Chapter 15
Cody (Sabrina's son) & Josslyn (Nick's daughter)
A month later, Sabrina and Nick were still keeping in touch. Almost everyday Nick would either call her or send her a text message. Whenever they were both free, they would even spend some time talking via web cam with each other. This is how Sabrina was able to meet his daughter Josslyn. Nick had Josslyn every other weekend and when she wasn’t sleep, Nick would have Josslyn sit in his lap while he spoke to Sabrina.
“Daddy, she’s pretty!” Josslyn would say every time she saw Sabrina’s face on screen.
Sabrina thought Josslyn was as cute as a button. Sabrina introduced Cody to Nick on web cam as well. However, he wasn’t on screen as often as Nick would have his daughter on screen.
“Nick seems pretty cool, mom. I approve.” Cody told Sabrina one night.
Sabrina and Nick even spent one Saturday night talking all night long and into the early morning. It was almost as if they were getting to know each other all over again…but as adults.
Sabrina even kept in touch with Demi. Since they both were still living in Atlanta, they even met up for lunch one day.
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“Daddy, she’s pretty!” Josslyn would say every time she saw Sabrina’s face on screen.
Sabrina thought Josslyn was as cute as a button. Sabrina introduced Cody to Nick on web cam as well. However, he wasn’t on screen as often as Nick would have his daughter on screen.
“Nick seems pretty cool, mom. I approve.” Cody told Sabrina one night.
Sabrina and Nick even spent one Saturday night talking all night long and into the early morning. It was almost as if they were getting to know each other all over again…but as adults.
Sabrina even kept in touch with Demi. Since they both were still living in Atlanta, they even met up for lunch one day.
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Sabrina was having a normal hectic day at work when she got a phone call from Nick. “This is Sabrina.” Sabrina answered.
“Hey Bri-bear.”
She could hear the smile in Nick’s voice. “Hey! What are you doing calling me at this time of the day?” Sabrina said with a smile and forgetting her work for the moment.
“What are your plans for the weekend?”
“Work…work…and more work. Why what’s up? Are you coming up to visit me finally?”
“Well, it looks like I will. The job is going to give me a few days.”
Sabrina smiled with excitement. “That’s awesome! I can’t wait for you to come! Are you bringing Joss with you?”
“Well, it’s not my weekend to have her. But if you want me to bring her I will see what I can work out with Joanne.”
At that moment, Gary walked into her office with his hands on his hips waiting impatiently for Sabrina to get off the phone. Lilly followed close behind him with a scowl on her face. When Sabrina saw them come into her office, her smile faded away from her face. “Yeah, bring her. I can’t wait. But you know what? Can we talk about this later. I just got company that waltzed into my office.”
Nick chuckled. “Let me guess..Gary?”
Sabrina smiled.
It was funny how well he knew Gary by name yet he had never met him before. It was obvious he was a hot topic whenever Nick asked Sabrina how her day at work went. “You guessed right. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Okay, later.” Nick said ending the call.
Sabrina rested the phone back on it’s receiver as she looked up at Lilly and Gary. Almost instantaneously they both spoke at the same time. They were complaining about a project for a possible upcoming advertisement. Sabrina only stared at them as they sounded like Charles Schulz’s cartoon, Charlie Brown’s teacher. “Womp, womp, womp.”
Gary wore a florescent pink button down shirt with a plaid pink, yellow and green bow tie while wearing caramel tan pants. Lilly on the other hand was wearing a simple blue navy pant suit. Two complete opposites were standing in her office and they were bickering a mile a minute. Before Sabrina had a chance to say anything to them, her boss, Mr. Sean Connery, walked thru the door with an attractive Hispanic woman. Sabrina quickly stood up from her seat out of respect for her boss.
Lilly and Gary immediately stopped once they heard Mr. Connery clear his throat and enter into Sabrina’s office. Gary quickly adjusted his posture and stood up straight. “Good morning, Mr. Connery.”
Lilly adjusted her eye glasses and spoke properly as well. “Mr. Connery…good morning.”
“Hey Bri-bear.”
She could hear the smile in Nick’s voice. “Hey! What are you doing calling me at this time of the day?” Sabrina said with a smile and forgetting her work for the moment.
“What are your plans for the weekend?”
“Work…work…and more work. Why what’s up? Are you coming up to visit me finally?”
“Well, it looks like I will. The job is going to give me a few days.”
Sabrina smiled with excitement. “That’s awesome! I can’t wait for you to come! Are you bringing Joss with you?”
“Well, it’s not my weekend to have her. But if you want me to bring her I will see what I can work out with Joanne.”
At that moment, Gary walked into her office with his hands on his hips waiting impatiently for Sabrina to get off the phone. Lilly followed close behind him with a scowl on her face. When Sabrina saw them come into her office, her smile faded away from her face. “Yeah, bring her. I can’t wait. But you know what? Can we talk about this later. I just got company that waltzed into my office.”
Nick chuckled. “Let me guess..Gary?”
Sabrina smiled.
It was funny how well he knew Gary by name yet he had never met him before. It was obvious he was a hot topic whenever Nick asked Sabrina how her day at work went. “You guessed right. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Okay, later.” Nick said ending the call.
Sabrina rested the phone back on it’s receiver as she looked up at Lilly and Gary. Almost instantaneously they both spoke at the same time. They were complaining about a project for a possible upcoming advertisement. Sabrina only stared at them as they sounded like Charles Schulz’s cartoon, Charlie Brown’s teacher. “Womp, womp, womp.”
Gary wore a florescent pink button down shirt with a plaid pink, yellow and green bow tie while wearing caramel tan pants. Lilly on the other hand was wearing a simple blue navy pant suit. Two complete opposites were standing in her office and they were bickering a mile a minute. Before Sabrina had a chance to say anything to them, her boss, Mr. Sean Connery, walked thru the door with an attractive Hispanic woman. Sabrina quickly stood up from her seat out of respect for her boss.
Lilly and Gary immediately stopped once they heard Mr. Connery clear his throat and enter into Sabrina’s office. Gary quickly adjusted his posture and stood up straight. “Good morning, Mr. Connery.”
Lilly adjusted her eye glasses and spoke properly as well. “Mr. Connery…good morning.”
Sean Connery & Eva Mendez
“Would you two please stop your quarreling while I have a moment with Ms. Sabrina…please.” He ended with annoyance.
“Yes sir.” They both said and exit Sabrina’s office.
Once Gary and Lilly exit her office, Gary whispered to Lilly, “Who is that with him? Girlfriend looks fierce!”
“’Morning Mr. Connery, who do we have here?” Sabrina asked with a faint smile looking at the attractive Hispanic woman standing next to him. She wore a black pencil skirt and a neutral multi colored blouse. Her full hair flowed nicely around her face as it seem to enhance her beauty mark on her left cheek.
She smiled at Sabrina as Mr. Connery introduced the woman. “Sabrina this is Eva Mendez attorney at law from Orlando, Florida…”
Sabrina’s smile faded as she tried not to expose the shock on her face from being informed she was an attorney. Usually when there is an attorney at her job, someone is trying to claim a lawsuit against the company. Mr. Connery continued, “I understand she has some business with you that unfortunately I cannot be disclosed of. However, if you decide to cooperate with whatever she needs you for, you have my permission to take the time off to handle your business in the court of law.” He finished as he looked at Eva.
Eva smiled at Mr. Connery and looked at Sabrina extending her hand to greet her. Sabrina shook her hand slowly and said with a confused expression. “I’m not sure I understand exactly. Is your business here strictly just for me? Is it something I have done with one of our projects…?” Sabrina asked as she exchanged glances between Mr. Connery and Eva.
“Oh, no. This has nothing to do with your job here. This actually has to do with more personal business.” Eva responded with a slight Spanish accent.
“I will leave you two alone. Nice to meet you Mrs. Mendez.” Mr. Connery said as he shook her hand before leaving out of Sabrina’s office. “Likewise.” Eva responded.
Mr. Connery closed the door before Sabrina decided to continue their conversation. Sabrina offered Eva to have a seat in front of her desk while she took her seat behind her desk.
“What’s this about?” Sabrina inquired.
“Thank you for allowing me to come and speak with you, Ms. Cain.”
“Well, it’s not like I had a choice.” Sabrina shrugged off.
“Well, I do apologize for the slight ambush.” Eva lifted her briefcase onto her lap and opened it as she spoke. “I have a client who needs your assistance in a court case that will take place this Friday. Because it is such short notice, before I even spoke to you, I wanted to make sure you would be able to attend court.”
“Wait a minute. Is this your way of giving me some sort of subpoena? What for? And where is this court case supposed to take place? In Orlando?” Sabrina asked confused.
Ignoring all of her questions, Eva continued, “I understand you know a former classmate of yours by the name of Zack Efron, correct?” Sabrina stared blankly at her.
Eva continued, “Your former classmate has been accused of raping my client almost a month ago during your Class of 2001 high school reunion. The jury trial starts this Thursday in Orlando Florida at 9 am sharp. However, I would like to have you there in court on Friday….”
Sabrina’s heart began to race. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. How does this trace back to her? Zack alledgedly raped another girl in florida during their high school reunion…not her. So why is she involved?
Eva continued, “What I am trying to do is build character for the defendant, Zack Efron. After some research, I understand you may have been unfortunately involved with Zack some years back. Correct?”
Sabrina swallowed hard. Her face felt hot. Her stomach began making twists and turns. She began to feel slightly light headed. Is this really happening? She asked herself.
“Ms. Cain?” Eva called out to Sabrina when Sabrina didn’t respond to her question.
Sabrina snapped out of her thoughts and pushed a few strands of her hair behind her ear and cleared her throat. “Uhm…Im sorry…how did you find me?”
“Well, your not very hard to find when you’re the Arts Director of a major advertising company.” Eva gave Sabrina a reassuring smile.
“Well, no…I mean…how did you get my name? How do you know to come to me?”
Eva’s smile faded when she noticed Sabrina get slightly uncomfortable. “Someone gave us your name. Again, I apologize for such short notice. Today is Wednesday and you don’t have much time to think about it.”
“Think about what? I don’t understand what you want from me.” Sabrina said slightly annoyed.
“We, I mean my client and I would like for you to testify against Zack Efron in court on Friday. Did he not sexually assault you as well, years ago?”
Sabrina shot up out of her chair glaring down at Eva . “Who told you that?”
Eva jumped back slightly in her chair at the sudden rage coming from Sabrina. “Okay…maybe we should start over. Do you know Zack Efron?”
Sabrina walked away from her desk and stood at her large glass window in her office. She looked over the city of Atlanta and the miles of traffic down below. She finally answered, “Yes. I know him.”
“Did he by any means violate you in any way physical at the age of 14?”
Sabrina took a deep breath as she ran both of her hands thru her hair pulling all of her hair back away from her face. She couldn’t believe this. Was she about to admit this tragic event to a stranger she never seen or spoke to when she couldn’t even tell her family? Eva stood up and walked over to Sabrina standing next to her at the window. She gently placed her hand on her shoulder.
“Ms. Cain…it’s okay. It’s never too late to do anything about it even if it happened years ago. No matter what happened, it was not your fault. Your no, meant no.”
Sabrina allowed a tear to silently escape down her cheek as she thought about that frightful night when she was only 14 years old. She continued to look down at the Atlanta traffic. “What happens if I say yes, he did…violated me…what happens then.” Sabrina hesitated, scared to actually say the words 'he raped me’ to the attorney.
Eva folded her arms in front of her chest and replied, “Then this pompous asshole will no longer hurt any more women. If we can prove that he has a lifestyle record as a rapist, then he can be put away for a very long time.”
“What if I never reported it. How will anyone know I was telling the truth?”
“Details. I won’t give you any details about what he did with my client, but if it matches, then I would say we have a winner. Plus…you have a witness.”
Sabrina snapped her head up and looked over at Eva. “What?”
Eva smiled. “Well, I wouldn’t say a witness meaning someone saw it happened. But you did tell someone. That someone is how I was able to contact you. Nicholas Lancaster sound familiar?”
Sabrina rolled her eyes. ‘Should have known!’ she thought to herself. Nick told. But how, and when? Sabrina’s mind was running a mile a minute. She started to get angry at Nick. ‘How dare he go behind my back and report this.’ Sabrina placed one hand on her hip.
“No…I can’t do this.”
Eva’s smile quickly disappeared. “I'm sorry?”
“I don’t want to. I can’t do this.” Sabrina began pacing in her office.
“Ms. Cain, there is nothing to fear. We’re just hoping that there are a few more females who are able to come forward and –“
“I don’t care. No. I have moved on and I can’t…I will not do this. Im sorry Mrs. Mendez, but you’re going to have to find someone else.” Sabrina said now walking to her door and opening it for Mrs. Mendez to leave.
Mrs. Mendez walked up to the chair she once sat in. “Ms. Cain, I just need for you to at least give it more time to think this over and –“
“No. My no means no, Mrs. Mendez.” Sabrina said coldly still holding the door open for her to leave.
