Six very long, painful hours later, Nikki was writhing on the bed. The doctor had originally assumed she would deliver soon and decided that it was far too late for an epidural. That was five hours before and now Nikki was ready to kill for a shot. Just her luck, her daughter decided that was the moment she wanted to be delivered.

Safe in the delivery room, Nikki grabbed Noah. “I want a DAMN epidural and I want it NOW.”

“Baby, you know…”

“I don’t give a SHIT about what they say. I want a damn epidural,” she groaned, grabbing the belt of his pants. “Unless you want little Noah to suffer PAINFULLY you’ll get me DRUGS!”

“Nikki!” he jumped away.

“She’s crowning!” Dr. Russell took her seat at the end of the bed. “Almost ready mom.”

“Screw ready damn it! I WANT DRUGS FIRST!”

“Nikki, dear, it’s too late for drugs,” Eve tried to pacify her. “Now, PUSH!”

Nikki groaned. This wasn’t fair. Noah was having the next kid! That was it! She bore down as best she could, groaning, and grabbing for Noah, catching him in a rather delicate area.

“NIKKI!” he screeched, his voice much higher pitched than before. He managed to remove her hand and walk, rather awkwardly, away from the bed. “Just push…”

“You’re doing great,” Eve laughed, having seen the scene. “The head is almost out!”

Nikki groaned. “All that work and it’s not over?” she grumbled, pulling herself further up. “Noah, get your ass back here chicken!”

He slowly, and reluctantly, neared the bed and put an arm around her. “You’re doing great,” he cheered her on, his voice still quite higher than normal.

She pushed again, clinging to him for support. “God this hurts,” she cried, tears rolling down her cheeks.

Noah brushed them away. “You’re doing so great, baby. I am so proud,” he kissed her head, counting with the nurse.

“Ok, stop and breathe, the head is out and were going to deliver her shoulders next…ready?”

Nikki shook her head no. “No, please no more. This hurts too damn much…”

Noah chuckled and she smacked him in the chest. “Ow, come on sweetie, you can do this.”

She took and deep breath and then began to push again. “OWWWW!” she wailed.

“Keep going! You’re doing great!” the room full of nurses, Noah and Eve cheered.

“OH SHUT UP!” she screamed, giving it her all.

The wail of their new born daughter filled the room and Eve’s brown eyes twinkled. “Welcome your daughter to the world!”

Nikki began to cry, looking down at the beautiful pink little girl at the end of the bed as Dr. Russell cut the cord. “She’s perfect.”

The baby screamed.

“And loud,” Noah laughed. “Yup, her mother’s girl.”

That was the last sound either said as they cradled their little girl close in their arms. Welcoming their nameless new baby girl Bennett to the world.

Chapter One: Meeting the Family...

Nikki sat in the hospital bed, her newborn daughter cradled in her arms as Noah snapped picture after picture of the happy mother and child. She was bout thirty seconds away from telling Noah exactly what to do with that camera, but she tried to be nice. After all, it was the birth of their baby. Their little…

“Noah, she doesn’t have a name,” Nikki pointed out as he rewound the most recent roll of film.

He looked up at her. “I thought we agreed on Naomi,” he replied, tossing the roll into his camera bag before joining her on the bed.

“No, you said Naomi was a good name and I said that I’d rather name her something else. Like Noella.”

“I said I didn’t like that name,” he replied. “It sounds too much like mine. Noah…Noella. Just too close.”

“So?” she shrugged. “I like that name.”

“We’ll talk about this later. I’m going to go see if my parents want to come in, ok?” he asked, pecking her lips.

She nodded. “Sure,” she sighed, watching him leave. “I still say it should be Noella.” Nikki stroked the baby’s cheek. “Ok, so here’s what’s going on now, kiddo. Daddy went to get the nuts and fruits of the family,” she giggled. “Grandma Grace is totally insane. She talks to an angel that isn’t even there…well she says she’s there. Grandpa Sam is…” Nikki paused. “Dumb as a rock, but you’ll learn that the majority of your family is like that. Grandmother Ivy and Grandfather Julian are miserable people; if they don’t show up consider yourself lucky.”

The door opened before she could continue, Jessica’s head peeking through the space of the door. “I’m looking for Nikki and Nameless Bennett, is this the right room?”

Nikki laughed. “Sure is. Come on in and meet your niece…NOELLA,” she stressed.

Jessica didn’t need to be told twice as she, and one giant angel bear, trudged into the room, Grace and Sam not far behind. Nikki, hope filling her eyes that her parents would be there, was utterly disappointed to see her husband enter and close the door, shaking his head to let her know that Ivy hadn’t shown.

“Oh she’s perfect…” Jessica giggled, peering at her niece.

“Beautiful…look at all that hair…” Sam grinned proudly, running his hands through his balding locks.

“She looks just like Noah as a baby,” Grace grinned, picking up the baby’s tiny hand. “So, have we chosen a name?”

“Noella…” Nikki replied quickly.

“Naomi…” Noah shot her a look, which she ignored.

Grace sighed. “I see we haven’t,” she laughed. “Personally I like Noella.”

“Me too,” Jessica agreed. “It’s perfect.”

“I don’t know,” Sam added. “But Naomi seems so…”

“Non-Bennett,” Jess laughed.

“Good, Noella it is. Sorry baby,” Nikki laughed.

“Like I didn’t see that coming,” he mumbled, walking to the corner and sinking into one of the chairs. For months his family sided with her. He was starting to wonder who was their actual kid!

“Oh don’t pout, Noah Gabriel,” Grace replied, gently lifting Noella from her daughter-in-laws arms. The tiny baby cuddled close in her grandmother’s arms, almost as if she felt comfortable.

‘Funny,’ Nikki thought, looking at the two, ‘I didn’t think anyone was comfortable around that maniac. Hell, her and that tomato soup cake is enough to make anyone feel…unsettled.’

“Nikki, she’s gorgeous, really she is,” Jessica smoothed the dark hair on Noella’s tiny head. “I didn’t think I’d fall in love with her so fast!”

“Neither did I,” Nikki grinned. “She really was worth all the pain. Oh man, now I’m sounding cliché. That’s it, I’m a parent.”

Sam laughed. “Well, we couldn’t have chosen a finer mother for our first grandchild…especially the only grandchildren that will be Bennett’s by name.”

Nikki blushed. “Thanks, Sam.”

“Dad, I think you’ve earned that right. Don’t you Grace?”

“Oh for sure,” she kissed Noella’s head. “Congratulations, both for you.”

Nikki cast Noah a loving look. In return, Noah blew her a kiss and smiled. Ok, so it wasn’t so bad being married to Nikki Crane.

“Knock knock…”

“Oh god…not…”

“Ethan and I just couldn’t stay away,” Theresa bopped in, her hair braided in pig tails as her hand tugged Ethan in behind her. Nikki rolled her eyes. God really did hate her.

“Yea, I had to meet my niece,” he smiled, nearing his sister and hugging her. “How are you?”

“Finally, I was starting to wonder if anyone cared,” she hugged him back, confused by his sudden nature and…intelligence. “I’m all right. Gotta love how you push a six and a half pound baby out of this thing the size of a lemon and they offer you Tylenol.”

