Friday afternoon Nikki met Evelyn in the school parking lot to pick up Tyler.
"Little dude," Brett smiled as Nikki lifted Tyler out of Evelyn's car.
"Ett," Tyler babbled.
"Yes little man that's Brett," Nikki smiled.
"Five," Tyler tried holding out his hand.
"High five," Brett said, giving the tot a high five.
"Nicole, Brett," Catherine called.
"Catherine," Nikki greeted, "do you have weekend plans?"
"Nothing really," Catherine said, "the two of you?"
"My parents are in town," Brett said.
"Family time," Catherine smiled.
"I'm excited to meet them," Nikki added.
"You haven't met them yet," Catherine asked.
"We've only been together officially since thanksgiving," Brett said.
"You two look happy," Catherine said, "or should I say three."
"Three," Brett said.
"Ett," Tyler said again leaning out of Nikkis arms.
"Hi little dude," Brett said, taking Tyler for a hug.
"We should head home I need to change for tonight and get Tyler upstairs to Teddy," Nikki said, "calling in years of babysitting favors."
"I can babysit," Julie offered, "you never let me babysit."
"Teddy has it tonight," Nikki said, "thanks Jules. When I see you I want to hang out with you."
"What are you two doing that you don't take Ty," Julie asked.
"Dinner with my parents by the water," Brett said, "Ty doesn't need to go and it's one of those fancy candle lit places that won't appreciate baby sounds."
"We take Ty most places with us," Nikki said, "I've had 12 baby free evenings in the last year."
"Nights," Julie asked.
"No," Nikki said, "always home to put my son to bed."
"Do you want me to get him in his car seat for you," Brett asked.
"I've got it," Nikki said, "I do need to go home and get ready."
"Let me take something," Brett said.
"You have Tyler," Nikki replied.
They walked to the car and she unlocked it, Brett opened the back door and buckled Tyler in while Nikki put her school bag and Tyler's backpack in the trunk.
"So a couple hours," Brett said.
"See you soon," Nikki smiled.
They both got in their cars and drove home.
Nikki spent a few minutes playing with Tyler before she had to get ready. She watched as he stood up holding onto the couch and held onto it taking a few steps until he reached the end of the couch he let go. He took five steps towards Nikki before falling over.
"Your walking," Nikki shouted, "you took your first steps."
"Mama walk," Tyler tried.
"We can walk," Nikki said, "stand up."
Tyler stood up.
"Come here," Nikki said crouching a few feet away with her phone pointed to Tyler. He took a few steps towards her and this time she filmed him.
"Mama," Tyler said again.
"You're walking little man," Nikki said hugging Tyler when he reached her.
She stood up with Ty in her arms.
"Down," Tyler said.
"We need to change you," Nikki said, "then you're hanging out with Auntie Teddy and Uncle Owen tonight."
"Down," Tyler said again.
"Lets go to your room and change you," Nikki said.
Tyler held Nikkis hand as they went to his room. She lifted him onto the change table and got him cleaned up.
"Big date tonight," Teddy said, opening the door.
"Meeting his parents," Nikki said, "I have a dress and heels. I don't know if I need black tights or not with my dress or not."
"Lets see the dress," Teddy said.
"It's on my closet door," Nikki replied, "but Teddy guess what?"
"He's walking," Teddy smiled. I heard you.
"I have to send mom the video," Nikki smiled.
"Two toddling around this is going to be fun," Teddy smiled.
"It will be," Nikki replied, "what do I do with my hair?"
"Down and full make up," Teddy said, "what time do you go?"
"He's picking me up at six," Nikki replied.
"It's 4:30," Teddy said, " you have time to shower and dry your hair. Do full make up."
"I might curl it," Nikki said, "it's easier to curl not freshly washed, I washed it last night."
"Do you want me to take Ty up to play," Teddy asked.
"Keep him here," Nikki said, "and I need your help. This is a real night out."
