Seven

A week later, she was looking cheerful, she decided to fetch gorceries and she was happy she didn't see Nicholas much to her surprise, it confirmed that he had always been interested in Jessie and still is.

She smiled warmly at the security guard before entering; he smiled back flustered and even the manager smiled at her.

'You never stop looking stunning, Ms.'

'Only you say that, Walls.'

He smiled; he was happy to serve her anytime; she had been the one who got him this store and funny thing she didn't have pay for anything she buys from here but after a lot of argument, he'd let her off with a huge discount.

'Can I be your assistant?' He asked.

'I am fine, Walls.' She picked a stroller. 'I will call you if I need anything.' She said heading towards the toiletries.

She was making the trip because her schedule next week was crazy; she had meetings to attend. Jessie never have time, she work Monday to Friday and the weekends she wasn't always at home, so she took the liberty.

She saw a bottle of wine; it's been a while, she tasted any, maybe later this evening; relaxing evening and there seem to a particular kind she wanted. As she rounded up the block to reach for the bottle; someone taller reached out as well but he took the only kind for its shelf, the kind she wanted, she perceived the familiar perfume and looked at the figure.

Nicholas Mitchell and he was smiling at her.

She blinked and moved two steps back. Why in the world was he smiling?

'What are you doing here?'

'Shopping.' He said like it was totally normal.

She frowned. She didn't see him for a week. 'You are stalking me.' 

'Come on. I don't have the right to go where I please? And besides this is a free country, it's not my fault, we like the same things.' He gestured to the wine, he held.

Fair enough. 'Fine.' it was just a coincidence. 'I saw that wine first, Give it to me.'

His husky laugh that warmed her heart everytime.

'How about; we both get the taste of the wine over dinner.'

Was he asking her on a date? Did he forget Jake already, why would she even want to go on a date with him when she saw him kissing her sister?

'It's been a while, since I tasted wine. Let's do it together for old times sake.' He said completely harmless.

The words were ambiguous, old times? The only old times, they had had been pillow fight, massages and cooking competitions; he made it sound like they were long time buddies.

She shook her head. 'It's okay, I haven't tasted that wine in year, it's fine, if I wait another extra. No thanks.' She quickly, determined to get away from the intense heat, she was beginning to feel.

He didn't follow her again.

When she had thought he'd given up; he met him at the packing lot with no gorceries; he had a stroller, where did the goods go?

And she sure wasn't going to ask him.....it wasn't her business anyway.

'Amber.'

She stopped what she was doing and looked at him; it's been awhile since he called her, by her name, it was like magic on his tongue.

'I'm sorry.' She heard him apologize.

What for, this time. Using her to get his girl? Or for not telling her sooner before she fell for him.

She mistaking jammed the truck over her fingers; she grunt, clenching her teeth together before angrily slapping the truck with her good hand. She spinned and looked at her hand, which stung so badly; Nicholas was close to her and he was touching her arm; something he didn't do since he came back.

He put her finger in his big palm, before closing his palm, like it could suppress the pain and he pulled the finger, the pain tripled; she shouted hitting his arms hard, showing how he hurt her.

Maybe she deserved that.

'Sorry.' He said loudly and more pitiful this time.

Amber felt she might slap him away from her.

'Does it still hurt?' He asked when he caught her looking at him.

She looked away and quickly shook her head; even though it still hurt, not as much but bearable. 

'Maybe I can.....' He said about to put her finger in his mouth but she slapped his chest, in the bid for him to let her go, she pushed him with her free hand but.....he didn't move, instead she just bumped against the wall of his chest; her finger still in his palm, he was holding securely; her face only inches from his; she breathed in his manly scent she loved and she gazed at his lips again; his perfect kisses and his lovable eyes.....she forced out a cough.

'I am fine.' She assured him waiting for him to release her.

But he didn't, instead his hand that was on the truck of her car, went to her face, and gently caressed her cheeks; knowing she would taunt him for that later.

'I missed you, Amber.'

Her breathe caught, she swallowed.

His hand went to her earlobe and he massaged the bones; Amber just watched his eyes; he wasn't lying when he said he missed her, he actually meant it.....but he was going to miss her, they haven't stayed in the same house for months.

