Over the next couple of weeks, things finally settled down a little for Ella. Nate dropped over most days to spend some time with Max. He brought the girls with him when he could, and Max seemed to enjoy them being there. On the days Nate had to work, Ella would see Max watching for him, and she knew Max missed Nate when he didn’t visit.

When Nina found out that the girls had been over in Ella’s home, she completely freaked out, but Nate didn’t back down. He insisted that his three children had a right to spend time together.

Nina wanted Max brought to their house instead of the girls going to Ella’s, but Nate refused to bring him there. He said that Max wasn’t ready and that Nina would have to accept that.

Ella had to admit she was relieved. There was no way she would have allowed Max to be in the toxic environment that was at Nate’s house.

She had even managed to clear the air with her father, and Henry and Nora had both met Nate properly. Despite his initial reservations, Henry liked Nate. He liked how he was with Max and more importantly, how Max was with him.

The only one that refused to accept the fact that Nate was in Max’s life was Brandon. Ella hadn’t seen him since the night in her parent’s house, and she felt hurt.

“I can’t believe Bran is being such an asshole,” Ruby said when Ella dropped by with Max to see the baby. “I thought that he would’ve been happy for you. I mean, I know there is nothing between you and Nate, but you have his support with Max, and that is huge for you. He knows how hard the last four years have been for you.”

“Well,” Ella sighed as she looked down at Lucas. “He knows where I am when he is ready to grow up.”

“Exactly,” Ruby agreed.

“But right now,” Ella said as she nuzzled Lucas. “I’m just so in love with this little man. He’s so gorgeous.”

“It always suited you being a mom,” Ruby said giving her friend a knowing smile. “Maybe it’s time to get back out there, meet Mr. Right, then settle down and give Max a little brother or sister. I could still introduce you to Xander.”

“I don’t think so,” Ella sighed, as she snuggled Lucas closer to her. “I think my life is complicated enough. I don’t want to make it worse.”

“Then at least let’s have a night out,” Ruby said. “I need to drown my sorrows anyway. I still can’t believe that there was only a ten percent chance that my boob job would affect me breastfeeding, and I am in the ten percent.”

“I’m sorry Ruby,” Ella gave her friend a sad smile. “I really am.”

“Well at least it means we can get drunk,” Ruby sighed and forced a smile even though Ella knew she didn’t really mean it. “There is always an upside.”

“I will get my folks to take Max,” Ella agreed, knowing that a night out was exactly what both she and Ruby needed. “I would love a night out; it’s been too long.”

“YES!” Ruby exclaimed. “Here come the girls.”

“Here’s to us,” Ruby said as she picked up the shot glass that the waitress had just set down in front of them. It was Saturday night, and as they had agreed earlier in the week, they had hit their favourite club for a girl’s night out.

Ella was happy to have the chance to let her hair down. It had been far too long, and after everything that happened recently, she needed a night where she could be just her again.

She picked up the shot and downed it quickly.

“Jesus!” She exclaimed and shivered from the bitter taste. A moment later, her chest burned and her stomach heaved. “That is disgusting.”

“You’re just out of practice,” Ruby laughed, and she signalled to the waitress for another round.

“Why aren’t you?” Ella asked as she gave her friend a questioning look. “You just had a baby; you haven’t drunk in months.”

“It’s all the years of practice before I got pregnant,” Ruby laughed. “And the upside of having useless tits is I can get right back on the horse.”

“Aww, Ruby,” Ella said as she reached out and took her friend's hand. “It happens, but it doesn’t change the fact that you’re an amazing mom.”

“Well, I learned from the best,” Ruby replied and smiled at her friend, but then it faded a little. “How are things with you and Nathan?”

“Good,” Ella replied trying to seem as casual as she could. “Max loves him; and he is great with Max, so that’s the most important thing.”

“And what about between you and him?” Ruby asked.

“There is no me and him,” Ella shrugged. “He told me two weeks ago that his marriage was over, but he is still there. I don’t know; I think it’s best not to get too involved anyway.”

“Is that what you really want?” Ruby asked.

“I think it’s the way it needs to be,” Ella sighed and forced another smile. The truth was he was all she could think about. Max wasn’t the only one that missed him when he didn’t drop by. She lay awake night after night wondering where he was and if he was thinking of her too. As much as she tried to tell herself, she was better off not getting involved, deep inside she knew she loved him, and nothing was ever going to change that. “Besides, we haven’t seen him in a couple of days. I thought he would have dropped by today, but he didn’t.”

“Do you think he is losing interest already,” Ruby asked and Ella could hear the anger in her friend’s voice that Nate might be not as interested as he had first seemed.

“Honestly, I have no idea,” Ella replied as she forced another smile. “How did I let myself get so sucked into this mess?”

