Nick was awoken the next morning by Billie rubbing his cheek. He smiled, good morning bebita. Billie smiled and said Ick! He put his hand on her back and she lay back down on his arm. He reached for his phone to find the time. It was just after 6am. He lay there with Billie snuggled into him and he played with her hair. She was falling back to sleep again. Just as she went back to sleep he heard his door creak open, he lifted his head and saw Jesse peeking in. Hey he whispered, come on over to this side princesa, your sister is sleeping. Jesse tiptoed around and stood at the other side of the bed. Nick gently removed the sleeping child from his arm and turned around to Jesse, you coming in with us he smiled? My friends said I'm not allowed into the mummy and daddy bed she said looking sad. Well, he said, mummy isn't here and Billie's in here he said. And he patted the bed, come on in. She hesitated then climbed in. She snuggled into him, putting her head on his shoulder, and you know what? he said. What? The little girl whispered, sometimes even if mummy and daddy are in bed, sometimes they let little girls and boys join them for some snuggles he smiled. Not all the time he added, but sometimes. Did you let Zara and Gil in your bed sometimes? she asked. I did he replied, not all the time, but sometimes. Do they still be allowed? No, he said smiling, they're too big now he said they stay in their own beds all the time. She held onto him a bit tighter, will I be too big soon? Not just yet princesa he replied, you'll know when you're too big and tell mummy…. And you? added Jesse lifting her head and looking at him. Nick smiled, and me he replied and kissed her forehead. They both lay there for a few minutes Jesse talking and asking various questions, when he heard Noah in the bathroom. His alarm then went off which made Billie startle, but she stayed sleeping. OK princesa Nick groaned, time for us to get up and get breakfast.
Half an hour later Jesse and Noah were sitting at the table eating breakfast. Nick had made them pancakes with fruit at the side. Nick had just returned to the kitchen with a freshened up Billie. She smiled when she saw Noah and Jesse. He sat her in the highchair and gave her a pancake cut up and some fruit along with a drink. It was now nearing 7.30. He sent Noah upstairs to get ready for school and as Jesse sat on the chair finishing her fruit, he began the task of doing her hair again. 5 minutes later, hair done, he said OK little lady let's go put your uniform on. He lifted Billie out of the highchair and put her down, they walked into the living room. Nick helped Jesse get undressed then dressed into her uniform. Just as they were finishing Noah came into the room. Nick looked up, wow he said look at you looking very smart, Noah smiled and lifted Billie into his arms. He sat down on the couch where's Billie's clothes Nick, I can help put them on. Nick smiled and threw the clothes to him. Thank you he said as he returned to fixing Jesse's pinafore. He buttoned her cardigan and smiled. And you are just a hermosa niñita he grinned. What does that mean? she asked. It means you're a beautiful little lady he replied. I'm not a little lady said Jesse, I'm your princesa. He heard Noah snigger and he couldn't help but laugh himself. No you're right he said laughing, you're definitely my princesa and he kissed her forehead. She grinned back at him with her teeth showing through. OK he said, let me get a photo of you princesa, we'll see if mummy approves of the hair. He then said to Noah and let me get one of you looking smart in your uniform too. Noah groaned, come on said Nick not taking no for an answer, photo taken he then said, let me get one of you both together he smiled. He took one, then Noah said, we need one with Billie too Nick. Nick laughed, you didn't want a photo a few seconds ago, I know he said but I do now. Ok he laughed, Noah picked Billie up again and Nick took a few photos of the 3 of them. He looked at the time. Ok he said, go get your school bags and we'll head off. What about our overnight bag Nick? asked Noah, don't worry about that he said, I'll bring them to Amanda's later on.