'That isn't my fault.' She told him, as his hand fell from her face and he held her closer to him; he pressed her to him and she didn't have the strength to push him back, because she liked being in his arms, every time. 

His face was so close to her, as they stared into her eyes and she stared into his.

'I want you back.' He said almost in a whisper.

She blinked; he wasn't serious right now, but her mouth did not say what her head was thinking, instead what her heart felt.

'I am with someone.' She said; did she just give herself out that she wasn't so into Jake? He felt she gave him hope for a little chance which had not been her intention because her feelings for this man was betraying her.

He tilted his head and gently kissed her cheek in the slowest speed possible, Amber close her eyes to remember the way his lips felt on her cheeks and the butterflies in her stomach.

'We are made for each other, I want to be with you.' He said when he looked at her again, his eyes scanned her face but took even longer on her lips.

'I am with Jake.' She said again; everything to keep Nicholas away, no matter how much her body screamed to be near him, like this.

'Give me a chance, please Amber.' He said moving closer.

She closed her eyes, waiting for his lips; the same lips she missed. Wasn't she supposed to be with someone, isn't he supposed to be with Jessie, weren't they supposed to be getting a divorce? All these questions surfaced as she felt the heat of his lips, closing in on hers and she made no move to push him.

'I....' She pushed him.

It wasn't what she was trying to say but it was the sound she heard and he continued to look at her, waiting her response.

She heard a moan and then a grunt and she noticed; someone was caught up in something; she felt Nicholas's hand fall from her, as much as she wanted him to still hold her. They both looked at the lady dragging a stroller filled with gorceries and suddenly she stopped and clutched her stomach; she was having labour pains; 

Nicholas and Amber reached her at the same time, the stroller fell to the ground.

She screamed; the pains were too much and suddenly Amber shocked as the lady stood not moving; had she actually gone into shock.

'My water broke! I am having my baby.' She said half shouting at her and half laughing; Nicholas had already picked up the gorceries that fell and stood the stroller.

He has never been this close to a pregnant woman before, her expression scared him, he felt that she could pass out.

'Where is your husband?' He asked looking round hoping anyone could come by and release he and Amber from this.

She just shook her head, obviously trying to be strong; he watched as Amber patted her back gently. 

'You are going to be a mother soon, hold on, breath in and breathe out, think happy thoughts. We will get you to the hospital.' All these Amber said calmly, making him wonder if......God, did she already have his baby and he wasn't around?

He could hate himself; he blurted from his thoughts when she told him to call the hospital and she walked the lady step by step to her car.

****

They got to the hospital; the doctors were waiting for her, as the nurses placed her in the wheelchair; Amber and Nicholas still followed; when they got the entrance of the delivery room; Amber was about to let go when she held her hand; 

'Please, don't leave me.' Amber heard the desperate plead of a pregnant mother; the fear of delivery; no one supports her.

She just nod her head; shocking Nicholas again.

'Let's go in.' She told him.

He shook his head. This was not Amber's being pregnant; he was just scared of the whole process, and the baby might.....

'Don't think too much on it.' She said grabbing his hand with her; as they entered the room.

The process had been set; it was up to the lady and them to bring the baby to life.

'Are you the guardians?' The doctor asked them, putting on his gloves.

Amber nod her head for them both.

'Not all husbands like to be in here when the mother delivers.'

He moved to the lady; 'What is your name?'

'Carla.' She said in between the breathing session, Amber put her through. Carla was holding Amber's hand on her right and Nicholas on her left; he could feel she was scared, that she might die or the baby or both.

'Do you have a husband?'

She looked at Amber for help anything. Nicholas noticed; Amber removed the hair from her face and told her to relax.

'Carla, the doctor wants you to be relaxed so that, there are no complications.'

He looked at his wife; she seems to be so learned about delivery; did she have his baby; he needed to know.

Carla shook her head. 'I was raped.'

Amber stroked her gently again, and the contraction came in to close again, she breathed again and again.

The doctor raised the sheet that covered her legs up.

'How old are you?'

'Twenty.' She said.

'It's going to be okay.' Amber assured her.

Carla grunt again. Amber stroked her head gently, pulling her head back.

The doctor pulled the sheets over his head. 'Carla, you are glad to have this lady with you.'