“More information than needed, thank you,” he chuckled. “Where’s the peewee?”

Ah! So there was the brainlessness she was accustomed to! “Grace has her.”

Ethan turned to find the women all settled in the corner oh-ing and ah-ing over the newest Bennett. “Oh, I see,” he shrugged. “Mother sends her love and says she’ll be here soon. She was trying to…umm well she’ll be late.”

“Surprising,” Nikki shrugged. “How’s Aunt Sher? She should be close to popping too.”

“Don’t worry, she hasn’t. She’ll be here when Luis gets off work,” Ethan replied.

She nodded and watched as the men settled in the other corner. Wonderful, so what was she supposed to do now? Just sit here.

The door opened.

“Spoke to soon,” she mumbled as Ivy’s blond head appeared, followed by. “Oh my god! Could you have POSSIBLY worn less???”

Ivy shrugged, adjusting the tight fitting dress she wore. God she was giving Rebecca a run for her money! “It was what I’ve been wearing all day…”

“Right,” Nikki shook her head. “Hello mother.”

“Darling,” she went to the bed and kissed her daughter’s cheek. “Where’s my granddaughter?”

“I have her,” Grace replied. Ivy turned and walked over to the other woman.

“She looks like you as a baby, Nikki,” Ivy replied.

“Surprised you remember,” she mumbled again.

“Nikki,” Noah shot her a look. She and Ivy had been getting along for a while, but even Nikki couldn’t stand Ivy’s blatant flirting with Sam.

“Sorry,” she sighed. Nikki looked over to where her daughter was trapped between grandmother’s both beginning to argue over something. Her head began to throb and tears filled her eyes. God she felt sorry for her kid!

Suddenly a wail filled the air.

“I bet she’s dirty,” Jessica said, reaching for the tiny white diaper.

“No, definitely a hungry cry,” Ivy replied.

“No, I think Jessica is right. She’s just wet,” Grace sided with her daughter.

“Hungry…”

“Wet…”

“Hungry!”

“WET!”

SCREAM…

The room silenced as three nurses came in to find Nikki tightly clenching the bed sheets, her face red from the exertion of screaming. If she wasn’t hoarse before, she was now!

“Mrs. Bennett. What’s wrong?” AJ asked, stepping further into the room.

“Get them out! Out! I want them out of my room! All of them!” she cried, totally frustrated.

“But Nikki…” they all cried.

“Make them go! OUT!”

AJ nodded to the other nurses, removing the crying newborn from the arms of her Grandmother. The other nurses simply shooed away the relatives, leaving only Nikki, Noah and the baby in the room. “Better?” she asked.

“Yes,” she sniffled. “Now what’s wrong with the peanut?”

AJ checked the baby’s diaper. “Hungry. Have you been taught to feed her yet?”

Nikki nodded and took her daughter from AJ, who left the room immediately. Nikki undid her gown and started to breastfeed her baby. “There you go, munchkin.”

Noah sat beside her and kissed her head. “I’m sorry darling. I thought they would get along just this once.”

“It’s all right,” she caressed her daughter’s cheek, sniffling again. “I love you, Noah.”

“Love you too,” he watched her feed his daughter. “Love you too…”

Chapter Two: A Visit from Grandfather

Nikki packed the last gift into the already jammed gift bag and sighed. She had opted to go home the very next day, decided that being a captive audience in the hospital just wasn’t her thing. At least at home she could escape the annoying family by locking herself in her room or the nursery. Here she was pretty much trapped.

Looking at her daughter in the little crib, she smiled. She had never felt prouder of anything she accomplished in her entire life. Noella was everything a mother could want. Then again, every mother probably felt that way about their children. Nikki sighed. She only wished Noah seemed as excited about being a father. Sometimes she had the feeling he didn’t even want to be married.

“Ready to go?” Grace’s voice came from behind her. Her mother-in-law entered the room and looked around, checking to make sure Nikki hadn’t missed anything.

Nikki nodded and sighed again. “Yea, thanks a lot for picking me up, Grace…”

“Mom,” Grace smiled.

“Mom,” Nikki offered a weak grin. “I really appreciate this.” She left the part about Noah not requesting the day off to help her at home hanging in the air, but Grace knew it. She wasn’t totally oblivious to the pain in her daughter-in-law’s eyes.

“It’s nothing. Got everything?”

Nikki nodded. “Yup.”

“Well let me take these out to the car,” Grace grabbed the huge bags of toys and clothing. “Then I’ll come back and help you get the peanut dressed.”

“I can dress her,” Nikki lifted her daughter gently from the crib. “But I’d appreciate it if you get the nurse in here with my release forms.”

Grace laughed. “That I can do. I’ll be right back,” she left with the bags.

Nikki placed her daughter on the bed. “So Ella, Daddy isn’t going to be home all afternoon, so that means you and I will have the entire day to drive each other insane. Aren’t you excited,” she kissed the baby’s tummy before changing her into her Pooh Bear homecoming outfit. “Yea I thought so too,” she giggled.

“You’re good with her.”

Nikki froze and turned. “Father,” she lifted her daughter from the bed and held her close. “What do you want?”

“I came to meet my first grandchild,” he walked into the room, hands behind his back. “Going to begrudge me that?”

“I should, shouldn’t I?” she asked. “What right do you have to see her? You didn’t give a damn I was having her.”

“I’ve seen the error in my ways…”

“You mean you sobered up,” she grumbled.

“Touché,” he sighed. Pulling his hands out from behind her back, he revealed a giant stuffed angel doll, Noella’s name stitched into her wing. “Please. I’m not so terrible, Nikki. I know I’ve done some really…”

“Terrible, horrible, life destroying things?”

“Yes,” he sighed. “Anyway, I would like to meet my granddaughter.”

Nikki reluctantly neared her father, still cradling her daughter against her. Julian smiled at the baby, his eyes glowing.

“She’s…adorable. Hello Noella…”

Nikki’s eyebrows rose in surprise. This had to be the first time she saw Julian Crane ever act like a human being in her entire life. He was actually going gaga over his grandkid. Nikki laughed. “What have you done with my father?’

“I discovered a heart…”

“No really, what have you done with my father?” she smirked.

He laughed. “You’re really trying to get even, aren’t you?”

“I already did. I had a Bennett daughter…isn’t that terrible of me?” she kissed her daughter’s head. Just then Grace walked in.

“Hello Julian,” she bubbled. “I wish I knew you were coming! I made you a special Grandfather tomato soup cake!”

Nikki tried not to laugh at the sickening expression on her father’s face.

“Thank you, Grace, I’ll be looking forward to it,” he rolled his eyes and left the giant angel on Nikki’s bed. “I should be going. I have a meeting,” he kissed his granddaughter’s tiny fist. “Madame, it was a pleasure meeting you,” he left.

Nikki shook her head. Wonders would never cease…

Her father really was human and a decent one at that.

Chapter Three: The Offer of Eden

He hated working. Well, in all reality he didn’t mind working lately because it got him away from her. Yes, his wife. As much as he wanted to be with her, he wasn’t ready for the relationship they created. Whatever possessed him to marry Nikki he’d never know.

