Chapter 14

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Nick wanted to prepare a wonderful meal. He wanted to show her that he was more than just a good dad. He wanted to make something that would impress her; too bad he didn't know how to cook. He settled for making spaghetti, a dish that a dumb person could pull off. It was also one of Gavin's favorites. He liked to be messy.

Kayleigh had taken Gavin into the living room to watch Finding Nemo, leaving Nick alone in the kitchen, not for too long though. Aaron walked in and sat at the table. He still felt really bad for his behavior before, but did not quite know what to say to Nick. He had sent Hilary home a couple hours before when he noticed that Nick had company. He had been dying to ask his brother about her ever since.

"Her name is Kayleigh," Nick said his back turned towards Aaron.

He couldn't believe how much his older brother could read his mind sometimes. It was weird, considering they were not the twins, him and Angel were.

"Is she a friend of yours?" Aaron asked tracing circles on the tabletop with his fingers.

"She's Gavin's pediatrician, but yes, I would like to consider her a friend of mine now," Nick said turning to look at him.

"Look man, I'm really sorry for before, I was thinking without my head, and I truly am sorry." He said dropping his head.

"It's ok, Air, go rescue her from Gavin and give him a bath to make up for it though, will ya?" Nick said cracking his famous Carter grin.

Aaron left the kitchen and Nick returned to cooking the noodles. He wasn't aware that Kayleigh had returned to the kitchen. He reached for the spoons that were beside the hamburger he was frying and screamed when his hand connected with the hot metal.

Kayleigh was beside him in a heartbeat moving his hand to the kitchen sink. She ran it under cold water and dabbed the area dry. It was pink and had started to welt. She blew on it softly knowing how much it was hurting him. She ran her fingers lightly a crossed the burn and turned the water back on. She left Nick at the sink and went to get ice out of the freezer.

"It burns, really badly Kayleigh," Nick said through clenched teeth.

"I know it does, but im helping you all I can," She said wrapping the ice in a towel. "Here put this on your hand."

She dug around in the refrigerator until she found a tub of butter. She carried it to the sink and stuck her fingertips into it.

"I hate this part," she said scrunching up her face. "I hate the feel of butter,"

He laughed thankful to take his mind off the pain. She took his hand into her own and lightly began to rub the butter into his hot skin. She continued until she felt some of the heat die down. She washed her hands and handed him the ice.

He looked at her and was overcome with emotion. She had taken care of him. He had forgotten what it felt like to be taken care of. He had to be the one to take care of everything for so long. It felt good to be taken care of for one. All of a sudden the pain in his hand wasn't anything compared to the pain in his heart. Some of his walls were beginning to come crumbling down.

He walked towards her until he had her pined between him and the counter. He lowered his head and captured her mouth in a kiss that would begin a new world of emotions. He heard the pitter patter of little feet and knew Gavin had entered the room.

"Icky daddy, yous get cooties!!" He giggled looking at his father and Kayleigh.

As soon as you get that feeling
You can start to live again
As soon as the worst is over
You can make it all makes sense
Right now I can't give you what you need
As soon as you get that feeling
Run to me