A couple of hours later they were out on the sofa having just finished dinner. They were snuggled up looking at couches on the iPad. We need one in the family room where me and you can cuddle up on said Nick, of course we do replied Amanda. He grinned at her, this is something we really need to do in store so we make sure it's big enough, I've seen some of those couches and they are tiny. She laughed, yeah, how about we see about going out after work tomorrow then? He kissed her temple, sounds like a date he smiled. Before they could say anything else, Nick's phone rang. Amaro, he answered. He run his other hand through Amanda's hair. Hey Liv he said as he kissed Amanda's head. Hey Nick, Liv replied, have you still got the kids? No, no, they're about to land back home hopefully he said. Listen I know you're not working this weekend but we've got a situation down here that I need your help with. He looked at Amanda and she sat up, but he kept his hand on her head massaging it. What's wrong? he asked, well we've got a victim unconscious here at the hospital and her daughter refuses to leave. They're Spanish, little girl speaks no English at all, and refuses to do or say anything to any of the doctors, nurses, or the interpreter. I was hoping if you weren't busy could you try with her? He sighed, sure I can try he replied, what hospital? We're at Mercy. Ok, give me 30 minutes and I'll meet you there. Thanks Nick she said. He hung up and Amanda looked at him, what's wrong? Nick relayed he conversation and she said aw poor girl, I'm sure you'll be able to work your parent magic on her. He laughed, well before I go anywhere I need to get a shower, I'm very sticky in certain places he grinned, she laughed, well I'd offer to clean you up, but not in the way you need to be cleaned up to go help a little girl. He leant over and kissed her. Hopefully I'll not be long, take as long as you need baby she said kissing him back, just make sure that little girl is OK. He got up reluctantly and went to the shower. 10 minutes later he was back out in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. He lifted his hoody and walked into the kitchen where Amanda was making some coffee. Here she said, handing him a travel cup, to keep you awake. He kissed her and smiled. What would I ever do without you Quierdra? he said. Oh I'm sure you would cope she replied smiling, as he pulled her closer, no, no, I know I wouldn't mi amor. I can be certain of that one. They had another long kiss and she said, OK you gotta go baby, give me a ring if you need anything OK. He kissed her once more and said OK. I'll be home soon hopefully.
He arrived at the hospital and found Liv and Carisi. Hey Nick she said, sorry for calling you when you're off, I hope I didn't disturb anything. He smiled, no, I'd just finished dinner actually he laughed, so you called at the right time. Where is she? Carisi replied, in the room with her mum. She won't leave the chair. Nick sighed, OK let's see what we can get. He walked into the room quietly and smiled at the little girl. Hola pequeña he smiled, Cómo estás hoy? (Hello little one, how are you today?) The little girl looked up at him as he walked over to her. He smiled again and sat down on the chair beside her. Mi nombre es Nick y soy policía, ¿Cuál es tu nombre? (My name is Nick and I'm a police officer, what's your name?) She looked up at him and replied Me llamo Natalia. Hola Natilia, ¿Cuantos años tienes? (how old are you?) Tengo 5 años de edad ( I am 5 years old) ¿tienes hambre? ( are you hungry?) Sí she replied. OK, vamos a comer algo, (OK, let's go eat) he replied. She looked at him uncertain and he replied, It's Ok, mamá estará aquí cuando regresemos (mummy will still be here when we get back) he stood up and put his arms out to her, Vamos, te llevaré (Come on, I'll carry you) he said smiling. She smiled and reached up for him to lift her. He smiled, lifted her up and whispered to her buena niña (good girl) he carried her out to the corridor and met Olivia and Carisi. He smiled, this is Natalia he said, and she is 5 years old. Liv smiled at her, Hello Natalia, mi llamo Olivia. Hola Olivia the girl said. Natalia is hungry Nick said, so we are going to get some food. Olivia smiled and said OK, Carisi you stay here and I'll go with Nick and Natalia. Nick carried the girl down the hallway. He asked her what her mum's name was, and where her daddy was. The girl told him her mum was called Lucia, and her daddy was at work.
After an hour Nick had befriended Natalia enough to convince her to talk about what happened. Olivia managed to track down her dad and he was on his way to the hospital. Nick was sitting on his phone texting Amanda when the little girl came over to him rubbing her eyes, hey Oye estas cansada pequeña? (Are you tired little one?) Sí she replied and climbed up on his knee. She started to suck her thumb and a few minutes later she was sleeping. Olivia came back in with Carisi and smiled, someone's made a friend she laughed, yeah he smiled. Carisi smirked, you suit that Amaro, Nick looked at him as did Olivia, well, I've had plenty of snuggles with my daughter this weekend, this age I'm not out of touch with he smiled. Babies like Noah on the otherhand. Hey Olivia said, you're great with him, it came back to you quicker than you know. Nick laughed, yeah, thankfully I don't have to cope with the sleepless nights though. Hey if you're offering Amaro I know I'd love a full nights sleep. The 3 of them laughed again. His phone rung, and he saw it was Amanda, he smiled and answered, Amaro. I take it you're not alone she said, yeah that's right he said, how's things going she asked? Good he replied, I'm missing you though he smiled. Not as much as I'm missing you baby she teased. Well it won't be long till we see each other again he said, I'm already counting. She giggled, me too. I'll let you go before this gets us into trouble she laughed. Ok Mi querida I'll talk to you very soon he said. Love you she said, Yo también te quiero, cariño. And they hung up. Zara? Asked Liv smiling, yeah he said, she always phones to let me know she's home safe. Aww that's nice said Carisi. Another hour and Natalia's dad had arrived. Nick spoke to him and translated some for him, the dad had some English. It was nearing 11pm and Nick said, OK do you need me for anything else or can I go home again, I need to catch some sleep after having the kids all weekend. No you can go said Olivia, and again thank you so much. Carisi said he was going to the bathroom before they left, when he was gone Olivia said, so everything go ok this weekend with the 4 of you? Yeah Nick smiled, better than OK, he grinned. Where's Amanda tonight? she asked. She's back at the house he replied, she's shattered after whirlwind Zara he laughed. She smiled, tell her I'm sorry I called you away, he looked and sighed, no need to apologise Liv he said, you know that. Hey, don't come in before 10 in the morning she said, seeing as you've been here tonight. He smiled, thanks, I'll need that. You know what Liv, I'll head off now if it's OK, I've got Amanda's car with me instead of mine. Don't need Carisi noticing. Good thinking she said.
Nick arrived back home at just before 11.45pm. He quietly unlocked the door and walked in. He grabbed a bottle of water, turned the lights off and headed to the bedroom. He stripped down to his boxers and walked to the bathroom. Then climbed into bed beside Amanda. She was sleeping peacefully so he let her be, he smiled, stroked her face, kissed her forehead and lay down to sleep. About 5 minutes later he felt her hand grabbing his, and lacing her fingers with his. She muttered, hey baby you're home. He laughed, I am he whispered, and he put his arm over her waist and stroked her back. She moved closer to him and kissed his lips softly. I missed you she whispered sleepily, I missed you too he replied. He lay on his back and she moved her head to his chest, still holding his hand and with her other am wrapped it around his stomach. Night Night baby she sighed, I love you so much. He smiled and kissed her forehead, I love you more he replied. Goodnight my love he whispered, and they fell asleep.