“Sure, you know,” he mumbled as he straightened up the Book Café a little. “You didn’t want him to have her.”

“Him who?” an innocent voice came from behind him. She smiled. “Something wrong, Noah?”

He smiled back and shook his head, throwing some napkins into the nearby bin. “Nothing, Eden, I’m fine. I was just thinking about, Nikki.”

“How sweet,” she bubbled, brushing her long blond hair off her shoulders. “Such a caring boyfriend you are,” she added, rubbing his arm gently.

“Husband,” Ethan corrected from near by. “He’s my half-sister’s, HUSBAND.”

“Oh, such a pity,” Eden pouted, green eyes saddening as her puffy red lips pouted. “I would have loved to make it up to you.”

“He’s taken,” Ethan replied stronger. “That means back off.”

Eden winked, sliding her number into Noah’s pocked. “Call me,” she trotted off.

Noah groaned. “Ethan, damn it, what do you want?” he spun to his half-brother.

“I want you to take that number and rip it up! She was all over you!”

“Yea, about time someone is. Nikki hasn’t exactly been since we were married.”

“Um, hi, cause she was pregnant maybe?” Ethan rolled his eyes. “Just know this, Noah, you may be my half brother, but if you hurt her, you have me to answer to.” He stalked off, the steam practically shooting out his ears.

Noah sighed and looked at the number, the delicate curl of the letters Easy as pie catching his attention. “God I bet she is! She acts it,” he chuckled. “Eden, huh? I wonder if she’s really paradise,” he slid the number back into his pocket.

“Clocking out any time tonight, Noah? I’m sure your wife and daughter miss you,” Jessica crossed her arms. She had heard the entire conversation with Ethan from her table by the counter. So much for reading The Scarlet Letter for class. This was much more interesting. “Or are you going to follow the hussy home?”

“Jess…”

“Don’t Jess me,” she cut him off. “Damn it, Noah. You bitch and complain how Ivy and Dad had a fling some twenty years ago and now you’re going to do the same damn thing to her, aren’t you?”

“Just because I saved a coworker’s number?” he asked innocently. “Come on, Jess, cut me some slack. I love Nikki.”

“That’s why Mom brought her home today, huh?” she glared at him. “You’re an ass. That’s all there is to it.”

“Jessica!”

“An ass,” she screamed. “Attention, ladies and gentlemen, my big brother is an ass. Just thought you’d all like to know,” she grabbed her books and left the Café.

Beth sighed. “Bennett, you keep scaring away customer’s and I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”

“Sorry, Beth,” he mumbled.

“Go on, clock out. I can’t afford the overtime you’ve been working.”

“Sure,” he untied his apron and threw it under the counter, leaving the Café to clock out. He sighed. More than anything in the world he wanted to go out for a night with the guys, hit on a few chicks and wake up with some no named woman in the morning. But instead he was going home to his wife and kid, watching as Nikki cried for no reason and Noella, whose name he *still* didn’t like, cried constantly. Oh yes, this was heaven!

“So how about that offer,” she whispered in his ear, dainty hands tracing his chest from behind. “Make sure you get everything you dream of.”

He groaned. “I can’t, my wife knows what time I get off.”

“Wouldn’t you rather my version of…getting off.”

He shook his head. “Not tonight,” he replied, clocking out and leaving the place. Eden smiled. There was always tomorrow.

Noah arrived to find the house dark and quiet, something odd for nine-thirty. Locking the door, he threw his keys on the table and hung up his coat. “Nick? You awake?”

When no one answered, he headed for the bedroom…

Dark…

He sighed. Obviously she had gone to bed. Stopping in the nursery, he found Noella fast asleep. Gently rubbing her tummy, he smiled slightly. She was a gorgeous baby and he did love her. “Hey pumpkin. Just know Daddy loves you,” he whispered, brushing his fingers through her peach fuzz. “You’re so cute.”

“Nice to know you’ve come home,” Nikki stood in her bathrobe, the baby monitor clutched in her hand and tear tracks shinning on her skin.

“Nick…”

She shook her head. “Don’t bother,” her mood swings were still going full force. “Just answer me one question.”

“Sure,” he looked at her.

“Why?”

He didn’t have an answer. “I don’t know.”

She nodded. “Goodnight, Noah,” she headed back down the hall to her their room, tears rolling down her cheeks.

“Damn it,” he sighed. What the hell had he done this time? Oh hell, he knew it didn’t matter. After all, for the last eight or so months everything was his fault and everything he did was wrong. Looking in his pocket he saw the piece of paper with Eden’s number. “She’ll never know, Noah…”

Going to the kitchen he placed the call and in minutes he was leaving again. Sometimes he made some huge mistakes…this time he was going to put all his others to shame.

Chapter Four: Where He Was Needed

They arrived at the club, him and her, just the pair. The place wasn’t just familiar; it was one that held many memories for Noah Bennett. In fact, this is the place he had first had sex with his current wife. Of course that first time against the office door was wild and totally primal, while the times in his bed early the next morning had been sweet and loving.

He sighed. Whose idea was it to come here anyway?

Eden’s lips neared his ear, her breath brushing against his neck as her teeth began to tug on his lobe.

Right…right…Eden’s idea! And he was stupid enough to accept it.

“If it isn’t Noah Bennett!” Josh walked over, smiling as he eyed the woman next to him. “Is the Bad boy back?” he asked, looking at the wedding band.

“No,” he replied. “Just chilling,” he replied over the loud music.

“Right,” Josh laughed. “Want a drink?”

“Sure,” Noah replied, knowing he was going to need to be totally smashed before he could get rid of the nagging in his chest and mind. Who knew that marriage had such a hold over you anyway? Nikki was just some dame; she didn’t mean much…Right?

So wrong…

Josh disappeared for a while, coming back with some beers.

“Let’s drink to friendship,” Eden smiled. “Any maybe more.”

The men nodded, Josh looking at her chest as she started to chug the beer. Oh yes, something more. Noah was a lucky, lucky man. The trio continued drinking; the bitter amber liquid dulling their senses. Before long they were starting another and another, until Noah was laughing for no particular reason.

“Come on,” Eden purred, pulling him onto the dance floor. She started pressing against him, dancing closer than she should and touching his body with her hands. They started to move together, Noah groaning when she turned her back to him, her backside pressing against his hardening groin.

“Damn,” he mumbled, having missed his feeling for so long.

She laughed, turning to kiss him. The second he kissed her back, she snuck her tongue into his mouth, causing him to moan again. When they parted, he looked into her lust filled eyes.

“Let’s blow this joint,” he replied, pulling her to the door.

“I can think of a few things to blow,” she replied, laughing when he speeded up his pace. They barely made it to his car before they started kissing again, his body forcing her against the car. She reached between them and felt the bulge in his pants. “I want you.”

Had someone wanted him like this before? Yes, they had. Nikki had certainly wanted to sleep with him that night at the bar. She had wanted him so often over the last nine months…all the time they were together. He pulled away. “I think you’ll need to find another way home.”

“What?” she was confused. “Noah…aren’t you coming home with me?”

