Disclaimer: I do not own anything that does not have my name written next to it in pretty pink pen. I only own my own fictional characters, this include my OFC Nicola Andrews and her family. I also do not own any of the songs used to write this story…except on CD.

Reviews etc. are always appreciated and adored.

Summary: "Do you remember that time I fell out your window and you came jumping out after me?" There was a twinge of humour to her husky voice and Leon smiled for her benefit. For three years he let himself believe that he would always save her from everything, until he was the reason she was in that ambulance, a broken back and their baby was gone.

Ava- I know Leons so cute! And I'm glad you're enjoying the little song suggestions. They really help me! Thanks as always for your awesome review and I hope this keeps you coming back!

Mrzlettyortiztoretto- Haha thanks for the support- fingers crossed the pony survives! I'm so glad it's getting better. I'm trying to keep inspired and your reviews are really helping. I would love for someone to truly kick Bellas ass too! What a little….Anyways thanks so much for the review!

Gingermegs- Haha I'm practically a super hero…not…Thanks so much- glad it helped you through the day! And I hope this one is just as good. You will have to be honest though! Thanks for the review!

Playlist:

(Nice to Meet You) Anyway- Gavin DeGraw

Slide- Goo Goo Dolls

May 1999- Through the Jungle

When Nicola woke up the next morning Leon was gone. Groaning she threw the blankets back and searched for some clothes. She found her denim shorts and a green button down shirt and made her way upstairs, trying to rid her mouth of the taste of whiskey.

Mia was already up, cleaning the rubbish off the floor and Nicola set to work helping her clean the place up before she told the girl to sit down and she'd make breakfast. Mia chatted away as Nicola made French toast and bacon and lots of eggs. She didn't have the energy to make pancakes so she dropped a couple of packets of waffles in the toaster.

"Where did you go last night?" Mia finally asked and Nicola considered telling her about the Bella situation but stopped herself as Leon walked through the back door, wearing sweats and a white wifebeater, his brown skin glistening with sweat as he ran his fingers through his hair.

"Hey." He said as he made his way over and kissed Nicola on the cheek briefly while Mia smiled at the exchange. She was the only one that really saw the small public displays of affection Leon handed out to Nicola.

"You want a hug Mia?" He asked turning around to face Mia and walking towards her, a white plastic bag dangling from his fingers as he advanced on her, his arms spread wide.

"No!" Mia shrieked as she ducked away from his sweaty form and stood on the other side of the table. Leon shrugged and put the plastic bag down on the table.

"I got as many as the baker would let me take. And there's a loaf of bread there too. I'm going to shower." He departed as Mia opened the paper bags and the smell of fresh pastry wafted through the kitchen.

"We're going to spoil them, feeding them like this." Mia shook her head and turned the coffee machine on.

"Its only because we're not hungover." Nicola reasoned as Mia put all the pastries onto a plate just as Vince emerged, followed closely by Jesse, both of them rubbing their eyes.

"Can you take these outside." Mia quickly passed a pile of plates to Vince and then the toast to Jesse. By the time they came back inside everyone was up.

"I said grace yesterday." Nicola said as they sat down at the table and she noticed that Bella looked a little chirpier than she should. Then she realised she was still making eyes at Leon who had his head bent, staring at his cup of coffee. Poor guy didn't know what to do. She knew he was worried about making her upset but it upset her more to see him feeling so guilty for having done nothing.

"Mia?" Dom looked at her and Mia shook her head.

"We cooked. I think you should say grace, Dom." Mia said decisively and everyone nodded in agreement.

It was late morning by the time Nicola got the last of the plates washed. Mia was trying to vacuum the living room and the boys were outside under the hood of Vinces Maxima. All except Leon who from where Nicola was standing in the kitchen, seemed to be writing something on a white notepad and she realised he was drawing. She smiled briefly, he went through phases when he would draw then she wouldn't see so much as a doodle for three months then suddenly there would be an amazing picture drawn on a newspaper or something. She always knew it was him from the whispy strokes, whereas Lettys drawings were bold lines, learnt drawing decals without error.

Nicola was still watching him draw when she noticed there was still a tray left on the table. As she walked out to get it Bella approached Leon, sliding an arm around Leons shoulder and looked down at the paper in his hand. She said something but Nicola missed it.

Leon quickly snapped the book shut and went to stand up but the girl grabbed him by the shirt.

"But what about last year?" Nicola heard her plead and Leon turned around to face her.

"It was nothing, Bella. And I have a girlfriend now, didn't you know?" He snapped shaking his head as he went to walk away.

"Yeah, I knew but I figured since she wasn't there last night…besides I'm here now." She said confidently and put a hand on her hip, jutting it out as she pouted and Nicola watched Leon walk away from Bella.

