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Nick didn’t know what possessed him to ask her over. He felt like a moron, but he was almost glad that he had. He wanted to get to know her, that was for sure, but the little voice in the back of his head kept screaming that it was too soon. He didn’t know what to think, or how to feel anymore. Gavin seemed to love her, which made it that much easier to deal with.

They had paid for their groceries, and Nick had instructed her to follow him back to his house. They both pulled up into his long driveway about the same time. She helped him get Gavin out of his car seat, while he carried in the groceries. He handed her his keys and blew kisses at Gavin while she unlocked the front door.

Music blasted from the living room causing Gavin to cry. He hated loud noises. Nick led Kayleigh into the kitchen and went to shut off the speakers. He walked into the living room to find his brother making out with his girlfriend on the couch. He walked to the stereo and shut it off, causing them to break apart. Aaron backed away from Hilary, and she looked up at Nick like she was going to cry.

“Never again,” Nick said shaking his head.

“Nick…lemme explain,” Aaron said starting towards him.

“Explain what Aaron. Explain why you had my stereo up so loud that it made my son cry? Do you want to explain why your tongue was halfway down her throat? What if Gavin had seen you? You have to start thinking about other people besides yourself, I let you come live here because I felt sorry for you, but if you are going to do this junk every time I leave my house I will rethink you staying here. Save your explanations I don’t want to hear them,” Nick said as he left the room.

Aaron dropped down on the couch and sighed. Realizing just how mad he had made his brother. Hilary sat down beside him, making sure she wasn’t too close. She was scared of Nick. She always had been. She hated the way Aaron’s parents were, but she dreaded having to visit Aaron at Nick’s. He had never done anything to hurt, or scare her; it was just a fear she held.

Nick returned into the kitchen to find his son asleep in Kayleigh’s arms. She was rocking his slowly and brushing the hair out of his eyes. The sight before him touched him deeply and shook him to the core. He couldn’t get over how perfect his son looked lying in her arms. She really had a way with children. You would have to be blind not to see the gentle way she handled them. His mind once again reminded him that it was too soon, but his heart was telling him something else. He listened to his heart for once and walked further into the room. He sat at the table beside her and rubbed his back gently. She smiled and kissed Gavin’s forehead.

“I love this little guy,” She whispered hugging him gently.

“He has that effect on people,” Nick said smiling.

They sat in silence for a few moments gathering their thoughts. Nick stood up and offered her his hand. She took it and stood, still cradling the small child in her arms. She followed his down the hallway to Gavin’s room. She helped Nick take off his socks and shoes, and lay him in his crib. They laid the sleeping child in the crib and kissed his forehead as they left the room. They went and sat on the patio outside.

“Thanks for inviting me over,” Kayleigh said looking out at the sunset.

The sun had started to go down splashing the sky with beautiful shades of pink, orange, and yellow. Nick loved nights like this. Nature was a beautiful thing.

“So how old are you?” Nick asked needing some kind of interaction.

“Twenty-three,” she answered looking at him. They continued their conversation talking about casual things for awhile, just getting to know each other a little more.

“Where’s Gavin’s mother?”

The question that everyone seemed to ask. Nick knew the question was coming, it always did. Every time he never wanted to answer it, but this time it was different, he wanted her to understand. He wanted her to know just how much pain he had been going through. It was at that moment that Nick realized life was just beginning.

I never know what the future brings
But I know you are here with me now
We’ll make it through
And I hope you are the one I share my life with

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