After a short drive home Nick helped unload the car and get the 2 girls and their mum back up to their apartment. Amanda automatically went and put the kettle on, tea or coffee she asked, Nick had just helped Billie take her shoes off, umm tea please he said. Amanda got to working on making tea then returned to join Nick on the couch. So, she said, what's your plans for tonight? she asked. Nothing he said shaking his head, just chill out in front of the tv I guess, maybe have a beer or 2. I've arranged to see Noah tomorrow afternoon, so I'll pick him up then swing by and pick the girls up after we're finished, I'm not sure what he wants to do yet. I'll let you know what time when I figure out what he wants to do. There's no rush she said, anytime you're ready, I'm not planning on going out tomorrow anyway. They chatted another bit then she got up and made their tea. Sitting back down she asked, you want anything to eat with that? No, I'm OK thanks he smiled. She looked at the time and called into Jesse, Hey Jess, 5 more minutes and then it's wind down time. Jesse came running out with 2 other dolls, can Nick read me my bedtime story tonight mummy? Amanda smiled, well you'll have to ask him that question she laughed, not me. Jesse turned to look at Nick and gave him a look, she walked over to him and said can you please read me a bedtime story Nick? He laughed and put his hand on her head, sure I can princesa, he smiled. Thank you she sang and smiled. OK said Amanda, well now you've got what you wanted missy off you go and put your pj's on. Amanda sat up and put her cup on the table in front of her. And Nick, she said, if you wanna get some practice in, you can catch that mischievous toddler beside you and help get her ready for bed too. Nick looked at her then Billie, huh he said, maybe I should have thought about that earlier on he said, I haven't changed a diaper in a long time. Amanda laughed and threw him a clean diaper, well now's the time to get practicing again she said smiling at him trying not to grin, you never know when you might need to get used to those again, she said shyly. He looked at her with a confused look and said, yeah, when I'm a grandfather maybe he scoffed, oh I don't know she said, you've still a few years of fatherhood left in you yet I reckon, and she giggled and walked into the girls' bedroom. Nick followed her with his eyes and then laughed, not unless….. and he let that trail off. He went and lifted Billie and started to undress her, she was a bit fidgety but not too much of a problem. As Amanda sat down beside him, a lot closer this time she asked, not unless what? Nick looked at her and she was trying not to laugh, He shook his head blushing, nothing he said, nothing at all. He lay the wriggling toddler on his lap and began to change her diaper. Amanda handed him the wipes, and new diaper. As he secured the stickers on it, he sat her back up smiling, there he said relieved, that wasn't as bad as I expected. Oh, wait till it's a dirty one she said. Well said Nick, Noah can help with that then and he laughed. She handed him the toddlers pj's and he put them on with no problems. She got up and got the bottle of milk and sat back down beside him, still closer than she had been throughout the day. The baby took the bottle gratefully and snuggled into Nick's chest. He sat back and sighed, as she fidgeted to get more comfy on his lap. He kissed the top of her head and looked at Amanda, well that went well he chuckled. Yeah, she said smiling watching them both, it did. You've still got it Amaro, and she rested her hand on his knee. She picked up her tea again and sat back slightly leaning against him. He moved slightly and sat his hand on her knee as they listened to the toddler making noises as she drank her milk. A few minutes later Jesse came out dressed in her pj's. Hey said Amanda, not moving from Nick's side, come on honey, what are we doing for wind-down time tonight? Nothing mummy the little girl yawned I just want to snuggle with you and Nick. Ok Nick said as he removed his hand from Amanda's leg, jump up on mummy's knee then he said, and I'll shift over a bit. He re-arranged his sitting position and lifted his arm and put it along the back of the couch, Amanda shifted a bit and Jesse sat on her lap with her head against Nick's chest. Nick smiled, and Amanda kissed her daughter's head. She then put her head