Chapter 25:
July 4th 2047 Nick's House Independence Day Nick's third month of pregnancy 8:15am

Calina just left for work and to take the kids to day care and Carissa also left for work as an art instructor at Stephan Decatur High School and to take Elliot to day care so it's just Nick and me.

"Well the girls and the kids are gone what do you wanna do Cole?" Nick asked as he ate another handful of nacho chips.

"What I want is to sit in my own house but I can't have that so what did you wanna do?" I sighed sadly.

"Actually I was gonna start on the baby's nursery you can help if you want."

"Yeah I guess I could help." I said and followed him upstairs he went down the hall to the last door and then opened it to reveal a room with plain white walls and a beige rug.

"It used to be our computer room. But Carissa and I just cleaned it out like two weeks ago and it adjoins to Elliot's room by that door right over there." He said pointing to a door on the left wall.

"Cool."

"Since we're hoping for a girl Carissa and I planned on making the walls a light baby pink but we have a can of light baby blue if the baby ends up being another boy... So I got the brushes and that's what were gonna do today is paint the walls."

"Ok." I said grabbing one while Nick opened a can of paint and poured some into a paint tray then we took our brushes and started painting.

"So what did you plan on naming the baby once it's born?" I asked as I painted.

"Either Heather, Julia, or Amber." He said wiping his brow.

"I like Amber." I said.

"Yeah so did I. So I think that's what Carissa and I will end up naming her."

"Have you decided where you're having her or him?" I asked dipping my brush into the paint.

"Well since the baby's due in January I was thinking of having a water birth here at the house. Me and Carissa thought it would be a relaxing experience on both the baby and myself. Not that I didn't mind the water birth that I had at Little Miracles it's just that I'd be more comfortable at home if you know what I mean." He explained.

"Yeah I mean you're the one giving birth. The choice of where you birth should be your choice and yours alone." I agreed as he rubbed his belly. "Cramps?"

"Yeah." He groaned and then continued painting.

"You know Nick... I just again wanted to thank you and Carissa for taking us in. You didn't have too."

"Yes I did... You're my brother Cole. You, Calina and the kids are my family. I'd be damned if I let my family go to a shelter when I have plenty of room for you all."

"Again thanks."

"No problem. Now c'mon these walls won't paint themselves." He said turning back to the wall he was working on.

Later after we had finished some of the walls. Carissa, Calina and the kids came home and while the girls cooked dinner, the kids played, and Nick and I sat and kept an eye on them.

Then we all sat down to eat and listen to the kids talk about their day at day care.

Once dinner was done Nick and I cleaned the kitchen.

Then the girls, Nick and I sat at the table talking about our days "So today this one kid in my class paints me a picture of a bear and this other kid picks on him so I had to put him in time out and then one kid ate too many cupcakes and threw up and oh god it was a nightmare" Calina said as she sipped some wine.

"And that is why I never wanna be a teacher too much hassle." Nick said as he ate some chips and dip.

"I agree" I said grabbing a chip and dipping it in some dip. "Mmm this dip is delicious what kind is it?"

"It's real French onion dip made by my French Aunt Lousinda she makes it from scratch." Carissa explained as she massaged Nick's shoulders.

"Yum." I said and took another chip.

"Ow." Nick groaned rubbing his belly.

"Cramps again baby?" Carissa asked as she rubbed his shoulder.

"Yeah they suck." He said and took a deep breath.

"So Carissa how was your day?" I asked taking a sip of my tea.

"It was great... Until I ran out of aqua paint for this portrait I was working on and then I had to run to the mall, endure hours of traffic and then get back and bang my leg on the desk... It could've been better to put it mildly." She said.

"Oh babe I think I've decided on a name for the baby." Nick said as Carissa finished and sat down beside him.

"What do you got?" She asked curiously.

"Amber Lynn Reynolds."

"Oh Nick that's adorable... I love it." She said kissing his cheek.

"What do you guys think?" He asked looking at Calina and me.

"It's pretty." Calina answered.

"Yeah I think it's a really sweet name" I agreed.

"Cool." He said and then ate some more chips and dip.

Later after relaxing for a bit we piled in our cars and went to watch the fireworks.

As they blasted in the sky and the kids' faces lit up with joy I held Calina's hand as we both silently wished that our house would get repaired and soon.