Nick was the first to wake the next morning, he looked at his watch on the side, it was just after 6am. He could hear a soft noise coming from the girl's room. He looked over to Amanda who was still fast asleep. He smiled, kissed her forehead and got out of bed. He went over to her wardrobe and looked at the shelf his clothes were kept on, he smiled again as he looked to see what exactly was there. He found 2 pairs of boxer shorts, socks, a pair of jeans, 2 t-shirts, a dress shirt, his hoodie and suit trousers. He lifted a pair of underwear and jeans and proceeded to strip in the room, a few minutes he was dressed and headed to the bathroom. He returned to the bedroom and Amanda was still sleeping, he folded up his clothes and the night wear he wore last night and sat them on the side to take home and wash. He put the hoodie on and walked out to the living room. Closing the door gently not to wake the sleeping Amanda, he heard a noise from the girls' room again, so he opened that door and found Billie standing up in her crib, Jesse was sleeping soundly still like her mum. Billie gave Nick a big smile and held out her arms saying Ick! Shhh bebita he whispered, let's not wake your sister. He went over, lifted the toddler and carried her out to the living room. Now he said, you need that diaper changed he said thoughtfully, he looked around for where Amanda may have kept the clean nappies and spotted the toddlers backpack from yesterday. Aha he said smiling, OK bebita, let's get you changed. The toddler lay down on the floor for him and let him changer her diaper. Well, you're a lot easier to change than Zara was he chuckled as the toddler giggled at him. He pulled her pajamas trousers back up and she toddled off to play with her toys.
He stood up and went to wash his hands, dispose of the old diaper and then put the kettle on to make himself some coffee. As he looked to see what he could make them for breakfast he felt arms wrap around his waist. Hey, he said holding the hands tight, you're supposed to be sleeping, he felt her kiss his back through the hoodie. I thought I told you, you can't have this hoodie she said. He laughed, well I thought I'd see if it still fits, he chuckled turning around to face her. She looked up at him and had a smile on her face, he repeated as he stroked her cheek, you're supposed to be sleeping. She stood on her tiptoes and gave him a peck on the lips, well I was, until I turned around to give you a cuddle and you weren't there. He chuckled as he pulled her in for a hug, kissed her head, well I heard little miss over there awake, so I thought I'd let her mum and sister sleep in. She hugged him tightly, thank you she said. He kissed her head again and said, hey, at least go and sit down and relax he said, oh I wish she said, but I need to change her diaper 1st. He laughed, it's been done already, she stopped and looked at him, really? Yeah, he smiled, and she was as good as gold while I done it. I think she knows I haven't done diapers in a long time he chuckled. Hmm she said, you're getting used to it again she laughed, although she said, I'm thinking about starting to train her she said sounding unsure. He walked over to her and handed her a cup of tea, and they sat down on the couch. So, he said, when are you planning on the potty training then? I don't know she said, maybe this week or next, maybe I'll just sit the potty out this week and see how she takes to it. She snuggled into him again and they quietly drunk their tea as they watched Billie toddle back and forth. What's your plans for today then? he asked her. She sighed and moved to put her cup on the table. Well 6 years ago I would have suggested a duvet day she said giggling. Nick laughed, well that's out of the question he said as he stroked her hair and kissed her head. Yeah, she said sighing, I suppose more of the same, although I'll switch things up and bath Jesse this morning and wash her hair. Means she'll be ready for school tomorrow for you. Oh crap, he panicked, Have I to do her hair? Amanda laughed, don't worry she said, you can practice ponytails this morning. Oh boy he said, I thought those days were behind me. Amanda rubbed his chest, well if you wanna be with me again mate, you'll need to get used to diapers and hairs again. He looked down and kissed her lips, just as well you're worth it then, isn't it? he teased. She smiled against his lips, yeah, she whispered, it is. They both laughed quietly, and he said OK how about instead of me making breakfast I bring breakfast in? She stretched out sounds good she said. What do you fancy? He asked, she looked at him playfully, well that's a dangerous question she said grinning at him, hey you he said, that's not fair, we've 2 kids here this time round, we can't play those games anymore. We had 2 kids around last time she said pretending to act innocent, yeah, he chuckled, every other weekend he said laughing, and the odd holiday, yeah Ok she said. He lifted her hand and kissed it. We'll get there eventually he said, I promise. She looked at him, in about 18 years she joked, why you trying to tell me something Rollins looking at her stomach, no she said loudly and pushing him, God no she said, I think I'm done with those days now she said sadly, he sighed slowly and pulled her