"You deserve these," Teddy said, "you go out with out Tyler way less then Owen and I go out kid less."
"I hate asking people to babysit," Nikki said, "mom and Meg do so much already."
"How much have you babysat for us over the years," Teddy said, "we're happy to help. Everyone, we want you to go out and live. Nikki you should go have fun. You're young."
"Remind me of that next week when I have to face Jeff in court," Nikki groaned.
"We're coming," Teddy said.
"I have to be prepared to prove I'm the better parent," Nikki said.
"He's seen Ty twice," Teddy said, "I thought you were going after child support."
"I was," Nikki said, "but his lawyer came back yesterday saying that he won't pay unless he gets to see Ty."
"That's always been your offer," Teddy said.
"Call or text me and come see Ty," Nikki said, "give me a 15 minute heads up."
"Time to make sure you both look human," Teddy laughed.
"Not in sweats and a clean baby," Nikki answered.
"Get rid of your boyfriend," Teddy teased.
"No," Nikki replied, "Jeff knows I'm seeing someone. He didn't ask for his name so I haven't spilled my personal life to my ex."
"Any shared friends," Teddy questioned.
"Not really," Nikki replied, "a few would see my instagram but no one I actually confide in."
"Which is who," Teddy asked.
"Julie, Sydney, Kendra, Bryn," Nikki answered, "I still talk to my siblings more than my friends."
"You always have," Teddy agreed, "and I think it's spread between all four of us. I don't get the guy questions like I used to."
"Meghan," Nikki admitted, "she doesn't know my whole story and everything that happened with Jeff. She doesn't get as protective and mom like as you do."
"I don't think even I know the whole story there," Teddy said.
"You have most of it," Nikki replied, "one piece missing but Nate knows."
"Nathan," Teddy asked, "Kenya?"
"Yes," Nikki answered, "but it will come out in court."
"Nikki," Teddy said looking serious, "what happened?"
"Jeff hit me a few times over the years," Nikki said, "the worst a couple days before Kenya to stop me from going. We were swimming after being there a couple weeks and I still had bruises on my ribs. Nate saw."
"And you stayed with him," Teddy asked, "why?"
"He was drunk when it happened," Nikki said, "like black out drunk he didn't remember doing it."
"Nikki why didn't you say anything before now," Teddy asked.
"I wasn't ready," Nikki said, "don't tell Owen or Meg please."
"I won't," Teddy said, "but you should. You're using it to keep Ty away from Jeff."
"To keep primary custody," Nikki said, "I want Ty full time with some visits to Jeff. I'm going to lose my trump card soon."
"It's time," Teddy said.
"Hopefully before the conference and being away from him for three nights," Nikki said.
'Who do you go with," Teddy asked.
"Brett," Nikki said, "we're going to share a room. There's lines that haven't been crossed yet and I'm nervous about but Brett respects me."
"Just tell him," Teddy said, "communicate."
"That's what Meg said," Nikki groaned.
"Go to the conference with your boyfriend and have fun," Teddy said, "it's only two days of lectures. Enjoy your trip."
"We go Friday after school and come home after the last session Sunday," Nikki said, "he's driving. I don't know how to go anywhere, just me anymore."
"School," Teddy said.
"Mom meets me in the parking lot," Nikki laughed, "can you watch Ty while I do my hair?"
"He's just playing with the blocks," Teddy said.
"He likes his blocks," Nikki said.
They chatted as she did her hair and got ready for dinner.
"Who are you and what did you do with Nikki," Teddy teased seeing Nikki all dressed up.
"Just playing a part," Nikki answered.
"Nikki you look gorgeous," Teddy said, "that dress is perfect."
Nikkis red hair hung in thick curls over her shoulders and her black dress clung in all the right spots before flaring into a full skirt that ended at her knees. She wore tall black heels.
"Spanks," Nikki giggled.
"You don't need them," Teddy said.
"But it makes everything sit smoothly," Nikki replied.
