Nick woke the next morning just before 9am. He could hear Fin in the guest room snoring. He laughed to himself, then got up to go to the bathroom. Washed and dressed he headed downstairs, noticing that there were no snoring sounds now, so he guessed that Fin was up. He put the coffee machine on and set about making some breakfast. Fin appeared not long after. Hey big guy said Nick, breakfast? Oh yes please grumbled Fin. Nick dished up and the 2 men sat at the breakfast bar to eat. So, what's your plans for today? Asked Nick. I'm picking Phoebe up and we're heading out for the day he said, less than happy. Something about needing new clothes for some event she has at the end of the month. Nick laughed, sounds like lots of fun he said trying not to smile more than he was. Yeah, grunted Fin doesn't it just. I'm just looking forward for the food he said. We've got the little guy tonight he said a bit more cheerily so that makes up for it. Nick smiled and nodded. That sounds better, I'll admit.
So said Fin as he finished his breakfast, what's the plan for you today? Nick sighed and puffed out his cheeks, I don't know he said, I'm going to Amanda's to meet the girls, and see what happens from there he shrugged. I'm not sure how Jesse is going to react to me turning up at the apartment, she still seems to think I don't live in this world…. Before he could say anything else, Fin interrupted. Aww don't be worrying about that he said, I was talking to her the other night when Amanda left something at the station, I was talking to her about you and how you were my friend too. She done nothing but smile and talk about you man, so put any worries like that to the back of your mind, honestly, he said, I showed her the photos I have of the 4 of us on my desk. Yeah? Laughed Nick, well she's going to be disappointed when an old guy shows up, he laughed. Fin threw his napkin at Nick, don't be stupid Amaro he said jokingly, and don't talk about me like that. Ok, Nick said pretending to surrender, but honestly said Fin, she was in awe that a) I had the same photo as her mum, and b) that we were all together in the photo and happy. Nick smiled, yeah we were happy back then weren't we? Hey man, we still are said Fin. Yeah, we are said Nick nodding.
Anyway, said Fin, I'm gonna have to make a move. He went to lift the dishes to wash them… no Fin leave them said Nick, I'll stick them in the dishwasher. You sure? Yeah, Nick smiled, I'm sure. Thanks man said Fin as he gave him a hug. I'll catch up with you in the week? You will indeed said Nick smiling. OK see you then smiled Fin. As he turned to leave Fin stopped and turned around, Nick? he said. Yeah Fin? It's great having you back here he said, I mean that. We've all missed you. Nick smiled shyly; I've missed you lot too he said. I've only been back a day, but it's great to be home. Fin smiled and nodded. Home…. Nick laughed, yeah, home Fin, which is where you need to go now.
After Fin left, Nick sent a text to Amanda;
Hey, let me know when you're ready for me to come over x
He loaded the dishwasher and went back to read the reply.
Anytime you're ready, we're just chilling here x
He replied back; OK I'll be over soon x
The reply; see you soon xxx
Amanda sat her phone down on the arm of the couch and took a deep breath in. This was it; he was coming over and was going to meet her 2 daughters. She was both excited and nervous at the same time. Have you to go to work mummy? Asked Jesse sadly. No baby she smiled reassuringly. That was just my friend asking me a question. Jesse smiled, good she said. Can we go to the park today? Amanda smiled at her as she lifted her onto her knee. Sure, we can, but we need to wait until this afternoon if that's OK, mummy has a few jobs to do this morning she lied. OK mummy said Jesse. Amanda gave her a kiss and the little girl returned to playing with her baby sister. Amanda smiled. This is it she said to herself, no turning back now. She got up and went into her bedroom, brushed her hair again, checked her face and went to the kitchen to put the kettle on.
20minutes later Nick pulled up in the parking garage of Amanda's apartment block. He turned the car off and sat there. He took a deep breath in and slowly let it out. OK Amaro, it's just Rollins and her 2 girls, why are you so nervous you twat? He opened the door and headed towards the lift.