close and kissed her temple, well never say never Rollins he whispered, she looked at him confused and he shrugged, hey, I didn't think I'd be back here now with 2 young kids did I? Changing diapers and doing little girls' hairs again he laughed. I thought next time I'd be dealing with diapers would be when I was a grandfather. Well yeah good point she said. He brought his hand to the back of her head and started to rub it, what I'm saying is, never rule anything out, I never thought I'd be here again, I thought I'd blown my chances, she went to say something, but he continued, I never thought I'd pass another physical let alone be working in the force again. Amanda smiled, yeah, she said quietly, you're right, hell when you left, I thought my chance at having kids were gone, but look where I am, she laughed. He looked at her shocked. You thought about us having kids? She felt her face go red, and she moved to get up. He grabbed her hand, hey, he said, talk to me, she turned to look at him and tried to give him a smile, yes, she said shyly, I loved the time we had with Zara and Gil, and I loved you she shrugged, I could see us going the whole way. She tried to give him a small smile, Amanda he whispered moving closer to her, why didn't you tell me this 6 years ago? She shrugged and felt herself tear up, the kids were more important she said shrugging, I knew that, and you knew that, and I loved you too much to allow you to lose those kids she said seriously. Nick sighed a heavy sigh, babe….. had I known I would have worked something out, for God's sake, had I known I would never have left. Exactly said Amanda, and that wasn't fair to you, and it wasn't fair to Gil and Zara. They came 1st, we always said that from the start of us she said softly. I knew you going was the only option. Amanda, he started, no Nick she said, we done the right thing she re-iterated. Plus, she smiled, look where we are now, I have 2 girls and you're coming back. As you say, everything always happens for a reason. She smiled, he could feel tears in his eyes, hey she said, putting her hand to his cheek, don't get upset she whispered, I had to do the right thing for you she smiled sadly. But… he started, but nothing she said quietly, just look where we are now she repeated, but we lost 6 years Amanda he said in shock, and look what we have gained in those 6 years she smiled, I've got two beautiful kids of my own, in total, in my mind and my heart, I have 4 beautiful children she smiled stroking his face, I've never stopped thinking about, caring or loving Gil and Zara she smiled, you got to spend some much needed time with Gil and be a better part of his life and got to raise him and Zara the way you needed to. And…. she shrugged smiling, I have always still thought and cared about you too, and I still love you, I never stopped loving you she had her hand on the back of his neck now and was caressing it with her fingers. I always have loved you, and I always will love you baby she whispered. He couldn't believe what he was hearing, Amanda baby he whispered, I've never stopped loving you mi amor, and like you I always will love you, no matter what. She smiled and moved in again and they both kissed passionately. Breaking away when they heard Billie moving around the room, they both laughed, this is going to have to get some getting used to said Nick, as he took her hand in his. We haven't had toddlers around us before he joked and nodded towards Billie, yeah. she said in her Georgian drawl, and she leant her forehead on his shoulder, He chuckled and kissed the top of her head. Hmmmm was all she could say, so we're really doing this? He said. Yep, no more games she said, all in 100% Ok he whispered, but…. We keep it to ourselves again for a while he said, give us a chance to get to know each other again, he smiled, and let me have a chance to get to know your 2 beautiful girls annnd he said….. learn how to do hairs again he laughed. OK smiled Amanda. I'm happy with that she kissed his cheek and put her arms around his shoulders, and hugged him tightly, we don't have to tell anyone anything at all she said. Billie joined them calling mama and they let go of each other, hey baby girl she said picking her up, she kissed the little girls head and Nick smiled at both of them, just at that Jesse appeared in the room. Morning mummy she said, good morning honey she said, come here and give me a cuddle. The little girl walked over still sleepy, what, am I not getting a good morning? said Nick. NICK said Jesse! And she ran to him and kissed his cheek. Huh said Amanda as Nick laughed. Looks like I'm joining Zara's club she huffed, I'm getting blew out now too by my own daughter. Nick laughed, well that mi amor is what I call Karma he grinned, Amanda looked at him with a look on her face that he laughed louder, Oh, don't give me that I don't know what you're talking about look, Zara always chose you over me he said. Amanda tilted her head, yeah, well, I can't argue with that one she agreed. Jesse then reached over to her mum, I love you too mummy she said and as Amanda passed Billie over to Nick Jesse wrapped her arms around her mum's neck to hug her. Amanda pretended to squeeze her tightly, oh we're only joking honey she laughed. The little girl then let go and looked