Author's Notes: Just so everyone knows… This chapter is solely the conversation between Nick and his Mom, which was part of the original challenge, so it's going to be short.

cRaZyPiXie: I still live with my mom – well for the next two weeks anyways. LoL But I'm sure I'll be calling her every day!

Wyatt1: Don't worry! I just couldn't let everything be hunky-dory after only a few days, though, ya know?

adpi22: Hmm… You give me good ideas! LoL Though, at this point, I don't plan on bringing Mrs. Stokes to Vegas.

Kirby Doggett: I'm so glad you like it! I love the N/S baby fics, too!

krisnina77: So sorry I kept you waiting! LoL That would be fun if my fic could turn into a frog, though, wouldn't it?

Nepeace: I'm super glad you're still with me!

candaceFABULOUS: I hope to not be the cause of you're craziness! Hehe!

jhfortier: Your review cracked me up, just had to tell you!

Ally Sidle: Yes, I was for three days. And for now, I am, thank you.

Baby Blue3: Please please please don't kill yourself! And I will take your suggestion under consideration. :)

Also thanks to: MissyJane, ljae, countryfreak, csi424, Grissom's Girl, and River Goddess for reviewing!

Now! On with the chapter!

~*~*~*~

"Nicholas? Is that my baby boy?"

"Yeah, Mom. It's me." Nick plopped down on the couch with the cordless phone. Knowing his mother, which he did, he would be there for a while.

"Honey, it's been almost two months. Why haven't you called? I left you a few messages. Are you okay? Are you sick? How's work? Or should I just ask 'What's her name?' Are you –"

"Mom!"

"Nicky, you don't have to yell. I'm not going deaf yet."

Nick took a deep breath. "Work's fine. I've been kind of… um… busy, I guess. I'm not sick. And do you remember….. Sara?"

"Didn't I meet her last Christmas? At that party? I think I still have a picture of you two somewhere. You guys are such great friends. I remember you told me that. Wasn't she your date to that party thing? Yeah, I believe she –"

"Mom, you're rambling again." Nick said getting somewhat irritated.

"Oh, honey, I'm sorry. I guess once you have kids, you'll understand what it's like when one of them calls you after two months of no communication."

Nick cringed at her words, thinking how ironic it was that she said that.

"So, what about Sara? Are you guys still friends? How is she?"

"Yeah, well we were… I guess…"

"Were? What do you mean?"

"Mom, are you sitting down?"

"Yeah… Nicky, what happened?"

"Sara's… um… pregnant, Mom."

"Well, that's great! But I'm confused. Why-" Suddenly the line went silent.

"Mom? Momma, are you there?" Nick sat up straight, worried about his mother.

"You're the baby's father, aren't you, Nicky?" Her voice was very soft, he almost didn't hear it.

Nick didn't say anything.

"What were you thinking? Weren't you using protection? What are you gonna do? You have to marry her!" She was rambling yet again.

"Mom."

"When is she due? Oh, what are you gonna do?" She paused. "She is keeping the baby isn't she?"

"Mom!" Nick yelled this time.

"Well, honey, have you thought about these things?"

"Of course I am! It's all I can think about! But when she told me…. I kind of… um…. I didn't react well."

"You didn't react well?" She asked. "What do you mean?"

"It was ugly Mom. We had said at the beginning that this would be a 'No Strings Attached' relationship, but now she's pregnant. We both yelled at each other. We blamed each other. It was just really bad. Mom, I ended up driving her to the hospital because she got some sudden pains or something. I think it was just cramping, but I don't know all this pregnancy stuff. It was my fault, too…."

"Oh Nicky…"

"It was awful. Seeing Sara lying there in that hospital bed… Someone so strong, and so independent… There was nothing I could do. Knowing it was my fault, and knowing that I could have done serious damage to her or that baby just because of all the stress…. I don't know what I would have done if…"

"Nicky, don't think like that…. But I have to ask… Do you love Sara?"

Nick leaned back on the couch and rubbed his eyes with his free hand. "I don't know, Mom."

"I think you need to figure that out soon, honey."

"But how, Mom? How do I know?"

"You just will… I think you already do know. You just don't want to admit it."

"Mom, you're supposed to help me, and tell me what to do."

"Nick, you're 32 years old. I can't hold your hand for the rest of your life. You're going to have your own son or daughter soon, and I can't be there to make all of your decisions."

"Why not?" Nick pleaded.

He could hear her soft laugh on the other end of the line. "My baby boy is growing up. Finally." She let out another soft chuckle.

"Gee thanks, Mom," he said sarcastically.

"You're a smart man, Nicky. You'll know what to do."

"But Mom –"

"Honey, I've got to go. Your Dad is going to be home soon, and I promised I was going to make him some homemade potato soup. I want you to call me and keep me updated on the well-being of my grandchild and his or her mother. I love you, honey!"

"Love you, too, Mom."

"Bye honey."

Nick hung up the phone and went to get ready for work, his mind full of confusion.

~*~*~*~

TBC

Just so you know – I don't really know much about pregnancies, as I have not had any kids of my own yet. :) So, if something I write isn't correct, I'm sorry. But I have to remind you all that this is fiction. Again, I apologize if I screw something up.

Okay, you know what to do! Hit that little button, and let me know what ya think! No flames, please!