He shook his head. “I can’t do this to my wife, Eden. I shouldn’t have even left the house,” he walked around the car, climbing into the other side. “I’m sorry.”

She watched as his car back away, speeding off towards his house. “What the hell happened?” she mumbled, crossing his arms. “Oh well, Nikki can have you now, I’ll get you before the week is over,” she headed back inside. She sure as hell wasn’t going to pass off a chance at someone else.

Noah sped home, thinking of only returning to his warm bed with his beautiful wife. His wife! He had to be some kind of ass to screw up a good thing and now he was fully willing to pay for whatever consequences came from his actions.

But he wasn’t expecting to come home to an empty house either. He looked around, trying to find his wife and daughter, but only finding the dark still silence.

“Where the hell are they?” he asked no one.

Jessica switched on the light, looking at him from her seat in the living room. Her eyes were red and puffy and she wiped away a tear. “Mom had to take them to the hospital,” she replied.

Noah spun, not knowing she had been sitting there. “What? Why?”

“Because you ass, you left with the only car and Ella stopped breathing!” she stood, storming over to. “You left her alone you asshole,” she hit him. “You left her when she needed you!”

“I didn’t know!” he tried to stop her swinging arms.

“You didn’t care!” she pushed him out of her way. “Your daughter could die and you weren’t even here to be with your wife…and you’re so frigging drunk that you don’t even belong at the hospital. Do you ever think of anyone but yourself?”

“I did when I married her…”

“No, you did that so someone else couldn’t have her. You don’t love her, you never did. You’re scum…you’re worse than Dad. At least he loves Ethan…you don’t love anyone but yourself,” she stormed out.

Noah sank onto the couch, burying his head in his hands. He might just lose the two women he loved most, and all because he wasn’t where he belonged when he was needed the most. Getting up, he headed back out to the car. He had to get to Nikki…to his Noella, before it was too late.

Chapter Five: Operation Button

Nikki sobbed, her face in her hands as her mother in law rubbed her back. Her daughter had to be all right; she just had to be. Barely over a day old, Noella just couldn’t leave now. Nikki didn’t think it was possible to love someone so much that it would ever hurt this bad, but her daughter was definitely an exception. She was almost part of Nikki, a big part.

Footsteps neared the waiting room, the pace quickening until they stopped at her side. Nikki was afraid to look up and see a doctor’s grim face. She couldn’t bare it if the pediatrician returned only to tell her that Noella was gone.

“Nick?” Noah was hesitant.

Nikki hiccupped as she tried to stop crying, looking up and finding her husband beside her chair. She wanted to yell, to scream, but she couldn’t say a thing to him. She didn’t have the energy to be angry right now.

Noah knelt beside the chair and opened his arms to her. That was the final straw and Nikki collapsed into his arms, her sobs starting anew.

“Shh,” he rubbed her back. “She’ll be all right, Nikki.”

“She just stopped breathing, Noah,” Nikki sobbed. “I woke up and I had this feeling something was wrong and I got in there and she was turning red.”

“Shh,” he felt a tear roll down his cheek. God did he feel like an ass. How could he have left them for someone else? How could he have even thought about being with someone else?

Pulling away she wiped her tears off her cheeks and looked at him. His eyes were red and bloodshot. “When did you start wearing lipstick?” she asked flatly, wiping the red from his lips.

He pulled away. “I…”

She shook her head. “Please, I can’t take anything else tonight,” she stood and walked over to the hallway, looking for a doctor.

“Nikki, please…” Noah put his hand on her shoulder. She shrugged it off.

“We’ll talk about this after we find out how Noella is. Just go wash it off, please?”

He nodded and walked past her to clean his face. He wasn’t gone long, but when he returned he looked much better than when he left. Again he opened his arms and she went to him, needing him now more than ever. He held her close and swayed gently, vowing not to let this happen again. If he could salvage his marriage…

“Mr. and Mrs. Bennett?” the doctor asked.

“Yes,” Nikki jumped, turning to face the doctor. “My baby?”

The doctor smiled slightly. “Noella is just fine, Mrs. Bennett. You’re lucky you found her when you did. She had been choking on a button.”

“A button?” Nikki sighed in relief. “But she’s ok?”

The doctor nodded. “We’d like to keep her for observation, but we’re sure she’ll be just fine.”

“Oh thank God,” Grace made the sign of the cross. Sam just rolled his eyes.

“Can we see her?” Noah asked.

The doctor nodded. “You might want to make sure there aren’t loose buttons on anything she plays with or anything you wear.”

Noah looked down and spotted the missing button. “The button wasn’t blue was it?”

“Actually, it was.”

Now he felt even more like scum. “Nick, you go along. I want to talk to my dad.”

“All right,” she kissed him sweetly. “I love you.”

The air was stolen from his lungs. At least he hadn’t lost her; she still wanted him. “I love you too,” he almost cried.

She followed the doctor away. Noah sighed. He had to change things before it was too late, or else he was really going to lose his wife.

Chapter Six: Hope For Them

He watched her form disappear into a room, a bright smile on her face as she spotted the baby inside. Before long, he could hear her soft voice from his place down the hall. Nikki loved Ella; there was simply no denying that the baby had changed her. However, Noah was sure he was still the same. Childish and immature, he knew he was hardly ready to be married, forget being a father. But he wanted to change! It just wasn’t the easiest thing in the world to do.

With a sigh, he glanced into the waiting room. His father was talking to his Mother, both whispering and glancing occasionally at him. Okay, so obviously they were discussing his behavior tonight and how the stupid button on his shirt had nearly been the cause of his newborn daughter’s death. Oh Yea, Fate was a wonderful thing.

Speaking of Fate, his brother Ethan was talking to Kay, but nowhere in sight was little Theresa Lop…er Whinthrop. He shrugged. Sometimes life was good.

Ducking inside, Noah reached out and grabbed his Dad, pulling him into the empty hall of the hospital. “I need to talk,” he begged, eyes filling with pain and panic. Sam looked confused by the sudden disturbance and shrugged. Grace merely sat down with Jessica and Kay, the two of them talking to Ethan now.

“Sure, Noah, what’s wrong?” he asked, trying to pry his son’s tight fist from his shirt. His son was obviously drunk, but clearly upset as well. Though who wouldn’t have been learning that their baby girl, who was all of one day old, nearly died by choking on their shirt button? Hadn’t he and Grace just been discussing that very thought? He couldn’t remember. Sometimes things his wife said went in one ear and out the other…

Okay, MOST times they did.

Noah sighed. “I royally screwed things up with Nikki,” Noah began to pace, his hands running through his unruly brown locks. That one missing button was driving him insane. He couldn’t believe he had been so careless with his new daughter in his arms! Oh forget just the button! He had been out with another woman. He had to be the world’s worst husband tonight. Then he looked at his father, the man who still lusted after a Crane. Second worst husband, Noah was definitely the second worst. Shaking his head he continued. “I was out with another woman tonight and she knows it, Dad, she knows was with someone else…”

“With as in just out?” Sam leaned against the wall. Oh the mighty had fallen tonight!

