Even When (Ricky + Nini)

chapter 11 - we're falling apart, still we hold together

[a/n : title is from "All We Know" by the Chainsmokers]

Nini woke up to find Joel's curly hair in her mouth. The 4 year old had somehow found a way to lay on top of her and slept through the night. Nini shifted slightly and slipped out of bed.

She tiptoed downstairs scanning the room for any signs of her husband. Nini wasn't sure where they stood at the moment. It seemed as though her presence was enough to offend him.  But she respected his wish, and she would give him the time and space he needed to process the whole ordeal even though it was killing her inside.

He didn't seem to be awake, so she proceeded to make breakfast. Scrambled eggs, bacon and pancakes sounds great. She would've made home fries (Ricky's favorite), but somehow she felt he would not appreciate that today. As she was flipping the pancakes, she heard voices from upstairs, her two boys were up.

"Daddy, I'm gonna race you and I'm gonna win!" Joel shouted, "Can you smell that?! It's bacon!"

"Be careful, bud." Ricky said, "Watch your step okay."

Sure enough, Joel got to the kitchen first. Ricky probably let him win, and he was buying some time before he had to be in the same room as her. Nini sighed and put on her best Saturday morning face.

"Good morning, Mommy.. can I have some bacon please?" Joel batted his eyes making her smile.

"Morning, baby." Nini pinched his cheeks, "Why don't you sit down? I'm almost done here and I'll get you your breakfast."

"Ok mommy." Joel said retreating to the dining table, "Daddy, you're so slow! You lose!"

"I guess so, bud." Ricky shuffled into the room and they made eye contact for a second but that was it.

"Morning." Nini said trying to smile. "Breakfast?"

"Hi." Ricky said flatly. "Sure. Thanks."

They ate breakfast together. In silence. Either of them only talking to Joel throughout the whole thing. Nini suddenly remembered they were having dinner that night with everyone else and she'd have to ask Ricky if here were up for it.

"By the way, we have dinner tonight at Red's. Do you wanna cancel?" Nini asked looking at her plate.

"No. It'll be good to see everyone before I leave."

Nini didn't expect that but she wasn't complaining. "Okay. Let's leave at 6."

"Sure."
__________

Dinner was kind of awkward. Everyone seemed to catch on quickly, and sensed the tense vibe between Ricky and Nini. They were both mostly quiet, the kids were chatty as usual, and both EJ and Gina were looking tense, obviously EJ had told her the news and she probably didn't take it well. So the vibe wasn't great but their friends tried their best to carry a conversation.

At one point they reached an awkward silence, so EJ had to break it with his big news. He cleared his throat and clumsily picked up his glass of water, splashing a bit of it on Joel who didn't seem to mind.

"Everyone. I have an announcement." He tapped the rim of the glass with his dessert spoon. Everyone looked at him which made him visibly nervous.

"Umm. Well, firstly, I wanted you all to know how grateful I am to know you, and I would be nothing without your constant friendship and support for me. I love and cherish each one of you, and I consider all of you to be my family."

"Aww. That's sweet, EJ." Ashlyn cooed.

"That's not all though. Recently, I've made a life-changing decision and I wanted to tell you guys. I've decided to accept a new job-"