Right OK Missy she said when Nick had left, let's go get you washed and dressed. In the bathroom Amanda run a bath for her daughter, when she put her in, she said, OK we're going to wash your hair now too honey aw mummy that's a nighttime job, Amanda laughed yeah, I know, but you're going to stay at Nick's tonight, and he hasn't bathed or washed a little girl's hair in a long time, so we're going help him out ok? OK mummy she said, and, Amanda added, he's going to take you to school tomorrow so he's going to be practicing putting your hair in a ponytail later on OK? Ok mummy the little girl said. I hope my dollies are still in my room at Nick's house she said. Oh, I'm sure they will be Amanda smiled, now you know Noah's going to be there tonight too, so you'll have to be a big girl and help Nick look after your sister, maybe tonight she can stay with you? No said Jesse, she can sleep in the mummy and daddy room with Nick cause she's still a baby. Amanda began to wash the girl's hair, and when finished she lifted her out of the bath to dry her. Ok Jesse, we need to talk about this mummy and daddy room honey she said. Where did you hear that? In school replied Jesse. My friends wanted to know is Sonny my daddy, and I said he's my uncle because he is, isn't he? Amanda smiled, yes that's right baby. But my friends told me that they sleep in their big girls and big boy's room and only babies sleep in their mummy and daddy's room. But Sonny isn't Billie's daddy so that's why he has to sleep on the couch. Only a mummy and daddy can sleep in the mummy and daddy room, and Sonny isn't a daddy, but Nick is, that's why when he has another sleepover he has to sleep in your room. Amanda dried the child's hair with the towel trying to think of what to say to her daughter's thinking. Huh she said, Ok, listen Jess, but the girl carried on, but some of my friends said when their mummy and daddy is in the mummy and daddy room no kids are allowed in there only the baby. It's a vit place like the bathroom. A what place? The vit place, you know where you are safe and no-one is allowed to see you with no clothes covering your bottom. Amanda tried to hide her laugh, I think you mean private she corrected. Yes, that word, like the way you tell me only you, Auntie Liv and my doctor are the only adults allowed to see my bottom with no pants on. And sometimes uncle Sonny if he's looking after me and has to give me a bath. Or Uncle Fin if I hurt. Like our book. Amanda smiled, glad that her daughter remembered about staying safe. Yeah, she said, I know. Amanda heard Nick shouting he was back. Ok she said, let's go get ready Amanda said. But mummy said Jesse, my clothes are in my bedroom, is Nick a safe grown-up? Amanda stopped, looked at her daughter and said, yes honey, Nick is one of your safe grown-ups sweetie, it's OK. She picked her up in her arms and kissed her, I'm really proud of you for asking me about Nick being a safe grown up. She carried her out to the living room Hey she said smiling, we're just going to go get dressed she looked at Nick and nodded, and I need to talk to you about something in a bit with Jess. Nick looked at her, don't worry she said smiling, nothing to worry about. We've had an interesting conversation while in the bath. Yeah, said Jesse, we were talking about being safe and mummies and daddies. Nick who was removing Billie from the pram stopped dead and looked at Amanda with a look on his face, don't worry she said I'll explain in a bit.
