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Chapter 20

CRRRREEEEEEAAAAAKKKK.

The floorboards groaned under someone's weight getting up in the middle of the night. Nicky stirred in his sleep slowly waking up and rolling over onto his stomach. The bed squeaked as the wooden frame moved around the bed. He checked his alarm clock and saw that it was around twelve at night. He groaned and felt his forehead trying to recollect what had happened the previous night. He remembered getting driven home with Enzo leaning against him and everyone else completely unaware of what had just happened in the bathroom. He threw the sheets off his body and walked over to the door looking at the streaks of moonlight that bled through the curtains. He made his way down the hallway turning on the lights. He sighed and walked past Mel's room hearing a tiny shuffle from within.

"Uncle Nicky?" came her voice. Nicky stuck his head in catching a glimpse of himself in the mirror. His hair was all out of place and his eyes were red. He looked like he had been dragged through a bush. "What's wrong?" He asked her. He opened the door fully and walked towards her. She was given his old room, except that it had been painted over with the colour she had chosen when they had been to the hardware store. He sat down on the bed next to her pulling the blankets slowly away from her face. "I...I had a nightmare" she quietly said, eyes welling with tears as she threw herself against him snuggling into his chest "Want to tell me what it was about?" Nicky asked brushing his hand through her hair tugging slightly at the knots but trying to be as gentle as possible. "I...I can't remember now." she stated snuggling into him further.

Nicky didn't have any experience of being a parent. Maybe he should head to get Maritza because her Trinity and Enzo had decided to stay over at his house. Maritza took the spare room and Enzo took the couch. He weighed his options. She would most likely kill him if he disturbed her from her sleep. He decided he wanted to see the light of another day and manoeuvred Mel so that she was more comfortable and wasn't pressing into him uncomfortably. He started to rock her slowly as he used to watch his mum do that with friends' babies. "Come on let's get you back to bed" he kept rocking trying to slide her from his lap. "Noooo" she whined, clinging to him like a koala. He sighed but managed to lay her back down and tuck her in "do you want me to leave the door open?" She nodded and Nicky slowly got up kissing her gently on her temple "sweet dreams Mel". He made his way over to the door "Night...dad" Nicky stopped and softly smiled to himself "night" before finally making his way downstairs.

"Evening" Nicky clutched his heart in fright and spun around on his heels "Enzo!" He scolded "don't do that!" Enzo snorted and made his way over to the fridge grabbing a juice and opening it "why are you up so late?" Nicky rolled his eyes "I was about to ask you the same thing!" Enzo took a sip of his juice "couldn't sleep" he stated. Nicky nodded slowly "I'm glad...you know" Enzo nodded and slumped his shoulders "I am as well" he said, fishing out the coffee from the cupboard "Want one?" Enzo shook his head "too much caffeine" Nicky rolled his eyes and smiled "there's probably the same amount of caffeine if not double in one of those juices!" Enzo sighed and laughed "got any beer?" Nicky mocked the shock "who are you and what have you done with Enzo?" he must have said it too loud as Enzo shushed him quickly "be quiet!" Nicky smiled "sorry sorry they are in the bottom part of the fridge" Enzo shrugged and got one out offering it to Nicky "want one?" he asked Nicky and shook his head. "No thanks, I have my coffee.

Enzo rolled his shoulders and opened his beer and took a swig. "Hey you two!" Trinity said entering the kitchen" she had a loose t-shirt on "Wooooo party in the kitchen!" Nicky said. Trinity giggled and leaned against the counter "have any of you seen Maritza?" Nicky shook his head "nope! Me and Enzo have just gotten up!" Trinity nodded "Hmm she must have gone to the toilet or something" Nicky took a sip of his coffee "after all this...do you want to go on a road trip?" Enzo grinned "yeah! We might have to check our schedules from all the interviews and opening town halls for it!" Nicky snorted at the joke "I don't think we will get famous for this...the police will probably take credit for this". Nicky sighed "probably...but just imagine it, me, you, Trinity, Maritza and Mel travelling the country!" Trinity smirked "a murder mystery gang!" We help solve crimes" Enzo laughed and said "like Scooby-Doo!" Nicky giggled and placed his mug down "yeah! We would help solve mysteries!"

Trinity fell into a fit of laughter clutching her side "we could dress like them as well!" Enzo soon joined her giggling on the floor. Nicky took another sip of his coffee "I'm actually planning on a camping trip if you want to come?" Nicky nodded "absolutely, I'll think about it!" She yawned and hugged Nicky and Enzo "I'm going to bed...night guys!" Nicky and Enzo smiled "night!" and watched her ascend the stairs "I might venture on a walk if you want to come?" Enzo shook his head "no thanks I'm warm here" Nicky nodded and pulled on his shoes and jacket "ok...I'll see you later" Enzo replied "sure...just be careful ok?" Nicky twisted his head around "sure! Don't worry I will be fine!" And with that he was out of sight.

Nicky sauntered down the street looking into the darkened windows of the shops and stores. He looked up at the sky watching the swirling stars in the deep black ink. Nicky took a deep breath in the cool air and slowly exhaled. He spotted the twenty four hour laundrette and headed for it. The inside was brightly lit with rows and rows of machines lining each wall. He needed to put his jacket on anyway so he might as well do it now. He slipped a few tokens into the machine and threw it in picking up a discarded magazine next to him and flipping through it absentmindedly. It was peaceful.

Too peaceful.