Chapter 15 (Sunday)
_
Cody woke up to see his mother sleeping beside him. He
frowned wondering why she was fully clothed. Cody sat up and looked around as
he stretched. He then leaned down and kissed Sabrina on the cheek. He got out
of his bed and walked to the bathroom.
The sun shining into Cody’s room slowly began to wake Sabrina. Sabrina eyes fluttered open and squinted as the bright sun seem to be shinning right in her face. She looked around her surroundings and saw that she was in Cody’s room. She then looked down to see she was wearing her fitted gray jacket, jeans and sneakers. That’s when she remembered what happened last night. She looked at the time and saw that it read 9:08am. Sabrina slowly sat up rubbing her eyes.
“Good morning, mom!” Cody said in a sing song voice. “Hungry? Want me to fix you a bowl of cereal?”
Sabrina smiled at Cody. He looked so refreshed from a nice long good night’s rest…unlike her.
“No. I think I will just grab a granola bar or something. But thank you.”
“No problem!” Cody started to run out of his room but stopped to look back at Sabrina. “Mom? Did you sleep okay? 'Cause I thought I heard you and Nick fighting last night...”
Sabrina shook her head no. “No, Nick and I weren't fighting...we were just having a loud discussion...sorry if we woke you up. But I did sleep okay. Who knew your bed was so comfortable.” Sabrina teased him with a smile.
Cody laughed and took off down stairs to fix himself a bowl of cereal.
Sabrina slowly rose to her feet. She wondered if Nick came home or not. She walked down the stairs and walked toward the kitchen. She saw that her suitcase was gone. She scanned the kitchen to see if any car keys were laying around. She opened the back door in the kitchen and walked outside to see Nick’s car parked in the driveway. He was home. As Sabrina slowly walked back in, she wondered when did he come home.
“Mom, are you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost or something?”
Sabrina snapped out of her thoughts as she looked at Cody. “Huh? Oh…no…just thinking.” “Granola bar?” Cody said handing Sabrina a granola bar.
“Thank you, sweetie.” Sabrina responded taking the granola bar from him.
“You have to eat. You’re eating for two people, ya know?” Cody said as he sat down at the kitchen table preparing to eat his Captain Crunch Berries cereal.
“You are so right.” Sabrina smiled at him.
Sabrina looked at her bedroom door and saw the door open. She didn’t know why, but she was nervous to walk in there and see Nick. Instead, she opted to join Cody at the kitchen table so she could think what her next move should be, considering she almost left last night.
Cody turned the small kitchen television on and watched a cartoon program as he ate his cereal in peace. Sabrina didn’t pay much attention to the television. She took her ponytail down and ran her fingers thru her hair. She thought about going home…to Atlanta. She had a doctor’s appointment in the morning and she had to work tomorrow. Would she be able to go all the way there just to get away? Sabrina felt that she just needed to get away. She wanted her aunt Kelly to tell her it was going to be okay. She just needed to hear that from a family member. She wanted to hear Raven say something crazy and give her a big bear hug whenever she was feeling down. She wished she could feel her father’s arm around her. She wished her mother’s arms could be around her.
Sabrina took a deep breath trying to hold her emotions in. Hearing Cody laugh at the television snapped her out of her thoughts. She looked at Cody and saw how happy he was just eating his cereal. If only things were that simple, Sabrina thought. She then came to the conclusion that she was going to go up the road to Atlanta. It was time she be a little spontaneous. She smiled at the thought.
“Hey, Cody…”
“Mmm-hmm?” Cody responded without looking at Sabrina.
“…What do you say if we go to Atlanta today for a surprise visit to aunt Kelly?”
Cody’s eyes widened with excitement. “For real?!”
Sabrina nodded with a smile.
Cody then lowered his excitement. “But…I have school tomorrow. Will we come back in time?”
“If we leave now we will. Do you want to go?”
“Yeah!!” Cody exclaimed.
Sabrina giggled. “Okay…finish your cereal and then go get dressed.”
“Okay! Im done!” Cody laughed and slurped up the rest of the milk left in his bowl.
Sabrina smiled.
Cody took off running upstairs.
Sabrina figured she’d better change clothes. She walked into her bedroom and saw Nick sound asleep. She looked for her suitcase, but didn’t see it. She walked into their walk-in closet and saw her suitcase toward the back. She unzipped it and saw that Nick had unpacked all of her stuff. She furrowed her brows thinking about Nick touching her things. Sabrina quickly grabbed another pair of jeans, a pink lace cotton top, and her lavender cardigan sweater.
The sun shining into Cody’s room slowly began to wake Sabrina. Sabrina eyes fluttered open and squinted as the bright sun seem to be shinning right in her face. She looked around her surroundings and saw that she was in Cody’s room. She then looked down to see she was wearing her fitted gray jacket, jeans and sneakers. That’s when she remembered what happened last night. She looked at the time and saw that it read 9:08am. Sabrina slowly sat up rubbing her eyes.
“Good morning, mom!” Cody said in a sing song voice. “Hungry? Want me to fix you a bowl of cereal?”
Sabrina smiled at Cody. He looked so refreshed from a nice long good night’s rest…unlike her.
“No. I think I will just grab a granola bar or something. But thank you.”
“No problem!” Cody started to run out of his room but stopped to look back at Sabrina. “Mom? Did you sleep okay? 'Cause I thought I heard you and Nick fighting last night...”
Sabrina shook her head no. “No, Nick and I weren't fighting...we were just having a loud discussion...sorry if we woke you up. But I did sleep okay. Who knew your bed was so comfortable.” Sabrina teased him with a smile.
Cody laughed and took off down stairs to fix himself a bowl of cereal.
Sabrina slowly rose to her feet. She wondered if Nick came home or not. She walked down the stairs and walked toward the kitchen. She saw that her suitcase was gone. She scanned the kitchen to see if any car keys were laying around. She opened the back door in the kitchen and walked outside to see Nick’s car parked in the driveway. He was home. As Sabrina slowly walked back in, she wondered when did he come home.
“Mom, are you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost or something?”
Sabrina snapped out of her thoughts as she looked at Cody. “Huh? Oh…no…just thinking.” “Granola bar?” Cody said handing Sabrina a granola bar.
“Thank you, sweetie.” Sabrina responded taking the granola bar from him.
“You have to eat. You’re eating for two people, ya know?” Cody said as he sat down at the kitchen table preparing to eat his Captain Crunch Berries cereal.
“You are so right.” Sabrina smiled at him.
Sabrina looked at her bedroom door and saw the door open. She didn’t know why, but she was nervous to walk in there and see Nick. Instead, she opted to join Cody at the kitchen table so she could think what her next move should be, considering she almost left last night.
Cody turned the small kitchen television on and watched a cartoon program as he ate his cereal in peace. Sabrina didn’t pay much attention to the television. She took her ponytail down and ran her fingers thru her hair. She thought about going home…to Atlanta. She had a doctor’s appointment in the morning and she had to work tomorrow. Would she be able to go all the way there just to get away? Sabrina felt that she just needed to get away. She wanted her aunt Kelly to tell her it was going to be okay. She just needed to hear that from a family member. She wanted to hear Raven say something crazy and give her a big bear hug whenever she was feeling down. She wished she could feel her father’s arm around her. She wished her mother’s arms could be around her.
Sabrina took a deep breath trying to hold her emotions in. Hearing Cody laugh at the television snapped her out of her thoughts. She looked at Cody and saw how happy he was just eating his cereal. If only things were that simple, Sabrina thought. She then came to the conclusion that she was going to go up the road to Atlanta. It was time she be a little spontaneous. She smiled at the thought.
“Hey, Cody…”
“Mmm-hmm?” Cody responded without looking at Sabrina.
“…What do you say if we go to Atlanta today for a surprise visit to aunt Kelly?”
Cody’s eyes widened with excitement. “For real?!”
Sabrina nodded with a smile.
Cody then lowered his excitement. “But…I have school tomorrow. Will we come back in time?”
“If we leave now we will. Do you want to go?”
“Yeah!!” Cody exclaimed.
Sabrina giggled. “Okay…finish your cereal and then go get dressed.”
“Okay! Im done!” Cody laughed and slurped up the rest of the milk left in his bowl.
Sabrina smiled.
Cody took off running upstairs.
Sabrina figured she’d better change clothes. She walked into her bedroom and saw Nick sound asleep. She looked for her suitcase, but didn’t see it. She walked into their walk-in closet and saw her suitcase toward the back. She unzipped it and saw that Nick had unpacked all of her stuff. She furrowed her brows thinking about Nick touching her things. Sabrina quickly grabbed another pair of jeans, a pink lace cotton top, and her lavender cardigan sweater.
_ She quietly walked to her drawer and grabbed her bra and a
pair of panties. When she turned to walk to the bathroom, she saw Nick’s car
keys and her car keys on the dresser. She slowly picked up her car keys not
wanting to make a sound. Once she gripped them in her hand, she secretly walked
into their bathroom and closed the door quietly.
She washed her face and brushed her teeth. She took off the clothes she was wearing and put on the outfit she had picked out from her closet. She was glad to have taken a shower the previous night so she wouldn’t have to run the shower water for Nick to hear.
Sabrina brushed her hair and applied lip gloss to her lips. She picked up her night clothes from the floor and reached for the bathroom doorknob. She quietly opened the door and looked around the bathroom to make sure she didn’t leave anything.
As soon as she turned around to look forward, a tall muscular figure was standing at the door frame scaring Sabrina so bad she let out a short loud shriek as she brought her hand up to her mouth. She jumped back to see Nick standing there with his brows furrowed at her. Sabrina cursed loudly feeling relieved that it was just Nick. She brought her hand down to her chest feeling her heart racing from being startled.
“Geez, Nick! You scared the crap out of me!”
“Can we talk?” Nick asked in a tired voice.
Sabrina looked up at him and saw how tired he was. It was obvious he didn’t get any sleep.
“I don’t have time to talk.” Sabrina said trying to move past him.
Nick blocked her way from getting out of the bathroom. Nick looked down at her as his eyes roamed up and down her body seeing her fully dressed once again.
“Are you going somewhere?” Nick asked calmly.
“Yes.” Sabrina said softly looking up at him as he towered over her. “Can you please move?”
“Can we please talk before you go?”
“No. I tried to talk to you last night, but…you didn’t want to…so…I don’t feel that I should have to talk to you whenever you get ready.” Sabrina pouted feeling like a little kid.
“I know. Im sorry. I was trippin’ last night…and I’m so sorry.”
“I know. You’re always sorry.” Sabrina said trying to move past him again.
Nick blocked her again.
“Nick, please! Move.” Sabrina said raising her voice a little.
“I think last night we were both really stressed and upset about a lot of things and we took it out on each other. I don’t think we should ever let it get to that point. I shouldn’t have left. I should have stayed here and tried to fix things with you. I should have tried to understand why you’re so upset with me. If you can just give me a chance to explain everything to you…”
“No.” Sabrina said avoiding his eye contact. “I just need to leave right now, Nick.”
“But that’s the thing…baby, I don’t want you to leave. I said that last night out of anger, and Im so sorry.” Nick said in a pleading tone as he reached for her.
Sabrina immediately stepped back not wanting him to touch her.
“Moooomm!!” Sabrina heard Cody calling out for her.
“I have to go, Nick.” Sabrina said softly as she looked up into his tired brown eyes.
Nick only stared back at her. Sabrina moved forward wanting to move past him. Nick finally moved to the side to let her pass.
As Sabrina walked into the bedroom she walked toward the door and yelled up to Cody, “I’ll be right there!” She turned around to look at Nick. He looked so defeated as he sat down in the chair at the vanity, leaning forward with his head buried in his hands. Sabrina walked to the closet and grabbed an overnight bag.
She washed her face and brushed her teeth. She took off the clothes she was wearing and put on the outfit she had picked out from her closet. She was glad to have taken a shower the previous night so she wouldn’t have to run the shower water for Nick to hear.
Sabrina brushed her hair and applied lip gloss to her lips. She picked up her night clothes from the floor and reached for the bathroom doorknob. She quietly opened the door and looked around the bathroom to make sure she didn’t leave anything.
As soon as she turned around to look forward, a tall muscular figure was standing at the door frame scaring Sabrina so bad she let out a short loud shriek as she brought her hand up to her mouth. She jumped back to see Nick standing there with his brows furrowed at her. Sabrina cursed loudly feeling relieved that it was just Nick. She brought her hand down to her chest feeling her heart racing from being startled.
“Geez, Nick! You scared the crap out of me!”
“Can we talk?” Nick asked in a tired voice.
Sabrina looked up at him and saw how tired he was. It was obvious he didn’t get any sleep.
“I don’t have time to talk.” Sabrina said trying to move past him.
Nick blocked her way from getting out of the bathroom. Nick looked down at her as his eyes roamed up and down her body seeing her fully dressed once again.
“Are you going somewhere?” Nick asked calmly.
“Yes.” Sabrina said softly looking up at him as he towered over her. “Can you please move?”
“Can we please talk before you go?”
“No. I tried to talk to you last night, but…you didn’t want to…so…I don’t feel that I should have to talk to you whenever you get ready.” Sabrina pouted feeling like a little kid.
“I know. Im sorry. I was trippin’ last night…and I’m so sorry.”
“I know. You’re always sorry.” Sabrina said trying to move past him again.
Nick blocked her again.
“Nick, please! Move.” Sabrina said raising her voice a little.
“I think last night we were both really stressed and upset about a lot of things and we took it out on each other. I don’t think we should ever let it get to that point. I shouldn’t have left. I should have stayed here and tried to fix things with you. I should have tried to understand why you’re so upset with me. If you can just give me a chance to explain everything to you…”
“No.” Sabrina said avoiding his eye contact. “I just need to leave right now, Nick.”
“But that’s the thing…baby, I don’t want you to leave. I said that last night out of anger, and Im so sorry.” Nick said in a pleading tone as he reached for her.
Sabrina immediately stepped back not wanting him to touch her.
“Moooomm!!” Sabrina heard Cody calling out for her.
“I have to go, Nick.” Sabrina said softly as she looked up into his tired brown eyes.
Nick only stared back at her. Sabrina moved forward wanting to move past him. Nick finally moved to the side to let her pass.
As Sabrina walked into the bedroom she walked toward the door and yelled up to Cody, “I’ll be right there!” She turned around to look at Nick. He looked so defeated as he sat down in the chair at the vanity, leaning forward with his head buried in his hands. Sabrina walked to the closet and grabbed an overnight bag.
_
As she began placing her pajamas inside, Nick looked up and
saw her. He frowned. “Where are you going?”
“Just…away.” Sabrina responded quietly.
“For how long?” Nick asked with concern.
“I don’t know.” Sabrina replied without looking at him.
She knew she would only be gone for one night if she decided to stay overnight in Atlanta and leave early morning.
“Are you going to a hotel or something?” Nick asked still staring at her. Sabrina didn’t respond she only collected her personal items.
“Bri-bear…” Nick called out softly to her.
Sabrina stopped just as she was about to leave out of the bedroom. She kept her back to him waiting to hear what more he had to say for himself.
Nick slowly walked up behind her. “I don’t know where you’re going…but…please…be safe.” Nick paused as he looked at her long dark hair flowing down her back. He slowly raised his hands up to her shoulders and whispered in her ear, “Come back to me. I love you.”
Sabrina immediately moved away by walking out the bedroom door.
Sabrina rushed up to Cody’s room and plastered a smile on her face. “Ready sweetie?”
“Yep!” Cody smiled back.
Sabrina quickly helped him to pack an overnight bag.
As they walked down stairs, Cody asked, “Can I go say bye to Nick?”
“No..he’s still sleep. Let’s go.” Sabrina said coldly.
They quickly left out of the house and hopped into her car.
Nick opened the front door just in time to see Sabrina drive off.
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“Just…away.” Sabrina responded quietly.
“For how long?” Nick asked with concern.
“I don’t know.” Sabrina replied without looking at him.
She knew she would only be gone for one night if she decided to stay overnight in Atlanta and leave early morning.
“Are you going to a hotel or something?” Nick asked still staring at her. Sabrina didn’t respond she only collected her personal items.
“Bri-bear…” Nick called out softly to her.
Sabrina stopped just as she was about to leave out of the bedroom. She kept her back to him waiting to hear what more he had to say for himself.
Nick slowly walked up behind her. “I don’t know where you’re going…but…please…be safe.” Nick paused as he looked at her long dark hair flowing down her back. He slowly raised his hands up to her shoulders and whispered in her ear, “Come back to me. I love you.”
Sabrina immediately moved away by walking out the bedroom door.
Sabrina rushed up to Cody’s room and plastered a smile on her face. “Ready sweetie?”
“Yep!” Cody smiled back.
Sabrina quickly helped him to pack an overnight bag.
As they walked down stairs, Cody asked, “Can I go say bye to Nick?”
“No..he’s still sleep. Let’s go.” Sabrina said coldly.
They quickly left out of the house and hopped into her car.
Nick opened the front door just in time to see Sabrina drive off.
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Sabrina's car
_ As Sabrina reached the highway to head towards Atlanta,
Sabrina picked up her phone and dialed her aunt Kelly’s home. There was no answer
so she proceeded to dial her aunt’s cell’s phone.
“Good morning Brin!” Kelly said excitedly as she answered the phone.
Sabrina smiled. “Hi, aunt Kelly!”
“Hey aunt Kelly!!” Cody also shouted into the phone as Sabrina drove.
Kelly laughed, “Aww, tell Code-meister hi! What are you two doing up and about this morning?” “Well, first of all, where are you? I tried calling your home phone.”
“Oh, you are not going to believe this. But Derek is coming home for a few days and something happened with his flight, and he can’t make it to Atlanta. Instead, I had to drive all the way to Knoxville Tennessee to pick him up. How crazy is that?”
Sabrina pouted. “You’re in Tennessee?”
Kelly sensed the huge disappointment in her niece’s voice. “Yes…why? What’s wrong?” “Well…Cody and I just hit the road to come to Atlanta today.”
“What?! Are you serious? Oh noooo! Brin! No…” Kelly said now hugely disappointed. She then thought for a moment. “Wait…today is Sunday…why are you coming on a Sunday? I thought you had a doctor’s appointment tomorrow to find out if you’re having a boy or a girl?”
“I am…Cody and I just thought we should be spontaneous for a change.” Sabrina responded trying to sound happy.
Kelly hesitated before speaking. “Wait…is everything okay, Brin?”
“Yeah..everything is fine.”
“Brin…is everything okay? Do I need to come back to Atlanta tonight?” Kelly asked with concern. “No…we’ll just go by Raven’s place.”
“Sabrina…if something is wrong…you better tell me now.” Kelly said in a serious tone.
“Aunt Kelly…everything is fine. Don’t worry.”
“Do you need me to come with you to your appointment tomorrow or something?”
“Aunt Kelly…I swear, everything is fine.” Sabrina said reassuring her aunt.
Kelly sighed. “Dammit, Brin…why did you have to be spontaneous today, of all days? And why isn’t Nick with you? You shouldn’t be driving so far alone with Cody... and being pregnant.”
“Aunt Kelly please don’t worry. I will call you as soon as we get to Atlanta.”
Moments later, Sabrina ended her call with her aunt. It was obvious Kelly didn’t feel right on the fact that Nick wasn’t with her. Kelly warned her that she was going to call Nick, but Sabrina insisted that she not do that since he had to work. Of course Sabrina lied to her because Nick wasn’t working. She just didn’t want Nick to know of her whereabouts since whenever he left the house, he never told her where he would go.
Sabrina called Raven.
“Hola chica!!”
Sabrina smiled and answered, “Hola! What are you doing?”
Raven laughed, “Do you really want to know?”
“Uh, yeah!” Sabrina giggled.
“Girl, I am in Savannah Georgia! I know, I know! I know what you are going to say! See…what had happened was…this dude I have been talking to, wanted to take me on a date yesterday. You remember when I told you about this guy. Well, who knew that the date he wanted to take me on was in Savannah, girl!” Raven said excitedly.
Sabrina looked disappointed and looked over at Cody who stared back at her with a blank stare. Sabrina’s smile had faded as she listened to Raven go on about her date. Sabrina had slowed her car down and turned into a Burger King parking lot.
“Can I get some hash browns?” Cody asked when he realized they were pulling into the restaurant parking lot.
Sabrina held up her index finger telling him to wait as she continued to listen to Raven on the phone.
“So, girl…I was too shocked! Can you believe it?” Raven finished waiting to hear her best friend’s reaction.
Sabrina snickered. “Yea, Rave, that’s great.”
“So what’s up? How are you and the hubby doing? How did the surprise birthday party go?”
Sabrina took a deep breath. “It went great. It turned out really great.”
“Awesome…” Raven paused when she sensed something wasn’t right with Sabrina. “Brin, are you okay?”
“Yeah. Im fine. So…Cody and I were just wondering when you were coming down to visit us?” “When do you want me to come?” Raven asked excitedly.
“Well…next weekend, I think Josh is finally going to get Cody…so, how does the weekend after next sound?”
“I will mark my calendar!”
“Cool. Well, I just wanted to see how you were, but I see you’re in Savannah. When are you going back home?”
“Girl…he better take me home tonight. Let me go ahead and give you his full name and the type of car he drives…just incase you never hear from me again.” Raven laughed.
Moments later, Sabrina and Cody walked back to the car with their last minute breakfast before Burger King switched over to serving lunch.
“So the cereal didn’t fill you up, huh?” Sabrina asked Cody as he munched on his hash browns.
He shook his head no. “Want one?” he asked Sabrina.
Sabrina took his offer and shoved a few small hash browns into her mouth and started the car. “So…now where are we going since we can’t go to Atlanta?”
Sabrina thought for a second. They had only driven about 45 min from home, before Sabrina decided to stop at Burger King.
“Well…let me make a phone call first.” Sabrina responded as she picked up her cell phone taking a bite out of her sausage biscuit. She dialed a number.
“Hey you. Everything okay?”
Sabrina smiled when she heard Kevin’s pleasant voice when he picked up the phone.
She responded, “Hi. Yes. Everything is fine.”
“Wonderful.”
“So I was wondering…do you have any plans today?”
“None. I was just going to sit in my underwear all day. Today is my lazy day.” Kevin joked.
Sabrina giggled. “You are so crazy. So…as you know… I had a little melt down last night…and my son and I just wanted to get out of the house. So….I was wondering…if you felt like having any company today?”
“Do you have a pen and paper? I’ll give you my address.” Kevin stated.
Sabrina could hear the smile in his voice. She smiled.
“Really? I mean…you don’t mind?”
“Are you kidding? Come on down!” Kevin said trying to sound like a game show announcer. Sabrina laughed.
Once she got his address, she ended the call and pulled out of the Burger King parking lot.
“So, where to?” Cody asked and sipped on his drink thru the straw.
“How would you like to go to Orlando?”
“The home of Disney?! Are you serious?!”
Sabrina laughed at his excitement.
“YESSSS!!” Cody cheered. “Mom, you are THE best!” Cody said as he patted her shoulder. Sabrina gleamed with excitement. “Okay, but first…we have to stop by my friend’s house. His name is Kevin Henderson. I work with him. He is really funny, and I think you are going to like him.” “Cool. Does he have any kids?”
“Nope. Does it matter?”
“Nope. I was just asking.” Cody said as he stuffed more hash browns into his mouth and took a sip oh his fruit punch drink.
------------------
“Good morning Brin!” Kelly said excitedly as she answered the phone.
Sabrina smiled. “Hi, aunt Kelly!”
“Hey aunt Kelly!!” Cody also shouted into the phone as Sabrina drove.
Kelly laughed, “Aww, tell Code-meister hi! What are you two doing up and about this morning?” “Well, first of all, where are you? I tried calling your home phone.”
“Oh, you are not going to believe this. But Derek is coming home for a few days and something happened with his flight, and he can’t make it to Atlanta. Instead, I had to drive all the way to Knoxville Tennessee to pick him up. How crazy is that?”
Sabrina pouted. “You’re in Tennessee?”
Kelly sensed the huge disappointment in her niece’s voice. “Yes…why? What’s wrong?” “Well…Cody and I just hit the road to come to Atlanta today.”
