I Do's and Don'ts
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Guidance

Mandy awkwardly sits across from her father just as confused as she was the day he left. Nick stood protectively behind her as he stared down this Liam fellow. All Mandy had to do was give Nick the word and Nick would make sure that this man stayed away but Mandy had more patience then Nick and was more forgiving so he wasn't surprised that she wanted to give this guy a chance.

"You're beautiful…" Liam said as if he was star struck. "You've grown up so well."

"Thanks?" Mandy said awkwardly.

"You're married now? With children?" Liam asked so eager to catch up on his lost years with his daughter.

"We have three kids." Mandy said still confused. She felt Nick's hand on her shoulder trying to give her so much needed support.

"Can I meet them?" Liam asked.

"Uh…" Nick said negatively.

"I don't think that that is a good idea… Liam." Mandy said, that immediately knocked the man off the peg he had been standing on and brought him back to reality.

"Okay… how long have you been married?" Liam asked.

"We aren't, or not yet." Mandy said, as they heard cries come from the room. Nick and Mandy both turned their heads. It sounded like little Beau. Mason was notorious for getting handsy with his brother. "Can you go check on the kids?"

"Yeah, call me if you need me." Nick said kissing Mandy's forehead. Once Nick left Mandy saw Liam get more comfortable in the patio chair. Nick's harsh gaze did make the man nervous.

"He's a gruff one." Liam joked but Mandy remained serious.

"Look, Liam…"

"Listen, Amanda…" Liam interrupted but was interrupted by Mandy.

"It's Mandy." Mandy corrected.

"I'm sorry, Mandy. I know I have missed out on a lot and I hope to make it up to you as much as I can, please give me a chance." Liam said and Mandy gave him a subtle nod.

"Why are you back now?" Mandy asked nervously picking at her yoga pants.

"I didn't know where you were. I never realized how close you were… I live in Henderson… How did you meet him?"

"His name is Nick, we used to work together." Mandy said slightly smiling to herself, remembering the days that she would tease Nick before giving him his results.

"What do you do?" Liam asked eager to learn everything about Mandy.

"I work in the LVPD crime lab… I am a fingerprint analysis tech." Mandy said and Liam smiled feeling proud.

"Wow…" Liam said.

"Yeah, a lot has changed since you left." Mandy said growing nervous again.

"I know, I'm sorry."

"Why'd you leave?" Mandy asked looking at him. She wished that this wasn't happening but the more she studying this man, she could see the same features in her children.

"I know that that's probably all you want to hear from me but…" Liam said but his answer infuriated Mandy.

"But?! I haven't seen you in almost thirty years and you are going to give me some BS answer. I'm not the seven year old that you left behind!" Mandy cried out frustrated. There was an awkward but tension filled silence.

"I know… but it's not that simple. And I know, that answer sucks. Here is my phone number and my address. I hope I'm not over stepping my welcome, but I was wondering if you would like to go to dinner with me tomorrow and really catch up, and I could maybe explain myself some more." Liam said standing up handing Mandy a card with his information.

Nick looks outside the window to see Mandy and Liam talking. As much as Nick didn't want to smother Mandy he certainly didn't want to leave in the arms of a potential predator. Nick felt little hands by his leg and looked down and saw Beau looking up at him.

"Hey Beau… it's quiet. Where's your brother and sister?" Nick asked picking up Beau.

"Daddy! Mason pooped." Lily yelled from the boys' room plugging her nose.

"Alright I'll change him. Go put your pajamas, baby girl." Nick said grabbing Mason before the stinky toddler could run off.

"But daddy I don't want to!" Lily said stomping her foot. Nick gave her a stern look and Lily sighed as she stomped off.

"Mason, quit squirming, boy, I'm going to drop you." Nick said struggling to carry both boys. He gave up and put both boys on the changing table.

"Ball… ball…" Beau said picking up the small orange bouncy ball that was on the table.

"You're right, that is a ball. Where'd you get that?" Nick said changing Beau's diaper quickly and then moving to a squirming Mason.

"Mine!" Mason said taking the ball out of his brother's hands, Beau's face immediately went into sad pouty look. Nick changed Mason's diaper and tried to get him in pajamas.

"Give Beau the ball back." Nick said as Mason threw the ball at Nick's face. Nick sighed and let Mason down and changed Beau.

"Daddy, whose mommy talking to you?" Lily asked as she watched Nick put pajamas on Beau as Mason stacked his blocks and knocked them down, over and over again.

"Uh… its one of mommy's friends." Nick lied unsure what to tell his curious five year old.

"How come he never came over before?"

"Well, 'cause when mommy was little they lost touch." Nick explained. "Beau, grab a book, bud." Nick said letting Beau down. Nick took a seat on the bean bag as all the kids snuggled around him.

"Here… book." Beau said handing Nick There's a Wocket in my Pocket.

"This is my favorite book." Nick said excited as he yawned loudly.

"Sleep." Mason said poking Nick's chest.

"Soon, buddy." Nick said yawning again. Nick read to the kids and by the end of the story the boys were asleep and Lily was plenty tired. Nick kissed each of the boys as he laid them in their cribs and then picked up Lily to bring to her bed.

"Daddy?"

"Yes, sweetheart." Nick whispered as he put Lily to bed.

"Are we going to get to meet mommy's friend?" Lily asked tiredly.

"I'm not sure, maybe."

"Okay." Lily said as her eyelids grew heavy.

"Goodnight." Nick said kissing her forehead.

"G'night daddy." Lily said.

"Daddy isn't going anywhere, okay?" Nick said studying his little girl's face.

"Okay, daddy. Love you." Lily said just about asleep.

"Love you, too. Now go to sleep." Nick said leaving. Once he left her room he yawned again. He heard the front door open and went to the living room and saw Mandy shutting the door. "Mandy?"

"I need a hug." Mandy said as her eyes started to well with tears. Nick didn't hesitate and gave her a hug as well as a shoulder to cry on. They stayed like this for a few minutes before he felt Mandy pull away. Nick wiped her face and waited for her to speak.

"I don't understand why he is back now?" Mandy said regaining her composure. Nick rubbed her shoulders totally unsure what to say. "He invited me out to dinner tomorrow to catch up. I have my fitting tomorrow so I might go afterwards."

"I just want you to be careful. I will do my best to support you and whatever you do but I don't want you to get too invested just in case he up and leaves again." Nick said giving her another hug, hoping not to come off heartless.

"You're right… let me call my mom." Mandy said pulling away and grabbing her phone. Nick sighed feeling useless unsure what to do or say to help her.

"Okay…" Nick said quietly going to their bedroom grabbing his own phone. Nick scratched his head thinking. As much as he wanted to go to sleep he now had all this energy.

'I need some guidance' he texted Catherine.

What do you think? What do you think of Liam? Please Review!