“With as in the intent to sleep with another woman,” Noah stopped and looked at his father, eyes full of self-loathing. “I totally screwed up! I can’t believe I was such an ass!” He slammed his fist into the wall, ignoring the painful sting. Oh yea, great, breaking his hand on top of his sins. God was definitely laughing his Mighty backside off now!

“No kidding!” Sam agreed, fighting a smirk.

“Thank you Husband of the year!” Noah groaned, starting to pace again. “I love her, Dad, I really do but everything’s been so stressful lately with school and work and Nikki having the baby…I’m not ready for this. I thought I was ready to have a family, to play house and be all grown up, but I’m not. I’m just a kid and I’ve got to let loose,” he paused. “I’m just not ready.”

“No offense, son, but no one ever really is. I mean we all jump in blind…”

“But I had more baggage than most! I mean a kid! I barely know anything about Nikki and we have a kid together. Don’t you think there’s something seriously wrong with that? I mean I knew her, what, three weeks?”

“Noah, what are you saying?” Sam stopped him, his hand tightening on his shoulder. Like it or not, Nikki was a Bennett now and she had given him a grandchild. Noah might be his son, but his own errors had brought him to this point; it just wasn’t fair to take it out on Nikki and Noella. Not fair at all. He wouldn’t let his son do this to them, destroy a family.

“That’s just it!” Noah stopped again, looking at the ceiling for an answer. Well, the attempt was to look at heaven but that was hard to do indoors. “Look, I love Nikki and living with her these past few months as husband and wife was amazing. Feeling the baby kick was…well that was beyond describable. But having to face reality sucks, Dad, and I’m not sure I’m ready for this commitment.”

“Noah…” Sam tried to say something, obviously thinking of the words shouldn’t you thought of that BEFORE you slept with her but not successfully repeating them.

“But, Dad,” he cut his father off, looking into the window of the room where Nikki was holding their daughter. “I know I don’t want to lose this…lose her or Noella. I love them, Dad. I love seeing them…I mean Ella’s only a day old and I KNOW I want to see her become a woman. I want to be there when she wakes up and when she sleeps.”

“And Nikki?”

“I want to be her soul mate, to travel through life with her at my side. I want to have children and a real home together…like you and Mom, minus Ivy.”

Sam blanched, but forced himself to continue. “Then you’ll have to talk to her, son. Come clean and keep your vows.”

Easy for him to say...

Not necessarily easy for him to follow though. That had to be a Bennett trait!

“Noah, it’s really too late to back out now. Nikki gave up a lot to be with you, more than you’ll ever understand,” he patted his son on the back and then walked away.

What the hell had he meant by that? Nikki gave up nothing but the Crane name, and even that she didn’t totally disown. Alistair had been a shrewd one, keeping his enemies close on this. Besides that, when had his father become the smart one? With a sigh, he pushed open the door to his daughter’s room and walked up behind Nikki. He was surprised to hear her singing, something he had never witnessed before, as she rocked their baby girl.

“Ella’s my sunshine, my little sunshine. She makes me happy, when skies are gray. She has to know, dear, how much I love her. Please don’t take my sunshine away…”

Ella snoozed peacefully in her mother’s arms, her little fist clutching Nikki’s shirt as she slept. She looked like an angel in her mother’s arms, a tiny little angel.

“Hey baby,” he smiled, kneeling beside them. He was content just to watch, but he needed to talk to her, to touch them both. Deep down inside he was afraid he would never win her back.

Nikki smiled back. “Say hi Daddy,” she kissed Noella’s head. “Noah…”

He looked into her eyes. “I know, baby. When Jess told me I was terrified.”

“I thought…oh Noah I thought she’d never wake up,” a tear rolled down her cheek.

“She’s fine, darling. She’s a Crane and a Bennett…she’s bound to be a stubborn pain in the ass. It’s part of the genetic coding. Fortunately, female Cranes and Bennetts also have kind hearts and big brains. So she’s bound to be smart, beautiful, kind and stubborn as an ox.”

Nikki smirked. “Yea she is,” she replied tearfully.

“I love you, Nik.”

“I love you too, Noah,” she kissed him sweetly. “We’ll talk tomorrow?”

He nodded. “Let’s worry about Ella first.”

Nikki’s eyes lit up. It was the first time he called their daughter Ella…perhaps there was hope left for them…for him.

Chapter Seven: Keeping Promises

Nikki sighed as she started washing the dishes, listening to her husband yelling at whatever sports team was currently at play. Every so often Noella would giggle, a high-pitched squeal that would make Noah say, “That’s Daddy’s Girl.” Like Noella had a clue what was going on! She was only a month old and the chances of her responding to anything more than her father’s irate yells (while she was sleeping no less) was highly unlikely.

“Nick! Do we have anymore beer?” Noah called from the living room, Noella shaking her rattle followed.

“Yea, get off your ass and get it,” she mumbled, turning off the sink and walking to the fridge. Angrily, she pulled open the door and looked inside at the bottles of alcohol. Like they needed a fridge with beer! She couldn’t believe how twisted this relationship was becoming. Five weeks was a long time not to have sex with your husband, but it was also not long enough! When she told him they needed diapers, he gave her an attitude; tell him they needed beer and off to the store he went!

She sighed, slamming the fridge shut, two of the beer bottles crashing together. This was seriously hell. She was in hell! Tears started rolling down her cheeks and she stormed into the living room. “You know, Noah, feel free to get off your ass and help me,” she crossed her arms, standing in front of the TV.

He looked up at her. “I’m watching the baby.”

“Oh it sure looks like it…” she sniffled, fighting tears. She was sleep-deprived, exhausted, and just plain old drained. “Noah, you promised,” she whined.

He sighed. He had promised to be more helpful, among other things. When he finally got his wife to sit and talk with him about that night with Eden, he had promised to be a better husband. He was going to spend time with both of the women in his life, work enough to keep them afloat but not too much to avoid them, and finish the chores in the house. In return, she wasn’t going to spend every second of every day just being a mom. She was going to be a good wife and they were going to take care of each other’s needs…

Which was one thing they had never covered before. Nikki needed to know Noah loved her, and more than just sex. Still, he had yet to prove that much to her.

“All right, dear,” he sighed, turning off the game. “What can I do?”

“The dishes,” she dropped the sponge she had been holding into his lap. “And then mow the law like you promised two days ago,” she crossed her arms again.

“Anything else?” he looked into her eyes, fighting a sigh.

“Dinner with me tonight?” she pouted. “We’ve been trapped in this God forsaken house for weeks.”

“Dinner…like a date?” he arched an eyebrow. Why hadn’t he thought of that? Maybe his mother would baby-sit and then he could romance his wife! Who said they had to crawl into a hole and die now that they were parents?

“Yea, like a date…we never really had one of those.”

She had a point. “Dinner, dancing? Maybe borrow my father’s boat for the night afterwards?”

Her eyes twinkled. “I love the idea!” she hugged him tight, sponge water squeezing out all over their pants. “I love you so much!” she kissed him hard.

He kissed her back, holding her tight. “Love you too.”

“Now go and do your chores like a good boy and then we’ll get to go out and have a good time tonight!” she giggled, picking up her daughter and making a face. “Woah! Noah, how could you not smell this?” she asked, pinching her nose with one hand and cradling her daughter with the other.