“What?! Are you serious? Oh noooo! Brin! No…” Kelly said now hugely disappointed. She then thought for a moment. “Wait…today is Sunday…why are you coming on a Sunday? I thought you had a doctor’s appointment tomorrow to find out if you’re having a boy or a girl?”
“I am…Cody and I just thought we should be spontaneous for a change.” Sabrina responded trying to sound happy.
Kelly hesitated before speaking. “Wait…is everything okay, Brin?”
“Yeah..everything is fine.”
“Brin…is everything okay? Do I need to come back to Atlanta tonight?” Kelly asked with concern. “No…we’ll just go by Raven’s place.”
“Sabrina…if something is wrong…you better tell me now.” Kelly said in a serious tone.
“Aunt Kelly…everything is fine. Don’t worry.”
“Do you need me to come with you to your appointment tomorrow or something?”
“Aunt Kelly…I swear, everything is fine.” Sabrina said reassuring her aunt.
Kelly sighed. “Dammit, Brin…why did you have to be spontaneous today, of all days? And why isn’t Nick with you? You shouldn’t be driving so far alone with Cody... and being pregnant.”
“Aunt Kelly please don’t worry. I will call you as soon as we get to Atlanta.”
Moments later, Sabrina ended her call with her aunt. It was obvious Kelly didn’t feel right on the fact that Nick wasn’t with her. Kelly warned her that she was going to call Nick, but Sabrina insisted that she not do that since he had to work. Of course Sabrina lied to her because Nick wasn’t working. She just didn’t want Nick to know of her whereabouts since whenever he left the house, he never told her where he would go.
Sabrina called Raven.
“Hola chica!!”
Sabrina smiled and answered, “Hola! What are you doing?”
Raven laughed, “Do you really want to know?”
“Uh, yeah!” Sabrina giggled.
“Girl, I am in Savannah Georgia! I know, I know! I know what you are going to say! See…what had happened was…this dude I have been talking to, wanted to take me on a date yesterday. You remember when I told you about this guy. Well, who knew that the date he wanted to take me on was in Savannah, girl!” Raven said excitedly.
Sabrina looked disappointed and looked over at Cody who stared back at her with a blank stare. Sabrina’s smile had faded as she listened to Raven go on about her date. Sabrina had slowed her car down and turned into a Burger King parking lot.
“Can I get some hash browns?” Cody asked when he realized they were pulling into the restaurant parking lot.
Sabrina held up her index finger telling him to wait as she continued to listen to Raven on the phone.
“So, girl…I was too shocked! Can you believe it?” Raven finished waiting to hear her best friend’s reaction.
Sabrina snickered. “Yea, Rave, that’s great.”
“So what’s up? How are you and the hubby doing? How did the surprise birthday party go?”
Sabrina took a deep breath. “It went great. It turned out really great.”
“Awesome…” Raven paused when she sensed something wasn’t right with Sabrina. “Brin, are you okay?”
“Yeah. Im fine. So…Cody and I were just wondering when you were coming down to visit us?” “When do you want me to come?” Raven asked excitedly.
“Well…next weekend, I think Josh is finally going to get Cody…so, how does the weekend after next sound?”
“I will mark my calendar!”
“Cool. Well, I just wanted to see how you were, but I see you’re in Savannah. When are you going back home?”
“Girl…he better take me home tonight. Let me go ahead and give you his full name and the type of car he drives…just incase you never hear from me again.” Raven laughed.
Moments later, Sabrina and Cody walked back to the car with their last minute breakfast before Burger King switched over to serving lunch.
“So the cereal didn’t fill you up, huh?” Sabrina asked Cody as he munched on his hash browns.
He shook his head no. “Want one?” he asked Sabrina.
Sabrina took his offer and shoved a few small hash browns into her mouth and started the car. “So…now where are we going since we can’t go to Atlanta?”
Sabrina thought for a second. They had only driven about 45 min from home, before Sabrina decided to stop at Burger King.
“Well…let me make a phone call first.” Sabrina responded as she picked up her cell phone taking a bite out of her sausage biscuit. She dialed a number.
“Hey you. Everything okay?”
Sabrina smiled when she heard Kevin’s pleasant voice when he picked up the phone.
She responded, “Hi. Yes. Everything is fine.”
“Wonderful.”
“So I was wondering…do you have any plans today?”
“None. I was just going to sit in my underwear all day. Today is my lazy day.” Kevin joked.
Sabrina giggled. “You are so crazy. So…as you know… I had a little melt down last night…and my son and I just wanted to get out of the house. So….I was wondering…if you felt like having any company today?”
“Do you have a pen and paper? I’ll give you my address.” Kevin stated.
Sabrina could hear the smile in his voice. She smiled.
“Really? I mean…you don’t mind?”
“Are you kidding? Come on down!” Kevin said trying to sound like a game show announcer. Sabrina laughed.
Once she got his address, she ended the call and pulled out of the Burger King parking lot.
“So, where to?” Cody asked and sipped on his drink thru the straw.
“How would you like to go to Orlando?”
“The home of Disney?! Are you serious?!”
Sabrina laughed at his excitement.
“YESSSS!!” Cody cheered. “Mom, you are THE best!” Cody said as he patted her shoulder. Sabrina gleamed with excitement. “Okay, but first…we have to stop by my friend’s house. His name is Kevin Henderson. I work with him. He is really funny, and I think you are going to like him.” “Cool. Does he have any kids?”
“Nope. Does it matter?”
“Nope. I was just asking.” Cody said as he stuffed more hash browns into his mouth and took a sip oh his fruit punch drink.
------------------
_ “What’s up good looking!” Kevin said when he opened his door
to see Sabrina standing on the other side of the door.
Sabrina gave him a broad smile. “Hey yourself good looking!”
They embraced each other. Once they pulled away from each other, Sabrina quickly introduced Cody to him.
“Handsome young fella you got there.” Kevin smiled his charming smile.
“Hello.” Cody smiled standing close to Sabrina.
“Well, come in, come in.” Kevin gestured for them to come inside his apartment.
“So, is this what a bachelor’s pad looks like on your salary?” Sabrina teased him. Kevin laughed. “Does that mean you like it or not? Because I would love to take that as a compliment.”
Sabrina playfully hit his arm and smiled. “It’s a compliment.”
“Yesss.” Kevin chuckled.
“Cool, you have the new Madden game on Xbox!” Cody said admiring his Xbox games underneath his television.
“Yeah, man! Have you played it?” Kevin answered with a smile.
“No..but I’ve seen it in the stores and stuff.”
“Well, do you want to play it?”
“Yeah!” Cody said with his eyes wide with excitement.
“Whoa…I thought we were going to Disney to check out one of the parks?” Sabrina asked as she ruffled her fingers in Cody’s short hair.
“Ohhh yeah.”
“Well…what if we all go to one of the parks and then come back and play the game if its not too late?” Kevin suggested with a smile.
“Oooh yeah!” Cody quickly responded.
“If…it’s okay with your mom…” Kevin said gazing at Sabrina.
Sabrina smiled. “Yeah…sure. Why not.”
“Awesome! Mom…I love you!” Cody said as he tackled her with a hug.
The three ended up spending the whole day at two parks: Disney Epcot and Disney Animal Kingdom. Sabrina was so happy to see Cody really enjoy himself. Sabrina couldn’t remember the last time she had so much fun and laughed for an entire day without having any worries about anyone but her son.
Sabrina found herself smitten by Kevin’s personality and how well he got along with Cody. His smile was the icing on the cake for her. She felt little butterflies every time he smiled. Cody had so much fun, he had totally forgot about playing the Madden football game on Kevin’s Xbox.
Once the sun set, the three were able to watch the fireworks at Epcot.
It was close to 9pm when they finally walked back to Kevin’s car. On the way back to Kevin’s house, where Sabrina’s car was, Cody had dozed off to sleep. Sabrina smiled when she saw he had dozed off.
“I guess we wore him out.” Sabrina snickered.
“I guess so.” Kevin smiled as he continued to drive back to his home. “So are you sure you want to go back home tonight? I’ve got plenty of room if you decided to stay.”
Sabrina sighed thinking about home…about Nick. Nick had been calling her all day but she ignored all of his calls. He text her asking where she was and when she was coming home, but Sabrina never responded. She never thought she would have so much fun with another guy besides Nick. Was it different because Kevin and her were only friends? The same way she used to have fun with Nick when they were strictly just friends?
Sabrina finally responded, “I should probably go home. Although…I really don’t want to.”
“Then don’t.” Kevin said in a low tone. He then continued, “Didn’t you say you had your overnight bag in your car? So that means you have your work clothes and Cody’s school clothes. It’s no problem, right?”
“I don’t think so, Kevin. But thanks for the offer.” Sabrina smiled at him.
“Well…can’t say I didn’t try.”
Kevin arrived at his place. Sabrina didn’t bother to walk back up to his apartment. She just decided to switch cars and be on her way. She woke Cody up so he could walk back over to her car. As soon as Cody got into Sabrina’s car, he fell right back to sleep. He was completely worn out.
Sabrina stood outside her car saying her goodbye’s to Kevin.
“That little guy had a good day! He is completely worn out!” Kevin smiled.
Sabrina giggled. “Yeah he is. Thank you so much for spending your day with us. I really had a lot of fun.”
“Absolutely. I enjoyed my day as well. You guys will have to come over again. I will cook you guys dinner and then I can whoop up on your son when playing a little Madden football!” Kevin smiled at Sabrina as he gazed into her eyes.
Sabrina laughed. “Maybe. Sounds like fun.”
“Of course it’s going to be fun.” Kevin said as he managed to move closer to Sabrina.
Sabrina found herself avoiding his eye contact. When she did look at him, he was burning into her eyes. Sabrina couldn’t bare to look away.
“I know I shouldn’t be saying this…since…you’re married and all. But… I think it’s just messed up how I keep thinking of all the things I could do to you. I mean…how crazy is it that, Im attracted to a married, pregnant woman who works at my job?” Kevin began chuckling at the thought.
Sabrina blushed and giggled.
“I mean technically…from your chest up, you don’t look pregnant at all.” Kevin teased her.
Sabrina gasped in shock that he said that to her. She playfully hit his chest. Kevin saw his opportunity and quickly leaned into her and kissed her lips. Sabrina quickly pushed him away.
“Kevin…” she said in shock.
“Im sorry.” Kevin said immediately regretting that he kissed her. “Wow…I am so sorry. I totally just crossed the line. Im so sorry.”
Sabrina looked away blushing and slightly embarrassed.
“It’s just…that…your lips.” Kevin hesitated. “They are so … full…and …luscious…and I just…well…to be honest I have been dying to kiss those lips since the first day I met you at Links.” Kevin smiled flirtatiously. “I mean come on! Can you blame me? Have you seen your lips lately?” Kevin joked.
Sabrina couldn’t help but laugh at his silliness.
“You are crazy.”
“Crazy about you.” Kevin said in a serious tone.
Sabrina stared at him as her smile slowly faded. Kevin was getting closer and closer to her. Sabrina’s eyes danced between his eyes when she realized she didn’t have to look up at him as she did with Nick. Kevin was actually her height...maybe an inch or two taller than her. He didn’t tower over her the way Nick did.
Sabrina’s eyes traveled down to Kevin’s lips. He had nice lips…and honestly his lips had felt nice against hers. They weren’t Nick’s lips…but then again, it was obvious that Nick’s lips had been with a lot of females. Why can’t her lips be on someone else’s?
At that Sabrina welcomed Kevin’s lips on hers as she met him halfway into the lean. Kevin cradled Sabrina’s face into his hands as he longingly kissed her. Sabrina then felt his fingers slide into her hair as his kiss became more intense. Sabrina finally came to the realization that this wasn’t right. Two wrongs didn’t make a right. She thought about Nick and quickly pushed Kevin away.
“I should go.” Sabrina said reaching for her car door handle as she slowly backed away from him. Kevin cleared his throat. “Yeah…totally.” Kevin said feeling a little awkward.
Sabrina could tell he still had lust in his eyes. She quickly got into her car.
“So..uhm…I will see you at work tomorrow, right?” Kevin asked trying to make things normal again. “Yeah…I’ll see you tomorrow at work.” Sabrina said and quickly put the car into reverse.
Sabrina was kicking herself for allowing that kiss to happen. She couldn’t understand why it happened. Kevin was her friend. Just someone to take all of her worries away. Wasn’t that supposed to be Nick’s job? What was happening to her and Nick. They never talked. This was supposed to be the best weekend ever because it was Nick’s birthday. And all they have done is argue since Friday. Not just a small argue, but huge arguments. Was their marriage falling apart? Was their friendship falling apart?
Sabrina was feeling so guilty about that kiss, she decided against going home. She didn’t want to face Nick and didn’t feel like arguing. She then realized that because of her doctor’s appointment, Liam had agreed to take Cody to school for them. Sabrina sighed and decided to go ahead and go home. Her fun time was over. Her little getaway was done. Now it was back to reality.
Sabrina gave him a broad smile. “Hey yourself good looking!”
They embraced each other. Once they pulled away from each other, Sabrina quickly introduced Cody to him.
“Handsome young fella you got there.” Kevin smiled his charming smile.
“Hello.” Cody smiled standing close to Sabrina.
“Well, come in, come in.” Kevin gestured for them to come inside his apartment.
“So, is this what a bachelor’s pad looks like on your salary?” Sabrina teased him. Kevin laughed. “Does that mean you like it or not? Because I would love to take that as a compliment.”
Sabrina playfully hit his arm and smiled. “It’s a compliment.”
“Yesss.” Kevin chuckled.
“Cool, you have the new Madden game on Xbox!” Cody said admiring his Xbox games underneath his television.
“Yeah, man! Have you played it?” Kevin answered with a smile.
“No..but I’ve seen it in the stores and stuff.”
“Well, do you want to play it?”
“Yeah!” Cody said with his eyes wide with excitement.
“Whoa…I thought we were going to Disney to check out one of the parks?” Sabrina asked as she ruffled her fingers in Cody’s short hair.
“Ohhh yeah.”
“Well…what if we all go to one of the parks and then come back and play the game if its not too late?” Kevin suggested with a smile.
“Oooh yeah!” Cody quickly responded.
“If…it’s okay with your mom…” Kevin said gazing at Sabrina.
Sabrina smiled. “Yeah…sure. Why not.”
“Awesome! Mom…I love you!” Cody said as he tackled her with a hug.
The three ended up spending the whole day at two parks: Disney Epcot and Disney Animal Kingdom. Sabrina was so happy to see Cody really enjoy himself. Sabrina couldn’t remember the last time she had so much fun and laughed for an entire day without having any worries about anyone but her son.
Sabrina found herself smitten by Kevin’s personality and how well he got along with Cody. His smile was the icing on the cake for her. She felt little butterflies every time he smiled. Cody had so much fun, he had totally forgot about playing the Madden football game on Kevin’s Xbox.
Once the sun set, the three were able to watch the fireworks at Epcot.
It was close to 9pm when they finally walked back to Kevin’s car. On the way back to Kevin’s house, where Sabrina’s car was, Cody had dozed off to sleep. Sabrina smiled when she saw he had dozed off.
“I guess we wore him out.” Sabrina snickered.
“I guess so.” Kevin smiled as he continued to drive back to his home. “So are you sure you want to go back home tonight? I’ve got plenty of room if you decided to stay.”
Sabrina sighed thinking about home…about Nick. Nick had been calling her all day but she ignored all of his calls. He text her asking where she was and when she was coming home, but Sabrina never responded. She never thought she would have so much fun with another guy besides Nick. Was it different because Kevin and her were only friends? The same way she used to have fun with Nick when they were strictly just friends?
Sabrina finally responded, “I should probably go home. Although…I really don’t want to.”
“Then don’t.” Kevin said in a low tone. He then continued, “Didn’t you say you had your overnight bag in your car? So that means you have your work clothes and Cody’s school clothes. It’s no problem, right?”
“I don’t think so, Kevin. But thanks for the offer.” Sabrina smiled at him.
“Well…can’t say I didn’t try.”
Kevin arrived at his place. Sabrina didn’t bother to walk back up to his apartment. She just decided to switch cars and be on her way. She woke Cody up so he could walk back over to her car. As soon as Cody got into Sabrina’s car, he fell right back to sleep. He was completely worn out.
Sabrina stood outside her car saying her goodbye’s to Kevin.
“That little guy had a good day! He is completely worn out!” Kevin smiled.
Sabrina giggled. “Yeah he is. Thank you so much for spending your day with us. I really had a lot of fun.”
“Absolutely. I enjoyed my day as well. You guys will have to come over again. I will cook you guys dinner and then I can whoop up on your son when playing a little Madden football!” Kevin smiled at Sabrina as he gazed into her eyes.
Sabrina laughed. “Maybe. Sounds like fun.”
“Of course it’s going to be fun.” Kevin said as he managed to move closer to Sabrina.
Sabrina found herself avoiding his eye contact. When she did look at him, he was burning into her eyes. Sabrina couldn’t bare to look away.
“I know I shouldn’t be saying this…since…you’re married and all. But… I think it’s just messed up how I keep thinking of all the things I could do to you. I mean…how crazy is it that, Im attracted to a married, pregnant woman who works at my job?” Kevin began chuckling at the thought.
Sabrina blushed and giggled.
“I mean technically…from your chest up, you don’t look pregnant at all.” Kevin teased her.
Sabrina gasped in shock that he said that to her. She playfully hit his chest. Kevin saw his opportunity and quickly leaned into her and kissed her lips. Sabrina quickly pushed him away.
“Kevin…” she said in shock.
“Im sorry.” Kevin said immediately regretting that he kissed her. “Wow…I am so sorry. I totally just crossed the line. Im so sorry.”
Sabrina looked away blushing and slightly embarrassed.
“It’s just…that…your lips.” Kevin hesitated. “They are so … full…and …luscious…and I just…well…to be honest I have been dying to kiss those lips since the first day I met you at Links.” Kevin smiled flirtatiously. “I mean come on! Can you blame me? Have you seen your lips lately?” Kevin joked.
Sabrina couldn’t help but laugh at his silliness.
“You are crazy.”
“Crazy about you.” Kevin said in a serious tone.
Sabrina stared at him as her smile slowly faded. Kevin was getting closer and closer to her. Sabrina’s eyes danced between his eyes when she realized she didn’t have to look up at him as she did with Nick. Kevin was actually her height...maybe an inch or two taller than her. He didn’t tower over her the way Nick did.
Sabrina’s eyes traveled down to Kevin’s lips. He had nice lips…and honestly his lips had felt nice against hers. They weren’t Nick’s lips…but then again, it was obvious that Nick’s lips had been with a lot of females. Why can’t her lips be on someone else’s?
At that Sabrina welcomed Kevin’s lips on hers as she met him halfway into the lean. Kevin cradled Sabrina’s face into his hands as he longingly kissed her. Sabrina then felt his fingers slide into her hair as his kiss became more intense. Sabrina finally came to the realization that this wasn’t right. Two wrongs didn’t make a right. She thought about Nick and quickly pushed Kevin away.
“I should go.” Sabrina said reaching for her car door handle as she slowly backed away from him. Kevin cleared his throat. “Yeah…totally.” Kevin said feeling a little awkward.
Sabrina could tell he still had lust in his eyes. She quickly got into her car.
“So..uhm…I will see you at work tomorrow, right?” Kevin asked trying to make things normal again. “Yeah…I’ll see you tomorrow at work.” Sabrina said and quickly put the car into reverse.
Sabrina was kicking herself for allowing that kiss to happen. She couldn’t understand why it happened. Kevin was her friend. Just someone to take all of her worries away. Wasn’t that supposed to be Nick’s job? What was happening to her and Nick. They never talked. This was supposed to be the best weekend ever because it was Nick’s birthday. And all they have done is argue since Friday. Not just a small argue, but huge arguments. Was their marriage falling apart? Was their friendship falling apart?
Sabrina was feeling so guilty about that kiss, she decided against going home. She didn’t want to face Nick and didn’t feel like arguing. She then realized that because of her doctor’s appointment, Liam had agreed to take Cody to school for them. Sabrina sighed and decided to go ahead and go home. Her fun time was over. Her little getaway was done. Now it was back to reality.
_ Sabrina pulled into her driveway and woke Cody.
“Cody…wake up sweetie. We’re home.”
Cody slowly woke up and immediately opened the car door. Sabrina saw the kitchen light on. She was sure Nick was up. She hoped he wasn’t up waiting for her…she really didn’t want to be bothered. She was tired and just wanted to go to bed.
Sabrina and Cody walked inside and didn’t see Nick. She escorted Cody upstairs to his bedroom. She made sure he was nice and tucked in bed, and kissed his forehead. Before Sabrina could close up his door, Cody was already knocked out sleep.
Sabrina took off her cardigan sweater and walked down stairs with her overnight bag. She dreaded walking into her bedroom where she knew Nick was going to be.
As soon as Sabrina walked in, she saw a dark figure sitting on the edge of the bed. Sabrina turned the light on and saw Nick sitting there, shirtless and wearing gray sweat pants. He looked angry yet concerned as he sat there, leaning forward with his elbows resting on his knees and his hands up to his lips.
Sabrina cleared her throat and continued to move about in their bedroom.
“Where have you been?” Nick asked in a deep husky tone.
Sabrina didn’t respond.
“I’ve been calling you and texting you and calling you…all day, Brin. Where were you?”
Sabrina took a deep breath really not wanting to talk to him. Nick watched her as she moved about preparing to take a shower.
“So you’re just going to ignore me?” Nick asked calmly in his deep voice. “I think I have the right to know where you’ve been, Sabrina.”
Sabrina stopped and looked at him. “Nick, you leave all the time. I never know where you go.”
“You can’t do what I do…”
“And why not?!” Sabrina asked raising her voice.
“Because you’re pregnant. I was worried sick about you and Cody. How do I know if something didn’t happen or not?”
“Pssh…whatever.” Sabrina said as she walked into the bathroom closing the door behind her. Sabrina immediately turned the shower water on, took her clothes off and jumped into the shower.
When she was done, she threw on a yellow tank top and black pajama shorts. She came out of the bathroom and saw Nick sitting up in bed as if he were waiting for her to come to bed.
“Can we talk?” Nick asked.
Sabrina ignored Nick and simply walked out of their bedroom and walked upstairs to Cody’s room. Nick sighed as he waited for her return. Unbeknownst to Nick, Sabrina decided to sleep in Cody’s bed instead of her own.
Wondering where she went, Nick hopped out of bed and walked upstairs toward Cody’s room. Sure enough, there she was. Nick sighed.
“Brin? Is this where you’re sleeping tonight?”
Sabrina didn’t respond.
“Sabrina?” Nick called out to her a little louder.
“What, Nick? I heard you.” Sabrina said frustrated.
“Then can you please answer me?” Nick asked calmly.
“Yes. Im sleeping in here, now please, leave us alone.”
Nick clenched his jaw muscles and quietly turned away.
He walked back down to his bedroom and climbed back in bed attempting to go to sleep.
“Cody…wake up sweetie. We’re home.”
Cody slowly woke up and immediately opened the car door. Sabrina saw the kitchen light on. She was sure Nick was up. She hoped he wasn’t up waiting for her…she really didn’t want to be bothered. She was tired and just wanted to go to bed.
Sabrina and Cody walked inside and didn’t see Nick. She escorted Cody upstairs to his bedroom. She made sure he was nice and tucked in bed, and kissed his forehead. Before Sabrina could close up his door, Cody was already knocked out sleep.
Sabrina took off her cardigan sweater and walked down stairs with her overnight bag. She dreaded walking into her bedroom where she knew Nick was going to be.
As soon as Sabrina walked in, she saw a dark figure sitting on the edge of the bed. Sabrina turned the light on and saw Nick sitting there, shirtless and wearing gray sweat pants. He looked angry yet concerned as he sat there, leaning forward with his elbows resting on his knees and his hands up to his lips.
Sabrina cleared her throat and continued to move about in their bedroom.
“Where have you been?” Nick asked in a deep husky tone.
Sabrina didn’t respond.
“I’ve been calling you and texting you and calling you…all day, Brin. Where were you?”
Sabrina took a deep breath really not wanting to talk to him. Nick watched her as she moved about preparing to take a shower.
“So you’re just going to ignore me?” Nick asked calmly in his deep voice. “I think I have the right to know where you’ve been, Sabrina.”
