A Little Too Late

Chapter 7

"Hello Nicole."

Nicole looked up from her salad to see the Blackbourne Toma group standing by her table. "Gentlemen," She acknowledged.

"I am so sorry for the interruption, Luv," A man said as he came up behind Nicole and placed his hand on her shoulder. "Oh, are we having company?"

"No," She shook her head. "They were just saying hello."

"Hello Gentlemen, I'm William Davies," he said extending his hand.

"Hello, Owen Blackbourne," Owen said shaking his hand.

"How do you know Nicole?" William asked placing his hand back on Nicole's shoulder.

"We are Jessica's older brothers," Owen said straightening his tie.

"Oh, how wonderful," William said. "So, you grew up with Nicole."

"Yes," Owen nodded.

"We would love to sit and talk some more but we are having a quick lunch before we have to return to work," Nicole said politely. "It was....nice seeing you again Boys."

"Another time perhaps," William nodded as he walked over his seat and sat. She reached her hand out and he gently took it automatically making her smile softly.

"Another time," Owen nodded, "Have a nice day, it was great seeing you again Nicole."

"Sirs," The hostess said coming over to them, "your tables are ready, sorry for the wait."

"It's not a problem," Owen said as they followed her to their tables.

"She looks happy," Victor murmured as they watched her eat and chat with the British man.

"Yes she does," Axel nodded while North and Raven glared.

"Nyet like," Raven growled as she laughed.

"Why?" Corey asked curiously. "She's like a little sister to us. Don't you want her to be happy?"

"Da," Raven sighed, "We make happy."

"We lost that fucking privilege," Gabe shook his head sadly.

"Get back," Raven glared. "Want back."

"We all want that privilege back," Luke nodded. "But we have to earn it. To do that, we have to let her be happy with others first. Think about it from her perspective. She saw us with other women, it's karma we are now watching her have her life without us in it."

Raven sighed angrily but nodded in understanding. They saw Nicole hold hands with the man and talk softly. After a bit his phone rang and he kissed her softly then walked off answering it. She watched him then went back to eating her salad. He came back a few minutes later kissed her softly and she nodded then he left. She called the waitress over, paid for the meal and left.

"The asshole made her pay," Gabe shook his head.

"It could have been an arrangement," Victor pointed out trying to remain neutral. "She's independent so she could have insisted. She could also have his card and paid with it, we don't know for sure."

"He could have paid when he left," Brandon mumbled.

"What if she wanted to order something else after he left?" Kota asked. "We can't make assumptions."

"I do what want," Raven growled. "I nyet like."

"Too bad," Axel shook his head. "We just have to deal with it."

"Fine," Raven rolled his eyes.

This went on for months, they would see her out and about with William or when they would have family dinners and ask nonchalantly about her not joining Jessica would just say she was either working or out with William.

They were just sitting down for dinner at Erica and Jessica's when there was a knock on the door. "I'll get it," Erica said placing her napkin down and standing.

"Momma!" Nicole's heartbroken voice filled the house. Jessica immediately hopped up and rushed to the door while the men looked at one another then stood.

"What is wrong Dear?" Erica asked as she held the sobbing woman.

"I don't know what I'm going to do now," She cried as she clung to her pretty much adoptive mother.

"About what Nikki?" Erica asked. "Come on, let's go talk."

"Back off," Jessica told the men as they entered the foyer.

"I was so happy," She cried, "I was happy, Momma, I was so happy."

"I know, Dear, I know," Erica said soothingly as they sat on the couch and Nicole laid down with her head in Erica's lap. "Now, tell me what's wrong?"

She sat up and wiped her face even though the tears kept streaming down. "I should have known it was too good to be true. I should have known I never get to be this happy, something always comes to ruin it. I'm just not meant to have love."

"That's not true," Erica shook her head, "now where is all this coming from?"

"What is going on Nikki?" Jessica asked as she handed her yet another tissue.

"I...I..." She took a deep shaky breath and stood then started pacing. She shook her hands and wiped at her face again. Heartbreak turned to anger right before everyone's eyes. "I got a phone call just a bit ago." She wiped the tears on her face angerly even though more tears poured out. "Momma, I need help, I don't know what to do."

"Of course Dear," Erica nodded, "Anything, just tell me what is going on."

She took a deep breath and shook her hands again, "I know why I've been so sick lately and when I told William he was angry." She took another breath and let it out, "Momma, I'm pregnant and...and...and he's married Momma! He has a wife and children back in England! I'm a homewrecker!"