Don't Act Like Their Father!

The next morning, Amelia went into Maddie's room to wake her daughter up. Maddie stirred, but her face wasn't bright. The 16-hour trip had drained her, and she wanted nothing more than to keep sleeping. Amelia, however, had other plans. She told Maddie to wake up for breakfast and promised she could nap again later. 

"Where's Sean?" Amelia asked.

Maddie rubbed her eyes and shrugged, still half-asleep. "No idea, Mom."

Amelia searched the house, checking the bathroom, the living room—no sign of Sean. Growing concerned, she approached Nick's room. The door wasn't locked, so she pushed it open gently. Her eyes widened in shock.

There was Sean, sprawled across Nick's bed, one leg draped over Nick's stomach in the most chaotic sleeping position imaginable.

"What the h—?" Amelia muttered under her breath, storming in to wake them up.

"Sean! Wake up, baby!" she hissed, shaking her son awake. Both Nick and Sean stirred at the same time, blinking sleepily, their faces twisted in confusion as Amelia stood over them, her arms crossed, fuming.

"What's going on?" Nick groaned, still half-asleep.

"Yeah, Mom, what's the problem?" Sean added, rubbing his eyes.

Amelia was having none of it. "Why? Sean sleeping in here, Nick?"

Sean, still feeling guilty from the night before, spoke up quickly. "I didn't like the pink room, okay? I couldn't sleep. So I came to Nick's room."

Amelia shot daggers at both of them, her eyes narrowing. She turned to Nick, as if accusing him of something.

Nick sighed, clearly annoyed too but softening when he saw Sean's pitiful expression. "Look, it's not a big deal. He couldn't sleep. Chill out."

"Chill out?" Amelia snapped. "He's my son. I don't want him sleeping in your room. Period."

"Mom…" Sean started to protest, but Amelia wasn't hearing it.

"Go to the bathroom and get ready for breakfast," she ordered Sean.

As Sean shuffled off, Amelia turned back to Nick, her voice cold. "Please… keep your distance from my kids."

Nick's jaw clenched, but he didn't argue. He watched her leave, frustration boiling under the surface. "Your kids, huh?" he muttered under his breath. "Too bad… they're not mine."

A few minutes later, Nick appeared at the breakfast table, dressed sharp in his suit, ready for the day. He froze when he saw the spread laid out before him—blueberry pancakes, golden brown and perfectly fluffy. His mouth watered, and he couldn't help but smirk.

"Wow, Amelia," he teased as he sat down, "Looks like you finally leveled up in the kitchen. These look pro."

Maddie beamed proudly. "Mom's cooking is awesome! She makes the best pancakes!"

Sean, never one to miss a chance for a quip, chimed in, "Yeah, she had to learn. Maddie eats like a pig. If Mom didn't learn how to cook, we'd be broke from feeding her. I mean, I remember when mom's pancakes used to taste like rubber tires."

Nick burst out laughing, recalling the many failed attempts Amelia had made in the kitchen back in the day. He'd even told her to just stop cooking once, but now?

Maddie reached for another pancake, her eyes locked on the remaining one on the plate. Nick raised an eyebrow, watching her.

"You letting her eat that much sugar?" Nick asked, his voice laced with concern. "You're not worried she'll… you know… get obes—"

The room went dead silent. Maddie's face crumpled, and she immediately teared up.

"I helped in the kitchen," she whimpered. "Why can't I have more?"

Amelia shot a sharp glance at Nick, her voice cold. "Maddie's not obese. She's a little chubby, sure, but she's fine. And let's get one thing straight—you are *not* her—father, so stop acting like it."

The hurt in her eyes cut deep, and for a split second, Nick saw it. All the pain, all the unresolved issues that lingered between them. He knew there was a wound Amelia carried, one that he had a part in causing, and it was as raw as ever.

Nick sighed and dropped it, returning to his meal quietly.

Just as the tension began to settle, Sally, the kids' new nanny, arrived. Nick had hired her specifically for this situation, and she seemed professional enough. But Amelia, as always, was skeptical. She didn't trust just anyone around her kids, but Nick insisted.

He glanced at Amelia, noticing the way her lips tightened. "Sally's great," he said, trying to sound reassuring. "She used to teach kindergarten."

"And nursery," Sally added, smiling widely. "I love kids."

"Look. She's more than capable."

Amelia didn't argue, but the tension in her face made it clear she wasn't convinced.

Nick sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "We should get going," he said, trying to shift the mood. "My dad's expecting us at the hospital."

Amelia nodded, still silent, and followed him out the door. As they walked to the car, the silence felt heavy between them. Nick opened his mouth a couple of times, then closed it, unsure of what to say. Finally, his voice came out, low and hesitant. "Hey… I'm sorry," he said, glancing at her from the corner of his eye.