Eva gave her a faint smile filled with disappointment. She reached inside her briefcase pulling out a card. She then closed it and placed her purse on her shoulder. She calmly walked up to Sabrina preparing to exit and stopped in front of her standing at the doorway. “If you change your mind, Ms. Cain….” She held up her business card for Sabrina to take. She continued, “Please don’t hesitate to call or even come by.” Sabrina snatched the card away from Eva’s hand.
“Thank you for your time.” Eva nodded to Sabrina and walked away.
Sabrina slammed her door and walked back over to her window and looked out into the city of Atlanta. She then looked down at the business card Eva had given her. She became angry again and thought about Nick. She was obviously ready to give him a piece of her mind.
Sabrina sat down at her desk and dialed Nick’s cell phone. She allowed his phone to ring five times and hung up when he didn’t answer. She dialed it once more and allowed his phone to ring until his voice mail picked up.
“You know who you called, so leave a message.” Nick’s deep voice answered followed by a moderate beep.
“Nick, call me as soon as possible.” Sabrina rushed into the phone with a slight attitude and slammed the phone down.
“Yes sir.” They both said and exit Sabrina’s office.
Once Gary and Lilly exit her office, Gary whispered to Lilly, “Who is that with him? Girlfriend looks fierce!”
“’Morning Mr. Connery, who do we have here?” Sabrina asked with a faint smile looking at the attractive Hispanic woman standing next to him. She wore a black pencil skirt and a neutral multi colored blouse. Her full hair flowed nicely around her face as it seem to enhance her beauty mark on her left cheek.
She smiled at Sabrina as Mr. Connery introduced the woman. “Sabrina this is Eva Mendez attorney at law from Orlando, Florida…”
Sabrina’s smile faded as she tried not to expose the shock on her face from being informed she was an attorney. Usually when there is an attorney at her job, someone is trying to claim a lawsuit against the company. Mr. Connery continued, “I understand she has some business with you that unfortunately I cannot be disclosed of. However, if you decide to cooperate with whatever she needs you for, you have my permission to take the time off to handle your business in the court of law.” He finished as he looked at Eva.
Eva smiled at Mr. Connery and looked at Sabrina extending her hand to greet her. Sabrina shook her hand slowly and said with a confused expression. “I’m not sure I understand exactly. Is your business here strictly just for me? Is it something I have done with one of our projects…?” Sabrina asked as she exchanged glances between Mr. Connery and Eva.
“Oh, no. This has nothing to do with your job here. This actually has to do with more personal business.” Eva responded with a slight Spanish accent.
“I will leave you two alone. Nice to meet you Mrs. Mendez.” Mr. Connery said as he shook her hand before leaving out of Sabrina’s office. “Likewise.” Eva responded.
Mr. Connery closed the door before Sabrina decided to continue their conversation. Sabrina offered Eva to have a seat in front of her desk while she took her seat behind her desk.
“What’s this about?” Sabrina inquired.
“Thank you for allowing me to come and speak with you, Ms. Cain.”
“Well, it’s not like I had a choice.” Sabrina shrugged off.
“Well, I do apologize for the slight ambush.” Eva lifted her briefcase onto her lap and opened it as she spoke. “I have a client who needs your assistance in a court case that will take place this Friday. Because it is such short notice, before I even spoke to you, I wanted to make sure you would be able to attend court.”
“Wait a minute. Is this your way of giving me some sort of subpoena? What for? And where is this court case supposed to take place? In Orlando?” Sabrina asked confused.
Ignoring all of her questions, Eva continued, “I understand you know a former classmate of yours by the name of Zack Efron, correct?” Sabrina stared blankly at her.
Eva continued, “Your former classmate has been accused of raping my client almost a month ago during your Class of 2001 high school reunion. The jury trial starts this Thursday in Orlando Florida at 9 am sharp. However, I would like to have you there in court on Friday….”
Sabrina’s heart began to race. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. How does this trace back to her? Zack alledgedly raped another girl in florida during their high school reunion…not her. So why is she involved?
Eva continued, “What I am trying to do is build character for the defendant, Zack Efron. After some research, I understand you may have been unfortunately involved with Zack some years back. Correct?”
Sabrina swallowed hard. Her face felt hot. Her stomach began making twists and turns. She began to feel slightly light headed. Is this really happening? She asked herself.
“Ms. Cain?” Eva called out to Sabrina when Sabrina didn’t respond to her question.
Sabrina snapped out of her thoughts and pushed a few strands of her hair behind her ear and cleared her throat. “Uhm…Im sorry…how did you find me?”
“Well, your not very hard to find when you’re the Arts Director of a major advertising company.” Eva gave Sabrina a reassuring smile.
“Well, no…I mean…how did you get my name? How do you know to come to me?”
Eva’s smile faded when she noticed Sabrina get slightly uncomfortable. “Someone gave us your name. Again, I apologize for such short notice. Today is Wednesday and you don’t have much time to think about it.”
“Think about what? I don’t understand what you want from me.” Sabrina said slightly annoyed.
“We, I mean my client and I would like for you to testify against Zack Efron in court on Friday. Did he not sexually assault you as well, years ago?”
Sabrina shot up out of her chair glaring down at Eva . “Who told you that?”
Eva jumped back slightly in her chair at the sudden rage coming from Sabrina. “Okay…maybe we should start over. Do you know Zack Efron?”
Sabrina walked away from her desk and stood at her large glass window in her office. She looked over the city of Atlanta and the miles of traffic down below. She finally answered, “Yes. I know him.”
“Did he by any means violate you in any way physical at the age of 14?”
Sabrina took a deep breath as she ran both of her hands thru her hair pulling all of her hair back away from her face. She couldn’t believe this. Was she about to admit this tragic event to a stranger she never seen or spoke to when she couldn’t even tell her family? Eva stood up and walked over to Sabrina standing next to her at the window. She gently placed her hand on her shoulder.
“Ms. Cain…it’s okay. It’s never too late to do anything about it even if it happened years ago. No matter what happened, it was not your fault. Your no, meant no.”
Sabrina allowed a tear to silently escape down her cheek as she thought about that frightful night when she was only 14 years old. She continued to look down at the Atlanta traffic. “What happens if I say yes, he did…violated me…what happens then.” Sabrina hesitated, scared to actually say the words 'he raped me’ to the attorney.
Eva folded her arms in front of her chest and replied, “Then this pompous asshole will no longer hurt any more women. If we can prove that he has a lifestyle record as a rapist, then he can be put away for a very long time.”
“What if I never reported it. How will anyone know I was telling the truth?”
“Details. I won’t give you any details about what he did with my client, but if it matches, then I would say we have a winner. Plus…you have a witness.”
Sabrina snapped her head up and looked over at Eva. “What?”
Eva smiled. “Well, I wouldn’t say a witness meaning someone saw it happened. But you did tell someone. That someone is how I was able to contact you. Nicholas Lancaster sound familiar?”
Sabrina rolled her eyes. ‘Should have known!’ she thought to herself. Nick told. But how, and when? Sabrina’s mind was running a mile a minute. She started to get angry at Nick. ‘How dare he go behind my back and report this.’ Sabrina placed one hand on her hip.
“No…I can’t do this.”
Eva’s smile quickly disappeared. “I'm sorry?”
“I don’t want to. I can’t do this.” Sabrina began pacing in her office.
“Ms. Cain, there is nothing to fear. We’re just hoping that there are a few more females who are able to come forward and –“
“I don’t care. No. I have moved on and I can’t…I will not do this. Im sorry Mrs. Mendez, but you’re going to have to find someone else.” Sabrina said now walking to her door and opening it for Mrs. Mendez to leave.
Mrs. Mendez walked up to the chair she once sat in. “Ms. Cain, I just need for you to at least give it more time to think this over and –“
“No. My no means no, Mrs. Mendez.” Sabrina said coldly still holding the door open for her to leave.
Eva gave her a faint smile filled with disappointment. She reached inside her briefcase pulling out a card. She then closed it and placed her purse on her shoulder. She calmly walked up to Sabrina preparing to exit and stopped in front of her standing at the doorway. “If you change your mind, Ms. Cain….” She held up her business card for Sabrina to take. She continued, “Please don’t hesitate to call or even come by.” Sabrina snatched the card away from Eva’s hand.
“Thank you for your time.” Eva nodded to Sabrina and walked away.
Sabrina slammed her door and walked back over to her window and looked out into the city of Atlanta. She then looked down at the business card Eva had given her. She became angry again and thought about Nick. She was obviously ready to give him a piece of her mind.
Sabrina sat down at her desk and dialed Nick’s cell phone. She allowed his phone to ring five times and hung up when he didn’t answer. She dialed it once more and allowed his phone to ring until his voice mail picked up.
“You know who you called, so leave a message.” Nick’s deep voice answered followed by a moderate beep.
“Nick, call me as soon as possible.” Sabrina rushed into the phone with a slight attitude and slammed the phone down.
Part II
It was the end of the day and Sabrina was getting ready to head home when her desk phone rang. “This is Sabrina.” She answered standing up reaching over her desk to answer the phone.
“Brin, we need you to come to the hospital.” It was her aunt Kelly on the other line.
Sabrina didn’t need to hear her aunt say anything else. She hung the phone up and rushed over to the hospital where she knew her father would be.
The cancer was winning and this was something Sabrina was in denial about. But it was all too real. Sabrina had called Raven to accompany her to the hospital in case things were to get worst. She just didn’t like the way Kelly’s voice sounded on the phone. She sounded like she had been crying.
“Don’t worry, babe, he’s probably just having a hard time today and maybe he’s been asking for you.” Raven said as she drove Sabrina to the hospital.
Sabrina remained silent as she looked out the window.
Over the last month, her father had been in and out of the hospital. But something was different this time. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but something wasn't right. The day had been a full day. Right now she didn’t want to think about Nick. She didn’t want to think about her job, and she surely didn’t want to think about attorney Eva Mendez.
“Brin, we need you to come to the hospital.” It was her aunt Kelly on the other line.
Sabrina didn’t need to hear her aunt say anything else. She hung the phone up and rushed over to the hospital where she knew her father would be.
The cancer was winning and this was something Sabrina was in denial about. But it was all too real. Sabrina had called Raven to accompany her to the hospital in case things were to get worst. She just didn’t like the way Kelly’s voice sounded on the phone. She sounded like she had been crying.
“Don’t worry, babe, he’s probably just having a hard time today and maybe he’s been asking for you.” Raven said as she drove Sabrina to the hospital.
Sabrina remained silent as she looked out the window.
Over the last month, her father had been in and out of the hospital. But something was different this time. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but something wasn't right. The day had been a full day. Right now she didn’t want to think about Nick. She didn’t want to think about her job, and she surely didn’t want to think about attorney Eva Mendez.
Sabrina and Raven walked quickly thru the hospital to the floor her father was on. In the waiting room was her aunt Kelly and her son Cody. Kelly looked up while having her arms around Cody. Cody looked up to see his mom. He hopped up and ran to her wrapping his arms around her waist. “Hey sweetie. Are you okay?” Sabrina asked as she welcomed his embrace.
“Just make sure grandpa is going to be okay. Make sure he comes home today, okay?”
Sabrina looked up at her aunt as she ran her fingers thru Cody’s short hair. “Okay honey.” She responded slowly.
Kelly stood up with her arms crossed in front of her with a glum expression. She looked like she wanted to talk to Sabrina alone.
Raven saw the look and leaned down to get Cody’s attention. “Hey Code-meister. Give aunt Raven a hug, huh?” Cody released Sabrina and hugged Raven. He kissed her on the cheek as he hugged her. As they pulled away, Raven said, “Let’s go see what’s in the vending machines. Are you hungry? Thirsty?”
“Thirsty. Can I have an orange soda?”
“Sure thing, buddy.” Raven said as she gave Sabrina and Kelly a look as if telling them it was okay, and that she would take care of him. They then walked down the hall.
“Aunt Kelly, is dad going to be okay? What happened? Did his body reject the medicine? I mean, what’s going on?”
Kelly looked like she was on the verge of tears. It looked like she was trying to be strong while Cody was with her, but now she looked like she was about to lose it. “Brin…” she said with her voice trembling and her eyes beginning to water.
“What? Aunt Kelly, what?” Sabrina asked impatiently.
“Sweetie, it doesn’t look good.” She finally said as a tear rolled down her face.
“What…what do you mean?” Sabrina said folding her arms in front of her chest and getting more impatient.
“The doctors said the cancer has completely taken over all of his blood cells. There is nothing they can do. They said he’s basically holding on by a thread right now.” Kelly said as she sniffed and wiped her tear.
Sabrina just stood there in silence for a moment as if trying to register what she was saying.
“What does that mean? I mean…how long are they saying he has to live? Another few months? One month?”
Kelly hesitated before answering. “Give or take a day or two. Maybe even hours.”
“What!?” Sabrina shouted as her eyes welled up with tears.
Kelly started to cry a little more when she saw Sabrina’s reaction.
Sabrina backed away a few feet away from her aunt. “What? No! No..no, no, no..Aunt Kelly….No!” Sabrina said now starting to cry.
“Oh, sweetie I know.” Her aunt cried walking toward her and reaching out for her.
“Aunt Kelly it’s too soon! Please…no! I need him! We need him! Please..!” Sabrina continued to say thru her sobs.
