A month after the conference Nikki invited Brett to spend the weekend at her place, the school year had ended and they had a week off before summer session.

After Nikki had tucked Tyler in Brett poured a couple glasses of wine.

"Wine," Nikki said.

"Little dude is in bed," Brett said, "you don't mind a glass at home."

"I'm just surprised, we don't normally do this," Nikki said, taking the glass he offered her.

"We're on vacation. This week off what do you want to do," Brett asked.

"I need to spend time with Ty," Nikki said.

"Just a quiet week," Brett asked.

"We need it," Nikki said, "he's being clingy."

"He's okay with me," Brett said.

"But he's been having a hard time going to my mom in the morning," Nikki said.

"His glasses still," Brett asked.

"No," Nikki said, "he grabs them off the changing table when I change him in the morning he knows he needs them. I think it's just a phase. Mom said at his age the only person I tolerated other than her was Meghan. My poor sister."

"Netflix, Disney, a movie," Brett asked.

"What's in your plex account," Nikki asked.

"Some Game of Thrones," Brett suggested.

"Sure," Nikki agreed.

He grabbed the remote off the coffee table and navigated to the episode they had left off on. Nikki curled up against him on the couch. They watched a couple episodes before deciding it was time for bed. They hadn't shared a bed since the conference a month earlier, they both wanted to.

Saturday morning Brett woke up first hearing Ty babble in his crib. Nikki was curled up sound asleep in his arms, her hair spread across the pillow, she looked peaceful and he didn't want to disturb her. He gently freed his arm from under her and slowly got up grabbing his sweat pants from beside the bed as he walked to Ty's room. He wasn't sure if it was the right thing but he was going to change Ty's diaper and decide from there.

"Hi little dude, are you awake," Brett asked walking in.

"Where Mama," Tyler asked.

"Still asleep," Brett said, "let's get you changed then we can wake her up."

"Mama," Ty said, "mama milk."

"Do you want a cup of milk," Brett asked.

"Mama," Tyler said.

"Okay let's get you cleaned up and your glasses," Brett said, he lifted Ty out of the crib and onto the changing table. He put Ty's glasses on making sure the strap went around his head and changed his diaper.

"Ett mama," Tyler said again.

"Let's go see your mom," Brett said.

He carried Tyler back to Nikki's room, he knew she liked morning cuddles with Ty on the weekends and she had talked about how much she missed it when they were at the conference. Brett placed Tyler on the bed near Nikki and sat on the edge.

"Mama," Ty said, crawling on top of Nikki.

"How did you get here," Nikki asked waking up to the sloppy baby kisses, "where's Brett?"

"Good morning gorgeous," Brett said.

"Are all of us having a morning snuggle," Nikki asked.

"I guess," Brett said.

"Mama milk," Ty asked.

"Do you mind," Nikki asked looking at Brett.

"Go ahead," Brett said, "do you want me to go?"

"It's up to you I know it's still early for you," Nikki said.

"I'll sit with my two favorite people," Brett smiled.

Feeding Tyler Nikki said, "he's down to first thing and after noon nap and bedtime. We do a sippy cup with milk for his morning nap now. It's a slow gradual process."

"What do you want to do today," Brett asked.

"Let's find a park we haven't been to before and take Ty exploring," Nikki suggested, "pack a picnic."

"Pike place after," Brett suggested, "find interesting Things for dinner and cook together?"

"Sounds good to me," Nikki smiled, "I should clean this guy up and get him dressed."

"He's clean, I changed him when I picked him up," Brett said, "it's only seven we have time to have a lazy morning."

"Breakfast, shower, get ready," Nikki said, "I was going to make French toast and turkey bacon."

"I can cook," Brett suggested.

"I like to," Nikki smiled, "let's do it together."

"It's seven thirty on a Saturday and we're on vacation. We don't have to get up now," Brett said.

"You don't," Nikki answered, "Ty will have enough cuddles in about five minutes and want to play. We're kind of on his schedule, love."

"I can play with him if you want to shower," Brett suggested.

"I'll go," Nikki said, "I like this time with him. I know he's an early bird for you. Why don't you shower first."

"Do you share a hot water tank with your brother's family," Brett asked.

"Instant on," Nikki answered, "we can all shower and do laundry at the same time with enough hot water. The water pressure drops upstairs but we're fine were closest to the heater."

"Do you mind if I shower," Brett asked.

"Go for it," Nikki replied.

