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“Brian, please don’t start with this,” Nick begged his best friend.

He was sitting on the living room couch talking on the phone. Gavin was in his bedroom playing with Aaron. Nick was starting to get aggravated at his best friends constant ragging. Brian, along with the other group members had tried to get Nick to start dating again. All of their attempts had proven unsuccessful so far. Nick wasn’t ready to start dating again. He just wished everyone would leave him alone about it.

“Nick, its been more than two years now, it is ok to start dating again. She’s gone Nick. She isn’t coming back. You need to move on with your life.” Brian tried to reason with him.

“Don’t you think I know that Brian! Every day I wake up hoping it will get easier. It’s not fair that Gavin no longer has a mother. It’s not fair that I lost my wife. I still have to deal with the fact that life goes on without her, whether I like it or not. I know she’s not coming back, but that doesn’t make it any easier. I can still feel her here emotionally sometimes. I don’t want to lose that by dating someone else.” Nick said pinching the bridge of his nose to calm down.

“I know that Nick. I’m just trying to help you out here buddy. I don’t like to see you so run down all the time. I care about you, and Gavin, and I just want what’s best for you. I just want you to realize that you will never lose the memories of Amanda, those will stay with you.” Brian said sighing heavily.

The conversation became silence as both men sat there thinking. Nick closed his eyes and willed the tears away. He hated to cry. That was all he did for months after Amanda died, he was sick of it now. He smiled as he heard the sound of his son’s feet in the living room. He opened one eye and watched as Gavin crawled into his lap. Gavin had shed the cloths he had been wearing earlier and was in his diaper. Nick frowned as he felt how hot his son was. It was December, which meant it was pretty cold outside. Nick groaned as he realized Gavin had a fever.

“You ok Nick?” Brian asked over the phone.

“Yea, I am, but I think Gavin may have a fever. The little guy’s pretty hot for just being in a diaper. He’s been coughing a lot lately too. I need to call his pediatrician and make an appointment. “ Nick said rubbing Gavin’s back soothingly.

Gavin wrapped his small arms around his father’s waist and snuggled into his arms.

“Is not peel good daddy,” Gavin said softly.

“I know baby, I think your sick.” Nick said kissing the top of his head.

“I’ll let you go so you can be with him, and call the doctor,” Brian said.

“Thanks man, Love ya”

“Love ya too, Bye.”

Nick hung up the phone and cradled his son in his arms. Gavin had closed his eyes and was trying to fall asleep. Nick rubbed his back and kept kissing his forehead.

“I love you baby. I’ll get you better,” Nick promised as he rocked his son to sleep.

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