“I guess I was wrapped up in the game,” he shrugged, smirking.

Her eyes twinkled devilishly. “You did know she needed a new diaper you cheat!” she laughed, wanting to smack him but out of arms. “I think it’s your turn!”

He started walking away, whistling for a moment. “Sorry, can’t hear you! I have to do the dishes,” he teased, winking at her.

Nikki shook her head. “Your Daddy is a goofball, Ella,” she said quite nasally. “But we love him, don’t we?”

Ella smiled, obviously having more for her mother to change.

“Oh I love you too,” she carried her little girl into the other room, laying her on the changing table. “Yes, I love you too. But you really can save these presents for other people like Grammy Grace. Yes you can,” Nikki said in baby talk while changing her daughter.

“Woah!” her eyes widened. “That’s one stinky baby,” she giggled, tickling her daughter’s tummy. “Grammy Grace would be proud! She could fertilize her entire tomato patch with this one.

Ella blew spit bubbles, blissfully unaware of her mother who was rambling about whatever it was she was rambling about.

“Wonderful, now my daughter ignores me,” she chuckled, pulling the dirty diaper away before Ella could possibly stick her little foot in it! Wouldn’t have been the first time and Nikki was sure this wouldn’t be the last time. Her favorite diaper memory (shouldn’t all parents have at least one?) was when Noah had to change Ella’s diaper four times in five minutes because she kept wetting them before he had them completely closed! Noah didn’t enjoy it, but Nikki had!

“Finished the dishes,” Noah peeked in, finding Nikki just closing the tape on the sides of Ella’s diaper. “Should I run that one out to the flowers?” he asked, laughing.

“Why we even put her in a diaper is beyond me. We could have a lovely garden if we let her run free outdoors.”

Noah laughed. “She doesn’t seem to be running much of anywhere,” he motioned to his daughter, who was now asleep hugging her rattle. “I think she was tired.”

“Oh yea, she’s had such a busy two hours awake,” she laughed softly, picking Ella up and carrying her to the crib. “Nap well sweet darling.”

Noah smiled, sliding his arms around her. “I’ll take the diaper out to the trash and mow the lawn. Why don’t you call Jess and see if she can baby-sit tonight?”

“All right,” she leaned back against his chest. “Love you.”

“Ditto,” he gave her a quick squeeze before grabbing Ella’s diaper, and his nose, and running out with it.

Nikki laughed, picking up the baby monitor, turning it on and then heading for the phone. She couldn’t wait to get out tonight! Maybe it would be the start of a wonderful relationship!

Chapter Eight: Tonight I Want To Be Your Man

Nikki looked into the full-length mirror, viewing her reflection from multiple angles as she smoothed the silky lilac dress against her skin. It hugged her form to her knee with a small slit on the left side that revealed her thigh and the thinnest of spaghetti straps held it on. She missed her suntan from last summer, but having a five-week-old daughter in the house definitely made it impossible to work on a tan. Where she found the thirty minutes for Tai-Bo she would never know, though she was thankful for the tapes. Touching her hips and backside she sighed happy to finally be back in her original dresses. Of course, not having gained much while pregnant had a lot to do with it.

Her eyes connected with the purple speckled eyes in the mirror, her head tilting sideways slightly. What had happened to the fun loving energetic girl she had been last summer, the girl that planned on partying? When had she grown up? When had her life become so terrible that she couldn’t face the mornings if it wasn’t for her little girl? Nikki knew for a fact that Noella was the only reason she managed to make it through the day. As much as she loved Noah, as much as she wanted to spend eternity with him, part of her longed for the days when things were different and when she was allowed her freedom. She knew Noah missed his as well and that he hated changing his life for her…

Sometimes she wondered if she should have set him free…told him the baby was someone else’s. Even done them both a favor and left town so he would have never known. “I would never get rid of Ella though,” Nikki whispered, tracing the bags under her eyes. She hoped tonight worked out because if it didn’t…

“Wow, you look so beautiful!” Jessica interrupted her sister-in-law’s reverie. “Must feel nice to fit those old dresses again, huh?”

“Mm, definitely. Jessica,” Nikki spun to face the girl. “I can’t thank you enough for doing this. It has been forever since Noah and I even had thirty seconds alone forget a whole night. I would have asked my mother, but…anyway. I just assumed you’d like the chance to play with your niece and goddaughter.”

“Definitely, besides I want to see you two work this rough spot out. I know you and Noah belong together, just like my mother and father do,” Jessica insisted, crossing her arms over her chest. Everyone in the Bennett family tensed at the mention of Ivy, especially Nikki. “Noah’s a fool if he can’t see that.”

Nikki turned back to the mirror and looked at the features that were so much her mother and father combined: two people the entire town loathed with such a passion and fury that she expected the same. In fact, her last name was still a sore point for Noah, who hated Ivy for her affair with his father years ago and well, everyone hated Julian and Alistair. “Maybe he’s not such a fool, Jessica. After all, look whom I’m related to. I wouldn’t blame him for hating me. I’d hate me too.”

“No, you’re different. You’re like Sheridan…an abnormal Crane. Besides, you’re a Bennett now and you’re married to Noah. He wouldn’t have married you if he didn’t love you, right?” Jessica tried to smile, though it didn’t meet her eyes. Deep down inside she felt that Noah had only married Nikki to keep her from Brad and wondered if he loved his wife at all.

“Right,” Nikki sighed.

“Hey, Nick, come on!” Noah called from the living room. “We have reservations, babe.”

“Be right there!” she called, going into the nursery and looking into Ella’s crib. “She’s been fed but she might get hungry so there are bottles in the fridge; you know how to warm them,” Nikki ran her hand over her daughter’s back. “Good night, sweetheart, Mommy loves you,” she placed a kiss to her fingers and then onto her daughter’s cheek.

“Go!” Jessica ordered softly, dragging Nikki into the hall. “Don’t start tonight in a bad way, make it like your first date all over again…”

“I hate to burst your bubble, but this is pretty much our first date. During the others he didn’t know who I was,” Nikki told her, heading down the hall to the living room. “I’m ready,” she told Noah, who was starting to watch SportsCenter.

“Ok,” he flicked the TV off and spun around. “Wow,” his eyes scanned her body. “I didn’t think…”

She scowled.

“I mean, I know you’re gorgeous but…I…this is beyond my imagination. I’ve never seen you in a dress except on our wedding day.”

“Nice save,” she headed for the door. “You said we have reservations.”

Noah sighed. “Strike one, Bennett,” he grumbled, grabbing his car keys and taking her to the car. Two more and he’d be paying for it tonight for sure.

Nikki skimmed the menu of the Lobster Shack, her eyes searching for something she really wanted to eat. The biggest problem with living in Maine was the fact that Lobster was completely over served. There wasn’t a restaurant in town that didn’t have the blasted crustaceans on their menus and Nikki would have given anything for a big hamburger or a piece of…

“The lobster looks good, doesn’t it?” Noah asked, watching his wife intently. She hadn’t said a word to him since they arrived.

