On the drive back the 2 ladies talked about general things, both mentioned a few times how hungry they were. After picking the food up they drove to Liv's. After changing into their lounge wear, they began to eat. Over dinner Liv brought up Nick again, Nick's house is nice isn't it? She said looking over to Amanda. Yeah, replied Amanda, it is. Olivia laughed, you're more interested in your food right now aren't you? Amanda stopped and smiled, sorry she laughed, it's a very rare occasion I get to eat my dinner while it's hot. Hey Olivia laughed keep going, enjoy it. Oh, I am replied Amanda looking at her as she took another bite. And yes, the house is lovely she said more seriously. Infact, it's beautiful she sighed, and sat her fork down. Liv noticed the change in tone, so she pressed on. OK she said, what's up Rollins? What are you thinking about? Oh, Amanda sat back with her wine and sighed. Remember I was talking about looking at moving last Summer? Being stuck in the flat with the 2 girls, it was getting to me. Yeah, said Olivia, having an idea where this was going, I never thought about it again until yesterday said Amanda, we spent the afternoon at Nick's after the park, and she shrugged, I don't know she mumbled, it just got me thinking about it again. Jesse loved running up and down the stairs going in and out of the bedrooms, Billie loved walking from one living room to the other, it was the space she sighed. Olivia smiled, well what's stopping you now? Oh, I don't know Amanda said, if I even try to rent a house it'll be expensive, especially one that's close enough for work and the school etc. There's just a lot to think about. Olivia cleared her throat, well as you know, I looked into moving before too, but it's different for me, there's just me and Noah, sure quarantine was tough for the 2 of us but not as tough as you had it with 2 active girls, 1 of whom had just started walking. Amanda nodded, yeah, she said. I don't know, I'll have to think about it she said, see what my options are. Olivia laughed, hey, maybe you could ask Nick to rent his house when he goes back to LA. Amanda laughed; I wish she said smiling. Although Jesse would love that one, she's basically allocated all the bedrooms and moved in, in her head already. Yeah, said Liv, what was all that about? Amanda proceeded to tell her about telling them who owned which room at Nicks, and then went on to tell her about the conversation about the mummy and daddy room. Wow said Liv, shocked. Oh, that's not all laughed Amanda, who then told her about Jesse being cross because Nick slept on the couch and not in her room. The couch is only for Noah and Sonny apparently, she laughed. According to her, because Nick is a daddy, he has to sleep in my room with me, aww bless her said Olivia laughing. Amanda smiled yeah, it just shows how, even though they've been having this talk at school during playtime, the innocence of her understanding of it still. She shrugged; I wish she would stay that innocent forever she smiled sadly. Aww you're lucky said Liv, whereas I have Noah asking all kinds of questions and hiding in his room more often. My problem is it's the beginning of hormones if you know what I mean. Oh, wow said Amanda blushing, yeah said Olivia, so I'll take mummy and daddy room talk any day over what I'm trying to get the courage to talk about, I keep hoping he'll bring it up with me but and she made a face. Amanda laughed, yeah, I'll stick to Jesse thinking Nick can just jump into my bed because he's a daddy she laughed. Olivia looked at her I'm sure you would love that anyway, whether he's a daddy or not. Amanda faked a shocked look and blushed, LIV! She said, aww don't play that with me Rollins Olivia laughed. Are you honestly going to tell me that if Nick joined you in bed you wouldn't kick him out? Amanda went to say something then stopped herself, tried not to laugh and tried again, Olivia laughed. I thought so she said pleased with herself. Yeah, Amanda said shrugging, I suppose I wouldn't she laughed. Even if it was just to have a cuddle, hell anyone of the opposite sex she said. Olivia smiled, yeah but you'd rather it was Nick wouldn't you really? Amanda pressed her lips together and smiled. I'm saying nothing more she said blushing, or I'll end up in trouble somehow. Olivia laughed again; aww I'm only teasing you; I know said Amanda sighing. Anyway, back to your problem she said, why don't you ask Nick if he'll have a talk with him? Olivia stared at her, oh I couldn't do that she said, he's not his dad and it would make things awkward would it not? I don't know said Amanda, I remember him having the talk with Gil one holiday he stayed with us. And not to make this sound the wrong way, he's as close to a dad that Noah will have, until you find someone. Woah, big jumps there joked Olivia laughing. Well, I'm just saying. I mean even spending the day with Nick yesterday, it made me realise that my girls won't know their dad's, and watching them with Nick yesterday, I'll not lie, it broke my heart a little she said. It was completely different to when they're with Sonny or Fin she added, and even back at the apartment last night, the girls were just so settled and stuck to him. They don't be like that with Sonny. Well, I suppose they're used to him said Olivia. Yeah, I suppose, although Jesse wasn't even like that with Al. Well, look how that turned out Olivia mumbled. Maybe Jesse has good taste Olivia joked. Amanda laughed. Anyway, Amanda said, ask Nick if you want help, she said, I'm sure as his godfather he'd even have some advice on how to handle that conversation with Noah. Olivia smiled and nodded. I might just do that she said. This wine is nice said Amanda changing the subject, yeah it is said Olivia, Nick gave it to us. Amanda looked at her, really? she said. Yeah, and there's more goodies in that basket on the counter. Amanda got up and lifted the dishes to the kitchen. After loading the dishwasher, she and Olivia went through the gift basket filled with pamper packs, chocolates and other treats.
