“So you're really going back to work?” Amber asked.
“Yep, I figured that since Howie and I are splitting up, I need to do something to get away from the twins for awhile. “
“And who is going to watch the twins?” Amber asked. I could tell that she was hoping that I wasn't going to ask her.
“Don't worry,” I laughed, “Howie is going to take them since he's home from the tour and Paula is going to watch the kids while Howie is touring. I wouldn't torture you by leaving my kids here too. Besides, his mom thinks that she won't be able to see them as much after...”
“After the divorce,” Amber said finishing my sentence.
“Yeah. Anyway, the kids are going to stay with Howie and his parents tonight and I should be home probably around 3:00 after the club closes.”
“Well, just watch who you give those VIP passes to,” Amber laughed.
“Very funny,” I said as I rolled my eyes and left the room.

Amber's View

“I'm coming,” I said as I rushed to the door with a squirming Arrianna under my arm. “Hold on I'm coming!” I finally got to the door to find Nick on the other side. “Nick, I'm so glad you're here!”
“Well you sounded pretty desperate for a babysitter on the phone so I figured I better come over as quickly as possible.” He took Arrianna out of my arms and tried his best to settler her down. “So what's the big emergency?”
“There was a break in at my gallery and I need to get over there. Are you sure you can handle the kids? I'll only be a couple of hours I swear.”
“No problem, I've watched them before you know,” Nick said laughing.
“Ohhh,” I said giving him a big hug. “You don't know how much I appreciate this. If there is ever anything I can do to repay you…”
“Actually there is,” Nick laughed.
“What?” I asked. “You name it.”
“Umm...do you think you could take the kids somewhere tonight? I would like to have the house to myself with Rhonda,” Nick said blushing slightly and looking away.
“Nick...I...she...fine,” I sighed. “Just don't rush things. She is still married and she's been hurt a lot.”
“I know,” Nick said. “I don't plan on doing anything that would hurt anyone.”
“Well at least you have good timing,” I laughed. “I'm suppose to take my kids to see AJ tonight. I guess I can just throw two more into the car.” I paused. “How is he doing?”
“Not the same without you,” Nick answered quietly.
“Ok, well thanks again,” I said as I headed out the door.

Rhonda's View

I stood in the garage and fumbled around trying to find the right key for the door. I leaded against the door and it opened. “Huh,” I thought, “Amber usually locks this door.” I shrugged and walked inside of the house. I tossed my keys onto the kitchen counter and noticed a flickering light coming from the living room. I opened the closet door and grabbed my baseball bat that I kept around, just in case.

“Hello? Amber? Is that you in there?” I asked as I headed towards the living room.
“Nope,” I heard a male voice say, “I sent her away for the night.”
“Nick??”
I heard a laugh and knew it was him. “What are you doing here?” I said as put down the bat and walked into the living room. Nick was sitting on the couch with a single red rose in his hand. All around the living room were candles and yellow roses.
“I had to come see you,” he said as he got off of the couch and walked towards me. “I know that you still consider yourself married, but I also know that I have never wanted anything more in my life. I never wanted to spend so much time with anyone before. I will wait until you stop hurting, until you are able to trust again, until you can love me the same way that I love you...because I know that sometimes, when you wait for things that you really want, you cherish it more than you would have if you would have gotten it right away.”

“Nick,” I began to speak and he placed his finger on my lips.
“I'm not done yet...I want to know that you really love me and that you're not trying to get even with Howie or that you just want to fill an empty space in your life...”
“Nick – you mean so much more to me than that. I want to be able to love you the way you love me...I just...I just don't want to hurt Howie. Even after everything that he did, he was still a big part of my life and will always be because of Jacob and Nikki.”
“I know he will and I can live with that. He's really a good guy...he just kinda sucked at the whole marriage thing,” Nick laughed.
“I think it was the commitment part he had trouble with,” I joked.
Nick pulled me into his arms and looked into my eyes. “I won't have any trouble with it. I know how special you are and what you mean to me, and I won't risk losing you. I can't ever lose you.” Nick leaned down and gently kissed my lips.