Sabrina stopped and looked at him. “Nick, you leave all the time. I never know where you go.”
“You can’t do what I do…”
“And why not?!” Sabrina asked raising her voice.
“Because you’re pregnant. I was worried sick about you and Cody. How do I know if something didn’t happen or not?”
“Pssh…whatever.” Sabrina said as she walked into the bathroom closing the door behind her. Sabrina immediately turned the shower water on, took her clothes off and jumped into the shower.
When she was done, she threw on a yellow tank top and black pajama shorts. She came out of the bathroom and saw Nick sitting up in bed as if he were waiting for her to come to bed.
“Can we talk?” Nick asked.
Sabrina ignored Nick and simply walked out of their bedroom and walked upstairs to Cody’s room. Nick sighed as he waited for her return. Unbeknownst to Nick, Sabrina decided to sleep in Cody’s bed instead of her own.
Wondering where she went, Nick hopped out of bed and walked upstairs toward Cody’s room. Sure enough, there she was. Nick sighed.
“Brin? Is this where you’re sleeping tonight?”
Sabrina didn’t respond.
“Sabrina?” Nick called out to her a little louder.
“What, Nick? I heard you.” Sabrina said frustrated.
“Then can you please answer me?” Nick asked calmly.
“Yes. Im sleeping in here, now please, leave us alone.”
Nick clenched his jaw muscles and quietly turned away.
He walked back down to his bedroom and climbed back in bed attempting to go to sleep.
Chapter 16 (Monday)
_
The next morning, Nick’s alarm clock had went off at 5:45am.
He knew that was the time Sabrina wanted to get up to get dressed for her early
morning doctor’s appointment. Nick slowly walked upstairs to Cody’s room to
wake up Sabrina. Nick walked around Cody’s bed and approached Sabrina’s side.
“Babe…it’s time to get up.”
Sabrina grunted as she slowly woke up.
“Brin…”
“I heard you.” Sabrina said with annoyance.
At that, Nick simply walked away.
Sabrina slowly sat up and yawned.
Thru out the morning as they both got dressed, Sabrina remained silent not wanting to talk to Nick. When Sabrina was ready to go, she looked at Nick who was putting on his shoes.
“You know…you don’t have to go. I can go on my own.”
“No. You’re not getting rid of me. Sorry.” Nick said calmly as he stood up.
Sabrina slightly rolled her eyes and walked out of their bedroom.
Nick took Cody to Liam’s apartment so Liam could take Cody to school for him that morning. Nick then made his way to the doctor’s office where he was to meet Sabrina.
“Babe…it’s time to get up.”
Sabrina grunted as she slowly woke up.
“Brin…”
“I heard you.” Sabrina said with annoyance.
At that, Nick simply walked away.
Sabrina slowly sat up and yawned.
Thru out the morning as they both got dressed, Sabrina remained silent not wanting to talk to Nick. When Sabrina was ready to go, she looked at Nick who was putting on his shoes.
“You know…you don’t have to go. I can go on my own.”
“No. You’re not getting rid of me. Sorry.” Nick said calmly as he stood up.
Sabrina slightly rolled her eyes and walked out of their bedroom.
Nick took Cody to Liam’s apartment so Liam could take Cody to school for him that morning. Nick then made his way to the doctor’s office where he was to meet Sabrina.
Doctor's Office
_Sabrina was already in the waiting room when Nick arrived. He
walked in and sat beside her. They remained silent leaving an awkward, tense
silence between the two.
“Sabrina Lancaster?” The nurse called as she stood by the door that lead to the lab rooms.
Sabrina faintly smiled as she stood up. Nick followed closely behind her.
“Good morning, how are you guys doing this beautiful morning?” The nurse asked as she lead them to the back.
“Good, thanks.” Sabrina and Nick both responded with a light smile.
“Great! So..today is the day, right? You get to find out the sex of the baby.” The nurse said excitedly.
“That’s right.” Sabrina said with a smile.
“So, 'Dad'…are you hoping it’s a boy?” The nurse asked Nick as she had Sabrina sit on the examination table.
“I am..but as long as the baby is healthy…Im good.” Nick responded as he looked at Sabrina. “Awww…that is so sweet.” The nurse smiled. She then said to Sabrina. “Okay, let’s have you take off your clothes. Yes, everything must go. And, you can put this little gown on, okay?”
“Okay.” Sabrina smiled at the nurse.
“The doctor will be in shortly.” The nurse winked at Nick and left the room.
Sabrina began taking her clothes off and handing them over to Nick. Nick helped her to put the paper thin gown over her naked body. As Sabrina sat back down on the padded examination table, Nick remained standing close to her and gently moved her hair from her face behind her ear.
Sabrina moved away from his gesture. “Stop it, Nick.”
“How long are we going to do this? When are you going to talk to me?” Nick asked softly.
Sabrina looked down not wanting to make eye contact.
Nick shook his head and sighed as he took his seat back in the corner of the room.
“Sabrina Lancaster?” The nurse called as she stood by the door that lead to the lab rooms.
Sabrina faintly smiled as she stood up. Nick followed closely behind her.
“Good morning, how are you guys doing this beautiful morning?” The nurse asked as she lead them to the back.
“Good, thanks.” Sabrina and Nick both responded with a light smile.
“Great! So..today is the day, right? You get to find out the sex of the baby.” The nurse said excitedly.
“That’s right.” Sabrina said with a smile.
“So, 'Dad'…are you hoping it’s a boy?” The nurse asked Nick as she had Sabrina sit on the examination table.
“I am..but as long as the baby is healthy…Im good.” Nick responded as he looked at Sabrina. “Awww…that is so sweet.” The nurse smiled. She then said to Sabrina. “Okay, let’s have you take off your clothes. Yes, everything must go. And, you can put this little gown on, okay?”
“Okay.” Sabrina smiled at the nurse.
“The doctor will be in shortly.” The nurse winked at Nick and left the room.
Sabrina began taking her clothes off and handing them over to Nick. Nick helped her to put the paper thin gown over her naked body. As Sabrina sat back down on the padded examination table, Nick remained standing close to her and gently moved her hair from her face behind her ear.
Sabrina moved away from his gesture. “Stop it, Nick.”
“How long are we going to do this? When are you going to talk to me?” Nick asked softly.
Sabrina looked down not wanting to make eye contact.
Nick shook his head and sighed as he took his seat back in the corner of the room.
Dr. Addison
_ After several minutes of their long awkward silence and
glances at each other, the doctor finally walked in.
“Good morning!” the doctor said as she walked in. “How are the parents to be doing this morning?”
“Fine..”
“Good…”
Both Nick and Sabrina responded in unison.
The doctor looked down at her clip board and then looked up at Sabrina with a smile.
“Feeling okay this morning?”
Sabrina forced a smile on her face. “Yes, Dr. Addison.”
“Excellent. No complications or anything I should know about thus far?”
“Nope.” Sabrina answered with a faint smile.
“Nice.” The doctor responded. She then looked back at Nick. “So this pregnancy must be pretty easy for you, huh?”
Nick lightly chuckled.
Dr. Addison turned her attention back to Sabrina. “Okay let’s get you to lie down for me, and place your heels on these lovely stirrups. Mr. Lancaster, are you sure you want to stay in here for the whole thing?” Dr. Addison smiled at Nick as she put her rubber gloves on.
“Go for it, doc.” Nick grinned.
“That’s what I like to hear.” Dr. Addison smiled and joked. “Okay, Sabrina, Im just going to move around a bit down below…if you happen to feel any pain, please feel free to let me know.”
“Okay.” Sabrina said softly.
“'Dad', if you want to hold 'moms' hand, you can.”
“No…Im fine.” Sabrina quickly responded.
Dr. Addison nodded okay.
Nick clenched his jaw muscles as he stood back allowing the doctor to do her job.
The doctor proceeded to give Sabrina a full exam.
After a few minutes pass, Dr. Addison proceeded with the ultrasound. She poured on the cold jelly onto Sabrina’s belly. She then took the ultrasound wand and began rolling it around Sabrina’s belly.
“Okay…let’s see what we have here.” Dr. Addison stated as she looked at the ultrasound screen. “And here is the heartbeat.” Dr. Addison announced.
Nick had never heard anything like it. He stood up and walked closer over toward Sabrina. Sabrina kept her eyes on the screen.
“Wow…” Nick whispered. Nick looked down at Sabrina. She looked so beautiful he thought. Even more so because this was the first time he saw her smile in the last 24 hours. Nick snapped out of his thoughts when the doctor began pointing things out on the screen.
“Right here is the baby’s head…and this is the baby’s feet. If you look here, you can see the baby’s nose.”
“Oh my gosh…” Sabrina whispered with joy.
“And…guess what this is, 'dad'?” Dr. Addison said to Nick pointing to the screen.
Nick smiled. “No way.”
“Way…congratulations, you two are having a boy.”
Nick chuckled at the thought. “Niiice.” Nick smiled. “My boy is hung just like his dad.”
Dr. Addison laughed.
Sabrina couldn’t help but giggle and roll her eyes at Nick and his ridiculousness.
Dr. Addison proceeded to take screen shots for them for keepsakes. She then stated to Sabrina as she wiped away the gel cream from her belly.
“Now…down to some business. I can’t help but notice there is a high stress level on the baby, and your blood pressure is really high today. Are you stressing a lot, Mrs. Lancaster?”
Sabrina’s smile slowly faded as she looked up at Nick. She then looked at the doctor.
“Well…yeah, I guess. My job is really stressful.”
“Are you standing on your feet a lot or anything?” Dr. Addison asked.
“No.”
“Can you take a vacation or something? We need you to be stress free. The stress level is not good. Sometimes the food you eat can make a difference as well. So…let’s watch what we eat for a while. Okay?”
“Okay.” Sabrina responded.
“And take it easy on that job. Tell them to back off.” Dr. Addison added with a smile as she wrote a few things on her clip board. “Okay…any questions for me?”
Both Sabrina and Nick said no.
“Okay..well, Sabrina I want you to come and see me in exactly 1 week so we can check on your blood pressure. I want you to regularly check your blood pressure everyday and mark down the readings so we can keep track.”
“Okay.” Sabrina said as she sat up.
“And…I still want you to set up a routine appointment as well….if there are no questions, you guys are free to go and enjoy the rest of your day. Again, congrats on having a boy….” Dr. Addison smiled at the couple and left the room.
Nick helped Sabrina up off the examination table and handed her clothes back to her. Nick took a deep breath as he watched her get dressed.
“Am I stressing you out?”
Sabrina didn’t immediately respond. Once she put her top back on, she responded, “Yeah. You’re about 99% of my stress level.” Sabrina said flatly.
Nick sighed. He then asked, “So…how do we fix it?”
“I don’t know…try leaving me alone for a while.” Sabrina said as she put her shoes on.
“Perfect. I have to work all week. You won’t even know Im around. That’s what you want, right?” Nick said slightly annoyed with sarcasm.
Sabrina stopped and stared at him. “Perfect. Thank God.” Sabrina turned and walked out of the room leaving Nick behind.
Sabrina stopped at the front desk to make her next appointments.
“Good morning!” the doctor said as she walked in. “How are the parents to be doing this morning?”
“Fine..”
“Good…”
Both Nick and Sabrina responded in unison.
The doctor looked down at her clip board and then looked up at Sabrina with a smile.
“Feeling okay this morning?”
Sabrina forced a smile on her face. “Yes, Dr. Addison.”
“Excellent. No complications or anything I should know about thus far?”
“Nope.” Sabrina answered with a faint smile.
“Nice.” The doctor responded. She then looked back at Nick. “So this pregnancy must be pretty easy for you, huh?”
Nick lightly chuckled.
Dr. Addison turned her attention back to Sabrina. “Okay let’s get you to lie down for me, and place your heels on these lovely stirrups. Mr. Lancaster, are you sure you want to stay in here for the whole thing?” Dr. Addison smiled at Nick as she put her rubber gloves on.
“Go for it, doc.” Nick grinned.
“That’s what I like to hear.” Dr. Addison smiled and joked. “Okay, Sabrina, Im just going to move around a bit down below…if you happen to feel any pain, please feel free to let me know.”
“Okay.” Sabrina said softly.
“'Dad', if you want to hold 'moms' hand, you can.”
“No…Im fine.” Sabrina quickly responded.
Dr. Addison nodded okay.
Nick clenched his jaw muscles as he stood back allowing the doctor to do her job.
The doctor proceeded to give Sabrina a full exam.
After a few minutes pass, Dr. Addison proceeded with the ultrasound. She poured on the cold jelly onto Sabrina’s belly. She then took the ultrasound wand and began rolling it around Sabrina’s belly.
“Okay…let’s see what we have here.” Dr. Addison stated as she looked at the ultrasound screen. “And here is the heartbeat.” Dr. Addison announced.
Nick had never heard anything like it. He stood up and walked closer over toward Sabrina. Sabrina kept her eyes on the screen.
“Wow…” Nick whispered. Nick looked down at Sabrina. She looked so beautiful he thought. Even more so because this was the first time he saw her smile in the last 24 hours. Nick snapped out of his thoughts when the doctor began pointing things out on the screen.
“Right here is the baby’s head…and this is the baby’s feet. If you look here, you can see the baby’s nose.”
“Oh my gosh…” Sabrina whispered with joy.
“And…guess what this is, 'dad'?” Dr. Addison said to Nick pointing to the screen.
Nick smiled. “No way.”
“Way…congratulations, you two are having a boy.”
Nick chuckled at the thought. “Niiice.” Nick smiled. “My boy is hung just like his dad.”
Dr. Addison laughed.
Sabrina couldn’t help but giggle and roll her eyes at Nick and his ridiculousness.
Dr. Addison proceeded to take screen shots for them for keepsakes. She then stated to Sabrina as she wiped away the gel cream from her belly.
“Now…down to some business. I can’t help but notice there is a high stress level on the baby, and your blood pressure is really high today. Are you stressing a lot, Mrs. Lancaster?”
Sabrina’s smile slowly faded as she looked up at Nick. She then looked at the doctor.
“Well…yeah, I guess. My job is really stressful.”
“Are you standing on your feet a lot or anything?” Dr. Addison asked.
“No.”
“Can you take a vacation or something? We need you to be stress free. The stress level is not good. Sometimes the food you eat can make a difference as well. So…let’s watch what we eat for a while. Okay?”
“Okay.” Sabrina responded.
“And take it easy on that job. Tell them to back off.” Dr. Addison added with a smile as she wrote a few things on her clip board. “Okay…any questions for me?”
Both Sabrina and Nick said no.
“Okay..well, Sabrina I want you to come and see me in exactly 1 week so we can check on your blood pressure. I want you to regularly check your blood pressure everyday and mark down the readings so we can keep track.”
“Okay.” Sabrina said as she sat up.
“And…I still want you to set up a routine appointment as well….if there are no questions, you guys are free to go and enjoy the rest of your day. Again, congrats on having a boy….” Dr. Addison smiled at the couple and left the room.
Nick helped Sabrina up off the examination table and handed her clothes back to her. Nick took a deep breath as he watched her get dressed.
“Am I stressing you out?”
Sabrina didn’t immediately respond. Once she put her top back on, she responded, “Yeah. You’re about 99% of my stress level.” Sabrina said flatly.
Nick sighed. He then asked, “So…how do we fix it?”
“I don’t know…try leaving me alone for a while.” Sabrina said as she put her shoes on.
“Perfect. I have to work all week. You won’t even know Im around. That’s what you want, right?” Nick said slightly annoyed with sarcasm.
Sabrina stopped and stared at him. “Perfect. Thank God.” Sabrina turned and walked out of the room leaving Nick behind.
Sabrina stopped at the front desk to make her next appointments.
_
Nick waited for Sabrina by her car when she walked out of
the doctor’s office.
“So when’s your next routine appointment?” Nick asked calmly.
“In a few weeks. Don’t worry, you don’t have to come.” Sabrina said with sarcasm unlocking the car door.
“Dammit, Sabrina, why are you acting like this? And for how long? I just want us back to normal…is that so hard?” Nick asked in frustration.
“I don’t want to talk right now, Nick. Didn’t you just hear what the doctor said? Im stressed. I have been telling you that for the longest. Ever since I moved here. I have been nothing but stressed out!”
“Why?”
“Because of the stupid people on my job, your mother, Joanna, and especially you! Im done!”
Nick frowned. “Done with what?”
“With this!”
“What?”
“This!” Sabirna extended her arms out gesturing to the atmosphere around them.
“What are you saying, Brin?”
“I can’t do this, Nick. Im tired.”
“Alright…obviously you are…maybe you should call out from work today.”
“No! Because then, I will feel like a failure. I have this project to work on, and I swear, Nick when its done…Im quitting this job.”
Nick stared at her in shock.
“Im quitting this job and Im moving back to Atlanta.”
“You don’t mean that.” Nick said somberly.
“Yes…I do. I can’t do it anymore and Im putting my baby at risk. Im not supposed to be miserable every freakin day, Nick.”
“Why didn’t you tell me you were miserable? I can fix it.”
“With what, Nick? Sex?”
“Sabrina…c’mon…” Nick said in disbelief.
“No. Im serious. You don’t know what it’s like to have everyone hate you. I feel like im living my life over again when I was 14 and everybody hated me, except you. I don’t like this life…I don’t want this life!”
“This life? But Im your life, Sabrina! ….So...what, You don’t want me?”
Sabrina was on the verge of tears as she looked away from him.
“You don’t understand how it is to be in my shoes, Nick. Everyone loves you. Everyone has always loved you! You have every woman at my job who seems to know more about you than I know you. Joanna’s telling me how much you are always with her and how you guys are still having sex. I have these dumb bitches at my job making my job harder for me because …well, hell, I still don’t exactly know why. It’s just too much! I shouldn’t have to cry everyday because im so upset. Cody is the only one there for me, because my friend, my husband... is always at fucking work. Im alone, Nick! Im sad, depressed and alone. When I was single, I was happy. Because it was just me and Cody. Not all of this excess baggage. Im done.” Sabrina finally finished as tears streamed down her cheek.
Sabrina attempted to open her car door, but Nick stopped her and pulled her into a hug.
“Why didn’t you tell me all of this?”
Sabrina sniffed and pulled away from him. “Didn’t you just hear what I said? You’re never home! We never talk!”
Nick felt so bad. He never intended for her to be so unhappy.
“Baby, I never intended for you to feel this way. I thought I was doing everything right. I thought I gave you everything you wanted –“
“I wanted you, Nick! But instead you’re with all these other bitches—“
“Whoa, wait a minute. Im not fucking anybody but you, alright? Wait…that’s not even true because we haven’t had sex in forever. All those other bitches you’re talking about at your job, are just jealous! All of them are jealous because I chose you! Do you understand me? I want you and only you. I don’t care about all these other females! These other females are stuck on the past. They are my past, baby! You are my present and my future! I’ll be anything you want me to be…I’ll do anything you want me to do, but Im not losing you! I love you! Not these other bitches. Stop letting them feed all that shit to you.”
“Then stop hiding shit from me, Nick!”
“Baby, I do that because I don’t want you to stress, but apparently that’s not helping.”
They both paused and took a deep breath.
Sabrina looked at her watch and realized she was running late for work. “I have to go.” Sabrina said as she sniffed.
“Just tell me what you want me to do, to make things better.” Nick said calmly in a low tone as he stared into her eyes.
Sabrina looked away and shoved her hair behind her ear as a tear dropped down her cheek.
Nick lightly wiped her tear away with his thumb. Sabrina shrugged her shoulder and shook her head.
“I don’t know, Nick. That’s something for you to figure out…not me. But…I just feel like…it’s too late.”
“No…it’s not.” Nick said cradling her face in his hands and lightly pressing his forehead against hers.
Sabrina grabbed his hands wanting to pull them away from her face. “Nick…”
“Im not giving up on us…so you can forget it.” Nick said as he closed his eyes.
“Maybe you should.”
Nick opened his eyes and looked at her as he pulled his forehead away from hers.
“Nick, I have to go.” Sabrina said as her voice trembled.
She then moved away as Nick finally allowed her to open her car door and hop inside. Nick kept his eyes on her as she avoided his eye contact. She pulled away without looking at him.
-------------------
“So when’s your next routine appointment?” Nick asked calmly.
“In a few weeks. Don’t worry, you don’t have to come.” Sabrina said with sarcasm unlocking the car door.
“Dammit, Sabrina, why are you acting like this? And for how long? I just want us back to normal…is that so hard?” Nick asked in frustration.
“I don’t want to talk right now, Nick. Didn’t you just hear what the doctor said? Im stressed. I have been telling you that for the longest. Ever since I moved here. I have been nothing but stressed out!”
“Why?”
“Because of the stupid people on my job, your mother, Joanna, and especially you! Im done!”
Nick frowned. “Done with what?”
“With this!”
“What?”
“This!” Sabirna extended her arms out gesturing to the atmosphere around them.
“What are you saying, Brin?”
“I can’t do this, Nick. Im tired.”
“Alright…obviously you are…maybe you should call out from work today.”
“No! Because then, I will feel like a failure. I have this project to work on, and I swear, Nick when its done…Im quitting this job.”
Nick stared at her in shock.
“Im quitting this job and Im moving back to Atlanta.”
“You don’t mean that.” Nick said somberly.
“Yes…I do. I can’t do it anymore and Im putting my baby at risk. Im not supposed to be miserable every freakin day, Nick.”
“Why didn’t you tell me you were miserable? I can fix it.”
“With what, Nick? Sex?”
“Sabrina…c’mon…” Nick said in disbelief.
“No. Im serious. You don’t know what it’s like to have everyone hate you. I feel like im living my life over again when I was 14 and everybody hated me, except you. I don’t like this life…I don’t want this life!”
“This life? But Im your life, Sabrina! ….So...what, You don’t want me?”
Sabrina was on the verge of tears as she looked away from him.
“You don’t understand how it is to be in my shoes, Nick. Everyone loves you. Everyone has always loved you! You have every woman at my job who seems to know more about you than I know you. Joanna’s telling me how much you are always with her and how you guys are still having sex. I have these dumb bitches at my job making my job harder for me because …well, hell, I still don’t exactly know why. It’s just too much! I shouldn’t have to cry everyday because im so upset. Cody is the only one there for me, because my friend, my husband... is always at fucking work. Im alone, Nick! Im sad, depressed and alone. When I was single, I was happy. Because it was just me and Cody. Not all of this excess baggage. Im done.” Sabrina finally finished as tears streamed down her cheek.
Sabrina attempted to open her car door, but Nick stopped her and pulled her into a hug.
“Why didn’t you tell me all of this?”
Sabrina sniffed and pulled away from him. “Didn’t you just hear what I said? You’re never home! We never talk!”
Nick felt so bad. He never intended for her to be so unhappy.
“Baby, I never intended for you to feel this way. I thought I was doing everything right. I thought I gave you everything you wanted –“
“I wanted you, Nick! But instead you’re with all these other bitches—“
“Whoa, wait a minute. Im not fucking anybody but you, alright? Wait…that’s not even true because we haven’t had sex in forever. All those other bitches you’re talking about at your job, are just jealous! All of them are jealous because I chose you! Do you understand me? I want you and only you. I don’t care about all these other females! These other females are stuck on the past. They are my past, baby! You are my present and my future! I’ll be anything you want me to be…I’ll do anything you want me to do, but Im not losing you! I love you! Not these other bitches. Stop letting them feed all that shit to you.”
“Then stop hiding shit from me, Nick!”
“Baby, I do that because I don’t want you to stress, but apparently that’s not helping.”
They both paused and took a deep breath.
Sabrina looked at her watch and realized she was running late for work. “I have to go.” Sabrina said as she sniffed.
“Just tell me what you want me to do, to make things better.” Nick said calmly in a low tone as he stared into her eyes.
Sabrina looked away and shoved her hair behind her ear as a tear dropped down her cheek.
Nick lightly wiped her tear away with his thumb. Sabrina shrugged her shoulder and shook her head.
“I don’t know, Nick. That’s something for you to figure out…not me. But…I just feel like…it’s too late.”
“No…it’s not.” Nick said cradling her face in his hands and lightly pressing his forehead against hers.
Sabrina grabbed his hands wanting to pull them away from her face. “Nick…”
“Im not giving up on us…so you can forget it.” Nick said as he closed his eyes.
