*NICO*

Serena looks wonderful when she's so happy. I've seen her happy before, but not like this. Since I met her there's always been that underlining hint of worry and sadness. This is different, it's like she has some newfound strength and she's radiant. She has that natural pregnancy glow added to that extra something else. It makes adds to the excitement of the baby shower. Serena grabs on to Hayden and drags him to the middle of the room with her getting everyone's attention despite Hayden's obvious protests.

"I believe Hayden and Adrian have an announcement to make! Adrian get your cute little butt up here!" Hayden is blushing a deep crimson color. I find it funny that that comment embarrassed him more than it did Adrian. I wonder what Serena is up to. Adrian joins them laughing, obviously enjoying his partner's discomfort.

"I take it you told her?" Hayden just nods sheepishly.

"I couldn't keep it in any longer, sorry."

"It's okay, I love you." We all awe at that and then Thias of course has to ruin the moment.

"Hey guys! As much as we all enjoy seeing you be all mushy with each other save it for later. I want to know what this news is that has Serena all excited." I laugh, it would be Thias that interupts a sweet moment. Serena grabs onto Hayden.

"Well, are you going to tell them?"

"I think Adrian should do it." She perks up and looks over at the aformentioned man.

"You're right it is kind of his news to share."

"Guys come on you are killing us here!" This of course coming from Thias again. Adrian throws his hands up and laughs.

"Okay, Okay! I just found out this morning, but I am now offically considered another gardian/parent figure to Devin. The adoption went through!" There is a chorus of cheers throughout the room, and then we precede with the games after all congratulating them. There is one where you pick a slip at random and it has a number on it. Whatever number you draw will deal with the age of the kid. The idea is when that birthday comes up for her you will be the one responsible for planning that birthday. I think the way it's usually done is that you just have to make sure to send them a card that year on their birthday, but we figured since this wasn't a huge shower and we are all close-knit that this way would be better. I think Jamie is the one who came up with this idea. I smile as I see that I drew sixteen. Awe, I get to do her sweet sixteenth, granted I'm still in their lives when the time comes.

I look over at Serena again. She really is beautiful and I think not for the first time that I can see why Thias fell for her in the first place. If I have to lose him to anyone, I'm glad it'll be her. Not that he wasn't hers to begin with, it will just be like him going back to her.

It's fun to watch Serena open gifts if not a bit frustrating. She's one of the ones that doesn't just rip into them, but takes her time pealing the layers apart. So patient as she seems to be with everything else in life that comes to her. At least from what I've seen so far, then again it looks like she's been having a hard time dealing the past couple of weeks, but I assume being in the third trimester of her pregnancy that's getting to her.

The gifts range from blankets and clothes to toys and even one of those pratical kits with the thermometer and droppers from Laura. Yes her presence hasn't gone unnoticed by me. I think I have a pretty good idea of what is going on there, though I'm not going to say anything. That's Jami's business and when she's ready to tell she will.

After everyone leaves it's just Thias and Serena left besides me. The other's offered to stay and clean up but we declined. Elijah's doing his best to help though he seems to be hindering it more than helping and Zainey is just sitting off in his own little world like usual.

For some reason it seems that all the awkwardness of that night that Serena kissed me has come back and I feel like I'm suffocating. I need to get out of here; I don't know what's wrong with me. I feel nervous and jittery and just wanna crawl out of my own skin. I'm not even sure what triggered it this time except maybe just being in the room with the two of them and the boys I feel like I shouldn't be here. I've been intruding in on this family when I have no right to be here. I run from the room and hear Thias call after me.

"Mattie stay here, I'll go."

"Nico honey, what's wrong?" She comes up behind me and starts rubbing my back.

"I-I don't belong here!"

"Oh, of course you do."

"No! You have each other and the boys. I-I'm just in the way." I feel like I'm blubbering.

"Of course you do. We all love you so that means you belong here."

"But this is your life. I'm just an intruder." She sighs heavily beofre getting up.

"Okay, enough is enough. Mattie! Get your butt in here now!" She sounds irritated and upset. Now I feel even worse. I just ruined what has been a perfect day for them.

"Whats going on is he okay?"

"No I'm not sure he is." She sounds really sad and concerened for me. Why is she concerned about me, she shouldn't be. She's the one that's pregnant and whose been cheated on and wronged here. She is too nice and forgiving and again I think it would have been easier if we could have hated each other from the begining. Would have saved us all this extra strain and emotional trama.

"What's wrong." She sighs again.

"I think it's just you."

"Me? What did I do now?" He sounds extremely confused and if I were to look up he's probably be frowning.

"You, me, this whole situation. I think he's finally at his braking point." There's a different set of hands on my back this time. These ones are so familiar and I start to cry. God, I miss the way things used to be with him, but I know that given the chance I'd go through everything all over again. I love it here and am glad to have the chance to be here. I'm just so confused and don't know what to do, I feel like I'm falling apart.

"Nico, babe. You know I love you right?" I manage a nod, because really I do know that, but is it enough? Do I want it to be enough? Do I really want to take him away from Serena and his family. I start to sob even harder and Serena speaks up in her soft voice.

"Mattie, I hate to do this, but I don't think we have a choice. You need to decide soon and I think they being around both of us when you aren't working is jst making thinks worse and it harder for you to think clearly. It's gone on long enough."

"Wh-what are you saying?" He really sounds scared now.

"I'm saying we both love you no matter what, but look at Nico. Please, for our sakes just go." Go? Is she kicking him out? Why would she do that.

"N-no."

"Shh Nico it's for the best. I'm not permanetly kicking him out. I just think it's best he finds somewhere else to stay foe a few days to sort everything out. You think you can do that for us Mattie?"

"Y-yeah, I think that's best." With that he leaves the room to pack and go. I'm not sure where he's going, but I know It'll be someplace where he can get comfort and the time he needs. Serena and I stay there until long after he leaves holding and comforting each other. Why things have to be the way they are I'll never understand, I can only hope for the best.