Two Perfect Wrongs

Sibling Bonds

Nick Newman nervously sat on a Chancellor Park bench waiting for his older sister Victoria to arrive. He had arranged to meet with her to discuss Ashland Locke's death. Their father's moles in the police department had told them that Victoria was still the number one suspect. The family, even Adam, was growing more nervous the longer it took to clear her.

Speaking of the devil, Adam walked into the park and made eye contact with his brother. Nick noticed that his brother was grinning, and he hoped that it was for good and not for evil. "Hey, Adam. What's with the happy face?" he asked his younger brother.

Adam walked over to his brother, smile still plastered on his face, and pulled out the sonogram from his jacket pocket."Nick, I want to show you a picture of your new niece"

Nick raised an eyebrow, that wasn't the news he was expecting. Still, Adam's enthusiasm was contagious, and Nick gave his brother a genuine smile. As he had told Sharon before he wanted his brother to be happy. He hoped that having a daughter would help Adam mellow out; being the father of a little girl brings out a different side of a man.

"A girl, huh. You ready for that?" Nick asked him.

Adam grinned, "I hope so. I am excited for the experience; it should be fun." Nick chuckled; fun was one way of looking at it.

Adam continued "So what brings you here?"

"Waiting for Victoria, we need to talk about Locke." Nick said quietly.

"Talk about what? How she killed him?" Adam asked bluntly.

"Adam! Don't just shout that aloud" Nick screamed, looking around the park to make sure no one heard. "Anyone could hear you."

Adam rolled his eyes at his brother's dramatics, "So you don't want me to discuss Victoria potentially killing Locke in a public place, but you plan on confronting her about potentially killing Locke in the same public place?"

Nick blinked; he clearly hadn't thought of that. "Um..." He stammered trying to think of a defense. The smug grin that appeared on Adam's face annoyed him and he snapped, "Shut up, Adam." Ignoring his brother's chuckle, the eldest son continued, "I don't even know why I'm telling you this. I'm surprised you haven't blackmailed her over this yet."

Letting out a frustrated sigh Adam responded, "Why would I blackmail her? She has nothing that I want and besides I don't care that she killed Locke. Allegedly." Nick tilted his head like a confused golden retriever. "Locke was a smug bastard who almost killed Johnny. If you ask me, he got off easy with those two bullets."

Nicholas could agree with that. Running his hands through his hair, he apologized. "I'm sorry. You've been supportive of Victoria and I shouldn't keep accusing you of the opposite."

"Old habits die hard, right?" Adam bitterly joked. He understood why his older siblings automatically jumped to the worst conclusion, but it was still frustrating and hurtful. "I get it, the old me would have used this against her in a heartbeat. But I like to think I've evolved in the past couple of years."

"I would say so." Nick quipped trying to break the tension. Adam's lips twitched fighting the need to smile.

"I have Sally, Connor, and a baby girl on the way. I'm running Newman with my father's support and constant guidance. I'm happy, okay? I'm genuinely happy and I know it won't last, so I'm trying to enjoy the feeling. We'll never be best friends and I accept that, but I'd like us to be civil. Truce?" Adam extended his hand out to Nicholas.

Nick stared at his brother's hand for a second, before pulling him into a hug. Adam was startled but reciprocated. "You have a truce little brother."

Adam was about to say something when he saw Victoria walk up. He quickly excused himself saying that he had to get back to work. As he walked off, Nick expressed his congratulations to both Adam and Sally. He gave Nick a half smile and nod as he walked past Victoria without saying a word to her. Victoria scoffed at Adam's presence, how Nick could even stand to talk to him was beyond her.