“Maybe you should.”
Nick opened his eyes and looked at her as he pulled his forehead away from hers.
“Nick, I have to go.” Sabrina said as her voice trembled.
She then moved away as Nick finally allowed her to open her car door and hop inside. Nick kept his eyes on her as she avoided his eye contact. She pulled away without looking at him.
-------------------
_
Nick walked to his car and hopped inside. He heard his new
cell phone ringing that he had left in his car while inside with Sabrina at the
doctor’s office. He didn’t recognize the number, but he answered anyway.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Nick?” said a female’s voice.
Nick couldn’t catch on to her voice.
“It’s me, Miley. We’ve been calling you all morning. Joanna had the baby.”
“What?” Nick asked in shock.
“Yeah. You should probably get here. She’s been asking for you ever since yesterday.”
“Alright…Im on my way.” Nick said as he pulled out of the doctor’s office parking lot.
Several minutes later, Nick was walking toward the NICU floor. Nick walked into Joanna’s room to see Melissa, Josslyn, and Miley with Joanna resting in bed.
“Daddy!” Josslyn shouted as she ran up to him.
Nick swooped her up into his arms. “Hey baby.” He said softly giving her a kiss on the cheek. “Where have you been? You don’t like answering your phone do you?” Melissa, Joanna’s mother, said with a smug on her face.
“Im here now aren’t I?” Nick responded with sarcasm.
“Well she’s been in labor all morning. No thanks to you. Where were you yesterday? You never came to see her and it made her upset. Now the baby’s here.” Melissa said as her voice started to quiver. “The baby has all those wires on him…” she started to tear up.
“Mom…calm down. Little man will be okay. He’s going to be okay.” Miley said wrapping her arms around her mother trying to calm her.
“What did the doctor’s say?” Nick asked softly as he held on to Josslyn.
“He has a lot of complications. Joanna had to have an emergency c-section because the baby was becoming more distressed and Jo wasn’t dilating fast enough. He has a lot of tubes coming from everywhere. He’s having trouble breathing. But, we hope he'll be fine.” Miley informed Nick.
Nick looked at Joanna who slowly started to wake up.
“Nick…” she said in a weak voice.
Nick stepped up to her and grabbed her hand. Nick looked up at Miley and asked, “How is she?” “Jo?…she should recover well. The doctors are keeping a close eye on her blood pressure.”
“Daddy, the baby only weighs 4 pounds. He is sooo little.”
“You saw him already?” Nick asked Josslyn.
Josslyn smiled and nodded her head. “He is so cute. Let’s go see little Nicky.” Josslyn said as she wiggled herself out of Nick’s grasp.
Nick looked at Joanna as Josslyn tugged on his arm. “Little Nicky?”
“Don’t ask why…but she named that precious baby after you.” Melissa said as she dabbed her eyes from tearing up.
“You what?” Nick asked with anger and shock.
Joanna smiled as she continued to daze in and out.
“His name is Nicholas Junior. He’s your first son, Nick.” Joanna said weakly.
“Daddy, c’mon!” Josslyn whined as she pulled Nick’s arm harder.
Nick finally went into Josslyn’s direction. They walked to the separate NICU department.
“Joss! Sweetie, come back, you can’t go in there.” Miley said rushing after them.
“I was just showing daddy, where little Nicky is.” Josslyn pouted.
Miley grabbed Josslyn’s hand.
“He’s right thru that door. You have to put that gown on over your clothes.” Miley informed Nick of the baby’s where abouts.
Nick did just so. A nurse helped him with putting the thin hospital gown on before seeing the baby.
The nurse smiled, “Are you the father?”
Nick lightly chuckled and hesitated.
“Don’t be nervous or scared. He will be fine.” The nurse told Nick as she escorted him up to the incubator that the baby was inside.
Nick saw the small baby with tubes all over him. His heart broke.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Nick?” said a female’s voice.
Nick couldn’t catch on to her voice.
“It’s me, Miley. We’ve been calling you all morning. Joanna had the baby.”
“What?” Nick asked in shock.
“Yeah. You should probably get here. She’s been asking for you ever since yesterday.”
“Alright…Im on my way.” Nick said as he pulled out of the doctor’s office parking lot.
Several minutes later, Nick was walking toward the NICU floor. Nick walked into Joanna’s room to see Melissa, Josslyn, and Miley with Joanna resting in bed.
“Daddy!” Josslyn shouted as she ran up to him.
Nick swooped her up into his arms. “Hey baby.” He said softly giving her a kiss on the cheek. “Where have you been? You don’t like answering your phone do you?” Melissa, Joanna’s mother, said with a smug on her face.
“Im here now aren’t I?” Nick responded with sarcasm.
“Well she’s been in labor all morning. No thanks to you. Where were you yesterday? You never came to see her and it made her upset. Now the baby’s here.” Melissa said as her voice started to quiver. “The baby has all those wires on him…” she started to tear up.
“Mom…calm down. Little man will be okay. He’s going to be okay.” Miley said wrapping her arms around her mother trying to calm her.
“What did the doctor’s say?” Nick asked softly as he held on to Josslyn.
“He has a lot of complications. Joanna had to have an emergency c-section because the baby was becoming more distressed and Jo wasn’t dilating fast enough. He has a lot of tubes coming from everywhere. He’s having trouble breathing. But, we hope he'll be fine.” Miley informed Nick.
Nick looked at Joanna who slowly started to wake up.
“Nick…” she said in a weak voice.
Nick stepped up to her and grabbed her hand. Nick looked up at Miley and asked, “How is she?” “Jo?…she should recover well. The doctors are keeping a close eye on her blood pressure.”
“Daddy, the baby only weighs 4 pounds. He is sooo little.”
“You saw him already?” Nick asked Josslyn.
Josslyn smiled and nodded her head. “He is so cute. Let’s go see little Nicky.” Josslyn said as she wiggled herself out of Nick’s grasp.
Nick looked at Joanna as Josslyn tugged on his arm. “Little Nicky?”
“Don’t ask why…but she named that precious baby after you.” Melissa said as she dabbed her eyes from tearing up.
“You what?” Nick asked with anger and shock.
Joanna smiled as she continued to daze in and out.
“His name is Nicholas Junior. He’s your first son, Nick.” Joanna said weakly.
“Daddy, c’mon!” Josslyn whined as she pulled Nick’s arm harder.
Nick finally went into Josslyn’s direction. They walked to the separate NICU department.
“Joss! Sweetie, come back, you can’t go in there.” Miley said rushing after them.
“I was just showing daddy, where little Nicky is.” Josslyn pouted.
Miley grabbed Josslyn’s hand.
“He’s right thru that door. You have to put that gown on over your clothes.” Miley informed Nick of the baby’s where abouts.
Nick did just so. A nurse helped him with putting the thin hospital gown on before seeing the baby.
The nurse smiled, “Are you the father?”
Nick lightly chuckled and hesitated.
“Don’t be nervous or scared. He will be fine.” The nurse told Nick as she escorted him up to the incubator that the baby was inside.
Nick saw the small baby with tubes all over him. His heart broke.
_ “Let him know you’re here. Talk to him. He’ll recognize your
voice.” The nurse said with a smiled as she lightly patted Nick’s back.
Nick kept his eyes on the small baby. He took his index finger touching the baby’s hand. The baby gradually wrapped his hand around Nick’s finger. Nick couldn’t believe it. He smiled.
“Hey.” said a female's voice.
Nick looked up to see Miley standing there with a smile.
“Hey.” Nick said softly as he briefly looked at her and then back at the baby.
“He’s a champ, right?” Miley said looking down at the baby with a smile.
Nick smiled saying, “Yeah.”
Miley stood on the other side of the incubator across from Nick. She looked at Nick and cleared her throat.
“You know, Nick. Everybody in the family doesn’t blame you for Joanna going into labor so early.” Nick chuckled at the thought. “Well, your mother sure does. I think I am number 1 on her shit list.” Miley giggled. “Yeah…well…can you blame her, Nick?”
Nick didn’t respond. He continued to admire the baby laying before him.
Miley continued to speak softly, “Look at him, Nick. He’s so adorable…how can you deny him?” Nick didn’t respond.
“You know he’s yours Nick. Jo wasn’t with anyone else. She’s so incredibly head over heels in love with you, she just never knew how to tell you. And then you broke her heart.”
Nick shook his head in disagreement. “Im not in love with her.” Nick said quietly.
“Well…that’s fine. But you can’t deny the fact that you’re in love with this precious little baby. He’s your son. Your first born son. I know that…Sabrina…is pregnant with your child and all…but..Jo had your child first. She had your first child and your first born son…show her a little respect.”
Nick chuckled and shook his head. “I am so... Sick... of everyone telling me to treat her with respect. How am I not respecting her?” Nick said calmly as he tried to refrain from getting too angry.
“Don’t put her thru the paternity tests. Just fess up...baby Nicky is yours. Jo doesn’t deserve this.” “Yeah well…Im not doing the paternity test for Jo or for anyone else. Im doing it for myself. I need to know for sure that Im the father... for myself.” Nick said keeping his eyes on the baby.
“You already know, Nick. You already know.” Miley said softly.
She then slowly walked away. Nick took a slow deep breath as his head filled with so many thoughts. Sabrina flashed into his head, and their son she was carrying. What would Sabrina say knowing that they couldn’t name their son Nicholas Jr, because Joanna already took the name. Nick felt like the life he wanted was crumbling down right before his eyes. Yet, this baby was holding on to his life like a champion. Nick was so proud of the baby laying in front of him. Even though he was having health issues, he was strong. He had been holding on strong to Nick’s finger ever since he stood by his side. Nick felt his eyes begin to well up with tears.
“Hi, excuse me…Nicholas Lancaster?” said a female’s voice snapping Nick out of his thoughts. Nick quickly turned as he dried his eyes to prevent any tears from falling. “Yeah?”
“Hi…Im nurse Angela. I understand you wanted to set up a paternity test?”
“Yes.”
“Okay…right this way.” Angela said as she gestured for Nick to follow her.
------------------
Nick kept his eyes on the small baby. He took his index finger touching the baby’s hand. The baby gradually wrapped his hand around Nick’s finger. Nick couldn’t believe it. He smiled.
“Hey.” said a female's voice.
Nick looked up to see Miley standing there with a smile.
“Hey.” Nick said softly as he briefly looked at her and then back at the baby.
“He’s a champ, right?” Miley said looking down at the baby with a smile.
Nick smiled saying, “Yeah.”
Miley stood on the other side of the incubator across from Nick. She looked at Nick and cleared her throat.
“You know, Nick. Everybody in the family doesn’t blame you for Joanna going into labor so early.” Nick chuckled at the thought. “Well, your mother sure does. I think I am number 1 on her shit list.” Miley giggled. “Yeah…well…can you blame her, Nick?”
Nick didn’t respond. He continued to admire the baby laying before him.
Miley continued to speak softly, “Look at him, Nick. He’s so adorable…how can you deny him?” Nick didn’t respond.
“You know he’s yours Nick. Jo wasn’t with anyone else. She’s so incredibly head over heels in love with you, she just never knew how to tell you. And then you broke her heart.”
Nick shook his head in disagreement. “Im not in love with her.” Nick said quietly.
“Well…that’s fine. But you can’t deny the fact that you’re in love with this precious little baby. He’s your son. Your first born son. I know that…Sabrina…is pregnant with your child and all…but..Jo had your child first. She had your first child and your first born son…show her a little respect.”
Nick chuckled and shook his head. “I am so... Sick... of everyone telling me to treat her with respect. How am I not respecting her?” Nick said calmly as he tried to refrain from getting too angry.
“Don’t put her thru the paternity tests. Just fess up...baby Nicky is yours. Jo doesn’t deserve this.” “Yeah well…Im not doing the paternity test for Jo or for anyone else. Im doing it for myself. I need to know for sure that Im the father... for myself.” Nick said keeping his eyes on the baby.
“You already know, Nick. You already know.” Miley said softly.
She then slowly walked away. Nick took a slow deep breath as his head filled with so many thoughts. Sabrina flashed into his head, and their son she was carrying. What would Sabrina say knowing that they couldn’t name their son Nicholas Jr, because Joanna already took the name. Nick felt like the life he wanted was crumbling down right before his eyes. Yet, this baby was holding on to his life like a champion. Nick was so proud of the baby laying in front of him. Even though he was having health issues, he was strong. He had been holding on strong to Nick’s finger ever since he stood by his side. Nick felt his eyes begin to well up with tears.
“Hi, excuse me…Nicholas Lancaster?” said a female’s voice snapping Nick out of his thoughts. Nick quickly turned as he dried his eyes to prevent any tears from falling. “Yeah?”
“Hi…Im nurse Angela. I understand you wanted to set up a paternity test?”
“Yes.”
“Okay…right this way.” Angela said as she gestured for Nick to follow her.
------------------
_ Sabrina walked off the elevator on her floor and proceeded to walk to her office. She looked at her watch and saw that it was 10 minutes til her 9am meeting with Richard and Heather.
As she quickly rushed toward her office, another female who worked on her floor rushed up to her.
“Sabrina, where have you been?”
“I had a doctor’s appointment this morning.” Sabrina responded as she stared at the woman who looked panicked.
“Heather has been looking for you! Her and Richard are pissed. Everyone has been calling your cell phone…” the woman said.
Sabrina remembered that she had turned her cell phone off so her phone would not affect any of the machines while she was at her doctor’s appointment. Sabrina then frowned as she looked at the woman.
“Why? What’s wrong? Did I miss something?”
“Well, yeah! You’re about 50 minutes of missing something. That meeting was at 8am this morning.”
Sabrina’s eyes widened. “What?! I thought it was at 9am!”
“Well, you thought wrong. You better get there!” The woman said and rushed off to her desk.
Sabrina quickly rushed into her office and put her personal belongings away. She then grabbed all the files she needed for the meeting. She quickly made her way to the conference room the meeting was being held. Sabrina took a deep breath and opened the door. Everyone in the conference room locked their eyes on her as she walked in.
As she quickly rushed toward her office, another female who worked on her floor rushed up to her.
“Sabrina, where have you been?”
“I had a doctor’s appointment this morning.” Sabrina responded as she stared at the woman who looked panicked.
“Heather has been looking for you! Her and Richard are pissed. Everyone has been calling your cell phone…” the woman said.
Sabrina remembered that she had turned her cell phone off so her phone would not affect any of the machines while she was at her doctor’s appointment. Sabrina then frowned as she looked at the woman.
“Why? What’s wrong? Did I miss something?”
“Well, yeah! You’re about 50 minutes of missing something. That meeting was at 8am this morning.”
Sabrina’s eyes widened. “What?! I thought it was at 9am!”
“Well, you thought wrong. You better get there!” The woman said and rushed off to her desk.
Sabrina quickly rushed into her office and put her personal belongings away. She then grabbed all the files she needed for the meeting. She quickly made her way to the conference room the meeting was being held. Sabrina took a deep breath and opened the door. Everyone in the conference room locked their eyes on her as she walked in.
_
There was Richard at the head of the table, Heather sat next
to him, Zoe sat beside her, Kevin sat across from Zoe, and Kevin’s boss, Matt, sat
beside Kevin. There were also two other people there who were the clients, James & Morrison,
of which the project was for.
“I…am so sorry.” Sabrina said as she tucked her hair behind her ear.
“Glad you decided to join us when we were just about to wrap things up.” Richard said with heavy sarcasm.
Sabrina eased her way over to take a seat at the end of the table. She noticed Kevin’s eyes were stuck on her. She quickly looked away and began opening up the folders she had brought in with her.
“Gentleman…maybe we can start over…if you have the time so we can see what my late employee has to offer you.” Richard said speaking to the clients in the room.
“Yes…I think we can spare at least 15 more minutes.” One client said.
Richard nodded and looked at Sabrina. “You have 15 minutes. Go.” Richard said with a frustrated expression as he sat back in his plush leather chair.
Sabrina took a deep breath and nodded. “Okay.”
She swallowed hard feeling so rushed and unprepared. She hated the pressure. She looked thru her folders and the reports that Ariana gave to her to have for this very meeting. The more she looked thru them, she realized they were nothing of what she expected Ariana to have given her. Everything was wrong. Why didn’t she see this before? Why didn’t she look at this over the weekend? Sabrina’s heart began to race. She could feel her body temperature rise and feel her face flush red with embarrassment.
Sabrina knew everyone’s eyes were burning into her as they waited for her to speak. She wanted to crawl under the table feeling shame. But she knew she had to look up and explain herself at some point. She was not prepared for the meeting. How was she going to pull this off?
“Sabrina?” Sabrina heard Heather call out to her feeling impatient.
Sabrina snapped out of her thoughts and looked up at everyone.
“Uhmm…” Sabrina nervously hesitated. “I…didn’t have a chance to go over the reports.”
“Figures…” Sabrina heard Zoe mumble under her breath.
“Well…do you have them with you? Maybe we can just briefly look over them.” Richard said sitting up and placing his prescription glasses over his eyes ready to read something.
“I …don’t have them with me.” Sabrina said slowly feeling embarrassed.
“Are they in your office?” Heather asked coldly.
“No.” Sabrina responded slowly once again.
Everyone stared at her waiting for her to continue.
Sabrina finally continued as she took a deep breath. “I…don’t have them at all. But…” Sabrina said as she brought her attention to the clients, James & Morrison, sitting at the table, “I can get them together and have all the designs for your ad as soon as possible.”
“How long is 'as soon as possible'?” The client asked.
“In a week...” Sabrina stated but more so in a question wondering if that was okay.
“Richard that is unacceptable. We can’t wait another week. Do you know how much money we are investing into this ad. Time is essence.” The client said annoyed as he spoke to Richard.
“You are right, and I agree.” Richard stated.
“We were counting on you all for these designs and you keep putting us off. If we don’t get the information we need in at least 48hours as we said before…we are going to have to go with another advertising company.” The client said wrapping up his belongings.
“No worries, sir. We will have this all under control for you in 48 hours. Right Sabrina?” Richard said with a slight scowl on his face.
“Yes, sir.” Sabrina said as she swallowed hard.
“Very well. Thank you for your time. Richard…we will be in touch.” The client and his partner stood up and walked out of the office.
Everyone in the office were gathering their things and prepared to leave as well.
As Richard escorted the gentleman out the door of the conference, he raised his hand up to his team as if telling them to stay put. Everyone sat back down at the table.
Sabrina sat down and felt so bad. For her entire working career, she had never made a huge mistake like this before and she felt absolutely awful.
Once Richard was done saying his goodbyes to the clients he closed the door and walked over toward Sabrina as he stood at the table. “This is a complete and utter embarrassment. I have never had any clients want to walk out on an advertising deal. Never.”
“I am so sorry, it won’t happen again.” Sabrina stated quietly as she looked down.
“You’re damn right it wont.” Richard stated calmly looking everywhere but at Sabrina.
“Uhmm, Richard…Sir…it’s obvious that this project is too much for her to handle. If you would like for me to take over, I can.” Zoe spoke proudly.
Sabrina rolled her eyes and quietly sighed.
“I think you may have to. Sabrina, do I need to turn this over to Zoe because you can’t handle it?” Richard stated now looking at Sabrina.
Sabrina immediately looked up at Richard. “No. I can handle it. Just give me another chance, and I can prove it to you.”
Richard stared at Sabrina as if not sure he should trust her.
“I can do it, Richard.” Sabrina reassured him again.
“I’ll help her.” Kevin said speaking up.
Sabrina faintly smiled at Kevin. Richard looked at Kevin and then at his boss Matt.
“Matt…are you willing to allow Kevin to help Sabrina?” Richard asked.
“Yeah…as long as he can still handle his other sales.” Matt responded.
“Of course I can. Im superman.” Kevin smiled showing his dimples.
“Well then… I expect to see results on Wednesday. First thing in the morning.” Richard stated firmly and walked out of the conference room.
Everyone started to get up from their chairs preparing to leave. Sabrina quickly hopped up and rushed toward the door, blocking everyone from leaving. Everyone stopped and looked at Sabrina with a puzzled expression.
“Uhmmm…actually, I could use everyone’s help.” Sabrina said moving her hair strands behind her ear. “I know asking you guys to work a few hours after work is really short notice, but if you can, that’s even better. But if not, I really need you guys today and tomorrow.” Sabrina said in almost a pleading tone mainly looking at Zoe.
“Well…I have other meetings planned for today, so I can’t help you…sorry.” Zoe stated coldly.
“Well…that’s what Im asking you to do. Clear out any meetings you have today and tomorrow. The more we can meet…the better.” Sabrina stated.
Zoe rolled her eyes and sighed. “Fine…what time?”
Sabrina smiled. “Im not sure yet. I will look at my calendar and send an email out shortly with details.”
“Well, let me know how I can be of assistance. Im sure Kevin will keep me posted.” Matt said as he walked out of the door.
“Thanks, Matt.” Sabrina said quietly giving him a faint smile as he passed her out of the door.
Zoe then walked past Sabrina. She glared at her but kept walking out.
Sabrina was about to walk back to the table to get her folders when Heather stepped up to her. “I need you to get it together.” Heather said thru her teeth.
“I know…Heather Im so sorry—“
“Let me tell you something. You keep this up, and you wont hear the last of it.”
“Heather, I understand you're upset right now, but I –“
“You are putting my job on the line. You fix it. You fix it now…do you understand me?” Heather said in a threatening tone.
Sabrina looked away and looked back into Heather’s icy blue eyes. “Yes. I understand.” Sabrina responded calmly.
Heather glared at Sabrina and quickly turned away from her walking out of the door.
Sabrina stared at Heather as she walked away. She was clearly upset at Sabrina.
Sabrina snapped out of her thoughts when she heard Kevin step up to her as he whistled a tune of doom.
“Whew…tough crowd.”
Sabrina lightly smiled at him. She walked away from him toward the table to gather her folders. Kevin followed her over to the table.
“Yeah…that’s for sure. Thanks for volunteering to help. I really appreciate it.”
“Absolutely. And just so you know…Im available whenever you need me. During work…after work…before…you know? The whole shebang.” Kevin flashed his dimpled smile at Sabrina. Sabrina giggled. “Thanks. Be careful…I might take you up on that offer.”
“I hope you do.” Kevin said flirtatiously.
Sabrina noticed how he gazed into her eyes making her blush a little. She smiled back at him avoiding his eye contact and proceeded to walk toward the door.
“So..hey, uh…” Kevin hesitated as he took two quick steps to jump in front of her.
Sabrina stopped to look at him.
“I was kind of wondering if we could kind of get the elephant out of the room before we carry on with the day… about last night…”
Sabrina clutched her folders up to her chest as she stared at Kevin.
“I apologize about that whole …” Kevin struggled to find the right words to say.
Sabrina interrupted him saying, “No, it’s okay…I apologize as well. But don’t worry…it won’t…happen again.” Sabrina looked away awkwardly.
“Right…it won’t happen again…” Kevin said in deep thoughts. He then continued quietly as he followed Sabrina out of the conference room, “…it won’t happen again…got it.”
An hour or so later when Sabrina was walking back to her office from the copying room, she passed by Ariana’s desk who was now there at her computer. Sabrina slammed a stack of papers down on her desk saying, “Hey.”
“I…am so sorry.” Sabrina said as she tucked her hair behind her ear.
“Glad you decided to join us when we were just about to wrap things up.” Richard said with heavy sarcasm.
Sabrina eased her way over to take a seat at the end of the table. She noticed Kevin’s eyes were stuck on her. She quickly looked away and began opening up the folders she had brought in with her.
“Gentleman…maybe we can start over…if you have the time so we can see what my late employee has to offer you.” Richard said speaking to the clients in the room.
“Yes…I think we can spare at least 15 more minutes.” One client said.
Richard nodded and looked at Sabrina. “You have 15 minutes. Go.” Richard said with a frustrated expression as he sat back in his plush leather chair.
Sabrina took a deep breath and nodded. “Okay.”
She swallowed hard feeling so rushed and unprepared. She hated the pressure. She looked thru her folders and the reports that Ariana gave to her to have for this very meeting. The more she looked thru them, she realized they were nothing of what she expected Ariana to have given her. Everything was wrong. Why didn’t she see this before? Why didn’t she look at this over the weekend? Sabrina’s heart began to race. She could feel her body temperature rise and feel her face flush red with embarrassment.
