Chapter 22

Nicolas

Late that night Nikki woke up and started to look for Nicol in the dark, “Mom, Mommy” she called out. “Sweet pea mommy went home but I’m here.” “How could she just leave me here?” “She didn’t just leave you here I told her to go I wanted to spend alone time with you.” “But why?” Oh my God how do I explain without saying what actually was going on. “I just want to know you better I mean I will be looking after you through the day while mom is working.” She looked at me and you could see she was deep in thought probable wondering if I was talking horse shit or if I was telling the truth. “Your probable right. So, what do you want to know about me?” she asked “Let start with something silly.” “Okay” “What’s your favorite color?” “That’s easy Pink and Purple.” “Okay and if you have to choose one?” “I can’t it will stay pink and purple. What’s yours?” Jeez that made me think when last did someone ask me what my favorite color was? “Blue” “That’s boring.” She said. “Okay give me time to think.” Then I remember the very deep purple suit I had in my closet that I actually love when you look at it it shines almost black. “Actually, you won’t believe me but it’s also purple and black.” “Okay now we are getting somewhere.” She said which made me laugh so hard I was expecting the nurse to come in and tell me to be quiet, but no one came. “Okay next what is your favorite food?” she asked me “You quick.” “My mom says that as well.” “Pizza with pineapple.” “No way.” She almost screamed “Yes way.” “That’s my favorite as well but mom says you don’t eat pineapple on a pizza, it’s a fruit.” “I know right I always told her pineapple is cool on a pizza but she never believed me.” “So, you and mom ate together?” “We did.” “What else?” Now what the fuck do I tell her now “We studied together at NYU.” “What did you study?” “Business” “And mom?” “Didn’t she tell you?” “No, mom don’t really talk about the past.” “Oh interesting.” “Can you tell me how she was when she was at NYU?” “I think you should talk to your mom about that.” “She won’t talk about it.” “What about I help you?” “You would do that?” “Yes, sweet pea I would.” “Thank you but now I’m going to sleep again.” “What about our game?” “We can play a bit later.” And just like that she was sleeping again.

Nicol

When I got at home, I took a much-needed shower got in my PJ’s and went straight to bed. When I got in bed, I couldn’t sleep all I could think about was Nikki alone with Nicolas in the hospital and that we were going to stay with Nicolas for the next few days. I thought about how we were going to navigate this whole situation. First of all, I should tell him while Nikki and I are there he can’t have any of his models over, I don’t want that around Nikki second of all we can’t fight in front of Nikki. Maybe I should get a piece of paper and right everything down. Thirdly he shouldn’t make promises to her he couldn’t keep, I knew it wasn’t the type of person he was he always kept his promises to me but I don’t know if he changed, some of the things he does now is so out of character for him now that I just don’t know. Fourthly and there I got stuck what other rules should we have, he can’t walk around without a shirt in the house? And with that image I fell asleep. The next morning when my alarm went of at 4 am I couldn’t believe I was actually at ease the whole night and I slept through. I started to pack for Nikki and then for me, at least we are not far from home so if we need anything we could just come home and get it. When I was done and I walked out of my building at 5 am Geoffrey was actually waiting for me. “Nicol” He called out to me “Oh my word Geoffrey didn’t you sleep last night?” “I did but I was here at 4:30 just in case you wanted to be at the hospital earlier.” “Thank you, Geoffrey, but I would have called an Uber.” “No Nicolas will fire me if he heard you took an Uber.” “I’m sure he wouldn’t he wouldn’t even speak to me.” “Did you give him a chance yet?” “No” “Well then you don’t know.” “Fine your probable right.” He gave me a coffee he bought me, when I taste it, I told him “You still remember my order?” “Off course I do certain things you don’t forget.” “Thank you, Geoffrey.” The rest of the way to the hospital we where quiet. Clearly, I was thinking about the shift that was in front of me and the fact that Nikki was going home with Nicolas alone. I still not sure how I felt about that but I don’t have a choice I really don’t have the money to have the nanny there the whole week until I get home.

When we arrived at the hospital I left my bag in the car, as per Geoffrey’s instruction then took Nikki’s bag out, she needed to change into something different. Before I left the car Geoffrey put a cup of coffee in my hand, “Please give this to Nicolas.” “Black no sugar, no milk, dark blend?” I asked him “Like I said certain things you don’t forget.” I just smiled at him if he only knew I haven’t forgotten anything about Nicolas, if I close my eyes I can still feel him kiss me. I walked into the hospital greeting everyone as I went, it’s nice to work here and everyone knows you that also means my child would be safe as I walked into the room I stopped in the door because my heart couldn’t take what I was seeing. Nicolas was holding Nikki’s hand while his head was on the bed hopefully fast asleep, I didn’t want him to see my tears. I walked in quietly, when I was at her bed Nikki opened her eyes, I put my hand in front of my mouth to tell her to be quiet because Nicolas was still sleeping. I walked to her and gave her a kiss on the forehead “Hi my angel.” “Hi mommy.” “How did you sleep?” “Okay Nicolas and I played a game last night.” “Oh, really and what was the game?” “We asked each other questions. Did you know Nicolas also liked pineapple on his pizza?” she asked me, I must have pulled my face. “He said he knows you don’t like it. He said you ate together.” “Yes, he does know me.” I said I didn’t expect her to asked me “How well does he know you mom?”