2 hours had passed since Nick had arrived at their apartment. They had talked non-stop, Jesse mostly asking numerous questions about Nick, where he lives, the beach and his little girl and boy. Billie had fallen asleep on Amanda's shoulder about 30mins ago and Jesse was starting to tire. The little girl rarely took a nap these days, but the excitement was catching up with her, she could see it. As Jesse went back to colouring in, Nick sat back on the other end of the sofa he turned around to face Amanda. He didn't say anything, he just smiled and stared at her. She looked at him and tilted her head. What? She asked. Nothing he said laughing, it's just a bit odd looking at you with a sleeping baby in your arms. The last time I saw this it was Zara snuggled into you. Amanda smiled, yeah, that feels like a lifetime ago now she sighed. I had a different scene in my head 6 years ago she said looking at him again. He had his phone out and she felt her heart beat quick. You have to go? She asked. What? he replied, oh no, not at all he said, I just want to take a photo of this beautiful scene in front of me he said shyly. She smiled, and said oh nothing beautiful about this she joked, it's called thankful for a chance to sit down. He smiled and put his phone down again. Can you take a picture of me on that? asked Jesse. Amanda laughed and Nick grinned, of course I can he said, he held the phone up again and laughed when Jesse posed for her photo. Can I take a photo? the little girl asked. Sure, he said, here, take as many as you want as he handed her the phone. He turned back around to Amanda. So, he said, you ok? Yeah, she said happily, I am, and nodded her head smiling. I'll be even better when I put this one down in her crib and go to the bathroom. Nick laughed, off you go then, Jesse and I will be here waiting for you. Jesse climbed up on Nick's knee and held the phone up. Uh-Oh, someone's found the selfie option he laughed. Amanda laughed and said I'll be back in a bit. Take your time he said. After a few selfies Jesse gave him his phone back and yawned. You tired princessa? Uh-huh the little girl said as she snuggled into his chest and started to suck her thumb. How about you have a little siesta then? What's a siesta? she asked. Oh, it means a nap. But I don't want you to go home she said, oh don't you worry about that he replied, I'll be here when you wake up, she looked up at him and he saw she had her mum's eyes. Promise? He kissed her forehead and said, I promise mi pequeña princesa. He started to stroke her hair and within seconds she was sleeping.
Amanda returned and saw the sight in front of her. How long was I in there for? she whispered. Nick chuckled does she always fall asleep this fast? Not really Amanda laughed, the excitement has got her I think. He laughed and continued to stroke her hair. You've got 2 beautiful children he said smiling at her. So have you, she replied. Hmm he said, mine are too big for this now he said, I haven't done this in a long, long time he said sadly. Amanda sat down beside him, you never know she said softly, you're still young, still time for another one or 2. Oh I don't know about that said Nick, that's a big age gap between Zara, and I haven't found the right woman. He looked at her, well I did find the right woman and Amanda tilted her head, yeah but we both know what the right choice was she whispered. She took his hand and kissed it. Who knows what will happen in the future, she said smiling. Using my words back at me now are we Rollins? he chuckled, well, yeah, she smiled. She let go of his hand again and leaned over to stroke Jesse's head. He looked at the sleeping girl and said, how long will she sleep for? Erm about an hour if I let her, she said, Billie about the same. You want me to put her in her bed? Amanda sighed, sure she said, Nick moved gently and stood up, just in here? Yeah, she said as she walked behind him. She watched him gently put the little girl into her bed and tucked her in, he kissed her cheek and then stood up. He smiled as he walked out to her again, well that's something I haven't done in years he chuckled, as they both sat down on the sofa again. They chatted about different things, the girls mostly, work, and the topic moved onto their personal lives. So, have you someone waiting for you back in LA? Amanda asked cautiously. Nick smiled, no, no-one only Gil and Zara he said. I had a few dates when I first got there, but…. He went quiet. I just wasn't interested to be honest Amanda. He sighed and put his arm on the back of the couch. He looked at her and smiled sadly, how about you huh? Anyone I need to hide from while I'm in town? She laughed, no, no-one here to hide from she said. Obviously, there's been something happening with me, I've these two to show for that, but…. She went quiet, she looked at him, it just wasn't the same she said and shrugged her shoulders. She sighed and then said, and now I've got these 2 there's no time to even think of a relationship, never mind look for one she laughed. He smiled in a comforting way, well you never know. She smiled at him, yeah, you never know, and she dropped her hand on his on the back of the couch and gave it a squeeze.