Sabrina knew everyone’s eyes were burning into her as they waited for her to speak. She wanted to crawl under the table feeling shame. But she knew she had to look up and explain herself at some point. She was not prepared for the meeting. How was she going to pull this off?
“Sabrina?” Sabrina heard Heather call out to her feeling impatient.
Sabrina snapped out of her thoughts and looked up at everyone.
“Uhmm…” Sabrina nervously hesitated. “I…didn’t have a chance to go over the reports.”
“Figures…” Sabrina heard Zoe mumble under her breath.
“Well…do you have them with you? Maybe we can just briefly look over them.” Richard said sitting up and placing his prescription glasses over his eyes ready to read something.
“I …don’t have them with me.” Sabrina said slowly feeling embarrassed.
“Are they in your office?” Heather asked coldly.
“No.” Sabrina responded slowly once again.
Everyone stared at her waiting for her to continue.
Sabrina finally continued as she took a deep breath. “I…don’t have them at all. But…” Sabrina said as she brought her attention to the clients, James & Morrison, sitting at the table, “I can get them together and have all the designs for your ad as soon as possible.”
“How long is 'as soon as possible'?” The client asked.
“In a week...” Sabrina stated but more so in a question wondering if that was okay.
“Richard that is unacceptable. We can’t wait another week. Do you know how much money we are investing into this ad. Time is essence.” The client said annoyed as he spoke to Richard.
“You are right, and I agree.” Richard stated.
“We were counting on you all for these designs and you keep putting us off. If we don’t get the information we need in at least 48hours as we said before…we are going to have to go with another advertising company.” The client said wrapping up his belongings.
“No worries, sir. We will have this all under control for you in 48 hours. Right Sabrina?” Richard said with a slight scowl on his face.
“Yes, sir.” Sabrina said as she swallowed hard.
“Very well. Thank you for your time. Richard…we will be in touch.” The client and his partner stood up and walked out of the office.
Everyone in the office were gathering their things and prepared to leave as well.
As Richard escorted the gentleman out the door of the conference, he raised his hand up to his team as if telling them to stay put. Everyone sat back down at the table.
Sabrina sat down and felt so bad. For her entire working career, she had never made a huge mistake like this before and she felt absolutely awful.
Once Richard was done saying his goodbyes to the clients he closed the door and walked over toward Sabrina as he stood at the table. “This is a complete and utter embarrassment. I have never had any clients want to walk out on an advertising deal. Never.”
“I am so sorry, it won’t happen again.” Sabrina stated quietly as she looked down.
“You’re damn right it wont.” Richard stated calmly looking everywhere but at Sabrina.
“Uhmm, Richard…Sir…it’s obvious that this project is too much for her to handle. If you would like for me to take over, I can.” Zoe spoke proudly.
Sabrina rolled her eyes and quietly sighed.
“I think you may have to. Sabrina, do I need to turn this over to Zoe because you can’t handle it?” Richard stated now looking at Sabrina.
Sabrina immediately looked up at Richard. “No. I can handle it. Just give me another chance, and I can prove it to you.”
Richard stared at Sabrina as if not sure he should trust her.
“I can do it, Richard.” Sabrina reassured him again.
“I’ll help her.” Kevin said speaking up.
Sabrina faintly smiled at Kevin. Richard looked at Kevin and then at his boss Matt.
“Matt…are you willing to allow Kevin to help Sabrina?” Richard asked.
“Yeah…as long as he can still handle his other sales.” Matt responded.
“Of course I can. Im superman.” Kevin smiled showing his dimples.
“Well then… I expect to see results on Wednesday. First thing in the morning.” Richard stated firmly and walked out of the conference room.
Everyone started to get up from their chairs preparing to leave. Sabrina quickly hopped up and rushed toward the door, blocking everyone from leaving. Everyone stopped and looked at Sabrina with a puzzled expression.
“Uhmmm…actually, I could use everyone’s help.” Sabrina said moving her hair strands behind her ear. “I know asking you guys to work a few hours after work is really short notice, but if you can, that’s even better. But if not, I really need you guys today and tomorrow.” Sabrina said in almost a pleading tone mainly looking at Zoe.
“Well…I have other meetings planned for today, so I can’t help you…sorry.” Zoe stated coldly.
“Well…that’s what Im asking you to do. Clear out any meetings you have today and tomorrow. The more we can meet…the better.” Sabrina stated.
Zoe rolled her eyes and sighed. “Fine…what time?”
Sabrina smiled. “Im not sure yet. I will look at my calendar and send an email out shortly with details.”
“Well, let me know how I can be of assistance. Im sure Kevin will keep me posted.” Matt said as he walked out of the door.
“Thanks, Matt.” Sabrina said quietly giving him a faint smile as he passed her out of the door.
Zoe then walked past Sabrina. She glared at her but kept walking out.
Sabrina was about to walk back to the table to get her folders when Heather stepped up to her. “I need you to get it together.” Heather said thru her teeth.
“I know…Heather Im so sorry—“
“Let me tell you something. You keep this up, and you wont hear the last of it.”
“Heather, I understand you're upset right now, but I –“
“You are putting my job on the line. You fix it. You fix it now…do you understand me?” Heather said in a threatening tone.
Sabrina looked away and looked back into Heather’s icy blue eyes. “Yes. I understand.” Sabrina responded calmly.
Heather glared at Sabrina and quickly turned away from her walking out of the door.
Sabrina stared at Heather as she walked away. She was clearly upset at Sabrina.
Sabrina snapped out of her thoughts when she heard Kevin step up to her as he whistled a tune of doom.
“Whew…tough crowd.”
Sabrina lightly smiled at him. She walked away from him toward the table to gather her folders. Kevin followed her over to the table.
“Yeah…that’s for sure. Thanks for volunteering to help. I really appreciate it.”
“Absolutely. And just so you know…Im available whenever you need me. During work…after work…before…you know? The whole shebang.” Kevin flashed his dimpled smile at Sabrina. Sabrina giggled. “Thanks. Be careful…I might take you up on that offer.”
“I hope you do.” Kevin said flirtatiously.
Sabrina noticed how he gazed into her eyes making her blush a little. She smiled back at him avoiding his eye contact and proceeded to walk toward the door.
“So..hey, uh…” Kevin hesitated as he took two quick steps to jump in front of her.
Sabrina stopped to look at him.
“I was kind of wondering if we could kind of get the elephant out of the room before we carry on with the day… about last night…”
Sabrina clutched her folders up to her chest as she stared at Kevin.
“I apologize about that whole …” Kevin struggled to find the right words to say.
Sabrina interrupted him saying, “No, it’s okay…I apologize as well. But don’t worry…it won’t…happen again.” Sabrina looked away awkwardly.
“Right…it won’t happen again…” Kevin said in deep thoughts. He then continued quietly as he followed Sabrina out of the conference room, “…it won’t happen again…got it.”
An hour or so later when Sabrina was walking back to her office from the copying room, she passed by Ariana’s desk who was now there at her computer. Sabrina slammed a stack of papers down on her desk saying, “Hey.”
_ Ariana jumped and looked up at Sabrina. “Hi, good morning.”
“What happened to those reports I asked you to get together for the meeting this morning?” Sabrina asked slightly angry.
“What…I gave them to you on Friday, remember?”
“I asked you for James and Morrison reports not Morrison and Morisson reports.” Sabrina said annoyed when she saw how dumbfounded Ariana appeared.
“No…I have it down that you asked for Morrison and Morisson…you said nothing about James.”
“I know what I told you, Ariana.”
“And I know what you told me as well, Sabrina, because I actually wrote it down.” Ariana said with an attitude as she shoved a piece of posted note sticky paper in front of Sabrina to show her.
Sabrina looked down at the sticky note. Sabrina didn’t think it proved anything since she could have written it down at anytime. Sabrina decided to drop the issue at hand and switch the subject.
“What about the timing of the meeting this morning? You told me it started at 9am not 8am.”
Ariana stared blankly at Sabrina. She finally responded with a shrug, “Oops.”
Sabrina frowned at her. “Oops? Do you understand how important this meeting was this morning and you gave me the incorrect information.”
“So….it’s all my fault that you’re not doing your job?”
“You are my assistant. That could be grounds for termination.”
Ariana laughed sarcastically. “You can’t fire me. I don’t work for you. I work for Heather. If you have any problems, I suggest you talk to her.” Ariana said coldly.
She picked up some papers and stood up from her chair. “Excuse me…I have more important work to handle.” Ariana rolled her eyes at Sabrina and walked off.
Sabrina placed her hands on her hips as she watched Ariana walk off. It was clear to her that she couldn’t use Ariana as an assistant. This wasn’t the first time she flubbed on the work Sabrina had given to her. But this time it went too far. Sabrina thought she should talk to Heather.
Sabrina walked to Heather’s office. Her door was open and Sabrina walked right in.
“Do you have a second?” Sabrina said before realizing Heather was on her phone.
Heather held up her hand telling her to wait. Sabrina stood there and waited patiently.
“Okay, I will. Thank you so much. Talk later. Bye, bye.” Heather said with a smile as she spoke into the phone. She replaced the phone back down on the receiver and looked at Sabrina as her smile quickly faded. “What.”
Sabrina attempted to close her door when Heather stopped her.
“Oh no…no need to close the door. You won’t be in here long. You could have at least knocked before barging into my office.”
“Sorry.” Sabrina said feeling flustered. She continued, “I came in here to talk to you about Ariana. I gave her some files to help get that report done, but she totally worked the wrong thing which is why I didn’t have what was needed for the meeting. Heather, this is not the first time that she has messed up with the work I have given her –“
“Are you really coming in here blaming the assistant for something you are supposed to do?”
“I have a lot on my plate, as the assistant she should assist me and she is not doing her job—“
“I don’t think you are doing your job, Sabrina. Look…Ariana is not going anywhere. If anyone is going anywhere it should be you, if you ask me. But Richard seems to think you were God’s gift to him.” Heather said rolling her eyes. “So…either you do your job, like you’re supposed to, so you don’t jeopardize my job…or you quit. Which would prove that this job was never for you. So make your choice. I would suggest you do your damn job until you have that baby.”
Sabrina frowned at Heather. She couldn’t believe the words she was saying to her.
“Fine...but you know I don’t have to take this type of behavior from you. I can go above your head.”
Heather laughed sarcastically. “Please. I have connections, dear. You go above my head, and I’ll see to it that you will never work in the advertising world again. Including Sean Connery’s company. Trust me.” Heather smiled sarcastically at Sabrina.
Sabrina glared at Heather. “If you don’t want me here…why did you hire me?”
Heather giggled. “It was a favor. That husband of yours is such a charmer.” Heather smiled. Sabrina immediately turned to walk out of her office.
Once again, Nick was controlling her life. So it was true. Nick planned everything. He planned for her to get this job.
Sabrina rushed into her office and closed the door behind her. She was so upset. It was almost like she could feel her blood pressure rise. Sabrina knew she didn’t have time to even think about her issues at home. She had too much work to handle. Sabrina attempted to work when she couldn’t get her mind focused. She decided to call the one person she knew that no matter what would make her laugh.
“This is Raven, how can I help you?”
“Good morning chica!” Sabrina responded in the phone.
Raven shrieked into the phone. “Sabrinnaa! Girl, what are you doing calling me at work. We both should be working right now! Oh! Wait…I know what you’re going to say. Yes I made it safe and sound from my date. Brin, that guy was crazy! So crazy…I think I might go out with him again, if he wants to spend money like that!” Raven laughed.
“Raven…I need to talk to you.” Sabrina spoke seriuosly.
Raven’s smile slowly faded when she noticed the seriousness in Sabrina’s tone. “Girl, what’s wrong?” Raven asked now with concern.
Sabrina proceeded to tell Raven the situation that just went down at her job with Ariana, Zoe and Heather.
“What do I do, Raven? I don’t know what to do.” Sabrina finished as she massaged her forehead.
“Brin, go to the HR. Let human resources handle all of them. Heather don’t have any connections. I call her bluff. She sure as hell don’t have any kind of connections over the Sean Connery. I don’t know what this Richard Gere guy is like, but he got nothing on Sean Connery. Don’t let Heather get to you, girl. And you know what? If you don’t like the way HR will handle it…I say quit that damn job!”
“But then I feel like I totally failed.” Sabrina said in deep thoughts.
“Failed? That’s not possible. You have Nick. Girl, Nick makes plenty of cash! Let your man take care of you…in more than one way if you know what I mean…” Raven laughed. “Well, of course you know, that’s why your tail is sitting there pregnant now!” Raven teased Sabrina.
Sabrina lightly laughed thinking about Nick and his lies. If only Raven knew the whole story, Sabrina thought.
“But seriously, Brin…don’t stress over that job. You’re stressing the baby…” Raven suddenly gasped and asked with excitement, “Didn’t you find out the sex of the baby today? Please tell me it’s a girl, please let it be girl, please let it be a girl…” Raven pleaded.
Sabrina laughed. “It’s a boy.”
“Awwww another boy! Oh my God, girl you are going to get tired of all those ding-a-lings running around there!” Raven laughed.
Sabrina joined in her laughter.
“But Im happy for my friend. Congrats to a new healthy baby boy, Brin.”
“Thank you Raven.”
“But seriously, go to HR…if they don’t handle things right, just quit. Stay home, let Nick take care of you and just love life.”
“Thanks, Rave.”
“You’re welcome girl. You better call me if anything goes down, because you know I will be down there in 4 hours, 59 minutes and 59 seconds!”
Sabrina laughed. “I love you!”
“I love you too girl! But I gotta go…there is some man standing at my office door with a package in his hand looking at me, like im crazy for working in my office, in my chair, on my phone!” Raven then held the phone away from her mouth saying, “Can I help you sir?”
There was a short pause and Raven continued in a hush tone as she spoke into the phone, “Ok girl I got to go, this man wants me to sign off on this package, standing there looking all sexy…let me see if I can get his number.”
Sabrina laughed loudly.
Raven giggled, “I gotta go, girl. Talk to ya later!”
Sabrina laughed and ended her call. And that was why she loved her best friend.
“What happened to those reports I asked you to get together for the meeting this morning?” Sabrina asked slightly angry.
“What…I gave them to you on Friday, remember?”
“I asked you for James and Morrison reports not Morrison and Morisson reports.” Sabrina said annoyed when she saw how dumbfounded Ariana appeared.
“No…I have it down that you asked for Morrison and Morisson…you said nothing about James.”
“I know what I told you, Ariana.”
“And I know what you told me as well, Sabrina, because I actually wrote it down.” Ariana said with an attitude as she shoved a piece of posted note sticky paper in front of Sabrina to show her.
Sabrina looked down at the sticky note. Sabrina didn’t think it proved anything since she could have written it down at anytime. Sabrina decided to drop the issue at hand and switch the subject.
“What about the timing of the meeting this morning? You told me it started at 9am not 8am.”
Ariana stared blankly at Sabrina. She finally responded with a shrug, “Oops.”
Sabrina frowned at her. “Oops? Do you understand how important this meeting was this morning and you gave me the incorrect information.”
“So….it’s all my fault that you’re not doing your job?”
“You are my assistant. That could be grounds for termination.”
Ariana laughed sarcastically. “You can’t fire me. I don’t work for you. I work for Heather. If you have any problems, I suggest you talk to her.” Ariana said coldly.
She picked up some papers and stood up from her chair. “Excuse me…I have more important work to handle.” Ariana rolled her eyes at Sabrina and walked off.
Sabrina placed her hands on her hips as she watched Ariana walk off. It was clear to her that she couldn’t use Ariana as an assistant. This wasn’t the first time she flubbed on the work Sabrina had given to her. But this time it went too far. Sabrina thought she should talk to Heather.
Sabrina walked to Heather’s office. Her door was open and Sabrina walked right in.
“Do you have a second?” Sabrina said before realizing Heather was on her phone.
Heather held up her hand telling her to wait. Sabrina stood there and waited patiently.
“Okay, I will. Thank you so much. Talk later. Bye, bye.” Heather said with a smile as she spoke into the phone. She replaced the phone back down on the receiver and looked at Sabrina as her smile quickly faded. “What.”
Sabrina attempted to close her door when Heather stopped her.
“Oh no…no need to close the door. You won’t be in here long. You could have at least knocked before barging into my office.”
“Sorry.” Sabrina said feeling flustered. She continued, “I came in here to talk to you about Ariana. I gave her some files to help get that report done, but she totally worked the wrong thing which is why I didn’t have what was needed for the meeting. Heather, this is not the first time that she has messed up with the work I have given her –“
“Are you really coming in here blaming the assistant for something you are supposed to do?”
“I have a lot on my plate, as the assistant she should assist me and she is not doing her job—“
“I don’t think you are doing your job, Sabrina. Look…Ariana is not going anywhere. If anyone is going anywhere it should be you, if you ask me. But Richard seems to think you were God’s gift to him.” Heather said rolling her eyes. “So…either you do your job, like you’re supposed to, so you don’t jeopardize my job…or you quit. Which would prove that this job was never for you. So make your choice. I would suggest you do your damn job until you have that baby.”
Sabrina frowned at Heather. She couldn’t believe the words she was saying to her.
“Fine...but you know I don’t have to take this type of behavior from you. I can go above your head.”
Heather laughed sarcastically. “Please. I have connections, dear. You go above my head, and I’ll see to it that you will never work in the advertising world again. Including Sean Connery’s company. Trust me.” Heather smiled sarcastically at Sabrina.
Sabrina glared at Heather. “If you don’t want me here…why did you hire me?”
Heather giggled. “It was a favor. That husband of yours is such a charmer.” Heather smiled. Sabrina immediately turned to walk out of her office.
Once again, Nick was controlling her life. So it was true. Nick planned everything. He planned for her to get this job.
Sabrina rushed into her office and closed the door behind her. She was so upset. It was almost like she could feel her blood pressure rise. Sabrina knew she didn’t have time to even think about her issues at home. She had too much work to handle. Sabrina attempted to work when she couldn’t get her mind focused. She decided to call the one person she knew that no matter what would make her laugh.
“This is Raven, how can I help you?”
“Good morning chica!” Sabrina responded in the phone.
Raven shrieked into the phone. “Sabrinnaa! Girl, what are you doing calling me at work. We both should be working right now! Oh! Wait…I know what you’re going to say. Yes I made it safe and sound from my date. Brin, that guy was crazy! So crazy…I think I might go out with him again, if he wants to spend money like that!” Raven laughed.
“Raven…I need to talk to you.” Sabrina spoke seriuosly.
Raven’s smile slowly faded when she noticed the seriousness in Sabrina’s tone. “Girl, what’s wrong?” Raven asked now with concern.
Sabrina proceeded to tell Raven the situation that just went down at her job with Ariana, Zoe and Heather.
“What do I do, Raven? I don’t know what to do.” Sabrina finished as she massaged her forehead.
“Brin, go to the HR. Let human resources handle all of them. Heather don’t have any connections. I call her bluff. She sure as hell don’t have any kind of connections over the Sean Connery. I don’t know what this Richard Gere guy is like, but he got nothing on Sean Connery. Don’t let Heather get to you, girl. And you know what? If you don’t like the way HR will handle it…I say quit that damn job!”
“But then I feel like I totally failed.” Sabrina said in deep thoughts.
“Failed? That’s not possible. You have Nick. Girl, Nick makes plenty of cash! Let your man take care of you…in more than one way if you know what I mean…” Raven laughed. “Well, of course you know, that’s why your tail is sitting there pregnant now!” Raven teased Sabrina.
Sabrina lightly laughed thinking about Nick and his lies. If only Raven knew the whole story, Sabrina thought.
“But seriously, Brin…don’t stress over that job. You’re stressing the baby…” Raven suddenly gasped and asked with excitement, “Didn’t you find out the sex of the baby today? Please tell me it’s a girl, please let it be girl, please let it be a girl…” Raven pleaded.
Sabrina laughed. “It’s a boy.”
“Awwww another boy! Oh my God, girl you are going to get tired of all those ding-a-lings running around there!” Raven laughed.
Sabrina joined in her laughter.
“But Im happy for my friend. Congrats to a new healthy baby boy, Brin.”
“Thank you Raven.”
“But seriously, go to HR…if they don’t handle things right, just quit. Stay home, let Nick take care of you and just love life.”
“Thanks, Rave.”
“You’re welcome girl. You better call me if anything goes down, because you know I will be down there in 4 hours, 59 minutes and 59 seconds!”
Sabrina laughed. “I love you!”
“I love you too girl! But I gotta go…there is some man standing at my office door with a package in his hand looking at me, like im crazy for working in my office, in my chair, on my phone!” Raven then held the phone away from her mouth saying, “Can I help you sir?”
There was a short pause and Raven continued in a hush tone as she spoke into the phone, “Ok girl I got to go, this man wants me to sign off on this package, standing there looking all sexy…let me see if I can get his number.”
Sabrina laughed loudly.
Raven giggled, “I gotta go, girl. Talk to ya later!”
Sabrina laughed and ended her call. And that was why she loved her best friend.
_12/30/2011
© 2011 CelebritySuperFan
© 2011 CelebritySuperFan
Chapter 17
_ It had been a long day for Sabrina. Her and Cody were
finally on their way home. Sabrina was too tired to cook, so they stopped off at a restaurant to pick up dinner to go. She still had a long night ahead of her because she was going to work on the project for her job.
Kevin volunteered to help her work into the night. They had made plans for him to come over to the house that night for dinner and to work.
Once Sabrina had picked up the food from the restaurant, she explained to Cody that Kevin would be coming over for a few hours.
“Is he going to bring his Madden game?” Cody asked.
Sabrina laughed. “Nooo..he’s not coming over to play with you, Cody. We have a lot of work to do. So he’ll be over about 6:30 or 7 tonight.”
“Okay. I have homework…will you be able to help me?”
“We’ll look over your homework as soon as we get home, okay?”
“Alright.” Cody responded looking out the window as Sabrina drove down their road toward the house.
When Sabrina turned into the driveway, she saw Nick’s car. She frowned at the sight and was slightly confused. “Why is Nick’s car here?” Sabrina asked herself out loud.
“Hey, Nick is home! Cool.” Cody stated outloud.
Sabrina put the car in park wondering why Nick’s car was there when he should be at work. She immediately thought about Kevin coming over. For some reason, she didn’t want Nick to know.
Just as Cody started to open the door, Sabrina stopped him. “Cody…don’t say anything about Kevin to Nick, okay?”
Cody looked at Sabrina with a confused expression. “Why not?”
“Just do as I tell you, okay?”
Cody shrugged and said ‘okay’.
Cody walked into the kitchen first with his bookbag hung over his shoulder and the drinks in his hands for their dinner.
“Hey Nick!” Cody said happily when he saw Nick standing over the stove cooking food.
“Hey buddy, how was school?” Nick asked with a grin.
“Fine.” Cody simply responded. Cody then noticed a beautiful bouquet of yellow and white daisies in a vase as a center piece on the kitchen table. “Oooh! Pretty flowers! Look mom!”
Sabrina walked in carrying a bag of the food from the restaurant. She saw the flowers and saw food cooking over the stove. Sabrina then brought her attention to Nick as he stared back at her.
“Yeah…I got the flowers for your mom.” Nick said hoping to bring a smile on Sabrina’s face. Sabrina remained expressionless. “What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be at work.” She simply asked.
“Yeah…I called out.” Nick said calmly staring at her and noticing the food she had brought in. “I guess I should have called ahead to tell you.” Nick said gesturing to the bag of food.
He then grabbed the food from her to help relieve her arm load.
“Wow…we got a lot of food for dinner tonight.” Cody snickered as he rubbed his hands together as if trying to create friction between his hands.
“Yeah…you really should have told me.” Sabrina said slightly annoyed as she placed the rest of her belongings on the table. She then said, “Cody, go wash your hands.”
Cody dipped out of the kitchen and ran upstairs.
“Sorry. I guess I wanted to surprise you guys. I didn’t think you guys would get home this early. I was going to have dinner ready and everything. But, hey…it’s okay. We can just save what I cooked as left overs for tomorrow.” Nick said with a faint smile and calmly started to put some things away.