“It will work out, Sweetie,” Ruby assured her.

“I hope so,” Ella sighed, hoping her friend was right.

“Fuck it!” Ruby said as the waitress came with another round. “Let’s get wasted.”

“Deal,” Ella said as she stood up. “But first I’ve got to pee.” She picked up her shot glass and downed it before she turned and pushed her way through the crowd and headed into the bathroom.

When she was finished in the toilet, Ella washed her hands and checked her reflection before she headed back out into the packed bar.

“Ella,” a voice called from behind her as she stepped out of the bathroom. Ella turned around and was surprised to see Nate standing there. “I thought that was you. What are you doing here?”

“I’m here with Ruby,” she replied, stunned to see him standing there. When he hadn’t been by the house in a few days, she had thought that maybe something was wrong at home, yet here he was. “What are you doing here?”

“There is a gang here from the hospital,” Nate explained. “It’s one of the nurse’s birthday; I just stopped by to show my face.”

“I see,” Ella nodded as she nervously brushed back her hair from her face. “I haven’t seen you in a couple of days. I think Max is missing you.”

“I pulled some double shifts at the hospital,” Nate replied and looked almost guilty. “Things aren’t great at home, so sometimes it’s just easier just to work.”

“I’m sorry,” Ella replied and looked down at the ground, feeling embarrassed. She knew things were already strained between him and Nina, but that having her and Max in the picture was now just making it worse. “I’m sorry that I have caused you so much trouble.”

“Don’t be,” Nate replied. “Nina and I were in trouble long before you came along, trust me.”

“Still,” Ella said as she looked up and allowed her eyes to meet Nate’s.

He stepped closer to her, and he gave her a strange smile. Ella realised he had been drinking. He lifted his hand and softly brushed her face.

“I’ve missed you,” he whispered as his eyes held hers. “I have missed you both.”

He moved closer still, and Ella could feel the warmth of his body pressing against her. She closed her eyes and took a step back.

“Please, Nate,” she begged, fighting the urge to kiss him. “Please don’t.”

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, but he made no attempt to move away from her. “I know that you don’t want this, but it doesn’t change how I feel about you.”

“I…I should get back,” Ella said as she pushed away from him and she quickly took a step back.

She gave him a smile and one last lingering look before she turned and pushed her way through the crowd, back to Ruby.

“Hey,” Ruby said as Ella slipped into her seat, then she gave her a questioning look. “Are you okay?”

“Yep,” Ella lied and forced a smile on her face. She glanced over her friend's shoulder and saw Nate watching her. He smiled when their eyes met, but Ella just looked away. “Let’s get wasted.”

Two hours, and several rounds later Ella had managed to relax and forget that Nate was even in the bar. She and Ruby laughed more than they had in the longest time. They were lost in conversation when two guys approached their table.

“Good evening, ladies,” the smaller of the two said, grabbing the girl’s attention. “Can we buy you ladies a drink?”

“Sure,” Ruby replied before Ella had time to decline their offer. She looked at Ella and gave her a wink.

“May we?” The taller one asked looking directly at Ella, pointing to the empty seat that was either side of them.

“Please do,” Ruby giggled as she gave Ella a mischievous grin. Ella had to admit, they were both really attractive, but if she was honest, she wasn’t really interested. The last time she picked up a guy in a bar was Nate, and that didn’t end well. So now she stuck to her rule, no matter how attractive a guy was, she didn’t let him take her home.

“I’m Tim,” one guy said introducing himself. “And this is my friend, Dylan.”

“Nice to meet you,” Ruby said as she reached out her hand. “I’m Ruby, and this is my friend, Ella.”

The guys seemed nice and friendly. Tim and Ruby seemed to hit it off, even though Ruby made it clear she was not available. Dylan was quieter than Tim but seemed to be a genuine guy. He clearly liked Ella, much to Ruby’s delight but it just made Ella feel uncomfortable.

After an awkward beginning, Ella finally started to relax, and soon she and Dylan were getting along just fine.

“You seem very young to have your own business,” he said as he moved closer to Ella.

“I’m old enough,” Ella laughed, knowing he was trying his hardest to win her over.

“I doubt it,” he replied. “You look like you should still be in college.”

“Now I know you’re lying,” Ella laughed again.

“You really are very beautiful, Ella,” he leaned in and whispered into her ear. “I thought so the moment I saw you.”

“Thank you,” Ella blushed.

Dylan slipped his arm around Ella’s shoulder and moved closer to her again.

“We could get out of here,” he said as he leaned in and kissed her cheek. Ella suddenly felt uncomfortable. She moved away slightly but Dylan was persistent, and he inched closer to her once again.

“I think I need to use the restroom,” Ella said as she stood up. Dylan stood up too and stepped closer to her. He softly kissed her on the lips and smiled.

