Chapter 3
The next few days were much of the same thing, and finally after 14 long days Amanda returned to work with a huge smile on her face, energized and ready to hit the ground running. Morning guys she said cheerily when she walked into the squad room. Hey Rollins shouted Fin! He walked over to hug her, boy am I glad to have you back partner he said, these 2 have been driving me nuts, nodding towards Carisi and Kat. Carisi walked over to her and gave her a hug too. Hey glad to see you back he said smiling. Thanks Amanda replied, hey I've brought you all a coffee and a brownie, that's all they had this morning. Oh Amanda that's music to my ears announced Olivia as she walked out of her office. Huh said Amanda, you guys been at it early? she asked. Kat and Fin have said Olivia. Amanda nodded, OK she said, catch me up and I'll see what I can do.
A few hours later Olivia and Fin said they were going for lunch, let's go Rollins said Olivia, you're coming with. I am? She said surprised, she had been sitting going through witness statements with Kat and Carisi, yeah said Olivia, Kat's going home, and Carisi, remember you've your court case tomorrow so you need to do whatever it is you do for that, and I need food. OK said Amanda, you not going home Fin? Nah I'm OK he replied smiling, I've the day off tomorrow so I can catch up on sleep then. Ok she smiled, and they all went their separate ways.
Round at the diner Fin ordered his food then headed to the bathroom, Olivia ordered hers then Amanda. As the 2 ladies got themselves comfortable Olivia said, so, Nick told you about his visit then? Yeah Amanda said, he did, she nodded her head and took in a breath waiting on the next question from her friend and boss. And how do you feel about it? Olivia asked. Amanda smiled and nodded her head, I'm OK she said, Olivia looked at her, honestly Amanda said, I'm OK with it, in fact, as I've got a few days off next week again we're going to meet up and have a proper catch up. Olivia smiled, good she said, Noah can't wait to see him, how does Jesse feel about him coming? Amanda took a breath in again, Jesse doesn't know he's coming she said. Oh, said Olivia surprised, as Fin joined them again. Jesse doesn't know what? He said. Amanda smiled, she doesn't know that Nick's coming to town this week she said smiling. Oh why not? he asked. Amanda then went on telling them about how Jesse didn't think that Nick was real, and kept referring to his world and real life world. Aww bless her said Olivia, yeah Amanda said, so I asked Nick if he would call by the apartment when he's free and surprise her she said trying not to smile. It'll be a nice surprise for Jesse, and Nick is wanting to meet the girls, so I thought 2 birds with one stone and all that. Aww but you know you have to record that meeting Rollins, said Olivia, I wanna see how she reacts. Yeah Amanda smiled, it'll be interesting she laughed. Olivia went on to tell them how Nick had asked her to get a sitter for Noah one night so he could take her out for dinner, I would have asked you Fin she said, but you're working, I'll take him said Amanda before Fin could answer. Really? said Olivia. Yeah sure Amanda said as their food arrived, the girls would love to see him, and I'd love to catch up with him. Just send him with his school stuff and I can drop him to school the next morning, you and Nick can relax and have a good catch up. You're sure? repeated Olivia. Amanda laughed, of course I'm sure. Ok said Olivia, thanks, I owe you one. No, you don't said Amanda smiling. Well, I'm collecting him from the airport said Fin, so I'll be arranging a catch up with him too he said, luckily for you two I have no kids for you to mind and they both laughed. Hey maybe on his last night we should arrange to take him out said Olivia, I'll ask Lucy if she can have the 3 kids, and we all go out like old times, Amanda nodded and smiled sounds good she said, Fin said, make sure we don't get him drunk too much though, Or make sure I don't get too drunk, I've to take him to the airport the next day and I need to be able to drive and he needs to be able to function alone. The 2 girls laughed, deal they said.
The next few days passed quickly, life feel back into their "new normal." Nick still called every night even when Amanda was still at work, though Amanda had said he didn't have to, I know I don't he said, I've plenty of time on my hands so why not? Well only if you're Ok with it she was saying to him while she was out on a lead, I don't want you thinking you have to. He laughed, I know I don't, honestly babe, don't worry. He realized what had slipped out of his mouth and so did she. She smiled, he carried on talking. He remembered Amanda doing the same last week and he smiled.
