"Just an idea I got when I got a feeling that Nick Amaro may be making an appearance in the recent series of the show. Probably wrong but it gave me this story. I can but wish.
DISCLAIMER* I own nothing only the ideas in my head, and my gut feelings lol./p
April 2021
After a tough few days Amanda was in her apartment with her 2 girls. Jesse had been sent home from school to isolate after a classmate tested positive for covid. The whole class were isolating for 14 days.
Amanda had to take the time off work as she didn't want to put her childminder at any risk. Thankfully, her bosses at NYPD were taking things like this more seriously and showing more consideration to parents in her situation, unlike some other employers in the city. Captain Benson had just returned from a 2-week isolation period as Noah fell ill but thankfully it wasn't with Covid. However, his class were also sent home due to a positive case in his class too.
She was on Day 11 of 14 and was more than ready to get back to work, Jesse was more than ready to get back to school and the baby was getting fed up with being in the same apartment too. Olivia, Fin and Carisi had been amazing and were always calling on the phone or they were catching up on Zoom calls to see other people than the 3 of them. They dropped off groceries at the door, and after a few days, Fin gave up and told Amanda to open her door as he didn't like the set up and said he had told Liv to so the same when they were calling by her place. From then on, she opened her door and stood 2 meters back so they could have a grown-up conversation. Luckily one of Jesse's classmates lived just across the hall from them, so both parents arranged to open both apartment doors and the girls sat at the doors and drew pictures, played games on the new tablets both parents reluctantly bought them, and it meant Amanda and the other mum was able to stand and chat too.
Another person who called in to check on her daily was Nick Amaro… even though they hadn't seen each other in person in almost 6 years since he moved to California to be near his 2 children, they still chatted on the phone every now and then. Since the whole world discovered Zoom thanks to Covid, they had seen each other on there a couple of times. When Olivia told him about Amanda and the girls now isolating, he switched from contacting her and Noah daily to checking in on Amanda and the girls daily. Jesse looked forward to seeing him on Zoom now, he had started reading a book to both girls each time he called, Jesse told him he was better at stories than mummy was. Amanda realised more and more how much she really missed Nick but tried her best not to let it show. Olivia phoned to say she was calling by on her way home with some McDonalds for the girls, and some takeaway from Amanda's favourite restaurant. When she arrived, Amanda looked tired. You OK? Benson asked her. Yeah, she sighed, I'm over this isolating thing now she sighed. I'm over covid, and I will never ever complain about having to go to work again. Oh, I know how you feel Rollins said Olivia, but trust me, that feeling soon disappears. Amanda laughed and said, thank you so much for this Liv, I honestly do not know what I would do without you guys. Hey Olivia smiled, you done it for me and Noah, and if anything, Covid has taught us this past year, it's we all appreciate the tiniest things from our friends, and work colleagues. And family added Amanda…. You guys are more than work colleagues and friends to us, you're my family. Benson smiled, and you are mine. I know exactly what you mean. Just think a few more days Amanda and you are all free again. She brought her up to date with what was happening in work, any gossip happening and was telling her how Carisi's nieces were sent home to isolate also. Then she said, OK I'm going to head home, your food is going to get cold, Amanda called the 2 girls to come say thank you to Auntie Olivia, and Olivia said hey girls 4 more sleeps and then you can come over to visit me and Noah again. Jesse got excited; Billie didn't have a clue what was going on.
