Chapter 170

Nicol

When Nicolas came back from his office I could see he wasn’t really himself.  “Are you okay?”  “Yes, sweetheart don’t worry about me.”  “Nicolas what’s wrong?”  “It’s just Anton bothering Luther as well.”  “Then I guess you should talk to him and get everything out in the open.  I don’t want you to be unhappy.”  “Good grief women how can I be unhappy you are pregnant, everything I wanted is right here.”  “You know what I mean.”  “I do.  How are you feeling after that toast?” He quickly changed the subject.  “Well, I haven’t vomited yet, but I am tired I think I should go and lie down if you don’t mind?”  “Not at all, I’ll go with Geoffrey to go and fetch Nikki.”  “Okay but please don’t tell her.”  “I won’t, we should do it together.”  “My thoughts exactly.”  I got up and Nicolas walked with me to the bedroom.  He bends down and kissed me on the forehead.  “I love you, Nicol.”  “I love you to Nicolas.”  “See you in a little while okay.”  “Okay.”  He closed the door leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I was worried about him; I was the loner type as for him he liked his friends around him and this thing with Anton is bothering him more than he is saying but I also know not to push.  So, I left that thought and started to think about the baby that was growing in my belly.  This is going to be so exciting with Nicolas so different than with Nikki.  I actually feel bad that Nikki didn’t get all the attention that this little nugget will get while he or she is still in my belly.  I know it wouldn’t make a difference to Nikki’s life because they don’t know what’s going on while they are growing inside you but still.   At least I know I gave Nikki all the attention when she was born, she was the center of my universe and she will always be, we went through a lot together although she doesn’t know how difficult things was, she gave me a reason to get up in the mornings.  There where days I wanted to crawl into a hole and never come out but Nikki gave me purpose in life.  I fell asleep with a smile on my face remembering all the good times we had together when she was still just a baby.

Nicolas

All the way to Nikki’s school I wondered if I should call Anton and get this whole thing out of the way, at least then he will leave my PA and Luther alone, but before I could make up my mind we stopped in front of the school.  I decided if Nicol was still sleeping when we get home, I’ll go to my office and call Anton.  Nicol was right it’s better to get this out of the way.  If we end our friendship than so, be it.

I watched Nikki walking out of the school doors with Rika behind her and Kevin next to her carrying her bag.  “Oh my God” I said out load.  “I see it to.”  Geoffrey said clearly not happy either.  “Well, I started this shit.”  “You did what you thought was right Nicolas don’t beat yourself up.”  “I know at least his not bullying her anymore or would that have been better?”  Kevin open the SUV’s door for her, I heard her say “Thank you Kevin.”  As she jumped in.  “Hi Sir.”  Kevin greeted me.  “Hi Kevin how are you?”  “Good thank you Sir.”  Well at least he has manners.  I saw Rika take Nikki’s bag from him and walk to the back to put it in the boot. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Nikki.”  Kevin said as he closed the door.  “Hi sweet pea.”  “Hi dad.”  She said leaning to me, hugging me.  “How was your day?”  “Very good.”  “Oh, really and why was it very good?”  Did I want to hear the answer to this question, something inside me said I shouldn’t have asked.  “It was just good.”  “Nikki come one why was it very good?” Yes I was a sucker for punishment but I wanted to be part of her life every part of it.   “Mmmmm”  “Spit it out.”  I asked again.  “Well Kevin sort of ask me to be his girlfriend.”  I didn’t say a word I was to shocked. The first thing that did come out was probable not the right thing “He did what?”  I said a bit harshly.  “Dad really?”  “I’m not sure I heard you correctly.”  “You did; Kevin is my boyfriend.”  In my mind I said, Hell no, but my face was smiling.  What the fuck do I say about that.  I went with “Oh that’s nice.”  Was that even the right thing to say.  But when I saw the smile on her face, I decided it was probable the right thing.  I saw Rika smiling from the front, I think I should have a word with her, What exactly did it mean to be boyfriend and girlfriend at the age of 12, do they kiss, hold hands fuck is there like second and third base?  I needed Nicol desperately because I had no clue how to handle this.  Luckily Nikki was the one to change the subject.  “So where is mom?”  “She’s at home sleeping, she still not feeling well.”  “That’s not good.”  “No sweet pea it’s not.  Do you have a lot of homework?”  “Nothing I need your help with today dad; I did most of my homework in class I just have science I need to do.”  “Yes, well that is more your mom’s department.”  “Oh, I know.”

When we got at home I checked in on Nicol, she was still sleeping.  “Is mom still sleeping?”  Nikki asked when I got to the kitchen.  “Yes, sweet pea, let’s leave her for now. Will you be, okay?  I need to make a few phone calls in my office.”  “Yes, dad I’ll be fine don’t worry.”  “I’m your father I’ll always worry about you.”  She just rolled her eyes at me.  I kissed her on the head and walked to my office.  First thing I did was look at my e-mails, was there anything that needed my attention right away, or even some e-mail I can answer anything to prolong the fact that I was actually in my office to call Anton.