Chapter 98

Nicolas

I was lying next to Nikki on the bed, she curled herself up against me, I didn’t like seeing her this sick I mean in the hospital there where nurses and doctors now it’s only me and Nicol. Yes, I know she is a nurse but still if Nikki was in the hospital I would have felt much better, why didn’t we take her to the hospital? I thought to myself. I must have fallen asleep at some point because I woke up with Nikki groaning. “What’s wrong sweet pea?” “I don’t feel so good.” “You want to go to the bathroom?” “No, my body is sore and I’m hot.” I grab the thermometer and took her temperature she definitely had a fever; it was a 102 I know Nicol said I should wake her but I wanted to be able to do this by myself, for all the times I couldn’t. “I’ll be right back sweet pea.” “No don’t go, please stay with me.” She moaned. “I’ll be right back I promise, I’m just going to get you something for that fever.” I ran to the kitchen hoping Nicol took out the meds, thank God she did it was standing on the kitchen counter. I took that and, on my way, back to Nikki’s bedroom I was reading the instructions on how much I can give her.

When I got back, I walked straight to the bathroom and got a wet cold cloth, I’m sure that is what my mom did when I was sick. “Okay sweet pea, will you sit up please.” Nikki struggled to get up probable because she was so weak from being dehydrated. Fuck I need to get water in her. I put the cloth on her fore head and gave her the meds. “You’ll feel better in a while sweet pea.” She wanted to put the water down when I said “Just take another sip, please.” I didn’t have to plead again because she took the sip of water, it wasn’t enough but it was something. I got back on the bed; she curled back into my arms. “I like you being here with me.” Nikki said before she fell asleep again. “Me to sweet pea, me to.” I couldn’t sleep not until her fever went down. As soon as that happened, I felt like I accomplished something as a dad. Yes, last night was awesome at the father daughter dance but this this was something different. This felt better.

Nicol

For some reason I actually slept, normally if Nikki was sick, I didn’t sleep a winked but last night I slept right through I actually got such a fright when I saw what time it was. It was 6 am and Nicolas didn’t even wake me during the night. I was sure Nikki would have a fever last night, maybe she was lucky. I got up and went to Nikki’s room. I slowly open the door to find Nikki, lying curled up in Nicolas’s arm, Nicolas was lying on top of the duvet holding her. I saw the medication and realized Nikki did have a fever, but clearly Nicolas wanted to sort this out by himself. I walked over to them, very slowly and as silently as I could, I took a blanket and covered Nicolas, he didn’t even move then I checked Nikki’s fever. Luckily it was normal which means Nicolas had to wake up a few times during the night. I slowly moved back to the door, when I looked back my heart wanted to break but I also had a smile from ear to ear seeing them being so close.

Maybe I should bring up the possibility of more children with Nicolas I mean he is a pretty good dad, or no he was an awesome dad. On the other hand, last night might have put him off of having more children. I smiled and walked out, closing the door quietly behind me. I went to the kitchen to make some coffee, with my coffee in hand I went to sit on our favorite spot, it was Nicolas’s favorite but now he had to share it with me and Nikki. I was sipping on my coffee, looking over New York thinking what I should do with my life when I felt Nicolas behind me kissing me on the head. “Morning angel, how did you sleep.” I turned around and looked at him, he looked so tired. “Clearly much better than you.” He took the coffee out of my hand and took a sip. “I’m truly in awe of you Nicol how you went through working and raising a kid a kid who was sick most of the time, I truly don’t know how you did it.”

“Let me make you some coffee.” I took his hand and lead him to the kitchen. When I put the coffee in front of him, he said “You not going to tell me how you did it?” “Nicolas when you don’t have a choice you just do it, you don’t think about it, it’s one step in front of the other and you take it day by day.” “How did you work so much overtime? Weren’t you tired?” “I’m still tired Nicolas, I think that is why I slept last night, I would normally never sleep when Nikki is sick.” He got up and kissed me not a I wanne fuck you kiss but just a kiss. “Thank you.” “Why are you thanking me?” “For raising our daughter, for being both parents to her and for raising her with the best manners I’ve ever seen.” I got a tear in my eyes. “I don’t know what to say, my pleasure?” “You don’t have to say anything, I’m starting to realized everyday that you could have had it so much easier if you just came to me, but my dear Nicol, you must love me a hell of a lot to go through all that and not come to me.” “That’s the thing Nicolas; I love you more than I love myself I always have and I always will.”