Kelly pulled her into a tight hug as Sabrina cried on her shoulder.
Kelly gave Sabrina a few moments to get her frustration off her chest by allowing her to cry. She then whispered to Sabrina, “Listen…we can do this. We knew this day was coming sooner or later, right? Just think of it like this, sweetie; your dad will no longer be suffering any more. He will be at peace, okay? He loves you so much Brin. The doctor’s said they didn’t think he would last this long, and with his wishes, he asked the doctors not to tell us until the last minute. He didn’t want us to worry about him. It was obvious he wanted you to keep living your life as normal and be stress free. That’s why today is the day you have to be strong…be strong for Cody too, because your dad has been holding on strong for so long.” Kelly ended softly as she kissed and hugged Sabrina once more. “He’s been asking for you.”
Sabrina wiped her tears and took several deep breaths to control her emotions. Her aunt was right. Now was the time for her to be strong.
“I’m going to go check on Cody and Raven. You go ahead.” Kelly said also wiping her face dry of tears. Sabrina nodded and slowly walked toward her father’s hospital room.
Sabrina walked in and saw her father lying peacefully in his bed. He was so frail, and so pale. It took all she had not to breakdown as she saw what looked like a different man than the man she once knew as her healthy father. “Daddy?”
Her father, Dean, allowed a smile to slowly spread across his face recognizing his daughter's voice. He extended his frail hand out to her as he slowly opened his eyes. Sabrina slowly walked up to him gently grabbing his slender hand; the same hand that use to feel so hard and strong in her delicate hand. Dean saw her somber face and pouted. “Awe, babygirl…turn that frown upside down. You’re too beautiful to look so upset.”
Sabrina immediately felt like she was a child again. “Daddy why didn’t you tell us how sick you really were? You made us believe that you were fighting this thing and you would be okay.” Sabrina’s voice quivered.
“Oh…I didn’t want you to worry. Besides…I was fighting this thing.” He said with a cough. “I wanted to make sure I stuck around to see you and my grandson grow happier than ever. I had to make sure my Code-meister was going to be able to take care of you before I take my long nap.”
Sabrina began crying. She could no longer hold it in. “But I need you, daddy. I still need you…” She leaned down on his chest hugging his frail body as she sobbed hysterically. “I love you daddy.”
Dean wrapped his slender arms around his daughter as a single tear rolled down his slightly sunken cheek. “I love you so much, Brin.” He said trying to control his emotions. “You don’t need me anymore. Trust me. You're a strong woman. I think your mom and I did a pretty damn good job in raising you. Your Aunt Kelly will always be there for you. I know she wouldn’t dare let a fly hurt you. And now…” Dean said as his voice trembled, “It’s time your mom and I reconnect again. Now we’ll both look down on you and Cody. I promise, baby.” He said kissing her on the crown of her head as she continued to cry.
---------
In the waiting room while Cody was using the restroom, Kelly gave the status on Dean to Raven. Raven tried to hold in her tears but a few tears escaped down her cheek. “I thought he had more time..” Raven said softly as she wiped her tears.
“I know.” Kelly said quietly.
Kelly took a deep breath trying to cope with her emotions. She then told Raven, “Nick called. He’s on his way here and Sabrina has no idea. He wanted to surprise her but I didn’t know how to tell her that and tell her about her dad.”
“Wow. She could use Nick right now, ya know? Why don’t we just allow her to see him for herself?”
Kelly nodded her head still feeling glum about her brother.
Raven gave Kelly a hug. “We’re all here for you guys.”
“Thanks, Raven.”
Cody came back into the waiting room with them. He saw their somber faces. “Grandpa’s not going to be okay, is he?”
Kelly smiled thru her tears and pulled him to her closely. “He will be one day. But for now…all we can hope for is that grandpa will no longer suffer. Right?”
Cody sadly nodded his head and softly replied, “Yep.” He then raised his arms and hugged Kelly’s neck forcing Kelly to allow more tears escape down her face.
A few tears rolled down Raven’s face as she tried not to mess up her makeup anymore than it already was.
At that moment, Nick walked around the corner. Raven looked up and saw him with a bouquet of yellow daisies in his hands. Raven thought he looked so handsome in his powder blue v-neck shirt, blue jeans and black vans (shoes). Nick took a deep breath when he saw all of their faces. Raven stood up and greeted Nick by giving him a hug. “Im not too late am I?” Nick asked Raven softly.
Raven figured he was talking about Mr. Cain if he had passed or not. Raven shook her head no. “No…Sabrina is still back there with him.”
“Hey…I know you…right?” Cody said pointing at Nick. He remembered him from the times that he and Sabrina talked on their web cam.
Nick smiled. “That’s right. Im Nick, remember?”
Cody smiled back. “Oh yeah. What’s up?”
Nick extended his hand to shake Cody’s hand. Cody welcomed his greeting. “Nice to finally meet you in person, Cody.”
“Thanks.” Cody replied.
Nick then saw Kelly wiping her face dry. Even though Kelly's face was blotchy red and had red puffy eyes as if she had been crying for months, Nick could still see her beauty. She gave him a smile saying, “Hi Nicholas.”
Nick embraced her saying hi back. He gave her a genuine squeeze. He was happy to see her yet sad it had to be on a day like today. “How are you holding up?”
“Not too good, but Im trying.” She said with a smile.
Nick faintly smiled back feeling sympathetic. “What about Brin?” Nick asked softly.
“I haven’t seen her since she went back to see Dean. I wanted to give her alone time with her father.” She then looked over at Raven who had her arm draped across Cody’s chest. “Raven, do you mind going back there and getting Brin? I know you haven’t seen Dean yet, so I think it would be good for you to go check on her.”
“Sure.” Raven said sweetly. She ruffled her fingers thru Cody’s hair before leaving out.
Raven knocked on Dean’s hospital door. She cracked it open to see Sabrina lying down next to her father. “Sabrina?” Raven called out to her softly.
Sabrina raised her head as Dean opened his eyes to see who was at the door.
Dean smiled seeing that it was Raven.
Sabrina sat up her eyes now puffy and red like her aunt.
“Raven…” Dean said in a weak voice. “Come on over here my sexy caramel chocolate girl. Did I get that right?” Dean said now extending his slender hand out to her.
Raven smiled and giggled. “Oh Mr. Dean, your still so silly. But you forgot sexy caramel chocolate beautiful girl.”
Sabrina laughed at the two. That was the relationship they had. Always joking with each other. Sabrina stood up and walked around her father’s bed to stand next to Raven.
Raven leaned down giving Dean a hug. “Mr. Dean. We can’t have you laying up in this bed. Im used to you being the Clark Kent and our Superman. What are we going to do with you?” Raven teased him.
He chuckled with a cough. “Love me?” he smiled with his eyes half closed.
“And I will never stop.” Raven said with tears in her eyes. She leaned down and kissed his cheek lightly.
Sabrina smiled as a tear slowly rolled down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away. She then looked at Raven and asked quietly, “How’s Cody?”
“Uhm..why don’t you come see for yourself.” Raven said calmly while speaking softly only for Sabrina to hear.
Sabrina nodded okay and touched her father’s arm. “Dad, I’ll be right back. Im going to check on Cody, okay?”
Dean slowly nodded his head saying 'okay'.
Raven and Sabrina walked out of his room. As they walked down the hall, Raven placed her arm around her friend and gave her a sideway hug. When they turned the corner, that’s when Sabrina saw Cody leaning against the wall drinking his orange soda, while her aunt Kelly was talking to Nick.
Sabrina couldn’t believe it. Was she seeing things? She blinked harder to make sure her tears weren't blocking her eyesight. “Nick?” she said in shock as they continued to walk down the hall.
Nick smiled at her as he held his bouquet of yellow daisies.
Sabrina started to cry. “What are you doing here?”
Nick quickly wrapped his arms around her as she allowed tears to roll down her face wetting his shirt near his shoulder. “Hey Bri-bear.” He said softly to her as he held her tight.
For the moment, Sabrina had completely forgotten about being upset with him about the attorney. For now, it was all about her family and friends. Nick was there for her during another tragic event. First her mother, and now her father. Sabrina slowly pulled away from him wiping her tears. “Im sorry, I just soaked your shirt.” Sabrina slightly laughed thru her tears as she tried to dry his shirt.
“Don’t worry about it.”
Sabrina looked up at his handsome face. “How did you know –“
“I was coming to surprise you anyway, and then I spoke to Kelly.” Nick interrupted her already knowing what she was going to ask.
Sabrina and Kelly exchanged glances. Kelly smiled.
Nick added, “I got you something too.” He handed her the daisies.
“Thank you.” Sabrina said as she sniffed due to her crying.
After a long pause, Nick asked, “Can I see him?”
Sabrina walked Nick toward her father’s hospital room. Sabrina walked in first with Nick close behind her. “Dad, look who I found.”
“Mr. Cain, hey, it’s me, Nick.” Nick said in a low tone.
Dean smiled without opening his eyes. “Nicholas, my man.” Dean said in his weak voice. He then balled his fist and raised it in the air as if waiting for Nick to give him a fist bump.
Nick smiled and walked up to him and did just so.
Sabrina smiled.
“I knew you’d be here. I knew it.” Dean said weakly.
“Father knows best, right?” Nick chuckled lightly even though he hated to see his best friend’s father look so ill.
Dean opened his eyes and looked up at Nick. “You grew up handsomely young man. Im sure your parents are proud.”
“Yes sir."
“Brin, hun, let me speak to this young man privately.”
“Oh…okay. Uhm…I’ll be waiting right outside.” Sabrina responded.
Nick smiled and winked at Sabrina.
Sabrina gave him a faint smile and walked out.
Dean didn’t speak until he heard the door close. “Welcome home, son.” Dean said with a smile yet still in his weak voice.
“Good to be back here in Atlanta. And good to hear you call me son. I’ve always loved you like a father Mr. Cain.”
“Good to know.” Dean said with his eyes closed.
Nick felt so bad. He truly was hanging on by a thread as he watched him cough.
“Mr. Cain…there’s something I have been meaning to talk to you about.” Nick said taking a deep breath. “Sabrina lead me to believe that you were going to fight this thing and I thought I had all the time in the world to talk to you about this. But unfortunately…” Nick paused not sure what to say.
Dean slowly raised his hand as if to wave Nick off saying not to worry about it.
Nick continued, “I wanted to be more prepared. And … I don’t know if this is the appropriate time or not.” Nick paused again. “Mr. Cain…I love you, Kelly, and Cody. And I realized once I saw Sabrina at the class reunion, that Im in love with her.” Nick paused and cleared his throat nervously. “And I want to make it official one day, but not before I have your permission.”
Dean smiled. “My permission for what, son?”
“To have your daughter’s hand in marriage. I mean, I don’t have a ring yet, and I plan on asking her properly the way she should be proposed to, but it would mean the world to me if I knew I had your blessing.”
Dean laughed causing himself to cough. He thought about the first time Nick asked him for Sabrina’s hand in marriage. He was only 10 years old at the time. Now he was a grown man, and he finally asked him the correct way. He then cleared his throat. “Perfect timing.” He smiled. Nick smiled back at him.
“I was wondering what took you so long.”
Nick chuckled in relief.
“Do you remember when you asked me the same question when you were just 10 years old.”
Nick nodded yes and smiled.
“I told you then, that when you were confident in your answers to the questions I gave you…to come back and talk to me.”
Nick nodded as his expression turned serious.
“So..are you sure you’re in love with my daughter?”
“More than you’ll ever know, sir.” Nick responded quickly.
“Do you understand and know what love is?”
“Most definitely.”
“Can you support my daughter?”
“I can support your daughter Sabrina and your grandson Cody without a doubt.”
“Can you protect my daughter and my grandson when Im gone?”
Nick found himself getting slightly teary eyed. “Yes…With all of my heart, until the day I die, sir.”
Dean smiled weakly followed by a long silent pause. “Nicholas…I’d be proud to know that her mother and I have you as a son-in-law.”
Nick smiled saying, “Thank you sir. That means a lot.” Nick leaned down to hug him.
-------------
Hours later, Raven took Cody home with her, while Sabrina, Kelly and Nick stayed at the hospital.
Sabrina was lying next to her father, while Kelly held her brother’s hand as she sat in a chair close to his bed. Nick sat in a chair near the window. Dean’s life seem to have deteriorated quickly once he spoke to Nick.
Nick felt like it was as if he was waiting to know that Sabrina would live happily ever after with him. Or so he would like to think.
The silence in the room was filled with his slowing beeping noise of his heart rate monitor. As it got slower, Nick found himself not able to take it any longer. He quietly excused himself from the room and stood outside.
Kelly’s face was wet with tears as she finally felt she could let her brother go. She kissed his hand and walked outside where Nick stood.
Nick embraced her as she quietly cried.
Sabrina, however, stayed in her position next to her father.
Beep……Beep……Beep……Beep…
“I love you daddy.”
Beep…Beep…. …Beep….
“Tell mommy, I said hi and I love her too.”
Beep…….Beep….
“I promise to make you proud.”
Beep ……… Followed by a long steady silent tone……...............
Sabrina quietly sobbed.
“Just make sure grandpa is going to be okay. Make sure he comes home today, okay?”
