyn asked, this was news to her, she knew Nikki wouldn't fool around especially where her son was concerned.
"Walks, hanging out, we study together and he'll come over to work on course work," Nikki said, "nothing more than hugs yet mom. I'm just not there. It's just Brett from school, I've known him for years."
"You've been single a year and a half now," Evelyn said, "you can date."
"Friends first," Nikki said, "it worked for Owen and Teddy, coworkers, friends then more."
"Invite him," Evelyn said, "I'll tame your brothers you tell your sisters."
"Thanks mom," Nikki smiled.
She hung up and walked into Brett's room, neither ate in the staffroom often; they preferred the peace of their classrooms. For Nikki it was the only time in her day from the time Ty woke up until she put him to bed that she was alone with her thoughts.
"Hey," Nikki called from the door.
"Hi," Brett said, "did you eat already?"
"I did, my planning is right before lunch and my mom's stopped bringing Ty at lunch now," Nikki replied, "what's your plan for tomorrow?"
"Watch the game and order take out," Brett replied, "my parents and sisters are in Nebraska. It's too far for a weekend."
"Do you want to have dinner with my family," Nikki invited.
"You and Ty," Brett asked.
"At my moms," Nikki replied, "Ty and I, mom, Owen, Teddy and their kids, Meg, Nathan and Faroke. There's a lot of us and a few kids. My mom loves to cook and make a fuss ."
"Are you sure," Brett asked.
"I just checked with my mom," Nikki said, "I always call at lunch to check in and see how Ty is so I asked her. We'd be happy to have you."
"Can I bring anything," Brett asked, "do you have a favourite wine?"
"I still don't really drink," Nikki replied, "maybe I'll have a glass with Teddy and Meg but that's it. Just bring yourself."
Thursday morning Nikki, Meghan and Teddy crowded into Evelyn's kitchen to help.
"So you invited someone," Teddy teased Nikki.
"Just Brett from school, he's the other sixth grade math teacher," Nikki smiled, "I like him but I'm trying not to get attached."
"It's okay to let yourself like someone," Evelyn said, "darling you're 25 you're young."
"Tyler," Nikki said, "I have to take care of him first."
"That doesn't mean you can't be happy and have people in your life," Teddy replied, "Ty needs you to be happy."
"I like him but my life is complicated," Nikki said, "at least Jeff is totally out of the picture."
"He knows you," Meghan said, "when he comes over I can tell he likes you. He looks at you the way Owen's always looked at Teddy. I go upstairs so you two can have time together . It's full on flirting from both of you. He's into you."
"It's too soon to start much of anything," Nikki said.
"How does he make you feel," Meghan asked.
"Safe, respected, cared for , heard, important," Nikki listed.
"Those are huge things Squirt," Meghan said, "safe and important. Thats the type of man you should be with."
"Ty," Nikki said.
"I've seen you and Brett go for walks with Ty," Teddy said, "he likes Ty, what does he call him?"
"Little dude," Nikki smiled, "Brett will offer to carry Ty and push the stroller. He actually plays with Ty and interacts with him."
"Last Sunday you guys went for a long walk and when you came back Brett had the stroller and you were laughing," Teddy said, "Nikki I hadn't seen you smile like that in a long time."
"I want to see what this could be, but it has to be slow," Nikki said.
"Then take it slow," Evelyn said, "today here with me and your siblings that's a good start."
"I'll need a date to Meg's wedding," Nikki said.
"You will," Meghan agreed.
Around two the doorbell rang Nikki dashed to open it. Brett was at the door carrying a couple bottles of wine and a loaf of fresh homemade bread.
"Brett," Nikki greeted," come in. You were just to come, you didn't need to bring anything."
"I couldn't come empty handed. Can we put these in the kitchen," Brett asked, "where's little dude?"
"In my old room napping," Nikki said, "mom's in the kitchen."
Nikki led the way back through to the kitchen with Brett noticing the family photos adorning the walls, Nikki and her siblings growing up, Owen's wedding, Nikki's nieces and nephews, Tyler.
"Mom this is Brett Wilson we work together," Nikki introduced, "Brett this is my mom Evelyn Hunt."
"It's nice to meet you Mrs. Hunt," Brett smiled, shaking Evelyn's hand.
"Evelyn please," Evelyn smiled, "Nikki said you're in her masters cohort as well."
"I am," Brett confirmed.
"Are you enjoying it," Evelyn asked.
Owen joined them in the kitchen.
"Owen, you remember Brett," Nikki said, "this is my brother Owen."
"You're just in time for the game," Owen said, " it's good to see you again."
"You spoke at school a couple weeks ago," Brett said.
"We see you when you hang out at Nikki's," Owen said.
"She mentioned you were upstairs," Brett said.
Owen opened the fridge, "beer?"
