Chapter 25

Heather

I think I'm going mad. For the last few weeks, I was running around trying to get everything done including studying. Gabriele said that I study too hard but it was my very last final and if I didn't ace it I might not fully graduate and had to do another few subjects. I'm so done with studying because after a good four years I'm completely cured of wanting to study.

I still had to maintain being the nanny, picking Luca up from school and cooking, but I stayed here still so it was less stressful than having to drive around.

When I had a short break yesterday Gabriele finally got to test out the leather cups and the feathers.

"These really work." He continued to stroke my bare chest with the soft feather. I let out a deep breath closing my eyes shut. I fought against the black leather cuffs but they didn't budge. He replaced the feather with his lips sliding them down my stomach and onto nether regions.

He had my knees trembling and me wanting so much more, which he happily gave me. When we finished he gave me a hickey on my shoulder just as a souvenir. He did however also promise that he had something else in his arsenal, something other than cuffs or rope, or even his tie.

The best thing about our relationship was that he gets his chance and then I get to take over and do whatever I want with him. He gives me free rein over him. Making a man his size bend to my will made me feel in control and very powerful. Our nightly routine was becoming a little overdone so he promised he has something to spice it up with, and unfortunately, he was going to show me in Italy.

I was very eager for Italy but I had to survive another week of this hectic schedule and then I was free until graduation.

I woke up early today to start prepping for my psychology test that was coming up next week. My phone started ringing, it was literally 6 AM. Who would call at this time?

Tristen.

"Heather, I don't have time to talk- Nichola is in labor." I got the details at what hospital she is. It was Saturday so I didn't need to drop Luca off at school. I left a note on the table and dressed with lightning speed. I quickly did a little equation on my fingers.

When she got married she'd have already at least been two months pregnant, she hasn't talked to me again since the day she stormed out of my apartment. I heard from Tristen my parents made peace with her and he partly forgave her. Alex hasn't been back and they were already divorced. I didn't know why I was even going to the hospital, it wasn't like I cared about her but I did care about the baby. I thought for sure she was going to abort the baby.

In all rights, she wasn't cut out to look after a baby.

I arrived at the hospital jogging up the stairs to the maternity wing.

I quickly got the room number from the nurse on duty.

My parents were standing outside with Tristen. He looked worried, his eyes looked bloodshot and his tie was undone and just limply hanging on his neck. My parents looked worried.

They greeted me softly when I arrive.

"How's she doing?"

"They said there were complications and too much bleeding. They are in surgery now."

"What...my god I hope she's okay."

My face dropped, I felt tears stream down my face. Although I didn't like my sister one bit I still can't let something happen to her. She is after all my baby sister. What if she loses the baby? What if she dies? I really hope she's okay.

"Don't cry sis, she'll be okay. She has us with her always, she's a tough cookie she'll be fine...I'm sure" Tristen wrapped his arms around me in a big bear hug until my sobbing resided.

"Oh dear, let's hope for the best and pray." My mother suggested. My father nodded and we all held hands, we weren't very religious. My mother raised us religiously but it never stuck. She still wanted to pray and it seemed like it was the best idea. I survived a really bad car crash and I was still here. I had reason to believe that if there wasn't anything else there was maybe divine intervention.

My father started praying and I felt my chest constricting as he uttered the words.

" Thank you for sparing our eldest daughter this year, we pray that if it is your will that you'll spare our youngest too Heavenly Father." I squeezed the life out of Tristen's hand trying to keep another few tears from coming. I gasped some air and the prayer ended.

Just when we all looked up Gabriele and Luca were walking up to us. I just ran to him with new tears running down my cheek, tears I couldn't keep back anymore. Gabriele let go of Luca's hand and wrapped his strong arms around me. Picking me up a little and kissed me on my head as I cried, he didn't ask what I was crying about he just held me and told me it would be okay. I released from him and he looked me in the eyes, his brown eyes held pure sadness.

"Darling, are you okay?" I nodded, I turned around to see my mother and father looking at Gabriele with a bright smile and Tristen talking to Luca to keep him occupied.

Gabriele took my hand in his and walked to my parents. I haven't mentioned to them that Gabriele and I were together. I only told them that Tyler is gone. My father looked Gabriele up and down and then did a little nod, I guess he approved. My mother smiled at Gabriele.

"I was right, at the wedding. You two are together."

"No mom, we were not then, but we are now."

"For how long now?" I shrugged.

