Work Text:
Joe had drawn the shortest straw about who should take the night duty. Joe sat down on the floor nearest the door while Nicky laid his head in Joe's lap. While Nicky was sleeping, Joe gently ran a couple of fingers through Nicky's hair.
Nile couldn't sleep and looked up at the ceiling, thinking about the odd couple in the corner of the living room, who had loved each other for so long. Andy had told Nile she would never be able to grasp their relationship to its full extent, which was more than ok because what was between them was between them. It was something Nile should accept, respect, and never should ask any questions about but instead, she should learn from them so she could build her long life on their way of living and not on the mistakes Booker and Andy had done in their life.
Nile: "Joe?"
Joe: "Get some sleep, Nile. Daylight is only a couple of hours away."
Nile: "Just one question."
Joe: "Fine."
Nile: "Would you do it all over again if you got the chance to live your life with Nicky?"
Joe: "I'm already doing that every day."
Nile: "What do you mean?"
Joe: "That was two questions!"
Joe looked down at Nicky, which Nile first thought it meant, Joe didn't want to give her an answer, but Joe was searching for the right words.
Joe: When I wake in the morning and look at Nicky, I praise the Lord for the gift he has bestowed upon me and for giving me a new day to fall in love with him all over once again while still remembering what has been. Both the bad and the new that has yet to come. Now, get some sleep, kiddo."
When Nile closed her eyes, she finally understood what Andy meant that she would never understand their relationship to its full extent, and it was more than fine with Nile.