Nick got Jesse and Billie strapped into their car seats and Noah was in the front with him. He dropped Noah off to school 1st and then headed to Jesse's school. He parked up and as he took her out of her seat said to Jesse, Ok princesa, you're going to have to show me where to go here. Ok she said happily, he went to the other side with Jesse beside him and lifted Billie out of her car seat. Keeping her in his arms, he took Jesse's hand and said OK princesa, lead the way. She had a big smile on her face as she led him to where the teacher was waiting for her class. Hi Mrs Lagan said the little girl. Good morning Jesse the teacher replied, and you must be Mr Amaro she said smiling at Nick. Hi, yes Nick's fine he said smiling. Ok Nick, and will you be picking Jesse up after school today or will the childminder be coming as normal? Nick's collecting me said Jesse excitedly, and Nick laughed. Yes, I'll be collecting her today he replied, there was a change of plans late last night with the childminder. Not to worry the teacher replied the way things are now, we understand last minute changes. Nick smiled, well it will be Amanda or myself collecting her the rest of the week he said. The teacher smiled, no worries. Jesse then said I want you to pick me up this week Nick. Nick smiled at the teacher and cleared his throat, well we'll have to see what mummy's plans are, he said, but I will collect you today. He got down on his hunkers to say goodbye to Jesse. I'll see you later princesa. Be good and work hard Sí? Sí replied Jesse nodding her head smiling. She put her arms around him and gave him a kiss on the cheek. He kissed her cheek and then her forehead, OK off you go, Have a good day princesa. Bye Billie she waved as Billie waved to her sister. He watched as Jesse got her temperature taken then put her hand sanitizer on her hands before joining her class line. Thank you he said to Mrs Lagan, and he turned and left.
After putting Billie back into the car, he received a text from Amanda.
Amanda: Morning baby, All OK?
Nick: Good morning mi amor, yes all went well, I have told the teacher that I'll be collecting Jesse this afternoon.
Amanda: thank you. Call by the station at lunchtime, I need to give you the spare key for the apartment x
Nick: OK let me know if you're in or out and we can work out a time. Hasta luego mi amor xo
Amanda: See you later baby xoxo
Before setting off he sent the picture of Noah and Jesse in their uniforms with Billie to Amanda and Olivia along with this message: All 3 still alive, dressed and dropped off at school on time lol.
He put his phone on the dashboard and started the car and drove back to the house. He let Billie walk into the house and she went straight to the living room and pointed at the TV. Ok he said, you can have some tv time while I go sort the dishwasher.
Over at Olivia's Amanda was up first at around 6.30, She got up and went into the bathroom. Returning she got dressed for the day and went out to make her and Olivia some breakfast. Olivia appeared and they chatted over their breakfast. They then headed to the station, Olivia and Amanda arrived in their own cars and parked up beside each other.
They both arrived at the squad room to see Fin and Carisi looking over some paperwork. Hey you two said Olivia, Fin looked up, hey you two he said smiling. Don't we look refreshed and happy on this Monday morning? Amanda laughed, yeah, it's amazing what a full night's sleep and a bit of a lie in can do for a girl she said. Not to mention some adult company, a pamper and a drink or 3 added Olivia. Yeah, amazing said Amanda smiling. So, you two have a good night? Asked Fin. We did said Olivia, it was lovely and much needed and appreciated. Yeah, sighed Amanda, it was amazing. Good said Fin, you two ladies deserve a night off. Yeah, you do, said Carisi. Thanks, said Olivia, I have tonight off too she said. Oh, is Nick taking Noah again tonight? asked Carisi. No, she replied, Nick's taking me out for dinner tonight she replied, yeah, I'm taking Noah tonight said Amanda. Good said Fin, I'm glad Nick's looking after you both. Oh, he's definitely looking after us smiled Olivia, he's our life saver today. Oh yeah? said Carisi sounding annoyed, why's that? Amanda and Olivia looked at each other then Fin. He shrugged his shoulders looking at him oddly himself. Oh, Lucy had an appointment today so couldn't take Noah for me, so I was going to ask Chloe to take him if she didn't mind. Yeah, but Chloe is now isolating due to her mum testing positive said Amanda, so we were in a pickle, then Nick said he'd pick both kids up and keep Billie for me today. Well, that worked out well said Fin, yeah thankfully said Amanda, The, next plan would have been me taking the day off to take all 3 kids. And considering I'm off the rest of the week it wouldn't have been the best of timing. Well, it was either you or me taking the day off smiled Olivia and having the 3 of them.
