The Love of Jury Duty

Merry Christmas

It was my first night sleeping in the bed with Nick since we started living together. I'd been stuck living on the couch since the accident, and I'd been anxious to get back in here. Especially after that amazing surprise a couple of nights ago. I had to admit I was uncomfortable and still in pain, but I was trying to hide it.

"Good morning beautiful"

Nick smiled at me sleepily and scoot closer laying his head on my pillows. I blushed deeply and pecked his lips softly.

"Morning" I mumbled

"Merry Christmas." He smiled, "Gabe is bringing Jacob today?"

"Tonight before bed. He's doing his Christmas with him first. What about Abby?"

He sighed and put his head back. Something was telling me he wasn't going to get to see her and it broke my heart.

"I won't get to see her until my families annual holiday trip to Oregon. My parents will have her. Lindsey won't bring her or let me pick her up. So.."

"I'm sorry" I mumbled, "I know it's my fault."

Nick sat up and leaned over me caressing my cheek

"No, no it's not. It's mine. I knew Lindsey would be this way at some point. But it's never your fault Lilly. We'll have a nice Christmas together with Jake and then I'll see Abby when we go to the resort. It's going to be fine."

I was worried about Nick and the way Lindsey was keeping Abby from him. I could understand a little bit. She was hurt and mad and I'm sure the last thing she wanted right now is me around her daughter. Nick kissed my lips and went to take a shower. I sat up and held my breath and reached across the bed to grab his phone. I was taking a huge risk and hoped he wasn't going to be too angry. I just wanted to try. I scrolled through his phone and got what I needed and put it back and took out my phone.

Hi. I got this number from Nick's phone. Please hear me out before you get mad or block me. I'm sorry. I know you're hurting and upset. Believe it or not I do understand. I'm not trying to ruin your holiday. I was just wondering if maybe Nick could see Abby for Christmas? It would mean the world to him. What's going on between all of us is not Abby's fault and she deserves to see her dad for Christmas. You know he would never keep her from you. For her sake we should all at least try to be civil.

I sat and waited. My heart pounded fast and loud in my chest. This could be very bad or very good. I didn't want Nick to be mad at me for this. I was just trying to do something nice.

I'll drop her off with his parents later. He can get her tonight.

Thank you so much.

The last text bounced back undeliverable and I knew she'd blocked me. But in the end I got what I wanted from her and that's all that mattered.

Nick came out of the bathroom and I smiled. He looked handsome with his hair all messed up and wavy. This was his "I don't plan on doing shit today" look and I loved it. He plopped down next to me and grabbed his phone. My heart beat frantically as he went through his texts. He had no reaction. He just sat there scrolling through them and then looked at me

"What did you do?"

"Please don't be mad. I just wanted to do something nice for you. I know how much you miss Abby. I just wanted to try and see if I could reason with her a little. See if I could get her to bend a bit."

"You shouldn't have done that. You have no business getting in the middle of this. Stay out of it Lilly."

I looked at him hurt and about to cry. He didn't even appreciate that I was able to get her to allow him to pick up Abby later. I couldn't even count all of the times he got in the middle of something with Gabe and I. I never got mad at him for it.