Back downstairs Billie was playing with a few toys Amanda had in the baby bag, Jesse was playing on the bottom of the stairs with 2 of her dolls, Amanda was sitting on the couch and Nick was in the kitchen, new coffee he said as he walked in with a fresh one and handed it to her. Thank you she said smiling. He put his hand on her head and rubbed her head. Mmm she said, that's nice she smiled. He continued for another few minutes then sat down beside her and lifted her feet onto his lap. About earlier he said, when Jesse was talking about her room and I encouraged it, yeah, she sighed, I'm sorry about that she said, she gets carried away, and I haven't told her you're only here for a week yet. No no, it's Ok he said smiling, I had been thinking though, after talking to both you and Liv, how about I take all 3 kids one night and you two have a night off? Amanda straightened up, you don't have to do that Nick she said, he smiled, I know I don't, but I want to. Look I see how tired you both are, and I've only been home 2 days, you two need a break, whether you both go out for something to eat, a drink, or you stay at your own apartments and relax. She smiled, honestly that sounds great she smiled tiredly, but… no buts said Nick, Look, you're both off tomorrow and in work on Monday, how about I take them tomorrow afternoon, and you two can decide what you want to do, I'll drop the girls off at yours for the sitter and then take Noah to school. Does that sound OK to you? She smiled, sounds lovely Nick, but are you really sure? Of course I am he said, I wouldn't offer otherwise. She looked at Billie playing away, Ok, she said, Thank you. Good he replied smiling. They both turned around and sat quietly, watching the tv which had been playing in the background. After 10minutes or so Jesse came in and walked over to Nick, hey he said picking her up. I'm hungry she said quietly, Nick turned to Amanda and saw that she had fallen asleep. He smiled, lifted her feet gently off his lap and got up with Jesse in his arms. He walked over to Billie and held his hand out for her to take it. They then quietly walked out of the room and into the 2nd sitting room. Ok he said, putting the tv on in there and onto the children's channel. What would you like to eat? he said. Do you like spaghetti Bolognese? Jesse beamed, yeah, she said, and does Billie like it? Yeah, but she gets really messy and she scrunched her face up, Nick chuckled, well that's OK. You two sit and watch some tv here and I'll go make us some dinner. Thank you said the little girl. Nick smiled, you're very welcome princessa. He walked back over to the other room and put a blanket around Amanda, he touched her head and then closed the door slightly behind him. 45 minutes later Amanda woke up to a lovely smell of dinner. Nick was sitting at her feet again, and she startled. Hey he said rubbing her leg, you feel better? Amanda blushed, Nick I'm so sorry she said, no need to apologise, you needed it, he said smiling. You ready for some dinner? Huh she said, I'm just waiting for the pasta to cook he said, me and the girls have been in the kitchen cooking he laughed. Jesse appeared from the other room, hi mummy she said cheerily, me and Billie helped Nick do the cooking she said proudly. She climbed up on her mum's knee. Really? she asked her daughter, uh-huh and Billie has a new chair in the kitchen. Amanda looked at Nick, let me guess she said, abuelo had everything covered. Nick laughed, no Abuelo didn't think of a highchair for young kids, I did. Ok she smiled. What's an Abuelo? asked Jesse. Amanda smiled, grandfather she said to her. Oh, said Jesse. Right said Nick, let's go and eat before I take you girls home. Amanda smiled, thanks for a lovely day Nick she said and rubbed his back, it's been brilliant. Anytime he said, and you even managed to sneak in a siesta he laughed. Over dinner they talked about lots of things, oh by the way Nick said, I called Liv earlier, she was like you at first, but I've managed to convince her to take tomorrow night off too. She said if you're up for it you can both have a girl's night in at her place. Sounds great she replied. Thanks again Nick. And, while talking to her I realized it's a bit silly me taking the girls home to you on Monday morning, so if it's OK with you how about I drop Jesse off at school after I drop Noah off, then drop Billie off to the childminder. Means we can all have a lie in, childminder too. Ok said Amanda nodding. He laughed; you'll agree to anything when you're eating won't you? Yep, she laughed.