Brett looked at Nikki.
Nikki nodded.
"Beer sounds good," Brett replied, accepting the bottle Owen offered.
Upstairs a baby cried.
"Ty," Nikki said, "I'm going to go up, feed and clean him up. Are you okay?"
"Take your time," Brett said, "I'll hang out with your brother."
"Are you sure," Nikki asked.
"Ty needs his mom," Brett said, "I know that."
A second baby cried.
"Danny now," Teddy said, "we'll be back."
Brett followed Owen to the living room. Leaving Meghan to help Evelyn in the kitchen while the three older kids played in the den.
"Have you known Nikki long," Owen asked, he knew but was trying to make conversation and get a feel for the other man's intentions. After the last year and a half Owen was more protective of Nikki than ever.
"We did our student teaching together and got hired at Blue Pine at the same time," Brett replied, "so three or four years now."
"You were at the school last spring," Owen said, "you helped us bring her stuff out."
"She needed help," Brett said, "we work together a lot. She did a lot of the little prep things last winter where she could sit and cut things out or make things and I did the physical set up. She worked too hard."
"She does," Owen said, "thanks for looking out for her."
"What do you do," Brett asked.
"Trauma surgeon at Grey Sloan," Owen replied.
"That must be hectic with three kids," Brett said, "Teddy must be really flexible."
"She's a cardiothoracic surgeon so her hours are more set," Owen said, "but she does the bulk of the kid stuff during the week. She works 5 days a week but only operates Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays. Weekends are more even."
"That's busy for both of you," Brett said, "I know Nikki is busy between work, our master program and being mom and dad to little dude."
"He has Uncle Owen," Owen said, "no reason I can't take him to do the boy things when Daniel is old enough I'll just take two boys. The little boys are only 6 weeks apart. I'll do the guy stuff with both my nephews."
"I'm happy to be a role model for Tyler if Nikki will let me," Brett said. He was realizing that Owen was probably fairly protective of Nikki and her son.
"So you and Nikki," Owen asked.
"Taking it slow," Brett said, "I know this must have taken a lot for her to invite me today. We talk a lot. I know she's been through more in the last 10 years than most people in a lifetime."
"Just don't hurt her," Owen said.
"I care about her too much for that," Brett replied.
"Why teaching," Owen asked.
"I thought I was going to play football the way Nikki thought she would dance. I played in college at Oregon State and did well," Brett said, "I even played professionally until I fractured a couple vertebrae in a bad tackle. I moped around for a over year and drove my parents crazy then went to UW for teaching. I had this math teacher in high school that believed in me more than I believed in myself, Mr. Endacott, he was a legend. But he cared, he saw me as more than an athlete and that I was so much more than the jock. I want to be some kid's Mr. Endacott."
"How long did you play football for," Owen asked.
"Six or seven seasons," Brett said, " I'm 9 years older than Nikki. I was really surprised last year to find out that she was only 24."
"When your siblings are 14 and 17 years older you grow up fast," Owen remarked. He didn't realize Brett was significantly older than Nikki. But she was mature for her age and had grown up with much older siblings.
"That's a huge age gap," Brett agreed.
"It changes the relationship for sure." Owen said, "we're all very close now but when Nikki was little it was different. We didn't become close until she was in high school."
"Some maturity I guess," Brett said.
"Being discharged from the army and actually home," Owen said, "I went to college when she was one then was only home a few weeks a year."
"That would be hard to connect," Brett agreed.
"We had a lot of fun her junior and senior years of high school," Owen said, "I ended up helping with her youth group at church and speaking at her school a few times. I chaperoned the grad trip because they needed a medical person."
"That must have been fun," Brett said.
"40 teenaged dancers that don't stay still," Owen said, "but no injuries beyond needing ice packs it was dull on my end. I drove four of them that was interesting, they sang the whole car ride."
Nikki walked into the living room with Tyler in a little button down with jeans and a sweater. Usually he wore onesies and sweatpants.
"Looking good little dude," Brett said, reaching his arms out.
"Do you want to see him," Nikki asked, she was always hesitant, she didn't want to force her son on Brett.
"Always," Brett said, "he can come watch the game with me. Someone has to teach him about football."
"Maybe," Nikki said, "or he could dance."
"Long way off," Owen said.
"I know he's only 7 months," Nikki said.
"Come here little dude," Brett said standing and taking Tyler from Nikki.
Owen watched as she let her friend take her son. Owen knew if Brett was allowed to hold Tyler, Nikki trusted the man. He had heard the conversation between his wife and sisters earlier, Nikki liked Brett but was scared to let him in and be hurt again.
Brett sat back on the couch with Tyler in his lap.
"What are you doing to your socks," Brett asked as Tyler tried to pull his socks off, "I think your mom wants your socks on."
