When Nick and Rachel came downstairs holding hands, everyone stood there, looking that them. From AJ and Jane's face, everyone could tell that there was something definitely wrong. Nick sat on the sofa next to Rachel with a wide smile on his face and put his arm around her. Jane kept looking at them and looking at the floor with a straight look. Rachel looked at Nick who was looking at her.
"I'll go talk to her" she muttered, standing up from the couch.
Nick took her by the arm, making her look at him. "No, I'll go" he replied, his blue eyes staring at her green ones.
"I'm going to talk to her, don't worry" Nick reassured softly. Rachel nodded nervously and let go of his hand. Sensing her nervousness he cupped her head in his hands and kissed her softly.
"Everything is going to be just fine" he smiled.
While Nick went to explain Jane everything that happened, Amy went over to Rachel and sat down next to her.
"What's up? Everything okay? You look kind of funny" Amy smiled, putting her arm around Rachel.
"Thanks for the compliment" Rachel answered sarcastically and then nodded. "Everything is fine"
Then, she glanced towards Nick, who was talking to Jane in the other corner of the living room.
"I saw Nick and you walking hand in hand... I take it that you talked to him and everything turned out fine..."
"Yup, I told him everything... I feel better now" Rachel smiled warmly.
"Great" Amy said, getting serious all of a sudden. Rachel sensed that something was wrong.
"Is everything okay with you?"
"I got to tell you something" Amy confessed. "In fact - she watched Randy, her boyfriend, pass by and took his hand- in fact, we have to tell you something"
Randy sat down next to her and put his arm around her, rubbing her shoulder. Amy extended her hand towards Rachel, revealing a simple ring with a diamond on top. '
"We're getting married" Amy muttered, looking at Rachel, trying to figure out what was going on behind her eyes.
"How long have you guys been together?"
Amy and Randy looked at each other as Randy decided to talk.
"On and off for the past year... we've been formally together for the past 4 months"
"Guys, don't you think that it is a little too quick and soon to be thinking about marriage?" Rachel asked, looking closely at them.
"Rach, we love each other, we appreciate each other's company... we want to be together and we are completely sure of it" Amy replied decisively.
Rachel smiled. "I'm not here to judge you guys. If you think you're doing the right thing then go for it. If you love each other, then I'm happy for you"
Amy sighed loudly, feeling that a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She gave Rachel a quick hug and then Rachel hugged Randy.
"Congratulations... but I have a request"
"What?" Amy grinned.
"I want to be a bridesmaid" Rachel grinned back, standing up from the couch.
Amy smiled and shook her head. "You're not going to be a bridesmaid. You are going to be my maid of honor"
Rachel's eyes widened. "Really?"
"You've been my best friend since kindergarten... I love you to death and since I'm the only child, I don’t have anyone else to share this with than with you. You're my big sis" Amy said, since she was 2 years younger than Rachel.
"Aww" Rachel answered as she looked at Randy. "Who's going to be the best man?"
"Nick" he answered simply.
"Really?!?" Rachel replied with a giggle.
Amy laughed at her excitement and nodded eagerly. "He's my best friend too and Randy considers him as a brother since they've known each other for such a long time, so why not?" she grinned.
Rachel leaned and hugged them both.
"We gotta make all the arrangements... we got to prepare everything. This is going to be the best wedding... after mine of course!" Rachel grinned.
"Suuuuure" Amy replied, rolling her eyes.
Rachel felt somebody grab her by the waist and kiss her neck. She looked back and saw Nick with a huge grin in his face.
"What did your mom say?" Rachel asked, getting serious and playing with Nick's fingers that were resting on her waist.
He shrugged. "She's not happy... but on last thought, it's not her problem. This was between you and me" he said kissing her cheek and then lifting her chin, kissing her softly on the lips. "And I think we got through this"
"Pathetic" Amy and Randy said in unison.
Rachel stuck her tongue out at them and turned around facing Nick. She was tempted to kiss him passionately but then decided against it, when she saw that there were still a lot of people close to them who might see them.
"Amy and Randy are getting married" she whispered.
"What?!?" he yelled.
Rachel put a finger on his lips. "They love each other... they deserve to be happy"
"I know but I think it is too soon" he whispered so that Amy and Randy wouldn't hear him.
"Let them be... they know what they're doing" Rachel said softly holding his hand and kissing his fingers. Nick hugged her tight until he felt something tugging at his pants.
"Momma mine" Alyssa said, her blue eyes looking at his. Rachel started laughing, lifting her up and kissing her on the cheek.
"Mommy is mine" Nick said kissing Rachel's cheek.
She shook her head eagerly "Uh uh!" she whimpered, threatening to cry, as she rested her head on Rachel's shoulder.
"Aww, don't make her cry" she said, looking at Nick and narrowing her eyes jokingly. "Meanie"
As he saw everything that was happening with Alyssa, Colin came running from the other side of the living room and started tucking at Nick's pants.
"Someone got jealous" Rachel whispered giggling as Colin tugged Nick's pants exactly like Alyssa did.
Nick lifted him up with a little difficulty.
"You're getting heavy Colin"
"OHHH NOOO daddy!" he said.
Nick laughed at his comment and leaned over to where Rachel was standing, giving Alyssa a kiss on the top of her head and then giving a kiss to Rachel.
"AW... such a nice looking picture" Amy said, snapping a picture with her camera. Rachel and Nick were so caught up in the moment that they didn't even see her standing in front of them and take the picture.