Over breakfast Jesse held center of attention, Billie has to sleep with you tonight she told Nick, she's a baby so she's allowed to. Nick looked at Amanda, OK he said, Amanda took the opportunity to bring the whole conversation up. Ok leave the dishes here for a minute and let's go sit on the couch you two. The 3 of them sat down Jesse climbed up on Nick's knee and snuggled into him, Amanda sat down beside him and put her hand on his shoulder to look at him. Ok she said, Jesse has been telling me where she has learnt about the mummy and daddy room, she said looking at Nick, Ok, he said sounding unsure, Jesse proceeded to tell him the same thing she told Amanda earlier. Ok he said nodding and looking at Amanda, so that's why she thinks it's ok for Billie to sleep in your room tonight, she doesn't think Billie can sleep in her own room yet. Right Ok said Nick, Billie can sleep with me then he said smiling. Now, Jesse also asked me a very important question and I was very proud of her for asking it she said smiling at her and putting her hand to her cheek. Uh-huh said Jesse, I asked my mummy if you are a safe grown-up, and I have told her that you are a very safe grown up and I trust you more than anyone else I know. She smiled at him and rubbed his shoulder. OK he said, slightly confused, that means Amanda continued, that you are allowed to look at her private parts if she ever tells you that it hurts there, or she's in the bath and you're helping her. Nick took in a deep breath, aw right OK he said understanding where this conversation was going. Yeah, Jesse smiled, Only mummy, Auntie Liv and my doctor and now you can do that. Oh and Uncle Fin and Uncle Sonny but he doesn't look after me much now. Nick smiled. Ok he said, well I'm glad I'm one of your safe people he smiled at Amanda, but you're a daddy anyway she said so you have to be one of my safe grown ups because you have Zara and Gil. Amanda laughed, Yeah said Nick, but now they're grown up I don't need to do that anymore he said, when you're a big girl you'll understand and he kissed her head, Ok she said. And Amanda went on, because we had that conversation Jesse thinks that if you have another sleepover here then you have to stay in my room with me. Yes, nodded Jesse you have to go to the mummy and daddy room. Nick looked at Amanda, OK he said narrowing his eyes, but she turned to Jesse, remember you told me about your friends telling you that's a private place for mummy's and daddy's? Uh-huh replied the little girl, well if Nick has a sleepover in my room then you can't tell your friends about it, that's just for me, you, Nick and Billie to know about OK? What about Auntie Liv or Noah or Sonny asked the little girl, no you can't tell them either Amanda said, concerned she would confuse the little girl. Ok said Jesse it's a secret for me, you, Nick and Billie. Is that OK honey? Yep, she said smiling. Ok said Nick hoping to end the conversation now, how about you go have a play for a bit? I have to go and visit Noah soon. Ok she said and skipped off. Amanda sat back and put her arm around his stomach, well she said, Yeah, said Nick, that was a deep conversation to have before 9 in the morning he laughed. She turned to look at him, you OK with that babe? He smiled and ran his hand over her hair, more than OK he said softly. She smiled, well I thought instead of hiding the fact you're not sleeping on the couch we go along with her sort of understanding of things, it means no awkward questions, and if she ever does come into the room, she'll not think anything of it. He nodded smiling, you're right he said, couldn't have put it a better way. And she said, I was glad she then asked about you seeing her undressed, especially as your changing Billie's diapers already. It just happened a lot earlier than I expected it to she laughed. Well, I'm glad I'm one of her safe people he said quietly. Amanda looked at him, well I wasn't lying when I told her I trust you more than anyone else she said and kissed him, she needs to know that too. You trusted me with Gil and Zara 6 years ago now it's my turn to pass that trust to you. He smiled, and they both had another long kiss. So, what's this book she's talking about? Oh she said, she reached down to the side and lifted up a brightly coloured book. This she said, it's a great book for young kids, really gets the message through I think. He opened the book and read through it. Huh he said when he had finished it, I wish this was around when Zara and Gil were young, this is really good. Yeah, said Amanda as she snuggled into him again, the school recommended it. What time are you leaving she asked? Um he said, well I'll leave here soon, he said, I need to go back to the house to put some washing on, oh speaking of that she said, where are your clothes from yesterday? In your room he said, that's what I need to wash, well no, if you've taken these clothes, and she rubbed his chest then his legs, I need a spare pair to keep here, just in case she said smiling, so I'll wash them when you go. He laughed, OK thank you. But I'm still keeping this hoodie she said sternly. Yes, I know you are he laughed.