"True," Teddy agreed.
"I only bought them to go with the dress," Nikki said, "do you think he'll like it?"
"He will," Teddy assured.
"It's not old or mommy," Nikki asked.
"No," Teddy said, "Nikki it's a little black dress. It's timeless and you look hot. You've never done this before."
"Didn't have an occasion to," Nikki smiled, "I know it's meeting his parents, I have to make a good impression."
"Do you know what his parents do," Teddy asked.
"His dad is a pastor and his mom teaches preschool," Nikki said.
"Breathe," Teddy said, "you're getting tense. Brett loves you. The two of you are a great couple, we all see the chemistry."
"Teddy he gets me," Nikki said, "he doesn't judge. But I worry about his dad being a pastor. I wasn't married when I had Tyler. Jeff walked away."
"Just be you," Teddy said, "be honest. Brett will have told them. Nikki you're smart, educated, driven, compassionate. I've been to school to bring Ty to you, you're a damn good teacher those kids were eating out of your hand. You're a good mom. If they judge that's on them. You chose the harder path with Ty."
"Teddy being his mom was my only choice," Nikki said, "he's my baby. I would never consider anything else. I love my son."
"I know you do," Teddy said, "I think your boyfriend really likes your son."
"Yes," Nikki said, "he walked out with me today to meet mom just to say hi to Ty. Tyler didn't want me, he was leaning out of my arms saying Ett until Brett hugged him."
"See," Teddy said, "last sunday?"
"He taught Faroke to tackle so Faroke can try out for football," Nikki said.
"Owen could have," Teddy said, "but Owen was a soccer player, Nathan would have tried but he played rugby. Brett made sure Faroke could try out."
"Teddy, he played professionally and through college," Nikki said.
"But he helped your nephew," Teddy said, "he offered and took him out in the back yard to teach him."
"And your girls," Nikki laughed.
"But he chose to take the time to teach your nieces and nephew," Teddy said, "he's a good guy."
"He's a teacher," Nikki said, "you have a skill you can teach a kid you do it. It makes the kid feel valued. He feels the same way I do about kids, we've always agreed on ed philosophy."
"Which is," Teddy asked.
"All kids are good people, they need to be taught and shown how to do it. Every kid can and wants to be good and do well, they can all do well with the right approach," Nikki said, "basically all kids are good, it's our job to help them find the good in themselves."
"I like that," Teddy said, "can you come teach some of our attendings how to teach?"
"No they scare me," Nikki said, "they call me mini Hunt still."
"True," Teddy said, "Torres wants to see you soon."
"My leg is fine," Nikki said.
"Just when you pick up or drop off our kids say hi," Teddy said, "they all want to know how your doing after your months with us."
"Webber came to see me when Ty was born," Nikki said.
"They wanted to see you," Teddy said.
"What did Meg mean when she said Brett was my Teddy," Nikki asked.
"Meghan played match maker," Teddy smiled.
"She was right," Nikki said, "I agreed with her."
"You did," Teddy asked.
"Your first visit to moms," Nikki said, "Meghan and I went to get ice cream and I asked her if you were Owen's new girlfriend. I was excited."
"I wish," Teddy said, "I was in love with him. Your mom instantly made me feel at home. Then half an hour later there was this 9 year old begging me to play go fish, who then beat me at 99."
"You guys got worse as the game went on," Nikki remembered.
"We were playing with three shots and drinking beer," Teddy said, "you had marshmallows and rootbeer."
"They always gave me rootbeer in glass bottles when they had beer," Nikki smiled.
"Owen does it for our girls now," Teddy said.
There was a knock at the door.
"Brett," Nikki smiled.
"I have Ty," Teddy said.
"Let Ty say hi first," Nikki said.
Nikki opened the door to Brett in a dark suit.
"You look stunning," Brett said, the dress and heels was a big change from the jeans and top she had on at school that day.
"You clean up pretty well yourself," Nikki smiled.