"Babies go through a no socks phase," Owen said, "our girls did, Daniel is."
Tyler managed to get one sock off
"Should we count your toes," Brett asked, he tapped on each bare toe gently, "one, two, three, four, five. Five toes. Five toes on one foot, ten toes on two feet."
From where she was helping Meghan set the dining room table Nikki could see what Brett was doing and it melted her heart.
"Meg look," Nikki whispered.
"They look comfortable together," Meghan said, "and math with toes."
"Why not," Nikki replied, "it helps Ty learn language and number concepts."
"So your just my friend is holding your son, drinking a beer and watching the game with Owen," Meghan said, "pretty domestic there squirt. What aren't you telling me? Are you dating? How serious is this? You know you have to tell your big sister everything."
"Meg slow," Nikki replied, "this last year has been a lot. I'm just in the routine of school, Ty and my coursework. Baby steps."
"What do you want," Meghan asked.
"I think I could be ready to date," Nikki said, "but slow. Dinner, I'm home to put my son to bed. I can't ask mom to babysit more than she does, I really should start looking for an actual daycare but he's not one yet and I don't want him just anywhere."
"I'll watch him so you can go out and Teddy and Owen would never say no," Meghan said, "from the sounds of it they owe you years of babysitting."
"When is Nate off," Nikki asked changing the subject.
"He should be out of surgery now and is going to shower and come," Meghan said.
"When do you move," Nikki asked.
"Two weeks we'll be in by Christmas," Meghan replied.
"I'll miss having you around at night," Nikki admitted.
"Getting our kids to bed then sitting with tea to chat," Meghan said, "we can still do tea once a week or so after the boys go to bed."
With the table set Nikki grabbed her water and went to join Brett and Tyler on the couch.
"I think he wants down," Nikki said, seeing how Tyler was wiggling.
"He should almost be crawling," Teddy pointed out.
"He's close," Nikki said, "I just need to find something he wants bad enough to crawl for it."
Nikki sat on the floor in front of the couch and laid Tyler on his stomach the baby instantly started doing what looked like baby push ups before managing to get on his knees, at almost 9 months Daniel was crawling. Tyler looked at his cousin and began to army crawl across the floor.
"He's kinda crawling," Nikki beamed.
"Commando style," Meghan laughed, "soon."
"But now he moves," Nikki replied.
"Watch out," Evelyn said, "you won't stop him now."
"He's almost crawling," Nikki smiled leaning against the couch beside Bretts leg and watching Tyler as he ran into the leg of an end table and began to cry. Nikki scooped him up and settled him on her hip She took him back to the couch to put his socks back on.
"Your toesies must be cold," Nikki said, "can we put all ten toes back in your socks."
"He'll just take them off again," Owen said.
"I know but mom's floor is cold," Nikki replied.
After a wonderful dinner and more conversation everyone went home. Brett walked Nikki to her car and waited while she buckled Tyler into his car seat.
"Thanks for inviting me," Brett smiled, "it's the best thanksgiving I've had in years."
Nikki blushed glad it was dark enough to cover it, "I really liked having you here sorry if my family is a bit much."
"No," Brett smiled, "it was what thanksgiving should be. Do you have plans tomorrow?"
"I was going to get some prep done and if the weather is decent we need a long walk," Nikki said, "do you want to walk with us?"
"That would be great," Brett replied, "do you want to bring little dude for dinner at my place?"
"Brett," Nikki said.
"I've met your family, I know your son, I know you Nikki and have loved you since we met," Brett said, "please come tomorrow and let me make you dinner. It's just a meal at home. You cook for us at your place. Come, bring little dude, we'll have dinner, maybe play a card game or two."
Nikki took a deep breath. She liked him but she was scared, "Brett I really like you. Dinner tomorrow sounds great, what can I bring?"
"Yourselves," Brett said, "I'll even have something for Tyler."
"I'll bring baby food," Nikki smiled, "he's kinda picky. He only likes squash, avocado and banana right now."
"So tomorrow then," Brett said, closing the space between them.
"Tomorrow," Nikki echoed, she put her arms around him for a hug. Brett surprised her by ducking his head and giving her a sweet gentle kiss.
"Good night," Brett whispered.
"Good night," Nikki replied, opening the car door.
Starting her car Nikki took a deep breath. Brett had kissed her. She had liked it which surprised her even more. She had told herself that that part of her life was over.
On the porch Teddy elbowed Owen.
"He kissed her," Teddy whispered.
"He really cares about her," Owen said.
"He kissed her," Teddy repeated.
"I saw," Owen agreed, "I still don't like anyone kissing my sisters."
"He seems like a good guy," Teddy replied, "she trusts him. He was here tonight and look at how relaxed Ty was with Brett."
"She looked happy," Owen agreed.