I Do's and Don'ts
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Twisted Story

Nick was chasing the twins around in hopes of giving the energetic twins there dinner as Mandy got ready for dinner date with Liam. Lily was at the table as they enjoyed a mash potato and chicken dinner. So once everyone was situated Nick went to Mandy who was in the nearby bathroom. He could she was nervous.

"They are eating?" Mandy asked as she fixed her makeup.

"Yeah… erm… Mason just rubbed his hands in it. And Beau is just looking at it… Boys, you like mash potatoes." Nick informed them. They looked at Nick confused before Mason copied his brother's attentions and sucked the potatoes off his hand.

"Mmmm…" Mason hummed.

"Mason likes it. Lily is chowing down, and Beau is not sure how he feels about it." Nick asked looking at the boys from the bathroom door.

"My little deep thinker." Mandy chuckled.

"How are you feeling?" Nick asked rubbing the small of her back.

"I'm nervous." Mandy said pausing for a brief moment.

"That's alright, id be nervous too. You know I'm here for you, call me if you need anything. Mason and I, will rough him up if you need us too." Nick half heartedly joked.

"My rough necks." Mandy chuckled; Nick smiled hoping that he put her at ease. However even he had put her at ease the subtle knock that came to their door made her nervous again.

"Daddy, there is someone is at the door." Lily chimed excitedly.

"Alright, baby. You ready?" Nick asked as he went to the door just in case Liam tried to come inside quickly. Mandy heard Nick say some stuff to Liam before shutting the door again.

"Daddy, who is at the door?" Lily asked curious.

"No one, its just mommy's friend." Nick answered.

"Can I say hi?" Lily asked smiling.

"Why don't you finish your dinner, maybe next time?" Nick said, Mandy came out of the bathroom and gave out kisses.

"Be good for your father." Mandy told the kids as she gave them all forehead kisses.

"Yes, mommy." Lily said as she stirred the remainder of her mash potatoes. Mandy gave Nick a hug and a quick kiss.

"I love you." She said releasing a nervous sigh.

"I love you too. Remember, you have the power, and call me if you need anything… Good luck." Nick said giving her another kiss before leaving. Nick had a lot of mixed feelings sending her away without tagging along.

However the duties of fatherhood kept him busy and didn't allow the evil thoughts that were filling his head to take full effect. Nick starts doing the dishes as the kids and Sam run around like mad men.

"Daddy, Mason knocked over Beau's block tower… Daddy, Beau doesn't look good." Lily said first tattle tailing on her brother but then concerned by Beau's greenish appearance. Nick quickly dried his hands and went to see what the matter was. Beau lifted his arms signaling for Nick to pick him up.

"Dada…" Beau whimpered as Nick picked him.

"It's alright, buddy. We can rebuild…" Nick said but was interrupted by Beau throwing up on him.

Liam pulled the chair out for Mandy so she could sit. The restaurant was quite fancy, fancier than Mandy was expecting. However the more she thought about this restaurant and the people inside fit in with whatever look Liam was trying to pull together.

"Can I start you off with anything?" the waiter asked.

"I will just have a glass of water, thank you." Mandy said smiling.

"Make that two." Liam said raising his hand briefly. The waiter departed and Liam looked at Mandy and smiled.

"So…" Mandy said trying to break the awkward silence.

"I'm sorry, where do you want to start?"

"With you?" Mandy said raising her eyebrows.

"That's fair enough." Liam said smiling. "I'm married, have been for about… oh shoot, about twenty five years, I think," he chuckled. "I have two other daughters, Kate, and Elizabeth. Kate has two little girls, Joyce and Megan. They're a trip, this was when we went to the museum last week." Liam said showing her a picture of the two girls with him and who she assumed to be his wife.

"Oh, that's sweet." Mandy said smiling. The girls looked seven and five. It gave Mandy Goosebumps to see how much Lily resembled them. "Where'd you meet your wife?"

"Through some friends. Laura is great, I don't know what she still sees in me but I'm a lucky man." Liam said smiling. "What about you?"

"Nick and I have been together for a little over five years…" Mandy said smiling.

"And you guys aren't married yet?" Liam asked confused. "Why not?"

"When Nick and I were together towards the beginning of our relationship, Nick was hurt on the job while I was pregnant. We didn't know if he was going to make it, but he pulled through, and Lily was healthy." Mandy said smiling big. "Every time, we've thought about it, I end up pregnant." She chuckle.

"You mentioned that you have three children?"

"Yes, Lily is our oldest, and then it's the twins Beau and Mason." Mandy said smiling, but not showing a picture. There was another awkward pause because of this. "Liam, the reason I'm not showing you any photos, is because… I'm a little apprehensive about all this. How am I supposed to know that you are staying around for good?"

"I know, you are apprehensive but I can only reassure you that I'm here to stay."

"Then why did you leave?" Mandy asked frustrated.

"I didn't…" Liam said flabbergasted. Mandy was immediately taken back, all her life she thought her father left them. It wasn't something her mother and her talked about offer but when they did her mother was consistent the entire time.

"What?" Mandy asked confused.

"One night, your mother and I got into an argument. I left to clear my head. I ended up getting drunk and I stayed with some friends. When I returned home the next morning, the house was empty. You guys were gone. I went looking for you but you were gone." Liam said heartbroken.

"That's not what my mom said." Mandy said biting her lip nervous, trying to give him the benefit of the doubt.

"I have no reason to lie." Liam said shrugging his shoulders almost offended that Mandy didn't believe him. "Once my PI had an address for you, I came. I've wanted to be a part of your life. But every time, I got close to finding you guys you moved." Liam said sad.

"Well, you found me." Mandy said smiling.

Mandy's mind was racing as it was overwhelmed. So much knowledge. She couldn't help but now wonder who was telling her the truth. It was enough to make her pull her hair out. Why was this happening? Why now? Mandy made a quick goodbye with Liam and walked inside to see Nick cleaning up in just a pair of sweatpants.

"Hey babe," Nick said giving Mandy a kiss.

"Hey," Mandy said hugging him. "What's the occasion?" Mandy said touching his chest.

"Oh… Beau threw up on me." Nick said and Mandy made a face and wiped her hand on her legs.

"Is he sick?"

"I'm not sure. I don't think so." Nick said shrugging his shoulders. "How'd it go?" Nick asked as he went to the fridge to get a beer and pour her a glass of wine.

"The kids asleep? Even Beau?" Mandy asked and Nick nodded handing her a glass of wine.

Mandy begins telling him everything that happened at the restaurant. Everything that Liam had said, and did. Nick could sense her confusion and pain in her voice. Nick bit his lip and made a face as he listened.

"He does have a reason to lie, though. He thinks you hate him, as he should, so he will say whatever he can to make himself look better." Nick said as he rubbed her foot.

"You are probably right, brains and a body." Mandy teased winking at him. "I still have to give him a shot, though." Nick made a face and sighed, which caught her attention.

"Don't forget all that Frank did for you. Just because he's not biologically your father, but he's been there all this time." Nick said, Mandy sighed.

"I know, babe." Mandy said slightly offended that again someone was bringing this up.

"Sorry… well, the florist called, I told her that you'd call her back." Nick said smiling, at a still displeased Mandy.

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