Amanda heard the door knock and her heart beat faster than she ever thought it could. Her hands were sweaty, and she felt wobbly at the knees. Christ Rollins, she scolded herself, would you wise up to yourself. Jesse calling her brought her back to focus. What's that honey? Someone's at the door the little girl said. Oh, Ok, she said, you know what Jess, I have a feeling it's for you. The little girl looked at her oddly. I'm not allowed to have friends over mummy she said confused. The virus said I can't. Amanda laughed at her daughter's words; well….. I think this time we can make an exception she said smiling. Go on, she said, go ahead and open the door honey. As the little girl went to the door Amanda put her phone up to record the meeting. As the little girl pulled the door she stepped back, and her mouth opened wide. Amanda saw Nick standing in front of her little girl with a huge grin on his face. Hola Jesse! he said. Jesse stood back and gasped, WOW she said loudly, then when she realized what was happening, she screamed NICK! and ran towards him giggling. Amanda couldn't stop the tears forming in her eyes. Nick, it's really you shouted the little girl as he picked her up in his arms. Yeah, he laughed, it's really me princessa. Jesse wrapped her arms around his neck and squeezed him tight. You're real she said in awe, you're really real, she repeated as she let go and started feeling his face with her hands. I am he said softly to her and kissed her forehead. It's great to finally meet you properly he said smiling. The little girl sniffed, I thought would never ever, ever, meet you she said, Noah tells me saw you in real life but I never. Well now you can tell Noah you have, he said kindly to her, and she moved her hands over his cheeks and up to his hair. It's really you she said quietly. Hey, do you think I can come in and see your mum and sister? Sure, she said excitedly, He put her down and she took his hand, then she shouted mummy Nick's here, Nick's really here, I'm not pretending. Amanda laughed and wiped the tears from her eyes, yeah, I see that baby she said. Jesse was jumping up and down now still holding Nick's hand. I'm so excited mummy he's really real. Nick laughed as did Amanda, I know she said looking at Nick, I told you he was real didn't I? Yeah, said the little girl, and so did uncle Fin. Amanda sat her phone down on the cradle to continue recording as Nick and Jesse made it closer to her. He had the biggest grin on his face as he walked over to her and put his arm out to give her a hug. She walked towards him and he pulled her in, kissed her temple and said, Hey you, you OK? She hugged him tightly and replied, yeah, I am now she said. Jesse had reluctantly let go of Nick's hand when she saw he wanted to give her mum a hug, she stood watching them, mummy why are you crying? Amanda released Nick and he looked at her, he wiped away her tears with his thumb as she smiled at him, oh I'm not crying because I'm sad she said as she turned to face the little girl, these are happy tears she said and picked her up in her arms. I'm happy that you are getting to meet Nick properly she smiled. Did you know Nick was coming to visit us? Asked Jesse. I did said Amanda, but I wanted to surprise you she added. Jesse hugged her mum tightly and said, thank you mummy she said, this is the bestest surprise present ever. Amanda smiled and kissed her daughter's head. Aww you have to thank Nick she said looking back at him. You have to thank him for coming to visit us. At this stage Nick was in the process of picking up Billie who had toddled over to him. Hey bebita he said to the baby, ICK said Billie and giggled, yeah, he said and smiled at Amanda. Jesse reached out to Nick again and he reached over to take her from Amanda's arms with his free arm. Thank you for coming to visit us said the little girl. Oh, I wouldn't have missed this for the world he said smiling at Amanda. With both girls in his arms Amanda wiped her tears again and said OK hold on you 3, I want a photo of this she said smiling. She lifted her phone and stopped recording, then took a picture of the 3 of them. As Nick crunched down to put the 2 girls down Jesse held tighter to him and said, you're not leaving are you Nick? she looked at him concerned. Oh no princessa I'm not leaving just yet he smiled. If it's ok with you I thought, I'd stay with you 3 for a while? Yay she cheered; can he mummy? Amanda laughed, of course he's staying baby she smiled at her daughter then at Nick. Nick stood up and said, well now that that's settled who would like some presents? Jesse laughed and said yes please… Amanda went to say something, and Nick stopped her, I know I didn't have to he smiled at her, but I wanted to, he said as he walked past her towards the door. He lifted in 3 gift bags, one for each of them. He handed one to Amanda as well as a bunch of beautiful flowers, then walked over to Jesse and gave her a gift bag, finally he sat on the couch and lifted Billie onto his knee as he opened the bag for her. WOW announced Jesse as she pulled out the gifts. Wow wow wow, she repeated, thank you she said. I love these. You're very welcome he said and ran his hand through her hair. Look mummy the little girl said, wow said Amanda walking over to joining them on the couch they're pretty she said smiling. Thank you she whispered to Nick, He had bought both Billie and Jesse pyjamas, a doll, a bracelet and a snow globe from LA. He also had some sweets, and colouring in books and pencils in the bags too. Wow said Jesse as she looked at the snow globe, it's the beach! It's so pretty she gasped. You have to take really good care of that said Amanda, that's very special. It really is said Jesse and went over to hug Nick. Amanda stood up and said, you want tea or coffee? Tea please he smiled, I've already had 2 coffees this morning. She walked over to the kitchen she heard him follow. Have you looked in your bag yet? he asked. No, she blushed, Nick you really didn't have to…. Sshh he said, I know, just look in the bag will you. She smiled and opened the bag and laughed out loud, Oh, you're the best she said, as she lifted out the chocolate she loved but could only get in duty free, as well as a few other sweets she loved. She then saw a smaller bag and lifted it out, it was a necklace. Wow Nick she gasped this is far too much. He walked over to her, no it's not he said. She turned to face him and gave him another hug. He held her tight as she said, you've no idea how much I've missed you. He laughed well not that much he joked you've got 2 beautiful girls over there since I last saw you. She hit him playfully, that conversation is for another day, not today she added. He kissed her head and put his hand on the back of her head, she always loved it when he done this to her. I'm only joking he said. I know you are she replied. They broke their hug when she heard Jesse asking for a drink. As they both parted and cleared their throats just to make a sound, Nick said how about you come and show me this colouring book. OK said Jesse and they headed back to the sofa. Amanda stood watching them and lifted her phone and took a picture. Smiling she put her phone in her pocket and carried the 2 teas over to join the others.