Nick's reaction to my decision to move in with him was just too cute. I swear, I never knew somebody's eyes could light up that much. I had to admit that I was a little taken back by it. Talk about a total 180. He reminded me almost of a little boy just then, and it was hard for me to accept that he was going to become a father.

Nick insisted that I started moving some of my stuff into his place right away, so after I left the hospital I started packing some little things like clothes and stuff like that. Oh yea, I guess I should also mention that I clued Erika in on what was going on. She was a little shocked herself, but she didn't ask too many questions. She understood that this could really help make things better between Nick and I, so she agreed upon the move without any arguments.

The next afternoon Nick was being released from the hospital. The plan was that I would go and pick him up while Erika brought over the last of our stuff. We were still keeping our apartment for the time being, so we had the luxury of being able to leave things there. I figured if I forgot anything I could always go back and get it. I also liked the idea of still having my own apartment because there was still a little part of me that was skeptical of whether or not living with Nick was going to work out or not. Having the apartment left me with the option that if things didn't work out, I could always go back living there.

I tried to shrug all doubts out of my head as I slammed my car door shut and headed into the hospital. I had nothing to be worried about right? Things between Nick and I were bound to get better and we'd live happily ever after, just like in a fairy tale, I tried to reassure myself.

When I finally pushed open the door to Nick's room I was surprised to find him pretty much all ready to leave. "You're late," he told me the minute I stepped inside.

"No, I'm not," I insisted as I looked at my watch. Okay, I was 5 minutes late. Big fucking deal. "I hit traffic," I told him.

"I'm sorry for jumping down your throat. I just want to get out of this hellhole," he apologized.

"I don't blame you, but unfortunately you do have some papers and shit to fill out," I reminded him.

It took about 20 minutes for him to finish filling out all his discharge forms and the whole time I felt like I was pins and needles. I was anxious for him to finish up so that we could go home. Not only because I hate hospitals, but also because that I knew as soon as we stepped out of these doors it would be like a new chapter in our romance. We'd be starting off fresh with no lies and uncertainties which was definitely a relief to me. At least that was how I looked at it.

At last he was finished and we walked out into the parking lot hand in hand. Wow, it had been a long time since we'd done that. It's funny how you don't even realize how bad you missed the simplest things until you finally do them again. Speaking of not doing things in a while, as soon as we were outside Nick stopped dead in his tracks and turned towards me. "Wait a second," he told me.

"Yes?" I asked him.

"There's something I want to do first before we leave."

I just stood there giving him a totally bewildered look until his mouth lowered down to meet mine. God, we hadn't kissed in ... well a really long time and it felt so great to be in his arms again, feeling his lips against mine. Oh man, I know I sound like a cheesy romance novel right about now, but I'm not sure how else to describe it.

Usually I'm not one for PDA's, but I actually forgot that we were standing in the middle of the hospital parking lot until I heard the loud honk of a horn. Great way to ruin a moment! We broke apart for the moment, both a little embarrassed that we'd acquired an audience.

"That was nice..." I found myself saying anything to break the awkward moment.

"Just nice?" Nick teased.

"Okay ... more than nice, but I think we should leave the making up until we get home," I suggested.

"I like that idea. Now where did you park? And don't tell me I have to ride in your tiny car," he asked, suddenly in a big rush to get home.

"I had to bring my car. How else was I going to pick you up?" I explained. I guess I should let it be known that Nick HATES riding in my Neon because of the fact that he's so tall and let's face it, I think the car was designed for short people (like myself). I have to crack up every time he gets into the passenger seat and has to scrunch up his knees. It's the cutest thing!

"It's a good thing I love you," he grumbled as he climbed into the passenger seat.

Good thing that he loved me? It may have sounded pretty stupid but it was actually a relief to hear those words. Granted it wasn't a very serious moment between the two of us, but it did give me a glimmer of hope as I sped out of the parking lot with a smile on my lips. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all...

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By the time we arrived back at Nick's house I was all ready for a nice quiet night at home. I figured that Erika would have most of our stuff over there by now and that after a quick dinner she'd go out someplace with AJ and Nick and I would have the house to ourselves. We'd have all the time we wanted to talk a little bit more, but more importantly time to make up.

Funny, how things never go according to plan.

When I opened up the front door I almost died. Sitting in the living room was just about each and every one of our friends. Balloons were strewn all around the place and a huge banner reading: WELCOME HOME NICK! hung across the wall.

"Surprise!" Izzy squealed.

"Wow, uhh thanks," Nick said, obviously as surprised as I was. "Did you plan this?" he asked me.

"Me? I'm just as clueless as you," I insisted, shooting Izzy a "you could've told me that you were planning this" look.

"Well, it was kind of last minute," she explained, giving me an apologetic look. "I was only trying to help."

I held back a sigh. Don't get me wrong, I love Izzy and all, but sometimes she gets these great ideas that actually aren't as great as she thinks they are. Maybe it was selfish and a little bitchy, but dammit, Nick and I had been fighting for so long and the last thing I wanted right now was to have a party. "It's okay Iz," I lied. "Just I wish you would've told me. I could've helped too."