Amber's attention was on Carla. He raised his head up again. 

'Miss, do you have a husband?'

He looked at him; this doctor sure talks too much; couldn't he be done with the delivery already. 'Yes.' He answered for Amber.

'I guess you must be the lucky one.' He said going back to his work.

I am, please face your job. He felt eyes on him; Amber and Carla was staring at him like he wasn't okay.

Then Carla shouted; the pain was too much.

****

The baby was born; a baby girl. 

Amber and Nicholas walked out while they cleaned Carla up.

'You should be on your way now.' He heard her.

But he wasn't ready to leave, he hadn't finished talking to her because Carla interrupted them and he had a few questions.

'Did you have my baby, Amber?' He asked, a little Amber or a little Nicholas.

'What?' She said turning to his direction.

'I'm sorry, I left but I would love to see her or him. I want to be part of his life.'

She laughed; sexy laugh that he almost smile.

'Why do you think, I am keeping your baby from you? I was not pregnant.' She added.

He glad because he didn't miss those precious time with Amber nor did he miss the child first, he still got a chance. He was just sad because if she had his baby, it would have been an opportunity to spend everyday with her.

'So there is no baby?'

'No baby.'

He nodded understanding. 

'Why do you think that?'

He shrugged his disappointment down. 'The way you handled Carla in there.'

She nod. 'Tricia gave birth two months ago; Clark was on his trip, so I was the only one available to take care of her; I went with her through relaxing session untill delivery.' She told him.

He nod he remembered Tricia; her cousin, the blond petite lady that said he had the cutest smile, like a new born. So she was married now and she had a baby.

Wow! Had he really been gone that long?

'I wish we did have a baby.' He hoped but he hadn't realized, he said it out loud until he saw Amber's smile and she shook her head.

Would she had wanted it too? Her smile told him a lot of things.

The doctor came to them and smiled at them; 

'She would like to see you now.' He said.

They both nodded. Amber stood and he stood up too.

'And the bill?' The doctor asked.

'We will take care of it.' She quickly.

He knew when she said 'We'; she had actually meant she because he knew she wouldn't collect any money from him. She wanted to take care of it herself; like she has always done without him.

'You can go, if you want.' She told as she walked through the room, they placed Carla in.

He had heard invitation in her voice but he didn't want to intrude on anything but yet he didn't want to leave Amber again....the second time.

He walked in after her.

Amber was holding the small female and she was so gentle, as a mother would be; he looked at her; he imagined her holding their baby in her arms, kissing her head and rocking her in her arms and he would just move to both mother and child and kiss them. Amber was going to be the best mother to his children; he knew that; he had known that actually.

'She is beautiful.' Amber uttered, not wanting to wake the little one as she closed her eyes to sleep.

Amber gently placed her back in her cradle and faced the new mother.

'How do you feel?' She asked Carla.

The girl just nod; 'Weak, hungry and sleepy.'

'All at once?' Nicholas couldn't help himself.

Amber and Carla smiled at the same time, making him smile; they could have been sisters.

'Hey, do you have any one with you?' Amber couldn't help but ask.

The girl nod; 'I live with my mom; she is supposed to be here but she busy at this time.' She said as she glanced at the clock.

Amber removed the hair from her face. 'What were you doing with so much load?' 

'I was hungry, mom haven't gone shopping and the fridge was actually empty and I decided to do it myself.... I thought I could actually pull it off....you see I am early....a few weeks; the doctor said; it's my birthday today.'

That brought a smile to Amber's face; he didn't actually know why, he just kept watching.

'Happy birthday, Carla.' 

She smiled flushed. 'Thank you.'

'Looks like your baby shared your birthday, it's a double celebration.' Nicholas said; if he didn't speak anytime soon, he feared Amber might forget he was still here.

Carla smiled again and suddenly her smile faded. 'We can't afford a party.'

Amber sighed and clocked her cheeks making her smile and giggle. 'Must there be party for a celebration.'

'You look good, I can tell you are well off.' 

Amber shook her head; disappointing the girl. 'I am not a party freak. Now, tell me, what would you like for your birthday.'

Carla shook her head. 'I don't to be any bother to the both of you, having my baby is the best gift.'