He changed the subject, so I hear you're looking after Noah next week while I take Liv out for dinner. Yeah, she said, smiling again. I'm looking forward to having him over actually, he's a great kid. Yeah, said Nick nodding, he is. So where are you taking her? Erm he said, I've booked a table at a restaurant we went to a couple of times before I left, he said. Nothing fancy or anything like that he added, but a change of scenery. Amanda nodded and smiled. Yeah, she said quietly. Which leads me to my next question he said, oh yeah? she asked intrigued. Yeah, he said, I'd like to take you out for dinner sometime next week too. She went to say something, but he interrupted her saying, nothing fancy, and Liv has already said she'll take the 2 girls overnight. No, I didn't ask her to take them overnight, and yes, I told her that, in fact, I had originally asked her if Lucy would babysit while I took you out, that's when she offered to have them instead. Oh, OK said Amanda, so pick what night suits you and we'll go for dinner he said smiling. Ok she said, well you're already booked up for Monday night she laughed, how about Wednesday? Perfect he said smiling. I'll make the reservation later on. Amanda smiled, gosh I'm stupidly excited she admitted I can't remember the last time I went out without the kids she admitted. He looked at her puzzled, really? Yeah, she said…. Sonny and I went out to the movies last year, but apart from that….. oh no wait Olivia and I went out for dinner when quarantine was lifted. Ok said Nick we're definitely getting you out of here for a change of scenery. Starting today, where should we go when the girls wake up? Oh, I don't mind she answered, before you came here Jess asked to go to the park. Ok Nick said nodding….. when they wake up, we'll go out for some lunch then head to the park. Any particular park we have to go to? No, she replied, although I am getting a bit fed up of the one up the road from us. Ok he said, I know where we can go, he smiled. Thank you, Nick, she said. Anytime he said smiling. At that there was a whimper from the bedroom. And here we go again groaned Amanda. Nick laughed. Amanda returned with Billie and sat down to change her nappy. You don't mind this do you? she asked. Hey, it's your place he said. As she finished changing Billie, Jesse re-appeared. Hey sleepy head said Amanda cheerily. Hi, mummy the little girl said rubbing her eyes, hey princessa said Nick smiling. NICK! shouted Jesse as she ran to him, I didn't dream it, you're really here! Both Nick and Amanda laughed, yeah, I'm really here Jesse he said, I told you I would be here when you woke up didn't I? Uh-huh she said, but I thought I dreamed it. Aww he said hugging the little girl who was resting her head on his shoulder. Hey, he said, I heard you wanted to go to the park today is that right? Yeah, she said. Ok he said, how about we get ready and I'll take you, your sister and your mum out for some lunch then we head to the park. OK said the little girl.
Half an hour later, and the car loaded up with coats, pram, baby bag etc. Nick strapped Jesse into her car seat and then joined Amanda in the front of his car. Boy, I forgot how much kids need to get out the door he sighed. Amanda laughed, yeah, it was a bit of a shock I can tell you, try doing it alone and it takes twice as long. He looked at her and smiled sadly as she let out a relieved sigh. She turned and looked at him and smiled happily. Please tell me you didn't get those 2 seats specifically for my two she said. He smiled, Well I'd be lying if I said no, but I have to keep them safe, don't I? I would be pretty stupid to offer to take your kids out and not have the seats for them. She turned around and looked at them again. They aren't rentals Nick she said seriously, he laughed, no they're not he said, does it matter? Well yeah, she said, you've went to all that trouble for a couple of car journeys she said. Nick smiled at her don't you worry about that he said tapping her knee. He started the car and they drove off. As they were sitting in traffic Jesse was talking away to Nick and he was answering back. Amanda looked around the car taking all in. There was something about this car that she couldn't put her finger on. It was too clean, too new to be a rental. She looked over at Nick again, he was looking at Jesse in the mirror and talking to her. She returned to looking out the front window as they started to move again. Pulling into the parking lot for lunch Nick looked over to her. You OK there? he asked concerned. Yeah, she said turning to look at him, just thinking about a few things she said giving a smile to re-assure him. Let's go she said, I'm hungry. Nick smiled, well I see some things never change with you he teased. Nope, she shouted as she opened the door that never changes she smiled.