Sabrina looked up at her aunt as she ran her fingers thru Cody’s short hair. “Okay honey.” She responded slowly.
Kelly stood up with her arms crossed in front of her with a glum expression. She looked like she wanted to talk to Sabrina alone.
Raven saw the look and leaned down to get Cody’s attention. “Hey Code-meister. Give aunt Raven a hug, huh?” Cody released Sabrina and hugged Raven. He kissed her on the cheek as he hugged her. As they pulled away, Raven said, “Let’s go see what’s in the vending machines. Are you hungry? Thirsty?”
“Thirsty. Can I have an orange soda?”
“Sure thing, buddy.” Raven said as she gave Sabrina and Kelly a look as if telling them it was okay, and that she would take care of him. They then walked down the hall.
“Aunt Kelly, is dad going to be okay? What happened? Did his body reject the medicine? I mean, what’s going on?”
Kelly looked like she was on the verge of tears. It looked like she was trying to be strong while Cody was with her, but now she looked like she was about to lose it. “Brin…” she said with her voice trembling and her eyes beginning to water.
“What? Aunt Kelly, what?” Sabrina asked impatiently.
“Sweetie, it doesn’t look good.” She finally said as a tear rolled down her face.
“What…what do you mean?” Sabrina said folding her arms in front of her chest and getting more impatient.
“The doctors said the cancer has completely taken over all of his blood cells. There is nothing they can do. They said he’s basically holding on by a thread right now.” Kelly said as she sniffed and wiped her tear.
Sabrina just stood there in silence for a moment as if trying to register what she was saying.
“What does that mean? I mean…how long are they saying he has to live? Another few months? One month?”
Kelly hesitated before answering. “Give or take a day or two. Maybe even hours.”
“What!?” Sabrina shouted as her eyes welled up with tears.
Kelly started to cry a little more when she saw Sabrina’s reaction.
Sabrina backed away a few feet away from her aunt. “What? No! No..no, no, no..Aunt Kelly….No!” Sabrina said now starting to cry.
“Oh, sweetie I know.” Her aunt cried walking toward her and reaching out for her.
“Aunt Kelly it’s too soon! Please…no! I need him! We need him! Please..!” Sabrina continued to say thru her sobs.
Kelly pulled her into a tight hug as Sabrina cried on her shoulder.
Kelly gave Sabrina a few moments to get her frustration off her chest by allowing her to cry. She then whispered to Sabrina, “Listen…we can do this. We knew this day was coming sooner or later, right? Just think of it like this, sweetie; your dad will no longer be suffering any more. He will be at peace, okay? He loves you so much Brin. The doctor’s said they didn’t think he would last this long, and with his wishes, he asked the doctors not to tell us until the last minute. He didn’t want us to worry about him. It was obvious he wanted you to keep living your life as normal and be stress free. That’s why today is the day you have to be strong…be strong for Cody too, because your dad has been holding on strong for so long.” Kelly ended softly as she kissed and hugged Sabrina once more. “He’s been asking for you.”
Sabrina wiped her tears and took several deep breaths to control her emotions. Her aunt was right. Now was the time for her to be strong.
“I’m going to go check on Cody and Raven. You go ahead.” Kelly said also wiping her face dry of tears. Sabrina nodded and slowly walked toward her father’s hospital room.
Sabrina walked in and saw her father lying peacefully in his bed. He was so frail, and so pale. It took all she had not to breakdown as she saw what looked like a different man than the man she once knew as her healthy father. “Daddy?”
Her father, Dean, allowed a smile to slowly spread across his face recognizing his daughter's voice. He extended his frail hand out to her as he slowly opened his eyes. Sabrina slowly walked up to him gently grabbing his slender hand; the same hand that use to feel so hard and strong in her delicate hand. Dean saw her somber face and pouted. “Awe, babygirl…turn that frown upside down. You’re too beautiful to look so upset.”
Sabrina immediately felt like she was a child again. “Daddy why didn’t you tell us how sick you really were? You made us believe that you were fighting this thing and you would be okay.” Sabrina’s voice quivered.
“Oh…I didn’t want you to worry. Besides…I was fighting this thing.” He said with a cough. “I wanted to make sure I stuck around to see you and my grandson grow happier than ever. I had to make sure my Code-meister was going to be able to take care of you before I take my long nap.”
Sabrina began crying. She could no longer hold it in. “But I need you, daddy. I still need you…” She leaned down on his chest hugging his frail body as she sobbed hysterically. “I love you daddy.”
Dean wrapped his slender arms around his daughter as a single tear rolled down his slightly sunken cheek. “I love you so much, Brin.” He said trying to control his emotions. “You don’t need me anymore. Trust me. You're a strong woman. I think your mom and I did a pretty damn good job in raising you. Your Aunt Kelly will always be there for you. I know she wouldn’t dare let a fly hurt you. And now…” Dean said as his voice trembled, “It’s time your mom and I reconnect again. Now we’ll both look down on you and Cody. I promise, baby.” He said kissing her on the crown of her head as she continued to cry.
---------
In the waiting room while Cody was using the restroom, Kelly gave the status on Dean to Raven. Raven tried to hold in her tears but a few tears escaped down her cheek. “I thought he had more time..” Raven said softly as she wiped her tears.
“I know.” Kelly said quietly.
Kelly took a deep breath trying to cope with her emotions. She then told Raven, “Nick called. He’s on his way here and Sabrina has no idea. He wanted to surprise her but I didn’t know how to tell her that and tell her about her dad.”
“Wow. She could use Nick right now, ya know? Why don’t we just allow her to see him for herself?”
Kelly nodded her head still feeling glum about her brother.
Raven gave Kelly a hug. “We’re all here for you guys.”
“Thanks, Raven.”
Cody came back into the waiting room with them. He saw their somber faces. “Grandpa’s not going to be okay, is he?”
Kelly smiled thru her tears and pulled him to her closely. “He will be one day. But for now…all we can hope for is that grandpa will no longer suffer. Right?”
Cody sadly nodded his head and softly replied, “Yep.” He then raised his arms and hugged Kelly’s neck forcing Kelly to allow more tears escape down her face.
A few tears rolled down Raven’s face as she tried not to mess up her makeup anymore than it already was.
At that moment, Nick walked around the corner. Raven looked up and saw him with a bouquet of yellow daisies in his hands. Raven thought he looked so handsome in his powder blue v-neck shirt, blue jeans and black vans (shoes). Nick took a deep breath when he saw all of their faces. Raven stood up and greeted Nick by giving him a hug. “Im not too late am I?” Nick asked Raven softly.
Raven figured he was talking about Mr. Cain if he had passed or not. Raven shook her head no. “No…Sabrina is still back there with him.”
“Hey…I know you…right?” Cody said pointing at Nick. He remembered him from the times that he and Sabrina talked on their web cam.
Nick smiled. “That’s right. Im Nick, remember?”
Cody smiled back. “Oh yeah. What’s up?”
Nick extended his hand to shake Cody’s hand. Cody welcomed his greeting. “Nice to finally meet you in person, Cody.”
“Thanks.” Cody replied.
Nick then saw Kelly wiping her face dry. Even though Kelly's face was blotchy red and had red puffy eyes as if she had been crying for months, Nick could still see her beauty. She gave him a smile saying, “Hi Nicholas.”
Nick embraced her saying hi back. He gave her a genuine squeeze. He was happy to see her yet sad it had to be on a day like today. “How are you holding up?”
“Not too good, but Im trying.” She said with a smile.
Nick faintly smiled back feeling sympathetic. “What about Brin?” Nick asked softly.
“I haven’t seen her since she went back to see Dean. I wanted to give her alone time with her father.” She then looked over at Raven who had her arm draped across Cody’s chest. “Raven, do you mind going back there and getting Brin? I know you haven’t seen Dean yet, so I think it would be good for you to go check on her.”
“Sure.” Raven said sweetly. She ruffled her fingers thru Cody’s hair before leaving out.
Raven knocked on Dean’s hospital door. She cracked it open to see Sabrina lying down next to her father. “Sabrina?” Raven called out to her softly.
Sabrina raised her head as Dean opened his eyes to see who was at the door.
Dean smiled seeing that it was Raven.
Sabrina sat up her eyes now puffy and red like her aunt.
“Raven…” Dean said in a weak voice. “Come on over here my sexy caramel chocolate girl. Did I get that right?” Dean said now extending his slender hand out to her.
Raven smiled and giggled. “Oh Mr. Dean, your still so silly. But you forgot sexy caramel chocolate beautiful girl.”
Sabrina laughed at the two. That was the relationship they had. Always joking with each other. Sabrina stood up and walked around her father’s bed to stand next to Raven.
Raven leaned down giving Dean a hug. “Mr. Dean. We can’t have you laying up in this bed. Im used to you being the Clark Kent and our Superman. What are we going to do with you?” Raven teased him.
He chuckled with a cough. “Love me?” he smiled with his eyes half closed.
“And I will never stop.” Raven said with tears in her eyes. She leaned down and kissed his cheek lightly.
Sabrina smiled as a tear slowly rolled down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away. She then looked at Raven and asked quietly, “How’s Cody?”
“Uhm..why don’t you come see for yourself.” Raven said calmly while speaking softly only for Sabrina to hear.
Sabrina nodded okay and touched her father’s arm. “Dad, I’ll be right back. Im going to check on Cody, okay?”
Dean slowly nodded his head saying 'okay'.
Raven and Sabrina walked out of his room. As they walked down the hall, Raven placed her arm around her friend and gave her a sideway hug. When they turned the corner, that’s when Sabrina saw Cody leaning against the wall drinking his orange soda, while her aunt Kelly was talking to Nick.
Sabrina couldn’t believe it. Was she seeing things? She blinked harder to make sure her tears weren't blocking her eyesight. “Nick?” she said in shock as they continued to walk down the hall.
Nick smiled at her as he held his bouquet of yellow daisies.
Sabrina started to cry. “What are you doing here?”
Nick quickly wrapped his arms around her as she allowed tears to roll down her face wetting his shirt near his shoulder. “Hey Bri-bear.” He said softly to her as he held her tight.
For the moment, Sabrina had completely forgotten about being upset with him about the attorney. For now, it was all about her family and friends. Nick was there for her during another tragic event. First her mother, and now her father. Sabrina slowly pulled away from him wiping her tears. “Im sorry, I just soaked your shirt.” Sabrina slightly laughed thru her tears as she tried to dry his shirt.
“Don’t worry about it.”
Sabrina looked up at his handsome face. “How did you know –“
“I was coming to surprise you anyway, and then I spoke to Kelly.” Nick interrupted her already knowing what she was going to ask.
Sabrina and Kelly exchanged glances. Kelly smiled.
Nick added, “I got you something too.” He handed her the daisies.
“Thank you.” Sabrina said as she sniffed due to her crying.
After a long pause, Nick asked, “Can I see him?”
Sabrina walked Nick toward her father’s hospital room. Sabrina walked in first with Nick close behind her. “Dad, look who I found.”
“Mr. Cain, hey, it’s me, Nick.” Nick said in a low tone.
Dean smiled without opening his eyes. “Nicholas, my man.” Dean said in his weak voice. He then balled his fist and raised it in the air as if waiting for Nick to give him a fist bump.
Nick smiled and walked up to him and did just so.
Sabrina smiled.
“I knew you’d be here. I knew it.” Dean said weakly.
“Father knows best, right?” Nick chuckled lightly even though he hated to see his best friend’s father look so ill.
Dean opened his eyes and looked up at Nick. “You grew up handsomely young man. Im sure your parents are proud.”
“Yes sir."
“Brin, hun, let me speak to this young man privately.”
“Oh…okay. Uhm…I’ll be waiting right outside.” Sabrina responded.
Nick smiled and winked at Sabrina.
Sabrina gave him a faint smile and walked out.
Dean didn’t speak until he heard the door close. “Welcome home, son.” Dean said with a smile yet still in his weak voice.
“Good to be back here in Atlanta. And good to hear you call me son. I’ve always loved you like a father Mr. Cain.”
“Good to know.” Dean said with his eyes closed.
Nick felt so bad. He truly was hanging on by a thread as he watched him cough.
“Mr. Cain…there’s something I have been meaning to talk to you about.” Nick said taking a deep breath. “Sabrina lead me to believe that you were going to fight this thing and I thought I had all the time in the world to talk to you about this. But unfortunately…” Nick paused not sure what to say.
Dean slowly raised his hand as if to wave Nick off saying not to worry about it.
Nick continued, “I wanted to be more prepared. And … I don’t know if this is the appropriate time or not.” Nick paused again. “Mr. Cain…I love you, Kelly, and Cody. And I realized once I saw Sabrina at the class reunion, that Im in love with her.” Nick paused and cleared his throat nervously. “And I want to make it official one day, but not before I have your permission.”
Dean smiled. “My permission for what, son?”
“To have your daughter’s hand in marriage. I mean, I don’t have a ring yet, and I plan on asking her properly the way she should be proposed to, but it would mean the world to me if I knew I had your blessing.”
Dean laughed causing himself to cough. He thought about the first time Nick asked him for Sabrina’s hand in marriage. He was only 10 years old at the time. Now he was a grown man, and he finally asked him the correct way. He then cleared his throat. “Perfect timing.” He smiled. Nick smiled back at him.
