Chapter Seven
Three days later mother, father and daughter, Madison Amelia, finally made their way out of the hospital. Due to
the complications during birth, the doctors had made it clear that they wanted to keep Leighanne and the baby in the
hospital until they were sure that everything was healthy. Earlier that morning Dr. Philips had given his final okay, and
release papers were signed. Now, the new family was on its way to Brian’s mansion in the suburbs of Orlando. Awaiting
their arrival were Nick and Gretchen. She had been staying with Nick for the past few days, although awkward, it was fine.
She still enjoyed Nick’s company, despite the fact that he was still acting odd. At times she caught him being himself,
fooling around in the pool, or mocking her Nintendo playing skills, but within seconds he would be back to his withdrawn
self. Gretchen knew that she was the cause of these changes. No matter what Nick told her, she could always tell when he
was lying. Gretchen figured that Nick had read her mind, discovered that she had feelings for him, and was now paranoid
that acting overly friendly would give her the wrong idea.
“We’re home!” Brian called from the front hall as he led his wife and daughter through the door. Nick and
Gretchen were on their feet and at the door trying to see the baby. “Okay!! Room!! My daughter needs her
space!!”
“Oh sure, and you wife who went through 20 hours of child birth doesn’t need her space. Gee, thanks.”
Leighanne said rolling her eyes as Brian pried his daughter out of her arms.
“Hello Maddy-pie.” he said in a childish voice, Leighanne’s words not even phasing him. She rolled her eyes as
she left the room to go into the kitchen. “How’s my girl huh? Did you have a fun ride home looking out the window?? Did
you see that world out there?” He asked gently tickling the baby on her stomach.
“Sweets, she was staring at the back seat the entire time.” Leighanne said in a monotone. Brian just smiled and
went back to tickling his daughter. “He just loves her.” Leighanne whispered to Gretchen. “I swear to god, Brian looked in
the back seat more than he looked at the road on the way home.” she finished laughing. Gretchen smiled acknowledging
what Leigh said, but watching Brian.
“Hey Nick, come here.” He called to Nick who had been standing next to Gretchen. Nick made his way over to
Brian and sat timidly down on the couch next to the father and daughter.
“Huh?”
“Hold her.” Brian said leaning over to place the tiny girl in Nick’s arms.
“No no no.” Nick said quickly, but the child was already nestled in his big arms. He looked down at the infant
nervously but when she smiled up at him, he calmed. He gave a laugh and repositioned the baby carefully. “Hey Maddy.”
he whispered. Gretchen watched in awe. Nick and Madison looked so adorable sitting on the couch. She had never in her
life seen a man hold anything so gently. It was as if he was afraid he would break her. His facial expressions were so soft
and gentle. He peered down at the child with as much intrigue as the child looking up at him. He carefully brought his
hand up to touch Madison’s tiny fist. The baby immediately grabbed hold of one of his fingers, squeezing it. The
comparison was remarkable. Madison’s itty bitty hand barely fit around Nick’s pointer finger. “How ya doing?” he
whispered again. Madison just gave a gurgling giggle. Nick smiled again and looked up at Gretchen. “Look Brown Eyes. I
think she likes me.” He said happily.
“Well of course she does right Mad-Pie?” Brian asked tapping Madison on the nose lightly. She just giggled
again. “She likes everyone.”
“Come here Gret, hold her.” Nick said softly. Gretchen sat down next to Nick on the couch and he placed the
baby in her arms. Madison still had a death grip on his finger so he let her hold it while Gretchen held her.
“Hey Madison.” Gretchen said. She glanced again at Nick who looked up at her at the exact same moment.
Nick’s heart melted. He was seated next to the love of his life, while she held a baby girl in her arms. She looked so
beautiful gazing down at the tiny girl, smiling and laughing at every facial expression the baby made. Nick rested his wrist
on Gretchen’s knee and let Maddy continue to hold his finger. The contact made between he and Gretchen, though small,
was enough to make his heart speed up and his head spin. She had become everything to him in the last four days. When
to tell her his feelings was still undecided, but Nick knew that he would have to tell her eventually. She was way too
important for him to lose. For right now, though, he decided to put it off as much as possible.
“Are you guys staying for dinner??” Leighanne asked as she came into the room again. Brian got up to give her
a kiss as she leaned on the door frame.
“Nah, we have to be heading back. We have an hour and a half drive ahead of us, and Gretchen is flying home
tomorrow morning.” Nick said. His heart tightened as he stated the fact that Gretchen would be leaving him the next day.
“Oh that’s right. You are coming back though right?” Leighanne asked alarmed.
“Of course, I’ll be back in two weeks.” Gretchen said as she stood up with Madison. Nick put his arms out and
she handed the baby off to him.
“Where shall I place this tiny beauty?” Nick asked.
“Upstairs in her crib.” Leighanne answered laughing. Nick raised his eyebrows at Gretchen and cocked his head
towards the stairs motioning for her to go with him. She smiled and headed upstairs with Nick following behind with
Madison. Her room was decorated in neutral colors, neither parent knowing the sex of the baby to plan. The room was
beautiful, redone to suit a baby, with a huge picture window and children’s wallpaper covering the walls. Nick walked
slowly across the room and carefully placed Madison in her crib. He grabbed a teddy bear from the floor and stuck it in
her crib next to her.
“She’s so small.” Gretchen said amazed.
“Yeah I know. She was a few weeks early so she’s even smaller than normal. My brother and sisters were a little
bigger than she is.” Nick said quietly.
“I’m glad that she’s okay.”
“Me too. I was pretty scared about that. Trust me , I don’t usually admit that.” Nick said cracking a
smile.
“Thanks by the way. Nick, you really helped me out at the hospital.” Gretchen said.
“No problem, I care about you, I was upset because you were.” he simply said. Gretchen smiled, Nick had no
idea what an impact his words had on her. He cared about her, enough to be upset because she was scared. Her
nervousness about him discovering her hidden feelings vanished. He still was the same person, the Nick she had known for
a year. Nick felt his face begin to warm. Telling her he cared, though obvious already, was a gigantic step to admitting his
true feelings for her. He glanced at her to catch her reaction and was delighted to see her smiling brightly. “Shall we go?”
he asked her.
“Yeah, I guess. I’m gonna miss this little one. Will you come visit her for me?”
“Of course.” Nick said as he kissed his fingers and softly pressed them to Madison’s forehead. “See ya later
Mad.” he whispered as both he and Gretchen watched the baby fall into a deep sleep. Out of the corner of his eye, Nick
watched every move Gretchen made. Desperately needing to feel the rush he felt when making contact with her he slowly
reached out and brushed his fingertips against her hand. He felt her jolt with what he though was surprise. She made eye
contact with him as he turned around and began to move towards the door. Stopping to look back at her still planted in the
same spot he reached his hand out to her. She eyed it carefully before bringing her hand up and placing it in his open
hand. He gently squeezed her hand and led her out of the room.
Chapter Eight
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