Next chapter is online. I changed my style slightly. I think/hope it's easier to read this way.
The title of this chapter is part from "Lullaby" by Creed.

Thanks as always to my beta, Isi.

Disclaimer: It's not mine.

15. Hush My Love Now Don't You Cry

Tess couldn't fall asleep. Too many thoughts were spinning around in her head.

She had the room on the left hand side of the upstairs hallway, Claire and Alex had their rooms on the right hand side of the hallway. Tess didn't hear a sound from both rooms.

----

Soon she sneaked out of her room again. She wanted to look at the stars. Maybe she would get an answer from them.

On her way out she went past the door to the living room. The door was open and she glanced into it. Nick was laying on the couch in his boxers. It was warm so he didn't use the blanket.

"You're a handsome guy." Tess thought by that sight.

Nick heard something moving. He opened his eyes a little and saw Tess watching him from the halfclosed door. He opened his eyes completly and loocked at her directlyy. Tess returned the look and stepped into the room.

Nick noticed that he sat there only in his boxers and put his shirt on.

Tess came to the couch, sat down beside Nick and put her head on his shoulder. Rest was all she wanted.

Nick put his arm around her shoulders and stroked over her head. Tears started to run down her face.

"Nick, I don't know what went wrong today. I hope the baby is alright. As weird as Claire can be that wasn't her. Everything was ok yesterday or am I wrong about that?" Tess said sobbing.

Nick thought about Tess' words for a moment before he started to speak. "I don't know the answer to your question. We have to wait until Claire will tell us. But I think you're right about yesterday. It seemed to be ok, at least Alex thought everything was perfect."

"How do you know? Did you talk to him?" Tess asked back still resting her head on Nick's shoulder. "This feels so good."

"Barely. We had a quick chat when I arrived shortly before dinner." Nick answered trying to avoid a long talk about his conversation with Alex because of the promise he gave to his brother. "We talked mostly about his new room and how everything is going on."

"Did he mention our fight?" Tess asked.

"What fight?"

"I asked him directly if he is in love with Claire although you and me had agreed that you will talk to him. He was pissed off of me as you can imagine." Tess told Nick.

"Yeah, I can imagine that." Nick could imagine Alex' face when Tess had asked him that. She had asked Alex the one thing he didn't want to talk about, at least he didn't want to talk about it to Tess. "Everything ok between you two again, I imagine?"

"Yeah, erverything is sorted out. You haven't talked to him about Claire?" Tess asked a second time.

"No chance for that at all. It wasn't the perfect time for that. You know how he reacted towards you." Nick lied once more. It didn't feel right to lie towards Tess but he wanted to keep his promise.

After Nick had ended they didn't say another word. Nick kept Tess in his arm and stroked over her head every now and then. Tess got calmer with every minute they sat together on the couch.

----

After nearly an hour of comfortable, silent understanding Tess got tired but she wasn't ready to be alone yet.

"Nick." Tess said softly and turned her head around.

"Yeah." Nick answered and turned his head around too.

"Could you sleep in my bed tonight as a friend? I don't want to be alone." Tess asked and looked into his eyes. Butterflies appeared in her belly once more.

"Yeah." Nick said.

Tess got up from the couch and left the room. Nick took his things and followed her. They went upstairs into Tess' room and went to bed.

Both lay on their backs. Tess put her arm on the blanket, Nick took her hand into his.

"Good night." Tess said sleepy.

"Good night." Nick replied. "I'll be there for you forever."

"I love you too, Nick." Tess said unconscious.

Nick looked at Tess but she was fallen asleep.