“If it’s what you want,” she shrugged, fidgeting a little under his piercing gaze. She and Noah may have been married for nearly a year but they hadn’t learned much about each other in that time. They had been far too busy getting their lives in order.

“Nikki, please, I promised you a night out, remember? I know my parents sudden decision to use their boat ruined that plan, but we can still make the best of it, right?”

“Yes, we can,” she smiled slightly. She remembered the last time they had been here, sitting at a little table where she flirted with him terribly with her bare foot teasingly sliding up and down his leg. Noah had been about to tell her that he was in love with her when Josh, a supposed friend of his, revealed her true identity. The mere thought of how close she came to losing her husband made tears well in her eyes and Nikki sniffled.

“Baby, what’s wrong?” her husband slid his chair closer and cupped her cheek, making her look up from the menu.

“I just…it’s foolish, forget it,” she mumbled, seeing the waitress heading for their table, she wiped her eyes and tried to smile.

The waitress had to be Nikki’s age with long blond hair that was twisted into a bun. She was thin and beautiful, big green eyes that sparkled when she looked at Noah. She looked at Nikki, offering a small smile as she asked, “What can I get you?”

“The chicken salad and a diet Pepsi,” Nikki replied, placing her menu on the table and watching the waitress intently. Noah had a habit of flirting with girls, especially those serving them in some way. It started originally right after their wedding when she found him flirting with Sarah, the hotel worker in Vegas. Afterwards it had been a girl at the club, then two of the younger nurses on the day Ella was born! She could bet he flirted with that trashy girl, Eden, from the Book Café.

“And you, sweetie?” the waitress, who’s name was Shannon, stepped closer to Noah’s chair and leaned over, her breast revealed by her low cut white blouse.

Noah smirked, forgetting his wife was looking and leaning into the waitress. “What do you recommend, beautiful?”

Nikki barely contained her temper as the waitress whispered in his ear, “Me.”

Noah laughed. “Well I’ll consider that for dessert. I’ll have a salad and the lobster with Pepsi.”

“Coming right up,” she glanced into his lap and walked away.

“I bet something is coming up,” Nikki crosser her arms over her chest, trying her best not to cry. “You’re a pig, Noah,” she stood, dropping the napkin that had been in her lap onto the table. “I’m walking home. If you feel up to being my husband, feel free to bring dinner to me,” she stalked off, leaving the Lobster Shack without a single tear. That didn’t last long though as the tears rolled down her cheeks the second she stepped outside.

“Damn it,” he grumbled, “strike two.” He put his head in his hands and sighed. He had one last chance tonight before his wife beat the hell out of him. He shuddered at the thought, remembering how she had beat Brad up at the Country Club for calling her a whore. Noah didn’t even want to think of what she would do to him tonight. He waited for the food and then headed home, hoping to make everything up to Nikki before she went to bed.

Nikki slammed the front door behind her, catching the attention of Jessica on the couch. She smiled apologetically; having forgot her sister-in-law was there for the evening. Dropping her purse on the couch, she joined Jessica and sighed.

“What’s wrong?” Jess asked, slipping an arm around Nikki’s shoulders. “Where’s Noah?”

“Probably shacking it up with some slut from the Lobster Shack. She was all over him like white on rice and he just flirted right back as if I wasn’t there!” Nikki sniffled. “I thought tonight we were actually going to make progress in our relationship, Jess. I just…I don’t think there’s even one left sometimes.”

“You can’t mean that, Nikki! Noah loves you! He does…he just…well he’s a Bennett after all.”

Nikki laughed lightly. “It’s a terrible excuse,” she replied. “Look, I don’t have any money on me but I’ll bring it by in the morning when I come visit. You might as well go home; I’d like to be alone right now anyway.”

“Are you sure you’ll be ok?” Jess asked, getting up and heading for the door. It wasn’t like the Bennett’s lived far; in fact they were five houses down.

“I’m fine. I think I’ll go peek in on my baby and get ready for bed. Thank you again, Jess.”

“No problem. Ella is never any trouble,” she walked back to the couch and hugged Nikki. “He’s an ass to hurt someone like you, Nikki. Plain and simple,” she told her, smiling at her sister-in-law and then leaving.

“Tell me about it,” Nikki mumbled, walking down the hall to Ella’s room and going inside. Her little girl was fast asleep in her crib, her little body resting so comfortably that Nikki didn’t even want to lift her from the bed and wake her. Instead, she just whispered, “I love you,” and left the room without another word. She quickly changed into her nightgown, seeking out the baby monitor and then going to the kitchen for a drink. She was surprised when the front door opening just five minutes later.

“Nick?” Noah called softly from the living room.

“What?” she exited the kitchen.

“I brought dinner,” he held up the plastic bag full of Styrofoam boxes and motioned to the blanket he had quickly spread out on the floor. “I’m sorry, Nikki, I don’t know what the hell got into me tonight. I guess…I’m an ass.”

“Wow, that seems to be the general consensus tonight. At least I’m not alone on that decision.”

“Give me a break here, I’m trying!”

“No, Noah, trying would have been to tell the slut of a waitress that you were happily married and flirting with me instead. You do remember how to flirt with me, right?”

Noah sighed. “Nikki, baby, come on,” he walked over to her, leaving the food by the fireplace. “Look, for months now I’ve been just your husband and I guess I’ve been pretty horrible at it.”

She didn’t say anything.

“I see you agree,” he sighed. “Tonight, Nikki, I want to be your lover…I want to turn back time and forget that we were married just for a few hours and remember what it was like when we did nothing but make love.”

Her eyes sparkled. “Do you mean that, Noah?”

He nodded. “Let me be your man?”

She nodded, sliding her arms around him and kissing him hard. He kissed her back with as much fervor, slowly lowering her to the blanket on the rug. His hands seemed to be slowly teasing her to life and Nikki moaned into his mouth. She hadn’t felt this good in so long.

“I love you, Nikki,” he whispered in her ear, nipping at the lobe.

“I love you too,” she cried, tears rolling down her cheeks.

His seduction escalated to a fevered pitch as Noah removed their clothing quickly scattering it across the floor. He leaned over her, poised and ready to enter when a scream echoed through the house.

Ella was hungry…

“Wait…I have to check on the baby,” Nikki started to get up, but Noah held her down.

“Nikki, let her cry a little, she’ll be ok.”

“No! She’s crying!” Nikki tried to get out from under him. “I’m not going to let her cry so you can get laid! Honestly,” she pushed him off, hunting out her clothing. “What kind of father are you? She’s a baby, she needs to be taken care of.”

“Yea but she doesn’t need you running to her every time she cries, Nick. Sometimes she’ll go back to sleep!”

Nikki glared at him. “You want to have sex so bad, Noah Gabriel Bennett,” she held her clothing to her chest, “maybe you should find yourself a little hussy like Eden and have it all you want. I’ll wait for the divorce papers! I can’t believe you’re acting like this! OUR daughter is crying because something is wrong and all you can think about is having sex!” She rushed down the hall to Ella’s room.

Noah sighed…Strike three: he’s out.