"Ett," Ty called recognizing the voice. He pulled himself up using a chair and took a few wobbly steps towards the door.
"Are you showing Brett your new trick," Nikki smiled at her son.
"When did he start walking," Brett asked.
"When we got home," Nikki said, she bent over and scooped Tyler up, "be good for auntie Teddy and uncle Owen. Mommy will be back soon. I love you little man."
"Give me five," Brett said holding his hand out to Tyler.
Tyler slapped Bretts hand.
"Good job little dude," Brett said, "you can walk."
"Okay go to Auntie Teddy," Nikki said, passing Tyler over after giving him a kiss.
"Are you ready," Brett asked.
"I am," Nikki smiled, grabbing her coat and purse off the counter by the door.
Brett took her hand and lead her to his truck.
"What if your parents hate me," Nikki asked.
"They will love you," Brett promised.
"But your dad is a pastor," Nikki said, "I'm a single mom who got pregnant by accident with a guy who couldn't stick around. I wasn't welcome at our church after that."
"Dad knows," Brett said, "dad also knows how much I love you and love Tyler."
"Are they mad about it," Nikki asked.
"No," Brett promised, "I told them your story. That's never been my dad to judge that. They know I've been in love with you since GTEP."
"Life was easy then," Nikki smiled.
"Nikki just breathe," Brett said, "my parents will love you."
"I'm just a teacher," Nikki said.
"So am I," Brett said, "relax. You're too hard on yourself. Just breathe it's dinner with my parents. They will love you because I do."
"How do you always know what I need to hear," Nikki smiled, "I love you too."
Brett parked and they got out of the truck, he took her hand and lead Nikki to meet an older couple standing near the entrance.
"Mom, Dad," Brett greeted.
"Brett," Joan said, "who is this?"
"This is Nicole," Brett introduced, "Nikki these are my parents Joan and William."
"Its nice to meet you Mr and Mrs Wilson," Nikki smiled reaching to shake their hands.
"It's Joan and Bill," Joan smiled, "I feel like I know you already. Brett doesn't talk about anything else."
Nikki turned the same shade of red as her hair, "good things I hope."
"Great things," Bill said.
"How was school today you two," Joan asked.
"Good," Nikki smiled.
"Excellent," Brett said, "we won the teachers vs students dodgeball game."
"I could play this year," Nikki said.
"You didn't play last year," Bill asked.
"I didn't," Nikki said, "I made sure the sixth graders were under control in the bleachers."
"Was it your last week of work," Brett asked.
"It was," Nikki said.
"Last week of work," Bill asked.
"Nikki's son turns one in two weeks," Brett said.
"Yes the famous Tyler," Joan said, "how is he."
"Don't get me started," Nikki smiled, "he started walking after school today."
"Thats exciting," Joan said, "you must be so proud."
"He walks, babbles, he has a few words," Nikki bragged.
"He's beautiful," Joan said, "Brett's sent me a few pictures. The two of you are good for him."
"I really like my time with Brett and Ty adores Ett as he calls him," Nikki said, "what do you do?"
"I run the daycare and preschool at our church," Joan said.
"What age group," Nikki asked.
"Three months to five years," Joan said.
"Do you enjoy it," Nikki asked.
"I wouldn't do anything else," Joan said, "seeing kids take their first steps and grow from tiny babies in their mom's arms to big kids ready for kindergarten."
"Don't mention kindergarten," Nikki said, "his first birthday is hard enough for me."
"What are you doing for his birthday," Joan asked.
"Just family and a few close friends for a zoo theme," Nikki said, "nothing big."
"Friends from day care," Joan asked.
"My mom is retired and a saint," Nikki said, "he spends three days with my mom, one with my sister and one with my brother."
"Your siblings have some flexibility with work to help you," Joan asked.
"Owen and Meghan are both trauma surgeons," Nikki said, "he works Tuesday to Saturday and Meg works Thursday to Tuesday."
