"Mom!" Kayleigh called, entering her old house. "We're here!"

Carolyn walked into the foyer and saw Kayleigh setting Elizabeth's bag down on the floor. "Hey," she greeted, picking up her granddaughter and dropping a kiss on Kayleigh's forehead. "Rick's out back."

"Are you sure that you don't mind doing this?" Kayleigh questioned, following her mother outside to the pool.

"Not at all, honey," Carolyn answered. "You and Nick deserve some time alone and it wouldn't hurt to get to know my granddaughter a little better."

"Hi Rick!" Elizabeth exclaimed seeing him lounging out by the pool. Once Carolyn set her down, she immediately began to run towards him.

"Elizabeth!" Kayleigh scolded. "What did I tell you about running around the pool?"

"Sorry mommy," Elizabeth mumbled, as she slowed down. While Rick entertained Elizabeth, or actually, Elizabeth entertained Rick, Carolyn took the opportunity to talk to Kayleigh about Nick.

"So how is it living with Nick?" She asked as they both sat down at the patio table.

Kayleigh shrugged. "I don't know. I guess it's a little weird. I mean, we've always been such good friends and now it's so different. I guess it's going to take some getting used to."

"Do you still feel the same way about him?" Carolyn questioned.

"Yeah," Kayleigh whispered. "I don't think that will ever change. I just don't know how he feels about me. I mean, am I living with him because he genuinely wants me to? Or is it just because of Elizabeth?" Mentally, Carolyn kicked herself. Everyone had been so wrapped up in the fact that she was finally home and that they could finally meet Elizabeth, that no one stopped to think how this was all affecting Kayleigh. It was completely understandable that she would be having these insecurities. Did Nick really want her or was he doing this only because he wanted to know his daughter?

"Kayleigh," Carolyn began. "Nick loves you. You have no idea how torn up he was because you weren't here. Of course, Elizabeth had something to do with it. But Nick could be just as good of a father if you lived here or in your own apartment. He wants you there. He loves you."

***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****

Kayleigh pulled up to the house with butterflies in her stomach. She had no idea what to think of tonight. She and Nick hadn't been alone yet since he'd shown up in California two and a half weeks ago. Elizabeth has always been there and she gave them an excuse not to discuss their situation. It also gave Kayleigh the opportunity to put off telling Nick what she desperately needed to tell him but had been too scared to do so. Pushing those thoughts out of her mind, she climbed out of her car and began walking towards the front door. The house looked seemingly dark and she wondered what Nick was doing. His car was there but there didn't look like there were any signs of life inside the huge house. She slipped her key in the lock and walked inside.

"Nick?" She called out into the darkness. She walked into the living room and gasped at what she saw. Candles everywhere. Roses everywhere. All for her. She looked around the room. Still no sign of Nick. "Nick?" She called again. "Where are you?"

"Right here," she heard from behind her. She spun around and saw Nick standing at the entrance to the living room, dressed to the nines holding a single red rose. He slowly walked towards her and handed her the rose. Kayleigh just stood there, speechless. There was so much she wanted to say but she couldn't get anything past her lips.

"What?" Nick asked, self-consciously. Her reaction made him nervous. She was just standing there with her mouth hanging open, her blue eyes staring into his. "Say something."

"What's all this?" She finally managed to get out.

Nick led her over to the couch and sat down, pulling her onto his lap. "It's all for you."

"You didn't have to do this, Nick," Kayleigh whispered.

Nick pulled her hand to his mouth and kissed it, gently. "Yes I did. You deserve it."

"But-"

"Shh," he interrupted. "Just enjoy tonight, Kayleigh. You don't need to overanalyze anything."

She glanced at him, pretending to be angry. "I do NOT overanalyze things."

"Yes you do," Nick laughed. "But it's one of the things that I love most about you. Now come on. Dinner's going to be ready soon." Nick led her outside to the deck which was also decorated with candles and roses. He sat her down at the table while he went inside to get dinner.

After they ate, they sat there and talked about everything. Reminiscing about their pasts. The time when Kayleigh moved to Tampa and the events surrounding their meeting. Nick still insisted that she broke his nose on purpose with Kayleigh adamantly denying it. Their huge fight about Tyler and Jessica and how it almost tore their friendship apart. Finally, Nick asked her about why she left.

"I was scared, Nicky," Kayleigh whispered. "That's the only way to explain it. I panicked and running away seemed like the only logical thing to do."

"But why?" Nick prodded. "Why did you ever think that I wouldn't be there for you?"

"You sounded so happy that Lauren and you were getting back together," Kayleigh responded. "I didn't want to come in between you guys. I already did once and I didn't want it to happen again." She took a deep breath, hoping that her next statement would finally get Nick to drop it. "I was wrong, Nick. I never should've left. I know that now. It wasn't fair to anyone. Not me. Not you. And not Elizabeth. I'm sorry but I can't apologize to you anymore."

"You don't have to, Kayles," Nick told her. "Just know that I was in love with you then and I'm in love with you now."

"I love you too, Nicky," Kayleigh whispered, tearfully. No one knew how hard it was for her to say that.

Nick carefully pressed his lips to hers for a minute before suddenly standing up. "Wait here."

"Where are you going?" Kayleigh asked, confused.

"I need to get something," Nick replied, walking inside. "I'll be right back." Kayleigh watched as he disappeared inside the house and up the stairs. A few minutes later, he returned, his hands behind his back.

"What do you have?" She wondered.

Nick didn't answer. Instead, with one hand, he grabbed hers and pulled her out of the chair she was sitting in and over to the railing. He turned her around and faced the ocean. "Isn't it beautiful?" Kayleigh nodded, but didn't say anything. What was he up to?

"Kayleigh," Nick began. "After everything we've both been through, I think we deserve to give ourselves a chance together. A real one. No lies. No secretes between us. No fear."

"What are you getting at, Nick?" Kayleigh questioned, almost afraid of the answer she was about to receive. Nick didn't say anything. Instead, he turned her to face him and dropped down to one knee, the hand behind his back producing a black velvet box.

"Will you marry me?" He asked, his blue eyes boring into hers. Kayleigh's mouth dropped open. This wasn't happening. What the hell was she going to say?

"Kayleigh?" Nick prodded, scared about the fact that she wasn't answering him.

"I can't," Kayleigh whispered.

Nick's face visibly fell. "Why not?" He asked, trying not to let the tears that were burning his eyelids fall down his cheeks. "You love me. I love you. What's wrong? Why can't you marry me?"

"Because I'm dying, Nick," Kayleigh answered, pulling her hand away from his and running inside the house.

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