I knocked gently on the door, wondering whether or not anyone was around. There was no car insight and I couldn't hear a thing from the inside. I contemplated on just leaving but I had to stay. It's my job anyways. I knocked again and the door flies open.
           " Hey-" I was shocked when I felt myself getting crushed instantly.
       " Hope! It's so good to see you again. I'm so sorry about, well, everything I've put you through and..." Lilian trailed off. She looked embarrassed to say the least but I only shook my head and hugged her tighter. 
            " Don't apologise. It's the least I can do." I smiled.
            " Please come in. Nicolas is upstairs." She beams finally letting me go.
            I walked in and meet a slightly chubby, woman with James in her arms. The baby was sound asleep but he was adorable nonetheless. He had a striking resemblance to the old woman though and now that I look closer, so does Nicolas. She had platinum blonde and the same deep blue eyes shared by basically everyone in the family. Except, well, the father.
             " Mom, this is-"
         " Bella. Yes honey I know. Nicolas has told me about her." The woman smiles, dropping her grandson in his crib and wrapping her arms around me in a warm hug. She smelled like lavender and honestly reminded me of my Nana.
              " And now that I've finally met you, it's safe to say I approve." She whispered in my ear. I look at her confusedly only to find her smirking. Yep, just like Nana. I think they'd make wonderful friends.
                 " Bella?" Lilian wonders from behind.
              " That's what Nick calls her." The woman shrugged.
             " Hope Isabella Stewarts." I say with a blush. I always did wonder why Nicolas called me that instead of Hope. And did his grandma just say he tells her about me? Oh God, I wonder what he says. Good things I hope.

              " Well, how about that. I didn't know my son likes you. No wonder he's been calm nowadays." Lilian said with a sigh. She sounded both relieved and sad. The pain this woman must have gone through.
             " Mhmm. How about we go house shopping before the good ones get taken." Her mother says and my eyes widen.  House shopping? Are they moving?
         Lilian nods and I grabs her bag. She and her mother bid me farewell before leaving. I sighed and walked over to the sleeping baby.
           " I missed you." I chuckled softly, carrying him in my hands, being extra careful not to wake him up. I walked up the stairs and made my way to Nick's room. I knocked on the door and made my way in after hearing a soft ' come in.'
            His room was as neat as ever even though he had a few notes spread all over his bed. He had a pencil behind his ear and his hair which has grown a little longer over the days was held together by a band. He looked devilishly handsome to say the least. I stared at him, completely stunned, almost forgetting that I had a baby in my arms.
          " When you're done staring would you tell me why you're here?" He looks up at me and my cheeks heat up as I remembered how he said the same thing the first time I came. Only this time, I wasn't that scared of him.
            " Lilian asked me to come stay with you." I replied.
           " You mean babysit?" He said huskily, not taking his eyes off the book in his laps.
              " No. I'm just staying with you."
              " As?"
         " A friend." I replied and this time his head snapped up. He looked at me with so much intensity my heart began to race again.
            " Sit." He said moving away his books to make room for me beside him. I gently placed James on the bed and sat beside him.
            " What are you doing?" I asked after a moment of awkwardness.
              " Well, I thought I was reading." He sighed, closing his notebook and leaning against the headboard. I blushed.
                " Sorry." I apologized. Silence.
             " S-So how's-"
           " Why do you even attempt to make small talk with me?" He blurted catching me off guard.
             " Because....I like you." I shrugged but instantly realize the meaning of what I said once I saw his wide eyes.
            " No no no, I-I mean I like you as a friend and I also think you look-I mean you are a-a good person." I say with a blush. I was too embarrassed to even look at him.
            " Hmmm." Was all he said. I heaved a long sigh and tried to explain myself again.
              " Look I didn-"
         " I like you too."

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       Ookay, I'm terribly sorry for the shortest chapter ever but I can't help it. Don't worry though, everything will be fine...I hope😁. Anyways can't wait for our school dance with Nick and Bella😏🔥. Buhbyee💗.