At the station Nick was standing by the coffee machine whistling quietly to himself when Fin walked in. Morning Amaro, he said, Good morning Fin he replied. He started whistling to himself again and turned round coffee in hand. Right what's up Amaro? you're far too happy for my liking this morning. Actually, you've been in a good mood all week when I think about it. Nick laughed, and said so it's a crime to be in a good mood now is it Fin? Well no, but you're rarely in a good mood in the mornings Amaro, you're like a beating bear in the mornings. Well what can I say Fin, It's Christmas, and I'm going to see Zara and Gil this weekend. Olivia walked in and joined them as Fin said, yeah, I'll give you that one, but it's still odd. What's odd Fin? asked Benson. Nick in a good mood every morning this past few days, what? Yeah, I'd noticed that but he's going to see the kids this weekend so I guess that's why. As she said this, Amanda walked in and said Morning guys, what's up? Nick replied, Fin's getting creeped out cause I've been in a good mood these mornings, a big grin on his face looking at her. She laughed nervously and said Yeah? lucky you didn't see him the other morning then when his car wouldn't start. He was near getting thrown out of mine on the way in. Olivia laughed. So nothing's really changed then. I did say it's because he's away this week. Amanda felt her stomach drop and the smile disappeared. Nick noticed her shoulders tensing and he said, no not just that, I just love Christmas, and after the shit year I've had I'm starting afresh big grin on his face, he went and hugged Benson. Just like you, you've a new start with my little mate Noah, she smiled, you know what, you're right Amaro, and you've helped me with that change so thank you, and she kissed him on the cheek and hugged him tighter. He went to give Fin a hug and Fin ducked saying, get outta here man, it's too early for that shit, they all laughed and he went to hug Amanda, saying Rollins won't push me away, she's been a gem this week to me with lifts. He hugged her and kissed her temple, and she smiled saying, yeah, you're starting to freak me out now too Amaro, hugging him back tighter and smiling. They stood talking a little while longer, Nick's arm still around Amanda's shoulder when Barba walked in. Good morning guys, everyone said good morning back in Unison and he looked at them all and said, OK, that was very cheery and they all laughed.
The rest of the morning was quiet, no new cases so that was good news for them. Lunchtime was nearing and Benson appeared from her office asking if it was OK if she went before them today as she needed to pick a few things up for tonight's get together, Fin said he was hoping to nip out himself and get some last minute Christmas shopping, Nick said Rollins have you any plans? She looked and said no, I'm done, so he replied, well you two head out and do whatever you need to do, and me and Rollins will go when you come back. They both said are you sure and Amanda said, sure, as long as I can nip across the road to buy a coffee before you go. Benson said sure, go ahead now and Fin, you head off too. Nick and I will hold the fort till Rollins gets back. Nick said pick me one up too please? To which Amanda said well I was hardly going to get myself one and not you now was I? smiling. As she grabbed her coat she said, Liv do you want anything, and she replied no, then said actually yeah, I can drink it as I go, Thanks Amanda.
15 mins later Amanda arrived back, coffees in hand, Nick wasn't around so she headed to straight to Benson's office and gave her her's. Thanks Amanda, you're a lifesaver. Amanda asked her if there was anything she needed doing or brought tonight and she said, no I don't think so, just bring yourself. Ok, if you're sure, what about Saturday, are you sure you want me at your house on your 1st Christmas with the little guy. Yes of course, I wouldn't have asked you over otherwise, and it'll be nice, you are his godmother after all. If Nick wasn't away I would have asked him also as his Godfather. Amanda smiled and said, OK then. And no, so far you don't need to bring anything…. But that could change if I find on Christmas Eve Santa has forgotten batteries or something. Amanda laughed and said OK, I'll make sure I have extra. Right away you go and get what you need done, me and Nick are here to hold the fort. Thanks again Amanda, I'll see you in an hour. She lifted her coffee and left. See ya later Nick, See you Liv. He looked around and saw Amanda walking towards him with his coffee. Hey you she smiled, just the 2 of us for a bit. They walked over to the staff area and sat down on the couch. Here, she said, bought you a treat. His eyes lit up when he opened the packet and saw a Gingerbread cookie with Santa on it. OMG these are amazing, looking at her saying quietly, just like you. She blushed and said, well I'm in the Christmas mood this year for some reason, smirking and raising her eyebrows at him. She kicked her shoes off and stretched her legs out on the couch, snuggling them just beside Nick's hip, he kept his shoes on, but brought his legs up to align with Amanda. They sat and chatted eating their cookies and drinking their coffee. When finished eating she put her hand on his legs. Easy now girl, he said in a low voice, she smirked, and said, don't worry, that's all I'm gonna do, he finished his and rested his hand on her leg. They sat like this for a while just talking. Barba appeared again and looked at them, hey guys, hey Barba, what's up, Nick said. Oh nothing, was just looking Liv, is she around? Amanda replied, no she's out doing last minute shopping for tonight. Oh that's alright, was just going to ask her if she needed anything. Nick turned and got up from the sofa, leaving Amanda stretched out as if she were at home. She said, no I asked her the same thing and she said just to bring ourselves. Oh OK, he replied, I'm giving Fin a lift so no drinking for me tonight as I've court in the morning. He sat down on the couch beside Amanda's feet. Nick turned and said how about I give you a lift tonight seeing as you're taking me to the airport in the morning? Sure, sounds good. I'll not be drinking too much either though but it'll be nice to have a couple seeing as I'm working Christmas.