Amber looked at her again. 'I want to do something to celebrate your birthday and your child's birth; mention anything.'

Carla's eyes lit like a child who had been given a prize but Amber stopped her.

'Let's give little Carla a name first.'

She was about to think of one then she remembered; she didn't know their names.

'I don't know your names.'

'Oh! I am Amber Pade.' She introduced and gestured to Nicholas. 'Nicholas Mitchell.'

'I thought you are married.'

'It is a long story.' Amber quickly added.

He saw in the girls eyes, that she was disappointed; she didn't hear the story.

'She wants a divorce.' He said to her knowledge.

'Why? I think you guy are good together, especially when you were at your truck....' She said blushed, embarrassed for their sake.

She wasn't ready to go into that right now. 'Let's pick a name for the baby, or you want to do it with your mom.'

She shook her head. 'It's fine, if my mother has any other names, she will put it in the middle.'

Amber smiled at the lovely girl. 'So, Have you thought of a name?'

She paused for a bit, looked at both adults and back and then she smiled. 'How about Joy or Amber?'

Amber looked at her.

'I like Amber.' She heard Nicholas; why won't he, it was her name after all.

'Me too.' Carla said a smile on her face. 'What do you think?'

'I like Joy.' Amber simply said.

Carka shook her head. 'No, I think it's better she is named after her Godmother.'

'God mother?' 

Carla nodded. 'You guys are her Godparents; we don't have a large family; just me, my mom, brother and my grandpa.'

Her heart softened for her, she touched her head. 'Okay, Amber it is.'

'How about we get you something to eat first, so that we plan how you want your birthday to be.'

She smiled; Amber looked at him, he did a good job improving her mood.

He walked outside.

'Ms Amber.....'

She turned to her.

'Do you love him?' Carla asked her.

Amber looked at her; was her feelings that visible? 

Carla answered for her; 'I studied physiology in second year.'

Amber just nod. Carla repeated the question.

It wasn't that simple, she was sure Carla knew that; she is an adult already, definitely she knew about love and the way it worked.

She gave her the honest answer. 'Yes.'

'Then don't get divorced.'

She just nodded; she wasn't going through this with a young lady that qualified to be her younger sister.

'Ms Amber......'

'Call me Amber, Carla.' She said before she turned.

The girl nod her head, not completely comfortable calling her by her name. 'Thank you.' she said with a smile.

Amber nod. 'I will be back, call your mother; you won't go home until tomorrow or next.'

Then she excused herself.

****

She met Nicholas by her car; standing and his leg on the tyre and his arms folded; he dropped his hands when he saw her;

Couldn't she just wish he went away or safer couldn't she just wish all her feelings for him disappeared?

Talking about baby; of course she wants a baby; when she had been for Tricia in the hospital, she told herself, she wouldn't want to give birth without any support and she knew Nicholas might have stayed with her during all those times; when she carried Esther; Tricia's baby, she had thought one day she would have a little one like this in her arms and she would be hers.

She looked at him as he entered the front seat; she had thought he would be gone by now. All the while he stayed in that room with her; her senses were on edge and her eyes, kept wandering to his body, his face, his hands. How his hands held her and how he had wanted to kiss her.

He wanted her back, he said.

It was too late; she would give him the papers and moved on with her life, like she had a college boyfriend; she wished, she married.

'Don't you have any work to do?' Surely, on Saturday, he should have plans or something.

'Today is my off day, what about you? You seem to be ready to help Carla.'

'She reminds of myself when I was her age and it's my day off.'

He must have deliberately zoned out, the first words, she said then he told her; 

'You are the manager, you don't have a day off.'

'I am the owner, I create my off days.' She said back as she pulled the car in front of the restaurant.

Her phone rang, that as she was about to step out of the car; she looked at Nicholas as he muttered.

'Work.'

She rolled her eyes and answered the call as they stepped out. 'Hello.'

'Ma'am, 'it's Lucy.'

She frowned as she answered her secretary.

Carla Westland; her full name; Amber discovered and her mother's name; Becker Westland; a cleaner in the biggest organization in the state and her dad's competition.

The mother had been so appreciative; she hugged both of them more than twice for taking care of her daughter and her granddaughter; Amber had paid the hospital bills and collected Carla's number in case, she needed anything but she didn't fail to notice; Nicholas give the elderly woman some money and told her to imprint her number on his phone before saying goodbye to Carla and excusing himself.