"You didn't want medicine," Bill asked.
"No," Nikki said, "I'm a better teacher than I would ever be a doctor."
"Are you close to your siblings," Bill asked.
"Closer to my brother," Nikki said, "Meghan was away for a long time and hasn't been home a year yet."
"How long was your sister away," Bill asked.
"Almost 12 years," Nikki answered.
"What was she doing to be gone so long," Joan asked.
"I'm the youngest by a lot," Nikki said, "Owen is 17 years older and Meg is 14 years older. She was with the army and was captured when I was 14. But she hadn't been home in 18 months by that point. I didn't grow up with my siblings the way Brett grew up with his sisters. They were in college when I was little, then med school and the army."
"I know Meghan's fiance best," Brett said.
"How do you know her fiance well," Joan asked.
"Nathan was in Kenya with us; he was with Doctors Without Borders," Brett explained.
"Yes my brother in law crashed my big adventure," Nikki laughed.
"Had you known him long," Bill asked.
"I grew up with Nate around," Nikki said, "him and Owen went to highschool, college and med school together. He started dating Meg in med school then proposed while they were in the army."
"Your Kenya trip was once in a life time," Joan said.
"We talked about going back," Brett said, "after our first year teaching."
"Life had other plans," Nikki smiled, "you should have gone."
"I wasn't being the loan old guy," Brett said, "and I hate teaching with out you."
"You can do it," Nikki said, "I was only a text or a call away."
"You were busy," Brett said.
"I would have helped how I could," Nikki said.
"Little Dude, Meghan then you were looking after Faroke while Meghan was in the hospital," Brett said.
"We all looked after the three older kids for those weeks," Nikki said, "I was only responsible for Faroke overnight. Nate had him most. I just did mornings and bedtime."
"Do you have nieces and nephews," Joan asked.
"There's lots of kids," Brett said.
"Owen and his wife Teddy have three," Nikki said, "Meghan has Faroke who Nate is in the process of adopting. Brett mentioned you may come on Sunday."
"If we're not intruding," Joan said.
"It's at my moms this week," Nikki said, "she loves having people around. We get loud there's five kids running around but it's family."
They continued chatting and getting to know each other through the meal. Nikki felt at ease the more she talked to Brett's parents. He had been right she had nothing to worry about. After their meal Brett drove Nikki home.
"I was thinking about the conference," Nikki said.
"What do you want to do," Brett asked.
"I think I'm ready to share a room," Nikki said, "but we need to talk about a couple things."
"We will only do what you want to," Brett said, "it's always your choice. We won't go any further than you want to."
"We have a few things to figure out," Nikki said, "I'll call Dr. Montgomery on Monday."
"Dr is everything okay," Brett asked.
"She's an OB GYN," Nikki said, "preventing another baby."
"I thought that was my job," Brett said.
"Both of us," Nikki said, "I'm not ready for another baby."
"We have enough going on with Ty," Brett agreed, "what do you want to do?"
"I want to try," Nikki said, "baby steps. I need all the little things between us cuddling on the couch and kissing and that."
"We can enjoy all the steps in between," Brett said, "I want to. I've been waiting for you to say you're ready. Nikki you have to tell me. I won't do it unless you tell me it's okay."
"I think I'm ready for a couple steps forward," Nikki said, "I need slow."
"We will go as slow as you want," Brett promised.
"You know I was with Jeff from the time I was 18 until Ty," Nikki said.
"I've only ever been with Candice," Brett said, "I love you. Nikki this is different. I want to do this right. We can do this however you want to."
"I want to take the next steps," Nikki said, "a couple little steps."
"Then when my parents aren't here we can take those steps," Brett agreed.
"I'd like that," Nikki said.
"My mom loved you," Brett said.
"I'm more worried about your dad," Nikki said.
"He did two," Brett promised.
They pulled into the driveway and Brett walked her to the door before kissing her good night.
He drove back to his apartment and sat down with his parents.