Sabrina flipped her hair to the side and thought about Kevin. She placed her purse on the chair and walked toward the bedroom. She closed the bedroom door halfway and walked into their walk-in closet. She took out her cell phone and dialed Kevin’s number.
“Yes, ma’am” Kevin answered the phone with a smile.
“Hi…im sorry..change of plans. We should probably meet somewhere else…instead of here.” “Why? What’s the problem? Im almost there.”
“No!” Sabrina answered quickly. “No..don’t come here. Just…meet me at the bank that sits on the corner just before you get off on my exit from the highway. I’ll meet you in the parking lot.” “Okay…are you sure?” Kevin asked with uncertainty.
“Yeah. I’ll meet you there in 10 min. Okay, Kevin?”
“Roger that.” Kevin smiled into the phone.
As soon as Sabrina ended her call she turned around to exit the closet and saw Nick standing near the door frame.
“Hey!” Sabrina said loudly with a nervous smile, slightly startled.
“Hey…what are you doing?” Nick asked curiously as he looked down at the phone in her hand. “Nothing. I uh…I was just on the phone with someone from my job.” Sabrina said nervously feeling like she was caught doing something wrong.
“Oh..well, are you ready to eat? The food will get cold.”
Sabrina walked out of their closet and closed the door behind her. “Yeah…about that…I uh…have to go meet with someone from my job to finish working.” Sabrina said as she walked out of the room and into the kitchen.
Nick followed. “Now?” he asked confused.
“Yeah…sorry.”
“Well…I was kind of hoping we could talk. You know, considering our conversation this morning. That’s why I called out from work.” Nick said softly.
Sabrina began gathering her things together she had put on the table. “Yeah…talk about bad timing. Im sorry you had to do that on a day I really have to get some work done.”
At that moment Cody walked back into the kitchen, “Mom, where are you going, I thought…”
“I’ll be back, okay?” Sabrina quickly interrupted Cody. “Nick is here, so he can help with your homework tonight, okay?”
“But..”
“Just do as I tell you.” Sabrina said pinching his cheeks giving him a warning as she looked at him. “Alright.” Cody answered as he walked over to the kitchen table.
“You’re not going to eat?” Nick asked slightly confused.
“Uhmm…no…I’ll just grab something while im out.” Sabrina walked toward the door. “I’ll be back later.” Sabrina said just as she closed the door.
Sabrina rushed to her car and quickly drove off.
Kevin volunteered to help her work into the night. They had made plans for him to come over to the house that night for dinner and to work.
Once Sabrina had picked up the food from the restaurant, she explained to Cody that Kevin would be coming over for a few hours.
“Is he going to bring his Madden game?” Cody asked.
Sabrina laughed. “Nooo..he’s not coming over to play with you, Cody. We have a lot of work to do. So he’ll be over about 6:30 or 7 tonight.”
“Okay. I have homework…will you be able to help me?”
“We’ll look over your homework as soon as we get home, okay?”
“Alright.” Cody responded looking out the window as Sabrina drove down their road toward the house.
When Sabrina turned into the driveway, she saw Nick’s car. She frowned at the sight and was slightly confused. “Why is Nick’s car here?” Sabrina asked herself out loud.
“Hey, Nick is home! Cool.” Cody stated outloud.
Sabrina put the car in park wondering why Nick’s car was there when he should be at work. She immediately thought about Kevin coming over. For some reason, she didn’t want Nick to know.
Just as Cody started to open the door, Sabrina stopped him. “Cody…don’t say anything about Kevin to Nick, okay?”
Cody looked at Sabrina with a confused expression. “Why not?”
“Just do as I tell you, okay?”
Cody shrugged and said ‘okay’.
Cody walked into the kitchen first with his bookbag hung over his shoulder and the drinks in his hands for their dinner.
“Hey Nick!” Cody said happily when he saw Nick standing over the stove cooking food.
“Hey buddy, how was school?” Nick asked with a grin.
“Fine.” Cody simply responded. Cody then noticed a beautiful bouquet of yellow and white daisies in a vase as a center piece on the kitchen table. “Oooh! Pretty flowers! Look mom!”
Sabrina walked in carrying a bag of the food from the restaurant. She saw the flowers and saw food cooking over the stove. Sabrina then brought her attention to Nick as he stared back at her.
“Yeah…I got the flowers for your mom.” Nick said hoping to bring a smile on Sabrina’s face. Sabrina remained expressionless. “What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be at work.” She simply asked.
“Yeah…I called out.” Nick said calmly staring at her and noticing the food she had brought in. “I guess I should have called ahead to tell you.” Nick said gesturing to the bag of food.
He then grabbed the food from her to help relieve her arm load.
“Wow…we got a lot of food for dinner tonight.” Cody snickered as he rubbed his hands together as if trying to create friction between his hands.
“Yeah…you really should have told me.” Sabrina said slightly annoyed as she placed the rest of her belongings on the table. She then said, “Cody, go wash your hands.”
Cody dipped out of the kitchen and ran upstairs.
“Sorry. I guess I wanted to surprise you guys. I didn’t think you guys would get home this early. I was going to have dinner ready and everything. But, hey…it’s okay. We can just save what I cooked as left overs for tomorrow.” Nick said with a faint smile and calmly started to put some things away.
Sabrina flipped her hair to the side and thought about Kevin. She placed her purse on the chair and walked toward the bedroom. She closed the bedroom door halfway and walked into their walk-in closet. She took out her cell phone and dialed Kevin’s number.
“Yes, ma’am” Kevin answered the phone with a smile.
“Hi…im sorry..change of plans. We should probably meet somewhere else…instead of here.” “Why? What’s the problem? Im almost there.”
“No!” Sabrina answered quickly. “No..don’t come here. Just…meet me at the bank that sits on the corner just before you get off on my exit from the highway. I’ll meet you in the parking lot.” “Okay…are you sure?” Kevin asked with uncertainty.
“Yeah. I’ll meet you there in 10 min. Okay, Kevin?”
“Roger that.” Kevin smiled into the phone.
As soon as Sabrina ended her call she turned around to exit the closet and saw Nick standing near the door frame.
“Hey!” Sabrina said loudly with a nervous smile, slightly startled.
“Hey…what are you doing?” Nick asked curiously as he looked down at the phone in her hand. “Nothing. I uh…I was just on the phone with someone from my job.” Sabrina said nervously feeling like she was caught doing something wrong.
“Oh..well, are you ready to eat? The food will get cold.”
Sabrina walked out of their closet and closed the door behind her. “Yeah…about that…I uh…have to go meet with someone from my job to finish working.” Sabrina said as she walked out of the room and into the kitchen.
Nick followed. “Now?” he asked confused.
“Yeah…sorry.”
“Well…I was kind of hoping we could talk. You know, considering our conversation this morning. That’s why I called out from work.” Nick said softly.
Sabrina began gathering her things together she had put on the table. “Yeah…talk about bad timing. Im sorry you had to do that on a day I really have to get some work done.”
At that moment Cody walked back into the kitchen, “Mom, where are you going, I thought…”
“I’ll be back, okay?” Sabrina quickly interrupted Cody. “Nick is here, so he can help with your homework tonight, okay?”
“But..”
“Just do as I tell you.” Sabrina said pinching his cheeks giving him a warning as she looked at him. “Alright.” Cody answered as he walked over to the kitchen table.
“You’re not going to eat?” Nick asked slightly confused.
“Uhmm…no…I’ll just grab something while im out.” Sabrina walked toward the door. “I’ll be back later.” Sabrina said just as she closed the door.
Sabrina rushed to her car and quickly drove off.
_ Sabrina met with Kevin and he ended up following her to a
restaurant where they ate together and worked a little more on the
project. Thru out the meal and their conversations about work, they would make longing
glances at each other.
They sat side by side, and Sabrina noticed that Kevin had moved closer and closer to her. Once again, she found herself laughing a lot admiring his dimples and his funny personality. While they worked, Sabrina would notice that Kevin’s attention would zoom in on her lips and he would lean in as if he wanted to kiss. Sabrina would move back almost lost in his perfect smile and take a deep breath and continue to work. They didn’t leave the restaurant until close to midnight. However, they were able to get a lot accomplished with the project.
Kevin walked her to her car.
“Thank you sooo much Kevin. I hope you’re not too upset that I kept you out so late when you have a few miles to get back home.
“It’s all good! I enjoyed every minute of it.” Kevin said as he stood closely to her once she reached her car.
Sabrina smiled feeling slightly awkward and ran her fingers thru her long dark hair. “We should probably go.”
“Yep.” Kevin said leaning in to her.
Before Sabrina knew it, he held her shoulders and pulled her closer as he pressed his lips against hers. Sabrina found herself immediately kissing him back. Kevin raised his hands up to her face and slid his fingers thru the back of her hair. Sabrina brought her hands up to his torso holding on to the shirt that he wore as their kiss intensified. Sabrina found herself getting really into his kiss. Why was this happening? Why was she suddenly so hot for Kevin? She should be hot for Nick…not Kevin. A small moan escaped from within as she continued to kiss him. She quickly pushed him away at the sound of her own light moan. Kevin looked back into her eyes searching for answers.
“Im sorry...We really have to stop.” Sabrina said quietly.
Kevin took a deep breath as he stepped away.
“Kevin…this can’t keep happening. I mean…Im married…Im pregnant…this is so wrong.”
“But, what to do when something so wrong… feels so right?” Kevin said removing a strand of hair away from her face.
Sabrina bit her lower lip as she stared at him.
Kevin gazed back into her eyes and smiled. “You know…that husband of yours is crazy. If I were him…I would treat you like the beautiful queen that you are. I wouldn’t have to lie to you, because you would know everything about me. How would you know everything about me? Because I would never leave your side. I’d be there for you when times are hard..when times are good. I mean…you’re carrying his child and this is how he treats you? If you were carrying my child, I would cherish every moment with you.”
Sabrina felt her heart melt at the sweet words he spoke.
“That’s …really sweet Kevin, but—“
“It’s the truth.” Kevin said in a serious tone as he held her hands. “I wish I can show you how serious I am.” Kevin said softly as he began to lean in wanting to kiss her again.
Sabrina leaned back. “We should probably just go home.” Sabrina said softly.
Kevin remained silent for a moment.
“Okay.” Kevin finally quietly agreed. He brought her hands up to his lips and kissed the back of her hands. “See you tomorrow.” Kevin said giving her a wink and a smile as he started to back away still gazing at her.
Sabrina licked her lips as she watched him walk away. It was like she could still taste his lips on hers. Sabrina then turned to get into her car.
They sat side by side, and Sabrina noticed that Kevin had moved closer and closer to her. Once again, she found herself laughing a lot admiring his dimples and his funny personality. While they worked, Sabrina would notice that Kevin’s attention would zoom in on her lips and he would lean in as if he wanted to kiss. Sabrina would move back almost lost in his perfect smile and take a deep breath and continue to work. They didn’t leave the restaurant until close to midnight. However, they were able to get a lot accomplished with the project.
Kevin walked her to her car.
“Thank you sooo much Kevin. I hope you’re not too upset that I kept you out so late when you have a few miles to get back home.
“It’s all good! I enjoyed every minute of it.” Kevin said as he stood closely to her once she reached her car.
Sabrina smiled feeling slightly awkward and ran her fingers thru her long dark hair. “We should probably go.”
“Yep.” Kevin said leaning in to her.
Before Sabrina knew it, he held her shoulders and pulled her closer as he pressed his lips against hers. Sabrina found herself immediately kissing him back. Kevin raised his hands up to her face and slid his fingers thru the back of her hair. Sabrina brought her hands up to his torso holding on to the shirt that he wore as their kiss intensified. Sabrina found herself getting really into his kiss. Why was this happening? Why was she suddenly so hot for Kevin? She should be hot for Nick…not Kevin. A small moan escaped from within as she continued to kiss him. She quickly pushed him away at the sound of her own light moan. Kevin looked back into her eyes searching for answers.
“Im sorry...We really have to stop.” Sabrina said quietly.
Kevin took a deep breath as he stepped away.
“Kevin…this can’t keep happening. I mean…Im married…Im pregnant…this is so wrong.”
“But, what to do when something so wrong… feels so right?” Kevin said removing a strand of hair away from her face.
Sabrina bit her lower lip as she stared at him.
Kevin gazed back into her eyes and smiled. “You know…that husband of yours is crazy. If I were him…I would treat you like the beautiful queen that you are. I wouldn’t have to lie to you, because you would know everything about me. How would you know everything about me? Because I would never leave your side. I’d be there for you when times are hard..when times are good. I mean…you’re carrying his child and this is how he treats you? If you were carrying my child, I would cherish every moment with you.”
Sabrina felt her heart melt at the sweet words he spoke.
“That’s …really sweet Kevin, but—“
“It’s the truth.” Kevin said in a serious tone as he held her hands. “I wish I can show you how serious I am.” Kevin said softly as he began to lean in wanting to kiss her again.
Sabrina leaned back. “We should probably just go home.” Sabrina said softly.
Kevin remained silent for a moment.
“Okay.” Kevin finally quietly agreed. He brought her hands up to his lips and kissed the back of her hands. “See you tomorrow.” Kevin said giving her a wink and a smile as he started to back away still gazing at her.
Sabrina licked her lips as she watched him walk away. It was like she could still taste his lips on hers. Sabrina then turned to get into her car.
_ Moments later, Sabrina walked into the house thru the
kitchen back door. Everything was quiet. Sabrina placed her work items on the
kitchen table. She made her way upstairs to check on Cody and he was sound asleep
in his pajamas. She kissed his forehead and left out of his bedroom. Sabrina
walked back downstairs to her bedroom…dreading to see Nick. For once, she
wished he was at work.
Nick appeared to be asleep as he laid on his side facing Sabrina’s normal side.
Sabrina proceeded to take a shower and get ready for bed. As she put her night shirt on, she debated if she should sleep in the bed with Nick. It had been a while since she had slept in the same bed with him. She was sure Cody wanted his bed to himself so she opted to go ahead and stay in the bed with Nick.
She slowly climbed under the sheets and turned to her side allowing her back to face Nick. Just as Sabrina closed her eyes, she heard Nick speak to her in a normal voice as if he had been awake the whole time.
“Glad you made it back home safely.”
Sabrina opened her eyes, looking off into the distance. She didn’t respond.
“I guess you’re too tired to talk, right?”
Sabrina didn’t respond.
She heard Nick make a deep sigh. Sabrina closed her eyes wanting to go to sleep.
“Alright…fine.” Nick said calmly. “Im trying, Brin…I really am.”
Sabrina opened her eyes yet still didn’t say anything.
“I’ll go back to work tomorrow, alright? If its space you want…fine. I’ll give you your space. If you need me for anything…just let me know.” Nick said maneuvering himself to turn on his other side allowing his back to face Sabrina’s back, leaving a big gap between the two.
Sabrina felt him move away from her. She didn’t know what to say to him. Especially when she just came home from spending time with another man…and kissing him. She then thought about the other females Nick may be lying to her about. It somehow pushed her guilt away. Just as she closed her eyes wanting to go to sleep, she heard Nick say one last thing.
“By the way…Joanna had the baby today.” Sabrina opened her eyes slightly shocked at the news. “Is the baby okay?” Sabrina asked thinking the baby was born prematurely.
“He’s in NICU. Looks like he may be in the hospital for a while, because he’s having some breathing complications.”
Sabrina remained silent waiting for him to continue.
“I took the paternity test today.” Nick said softly.
Sabrina didn’t respond.
“The results should be back in a couple of days.”
Sabrina adjusted her head on her pillow as she kept her back towards him. She closed her eyes and remained quiet. Sabrina knew that if the test came back that the baby was his…she was going to leave him. She wouldn’t be able to handle the fact that he had two children by Joanna. It would just be too much.
Nick didn’t know what else to say to her, so he remained quiet as well. It was obvious that she wanted her space, and he didn’t want to stress her. Therefore, he vowed he would leave her alone for a few days to give her what she wanted. Space.
Sure enough, the next day, Sabrina went to work without saying anything to Nick. At work, she laughed and worked closely with Kevin. When she came home, her and Cody ate the food that Nick had cooked the previous night.
Later in the night about 2am or 2:30am, she felt Nick climb into bed. He didn't kiss her, he didn’t speak to her, he simply turned to his side allowing his back to face Sabrina.
This was the routine for the rest of the week. Simply no talking amongst the married couple.
Before work everyday, Nick went to the hospital to check on the baby, little Nicky. There were times when he tried not to go up to the hospital because he didn’t want to see Joanna, however, he couldn’t get the baby out of his mind. He had fallen in love with him, even though he wasn’t sure if he was his baby or not.
The baby made very small improvements as each day passed. Toward the end of the week, the doctors released Joanna from the hospital. However, little Nicky had to stay in the hospital.
Cody’s father finally came down to Florida, to spend time with Cody. It had been a long time since Cody had seen Josh.
Sabrina met Josh at a local store parking lot. Sabrina said her goodbye’s to Cody as they sat in the car. Josh approached her car and stared at Sabrina.
While Cody was getting his bag from the back seat, Josh looked at Sabrina.
“How are you?”
“Fine.” Sabrina said avoiding his eye contact.
“Well, you don’t look pregnant.”
“Wait til she stands up.” Cody said with a smile as he walked around the car.
“I love you…call me.” Sabrina said as she looked at Cody.
“Okay.”
“Hey, why don’t you go on to the car. I’ll meet you there, son.” Josh said lightly pushing Cody toward his car.
“Alright.” Cody said walking toward Josh’s car.
Josh turned his attention back to Sabrina. “So…this Nick guy…he’s treating you okay?”
“Yep.” Sabrina said looking straight ahead.
“Well …you look beautiful.”
“Thanks. I gotta go.” Sabrina said as she put the car into drive. “Take care of my baby.”
“Sure…I’ll take care of our baby.” Josh said as he backed away from Sabrina.
Sabrina looked at Cody in the car and blew a kiss to him and drove off.
Instead of going home, Sabrina ended up going to a restaurant to meet Kevin. Once again, they enjoyed each other’s company. It was their way of celebrating for getting the project back on track. Before departing the restaurant, they shared a kiss.
Sabrina and Kevin made plans to hang out together the whole weekend since Sabrina knew Nick had to work. Kevin didn’t want Sabrina driving all over the place since she was pregnant, so he came over to the house.
They watched movies, laughed, talked, and occasionally kissed. Kevin would hold her as they watched movies and lovingly rub her growing belly. They would just sit on the sofa and kiss as if enjoying the lingering touch of their lips on one another. Kevin would give her massages. He would massage her feet, her shoulders, and even her scalp, as he loved to run his fingers thru her long hair.
Sabrina loved every moment of it. She couldn't remember the last time she felt so relaxed. She didn’t think anything was wrong for Kevin to be there in her house spending time with her. She still looked at Kevin as a friend. A friend who made her feel good without being sexually intimate. Sure they would kiss…a lot, but friends kiss all the time…or so this is what Sabrina kept telling herself.
On both Saturday and Sunday, Kevin always made sure he was gone by midnight before Nick got off from work and made his way home.
When Nick did come home, he knew nothing of Kevin ever being in the house. Nick would come home and find Sabrina sleeping peacefully in bed. Nick would do his normal routine of grabbing something to eat that was left over in the refrigerator, shower, and climb into bed and simply go to sleep without bothering Sabrina’s sleep.
Since it was the weekend, Sabrina and Nick had the morning and into the afternoon alone together in the house before Nick would leave for work. However, because Nick said he was going to give Sabrina her space, Nick would wake up close around noon, get dressed, and leave earlier than usual for his job to go visit baby Nicky in the hospital before going to work.
As the following Monday came along, Nick slept in late since Josh still had Cody. Cody would be back that night since he had to be in school the next day. Sabrina was at work and he felt like he literally hadn’t seen her all week since they never spoke. Nick truly missed her. He hoped she would come home early that day from work so he could try and talk to her. He was off the next two days and he was going to make the best of it.
Nick walked outside to check the mail and slowly walked back toward the house as he flipped thru the mail they received. There it was. The DNA results. Inside the envelope was the answer he had been waiting on. Was he little Nicky’s father or not.
Nick slowly closed the front door behind him. He walked into the living room and sat down on the sofa feeling nervous. He took a deep breath and slowly opened the envelope. There it was. Nicholas Lancaster is 99.999998% the biological father of Nicholas Lancaster Junior.
Nick lowered his head down and dropped the paper he held in his hand down to the floor. It was like dejavu all over again as he thought about receiving the results when Josslyn was a baby.
Nick mumbled a curse.
Nick appeared to be asleep as he laid on his side facing Sabrina’s normal side.
Sabrina proceeded to take a shower and get ready for bed. As she put her night shirt on, she debated if she should sleep in the bed with Nick. It had been a while since she had slept in the same bed with him. She was sure Cody wanted his bed to himself so she opted to go ahead and stay in the bed with Nick.
She slowly climbed under the sheets and turned to her side allowing her back to face Nick. Just as Sabrina closed her eyes, she heard Nick speak to her in a normal voice as if he had been awake the whole time.
“Glad you made it back home safely.”
Sabrina opened her eyes, looking off into the distance. She didn’t respond.
“I guess you’re too tired to talk, right?”
Sabrina didn’t respond.
She heard Nick make a deep sigh. Sabrina closed her eyes wanting to go to sleep.
“Alright…fine.” Nick said calmly. “Im trying, Brin…I really am.”
Sabrina opened her eyes yet still didn’t say anything.
“I’ll go back to work tomorrow, alright? If its space you want…fine. I’ll give you your space. If you need me for anything…just let me know.” Nick said maneuvering himself to turn on his other side allowing his back to face Sabrina’s back, leaving a big gap between the two.
Sabrina felt him move away from her. She didn’t know what to say to him. Especially when she just came home from spending time with another man…and kissing him. She then thought about the other females Nick may be lying to her about. It somehow pushed her guilt away. Just as she closed her eyes wanting to go to sleep, she heard Nick say one last thing.
“By the way…Joanna had the baby today.” Sabrina opened her eyes slightly shocked at the news. “Is the baby okay?” Sabrina asked thinking the baby was born prematurely.
“He’s in NICU. Looks like he may be in the hospital for a while, because he’s having some breathing complications.”
Sabrina remained silent waiting for him to continue.
“I took the paternity test today.” Nick said softly.
Sabrina didn’t respond.
“The results should be back in a couple of days.”
Sabrina adjusted her head on her pillow as she kept her back towards him. She closed her eyes and remained quiet. Sabrina knew that if the test came back that the baby was his…she was going to leave him. She wouldn’t be able to handle the fact that he had two children by Joanna. It would just be too much.
Nick didn’t know what else to say to her, so he remained quiet as well. It was obvious that she wanted her space, and he didn’t want to stress her. Therefore, he vowed he would leave her alone for a few days to give her what she wanted. Space.
Sure enough, the next day, Sabrina went to work without saying anything to Nick. At work, she laughed and worked closely with Kevin. When she came home, her and Cody ate the food that Nick had cooked the previous night.
Later in the night about 2am or 2:30am, she felt Nick climb into bed. He didn't kiss her, he didn’t speak to her, he simply turned to his side allowing his back to face Sabrina.
This was the routine for the rest of the week. Simply no talking amongst the married couple.
Before work everyday, Nick went to the hospital to check on the baby, little Nicky. There were times when he tried not to go up to the hospital because he didn’t want to see Joanna, however, he couldn’t get the baby out of his mind. He had fallen in love with him, even though he wasn’t sure if he was his baby or not.
The baby made very small improvements as each day passed. Toward the end of the week, the doctors released Joanna from the hospital. However, little Nicky had to stay in the hospital.
Cody’s father finally came down to Florida, to spend time with Cody. It had been a long time since Cody had seen Josh.
Sabrina met Josh at a local store parking lot. Sabrina said her goodbye’s to Cody as they sat in the car. Josh approached her car and stared at Sabrina.
While Cody was getting his bag from the back seat, Josh looked at Sabrina.
“How are you?”
“Fine.” Sabrina said avoiding his eye contact.
“Well, you don’t look pregnant.”
“Wait til she stands up.” Cody said with a smile as he walked around the car.
“I love you…call me.” Sabrina said as she looked at Cody.
“Okay.”
“Hey, why don’t you go on to the car. I’ll meet you there, son.” Josh said lightly pushing Cody toward his car.
“Alright.” Cody said walking toward Josh’s car.