Fin then started asking how Nick got on with all 3 kids, please tell me you've heard from him this morning and they are all still with us he joked. Oh, he had them up, dressed and out to school and photo sent to prove it laughed Olivia. He's back into the swing of things already she joked.
How's the girls with him? asked Fin. Oh, I'm blew out Amanda joked, they're both stuck to him, and after spending the night with him I have a feeling it'll be the same tonight she joked. He took us to a park near him and had Jesse cooking with him on Saturday. She's loved having him here. Fin smiled, good, I'm sure he'll be glad to see his bed tonight. Oh, I'm sure he will indeed said Amanda laughing. I'll let you know later on when I meet him to give him my apartment key, Carisi looked at her, why does he need your key? He's taking the kids back to mine after school she said a bit colder than she meant. He's making them dinner and hopefully he does some homework with them she laughed. Knowing Nick, he'll take them out for a treat and have them hyped up for you more like teased Fin. He does that and he'll be staying at mine and I'm going out with Liv instead she said smiling. I may warn him now said Olivia she joked, as much as I love you Rollins, I'm looking forward to catching up with Nick tonight she said. Maybe Fin will have them then teased Amanda smiling at him, oh hell no he said, I'm texting Nick myself and warning him. They all laughed except for Carisi. He snapped, come on Fin, we need to focus on this. All 3 looked at him, alright said Fin, I'm allowed to have a catch up with my colleague's mate. He turned back to Amanda and Olivia who were standing in bewilderment. He turned to Amanda, what about you? When's your date night with him? Amanda gave him a look, Wednesday she smiled, Olivia has kindly offered to take the girls. Yeah, said Olivia cheerily, I can't wait to have them, aww teased Fin, that's why you're off on Thursday morning then? Yeah, she laughed, I can drop Noah and Jesse to school, drop Billie off to Amanda then come on in. Maybe I'll go for a coffee beforehand. Sounds lovely he said. Yeah, it does said Amanda, Maybe I'll do that myself tomorrow once I drop the kids to school. At that moment Olivia's phone began to ring, as did Amanda's phone on her desk. Ok groaned Olivia, catch-up time's over sadly. Amanda answered her phone and started writing in her book, Fin returned to looking at papers with Carisi, Amanda hung up and walked to Olivia's office, just at that Kat walked in and said good morning. Ah said Amanda leaving Olivia still talking on her phone, don't take your coat off Kat, you're out with me. OK said Kat and they headed out.
It was nearing 11.30am when Nick decided to take Billie up to the park. Come on bebita, we'll walk up instead of the car. He put her in the pram and headed up. They got there about 15 minutes later and he took her out of the pram, held her hand and let her walk beside him. She was babbling away and pointing at various things. When they got to the actual playpark she screamed and ran towards the swings. Nick laughed. He lifted her into the swing and pushed her. As he was standing watching her his phone rang. He smiled when he saw it was Amanda, hi he answered. Hey you she replied, everything going ok? Yeah, said Nick, me and Billie are up at the park. Oh, Amanda said, lucky Billie she laughed. He chuckled, well I thought we'd take a walk up to get some fresh air. You walked it from the house? she said surprised. Yeah, he said, it took us 15 minutes with the pram, I was just about to head back home he said. Oh good, she said why what's wrong? he asked. Nothing she said, I'm taking lunch at 1pm today, Fin and Liv are getting ready to go on theirs soon, so was gonna suggest you come meet me and we can eat. Sure, replied Nick. I'll pick you up outside. Great she said, can't wait. Me neither he smiled see you soon.