“I will be right here, waiting for you,” he whispered. Suddenly, Nate appeared next to them, and before Ella had time to think, Nate punched Dylan, sending him crashing to the ground.

Tim and Ruby were on their feet now too, as the whole bar were looking in their direction.

“WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?” Ella exclaimed as she hurried to Dylan and helped him up from the ground.

“This asshole needs to learn some manners,” Nate said angrily, his eyes still fixed on Dylan.

“And why is it your job to teach him?” Ella asked, feeling both stunned and angry in equal measures.

“He was all over you,” Nate replied.

“That’s none of your damn business,” Ella cried in frustration. “Jesus.”

Before Nate could say another word, Ella grabbed her coat and bag, then headed for the door, followed closely by Ruby.

“Ella!” Nate called as he pushed through the crowd and followed her out of the bar. “Please, I’m sorry.”

“Go home to your wife, Nate,” Ella shot back over her shoulder as Ruby waved down a passing cab. “And stay the hell away from me.”

Without saying another word, Ella climbed into the cab. Ruby looked back at Nate and gave him a sad smile, before she too, climbed into the cab.

“I will call you tomorrow,” Ruby said when the cab pulled up outside her house about twenty minutes later. Ella hadn’t said a single word the entire ride home.

“Okay,” Ella replied as she glanced over at her friend.

“Are you okay?” Ruby asked as she reached out and took Ella’s hand.

“Yeah,” Ella forced a smile. “I just want to go to bed.”

“Everything is going to be okay,” Ruby said as she leaned over and kissed Ella on the forehead. “Love you, Sweets.”

“Love you too,” Ella replied as her friend turned and began to climb out of the car. Suddenly, Ella knew what she needed to do. “Ruby.”

“Yep,” Ruby said as she turned back to Ella.

“I will go on a date with Xander,” Ella said before she could change her mind.

“Are you sure?” Ruby asked, giving her an uncertain look.

“I need to let go of the past,” Ella replied. “I need to show Nate that I have moved on.”

“Okay,” Ruby replied with a sad smile before she turned and climbed out of the car.

When the car pulled away from the kerb, Ella lay her head back and closed her eyes. She felt angry but also very confused and very sad.

When she reached her house, she paid the driver before she climbed out of the cab and hurried up the path.

“Ella,” Nate said as he stood up from the front porch when he saw her coming up the driveway.

“Nate, go home,” she said as she hurried past him, up the front steps and slipped her key into the door.

“Please,” he begged as he followed her back up the steps. “I’m so sorry for how I behaved tonight. I know there is no excuse for how I acted, just please…please don’t hate me.”

“I don’t hate you, Nate,” Ella sighed as she pressed her head against the door. “I’m just tired of things being so messed up.”

“I don’t want to make you sad,” Nate said as he stepped behind Ella. “I love you, Ella. I have tried to hold back my feelings, but I can’t. I love you.”

“You can’t say that to me,” Ella begged as she turned to face him. He was so close; she could feel his breath on her face. “You can’t tell me you love me when you belong to someone else.”

“I don’t love Nina,” Nate cried. Before Ella could reply, Nate pressed his lips to hers. At first, Ella tried to pull back, but Nate quickly wrapped his arms around her and kissed her harder until finally, Ella could resist him no more. She melted into his arms and returned his kiss.

Every inch of her body tingled with desire as she weaved her fingers through his hair and pulled him closer to her. Nate reached behind her and turned the key that was still in the lock and slowly moved them inside.

Once inside, he pushed the door closed with his foot then turned Ella, so her back was to it.

“I love you,” he whispered breathlessly before he claimed her mouth once more. He dropped his hand to Ella’s skirt and slowly inched it up her legs.

Ella could feel his erection pressing into her, and she longed to have him inside her. Breaking her lips from his, Ella gasped for breath as Nate trailed kisses along her jaw bone and down her neck.

Ella turned her head and opened her eyes, to find her own reflection staring back at her in the hall mirror.

What the hell are you doing? She thought as she looked at her and Nate in the mirror.

“Stop,” she whispered as she brought her hands up to Nate’s shoulders. “STOP!”

“Ella?” Nate said breathlessly as he looked down at her. “What’s wrong?”

“I can’t,” Ella said as she closed her eyes and tried to hold back the tears.

“Ella, please,” Nate begged. “Look at me.”

“I can’t,” she repeated. “Please, just go.”

“Ella,” Nate replied.

“I SAID GET THE HELL OUT!” Ella screamed as she buried her face in her hands and moved away from him. She felt so ashamed.

Nate stood there for a moment, having no idea what he should do. Finally, he just sighed and walked out the front door, slamming it behind him. Ella hurried to the door and locked it before she stumbled backward to the stairs, where she collapsed down onto the hall floor and sobbed.