The car pulled up into a partially wooded area and he shut the engine off. OK he announced, here we are. Wow gasped Jesse, can we play in those trees? Amanda laughed, and Nick said I suppose you could if you wanted to, but there's a great play park behind them that would be much more fun I think. OK, said Jesse, let's go. Nick laughed, alright then, let's go. He got out of the car and opened the boot. He lifted the pram out and tried to set it up. Amanda had just gotten Jesse out when he said, Ok Rollins, you sort this thing out and I'll get the baby, it's easier than this contraption. Amanda laughed as she put her hand on his back and patted it. You go do the easy job then Amaro leave me to do the hard work. OK and he walked away laughing. After Nick strapped Billie into her pram they started walking along the tree lined path. Amanda was pushing he pram, and Jesse was holding Nick's hand, with his other hand in his pocket. They walked slowly down the path as Jesse let go and went to skip ahead of them. Where are we Nick? asked Amanda, I've never seen this place before, it's beautiful. And not that far away from me too, she said shocked. It's not agreed Nick, it's actually only 5 minutes away from my house he said, it's one of the things that my grandfather liked about the house and why it was so popular to rent he added. The house is in this area? said Amanda. Yeah, he said, about 5 minutes' drive up that way he said. It's quiet and very friendly. Lots of families living around there I've found he said. As they continued to talk Billie started making a fuss, so Amanda stopped and let her out of the pram to walk. The toddler ran ahead to meet her sister. Here Nick she said, will you take the stroller for a minute so I can take a photo of the girls? Sure, he said as they swapped over, he pushed the pram along and Amanda walked a bit closer to the girls to take some photos. Hey girls turn around for mummy she said. Jesse stopped and got her sister to smile for mummy. Cheeeeese they both said. Aww beautiful said Amanda. Nick had stopped behind them and took a picture of Amanda taking the girls' photo. She stood back up and walked back towards Nick. As she did, she laughed, you suit that Amaro she joked and took a photo of him pushing the pram. He blushed, yeah? he said, it's awkward, the wheels don't turn at the front. Amanda laughed, I've got them locked that's why. She walked over to him and smiled, here I'll take it again for you. No, no he said, I'm good here he smiled. Amanda put her hands in her pockets and walked beside him. After a few minutes they both heard Jesse shout look mummy! Amanda smiled and went to her and exclaimed, Wow Jess that's amazing isn't it? Jesse then ran over to Nick pulling his coat, come on Nick, look it's so pretty. Nick followed over as Amanda held Billie's side pointing to something. Oh wow, he said surprised, this is cool. It was a lovely little fairy garden that had been set up in a corner of the wooded area. Amanda took some photos of the girls, and Nick then said, hey turn around so I can get a picture of the 3 of you. After a few more pictures a gentleman was walking past with his children. Hey mate, would you like me to take a photo of you all? Nick looked at Amanda and she smiled, sure he said, thanks mate. He took a couple of photos and went away again after Nick and Amanda said thank you. She sat Billie back into the pram and Jesse was holding onto the handle. Let's see the photo then Amanda said to Nick. He brought up the photos and he said, they're pretty good he said laughing. Aw they're amazing, cooed Amanda, you need to send me those Nick so I can print them off. Jesse won't be able to say you're not real then if we have a picture of you and her, she laughed. He chuckled and said of course I'll send them to you. Ok let's go find this playpark he said loudly. Jesse had walked around to her mum and Nick and was holding Nick's hand again. Amanda pushed the pram and was a few steps behind, watching Nick point things out to Jesse and her pointing things to him. She smiled and took a few photos. Then she watched as Nick picked Jesse up so she could reach for a flower on a high branch. She took a photo of this moment then walked to join them. It's for you mummy said Jesse as she handed the flower to Amanda. Still in Nick's arms Amanda teared up. Aw thank you honey she said and leant up to kiss her daughter. She smiled at Nick and he smiled back trying to hold in his grin.