"I'm sorry," she apologized again. "We weren't even planning it to be much of a party. More like a dinner."

A dinner? Lovely... And who exactly would be the one who wound up cleaning up from this "dinner?" Probably Erika and I. The thought was nice, but it just annoyed me how people had to do things like this without consulting me first.

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Sure enough right after dinner, everybody seemed to conveniently have an excuse about leaving early. Next thing I knew, everyone had left and Erika, Nick, and I were left sitting at the dining room table with a mountain of dishes in front of us.

I sighed. The dinner had been pretty good. I will admit that. Izzy made some kind of chicken dish which was surprisingly edible. She also bought over this chocolate cake that was simply to die for. God, she really knows how to make me less mad. Chocolate is my weak point. So yea, that had made me a little less bitchy, but once I saw those dishes I just wanted to cry.

"Guess it's up to you and me to clean up this mess," I told Erika as I stood up from the table.

"It appears that way," she agreed, already grabbing a handful of plates.

"I'll help to," Nick volunteered starting to stand up.

"You most certainly will not," I told him. "The doctor told you to take it easy."

"But it's just dishes!" he whined. "And besides it's my house."

"I never knew you were such a fan of dishes Nick?" Erika interrupted with a laugh.

"Neither did I," I chimed in. "Don't worry Nick. You can do the dishes every night once you are back in commission."

"That's not what I meant," he grumbled with a pout on his face.

"You put your foot in your mouth," Erika reminded him as we both disappeared into the kitchen with an armload of dishes. "Do you think he's really going to do the dishes every night?" she asked as soon as we were out of earshot.

I had to laugh. The image of Nick trying to do dishes was just beyond imagination. "Probably not. I think he's just pissed off because we are all babying him. Speaking of being pissed off where did Izzy get this idea that I'd want the whole gang over for a party tonight of all nights?"

Erika just shrugged. "You know Izzy. She called this morning and was bugging out about this great idea about throwing Nick a surprise welcome home dinner. Once she gets an idea in her head you know how hard it is to say no to her."

"Yea, she's pretty stubborn all right," I agreed. "But Jesus, I mean any idiot could put two and two together. Nick and I have been fighting nonstop for over a month now and finally we are working things out, but that doesn't mean that overnight we are going to become the perfect couple. I was kind of looking forward to a quiet night where we could just lay on the couch and just enjoy being with each other. Words would be optional of course. "

Erika just shook her head. "I'm sorry. I should've told her no. This is all my fault."

"Don't blame yourself hun. I'm not even as mad about it now because of that cake," I joked. "I'm just pissed that I have to clean up this mess."

"I'll tell you what. You go find Nick and I'll finish this up by myself," she offered.

"Are you sure? It's a lot for one person to handle by themselves," I asked.

"And I have all night, so as your older sister I order you to get lost."

"Yea you're good at that," I teased, sticking my tongue out at her as I left the kitchen.

Nick was no longer sitting at the dining room table but I could hear the television from the living room. Sure enough, there was Nick sitting comfortably on the couch watching ESPN.

"Yuck... Sports!" I exclaimed as I curled up next to him on the couch. "Don't you guys watch anything else?"

"All you watch is soap operas," he pointed out, not tearing his eyes from the screen.

"Yea, but at least those things are interesting," I argued as I laid my head against his shoulder.

"Please don't hang on me," he told me sharply.

Don't hang on him? He had to have just been cranky from his medication or something. Still ... the way he said it was a little upsetting. "All right," I told him as I pulled away from him. "Are you tired?"

Nick just shrugged. "A little bit."

"Did you take your pills?" I asked.

"Yes, I took my pills," he mimicked me, giving me a dirty look.

"I'm just concerned about you. Is there anything wrong with that?" I was starting to get just a tad bit offensive here.

"I know. Next you are going to say you only do it because you love me. Actually, I am kind of tired. I think I'm going to go to bed after all."

"All right. Sounds good to me," I agreed as I jumped up from the couch and followed him upstairs to his bedroom.

"Are you going to tuck me in now too?" he sarcastically asked as we reached his door. I opened my mouth to defend myself but before I could say anything he spoke again. "You can just take any of the guest bedrooms. You know where they are." Before I knew it he had slammed the door behind him leaving me just standing there gaping for a good minute or two.

What was that?! Was it THAT stupid of me to assume that because we were now "living" with each other that I'd at least sleep in his room with him? Not saying that I expected anything to happen between us right away, but I didn't think sharing a bed would be this big of a deal. Plus, the way he was so cold to me... Just banishing me to one of the guest bedrooms. That was harsh. I know he was cranky and everything, but that was just uncalled for.

I walked back downstairs in a daze. I still couldn't get over it. I was in so much shock I almost bumped right into Erika.

"What happened? Where's Nick?" she asked, sounding very confused.

"I think I've been majorely dissed," I replied as I sunk into a chair.

...To Be Continued...