Anyway, Amanda said, clearing her throat and smiling, I'm about to pull up to this possible witness's store, you all set for your flight tonight? I am, yes he said sounding unsure…. You don't sound that convincing Amaro she laughed, but also feeling slightly worried, no, I am, I'm just hoping I've remembered everything I need, I'm now looking around the room trying to see if I've forgotten something. She laughed, well as long as you have clothes, clean underwear and any paperwork you need for your meetings you're set….. oh and a wallet, passport and plane ticket. He laughed, yeah I've got all those he said smiling, well as long as you've got those, then anything else you can pick up here she said. What hotel are you staying at? Um I'm not actually staying in a hotel he said, Oh, you're not? She said surprised, yeah he said, I was going to, but I've just got one of my grandfather's rental houses re-decorated and new furniture and other bits put in, so I thought I'd stay there instead. Huh she said, that worked out well for you then she said. Yeah he said, it has. Do you want or need anything picked up for when you get here? She asked. Erm I actually hadn't thought that far ahead he said, well I know Fin's picking you up tonight she said how about I pick you a few bits up to start you off and give them to him. Are you sure? He asked. She rolled her eyes even though she knew he couldn't see her, of course I am, I wouldn't have offered otherwise. Ok he said, thanks, I'll give you the money when I see you on Saturday. Her stomach flipped, you will not Nick Amaro, and if you even try to, I'll not speak to you. He laughed, ok, ok calm yourself he said, it took us long enough to get this far, I'm not going to do anything to ruin that again. She smiled. Ok she said. I'm assuming your life hasn't dramatically changed since I last saw you so there's nothing I Shouldn't buy? He chuckled, no, nothing dramatic like that he laughed. Ok she said, I've to get some groceries on my lunch so I'll throw some extra in for you too. Thank you he said, no worries she replied. And as much as I would love to carry on chatting to you, I've just pulled up at the store so I'll see you Saturday? Yes, yes you will indeed he said smiling to himself. And I've told Jesse you won't be calling for a while as you're working away from home. How did that go he asked, well lets just say it didn't go down too well, but we had a chat and she's accepted it she laughed. She's no other choice in the matter she chuckled. He chuckled himself, well I can read her a few stories when I meet her. She smiled, you can indeed. Ok he sighed, I'll let you go, and thank you again he said. No worries she smiled, have a safe trip down, and we'll see you on Saturday. See you then he replied, see you then she said quietly. With that they hung up and she went back to her work.
That evening everyone was getting ready to head home. Oh I can't wait to get home, and I'm dreading it at the same time said Olivia. Fin, Kat and Amanda looked at her. Why what's wrong? Said Fin. Oh nothing, she quickly replied. Noah's just to hyped up about Nick coming to visit, he's driving me nuts constantly asking me what time his flight is at. He's even downloaded some app to his phone so he can track the plane. Amanda laughed, Kat said aww bless, and Fin said jokingly, is that not some form of stalking? Olivia laughed, I'm sure it could be she said, well lets hope Nick is on the flight then said Kat. I hope I get a chance to meet him she said, there's that much excitement about him coming I'm caught up in it she laughed. Amanda smiled, we'll make sure you meet him she said to her colleague. Oh by the way Fin, I picked up some groceries to start him off, I have them in the car. Groceries? He needs those for a hotel. Amanda looked at them all staring at her, oh ok I'm the only one knows that she said, he told me today he was staying at one of his rentals. You spoke to him today? smiled Olivia. Amanda chuckled, yes, I spoke to him earlier this morning, he'd just got off the phone to Jesse she smiled, and phoned me after to check we're still OK for him meeting the girls on Saturday. Olivia nodded, ok she said smiling. Wait, said Kat, Nick hasn't met your girls? Amanda laughed, no well, kind of she said scrunching her nose, they have chatted on the phone and on Zoom, but not in person. In fact I haven't seen him since he left either. Wow said Kat, you two were dating before he left weren't you? Olivia looked at Amanda with her mouth open, Fin went to say something and Amanda said, yeah we were in a long term relationship actually she smiled. But his kids came 1st so he had to move to be with them. Sorry said Kat, I didn't mean to make things awkward, no, no, you're fine smiled Amanda.
Fin broke the awkward atmosphere he and Olivia could feel and said, Ok Rollins, lets go and hand me the food over. They all walked out together to the parking lot. So where is the house? asked Olivia. Um, you know what I actually don't know that laughed Amanda, I never even thought to ask him you know she said feeling stupid. Great, well I hope he knows where he's going then said Fin, Olivia laughed, good luck she said. They each said their goodbyes at the parking lot and went their separate ways, Fin was parked in the row behind Amanda, she handed him the box of beer she bought for Nick, and carried the bag of food to his car. Wow Amanda he said, he'll not need to go shopping he laughed, yeah well, I was doing my own groceries, and I wasn't sure what his plans were so I picked a bit of everything, and the beer is a thank you for keeping me and the girls company the past 2 weeks she blushed. He'll love it Fin smiled as he closed the door of the backseat. We appreciated your gifts you bought us he said as he hugged her, well I would have been lost without you 3 she said. It was the least I could do. He let go of her and kissed her temple, we're always here for you and the girls he smiled. Yeah, I know she whispered. Speaking of which, I need to get home and let the sitter get home. I'll see you tomorrow she said. You will indeed he said, and they left.