They eventually reached the playpark and Jesse screamed in delight, Billie started shaking the pram to get out, so Amanda undone the straps and let the toddler run free. The 2 children went separate ways, here you go to Jesse and I'll take Billie said Nick. Ok she said, you've got the stroller then she laughed, great he said, I chose the wrong child I change my mind. Amanda laughed jogging away, too late Amaro. Nick laughed and pushed the pram over to where the toddler was trying to climb. Ok bebita, let's have a play on the swings. Nick carried her over, sat her in the swing and started to push her. She started giggling and screaming in delight loudly. Nick laughed at the child, he hadn't felt this happy, and relaxed in a long, long time. Lost in his thoughts and still smiling at the little girl in front of him he didn't realise that Amanda and Jesse had joined him. Amanda nudged him with her hip, hey day dreamer, you OK there? Shaking him back to the present he startled, oh what? Yeah, I'm Ok he said, and he smiled and let out a contented sigh. I just got lost in her laughter there for a sec. Amanda felt her heart melting, aww she said rubbing his arm, you really did get lost there didn't you? He smiled shyly, yeah, I did he tried to chuckle. He put his arm around her and kissed her head, where's little miss princess? he asked, looking for her, right here said Jesse laughing as she tugged his coat on his other side. Hey, he said smiling and letting go of Amanda he picked the little girl up and sat her on a swing beside her sister. How do you say that in Spanish? asked Jesse. Say what princesa? Little Miss Princess the girl giggled, ah Nick grinned, pequeña señorita princesa. Jesse tried to repeat it. That's a bit tricky she said scrunching her nose. Nick and Amanda laughed; you'll get it someday replied Nick smiling. As he pulled the swing towards him he said to Amanda, someone's got her mum's stumped look he laughed. Yeah, said Amanda, I know. He let the swing go. It was Jesse's turn to laugh and squeal in delight now. Nick stood back and watched the 2 girls pointing at each other and laughing. Amanda just watched him. She took a photo of him staring at the 2 girls, then walked a bit behind Nick and took another photo of the 3 of them as Nick gave them another push. She recorded a short video then walked up beside him again and looped her arm through his and leant against him. You miss Zara like this don't you? Nick looked down at her. I do yeah, he said, and I didn't realise how much she had grown up until today he said sadly. He placed his hand on hers and sighed. She looked up at him and smiled sadly. Well, you can take these 2 anytime you want she joked, I'll even pay the airfare myself. He laughed quietly. No airfare required he said. She stood back still linking his arm and stared at him. What does that mean? she asked. Oh, nothing he smiled, nothing yet anyway he said quietly, I'll talk to you another time about it. She was speechless, scared and worried all at the same time. And he could see it on her face. Hey, Hey Mi querida he whispered and turned around and put his arms around her, there's nothing to be worried or scared about he reassured her and kissed her forehead. She hugged him tightly and said into his chest, you promise me Nick? He kissed her head and placed his hand at the back of her head, I promise Amanda, he whispered, and you'll be the first to know anything. At that moment Billie started to whine, they came back to the present and both smiled shyly, cleared their throats and let go of each other, I promise he said again louder as he went over to Billie to push the swing again. OK said Amanda looking at him sternly, you better keep that promise she said as she pushed Jesse.