Noah stood in the center of the Book Café, looking around at everyone and everything. Nikki had thrown him out of the house after that night, sending him to live with his parents. As much as he tried, she just wouldn’t hear him out and that had been four months ago. He hated it, hated everyone moment of being away from his wife and daughter. He had missed so much already and only saw his child on weekends when Grace would pick her up from the house and bring her to the Bed and Breakfast. It was time to make things right.

He thought back over his time away from his wife, remembering the countless offers for dates he had. Not one had been accepted. In fact, he had told them all he was married with no intentions whatsoever to leave his wife. For the first time ever he realized he meant it when he said that. Nikki had been more than a roll in the sack and an accidental child. She had been the woman he was meant to be with. He had written her countless letters, but never mailed any. All he wanted was to make things right after that night.

“Nikki?” Noah peeked into the nursery. “Baby, I’m sorry.”

“Go away,” she muttered, looking at their daughter. “I’m tired of fighting with you to get things done, tired of being treated like your slave. I’m tired of feeling as if you don’t love me anymore and never did. Why did you bother marrying me if all you wanted was a fling? I easily could have been your toy without your ruining my life or Ella’s.”

“I want more than that, Nick, I do. I guess sometimes I think with the wrong head.”

“Understatement.”

“Nick, please…”

“Just get out, Noah. Get your things and get out. I don’t want to see you anymore.”

“Nikki!” he gasped. “You can’t be serious!”

“I said I would wait for the divorce papers, didn’t I? I want you out of my life, Noah. I don’t want Noella raised in a home with parents that can’t get along. I’ve been there; I’ve seen what it does! I don’t want Noella to be me in twenty years!”

“Babe, I do love you!”

She looked up at him sadly. “I believed that at one time. But not anymore.”

“Hey handsome,” Eden smiled, putting her arm around his shoulders. “Penny for those thoughts.”

“Go away, Eden,” he grumbled, pushing her arm off. “I’m not interested.”

“Oh, but baby, everyone is interested,” she put her arms around him.

The bells on the front door jingled, but Noah didn’t hear them as his depression from being away from his wife was fueled into anger. Grabbing Eden’s arms, he shoved her backwards. “I said go away, Eden! I don’t want a tramp like you! I’m happily married and all I want is my wife!”

“You mean the one that threw you out, don’t you?” Eden asked, goading him on. “She obviously doesn’t care about you big boy…”

Balling his hands into fists, Noah gritted his teeth together. This girl was on shaky ground. “Nikki loves me, we’re just having a problem!”

“She can’t love you if she was willing to throw you away over a petty little argument,” Eden pouted. “It’s not your fault a waitress found you attractive.”

“Shut up!” he growled. “Listen to me, Eden. I am married and I want nothing to do with you,” he took off his apron. “In fact, this is my notice,” he yelled over to Beth. “I quit. I’m going home to my wife and daughter and I’m going to make amends! I am going to be part of my family again!”

“You’re already on the right track,” Nikki’s voice came from behind him, a babbling Noella smiling in her arms.

“Nikki?” Noah spun around to face her. “Baby, what are you doing here?”

“Noella and I were watching our Vegas wedding video and,” she sniffled. “Well we missed you, Noah. I’ve missed you. Noella and I had a long talk about what a bitch Mommy was to throw Daddy out of the house and she thought it was a good idea if I begged you to come home.”

“No begging necessary,” he replied, tears in his eyes as he wrapped his arms around her and their daughter. “I love you, Nikki. The last few months have been terrible!”

“I agree,” she smiled slightly. “Come home?”

“With pleasure,” he kissed her sweetly. “There is nothing in the world I want more than to go home and be with my family. I want to make this up to you, Nikki. Name it and it will be done.”

Nikki smiled. “I want us to be married in church, Noah. I want to renew our vows and really mean them this time…in front of God and our family.”

“I think that is a brilliant idea, baby,” he put an arm around her and led her from the Book Café. “What do you say we go see Father Lonigan and see what date the church is open?”

“Do you mean it?” she asked excited.

“Yes, anything for you, babe, anything for you.”

Sometimes he had wished that they were making up again, but nothing was as sweet or satisfying of having his wife in his arms again. He was going to make a conscious change to be what she wanted and needed in a husband. Noah knew he had a lot of growing up to do, but this time he was going to do it with Nikki at his side.

Epilogue: Going To The Chapel

“Going to the chapel and we’re gonna get married,” Grace sang, fixing the veil on Nikki’s head with a sickeningly sweet smile on her face. Noella bounced around the room in her walker, nearly walking into a wall in the process. Nikki couldn’t believe just how much Noella seemed to take after the Bennett half of the family.

“Mom, please, cut it out,” Jessica begged, adjusting the straps of Nikki’s cream dress. “You’re going to drive Nikki insane.”

“Too late,” Kay muttered, plopping down on the faux velvet chair behind her. “Let me guess, you let Theresa design that dress,” Kay rolled her eyes.

Nikki laughed. “No, bought it at a bridal boutique. But thanks for playing,” she smirked. “No one said you had to come to the wedding, Kay. It’s not my fault Miguel and Charity decided to elope when they turned eighteen. Besides, pregnancy really does become her.”

“Oh shut up,” Kay stuck out her tongue. “What does Noah see in you?”

“Obviously a lot more than Miguel saw in you,” Nikki threw over her shoulder as she headed out of the room and into the Church. She paused at the giant oak doors and looked around at the decorations inside.

“Hello, princess,” Noah’s arms slid around her and he placed a kiss on her cheek. “Father Lonigan is getting read to marry us.”

“Mmm, I can’t wait,” she patted his hands. “I didn’t think the church would be this full.”

“Well, the Cranes are a large family,” he motioned to Ivy and Julian, who were sitting up front with Sam. Ivy’s low cut dress was practically pushing her cleavage into Sam’s face and Julian drank from a flask in his jacket. “And the Bennetts are very popular people.”

“Oh yes, I mustn’t forget that I am marrying the police chief’s son for the second time,” she laughed. “You’re not supposed to see me, you know, it’s bad luck.”

“Baby, I don’t believe in luck or fate. What I believe in is us and our love.”

The church bells rang, announcing that midnight mass was about to begin to everyone. Nikki smiled. “Happy New Year, Noah.”

“Happy New Year, Nick.”

And then the wedding march began…

A new year and a new life was beginning. There would be trials, tribulations and more children in their future, but everything would be handled as the way it should, together. As they held hands to say their vows, little Noella made her way to the front of the church in her walker, causing Grandmother Grace to knock the tomato soup cake off of the pew and onto the tiled floor. It shattered into pieces, causing Sam to look up and mouth ‘thank God’ as Noella squealed in laughter.

Nikki laughed as the priest added…

“One and one makes two. But Mother, Father and baby makes three…”

And so they were married as a family, the way they would remain forever.

The End

Disclaimer: This story in is in no way meant to infringe upon the rights belonging to , NBC, or any entity thereof. All rights to Passions and any related content, including characters used, belong to "Outpost Farms Production Inc", James E. Reilly, and NBC.
This story is the property of the author. Copyright 2002. Nothing may be reprinted in whole or in part without the written permission of the author.
And Baby Makes Three- Copyright © 2002 - All Rights Reserved.