against the back of the couch and rested it on Nick's arm. Absentmindedly he started to massage the top of her head with his fingers. Just as the 4 of them were starting to relax and enjoy the new seating arrangement, Amanda's buzzer rang. The baby jumped as did Amanda which led to Jesse jumping in surprise. Jeez said Amanda annoyed, just as I was getting comfy, she said in a huff. She got up to answer the buzzer and Jesse snuggled into Nick and started to suck her thumb. Billie was starting to fall back asleep again, he put his arm around Jesse and returned to watching the TV. Ok said Amanda, that's Uncle Sonny calling by she said, looking a bit annoyed. Hey you want a beer or fresh tea? she asked Nick, um I'll take another tea, I've to drive back home remember. Amanda smiled, hmm she said as she lifted his mug, you can have a beer later, we'll talk about that when 2 little girls go to bed she said, I need to talk with you and went back to the kitchen. He followed her with his eyes saying why what's wrong? Nothing she smiled back at him, we just need to talk alone she said giving him a coy smile and just as he went to say something else the door knocked. He closed his mouth again and took the bottle from the sleeping girl's hands. He handed it to Jesse and said hey princesa can you sit this on the table for me. Sure, was the reply, as she done this Carisi walked into the room, hey girls, oh sorry he said and stopped short when he saw Nick sitting on the couch with a sleeping Billie on his knee and Jesse lifting his arm again so she could snuggle into him again. Hey Carisi Nick smiled, I would get up and shake your hand, but I'm kinda stuck here he chuckled. He felt awkward but not as awkward as Sonny was feeling right now. Hey Nick, he said curtly, how are you? I'm doing good thanks he smiled, how are you? The new job going well? Yeah, Yeah Sonny replied. Hi Sonny said Jesse waving at him. Hi Jesse, he said putting a smile on his face, Amanda returned with a cup of tea for Nick and sat it on the table at his side and handed Sonny a cup also. She returned to the kitchen then came back out with her own. Hey Sonny, you just gonna stand there or are you sitting down? she said. Nick noticed a change in her mood and looked at her trying to read her face, Sonny was lost in what he was seeing in front of him. Amanda sat back down on the 3 seater, at the opposite end of Nick this time, Sonny said well, I'll stay for a few minutes if that's OK. He sat down on the 1 seater. Sorry he said as he sat down. I didn't realise you had company, I should have phoned….. don't be silly said Amanda still in an odd mood, yeah said Nick, I wasn't expecting to be here still, but this one here wanted me to stay a bit. Oh, said Sonny nodding his head, so did you have a good day today Jesse? Jesse woke up a bit, yeah, she said excitedly, Nick is here to visit me, he's really real Sonny. Sonny laughed, yeah, I know kiddo he said smiling, and he took us to a new park she added, and we saw a fairy garden and we went to Nick's house. It's not a house like this one or your one, his one has stairs and lots of rooms. Amanda chuckled, in case you haven't noticed, Jesse was in her first house today she laughed. She loved the fact she could go up and down the stairs, yeah who knew chuckled Nick, most kids hate sitting on the stairs, this one had a ball. Sonny forced a laugh out. Cool he said. Jesse had started to fidget and moved to lie down, Nick lifted his arm to allow her to get comfortable, she placed her head on his lap, and her feet just sat on her mum's lap. Nick put his hand on her head, and he automatically started running his thumb over her head, the same way he did with Amanda, Amanda turned and smiled at her daughter and put her hand on her legs. Sonny continued, I see Billie had a good day he nodded towards the sleeping child in Nick's arms, yeah said Amanda, she loved wandering in and out of the downstairs rooms she chuckled. Little amuses the innocent she said looking at him and shrugging her shoulders. They talked for another bit and then Amanda said, hey Give me her Nick and I'll put her in her room, as she lifted the sleeping child from him, she looked at him and smiled. Nick gave her a smile and nodded slightly. So what book are you having for bed tonight Jesse? asked Sonny, Jesse got up and went to the giftbag Nick had brought her earlier today. This one she said, Nick