Amanda opened the back door of the car to get Jesse out of her seat, while Nick lifted Billie out of her seat and into his arms. Ok he said looking around him, I've the baby, we've a pequeña princesa and we've got a mummy. Are we missing anyone? teased Nick. What's that word before princess asked Jesse looking at him while holding her mum's hand. Amanda smiled, little princess she said sweetly, and looked at Nick shyly. Oh, OK said Jesse, is that ok to call you that? Nick asked her. Yep she said, because I am a princess. The 2 adults laughed, that you are said Nick. Ok so if we have everyone are we ready to go get some food. Yes please said Amanda, and I don't care what we've forgotten. I need food.
They walked in and were seated by a window. Nick sat Billie into the highchair that was provided for them, Amanda sat down beside Jesse and Nick sat opposite them both. They ordered food and chatted while they waited. Jesse was excitable again and wouldn't sit still. Amanda was starting to get slightly annoyed with the little girl. Jess come on now honey she said, you've gotta sit down on your seat. But mummy, I wanna sit beside Nick the girl whined. Amanda sighed, Nick stepped in, Jesse if I let you come sit beside me you have to sit nicely like mummy asks to you OK? OK said the little girl. Nick looked at Amanda, is it OK if she sits beside me or do you want her there, Amanda smiled, no, work away she smiled wearily, thank you she said looking at him. I'm not used to having help when I'm out with them she said quietly, this usually ends up in a shouting match. OK said Nick, Jesse, climb under the table and come and sit here he said, but if you don't do as mummy asks, you'll have to go back over beside her. Jesse climbed under and climbed up on the seat beside Nick. She sat down with a smile and giggled. What do you say to Nick said Amanda, Thank you sang the little girl. OK said Nick, he smiled at Amanda, thank your lucky stars she's not like Zara when she was this age he laughed. Oh you stay long enough you'll see her giving Zara a run for her money she laughed. The food arrived and Amanda was delighted, oh you have no idea how much I'm looking forward to this she said smiling, and there's the Rollins I'm used to laughed Nick. She tried to give him a, don't say another word look, but she couldn't stay serious. Nick helped cut Jesse's food while Amanda sorted Billie's food. They chatted over lunch and there was lots of laughter. Billie started to get a bit restless, so Nick made a fuss of her. As he lifted the little girl from the chair into his arms, an older couple walked past and stopped. I hope you don't mind us saying this the lady said, but We were just watching your lovely little family and saying how well behaved your girls are, and it's lovely to hear laughter coming from a table instead of crying and shouting. Amanda blushed and Nicked sat down with Billie, aww thank you he said but we're…. Amanda cut in, Thank you, she said, that's a lovely thing to hear. You're very welcome dear said the older man, you have a beautiful family, congratulations. And with that they walked off. Nick sat speechless staring at Amanda, and she busted out laughing. Trust me Nick she said, it's much easier to agree than start to explain and embarrass everyone. Both Liv and I have worked that one out a long time ago. Noah has 2 sisters and is a great big brother when we go out, she laughed. Nick didn't know what to say, OK he said. Hey Amanda said, as long as they're not complaining they can think what they want she said. He laughed, wow he said. Hey said Amanda, if you're uncomfortable with it let me know and if it happens again we can tell the truth, no, no, said Nick quickly, as long as you're happy and comfortable then I'm good he smiled as Billie started tapping his head. Ok nodded Amanda, you're sure? Yes of course I am he said, as long as you're happy and comfortable with that, that's all I care about he said. She smiled. Ok she said, how about I get the bill and we head to the park. Yay said Jesse. Nick got up and said, I've got this one, no Nick said Amanda, My treat, honestly, you've no idea what you've done for me today already. Nick said Ok, you do that and I'll put these two in the car again. OK she smiled, see you out there.
Bill paid and kids strapped in the car again they set off to the park.