at Nick with a puzzled look. Nick noticed and said, what's wrong princesa? Why are you wearing mummy's sad jumper she asked worried and looked at her mum. Amanda looked at Nick in shock, what do you mean her sad jumper sweetie? Mummy wears that jumper when she's sad she said concerned, why are you sad Nick? Nick put Billie down and reached for Jesse, I'm not sad princesa he said smiling at her, I'm really, really, happy. I'm so happy to be here with you and Billie and your mum, he reached behind the girl's back with his hand and took Amanda's hand and squeezed it and smiled at her. Amanda couldn't believe Jesse had picked up on when and why she wore his jumper. Jesse turned to look at her mum, and you're not sad mummy, are you? Amanda smiled as she was afraid of her voice breaking with emotion. She cleared her throat, no honey she said, mummy's not sad she smiled, mummy's really, really, happy too she grinned and put her hand on the little girl's hand. That jumper belongs to Nick she said, and mummy likes to wear that jumper when she needs a grown up hug after a tough day or when she's feeling cold, she said looking at Nick smiling. Oh, said Jesse as if she understood, but now Nick is here to give us hugs you don't need that jumper anymore. Amanda laughed out loud, well maybe I'll leave it here for mummy just in case she needs it when I'm not here said Nick. Jesse nodded OK she said. Amanda smiled and said, ok off you go to the bathroom missy and we'll get some breakfast. The little girl done as she was told, and Billie followed her sister to the bathroom. Wow said Amanda, I never realised she thought that when I wore that jumper, she said amazed. He took her hand, well we never know what kids think do we? and kissed her hand, they pick up on things we don't even realise most of the time. Yeah, she said sounding worried, hey he said, what's wrong? I'm just wondering what else she thinks when I do certain things now, she said. Hey, he whispered and pulled her to him, don't overthink things, she squeezed him tight and said, you know what, how about we go out for breakfast? We can do that if you want he said, I thought you might have wanted a lazy morning here though and he kissed her head softly….. mmmm actually I like that idea better she said and hugged him tight again. She curled up on the sofa snuggled into him, they were discussing what to get for breakfast. Is that pancake place still down the road? he asked her. Oh, it is she said, I haven't had anything from there in a long time she said, Ok, how about I head down there and grab us some of those then for breakfast? She looked up at him, sounds perfect. Just at that they heard Jesse and Billie returning, he whispered are you staying where you are, or getting up? I'll sit up she said, let's keep this just me and you for now she said, like the old days she giggled. He lifted his arm as he chuckled, well this will be interesting to see how long we can keep it from her, Amanda sat up and turned to him with one of her what do you mean looks, he laughed, just saying he said.
As Jesse walked in, Amanda said, Nick's going to go get us some breakfast this morning she smiled, what are we having? asked Jesse, oh I think we'll keep that as a surprise for now she replied. I like surprises smiled Jesse, so do I, said Nick. How about I take Billie with me and you stay here with mummy? Good idea said Amanda, I can give you a bath and wash your hair, so Nick doesn't have to do it tonight at his house. Are we still having a sleepover at your house tonight Nick? Of course he said surprised, I promised you didn't I? and we've to go and get your dolls. Ok said Jesse, I thought you were having another sleepover in my house tonight she said innocently. Amanda and Nick looked at each other in disbelief, erm said Amanda, how do you know Nick had a sleepover here last night honey? Jesse giggled, silly mummy she said, Nick's wearing your jumper. Amanda and Nick could hardly keep a straight face. Did you sleep in mummy's room? It was Nick's turn to be left speechless, um, no princesa, he lied, I slept out here on your couch, is that OK? Yeah, she said, but you really should have been in mummy's room. Amanda looked at her daughter then to Nick not knowing what to say, Jess, she began, Nick laughed, why am I not allowed to sleep on your couch? Because that's Noah and Sonny's bed she said matter of factly. But you're a daddy so you're supposed to sleep in the mummy and daddy room. Ok he said laughing, where's bebita's coat and we'll go get breakfast, Amanda stood up and got Billie's coat, handed it to Nick and rolled her eyes, where the hell is she getting these ideas she asked. Nick chuckled, tv, books, playing games in school who knows he looked at her and smiled, she takes it after her mum he said trying not to bust out laughing. You better get going before I change my mind about you, she teased, oh you wouldn't do that he said, He stood up with Billie in his arms and leant over to kiss Amanda, not when we've just got back together, he whispered and smiled against her lips, she kissed him again I suppose you're right she whispered smiling. Ok let's take the pushchair he said to Billie, Amanda strapped her in, and he said, see you in a bit, he kissed her on the cheek and left with the pushchair.