//This will be the last part of this fic of how Nick and reader meet. But of course, their story continues 😊 *mention of ectopic pregnancy*//

“Time served and a $1000 fine because he pleads down. Are you kidding me?” The judge was very lenient because it was his first charge. Thinking back you knew you should have done something sooner. You shook your head.

After the incident with Sam, you gave notice at work even though the director assured Sam couldn’t nor would he be allowed to stay employed. You had two job interviews next week. One at another ER, the other at a clinic.

Nick texted you a couple times checking on you and wondering when you were going to buy that coffee you owed him. That’s where you were now. Waiting in a coffee shop that was between both of your places.

It’s just coffee. Nothing more. You did not grin like a crazy person when he texted you. You did not think he was sexy all scruffy, dark hair, deep brown eyes…he was there. “Oh Y/L/N you are in so much trouble.” You mumbled to yourself through a smile and waved to him.

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                                     //Four months later//

“So there I was chasing a perp. I caught up with him, tackled him. And…he was naked.” Nick half smiled and hung his head with a chuckle.

“Are-are you serious?” You burst out laughing. Letting go of NIck’s hand you wiped the tears from your eyes. “I think we have a lot of similar incidents even though we are in totally different fields.”

“You’ve chased down a naked man and tackled him?” Nick raised his eyebrows surprised.

“Just one of the perks of working in the ER during rush week.” You shrugged your shoulders laughing. Nick slipped his arm around you and kissed your temple.

He slid his hand down to take yours. “Y/N. I want to tell you something. I lo-”

 Your smile faded and you stopped dead in your tracks. “No.” 

“What-I haven’t said…” Nick realized you weren’t talking to him and followed your gaze. Nick’s jaw clenched when he spotted Sam. He gently tugged on your hand. “C’mon let’s go.”

When you were back at Nick’s apartment you excused yourself to the restroom. You braced yourself on the sink and looked in the mirror. After splashing water on your face, you grabbed a towel to dry your face. 

Nick was in the kitchen at the stove when you emerged from the restroom. You watched as he took two mugs from the cabinet and placed a tea bag in each. Nick rubbed his hands over his face and let out a deep sigh. 

“Hey.” Nick jumped when he heard your voice and the tea kettle whistling. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to startle you.” You leaned against the doorway of the kitchen and gave him a small smile.

Nick poured the boiling water over the teabags and handed you a cup. “It’s okay. My mind was elsewhere.” Nick leaned a hip on the counter. His smile was thin. “Can we sit and talk?”

A lump formed in your throat. This was it. You were being dumped. “Sure.” You followed Nick into the living room. A pit was forming in your stomach and tea was the last thing you needed. Carefully you sat the steaming mug on the coffee table beside Nick’s.

Nick clasped his hands between his open knees. “Y/N. First I want to ask if you’re okay?”

You shrugged a shoulder, gazing up at Nick.

“Dumb question, sorry.” Nick sighed. He reached for your hand, his eyes locked with yours. “He can’t hurt you anymore, Y/N. I’ll make sure of it.” Nick’s eyes were filled with sincerity. 

“I know.” You whispered. “I trust you, Nick. I feel safe with you.”

Nick knew everything about your past. From losing your parents when you were 18, to raising your brother, who was now serving overseas in the Marines. He knew all about Sam too. The cheating, abuse, and manipulation.  

One evening, about a month ago he came to your apartment upset after a call from his dad. Nick revealed the abuse him and his mom suffered at the hands of his father. Something only a hand full of people knew about. 

There was one thing. One very important thing you left out that night. It had been bothering you since. You took a steadying breath. “Nick. I need to tell you something.”

Nick nodded, encouraging you to continue. 

Through pursed lips, you blew out the breath you were holding. “When Sam and I were together, I got pregnant.” Your eyes flicked to Nick to gauge his reaction. “ I started bleeding at work. It turned out to be an ectopic pregnancy. I had to have emergency surgery. I woke up scared and alone. But most of all relieved. I know that makes me sound like an awful person but-”

He squeezed your hand. “I’m sorry. That must have been…I can’t imagine.” He gathered you in his arms, squeezing you tight.  “You Y/N are not an awful person.” He moved his hands to cup your face. His thumbs swiped away your tears. “I love you, Y/F/N Y/L/N.”

Your breath caught. “I love you too Nicholas Amaro.”  You pressed your lips to his soft, welcoming lips. It felt like a weight had been lifted off your chest. You and Nick may both be damaged but to one another, you were perfect.