She sat driving them back to the gorceries store to get his stuff wherever he might have kept them. 

'I know you are wondering why I asked her for her number.'

Oh, she was. She didn't say anything, she concernated on the road; she didn't want to show him; she cared about what he did in his life.

'I think I might find a better job for her.'

Really? How? She didn't know what he did now, if he was better than the way he was. But she didn't want to get into his life, move than she already did; the less she knew about his affairs, the better she was keeping her heart safe.

But it was a good thing looking out for her. 'Okay.' She said.

'I haven't had anything, are you hungry?' He asked, changing the topic. She looked a bit pale and he wasn't ready to leave her just yet.

She was starved; she left the house on an empty stomach and that meant spending time with Nicholas.

God!

As she was about to protest, just as the car came to a stop.

'Come on, I am paying.' He said getting out of the car.

She knew he felt hurt, she had to pay for the hospital bills but they weren't together anymore, why did he want to clear her debts for her, when she was completely capable.

The Burger palace was not very far from the gorceries store, so they walked, she gently walked beside him and just before she reached him at the entrance door, someone bumped into her.

She saw the lady pull off her shades about to reproach her, just the same time, she opened her mouth to apologies and just that same time, Nicholas was by her side, his hands on her arms protectively.

How can she tell Nicholas to stop touching her!

'You should look where you are going, you know.' The high pitched voice she heard belonged to the tall sexy lady in front of her, she looked like a model; dark orange colour hair and large busts with brown eyes, red lipstick and long lashes.

Then she recognized her; she was infact a model; Stacy Wilson; Nicholas's ex-girlfriend; he apparently left for her. Last she heard she had issues in her career.

'Nick, isn't this a surprise?' A large smirk on her face, as she placed her hand on her waist.

She felt Nicholas pulled her from Stacy's reach.

He dropped one hand, still holding her with his other hand. He extended the hand to her for a handshake; which Stacy reluctantly took; maybe she had expected him to hug her or kissed her cheeks?

'Hello, Stacy. How are you?' He asked her.

'Oh! I'm fine, you know work, work, trips. It's hard to get off.' She asked excitedly.

She looked at Amber at least trying to figure her out.

'You are doing well for yourself, you are a big man now. Gone were those all nights days.' She spoke to him still looking at her.

Amber looked Nicholas; who Stacy called a big man; he was doing well? She wanted to know but she couldn't bring herself to ask him what he did.

She raised her ring finger, proudly. 'I am engaged by the way, Nick. The engagement party is Friday night and I would love you to come, bring Amber too.' She said gesturing to her standing by Nicholas.

She looked at Stacy; she had met her only three times and Stacy remembered her?

The first time, they met. She had been in the car; her dad had bought for her; Nicholas was giving her driving lessons when Stacy showed up, bent over the mirror side and kissed Nicholas in front her; they haven't been together then; even when she started to develop feelings for him. The next time, Stacy had ruin her birthday party because she was drunk; kept telling her to stay away from Nicholas; when she wasn't with him in the first place and the third time; was when she noticed Amber was actually a twin; she had met Nicholas sitting by Amber and Jessie during her modeling shoot and it was because Jessie wanted to see someone they were there in the first place. Nicholas had been sitting closely beside her, while his hand was on the head of the bench and Jessie sitting by Amber.

'How do you know, I am Amber.'

She rolled her eyes; like it was a ridiculous question but she answered anyway. 'I don't like you, you don't like me and most of all; Nicholas is like a gum; when he is with you.'

True, false; she couldn't say she hated her and true, enough that he made it visible.

'Do you know Jessie?'

'She is my friend.' She said simply.

Her stomach grumbled; she couldn't have this conversation while standing. 

How were she and Jessie friends; what did she miss, she wanted to ask but she decided against it.

She just nod and just then her phone rang; she couldn't be more happy for the disturbance.

She looked at the screen and then at them; 'It's my baby, Nicholas; I'll send you the address. You must come.'

She didn't give them any choice.

Nicholas didn't let her go until she sat down and immediately he excused himself to get their snacks.

