Lost in the Middle

Family Meal

Jack and Nikki had finally settled down at his Mum's house, they had been there just over two hours and were now sitting down for lunch with Natasha, Patrick, and Everlyn, as well as Jack's younger half-brother Aiden.
"So how is School Jack?" Natasha asks as she hands Everlyn her knife and fork back after cutting the food up.

Jack looks up from the plate and remains silent while he chews before responding, "Yeah... it's okay. Same old. Applied for a few Universities recently too," Jack explains.
Natasha smiles fondly at her son and glances over at his girlfriend who is pushing the food around the plate with her fork, "Everything okay Nikki?" She asks.

"Yeah I am fine, just not really hungry," She explains still feeling slightly sick from the plane journey.
"It's okay if you don't want it now, I can reheat it when you feel like it," Natasha smiles happily. Nikki nods and places her knife and fork down and sits back in the chair.

Natasha then turns her attention back to her son sat opposite him, "So, what universities have you applied for?"
Jack once again stops and chews for a moment before responding with an eye-roll, "I want to do Forensic Sciences, either at London Met, University of Huddersfield, or the University of South Wales," Jack smiles.

"Oh, so we're not tempting you to come back to your roots to Belfast?" His Mum smiles softly.
"Nope, too many bad memories," Jack comes out with as clear as day.

"Oh... What about you Nikki?" Natasha asks.
Nikki snaps out of her daze and looks across at Natasha where she repeats herself noticing Nikki hadn't heard a thing. Nikki listens to Natasha this time before taking the time to respond, "Well I have applied to a few Uni's too, but in Forensic Pathology... at the University of Edinburgh, University of Leicester, and London Met," Nikki smiles happily.

Natasha smiles as she continues to talk to them about school and University, but she couldn't help but notice how Nikki seemed distant from the conversation and wanted to speak to her alone and see if anything was on her mind.

Saying no more Natasha settles down to eat with the family enjoying the small amount of conversation that was flowing. She had most definitely missed having her eldest and first child around, especially with his girlfriend which is a new novelty to her.

Later on, Jack has helped his Mum and Step Dad to clear the table, while Nikki has been cornered by Everlyn who wants to play with Nikki. Nikki being the somewhat maternal type decided to play with her partly to get some peace and quiet, instead of Everlyn asking her to play every five minutes.

While Nikki isn't in the room Natasha speaks with Jack about Nikki, how they met and if he sees them together in a few years' time. Jack explains to his Mother how he feels for Nikki and she can't help but think she has raised a true gentleman. He thinks the world of Nikki and more, treats her like a princess, and somehow hinted by accident that he would potentially marry her when they're older.

For the remainder of the day, Jack catches up with his Mum and Step-Dad before heading for a kick about in the garden with his step-brother Aiden. In this time Natasha takes it upon herself to find a little more out about Nikki, Patrick had taken Everlyn to the park giving Nikki the well-earned peace and quiet.