Tyler began climbing off the bed so Nikk lifted him down and followed him to the living room where they found his cars to play with.

After breakfast they packed a picnic and drove to a park near the water.

"Did Brett stay last night," Teddy asked, watching them leave.

"I think his truck was here when I got home at one," Owen said, "he doesn't normally stay that late then to come back now wouldn't make sense."

"He stayed over then," Teddy said, "they're on vacation this week. They were in the yard with me and the kids last night playing. Something happened at the conference. They're more physical with each other. It's sweet, hand holding, his arm around her waist. We had a fire last night and she was leaning on him with Tyler in her arms. It was nice to see that for her."

"It's too soon," Owen said.

"We were dating months before we were having Allison and living together," Teddy said, "she's known him since GTEP. So four years now. I hadn't known you much longer when I moved across the country for you."

"It's my little sister," Owen said.

"She's 26 in a couple weeks," Teddy reminded.

"I know," Owen said.

"He's taking her out," Teddy said, "he asked me to babysit."

"He's planning her birthday," Owen asked.

"He is," Teddy said, "he knows about the dinner on the actual day at your moms but is taking her out the night before."

"Why is he staying over," Owen asked.

"I think they want the time together and it's easier to be here," Teddy said, "this is the first time."

"What if he hurts her," Owen asked.

"Then we help her work it out," Teddy said, "from someone who has had the jackass ex boyfriends I think she's learned. She had to learn from experience because she never had it modeled for her growing up. I didn't know what it should look like. My parents hated each other and they made themselves miserable for me. She's learned that she can be okay on her own. She knows she likes having Brett and some one but she also knows she's capable of being on her own and happy on her own. That's a huge lesson to learn, being happy on your own. She knows she can be happy and succeed without a partner. She is choosing to have Brett as part of her life."

"I still don't like it," Owen grumbelled.

"You don't have to," Teddy retorted, "she's happy. Owen, she was so relaxed last night with him holding her. I've never seen that from her before."

"I dont like guys touching my sisters," Owen said.

"Meghan is getting married, Nikki is dating," Teddy said, "they both have children."

"I tried to pretend Nikki was innocent as long as possible," Owen said.

"You have to let her grow up," Teddy said, "stop protecting her. You're only going to hurt and drive her away like this."

At the park Nikki and Brett sat on a picnic blanket feeding Tyler lunch, he was getting to be a good eater now and ate most things Nikki did. He would try anything to her relief.

"Nik," Jeff said standing at the edge of the blanket.

"Jeff," Nikki said, "this is Brett."

"Why is he feeding my son," Jeff asked.

"Because he likes Ty," Nikki said, "they have a cute bond."

"Are you dating," Jeff asked.

"We are," Nikki said.

"For how long," Jeff pressed.

"Seven months," Brett added, "we've met before. It's good to see you man."

"I don't want you around my son," Jeff said.

"You haven't even spoken to Tyler yet or acknowledged him," Nikki pointed out.

"Nik can I speak to you alone," Jeff asked.

"Whatever you want to say you can say here," Nikki snapped, "and do not call me Nik again. Nikki or Nicole."

"I'm waiting for my son to come see me," Jeff snapped, "but you seem to be letting him think your boyfriend is his parent."

"Brett is around a lot, he has chosen to be part of both of our lives," Nikki said, "Ty calls him ett. We're still working on the B R sound. But he's only 14 months so give us time. Ty talks more than Daniel who is 6 weeks older. Jeff we have an agreement that you're not holding up."

"What do you mean," Jeff asked.

"You've only paid child support twice in his entire life, you don't see him and you didn't show up to court," Nikki said, "Jeff I'm holding up my end here. I send you a weekly update with photos and videos, I reach out and ask when you want to see him. When you have asked to see him I bent over backwards to bring him to you. I email your mom once a week with updates. You didn't even come to his birthday party."

"Why is he ignoring me," Jeff asked.

"Because he doesn't know you," Nikki said she was fighting to stay calm and collected for her son.

"Why is he clinging to you," Jeff asked..

"He doesn't know you," Nikki said, "he only knows the people he sees all the time. Hes 14 months. It's your choice."

Jeff stepped closer to Nikki and tried to grab Tyler from her.

"No," Tyler yelled, "mama."

"Jeff dont grabb at him," Nikki warned.

"He's my son," Jeff growled.

"You're scaring him," Nikki said she held Tyler closer, rubbing his back.