brought it to me from his far away house. Nick chuckled as she climbed back up beside him but this time she climbed onto his lap. He moved himself to allow the girl to settle herself and as she snuggled in his phone rang. Oh, sorry guys he said, as he reached for the phone, oh it's Zara I've gotta take this, He went to get up but Jesse held onto him, no Nick she whined, I want to talk to Zara too. Nick was unsure what to do but Sonny said go ahead mate and smiled. He answered the video call, hey Zara he said, look can I phone you back in a bit? no I want to see her too said Jesse, hey dad, is that Jesse? It is yes, he said, here how about you say hello to Zara then I'll call you back in a bit OK? Sure dad she said happily, I'd rather talk to Jesse anyway, Nick looked up at Sonny and rolled his eyes, gee thanks hija. Jesse took the phone off Nick and went and sat at the small play table in the corner of the room. He heard his daughter chatting away to Jesse, so, he said straightening out and letting out a sigh, what's going on with you Carisi? You're looking well he smiled genuinely. Yeah, I'm good thanks replied Sonny, and how's the family? Nick asked, anymore nieces or nephews? Yeah replied Sonny, the 2 men continued to chat about general things for a couple of minutes then Amanda returned. She plopped herself down on the 3 seater again and lifted the cushion from between her and Nick, brushing her hand against his as she done so. Sorry said Nick absentmindedly. No, you're ok she said softly. She looked at Jesse and said, who's she talking to? Oh Zara, said Nick, I told her I'd call her back, but Jesse wanted to see her too, hey Zara! called Amanda, Jesse smiled and carried the phone over to her mum. Hey Amanda said Zara, hey honey, what's up? Oh, nothing Zara replied I called to keep dad company for a bit, but I see he doesn't need me, he's being well looked after so I thought I'd talk to Jesse instead she laughed. Amanda laughed, oh he's been kept on his toes today she chuckled, I'm betting he's looking forward to going to bed tonight, he's had a shock to the system, she looked at Nick and gave him a grin and winked her eye at him. Yeah, he said, I forgot how energetic young girls are, he said, although they are a lot better than you were, he joked. Leave her alone you Amanda scolded, she was a good child when she was younger, yeah when she was sleeping, he scoffed, hey shouted Zara, don't worry honey Amanda said, I've got your back here she laughed, as she threw the cushion at Nick. Leave her alone you she said, then Jesse piped up, mummy don't throw things at Nick she scolded, Nick laughed, Oh Dad's got a new bodyguard now laughed Zara, yeah Amanda said through a grin, he's lucky she's cute, she smiled as Jesse climbed back onto Nick's lap. Look at this Zar said Amanda as she turned the phone around, only been with him a day and she has him wrapped around her finger she teased; oh, I'm going to be blew out now said Zara. Amanda remembered Sonny was in the room, aw you're his one and only baby girl honey. Oh, I don't know said Nick hugging Jesse, I could make an exception when you two are ganging up on me, what do you think Sonny? Oh, leave me out of it mate laughed Sonny, I'm not getting involved with this one. I don't know man said Nick, I might need to call on you to defend me if this carries on. Sonny laughed. Hey Zar said Nick, I'll call you back later OK? No, it's OK dad, leave it until tomorrow, I was just checking in to see you were OK, but I can see you are. Nick rolled his eyes, told you I was old Rollins, my daughter's checking up on me. You're not old, chirped Jesse, Amanda laughed, I'm saying nothing guys, I can't win on this one. They said their goodbyes to Zara, and they hung up. Anyway, said Amanda holding Nick's phone in her hand, clearing her throat, what's happening with you Sonny, what's got you calling in? And if you say it's work you can walk back out that door now as I'm not going in. Sonny smiled, no, not work he said, I was just wondering what you were doing tomorrow afternoon? Oh, she said surprised and embarrassed, I'm not sure what I'm up to yet, she looked at Nick, who looked back at her and shrugged and turned his attention to Jesse who was snuggling into him again. She cleared her throat again to try and cover her embarrassment as she said, Nick's taking the girls and Noah to his house tomorrow night so