Nick woke up alone that morning. Looking out onto the deck, he saw me on one of the deckchairs just staring out into the ocean. Sitting down on the opposite deckchair he looked at the sunrise peeking over the horizon.

"Something on your mind?" Keeping my eyes closed, I felt Nick's presence and urged him to speak his concern.

"Can I ask you something? I mean I've been wondering since I found out about Dylan..." I smiled and opened my eyes to face his. The blue in them, lost in the unknown but knowing exactly what he wanted to ask and knew that I could provide the answer.

"You want to know about Dylan's father..." I stood crossing my arms, Nick in disbelief.

"How did you know?" Nick also stood, coming up beside me, facing me I gave him a weak smile.

"I've known for a while that you'd ask that. Nick, he's not in the picture. He never has been and never will be, he died in a car accident, even before I was able to put his name on Dylan's birth certificate. It's always been me and Dylan..." Nick put his hands on both my arms which were still crossed.

"Until now...you're not alone anymore Skye, I can help you...help you raise Dylan. I meant what I said..." I looked at him tilting my head. I wasn't sure what he was getting at.

"What are you saying Nick? What's this all about?" Nick smiled and raised his hand to my face before responding in barely a whisper;

"I want to adopt Dylan as my own..."

I blinked once, maybe twice in absolute shock. I distanced myself from Nick's embrace.

"What? You want to adopt Dylan? What are you talking about Nick? You can't adopt Dylan...I won't let you..." Nick's eyebrows rose in surprise. I turned my back to him terrified of the tears that would spring from my eyes. I felt hands on both my arms.

"Why not? I thought the two of us could be together and I'd help you raise Dylan. At the hospital..." I swerved around quickly pointing at his chest.

"At the hospital you never mentioned anything about adopting Dylan, Nick not once and you won't...I can't let you do that..." I went to walk away, but Nick held me in place.

"Why not Skye? Why can't you see the good in all this? I want to do this for me " I threw my hands in the air, in frustration.

" No Nick, that's not it at all, Dylan and I are just fine, he doesn't need a stay at home dad or a living out of a suitcase dad, he needs his mother, I AM his mother Nick and you think a piece of paper you sign will help Dylan know that he at least has a father? No matter who claims him? Nick there is no right or wrong, black nor white. Dylan and I have dealed before. You don't need to adopt my son." Nick went to touch my arms but I tensed up.

"Skye listen to me okay? I want what's best for you and Dylan. You're scared, I know coz I am too. Do you think it would be nice for Dylan to know he has a father whether I'm his biological father or not? I will always treat him like my own. I remember you saying to my own mother that I was a potential father figure to Dylan. I know why you feel this way. You're so used to the life of just you and Dylan and taking care of him that you've shut down completely and refuse to let anyone into you're world. Don't tell me I don't understand what that feels like. I know that you can't accept change...that's a fact. You're scared that if Dylan gets too attached that you'll also be frightened that we won't work out and that you'll feel abandoned. Skye let me be the man who'll sign the birth certificate, be there for Dylan when he comes home, be the man to help raise him and be the father I know you and he would want me to be..." I turned to face the tears that reflected into my own eyes.

"And if you can relate and understand me so well then you have to understand why I chose the way I did. I simply can't open up right now, adoption isn't the answer Nick, as much as you would be a great father, that's a decision and choice I have to make on my own. You an I are in this relationship, you've accepted Dylan into your home as well as myself. You've shown me a different kind of love than any other love I've ever known. I know you want to help raise Dylan and be the father that he needs. Right now that's just not possible. I want Dylan to decide who his father should be, he should get the right to choose the person who will raise him and teach him personal values and expand his learning...right now it isn't you because he hasn't decided and as much as I love you I can't make that decision for him and I won't..."

"Bri it's like she completely freaked out on the word "adopt" I mean I thought that's what she wanted..." Nick and Brian kicked back and relaxed watching a basketball game.

"Nick I probably would of done the same thing, she felt threatened by the way you approached the situation. Dude you completely threw her off guard. She's so used to being the sole parent that when change is established she feels threatened and attacks like when she attacked you. Adoption is a big step Nick; do you really want to go that far?" Nick sighed and put his beer on the coffee table.

"B, I woke up this morning and realized that I need to take responsibility for my life and I see Skye and Dylan in my life. She wants to let Dylan decide who his father should be..." Nick looked at the TV and back at Brian.

"I'm not taking sides but Nick she has a point.." Nick placed his hands on his head messing his hair up.

"B, just tell me what I need to hear...you're a parent, what would you do?" Brian put his hand on his friend's shoulder.

"What wouldn't I do what's best for my child? Skye is the same. She wants what is best for Dylan, give her time and she'll come round...do you love her and Dylan?" Nick nodded.

"Course I do Bri you know I'd do anything for her..." Brian gave him a warm smile.

"Then give her what she needs...time and space...she'll talk to you when the time is right..." But was the time ever right?

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