“I was wondering what took you so long.”
Nick chuckled in relief.
“Do you remember when you asked me the same question when you were just 10 years old.”
Nick nodded yes and smiled.
“I told you then, that when you were confident in your answers to the questions I gave you…to come back and talk to me.”
Nick nodded as his expression turned serious.
“So..are you sure you’re in love with my daughter?”
“More than you’ll ever know, sir.” Nick responded quickly.
“Do you understand and know what love is?”
“Most definitely.”
“Can you support my daughter?”
“I can support your daughter Sabrina and your grandson Cody without a doubt.”
“Can you protect my daughter and my grandson when Im gone?”
Nick found himself getting slightly teary eyed. “Yes…With all of my heart, until the day I die, sir.”
Dean smiled weakly followed by a long silent pause. “Nicholas…I’d be proud to know that her mother and I have you as a son-in-law.”
Nick smiled saying, “Thank you sir. That means a lot.” Nick leaned down to hug him.
-------------
Hours later, Raven took Cody home with her, while Sabrina, Kelly and Nick stayed at the hospital.
Sabrina was lying next to her father, while Kelly held her brother’s hand as she sat in a chair close to his bed. Nick sat in a chair near the window. Dean’s life seem to have deteriorated quickly once he spoke to Nick.
Nick felt like it was as if he was waiting to know that Sabrina would live happily ever after with him. Or so he would like to think.
The silence in the room was filled with his slowing beeping noise of his heart rate monitor. As it got slower, Nick found himself not able to take it any longer. He quietly excused himself from the room and stood outside.
Kelly’s face was wet with tears as she finally felt she could let her brother go. She kissed his hand and walked outside where Nick stood.
Nick embraced her as she quietly cried.
Sabrina, however, stayed in her position next to her father.
Beep……Beep……Beep……Beep…
“I love you daddy.”
Beep…Beep…. …Beep….
“Tell mommy, I said hi and I love her too.”
Beep…….Beep….
“I promise to make you proud.”
Beep ……… Followed by a long steady silent tone……...............
Sabrina quietly sobbed.
© 2011 CelebritySuperFan
11/01/2011
11/01/2011
Chapter 16
Kelly's Condo
Nick ended up following Kelly and Sabrina with Cody in their car, back to Kelly’s condo apartment. Sabrina wanted to be around Kelly and Kelly was expecting her husband Derek to come home soon due to death in the family. Kelly welcomed Nick to stay in her apartment instead of getting a hotel. With three bedrooms, she figured it would be plenty of room. “The more the merrier.” Kelly said somberly still in mourning of her brother.
It had been a long day and Cody was fast asleep once they arrived at Kelly’s condo. Sabrina had a hard time trying to wake him up so Nick volunteered to carry him inside Kelly’s condo for her. “Are you sure? Kelly lives up on the top floor. Cody is a big boy.”
“Nah, I got him. It’s no problem.” Nick said cradling Cody in his arms.
Once inside, Kelly said, “You guys make yourselves at home. I’ll let you guys decide where you would like to sleep; The guest room, which is the first room on your left, or the office, the room on your right. I will pull out the futon.” Kelly then walked down her hallway leaving Sabrina and Nick alone.
“I’ll sleep on the futon of course.” Nick said softly as he walked toward the guest room to put Cody in the bed.
Sabrina walked into her aunt’s kitchen and grabbed a bottle of wine and a glass from the cabinet. She poured herself a glass of wine when Nick slowly walked back into the living room. He looked at Sabrina, who even though she looked so tired and worn down, he still thought she was beautiful.
Nick sat on a bar stool near the counter that separated the kitchen from the living room. “Is Cody okay?” Sabrina asked taking a sip of her wine and then pouring more into her glass.
Nick slowly nodded yes as he watched her.
“Have some?” she asked holding up her glass of wine.
“No thanks.”
“I think she has some beer or something in her fridge.” Sabrina turned to open Kelly’s refrigerator.
“No, it’s okay. Im fine.” Nick smiled faintly as he kept his eyes on her.
“Okay. You snooze, you lose.” Sabrina added and took a gulp from her wine glass.
Sabrina looked at Nick as she finished her glass. She placed her glass on the counter saying, “I still can’t believe you’re here. Thank you for coming.”
“Of course.” Nick replied.
“And you brought me flowers. Thank you.”
“You are very welcome.”
Sabrina poured herself another glass of wine. Nick thought she was drinking the wine too fast. She was sure to have a headache in the morning. “Brin, why don’t you just go to bed. You have a lot going on in your head right now.” Nick said softly watching her intently.
“Im fine.” Sabrina said flatly.
Before Nick had a chance to protest, Kelly walked up and had changed clothes into a orange tee and gray loosely fitted yoga pants. She sat on the bar stool next to Nick. “Want a glass, Aunt Kelly?” Sabrina asked.
“Sure…but just a little.” Kelly said resting her elbows on top of the counter.
She too looked tired and worn down, Nick thought to himself.
“When do you expect your husband to be home?” Nick asked as he looked at Kelly.
“Im not sure. I guess some time in the middle of the night tonight.” Kelly said taking the glass of wine from Sabrina. She softly thanked her. Kelly squeezed Nick’s shoulder and asked, “Nick, you want something to drink. I have some –“
“Nah Im good. Thanks.” Nick interrupted her with a smile. He then added, “I could sure use some of Mr. Cain’s strawberry pancakes.”
Both Kelly and Sabrina laughed.
“Oh my gosh, weren’t they the best.” Sabrina added. Everyone began laughing and talking about the good memories of Dean Cain. He was going to be dearly missed.
It had been a long day and Cody was fast asleep once they arrived at Kelly’s condo. Sabrina had a hard time trying to wake him up so Nick volunteered to carry him inside Kelly’s condo for her. “Are you sure? Kelly lives up on the top floor. Cody is a big boy.”
“Nah, I got him. It’s no problem.” Nick said cradling Cody in his arms.
Once inside, Kelly said, “You guys make yourselves at home. I’ll let you guys decide where you would like to sleep; The guest room, which is the first room on your left, or the office, the room on your right. I will pull out the futon.” Kelly then walked down her hallway leaving Sabrina and Nick alone.
“I’ll sleep on the futon of course.” Nick said softly as he walked toward the guest room to put Cody in the bed.
Sabrina walked into her aunt’s kitchen and grabbed a bottle of wine and a glass from the cabinet. She poured herself a glass of wine when Nick slowly walked back into the living room. He looked at Sabrina, who even though she looked so tired and worn down, he still thought she was beautiful.
Nick sat on a bar stool near the counter that separated the kitchen from the living room. “Is Cody okay?” Sabrina asked taking a sip of her wine and then pouring more into her glass.
Nick slowly nodded yes as he watched her.
“Have some?” she asked holding up her glass of wine.
“No thanks.”
“I think she has some beer or something in her fridge.” Sabrina turned to open Kelly’s refrigerator.
“No, it’s okay. Im fine.” Nick smiled faintly as he kept his eyes on her.
“Okay. You snooze, you lose.” Sabrina added and took a gulp from her wine glass.
Sabrina looked at Nick as she finished her glass. She placed her glass on the counter saying, “I still can’t believe you’re here. Thank you for coming.”
“Of course.” Nick replied.
“And you brought me flowers. Thank you.”
“You are very welcome.”
Sabrina poured herself another glass of wine. Nick thought she was drinking the wine too fast. She was sure to have a headache in the morning. “Brin, why don’t you just go to bed. You have a lot going on in your head right now.” Nick said softly watching her intently.
“Im fine.” Sabrina said flatly.
Before Nick had a chance to protest, Kelly walked up and had changed clothes into a orange tee and gray loosely fitted yoga pants. She sat on the bar stool next to Nick. “Want a glass, Aunt Kelly?” Sabrina asked.
“Sure…but just a little.” Kelly said resting her elbows on top of the counter.
She too looked tired and worn down, Nick thought to himself.
“When do you expect your husband to be home?” Nick asked as he looked at Kelly.
“Im not sure. I guess some time in the middle of the night tonight.” Kelly said taking the glass of wine from Sabrina. She softly thanked her. Kelly squeezed Nick’s shoulder and asked, “Nick, you want something to drink. I have some –“
“Nah Im good. Thanks.” Nick interrupted her with a smile. He then added, “I could sure use some of Mr. Cain’s strawberry pancakes.”
Both Kelly and Sabrina laughed.
“Oh my gosh, weren’t they the best.” Sabrina added. Everyone began laughing and talking about the good memories of Dean Cain. He was going to be dearly missed.
A few hours later, Kelly excused herself to bed leaving Nick and Sabrina in the living room alone. “I think im going to go to bed myself. You should too, Brin.” said Nick.
Sabrina roughly ran her fingers thru her hair feeling tired and drunk from the wine. “Your right.” Sabrina stood up and immediately stumbled falling back down on the sofa. She started to giggle like a drunken school girl.
Nick stood up and walked over to her extending his hand. “Alright silly girl. C’mon, let’s go.”
Still giggling, Sabrina grabbed Nick’s hand. Nick swiftly pulled her up.
“Oh my…you’re so strong.” Sabrina said flirtatiously rubbing up and down Nick’s shoulder and arm.
Nick took her left arm and wrapped it around his neck as he wrapped his right arm around her waist holding her up. “Well, it’s not like your 300 pounds, Ms. Light Weight.” Nick teased her.
They walked down the hall and into the guest room while Sabrina was still slightly giggling. Nick walked her over to the bed where Cody was still fast asleep.
“I got it.” Sabrina said loudly as she broke free from Nick’s grip.
Once Nick let go of her, Sabrina stumbled and fell onto the bed. She started laughing out loud and then shhh’d herself hoping not to wake up Cody.
Nick smiled at her silliness. “Sleep tight, Brin.” Nick said and started to walk away.
“Nick…wait.” Sabrina said as she sat up running her fingers thru her hair. Sabrina attempted to stand up and almost fell. However she quickly regained her composure.
Nick rushed up to her to catch her if she fell down. “Brin, just lay down and go to sleep.”
Sabrina shook her head no and wrapped her arms around his neck as she stood close to him. “Thank you for coming…” Sabrina said slowly, almost slurring her words. She began running her fingers thru his short curls. “You’re really…sweet. Thank you.”
Nick looked down at her. He so badly wanted to kiss her. However, it was so obvious she was drunk. He didn’t want anything to happen while she was drunk. Nick slowly grabbed her arms and gently pulled them away from around his neck. He then brought her hands up to his lips. He kissed her hands and said quietly, “You’re welcome, Bri-bear. Now, get your pajamas on and go to sleep.” Nick pulled away from her walked out of the room closing the door behind him as he grinned.
------
The next morning, Nick woke up to the smell of bacon. He rubbed his eyes and sat up on the futon. Wearing only his plaid black pajama pants, Nick threw on a black t-shirt and walked to the bathroom down the hall to freshen up a bit. He then walked into the living room and saw Kelly, in the kitchen, passionately kissing a guy who was holding a spatula in his hand while his arms were wrapped around her.
“Whoa, Im sorry.” Nick said apologetic for interrupting them.
Kelly pulled away and laughed when she saw Nick. “No, no…Nick, it’s okay. We didn’t know anyone was up already.”
“Yeah, don’t mind us.” The guy said with a smile and returned to the food cooking on the stove.
Nick smiled and walked up to the bar stool sitting at the counter.
Sabrina roughly ran her fingers thru her hair feeling tired and drunk from the wine. “Your right.” Sabrina stood up and immediately stumbled falling back down on the sofa. She started to giggle like a drunken school girl.
Nick stood up and walked over to her extending his hand. “Alright silly girl. C’mon, let’s go.”
Still giggling, Sabrina grabbed Nick’s hand. Nick swiftly pulled her up.
“Oh my…you’re so strong.” Sabrina said flirtatiously rubbing up and down Nick’s shoulder and arm.
Nick took her left arm and wrapped it around his neck as he wrapped his right arm around her waist holding her up. “Well, it’s not like your 300 pounds, Ms. Light Weight.” Nick teased her.
They walked down the hall and into the guest room while Sabrina was still slightly giggling. Nick walked her over to the bed where Cody was still fast asleep.
“I got it.” Sabrina said loudly as she broke free from Nick’s grip.
Once Nick let go of her, Sabrina stumbled and fell onto the bed. She started laughing out loud and then shhh’d herself hoping not to wake up Cody.
Nick smiled at her silliness. “Sleep tight, Brin.” Nick said and started to walk away.
“Nick…wait.” Sabrina said as she sat up running her fingers thru her hair. Sabrina attempted to stand up and almost fell. However she quickly regained her composure.
Nick rushed up to her to catch her if she fell down. “Brin, just lay down and go to sleep.”
Sabrina shook her head no and wrapped her arms around his neck as she stood close to him. “Thank you for coming…” Sabrina said slowly, almost slurring her words. She began running her fingers thru his short curls. “You’re really…sweet. Thank you.”