Liv and I can have a night to ourselves, but we're not sure what time he's picking them up at yet, we're waiting to see what Noah wants to do with Nick tomorrow first. Yeah, said Nick, feeling a bit embarrassed, although he didn't know why, he mentioned earlier on about going to the cinema, but he also mentioned bowling. He turned to Amanda, but if you 4 want to do something I can leave it till say, 6pm to pick the girls up. No said Amanda determined, for a start Jesse will be annoyed if she has to go to bed not long after she gets to you, she said, plus, I'm not sure what Liv has planned yet. She turned to Carisi, Liv has invited me over to her place so we can have a kid free night she said. Hey, said Sonny, it's OK, you both deserve a break. We can catch up another time he smiled. Amanda smiled and felt awkward, Nick felt the atmosphere, so he said to Jesse, hey how's about me and you go read this book in your room and leave mummy and Sonny to have a chat? Ok said Jesse smiling. She got up and waited for Nick to get up, I'm making sure you're coming with me she said innocently, mummy sometimes forgets to get up, hey Amanda blushed, I'm usually tidying up after you missy and she leant over to tickle her. The little girl giggled, and Nick smiled, Ok, he said, look I'm up, let's go you have to show me where to go he teased, the little girl giggled, you're being silly Nick. Amanda held her arms out to her daughter, hey come give me a squeeze she said softly, Jesse climbed up and gave her mum a hug and kiss. Goodnight sweetheart she said, night night mummy, as she took Nick's hand she said night Sonny and gave him a wave. Night night Jesse. I'll catch up with you again during the week Sonny said to Nick, I'll probably be away when you finish with her, he said nodding to the little girl who was listening, Oh Ok said Nick nodding, yeah, I'm on my way round to see my sister and her ones Sonny added smiling. OK smiled Nick, he held his hand out to him, it's good seeing you again he smiled. Ok miss said Nick, let's go read this book. And with that the 2 left the room. Amanda smiled as she turned back around to Sonny, so, he said, you have a good day? Yeah, she smiled, it was lovely she said nodding, and it was nice getting away from the usual places we go to around here she said, Nick took us to this park I didn't even know existed. Jesse's had a ball, been stuck to Nick all day she smiled, and Billie has too. She loved running through the woods, she laughed. Sonny smiled, glad you all had a great day he said, you seem to be brighter he added quietly. Amanda smiled, yeah, I thought it would have been awkward having Nick here, instead of talking to him on the phone, I mean, but she tried to hold back her grin, yeah, it's been great seeing him again. She then caught herself on and said quickly, I think it's just seeing someone different though after this past year. I mean, apart from you, Liv and Fin and Kat, and the others in the squad room, I've only seen the childminder and Noah, so it's a different conversation and that she said. I mean I know you're the same, she added, but you've a big family, Liv said the same she said, it's just seeing someone different outside of our bubble so to speak. Sonny smiled, yeah, I can see what you mean. Look I'll leave you two to it, I'm sure you have a lot to catch up on now he's here he said, looking at her. She smiled, well we'll see how long we last, I'm tired, and he's still getting over jet lag, he says he's OK, but I can tell he's shattered. Sonny stood up and Amanda done the same, well he said I'll leave to both to go to your respective beds then and get some shut eye. Amanda looked at him oddly, but gave him a smile, I'll see you on Monday? Yeah, he said I'll be by the station at some stage. Ok she said, and they both walked to the door. He opened the door and as he walked out, he said, enjoy your free time tomorrow night, you both deserve a night off. Thanks, said Amanda, oh and tell Nick I said good luck he smiled, 3 kids in one night after being alone in LA, he's keen. Amanda felt herself getting annoyed, well he's not on his own up there, he's got his own two, plus she shrugged, he's a dad, he's been there done that and got the t-shirt, 3 kids should be easier than a teenage girl in quarantine, she joked. Yeah, said Sonny looking at her, I suppose. Anyway, he said, I'll see you on Monday. Ok she said, bye.