Just before 11.30 they had packed the 2 kids' cabin cases, rooms were tidied, there was a large donate pile and things they were keeping were put into some boxes Nick had in the garage. Gil, can you put Zara's wallpaper into the car please? Nick asked, I need to drop it off at the new house. Will I take the photo frames too? Erm yeah, you could do that hijo, thank you. Amanda had stripped all 3 beds and put a load into the washing machine. Dad are we going to the new house? No bebita he replied, it's not safe for children at the minute, there's lots of work getting done to it. Amanda had cleaned and hoovered the kitchen, living room and bathrooms by the time Nick and the 2 kids had finished. She was sitting on the couch making a wish list on Amazon for things for the new house. Nick came out and joined her. Hey mi amor, what are you shopping for? Oh nothing, just adding things to a wish list to remind me what we may or may not need. Plus it means we can check prices if we see them in store. Nick put his arm around her and pulled her in, let's see then, he whispered, as he kissed her temple. Good idea he said, you will have to send me that link. Don't need to she said, I'll send you the log in details; I've opened up a new account for us both to use. He smiled our 1st joint account? She smiled, yeah. He kissed her temple again and whispered te amo mucho mi amor, she wrapped her arms around his waist and replied Te quiero mucho and kissed his lips softly. He looked at her phone again and the list, we'll need new bed sheets for Zara and Gil too he said, I've just realised they only have single ones here. Well we can think about those later she said, we can head to Walmart or shop online. We'll need new ones for our bed too. Zara appeared beside them. Hey bebita, Nick said you ok? he asked. Yeah she said; I'm hungry now. He smiled and called Gil out. I'm thinking we've had a lazy morning and a good tidy up so how about we head out for lunch and then a walk before we go to the airport. Are you coming Amanda? asked Gil, Amanda smiled; yeah I'm coming for lunch and a walk. Zara then asked and the airport too? Amanda looked at Nick and he shrugged, it's up to you mi amor he replied, well we'll see about the airport she replied smiling, you might just want your dad to take you there. Gil said, nah, I'd like you to come to the airport too he smiled, and Zara said yeah me too. Nick laughed, oh so I'm not good enough is that it? he joked. Zara climbed up on his lap and Gil sat down, Aww we love you daddy, but we love Amanda too. He kissed his daughter's head; well I guess I'm going to have to share you both with Amanda then aren't I? Well we are a family now said Gil so yeah, Nick turned to look at his son and grinned, he held his hand out over Amanda's shoulder for Gil to move in with the 3 of them. Amanda teared up as Gil moved in for a group hug. Yeah Nick grinned; we are a family now he said happily. Amanda hugged Gil and Zara. Looks like I'm going to the airport then she laughed. Yay sang Zara. Right Amanda said, let's get ourselves ready and head out for some food.
By 12.15 they were all in Amanda's car and Nick was starting the engine. You two sure you have everything now? he asked again, as we're not coming back. Yes they both chanted. As they pulled out Zara sang bye bye house, and Nick smiled, this might be the last time you see the house he said aloud. That's why I'm saying bye bye daddy she replied. Amanda looked over to him and took his hand. He smiled at her, new beginnings he said happily.
Lunch eaten they drove to the park that wasn't far from the new house; Amanda smiled at him and whispered have you told them where we're going? He smiled, nope; I'll leave it for us just for now. He grinned and she laughed. They arrived about 15 minutes later and climbed out of the car. I've never been here before said Zara, is this a new park daddy? Well it's new to us he replied, I found it a few weeks ago so thought it would be nice to come here today. He said to Gil, there's a basketball court here so if you want to take your basketball go ahead, it's still there from yesterday, and there's a play park too bebita so you can have a play. He locked the car and joined Amanda on the path, she was buttoning Zara's coat. When she stood up he put his arm around her and they walked into the park. As the 2 kids ran ahead she held his hand that was around her shoulder. This is nice she said, he kissed her temple, it is he replied. As they reached the park Zara ran on ahead, and Gil headed to the basketball court. Nick and Amanda sat down on a bench. She leaned into his embrace; It's so peaceful she said, I could sit like this forever. He smiled, and brought her lips up to his and kissed her. Our new life he whispered, she smiled, yeah, who knows, we could be sitting here this time next year with a pushchair beside us. He looked back and smiled, you thinking down that line again Rollins? He grinned and playfully raised his eyebrows. Well you know she said, I'm open to the idea more and more she blushed. Really? Yeah she said, and this weekend has just confirmed it for me. He grinned and kissed her deeply. You will make a great mum he whispered, and I can't wait until we start our own little family. She smiled me neither, but not just yet….. I want you all to myself for a little while longer; we can keep practising though she said grinning. He growled, oh I'm ok with that plan he smiled, and kissed her again. They heard giggling and realised Zara was watching them. Gil came up beside her and he said what are you laughing at? Nothing said Amanda smiling, Zara giggled again, Daddy and Amanda were kissing. Eugh dad he groaned. Hey, it wasn't my fault, Amanda started it he laughed. Amanda! Gil said, sorry buddy she blushed, I can't help it. Just then Nick's phone rang. Amaro he answered, Oh, sorry Maria he said, habit of a lifetime and Amanda laughed. Yeah sure we can do that he replied, he looked at his watch, 4.30 he repeated, yes, no problem we'll see you soon. He hung up. Ok you two let's head back to the car, we'll head to the airport and we can get some hot chocolate there in the café. Amanda looked at him as they stood up. Everything OK? Yeah, he said, she was just confirming meeting at 4.30. It was just before 3pm. We can walk back slowly and head on over, the kids like sitting in the café there. Ok she said and rubbed his back. They held hands walking back to the car. When they got in Zara said, I like that park daddy, can we come here again? Amanda smiled, sure he replied, we can definitely do that.
