Yvette sat there in her office, stunned nonetheless because of what Nick told her earlier. Did he say that to make her go back to him? Or was it really true? She skimmed her eyes over the documents that Nick had put there earlier and she shook her head. "I'm really married to him still" she thought.
"Momma! Daddy IS coming with us, right?" Andrea entered and went straight to her mother's arms, snapping her out of her daze.
"Yeah, yeah sweetie… Daddy is coming with us"
"Yay!" she paused. "Is Daddy going to stay with us forever?"
That was definitely something that she didn't want to talk about. "I don't know, baby… I don't know"
"But, why? All my friends have a Mommy and a Daddy together… and I don't… why?"
"Sweetie, there are some things that you still don't understand. I'll explain later, k?"
Andrea grinned and kissed her cheek. "Okay"
"Let's go" Yvette finally said, grabbing her hand and walking out of the office. When she was approaching the elevator, she glanced to her side and saw Nick standing there. "Are you going to come with us?"
Nick looked at Yvette, thinking that after he told her everything, she wouldn't want to see him again. He smiled widely and followed her to the elevator. "Of course. Right, baby?" he said, taking Andrea in his arms and tickling her.
Seeing that, Yvette smiled instantly. Although she swore off men from her life, including Nick, she couldn't help sensing that all too familiar tingly feeling in the pit of her stomach, when she saw them together; 'a family' she thought, reminding herself that, that was what she wanted when she first got pregnant. Four years later, she started to see it come true. Better late than never.
When they got to Yvette's car, Nick turned to Andrea. "Do you want to go with Mommy or with me?"
"With you!" Andrea shouted, extending her little arms, so that Nick could carry her. Nick looked at Yvette. "Is it okay if I take her?"
Yvette smiled genuinely. "Of course, Nick… She's your daughter"
"Thanks Yve" Nick grinned.
"You don't have to thank me"
"You could have easily denied everything"
"I didn't want that… You know I'm not like that. I really appreciate and cherish everything we went through, because if it wouldn't be for our marriage, she would be here"
Nick put his arms around her and smiled. "I couldn't thank you enough for letting me be part of her life"
"Momma, Daddy?" Andrea chimed in, wrapping her arms around Nick's neck.
"Yeah, baby?" Yvette said.
"Give daddy a kiss"
Yvette's eyes widened as she chuckled, looking down to the floor in embarrassment. Nick took Yvette's chin with one hand and kissed her cheek softly, studying her face for a second, before looking back to Andrea.
"There, sweetheart"
"But… but, my friend's Daddy and Mommy kiss here" she said, pointing to her mouth.
Yvette smiled and shook her head, looking into Nick's eyes.
"Go with your Daddy, baby. Let's go home" Yvette answered, trying to change the theme of conversation.
"Without a kissy??" Andrea pouted.
Nick laughed. "Yes, without a `kissy'"
"No!" she pouted again, crossing her arms.
Yvette rolled her eyes, as she leaned over and kissed Nick softly on the lips. Something that left Nick more than stunned.
"Let's go" she whispered, trying not to look at Nick in the eye.
Ten minutes later, they all arrived to Yvette's apartment. Nick was surprised at how small it was and felt the temptation of inviting them over to his house for a couple of days. Then, he decided against it, thinking that it was too soon and that Yvette wouldn't accept.
"I know that you're not used to small places… but this is where I live" Yvette stated modestly.
"It's beautiful, Yve… I didn't know you were an interior decorator" he joked.
Yvette grinned. "I try my best"
Nick laughed, sitting on the couch and closing his eyes.
"Do you want something to eat or drink?"
"Oh, I'm fine, thanks"
"Andrea ran to her room… If you want to go with her, you can enter" Yvette offered, going to the kitchen and opening the fridge, skimming through its contents. She grabbed a yogurt and sat in the living room across from Nick. There was a comfortable silence around the room, as if they've never separated.
"How's Aaron?"
Nick instantly smiled. "He's great… He misses you like crazy" he paused."Everyone misses you so much. They never knew why exactly you left. It was like an unfinished business"
Yvette looked down. "I've missed them so much too… I kinda forgot what was like to have a family" she replied sadly, thinking about her own family, especially her Mom.
Nick sensed her uneasiness and sat down on the chair next to her. "I'm sorry that everything had to happen"
"We have a lot to talk about, Nick… about Andrea… and about my Mom… She missed you too, a lot"
He closed his eyes and looked down. "I feel so bad of not being there for her, when she needed someone. Emma was always there for me, when I had a problem either with you or someone else"
"You didn't know… don't feel bad"
"I can't help feeling bad about it… I should have let you explain everything. Back at the office, I was a major asshole and I'm sorry for that…"
"It's okay… it's over and done" she said, sipping on her drink.
"Yve, I just want to make this right with you" Nick said out of the blue, facing Yvette.
Yvette sighed softly. "Nick, it's been a long time, and honestly, I don't know what I feel for you anymore. Sometimes, I think it's love, sometimes dislike… I mean, I don't know… can you give me some time"
"No problem. I'll give you all the time you need" Nick finished smiling, knowing that there might me some sort of hope between the two of them.
Yvette sat back and smiled at Nick. For the first time, she felt completely comfortable with him being there. But, something wasn't right. She rose from her seat, went to the window and looked out.
"Is something wrong?" Nick said standing up and going beside her.
"N-no… everything's fine" Yvette answered, forcing a smile. Funny, she thought. Suddenly, a feeling ran over her. A feeling of apprehension. A feeling of being insecure. A feeling that she was being watched…