"So am I." Nicola finally said and the girl looked at her confused. "Next time you try to crawl into my bed you better make sure I don't catch you." Nicola shouted, pointing a finger at the girl and everyone who was standing near the Maxima looked up as Leon walked past Nicola, his head down and Bella spoke up.

"You're with her? You passed me up for her?" Leon turned around before he got through the door and Nicola heard the breath hiss through his teeth.

"Don't fucking talk about her like that!" He yelled from the porch. "She's a thousand times better person than you." Also pointing his finger in her direction.

"As if, you know you can do better!"

"Hey, stop it now!" Dom appeared beside the girl and took her arm.

"No! Who are you kidding Leon. She's some stuck up bitch that should've stayed in New York." It was Nicolas turn to seethe as she stepped forward on the porch but Dom was dragging Bella down the drive.

"Don't you dare bring her back here Dom! I will kill her." Nicola shouted as Leon wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her towards the house, Nicola watching Dom drag the other girl down the drive as everyone else watched on.

"I thought we'd established you weren't the possessive type." Leon said as he sat her down in a kitchen chair and knelt down in front of her.

"I'm not- but she called me a stuck up bitch! Argh!" She fell back into the chair and sighed. "Can we just get out of here?" She asked and Leon nodded, pulling her out the door towards the Chevy.

Once they were in the car Leon drove her to the beach where he held her hand as they walked down the walkway to sit on the sand. Leaning her head on Leons shoulder as she watched the waves crashing in front of them she felt a lot calmer.

"I would never cheat on you La." Leons husky voice said over the sound of the surf.

"I know, baby. Sometimes I do get possessive, I can't help it." She said into the fabric of his shirt.

"Welcome to my world." He replied and she chuckled.

"I have the overwhelming urge to get my name tattooed on your ass just in case." Nicola wrapped her arms around his waist and Leon pulled her closer.

"I don't love you that much, Lala." He laughed.

"Damn." Her voice was soft as Leon looked down at her, their lips only millimetres apart. "Okay, I'll let you go without the tattoo. I don't expect you to give up flirting, it's part of what I love about you. I just want you to remember that I'm going to be the one taking you to bed." Leon smirked at her.

"I will remember." He said solemnly.

"Good and in return I'll do something for you."

"What's that?" Leon asked raising a suggestive eyebrow making her giggle and roll her eyes.

"Say yes."

"What?" He asked, his brow now furrowing.

"I will say yes to marrying you."

"You wouldn't." Leon laughed and Nicola squeezed his waist.

"Wanna bet?" His mouth crashed down on hers as she fell back into the sand, her arms wrapping around his neck as he kissed her deeply.

"Are you serious Lala?" He pulled away and looked at her with sincere green eyes.

"Yes! But I won't wear the ring, not yet."

"But one day you'll marry me?" he asked softly and she nodded.

"One day Leon, there is not doubt." He leant down and kissed her again before jumping up and pulling her up with him.

"Come on!" He dragged her across the sand.

"Where are we going?" Nicola asked as she had to jog to keep up with his long strides.

"To see De-De."

"What? Wait, my Dad's staying with her this week." Nicola tried to stop him but she lost that battle and ran across the parking lot.

"Exactly. He's been waiting for ages."

"My Dad knew you asked me?" Nicola stopped dead this time and he finally stopped with her and turned around.

"Yeah, well I had to ask his permission." He shrugged and Nicola melted.

"You are so romantic." She laughed and Leon swooped in and picked her up, throwing her over his shoulder.

"For that comment you can ride in the trunk!" She hit his back with her fists as he carried her across the parking lot, her laugh ringing across the entire lot.

"No! No Leon!" He unlocked the trunk.

"Take it back, say I'm a very manly man. Not romantic at all."

"Never!" Nicola replied boldly and he pulled the trunk open and leant down to drop her in it. "Okay, okay! You're a very manly man! The manliest of all! You're practically a caveman!" She yelled and he dropped the lid shut, dropping her on top of it, standing between her legs and stepping up to meet her.

"I think the caveman comment was a little far." His husky voice said and Nicola giggled some more.

"You love it."

"Hmm." Was all he said as he placed his lips to hers again before helping her off the back of the car and leading her around to the passenger side door, opening it for her. Nicola climbed in and he shut it behind her before walking around to his side of the car.

When they pulled up at De-Des house Nicola chanced a look at Leon.

"You're really serious about this? You want to tell my Dad we're engaged?" Leon nodded and climbed out of the car, letting Nicola catch up before wrapping his arm around her shoulders and kissing her head.

"You ready?" he asked as he knocked on the door and Nicola nodded, weaving her fingers with his. "Good."

De-de pulled the door open, smoothing her blonde hair and looked over at the couple.

