Nicole was infertile in her youth, and now, the character has to be pushing 50 as is Arianne Zucker (Nicole). (Not that the writers care about consistency.) Getting pregnant from a one-night stand with Rafe would be a hard turn. However, I have always wanted Rafe to have kids. I wish he could have kept Jordan's son David.
Everyone seems to find Marlena's behavior wacko. Belle actually seemed clued in although she's been gone. Maybe she'll write it off as Halloween silliness, but the signs are all there.
My favorite pairing for Nicole? Brady. I know they're not going to go there again anytime soon, if ever, but I always liked them together. I also liked Brady and Theresa once they weren't drugging and partying.