Chapter 27

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Kayleigh really hadn't left his mind since the night she had poured her soul to him. He had held her for the longest time that night just loving the closeness. He had really loved the fact that she had just completely opened up to him. He still couldn't believe that she had to go through all of what she did.

Nick's mind was cleared as Gavin walked in carrying his bob toy.

"Hurby up daddy!! We gots ta go!!" Gavin said grabbing Nick's hand.

Kevin had called earlier in the afternoon and invited them all to come over for a cook out. It was a fairly warm day for January, and Kevin had decided it had been too long since they had all been together. Gavin had loved the idea of getting to see all of his uncles and aunts and had been driving Nick crazy ever since. He had called Kayleigh at work, and she had agreed to meet them at Kevin's house in an hour. He just had to get ready first, which was a challenge since Aaron wasn't there to watch Gavin. Aaron had gone to pick up Hilary and they were meeting them there also. Nick did like it though, because it gave him time alone with his son.

Nick headed up the stairs with Gavin tagging along behind him. Gavin had gotten dressed earlier, wearing Nike windbreakers and a tee shirt. Nick had no idea what to wear, he wanted to be comfortable, but he didn't want to look like a slob in front of Kayleigh either.

"What am I going to wear!" Nick said sitting down on his bead.

"I will helb you daddy!" Gavin said running to the closet.

He was much too short to reach anything so he just grabbed on and pulled as hard as he could, sending the hangers flying in all directions. He pulled down a pair of dark, faded jeans and the orange tee shirt that Nick had gotten made when Gavin was born. It said Gavin's dad on it. Gavin had one just like it that said Nick's son. Nick hurried and got dressed and then went in search of Gavin's shirt. If he was going to wear his, than so was Gavin. He found it relatively soon and had his son changed in minutes.

They gathered all of Gavin's toys into his diaper bag and lugged it downstairs. Nick went out to start the car while Gavin went to find his shoes. Once Nick had come back into the house he found Gavin in the living room with the shoes on his hands. Nick laughed lightly and quickly put his shoes on. He gathered his son and the bag and carried them both out to the car. He put the baby into his car seat and then got back in. He managed to get them to Kevin's less than a half an hour later. Kayleigh and Aaron both hadn't gotten there yet, which meant Nick was ahead of schedule for once.

They two were pulled into hug after hug as they entered the patio area of Kevin's house. Nick gave Gavin to Amanda (AJ's Wife) as he walked further inside. Kevin was cooking at the grill, while Kristin was setting up the tables. Nick hugged Kevin first and then went to help Kristin.

"Where is the little one??" She asked as Nick approached.

Nick pointed in the general direction of Amanda. Kristin shoved the bag of chips and cups into his arms and hurried off to play with his son. Nick shook his head but went on setting up the tables. They always seemed to love his son more than they loved him. He was almost done when he heard his son yelling. He looked up in time to hear him yell Kayleigh, and watched in fascination as he broke away from the girls and went darting towards Kayleigh. She laughed softly as she scooped him up into her arms, much to the amazement of everyone else. They had never seen him take to another person so well, not to mention they had never met Kayleigh before.

Nick finished what he was doing and made his way over. Kayleigh was trying to shy away from the attention and looked incredibly nervous. She calmed down when she saw Nick walking towards her.

"Hey baby." He said hugging her and kissing her cheek.

She hugged him back and smiled. She sat Gavin down and he went running to AJ, whose hair was currently died green. Nick took her hand in his and led her around to the members of his "family"