He was back with hamburgers, fries, chesses and vegetable burger and two can sodas.

'I am sorry about Stacy.'

She nod; not ready to talk right now; she was so hungry; how could she eat decently!

She remembered; she had got late from work and was too tired to make anything, she then slept on an empty stomach and this morning she begin her food trip; with nothing but coffee; she was grateful Nicholas was there, if not she sure would have fainted.

'Thank you.' She muttered in the middle of her snacks.

She didn't remember telling him; what she wanted but he had gotten vegetables burgers which were her favorites.....he didn't forget.

When he saw she had eaten enough to gather her strength back; he started;

'I was thinking about Carla, what do you think?'

'What about?' She asked drinking her soda.

He drank his soda. 'Let's throw a small party for Carla and her family....'

She didn't think it was a bad idea; they deserve a big celebration and since her goddaughter lived in the same house, why not. She liked his idea; she hadn't thought about it but she was in.

'It's good.' And that would require she spend more time with him; well, after tomorrow....she would give him the divorce papers to sign and be on his merry way...........it was what she wanted after all....... wasn't it?

He smiled cutting through her thoughts.

She heard a lot of giggling and then she noticed; young female teenagers, even the counter girls smiling so sleezingly looking at Nicholas. She sighed and finished her hamburgers. She agreed Nicholas was deadly handsome too much for his own good; when they worked together, pretty much all the ladies in her department had a lot to say about him; sometimes she wondered how Cassie escaped his charms. 

'Must you have effect on all the ladies?' She said quietly, not intending he heard.

But he heard her anyway; 'Only those who are single, I wish I'd have effect on you.' He said smiling with so much amusement on his face.

Oh he did! So much actually, so much to her dismay.

She wasn't going to tell him that if he didn't know already. 

'Don't stress yourself, it's a waste of time; your victims just let their hormones run wild; I have impenetrable walls.'

Which was a lie, actually but she didn't need to tell him that, did she? Just staying close to him made the hair on her skin stand.

'So, you will get her address.'

She nod, glad he changed the topic.

She was done and was ready to go but Nicholas wasn't.

Amber, about what I said at the packing lot.....' His eyes serious.

She waited. 

'I want you back. I really do.'

She sighed; she didn't want to think about it right now. 'I am seeing someone now.' And she was loyal, he knew that; she wasn't a cheat.

She watched his hand held her hand she placed the table. 'I can win you back; I really do not want a divorce.'

Neither did she? But she made a promise to Jake to end things with Nicholas, so that they could be together but she still felt connected to Nicko.

'You just need to sign the papers.' She told him.

His phone rang. He looked at her and withdraw his hand from her before picking up his phone. 

'Hello.' He answered.

She drank her soda, she pretended not to hear a thing.

'Pheobe, what is it?' 'He said into the phone; half upset the other person was disturbing his moment with her.

'Alright, is he there with you?' Amber heard.

Then she heard little of what she remembered as French; Nicholas speaks French now? When did that happen?

After few minutes, he hang up and smiled at her. 

'Sorry, it was work related.' 

She nod and picked her phone. 'Can we leave?' she asked about to stand.

He nod his head and followed as she headed for the door.

He walked her to her car. 

'Amber, we need to talk.' He said quietly.

She just nod her head; at least this would give her an opportunity to give him the papers to sign.

'Should I come over tomorrow, so that we go together?' He asked.

Carla's party, right? She hadn't seen him drive, maybe he hadn't gotten a car yet and she is the only one who could contact Carla between them. Maybe they will just meet there and have Mrs Westland think what?

'Come over, Skype misses you.' She added, she knew he had come over the house many times in her absence, this she knew because she hadn't brought a new ball for the past week, because someone had bought Skype one and a fancy dog chain, she had around her neck; Jake couldn't give her anything because Skype didn't like him, Jessie hardly buys anything for her, neither does her dad and mom. So which leaves him.

He smiled; happy for the invitation. 'What time?'

'7am.' She said getting into her car.

She needed to be away from him right now to breathe normally.

He was still standing there when she drove out of the parking lot.

He smiled at himself; he could do this. She still have feelings for him, he was sure of that feelings she didn't have for that Jake guy and he had faith that he could get his Amber back.

He turned and headed towards his car.