After tidying up the leftover breakfast dishes and putting them away Nick started to get ready to leave. Ok you two said Amanda, come say bye to Nick. Aww do you really have to go? asked Jesse Nick laughed, you haven't came near me in the past hour princesa, he picked her up for a hug, I know she said, but I knew you were here she said smiling, I don't need to see you all the time if I know you're here she said innocently. Amanda felt her heart tug, aww she said and laughed. Nick rubbed the little girl's back and looked at her, well you're coming to my house today he said so it's only for a little while so I can spend time with Noah, just like I spent time with you yesterday. OK she replied sadly, I'll miss you but. Aww princesa, I'll miss you too. He put her down and ruffled Billie's hair, then walked to Amanda, Ok he said pulling her in for a hug, I shall see you later also, she tightened her hug, ok she whispered, see you soon. As they pulled away Jesse came back over to them. Here she said, what's this? Some food for my dollies she said. Nick laughed, alright he said, I'll make sure they get this. Where are they anyway? Oh they're on my bed she said happily and walked away again. Amanda rolled her eyes, I'll have a word with her about that again, nah he said and leant over to kiss her cheek, she'll get used to it eventually, leave her be for now he smiled. He picked up his car keys and wallet, alright see you girls later he called, bye Nick said Jesse, Bye waved Billie, Amanda followed him to the door, see you later she said shyly, he gave her a kiss on the lips and said, I'll call you when we're on our way over. Ok she nodded. Have a good day she smiled.
An hour later Nick called by Liv's place to pick up Noah. Hey Nick smiled Liv, you have a nice day yesterday with Rollins and the girls? Yeah he said grinning, it was great, they're very cute and loveable girls he chuckled. We still talking about the 3 of them or the youngest 2 she teased, Nick looked at her and tried to stop grinning, the younger 2 he said sarcastically, then he stopped himself again, actually he said, all 3… I'm changing that before you tell Rollins what I said. Liv laughed at him, I'm just teasing you. He smiled, yeah I know you are he said, but yeah, it was nice to catch up with her also. You two have a chance to talk? Asked Liv. He looked at her and didn't know what to say. Hey I know you two have been chatting on the phone and zoom for a while now, but she said sighing, there are some things you two need to talk about that can only be done face to face. Nick smiled, yeah I know he said, we had a bit of a talk last night he said. Quickly adding, Jesse wanted me to read to her at bedtime again, so I hung around for that, we talked when they went to bed he said. And…. Liv pressed, I fell asleep on the sofa he laughed and shrugged. Nick! groaned Liv, well I was tired, Amanda was shattered, I couldn't help it he said. Look, hopefully I'll be more awake when I take you out tomorrow night, and he said if the offer is still open for you to have the girls, I did manage to arrange to take Amanda out on Wednesday if it suits you? Liv smiled and nodded, absolutely she grinned, I'm looking forward to both nights. And tonight she added. You've no idea how much it's needed. Oh, after watching Amanda yesterday he said, I've a fair idea you both need a break he said smiling. Here he said handing her a bag, a few things for you two to have a treat tonight. Nick she said, thank you. Well as I said, you both need a treat, and I can only do so much this week. She hugged him, oh you are doing so much more than you will ever know she said. We both appreciate it. Noah appeared at that moment, we ready to go Nick? Yeah mate Nick replied, you know what you wanna do yet? Yeah he said, bowling if that's OK. Sure Nick smiled, we can go get lunch too. You got everything Noah asked Liv? Yes mum he said in a typical teenager groan. Nick went on, school bag, books, and uniform? Yes replied the boy, and school shoes added Liv in a panic, oops he said shyly, I forgot those. Nick laughed, go get them then buddy. He lifted the bags Noah had with him and Liv said he causes any problems and punish him however you want Nick, he's got to that age he thinks he can do whatever he wants. Nick smiled, well I know how to deal with this age he chuckled, that's the shallow end now, the girl's on the other hand has been a shock to the system. Liv laughed, I'm sure you've done well so far with them. Noah returned. Ok mate let's go, he turned to Liv you coming with us or are you staying, umm, no I think you two boys need some man time she laughed, Noah's surrounded by us 4 girls all the time, he needs time with you. Yeah said Noah. Ok said Nick laughing, but you know Jesse and Billie are staying with us tonight, too don't you? Yeah I don't mind that said Noah, they go to bed way before I do, Nick laughed out loud, OK then he nodded, let's get going then. They said goodbye to Liv and headed out.