Josh turned his attention back to Sabrina. “So…this Nick guy…he’s treating you okay?”
“Yep.” Sabrina said looking straight ahead.
“Well …you look beautiful.”
“Thanks. I gotta go.” Sabrina said as she put the car into drive. “Take care of my baby.”
“Sure…I’ll take care of our baby.” Josh said as he backed away from Sabrina.
Sabrina looked at Cody in the car and blew a kiss to him and drove off.
Instead of going home, Sabrina ended up going to a restaurant to meet Kevin. Once again, they enjoyed each other’s company. It was their way of celebrating for getting the project back on track. Before departing the restaurant, they shared a kiss.
Sabrina and Kevin made plans to hang out together the whole weekend since Sabrina knew Nick had to work. Kevin didn’t want Sabrina driving all over the place since she was pregnant, so he came over to the house.
They watched movies, laughed, talked, and occasionally kissed. Kevin would hold her as they watched movies and lovingly rub her growing belly. They would just sit on the sofa and kiss as if enjoying the lingering touch of their lips on one another. Kevin would give her massages. He would massage her feet, her shoulders, and even her scalp, as he loved to run his fingers thru her long hair.
Sabrina loved every moment of it. She couldn't remember the last time she felt so relaxed. She didn’t think anything was wrong for Kevin to be there in her house spending time with her. She still looked at Kevin as a friend. A friend who made her feel good without being sexually intimate. Sure they would kiss…a lot, but friends kiss all the time…or so this is what Sabrina kept telling herself.
On both Saturday and Sunday, Kevin always made sure he was gone by midnight before Nick got off from work and made his way home.
When Nick did come home, he knew nothing of Kevin ever being in the house. Nick would come home and find Sabrina sleeping peacefully in bed. Nick would do his normal routine of grabbing something to eat that was left over in the refrigerator, shower, and climb into bed and simply go to sleep without bothering Sabrina’s sleep.
Since it was the weekend, Sabrina and Nick had the morning and into the afternoon alone together in the house before Nick would leave for work. However, because Nick said he was going to give Sabrina her space, Nick would wake up close around noon, get dressed, and leave earlier than usual for his job to go visit baby Nicky in the hospital before going to work.
As the following Monday came along, Nick slept in late since Josh still had Cody. Cody would be back that night since he had to be in school the next day. Sabrina was at work and he felt like he literally hadn’t seen her all week since they never spoke. Nick truly missed her. He hoped she would come home early that day from work so he could try and talk to her. He was off the next two days and he was going to make the best of it.
Nick walked outside to check the mail and slowly walked back toward the house as he flipped thru the mail they received. There it was. The DNA results. Inside the envelope was the answer he had been waiting on. Was he little Nicky’s father or not.
Nick slowly closed the front door behind him. He walked into the living room and sat down on the sofa feeling nervous. He took a deep breath and slowly opened the envelope. There it was. Nicholas Lancaster is 99.999998% the biological father of Nicholas Lancaster Junior.
Nick lowered his head down and dropped the paper he held in his hand down to the floor. It was like dejavu all over again as he thought about receiving the results when Josslyn was a baby.
Nick mumbled a curse.
Part 2
_ Nick thought about Sabrina and how she would react. He knew
it was not going to be good. Nick stood up and angrily paced the floor. He
shouted a curse out loud. So many thoughts running thru his head as he continued
to pace the floor. Nick hadn’t even told Sabrina that Joanna named the baby
Nicholas Jr.
Nick’s cell phone rang snapping him out of his thoughts. He saw the caller id and it read Jo. Nick closed his eyes out of annoyance and answered the phone.
“What.”
“I told you, Nick…I told you!” Joanna said into the phone. “I demand an apology.”
It was obvious Joanna checked her mail and received the same letter that Nick was the father of little Nicky.
“I can’t talk right now..” Nick said quietly into the phone trying to refrain from going off on her. “Wait…will you be at the hospital today?”
“I…yeah…” Nick hesitated.
“Good. I’ll see you there. Im leaving to go back up there now.”
Nick didn’t respond, he simply ended the call.
Nick sat down on the sofa in deep thoughts. How was he going to fix things with Sabrina when now it is a known fact that little Nicky belongs to him. Nick didn’t want to make Sabrina too angry since her blood pressure has already been high lately. Nick took a deep breath. He would tell Sabrina….eventually. But not now he thought.
Nick picked up his phone and dialed a number.
“Hey son…I was just thinking about you.” Nick heard his father say when he answered his phone. “Dad…do you have time to talk?”
“Sure…did you get my birthday card in the mail? You never called to say thank you. There should have been a check inside…did you get it?”
Nick rubbed his forehead as if he had a headache. “Yeah…sorry…I got it. It’s just…it’s been a lot that has been going on.” Nick stated.
“So what’s up, son? Hurry, I have a meeting to get to in about 5 min.”
“Dad…Joanna had the baby…and…the baby is mine.” Nick paused to hear his father’s reaction.
His father remained quiet on the other end after hearing the news.
Keanu, Nick’s father, made a loud deep sigh. “I knew it, Nick. Dammit. Do they not sell condoms down there?”
“I always wore a condom with Joanna, dad.” Nick said annoyed as he rubbed the back of his neck. “Hell, son…I can’t tell. You keep having babies with her. What, is she poking holes in your condoms or something?”
Nick didn’t respond.
“Has Sabrina already had her baby yet?”
Nick frowned. “No, dad.”
“Well, son…you just have to handle all of your responsibilities. Joanna is going to go after all of your money, you know. And Sabrina…once her baby is born, she will be after your money too. You shouldn’t have married her, because it will be even worse. Damn, son. Three kids? Plus one if you stay married to Sabrina…that’s four kids you are responsible for, just like that. You really have yourself in a pickle.” Keanu said with much disappointment.
“Wow, thanks for the support, dad. I probably shouldn’t have called you. I gotta go.”
“You’re just upset right now, and I understand, son. Tell your boss to call me. I have some things to discuss with her.”
“Im not working today or tomorrow. You have her number, you call her.” Nick said with a frown.
“The woman is crazy…I don’t want her to have my new number.”
Nick paused for a second. He then asked, “Dad…did you have sex with my boss?”
“Why?”
“Is that how I got the promotion?” Nick asked thinking about Sabrina’s words from days ago. “Where did you hear that from? Did she tell you that?”
“Dad…just answer the question.”
“Listen…I knew that promotion was what you needed son…because with that conniving Joanna, she was going to get all your money…especially with her being pregnant with your second child. I knew that baby was yours son. Anyway, I knew your boss, Lisa Kudrow, from years ago. She always had a crush on me even when I was married to your mother. I asked her about helping you with your job and she black mailed me. So yeah…I had to sleep with her. It was her best night of her life. Now I can’t get the bitch to leave me alone.”
“Why didn’t you tell me this?” Nick asked slightly stunned yet more so angry.
“You don’t need to know all of that, son. But you are doing such a good job there, there’s no way your job is in trouble. I got in good with Lisa’s boss. Me and him are great buddies. So, you’re fine. No worries.”
“I can’t believe you did that. Mom was right…you’ve never changed.” Nick said in disbelief.
He then noticed a car pull up into his driveway. It was Sandra, his mom.
“Dad…I gotta go. Mom just got here.”
“That’s fine, I have to go myself. Tell your mother I said hello. Im sure she wont return the greeting.” Keanu said with a chuckle. “I love you, son.”
“Yeah…love you too.” Nick said and ended the call to prepare to open the front door.
Nick opened the door and saw his mother walking up dabbing her eyes as if she had been crying. Nick frowned with concern.
“What’s wrong?” Nick asked escorting her inside the house.
Sandra sniffed as she continued to dab her eyes dry from her tears. “I just came from seeing little Nicky in the hospital and I have been crying ever since. Oh, Nicholas…he is so innocent in all of you and Joanna’s drama, he doesn’t deserve to suffer the way he is. It’s just so sad.” “Mom…relax. Come, have a seat.” Nick said escorting her to the sofa in his living room.
“Joanna’s mother was there. We both couldn’t stop crying. Nicholas, how can you deny that precious baby?”
“Im not…anymore.” Nick said somberly.
Sandra looked up at him. Nick picked up the DNA results he dropped on the floor and handed it over to Sandra.
“You see, Nicholas... We all knew it. Everyone knew it except for you. What, were you trying to prove something to your wife?”
Nick took a seat in a chair across from the sofa. “Mom, not right now. I have too much on my mind.”
“What did Sabrina say?”
“She doesn’t know yet.”
“You better tell her, Nicholas.”
“I will, and can you do me a favor?”
Sandra looked at Nick waiting for him to continue.
“Don’t say anything to her about it, alright? Let me do it. She’s already going thru a lot of stress, and I don’t need you making things worse for her. Just let me handle it, and I will tell her when the time is right.”
“Fine. You should have already had the poor girl know this was going to happen.” Sandra stood up as if she were getting ready to leave. “Anyway, I just wanted to see how you were doing. Considering, baby Nicky wasn’t doing so well. Are you going by the hospital today?”
“Yes.” Nick said standing up feeling annoyed with his mother.
“Alright.” Sandra walked up to him and gave him a hug and a kiss. “Talk to you later, honey. I love you.”
“Love you...See ya.” Nick said walking his mother out.
Nick was so frustrated. He was frustrated with both of his parents. Nick really wanted to talk to Sabrina but he wasn’t sure what to say to her.
He picked up the phone and decided to call her anyway, just to see when she was coming home. Nick dialed her cell phone number, but to no avail, Sabrina didn’t answer. This wasn’t the first time she didn’t answer his phone calls. Nick decided to take a huge risk and go up to her job.
Nick threw on his brown long sleeve thin sweater, put on his shoes, and walked out of the house.
Nick’s cell phone rang snapping him out of his thoughts. He saw the caller id and it read Jo. Nick closed his eyes out of annoyance and answered the phone.
“What.”
“I told you, Nick…I told you!” Joanna said into the phone. “I demand an apology.”
It was obvious Joanna checked her mail and received the same letter that Nick was the father of little Nicky.
“I can’t talk right now..” Nick said quietly into the phone trying to refrain from going off on her. “Wait…will you be at the hospital today?”
“I…yeah…” Nick hesitated.
“Good. I’ll see you there. Im leaving to go back up there now.”
Nick didn’t respond, he simply ended the call.
Nick sat down on the sofa in deep thoughts. How was he going to fix things with Sabrina when now it is a known fact that little Nicky belongs to him. Nick didn’t want to make Sabrina too angry since her blood pressure has already been high lately. Nick took a deep breath. He would tell Sabrina….eventually. But not now he thought.
Nick picked up his phone and dialed a number.
“Hey son…I was just thinking about you.” Nick heard his father say when he answered his phone. “Dad…do you have time to talk?”
“Sure…did you get my birthday card in the mail? You never called to say thank you. There should have been a check inside…did you get it?”
Nick rubbed his forehead as if he had a headache. “Yeah…sorry…I got it. It’s just…it’s been a lot that has been going on.” Nick stated.
“So what’s up, son? Hurry, I have a meeting to get to in about 5 min.”
“Dad…Joanna had the baby…and…the baby is mine.” Nick paused to hear his father’s reaction.
His father remained quiet on the other end after hearing the news.
Keanu, Nick’s father, made a loud deep sigh. “I knew it, Nick. Dammit. Do they not sell condoms down there?”
“I always wore a condom with Joanna, dad.” Nick said annoyed as he rubbed the back of his neck. “Hell, son…I can’t tell. You keep having babies with her. What, is she poking holes in your condoms or something?”
Nick didn’t respond.
“Has Sabrina already had her baby yet?”
Nick frowned. “No, dad.”
“Well, son…you just have to handle all of your responsibilities. Joanna is going to go after all of your money, you know. And Sabrina…once her baby is born, she will be after your money too. You shouldn’t have married her, because it will be even worse. Damn, son. Three kids? Plus one if you stay married to Sabrina…that’s four kids you are responsible for, just like that. You really have yourself in a pickle.” Keanu said with much disappointment.
“Wow, thanks for the support, dad. I probably shouldn’t have called you. I gotta go.”
“You’re just upset right now, and I understand, son. Tell your boss to call me. I have some things to discuss with her.”
“Im not working today or tomorrow. You have her number, you call her.” Nick said with a frown.
“The woman is crazy…I don’t want her to have my new number.”
Nick paused for a second. He then asked, “Dad…did you have sex with my boss?”
“Why?”
“Is that how I got the promotion?” Nick asked thinking about Sabrina’s words from days ago. “Where did you hear that from? Did she tell you that?”
“Dad…just answer the question.”
“Listen…I knew that promotion was what you needed son…because with that conniving Joanna, she was going to get all your money…especially with her being pregnant with your second child. I knew that baby was yours son. Anyway, I knew your boss, Lisa Kudrow, from years ago. She always had a crush on me even when I was married to your mother. I asked her about helping you with your job and she black mailed me. So yeah…I had to sleep with her. It was her best night of her life. Now I can’t get the bitch to leave me alone.”
“Why didn’t you tell me this?” Nick asked slightly stunned yet more so angry.
“You don’t need to know all of that, son. But you are doing such a good job there, there’s no way your job is in trouble. I got in good with Lisa’s boss. Me and him are great buddies. So, you’re fine. No worries.”
“I can’t believe you did that. Mom was right…you’ve never changed.” Nick said in disbelief.
He then noticed a car pull up into his driveway. It was Sandra, his mom.
“Dad…I gotta go. Mom just got here.”
“That’s fine, I have to go myself. Tell your mother I said hello. Im sure she wont return the greeting.” Keanu said with a chuckle. “I love you, son.”
“Yeah…love you too.” Nick said and ended the call to prepare to open the front door.
Nick opened the door and saw his mother walking up dabbing her eyes as if she had been crying. Nick frowned with concern.
“What’s wrong?” Nick asked escorting her inside the house.
Sandra sniffed as she continued to dab her eyes dry from her tears. “I just came from seeing little Nicky in the hospital and I have been crying ever since. Oh, Nicholas…he is so innocent in all of you and Joanna’s drama, he doesn’t deserve to suffer the way he is. It’s just so sad.” “Mom…relax. Come, have a seat.” Nick said escorting her to the sofa in his living room.
“Joanna’s mother was there. We both couldn’t stop crying. Nicholas, how can you deny that precious baby?”
“Im not…anymore.” Nick said somberly.
Sandra looked up at him. Nick picked up the DNA results he dropped on the floor and handed it over to Sandra.
“You see, Nicholas... We all knew it. Everyone knew it except for you. What, were you trying to prove something to your wife?”
Nick took a seat in a chair across from the sofa. “Mom, not right now. I have too much on my mind.”
“What did Sabrina say?”
“She doesn’t know yet.”
“You better tell her, Nicholas.”
“I will, and can you do me a favor?”
Sandra looked at Nick waiting for him to continue.
“Don’t say anything to her about it, alright? Let me do it. She’s already going thru a lot of stress, and I don’t need you making things worse for her. Just let me handle it, and I will tell her when the time is right.”
“Fine. You should have already had the poor girl know this was going to happen.” Sandra stood up as if she were getting ready to leave. “Anyway, I just wanted to see how you were doing. Considering, baby Nicky wasn’t doing so well. Are you going by the hospital today?”
“Yes.” Nick said standing up feeling annoyed with his mother.
“Alright.” Sandra walked up to him and gave him a hug and a kiss. “Talk to you later, honey. I love you.”
“Love you...See ya.” Nick said walking his mother out.
Nick was so frustrated. He was frustrated with both of his parents. Nick really wanted to talk to Sabrina but he wasn’t sure what to say to her.
He picked up the phone and decided to call her anyway, just to see when she was coming home. Nick dialed her cell phone number, but to no avail, Sabrina didn’t answer. This wasn’t the first time she didn’t answer his phone calls. Nick decided to take a huge risk and go up to her job.
Nick threw on his brown long sleeve thin sweater, put on his shoes, and walked out of the house.
_ Nick walked toward the security desk on the very first floor.
“Hi…Can you tell me where I can find, Sabrina Lancaster? She works for Links Advertisement as the Arts Director.”
“No problem. The security guard stated as he began looking up the name.
After a few seconds, the tall dark skinned man responded with a smile, “You’ll have to go up to the 9th floor. That’s the lobby for Links Advertisement. Ask for her there and they will let her know.”
“Thanks.” Nick stated.
“But, I need you to sign in here, and don’t forget to sign back out before you leave.”
Nick nodded in agreement.
The security guard gave him a visitor’s badge and Nick walked toward the elevators.
Nick stepped off the elevator at the 9th floor and saw a mousy brown haired woman sitting at the receptionist desk. She wore a flowery dress that looked like it could be a kitchen table cloth.
“Hi…Im here for Sabrina Lancaster.”
The woman smiled flirtatiously at Nick. “Hello there. And are you a client?”
Nick smiled at the woman. “No, Im her husband.”
“Oh! How sweet.” The woman said when she noticed the fresh yellow daisies in Nick’s hands. “Just one moment, and I will get her right down for you.”
She picked up her phone and proceeded to dial a number.
“Can you please let Sabrina Lancaster know that her husband is down in the lobby to see her.” The woman paused. “Oh okay. I will just have him wait here….okay, thanks.”
The woman replaced the phone down on the receiver ending the call. She smiled as she looked at Nick. “You know…we missed you at the celebration dinner last Wednesday night.”
“Im sorry, the what?” Nick asked looking at her confused.
The woman smiled and responded, “You know, the celebration dinner your wife helped to achieve for booking yet another advertising deal with a very important client. I was fortunately invited because I begged..” the woman laughed flirtatiously. She continued, “…but your wife said you had to work. Sorry you couldn’t get off for it.”
Nick stared at her having no idea what she was talking about. Nick realized Sabrina didn’t even mention anything about a dinner to him…at all. Nick decided to play along with the woman as if he knew what she was talking about.
He smiled and nodded, “Yeah…im sorry I missed it too.”
The woman smiled and gazed at him as if she had naughty thoughts running thru her mind about him.
Nick glanced down at the phone on her desk and back up at her. “So…is my wife on her way down…or…?”
“Oh!” She said as if snapping out of her thoughts. “Her assistant said she is out to lunch, but should be back shortly. You can wait for her if you like. You can have a seat right over there while you wait. Or... you can stand here and just keep me company.” The woman giggled with a silly smile.
Nick looked behind him and noticed the small sitting area. “Thanks. I’ll go wait over there. ” He said nicely to the woman.
Nick took a seat and waited patiently as he watched people move about in their business suits. It was obvious the elevators from the 9th floor up were strictly for the Links Advertisement company as he noticed every person wore a badge with the Links Advertising logo.
Nick found himself a little entertained to hear the brief conversations people had as they walked by him to go to their respective destinations. The elevators were busy opening and closing as people hopped in and out apparently leaving for lunch or coming back from lunch.
A few minutes pass when Nick turned his attention to the elevator full of people laughing and talking as they walked off. That’s when he saw Sabrina laughing with her arm linked tightly within another man’s arm who was laughing with her. They looked like they were having a wonderful time.
Nick stood up as he held the flowers in his hands. It was obvious Sabrina hadn’t noticed him yet, so he stepped forward a little where she could notice him. Nick stared at the man who seem to be whispering and laughing in her ear as they walked. Sabrina laughed more and finally noticed Nick standing there with a beautiful bouquet of yellow daisies.
Sabrina immediately stopped laughing, her smile quickly dropped and she jolted away from Kevin’s touch. Kevin noticed Sabrina’s sudden change and he slowly died down his laugh as he stared at the man holding the beautiful flowers.
“Nick! What are you doing here?”
Nick stared at the man beside her a little longer and brought his eyes toward Sabrina. “Hey, baby…I thought I would come to surprise you and take you out for lunch, but I guess I was too late.” Nick stepped up to her handing her the flowers and kissed her cheek.
Sabrina awkwardly took the flowers from Nick and slightly moved away as if she didn’t want Nick to kiss her in front of everyone.
Sabrina lightly chuckled. “Yeah…you should have called first.”
Nick stepped back and looked at her. “I did…but, you didn’t answer or return my call.”
Sabrina awkwardly looked down at the flowers he had given her and brought her eyes back up to Nick’s. She noticed he was staring at Kevin.
“Uhh..this is Kevin…he works in the Sales department. Kevin…this is…Nick.” Sabrina introduced them.
Kevin extended his hand out to Nick with a smile. “So you’re Nick…How’s it going? Nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Nick gave him a faint smile and welcomed his greeting as he shook his hand. “Nice to meet you. I hope you heard all good things.” Nick said as he glanced at Sabrina with a faint smile.
Sabrina looked very uncomfortable as she avoided everyone’s eye contact.
Kevin laughed, “Hey, Im on your side. If it was bad, I always turned it into a positive thing. You have nothing to worry about my friend.”
Nick chuckled lightly as he brought his hand back down to his side.
They all stood there for a brief awkward moment.
“Well…do you mind if I have a moment with my wife?” Nick asked looking at Kevin wondering why he was still standing there.
Kevin clapped his hand as if snapping himself out of his own thoughts. “Of course. My fault.” He looked at Sabrina and continued, “I’ll see you in a bit.” Kevin said as if he wanted to lean in and kiss Sabrina on the cheek. Instead he just squeezed her shoulder. He turned his attention to Nick saying, “Again, it was nice to meet you, man.” He then finally walked off.
Nick only nodded with a light smile on his face. Nick watched him walk away and turned his attention back to Sabrina.
“Do you have a second?” Nick asked Sabrina.
“No, actually I don’t. I have to go to a meeting.” Sabrina said looking behind Nick noticing the time on the big clock on the wall behind the receptionist.
“Sorry I missed your lunch time…but looks like you had a lot of fun though.” Nick said referencing her and Kevin laughing and holding on to each other as they walked off the elevator.
Sabrina tucked a few loose strands from her ponytail behind her ear.
“Shouldn’t you be home catching up on your sleep?”
“What, I can’t come here to have lunch with my wife?” Nick asked softly as he stared intently into her eyes.
Sabrina shook her head. “Maybe another time. Listen, I have to go.” Sabrina started to walk away.
Nick gently grabbed her hand, “Well…what time do you think you will be home? I really want us to talk. I think it’s time we stop ignoring each other, ya know? I think I’ve given you enough space to relieve the stress you say I’ve given you…right?” Nick said with pleading eyes.
Sabrina sighed and looked at the people staring at them as they passed. Sabrina lightly moved her arm away from his grasp.
“I don’t know what time I will be home.” she answered.
“Do you think you can make it home before Cody comes back. I just want to make sure we have enough time alone before Cody comes home, know what I mean?”
“I don’t know…I mean…I can’t make any promises on when I will be home.” Sabrina said in slightly cold tone. “Nick, I really have to go. I’ll just see you whenever I get home, okay?”
“Alright.” Nick said feeling defeated. “I love you.” Nick leaned down to kiss her lips.
As soon as Nick came close to her lips Sabrina turned her head forcing Nick to kiss her cheek instead. Nick noticed her gesture and slowly backed away.
Sabrina faintly smiled at him saying, “Bye.” She then simply walked away.
Nick didn’t understand her. Why was she still acting this way? He’s been doing everything she wanted. He didn’t understand.
He watched her disappear around the corner. He turned to walk toward the elevator back down to the 1st floor.
As Nick stopped at the security desk to sign back out, he heard someone calling out his name. Nick turned around to see Ariana rushing up to him. Nick rolled his eyes and finished signing out. Nick looked at the security guard saying, “Thanks a lot.”
He turned and walked away as Ariana continued to rush up to him.
She was breathing heavily once she caught up to him.
She smiled, “Hi Nick. I saw you upstairs when you were talking to Sabrina.”
“Go away.” Nick said coldly as he walked out the door to head toward his car.
“Nick, sweetie, please don’t be this way.”
Nick glared at her as he kept walking.
“Hi…Can you tell me where I can find, Sabrina Lancaster? She works for Links Advertisement as the Arts Director.”
“No problem. The security guard stated as he began looking up the name.
After a few seconds, the tall dark skinned man responded with a smile, “You’ll have to go up to the 9th floor. That’s the lobby for Links Advertisement. Ask for her there and they will let her know.”
“Thanks.” Nick stated.
“But, I need you to sign in here, and don’t forget to sign back out before you leave.”