After another 20mins or so going from various things in the park they decided it was time to leave. Aww I don't want to go home whined Jesse, no! said Billie. Nick laughed, wow he said, both of them are just mini you's aren't they? Too much sometimes sighed Amanda. OK said Nick, let's go he said to Jesse, he walked over to her and picked her up in his arms, I'll carry you back to the car, shall I? Amanda was about to put a crying Billie into the pram when Nick said, here give her to me. Amanda went to protest, and he said, no really, give her to me. She placed her other daughter into his other arm, and he started walking away. When Jesse realized they were going back through the wooded area she wanted down, so Nick put her down and walked beside Amanda still carrying Billie. They talked the whole way back to the car. As Nick put a sleeping Billie into the car Jesse announced she needed the toilet. Oh, there's none here panicked Amanda, can you hold it till we get back home honey? Jesse nodded, OK. As they both closed the back doors Nick said to Amanda, how about we stop off at my house so she can go there? Do you mind? blushed Amanda, I need to go too she laughed. Nick laughed out loud, OK back to my house it is then, he said grinning. Literally 5 mins later Nick pulled into a driveway. Wow said Amanda out loud, this is really your house she said turning to Nick. It is he replied smiling, it's beautiful she replied. Here, take the keys and you two head on into the bathroom, I'll lift Billie out, I'll make us some coffee. Ok she said, thank you. There's a small toilet just as you walk in the door to the right. Next door to the sitting room he said. Bigger bathroom is upstairs 1st on the left. Ok let's go Jess she said, where are we going mummy? she asked. Into Nick's house to use the bathroom. Oh, ok was the reply. Nick lifted the still sleeping baby out of the car and followed them in. He walked into the sitting room and made a little barrier of cushions down the side of the chair and laid the little girl down to carry on sleeping. He then walked into the kitchen and put the coffee maker on.
He went back into the living room and sat down on the other sofa in the room. Amanda and Jesse joined him in the room a few minutes later and Jesse jumped up beside him and snuggled into his side. Thank you, Nick, she said. He put his hand on the top of her head and said smiling, you're very welcome princesa. Amanda joined them both on the same sofa. Yes, thank you she sighed; she wasn't holding that till we got home she laughed. She sat back and lay her head on the back of the sofa, wow this is a comfy couch she said. It is said Nick, it's one of the new things I got for here when I got the place re-decorated. You picked well she said. She let herself relax into the couch and let out a sigh. You OK there Rollins? he said trying not to laugh. Mmhmm she replied. He laughed as he got up, you want coffee, tea or a nap? He joked standing beside her. She opened her eyes and looked up at him, playfully smiling at him she loosely held his fingers just beside her and said if I can have all 3 that would be great. He laughed at her and walked into the kitchen again. I'll see what I can do he called back. She sat smiling as Jesse snuggled into her, I like this house mummy she said. Do you? she said laughing, you've only seen the toilet and this room. I know said the little girl, but I still like it. Amanda laughed and kissed her daughter's head.
Nick returned to the room and had a tray with him. Ok he said, juice and biscuits for Jesse, and tea and coffee for mummy, he looked at her trying to stop his grin. Ha-ha very funny she said sarcastically. Well, I try to please he said, nothing wrong with having both he said. Jesse had jumped up to take her juice, careful Jess, no spilling any of that she said. I won't mummy. Nick sat back down on the sofa and took a drink of his coffee. So, what are you going to have? I think I'll have my tea 1st she said looking at him. He nodded smiling. Amanda turned around on the sofa to face him and realized it was smaller than she 1st thought. Well seeing as we're staying a while he said, if you don't mind, I'm going to take my shoes off. Jesse then piped up can I take my shoes off mummy? Amanda looked at Nick and he laughed, how about we all take our shoes off? Then we're all comfy. Jesse sat down on the floor and removed her shoes and then carried them over to a spot beside the fireplace. She then went and lifted Nick's and done the same. Then returned when Amanda had taken her's off. Huh said Nick as he watched the girl, I guess that's where the shoes live now, he chuckled. Amanda laughed, I guess so she nodded. He returned to look at her as she lay her head on the back of the sofa. You're tired Rollins. She looked sleepily at him, yeah, I am, but I have to wait till these 2 go to bed before I can switch off completely. Here he said, put your feet up at