Rachel opened the wooden door swiftly. There stood her best friend just as she had remembered her, with her smiling beau, Lance.
"Nikki," Rachel's voice came out softly and thick with emotion.
Nikki smiled and hugged her friend tightly, "I missed ya girl!"
Rachel nodded, "I missed ya too!"
Rachel invited them into the apartment.
Nikki's blue green eyes looked around the large apartment. It was furnished in contemporary furniture that was exactly Rachel's style. Everything looked neat and tidy. Nikki was surprised at that! Nikki hadn't seen her friend in so long. So felt waves of emotions hitting her so hard she felt like she couldn't breathe. Tears welded up in the corners of her eyes. Nikki saw Rachel was on the verge of tears as well.
Rachel put a hand to her mouth, "I'm sorry! I've just missed you so long!"
Nikki silenced her rambling by giving her a long awaited hug. A hug that prooved their friendship was strong enough to withsatnd any emotional battle.
Lance watched with a smile on his face. 'Things are definatly on their way to being normal again!' He thought with a wistful glance.
After the girls had stopped crying and hugging, Rachel offered them a cup of coffee and an explanation.
Rachel's eyes fogged over showing she had once again slipped into her past, "I was so young and foolish. After Justin and I broke up, from then on, everything got worse. He and I had dated for a long as I could remember! Then all of the sudden it just cut off like that. I knew I had to end it, but the process was so hard. Without him I felt like I was suffocating. Then when I found out..." Rachel's voice broke as her emotions once again took over.
"Found out what?" Nikki asked gently.
Rachel wiped her eyes and smiled, "Come here," She said simply and stood up.
She led the couple down the hallway and into the baby's room. She walked in and flickered on the light. Rachel stood quietly by her son's crib, awaiting their reactions.
Nikki's eyes grew big as she joined Rachel at the cribside. A smile tugged at Lance's lips.
"Can I hold him?" Nikki asked.
Rachel nodded and picked up her son. She handed him slowly to Nikki.
Nikki sighed, "He's beautiful!"
"Does Justin know?" Lance asked as politely as he could.
Rachel but her bottom lip, "Who says it's Justin's?"
Lance gave her a parenting glance, "Rachel! Just look at him!"
Rachel nodded, "I know. I should have told Justin, but I couldn't, I can't. It would just be too awkward!"
Lance shook his head, "I'll let you keep this a secret now, but someday you have to tell him!"
Rachel looked at her now smiling son, "I know."
Nikki ignored their serious conversation and continued to fuss over the baby, "What's his name?"
Rachel smiled at her friend's welcomed enthusiasm, "James Randal."
"Awww," Nikki crooned, "I love it!"
"Thank you," Rachel smiled, "He's a cutie isn't he?"
"He's a handsome young man!" Lance laughed.
Nikki looked at Lance, "I'm moving here. I'm moving in to help with the baby. Rach needs me and I'm going to be here for her. I switch to UM. My parents always wanted me to be closer to home anyways!"
"Nikki, that's a huge decision!" Lance protested.
Rachel gaped at her like she was crazy, "Nikki! You can't just give away your life to help me! Don't make the same mistakes I did!"
Nikki shook her head firmly, "I've made up my mind! You're my best friend! And if I can't bring you to me, then I'll bring myself to you! I won't lose you again!"
Nikki did as she had originally planned. She moved in with Rachel and switched to UM. Rachel and Nikki attended the University together. Two months passed and they fell into a rountine.
Nikki held a job at a local McDonalds as the Director of Marketing and Producing. With her now paying the rent, money was easy and they lived very comfortably.
Lance told Justin that things weren't working out for Nikki in Texas, so she moved back home and he left it at that. School was out for the summer finally and Lance was coming home to stay with the girls. Luckily Justin was staying with ihs family so no questions were asked.
Nikki play with James on the blanket set up in the tv room. She smiled and made faces as he giggled softly. Lance watched the two and smiled as he saw James stand up and hold onto the table. James was taking baby steps towards walking at a very early age, and frankly, they were all scared to death!
Rachel emerged from the door carrying in Chinese food. No one flet like cooking that night, "Dinner!"
James looked over and gleefully began crawling full speed towards his mother, who picked him up and ruffled his curls.
"Mommy's home!" Rachel smiled at her son then looked at Lance and Nikki, "Seven months old and already about to walk! AHHH!" All three laughed.
During their dinner Lance kept giving Nikki looks. Finally Rachel gave in.
"Alright you troubleosme twosome! What are those looks for?" Rachel asked smiling.
"Should I tell her?" Lance asked Nikki. Nikki nodded.
"What?" Rachel asked getting frustrated.
Lance let out a deep sigh, "Well, Nikki and I thought you should get out more. Meet people, and maybe even date!"
"Oh gawd!" Rachel moaned, "What have we got ourselves into?" She asked James who only smiled and laughed as he continued to mash his food.
"So I have a blinde date set up tomorrow night. You don't have plans, so their are no excuses. You are to meet him at The Olive Garden at seven sharp. You already have arrangements so their are no excuses!" Lance said in one breath.
Rachel opened her mouth to argue but Lance cut her off.
"Ah ah ah!" Lance scolded.
"But!"
"No buts!"
"Well!"
"Nope, you're going!" Lance leaned back and smiled triumphantly.