Nick looked down at her. He so badly wanted to kiss her. However, it was so obvious she was drunk. He didn’t want anything to happen while she was drunk. Nick slowly grabbed her arms and gently pulled them away from around his neck. He then brought her hands up to his lips. He kissed her hands and said quietly, “You’re welcome, Bri-bear. Now, get your pajamas on and go to sleep.” Nick pulled away from her walked out of the room closing the door behind him as he grinned.
------
The next morning, Nick woke up to the smell of bacon. He rubbed his eyes and sat up on the futon. Wearing only his plaid black pajama pants, Nick threw on a black t-shirt and walked to the bathroom down the hall to freshen up a bit. He then walked into the living room and saw Kelly, in the kitchen, passionately kissing a guy who was holding a spatula in his hand while his arms were wrapped around her.
“Whoa, Im sorry.” Nick said apologetic for interrupting them.
Kelly pulled away and laughed when she saw Nick. “No, no…Nick, it’s okay. We didn’t know anyone was up already.”
“Yeah, don’t mind us.” The guy said with a smile and returned to the food cooking on the stove.
Nick smiled and walked up to the bar stool sitting at the counter.
Kelly & Her Husband Derek
“Nick, I want you to meet my husband, Derek. Derek this is Nick…Sabrina’s childhood best friend I was telling you about.”
Derek turned around with a smile and gave Nick a nice firm handshake. “Pleasure to meet you.”
“Likewise.” Nick responded as he greeted him.
As if on cue, Cody ran into the living room sitting on the bar stool next to Nick. “Good morning everybody.” He said cheerfully.
“That’s all I get? Is a ‘good morning’?” Derek said placing his hands on his waist.
Cody’s eyes widen with surprise when he saw Derek. He gasped. “Uncle Derek!” Cody hopped off the bar stool and ran around the counter into the kitchen to give Derek a hug.
“Ahh that’s more like it.”
“My fault. I saw you…but I didn’t really see you. You know what I mean, right?”
Derek laughed. “I gotcha buddy. It’s okay.”
Kelly smiled. She ruffled his hair as he walked passed her. “Is your mom up?” Kelly asked.
“Yep.” Cody answered as he got back on the bar stool next to Nick. He continued, “She said she has a huge headache.”
“I can only imagine. She had a lot of wine last night.” Nick added.
Kelly agreed.
Moments later, everyone sat around Kelly’s small dining room table. Sabrina had yet to come out from her room.
“Cody, sweetie, go check on your mom for me, will you?” Kelly said politely to Cody.
“Okay.” Cody replied as he hopped up from his chair.
Cody walked into the guest bedroom and saw his mom still lying in bed. “Mommy?” Cody said as he walked over to her. He nudged her shoulder. “Mom…breakfast is ready. Aren’t you going to come eat?”
Derek turned around with a smile and gave Nick a nice firm handshake. “Pleasure to meet you.”
“Likewise.” Nick responded as he greeted him.
As if on cue, Cody ran into the living room sitting on the bar stool next to Nick. “Good morning everybody.” He said cheerfully.
“That’s all I get? Is a ‘good morning’?” Derek said placing his hands on his waist.
Cody’s eyes widen with surprise when he saw Derek. He gasped. “Uncle Derek!” Cody hopped off the bar stool and ran around the counter into the kitchen to give Derek a hug.
“Ahh that’s more like it.”
“My fault. I saw you…but I didn’t really see you. You know what I mean, right?”
Derek laughed. “I gotcha buddy. It’s okay.”
Kelly smiled. She ruffled his hair as he walked passed her. “Is your mom up?” Kelly asked.
“Yep.” Cody answered as he got back on the bar stool next to Nick. He continued, “She said she has a huge headache.”
“I can only imagine. She had a lot of wine last night.” Nick added.
Kelly agreed.
Moments later, everyone sat around Kelly’s small dining room table. Sabrina had yet to come out from her room.
“Cody, sweetie, go check on your mom for me, will you?” Kelly said politely to Cody.
“Okay.” Cody replied as he hopped up from his chair.
Cody walked into the guest bedroom and saw his mom still lying in bed. “Mommy?” Cody said as he walked over to her. He nudged her shoulder. “Mom…breakfast is ready. Aren’t you going to come eat?”
Sabrina slowly sat up holding her hand up to her forehead. She had a migraine headache. “Cody, sweetie please don’t talk so loud. Mommy has a headache.” Cody lowered his voice into a whisper. “Sorry mommy. Aunt Kelly sent me in here to come get you. Everybody is waiting for you. Are you coming?”
Sabrina nodded yes. “Just give me a second, okay?”
Cody nodded 'okay' and ran out of the room.
Sabrina grabbed her cell phone and saw that she had a voice mail message. She wondered if it was someone from her job. Usually she would have Lilly to forward all her calls to her cell phone. Sabrina was sure Raven told everyone at her job that she just lost her father. She dialed into her voice mail message and heard a voice she thought she would never hear from again.
“Hola, Ms. Sabrina Cain. This is attorney Eva Mendez calling in reference to the case filed against the defendant Zack Efron. I hope everything is going okay for you. I know you probably did not want to hear from me again, but I just wanted to call and tell you that you still have a lot more time to think over the things we talked about yesterday when I was there in your office. The court date has changed to Monday instead of Friday. So…you have all weekend. I really…really hope you show up to court on that day. It would make me and especially my client’s day absolutely remarkable. Just in case, my number is 555-2424. Gracias.”
Sabrina huffed in anger and ended the call to her voice mail messages. “As if things couldn’t get any worse.” Sabrina said as she held her head low. She then stood up and looked in the mirror over the dresser in the guest room. She thought about Nick. It was all of his fault she had this added stress. She still couldn’t believe he went behind her back and talked to this woman about her being raped years ago. She brushed her hair and made sure she was presentable to face everyone. She threw on an oversized long sleeved shirt over her white cami tank top. She kept her short gray pajama shorts on, slightly pulling them down to make it look longer. She didn’t even realize when tears had fallen down her face. She wiped her face dry from the tears, and walked out of the room.
“There she is.” Derek said once he saw Sabrina come around the corner.
Sabrina gave him a faint smile. She walked around the table to give him a hug. “Hi, Derek. It’s good to see you. Welcome home.”
Derek hugged her tight. “How are you holding up?”
Sabrina cleared her throat and answered, “Im okay.”
She squeezed Kelly’s shoulder as she passed her to get to her seat which was at the end of the table. Nick sat on the other side of Sabrina, yet Sabrina didn’t bother to look at Nick or say anything to him when he said good morning to her. Sabrina placed her elbows on the table and placed her hand on her forehead. She looked down at the plate of food that was sitting there for her.
“Mom, are you going to eat your bacon? Can I have it?” Cody asked who was sitting to her right.
“Sure, sweetie.” Sabrina replied softly.
Cody happily grabbed her bacon off of her plate.
“Brin, please eat something.” Kelly said with a concern expression as she stared at Sabrina.
“Don’t make me feel bad. I cooked it just for you.” Derek said hoping to make Sabrina smile.
Sabrina lifted her head and placed her hand down flat on the table as she looked at Derek. “Im sorry, Derek. I just don’t have an appetite.”
Nick looked at Sabrina and felt bad for her. He wanted to comfort her in any way possible. He gently placed his hand over her hand as it rested on the table.
Without looking at Nick, Sabrina quickly removed her hand. She stood up and began walking toward the kitchen. “I think I will just go to work today. To kind of get my mind off things.” Sabrina opened the refrigerator and grabbed a bottle of water.
Nick only stared at Sabrina. Nick wondered if she coincidentally moved her hand or if she just didn’t want him to touch her.
“No. That’s out of the question. You are in no condition to work.” Kelly said turning sideways to look at Sabrina in the kitchen.
“Aunt Kelly, I’ll be fine.”
“Brin, I think she’s right. Maybe you shouldn’t go in.” Nick added.
Sabrina took a swig of water from her water bottle as she glared at Nick. After her last swallow, she rolled her eyes at Nick and looked at her aunt. “Like I said…Im going to get dressed.” Sabrina walked out of the kitchen and started to head back to the guest bedroom.
“Sabrina, come on.” Derek protested.
Kelly stood up. “Sabrina, I really don’t think you should go.”
Nick stood up and gently grabbed Sabrina’s arm as she passed them.
Sabrina stopped and snatched her arm away from Nick. “You, get your hands off of me.” Sabrina snapped at Nick.
“Sabrina!” Kelly yelled to her niece wanting her stop having an attitude.
Sabrina kept her eyes on Nick. “You can’t tell me what to do! You know what? Actually, you can just go home.” Sabrina snapped at Nick and walked away.
“Sabrina…” Kelly said in shock of her niece.
Nick stood there completely confused.
“Nick…I am so sorry. Im going to go talk to her.” Kelly said as she rushed after Sabrina.
Nick quietly sat back down in his chair.
Nick, Derek and Cody all looked at each other in confusion. They could hear Kelly loudly knocking on the bedroom door. “Sabrina! Brin, honey, open the door.”
Once Kelly realized Sabrina wasn’t going to answer the door, she calmly walked back toward the dining room table taking her seat. Kelly noticed Nick was no longer eating. “Nick, honey…Im so sorry. You know you don’t have to go home, right?”
Nick cleared his throat. “Uhm…actually, I should probably go. I know you guys have a lot of things to take care of for the funeral.” Nick said with disappointment.
“Nick, I think we could all use any help your willing to give. Just your support of being here is huge.” Kelly said with sincerity.
“I think she’s just hurting real bad, Nick. If anything…don’t go all the way home.” Derek added.
Cody remained quiet as he allowed the adults to talk around him.
Nick hesitated not sure what to say. “Okay…well…maybe you guys are right. Do you mind if I shower first and then I’ll just head out and find a hotel to crash at?”
“Or you can come stay at me and my mom’s house.” Cody added as he munched on his piece of bacon.
Nick smiled. “Thanks Cody. But I think your mom would prefer me at a hotel instead.” Nick gave Cody a wink.
Kelly smiled and ruffled her fingers thru Cody’s hair. “Cody you’re so sweet. Nick, you can do anything you like. You can even stay here. Just don’t go home.”
Nick nodded in agreement.
Later, Nick was dressed and had his things packed. As Nick was walking down the hall to go into the living room, Sabrina had come out of the guest bedroom, dressed as if she were going to work. They stared at each for a second. Sabrina rolled her eyes and continued to walk into the living room as well.
“Sabrina…” Nick called out to her calmly as he followed her with his bag in tote. “Do you mind helping me understand why you keep rolling your eyes at me?”
Sabrina didn’t respond. She walked into the kitchen looking for a granola bar.
“Brin, I thought we talked about this. About communication?” Nick said still speaking calmly to her.
“Communication, Nick? Right…maybe you should look up the definition to the word.” Sabrina snapped.
“What are you talking about?”
“You know what im talking about, Nick?”
Nick took a deep breath trying to remain calm. However, his patience was starting to run low. “Fine. You want me to leave. Im leaving. But do you mind telling me why you’re so pissed at me?”
Sabrina placed her hand on her hip. “Does Eva Mendez, attorney at law, ring a bell?”
Nick swallowed hard. “Yes.”
“You asshole. Of course you would know that name.” Sabrina said starting to walk pass him.
Nick jumped in front of her to stop her. “She can help, Brin.”
“Help who? She wants me to help her. And how dare you go behind my back—“
“If I didn’t then you would never get help.”
Sabrina shoved Nick away from her. “I don’t need fucking help! Why can’t you just let it go! I have! Let it go, Nick! LET IT GO!”
“Brin, I—“
“It’s my life! I was raped a long time ago! Let that shit go!”
“You were what?”
Sabrina gasped when she heard her aunt’s voice.
Sabrina nodded yes. “Just give me a second, okay?”
Cody nodded 'okay' and ran out of the room.
Sabrina grabbed her cell phone and saw that she had a voice mail message. She wondered if it was someone from her job. Usually she would have Lilly to forward all her calls to her cell phone. Sabrina was sure Raven told everyone at her job that she just lost her father. She dialed into her voice mail message and heard a voice she thought she would never hear from again.
“Hola, Ms. Sabrina Cain. This is attorney Eva Mendez calling in reference to the case filed against the defendant Zack Efron. I hope everything is going okay for you. I know you probably did not want to hear from me again, but I just wanted to call and tell you that you still have a lot more time to think over the things we talked about yesterday when I was there in your office. The court date has changed to Monday instead of Friday. So…you have all weekend. I really…really hope you show up to court on that day. It would make me and especially my client’s day absolutely remarkable. Just in case, my number is 555-2424. Gracias.”
Sabrina huffed in anger and ended the call to her voice mail messages. “As if things couldn’t get any worse.” Sabrina said as she held her head low. She then stood up and looked in the mirror over the dresser in the guest room. She thought about Nick. It was all of his fault she had this added stress. She still couldn’t believe he went behind her back and talked to this woman about her being raped years ago. She brushed her hair and made sure she was presentable to face everyone. She threw on an oversized long sleeved shirt over her white cami tank top. She kept her short gray pajama shorts on, slightly pulling them down to make it look longer. She didn’t even realize when tears had fallen down her face. She wiped her face dry from the tears, and walked out of the room.
“There she is.” Derek said once he saw Sabrina come around the corner.