least. I'm not going to put my feet on your brand new, couch she said. Well, that's up to you he said, but I'm putting my feet on my new couch. At this stage, Jesse had wandered over to the other side of Nick and was resting her chin on his elbow. Hey princesa what's up? Nick, she said in a cute voice, yes, he said in the same way she spoke to him. Can I sit on your stairs please? Nick sat up, why would you want to sit on the stairs? he asked, Amanda laughing at him. I wanna see if I can play with my dollies on them, she said innocently. Nick looked at her, Amanda sniggered. Ok he said, go ahead, just be careful I don't want you to hurt yourself. OK said the little girl as she skipped out the door. Amanda laughed. You know she's really going to have a nosey in your rooms upstairs, don't you? Nick smiled, yeah, I know, Zara used to do the same. Don't worry he added, there's nothing upstairs she can hurt herself on. Amanda smiled and said nothing. She lifted her legs up and tried to find a comfortable position. Here he said moving slightly trying not to laugh, you're still that bloody stubborn, put your legs here he said. Sorry she said, nothing to be sorry about he reassured her, just do whatever you need to do to be comfortable would you? He settled himself again and rested his hand on her shins. They started chatting again. Not long after Billie started to fidget then got herself up and looked over to Nick and Amanda. Mummy she said putting her arms out. Nick got up and went over to her and picked her up. Hey bebita he said, just as he went to sit down Jesse came running back in, mummy I really, really, like this house she said, Amanda laughed, as did Nick. You do? He asked, what do you like about it? She turned to him excitedly, there's lots of rooms and I saw a big garden with a swing set and a slide and a playhouse. Amanda looked at Nick, he shrugged, my grandfather made sure kids were catered for too he smiled shrugging, the swing set and slide need replaced though, and the playhouse needs painted. Come on and let's see upstairs mummy the girl said excitedly. I like the upstairs bit most. Amanda laughed and looked at Nick, she actually hasn't been in a house before she said shyly, well let's go have a proper look then said Nick smiling. He followed them both up the stairs carrying Billie in his arms. When they got to the top, he put her down so she could walk about. Come on mummy said Jesse I like this room best. She pulled her into the far bedroom. Wow said Amanda, she looked at Nick, how many bedrooms are there? 6 he said, this is the Master bedroom he smiled, with en-suite he nodded to the side, the others are a bit smaller but not much, there's only 3 with beds at the minute, the smallest is empty and the others have no beds in them. She walked around the other rooms, it's lovely she repeated. Jesse came into the last room, this is my room she said proudly. Nick and Amanda looked at each other shocked, oh honey no she said, you don't have a room here, this isn't our house. I know that the child laughed, silly mummy she giggled. This is my room when I come visit, Nick laughed, the little girl then went out talking excitedly. And this is the mummy and daddy room she said, and this is Billie's room, and that one is Noah's room. Amanda could feel her face getting hotter and hotter, Jess…. Ok said Nick so if you, your mum, Billie and Noah each have a room when you come and visit do I sleep downstairs? No silly Nick the little girl giggled again, you sleep in the mummy and daddy room. Oh, he said laughing, so mummy isn't allowed to come and visit? Yeah of course she can she said matter of factly. So, mummy is sleeping downstairs then said Amanda laughing, just aswell that's a comfy couch she laughed. No, silly mummy, you sleep in the mummy and daddy room too. Amanda's mouth dropped open and her face went really red. Nick just laughed. Ok missy she said clearing her throat, let's go back downstairs before we get thrown out. Nick couldn't stop laughing, shush you she said, I'm so sorry. What for he asked, she's done nothing wrong. But I want to go into this room again she said I have to show you something. Amanda rolled her eyes as Billie went to look out of the window. Ok show me then she said, Nick took the toddler by the hand and followed them. Look mummy said Jesse, she pointed to a little alcove in the corner of the room she claimed as hers. I can put my books in there she beamed. Amanda smiled, and nodded, we'll talk about it when we go home, she said. Nick was in the room now listening. What books do you like Jesse? he asked, lots of books she said. Well, he said, if you're going to sleep here sometimes, I need to know so we can put some in there, what do you think? Amanda looked at him open mouthed, Nick don't encourage her she whispered. It's OK he smiled back; I'll talk to you later about it. She was confused. I told you he said, I promise it's nothing bad.