"Leon! Baby, come here!" She pulled Leon into a hug and kissed both his cheeks as Leon let her assault him. When she saw Nicola she rushed forward and hugged Nicola. "How are you beautiful girl? I haven't seen you for awhile."

"I'm good thanks De-De." Nicola replied, squeezing Leons hand.

"Good, come in come in. You're Dads inside." Walking in Leon kicked his shoes off out of habit and Nicola let him lead her through the house to the kitchen where Jack Andrews and Jesse's mum Anita sat on the other side of the counter, sipping at coffee.

"Look who's here." De-De announced as they walked in and the other two looked up, big smiles on their faces as they spotted Leon and Nicola.

"Nic! I'm so glad you're here." Jack stood up and walked around to hug his daughter. "Leon, good to see you boy." He shook Leons hand grinning like a Cheshire cat the whole time.

"What's going on?" Nicola asked picking up the vibe as Jack gestured for Anita to come and stand beside him. The tiny little blonde woman who looked just like Jesse jumped down from her stool and walked around to Nicolas fathers side.

"We wanted to surprise you, but now you're here." He looked down at Anita before looking back at the two younger ones. "We're getting married." Jack announced and Nicolas jaw dropped. Well that totally ruined their surprise.

"Oh wow, well I guess you surprised us." Nicola shrugged trying to smile.

"Are you excited?" Jack asked and Nicola realised she must have looked rather shocked, quickly pasting a smile to her face.

"Yeah, congratulations!" She let go of Leons hand and hugged her Dad again before hugging Anita. "That's so great." Nicola said and Leon looked down at her a sceptical eyebrow risen. "Just so great." She stepped back to Leons side and grabbed his hand tightly.

"Stay for lunch, kids so we can celebrate." De-De suggested and they both nodded.

"I might just get some things from my room." Leon said quickly and dragged Nicola towards the stairs.

When they walked in Nicola looked around the room, it was so empty compared to last time she'd been there. Glancing over at the window sill she cringed, instead sitting down on the bed.

"You okay, La?" Leon asked, sitting down beside her.

"Oh, what? Yeah…" She stared off into space but snapped back when Leon placed a kiss on the side of her neck.

"What's on your mind, pretty girl?" He said softly and she smiled slightly.

"Don't you think it's weird my Dad is marrying Jesses mum?" Leon nodded. "I mean Jess had all these ideas of getting his parents back together when his Dad got out of jail and now she's marrying my dad."

"Yeah it's weird. But you like Anita?" Leon asked, resting his chin on her shoulder as she sighed.

"I do. But what if she starts thinking she's my Mum or something." Nicola whispered and Leon chuckled.

"And start bossing you around? If there's anything I've learnt, not many people can boss you around, not even your father." There was a hint of a smile on her face.

"They totally ruined our news."

"But you're okay with them getting married?" Leon asked softly and Nicola nodded.

"Yeah, but Jesse is not my brother okay?" Leon kissed the fabric on her shoulder and pulled her up to her feet. He saw her glance towards her old house out the two storey window. "You ever miss living here?" She said softly and turned back to Leon.

"Not really, what's to miss?" He replied.

"De-De?" Leon shrugged.

"Well yeah, I miss her. But that's different. Why?" Nicola shook her head.

"Nothing. Baby, nothing at all." He knew it was more than that but he followed her downstairs anyway.

Late that afternoon they headed back to Echo Park and found Mia sitting on the porch waiting for them.

"She's gone." Mia said when they walked up the stairs.

"Gone where?" Nicola asked.

"I told her to get out." She laughed slightly and glanced over at Leon. "I'm sorry I put you guys in such an awkward position.

"It's fine Mia, really." Leon replied putting an arm around her shoulder and leading her inside, his other arm looped around Nicolas waist.

"You sure, everything is okay with you guys?" Mia asked.

Nicola and Leon shared a knowing smile before Leon spoke.

"Better than ever, girl." He squeezed her shoulders before letting both girls go and making his way towards the basement.

"Serious?" Mia asked when Nicola and her walked into the kitchen.

"Yeah…my Dad asked Jesse's mum to marry him." Nicola said as she pulled some vegetables from the fridge and made her way to the sink while Mia stirred a pot on the stove.

"Ohmygod!"

"Shhh Mia." Nicola held a finger to her lips. "You can't say anything to Jesse. He doesn't know yet." She hissed and looked warily around the room.

"That's so exciting though! Are you excited?"

"Yeah, it was a shock but I'm happy for them." Nicola replied as she searched for a peeler and started on potatoes.

"Maybe some day you'll get married too." Mia teased and Nicola smiled slightly.

"Yeah maybe someday."

A/N: Is that the end of Bella? Hmm wait and see…REVIEW x