FIFTY-SIX A

Bryan rubbed his right temple, feeling a headache coming on. Quincy eyed him before looking away. "Why are you okay with this?" "Why aren't you?" Quincy's eyes came back to him, then rested on his hands. His eyebrows furrowed. "She's your daughter.""This isn't about her." He spoke so calmly. As opposed to the worry in Bryan's voice. "How is it not? This concerns her too. It's her child.""It's his child as well. And our grandson." "I can't believe this is coming from you." He shook his head, crossing his legs and looking away. "This isn't about me either.""Damn it man!" Quincy looked up with hooded eyes. "You do know Nick is aware of what he's done?" Bryan nodded. "He needs his father." Bryan rubbed the side of his face, shaking his head. He laughed. "I don't know why you're so hell bent on protecting her from him. You weren't there when He came over the first time. Or the times after that. She doesn't need you." He glared at Bryan. "Or

FIFTY-SIX B

The way her dress flowed behind her when she walked up and down the stairs with Wes by her side. "Hey." Bart snapped his fingers. Nick blinked. "You do realise I was there with you. I-I was at the fundraiser." Nick raised his eye brows. "You were weren't you?""Yes. I was." "I-""Of course you didn't notice. Not when you were so busy-" Bart drew back once he realised. "No way." He scoffed in disbelief. "What?"Bart sat forward, assessing his friend. "No way." He laughed. "Are you for real?" "What?!" Months of succumbing to Lucille's punishment. Like every other day, once she saw him, she stepped aside and let him in. And every time he said hi, she'd look away and reply. That didn't stop her from being hospitable enough to ask if he would like a drink or eat. And just like always... well, most times when she wasn't busy working or out, she'd sit a couch away with the TV killing off the silence or music playing. She had a way of acting like he wasn't there. T

FIFTY-SEVEN A

A lot can happen in six months. Such as conversations and smiles that give the impression that someone has been forgiven. But that was nothing to Nick's still guilty conscience compared to seeing Lucille walking into his office with Marvin by her side. Giving truth to the rumour that he did have a child. Shocking the entire building to find out it was with Lucille. Which explained why she quit when she did and her appearance in his office the few times she did visit. It was easy to figure out for those who were intrigued enough to do a few calculations. But for those who didn't mind a few rumours... Back to the point... main point. Nick loved it when Lucille visited him at work with Marvin. It was of course her way of telling him not to go by the house that day. That they'd have Lunch instead. He didn't care. Today however, although he had been informed she was around, she hadn't knocked on his door. He got a little worried. Or perhaps, just like old times, she had chose

FIFTY-SEVEN B

It was a different heat from the one he was feeling. This one came from his heart. Soothing. Soooo soothing he could feel it forever. If his body wasn't itching so much. He took the glass of scotch she handed him. Lucille smiled like an angel. "Tell me. What exactly happened with the plane and the teenagers?" Nick raised an eyebrow and smiled. Then he chuckled, looking at the glass, the liquid rippling. "You're obsessed with the fact that I fly planes." "It's like you're some sort of Howard Hughes." She sat beside him on the couch. "That's the CEO. Not me. And Howard was into a whole lot more." "It doesn't matter. Just tell me. You said you were nineteen." "I was seventeen." He sniffed. Feeling dizzy. "It- I flew with the CEO once. And I kept going to the cockpit and asking questions. So I got lessons after that. He encouraged my fascination. But something happened in school. I got beat real bad and I got sick. It gave me a lot of time to think.

FIFTY-EIGHT A

Marvin was talking. Saying more words than mama and Lulu. He had conversations with Lucille. But as amazing as it was to watch them, as usual, he couldn't be a part of it. Especially since he didn't understand most of what his son said. Lucille had to interpret it. It didn't stop him from talking to him. When he went to pick up Marvin with Lucille, she asked him... Marvin if he remembered Nick. And since then, Marvin called him Nick. Disappointing... It was the second time they were going out. Lucille and Nick that is. And again, Marvin was crying and saying something about not wanting her to leave. At least that's what it sounded like. Marvin clung to her. Renee smiled at her grand son. "I'm just going out with papa okay?" Did Lucille just say that? He froze. It wasn't noticeable because he hadn't moved in minutes, but still. Wow. He decided; he had to try. "I'll be back soon. Just stay with grandma." "No!" His tiny hands held on tighter. "Renee." Lucille called

FIFTY-EIGHT B

By the time he got back, he wasn’t angry. And Marvin's crying had reduced. The nanny took Marvin from him when he got back. Informing him that Lucille was in the bedroom. Lucille sat up when he knocked and announced himself. They both raked their hands through their hair at the same time. "Hey." She said calmly. "Hi." He took long slow strides to her bed side and bent down. "I-" "I want to be with you." She interrupted him. Nick smiled instantly. He didn't want to and couldn't hide it. "I never thought I'd feel this way about you. But I do." She bent her head. "You calling me prissy- do you not like who I-" "No no. That's not it." He cupped her left cheek, raising her head, her eyes meeting his. "I like who you are and your princessy attitude. It's part of why I like you." He smiled. "I thought about it, and you're right. We should have talked about it. I'm sorry." "Don't be. Are you kidding? Compared to what I did." "But it's still-" "It