Sabrina gave him a faint smile. She walked around the table to give him a hug. “Hi, Derek. It’s good to see you. Welcome home.”
Derek hugged her tight. “How are you holding up?”
Sabrina cleared her throat and answered, “Im okay.”
She squeezed Kelly’s shoulder as she passed her to get to her seat which was at the end of the table. Nick sat on the other side of Sabrina, yet Sabrina didn’t bother to look at Nick or say anything to him when he said good morning to her. Sabrina placed her elbows on the table and placed her hand on her forehead. She looked down at the plate of food that was sitting there for her.
“Mom, are you going to eat your bacon? Can I have it?” Cody asked who was sitting to her right.
“Sure, sweetie.” Sabrina replied softly.
Cody happily grabbed her bacon off of her plate.
“Brin, please eat something.” Kelly said with a concern expression as she stared at Sabrina.
“Don’t make me feel bad. I cooked it just for you.” Derek said hoping to make Sabrina smile.
Sabrina lifted her head and placed her hand down flat on the table as she looked at Derek. “Im sorry, Derek. I just don’t have an appetite.”
Nick looked at Sabrina and felt bad for her. He wanted to comfort her in any way possible. He gently placed his hand over her hand as it rested on the table.
Without looking at Nick, Sabrina quickly removed her hand. She stood up and began walking toward the kitchen. “I think I will just go to work today. To kind of get my mind off things.” Sabrina opened the refrigerator and grabbed a bottle of water.
Nick only stared at Sabrina. Nick wondered if she coincidentally moved her hand or if she just didn’t want him to touch her.
“No. That’s out of the question. You are in no condition to work.” Kelly said turning sideways to look at Sabrina in the kitchen.
“Aunt Kelly, I’ll be fine.”
“Brin, I think she’s right. Maybe you shouldn’t go in.” Nick added.
Sabrina took a swig of water from her water bottle as she glared at Nick. After her last swallow, she rolled her eyes at Nick and looked at her aunt. “Like I said…Im going to get dressed.” Sabrina walked out of the kitchen and started to head back to the guest bedroom.
“Sabrina, come on.” Derek protested.
Kelly stood up. “Sabrina, I really don’t think you should go.”
Nick stood up and gently grabbed Sabrina’s arm as she passed them.
Sabrina stopped and snatched her arm away from Nick. “You, get your hands off of me.” Sabrina snapped at Nick.
“Sabrina!” Kelly yelled to her niece wanting her stop having an attitude.
Sabrina kept her eyes on Nick. “You can’t tell me what to do! You know what? Actually, you can just go home.” Sabrina snapped at Nick and walked away.
“Sabrina…” Kelly said in shock of her niece.
Nick stood there completely confused.
“Nick…I am so sorry. Im going to go talk to her.” Kelly said as she rushed after Sabrina.
Nick quietly sat back down in his chair.
Nick, Derek and Cody all looked at each other in confusion. They could hear Kelly loudly knocking on the bedroom door. “Sabrina! Brin, honey, open the door.”
Once Kelly realized Sabrina wasn’t going to answer the door, she calmly walked back toward the dining room table taking her seat. Kelly noticed Nick was no longer eating. “Nick, honey…Im so sorry. You know you don’t have to go home, right?”
Nick cleared his throat. “Uhm…actually, I should probably go. I know you guys have a lot of things to take care of for the funeral.” Nick said with disappointment.
“Nick, I think we could all use any help your willing to give. Just your support of being here is huge.” Kelly said with sincerity.
“I think she’s just hurting real bad, Nick. If anything…don’t go all the way home.” Derek added.
Cody remained quiet as he allowed the adults to talk around him.
Nick hesitated not sure what to say. “Okay…well…maybe you guys are right. Do you mind if I shower first and then I’ll just head out and find a hotel to crash at?”
“Or you can come stay at me and my mom’s house.” Cody added as he munched on his piece of bacon.
Nick smiled. “Thanks Cody. But I think your mom would prefer me at a hotel instead.” Nick gave Cody a wink.
Kelly smiled and ruffled her fingers thru Cody’s hair. “Cody you’re so sweet. Nick, you can do anything you like. You can even stay here. Just don’t go home.”
Nick nodded in agreement.
Later, Nick was dressed and had his things packed. As Nick was walking down the hall to go into the living room, Sabrina had come out of the guest bedroom, dressed as if she were going to work. They stared at each for a second. Sabrina rolled her eyes and continued to walk into the living room as well.
“Sabrina…” Nick called out to her calmly as he followed her with his bag in tote. “Do you mind helping me understand why you keep rolling your eyes at me?”
Sabrina didn’t respond. She walked into the kitchen looking for a granola bar.
“Brin, I thought we talked about this. About communication?” Nick said still speaking calmly to her.
“Communication, Nick? Right…maybe you should look up the definition to the word.” Sabrina snapped.
“What are you talking about?”
“You know what im talking about, Nick?”
Nick took a deep breath trying to remain calm. However, his patience was starting to run low. “Fine. You want me to leave. Im leaving. But do you mind telling me why you’re so pissed at me?”
Sabrina placed her hand on her hip. “Does Eva Mendez, attorney at law, ring a bell?”
Nick swallowed hard. “Yes.”
“You asshole. Of course you would know that name.” Sabrina said starting to walk pass him.
Nick jumped in front of her to stop her. “She can help, Brin.”
“Help who? She wants me to help her. And how dare you go behind my back—“
“If I didn’t then you would never get help.”
Sabrina shoved Nick away from her. “I don’t need fucking help! Why can’t you just let it go! I have! Let it go, Nick! LET IT GO!”
“Brin, I—“
“It’s my life! I was raped a long time ago! Let that shit go!”
“You were what?”
Sabrina gasped when she heard her aunt’s voice.
Part II
Due to the high emotion running thru the house, Kelly made sure Cody was in her bedroom watching television so he couldn’t hear their adult conversation with Sabrina. Kelly demanded Sabrina to tell her what happened when she was 14 years old. Sitting in her aunt's living room, Sabrina finally told her story to her aunt Kelly and her husband Derek, while Nick sat the dining room table listening. Sabrina never gave too many details of what happened. She only told them who was there, how she got drunk, who raped her and how they held her down so each could have a turn with her. She told them that she had got pregnant yet had an abortion. She then informed them about the attorney Eva Mendez, and how the attorney wanted her to be in court on Monday to testify against Zack.
Kelly cried listening to Sabrina's story.
Derek sat there with a disturbed look on his face.
Nick only held his head down hearing Sabrina tell her story as he reminisced about the rumors the school football team had spread about her.
When Sabrina was done telling them what happened, Kelly held Sabrina as she tried to control her emotions. Kelly pulled her away and looked into Sabrina's teary eyes. “Sabrina, why? Why didn’t you call and tell me?”
“Aunt Kelly you were in Japan for your job.”
Kelly pulled Sabrina into her bosom as more tears fell down her cheeks. “Oh, my baby. You should have told your father. You should have told someone.” Kelly looked over at Nick sitting at the table. “Nicholas, why didn’t you say anything?”
“I —“
“I wouldn’t let him.” Sabrina said interrupting Nick and pulling away from Kelly. “I guess that’s why he wont stop meddling in my business now.” Sabrina glared at Nick.
“Nick is right, Brin.” Derek said in a firm tone.
Everyone looked at Derek.
“I think you should go testify in court against that bastard. Make sure you mention everyone who did this to you.” Derek paused and sat forward in his chair. He continued with a disgusted expression on his face, “Because if you don’t…I will go find these bastards and give them the ass whooping they deserved 14 years ago.”
Sabrina sighed, “Derek, that’s not necessary."
“See what I mean…she won’t let anyone do anything.” Nick said with frustration.
Sabrina glared at Nick.
However before Sabrina said anything to him, Kelly grabbed her attention by turning her around to face her. “Sabrina, let me tell you something. First of all…I don’t care where I am or what I am doing. If something or someone ever…ever…hurts you again, you better tell me. Do you understand me?” Kelly continued not allowing Sabrina to respond, “Do you know how your father would feel if he knew this…now? He would be hurt, Brin…absolutely hurt. But you know what? Now that your father is no longer here….” She paused to gather her emotions. “I am 99.99% sure, that he would want nothing more than for you to go and testify against that asshole. It’s for your own good.”
Sabrina slumped over on the sofa burying her head in her hands. “That’s why I need him.” She said as her voice trembled thru her tears.
“That’s what we’re here for, Brin. You have me, Derek…” Kelly paused and looked up at Nick still sitting in the dining room at the table. “…and you have Nick.”
Nick slowly stood up and walked over to the group in the living room. He stood next to Sabrina. He knelt down beside Sabrina gently removing her hair behind her shoulder. He then whispered to her, “Im here for you, Bri-bear.”
Sabrina looked up at him with tears in her eyes. She then reached her arms out and hugged his neck.
The rest of the day, Kelly and Sabrina made arrangements for the funeral. It was a long day.
Raven came by Kelly’s house after work to show her support to the family. She left late that night since she had to work the next morning. But she promised she would be there for the family at the funeral and afterwards.
Not long after Raven left, Sabrina decided to go back to her town home. She asked Nick to stay with her.
He happily agreed.
Kelly cried listening to Sabrina's story.
Derek sat there with a disturbed look on his face.
Nick only held his head down hearing Sabrina tell her story as he reminisced about the rumors the school football team had spread about her.
When Sabrina was done telling them what happened, Kelly held Sabrina as she tried to control her emotions. Kelly pulled her away and looked into Sabrina's teary eyes. “Sabrina, why? Why didn’t you call and tell me?”
“Aunt Kelly you were in Japan for your job.”
Kelly pulled Sabrina into her bosom as more tears fell down her cheeks. “Oh, my baby. You should have told your father. You should have told someone.” Kelly looked over at Nick sitting at the table. “Nicholas, why didn’t you say anything?”
“I —“
“I wouldn’t let him.” Sabrina said interrupting Nick and pulling away from Kelly. “I guess that’s why he wont stop meddling in my business now.” Sabrina glared at Nick.
“Nick is right, Brin.” Derek said in a firm tone.
Everyone looked at Derek.
“I think you should go testify in court against that bastard. Make sure you mention everyone who did this to you.” Derek paused and sat forward in his chair. He continued with a disgusted expression on his face, “Because if you don’t…I will go find these bastards and give them the ass whooping they deserved 14 years ago.”
Sabrina sighed, “Derek, that’s not necessary."
“See what I mean…she won’t let anyone do anything.” Nick said with frustration.
Sabrina glared at Nick.
However before Sabrina said anything to him, Kelly grabbed her attention by turning her around to face her. “Sabrina, let me tell you something. First of all…I don’t care where I am or what I am doing. If something or someone ever…ever…hurts you again, you better tell me. Do you understand me?” Kelly continued not allowing Sabrina to respond, “Do you know how your father would feel if he knew this…now? He would be hurt, Brin…absolutely hurt. But you know what? Now that your father is no longer here….” She paused to gather her emotions. “I am 99.99% sure, that he would want nothing more than for you to go and testify against that asshole. It’s for your own good.”
Sabrina slumped over on the sofa burying her head in her hands. “That’s why I need him.” She said as her voice trembled thru her tears.
“That’s what we’re here for, Brin. You have me, Derek…” Kelly paused and looked up at Nick still sitting in the dining room at the table. “…and you have Nick.”
Nick slowly stood up and walked over to the group in the living room. He stood next to Sabrina. He knelt down beside Sabrina gently removing her hair behind her shoulder. He then whispered to her, “Im here for you, Bri-bear.”
Sabrina looked up at him with tears in her eyes. She then reached her arms out and hugged his neck.
The rest of the day, Kelly and Sabrina made arrangements for the funeral. It was a long day.
Raven came by Kelly’s house after work to show her support to the family. She left late that night since she had to work the next morning. But she promised she would be there for the family at the funeral and afterwards.
Not long after Raven left, Sabrina decided to go back to her town home. She asked Nick to stay with her.
He happily agreed.
Sabrina's TownHome
Nick followed Sabrina to her home. Once they arrived, Cody and Nick helped to bring in a few groceries into her home. Nick walked into a cozy town home.
“Cody, go take your things upstairs to your room.” Sabrina said tiredly.
“Okay.” Cody replied full of energy.
“And get ready for bed.” Sabrina yelled up to him as he ran up stairs.
Sabrina picked up the grocery bags that Cody carried into the house. “Here, I’ll get that.” Nick said as he came from behind her.
“Thanks.” Sabrina smiled faintly.
Nick passed the grocery items from the bag to help her put them away. Nick looked around her kitchen saying, “This is a nice place. You like it here?”
“It will do.” Sabrina said shrugging her shoulders. “Uhm…I only have a two bedroom. So, my sofa is really comfortable. I have extra blankets for you too.”
“That’ll work.” Nick replied.
Moments later, Sabrina grabbed the extra blankets for Nick. Before going upstairs to check on Cody, Sabrina looked at Nick who was sitting on her sofa. “Well…make yourself at home. If you need anything…I’ll be upstairs.”
Nick nodded with a smile.
Sabrina smiled back at him. “Okay. Im going to go take a shower and go to bed. Good night.”
