A Little Too Late

Chapter 22

Nicole stepped out of the courthouse and sighed happily. Sean had given her the all clear to go back to work part time in the office since she was doing so well and she was taking full advantage of it.

"So do you know what you are having yet?" one of her coworkers asked as she came up to her.

Nicole chuckled and shook her head, "nope, they are being stubborn and refusing to let me know."

"Oh well," she chuckled, "best to just wait and find out at birth anyway. My mother's doctor swore that my sister was a boy so my mom went and got all boy things, imagine their surprises when I got a sister instead of a brother."

"Oh boy," Nicole laughed.

"Besides," her friend smiled, "there are so few surprises left in this world."

"That's true," Nicole smiled softly.

"Hey, isn't that those guys you know that we saw at the restaurant that one time?" She asked pointing and Nicole looked then gasped.

Sure enough, there was the Blackbourne Toma team walking together and in the middle was a woman with long blonde hair and wearing a pink sundress. She was holding Luke's and Victor's hands as they walked. A pain went through Nicole's chest but she masked her emotions as she watched them all laugh at something that was being said.

"Wonder who she is?" The friend asked and Nicole shook her head.

"Probably the latest conquest," She said shrugging. "Who knows?"

"Hey, since you are off," her friend asked turning to look at Nicole, "do you want to go get something to eat at that new restaurant?"

"That sounds really good," Nicole smiled then shook her head, "but I can't. I have a doctor's appointment for a check up. Some other time?"

"Of course," she smiled as they hugged and walked off.

Nicole watched as Gabe kissed the girl's cheek then Luke wrapped his arm around her waist. She shook her head then headed to her car. She knew she had no right getting mad about something like that but she couldn't help it.

Taking a deep breath she slowly let it out then an idea came to her. Fine, she knew what she had to do. Picking up her phone, she started pressing some buttons then waited for the other person to pick up. "Hey, do you have a minute?"

(A few hours later)

Axel walked into the house and froze. "What?" Marc asked as the rest of the team walked in.

"Something's different," Axel murmured as he looked around. "The air is different."

"Nikki?" North called out but was only met with silence. "Baby?"

"She should be home by now," Owen said as he headed to her room. "Maybe she's sleeping."

"Guys!" Luke called as he stood in her doorway.

"What the fuck?" Gabe asked as he noticed all the empty drawers. He walked into the room then the closet and came back out confused. "What the fuck is going on?"

"She isn't answering her phone," Silas said as he tried calling again.

"Does anyone have any idea what's going on?" Axel asked and they shook their heads.

"Her assistant said she was fine at work today," Marc said hanging up his phone. "That she remained at her desk and was in good spirits when she left at three."

"Mom has no idea," Kota said hanging up his phone. "She hasn't heard from her today."

"I'm going to her house," North said pulling his keys out of his pocket.

They pulled up to her house and as soon as they got out of their cars, Jessica opened the front door and stepped out onto the porch.

"Jess, what is going on?" North asked worriedly.

Jessica crossed her arms and glared at them. "Not here," she fumed. "And I'm not telling you where she is either."

"Why not?" Owen asked. "What is going on?"

"She has decided that she will no longer be living with you," Jess glared as she slowly walked toward them. "Here, she wanted me to give this to you. Now excuse me I have places to be." She shoved an envelope into Owen's chest then walked to her car. She shook her head, "we aren't going through this again. And to think I told her you were changing. Fooled me twice, won't happen again."

She drove off and they looked at each other confused, "What did she mean by that?" Nathan asked.

Owen opened the envelope and they all let out a groan as he pulled pictures of them from earlier today. The image of them holding her hands, kisses on the cheek, and other intimate touches glared back at them. There was a note after the last picture. I won't be in the way. Don't break your family's heart this time, remain in contact at least. Owen then growled as he pulled out cash with a note wrapped around it. Reimbursement for the pregnancy items.

"It's empty," Gabe said as he came out of the house. "Everything is gone."

Raven growled, "Find her."