They arrived at the airport just after 3.30. They parked up and Nick and Amanda took a case each and pulled them in. Gil and Zara ran ahead to get a seat in the café. As Amanda sat down Nick said OK 2 hot chocolates, what would you like mi querida, Amanda looked at him and he grinned, I'll tell you when I get back mi querida, a coffee please she smiled. He returned a few minutes later with a tray of drinks. He slipped in beside Amanda and put his arm around her, you ok there my dear? he said grinning. Amanda looked at him Mi querida is my dear? Si he replied trying to stop himself from laughing. Huh she said, you know I actually don't mind that one. He looked at her and smirked, yeah? I prefer calling you mi amor at the moment though, me too she said. They both giggled. What are you two laughing at Zara asked? Amanda looked at her and said, oh nothing, daddy's just being silly. They sat chatting and laughing as they drank their drinks. I need to go to the bathroom announced Zara. Come on then Amanda said, let's go. She stood up and held her hand out to the little girl. While Amanda and Zara were in the bathroom Maria appeared. Hey Nick she said, Nick looked Hi Maria he replied, Hi Gil she said, where's Zara? Oh Amanda took her to the bathroom Nick said. Oh, OK was the reply. She sat down on the chair that was at the end of the cubicle. So you have a good weekend she asked, Yeah, said Gil it was great. Good she smiled, and did Zara behave? She did said Nick. Look Maria, I've spoken to her about Nathan, and she brought the subject up with Amanda, she has promised us both she will try her best with Nathan. Maria smiled, thank you. Amanda and Zara walked out of the bathroom and saw Maria at the table. Zara shouted Hi mummy! As Amanda took a breath in and walked towards them smiling. Hey baby she said to Zara, Maria stood up and smiled at Amanda, Hi Amanda. Hi Maria, you have a good weekend? I did she replied smiling. Zara climbed in beside Gil, as Amanda slipped in beside Nick again. He took her hand under the table and gave it a squeeze. As the 2 kids talked Maria said to Nick, so everything go OK this weekend? Yeah, he smiled, it was great. She turned to Amanda, I'm sorry about the awkward conversation with Zara the other night, Amanda cleared her throat, yeah she laughed, well, it was an interesting way to get to know them I'll say that. Maria smiled, sorry again, I thought I'd stopped that conversation when she asked me, it came out of the blue for me too she laughed. Well, she likes to keep you on your feet I'll give her that Amanda laughed, but hey, no harm done.
They spoke about when Nick would be up in LA next month, and remember she's away with your mum the next weekend Nick, so she won't be coming down then. Yes, he said that's OK, Gil can't come either that weekend so I'll use it to sort the house out and start packing up. Any word on the house yet she asked? Yeah actually he said, it looks like it has sold, the paperwork is to be signed next week hopefully. So next time Zara comes to visit we might be staying at Amanda's house. I'll let you know closer to the time though he said.
He looked at his watch, hey we better get moving he said, your check in has opened. Maria sighed as she got up, thanks for swapping weekends she said, he smiled, no problem, I'm just glad I was able to, and thanks for bringing Gil down with you, it was great having them both here at the same time, we should try and organise that more often. She smiled, you know what, we should try to organise it more often, look at the 2 of them, Nick smiled, yeah, they dote on each other. She turned to Amanda, Thanks for everything this weekend Amanda, and sorry for the awkward conversation again. Amanda laughed not to worry, and hopefully she's settled for you when Nathan is around. Fingers crossed Maria smiled. They walked over to the check in desk and when all that was sorted Nick said goodbye to them both. They hugged each other tightly. Zara then reached over to Amanda. She took her from Nick's arms and hugged her, see you soon honey she said, and remember our promise won't you? Yes, Amanda she said, and remember you don't have to love me or Nathan, but it would be nice if you like us she smiled. Maria smiled. OK Amanda Zara said again and kissed her. She put her down and turned to Gil, and we'll see you next month. Yep he said smiling and hugged her.
They watched them as they walked through security and waved one last time. Amanda had her arm around Nick's waist; he put his around her shoulders. They turned and walked out of the airport. He pulled her close to him and kissed her temple. Thank you for coming today he whispered, you made that a whole lot easier. She smiled up at him, I'm glad I came she replied. And I'm glad Maria hasn't put you in a bad mood. He smiled, yeah, I'm not going to lie, I was nervous about you two meeting here today. She smiled and hugged him tighter, me too she said, I'm glad it didn't go wrong. He smiled, yeah, and stopped walking. He turned to her and put his hands on her waist, he smiled at her and said, Amanda Rollins I love you so much, I don't know what I would ever do without you, now you're in my life. He leant over and kissed her deeply. Breaking away for air she smiled, honestly Nick Amaro, I can't imagine my life without you now. I love you more than you could ever imagine. And those 2 kids of yours, well what can I say about them? she laughed, they are amazing. He smiled, and whispered, you're a great mum to them he stroked her face, and you'll be a great mum to our own children… when we have them. He kissed her again. She smiled; I wanna be selfish and keep you to myself for a bit longer before we have our own kids. He smiled and kissed her again, yo también mi amor. But we can keep practising for when we do start trying, he grinned, oh don't worry about that mi amor she grinned, there will be lots of practicing required. They both grinned and walked hand in hand to the car. When they got in he said, let's go see our new house. She put her hand on his and replied smiling, our new home.