"I like her," Joan said.
"I love her," Brett said, "I think she's the one."
"You look happy," Joan said.
"I am," Brett said, "dad are you okay with it?"
"Does she make you happy son," Bill asked, "I liked her. She loves you I could see that. Yes she has a child who I think you care about deeply."
"I love her and I couldn't love Ty anymore if he was my own," Brett said.
"Are you treating her like a lady," Bill asked.
"I am," Brett said, "what happens is up to her."
Joan asked, "would you marry Nikki?"
"I want to," Brett said, "I've known her for a few years and we've been really good friends for a long time. We've only been an official couple since Thanksgiving. It's too soon to ask her that. We're going to a conference in six weeks. Her mom is looking after Ty for the three nights."
"You're going together," Bill asked.
"We're presenting our mathamagical adventures," Brett said, "and we're talking about sharing a room. We have a few things to discuss."
"You'll do the right thing," Joan said.
"No judging us dad," Brett said.
"You're both adults," Bill said, "do you know where she stands on church?"
"She went until she got pregnant or people found out," Brett said, "then the church her family attended was really judgemental and treated her poorly. Ridicule and refusing to talk to her and her mom. Her whole family stopped going over that and haven't found somewhere new yet. They had been there her whole life."
"Thats not a church," Bill said, "you forgive and embrace the person. You support and encourage. That was a vulnerable young woman and a new baby. They should have been welcomed and supported not pushed out."
"They should have been," Brett said, "I know she believes, we would go to church together in Kenya."
"It's whats in the heart," Bill said, "yes I like seeing people there on Sundays but god cares what's in your heart."
"She reads bible stories to Ty," Brett said, "I've read them to him. She sings sunday school songs to her son and I've joined in. I've held him and sang while she plays them on the violin."
"I like her," Bill said, "if you're happy we're happy."
"I'm excited to meet Tyler tomorrow," Joan said, "it sounds like the three of you are a little family."
"I want to be," Brett said.
"Building her trust in me slowly," Brett said.
"Build a solid foundation," Bill said, "talk, communicate. Get to know everything about her. You should know her as well as you know yourself. Not just the surface things like her coffee order."
"Vanilla rooibos tea with milk and honey," Brett said, "she doesn't do caffeine. She used to but hasn't in almost 2 years."
"More than that," Bill said, "if you want a life with her you should know everything. What cheers her up after a bad day, her deepest fear and her biggest secret and she has to know yours. You are partners, you are a team. If you want a life with her you both need to be in it 100% together."
"If you want to commit to a life with Nikki you are also committing to parenting Tyler," Joan said, "you are agreeing to raise her son with her. He can't be her son. He has to be ours, yours as well. He may not have your DNA but you will be a father figure for him. Are you ready to do that?"
"I am," Brett said, "I want life with both of them. I love her. I've never loved anyone the way I love Nikki. I can talk to her about anything. I have never felt so connected to another person. She just knows. I love her."
"Then make it work," Bill said.
"You get along well with her mom and siblings," Joan asked.
"I know Nathan and Owen a bit better," Brett said, "but I like Meghan and Teddy. Evelyn, her mom is a lot like you mom."
"Her dad," Bill asked.
"Walked out when she was 5 months," Brett said, "she met him for the first time in December. She's chosen not to see him again and to focus on the family she knows have always been there."
"As much as I want to continue this I need to go to bed," Joan said.
"You two are in my bed," Brett said, "I'll fold out the couch for myself."
"Brett we can't put you out," Bill said.
"This is what were doing," Brett declared.
They all got ready for bed. Turning out the last of the lights Brett texted Nikki, "they loved you!"
Nikki, "I really liked them. Let's give them tomorrow with Ty before they make up their minds."
Brett, "mom will love him so will dad. I just wanted to say good night."
Nikki, "good night. Sleep tight."
Brett, "don't let the bedbugs bite. I love you."
Nikki, "i love you more."
Thoughts?