*NICO*

After one long week of waiting Thias is back. The air around here is thick and awkward, at least on my part. His presnce here can only mean one thing.

"Where are the boys at?" Thias asks breaking the silence.

"In their room playing."

"Is there anyway that we can get someone to watch them?" I know that it would be easier without the boys underfoot, but I also have the sneaking feeling that he's putting off talking. He's probably just trying to get his bearings. Serena is the one who responds this time, which might be a good thing considering I'm not sure if I could get another word out right now.

"Yes, I'll just call Hayden and see if they are up to taking them, I think Jamie has something going on tonight." She frowns for a second and then shakes her head like she's trying shake off a thought. She then turns to leave but Thias stops her.

"No, please stay here. Nico, could you call them? I would like to speak to Serena first if that's alright." What? S-Serena? Why does he want to talk to her first? Does that mean he's made his choice and it's her? Or is he just wanting to talk to her first out of curtisy? I glance over at her and she gives me a reassuring smile. I mentaly shake myself out of it. I have something that need done before I can think about all this.

"Okay, I'll just go."

"Nico." I turn and look at Thias.

"Thanks." For what? Not making a fuss, or for understanding and waiting, or just for being here that past months? I don't know, but it doesn't make me feel any easier. I leave the room and pull out my phone and decide to call Adrian.

"Hello?"

"H-ello." I take a deep breathe to steady myself.

"Nico, is that you?"

"Yes, is there anyway you can do me a favour." I'm proud of how I manage to get that out clearly. Maybe I'll be alright after all.

"Yes, is everything okay?" Guess I didn't do the greatest job, but at least I'm not falling apart.

"Yeah, everything's fine. Something just came up and we wanted to know if you could take the boys tonight."

"Um... well I'm working nights right now, but I can check with Hayden. Hold on one second. I hear his muffled voice talking in the background for a couple of minutes before he picks up the phone again.

"Okay he said it should fine."

"Thank you so much! We should be there in a little bit." After I hang up I poke my head into the twins' room."

"Hey boys, you guys up for going to Devin's tonight?" Elijah jumps up excited. He's always up for going anywhere. His only complaint is that Peter won't be there. Of course-Zainey grumbles about almost anything though I do detect a slight smile that disapears as soon as it shows up. I know he secretly likes having a friend, but it's just not in him to show it.

Getting two five year olds ready to go somewhere is no easy task. It even involves making sure certain toys get pack so as to avoid a screaming kid. Finally after what seems like forever we are all ready to go. As I head out the door I notice that Thias and Serena are nowhere to be seen.

"Where's mama at?" Of course Elijah being the mommy's boy is the one to ask that.

"She's got something she needs to do right now." Like making up with Thias and figuring out where they are going from here, and what to do about me. I shake my head to snap myself out of it. I can't think like that. No matter what happens I know they both care about me in their own way.

"Daddy too?" Zainey's small voice ask.

"Yes your daddy too. Don't worry about it you'll see them both tomorrow." But will I still be around then?

"Okay." The drive to Adrian's is spent with Elijah chattering none-stop. There's nothing new there, but it saves me from loosing myself to my own thoughts. Hayden opens the door just as we arrive and Adrian rushes out.

"Hi guys! I'm going to be late, sorry I can't stay and chat. Nico you look tired, take care of yourself okay?" He says it all rushed together before he's in the car and gone.

"Okay... Is he always like that?" Hayden laughs.

"Just about. Come on in. Boys Devin is in the living room if you want to join him." I enter with the boys and put all their stuff in Devin's bedroom.

"Nico, is everything okay? I know Serena was looking tired and worried last week, and now you look just the same."

"Yeah... No." I don't know why I couldn't just leave it.

"Anything we can do to help?" Make it to where I can't feel anything maybe?

"No I doubt you can help. I'm sorry."

"That's okay. Just know we're here if you need us."

"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind."

When I get home (how long will I be able to call it that?) Thias is waiting for me, but Serena is nowhere in sight. He smiles at me nervously. What does he have to be nervous about?

"Hey, you're back." Nah duh, you think? I wanna smack myself for my attitude and keep telling myself everything's going to be okay.

"Yes, where's Serena?"

"She went out for some air. Hey Nico?" Now he's starting to fidget.

"Yes?"

"You want to go to dinner or something? I'm sure you haven't eaten." What? Dinner? I'm not sure how much I can eat with my nerves the way they are, but I'm going to humor him.

"Sure." He gives me a small smile and we head off to eat at some small diner. It's not until we're in the middle of our ice-cream that we got after our meal that he brings the subject up.

"So Nico..." Here it comes, he's about to tell me he's staying with Serena after all. I just know it. It's all I can do not to fidget in my seat.

"Y-yes?"

"I've been thinking this past week and I know what I want." He starts digging in his pocket. What's he up to?

"W-what's that?" He finally pulls a small box from his pocket and I gasp. He can't be doing what I think he is can he? I mean he didn't even do it for Serena.

"Nico... will you marry me?" I'm actually crying now. Did he just ask me what I think he did? I'm not dreaming am I? Then all of a sudden I start feeling a little sad too. I can't do it, I know I can't. It wouldn't be fair to Serena.

"I-I'm sorry, I just don't know if I can."