Barba looked, you working all Christmas?, Yeah, I'm on call tomorrow night and Christmas Day. I'll have a look at the holiday rota and see if I can even take a day off next week sometime. Plus I've got personal hours to take too, so if it's slow I might use some of those. Barba said well make sure you do, we all deserve a rest over Christmas. Yeah, I don't mind though covering for you guys at this time of year, I have no family so it doesn't annoy me. I mean, it means Liv can spend much needed time with Noah, Nick can go see his kids, he walked over at this point and put his hand on her shoulder and she held it, with her other hand she took Barba's hand and said it means you can spend time with your mum, smiling and rubbing his knuckles, and Fin can see his son. Barba placed his other hand on hers and said, tú también eres nuestra familia, aunque Rollins, and he smiled. She looked confused and Nick knelt down behind her, draped his arms around her shoulders and said, he said, you're our family too Rollins and he kissed her temple. Barba smiled and lifted her hand and kissed it. Then Nick said, which is why we want to make sure you get a few days off too. You're looking after us, so we want to look after you. Barba said, exactly amigo. Amanda teared up and said thanks guys, maybe on my day off I'll learn some Spanish so I can understand you two, she laughed, and the two men laughed too. At that Benson walked in on the 3 of them, Barba still holding Amanda's hand, Nick now sitting on the arm of the chair behind her holding her other hand, and Amanda still tears in her eyes, What's wrong? She said in a panic, nothing the 3 of them said in Unison. Benson looked and said really? Rollins is lying on the couch, Barba's holding her hand and Nick's behind her holding the other hand while she's crying, and you say nothing's wrong? Come on guys I'm not stupid. Amanda sat up, No honestly Liv. There's nothing wrong, these 2 are just making me get all soppy. Barba turned and said, we're just telling her that we appreciate her working over the holidays so we can spend time with our loved ones, but she is part of our family too so we want to look out for her. Amanda put her shoes on and said, yeah, I'd never thought of it like that so they're trying to get me to take some time off next week. Oh, yes absolutely, said Benson. In fact I had been looking at next weeks rota this morning and there's a few days free, so definitely take some. She walked over to her and gave her a big hug and said, I know I appreciate you too Amanda, and she kissed her on her temple too. Amanda, started crying again and said OK stop it you lot, seriously, I don't mind. Barba walked over to the two ladies and rubbed Amanda's arm, honestly do it Rollins, and Nick walked over to them and put his arms around both ladies and said, we appreciate you both, and kissed both on their cheeks. At this Fin walked in and said oh for crying out loud what's happening now. The other 4 laughed and said nothing. Fin said well why is Rollins crying, and she said no, they're happy tears. Benson brought him up to speed and he said, hell yeah, we do appreciate you Rollins, he then walked over to her and gave her a big hug too. Amanda took a deep breath and said, right Amaro, let's go get some lunch cause I'm starving, I'm not standing here crying all day. Benson said yeah off you go guys, take an extra 20 if I don't get a call by then cause I'm late and Fin left early. They both grabbed their coats and said, thanks Lieutenant. And headed off for the lift. Amanda saying, so Chinese or Italian? As the doors closed, Nick said, Italian, something romantic for my girl. He put his arm around her again and kissed her head, and she smiled.
When the doors closed Benson said, I wish those two would just go and get a room, get it out of them, Barba and Fin looked at each other shocked, Fin said, I'm gonna pretend I didn't hear that Liv. She laughed and said, I didn't mean to say it out loud. Barba said to Benson, she's a great girl, and she said yeah, I've invited her to mine on Christmas Day until she gets a call, so she'll not be on her own. Fin said good, I'm glad she's going. Barba said yeah, I'm glad too. Then Fin went to his desk, and Barba and Benson headed into her office