Dinner finished the girls were in the 2nd living room, Amanda and Nick were clearing up in the kitchen. Amanda had just loaded the dishwasher and was finishing cleaning the table, and Nick was finishing off washing the pots and countertops. As she finished, she walked over behind him and put the cloth on the counter, give that a rinse when you're finished there she said, then leant against the worktop waiting for him to finish. She just stood staring at him and got lost in thought. Hey, Rollins… he said laughing as she came back to her senses, you alright? Oh yeah, sorry she blushed, I was just thinking she said. About what? Asked Nick as he joined her and leant against the counter too. Oh, just how it's been a lovely day she said shyly and wondering if I'm dreaming all of this she sighed. He stood up and turned to face her. He put his hand on her cheek and stroked it with his thumb, you're not dreaming today he smiled. You sure? She said and felt herself getting teary, hey he said concerned now, he pulled her close and she wrapped her arms around him. What's got you like this? He asked. Squeezing onto him tight she said against his chest, well it's been 6 years Nick she said, I honestly never thought I'd see you again, and now you're here we've kind of just fallen back into a role that we had 6 years ago, except for the fact I have 2 kids in tow now. The roles have reversed then he joked, 6 years ago I had 2 kids in tow. Yeah, she laughed, but more seriously added, Zara wasn't talking about mummy and daddy rooms and renting a room in my apartment she joked back. He was stroking the back of her head, she loved when he done this to her, and he kissed the top of her head. Come on he said, Jesse's just experiencing new things he said, and she's excited. Yeah, but she's never done this with Sonny, or even with Billie's dad she added. Well, he said as she stood back tears falling, she's known Carisi since she was born, he said, and I know nothing about the other guy, but she's a bit older now he said, and hears other kids in school and that, so don't over-think things like that he said reassuringly. He wiped the tears from her face and pulled her in for another hug. Come on he said, let's get you home so you can get some much-needed sleep. Just at that moment Jesse walked in. Why are you crying mummy? She asked worried. Amanda coughed and tried to hide her face before letting go of Nick. Hey princesa, said Nick smiling, mummy's just a bit tired so I think it's time I take you girls home, OK? Aww said Jesse and Amanda laughed, hey she said, but you know what? She was smiling again and walked over to pick her daughter up. If you're really good, Nick has said you can come sleep here tomorrow night with Billie. The little girls' eyes lit up. REALLY! She said excitedly. Yeah, smiled Nick, mummy and Auntie Olivia are going to have a night off so you, Billie and Noah are going to come have a sleepover with me, is that ok? Yes please the little girl said excitedly. OK that's that sorted then he said smiling as Jesse gave her mum and huge hug. Thank you mummy she beamed, aww sweetie she said, thank Nick she said, Jesse beamed a big grin to him, thank you Nick she said loudly. You're very welcome princesa, he said. He walked over and put his arms around Amanda and Jesse, he kissed Jesse's head and as he went to walk away Jesse said Nick, yes bebita he said absently, mummy needs a kiss too she said, she's still sad. Amanda was speechless, and Nick laughed, Ok, he said, do you not have any magic kisses princesa? Nuh-uh she shook her head. OK he laughed, and went over to Amanda, placed his hand on the back of her head again and kissed her temple. All better now mama? Amanda blushed, Sí, gracias she laughed, all better now. He rubbed her back smiling, Ok, he said as Billie appeared, oh and we can't leave out this pequeña princesa. Oh, we can't leave her out laughed Amanda, he picked Billie up and gave her a kiss too, then walked over to the other 2 girls saying, this Pequeño needs a kiss from her big sister and her mummy. They both gave a very confused Billie a kiss each and then he put her down again, Amanda put Jesse down again and said, Ok Jess, off you go and get your dolls ready to go home. Billie, go tidy up she said. The 2 girls ran out of the kitchen again and Amanda turned to Nick, thank you again she said, and sorry for Jess again she rolled her eyes, he walked over to her and put his hand on her arm, kissed her temple again and whispered stop apologizing, and stop saying thank you he added laughing. She put her hand on his and whispered OK. He stood up straight and said, ok let's get you home. She sighed and followed him. You know she said as they were putting their shoes on, I've been thinking about moving for a while she said, after the lovely afternoon we've had here today and the girls having the extra space I think when things get back to some sort of normality, I might just have to look into the idea further. He smiled and looked at her, well if you need help or advice on anything let me know he smiled, I may have a house you could rent if you really mean it. Amanda looked at him shocked, Nick just how many properties did your grandfather have? he laughed quite a few he said smiling. I've a meeting about this one and that apartment on Tuesday actually. She said nothing else, Ok said Nick to the 2 girls, let's get you home. Nick…. said Jesse, yes princessa? he said smiling, can I leave my dollies here? He looked at her confused, why do you not want to take them home with you? he asked. Well, she said shyly, I want to leave them here, so I really have to come back tomorrow for a sleepover. Amanda laughed, oh honey she said, Nick smiled, hey, if you want to leave your dolls here, you can do that and get them tomorrow again. But are you sure you won't miss them tonight? No, I won't she said happily. He laughed, alright then, let's go home then.