Chapter 20

Nicol

I couldn’t take more time of, my budget won’t work out if I do, I mean the next days I take of will be without pay and I really really can’t afford it, now I just have to find a way to be able to pay the nanny. When the doctor left Nicolas and I walked back into the room. I touched Nikki’s forehead and she opened her eyes she tried to say “Hi mommy” but it came out slurred then immediately she looked for Nicolas, “You still here.” She slurred “I told you sweet pea I’m not going anywhere.” “You can sleep angel we will still be here.” “Okay” she said before she passed out again. “Nicol?” Nicolas said “Yes.” “I have another solution for your problem, the two of you come stay at my place I’ll work from home and look after Nikki then you don’t have to worry about a nanny or anything.” “We can’t Nicolas that is just too much.” “I think it’s the least I could do. If I knew sooner.” “Don’t Nicolas don’t put this thing on me I feel bad already.” “I wasn’t going to say anything about her condition Nicol I was going to say if I knew about her earlier, I could have helped you.” “Well, I had my reasons.” “I know but I need to know what those where and I’m being patient believe me but for now until she’s better come stay with me I’ve got more than enough space and you don’t have to worry about anything, Geoffrey could take you to work in the morning and come fetch you when your shift is over and I have a house keeper that makes dinners you don’t even have to cook, please Nicol just until she’s better.” I thought about it, it could be nice not having to worry if the nanny gave her her meds and made sure she was sleeping and not overdoing it and not making food when I get home what a bargain. “Okay but just until she better.” “Thank you” “You sure you can work from home and you don’t need the nanny to come over?” “I’m sure Nicol.”

My stomach was starting to protest because I haven’t eaten yet “Where’s those burgers?” “They are cold by now.” “I really don’t care I’m starving.” He gave me the brown bag and I ate the cheeseburger. Normally a cheeseburger will be enough but not today I was just too hungry. While Nikki was still sleeping, I decided to take another nap, Nicolas was busy on his phone so he didn’t want to talk to me. While I was lying there trying to fall asleep, I wondered how the fuck we are going to be able to live in the same house but I’m to tired to worry about that now. I fell asleep.

Nicolas

I was busy on my phone speaking to my house keeper to get two rooms ready for 2 guests of which one of them is 11 years old and loves dancing, I wanted the house keeper to get her some nice bedding, I wanted her to feel at home at my house, I also didn’t put up a Christmas tree yet. I told the housekeeper to get the interior designer to put one up color should be pink and silver I knew it was Nicol’s favorite color and just maybe it’s Nikki’s to. When I put the phone down, I looked at Nicol sleeping figure then I went back to the report my private detective sends me. I went back to the bank statements and saw the little money she still had from her parents clearly, she kept that for when Nikki was born because that disappeared very fast and everything went to Nikki. I saw when she started at the Hospital and what her salary was no wonder, she couldn’t take more time off. When I saw where she was living, I couldn’t believe it was so close to me she moved to Kips Bay when she was done with her training and her salary went up. That was when she could afford the nanny. Her bank statements actually told me more than any other information he could give me. What was very interesting was the fact that no where in any of the reports he sends me there was ever a guy in her life. I send him and e-mail just a quick one “No male friends or boyfriends?” The reply came immediately. “No boyfriends. A few friends from work but not in a romantic way.” Interesting then I went down the most recent bank statements and saw she uses her whole 13th check for Nikki’s school and pay them monthly as well, as Nikki was in a private school. Fuck this woman was trying to give Nikki the best of everything although she can’t really afford it. I couldn’t believe it I actually need to take of my hat to this woman. But I was still angry with her and I will be until I know what happened and why she left me. But maybe if we stay in the same house that will be a conversation that will come up and maybe we can decide on how to tell Nikki I’m her father that is the most important part for me. I need her to know.

My cellphone started to vibrate in my pocket I quickly got up and walked outside at least I didn’t wake Nikki or Nicol. “Isabelle what is wrong?” I asked my house keeper “Sorry sir I spoke to the interior designer and she just said no she can’t.” “No worries I’ll call her thank you Isabella.” I went through my contact list and called the interior designer I always used “Mr. Brown how are you?” She answered the phone. “Well Ana not good my house keeper called you for a set-up of a Christmas tree and apparently you said no?” “Oh no it was a misunderstanding I didn’t know it was for you.” “Well, it is, will you have it done by tomorrow say midday, color scheme pink and silver and if you can have a few ballerinas in there I will appreciate it and off course nut crackers.” “But.” She tried. “I can take all my business somewhere else.” “No, it will be done.” And there I did it again just to get Nikki what I wanted her to have.