Just as she was about to leave Olivia said, hey Rollins, you heard from Nick today? Erm no said Amanda, I haven't, she looked at the time, if he does call tonight it'll not be for another hour or so, Jesse asked him to read her a bedtime story again. She blushed and rolled her eyes. I don't know what's going to happen when we are free, and Nick doesn't call every day. Olivia smiled, well maybe because he's got a new friend, he won't stop calling she laughed. Yeah, right scoffed Amanda, although I'm not gonna lie, I think I'll miss his daily calls too she said blushing, then she shrugged, hey, I got over him once, I can do it again she smiled sadly. Olivia smiled, well if you do have to get over him again, she laughed, it's only as a friend this time so it will be easier. Yeah, said Amanda, at least it won't be as awkward this time. Olivia went on saying, I missed his call this morning as I was on a call out, but Noah was more than happy to have him to himself. Amanda laughed, God I'd hate to see what Jesse would do and say if I weren't around, she gasped. Olivia laughed, Well when he does call later tell him I said Hi and I'll see him at the weekend. Ok Amanda nodded, anything else to tell him? No Olivia smiled back, not that I can think off. Ok said Amanda a little confused as to why her boss was smiling weirdly. See you in a few days. Bye girls Olivia called again, and with that she left. Amanda lifted the insulated bag that the food was in and brought it into the apartment. As soon as she opened it her stomach grumbled, oh my she said out loud, I'm so looking forward to this. She got the girls sorted at the table and they sat down to eat. Once they were finished Jesse helped Amanda tidy up and then she brought the girls in to put their pyjamas on. Back out on the sofa they snuggled up watching some cartoons, which was part of their wind down bedtime routine. About an hour later Amanda got a text from Nick to check her email for the zoom link. She smiled and got up to get the high table to sit her laptop on. Hey girls look who's calling tonight on the laptop she smiled. NICK! Shouted Jesse, and just at that moment Nick popped up on screen with his big smile. Well, that's a lovely hello he beamed back. ICK! Billie giggled and waved at him. Hey how's 3 of my favourite girls? he asked. Good said Jesse smiling, auntie Olivia brought us McDonalds tonight. Really? he said, uh-huh she replied, it was yummy. Amanda sat back down on the sofa and lifted Billie up onto her knee with a sigh, Nick smiled and changed his tone of voice, Hey you he smiled, y cómo eres mi querida? (and how are you) Amanda blushed and smiled, oh, Cansado y harto (Tired and fed up) she sighed. He smiled back at her, hey you've learnt more he grinned, she smiled and said, well yeah I figured you never know when I'll need it and I had a great teacher, so thought I'd keep my toe in the water she laughed. Good he said, you want to learn any more I'll be more than happy to help, he gave her one of those sexy grins she loved about him. You never know, I might just take you up on that offer Amaro she smiled back. Anytime he said. Actually she said, Jesse has been asking about some things you say she laughed. I explained to her yesterday actually about how you speak Spanish. Maybe I should start introducing the language to her she said, ,although I'd have no idea where to start she added. He grinned, just the basics at the start he said, slipping a few everyday words in now and again, just like I did with you he grinned. She blushed and cleared her throat, yeah, and look where it got me she laughed, he smiled and said, well she's too young for that business, but honestly just a few simple words here and there, she'll pick it up. If you want I'll start dropping more in when I'm talking to her. She smiled, sure. Jesse got bored of mummy and Nick talking and ignoring her, so she jumped back in, Nick are you going to read to us tonight? Sí princesa, I sure am, he beamed, I've got this book tonight, yay she cheered and Billie clapped her hands, Jesse climbed up beside her mum and her sister and Nick started to read. When he had finished Billie was asleep, so Amanda said, hey Jesse, how about you talk to Nick for a bit while I put your sister to bed. Ok mummy she beamed and started talking away to Nick. Amanda put Billie down in her crib and as she returned to the sofa, she heard Jesse talking away to Nick, she was asking him about his house and his street. As she sat down Nick said, maybe some time I'll call mummy on her phone and I'll show you my street princessa he said. Yes, please the little girl said as snuggled into her mum and started to suck her thumb, someone's sleepy said Nick, Yeah Amanda said as she ruffled the child's hair and kissed her head. She put her blanket over Jesse, and she started talking to Nick, oh by the way she said, I forgot to say, Liv said to say Hello and she'll see you at the weekend. Nick smiled, yeah Noah told me she was out on a call this morning, what else did she say to you? He asked.