Nick and Rachel looked at each other and grinned at Amy who shook her head.
"Can't live with them, can't leave without them" she said, taking Randy's hand and going to the patio, where most of the people were now.
"Momma sleep" Alyssa said, rubbing her tired blue eyes. Rachel looked at Nick. "I'm going to take Alyssa to sleep... if you want, you can go where all the guys are" she said, referring to Kevin, AJ, Brian, and Howie who were outside the house, sitting beside the pool.
"Nah, I'll go with you" he said, wiggling his eyebrows and then watching Colin who was also asleep in his arms.
Rachel caught his drift and rolled her eyes.
"Men" she muttered.
"I love you too" he said, blowing her a kiss.
"Hey! You're going to sleep at the couch tonight... or better, you're going to sleep in another house"
"Oh yeah? Well, if I keep going like this I'm going to be homeless one day or another" Nick said jokingly.
"Yup, you are ALREADY homeless" she said, emphasizing in the word 'already'.
"I know, since I'm homeless" he said getting close to her and whispering in her ear. "Can I live in your heart?"
Rachel grinned as goose bumps took over all of her body. "You already are in my heart"
"Come on" he kept whispering. "Let's get the kids to sleep"
Rachel started laughing as they approached Alyssa and Colin's rooms.
"What?" Nick asked in a whiny tone.
"You're getting horny" she giggled.
He shrugged nonchalantly. "I know"
Rachel's eyes widened. She put Alyssa to sleep as she kissed her forehead and stroked her straight dirty blond hair. When she closed the door, she put her arms around Nick's waist who had Colin in his arms still. Nick put Colin on his crib and kissed his forehead. Rachel stroked his hair as Nick took her hand and dragged her out of the room. Then they went towards their room and locked the door.
"Nick there are people downstairs" Rachel whispered as Nick started kissing her all over.
"I don't really care" he said in between kisses. "I locked the door" he grinned.
Rachel put her arms around his neck and closed her eyes. She didn't want this moment to end. Also, she was thankful that he forgave her, that he gave her another chance, that he tried to understand what she was going through. At that moment, she was sure that Nick was the man that she truly loved. She didn't even remember how she got together with him in the first place, but as of that moment, she didn't care. All she cared about was that he was with her.
"I love you Nick... You have no idea how much" Rachel whispered, kissing his neck softly.
"I love you too sweetie. I'm so happy that things are going on like this"
"I am so sorry that I did what I did" Rachel muttered looking down.
"Shh" Nick said, putting his finger to her chin and lifting it up so that she would look at him. "I told you to forget about it... let's enjoy the moment" he answered with a smile leaning down to kiss her. The kiss grew more passionate as he lifted her shirt up and she unbuttoned his shirt. Nick placed her gently on the bed, clearly showing her how much he loved her, cherishing the moment that he was sharing with her. The time that they spent with each other was extremely special and everything was completely forgotten for the time being. The only thing that they really cared about was making love to each other and enjoying their precious time with each other.
Meanwhile where everyone else was...
"Yup, Nick and Rachel went to put the kids to sleep" Amy said to some of the guys who were there.
Brian rolled his eyes. "Yeah right" he started laughing.
"I don’t' think so" Amy shook her head.
"Amy, it's been over an hour" Howie added taking a sip from his coke and leaning back on his chair.
"Guys I'm going home now... say goodbye to Nick and Rach from me" Kevin said as she took his wife Kristin's hand and stood up.
"I'm going home too" Howie said "I got a date tonight"
"Kill 'er dead D" AJ said with a grin.
"Explode your charm" Amy added with a smile as Howie laughed.
"I will, I will"
"Keep us updated" Randy said as he shook Howie's hand.
He finished saying goodbye to everyone and going out the door, followed by Kevin and Kristin.
Brian, Leighanne, Randy, AJ and Amy stood at the patio, talking about everything and anything, wondering about the things that Nick and Rachel were doing upstairs.
"I am so curious about whatever they are doing upstairs" Randy said, taking Amy's hand and catching her attention.
"Well, it's no science to guess what they're doing" Brian answered as Leighanne giggled softly.
"You guys are married. You should know" AJ replied sarcastically.
"Of course, AJ" Brian smiled putting his right arm on Leigh's shoulder.
"Who wants to go check?" Amy asked spontaneously with a grin.
"What?" they all asked unanimously.
"Who wants to free their curiosity and spy on them?" Amy said with a wicked grin.
"I'm up for it" Randy said, standing up behind Amy.
"Guys, don't be so immature" Brian said nodding his head negatively.
"Hey! Remember when Nick and Rachel did that to me and my ex? Amy asked "You were all there... you were all spying!"
"I don't remember about that" Brian smiled.
"It was about 4 or 5 years ago... I was like 16, 17 or so and I was talking to my boyfriend. Then we started making out and when we opened the damn door all of you were standing there laughing your asses off"
Brian started laughing, clearly reminiscing that moment. "Let's go... I'm up to it now"
Leighanne agreed and they all stood up and went towards Nick and Rachel’s room. Amy turned around and looked at AJ who was sitting on his chair in the same position that he was half hour ago .
"Are you coming with us J?" Amy asked.
"Nah... you go"
AJ knew what Nick and Rachel were doing and he certainly didn't want to be a part of it. Jealousy came over him as he gripped the sides of his chair. If only Rachel remembered the good times that she had with him before Nick came along. If she only knew.