“G’night.” Nick replied keeping his eyes on her.
Sabrina proceeded to walk upstairs.
Nick sat there for a moment in deep thoughts. He thought about Sabrina and her aunt Kelly. Tomorrow was the funeral. He knew it was going to be an emotional day for the both of them. He took a deep breath and stood up. He then grabbed his things and walked upstairs to the extra bathroom and took a shower. Nick didn't realize how tired he was until he submerged himself under the warm shower water. It truly had been a long day. After his shower, Nick toweled dried himself and only put on his red and gray plaid pajama pants. He walked back down stairs and turned off all the lights and laid down on her sofa. Sabrina was right. Her sofa was really comfortable. He threw the blanket over himself and closed his eyes easily falling asleep.
About an hour later, Nick could hear Sabrina’s voice in his dreams.
“Nick?”
Nick thought it sounded all too real.
“Nick?”
Nick finally opened his eyes and saw a dark shadow figure standing at his feet. Nick quickly raised his head and blinked hard to make sure he wasn’t seeing things.
“It’s me. Sorry to wake you.” Sabrina said softly realizing she startled him.
“What’s wrong?” Nick said in his deep groggy voice. He wiped his eyes to adjust to the dark.
“I can’t sleep.” Sabrina responded softly.
Nick sat up as Sabrina moved closer and crossed over him to sit on the sofa forcing him to slide down. The moonlight was shining thru the window allowing Nick to see her slightly better. Her hair was tossed over to the side as she wore a thin white cami tank top and short shorts.
Nick cleared his throat as he rubbed his neck. “You want to talk?” Nick asked still in his deep groggy voice. He was still very tired. He then heard Sabrina sniff. He figured she must have been crying. “Hey…you okay?” he began rubbing her back in comfort.
Sabrina looked at Nick. Thru her tears she glanced down at his bare muscular chest as the moonlight shined on him. She thought he looked so sexy. She then looked away and wiped her tears. Taking a deep breath she finally responded, “Im sorry. I just…Im really glad you’re here.” She looked back over at him as she felt his hand gently rub her back.
“Of course. Anything for you.”
Sabrina softly thanked him.
“Tomorrow’s going to be hard. But you’re strong. You can do it.”
Sabrina gave him a weak smile. “As long as you’re with me.”
Nick smiled.
Sabrina scooted over closer to him and laid down. “Do you mind?” she asked with a faint smile.
Nick didn’t respond. He simply laid down moving behind her in a spooning position pulling the blanket over them both. Sabrina snuggled into him as she flipped her hair to the side so it wouldn't be in his face. Nick wasn't sure where to lay his arm so he awkwardly rested his arm on his side. Sabrina reached behind her and wrapped his arm around her small waist and held his hand. Nick closed his eyes and took in her scent. He thought she smelled so sweet. Almost like passion fruit.
“Thanks for everything, Nick. I don’t know what I would do without you.”
Nick whispered in her ear. “It’s no problem, Bri-bear.”
His low soft whisper in her ear sent a tingly feeling down her body.
“Nick...I’ve made my mind up. Im going to go testify against Zack.”
Nick smiled as he kept his eyes closed. He gave her a light squeeze and gave her a light kiss on the back of her neck. “That’s awesome! Im so proud of you, Bri-bear.”
Sabrina giggled. “Thanks to you and your meddling.”
Nick softly laughed forcing Sabrina to laugh since his cool breath was tickling the hairs on her neck.
“You’re going to be awesome there. You will do fine.” Nick said in his deep husky voice.
“I hope so. I know it’s what my dad would want me to do. And plus…you’re going to be there with me, so, I know I will be fine.”
Nick slowly opened his eyes. “Brin…I can’t be there. But I will be there in spirit.”
Sabrina furrowed her eye brows. “What? What do you mean?”
“I have to go back to work. See, I thought the court date was going to be tomorrow.”
Sabrina adjusted herself so she could face Nick. She turned to lay on her back. Nick raised his head to look at her in the eyes.
“Wait…I don’t understand. You knew the court date was tomorrow. I never told you the court date was tomorrow.” Sabrina said getting slightly upset and now talking in a regular voice.
“Mrs. Mendez told me. I initially was coming here for a surprise visit and to make sure to take you to court on tomorrow. But…that all changed when Kelly told me about your father.”
Sabrina narrowed her eyes at Nick getting more upset. She sat up. Nick sat up with her noticing her anger. “To make sure? Once again, you were going to force me to do something I didn’t want to do?”
“No…that’s not what I meant.” Nick said trying to defend himself.
“Exactly when did you have all these little conversations with this attorney?” Sabrina asked angrily.
“It doesn’t matter does it? The end result is that you made the decision to do the right thing which is to testify against Zack.”
Sabrina huffed and stood up. She folded her arms in front of her chest as she walked away from Nick. “No, I want to know when did you first talk to her and gave her my name?”
Nick thought for a second not understanding what the big deal was. “I talked to her the same night Zack was set free on bond. I went down to the police station to try and stop it, but I was too late. By the time they were ready to hear what I had to say, Taylor and Victoria had already posted his bail. The police gave me the victim’s attorney info and that’s when I talked to her.”
“You’ve been holding this in since we were in Florida for our class reunion?” Sabrina said thru her teeth.
Nick hesitated before he responded. “Well…yeah.”
“I can’t believe you, Nicholas.” Sabrina said and marched off back upstairs toward her bedroom.
Nick watched her stomp away not sure why she was so angry. Nick quickly hopped up and went after her. “Sabrina –“ as he walked away from the sofa, his foot got tangled in the blanket making him trip and stump his toe on the small leg of the table. Nick mumbled a curse due to the pain. He then managed to make his way upstairs. He stopped when he realized he didn’t know which bedroom was Sabrina’s bedroom. He placed his hands on his waist out of frustration and took a deep breath as he lowered his head. “Sabrina?” Nick called out loudly but not too loud to disturb Cody from sleeping. He waited for her to respond. “If you can hear me…Im sorry.”
No response.
Nick sighed and looked up at the ceiling. He gave up and calmly walked back down stairs to go to his temporary bed…the sofa.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
“Cody, go take your things upstairs to your room.” Sabrina said tiredly.
“Okay.” Cody replied full of energy.
“And get ready for bed.” Sabrina yelled up to him as he ran up stairs.
Sabrina picked up the grocery bags that Cody carried into the house. “Here, I’ll get that.” Nick said as he came from behind her.
“Thanks.” Sabrina smiled faintly.
Nick passed the grocery items from the bag to help her put them away. Nick looked around her kitchen saying, “This is a nice place. You like it here?”
“It will do.” Sabrina said shrugging her shoulders. “Uhm…I only have a two bedroom. So, my sofa is really comfortable. I have extra blankets for you too.”
“That’ll work.” Nick replied.
Moments later, Sabrina grabbed the extra blankets for Nick. Before going upstairs to check on Cody, Sabrina looked at Nick who was sitting on her sofa. “Well…make yourself at home. If you need anything…I’ll be upstairs.”
Nick nodded with a smile.
Sabrina smiled back at him. “Okay. Im going to go take a shower and go to bed. Good night.”
“G’night.” Nick replied keeping his eyes on her.
Sabrina proceeded to walk upstairs.
Nick sat there for a moment in deep thoughts. He thought about Sabrina and her aunt Kelly. Tomorrow was the funeral. He knew it was going to be an emotional day for the both of them. He took a deep breath and stood up. He then grabbed his things and walked upstairs to the extra bathroom and took a shower. Nick didn't realize how tired he was until he submerged himself under the warm shower water. It truly had been a long day. After his shower, Nick toweled dried himself and only put on his red and gray plaid pajama pants. He walked back down stairs and turned off all the lights and laid down on her sofa. Sabrina was right. Her sofa was really comfortable. He threw the blanket over himself and closed his eyes easily falling asleep.
About an hour later, Nick could hear Sabrina’s voice in his dreams.
“Nick?”
Nick thought it sounded all too real.
“Nick?”
Nick finally opened his eyes and saw a dark shadow figure standing at his feet. Nick quickly raised his head and blinked hard to make sure he wasn’t seeing things.
“It’s me. Sorry to wake you.” Sabrina said softly realizing she startled him.
“What’s wrong?” Nick said in his deep groggy voice. He wiped his eyes to adjust to the dark.
“I can’t sleep.” Sabrina responded softly.
Nick sat up as Sabrina moved closer and crossed over him to sit on the sofa forcing him to slide down. The moonlight was shining thru the window allowing Nick to see her slightly better. Her hair was tossed over to the side as she wore a thin white cami tank top and short shorts.
Nick cleared his throat as he rubbed his neck. “You want to talk?” Nick asked still in his deep groggy voice. He was still very tired. He then heard Sabrina sniff. He figured she must have been crying. “Hey…you okay?” he began rubbing her back in comfort.
Sabrina looked at Nick. Thru her tears she glanced down at his bare muscular chest as the moonlight shined on him. She thought he looked so sexy. She then looked away and wiped her tears. Taking a deep breath she finally responded, “Im sorry. I just…Im really glad you’re here.” She looked back over at him as she felt his hand gently rub her back.
“Of course. Anything for you.”
Sabrina softly thanked him.
“Tomorrow’s going to be hard. But you’re strong. You can do it.”
Sabrina gave him a weak smile. “As long as you’re with me.”
Nick smiled.
Sabrina scooted over closer to him and laid down. “Do you mind?” she asked with a faint smile.
Nick didn’t respond. He simply laid down moving behind her in a spooning position pulling the blanket over them both. Sabrina snuggled into him as she flipped her hair to the side so it wouldn't be in his face. Nick wasn't sure where to lay his arm so he awkwardly rested his arm on his side. Sabrina reached behind her and wrapped his arm around her small waist and held his hand. Nick closed his eyes and took in her scent. He thought she smelled so sweet. Almost like passion fruit.
“Thanks for everything, Nick. I don’t know what I would do without you.”
Nick whispered in her ear. “It’s no problem, Bri-bear.”
His low soft whisper in her ear sent a tingly feeling down her body.
“Nick...I’ve made my mind up. Im going to go testify against Zack.”
Nick smiled as he kept his eyes closed. He gave her a light squeeze and gave her a light kiss on the back of her neck. “That’s awesome! Im so proud of you, Bri-bear.”
Sabrina giggled. “Thanks to you and your meddling.”
Nick softly laughed forcing Sabrina to laugh since his cool breath was tickling the hairs on her neck.
“You’re going to be awesome there. You will do fine.” Nick said in his deep husky voice.
“I hope so. I know it’s what my dad would want me to do. And plus…you’re going to be there with me, so, I know I will be fine.”
Nick slowly opened his eyes. “Brin…I can’t be there. But I will be there in spirit.”
Sabrina furrowed her eye brows. “What? What do you mean?”
“I have to go back to work. See, I thought the court date was going to be tomorrow.”
Sabrina adjusted herself so she could face Nick. She turned to lay on her back. Nick raised his head to look at her in the eyes.
“Wait…I don’t understand. You knew the court date was tomorrow. I never told you the court date was tomorrow.” Sabrina said getting slightly upset and now talking in a regular voice.
“Mrs. Mendez told me. I initially was coming here for a surprise visit and to make sure to take you to court on tomorrow. But…that all changed when Kelly told me about your father.”
Sabrina narrowed her eyes at Nick getting more upset. She sat up. Nick sat up with her noticing her anger. “To make sure? Once again, you were going to force me to do something I didn’t want to do?”
“No…that’s not what I meant.” Nick said trying to defend himself.
“Exactly when did you have all these little conversations with this attorney?” Sabrina asked angrily.
“It doesn’t matter does it? The end result is that you made the decision to do the right thing which is to testify against Zack.”
Sabrina huffed and stood up. She folded her arms in front of her chest as she walked away from Nick. “No, I want to know when did you first talk to her and gave her my name?”
Nick thought for a second not understanding what the big deal was. “I talked to her the same night Zack was set free on bond. I went down to the police station to try and stop it, but I was too late. By the time they were ready to hear what I had to say, Taylor and Victoria had already posted his bail. The police gave me the victim’s attorney info and that’s when I talked to her.”
“You’ve been holding this in since we were in Florida for our class reunion?” Sabrina said thru her teeth.
Nick hesitated before he responded. “Well…yeah.”
“I can’t believe you, Nicholas.” Sabrina said and marched off back upstairs toward her bedroom.
Nick watched her stomp away not sure why she was so angry. Nick quickly hopped up and went after her. “Sabrina –“ as he walked away from the sofa, his foot got tangled in the blanket making him trip and stump his toe on the small leg of the table. Nick mumbled a curse due to the pain. He then managed to make his way upstairs. He stopped when he realized he didn’t know which bedroom was Sabrina’s bedroom. He placed his hands on his waist out of frustration and took a deep breath as he lowered his head. “Sabrina?” Nick called out loudly but not too loud to disturb Cody from sleeping. He waited for her to respond. “If you can hear me…Im sorry.”
No response.
Nick sighed and looked up at the ceiling. He gave up and calmly walked back down stairs to go to his temporary bed…the sofa.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
© 2011 CelebritySuperFan
11/05/2011
11/05/2011