Amanda looked at him confused, nothing, why was she supposed to? He smiled trying not to laugh, no he said, just wondering if she said anything else. Amanda looked at him and said, Ok Nick I know that look, we may not have seen each other in 6 years, but I still know when you're hiding something from me. He laughed, that obvious, am I? yes she nodded. Ok he said, you might want to put Jesse to bed first he said. Oh I don't like the way this is going she groaned, this usually means bad news, he laughed, no bad news from my end Rollins, I promise. Ok she said, give me a minute, ok he said, you do that while I make myself a coffee he grinned. Right, you fancy making me one while you're at it there Amaro, well I would he said, but it'd be a bit hard to give it to you he said. Yeah she scoffed, technology needs to get better and he laughed. She carried Jesse into her bedroom and put her in bed, she gave her a kiss and returned to the laptop, You there Nick? Yeah he said, hold on and I'll carry you over here while I make my coffee, ok she said, I'm going to turn you around so I can get my own. They chatted about different things, the weather, what he had been up to today, how his son Gil was as he'd seen him today, and a few other things. As they both returned to their sofa's and settled down Nick said, Zara was asking about you yesterday he smiled. Yeah? Amanda said, and how's she doing? Good he said, she's planning on going to University in New York he said. Amanda grinned, really? Well she's more than welcome to call by here anytime if she does come down. He smiled, that's good to know he said, Maria's not too keen on the idea, how do you feel about it? she asked, he sighed, I'm OK with it he smiled, she can stay in one of the apartments I have there, the tenancy is up on one actually next month but with covid and that, I've told them they don't have to worry, we can do a monthly contract until they find somewhere else. They're planning on moving to DC so it suits us both. She smiled, good, as long as your happy. Well he said, I'm happy because she has family there, she has Olivia, Fin and yourself, that's the only thing that's keeping Maria at bay. And honestly, Maria is only agreeing to the idea because Zara has said she'll call you if she needs anything and you'll keep an eye on her. Of course I'll keep an eye on her, for you though, not for Maria. Thank you said Nick, I can pass that onto her, maybe it'll stop the complaining. Amanda laughed, so we're still family down here are we? she teased, he smiled and his eyes softened, you will always be family to me and the kids he said softly. Her stomach had that funny feeling again, the one she got when they were together, anyway he said, taking a drink of coffee, what's your plans for next week? he asked. She was taken aback, erm well when I'm free again I've a few days back at work then I'd actually booked a few days off before this. He smiled, you still planning on taking those? he asked, yeah she said, it'll be nice to have a few hours to myself she sighed, especially now, Jesse will be back at school, and Billie will be at creche 2 days. Well you do deserve a few hours alone time he smiled, she smiled and looked at him, Why are you asking me that anyway? she asked suspiciously, she noticed he was trying not to laugh again. He tightened his lips but couldn't stop the big grin, nothing, I'm just making conversation he said. Nick Amaro she scolded, you're not telling me something she said, I know you! He laughed, well OK if you MUST know he said, I'm coming down to New York next week for a bit he said. Her mouth was open and she was speechless, her heart was beating really fast and she could feel her stomach flipping again. No you're not she said, eyeing him suspiciously. I am he said, I've a few meetings in New York next week so thought I'd extend my stay a bit longer and maybe we could grab a coffee or something? She couldn't believe it, who else knows? she asked. He laughed, I told Olivia last night and called Noah this morning to tell him, I told Fin at the weekend, and there's just you left to tell, but I wanted to book my flights and have everything confirmed before I told you. She sat back on the sofa again, that's why Olivia was acting odd earlier when she asked if I'd spoken to you today. Nick laughed, yeah she knew I was booking my flight this afternoon he said. OMG Nick I can't believe you're finally coming back to visit, he smiled, so you're happy about me coming down then? She sat up straight again, of course I am Nick she said in shock, why wouldn't I be? Well he said quietly, last time I was there it didn't end very well with us and we didn't speak for a long time after. Amanda's heart sank, Nick, we were both hurting, we both didn't want what was happening but you had to do right for your family. I understood that then, but it hurt so bad, but now she said, I'm just so glad we got through that awkwardness and back to friends again she smiled, and honestly this past 2 weeks almost you have no idea how much I've appreciated you calling us, and you've been a life saver for me with Jesse she smiled. He grinned, well hopefully I get to meet them next week he said, with a hopeful look. Of course, she said grinning, I don't think Jesse would ever talk to me again if she found out I'd seen you properly and not brought her with me. He smiled, I'm looking forward to that he said. She settled back on the sofa feeling so much happier and he said, so how are you really doing? he asked feeling much happier too. She smiled, a lot better now than I was when you first asked, she said shyly, he smiled and said but honestly how are you really? She smiled sadly and said I'm exhausted Nick she sighed, and so ready for some proper adult company again, don't get me wrong I love my girls with every beat of my heart, and I have loved spending time with them without worrying about getting a call out and that, but mummy needs some grown up time now she said. He smiled and said, well how about I take you out for a few hours when I'm home next week? She couldn't hide her excitement, yeah,
I'd love that she smiled, he grinned good, We'll make a day of it while the girls are out I'll take you out for a change of scenery. Sounds perfect she said quietly. He smiled again, hey off you go to bed bonita, you need to get some sleep. We can do another zoom tomorrow night and see how you are. Ok she smiled sleepily, go on he said, see you tomorrow he said softly, Night night. Night she said, and they logged off.