Over at Nick's the night was going well, he had fed them their dinner, tidied up, done the dishes and they were currently all sitting in the living room. He looked at his watch and saw it was coming up to the girls bedtime. OK he said to Jesse, we need to get you two into your night clothes as it's wind down time for you. What would you like to do? Can you read me some of my new books? she asked. Nick smiled, sure, we can do that. He sat Billie on the couch and said, OK I'm going to go and get Billie's pyjamas and a new diaper, how's about you go and put your pyjamas on too then we'll head upstairs ok? Ok said Jesse. A few minutes later he had returned, he stripped Billie and she lay down on the floor to get her nappy changed. Nick freshened her up then gave her a quick top to toe clean with the baby wipes. He put her pyjamas on then put the clothes in the wash basket. Noah offered to take the nappy to the outside bin. Thanks mate he said, He then gave Billie her bottle of milk and she snuggled into the crook of his arm sitting on his lap. Noah then said I'm going to go and put my pyjamas on Nick. OK said Nick, I'm going to take these 2 upstairs now and we can do story time and bedtime at once. He carried Billie up in his arms and Jesse walked in front of him. As Noah went to go into his room Nick said, say goodnight to Noah princesa. The little girl ran to Noah and gave him a hug, Noah the gave Billie a kiss and a hug. See you in the morning the boy said. Nick smiled, I'll be down soon, and we can play some cards. Noah smiled, great.
Ok princesa said Nick, let's go read some books. They went into "her room" and with Billie on one side of Nick and Jesse on the other side, Nick started to read. Within minutes, Billie was sleeping, and not long after Jesse was sleeping soundly. He gently eased himself out of the bed and lifted Billie into his room. After laying her in the bed and making sure she wouldn't fall out of it he went back into Jesse, kissed her forehead and turned the big light out leaving a small nightlight on. He went back downstairs and began to tidy up the toys and the girl's clothes. He hung Jesse's school uniform on the back of the door and went to make himself some tea. Noah joined him in the kitchen not long after, they carried their tea and snacks into the living room and had a few games of cards and talked about school, friends and other things. They then watched a movie and had a few snacks. Soon it was bedtime for Noah. OK mate, time for you to head to bed, I'm not getting the blame for sleeping in tomorrow. Noah smiled, Ok, he stood up and walked to give Nick a hug, I'm glad you're here the boy said. I love mum, Auntie Amanda and Jesse and Billie and even Lucy, but they're all girls he said making a disgusted face, Nick laughed and ruffled his hair, well anytime you want to talk, you know you can call me, don't you? Yeah, but it's not the same as seeing you properly and going out and spending time with you. Nick felt his heart drop a little, well, maybe after this week I'll make sure I come and visit more often. Really? Said the boy excitedly, yeah said Nick nodding, I'll see what I can do he smiled. Cool said Noah smiling. Nick gave him another hug then said, off to bed mate, I'll check in on you in a bit. Night said Noah. Night Noah Nick smiled.
Nick sat downstairs for another hour or so, watching some TV and unloading the dishwasher. He lifted Billie's clothes out of the overnight bag and sat them on the back of the sofa ready to put on the next morning, he lifted the shopping bag of nappies and baby wipes he bought earlier at the store and carried them up to his room. He went to the bathroom, checked in on Noah, then Jesse then climbed into his bed, careful not to wake the sleeping baby on the other side of him, as he lay down his phone beeped, he lifted it to check what it was and smiled. He replied, and put his phone down, and went to sleep with a smile on his face.
Back at Olivia's it was nearing just after 10.30pm. I think I need to think about going to bed said Amanda, yawning. Yeah, I think I might do the same said Olivia. It'll be nice to get a lie in in the morning too she smiled. Yeah, I should hopefully get about an extra hour and a half, said Amanda smiling, and I can't wait she laughed. They started tidying everything away. As they said goodnight at the bedroom doors Liv said, I really enjoyed tonight Amanda, thank you for coming over. Amanda smiled, no thank you for inviting me over, it has been great to sit and talk with another adult in my free time without having kids interrupting. Yeah, said Liv, it's been lovely. As Amanda climbed into bed, she lifted her phone to check her emails. There was a reply from Jesse's teacher thanking her for letting her know about the change of arrangements, and that she had added Nick to the approved list of guardians to drop off or collect Jesse.
Amanda sent Nick a text:
Hope your night is going well. Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow evening xx
As she turned out the light her phone beeped.
Night has been great, see you tomorrow mi amor xo