I looked up as Nick entered the living room. He stopped and propped against the wall.
"What?"
"That was the lawyer." I nodded my head, "We have a court date." I didn�t want to hear it. "Next Monday." Nick joined me on the couch as I started to cry. "I�m sorry Lizzy."
"Me too Nick. I would have done everything differently if I could have. If I had only known." I looked up as I heard Alex making noises across the room.
�Mama?� Alex asked as slowly made his way across the living room toward me.
�Mama is okay sweetie.� I said as I took him in my arms.
�Why mama cryin�?� Alex asked looking up at Nick.
�Mama is sad, big boy.� Nick said and poked Alex in the tummy gently bringing forth a wail of giggles. I laughed as Alex poked his tummy back out again inviting another tickle.
�If I didn�t know better I�d say Alex wants to be tickled.� I said as I started tickling him anew.
I smiled as I tucked Alex in a few hours later. �Everything will work out.� I looked up as Nick spoke from the door.
�I hope so.� I turned and walked toward him pulling the door behind me as we exited the room.
�What?� I asked as I turned and saw Nick staring at me a while later in the kitchen.
�Something doesn�t look right.� He said staring at me all over again.
�What are you talking about.� I turned from the stove, propping against the counter.
�I don�t know. Are you sure the doctor said there was nothing wrong?�
�Yes I�m sure.� I couldn�t look him in the face, I was a horrible liar.
�God damnit Liz, you are lying to me.�
�No I�m not.� I jumped as Nick slammed his hands on the table. He stood from the table so quickly that the chair slid away from the table.
�Liz, what did the doctor say?� He took a deep breath, he wasn�t angry he was scared.
�Nothing I told you. She said that my bloodwork came back normal.� Nick walked to me and turned me to face him.
�Look at me.� When I didn�t look up he made me look at him. �You�re lying.�
�No, I�m not lying. I am fine. Damnit Nick just let it go.� Nick was shocked that I had cussed. He released me and propped against the other counter across the kitchen. �I�m sorry. I don�t mean to be mean.�
�I�m just worried about you.�
�I know and I shouldn�t take it out on you.�
�Come�re.� He said pulling me to him. He held me to him, �You know that I only worry because I care right?�
�I know.�
�I know you don�t want to hear it, and I probably shouldn�t tell you, but I want you to know how I feel. I love you.� He held me tighter to him as I tried to pull away. �I�m not telling you so you feel guilty, I�m telling you because I have to. I love you and I�m worried.�
I looked up at him, �Nick, thank you but I am fine.� He sighed and nodded but didn�t say anything.