Chapter 95
Alaia
“But what are you saying? Nick wouldn’t believe in something like that,” Ash swatted at Tino.
“You’re right, I don’t know what I’m thinking. My sweetie is a darling, I’m sorry, honey,” my friend took my hands, and I nodded.
But my mind was only thinking about the unanswered calls and the fact that just yesterday I had left the folder in his hands before all this exploded.
I shook my head. No, he couldn’t be thinking that I convinced myself, but a small flame of doubt remained lit.
I tried calling him again but received no response. Even Will had stopped answering me.
“Honey,” I shifted my gaze from the phone to my mother, “you need to be calm. Your love has endured too many tests. If what Tino said happens, you just need to clear everything up, like you didn’t have the chance to do years ago.” She caressed my cheek, while Ash pointed a finger at Tino and said something to him.
I kept my phone in hand for another hour until I finally received a call from Will. I hurried to answer.
“Alaia, I finally managed to contact the house nurse. If I’m not mistaken, Nick should be arriving soon. Go to his house, I’ll be there shortly,” his tone of voice was serious and didn’t help with the unpleasant feeling in my stomach.
“Thank you, Will. I’ll go there right away,” I said and ended the call.
I took my children, who had asked about Nick several times. They couldn’t spend much time without him since we had been spending more time together.
I left the house and received a supportive look from my mother, while Tino held Ash’s hands. They watched me from the doorway.
I parked in front of the house, got the children out, and took them by the hand. The door was open, and there were movements of several people going up to the second floor.
“Mommy, Daddy there,” my little girl pointed to the second floor.
“Yes, sweetie,” I said and looked for someone I knew in the house.
“Ma’am,” Sophie approached and took my hands, with a certain joy reflected in her gaze, “I’ll tell the master that you’ve arrived.” She kissed my children’s cheeks, walked quickly to climb the stairs, and disappeared down the hallway opposite Nick’s room. My children looked up.
After a few seconds, I saw Nick at the top of the stairs. He was wearing the same clothes as yesterday and had the folder in his hands. He looked tired. My children let go of my hands and ran to greet him. I pressed my hands together and looked at him. He smiled, looking at Noah and Alana until he reached the last step, where he fixed his gaze on me and put the folder on the floor to lovingly hug the children.
“Little buddy, my angel,” he hugged them and kissed their heads, then looked at me. “Could you give us a second?” he spoke to them tenderly, and at that moment Sophia appeared.
“Come, my children, let’s go see Cupcake and Beast,” she invited, extending her hands, which they didn’t hesitate to take.
Nick picked up the folder again and stood up, taking slow steps toward me until only a few centimeters separated us.
He looked at the folder in his hands and then at me, making this moment too tense for my stomach.
“I’m sorry,” he said softly, throwing the folder aside. Confused, I looked into his eyes, and he kissed me.
“What?” I questioned and blinked before he took me by the neck and devoured my lips, making a warm emotion run through me.
“I should have called you earlier,” he spoke between short kisses, “but something urgent came up.” His smile was precious at this moment.
“Darling, I…” I pointed to the scattered papers in the living room, wanting to clarify the folder before anything else happened.
“You knew and wanted to warn me,” he put a finger on my lips, and I nodded. “The minister…” spoke.
“I know, love,” he exhaled. “I know they found out and made you believe it was you, but I’m sure you didn’t do it. They also told me we could lose the contract, but none of that matters anymore. There’s you, our children, and…” He kissed me again, and now it was me who drew a radiant smile on his lips. The tension in my body vanished now that I knew nothing could break us apart.
“Sophia,” he called for her in the yard, and she quickly returned with our children. “Come,” Nick took my hand and Alana’s while mine caught Noah’s little hand. He guided us to the second floor and led us to a room that wasn’t his. He opened the door slightly, allowing me to see Dominic in the bed, with his heartbeat accelerating with each second as I watched him open his eyes and blink. I brought my hands to my mouth, and tears blurred my vision.
“He woke up last night,” the joy in my husband’s voice was evident and melted my heart. “I went crazy and did everything necessary to bring him here. I couldn’t leave him,” he explained why he hadn’t answered me.
“Oh, my love,” I caressed his face and hugged him. He received me, pressed me against his body, and kissed my hair. I couldn’t be happier for him, for us.
“I want him to meet you,” he said, approaching the door, and I took his hand, stopping him. I leaned down to talk to my children.
“We’re going to greet your grandfather Dom, who has woken up, and I know he’ll be happy to meet you,” I took their little hands, and they gave me their full attention.
“Grandpa Dom,” Noah repeated, gave a little jump, and made us laugh.
“That’s right, my darlings,” I stood up. The children moved their little legs quickly, and with familiarity in their father’s house, they entered before us and approached the bed. They were small for this bed; their heads barely reached the mattress.
Nick took me by the waist, and we stayed close to the door.
“Grandpa,” Alana said, looking at him. She had to raise her little face. Dominic’s eyes searched for the little person who had spoken, observed each of his grandchildren for several seconds, and his surprised gaze went to Nick.