"I want to see him," Jeff said.

"You're looking at him," Nikki said, "you wouldn't have reached out today if you didn't see us?"

"That's not the point Nik," Jeff yelled.

"This isn't productive," Nikki said, "and it's almost naptime. We're going to go before I have a very cranky boy on my hands."

"I want to see him before you leave," Jeff demanded.

"Enough," Brett said, intervening.

"Who are you to tell me what to do," Jeff challenged.

"I love them," Brett said, "I see Nikki everyday, I see Tyler most. Do you know what your son's favourite toy is?"

"Those baby ring things," Jeff guessed.

"Cars," Brett answered, "his red race car."

"What does it matter," Jeff asked.

"He's your child and you don't even know his favourite toy. You didn't know that when he gets scared and tired he hides his face in Nikki's shoulder and grabs onto her hair with one hand," Brett said.

"Do you want to be his dad," Jeff insinuated.

"I couldn't love him more if he was mine," Brett said.

"Stop," Nikki said stepping in between the two men, "Jeff you need to go back to your day. We're going to pack up our stuff and I'm going to take Ty home for a nap before he's cranky and won't sleep."

"What ever," Jeff growled, "I told you what I wanted you to do two years ago."

"Never say that in front of Tyler again," Nikki said, "you need to leave."

Jeff stalked off while Nikki held tightly to her son, her head hanging low kissing the top of her son's head while he patted her cheek.

"Mama," Tyler said.

"Yes mommy loves you very much," Nikki said, "I love you little man."

Brett saw her looking broken and dejected. He had watched her protect her son even as she was breaking.

Brett wrapped his arms around both of them holding Nikki close.

"You're okay," Brett whispered, "what do you need?"

"To go home," Nikki said.

"Okay you hold Ty and cuddle him, I'll get everything packed up," Brett said. He threw containers back in the cooler and toys in the diaper bag. Nikki folded the blanket with one hand and put it in the bottom of the stroller. They wordlessly walked back to the car and Brett drove to Nikki's.

Nikki got Tyler down for his nap and walked into her room closing the door. She just needed to collect herself.

"Nikki," Brett asked through the door, "can I come in?"

"Yes," Nikki said.

Brett sat beside her.

"Sorry you had to see that," Nikki said, "it wasn't my finest moment."

"You stood up for Ty," Brett said.

"Did you mean what you said about Ty," Nikki asked.

"Yes," Brett said, "you and Tyler, that's what I want. I love you."

"I love you," Nikki said.

"What do you need love," Brett asked, "do you want to talk to Owen? Meghan? Teddy?"

"I need a hug," Nikki said, "I need you to make me feel safe."

"How do I do that," Brett asked.

"Just be here," Nikki said.

"I can do that," Brett said.

"I want nothing to do with him," Nikki said, "but he is Ty's father. I can't deny my son his father."

"He has good men," Brett said, "your brothers."

"You," Nikki said, "as much as you want to be there."

"I want to be here with you everyday," Brett said.

Teddy knocked on the door to the basement.

"Hey," Nikki said, opening the door.

"Can you," Teddy began, "wait have you been crying?"

"We ran into Jeff at the park," Nikki said, "he was him and horrible."

"What did he say," Teddy asked.

"What he always does but in front of Ty and Brett," Nikki cried.

"Come here squirt," Teddy said, holding her arms out for a hug.

Nikki let Teddy hug her.

"You are stronger than this," Teddy said, "you are stronger than him. I know this hurts and you're embarrassed but that's on him. You don't control him. You are doing everything in your power to give Ty everything. He is a happy little boy."

"Hey," Brett said, "you okay?"

Nikki nodded and wiped the tears from her eyes.

"You came down to ask something," Nikki said.

"Next weekend can you babysit," Teddy asked.

"Which day," Nikki asked.

"Saturday," Teddy said, "we both have to work."

"I can," Nikki said, "trade me cars so I can take the kids out?"

"Always," Teddy replied.

"I'll help," Brett offered, "I know four is a handful."

"Do you really want to," Nikki asked.

"Any time," Brett agreed.

"Do you have plans for the rest of the weekend," Teddy asked.

"Pike place after nap," Nikki said, "then making dinner together and we'll see. Were both off this week."

"Enjoy the week off," Teddy said, "Daniel is going to be up in a minute."

"Have fun," Nikki said watching Teddy walk back upstairs.