"About 5 months or more." My mother looked at me with a scowl.

"And you told us nothing!"

"Oh, Evelyn stop it... let the kid live a little without you knowing everything." My father spoke up.

My mom huffed, Tristen eyed us with a knowing smile.

"Why did you come?" I asked Gabriele, he got here quickly and when I left him he was fast asleep.

"I heard you leave and got the letter. I'm here for you no matter what and I know you need some support when it comes to your sister. She having this baby is more upsetting to you than anybody else since you told me that baby is not in the best hands with her." He whispered the latter part knowing my mother would reprimand me for thinking that Nichola wouldn't be a good mother.

All I could say was "Thank you" he just held me tightly. Tristen played with Luca and had him sat down on his knee while he was showing him pictures in a magazine. I hoped he'd have children one day, I mean he would be the greatest father ever and my mom has been nagging him to produce some grandbabies for her since he was the oldest.

He hasn't found the right woman would be his comeback and my mother got her wish, just not from the child she suspected it would be from. The doctor walked to us a good hour later.

"Mr. and Mrs. Jackson...your daughter is stable but there were complications with the baby because she was a breach we had to do a c-section. She's in the ICU now and stable, Nichola is there too but she told us she doesn't want visitors today." We all breathed a sigh of relieve and my parents looked sad that she wouldn't let them see her or the baby. We were so worried about her and this is what she's doing. Like hell.I'm going in. I actually think she is thinking about giving away the baby, it is her choice but she could at least talk to us. I trudged to the ICU with Gabriele behind me, Luca stayed with Tristen. He sweet talked the nurse after I barged in.

Nichola was lying in bed with an IV stuck to her.

"Heather, I told them I don't want to see anyone. What is your little boyfriend doing here?"

"For one I am your sister and I will talk to you if I please, he is here to stop me if I try and murder you." She gave me a bitter laugh.

"After I had a baby and one of my biggest mistakes just cut out of me?"

"Mistake? That baby isn't a mistake it's a precious life you have been carrying inside you for 9 months and it's a girl " for the last few months of the pregnancy she has told us nothing and I found out a few minutes ago that it was a girl.

"It doesn't matter how I'm going to give her up for adoption."

"Why?" I asked calmly, I knew it was the best choice but just giving away a baby of my family would destroy us.

We were a family that survived on love and to keep on trying even if there was nothing left.

"I... I can't look after her, she looks like Alex. I can't look at her everyday knowing what I did to him."

Tristen also walked into the room. Gabriele was sitting in the corner but when he saw him enter he took it as a chance to go back and avoid the war that was going to break out any minute now.

" Why won't you let us in Nichola?" he asked sadly.

"I'm going to give her up for adoption." His eyes changed into furious blue. He was pissed. Uh oh.

"No, I won't allow it. If you don't want her I'm going to adopt her as mine. I've had enough of you Nichola. I don't know how you're going to explain this to our parents or Alex. I won't have her just given away, she's flesh and blood and my niece for god's sake." Nichola blinked a few times.

"You want to adopt her?"

"Yes, I have a stable job, a house and I'll look after with all my heart," he said truthfully. I couldn't help but smile at my older brother. It looks like today my mother gets two wishes, a granddaughter and Tristen becoming a father.

"Then... you can have her." She said not looking at us. I walked out and left Tristen with Nichola. I was angry that she wanted to do that with her child but Nichola was the devil's spawn.

Gabriele was just outside.

"How's she doing?"

"Back to her bitchy self as you saw. Tristen is adopting the baby. So he is going to look after her because Nichola can't and he'll be her legal guardian. He is going to be the best father." We walked back to the waiting area.

"Do you ever want children?" He asked.

"Yes, I do really want children. Holding a little bundle of love must be the best feeling ever. I looked after babies for a while and it was hard work but when they give you that toothless smile, you know it was all worth it." I looked at him and his brown eyes dazzled.

"You really love children don't you." I nodded. My father and mother were playing and entertaining Luca.

"How's she doing, and the baby?" They asked.

"Nichola is fine, I haven't seen the baby yet but Tristen and Nichola will tell you what she decided." My mother looked at me confused.

"Tristen?" Just when she said that he appeared. We excused ourselves and I was happy that things worked out. Although Tristen was going to be a single father I'm sure he would be just as good at it as Gabriele was.

When we drove home Luca asked, "Am I going to get a brother or sister someday?"

"Yes, but that's a long time from now," Gabriele answered.