Nick nodded in agreement.
The security guard gave him a visitor’s badge and Nick walked toward the elevators.
Nick stepped off the elevator at the 9th floor and saw a mousy brown haired woman sitting at the receptionist desk. She wore a flowery dress that looked like it could be a kitchen table cloth.
“Hi…Im here for Sabrina Lancaster.”
The woman smiled flirtatiously at Nick. “Hello there. And are you a client?”
Nick smiled at the woman. “No, Im her husband.”
“Oh! How sweet.” The woman said when she noticed the fresh yellow daisies in Nick’s hands. “Just one moment, and I will get her right down for you.”
She picked up her phone and proceeded to dial a number.
“Can you please let Sabrina Lancaster know that her husband is down in the lobby to see her.” The woman paused. “Oh okay. I will just have him wait here….okay, thanks.”
The woman replaced the phone down on the receiver ending the call. She smiled as she looked at Nick. “You know…we missed you at the celebration dinner last Wednesday night.”
“Im sorry, the what?” Nick asked looking at her confused.
The woman smiled and responded, “You know, the celebration dinner your wife helped to achieve for booking yet another advertising deal with a very important client. I was fortunately invited because I begged..” the woman laughed flirtatiously. She continued, “…but your wife said you had to work. Sorry you couldn’t get off for it.”
Nick stared at her having no idea what she was talking about. Nick realized Sabrina didn’t even mention anything about a dinner to him…at all. Nick decided to play along with the woman as if he knew what she was talking about.
He smiled and nodded, “Yeah…im sorry I missed it too.”
The woman smiled and gazed at him as if she had naughty thoughts running thru her mind about him.
Nick glanced down at the phone on her desk and back up at her. “So…is my wife on her way down…or…?”
“Oh!” She said as if snapping out of her thoughts. “Her assistant said she is out to lunch, but should be back shortly. You can wait for her if you like. You can have a seat right over there while you wait. Or... you can stand here and just keep me company.” The woman giggled with a silly smile.
Nick looked behind him and noticed the small sitting area. “Thanks. I’ll go wait over there. ” He said nicely to the woman.
Nick took a seat and waited patiently as he watched people move about in their business suits. It was obvious the elevators from the 9th floor up were strictly for the Links Advertisement company as he noticed every person wore a badge with the Links Advertising logo.
Nick found himself a little entertained to hear the brief conversations people had as they walked by him to go to their respective destinations. The elevators were busy opening and closing as people hopped in and out apparently leaving for lunch or coming back from lunch.
A few minutes pass when Nick turned his attention to the elevator full of people laughing and talking as they walked off. That’s when he saw Sabrina laughing with her arm linked tightly within another man’s arm who was laughing with her. They looked like they were having a wonderful time.
Nick stood up as he held the flowers in his hands. It was obvious Sabrina hadn’t noticed him yet, so he stepped forward a little where she could notice him. Nick stared at the man who seem to be whispering and laughing in her ear as they walked. Sabrina laughed more and finally noticed Nick standing there with a beautiful bouquet of yellow daisies.
Sabrina immediately stopped laughing, her smile quickly dropped and she jolted away from Kevin’s touch. Kevin noticed Sabrina’s sudden change and he slowly died down his laugh as he stared at the man holding the beautiful flowers.
“Nick! What are you doing here?”
Nick stared at the man beside her a little longer and brought his eyes toward Sabrina. “Hey, baby…I thought I would come to surprise you and take you out for lunch, but I guess I was too late.” Nick stepped up to her handing her the flowers and kissed her cheek.
Sabrina awkwardly took the flowers from Nick and slightly moved away as if she didn’t want Nick to kiss her in front of everyone.
Sabrina lightly chuckled. “Yeah…you should have called first.”
Nick stepped back and looked at her. “I did…but, you didn’t answer or return my call.”
Sabrina awkwardly looked down at the flowers he had given her and brought her eyes back up to Nick’s. She noticed he was staring at Kevin.
“Uhh..this is Kevin…he works in the Sales department. Kevin…this is…Nick.” Sabrina introduced them.
Kevin extended his hand out to Nick with a smile. “So you’re Nick…How’s it going? Nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Nick gave him a faint smile and welcomed his greeting as he shook his hand. “Nice to meet you. I hope you heard all good things.” Nick said as he glanced at Sabrina with a faint smile.
Sabrina looked very uncomfortable as she avoided everyone’s eye contact.
Kevin laughed, “Hey, Im on your side. If it was bad, I always turned it into a positive thing. You have nothing to worry about my friend.”
Nick chuckled lightly as he brought his hand back down to his side.
They all stood there for a brief awkward moment.
“Well…do you mind if I have a moment with my wife?” Nick asked looking at Kevin wondering why he was still standing there.
Kevin clapped his hand as if snapping himself out of his own thoughts. “Of course. My fault.” He looked at Sabrina and continued, “I’ll see you in a bit.” Kevin said as if he wanted to lean in and kiss Sabrina on the cheek. Instead he just squeezed her shoulder. He turned his attention to Nick saying, “Again, it was nice to meet you, man.” He then finally walked off.
Nick only nodded with a light smile on his face. Nick watched him walk away and turned his attention back to Sabrina.
“Do you have a second?” Nick asked Sabrina.
“No, actually I don’t. I have to go to a meeting.” Sabrina said looking behind Nick noticing the time on the big clock on the wall behind the receptionist.
“Sorry I missed your lunch time…but looks like you had a lot of fun though.” Nick said referencing her and Kevin laughing and holding on to each other as they walked off the elevator.
Sabrina tucked a few loose strands from her ponytail behind her ear.
“Shouldn’t you be home catching up on your sleep?”
“What, I can’t come here to have lunch with my wife?” Nick asked softly as he stared intently into her eyes.
Sabrina shook her head. “Maybe another time. Listen, I have to go.” Sabrina started to walk away.
Nick gently grabbed her hand, “Well…what time do you think you will be home? I really want us to talk. I think it’s time we stop ignoring each other, ya know? I think I’ve given you enough space to relieve the stress you say I’ve given you…right?” Nick said with pleading eyes.
Sabrina sighed and looked at the people staring at them as they passed. Sabrina lightly moved her arm away from his grasp.
“I don’t know what time I will be home.” she answered.
“Do you think you can make it home before Cody comes back. I just want to make sure we have enough time alone before Cody comes home, know what I mean?”
“I don’t know…I mean…I can’t make any promises on when I will be home.” Sabrina said in slightly cold tone. “Nick, I really have to go. I’ll just see you whenever I get home, okay?”
“Alright.” Nick said feeling defeated. “I love you.” Nick leaned down to kiss her lips.
As soon as Nick came close to her lips Sabrina turned her head forcing Nick to kiss her cheek instead. Nick noticed her gesture and slowly backed away.
Sabrina faintly smiled at him saying, “Bye.” She then simply walked away.
Nick didn’t understand her. Why was she still acting this way? He’s been doing everything she wanted. He didn’t understand.
He watched her disappear around the corner. He turned to walk toward the elevator back down to the 1st floor.
As Nick stopped at the security desk to sign back out, he heard someone calling out his name. Nick turned around to see Ariana rushing up to him. Nick rolled his eyes and finished signing out. Nick looked at the security guard saying, “Thanks a lot.”
He turned and walked away as Ariana continued to rush up to him.
She was breathing heavily once she caught up to him.
She smiled, “Hi Nick. I saw you upstairs when you were talking to Sabrina.”
“Go away.” Nick said coldly as he walked out the door to head toward his car.
“Nick, sweetie, please don’t be this way.”
Nick glared at her as he kept walking.
_ “Nick, I know you’re upset with me, but I have more pills
for you now. The few pills that I gave you worked, right? So, why are you so
upset with me?”
“Ariana, go…away.” Nick spat thru his teeth as he continued walking. “What, you don’t want anymore pills? Are you just going to only talk to me when you need more? Is that how it works?”
Nick abruptly stopped and towered over her with a frown on his face.
“That’s how it’s always been. Now get the fuck out of here.” Nick turned and walked away.
Ariana frowned in anger. “Fine! You want to be that way... see if I ever give you anything else!” Ariana shouted at him.
“Fine…I’ll just get it straight from the source. I don’t need you anyway.” Nick said with a grin holding his arms out as he walked backwards.
Ariana frowned and thought for a moment as Nick turned back around and walked toward his parked car. She quickly ran up to him to stop him.
“Okay, okay! Im sorry. Please…don’t do this to me. I have to see you Nick, and if this is the only way to keep seeing you, then fine. Just don’t stop coming to see me…please?” Ariana said pulling on his arm.
Nick snatched his arm from her and kept walking forcing Ariana to stop in her tracks.
“Nick, she’s cheating on you with that guy, Kevin!” Ariana blurted out.
Nick stopped and frowned. He slowly turned around and looked at her as the wind blew her long red hair into her face.
She swallowed hard when she saw how pissed Nick looked.
“What did you say?” Nick asked.
“It’s true. She and that guy Kevin have been going out…a lot.”
Nick thought for a moment and smiled, chuckling as he shook his head. “You’re such a lying bitch.” Nick turned to walk away from her once again.
Ariana ran up to him and jumped in front of him. “It’s true! I can get the proof. Just ask Joanna.” Ariana blurted out wanting Nick to believe her.
“Joanna? What does she have to do with anything?”
“You want the proof don’t you? You don’t believe me? Well…What do you think Sabrina’s been doing every night while you’re at work, huh?”
Nick looked at her in disbelief. He knew she was lying. She had to be lying. Sabrina was pregnant and always tired. She never had time to cheat on him. She’s not having sex with another guy when she’s pregnant and with Cody around all the time. It didn’t make any sense. It wasn’t true and Nick wasn’t about to believe her nonsense. He realized she would say anything to get him to do what she wanted. Especially if Joanna had anything to do with it, he knew they were both lying.
“I don’t have time for this.” Nick finally said as he reached his car.
“I’ll give you the proof, Nick. I will. Just promise me that you won’t stop seeing me. Please? I’ll go crazy if I don’t see you every few months.”
Nick abruptly turned around to face her making her jump back. “And one more thing, don’t fuck with my wife, do you understand me? Keep messing with her, and I swear to God, you’d wish you never have. Don’t fuck with me Ariana.”
Nick hopped into his car and started the engine.
“Okay, Im sorry! I won’t, I promise! Nick! …Please…! I’m sorry! Nick!”
Nick backed his car into reverse out of the parking space.
Ariana raised her hands up into her hair as if she were going to go crazy. Nick continued to ignore her.
“NICK!” she began to lightly sob.
Nick drove off, leaving her standing there as she watched him burn rubber out of the parking lot.
----------------
“Ariana, go…away.” Nick spat thru his teeth as he continued walking. “What, you don’t want anymore pills? Are you just going to only talk to me when you need more? Is that how it works?”
Nick abruptly stopped and towered over her with a frown on his face.
“That’s how it’s always been. Now get the fuck out of here.” Nick turned and walked away.
Ariana frowned in anger. “Fine! You want to be that way... see if I ever give you anything else!” Ariana shouted at him.
“Fine…I’ll just get it straight from the source. I don’t need you anyway.” Nick said with a grin holding his arms out as he walked backwards.
Ariana frowned and thought for a moment as Nick turned back around and walked toward his parked car. She quickly ran up to him to stop him.
“Okay, okay! Im sorry. Please…don’t do this to me. I have to see you Nick, and if this is the only way to keep seeing you, then fine. Just don’t stop coming to see me…please?” Ariana said pulling on his arm.
Nick snatched his arm from her and kept walking forcing Ariana to stop in her tracks.
“Nick, she’s cheating on you with that guy, Kevin!” Ariana blurted out.
Nick stopped and frowned. He slowly turned around and looked at her as the wind blew her long red hair into her face.
She swallowed hard when she saw how pissed Nick looked.
“What did you say?” Nick asked.
“It’s true. She and that guy Kevin have been going out…a lot.”
Nick thought for a moment and smiled, chuckling as he shook his head. “You’re such a lying bitch.” Nick turned to walk away from her once again.
Ariana ran up to him and jumped in front of him. “It’s true! I can get the proof. Just ask Joanna.” Ariana blurted out wanting Nick to believe her.
“Joanna? What does she have to do with anything?”
“You want the proof don’t you? You don’t believe me? Well…What do you think Sabrina’s been doing every night while you’re at work, huh?”
Nick looked at her in disbelief. He knew she was lying. She had to be lying. Sabrina was pregnant and always tired. She never had time to cheat on him. She’s not having sex with another guy when she’s pregnant and with Cody around all the time. It didn’t make any sense. It wasn’t true and Nick wasn’t about to believe her nonsense. He realized she would say anything to get him to do what she wanted. Especially if Joanna had anything to do with it, he knew they were both lying.
“I don’t have time for this.” Nick finally said as he reached his car.
“I’ll give you the proof, Nick. I will. Just promise me that you won’t stop seeing me. Please? I’ll go crazy if I don’t see you every few months.”
Nick abruptly turned around to face her making her jump back. “And one more thing, don’t fuck with my wife, do you understand me? Keep messing with her, and I swear to God, you’d wish you never have. Don’t fuck with me Ariana.”
Nick hopped into his car and started the engine.
“Okay, Im sorry! I won’t, I promise! Nick! …Please…! I’m sorry! Nick!”
Nick backed his car into reverse out of the parking space.
Ariana raised her hands up into her hair as if she were going to go crazy. Nick continued to ignore her.
“NICK!” she began to lightly sob.
Nick drove off, leaving her standing there as she watched him burn rubber out of the parking lot.
----------------
_ Nick had spent the next few hours at the hospital with
little Nicky. There was no improvement. For the moment, everything was the
same, and Nicky was still fighting for his life.
Miley had told Nick that Joanna had just took their mother home, but she was coming right back, since she was planning to spend the night with Nicky at the hospital. Nick didn’t intend to, but he stayed there long enough for Joanna to come back.
Joanna walked into the NICU and saw Nick standing near the incubator. She smiled admiring his manly physique from behind. She slowly walked up behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist.
“Hi.” She said softly.
Nick lightly removed her arms away from around him. “Hey.” Nick said flatly.
Joanna slightly frowned at his gesture. She allowed him to remove her arms away from around him. She stood closely next to him as she looked down at Nicky.
“How long have you been here?” Joanna asked softly.
“A couple of hours.”
“Any updates?”
“No.”
Joanna placed her hand inside the incubator. She began softly rubbing his head.
“Hey, mommy’s baby. Oh, I can’t wait to hold you in my arms my precious baby boy.” Joanna said sweetly.
Nick looked over at Joanna. “How are you doing?”
Joanna smiled as she continued to look down at the baby. “Better. Thanks.”
Nick then thought about Ariana and frowned. Nick gently tugged on Joanna’s arm.
“Can we talk?”
Joanna looked up at Nick and smiled. “Yeah, sure.”
She gave Nicky one last look, and followed Nick outside of the NICU room.
Miley had told Nick that Joanna had just took their mother home, but she was coming right back, since she was planning to spend the night with Nicky at the hospital. Nick didn’t intend to, but he stayed there long enough for Joanna to come back.
Joanna walked into the NICU and saw Nick standing near the incubator. She smiled admiring his manly physique from behind. She slowly walked up behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist.
“Hi.” She said softly.
Nick lightly removed her arms away from around him. “Hey.” Nick said flatly.
Joanna slightly frowned at his gesture. She allowed him to remove her arms away from around him. She stood closely next to him as she looked down at Nicky.
“How long have you been here?” Joanna asked softly.
“A couple of hours.”
“Any updates?”
“No.”
Joanna placed her hand inside the incubator. She began softly rubbing his head.
“Hey, mommy’s baby. Oh, I can’t wait to hold you in my arms my precious baby boy.” Joanna said sweetly.
Nick looked over at Joanna. “How are you doing?”
Joanna smiled as she continued to look down at the baby. “Better. Thanks.”
Nick then thought about Ariana and frowned. Nick gently tugged on Joanna’s arm.
“Can we talk?”
Joanna looked up at Nick and smiled. “Yeah, sure.”
She gave Nicky one last look, and followed Nick outside of the NICU room.
_
Nick walked toward the large window near the elevators.
“What’s up?” Joanna asked with a smile.
“What kind of shit are you making up with Ariana?” Nick said angrily in a low tone not to cause any disruption on the NICU floor.
Joanna immediately frowned. “What?”
“What are you up to, Jo?”
“Im not up to anything Nick, I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Joanna said defending herself.
“Why is Ariana bringing up your name about a bunch of nonsense about my wife?”
Joanna squinted her eyes at Nick with confusion. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. I don’t even talk to Ariana anymore. Im surprised you still do.”
“Well, why don’t you go talk to Ariana and figure out why she’s bringing your name up. I know you’re lying. But let me tell you this…you will … keep my wife’s name out of your fucking mouth. Both you and Ariana… stay away from her…and just leave both of us alone. Got it?”
Joanna looked at Nick with a scowl. “Nobody wants to hurt your wife, okay? I never said anything about her or have anything to do with her, so get your facts straight, alright? Fuck you, Nicholas Lancaster, and fuck your wife. I don’t care about that bitch…one day you will realize that. Now excuse me, while I go check on our son.” Joanna said angrily in a low tone and quickly walked away down the corridor as her long black hair flapped behind her.
Nick frowned as he watched her walk away. He pushed the down button for the elevator to arrive. Nick was so tired of the nonsense surrounding his life. He just wanted things back to normal with Sabrina. If that was going to happen, he knew he was going to have to start confessing some things to her.
------------------
“Hello?”
“You stupid red headed bitch! What the fuck did you tell Nick?”
Ariana’s eyes went wide in panic. “Joanna?”
“You know who this is! You tell me right fucking now, what did you tell Nick?” Joanna spat into the phone as she paced the woman’s public restroom floor at the hospital.
“Joanna, I swear I didn’t say anything.”
“Don’t lie to me you fucking bitch! Tell me right now!”
“Jo, I can’t talk right now, Im at work.” Ariana quietly spoke into her cell phone as she sat at her desk looking across the way into Sabrina’s office.
“Then get the fuck up, and go somewhere you can talk!”
“Okay!…hold on..” Ariana said.
She quickly hopped up from her desk and peeked her head into Sabrina’s office.
“Im going to take a quick break…you don’t need me, right?”
Sabrina looked up from her computer in shock that Ariana was asking if she needed her.
“No…Im fine. Thanks.” Sabrina said slowly.
Ariana smiled. “Okay.”
She quickly darted into the stairwell and walked down a few flights. She brought the phone back up to her lips and spoke, “Okay, Jo, Im back. I can talk.”
“And you better not have been stalling to make up some dumb ass lie. Now what did you tell Nick? And why the hell are you even talking to him? Are you trying to screw up the plan?”
“No, Jo, I swear. I didn’t—“
“Don’t lie to me! I just talked to Nick. He mentioned your name and I know he doesn’t have a reason to lie. So talk!”
Ariana took a deep breath and spoke nervously.
“Okay…Nick came up here to the job to see Sabrina. He saw Sabrina with Kevin, and I just kind of said that she was cheating on him with Kevin…but that’s all I said!”
“Are you fucking crazy?! You weren’t supposed to say anything yet! In fact, you weren’t supposed to say ANYHING at all! Im supposed to be the one to tell Nick about Sabrina! Not you! We were supposed to wait…you wait on my command. You are supposed to lay low, and don’t say shit! Do you understand?”
“I know, Im sorry, Jo. I didn’t mean to…”
“Don’t talk to Nick! Ever! You got it?!”
“Yes…Jo, Im sorry.”
“Why are you even talking to him? Do you still have a crush on him?”
“No!” Ariana lied.
“Bitch, if I find out that you are still trying to get with my man, I swear to fucking God I will kill you. Do you understand that?”
“Yes.” Ariana said slightly fearing for her life by listening to Joanna’s threats.
“Do what I tell you to do. Don’t fuck up my plan. Now I have to change a few things, thanks to you. You need to lay low like you’ve been doing and don’t do shit unless I tell you to! Don’t you ever talk to Nick. Got it?”
“Jo…Im sorry. I swear…I won’t.”
At that, Ariana only heard a dial tone in her ear.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
“What’s up?” Joanna asked with a smile.
“What kind of shit are you making up with Ariana?” Nick said angrily in a low tone not to cause any disruption on the NICU floor.
Joanna immediately frowned. “What?”
“What are you up to, Jo?”
“Im not up to anything Nick, I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Joanna said defending herself.
“Why is Ariana bringing up your name about a bunch of nonsense about my wife?”
Joanna squinted her eyes at Nick with confusion. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. I don’t even talk to Ariana anymore. Im surprised you still do.”
“Well, why don’t you go talk to Ariana and figure out why she’s bringing your name up. I know you’re lying. But let me tell you this…you will … keep my wife’s name out of your fucking mouth. Both you and Ariana… stay away from her…and just leave both of us alone. Got it?”
Joanna looked at Nick with a scowl. “Nobody wants to hurt your wife, okay? I never said anything about her or have anything to do with her, so get your facts straight, alright? Fuck you, Nicholas Lancaster, and fuck your wife. I don’t care about that bitch…one day you will realize that. Now excuse me, while I go check on our son.” Joanna said angrily in a low tone and quickly walked away down the corridor as her long black hair flapped behind her.
Nick frowned as he watched her walk away. He pushed the down button for the elevator to arrive. Nick was so tired of the nonsense surrounding his life. He just wanted things back to normal with Sabrina. If that was going to happen, he knew he was going to have to start confessing some things to her.
------------------
“Hello?”
“You stupid red headed bitch! What the fuck did you tell Nick?”
Ariana’s eyes went wide in panic. “Joanna?”
“You know who this is! You tell me right fucking now, what did you tell Nick?” Joanna spat into the phone as she paced the woman’s public restroom floor at the hospital.
“Joanna, I swear I didn’t say anything.”
“Don’t lie to me you fucking bitch! Tell me right now!”
“Jo, I can’t talk right now, Im at work.” Ariana quietly spoke into her cell phone as she sat at her desk looking across the way into Sabrina’s office.
“Then get the fuck up, and go somewhere you can talk!”
“Okay!…hold on..” Ariana said.
She quickly hopped up from her desk and peeked her head into Sabrina’s office.
“Im going to take a quick break…you don’t need me, right?”
Sabrina looked up from her computer in shock that Ariana was asking if she needed her.
“No…Im fine. Thanks.” Sabrina said slowly.
Ariana smiled. “Okay.”
She quickly darted into the stairwell and walked down a few flights. She brought the phone back up to her lips and spoke, “Okay, Jo, Im back. I can talk.”
“And you better not have been stalling to make up some dumb ass lie. Now what did you tell Nick? And why the hell are you even talking to him? Are you trying to screw up the plan?”
“No, Jo, I swear. I didn’t—“
“Don’t lie to me! I just talked to Nick. He mentioned your name and I know he doesn’t have a reason to lie. So talk!”
Ariana took a deep breath and spoke nervously.
“Okay…Nick came up here to the job to see Sabrina. He saw Sabrina with Kevin, and I just kind of said that she was cheating on him with Kevin…but that’s all I said!”
“Are you fucking crazy?! You weren’t supposed to say anything yet! In fact, you weren’t supposed to say ANYHING at all! Im supposed to be the one to tell Nick about Sabrina! Not you! We were supposed to wait…you wait on my command. You are supposed to lay low, and don’t say shit! Do you understand?”
“I know, Im sorry, Jo. I didn’t mean to…”
“Don’t talk to Nick! Ever! You got it?!”
“Yes…Jo, Im sorry.”
“Why are you even talking to him? Do you still have a crush on him?”
“No!” Ariana lied.
“Bitch, if I find out that you are still trying to get with my man, I swear to fucking God I will kill you. Do you understand that?”
“Yes.” Ariana said slightly fearing for her life by listening to Joanna’s threats.
“Do what I tell you to do. Don’t fuck up my plan. Now I have to change a few things, thanks to you. You need to lay low like you’ve been doing and don’t do shit unless I tell you to! Don’t you ever talk to Nick. Got it?”
“Jo…Im sorry. I swear…I won’t.”
At that, Ariana only heard a dial tone in her ear.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
_1/1/2012
© 2011 - 2012 CelebritySuperFan
© 2011 - 2012 CelebritySuperFan